JP2012066413A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus in which an inkjet head body and a reference plate are firmly cemented with processes less than before.SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus includes: an inkjet head body 2 in which a plurality of nozzle holes are arranged in a predetermined direction; the plurality of flow tubes 3 extending from the plurality of flow openings arranged in parallel with the predetermined direction; a reference plate 4 in which the plurality of hole parts 41-43 to which the plurality of flow tubes 3 are inserted are formed; an adhesive layer 5 which is filled continuously from the gap between an inside surface of the plurality of hole parts 41-43 and outer peripheral surface of the plurality of insertion pipes 3a, to the gap between the reference plate 4 and the inkjet head body 2. At least any one of the plurality of hole parts 41-43 has a slot shape prolonged in parallel with the predetermined direction.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  Conventionally, an image forming apparatus including an inkjet head is known (for example, Patent Document 1). The manufacturing process of the inkjet head includes a process of assembling the inkjet head main body to the reference plate. In this process, high assembly accuracy is often required, and after aligning the positions of the inkjet head main body and the reference plate with an alignment jig, the inkjet head main body and the reference plate are bonded together with an adhesive layer.

  Hereinafter, a conventional method for forming an adhesive layer on the inkjet head main body and the reference plate will be described. In the conventional method, first, an adhesive 5 is applied to the ink jet head body 2 as shown in FIG. Next, as shown in FIG. 11, the reference plate 4 is placed on the inkjet head main body 2. Finally, as shown in FIG. 12, an adhesive is applied to the base portion with the reference plate 4 in the flow pipe 3 that supplies ink to the ink jet head main body. By these three steps, the adhesive layer 5 is formed on the ink jet head body 2 and the reference plate 4 in the conventional method.

  However, if the number of steps required to form the adhesive layer 5 on the inkjet head main body 2 and the reference plate 4 can be reduced as compared with the prior art, the manufacturing time of the inkjet head can be shortened, and consequently the manufacturing of the image forming apparatus. It leads to shortening of time. Further, if the inkjet head body 2 and the reference plate 4 can be bonded more firmly, the assembly accuracy of the inkjet head body 2 and the reference plate 4 can be maintained with high accuracy over a long period of time, and a high-quality image can be maintained over a longer period. Can be formed.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus in which an ink jet head main body and a reference plate are firmly bonded with fewer steps than before.

  In order to solve the above problems, according to one embodiment of the present invention, an inkjet head main body in which a plurality of nozzle holes are arranged in a predetermined direction and a side of the inkjet head main body where the nozzle holes are not formed are parallel to the predetermined direction. A plurality of flow pipes that extend from a plurality of flow openings arranged in the ink jet head to circulate ink between the inside and the outside of the inkjet head body, and a reference plate in which a plurality of holes through which the plurality of flow pipes are inserted are formed. And an adhesive layer filled across the gap between the reference plate and the inkjet head body from the gap between the inner circumferential surface of the plurality of holes and the outer circumferential surface of the plurality of insertion tubes, At least one of the plurality of hole portions relates to an image forming apparatus having a long hole shape extending in parallel with the predetermined direction.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, an inkjet head body in which a plurality of nozzle holes are arranged in a predetermined direction, and a plurality of arrays are arranged in parallel to the predetermined direction on the side of the inkjet head body where the nozzle holes are not formed. A plurality of flow pipes that extend from the flow port and circulate ink between the inside and outside of the inkjet head main body; a reference plate in which a plurality of holes through which the plurality of flow pipes are inserted; An adhesive layer filled from the gap between the inner circumferential surface of the hole and the outer circumferential surface of the plurality of insertion pipes to the gap between the reference plate and the ink jet head body, and is located in the center. The gap between the pipe outer peripheral surface and the hole inner peripheral surface relates to an image forming apparatus that is larger than the gap between the flow pipe outer peripheral surface and the hole inner peripheral surface from the end.

  As described in detail above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus in which the inkjet head main body and the reference plate are firmly bonded with fewer man-hours than before.

It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the inkjet head of 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view of an inkjet head main body. It is the top view which looked at the reference | standard board from the inkjet head main body side. It is a side view of an inkjet head main body. It is a side view of the ink jet head main body on which a reference plate is placed. It is a figure which shows the process of pouring an adhesive agent into the clearance gap between a center hole and a 1st distribution pipe. It is the sectional view on the AA line of FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the inkjet head which is not filled with the adhesive bond layer of 2nd Embodiment. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the inkjet head with which the adhesive bond layer was filled. It is a figure which shows the process of apply | coating an adhesive agent to an inkjet head main body in the conventional method. It is a figure which shows the process of mounting a reference | standard board on the inkjet head main body in the conventional method. It is a figure which shows the process of attaching an adhesive agent to the base part of a flow pipe with a reference | standard board in the conventional method.

Each embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an ink jet head 1 in the image apparatus of the present embodiment. Hereinafter, in this specification, when a longitudinal sectional view is shown, only a reference plate is shown for convenience of explanation.
The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is, for example, a printer, and ejects ink onto a recording medium such as paper by the inkjet head 1 to form an image on the recording medium.
The ink jet head 1 includes an ink jet head main body 2, a flow pipe 3, a reference plate 4, and an adhesive layer 5.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the ink jet head main body 2.
A plurality of nozzle holes 22 are arranged in a predetermined direction on one surface 21 of the inkjet head main body 2. The nozzle surface 21 in which the nozzle hole 22 is formed in the ink jet main body 2 has a rectangular outline, and the longitudinal direction of the rectangle and the predetermined direction are parallel to each other. Hereinafter, a direction parallel to the arrangement direction (predetermined direction) of the nozzle holes 22 is referred to as an X direction. The nozzle hole 22 discharges ink in the inkjet head main body 2. A plurality of flow ports 24 are arranged in the X direction on the surface 23 of the inkjet head body 2 on the side where the nozzle holes 21 are not formed. Each distribution port 24 is connected to the distribution pipe 3.

  The distribution pipe 3 distributes ink between the inside of the inkjet head body 2 and the outside. Three flow pipes 3 are arranged, and the first flow pipe 31 located at the center is arranged near the center of the ink jet head main body 2 in the X direction and allows ink to flow into the ink jet head main body 2. The second flow pipes 32 and 33 positioned at both ends are arranged near both ends of the inkjet head main body 2 in the X direction, and discharge the ink in the inkjet head main body 2 to the outside.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the reference plate 4 as viewed from the inkjet head body 2 side.
The reference plate 4 is formed with a hole 41 through which the first flow pipe 31 is inserted and holes 42 and 43 through which the second flow pipes 32 and 33 are inserted. The hole 41 has a long hole shape extending in the X direction. The first flow pipe 31 is inserted through the center of the hole 41. The shape of the holes 42 and 43 is formed to be similar to the outer shape of the corresponding second flow pipes 32 and 33, for example. When the insertion tubes 31 to 33 are inserted through the hole portions 41 to 43, gaps S1 to S3 are formed between the inner peripheral surface of the hole portions 41 to 43 and the outer peripheral surface of the insertion tubes 31 to 33. These gaps S1 to S3 are filled with an adhesive layer 5 as shown in FIG.

  When the reference plate 4 is placed on the ink jet head main body 2, a gap S4 is formed between the reference plate 4 and the ink jet head main body 2, and the gap S4 is also filled with the adhesive layer 5. On the surface 40 of the reference plate 4 facing the ink jet head main body 2, long grooves 44 and 45 extending in the X direction are formed between the adjacent flow pipes 31 to 33 (see FIG. 3).

  For example, a thermosetting or ultraviolet curable epoxy resin can be used for the adhesive layer 5, and a reference plate is formed from a gap S <b> 1 between the inner peripheral surface of the holes 41 to 43 and the outer peripheral surface of the insertion tubes 31 to 33. 4 and the ink-jet head body 2 are filled over the gap S4.

Hereinafter, a method of forming the adhesive layer 5 between the inkjet head body 2 and the reference plate 4 will be described.
First, after aligning the position of the reference plate 4 and the ink jet head main body 2 shown in FIG. 4 with an alignment jig, the reference plate 4 is placed on the ink jet head main body 2 as shown in FIG. Step 1). Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the adhesive is poured into the gap S <b> 1 between the central hole 41 and the first flow pipe 31 by the adhesive application device 6 (step 2).

  The adhesive poured into the gap S1 reaches the root of the first flow pipe 31 through the hole 41, and then splits into two hands and is guided by the hole 41 extending in the X direction. Proceed to the second distribution pipe 32, 33 side. The adhesive that has reached the edge F on the side of the second flow pipes 32 and 33 in the X direction of the hole 41 (see also FIG. 7 which is a sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 6) 2 in the gap S4 between the second and second flow pipes 32 and 33 in the X direction. Then, the adhesive reaches the long grooves 44 and 45, and is further guided to the long grooves 44 and 45 and fills the long grooves 44 and 45, and further proceeds to the second flow pipes 32 and 33 side in the X direction. Then, after passing through the long grooves 44 and 45, the adhesive advances through the gap S 4 between the reference plate 4 and the inkjet head main body 2, then reaches the second flow pipes 32 and 33, and is inserted into the holes 42 and 43. The gaps S2 and S3 with the tubes 32 and 33 are filled.

  Thus, in this process 2, the adhesive is filled from the gap S1 between the hole 41 and the first insertion tube 31 to the gap S4 between the reference plate 4 and the inkjet head main body 2 to form the adhesive layer 5. Is formed. In addition, after the said process 1 and 2, the adhesive bond layer 5 is thermosetting or ultraviolet-curing, and the inkjet head main body 2 and the reference | standard board 4 are finally adhere | attached.

  In the above embodiment, since the hole 41 has a long hole shape, a sufficient gap S1 can be formed between the hole 41 and the first insertion tube 31, and the adhesive can be poured from the gap S1. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the adhesive layer 5 can be formed on the ink jet head main body 2 and the reference plate 4 by one process less than the conventional process. In the present embodiment, the adhesive layer 5 can be easily formed because the adhesive application device 6 only needs to perform the injection operation from one direction of pouring the adhesive from the gap S1.

In the present embodiment, the hole 41 extends in the X direction, and the inner peripheral surface of the hole 41 is wider than the conventional one. Therefore, it is easy to spread the adhesive injected into the hole 41 in the X direction. The contact area between the plate 4 and the adhesive layer 5 can be increased, and the inkjet head body 2 and the reference plate 4 can be bonded more firmly.
In the present embodiment, since the hole 41 extends in the X direction, the adhesive layer 5 can be expanded in the longitudinal direction (X direction) of the inkjet head main body 2 by the hole 41, and the adhesive layer 5 is disposed in the inkjet head. Compared with the case where the main body 2 is widened in the short direction, the ink jet head main body 2 and the reference plate 4 can be firmly bonded.

In the present embodiment, since the hole 41 extends in the X direction, the second insertion pipes 32 and 33 in which the adhesive is arranged in the gap S4 between the reference plate 4 and the inkjet head body 2 in the X direction. You can guide towards. Therefore, in this embodiment, the gap S4 between the reference plate 4 and the inkjet head main body 2 and the gap S2 between the second insertion pipes 32 and 33 and the holes 32 and 33 are obtained simply by pouring the adhesive from the gap S1. The adhesive layer 5 can be easily formed over S3.
In the present embodiment, the second flow pipes 32 and 33 are disposed near both ends of the inkjet head body 2 and the adhesive layer 5 is formed in the longitudinal direction (X direction) of the inkjet head body 2. 2 and the reference plate 4 can be bonded sufficiently firmly.

  In general, the adhesive is strong against pulling and compression, but is weak against shearing force. Therefore, peeling of the adhesive surface due to the force (for example, the X direction in FIG. 1) acting after the inkjet head and the reference plate are bonded is a problem. However, the adhesive layer 5 in the present embodiment is filled in the gap because the adhesive spreads reliably in the gap between the inner peripheral surface of the hole and the outer peripheral surface of the flow pipe. Even when the above-described shearing force is applied by the adhesive action of the adhesive, the adhesion between the inkjet head and the reference plate is not peeled off.

(Second Embodiment)
Hereinafter, the same reference numerals are given to the same functional parts as those in the above embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.
FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of the ink jet head 1A according to the present embodiment in a state where the adhesive layer is not filled. FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of the ink jet head 1 </ b> A filled with the adhesive layer 5.
In the present embodiment, the hole 41 </ b> A through which the first flow pipe 31 is inserted does not extend in the X direction as in the previous embodiment, and has a circular shape similar to the first flow pipe 31. . The edge on the inkjet head main body 2 side in the hole 41A is chamfered. Thereby, in this embodiment, the clearance S1 between the outer peripheral surface of the first flow pipe 31 and the inner peripheral surface of the hole 41A is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the second flow pipes 32 and 33 and the inner peripheral surface of the holes 42 and 43. It is larger than the gap S2. Further, in the present embodiment, the long grooves 44 and 45 in the embodiment are long holes 44 </ b> A and 45 </ b> A that penetrate the reference plate 4.

  Also in this embodiment, since the center gap S1 is chamfered and has a sufficient size, even if an adhesive is poured into the center gap S1, there is little resistance, and the adhesive smoothly enters the gap S1, It spreads between the inkjet head body 2 and the reference plate 4. Therefore, also in this embodiment, the adhesive layer 5 can be formed on the ink jet head main body 2 and the reference plate 4 by one less process than before by pouring the adhesive into the central gap S1.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the contact area between the reference plate 4 and the adhesive layer 5 can be increased by the long holes 44A and 45A penetrating the reference plate 4, and the inkjet head main body 2 and the reference plate 4 are bonded more firmly. it can.

(Modification)
In the first embodiment, the hole 41 through which the central first flow pipe 31 is inserted has a long hole shape extending in the X direction, but any hole through which the flow pipe is inserted is X What is necessary is just the long hole shape extended in a direction.
In the first embodiment, the shapes of the long grooves 44 and 45 formed between the flow pipes 31 to 33 are the same, but they may not be equal. The shape and number of the long grooves formed between the flow pipes are appropriately set in consideration of the strength of the reference plate, the viscosity of the adhesive layer, and the like, which are necessary for bonding the inkjet head body and the reference plate. Adhesive strength may be obtained. The same applies to the shape and number of the long holes 44A, 45A in the second embodiment.

  The present invention can be implemented in various other forms without departing from the spirit or main features thereof. Therefore, the above-described embodiment is merely an example in all respects and should not be interpreted in a limited manner. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the scope of claims, and is not restricted by the text of the specification. Further, all modifications, various improvements, alternatives and modifications belonging to the equivalent scope of the claims are all within the scope of the present invention.

  2 Ink-jet head body, 4 reference plate, 5 adhesive layer, 22 nozzle hole, 24 flow port, 31 first flow tube, 32, 33 second flow tube, 41-43, 41A hole, 44, 45 long groove 44A, 45A oblong holes.

JP 2006-137047 A

Claims (11)

An inkjet head body in which a plurality of nozzle holes are arranged in a predetermined direction;
A plurality of flow pipes extending from a plurality of flow openings arranged in parallel to the predetermined direction on a side of the ink jet head main body where the nozzle holes are not formed, and for distributing ink between the inside of the ink jet head main body and the outside; ,
A reference plate formed with a plurality of holes through which the plurality of flow pipes are inserted;
An adhesive layer filled from the gap between the inner circumferential surface of the plurality of holes and the outer circumferential surface of the plurality of insertion pipes to the gap between the reference plate and the inkjet head body,
At least one of the plurality of holes is an image forming apparatus having a long hole shape extending in parallel with the predetermined direction. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
Two of the plurality of flow pipes are image forming apparatuses disposed near both ends of the inkjet head main body in the predetermined direction. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
An image forming apparatus in which a long groove extending in parallel with the predetermined direction is formed on a surface of the reference plate facing the ink jet head main body. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the reference plate is formed with a long hole extending in parallel with the predetermined direction between two adjacent flow pipes among the plurality of flow pipes. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
Three of the distribution pipes are arranged,
The first flow pipe located in the center is disposed near the center of the inkjet head body in the predetermined direction,
Second flow pipes located at both ends are disposed near both ends of the inkjet head body in the predetermined direction,
An image forming apparatus in which a long hole having an equal length extending in parallel with the predetermined direction is formed between the first flow pipe and the second flow pipe. An inkjet head body in which a plurality of nozzle holes are arranged in a predetermined direction;
A plurality of flow pipes extending from a plurality of flow openings arranged in parallel to the predetermined direction on a side of the ink jet head main body where the nozzle holes are not formed, and for distributing ink between the inside of the ink jet head main body and the outside; ,
A reference plate formed with a plurality of holes through which the plurality of flow pipes are inserted;
An adhesive layer filled from the gap between the inner circumferential surface of the plurality of holes and the outer circumferential surface of the plurality of insertion pipes to the gap between the reference plate and the inkjet head body,
The image forming apparatus in which the gap between the outer peripheral surface of the flow pipe located in the center and the inner peripheral surface of the hole is larger than the gap between the outer peripheral surface of the flow pipe and the inner peripheral surface of the hole. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6.
Two of the plurality of flow pipes are image forming apparatuses disposed near both ends of the inkjet head main body in the predetermined direction. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, wherein:
An image forming apparatus in which a long groove extending in parallel with the predetermined direction is formed on a surface of the reference plate facing the ink jet head main body. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 8,
An image forming apparatus in which a long groove extending in parallel with the predetermined direction is formed on a surface of the reference plate facing the ink jet head main body. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 9,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the reference plate is formed with a long hole extending in parallel with the predetermined direction between two adjacent flow pipes among the plurality of flow pipes. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 10,
Three of the distribution pipes are arranged,
The first flow pipe located in the center is disposed near the center of the inkjet head body in the predetermined direction,
Second flow pipes located at both ends are disposed near both ends of the inkjet head body in the predetermined direction,
An image forming apparatus in which a long hole having an equal length extending in parallel with the predetermined direction is formed between the first flow pipe and the second flow pipe.

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