JP2018094859A - Liquid discharge device, liquid discharge head, and usage of liquid discharge device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the sealability of a passage.SOLUTION: A liquid discharge device includes: a first member provided with a first passage; a second member which is connected with the first member through a seal member and provided with a second passage communicating with the first passage; and a nozzle for discharging a liquid supplied through the first passage and the second passage. The seal member is formed by an annular elastic member, which is provided in the second passage and seals the first member and the second member, and has: a first surface defining an annular inner peripheral surface; a second surface defining an annular outer peripheral surface and sealing a space between an inner peripheral surface of the second passage and the seal member; and a second passage side taper surface which continues into the second passage side of the first surface and in which an inner diameter of the annular inner peripheral surface expands from the first passage side to the second passage side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for discharging a liquid such as ink.

  In a liquid ejection apparatus that ejects liquid such as ink from a nozzle, there are cases where two flow path members such as a pipe and an insertion portion thereof are connected to each other. In this case, as in Patent Document 1, for example, in order to suppress the occurrence of liquid leakage, the connection portion between the two flow path members is sealed with a seal member. In Patent Document 1, an annular seal member is inserted into a recess (connection hole) of a downstream flow path member (head case), and the upstream flow path member (connection) is inserted into a hole surrounded by the annular inner peripheral surface of the seal member. Insert the needle. Thus, the seal member is interposed between the inner peripheral surface of the concave portion of the downstream flow path member and the outer peripheral surface of the upstream flow path member. According to such a configuration, the outer peripheral surface of the upstream flow path is sealed with the seal surface inside the seal member, and the inner peripheral surface of the recess of the downstream flow path is sealed with the seal surface outside the seal member.

JP 2012-183743 A

  In the configuration of Patent Document 1, since the seal member is disposed on the outer side when viewed from the upstream channel member, when the liquid flows from the upstream channel member to the downstream channel member, the seal of the seal member is used. It is difficult for liquid to enter the surface. However, since the seal member is disposed on the inner side as viewed from the downstream channel member, if the liquid flows from the downstream channel member to the upstream channel member, the recess of the downstream channel member The liquid easily enters between the seal surface outside the seal member that comes into contact with the inner peripheral surface. In this way, when the liquid enters the sealing surface of the sealing member, the sealing member is deformed in a direction away from the inner peripheral surface of the downstream flow path member due to the pressure of the liquid, and the sealing performance of the flow path is reduced. Resulting in. In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to improve the sealing performance of a flow path.

[Aspect 1]
In order to solve the above problems, a liquid ejection device according to a preferred aspect (aspect 1) of the present invention is connected to a first member provided with a first flow path and a first member via a seal member. A seal member comprising: a second member provided with a second flow channel communicating with the first flow channel; and a nozzle for discharging the liquid supplied via the first flow channel and the second flow channel. Is formed of an annular elastic member that is provided in the second flow path and seals the first member and the second member, defines a first surface that defines an annular inner peripheral surface, an annular outer peripheral surface, A second surface that seals between the inner peripheral surface of the second flow path and the seal member, and a second flow path side of the first surface, and is annular from the first flow path side to the second flow path side. A second flow path side taper surface on which the inner diameter of the inner peripheral surface is enlarged. According to the above aspect, the first inner surface that seals the first flow path is continuous with the second flow path side, and the inner diameter of the annular inner peripheral surface increases from the first flow path side to the second flow path side. Since the second flow path side taper surface is provided, even if the liquid flows from the second flow path to the first flow path, the second flow path side taper surface is pressed by the liquid, and the first surface is the inner peripheral surface of the second flow path. Pressed against. For this reason, the sealing performance between the inner peripheral surface of the second flow path and the seal member is improved. Thus, according to this aspect, the sealing performance of the flow path can be improved by using the pressure due to the circulation of the liquid.

[Aspect 2]
In a preferred example (aspect 2) of aspect 1, the first member has a convex part provided with the first flow path, and the outer peripheral surface of the convex part is in contact with the first surface, whereby the outer peripheral surface of the convex part. The seal member has a first flow path side taper surface, the first flow path side taper surface is continuous with the first flow path side of the first surface, and the second flow path side from the second flow path side. The inner diameter of the annular inner peripheral surface is a surface that is larger than the outer diameter of the outer peripheral surface of the convex portion toward the one flow path side. According to the above aspect, when the outer peripheral surface of the convex portion of the first member comes into contact with the first surface that defines the annular inner peripheral surface, the space between the outer peripheral surface of the convex portion and the seal member is sealed. Therefore, the gap between the outer peripheral surface of the convex portion and the seal member can be sealed by inserting the convex portion of the first member into the hole surrounded by the first surface. In addition, the first flow path side taper surface of the seal member is continuous with the first flow path side of the first surface, and the inner diameter of the annular inner peripheral surface is convex from the second flow path side to the first flow path side. Since it is a surface that is larger than the outer diameter of the outer peripheral surface, if the convex portion is inserted from the larger inner diameter of the upstream tapered surface, the convex portion is guided by the first flow path side tapered surface and surrounded by the first surface. Inserted into the hole. Therefore, according to this aspect, the insertion property of the convex part to the seal member can be improved.

[Aspect 3]
In a preferred example (Aspect 3) of Aspect 1 or Aspect 2, in the second surface, a seal portion that contacts the inner peripheral surface of the second flow path and seals between the inner peripheral surface of the second flow path and the seal member Overlaps the first flow path side taper surface in the direction orthogonal to the second flow path. According to the above aspect, since the seal portion overlaps the first flow path side tapered surface in the direction orthogonal to the second flow path, when the liquid flows from the second flow path side to the first flow path side, the seal section is Since it becomes easy to be pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the two flow paths, the sealing performance between the seal portion and the inner peripheral surface of the second flow path can be improved.

[Aspect 4]
In order to solve the above-described problems, a liquid ejection device according to a preferred aspect (aspect 4) of the present invention includes a first member having a convex portion provided with a first flow path, and a first member via a seal member. A second member having a recess provided with a second flow path connected to the member and communicating with the first flow path, and a nozzle for discharging the liquid supplied through the first flow path and the second flow path The seal member is provided in the recess and is formed of an annular elastic member that seals the first member and the second member, defines an annular inner peripheral surface, and the outer peripheral surface of the convex portion and the seal member A first surface that seals between the first surface, an annular outer peripheral surface, a second surface that seals between the inner peripheral surface of the recess and the sealing member, and a first flow path side of the first surface, The first flow path side taper surface in which the inner diameter of the annular inner peripheral surface is larger than the outer diameter of the outer peripheral surface of the convex portion from the second flow path side to the first flow path side. The seal portion that contacts the inner peripheral surface of the concave portion of the second surface and seals between the inner peripheral surface of the concave portion and the seal member has the first surface in the direction orthogonal to the second flow path. Overlap. According to the above aspect, the seal member is continuous with the first flow path side of the first surface, and the inner diameter of the annular inner peripheral surface is the outer peripheral surface of the convex portion from the second flow path side to the first flow path side. Since it has the 1st flow path side taper surface expanded rather than an outer diameter, the insertion property of the convex part to the hole enclosed by the 1st surface can be improved. In addition, since the seal portion overlaps the first surface in the direction orthogonal to the second flow path, the insertion of the convex portion causes the first surface to be pressed and the second surface seal portion to be pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the recess. Therefore, even when the liquid flows from the second flow path to the first flow path, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the sealing performance. Thus, according to this aspect, the sealing performance of the flow path can be improved by using the pressure due to the insertion of the convex portion of the first member.

[Aspect 5]
In a preferred example (aspect 5) of any one of the aspects 1 to 4, in the direction perpendicular to the second flow path, the second surface is contacted with the second flow path and the inner peripheral surface of the recess and the sealing member The seal portion that seals the gap is on the downstream side of the second flow path from the virtual plane passing through the center of the second surface in the direction along the second flow path. According to the above aspect, since the gap where the second surface is not in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the second flow path is smaller on the downstream side of the second flow path than the seal portion, the amount of bubbles accumulated in that portion Can be reduced.

[Aspect 6]
In a preferred example (aspect 6) of any one of the aspects 1 to 5, the tip of the first member does not protrude from the first surface in the direction orthogonal to the second flow path. According to the above aspect, since the tip of the first member does not protrude from the first surface in the direction orthogonal to the second flow path, the first member is not compared with the case where the tip of the first member protrudes from the first surface. Air bubbles are unlikely to collect at the tip of the member.

[Aspect 7]
A liquid discharge head according to a preferred aspect (aspect 7) of the present invention includes a first member provided with a first flow path, a first member connected to the first member via a seal member, and communicating with the first flow path. A second member provided with two flow paths, and a nozzle for discharging the liquid supplied via the first flow path and the second flow path, and the seal member is provided in the second flow path A first elastic member that seals the first member and the second member, a first surface that defines an annular inner peripheral surface, an annular outer peripheral surface, and an inner peripheral surface of the second flow path; A second surface that seals between the sealing member and the second flow path side of the first surface, and the inner diameter of the annular inner peripheral surface increases from the first flow path side to the second flow path side. 2 flow path side taper surface. According to the above aspect, the first inner surface that seals the first flow path is continuous with the second flow path side, and the inner diameter of the annular inner peripheral surface increases from the first flow path side to the second flow path side. Since the second flow path side taper surface is provided, even if the liquid flows from the second flow path to the first flow path, the second flow path side taper surface is pressed by the liquid, and the first surface is the inner peripheral surface of the second flow path. Pressed against. For this reason, the sealing performance between the inner peripheral surface of the second flow path and the seal member is improved. Thus, according to this aspect, the sealing performance of the flow path can be improved by using the pressure due to the circulation of the liquid.

[Aspect 8]
A method for using a liquid ejection apparatus according to a preferred aspect (aspect 8) of the present invention is a method for using the liquid ejection apparatus according to any one of aspects 1 to 6, wherein the liquid is supplied from the second flow path to the first flow path. And a step in which the second flow path side tapered surface is pressed by the liquid and the first surface is pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the second flow path. According to the above aspect, by flowing the liquid from the second flow path to the first flow path, the second flow path side taper surface is pressed by the liquid, and the first surface is pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the second flow path. Therefore, a decrease in sealing performance can be suppressed. Thus, according to this aspect, the sealing performance of the flow path can be improved by using the pressure due to the circulation of the liquid.

It is a block diagram of the liquid discharge apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is an external appearance perspective view of a liquid discharge head. It is a figure for demonstrating the specific example of the flow path formed in the inside of a flow-path structure. It is sectional drawing to which the connection part A of the flow-path pipe and liquid introduction part shown in FIG. 3 was expanded. It is a figure for demonstrating the usage method of a liquid discharge apparatus. It is a figure for demonstrating the usage method of a liquid discharge apparatus. It is sectional drawing of the connection part A 'of a flow-path pipe and a liquid introduction part which concerns on a comparative example. It is sectional drawing of the connection part A of the flow-path pipe and liquid introduction part which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the connection part A of the flow-path pipe and liquid introduction part which concerns on 3rd Embodiment.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a partial configuration diagram of a liquid ejection apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The liquid ejection apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment is an ink jet printing apparatus that ejects ink, which is an example of a liquid, onto a medium 11 such as printing paper. A liquid ejection apparatus 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a control device 12, a transport mechanism 15, a carriage 18, and a plurality of liquid ejection heads 20. A liquid container 14 for storing ink is attached to the liquid ejection device 10.

  The liquid container 14 is an ink tank type cartridge composed of a box-shaped container that can be attached to and detached from the main body of the liquid ejection apparatus 10. The liquid container 14 is not limited to a box-shaped container, and may be an ink pack type cartridge including a bag-shaped container. Ink is stored in the liquid container 14. The ink may be a black ink or a color ink. The ink stored in the liquid container 14 is pumped to the liquid discharge head 20 by a pump (not shown).

  The control device 12 comprehensively controls each element of the liquid ejection device 10. The transport mechanism 15 transports the medium 11 in the Y direction under the control of the control device 12. Each liquid discharge head 20 discharges the ink supplied from the liquid container 14 from each of the plurality of nozzles N to the medium 11 under the control of the control device 12. Each liquid discharge head 20 is mounted on the carriage 18. The control device 12 reciprocates the carriage 18 in the X direction that intersects the Y direction (orthogonal in FIG. 1). In parallel with the repetition of the conveyance of the medium 11 and the reciprocation of the carriage 18, each liquid discharge head 20 discharges ink onto the medium 11, thereby forming a desired image on the surface of the medium 11.

(Liquid discharge head)
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one arbitrary liquid ejection head 20. As shown in FIG. 2, the liquid ejection head 20 includes a flow path structure 22, a head body 24, and a wiring board 26. The flow channel structure 22 is a substantially flat plate-like structure including the liquid introduction part 30 and the liquid lead-out part 40, and the liquid led out from the liquid container 14 to the liquid introduction part 30 through the internal flow path. The head 40 is led out from the portion 40.

  A flow channel pipe 50 is connected to the liquid introduction part 30. The flow path pipe 50 is a pipe provided with a flow path 52 for introducing ink from the liquid container 14 into the liquid introduction unit 30, and the flow path 52 communicates with the liquid container 14. The liquid introduction part 30 is provided with an introduction channel 32 that communicates with the channel 52 of the channel tube 50. By connecting the flow path pipe 50 to the liquid introduction part 30, the flow path 52 of the flow path pipe 50 communicates with the introduction flow path 32 of the liquid introduction part 30.

  A supply unit 25 for supplying ink to the head main body 24 is connected to the liquid lead-out unit 40. The liquid outlet 40 is provided with an outlet channel 42 that communicates with the channel 255 of the supply unit 25. By connecting the liquid outlet 40 to the supply unit 25, the outlet channel 42 of the liquid outlet 40 communicates with the channel 255 of the supplier 25. The head body 24 ejects ink supplied from the liquid outlet 40 of the flow path structure 22 via the supply unit 25 from the plurality of nozzles N.

  Specifically, the head main body 24 includes a plurality of sets (not shown) of pressure chambers and piezoelectric elements corresponding to different nozzles N. As shown in FIG. 2, a flexible wiring board 26 such as an FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit) or FFC (Flexible Flat Cable) is connected to the head body 24. Wiring for supplying a drive signal and a power supply voltage for driving each piezoelectric element from the external device such as the control device 12 to the head main body 24 is formed on the wiring board 26. The ink filled in the pressure chamber is ejected from each nozzle N by vibrating the piezoelectric element in accordance with the drive signal and power supply voltage supplied via the wiring substrate 26 to vary the pressure in the pressure chamber.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the flow path structure 22 of the first embodiment includes a base body 27, a sealing body 28, and a sealing body 29. The base body 27 is a substantially plate-like structure including a first surface 27A and a second surface 27B located on opposite sides of each other, and is formed by injection molding of a resin material such as polypropylene (PP), for example. A tubular liquid inlet 30 is formed on the upper surface of the base 27, and a circular liquid outlet 40 is formed on the bottom of the base 27. Each of the sealing body 28 and the sealing body 29 is a flat plate (film-like) member formed of, for example, a resin material. The sealing body 28 is bonded to the first surface 27A of the base body 27, and the sealing body 29 is bonded to the second surface 27B of the base body 27.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a specific example of the flow path formed inside the flow path structure 22. As shown in FIG. 3, the flow channel structure 22 includes a plurality of flow channels Q (QA, QB, QC) and a plurality of flow channel chambers R (RA, RB, RC). The channel Q and the channel chamber R are provided between the inlet channel 32 and the outlet channel 42. Each flow path Q is a path through which ink flows, and each flow path chamber R is a space communicating with each flow path Q. The flow path Q and the flow path chamber R are formed, for example, as grooves or recesses in the base 27, and the grooves or recesses are closed by the sealing body 29 or the base 27. The internal configuration of the flow path structure 22 is not limited to that illustrated in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the channel chamber RA is a space formed between the introduction channel 32 and the channel QA and communicating with each other. A filter FA is installed in the flow path chamber RA. The filter FA collects bubbles and foreign matters from the ink supplied from the introduction flow path 32 to the flow path chamber RA. Ink from which bubbles and foreign matters have been removed by passing through the filter FA is supplied from the flow path chamber RA to the flow path QA.

  The channel chamber RB is a space formed between the channel QA and the channel QB and communicating with each other. An adjusting mechanism B is installed between the channel QA and the channel chamber RB. The adjustment mechanism B is a valve mechanism that controls the opening / closing (opening / closing) of the flow path QA according to the pressure (negative pressure) in the flow path chamber RB. Ink that has flowed from the flow path QA into the flow path chamber RB in a state where the adjustment mechanism B opens the flow path QA is supplied to the flow path QB.

  The channel chamber RC is a space (an example of the second channel chamber) formed between the channel QB and the channel QC and communicating with each other. A filter FB (example of the first filter) is installed in the flow path chamber RC. The filter FB collects bubbles and foreign matters from the ink supplied from the flow path QB to the flow path chamber RC. The ink that has passed through the filter FB is supplied to the flow path QC, and is supplied to the head body 24 from the outlet flow path 42 that communicates with the flow path QC.

  In such a flow channel structure 22 of the first embodiment, the flow channel tube 50 is a specific example of the first member, and the flow channel 52 is a specific example of the first flow channel. The liquid introduction part 30 is a specific example of the second member, and the introduction flow path 32 is a specific example of the second flow path. The liquid introduction part 30 is connected to the flow path pipe 50 via the seal member 60, and the seal member 60 seals the liquid introduction part 30 and the flow path pipe 50.

(Seal member)
Hereinafter, the structural example of the sealing member 60 of 1st Embodiment is demonstrated. FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the connection portion A between the flow channel pipe 50 and the liquid introduction portion 30 shown in FIG. Note that the Z direction in FIG. 4 is a direction in which the introduction flow path 32 that is the second flow path extends. As shown in FIG. 4, the seal member 60 of the first embodiment is inserted into the recess 31 formed in the liquid introduction part 30. The recess 31 is a part of the introduction channel 32 and is disposed so as to open to the distal end side of the introduction channel 32. An opening 312 is formed on the bottom surface of the recess 31, and the inner diameter of the introduction channel 32 is larger than the projection 51 at the tip of the channel tube 50 in the Z direction on the downstream side of the opening 312. The taper portion 322 is continuous. Note that the tapered portion 322 may not be formed.

  The seal member 60 is an annular elastic member that seals the flow channel pipe 50 and the liquid introduction part 30. The seal member 60 of the first embodiment includes a first surface 62 that defines an annular inner peripheral surface and a second surface 64 that defines an annular outer peripheral surface. Both the first surface 62 and the second surface 64 extend in the Z direction. The first surface 62 seals between the outer peripheral surface of the flow channel tube 50 and the seal member 60. As shown in FIG. 4, in 1st Embodiment, the 1st surface 62 is the outer peripheral surface of a convex part by inserting the convex part 51 of the front-end | tip of the flow-path pipe | tube 50 in the hole enclosed by the 1st surface 62. As shown in FIG. The space between the outer peripheral surface of the flow channel tube 50 and the seal member 60 is sealed.

  The second surface 64 seals between the inner peripheral surface 314 of the recess 31 (introduction channel 32) and the seal member 60. Specifically, a band-shaped seal portion 642 protruding outward is continuously formed on a part of the second surface 64 in the Z direction over the entire circumference of the second surface 64. When the seal portion 642 comes into contact with the inner peripheral surface 314 of the recess 31, the space between the inner peripheral surface 314 of the recess 31 and the seal member 60 is sealed. The seal portion 642 is on the positive side in the Z direction (downstream of the introduction flow path 32) with respect to a virtual plane OO passing through the center of the second surface 64 in the Z direction. According to this configuration, the gap between the second surface 64 of the seal member 60 and the inner peripheral surface 314 of the recess 31 where the second surface 64 is not in contact with the inner peripheral surface 314 of the recess 31 is a seal portion. Since the amount is less on the downstream side of the introduction flow path 32 than 642, the amount of bubbles accumulated in that portion can be reduced.

  The seal member 60 has an upstream taper surface (first flow channel side taper surface) 66 continuous to the upstream side (first flow channel side) of the first surface 62 and a downstream side (second flow channel side) of the first surface 62. And a continuous downstream side taper surface (second flow path side taper surface) 68. The upstream taper surface 66 has an inner diameter of the annular inner peripheral surface of the seal member 60 from the positive side in the Z direction to the negative side, that is, from the introduction flow channel 32 side to the flow channel 52 side of the flow channel 50. This is an annular tapered surface that is larger than the outer diameter of the outer peripheral surface of the convex portion 51 of the tube 50. Since the seal member 60 includes such an upstream tapered surface 66, the convex portion 51 of the flow channel pipe 50 can be easily inserted from the side having the larger inner diameter of the upstream tapered surface 66, and the convex portion 51 is the upstream tapered surface. It is guided by 66 and inserted into the hole surrounded by the first surface 62. Therefore, the insertability of the flow channel pipe 50 into the seal member 60 can be improved.

  The downstream tapered surface 68 has an inner diameter of the annular inner peripheral surface of the seal member 60 that increases from the negative side in the Z direction to the positive side, that is, from the flow channel 52 side to the introduction flow channel 32 side. An annular tapered surface. Since the seal member 60 includes such a downstream tapered surface 68, even if the ink flows from the downstream side to the upstream side, the downstream side tapered surface 68 is pressed by the ink and the first surface 62 becomes the concave portion 31. It is pressed against the inner peripheral surface 314 of the (introduction channel 32). For this reason, the sealing performance between the inner peripheral surface of the recess 31 and the seal member 60 is improved.

  In the first embodiment, the tip of the convex portion 51 of the flow channel pipe 50 does not protrude from the first surface 62 in the direction orthogonal to the Z direction. Specifically, for example, a flange (not shown) is provided in the flow channel 50, and the flange is located on the upper surface of the liquid introduction unit 30 at a position where the tip of the convex portion 51 of the flow channel 50 does not protrude from the first surface 62. You may make it contact | abut. According to such a configuration, there is no gap in which bubbles are accumulated between the tip of the convex portion 51, that is, the outer peripheral surface of the tip of the convex portion 51 and the downstream taper surface 68. Therefore, bubbles are less likely to accumulate at the tip of the channel tube 50 than when the tip of the channel tube 50 protrudes from the first surface 62.

(How to use the liquid ejection device)
5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining a method of using the liquid ejection apparatus according to the first embodiment. Here, a case where the flow channel pipe (first member) 50 is connected to the introduction flow channel (second member) 30 will be described. 5A is a cross-sectional view of the connection portion A before connecting the flow channel pipe 50 to the introduction flow channel 32, and FIG. 5B is a cross section of the connection portion A after the flow channel tube 50 is connected to the introduction flow channel 32. FIG. As shown in FIG. 5A, when connecting the channel pipe 50 to the introduction channel 32, the convex portion 51 of the channel pipe 50 is inserted into the first surface 62 of the seal member 60. At this time, by adjusting the fitting so that the inner diameter of the hole surrounded by the first surface 62 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the convex portion 51 of the flow path tube 50, the flow path pipe 50 is formed on the first surface 62. Since it is press-fitted into the enclosed hole, the sealing performance between the outer peripheral surface of the flow channel pipe 50 and the first surface 62 can be enhanced.

  According to the liquid ejecting apparatus 10 of the first embodiment, during printing, ink is supplied from the liquid container 14 to the head main body 24 so that the downstream side in the flow path structure 22 has a negative pressure. The ink flows from the flow channel pipe 50 on the side toward the introduction flow channel 32 on the downstream side. However, for example, during maintenance, the filter FB may be washed by pressurizing ink from the nozzle N toward the flow channel tube 50. In such a case, as shown in FIG. 5B, the ink that is pumped from the downstream introduction flow channel 32 toward the upstream flow channel pipe 50 circulates.

  Thus, even if the ink flows from the downstream side to the upstream side, when the downstream tapered surface 68 is pressed by the ink as indicated by the black arrow in FIG. 5B, the first surface as indicated by the white arrow in FIG. 5B. 62 is pressed against the inner peripheral surface 314 of the recess 31 (introduction channel 32). For this reason, the sealing performance between the inner peripheral surface of the recess 31 and the seal member 60 is improved. Thus, according to the first embodiment, the sealability of the flow path can be improved by using the pressure due to the circulation of the ink.

  FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the connection part A ′ between the flow channel pipe 50 and the liquid introduction part 30 according to the comparative example. The seal member 60 ′ in FIG. 6 is a configuration example when there is no downstream tapered surface 68 as in the first embodiment. When the seal member 60 does not have the downstream taper surface 68 as in the comparative example of FIG. 6, when ink flows from the downstream side to the upstream side, as shown by the black arrow in FIG. Ink enters the gap between the second surface 64 of the member 60 and the sealing performance is lowered. Specifically, in the configuration of FIG. 6, when ink enters the second surface 64, the direction in which the seal portion 642 separates from the inner peripheral surface 314 of the recess 31 as indicated by the white arrow in FIG. 6 due to the pressure of the ink. Therefore, the seal member 60 is deformed and easily leaks. As described above, in the configuration of FIG. 6 without the downstream taper surface 68, when the ink flows from the downstream side to the upstream side, the sealing performance of the flow path deteriorates. On the other hand, in the first embodiment, by providing the downstream tapered surface 68 on the seal member 60, even if ink flows from the downstream side to the upstream side, the pressure of the flow path is utilized by using the pressure of the ink. Sealability can be improved.

Second Embodiment
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, about the element which an effect | action and function are the same as 1st Embodiment in 2nd Embodiment, the code | symbol used by description of 1st Embodiment is diverted, and each detailed description is abbreviate | omitted suitably. In the first embodiment, the configuration for improving the sealing performance of the flow path using the pressure of the ink is exemplified. However, in the second embodiment, the sealing performance of the flow path using the pressure due to the insertion of the flow path pipe 50 is used. The structure which improves is illustrated.

  FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the connection part A between the flow channel pipe 50 and the liquid introduction part 30 according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, in the seal member 60 of the second embodiment, the seal portion 642 that contacts the inner peripheral surface 314 of the recess 31 in the second surface 64 has the first surface 62 in the direction perpendicular to the Z direction. It is arranged at the overlapping position. Therefore, by inserting the convex portion 51 of the flow channel pipe 50 into the hole surrounded by the first surface 62, the outer peripheral surface of the convex portion 51 comes into contact with the first surface 62, thereby pushing the first surface 62. 7, the seal portion 642 of the second surface 64 is pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the recess 31 as indicated by the white arrow in FIG. Therefore, as in the configuration of the comparative example of FIG. 6, the seal portion of the second surface 64 is compared with the case where the seal portion 642 is disposed at a position that does not overlap the first surface 62 in the direction orthogonal to the Z direction. The force with which 642 is pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the recess 31 is strong.

  According to such a configuration, the seal portion 642 of the second surface 64 is pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the concave portion 31 by the pressure due to the insertion of the flow channel tube 50, and therefore, as shown by the black arrow in FIG. Even if the ink flows from the side to the upstream side and the ink enters the gap between the second surface 64 and the inner peripheral surface 314 of the concave portion 31, it is possible to suppress a decrease in sealing performance. Thus, according to 2nd Embodiment, the sealing performance of a flow path can be improved by utilizing the pressure by insertion of the flow path pipe 50. FIG.

  It should be noted that the downstream taper surface 68 of the first embodiment may be further provided in the seal member 60 of the second embodiment. As a result, as in the first embodiment, the pressure of the ink flowing from the downstream side to the upstream side can be used to further improve the sealing performance of the flow path.

<Third Embodiment>
A third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the flow path pipe 50 and the seal member 60 are sealed by inserting the flow path 52 of the flow path pipe 50 into the hole surrounded by the first surface 62 of the seal member 60. In the third embodiment, the flow path 52 of the flow path pipe 50 is communicated with the hole surrounded by the first surface 62 of the seal member 60 to seal the flow path pipe 50 and the seal member 60 in the third embodiment. The structure to perform is illustrated.

  FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the connection part A between the flow channel pipe 50 and the liquid introduction part 30 according to the third embodiment. The seal member 60 of FIG. 8 includes an upstream plane 69 along the direction orthogonal to the Z direction without providing the upstream tapered surface 66 of the first and second embodiments. According to such a configuration, the flow path 52 of the flow path pipe 50 is surrounded by the first surface 62 of the seal member 60 by pressing and inserting the flow path pipe 50 against the upstream plane 69 of the seal member 60. The flow path pipe 50 and the seal member 60 are sealed by communicating with the holes.

  The seal member 60 shown in FIG. 8 is provided with a downstream tapered surface 68 similar to that of the first embodiment. According to such a configuration, even if the ink flows from the downstream side to the upstream side, when the downstream tapered surface 68 is pressed by the ink as shown by the black arrow in FIG. 8, the white arrow in FIG. The first surface 62 is pressed against the inner peripheral surface 314 of the recess 31 (introduction channel 32). For this reason, the sealing performance between the inner peripheral surface of the recess 31 and the seal member 60 is improved. As described above, also in the third embodiment, the sealability of the flow path can be improved by using the pressure due to the circulation of the ink.

<Modification>
Each embodiment illustrated above can be variously modified. Specific modifications are exemplified below. Two or more aspects arbitrarily selected from the following examples can be appropriately combined as long as they do not contradict each other.

(1) In the above-described embodiment, one channel pipe 50 and one liquid introduction unit 30 are provided between the liquid container 14 and the head main body 24. However, a plurality of channel pipes 50 and one liquid introduction unit 30 may be provided. In that case, the ink is supplied from the liquid container 14 to the head main body 24 via a certain set of flow channel tubes 50 and the liquid introduction unit 30, and the head main body is configured via another set of flow channel tubes 50 and the liquid introduction unit 30. Ink may be discharged from 24. Even in such a case, there is a possibility that the ink pumped from another set of the introduction channel 32 toward the channel tube 50 may circulate, and the present invention is applicable.
(2) In the above-described embodiment, the serial head that repeatedly reciprocates the carriage 18 on which the plurality of liquid ejection heads 20 are mounted along the X direction is exemplified. The present invention can also be applied to an arrayed line head.

(3) In the above-described embodiment, the piezoelectric liquid ejection head 20 using the piezoelectric element that imparts mechanical vibration to the pressure chamber is exemplified. However, a heating element that generates bubbles in the pressure chamber by heating is used. It is also possible to employ a heat-type liquid discharge head that is used.

(4) The liquid ejection apparatus exemplified in the above-described embodiment can be employed in various apparatuses such as a facsimile apparatus and a copier, in addition to apparatuses dedicated to printing. However, the use of the liquid ejection apparatus of the present invention is not limited to printing. For example, a liquid discharge device that discharges a solution of a color material is used as a manufacturing device that forms a color filter of a liquid crystal display device. In addition, a liquid discharge apparatus that discharges a solution of a conductive material is used as a manufacturing apparatus that forms wiring and electrodes of a wiring board.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Liquid discharge apparatus, 11 ... Medium, 12 ... Control apparatus, 14 ... Liquid container, 15 ... Conveyance mechanism, 18 ... Carriage, 20 ... Liquid discharge head, 22 ... Channel structure, 24 ... Head main body, 25 ... Supply Part, 255 ... flow path, 26 ... wiring substrate, 27 ... base, 27A ... first surface, 27B ... second surface, 28, 29 ... sealed body, 30 ... liquid introduction part, 31 ... concave, 312 ... opening 314 ... inner peripheral surface, 32 ... introducing flow path, 322 ... tapered portion, 40 ... liquid outlet portion, 42 ... outlet passage passage, 50 ... channel pipe, 51 ... convex portion, 52 ... channel, 60, 60 ' ... Sealing member, 62 ... First surface, 64 ... Second surface, 642 ... Sealing portion, 66 ... Upstream taper surface, 68 ... Downstream taper surface, 69 ... Upstream plane, A, A '... Connection portion, B ... Adjustment mechanism, FA, FB ... Filter, N ... Nozzle, OO ... Plane, Q (QA, QB, QC) ... Flow path, (RA, RB, RC) ... the flow path chamber.

Claims (8)

A first member provided with a first flow path;
A second member provided with a second flow path connected to the first member via a seal member and communicating with the first flow path;
A nozzle for discharging the liquid supplied through the first flow path and the second flow path,
The sealing member is
An annular elastic member that is provided in the second flow path and seals the first member and the second member;
A first surface defining the annular inner peripheral surface;
A second surface defining the annular outer peripheral surface and sealing between the inner peripheral surface of the second flow path and the seal member;
A second channel-side taper surface that is continuous with the second channel side of the first surface and has an inner diameter of the annular inner peripheral surface that increases from the first channel side to the second channel side. Liquid ejection device. The first member has a convex portion provided with the first flow path,
When the outer peripheral surface of the convex portion comes into contact with the first surface, the space between the outer peripheral surface of the convex portion and the seal member is sealed,
The seal member has a first flow path side tapered surface,
The first flow path side taper surface is continuous with the first flow path side of the first surface, and the inner diameter of the annular inner peripheral surface is the convex portion from the second flow path side to the first flow path side. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid ejection device is a surface that is larger than the outer diameter of the outer peripheral surface of the liquid. A seal portion that contacts the inner peripheral surface of the second flow path in the second surface and seals between the inner peripheral surface of the second flow path and the seal member is orthogonal to the second flow path. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid ejection device overlaps with the first flow path side tapered surface in a direction. A first member having a convex portion provided with a first flow path;
A second member having a recess connected to the first member via a seal member and provided with a second flow path communicating with the first flow path;
A nozzle for discharging the liquid supplied through the first flow path and the second flow path,
The sealing member is
An annular elastic member that is provided in the recess and seals the first member and the second member,
A first surface defining the annular inner peripheral surface and sealing between the outer peripheral surface of the convex portion and the seal member;
A second surface that defines the annular outer peripheral surface and seals between the inner peripheral surface of the recess and the seal member;
The inner diameter of the annular inner peripheral surface is larger than the outer diameter of the outer peripheral surface of the convex portion, which is continuous with the first flow channel side of the first surface and extends from the second flow channel side to the first flow channel side. A first flow path side taper surface,
The seal portion that contacts the inner peripheral surface of the concave portion of the second surface and seals between the inner peripheral surface of the concave portion and the seal member is the first surface in a direction orthogonal to the second flow path. Liquid ejecting device that overlaps with. In a direction perpendicular to the second flow path, a seal portion that contacts the second flow path and seals between the inner peripheral surface of the recess and the seal member in the second surface is the second flow path. 5. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid ejection device is located downstream of the second flow path with respect to a virtual plane passing through a center of the second surface in a direction along the path. 6. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein a tip of the first member does not protrude from the first surface in a direction orthogonal to the second flow path. A first member provided with a first flow path;
A second member provided with a second flow path connected to the first member via a seal member and communicating with the first flow path;
A nozzle for discharging the liquid supplied through the first flow path and the second flow path,
The sealing member is
An annular elastic member that is provided in the second flow path and seals the first member and the second member;
A first surface defining the annular inner peripheral surface;
A second surface defining the annular outer peripheral surface and sealing between the inner peripheral surface of the second flow path and the seal member;
A second channel-side taper surface that is continuous with the second channel side of the first surface and has an inner diameter of the annular inner peripheral surface that increases from the first channel side to the second channel side. Liquid discharge head. A method of using the liquid ejection device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
Flowing the liquid from the second flow path to the first flow path;
And a step of pressing the second flow path side taper surface by the liquid and pressing the first surface against an inner peripheral surface of the second flow path.

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