JP2016052735A - Liquid discharge head and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem that a joining malfunction occurs between nozzle plates and wall face members due to the formation of a step caused by a thickness difference between a flow passage plate and a flow passage plate surrounding portion since a grounding amount of a bulkhead part becomes large when grinding the flow passage plate.SOLUTION: A row of a plurality of individual flow passages 502 is arranged in a flow passage plate 2 along a nozzle alignment direction, a plurality of dummy individual flow passages 503 having plane shapes which are the same as those of the individual flow passages 502 are formed outside (in the nozzle alignment direction) both end parts of the row of the individual flow passages 502, the flow passage plate 2 is constituted by laminating and joining two sheets of plate-shaped members 2A, 2B, and the two sheets of the plate-shaped members 2A, 2B are different from each other in the number of the dummy individual flow passages 503 which are formed outside the individual flow passages 502 in the nozzle alignment direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid discharge head and an image forming apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art There is known a liquid discharge recording type image forming apparatus using a recording head composed of a liquid discharge head (droplet discharge head) for discharging liquid droplets.

  As a conventional liquid discharge head, a plurality of dummy liquid chambers are arranged outside the arrangement direction of the individual liquid chambers for discharging droplets, and the deflection inflection point of the flow path plate is located outside the individual liquid chambers. What was made into the structure is known (patent document 1).

JP2011-016331A

  By the way, for example, when using a metal member such as SUS as a flow path plate and forming an individual flow path such as a pressure chamber (individual liquid chamber) by pressing, in order to ensure the flatness of the flow path plate Polishing is performed.

  When this polishing process is performed, the partition between the individual liquid chambers has a high surface pressure and is easily polished, and the plate surface outside the dummy liquid chamber has a low surface pressure and is difficult to be polished. . For this reason, the thickness of the flow path plate is different between the partition wall and the portion outside the liquid chamber, and a step is generated in the plate thickness on the end side in the nozzle arrangement direction.

  As a result, there arises a problem in that poor bonding occurs at the time of bonding with the nozzle plate or the like, and the discharge characteristics at the end side in the nozzle arrangement direction are deteriorated.

  This invention is made | formed in view of said subject, and it aims at reducing the joining defect of a flow-path board.

In order to solve the above-described problem, a liquid discharge head according to the present invention includes:
A nozzle plate on which a plurality of nozzles for discharging droplets are arranged;
A flow path plate in which a plurality of individual liquid chambers communicated with the nozzle are arranged;
A wall surface member forming a wall surface of the individual liquid chamber,
The flow path plate is configured by laminating a plurality of plate-like members,
The plurality of plate-like members are configured such that the number of dummy chambers formed outside the individual liquid chambers is different in the nozzle arrangement direction.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the bonding failure of the flow path plate.

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view illustrating an example of a liquid discharge head according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional explanatory diagram in a direction (liquid chamber longitudinal direction) orthogonal to the nozzle arrangement direction along the line AA in FIG. 1. It is a cross-sectional explanatory drawing of the nozzle arrangement direction (liquid chamber short direction) along the BB line of FIG. It is a plane explanatory view of a channel board in a 1st embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an explanatory cross-sectional view of a state in which a flow path plate along the line CC in FIG. 4 is joined to a nozzle plate and a diaphragm member. It is sectional explanatory drawing of the one plate-shaped member which comprises the flow-path board of a comparative example. It is sectional explanatory drawing of the state which joined the flow-path board of the comparative example to the nozzle plate and the diaphragm member. FIG. 6 is an explanatory cross-sectional view of a state in which a flow path plate of a liquid ejection head according to a second embodiment of the present invention is joined to a nozzle plate and a diaphragm member. FIG. 10 is an explanatory cross-sectional view of a state in which a flow path plate of a liquid ejection head according to a third embodiment of the present invention is joined to a nozzle plate and a diaphragm member. FIG. 10 is an explanatory cross-sectional view of a state in which a flow path plate of a liquid ejection head according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is joined to a nozzle plate and a diaphragm member. FIG. 4 is a side explanatory view of a mechanism unit of an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. Similarly it is principal part plane explanatory drawing.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. An example of a liquid discharge head according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a perspective explanatory view of the head, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional explanatory view in a direction (longitudinal direction of the liquid chamber) orthogonal to the nozzle arrangement direction along the line AA in FIG. 1, and FIG. It is sectional explanatory drawing of the nozzle arrangement direction (liquid chamber short direction) in alignment with a line.

  In this liquid discharge head, a nozzle plate 1, a flow path plate 2, and a vibration plate member 3 as a wall surface member are laminated and joined. And the piezoelectric actuator 11 which displaces the diaphragm member 3 and the frame member 20 as a common flow path member are provided.

  The nozzle plate 1, the flow channel plate 2, and the vibration plate member 3 form an individual flow channel 502 through which a plurality of nozzles 4 that discharge droplets communicate. When the nozzle 4 side is the downstream side, the individual flow path 502 communicates with the individual liquid chamber 6 through which the nozzle 4 communicates from the downstream side, the fluid resistance unit 7 that supplies the liquid to the individual liquid chamber 6, and the fluid resistance unit 7. It is comprised with the liquid introduction part 8. FIG.

  Then, the liquid is introduced into the individual flow path 502 from the common liquid chamber 10 serving as the common flow path of the frame member 20 through the filter section 9 which is the inlet port formed in the diaphragm member 3, and the liquid introduction section 8, the fluid resistance The liquid is supplied to the individual liquid chamber 6 through the section 7.

  Here, the nozzle plate 1 is formed of a nickel (Ni) metal plate and is manufactured by an electroforming method (electroforming). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other metal members, resin members, plate-like members of resin layers and metal layers, and the like can be used. In the nozzle plate 1, nozzles 4 are formed corresponding to the individual liquid chambers 6 and bonded to the flow path plate 2 with an adhesive. Further, a water repellent layer is provided on the droplet discharge side surface of the nozzle plate 1.

  The flow path plate 2 is configured by laminating and joining two plate-like members 2A and 2B. Here, a SUS substrate is used as the plate-like members 2 </ b> A and 2 </ b> B, and through holes for forming individual flow paths 502 such as the individual liquid chamber 6, the fluid resistance section 7, and the liquid introduction section 8 are formed.

  The diaphragm member 3 is a wall surface member that forms the wall surface of the individual liquid chamber 6 of the flow path plate 2. This diaphragm member 3 has a three-layer structure, and when the flow path plate 2 side is the first layer, a deformable vibration region 30 is formed in a portion corresponding to the individual liquid chamber 6 in the first layer.

  The diaphragm member 3 is formed from a nickel (Ni) metal plate and is manufactured by an electroforming method (electroforming). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other metal members, resin members, plate-like members of resin layers and metal layers, and the like can be used.

  A piezoelectric actuator 11 including an electromechanical conversion element as a driving means (actuator means, pressure generating means) for deforming the vibration region 30 of the diaphragm member 3 on the opposite side of the diaphragm member 3 from the individual liquid chamber 6. Is arranged.

  The piezoelectric actuator 11 has a plurality of laminated piezoelectric members 12 bonded with adhesive on a base member 13, and the piezoelectric member 12 is grooved by half-cut dicing to have a required number of piezoelectric members 12. Piezoelectric columns 12A and 12B are formed in a comb shape at a predetermined interval.

  The piezoelectric columns 12A and 12B of the piezoelectric member 12 are the same, but a piezoelectric column that is driven by giving a driving waveform is a driving piezoelectric column (driving column) 12A, and a piezoelectric column that is used as a simple column without giving a driving waveform. It is distinguished as a non-driving piezoelectric column (non-driving column) 12B.

  The drive column 12A is joined to a convex portion 30a which is an island-shaped thick portion formed in the vibration region 30 of the diaphragm member 3. Further, the non-driving column 12 </ b> B is joined to the convex portion 30 b that is a thick portion of the diaphragm member 3.

  This piezoelectric member 12 is formed by alternately laminating piezoelectric layers and internal electrodes, and each internal electrode is pulled out to the end face to be provided with an external electrode, and can be used to supply a drive signal to the external electrode of the drive column 12A. An FPC 15 as a flexible wiring board having flexibility is connected.

  The frame member 20 is formed by injection molding using, for example, epoxy resin or thermoplastic resin such as polyphenylene sulfite, and a common liquid chamber 10 to which liquid is supplied from a head tank or a liquid cartridge (not shown) is formed.

  In the liquid discharge head configured as described above, for example, the drive column 12A contracts by lowering the voltage applied to the drive column 12A from the reference potential, and the vibration region 30 of the diaphragm member 3 descends, so that the individual liquid chambers 6 As the volume expands, the liquid flows into the individual liquid chamber 6.

  Thereafter, the voltage applied to the drive column 12A is increased to extend the drive column 12A in the stacking direction, the vibration region 30 of the diaphragm member 3 is deformed in the nozzle 4 direction, and the volume of the individual liquid chamber 6 is contracted. The liquid in the individual liquid chamber 6 is pressurized, and droplets are ejected (jetted) from the nozzle 4.

  Then, by returning the voltage applied to the drive column 12A to the reference potential, the vibration region 30 of the diaphragm member 3 is restored to the initial position, and the individual liquid chamber 6 expands to generate a negative pressure. The liquid is filled into the individual liquid chamber 6 from the liquid chamber 10. Therefore, after the vibration of the meniscus surface of the nozzle 4 is attenuated and stabilized, the operation proceeds to the next droplet discharge.

  Note that the driving method of the head is not limited to the above example (pulling-pushing), and it is also possible to perform striking or pushing depending on the direction to which the driving waveform is given.

  Next, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is an explanatory plan view of the flow path plate in the same embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of a state in which the flow path plate along the line CC in FIG. 4 is joined to the nozzle plate and the vibration plate member. Here, in the drawing arrangement, the nozzle plate is shown on the upper side and the diaphragm member is shown on the lower side (the same applies hereinafter).

  In the flow path plate 2, a row of individual flow paths 502 including a plurality of individual liquid chambers 6 is arranged along the nozzle arrangement direction.

  A plurality of dummy individual channels 503 which are a plurality of dummy chambers having the same planar shape as the individual channels 502 are arranged outside both ends of the individual channels 502 (in the nozzle arrangement direction).

  Here, an area where the individual flow path 502 is formed is referred to as an individual flow path area 511, an area where a plurality of dummy individual flow paths 503 are formed is referred to as a dummy individual flow path area 512, and the outer side of the dummy individual flow path area 512 is an outer peripheral area. 513. However, the regions 511 to 513 are regions in a plate-like member of each layer described later.

  Here, the flow path plate 2 is configured by laminating and joining two plate-like members 2A and 2B as described above.

  The one plate-like member 2 </ b> A and the other plate-like member 2 </ b> B are each formed with a through hole 507 that forms an individual flow path 502. Between each through-hole 507, it becomes the partition part 504 between the separate flow paths 502. FIG.

  Further, each of the one plate-like member 2A and the other plate-like member 2B is formed with a through hole 508 that forms a dummy individual flow path 503. Between each through-hole 508, it becomes the partition part 505 between the dummy separate flow paths 503. FIG.

  Here, three through holes 508 that form dummy individual flow paths 503 are formed in one plate-like member 2A, and one through hole 508 that forms dummy individual flow paths 503 is formed in the other plate-like member 2B. Forming. That is, the two plate-like members 2A and 2B have different numbers of dummy individual flow paths 503 to be formed.

  The dummy individual flow path 503 in which the through holes 508 are formed in the two plate-like members 2A and 2B each has a through-hole shape that penetrates the entire flow path plate 2 in the stacking direction, and only one of the plate-like members 2A penetrates. The dummy individual channel 503 in which the hole 508 is formed has a concave shape. In other words, the “dummy chamber” is not limited to a through hole, but includes a simple recess, and is not limited to the one having the same three-dimensional shape as the individual liquid chamber 6 and the individual flow path 502.

  With this configuration, when the flow path plate 2 including the two plate-like members 2A and 2B, the nozzle plate 1 and the vibration plate member 3 are joined, the four plate-like members (plates after joining) The thickness of the shaped members 2A, 2B, the nozzle plate 1, and the diaphragm member 3) changes continuously.

  As a result, not only the bonding between the plate-like members 2A and 2B but also the bonding between the flow path plate 2 and the nozzle plate 1 and the vibration plate member 3 can be bonded without defective bonding, and each nozzle in the nozzle arrangement direction Discharge characteristics with little variation can be obtained.

  Here, a comparative example will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of one plate-like member constituting the flow path plate, and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of a state in which the flow path plate of the comparative example is joined to the nozzle plate and the vibration plate member.

  In this comparative example, a single plate-like member 1002A is formed with through holes 507 serving as a plurality of individual flow paths 502 and through holes 508 serving as dummy individual flow paths 503 on the outer side in the arrangement direction.

  Here, since the through holes 507 and 508 are formed by press working, burrs, sagging, and the like are generated. Therefore, the surface to be a bonding surface is polished.

  At this time, the polishing amount of the partition wall portions 504 and 504 to which the surface pressure is applied becomes relatively larger than the surroundings, and the thicknesses ta and tb are larger than the thickness tc of the region 513 where the dummy individual flow path 503 is not formed. Also become thinner. Therefore, a step is generated between the region 513 and the region 512 where the dummy individual flow path 503 is formed.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, when the plate plate 1002 is formed by stacking and bonding the three plate-like members 1002 </ b> A, and the nozzle plate 1 and the vibration plate member 3 are stacked and bonded, from the outer peripheral region 513 to the region 511. In this region 512, bonding failure occurs.

  Due to the occurrence of this bonding failure, the ejection characteristics vary among the nozzles in the nozzle arrangement direction.

  Next, a liquid ejection head according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing a state in which the flow path plate of the head is joined to the nozzle plate and the vibration plate member.

  In the present embodiment, the flow path plate 2 is configured by laminating and joining three plate-like members 2A to 2C in the order of the plate-like members 2A, 2B, and 2C from the nozzle plate 1 side.

  And the through-hole 508 which forms the dummy separate flow path 503 is formed in plate-shaped member 2A, 2B, 2C.

  Here, the plate-like member 2A is formed with three through holes 508 that form the dummy individual flow paths 503, and the plate-like member 2B is formed with one through hole 508 that forms the dummy individual flow paths 503. Five through holes 508 that form dummy individual flow paths 503 are formed in the shaped member 2C.

  At this time, the plate-like member 2C having the largest number of through holes 508 forming the dummy individual flow paths 503 is joined to the vibration plate member 3, and the plate having the second largest number of through holes 508 forming the dummy individual flow paths 503. 2A is joined to the nozzle plate 1.

  That is, the plurality of plate-like members 2 </ b> A to 2 </ b> C are configured such that dummy individual channels 503 are formed in the nozzle arrangement direction, and the number of dummy individual channels 503 to be formed is different.

  Thereby, since the thickness of the five plate-like members (plate-like members 2A to 2C, the nozzle plate 1, and the vibration plate member 3) after joining changes continuously as in the first embodiment. Bonding can be performed without defects, and ejection characteristics with little variation between nozzles in the nozzle arrangement direction can be obtained.

  Further, the flow path plate 2 is configured by stacking three or more plate-like members 2A to 2C, and at least one of the plate-like member 2A on the nozzle plate side and the plate-like member 2C on the wall surface member side is a dummy individual flow path. The number 503 is the largest, and the other has the second largest number of dummy individual channels 503.

  That is, the plate member 2C having the largest number of dummy chambers and the plate member 2A having the next largest number of dummy chambers have a lower rigidity as a plate member because the number of dummy individual flow paths 503 is larger. Therefore, by arranging these two plate-like members on the outermost surfaces of the three plate-like members, it becomes easy to absorb the influence of the step, and more reliable joining can be performed.

  In this way, even when a plurality of plate-like members with varying thicknesses are stacked, the head configuration without poor bonding can be obtained by continuously changing the thickness of the entire flow path, resulting in poor ejection. And uniform discharge becomes possible.

  Next, a liquid ejection head according to a third embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is an explanatory cross-sectional view of a state in which the flow path plate of the head is joined to the nozzle plate and the diaphragm member.

  In this embodiment, the flow path plate 2 is configured by stacking and joining five plate-like members 2A to 2E in the order of the plate-like members 2A to 2E from the nozzle plate 1 side.

  And the through-hole 508 which forms the dummy separate flow path 503 is formed in plate-shaped member 2A-2E.

  Here, six through holes 508 that form dummy individual flow paths 503 are formed in the plate-like member 2A, and four through holes 508 that form dummy individual flow paths 503 are formed in the plate-like member 2B. . The plate-like member 2 </ b> C has one through hole 508 that forms a dummy individual flow path 503. Three through holes 508 that form dummy individual flow paths 503 are formed in the plate-like member 2D, and five through holes 508 that form dummy individual flow paths 503 are formed in the plate-like member 2E.

  As described above, the rigidity of the plate-like member is reduced, and the larger the number of dummy chambers, the more the dummy chambers are arranged on the outer side of the flow path plate, and the number of dummy chambers decreases toward the center in the stacking direction. . That is, in the stacking direction, the number of dummy chambers gradually decreases from the plate member on the nozzle plate side and the plate member on the wall surface member side toward the intermediate plate member.

  Thereby, it becomes easy to absorb the influence by a level | step difference, and more reliable joining can be performed. In addition, even when a plurality of plate-like members with varying thicknesses are stacked in this way, the thickness of the entire flow path can be continuously changed, so that a head configuration without defective bonding can be obtained. Discharge defects are reduced and uniform discharge is possible.

  Next, a liquid discharge head according to a fourth embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is an explanatory cross-sectional view of a state in which the flow path plate of the head is joined to the nozzle plate and the vibration plate member.

  In this embodiment, the dummy individual flow path is not formed in the plate-like member 2B located in the middle of the three plate-like members 2A, 2B, 2C. That is, the plurality of plate-like members include a single plate-like member that does not form a dummy chamber. In addition, it can also be set as the structure which does not form a dummy chamber in one side when a flow path board is comprised with two plate-shaped members.

  Even with this configuration, the entire flow path plate and the thickness of each plate-like member can be joined together with no joint failure as in the above embodiments, and there is variation between nozzles in the nozzle arrangement direction. Can be obtained.

  In the above embodiment, the example in which the present invention is applied to the arrangement of the individual flow path 502 including the individual liquid chamber 6 has been described. However, the present invention is similarly applied to the case where only the dummy individual liquid chamber is formed outside the individual liquid chamber 6. it can. However, when forming the individual liquid chamber, the fluid resistance portion, and the liquid introduction portion by pressing, it is preferable in terms of processing that the dummy has the same shape.

  Next, an example of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention including the liquid discharge head according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 11 is an explanatory side view of the mechanism of the apparatus, and FIG.

  This image forming apparatus is a serial type image forming apparatus, and a carriage 233 is slidably held in a main scanning direction by main and slave guide rods 231 and 232 which are guide members horizontally mounted on left and right side plates 221A and 221B. . Then, the main scanning motor (not shown) moves and scans in the direction indicated by the arrow (carriage main scanning direction) via the timing belt.

  The carriage 233 includes two recording heads 234a and 234b (hereinafter referred to as “recording heads 234” unless otherwise distinguished) that are composed of the liquid ejection heads according to the present invention for ejecting ink droplets of the respective colors. The members are also the same). The recording head 234 is mounted with a nozzle row composed of a plurality of nozzles arranged in the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction and the ink droplet ejection direction facing downward.

  The recording head 234 is composed of a liquid discharge head having two nozzle arrays. One nozzle row of one recording head 234a discharges black (K) droplets, and the other nozzle row discharges cyan (C) droplets. One nozzle row of the other recording head 234b discharges magenta (M) droplets, and the other nozzle row discharges yellow (Y) droplets. Note that, here, a two-head configuration is used to eject four color droplets, but a liquid ejection head for each color may be provided.

  In addition, a sub tank 235 for supplying ink of each color corresponding to the nozzle row of the recording head 234 is mounted on the carriage 233. The sub tank 235 is supplied with ink of each color from the ink cartridge 210 of each color by the supply unit 224 via the supply tube 236 of each color.

  On the other hand, as a paper feeding unit for feeding the paper 242 stacked on the paper stacking unit (pressure plate) 241 of the paper feed tray 202, a half-moon roller (feeding) that separates and feeds the paper 242 one by one from the paper stacking unit 241. Paper roller) 243 and a separation pad 244 facing the paper feed roller 243.

  A guide 245 for guiding the paper 242, a counter roller 246, a conveyance guide member 247, and a tip pressure roller 249 are used to feed the paper 242 fed from the paper feeding unit to the lower side of the recording head 234. And a pressing member 248 having Further, a transport belt 251 is provided as a transport unit for electrostatically attracting the fed paper 242 and transporting it at a position facing the recording head 234.

  The conveyor belt 251 is an endless belt, and is configured to wrap around the conveyor roller 252 and the tension roller 253 so as to circulate in the belt conveyance direction (sub-scanning direction). In addition, a charging roller 256 that is a charging unit for charging the surface of the transport belt 251 is provided. The charging roller 256 is disposed so as to come into contact with the surface layer of the conveyor belt 251 and to rotate following the rotation of the conveyor belt 251. The transport belt 251 rotates in the belt transport direction when the transport roller 252 is rotationally driven through timing by a sub-scanning motor (not shown).

  Further, as a paper discharge unit for discharging the paper 242 recorded by the recording head 234, a separation claw 261 for separating the paper 242 from the transport belt 251, a paper discharge roller 262, and a paper discharge roller 263 are provided. A paper discharge tray 203 is provided below the paper discharge roller 262.

  A double-sided unit 271 is detachably attached to the back surface of the apparatus main body. The duplex unit 271 takes in the paper 242 returned by the reverse rotation of the transport belt 251, reverses it, and feeds it again between the counter roller 246 and the transport belt 251. The upper surface of the duplex unit 271 is a manual feed tray 272.

  Further, a maintenance / recovery mechanism 281 for maintaining and recovering the nozzle state of the recording head 234 is disposed in a non-printing area on one side in the scanning direction of the carriage 233.

  The maintenance / recovery mechanism 281 includes cap members (hereinafter referred to as “caps”) 282a and 282b (hereinafter referred to as “caps 282” when not distinguished) for capping the nozzle surfaces of the recording head 234. . The maintenance and recovery mechanism 281 includes a wiper blade 283 that is a blade member for wiping the nozzle surface. The maintenance / recovery mechanism 281 includes a blank discharge receptacle 284 that receives droplets when performing blank discharge for discharging droplets that do not contribute to recording in order to discharge thickened ink.

  In addition, in the non-printing area on the other side of the carriage 233 in the scanning direction, idle ejection that receives droplets when performing idle ejection that ejects droplets that do not contribute to recording in order to discharge ink that has been thickened during recording or the like. A receptacle 288 is arranged. The idle discharge receiver 288 includes an opening 289 along the nozzle row direction of the recording head 234 and the like.

  In this image forming apparatus configured as described above, the sheets 242 are separated and fed one by one from the sheet feeding tray 202, and the sheet 242 fed substantially vertically upward is guided by the guide 245, and is conveyed to the conveyor belt 251 and the counter. It is sandwiched between the rollers 246 and conveyed. Further, the leading edge of the sheet 242 is guided by the conveying guide 237 and pressed against the conveying belt 251 by the leading end pressing roller 249, and the conveying direction is changed by approximately 90 °.

  When the paper 242 is fed onto the charged transport belt 251, the paper 242 is attracted to the transport belt 251, and the paper 242 is transported in the sub-scanning direction by the circular movement of the transport belt 251.

  Therefore, by driving the recording head 234 according to the image signal while moving the carriage 233, ink droplets are ejected onto the stopped paper 242 to record one line, and after the paper 242 is conveyed by a predetermined amount, Record the next line. Upon receiving a recording end signal or a signal that the trailing edge of the paper 242 has reached the recording area, the recording operation is finished and the paper 242 is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 203.

  As described above, since the image forming apparatus includes the liquid discharge head according to the present invention as a recording head, a high-quality image can be stably formed.

  In the present application, the “paper” is not limited to paper, but includes OHP, cloth, glass, a substrate, etc., and means a material to which ink droplets or other liquids can be attached. , Recording media, recording paper, recording paper, and the like. In addition, image formation, recording, printing, printing, and printing are all synonymous.

  The “image forming apparatus” means an apparatus that forms an image by discharging a liquid onto a medium such as paper, thread, fiber, fabric, leather, metal, plastic, glass, wood, ceramics or the like. In addition, “image formation” not only applies an image having a meaning such as a character or a figure to a medium but also applies an image having no meaning such as a pattern to the medium (simply applying a droplet to the medium). It also means to land on.

  The “ink” is not limited to an ink unless otherwise specified, but includes any liquid that can form an image, such as a recording liquid, a fixing processing liquid, or a liquid. Used generically, for example, includes DNA samples, resists, pattern materials, resins, and the like.

  In addition, the “image” is not limited to a planar image, and includes an image given to a three-dimensionally formed image and an image formed by three-dimensionally modeling a solid itself.

  Further, the image forming apparatus includes both a serial type image forming apparatus and a line type image forming apparatus, unless otherwise limited.

  The pressure generating means is not limited to a piezoelectric actuator, and a thermal actuator using an electrothermal conversion element such as a heating resistor, an electrostatic actuator including a diaphragm and a counter electrode, or the like can also be used.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Nozzle plate 2 Flow path plate 2A-2E Plate-shaped member 3 Vibration plate member 4 Nozzle 6 Individual liquid chamber 8 Liquid introduction part 10 Common liquid chamber 12 Piezoelectric member 20 Frame member 233 Carriage 234a, 234b Recording head 502 Individual flow path 506 Dummy Room

Claims (5)

A nozzle plate on which a plurality of nozzles for discharging droplets are arranged;
A flow path plate in which a plurality of individual liquid chambers communicated with the nozzle are arranged;
A wall surface member forming a wall surface of the individual liquid chamber,
The flow path plate is configured by laminating a plurality of plate-like members,
The liquid ejecting head according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of plate-like members have different numbers of dummy chambers formed outside the individual liquid chambers in a nozzle arrangement direction. The flow path plate is configured by laminating three or more plate-like members,
The three or more plate-like members have different numbers of dummy chambers formed outside the individual liquid chambers,
At least one of the plate member on the nozzle plate side and the plate member on the wall surface member side has the largest number of dummy chambers, and the other has the second largest number of dummy chambers. Item 2. The liquid discharge head according to Item 1. The flow path plate is configured by laminating five or more plate-like members,
At least three of the five or more plate-like members have different numbers of dummy chambers formed outside the individual liquid chambers, respectively.
The number of the dummy chambers gradually decreases from the plate member on the nozzle plate side and the plate member on the wall surface side toward the intermediate plate member in the stacking direction. The liquid discharge head according to 1 or 2. 4. The liquid ejection head according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of plate-like members include one plate-like member in which the dummy chamber is not formed.   An image forming apparatus comprising the liquid discharge head according to claim 1.

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