JP2017144571A - Liquid ejection head and liquid ejection apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid ejection head capable of suppressing increase in size while reducing troubles of ejection.SOLUTION: The liquid ejection head comprises: a surface having an ejection port array 8a with a plurality of ejection ports 8 for discharging liquid arranged therein; a plurality of pressure chambers 6 for storing the liquid ejected from each ejection port 8; a plurality of supply ports 3 for supplying the liquid to the pressure chambers 6, and a plurality of drain ports 5 for draining the liquid from the pressure chambers 6. The supply port 3, the ejection port 8, and the drain port 5 are arranged in this order along a direction of the ejection port array 8a, as viewed from a direction orthogonal to the surface with the ejection port array.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid discharge head and a liquid discharge apparatus that discharge liquid.

In the liquid ejection device, if bubbles are mixed in the pressure chamber that stores the liquid ejected from the ejection port, the pressure for ejecting the liquid is dispersed and the liquid is bent and ejected. Problems such as non-ejection in which liquid is not ejected may occur without being supplied. Further, when a predetermined time has elapsed after the liquid discharge is completed, the volatile component of the liquid remaining in the pressure chamber may evaporate from the discharge port. In this case, the concentration of the liquid coloring material in the pressure chamber and the viscosity of the liquid change, which may cause problems such as a change in the color of the liquid and occurrence of a discharge bend.
On the other hand, Patent Document 1 discloses a liquid discharge head in which two flow paths are connected to a pressure chamber. In this liquid discharge head, a supply common flow path for supplying liquid to the pressure chambers in parallel with the pressure chamber row on both sides of the pressure chamber row in which a plurality of pressure chambers are arranged in parallel, and a liquid from the pressure chamber A discharge common path is provided for discharging. Each pressure chamber includes a supply port and a discharge port at positions facing the common supply channel and the common discharge channel. One of the two flow paths connected to each pressure chamber communicates with the supply common flow path via the supply port and functions as a supply path for supplying liquid to the pressure chamber. The other of the two flow paths connected to each pressure chamber communicates with the discharge common path via the discharge port and functions as a discharge path for discharging the liquid from the pressure chamber. For this reason, by discharging the liquid in the pressure chamber through the discharge path, it is possible to remove the bubbles in the pressure chamber and the high-viscosity liquid in which the volatile components are evaporated from the pressure chamber.

JP 2010-214847 A

  In the technique described in Patent Document 1, since one dedicated supply port and one discharge port are provided for each of the plurality of pressure chambers, a dedicated supply channel and discharge channel are provided for each of the plurality of discharge ports. Is required one by one. For this reason, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, the space dedicated to the flow path in the liquid discharge head is larger than that in the conventional technique in which only the supply path is arranged in the pressure chamber, and as a result, the liquid discharge head There is a problem that becomes larger.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid discharge head and a liquid discharge apparatus that can suppress an increase in size while reducing discharge problems.

  A liquid discharge head according to the present invention includes a surface including a discharge port array in which a plurality of discharge ports for discharging liquid are disposed, a plurality of pressure chambers for storing liquid discharged from each discharge port, and a liquid in each pressure chamber. A plurality of supply ports for supplying and a plurality of discharge ports for discharging liquid from each pressure chamber, the supply port, the discharge port, and the discharge port as viewed from a direction orthogonal to the surface. The outlets are arranged in this order along the direction of the discharge port array.

  According to the present invention, since the discharge port for discharging the liquid from the pressure chamber is provided, it is possible to remove the bubbles in the pressure chamber and the high-viscosity liquid in which the volatile components are evaporated from the pressure chamber. This makes it possible to reduce discharge defects. In addition, since the supply port, the discharge port, and the discharge port are arranged in this order along the discharge port row, the discharge port is arranged between each of the supply port and the discharge port adjacent to each other. For this reason, since the discharge ports adjacent to each other can share the supply port and the discharge port, there is no need to provide one dedicated supply path and one discharge path for each of the plurality of discharge ports. Can be suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in size while reducing discharge defects.

FIG. 3 is a plan transparent view showing the main part of the liquid ejection head according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view around a discharge port array in FIG. 1. It is a cross-sectional perspective view along the AA line of FIG. It is a cross-sectional perspective view along the BB line of FIG. It is sectional drawing along the AA line of FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan transmission diagram illustrating an example of arrangement of flow paths of the liquid ejection head according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a transparent plan view showing another arrangement example of the flow paths of the liquid ejection head according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a transparent plan view showing another arrangement example of the flow paths of the liquid ejection head according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a transparent plan view showing another arrangement example of the flow paths of the liquid ejection head according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a transparent plan view showing another arrangement example of the flow paths of the liquid ejection head according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a plan transparent view showing a main part of a liquid ejection head according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is an enlarged view around a discharge port array in FIG. 11. FIG. 12 is an enlarged view around two ejection port arrays adjacent to each other in FIG. 11. FIG. 6 is a plan transmission diagram illustrating an example of arrangement of flow paths of a liquid ejection head according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a plan transmission diagram illustrating another arrangement example of the flow paths of the liquid ejection head according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a plan transmission diagram illustrating another arrangement example of the flow paths of the liquid ejection head according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a transparent plan view showing a main part of a liquid ejection head according to a third embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing along the HH line of FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a liquid ejection apparatus according to the present invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows an example of the supply system of the liquid discharge apparatus which concerns on this invention.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, in each drawing, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to what has the same function, and the description may be abbreviate | omitted. The liquid discharge head and the liquid discharge apparatus of each embodiment described below are an industrial record combined with a printer, a copier, a facsimile having a communication system, a word processor having a printer unit, and various processing apparatuses. Applicable to the device. Examples of the industrial recording apparatus include a biochip manufacturing apparatus and an electric circuit printing apparatus.
(First embodiment)
1 to 5 are views showing a liquid discharge head according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, FIG. 1 is a plan transparent view showing the main part of the liquid ejection head according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view in which details of FIG. 1 are enlarged. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view taken along line AA in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view taken along line BB in FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.
A liquid discharge head 100 shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 includes a substrate 1 and a discharge port forming member 1 a bonded to the substrate 1. On the surface of the substrate 1 opposite to the surface to which the discharge port forming member 1a is bonded, a supply channel 2 to which liquid is supplied, a plurality of supply communication channels 10 communicating with the supply channel 2, and a liquid Are formed, and a plurality of discharge communication channels 11 communicating with the discharge channel 4 are formed. The supply channel 2 is supplied with a liquid from a tank (not shown) that stores the liquid.
On the surface of the substrate 1 to which the discharge port forming member 1 a is bonded, a plurality of supply ports 3 communicated with the supply flow channel 2 via the supply communication flow channel 10 and a discharge flow channel 4 via the discharge communication flow channel 11. And a plurality of discharge ports 5 communicating with each other. Hereinafter, the supply port 3 and the discharge port 5 may be collectively referred to as a through-hole 9a, and the supply communication channel 10 and the discharge communication channel 11 may be collectively referred to as a communication channel 9b. In the present embodiment, one communication channel 9b is provided for one through-hole 9a. In addition, an energy generating element 7 that generates energy used for discharging a liquid in accordance with an input electric signal is formed on the surface of the substrate 1 to which the discharge port forming member 1a is bonded.
A concave portion is formed on the surface of the discharge port forming member 1 a bonded to the substrate 1, and the concave portion is opposed to the supply port 3, the discharge port 5 and the energy generating element 7 on the substrate 1. A portion of the recess facing the energy generating element 7 functions as a pressure chamber 6 for storing the liquid to be discharged, and a portion of the recess facing the supply port 3 and the discharge port 5 is connected to the supply port 3 via the pressure chamber 6. It functions as a common flow path 6 a communicating with the discharge port 5.
A surface 8b opposite to the surface bonded to the substrate 1 in the discharge port forming member 1a is provided with a discharge port array 8b in which a plurality of discharge ports 8 for discharging liquid are arranged. The discharge port 8 communicates with the recess and faces the energy generating element 7 on the substrate 1 through the pressure chamber 6.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, when the liquid ejection head 100 is viewed from the surface 8b on which the ejection ports 8 are formed, a plurality of ejection port arrays 8a in which a plurality of ejection ports 8 are arranged in parallel are formed. Yes. The plurality of discharge port arrays 8a are arranged in parallel to each other. Since the discharge port 8 and the energy generating element 7 face each other, and the pressure chamber 6 is provided between the discharge port 8 and the energy generating element 7, the pressure chamber 6 and the energy generating element 7 also have a plurality of parallel rows. Forming.
In each discharge port array 8a, the discharge ports 8 and the through ports 9a are alternately arranged, and the supply ports 3 and the discharge ports 5 are alternately arranged as the through ports 9a. Accordingly, in each discharge port array 8a, the supply ports 3 and the discharge ports 5 are alternately arranged, and the discharge ports 8 are disposed between the supply ports 3 and the discharge ports 5 adjacent to each other.
With the above configuration, in the liquid discharge head 100 according to the present embodiment, the liquid supplied from the supply port 3 is discharged from the discharge port 5 via the pressure chamber 6 as shown in FIG. A flow of liquid in the direction from the outlet to the discharge port 5 occurs. The energy generating element 7 generates energy in a state where this flow is generated. The energy generated in the energy generating element 7 is transmitted to the pressure chamber 6, and the liquid around the energy generating element 7 in the pressure chamber 6 is heated by the energy to cause film boiling, and bubbles are formed in the pressure chamber 6. . Due to the foaming pressure of the bubbles, kinetic energy is given to the liquid in the pressure chamber 6, and the liquid is discharged from the discharge port 8 to the outside of the liquid discharge head 100.
Of the liquid supplied from the supply port 3, the liquid that has not been discharged from the discharge port 8 is discharged from the discharge port 5 via the pressure chamber 6. Thereby, the liquid existing in the pressure chamber 6 is also dragged in the liquid flow direction by the viscous stress of the liquid. Therefore, the liquid existing in the pressure chamber 6 moves along the flow generated in the pressure chamber 6. The liquid discharged from the discharge port 5 may be removed from the foreign matter by a filter (not shown), returned to the tank, and supplied to the liquid discharge head 100 again. In this case, the liquid in the pressure chamber 6 is circulated between the outside.
As described above, since the discharge port 5 is provided, the liquid can be prevented from staying in the pressure chamber 6 by flowing the liquid in the pressure chamber 6. For this reason, since the bubbles mixed in the pressure chamber 6 can be discharged, it is caused by bubbles existing in the pressure chamber 6 such as discharge bending due to dispersion of discharge pressure or non-discharge due to non-supply of the liquid to the discharge port 8. It is possible to suppress malfunctions that occur. In addition, the increase in the viscosity of the liquid near the discharge port 8 and the change in the colorant concentration caused by the evaporation of the volatile components contained in the liquid from the discharge port 8, and the fixing of the liquid-containing components to the discharge port 8 In addition, it is possible to suppress problems that cause a reduction in the image quality of recorded images.
In the discharge port array 8a, the supply ports 3 and the discharge ports 5 are alternately arranged, and the discharge ports 8 are disposed between the supply ports 3 and the discharge ports 5 adjacent to each other. That is, the supply port 3, the discharge port 8, and the discharge port 5 are arranged in this order along the direction of the discharge port array 8a when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the surface 8b including the discharge port 8. For this reason, since the discharge ports 8 adjacent to each other can share the supply port 3 and the discharge port 5, it is not necessary to provide both the supply communication channel 10 and the discharge communication channel 11 for each discharge port 8. . Accordingly, it is possible to suppress an increase in size of the liquid discharge head 100.
As described above, in the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress an increase in size while reducing discharge problems. That is, the liquid discharge head 100 with a small size of the substrate 1 can be realized while enabling high-quality image formation.

Hereinafter, the flow path configuration of the liquid ejection head 100 will be described in more detail.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, in the present embodiment, each of the supply flow path 2 and the discharge flow path 4 is arranged in parallel with the discharge port array 8 a. In addition, the supply communication channel 10 communicates the supply port 3 and the supply channel 2, and the discharge communication channel 11 communicates the discharge port 5 and the discharge channel 4. The passages 4 communicate with each other via the pressure chamber 6. Thereby, the liquid in the pressure chamber 6 can be circulated.
In this configuration, when a plurality of ejection port arrays 8a are arranged in the liquid ejection head 100, the flow path configuration of the liquid ejection head 100 can employ any of the following individual configurations and common configurations. The individual configuration is a configuration in which the supply flow path 2 and the discharge flow path 4 are individually provided for each of the discharge port arrays 8a adjacent to each other, and the common configuration is the supply flow path for the discharge port arrays 8a adjacent to each other. 2 and the discharge flow path 4 are configured in common. In the case of the individual configuration, a wall that separates the individual flow paths is formed between the discharge port arrays 8a adjacent to each other, so that the strength of the substrate 1 can be increased. On the other hand, in the case of the common configuration, the distance between the rows of the ejection ports 8 adjacent to each other can be shortened, so that the substrate 1 can be further reduced in size. Note that the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 is an individual configuration.
FIG. 6 is a plan transparent view showing an example of the arrangement of the flow paths in the liquid discharge head 100 having an individual configuration.
In the individual configuration, either a configuration in which the supply channels 2 and the discharge channels 4 are alternately arranged, or a configuration in which the supply channels 2 or the discharge channels 4 are adjacent to each other can be adopted. 6 (a) and 6 (b) show a configuration in which the supply flow path 2 and the discharge flow path 4 are alternately arranged. In FIGS. 6 (c) and 6 (d), the discharge flow paths 4 are connected to each other. An adjacent configuration is shown. When there are three or more supply flow paths 2 and discharge flow paths 4, not only one of these structures but also the supply flow path 2 and the discharge flow path 4 may be arranged so that these structures are mixed. Good.
In any case of the above configuration, the supply communication channel 10 and the discharge communication channel 11 that are the communication channels 9b are alternately arranged in a direction parallel to the discharge port row 8a in each of the plurality of discharge port rows 8a. Has been. The shape and direction of the communication channel 9b may be different for each discharge port array 8a. In FIG. 6A and FIG. 6C, two communication channels 9b adjacent to each other in the direction perpendicular to the discharge port array 8a extend in the same direction. 6B and 6D, the communication flow paths 9b adjacent to each other in the direction perpendicular to the discharge port array 8a extend in opposite directions.
FIG. 7 is a plan transparent view showing another example of the arrangement of the flow paths in the liquid ejection head 100 having an individual configuration.
In the example of FIG. 7A, the supply flow paths 2 and the discharge flow paths 4 are alternately arranged, and in the example of FIG. 7B, the discharge flow paths 4 are adjacent to each other. Regardless of the difference in these configurations, in the example of FIGS. 7A and 7B, the ejection port arrays 8a adjacent to each other are arranged so as to be shifted in a direction parallel to the ejection port array 8a. In the case of this configuration, the resolution of the recorded image can be improved.
For example, when P is a pitch width that is an arrangement interval of the discharge ports 8 in the discharge port array 8a, the adjacent discharge port arrays 8a are displaced from each other in the direction parallel to the discharge port array 8a. Pa = P / 2 Suppose that it was out of position. In this case, double the resolution can be realized according to the deviation width Pa. The deviation width Pa may be P / 2 or less. In general, by setting the deviation width Pa to P / n, it is possible to realize n times the resolution. n is an integer of 2 or more.
FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 are plan transparent views showing examples of the arrangement of the flow paths in the liquid ejection head 100 having a common configuration.
In the example of FIG. 8, in the common configuration, the ejection port arrays 8a adjacent to each other are arranged without being displaced in a direction parallel to the ejection port array 8a. In FIG. 8A, two communication channels 9b adjacent to each other in the direction perpendicular to the discharge port array 8a extend in opposite directions. Moreover, in FIG.8 (b), the connection flow paths 9b adjacent to each other in the direction perpendicular to the discharge port array 8a extend in the same direction.
The liquid ejection head 100 shown in FIG. 9 has a common configuration in which ejection port arrays 8a adjacent to each other are arranged so as to be shifted in a direction parallel to the ejection port array 8a. Even in the case of this configuration, the resolution of the recorded image can be improved as in the example of FIG.
FIG. 10 is a plan transparent view showing another example of the arrangement of the flow paths in the liquid ejection head 100 of the present embodiment.
1 to 9, the center line C of the discharge port array 8a, the center line D of the supply channel 2 and the center line E of the discharge channel 4 are parallel to each other. On the other hand, in the example of FIG. 10A, the center line D of the supply flow path 2 and the center line E of the discharge flow path 4 are inclined with respect to the center line C of the discharge port array 8a. In addition, although the center line D of the supply flow path 2 and the center line E of the discharge flow path 4 are mutually parallel in Fig.10 (a), they may mutually incline. In this case, the center line C of the discharge port array 8 a only needs to be inclined with respect to one of the center line D of the supply flow path 2 and the center line E of the discharge flow path 4.
Further, in the example of FIGS. 1 to 9, the discharge ports 8 of the discharge port array 8a are arranged in the direction perpendicular to the discharge port array 8a. Specifically, the centers of the discharge ports 8 of the discharge port array 8a are aligned on the center line F of the region sandwiched between the supply channel 2 and the discharge channel 4 adjacent to each other. On the other hand, in the example of FIG. 10B, at least one of the ejection ports 8 of the ejection port array 8a is arranged so as to be shifted with respect to the direction perpendicular to the ejection port array 8a. In other words, each discharge port 8 of the discharge port array 8a is arranged in parallel with at least one of the discharge ports 8 deviating from the center line F of the region sandwiched between the supply channel 2 and the discharge channel 4 adjacent to each other. In this case, it is possible to improve the adaptability to the time-division driving that makes a difference in the timing of ejecting the liquid from each ejection port 8 of the ejection port array 8a.
Also in each of the modified examples described above, the discharge port 5 is provided, and the discharge port 8 is provided between the supply port 3 and the discharge port 5 in the discharge port row 8a. An increase in size can be suppressed. That is, the liquid discharge head 100 with a small size of the substrate 1 can be realized while enabling high-quality image formation.

(Second Embodiment)
11 to 13 are views showing a liquid discharge head according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, FIG. 11 is a plan transparent view showing a main part of the liquid discharge head according to the present embodiment, and FIGS. 12 and 13 are enlarged plan views in which details of FIG. 11 are enlarged.
Compared with the liquid ejection head 100 of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 10, the liquid ejection head 101 shown in FIG. It differs in that it extends in the direction that intersects. Specifically, the supply flow path 2 and the discharge flow path 4 extend in a direction perpendicular to the discharge port array 8a, as shown in detail in FIG. Further, the liquid discharge head 101 shown in FIG. 11 does not have the supply communication channel 10 and the discharge communication channel 11 shown in the first embodiment, and newly includes a supply common channel 12 and a discharge common channel 13. ing.
As shown in detail in FIG. 13, each supply channel 2 overlaps with each supply port 3 of the plurality of discharge port arrays 8 a in a direction perpendicular to the surface 8 b on which the plurality of discharge ports 8 are arranged. Yes. In addition, each discharge flow path 4 overlaps each discharge port 5 of the plurality of discharge port arrays 8a in a direction perpendicular to the surface 8b on which the plurality of discharge ports 8 are arranged. For this reason, the liquid discharge head 101 shown in FIG. 11 is supplied from the supply flow path 2 even without the supply communication flow path 10 and the discharge communication flow path 11 shown in the first embodiment (FIGS. 1 to 10). Liquid is supplied to the port 3, and the liquid is discharged from the discharge port 5 to the discharge channel 4.
The supply common flow path 12 and the discharge common flow path 13 extend in a direction parallel to the discharge port array 8a, and are arranged so as to sandwich all the discharge port arrays 8a. The supply common flow channel 12 communicates with the plurality of supply flow channels 2 to supply liquid to each supply flow channel 2, and the discharge common flow channel 13 communicates with the plurality of discharge flow channels 4, and each discharge flow channel 4. From the recording head.
With the above configuration, the supply flow path 2 and the discharge flow path 4 do not have to be disposed between the discharge port arrays 8a adjacent to each other, so that the interval between the discharge port arrays 8a can be shortened. Can be further suppressed.

FIG. 14 to FIG. 16 are transparent plan views showing other arrangement examples of the flow paths in the liquid ejection head 101 of the present embodiment.
In the example of FIG. 14, the ejection port arrays 8a adjacent to each other are arranged so as to be shifted in a direction parallel to the ejection port array 8a. For this reason, the supply port 3 and the discharge port 5 of each of the two discharge port arrays 8a adjacent to each other are arranged so as to be shifted in a direction parallel to the discharge port array 8a. The supply flow path 2 and the discharge flow path 4 extend in a direction that intersects the discharge port array 8a without being orthogonal thereto. Specifically, the supply flow path 2 is provided on a straight line connecting the two supply ports 3 of each of the two discharge port arrays 8a adjacent to each other, and the discharge flow path 4 is formed of two discharge port arrays adjacent to each other. Are provided on a straight line connecting the two discharge ports 5.
In the case of the example of FIG. 14, even if the discharge port arrays 8a adjacent to each other are displaced from each other in the direction parallel to the discharge port array 8a, the supply flow path 2 and the discharge flow path 4 are respectively connected to the plurality of discharge port arrays 8a. The plurality of supply ports 3 and the plurality of discharge ports 5 arranged can be communicated with each other. For this reason, it becomes possible to increase the resolution while suppressing an increase in size of the substrate 1.
In the example of FIG. 15, the ejection port arrays 8a adjacent to each other are arranged so as to be shifted in a direction parallel to the ejection port array 8a. For this reason, the supply port 3 and the discharge port 5 of each of the two discharge port arrays 8a adjacent to each other are arranged so as to be shifted in a direction parallel to the discharge port array 8a. The supply flow path 2 and the discharge flow path 4 have a step in a direction parallel to the discharge port array 8a between the discharge port arrays 8a adjacent to each other.
Specifically, in the example of FIG. 15A, the supply flow path 2 and the discharge flow path 4 having different positions in the direction parallel to the discharge port array 8a are connected between the adjacent discharge port arrays 8a. Thus, the supply channel 2 and the discharge channel 4 are stepped. At this time, the deviation width between the supply flow path 2 and the discharge flow path 4 is less than the inner diameter of the supply flow path 2 and the discharge flow path 4. In the example of FIG. 15B, the supply flow path 2 and the discharge flow path 4 have a step shape between the discharge port arrays 8a adjacent to each other, and in the example of FIG. The supply flow path 2 and the discharge flow path 4 are inclined between the outlet rows 8a.
Also in the example of FIG. 15, the same effect as the example of FIG. 14 can be obtained. That is, in the example of FIG. 15, even if the discharge port arrays 8a adjacent to each other are displaced from each other in the direction parallel to the discharge port array 8a, the supply flow channel 2 and the discharge flow channel 4 are respectively connected to the plurality of discharge port columns 8a. It is possible to communicate with a plurality of supply ports 3 and a plurality of discharge ports 5 arranged at the same position. For this reason, it becomes possible to increase the resolution while suppressing an increase in size of the substrate 1.
In the example of FIG. 16, the discharge ports of the discharge port array 8 a are arranged in parallel so that at least one of the discharge ports 8 deviates from a center line F connecting the centers of the plurality of supply ports 3 and the plurality of discharge ports 5 adjacent to each other. ing. In this case, it is possible to improve the adaptability to the time-division driving that makes a difference in the timing of ejecting the liquid from each ejection port 8 of the ejection port array 8a. Note that it is only necessary that the discharge port array 8a intersects with the supply flow path 2 and the discharge flow path 4, and does not have to be orthogonal.

In the present embodiment described above, similarly to the first embodiment, the discharge port 5 is provided, and the discharge port 8 is provided between the supply port 3 and the discharge port 5 in the discharge port row 8a. It is possible to suppress an increase in size while reducing discharge defects.
In addition, since the plurality of supply flow paths 2 and the plurality of discharge flow paths 4 extend in a direction intersecting the discharge port array 8a, the supply flow path 2 and the discharge flow path are disposed between the discharge port arrays 8a adjacent to each other. 4 does not need to be arranged. Therefore, the interval between the discharge port arrays 8a can be shortened, and the enlargement of the substrate 1 can be further suppressed.

(Third embodiment)
17 and 18 are views showing a liquid discharge head according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, FIG. 1 is a plan transparent view showing a main part of the liquid ejection head according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line HH of FIG.
The liquid discharge head 102 shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 is different from the liquid discharge head 100 of the first embodiment in that it further includes a plurality of flow path walls 14. Each flow path wall 14 overlaps with the supply port 3 and the discharge port 5 in a direction perpendicular to the surface 8b on which the plurality of discharge ports 8 are arranged, and extends in a direction intersecting the discharge port array 8a. In the example of FIGS. 17 and 18, the flow path wall 14 extends directly above the supply port 3 and the discharge port 5 in a direction orthogonal to the discharge port array 8 a.
Also in the present embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the discharge port 5 is provided, and the discharge port 8 is provided between the supply port 3 and the discharge port 5 in the discharge port array 8a. It is possible to suppress enlargement while reducing.
Further, since each pressure chamber 6 is divided by the flow path wall 14, it is possible to mitigate the influence of foaming generated in the pressure chamber 6 on the adjacent pressure chamber 6 when the liquid is discharged by the flow path wall 14. become. Therefore, it is possible to suppress crosstalk, which is interference between the pressure chambers 6 due to discharge.

(Liquid discharge device)
FIG. 19 and FIG. 20 are diagrams for explaining a liquid ejection apparatus to which the liquid ejection head of the above-described embodiment can be attached. Specifically, FIG. 19 is an external perspective view showing a mechanical configuration of the liquid ejection apparatus, and FIG. 20 is a conceptual diagram showing a liquid supply system.
A liquid discharge apparatus 200 shown in FIG. 19 is a recording apparatus that discharges liquid onto a recording medium and records an image on the recording medium. The liquid ejection device 200 includes a chassis 40 that forms a frame of the liquid ejection device. The chassis 40 is composed of a plurality of plate-like metal members having a predetermined rigidity. A recording medium feeding unit 41, a recording medium conveying unit 42, and a liquid ejection head 43 are assembled to the chassis 40. The recording medium feeding unit 41 feeds a recording medium (not shown) into the liquid ejection apparatus 200. The recording medium is, for example, a sheet-like member such as paper. The recording medium may be a continuous roll shape or a cut shape. The recording medium transport unit 42 guides the recording medium fed by the recording medium feeding unit 41 to a recording position for recording an image along a direction X of an arrow in the drawing. The liquid discharge head 43 is one of the liquid discharge heads 100 to 102 described in the first to third embodiments, and discharges a liquid such as ink. The recording position is a position where the liquid discharged from the liquid discharge head 43 can land. The liquid ejection head 43 ejects liquid onto the recording medium conveyed to the recording position by the recording medium conveyance unit 42 and records an image on the recording medium.
Further, as shown in FIG. 20, the liquid ejection device includes liquid tanks 44 and 45 for storing liquid. The liquid tank 44 stores the liquid supplied to the liquid discharge head 43, and the liquid tank 45 stores the liquid discharged from the liquid discharge head 43. The liquid in the liquid tank 44 is supplied to the liquid discharge head 43 through a common channel (not shown) that connects the liquid tank 44 and the liquid discharge head 43. The liquid discharged from the liquid discharge head 43 is collected in the liquid tank 45 through a common channel (not shown) that connects the liquid discharge head 43 and the liquid tank 45.
The supply / discharge method for supplying and discharging the liquid to and from the liquid discharge head 43 is not particularly limited. For example, the supply / discharge method may be a method using the water head difference between the liquid tanks 44 and 45, a method for controlling the pressure difference in the liquid tanks 44 and 45, or a method for causing the liquid to flow using a pump or the like. . Supply and discharge of the liquid to and from the liquid discharge head 43 are performed when initial filling of the liquid discharge head with liquid or when recording an image.
As described above, in the liquid ejection apparatus 200 of the present embodiment, it is possible to generate a liquid circulation flow in the liquid ejection head 43. Accordingly, it is possible to discharge bubbles in the liquid discharge head 43, high-viscosity liquid, and the like, thereby reducing discharge problems, and as a result, high-quality image formation is possible.

  In each embodiment described above, the illustrated configuration is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to the configuration. For example, the flow path wall 14 shown in the third embodiment may be provided in the liquid ejection head 101 of the second embodiment.

2 Supply channel 3 Supply port 4 Discharge channel 5 Discharge port 6 Pressure chamber 8 Discharge port 8a Discharge port array 8b Surface on which the discharge port array is arranged 10 Supply communication channel 11 Discharge communication channel 14 Channel wall 43, 100 -102 Liquid discharge head 200 Liquid discharge device

Claims (12)

A surface having a discharge port array in which a plurality of discharge ports for discharging liquid are arranged, a plurality of pressure chambers for storing liquid discharged from each discharge port, and a plurality of supply ports for supplying liquid to each pressure chamber And a plurality of outlets for discharging liquid from each pressure chamber,
The liquid discharge head, wherein the supply port, the discharge port, and the discharge port are arranged in this order along the direction of the discharge port array when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the surface.   2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a supply channel that supplies liquid to each pressure chamber through each supply port; and a discharge channel that discharges liquid from each pressure chamber through each discharge port. Liquid discharge head. The discharge port array is sandwiched between the supply channel and the discharge channel,
3. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a plurality of supply communication channels communicating with each supply port and the supply channel; and a plurality of discharge communication channels communicating with each discharge port and the discharge channel. The liquid discharge head described.   Each supply port or each discharge port of the two adjacent discharge port arrays communicates with one supply channel or the discharge channel between the two discharge port arrays. The liquid discharge head according to claim 3.   Each of the supply flow path and the discharge flow path intersects the plurality of discharge port arrays so as to overlap each of the supply ports and the discharge ports of the plurality of discharge port arrays. The liquid discharge head according to claim 2.   The supply ports and the discharge ports of the two discharge port arrays adjacent to each other are arranged so as to be shifted in a direction parallel to the discharge port column, and the supply flow paths are respectively provided in the two discharge port columns. The liquid according to claim 5, wherein the liquid is provided on a straight line connecting the supply ports, and the discharge flow path is provided on a straight line connecting the two discharge ports of each of the two discharge port arrays. Discharge head.   The supply ports and the discharge ports of the two discharge port arrays adjacent to each other are arranged so as to be shifted in a direction parallel to the discharge port column, and the supply flow channel and the discharge flow channel are the two discharge port columns. The liquid discharge head according to claim 5, further comprising a step in a direction parallel to the discharge port array.   8. The liquid discharge head according to claim 1, wherein the discharge ports of the two adjacent discharge port arrays are arranged so as to be shifted in a direction parallel to the discharge port array. 9. .   9. The liquid discharge head according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the discharge ports of the discharge port array is disposed so as to be shifted in a direction perpendicular to the discharge port array.   The liquid discharge head according to claim 1, further comprising a flow path wall that overlaps with the supply port and the discharge port and extends in a direction intersecting the discharge port array. The pressure chamber is provided with an element for generating energy used for discharging liquid,
11. The liquid discharge head according to claim 1, wherein the liquid in the pressure chamber is circulated between the pressure port and the outside of the pressure chamber through the supply port and the discharge port.   A liquid discharge apparatus comprising the liquid discharge head according to claim 1.

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