JP2011183703A - Liquid ejection head and liquid ejection apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid ejection head and a liquid ejection apparatus, capable of printing with high quality by suppressing a deviation in landing and the clogging of a nozzle opening and saving power. <P>SOLUTION: The liquid ejection head includes a scan type liquid ejection head body 11 ejecting liquid from a nozzle to a medium P and an air flow ejection means 60 arranged on the side of the liquid ejection head body 11 in a scanning direction and ejecting an air flow between the side of the liquid ejection head body 11 in the scanning direction and the medium P by using the scan movement of the liquid ejection head body 11. The air flow ejection means 60 ejects the air flow outward with respect to the liquid ejection head body 11. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid ejecting head and a liquid ejecting apparatus.

  Conventionally, there is an ink jet printer (hereinafter referred to as “printer”) as a kind of liquid ejecting apparatus. This printer performs printing by ejecting ink (liquid) onto a medium (recording paper) disposed on a platen from a plurality of nozzles of a liquid ejecting head (hereinafter referred to as “head”) mounted on a carriage. Yes.

  In such a printer, printing is performed by ejecting ink pressurized in a pressure generating chamber onto a medium as ink droplets from a nozzle. At this time, printing is performed while the head and the medium relatively move, and an air flow is generated between the head and the medium with the relative movement. For this reason, if a small ink droplet corresponding to higher resolution is to be ejected, the ink ejected from the head may be bent and the image quality may be lowered. In addition, ink viscosity increases due to evaporation of the ink solvent from the nozzle openings in non-ejecting nozzles, ink solidification, dust adhesion, and clogging of the nozzle openings due to air bubbles, etc. There is a problem of waking up.

Various techniques for solving such a problem have been studied. For example, in Patent Document 1, a convex portion is provided in the vicinity of the nozzle hole in the moving direction of the carriage. This reduces the influence of the air current until the ink droplets land on the medium, and suppresses the occurrence of landing deviation and dot dropout.
Also, in Patent Document 2, an upstream aerodynamic member disposed upstream of the head in the relative movement direction of the medium so that a gap is formed between the head and the medium, and an upstream aerodynamic force Airflow adjusting means for sucking a part of the air flowing through the gap between the member and the medium from the gap between the upstream aerodynamic member and the head. Thereby, the airflow between the head and the medium is reduced, and the occurrence of clogging of the nozzle openings is suppressed.

JP-A-9-39256 JP 2009-119704 A

In the techniques of Patent Documents 1 and 2, it is considered that high quality printing can be achieved by suppressing landing deviation and clogging of the nozzle openings.
However, in patent document 1, there exists a problem that a convex part contacts a medium and disturbs an image. For this reason, there is a limit to reducing the influence of the airflow until the ink droplets land on the medium, because the convex part must be kept away from the medium.
Moreover, in patent document 2, it is only the structure which uses a fan as an airflow adjustment means. For this reason, energy for driving the fan is required separately, and the structure does not necessarily contribute to power saving.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and is a liquid ejecting head capable of achieving high-quality printing and reducing power consumption by suppressing landing deviation and nozzle opening clogging. And a liquid ejecting apparatus.

  In order to solve the above problems, a liquid jet head according to the present invention is disposed on a side of a scanning type liquid jet head main body that ejects liquid from a nozzle toward a medium, and a side of the liquid jet head main body in the scanning direction, Using the scanning movement of the liquid ejecting head main body, air current ejecting means for ejecting an air current between a side of the liquid ejecting head main body in the scanning direction and the medium, and the air flow ejecting means includes: An air flow is ejected outward from the liquid ejecting head main body.

  According to this liquid ejecting head, the air current is ejected between the side of the liquid ejecting head main body in the scanning direction and the medium by the air current ejecting unit. Further, the airflow is ejected in the direction opposite to the direction of the airflow generated by the relative movement between the liquid ejecting head main body and the medium. That is, an airflow wall is formed between the side of the liquid ejecting head body in the scanning direction and the medium. For this reason, the air current generated by the relative movement between the liquid ejecting head main body and the medium is suppressed from entering between the nozzle forming surface and the medium. Further, since the airflow ejecting means ejects the airflow using the scanning movement of the liquid ejecting head main body, energy for driving the fan as in Patent Document 2 is not required separately. Therefore, it is possible to provide a liquid ejecting head capable of suppressing the landing deviation and clogging of the nozzle opening and enabling high-quality printing and saving power.

  In the liquid ejecting head, the airflow ejecting unit may have a convex shape protruding in the front-rear direction of the scanning movement of the liquid ejecting head body.

  According to this liquid ejecting head, it is possible to rectify a part of the airflow generated by the scanning movement of the liquid ejecting head main body. For this reason, a part of the airflow generated by the scanning movement of the liquid ejecting head main body is prevented from being directly guided between the bottom surface of the airflow ejecting means and the medium. Therefore, the airflow after passing through the outside air introduction hole can be selectively guided between the bottom surface of the airflow ejecting means and the medium between the bottom surface of the airflow ejecting means and the medium.

  Further, in the liquid ejecting head, the airflow ejecting means includes a pair of piston cylinder mechanisms and a driving unit that drives the pair of piston cylinder mechanisms using a driving force generated by a scanning movement of the liquid ejecting head body. The air flow may be ejected between the side of the liquid ejecting head main body in the scanning direction and the medium in one piston cylinder mechanism, and the gas may be sucked in the other piston cylinder mechanism.

  According to this liquid ejecting head, the mutually contradictory operations between the piston cylinder mechanism disposed on the front side in the scanning direction of the liquid ejecting head body and the piston cylinder mechanism disposed on the rear side in the scanning direction of the liquid ejecting head body. Will be performed. For this reason, it is the source of the air current which is jetted when the scanning direction is changed by the other piston cylinder mechanism while suppressing the air current from entering between the nozzle forming surface and the medium by one piston cylinder mechanism. Gas can be aspirated. Therefore, there is no need to separately replenish the gas that is the source of the airflow injected from the piston / cylinder mechanism, and it is not time-consuming.

  In the liquid ejecting head, the pair of piston cylinder mechanisms may be disposed on both sides of the liquid ejecting head body in the scanning direction.

  According to this liquid ejecting head, the liquid ejecting head is disposed in the same direction as the direction of the air flow generated by the relative movement between the liquid ejecting head and the medium. For this reason, in the reciprocating path of the scanning movement of the liquid ejecting head body, a part of the air flow generated by the relative movement of the liquid ejecting head and the medium is prevented from entering between the nozzle forming surface of the liquid ejecting head body and the medium. can do.

  In the liquid ejecting head, the airflow ejecting unit includes an outside air introduction hole for introducing a part of the airflow generated by the scanning movement of the liquid ejecting head main body into the liquid ejecting head main body. A part of the air flow generated by the above may be ejected between the medium and the side of the liquid ejecting head body in the scanning direction after passing through the outside air introduction hole.

  According to this liquid ejecting head, compared with a configuration including a piston cylinder mechanism and a drive unit, a simple configuration can be achieved and the cost can be reduced.

  In the liquid ejecting head, the flow resistance of the outside air introduction hole may be smaller than the flow resistance between the nozzle forming surface of the liquid ejecting head main body and the medium.

  According to this liquid ejecting head, part of the airflow generated by the relative movement between the liquid ejecting head main body and the medium flows through the outside air introduction hole rather than between the nozzle forming surface and the medium. For this reason, a part of the airflow generated by the relative movement between the liquid ejecting head main body and the medium easily passes through the outside air introduction hole and is ejected from the airflow ejecting means.

  Further, in the liquid ejecting head, the airflow ejecting unit accommodates a gas for ejecting an airflow between a side of the liquid ejecting head main body and the medium, and has a flexible gas accommodating. The pair of gas storage portions are respectively disposed on both sides in the scanning direction of the liquid jet head main body, and airflow generated by scanning movement of the liquid jet head main body in one gas storage portion is provided. The gas jet may be contracted by receiving a pressing force from a part, and an air flow may be ejected between the side of the liquid ejecting head main body in the scanning direction and the medium, and the gas may be sucked in the other gas accommodating portion.

  According to this liquid ejecting head, compared with a configuration including a piston cylinder mechanism and a drive unit, a simple configuration can be achieved and the cost can be reduced.

  A liquid ejecting apparatus according to an aspect of the invention includes the liquid ejecting head described above.

  According to this liquid ejecting apparatus, since the liquid ejecting head described above is provided, a liquid capable of suppressing high landing quality and clogging of the nozzle opening and enabling high-quality printing and power saving. An injection device can be provided.

1 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a liquid ejecting apparatus according to a first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a nozzle arrangement state on a nozzle formation surface of a liquid jet head main body. FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating an internal configuration of a liquid ejecting head body. It is a schematic diagram which shows schematic structure of the airflow injection means in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the flow of the airflow injected by the airflow injection means in 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows schematic structure of the airflow injection means in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the flow of the airflow injected by the airflow injection means in 2nd Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows schematic structure of the airflow injection means in 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the flow of the airflow injected by the airflow injection means in 3rd Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows schematic structure of the airflow injection means in 4th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the flow of the airflow injected by the airflow injection means in 4th Embodiment.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. This embodiment shows one aspect of the present invention, and does not limit the present invention, and can be arbitrarily changed within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. Moreover, in the following drawings, in order to make each structure easy to understand, an actual structure and a scale, a number, and the like in each structure are different.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention. Hereinafter, a serial type ink jet printer will be described as an example of the liquid ejecting apparatus.

  The liquid ejecting apparatus 1 performs a recording process for printing predetermined information and images on the recording paper P by ejecting ink (liquid) onto the recording paper (medium) P supported by the platen 50. The liquid ejecting apparatus 1 includes a liquid ejecting head 10 and a carriage 40 that scans and moves with the liquid ejecting head 10 mounted thereon.

  The liquid ejecting head 10 includes a scanning liquid ejecting head main body 11 (see FIG. 3) that ejects ink from a plurality of nozzles 17 (see FIG. 2) toward the recording paper P, and a scanning direction of the liquid ejecting head main body 11 (see FIG. 3). The airflow ejecting means 60 is disposed on the side in the X direction) and ejects airflow between the side of the liquid ejecting head main body 11 in the scanning direction and the recording paper P using the scanning movement of the liquid ejecting head main body 11. And.

  The airflow ejecting means 60 includes a pair of piston cylinder mechanisms 61 and 62 and a drive unit 70 that drives the pair of piston cylinder mechanisms 61 and 62 using a driving force generated by scanning movement of the liquid ejecting head body 11. Yes. In FIG. 1, the driving unit 70 (see FIG. 4) is not shown for convenience.

  Hereinafter, description will be made based on the XYZ orthogonal coordinate system shown in FIG. In this XYZ orthogonal coordinate system, the X direction and the Y direction are parallel to the surface direction of the platen 50, and the Z direction is orthogonal to the surface direction of the platen 50. Actually, the XY plane is set to a plane parallel to the horizontal plane, and the Z direction is set to the vertically upward direction. Here, the conveyance direction of the recording paper P is set to the Y direction, and the scanning direction of the liquid ejecting head 10 (liquid ejecting head main body 11) is set to the X direction.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid ejecting apparatus 1 includes a frame 42 having a rectangular shape in plan view. A platen 50 is installed in the frame 42. The platen 50 includes a plurality of suction holes (not shown) for sucking the recording paper P. The recording paper P is held on the upper surface of the platen 50 by a suction force acting on the plurality of suction holes. Thereby, cockling and curling of the recording paper P are suppressed.

  On the platen 50, the recording paper P is fed from the + Y direction side by a paper feed mechanism having a paper feed motor 44 provided on the back surface of the frame. As a result, the recording paper P is conveyed along a conveyance path extending in the Y direction. In addition, a bar-shaped guide member 45 parallel to the longitudinal direction (X direction) of the platen 50 is installed above the platen 50 in the frame 42.

  A carriage 40 is supported on the guide member 45 so as to be capable of reciprocating along the longitudinal direction (X direction) of the guide member 45. The carriage 40 is connected to a carriage motor 48 provided on the back surface of the frame 42 via a timing belt 47 stretched between a pair of pulleys 47 a provided on the rear surface in the frame 42. The carriage 40 is reciprocated along the guide member 45 by driving the carriage motor 48.

  The carriage 40 is provided with the liquid ejecting head 10. Specifically, the liquid jet head main body 11 is provided on the lower surface of the carriage 40. The lower surface of the liquid jet head body 11 is a nozzle forming surface 21A on which a plurality of nozzles 17 are formed (see FIG. 2). An ink cartridge 41 is detachably mounted on the carriage 40 above the liquid ejecting head main body 11. In the ink cartridge 41, ink is accommodated so as to be supplied to the liquid ejecting head 10. A pair of piston cylinder mechanisms 61 and 62 are provided on both sides of the carriage 40 in the scanning direction of the liquid jet head main body 11.

  Here, the configuration of the liquid jet head body 11 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement state of the nozzles 17 on the nozzle forming surface 21 </ b> A of the liquid jet head body 11. FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the liquid jet head main body 11.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of nozzles 17 are provided along the width direction (X direction) of the transport path on the nozzle forming surface 21 </ b> A, and form a nozzle row 16. A total of five nozzle rows 16 are provided along the transport direction (Y direction). The nozzle arrays 16Y, 16M, 16C, 16K1, and 16K2 are configured to eject ink corresponding to each color of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), black (K1), and pigment black (K2), respectively. It has become. Note that the liquid jet heads 10 may be arranged so as to be shifted in the left-right direction by a half of the pitch between the nozzles 17. Thereby, the resolution which prints with respect to the recording paper P can be improved.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the liquid ejecting head main body 11 includes a head main body portion 18 and a flow path forming unit 22 connected to the head main body portion 18. The flow path forming unit 22 includes a vibration plate 19, a flow path substrate 20, and a nozzle substrate 21, and forms a common ink chamber 29, an ink supply port 30, and a pressure chamber 31. Further, the flow path forming unit 22 includes an island portion 32 that functions as a diaphragm portion, and a compliance portion 33 that absorbs pressure fluctuation in the common ink chamber 29. In the head main body 18, an accommodation space 23 for accommodating the drive unit 24 together with the fixing member 26 and an internal flow path 28 for guiding ink to the flow path forming unit 22 are formed.

  According to the liquid jet head body 11 having the above configuration, when a drive signal is input to the drive unit 24 via the cable 27, the piezoelectric element 25 expands and contracts. Thereby, the diaphragm 19 is deformed (moved) in a direction approaching the pressure chamber 31 (−Z direction) and a direction away from the pressure chamber 31 (+ Z direction). For this reason, the volume of the pressure chamber 31 changes and the pressure of the pressure chamber 31 containing ink fluctuates. Ink is ejected from the nozzles 17 due to this pressure fluctuation.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the ink in the ink cartridge 41 is supplied to the liquid ejecting head main body 11 by driving the piezoelectric elements 25 provided in the liquid ejecting head main body 11 so as to correspond to the respective nozzles 17. Furthermore, printing is performed on the recording paper P by ejecting ink from the nozzles 17 toward the recording paper P fed onto the platen 50.

  A maintenance unit 52 for performing maintenance (for example, cleaning, flushing, etc.) of the liquid ejecting head main body 11 at the time of non-printing is provided in the non-liquid ejecting area located at the right end (X direction end) in the frame 42. Is provided. The maintenance unit 52 includes a cap 53 that is open on the upper side (+ Z direction side) that can seal the nozzle forming surface 21 </ b> A of the liquid jet head body 11.

  By the way, in a conventional liquid ejecting head, when printing is performed by ejecting ink pressurized in a pressure generation chamber as ink droplets from a nozzle onto a medium, printing is performed while the head and the medium move relative to each other. As a result, air current is generated between the head and the medium, so if you try to eject small ink droplets that correspond to higher resolution, the ink that ejects ink from the head will be bent and the image quality will be reduced. There was a case. In addition, ink viscosity increases due to evaporation of the ink solvent from the nozzle openings in non-ejecting nozzles, ink solidification, dust adhesion, and clogging of the nozzle openings due to air bubbles, etc. There was a problem of waking up.

  Therefore, in the liquid ejecting head 10 according to the present invention, the liquid ejecting head main body 11 is disposed on the side in the scanning direction, and the liquid ejecting head main body 11 is moved in the scanning direction by using the scanning movement of the liquid ejecting head main body 11. By providing an airflow ejecting means 60 for ejecting an airflow toward the outside with respect to the liquid ejecting head main body 11 between the recording paper P and the recording paper P, it is possible to suppress landing deviation and clogging of the nozzle openings and to achieve high quality. It enables printing and power saving. Hereinafter, the schematic configuration of the airflow ejecting unit 60 in the liquid ejecting apparatus 1 and the flow of the airflow ejected by the airflow ejecting unit 60 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of the airflow ejecting means 60 in the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the liquid ejecting head 10 constituting the liquid ejecting apparatus 1 and its peripheral portion as a cross-sectional view. In FIG. 4, symbol H <b> 1 is the distance between the nozzle forming surface 21 </ b> A and the recording paper P, and symbol H <b> 2 is the bottom surface (the surface on the −Z direction side) of the pair of piston cylinder mechanisms 61, 62 and the recording paper P. Is the distance between.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the airflow ejecting unit 60 drives the pair of piston cylinder mechanisms 61, 62 using a pair of piston cylinder mechanisms 61, 62 and a driving force generated by the scanning movement of the liquid ejecting head body 11. Part 70. Then, an air flow is ejected between the side of the liquid ejecting head main body 11 in the scanning direction and the recording paper P in one piston cylinder mechanism 61 (62), and a gas is sucked in the other piston cylinder mechanism 62 (61). (See FIG. 5).

  The pair of piston cylinder mechanisms 61 and 62 includes cylinder portions 61A and 62A for storing gas for injecting an airflow between the side of the liquid jet head body 11 in the scanning direction and the recording paper P, and a cylinder portion 61A. , 62A, and piston portions 61B, 62B arranged movably inside. Injection holes 61a and 62a through which airflow is injected are formed at the lower ends (ends on the −Z direction side) of the cylinder portions 61A and 62A, respectively. Further, openings 61b and 62b through which the longitudinal portions of the piston portions 61B and 62B pass are formed at the upper end portions (end portions on the + Z direction side) of the cylinder portions 61A and 62A, respectively. In addition, the rack (thing which chopped teeth linearly) is provided in the longitudinal part of piston part 61B, 62B.

  The pair of piston cylinder mechanisms 61 and 62 are respectively disposed on both sides in the scanning direction of the liquid jet head body 11. In this embodiment, since the recording paper P is held on the upper surface of the platen 50 and the liquid ejecting head 10 is scanned, the piston cylinder mechanisms 61 and 62 are arranged in the scanning direction of the liquid ejecting head main body 11. As a result, the piston cylinder mechanisms 61 and 62 allow the airflow generated by the relative movement between the liquid jet head main body 11 and the recording paper P to enter between the nozzle forming surface 21A and the recording paper P (hereinafter referred to as the external airflow intrusion side). ) On the same side. For this reason, in the reciprocating path of the scanning movement of the liquid ejecting head main body 11, a part of the air flow generated by the relative movement between the liquid ejecting head main body 11 and the recording paper P is caused by the nozzle forming surface 21A of the liquid ejecting head main body 11 and the recording paper. It can suppress entering between P.

  Further, the pair of piston cylinder mechanisms 61 and 62 are disposed in proximity to the nozzle forming surface 21A. Specifically, the pair of piston cylinder mechanisms 61 and 62 includes a distance H2 between the bottom surface of the pair of piston cylinder mechanisms 61 and 62 and the recording paper P and a distance H1 between the nozzle forming surface 21A and the recording paper P. Are arranged so as to be substantially the same (H2≈H1). As a result, when the pair of piston cylinder mechanisms 61 and 62 are arranged far away from the nozzle forming surface 21A (for example, the distance H2 between the bottom surface of the pair of piston cylinder mechanisms 61 and 62 and the recording paper P is the nozzle formation). Compared to the case where the air flow is set to be greater than the distance H1 between the surface 21A and the recording paper P), the air flow ejected from the pair of piston cylinder mechanisms 61 and 62 is guided toward the recording paper P. It becomes easy. The distance H1 between the nozzle forming surface 21A and the recording paper P is, for example, 1 mm or less.

  In addition, the pair of piston cylinder mechanisms 61 and 62 are disposed in a state where the piston cylinder mechanisms 61 and 62 are inclined outward by a predetermined angle with respect to the liquid jet head body 11. That is, the pair of piston cylinder mechanisms 61 and 62 are configured to eject an airflow toward the outside with respect to the liquid ejecting head main body 11. Thereby, since the air flow is ejected in the opposite direction to the direction of the air flow generated by the relative movement between the liquid ejecting head main body 11 and the recording paper P, a part of the air flow generated by the relative movement of the liquid ejecting head main body 11 is. It is possible to suppress entry between the nozzle forming surface 21A and the recording paper P.

  The drive unit 70 includes a first gear 71, a second gear 72, a third gear 73, a fourth gear 74, and a fifth gear 75. The first gear 71, the second gear 72, the third gear 73, the fourth gear 74, and the fifth gear 75 are configured to interlock with each other. That is, when the first gear 71 is rotated, the second gear 72, the third gear 73, the fourth gear 74, and the fifth gear 75 are rotated accordingly.

  The first gear 71 is supported by the first support shaft 71 a and is rotated about the first support shaft 71 a as a central axis by the driving force generated by the scanning movement of the liquid jet head body 11. Specifically, when the carriage 40 is reciprocated along the guide member 45 by driving the carriage motor 48, the first gear 71 rotates according to this reciprocation. For example, the first gear 71 rotates forward (clockwise) when the carriage 40 moves in the + X direction (forward path), and reversely rotates (counterclockwise) when the carriage 40 moves in the −X direction (return path). .

  The second gear 72 is supported by the second support shaft 72a, and rotates around the second support shaft 72a as the central axis as the first gear 71 rotates. For example, the second gear 72 rotates backward (counterclockwise) when the first gear 71 rotates forward (clockwise), and rotates forward (clockwise) when the first gear 71 rotates backward (counterclockwise). To do.

  The third gear 73 is supported by the third support shaft 73a, and rotates around the third support shaft 73a as the central axis as the second gear 72 rotates. For example, the third gear 73 rotates forward (clockwise) when the second gear 72 rotates backward (counterclockwise), and rotates reverse (counterclockwise) when the second gear 72 rotates forward (clockwise). To do. The third gear 73 is a pinion (circular small gear), and the rack and pinion mechanism is configured by combining the pinion of the third gear 73 and the rack of the piston portion 61B. Thereby, the rotational motion of the 3rd gearwheel 73 is converted into the linear motion of piston part 61B.

  On the other hand, the fourth gear 74 is supported by the fourth support shaft 74 a and rotates around the fourth support shaft 74 a as the central axis according to the rotation of the first gear 71. For example, the fourth gear 74 rotates backward (counterclockwise) when the first gear 71 rotates forward (clockwise), and rotates forward (clockwise) when the first gear 71 rotates backward (counterclockwise). To do.

  The fifth gear 75 is supported by the fifth support shaft 75a, and rotates around the fifth support shaft 75a as the central axis as the fourth gear 74 rotates. For example, the fifth gear 75 rotates forward (clockwise) when the fourth gear 74 rotates backward (counterclockwise), and rotates reverse (counterclockwise) when the fourth gear 74 rotates forward (clockwise). To do. The fifth gear 75 is a pinion (circular small gear), and the rack and pinion mechanism is configured by combining the pinion of the fifth gear 75 and the rack of the piston portion 62B. Thereby, the rotational motion of the fifth gear 75 is converted into the linear motion of the piston portion 62B.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the flow of the airflow ejected by the airflow ejecting means 60 in the first embodiment. FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating a case where the scanning direction of the liquid jet head body 11 is the + X direction. FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating a case where the scanning direction of the liquid jet head main body 11 is the −X direction.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, consider a case where the liquid jet head body 11 is scanned in the + X direction. In this case, the air flow generated by the relative movement between the liquid jet head main body 11 and the recording paper P (hereinafter referred to as an external air flow to be distinguished from the air flow ejected from the piston cylinder mechanism) has a flow direction of −X direction. What will become the majority.

  The first gear 71 rotates forward (clockwise) in accordance with the movement of the liquid ejecting head body 11 in the + X direction by the driving force generated by the scanning movement of the liquid ejecting head body 11. Then, the second gear 72 rotates backward (counterclockwise) in accordance with the normal rotation (clockwise) of the first gear 71. Then, the third gear 73 rotates forward (clockwise) according to the reverse rotation (counterclockwise) of the second gear 72. Then, in the piston cylinder mechanism 61 disposed on the front side (+ X direction side) in the scanning direction of the liquid ejecting head main body 11, the piston portion 61B moves toward the lower end side of the cylinder portion 61A. This is because the rotational motion of the third gear 73 is converted into the linear motion of the piston portion 61B by the rack and pinion mechanism of the third gear 73 and the piston portion 61B. Then, an air current is ejected from the ejection hole 61 a of the piston cylinder mechanism 61, and an air current wall is formed between the side of the liquid ejecting head body 11 in the scanning direction and the recording paper P. Thereby, a part of the external airflow is shielded by the wall of the airflow formed by the piston cylinder mechanism 61. For this reason, it is suppressed that an external air current enters between the nozzle forming surface 21A and the recording paper P.

  On the other hand, the fourth gear 74 rotates backward (counterclockwise) in accordance with the normal rotation (clockwise) of the first gear 71. Then, the fifth gear 75 rotates forward (clockwise) according to the reverse rotation (counterclockwise) of the fourth gear 74. Then, in the piston cylinder mechanism 62 disposed on the rear side (−X direction side) in the scanning direction of the liquid ejecting head body 11, the piston portion 62B moves toward the upper end portion side of the cylinder portion 62A. This is because the rotational motion of the fifth gear 75 is converted into the linear motion of the piston portion 62B by the rack and pinion mechanism of the fifth gear 75 and the piston portion 62B. Then, gas is sucked from the injection hole 62 a of the piston cylinder mechanism 62. Thereby, for example, when the liquid ejecting head main body 11 is scanned in the −X direction by changing the scanning direction, a gas that is a source of the air current ejected is secured in advance.

  As described above, the piston cylinder mechanism 61 disposed on the front side (+ X direction side) of the liquid ejecting head body 11 and the piston disposed on the rear side (−X direction side) of the liquid ejecting head body 11 in the scanning direction. Operations opposite to each other are performed with the cylinder mechanism 62. For this reason, it is injected when the scanning direction is changed by the rear piston / cylinder mechanism 62 while the front piston / cylinder mechanism 61 prevents the outside airflow from entering between the nozzle forming surface 21A and the recording paper P. The gas that is the source of the airflow can be sucked.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, consider a case where the liquid jet head body 11 is scanned in the −X direction. In this case, the flow direction of the air flow generated by the relative movement between the liquid jet head main body 11 and the recording paper P (hereinafter referred to as an external air flow to be distinguished from the air flow ejected from the piston cylinder mechanism) is the + X direction. Most of the things.

  The first gear 71 rotates in the reverse direction (counterclockwise) according to the movement of the liquid ejecting head body 11 in the −X direction by the driving force generated by the scanning movement of the liquid ejecting head body 11. Then, the fourth gear 74 rotates forward (clockwise) according to the reverse rotation (counterclockwise) of the first gear 71. Then, the fifth gear 75 rotates backward (counterclockwise) in accordance with the forward rotation (clockwise) of the fourth gear 74. Then, in the piston cylinder mechanism 62 disposed on the front side (−X direction side) in the scanning direction of the liquid ejecting head main body 11, the piston portion 62B moves toward the lower end portion side of the cylinder portion 62A. This is because the rotational motion of the fifth gear 75 is converted into the linear motion of the piston portion 62B by the rack and pinion mechanism of the fifth gear 75 and the piston portion 62B. Then, an air current is ejected from the ejection holes 62 a of the piston cylinder mechanism 62, and an air current wall is formed between the side of the liquid ejecting head body 11 in the scanning direction and the recording paper P. Thereby, part of the external airflow is shielded by the airflow wall formed by the piston cylinder mechanism 62. For this reason, it is suppressed that an external air current enters between the nozzle forming surface 21A and the recording paper P.

  On the other hand, the second gear 72 rotates forward (clockwise) in accordance with the reverse rotation (counterclockwise) of the first gear 71. Then, the third gear 73 rotates backward (counterclockwise) in accordance with the normal rotation (clockwise) of the second gear 72. Then, in the piston cylinder mechanism 61 disposed on the rear side (+ X direction side) in the scanning direction of the liquid ejecting head main body 11, the piston portion 61B moves toward the upper end portion side of the cylinder portion 61A. This is because the rotational motion of the third gear 73 is converted into the linear motion of the piston portion 61B by the rack and pinion mechanism of the third gear 73 and the piston portion 61B. Then, gas is sucked from the injection hole 61 a of the piston cylinder mechanism 61. Thereby, for example, when the liquid ejecting head main body 11 is scanned in the + X direction by changing the scanning direction, a gas that is a source of the air current ejected is secured in advance.

  As described above, the piston cylinder mechanism 62 disposed on the front side (−X direction side) of the liquid ejecting head main body 11 and the piston disposed on the rear side (+ X direction side) of the liquid ejecting head main body 11 in the scanning direction. Between the cylinder mechanisms 61, mutually opposite operations are performed. For this reason, it is injected when the scanning direction is changed by the rear piston cylinder mechanism 61 while suppressing the external air current from entering between the nozzle forming surface 21A and the recording paper P by the front piston cylinder mechanism 62. The gas that is the source of the airflow can be sucked.

  According to the liquid ejecting head 10 according to this embodiment, an air current is ejected between the recording paper P and the side of the liquid ejecting head main body 11 in the scanning direction by the air current ejecting means 60. Further, the air current is ejected in the direction opposite to the direction of the air current generated by the relative movement between the liquid ejecting head main body 11 and the recording paper P. That is, an airflow wall is formed between the side of the liquid ejecting head main body 11 in the scanning direction and the recording paper P. For this reason, an airflow (external airflow) generated by the relative movement of the liquid jet head main body 11 and the recording paper P between the nozzle forming surface 21A and the recording paper P is suppressed. Further, since the airflow ejecting means 60 ejects the airflow using the scanning movement of the liquid ejecting head main body 11, energy for driving the fan as in Patent Document 2 is not required separately. Therefore, it is possible to provide the liquid ejecting head 10 that can suppress landing deviation and clogging of the nozzle opening to enable high-quality printing and achieve power saving.

  Further, according to this configuration, since the airflow ejecting means 60 includes the pair of piston cylinder mechanisms 61 and 62 and the driving unit 70, the piston cylinder disposed on the front side in the scanning direction of the liquid ejecting head body 11 The mutually opposing operations are performed between the mechanism 61 (62) and the piston cylinder mechanism 62 (61) disposed on the rear side in the scanning direction of the liquid jet head body 11. For this reason, the scanning direction is changed by the other piston cylinder mechanism 62 (61) while the outside airflow is prevented from entering between the nozzle forming surface 21A and the recording paper P by one piston cylinder mechanism 61 (62). In this case, it is possible to suck the gas that is the source of the airflow that is jetted. Therefore, there is no need to separately replenish the gas that is the source of the airflow injected from the piston cylinder mechanism 61 (62), and it does not take time.

  In addition, according to this configuration, the pair of piston cylinder mechanisms 61 and 62 are arranged on both sides in the scanning direction of the liquid ejecting head main body 11, and thus are generated by relative movement between the liquid ejecting head main body 11 and the recording paper P. It will be arranged in the same direction as the direction of the airflow. For this reason, in the reciprocating path of the scanning movement of the liquid ejecting head main body 11, a part of the air flow generated by the relative movement between the liquid ejecting head main body 11 and the recording paper P is caused by the nozzle forming surface 21A of the liquid ejecting head main body 11 and the recording paper. It can suppress entering between P.

  According to the liquid ejecting apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, since the liquid ejecting head 10 described above is provided, it is possible to perform high-quality printing while suppressing landing deviation and clogging of the nozzle openings, and to save power. The liquid ejecting apparatus 1 that can be realized can be provided.

  In the present embodiment, the pair of piston cylinder mechanisms 61 and 62 are disposed on both sides of the liquid ejecting head body 11 in the scanning direction, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Hereinafter, a liquid jet head including a pair of piston cylinder mechanisms arranged differently from the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of the airflow ejecting means 160 in the second embodiment. FIG. 6 illustrates the liquid ejecting head 110 constituting the liquid ejecting apparatus 2 and its peripheral portion, and illustration of other components is omitted. Moreover, Fig.6 (a) is a perspective view which shows the arrangement structure of the airflow injection means 160 in 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 6B is a bottom view showing the arrangement configuration of the airflow ejecting means 160 in the second embodiment. The liquid ejecting head 110 according to the present embodiment differs from the liquid ejecting head 10 according to the first embodiment in that one piston cylinder mechanism 161 is disposed on one side of the liquid ejecting head main body 11 in the scanning direction. In FIG. 6, elements similar to those in FIG. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the airflow ejecting unit 160 includes a piston cylinder mechanism 161 and a driving unit 170 that drives the piston cylinder mechanism 161 using a driving force generated by the scanning movement of the liquid ejecting head body 11. . In the piston cylinder mechanism 161, an air current is ejected between the side of the liquid ejecting head main body 11 in the scanning direction and the recording paper P, and a gas is sucked (see FIG. 7).

  The piston / cylinder mechanism 161 is disposed so as to be movable inside the cylinder portion 161A, and a cylinder portion 161A that contains a gas for injecting an airflow between the side of the liquid jet head body 11 in the scanning direction and the recording paper P. A piston portion 161B. An injection hole 161a through which airflow is injected is formed at the lower end of the cylinder portion 161A. In addition, an opening 161b through which the longitudinal portion of the piston portion 161B passes is formed at the upper end portion of the cylinder portion 161A. A rack is provided in the longitudinal portion of the piston portion 161B.

  The piston cylinder mechanism 161 is disposed on one side of the liquid ejecting head body 11 in the scanning direction. Accordingly, the piston cylinder mechanism 161 causes the airflow generated by the relative movement between the liquid ejecting head main body 11 and the recording paper P to enter between the nozzle forming surface 21 </ b> A and the recording paper P depending on the scanning direction of the liquid ejecting head main body 11. When it is arranged on the same side as the side (hereinafter referred to as the external air flow entry side) and on the side opposite to the external air flow entry side (the side from which the air flow entering between the nozzle forming surface 21A and the recording paper P flows out). There is a case. For example, in one path of scanning movement of the liquid ejecting head main body 11, an air current wall is formed by the piston cylinder mechanism 161 disposed on the front side of the liquid ejecting head main body 11 in the scanning direction, and the liquid ejecting head main body 11 is scanned and moved. In the other path, gas is sucked by the piston / cylinder mechanism 161 disposed on the rear side in the scanning direction of the liquid jet head main body 11. For this reason, in one side path of the scanning movement of the liquid ejecting head main body 11, a part of the air flow generated by the relative movement between the liquid ejecting head 110 and the recording paper P is caused by the nozzle forming surface 21A of the liquid ejecting head main body 11 and the recording paper P. Can be prevented from entering between.

  In addition, by arranging one piston cylinder mechanism 161 on one side of the liquid ejecting head main body 11 in the scanning direction, the pair of piston cylinder mechanisms 61 and 62 can be moved in the scanning direction of the liquid ejecting head main body 11 as in the first embodiment. The liquid ejecting head 110 can be downsized as compared with the case where the liquid ejecting head 110 is disposed on both sides of the liquid ejecting head.

  Further, the piston cylinder mechanism 161 is disposed in a state inclined at a predetermined angle to the outside with respect to the liquid jet head main body 11. That is, the piston cylinder mechanism 161 ejects an airflow toward the outside with respect to the liquid ejecting head main body 11.

  The drive unit 170 includes a first gear 171, a second gear 172, and a third gear 173. The first gear 171, the second gear 172, and the third gear 173 are configured to interlock with each other. That is, when the first gear 171 is rotated, the second gear 172 and the third gear 173 are rotated accordingly.

  The first gear 171 is supported by the first support shaft 171 a and is rotated about the first support shaft 171 a as a central axis by the driving force generated by the scanning movement of the liquid jet head body 11. Specifically, when the carriage 40 is reciprocated along the guide member 45 by driving the carriage motor 48, the first gear 171 rotates according to this reciprocation. For example, the first gear 171 rotates forward (clockwise) when the carriage 40 moves in the + X direction (forward path) and rotates backward (counterclockwise) when the carriage 40 moves in the −X direction (return path). .

  The second gear 172 is supported by the second support shaft 172a, and rotates around the second support shaft 172a as the central axis according to the rotation of the first gear 171. For example, the second gear 172 rotates backward (counterclockwise) when the first gear 171 rotates forward (clockwise), and rotates forward (clockwise) when the first gear 171 rotates backward (counterclockwise). To do.

  The third gear 173 is supported by the third support shaft 173a, and rotates around the third support shaft 173a as the central axis according to the rotation of the second gear 172. For example, the third gear 173 rotates forward (clockwise) when the second gear 172 rotates backward (counterclockwise), and rotates backward (counterclockwise) when the second gear 172 rotates forward (clockwise). To do. The third gear 173 is a pinion, and the rack and pinion mechanism is configured by combining the pinion of the third gear 173 and the rack of the piston portion 161B.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the flow of the airflow ejected by the airflow ejecting means 160 in the second embodiment. FIG. 7A is a perspective view illustrating a case where the scanning direction of the liquid jet head body 11 is the + X direction. FIG. 7B is a bottom view showing a case where the scanning direction of the liquid jet head body 11 is the + X direction. FIG. 7C is a bottom view illustrating the case where the scanning direction of the liquid jet head body 11 is the −X direction.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, consider a case where the liquid jet head body 11 is scanned in the + X direction. In this case, the air flow generated by the relative movement between the liquid jet head main body 11 and the recording paper P (hereinafter referred to as an external air flow to be distinguished from the air flow ejected from the piston cylinder mechanism) has a flow direction of −X direction. What will become the majority.

  The first gear 171 rotates forward (clockwise) in accordance with the movement of the liquid ejecting head body 11 in the + X direction by the driving force generated by the scanning movement of the liquid ejecting head body 11. Then, the second gear 172 rotates in the reverse direction (counterclockwise) according to the normal rotation (clockwise) of the first gear 171. Then, the third gear 173 rotates forward (clockwise) according to the reverse rotation (counterclockwise) of the second gear 172. Then, in the piston cylinder mechanism 161 arranged on the front side (+ X direction side) in the scanning direction of the liquid ejecting head main body 11, the piston portion 161B moves toward the lower end side of the cylinder portion 161A. Then, an air current is ejected from the ejection hole 161 a of the piston cylinder mechanism 161, and an air current wall is formed between the side of the liquid ejecting head body 11 in the scanning direction and the recording paper P. Thereby, a part of the external airflow is shielded by the wall of the airflow formed by the piston cylinder mechanism 161. For this reason, it is suppressed that an external air current enters between the nozzle forming surface 21A and the recording paper P.

  As shown in FIG. 7C, consider a case where the liquid jet head body 11 is scanned in the −X direction. In this case, the flow direction of the air flow generated by the relative movement between the liquid jet head main body 11 and the recording paper P (hereinafter referred to as an external air flow to be distinguished from the air flow ejected from the piston cylinder mechanism) is the + X direction. Most of the things.

  The first gear 171 rotates backward (counterclockwise) according to the movement of the liquid ejecting head body 11 in the −X direction by the driving force generated by the scanning movement of the liquid ejecting head body 11. Then, the second gear 172 rotates forward (clockwise) according to the reverse rotation (counterclockwise) of the first gear 171. Then, the third gear 173 rotates backward (counterclockwise) in accordance with the normal rotation (clockwise) of the second gear 172. Then, in the piston cylinder mechanism 161 arranged on the front side (+ X direction side) in the scanning direction of the liquid ejecting head main body 11, the piston portion 161B moves toward the upper end portion side of the cylinder portion 161A. Then, gas is sucked from the injection hole 161a of the piston cylinder mechanism 161. Thereby, for example, when the liquid ejecting head main body 11 is scanned in the + X direction by changing the scanning direction, a gas that is a source of the air current ejected is secured in advance.

  According to the liquid ejecting head 110 according to the present embodiment, since one piston cylinder mechanism 161 is arranged on one side of the liquid ejecting head main body 11 in the scanning direction, a pair of piston cylinder mechanisms 61 is used as in the first embodiment. , 62 are arranged on both sides of the liquid ejecting head main body 11 in the scanning direction, the liquid ejecting head 110 can be downsized.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the airflow ejecting unit includes a piston cylinder mechanism and a driving unit that drives the piston cylinder mechanism using a driving force generated by the scanning movement of the liquid ejecting head main body 11 will be described. Although explained, it is not limited to this. Hereinafter, a liquid ejecting head including an airflow ejecting unit having a configuration different from that of the above embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of the airflow injection means 260 in the third embodiment. FIG. 8 illustrates the liquid ejecting head 210 constituting the liquid ejecting apparatus 3 and its peripheral portion, and illustration of the other components is omitted. FIG. 8A is a perspective view showing an arrangement configuration of the airflow ejecting means 260 in the third embodiment. Moreover, FIG.8 (b) is a bottom view which shows the arrangement structure of the airflow injection means 260 in 3rd Embodiment. The liquid ejecting head 210 according to the present embodiment includes an outside air introduction hole 261 a that introduces a part of the airflow generated by the scanning movement of the liquid ejecting head main body 11 into the inside, and is generated by the scanning movement of the liquid ejecting head main body 11. A part of the air flow that differs from the liquid ejecting head 10 in the first embodiment is that it is ejected between the side of the liquid ejecting head main body 11 in the scanning direction and the recording paper P after passing through the outside air introduction hole 261a. 8, elements similar to those in FIG. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the airflow ejection unit 260 includes a pair of outside air derivation mechanisms 261 and 262. The pair of outside air derivation mechanisms 261 and 262 include outside air introduction holes 261a and 262a for introducing a part of the airflow generated by the scanning movement of the liquid jet head body 11 to the inside. Injection holes 261b and 262b through which air currents are injected are formed at the lower ends of the outside air derivation mechanisms 261 and 262, respectively. A part of the air flow generated by the scanning movement of the liquid ejecting head body 11 passes through the outside air introduction hole 261a and then is ejected from the ejection holes 261b and 262b to the side of the liquid ejecting head body 11 in the scanning direction and the recording paper P. Be done

  The pair of outside air derivation mechanisms 261 and 262 are disposed on both sides of the liquid jet head body 11 in the scanning direction, respectively. As a result, the outside air derivation mechanisms 261 and 262 are arranged such that the air flow generated by the relative movement between the liquid jet head body 11 and the recording paper P enters between the nozzle forming surface 21A and the recording paper P (external air inflow side). Placed on the same side.

  Further, the pair of outside air derivation mechanisms 261 and 262 have convex shapes protruding in the front-rear direction of the scanning movement of the liquid ejecting head body 11. In other words, the pair of outside air derivation mechanisms 261 and 262 have a streamline shape that rectifies a part of the airflow generated by the relative movement between the liquid jet head main body 11 and the recording paper P.

  Further, the flow resistance of the outside air introduction holes 261a and 262a is smaller than the flow resistance between the nozzle forming surface 21A of the liquid jet head main body 11 and the recording paper P. That is, the opening size of the outside air introduction holes 261a and 262a is larger than the gap between the nozzle forming surface 21A and the recording paper P. As a result, part of the airflow generated by the relative movement between the liquid ejecting head main body 11 and the recording paper P flows through the outside air introduction holes 261a and 262a rather than between the nozzle forming surface 21A and the recording paper P. For this reason, a part of the external airflow easily passes through the external air introduction holes 261a and 262a and is easily injected from the injection holes 261b and 262b.

  Also, a substantially U-shaped cavity (see FIG. 9) is formed inside the pair of outside air derivation mechanisms 261 and 262, so that the outside air flow introduced into the inside makes a U-turn and is injected outside. It has become. That is, the pair of outside air derivation mechanisms 261 and 262 are configured to eject an air flow toward the outside with respect to the liquid ejecting head main body 11.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the flow of the airflow injected by the airflow injection means 260 in the third embodiment. FIG. 9A is a perspective view illustrating a case where the scanning direction of the liquid jet head body 11 is the + X direction. FIG. 9B is a bottom view illustrating a case where the scanning direction of the liquid jet head body 11 is the + X direction.

  As shown in FIG. 9A, consider a case where the liquid jet head body 11 is scanned in the + X direction. In this case, the air flow generated by the relative movement between the liquid jet head main body 11 and the recording paper P (hereinafter referred to as an external air flow to be distinguished from the air flow ejected from the piston cylinder mechanism) has a flow direction of −X direction. What will become the majority.

  In the outside air derivation mechanism 261 disposed on the front side (+ X direction side) of the liquid ejecting head body 11 in the scanning direction, outside air flow is introduced into the inside through the outside air introduction hole 261a. Then, the external airflow introduced into the inside flows toward the lower end side of the outside air deriving mechanism 261 while making a U-turn via a U-shaped cavity formed inside. Then, an air current is ejected from the ejection hole 261 b of the outside air derivation mechanism 261, and an air current wall is formed between the side of the liquid ejecting head body 11 in the scanning direction and the recording paper P. Thereby, a part of the external airflow is shielded by the airflow wall formed by the external air derivation mechanism 261. For this reason, it is suppressed that an external air current enters between the nozzle forming surface 21A and the recording paper P.

  Further, since the outside air derivation mechanism 261 has a streamline shape that rectifies a part of the air flow generated by the relative movement between the liquid jet head main body 11 and the recording paper P, a part of the outside air derivation mechanism 261 Is difficult to pass between the bottom surface of the recording medium and the recording paper P. Here, a part of the external airflow is rectified by the external air derivation mechanism 261 having a streamline shape (see FIG. 9B). That is, it is possible to prevent the external airflow from being directly guided between the bottom surface of the external air derivation mechanism 261 and the recording paper P. As a result, between the bottom surface of the outside air derivation mechanism 261 and the recording paper P, the airflow that has passed through the outside air introduction hole 261a (the airflow ejected from the ejection holes 261b) selectively contacts the bottom surface of the outside air derivation mechanism 261. It is guided (injected) to the recording paper P.

  According to the liquid ejecting head 210 according to the present embodiment, the air flow ejecting unit 260 (outside air derivation mechanism 261) includes the outside air introduction hole 261a for introducing a part of the air flow generated by the scanning movement of the liquid ejecting head main body 11 into the inside. Therefore, compared with the configuration including the pair of piston cylinder mechanisms and the drive unit shown in the above embodiment, the configuration can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

  Further, according to this configuration, the airflow ejecting means 260 (outside air derivation mechanism 261) has a convex shape that protrudes in the front-rear direction of the scanning movement of the liquid ejecting head main body 11; A part of the generated airflow can be rectified. For this reason, it is suppressed that the external airflow is directly guided between the bottom surface of the external air derivation mechanism 261 and the recording paper P. Therefore, between the bottom surface of the outside air derivation mechanism 261 and the recording paper P, the airflow after passing through the outside air introduction hole 261a (the airflow ejected from the ejection holes 261b) is selectively recorded on the bottom surface of the outside air derivation mechanism 261. It can be guided between the paper P and ejected.

  In addition, according to this configuration, the flow resistance of the outside air introduction holes 261a and 262a is smaller than the flow resistance between the nozzle forming surface 21A of the liquid jet head body 11 and the recording paper P. A part of the airflow generated by the relative movement between the ejection head main body 11 and the recording paper P flows through the outside air introduction holes 261a and 262a rather than between the nozzle forming surface 21A and the recording paper P. For this reason, a part of the external airflow easily passes through the external air introduction holes 261a and 262a and is easily injected from the injection holes 261b and 262b.

  In the present embodiment, the outside air derivation mechanisms 261 and 262 are disposed on both sides in the scanning direction of the liquid ejecting head main body 11, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the outside air derivation mechanism may be disposed on one side of the liquid ejecting head body 11 in the scanning direction. That is, the outside air derivation mechanism only needs to be disposed on the side of the liquid ejecting head body 11 in the scanning direction.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the airflow ejecting unit has been described with an example in which the airflow ejecting unit includes the outside air introduction hole that introduces a part of the airflow generated by the scanning movement of the liquid ejecting head main body 11, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Absent. Hereinafter, a liquid ejecting head including an airflow ejecting unit having a configuration different from that of the above embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11.

(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the airflow injection unit 360 according to the fourth embodiment. 10 illustrates the liquid ejecting head 310 constituting the liquid ejecting apparatus 4 and its peripheral portion, and illustration of the other components is omitted. Moreover, Fig.10 (a) is a perspective view which shows the arrangement structure of the airflow injection means 360 in 4th Embodiment. Moreover, FIG.10 (b) is a bottom view which shows the arrangement structure of the airflow injection means 360 in 4th Embodiment. The liquid ejecting head 310 according to the present embodiment accommodates a gas for ejecting an airflow between a pair of sides of the liquid ejecting head main body 11 and the recording paper P, and has a flexible gas accommodating portion 361. , 362 is different from the liquid jet head 210 in the third embodiment. 10, elements similar to those in FIG. 8 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the airflow ejection unit 360 includes a pair of gas storage portions 361 and 362. The pair of outside air derivation mechanisms 361 and 362 include gas storage unit main bodies 361A and 362A that store gas for injecting an airflow between the side of the liquid jet head main body 11 and the recording paper P, and a gas storage unit main body. Cover parts 361B and 362B for protecting 361A and 362A. Injection holes 361a and 362a through which air currents are injected are formed at the lower ends of the gas storage unit main bodies 361A and 362A, respectively. The gas storage unit main bodies 361A and 362A and the cover units 361B and 362B are flexible enough to contract by receiving a pressing force from a part of the external airflow.

  The pair of gas storage portions 361 and 362 are respectively disposed on both sides in the scanning direction of the liquid jet head body 11. As a result, the gas storage portions 361 and 362 are arranged such that the airflow generated by the relative movement between the liquid jet head body 11 and the recording paper P enters between the nozzle forming surface 21A and the recording paper P (external airflow intrusion side). Placed on the same side. Further, in one of the gas accommodating portions 361 (362), the side of the liquid ejecting head body 11 in the scanning direction and the recording paper are contracted by receiving a pressing force from a part of the air flow generated by the scanning movement of the liquid ejecting head body 11. An airflow is injected between the gas and the gas P, and the gas is sucked in the other gas storage portion 362 (361).

  The pair of gas storage portions 361 and 362 has a convex shape that protrudes in the front-rear direction of the scanning movement of the liquid jet head main body 11. In other words, the pair of gas storage portions 361 and 362 have a streamline shape that rectifies a part of the airflow generated by the relative movement between the liquid jet head main body 11 and the recording paper P.

  Further, a substantially inverted V-shaped cavity (see FIG. 11) is formed inside the pair of gas storage unit main bodies 361A and 362A, and the gas stored inside receives the external air pressure and receives the external force. Is to be injected. That is, the pair of gas storage portions 361 and 362 is configured to eject an airflow toward the outside with respect to the liquid ejecting head main body 11.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the flow of the airflow injected by the airflow injection unit 360 in the fourth embodiment. FIG. 11A is a perspective view illustrating a case where the scanning direction of the liquid jet head body 11 is the + X direction. FIG. 11B is a bottom view illustrating the case where the scanning direction of the liquid jet head body 11 is the + X direction.

  As shown in FIG. 11A, consider a case where the liquid jet head body 11 is scanned in the + X direction. In this case, the air flow generated by the relative movement between the liquid jet head main body 11 and the recording paper P (hereinafter referred to as an external air flow to be distinguished from the air flow ejected from the piston cylinder mechanism) has a flow direction of −X direction. What will become the majority.

  In the gas storage part 361 disposed on the front side (+ X direction side) in the scanning direction of the liquid ejecting head body 11, the cover part 361B receives a pressing force from a part of the external airflow and is recessed inward. Then, the gas storage unit main body 361A contracts. Then, the gas stored inside the gas storage unit main body 361A flows toward the lower end side of the gas storage unit main body 361A while turning through the inverted V-shaped cavity formed inside. Then, an air current is ejected from the ejection holes 361a of the gas storage unit main body 361A, and an air current wall is formed between the side of the liquid ejecting head main body 11 in the scanning direction and the recording paper P. Thereby, a part of the external airflow is shielded by the wall of the airflow formed by the gas accommodating portion 361. For this reason, it is suppressed that an external air current enters between the nozzle forming surface 21A and the recording paper P.

  On the other hand, in the gas storage portion 362 disposed on the rear side (−X direction side) in the scanning direction of the liquid ejecting head body 11, the cover portion 362B swells outward. Then, the gas storage unit main body 362A expands. Then, gas is sucked from the injection hole 362a of the gas storage unit main body 362A. Thereby, for example, when the liquid ejecting head main body 11 is scanned in the + X direction by changing the scanning direction, a gas that is a source of the air current ejected is secured in advance.

  Further, since the gas storage portion 361 has a streamline shape that rectifies a part of the air flow generated by the relative movement between the liquid jet head main body 11 and the recording paper P, a part of the external air flow is part of the gas storage portion 361. Is difficult to pass between the bottom surface of the recording medium and the recording paper P. Here, a part of the external airflow is rectified by the gas accommodating portion 361 having a streamline shape (see FIG. 11B). That is, it is possible to suppress the external airflow from being directly guided between the bottom surface of the gas storage unit 361 and the recording paper P. As a result, between the bottom surface of the gas storage unit 361 and the recording paper P, the gas stored in the gas storage unit 361 selectively passes through the ejection holes 361 a and the recording paper. It will be guided (injected) between P.

  As described above, the gas container 361 disposed on the front side (+ X direction side) of the liquid ejecting head body 11 in the scanning direction and the gas disposed on the rear side (−X direction side) of the liquid ejecting head body 11 in the scanning direction. Operations opposite to each other are performed with respect to the housing portion 362. For this reason, it is ejected when the scanning direction is changed in the rear gas accommodating portion 362 while suppressing the external air flow from entering between the nozzle forming surface 21A and the recording paper P in the front gas accommodating portion 361. The gas that is the source of the airflow can be sucked.

  According to the liquid ejecting head 310 according to the present embodiment, since the airflow ejecting means 360 includes a pair of gas accommodating portions 361 and 362, the pair of piston cylinder mechanisms and the drive portions shown in the above embodiment are provided. Compared to the provided configuration, the configuration can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 2, 3, 4 ... Liquid ejecting apparatus 10, 110, 210, 310 ... Liquid ejecting head, 11 ... Liquid ejecting head main body, 17 ... Nozzle, 21A ... Nozzle formation surface, 60, 160, 260, 360 ... Airflow Injecting means, 61, 62, 161 ... piston cylinder mechanism, 70, 170 ... driving part, 261a, 262a ... outside air introduction hole, 361, 362 ... gas accommodating part, P ... recording paper (medium)

Claims (8)

A scanning-type liquid ejecting head body that ejects liquid from a nozzle toward a medium;
The liquid jet head main body is disposed on the side in the scanning direction, and an air flow is jetted between the liquid jet head main body in the scanning direction and the medium by using the scanning movement of the liquid jet head main body. An airflow injection means,
The liquid jet head is characterized in that the air jet means jets an air flow toward the outside with respect to the liquid jet head main body.   The liquid jet head according to claim 1, wherein the air flow ejecting unit has a convex shape protruding in a front-rear direction of scanning movement of the liquid jet head main body.   The airflow ejecting means includes a pair of piston cylinder mechanisms and a drive unit that drives the pair of piston cylinder mechanisms using a driving force generated by scanning movement of the liquid ejecting head main body. 3. The liquid ejecting according to claim 1, wherein an air flow is ejected between a side of the liquid ejecting head main body in the scanning direction and the medium in the mechanism, and gas is sucked in the other piston cylinder mechanism. head.   The liquid ejecting head according to claim 3, wherein the pair of piston cylinder mechanisms are respectively disposed on both sides in a scanning direction of the liquid ejecting head main body.   The airflow ejecting means includes an outside air introduction hole for introducing a part of the airflow generated by the scanning movement of the liquid ejecting head body into the inside, and a part of the airflow generated by the scanning movement of the liquid ejecting head body is The liquid ejecting head according to claim 1, wherein the liquid ejecting head is ejected between a side of the liquid ejecting head main body in the scanning direction and the medium after passing through the outside air introduction hole.   The liquid jet head according to claim 5, wherein a flow path resistance of the outside air introduction hole is smaller than a flow path resistance between a nozzle forming surface of the liquid jet head main body and the medium.   The airflow ejecting means includes a pair of gas accommodating portions that accommodate gas for ejecting an airflow between the side of the liquid ejecting head main body and the medium, and have flexibility. Are disposed on both sides in the scanning direction of the liquid ejecting head main body, and receive a pressing force from a part of the air flow generated by the scanning movement of the liquid ejecting head main body in one gas accommodating portion. 3. The liquid according to claim 1, wherein the liquid contracts to eject an air current between a side of the liquid ejecting head main body in the scanning direction and the medium, and sucks the gas in the other gas accommodating portion. Jet head. A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising the liquid ejecting head according to claim 1.

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