JP2018008398A - Head, head unit, liquid discharge unit, liquid discharging device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to easily position plural heads when arranging the plural heads in one array.SOLUTION: A head has: a nozzle array 101 in which plural nozzles 11 for discharging a liquid are arranged; a protrusion 111 on one end side in a nozzle arrangement direction in a shape in a plan view of a nozzle face 2a on which the nozzles 11 are formed; two inclined planes 112a, 112b, which are inclined in a direction of converging to a tip of the protrusion, on both sides in a direction orthogonal to the nozzle arrangement direction, at the protrusion 111; a recess 122 on the other end side in the nozzle arrangement direction; two inclined planes 122a, 122b, which are parallel to the inclined planes 112a, 112b of the protrusion 111, at the recess 122. Plural projection parts 131a to 131c are provided on an outer peripheral surface of the protrusion 111.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a head, a head unit, a liquid ejection unit, and an apparatus for ejecting liquid.

  A head unit (long head, line head) is configured by connecting a plurality of heads (also referred to as head chips, head modules, etc.) that discharge liquids.

  Conventionally, the outer shape of the head is a parallelogram, and inclined surfaces are formed at both ends in the nozzle arrangement direction and arranged in a line (Patent Document 1), and both ends of the head in the nozzle arrangement direction are formed in a staircase shape. (Patent Document 2) is known.

JP2015-231731A JP 2009-18545 A

  However, when the parallelogram-shaped heads described in Patent Document 1 are arranged in a row, slipping occurs in a direction perpendicular to the nozzle arrangement direction only by abutting adjacent heads, so the direction orthogonal to the nozzle arrangement direction There is a problem that a positioning means for determining the position at is required separately.

  Further, when the heads having stepped end portions described in Patent Document 2 are abutted and arranged in a row, there is a problem that abutting cannot be performed unless the staircase shapes of adjacent heads are formed with high accuracy. .

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to enable easy positioning when a plurality of heads are arranged in a line.

In order to solve the above problems, the head according to the present invention is:
Having a nozzle row in which a plurality of nozzles for discharging liquid are arranged;
In the shape in plan view of the nozzle surface on which the nozzle is formed,
Has a convex part on one end side in the nozzle arrangement direction,
The convex part has two inclined surfaces that are inclined in a direction converged on the tip of the convex part on both sides of the direction orthogonal to the nozzle arrangement direction,
Having a recess on the other end side in the nozzle arrangement direction,
The concave portion has two inclined surfaces parallel to the inclined surface of the convex portion,
A plurality of protrusions are provided on the inclined surface of the convex portion or the inclined surface of the concave portion.

  According to the present invention, positioning can be easily performed when a plurality of heads are arranged in a line.

It is a section explanatory view of an example of an internal configuration of a head concerning the present invention. It is a plane explanatory view on the nozzle side of the head according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is the perspective explanatory view which looked at the same head from the nozzle surface side. FIG. 3 is a perspective explanatory view of the head viewed from the side opposite to the nozzle surface side. FIG. 5 is a perspective explanatory view seen from the opposite direction to FIG. 4. It is principal part plane explanatory drawing in the state which contacted two heads. It is a cross-sectional explanatory drawing which follows the AA line of FIG. It is plane explanatory drawing seen from the nozzle surface side of the head unit which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a plane explanatory view of the state similarly arranged in the base member. It is a perspective explanatory view similarly seen from the nozzle side. It is a perspective explanatory view similarly seen from the surface side opposite to the nozzle surface. It is an isometric view explanatory drawing of the state similarly arrange | positioned to a base member. It is a plane explanatory view of a head concerning a 3rd embodiment of the present invention. It is principal part plane explanatory drawing in the state which contacted two heads. It is a plane explanatory view of the head concerning a 4th embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective explanatory view in the head unit state which arranged the head. It is a plane explanatory view of a head concerning a 5th embodiment of the present invention. It is principal part plane explanatory drawing in the state which contacted two heads concerning 6th Embodiment of this invention. It is a cross-sectional explanatory drawing which follows the BB line of FIG. It is a plane explanatory view of a head concerning a 7th embodiment of the present invention. It is a principal part top explanatory view in the state where two heads contacted similarly. It is a schematic explanatory drawing of an example of the apparatus which discharges the liquid which concerns on this invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, an example of the internal configuration of a head that ejects liquid according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is an explanatory sectional view of the head.

  The head 1 includes a nozzle plate 2, an individual flow path substrate 3, a piezoelectric element 4, a common liquid chamber substrate 5, and the like.

  A plurality of nozzles 11 for discharging liquid are formed on the nozzle plate 2.

  The individual flow path substrate 3 includes a flow path plate 31 that forms an individual flow path such as the individual liquid chamber 12 that communicates with the nozzle 11, a deformable vibration plate 32 that forms a wall surface of the individual liquid chamber 12, and a vibration plate 32. And a holding substrate 33 that accommodates the piezoelectric element 4 to be deformed. The diaphragm 32 and the piezoelectric element 4 that bends and deforms constitute a piezoelectric actuator. The holding substrate 33 is provided with an opening 13 that communicates with the individual liquid chamber 12.

  The common liquid chamber substrate 5 forms a common liquid chamber 15 for supplying a liquid to each individual liquid chamber 12 through the opening 13. A required liquid is supplied to the common liquid chamber 15 through a liquid supply port 16 provided in the common liquid chamber substrate 5 from the outside.

  In this head 1, by applying a driving voltage to the piezoelectric element 4, for example, the piezoelectric element 4 contracts in the in-plane direction of the vibration plate 32, and the vibration plate 32 bends toward the individual liquid chamber 12, thereby The liquid is discharged from the nozzle 11 by pressurizing. The driving method is not limited to this.

  Next, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is an explanatory plan view of the nozzle side of the head according to the embodiment. 3 is a perspective explanatory view of the head viewed from the nozzle surface side, FIG. 4 is a perspective explanatory view of the head viewed from the side opposite to the nozzle surface side, and FIG. 5 is a perspective explanatory view viewed from the opposite direction to FIG. is there. FIG. 6 is an explanatory plan view of an essential part in a state where two heads are in contact with each other, and FIG. 7 is an explanatory sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG.

  The head 1 has, on the nozzle surface 2a, a plurality of nozzle rows 101 in which a plurality of nozzles 11 are arranged (a region surrounded by a virtual line is one nozzle row. In the following drawings, a virtual line is omitted). ing.

  The head 1 has a convex portion 111 on the one end side in the nozzle arrangement direction in the outer shape in a plan view. The convex portion 111 has two inclined surfaces 112a and 112b that are inclined in a direction converged to the tip of the convex portion on both sides in a direction orthogonal to the nozzle arrangement direction.

  The head 1 has a recess 121 on the other end side in the nozzle arrangement direction. The concave portion 121 has the same shape as the convex portion 111, and has two inclined surfaces 122 a and 122 b parallel to the inclined surfaces 112 a and 112 b of the convex portion 111.

  Then, two protrusions 131a and 131b are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the convex portion 111 of the head 1, here, the inclined surface 112a, and one protrusion 131c is provided on the inclined surface 112b. The protrusions 131a to 131c are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the individual flow path substrate 3 constituting the inclined surfaces 112a and 112b. That is, the inclined surfaces 112a and 112b are provided in the center portion in the thickness direction of the head 1 perpendicular to the nozzle surface 2a.

  With this configuration, for example, when two heads 1 (referred to as 1A and 1B) are arranged side by side in the nozzle arrangement direction, as shown in FIG. The convex portion 111 of the other head 1 </ b> B is fitted into the concave portion 121.

  Then, the two protrusions 131a and 131b of the protrusion 111 of the other head 1B are brought into contact with the inclined surface 122a of the recess 121 of one head 1A, and one protrusion 131c of the protrusion 111 of the other head 1B is It is made to contact | abut to the inclined surface 122b of the recessed part 121 of one head 1A.

  Here, as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 6, for example, the head 1B is pressed from the nozzle arrangement direction with the pressing force P toward the head 1A (fixed). At this time, the pressing force P is the amount in the nozzle arrangement direction. Along with the force P0, it is divided into component forces P1 and P2 in the diffusion direction toward the inclined surfaces 112a and 112b.

  Therefore, by applying the pressing force P from one direction (nozzle arrangement direction), the heads 1A and 1B are positioned in the nozzle arrangement direction, and the heads 1A and 1B are also positioned in the direction orthogonal to the nozzle arrangement direction. Done.

  In this way, the convex portion 111 of the other head 1B and the concave portion 121 of the one head 1A come into contact at three points, and the positions in the nozzle arrangement direction and the direction perpendicular to the nozzle arrangement direction can be determined at three points. The heads 1A and 1B can be easily positioned and arranged.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, as above-mentioned, protrusion part 131a-131c is provided in the center part of the thickness direction. On the other hand, the nozzle plate 2 is provided with an overhanging portion 21 having a larger shape on the concave portion 121 side than the individual flow path substrate 3 and the common liquid chamber substrate 5.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 7, when the nozzle surface 2 a of the nozzle plate 2 is held by the base member 202 facing downward, the protrusion of the convex portion 111 of the head 1 B is projected on the protruding portion 21 of the concave portion 121 of the head 1 A. The end surfaces 133 in the thickness direction are in contact with the portions 131a to 131c.

  Thereby, positioning of the heads 1A and 1B in the thickness direction can be performed.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 is an explanatory plan view seen from the nozzle surface side of the head unit according to the embodiment, FIG. 9 is an explanatory plan view showing the same in the state of being arranged on the base member, and FIG. 10 is an explanatory perspective view seen from the nozzle side. FIG. 11 is an explanatory perspective view as seen from the surface opposite to the nozzle surface, and FIG.

  The head unit 201 includes a plurality of heads 1 according to the first embodiment arranged in a line on the base member 202 in the nozzle arrangement direction. In the adjacent heads 1, 1, some of the nozzles 11 are overlapped in the direction orthogonal to the nozzle arrangement direction within the overlapping range 102 indicated by matching 8. Thereby, a line head in which the nozzle rows 101 of the plurality of heads 1 are arranged in a row in the head arrangement direction can be configured. Hereinafter, the arrangement of the plurality of heads 1 is referred to as a head row 200.

  The base member 202 is provided with an opening 203 having an opening at a portion facing each nozzle row 101 of each head 1.

  A receiving portion 204 is provided on one end portion side of the base member 202 so as to face the convex portion 111 of the head 1 on the tip side of the head row 200 (the side where the convex portion 111 is exposed). The receiving portion 204 is provided with a concave portion 221 having an inclined surface parallel to the inclined surfaces 112 a and 112 b of the convex portion 111 of the head 1.

  A spring 206, which is an elastic member that presses the head row 200 in the nozzle arrangement direction, is provided between the other end portion 205 of the base member 202 and the rear end side of the head row 200 (the side where the recess 121 is exposed). Thus, the pressing force in the same direction as the pressing force P in FIG.

  Therefore, as described in the first embodiment described above, the convex portions 111 and the concave portions 121 of the two adjacent heads 1 are in contact at three points, and the nozzle arrangement direction and the direction orthogonal to the nozzle arrangement direction are at three points. The position can be determined.

  In this way, the plurality of heads 1 can be easily positioned and arranged, and a head unit that becomes a long head can be easily configured.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 13 is an explanatory plan view of a head according to the embodiment, and FIG. 14 is an explanatory plan view of a main part in a state where two heads are in contact with each other.

  In the present embodiment, the projection 111 of the head 1 is provided with one projection 132 straddling the two inclined surfaces 112a and 112b, and one of the two inclined surfaces 112a and 112b (here, the inclined surface 112a). ) Is provided with one protrusion 131.

  As described above, even when the two projecting portions 131 and 132 are provided, the projecting portion 132 contacts both the inclined surfaces 122a and 122b of the concave portion 121 of the other head 1, so that the projecting portion 131 and the projecting portion 131 are combined at three points. The two heads 1 and 1 can be brought into contact with each other.

  Thereby, the positions in the nozzle arrangement direction and the direction orthogonal to the nozzle arrangement direction can be determined at three points, and the heads 1 and 1 can be easily positioned and arranged.

  Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16. FIG. 15 is an explanatory plan view of the head according to the embodiment, and FIG. 16 is an explanatory perspective view in a head unit state in which the heads are arranged.

  In the present embodiment, the nozzle plate 2 of the head 1 is provided with a notch 22 in the direction orthogonal to the nozzle arrangement direction at the end on the recess 121 side.

  Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 16, it becomes easy to hold a pressing member such as an elastic member between the base member 202 when arranging the plurality of heads 1.

  Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 17 is an explanatory plan view of the head according to the embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, the convex portion 111 of the head 1 is provided with flat portions 113a and 113b at the central portion and both end portions in the direction orthogonal to the nozzle arrangement direction, respectively, and partially provided with inclined surfaces 112a and 112b. .

  Similarly, the concave portion 121 of the head 1 is provided with flat portions 123a and 123b at the central portion and both end portions in the direction orthogonal to the nozzle arrangement direction, respectively, and partially provided with inclined surfaces 122a and 122b.

  Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 18 is an explanatory plan view of a main part in a state where two heads according to the embodiment are in contact with each other, and FIG. 19 is an explanatory sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG.

  In this embodiment, instead of the overhanging portion 21 provided on the nozzle plate 2 in the first embodiment, an overhanging portion 51 with which the end surfaces in the thickness direction of the protrusions 131a to 131c abut is provided on the common liquid chamber substrate 5. Yes.

  In this case, when the plurality of heads 1 are arranged with the common liquid chamber substrate 5 on the reference surface side, positioning in the thickness direction can be performed.

  Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 20 is an explanatory plan view of a head according to the embodiment, and FIG. 21 is an explanatory plan view of a main part when two heads are in contact with each other.

  In the present embodiment, protrusions 131a, 131b, 131c are provided on the inclined surfaces 122a, 122b of the recess 121 of the head 1.

  Thus, even if the protrusion 131 is arranged on the concave portion 121 side, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

  In addition, the structure which provides a projection part in the inclined surface (outer peripheral surface) of a recessed part is applicable similarly to the head unit and head which concern on the said 2nd Embodiment thru | or 6th Embodiment.

  Next, an example of an apparatus for ejecting liquid according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 22 is a schematic explanatory diagram of the apparatus.

  The apparatus for discharging the liquid is an apparatus having a full-line type head, and includes an apparatus main body 1001 and an outlet unit 1002 for gaining drying time.

  In this apparatus, continuous paper is used as the medium 1010 to which the liquid adheres. The medium 1010 is unwound from the original winding roller 1011, conveyed by the conveying rollers 1012 to 1018, and taken up by the winding roller 1021. The apparatus to which the present invention is applied may use a sheet-like medium.

  The medium 1010 is conveyed between the conveyance roller 1013 and the conveyance roller 1014 on the conveyance guide member 1019 so as to face the liquid ejection unit 1005, and an image is formed by the liquid ejected from the liquid ejection unit 1005.

  Here, the liquid discharge unit 1005 is configured by, for example, integrating a head unit 1051 in which the heads 1 in the above-described embodiments are arranged in the nozzle arrangement direction and a common liquid supply member 1052 that supplies liquid to the head unit 1051. Yes. In addition, the liquid discharge unit 1005 can be configured by arranging a plurality of head units 201 in each of the embodiments in the medium conveyance direction.

  As described above, since the apparatus for ejecting the liquid includes the head or the head unit according to the present invention, positioning when arranging the heads can be easily performed.

  In the present application, the liquid to be ejected is not particularly limited as long as it has a viscosity and surface tension that can be ejected from the head, and the viscosity becomes 30 mPa · s or less at room temperature, normal pressure, or by heating and cooling. It is preferable. More specifically, solvents such as water and organic solvents, colorants such as dyes and pigments, functional materials such as polymerizable compounds, resins, and surfactants, and biocompatible materials such as DNA, amino acids, proteins, and calcium. , Edible materials such as natural pigments, solutions, suspensions, emulsions, and the like. These include, for example, inkjet inks, surface treatment liquids, components of electronic devices and light emitting devices, and formation of electronic circuit resist patterns. It can be used in applications such as liquids for use, three-dimensional modeling material liquids, and the like.

  As energy generation sources for discharging liquid, piezoelectric actuators (laminated piezoelectric elements and thin film piezoelectric elements), thermal actuators using electrothermal transducers such as heating resistors, electrostatic actuators consisting of a diaphragm and counter electrode are used. To be included.

  In addition, the “device for ejecting liquid” includes not only a device capable of ejecting a liquid to an object to which the liquid can adhere, but also a device that ejects the liquid in the air or in the liquid. .

  This “apparatus for discharging liquid” may include means for feeding, transporting, and discharging a liquid to which liquid can adhere, as well as a pre-processing apparatus and a post-processing apparatus.

  For example, as a “liquid ejecting device”, an image forming device that forms an image on paper by ejecting ink, a powder is formed in layers to form a three-dimensional model (three-dimensional model) There is a three-dimensional modeling apparatus (three-dimensional modeling apparatus) that discharges a modeling liquid onto the powder layer.

  Further, the “apparatus for ejecting liquid” is not limited to an apparatus in which significant images such as characters and figures are visualized by the ejected liquid. For example, what forms a pattern etc. which does not have a meaning in itself, and what forms a three-dimensional image are also included.

  The above-mentioned “applicable liquid” means that the liquid can be attached at least temporarily and adheres and adheres, or adheres and penetrates. Specific examples include recording media such as paper, recording paper, recording paper, film, and cloth, electronic parts such as electronic substrates and piezoelectric elements, powder layers (powder layers), organ models, and test cells. Yes, unless specifically limited, includes everything that the liquid adheres to.

  The material of the above-mentioned “material to which liquid can adhere” is not limited as long as liquid such as paper, thread, fiber, fabric, leather, metal, plastic, glass, wood, ceramics can be adhered even temporarily.

  In addition, the “device for ejecting liquid” includes a device in which the liquid ejection head and the device to which the liquid can adhere move relatively, but is not limited thereto. Specific examples include a serial type apparatus that moves the liquid discharge head, a line type apparatus that does not move the liquid discharge head, and the like.

  In addition, as the “device for ejecting liquid”, other than the above, a treatment liquid coating apparatus that ejects a treatment liquid onto a sheet in order to apply the treatment liquid to the surface of the sheet for the purpose of modifying the surface of the sheet, There is an injection granulation apparatus that granulates raw material fine particles by spraying a composition liquid in which raw materials are dispersed in a solution through a nozzle.

  Note that the terms “image formation”, “recording”, “printing”, “printing”, “printing”, “modeling” and the like in the terms of the present application are all synonymous.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Head 2 Nozzle plate 3 Individual flow path board 4 Piezoelectric element 5 Common liquid chamber board | substrate 11 Nozzle 15 Common liquid chamber 101 Nozzle row | line | column 111 Convex part 112a, 112b Inclined surface 121 Concave surface 122a, 122b Inclined surface 131a-131c Protruding part 201 Head unit 202 Base member 1005 Liquid discharge unit 1051 Head unit

Claims (9)

Having a nozzle row in which a plurality of nozzles for discharging liquid are arranged;
In the shape in plan view of the nozzle surface on which the nozzle is formed,
Has a convex part on one end side in the nozzle arrangement direction,
The convex part has two inclined surfaces that are inclined in a direction converged on the tip of the convex part on both sides of the direction orthogonal to the nozzle arrangement direction,
Having a recess on the other end side in the nozzle arrangement direction,
The concave portion has two inclined surfaces parallel to the inclined surface of the convex portion,
A head having a plurality of protrusions provided on the inclined surface of the convex portion or the inclined surface of the concave portion. 2. The head according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the protrusions is provided on one inclined surface of the convex portion or the concave portion and two are provided on the other inclined surface. 2. The head according to claim 1, wherein one protrusion is provided on at least one of the inclined surfaces of the protrusion or the recess, and one of the protrusions is provided on one of the inclined surfaces. The head according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion is provided at a central portion in the thickness direction orthogonal to the nozzle surface. The head according to claim 4, wherein an overhanging portion that is in contact with an end face in the thickness direction of the protrusion is provided at the other end where the recess is formed. A plurality of the heads according to any one of claims 1 to 5 are arranged side by side in a nozzle arrangement direction,
In the two adjacent heads, the convex portion of the other head is fitted into the concave portion of one head, and the projection of the convex portion of the other head is in contact with the inclined surface of the concave portion of the one head. A head unit characterized by that. The head unit according to claim 6, wherein some of the plurality of nozzles of the two adjacent heads overlap in a direction intersecting a nozzle arrangement direction.   A liquid discharge unit comprising the head for discharging a liquid according to any one of claims 1 to 5, or the head unit according to claim 6 or 7. A head for discharging a liquid according to any one of claims 1 to 5, or a head unit according to claim 6 or 7, or a liquid discharging unit according to claim 8. A device that ejects liquid.

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