JP2018176430A - Liquid discharge head, capping method for liquid discharge head, manufacturing method for liquid discharge head, and liquid discharge device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve moisture retaining properties by a cap.SOLUTION: A liquid discharge head comprises: a plurality of nozzle arrays in which a plurality of nozzles discharging liquid are arranged in a first direction; and a contact member having a cap surface with which a cap sealing the plurality of nozzle arrays can be brought into contact. The plurality of nozzle arrays are arranged in a second direction intersecting with the first direction. The cap surface has contact areas with which an edge portion of an opening side of the cap is brought into contact so as to surround a nozzle area where the plurality of nozzle arrays are exposed. A distance in the second direction between an inner peripheral edge of at least one contact area out of the contact areas located at both sides with the nozzle area interposed therebetween in the second direction and the nozzle array located nearest to the inner peripheral edge in the second direction out of the plurality of nozzle arrays is greater than a maximum interval in the second direction between two adjacent nozzle arrays in the second direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

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

  In a liquid ejection apparatus that ejects a liquid such as ink from a nozzle, in order to clean the nozzle, the nozzle N is sealed with a cap and a negative pressure is applied to the inside of the cap to force the ink to be ejected from the nozzle. There is a case to carry out. In Patent Document 1, a single cap is brought into contact with a cap surface (discharge surface) to which each nozzle of a plurality of nozzle rows is exposed, and the nozzles of the plurality of nozzle rows are simultaneously sealed to perform suction operation. .

JP, 2016-000489, A

  When a single cap is brought into contact with a cap surface to which each nozzle of a plurality of nozzle rows is exposed as in Patent Document 1, the inner peripheral edge of the area of the cap surface with which the edge of the opening of the cap abuts The smaller the distance to the near nozzle row, the smaller the cap and therefore the smaller the cap volume. As a result, the amount of liquid that can be discharged from the nozzle in the suction operation can be held by the cap, and the moisture retention by the cap is also reduced. However, in Patent Document 1, the distance between the edge on the opening side of the cap and the nozzle row is not taken into consideration. In view of the above circumstances, the present invention aims to improve the moisture retention by a cap.

[Aspect 1]
In order to solve the above problems, a liquid discharge head according to a preferred embodiment (aspect 1) of the present invention includes a plurality of nozzle rows in which a plurality of nozzles for discharging liquid are arrayed along a first direction; And an abutting member having a cap surface capable of abutting a cap for sealing the nozzle array, wherein the plurality of nozzle arrays are arranged along a second direction intersecting the first direction, and the plurality of cap surfaces are provided. And an abutting area with which the edge on the opening side of the cap abuts so as to surround the nozzle area where the nozzle row is exposed, and at least one of the abutting areas located on both sides across the nozzle area in the second direction. The distance in the second direction between the inner peripheral edge of the contact area and the nozzle row closest to the inner peripheral edge in the second direction among the plurality of nozzle rows is the second direction of the two nozzle rows adjacent in the second direction Greater than the maximum interval. According to the above aspect, since the cap can be enlarged on at least one side in the second direction with respect to the nozzle region, the volume of the cap can be increased. For this reason, when the cap is brought into contact with the contact member and the inside of the cap is made negative pressure by suction operation, the amount of liquid which can be discharged from the nozzle can be held by the cap can also be increased. Can be improved.

[Aspect 2]
In the preferred embodiment (embodiment 2) of the embodiment 1, the abutting member includes a laminated member laminated on the surface opposite to the cap surface. According to the above aspect, since the contact member includes the stacked member stacked on the surface opposite to the cap surface, the cap is enlarged in the second direction, and the area to be sucked by the suction operation is the second Even if it spreads in the direction, the contact member can be reinforced by the lamination member. Because the area in which the nozzle is not exposed is the area that is easily deformed by the suction operation or the like because it is the area in which the nozzle is not exposed in the cap surface. Thus, the deformation of the contact member can be effectively suppressed by disposing the lamination member also in the easily deformable region.

[Aspect 3]
In the preferable example (aspect 3) of aspect 2, the area where the laminated member is disposed in the first direction and the second direction is wider than the contact area of the cap. According to the above aspect, the area where the laminated member is disposed in the first direction and the second direction is wider than the abutting area, so the abutting area to which the cap is loaded can be reinforced by the laminated member. Therefore, the deformation of the contact member due to the load of the cap can be suppressed.

[Aspect 4]
In the preferred embodiment (Aspect 4) according to any one of Aspects 1 to 3, the area inside the inner circumferential edge in the cap surface is a sealing area sealed with a cap, and the center of the nozzle area is sealing It is shifted in the second direction with respect to the center of the region. According to the above aspect, since the center of the nozzle area is shifted in the second direction with respect to the center of the sealing area of the cap, the nozzle area (area where the nozzle is exposed) is in the second direction in the sealing area. It can be arranged to be biased to one side of the Therefore, for example, when discharging the liquid from the nozzle while moving the contact member in the second direction, the contact member can be moved so that the nozzle region is on the top side. As a result, after the cap is removed, the nozzle area can reach the medium earlier than the area without the nozzle, so the time from when the cap is removed to when the liquid is discharged onto the medium can be shortened.

[Aspect 5]
In the preferred embodiment of the fourth aspect (Aspect 5), of the side surfaces of the contact member in the second direction, the side surface having a narrower distance in the second direction between the inner peripheral edge and the nozzle row closest to the inner peripheral edge is It is a reference for positioning the cap. According to the above aspect, even if there is a design variation in the dimensions of the cap, the cap is displaced on the wide area side. Therefore, the variation in the dimension of the cap can be absorbed in the wider area.

[Aspect 6]
In the preferred embodiment (Aspect 6) according to any one of Aspects 1 to 5, the inner peripheral edge of each of the contact areas located on both sides of the nozzle area in the second direction and the nozzle closest to the respective inner peripheral edges in the second direction The distance in the second direction between the columns is greater than the maximum spacing. According to the above aspect, since the caps can be enlarged on both sides in the second direction with respect to the nozzle area, the volume of the cap can be larger than in the case of increasing only one side in the second direction. For this reason, when the inside of the cap is made negative pressure in the suction operation, the amount by which the liquid discharged from the nozzle can be held by the cap can be increased, so that the moisture retention by the cap can be further improved. Also, the nozzle row can be separated from the contact area of the cap. Since liquid easily adheres to the contact area of the cap, the possibility of the liquid adhering to the contact area entering the nozzle can be reduced by moving the nozzle row away from the contact area of the cap.

[Aspect 7]
In the preferred embodiment (Aspect 7) according to any one of Aspects 2 to 6, the portion of the laminated member facing the nozzle region has an opening for exposing the nozzle, and the portion of the laminated member not facing the nozzle region is , There is no opening that exposes the nozzle. According to the above aspect, the strength variation of the contact member due to the presence or absence of the nozzle can be reduced by the presence or absence of the opening of the laminated member. For example, the portion of the contact member where the nozzle plate or the like forming the nozzle is disposed has a lower strength against the collision of the medium or the suction by the cap than the portion where the nozzle plate or the like is not disposed. Therefore, by not providing the opening that exposes the nozzle in the portion of the laminating member that does not face the nozzle region, the strength of the portion of the abutting member where the strength is weakened is a laminating member that does not have the opening. It can be reinforced.

[Aspect 8]
In a preferred example of the seventh aspect (Aspect 8), a slit having a width smaller than that of the opening is formed in a portion of the laminated member not facing the nozzle region. According to the above aspect, since the slit is formed in the portion (the portion not having the opening) which does not face the nozzle region in the laminated member, the portion having the opening in the laminated member joined to the fixing plate The stress concentration generated due to the difference in the thermal expansion coefficient can be mitigated by the slit at the portion not having the same. And since a slit is narrower than an opening, a fall of intensity of a lamination member can be controlled.

[Aspect 9]
In a preferred example of the eighth aspect (Aspect 9), in the portion of the laminated member not facing the nozzle area, slits are disposed on the both sides or one side in the second direction sandwiching the nozzle area and closer to the nozzle area. According to the above aspect, when only one side of the nozzle region in the second direction is wide in the portion not facing the nozzle region in the laminated member, the slit can be provided on only one side. Moreover, when the both sides of the 2nd direction of a nozzle area | region are wide, a slit can be provided in both sides. The stress concentration due to the difference in the thermal expansion coefficient tends to easily occur near the nozzle region in the laminated member, and by forming the slits in the portion where the stress concentration tends to occur, the effect of alleviating the stress concentration can be enhanced. . Further, by forming the slits in the laminated member near the nozzle region, the slits can absorb the protrusion of the adhesive applied when fixing the laminated member. This can suppress the adhesive from protruding and spreading. In particular, since the protruding adhesive is likely to spread in a portion not facing the nozzle region in the laminating member, forming a slit in such a portion effectively suppresses the spreading of the protruding adhesive. it can.

[Aspect 10]
In the preferable example (Aspect 10) according to any one of Aspects 1 to 9, the plurality of pressure chamber forming substrates for forming pressure chambers communicating with the nozzles are arranged in the second direction inside the contact area. Be done. According to the above aspect, by arranging a plurality of pressure chamber forming substrates, it is easier to cope with changes in the number of nozzle rows than arranging a single pressure chamber forming substrate common to each nozzle. If a single pressure chamber forming substrate common to the nozzles is disposed, the size in the second direction also changes depending on the number of nozzle rows, and the number of parts also increases with the number of nozzle rows. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, even if the number of nozzle rows is increased, a plurality of pressure chamber forming substrates of the same type can be arranged side by side, so the types of parts can be reduced.

[Aspect 11]
A preferred embodiment (embodiment 11) of the present invention is the method of capping a liquid discharge head according to any one of the embodiments 1 to 10, wherein the liquid discharge head is moved relative to the cap to Facing the cap against the cap surface and sealing the nozzle array by abutting the cap against the abutment area of the cap surface. According to the above aspect, since the cap can be enlarged on at least one side in the second direction with respect to the nozzle region, the volume of the cap can be increased. For this reason, when the cap is brought into contact with the contact member and the inside of the cap is made negative pressure by suction operation, the amount of liquid which can be discharged from the nozzle can be held by the cap can also be increased. Can be improved.

[Aspect 12]
In a preferred example of the eleventh aspect (Aspect 12), the cap is abutted against the abutment area such that the center of the nozzle area is offset in the second direction with respect to the center of the sealing area. According to the above aspect, since the center of the nozzle area is shifted in the second direction with respect to the center of the sealing area of the cap, the nozzle area (area where the nozzle is exposed) is in the second direction in the sealing area. It can be arranged to be biased to one side of the Thereby, the size of the cap in the second direction can be made larger on the other side in the second direction with respect to the nozzle region.

[Aspect 13]
In the preferred embodiment (embodiment 13) of the embodiment 11 or 12, among the side surfaces of the contact member in the second direction, the one in which the distance in the second direction between the inner peripheral edge and the nozzle row closest to the inner peripheral edge is narrower After positioning the cap with reference to the side surface of the contact member, the cap is brought into contact with the contact area. According to the above aspect, since the cap is positioned on the basis of the side surface of the contact member on the narrow area side among the areas located on both sides across the nozzle area in the second direction of the sealing area, provisionally Even if there are design variations in the dimensions of the cap, the cap is displaced on the wider area side. Therefore, the variation in the dimension of the cap can be absorbed in the wider area.

[Aspect 14]
A preferred embodiment (embodiment 14) of the present invention is the method of manufacturing a liquid discharge head according to any one of embodiments 2 to 10, wherein lamination of a shape corresponding to the number of nozzle rows exposed from the cap surface of the contact member There is the step of laminating the member to the abutment member, and the sealing area of the cap surface sealed by the cap does not change with the number of the nozzle rows. According to the above aspect, even if the number of nozzle rows changes, it is possible to easily manufacture a liquid discharge head having different nozzle rows by changing to a laminated member having a shape corresponding to the number of nozzle rows. In addition, since the sealing area of the cap surface sealed by the cap does not change depending on the number of nozzle rows, it is not necessary to prepare caps of different sizes even if the number of nozzle rows changes. The type of parts can be reduced.

[Aspect 15]
In a preferred example of the fourteenth aspect (aspect 15), the lamination member has an opening corresponding to the number of nozzle rows. According to the above aspect, since the laminated member has the openings corresponding to the number of nozzle rows, the nozzle rows may be arranged and positioned in the portion where the openings are present. Therefore, the position of the nozzle array can be easily positioned.

[Aspect 16]
In a preferable example (aspect 16) of the fifteenth aspect, in the portion facing the nozzle region in the laminated member, the opening corresponding to the number of nozzle rows is provided, and in the portion not facing the nozzle region, the opening is The laminated member is adhesively bonded to the abutting member as a reinforcing plate for reinforcing the abutting member. According to the above aspect, since the slit having a narrower width than the opening is provided in the portion not facing the nozzle region in the laminated member, the protrusion of the adhesive can be absorbed by the slit, so the adhesive extends and spreads. Can be suppressed. In particular, since the protruding adhesive is likely to spread in a portion not facing the nozzle region in the laminating member, forming a slit in such a portion effectively suppresses the spreading of the protruding adhesive. it can. Further, since the laminating member is adhered to the abutting member as a reinforcing plate for reinforcing the abutting member, stress concentration is likely to occur in a portion where the opening is not formed in the laminating member (a portion not facing the nozzle region). Can ease.

[Aspect 17]
A preferred aspect (aspect 17) of the present invention comprises a transport mechanism for transporting a medium, and the liquid ejection head according to any of aspects 1 to 10, which ejects a liquid onto the medium. According to the above aspect, it is possible to provide a liquid discharge apparatus having a liquid discharge head capable of improving the moisture retention by the cap. According to the above aspect, it is possible to provide a liquid discharge apparatus having a liquid discharge head capable of improving the moisture retention by the cap.

It is a block diagram of the liquid discharge apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of a liquid discharge head. It is a sectional view of a fluid discharge part. It is a top view which shows the discharge surface of a liquid discharge head. It is a perspective view which shows the state in which the liquid discharge part was mounted | worn with the stationary plate. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which a cap contact | abuts to a discharge surface. It is a perspective view which shows the state in which the liquid discharge part was mounted | worn with the fixed plate which concerns on a comparative example. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which a cap contact | abuts to the stationary plate which concerns on a comparative example. It is a top view which shows the modification of the discharge surface of 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the modification of the cover of 1st Embodiment. It is a top view which shows the discharge surface of the liquid discharge head of 2nd Embodiment. It is XII-XII sectional drawing shown in FIG. It is a top view which shows the modification of the discharge surface of 2nd Embodiment. It is XIV-XIV sectional drawing shown in FIG.

First Embodiment
FIG. 1 is a partial configuration diagram of a liquid ejection device 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The liquid ejection apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment is an inkjet printing apparatus that ejects an ink, which is an example of a liquid, onto a medium 11 such as a printing sheet. A liquid ejection device 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes a control device 12, a transport mechanism 15, a carriage 18, a liquid ejection head 20, and a maintenance unit 30. 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 consisting of a box-like container that can be attached to and detached from the main body of the liquid ejection device 10. The liquid container 14 is not limited to a box-like container, and may be an ink pack type cartridge consisting of a bag-like container. Ink is stored in the liquid container 14. The ink may be black ink or color ink. The ink stored in the liquid container 14 is pumped to the liquid discharge head 20 by a pump (not shown).

  The controller 12 centrally controls the components of the liquid discharge device 10. The transport mechanism 15 transports the medium 11 in the Y direction under the control of the control device 12. The liquid discharge head 20 discharges the ink supplied from the liquid container 14 to the medium 11 under the control of the control device 12.

  The liquid discharge head 20 is mounted on the carriage 18. A plurality of liquid discharge units 70 are mounted on the liquid discharge head 20. In each of the liquid discharge units 70, two nozzle rows are arranged. Each nozzle row is a set of a plurality of nozzles N linearly arranged along the Y direction (example of the first direction). Each nozzle row is arranged along an X direction (example of a second direction) intersecting (orthogonal) to the Y direction. The number of nozzle rows formed in the liquid discharge unit 70 is not limited to two, and may be one or three or more.

  In the present embodiment, by changing the number of liquid discharge units 70 mounted on the liquid discharge head 20, the number of nozzle rows that discharge ink can be changed without changing the size of the liquid discharge head 20. The plurality of liquid ejection units 70 are disposed along a direction X orthogonal to the Y direction which is the conveyance direction of the medium 11. The liquid discharge head 20 according to the present embodiment can be mounted with up to six liquid discharge portions 70.

  In the present embodiment, the case where four liquid discharge units 70 are mounted is illustrated. When the number of the liquid discharge parts 70 is increased, the number of the liquid discharge parts 70 can be increased to the portion shown by the dashed dotted line in FIG. The number of liquid discharge portions 70 may be three or less, or five or more, but if the number is up to six, the number of nozzle rows can be increased or decreased without changing the size of the liquid discharge head 20. In the present embodiment, although a case in which a space capable of mounting at most six liquid discharge portions 70 is provided is illustrated, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a space in which at least seven liquid discharge portions 70 can be mounted is provided. You may do so.

  The carriage 18 is a structure that accommodates and supports the liquid discharge head 20, and repetitively along the X direction by a moving mechanism (not shown) including a conveyance belt, a motor, and the like under the control of the control device 12. To and from. A desired image is formed on the surface of the medium 11 by the liquid ejection head 20 ejecting ink onto the medium 11 in parallel with the conveyance of the medium 11 by the conveyance mechanism 15 and the repetitive reciprocation of the carriage 18. However, the configurations of the transport mechanism 15 and the carriage 18 are not limited to the above examples. The direction perpendicular to the XY plane (the plane parallel to the surface of the medium 11) is hereinafter referred to as the Z direction. The ejection direction of the ink by the liquid ejection head 20 corresponds to the Z direction.

  The maintenance unit 30 is disposed, for example, in a non-printing area H where the home position (standby position) of the carriage 18 is in the X direction. The maintenance unit 30 performs maintenance of the liquid discharge head 20 when the carriage 18 is in the non-printing area H. The maintenance unit 30 includes a capping mechanism 34 controlled by the controller 12. The capping mechanism 34 includes a cap 342 that can be in contact with the discharge surface FA of the contact member of the liquid discharge head 20. The ejection surface FA is a surface facing the medium 11 and is a surface that exposes the nozzle N. The ejection surface FA is an example of a cap surface on which the cap 342 is abutted. In the present embodiment, a fixing plate 22 shown in FIG. 2 described later functions as an abutting member to which the cap 342 can abut, and a surface on the negative side in the Z direction of the fixing plate 22 functions as a discharge surface FA. In the present embodiment, the fixing plate 22 is exemplified as the contact member having a cap surface to which the cap 342 can contact. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. In the contact configuration, the nozzle plate 74 functions as a contact member, and the ejection surface FA of the nozzle plate 74 facing the medium 11 functions as a cap surface.

  The cap 342 is formed in a box shape opened on the negative side in the Z direction. When the edge on the opening side of the cap 342 abuts on the discharge surface FA, the nozzle N of the discharge surface FA is sealed. The cap 342 of the present embodiment is in contact with the discharge surface FA so as to surround the nozzle rows of all the liquid discharge portions 70. Thus, the nozzle rows of all the liquid discharge sections 70 can be sealed simultaneously with a single cap 342.

  The cap 342 is movable by a motor (not shown) to the negative side in the Z direction contacting the discharge surface FA or the positive side in the Z direction separated from the discharge surface FA. The controller 12 brings the cap 342 into contact with the ejection surface FA to seal the nozzle N. At this time, for example, by suctioning the thickened ink and bubbles from the nozzle N with a suction pump (not shown), these can be discharged to the cap 342. In addition to the capping mechanism 34, the maintenance unit 30 may be provided with a wiping mechanism (not shown) that wipes the ejection surface FA of the liquid ejection head 20 to remove deposits such as ink.

<Liquid discharge head>
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the liquid discharge head 20. As shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of any one liquid discharger 70. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the discharge surface FA of the liquid discharge head 20. As shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which the liquid discharger 70 is attached to the fixed plate 22. As shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the cap 342 abuts on the ejection surface FA. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the liquid discharge head 20 includes a fixed plate 22, a reinforcing plate 24, four liquid discharge portions 70, and a case member 26.

  The fixing plate 22 is a flat material on which the liquid discharge portions 70 are mounted, and is formed of, for example, a highly rigid metal such as stainless steel. The fixed plate 22 is formed with an opening 23 corresponding to each liquid discharge unit 70. Each opening 23 is a substantially rectangular through hole elongated in the X direction in a plan view from the Z direction, and has a size that allows insertion of a nozzle plate 74 shown in FIG. 4 described later. Each liquid discharge portion 70 is joined to the mounting surface FB on the opposite side of the discharge surface FA of the fixed plate 22 so that the nozzles N are exposed from the openings 23.

  The reinforcing plate 24 shown in FIG. 2 is a flat plate material for reinforcing the fixing plate 22 and is formed of, for example, a highly rigid metal such as stainless steel. Openings 25 corresponding to the respective liquid discharge portions 70 are formed in the reinforcing plate 24. Each opening 25 is a substantially rectangular through hole elongated in the X direction in a plan view from the Z direction. Each opening 25 of the reinforcing plate 24 has a size such that each liquid discharge unit 70 is inserted, and is larger than the opening 23 of the fixing plate 22. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, after the reinforcing plate 24 is joined to the mounting surface FB of the fixed plate 22, each liquid discharger 70 is inserted into each opening 25 to discharge each liquid discharger 70. Attach to the FA. By doing this, it is easy to mount each liquid discharger 70 at a predetermined position. Thus, each opening 25 has a function of specifying the arrangement position of each liquid discharger 70.

  The case member 26 illustrated in FIG. 2 is a substantially box-shaped structure that accommodates the liquid discharge units 70. The case member 26 of the present embodiment is joined to the mounting surface FB of the fixing plate 22. As shown in FIG. 6, each liquid discharge portion 70 and the flow path structure 27 are accommodated in the space formed by the fixed plate 22 and the case member 26. The flow path structure 27 is a substantially plate-like structure in which a flow path substrate including an ink flow path, a circuit board including an electric signal wiring, and the like are accommodated. The flow path structure 27 supplies the ink from the liquid container 14 to each liquid ejection unit 70.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in each liquid discharger 70, the pressure chamber forming substrate 72 and the diaphragm 73 are disposed on one surface of the flow path forming substrate 71 by separate members or by one member, and the other surface The head plate has the nozzle plate 74 and the compliance portion 75 disposed by separate members or by one member. The plurality of nozzles N are formed in the nozzle plate 74. In addition, since the structure corresponding to each row of the nozzles N is formed substantially in line symmetry in one liquid discharge portion 70, the following description focuses on one row of the nozzles N for convenience. Explain the structure.

  The flow path forming substrate 71 is a flat plate material that constitutes the flow path of the ink. In the flow path forming substrate 71 of the present embodiment, an opening 712, a supply flow path 714, and a communication flow path 716 are formed. The supply channel 714 and the communication channel 716 are formed for each nozzle N, and the opening 712 is continuous across the plurality of nozzles N. The pressure chamber forming substrate 72 is a flat plate material in which a plurality of openings 722 corresponding to the different nozzles N are formed. The flow path forming substrate 71 and the pressure chamber forming substrate 72 are formed of, for example, a single crystal silicon substrate.

  The compliance unit 75 is a mechanism that suppresses (absorbs) pressure fluctuations in the flow path of the liquid discharge unit 70, and includes a sealing plate 752 and a support 754. The sealing plate 752 is a flexible film-like member, and the support 754 flows through the sealing plate 752 so that the opening 712 of the flow path forming substrate 71 and the respective supply flow paths 714 are closed. It is fixed to the path forming substrate 71.

  A vibrating plate 73 is provided on the surface of the pressure chamber forming substrate 72 opposite to the flow passage forming substrate 71. The diaphragm 73 is a flat plate material that can elastically vibrate, and is formed of a laminate of an elastic film formed of an elastic material such as silicon oxide and an insulating film formed of an insulating material such as zirconium oxide, for example. . The vibrating plate 73 and the flow path forming substrate 71 face each other at an inner side of the openings 722 formed in the pressure chamber forming substrate 72 with a space therebetween. A space sandwiched between the flow path forming substrate 71 and the diaphragm 73 inside each opening 722 functions as a pressure chamber (cavity) C that applies pressure to the ink. The plurality of pressure chambers C are arranged along the X direction.

  A plurality of piezoelectric elements 732 corresponding to different nozzles N are formed on the surface of the vibration plate 73 opposite to the pressure chamber forming substrate 72. Each piezoelectric element 732 is a laminated body in which a piezoelectric body is interposed between electrodes facing each other. The piezoelectric element 732 vibrates together with the vibration plate 73 by the supply of the drive signal, so that the pressure in the pressure chamber C fluctuates and the ink in the pressure chamber C is discharged from the nozzle N. Therefore, the piezoelectric element 732 functions as a drive element that generates a driving force for discharging the ink from the nozzle N. Each piezoelectric element 732 is sealed and protected by a protective plate 76 fixed to the diaphragm 73.

  A support 77 is fixed to the flow path forming substrate 71 and the protective plate 76. The support 77 is integrally formed, for example, by molding a resin material. In the support body 77 of the present embodiment, a space 772 forming a liquid storage chamber (reservoir) R together with the opening portion 712 of the flow path forming substrate 71 and a supply port 774 communicating with the liquid storage chamber R are formed. In the liquid storage chamber R, the ink introduced from the supply port 774 is stored. The ink stored in the liquid storage chamber R is distributed and filled in each pressure chamber C by a plurality of supply flow channels 714, and from each pressure chamber C through the communication flow channel 716 and the nozzle N, the outside (the medium 11 side Is discharged.

  The end of the individual wiring substrate 78 is bonded to the diaphragm 73. The individual wiring substrate 78 is a flexible wiring substrate on which a wiring for transmitting a drive signal and a power supply voltage to each piezoelectric element 732 is formed. An individual wiring board 78 is provided for each of the four liquid discharge portions 70 one by one. Each individual wiring board 78 is connected to a circuit board provided in the flow path structure 27. Wiring of electric signals such as control signals sent from the control device 12 is provided on the circuit board, and a drive circuit (not shown) of the piezoelectric element 732 and the like are mounted.

  Each liquid discharge part 70 comprised as mentioned above is fixed to the mounting surface FB of the fixed plate 22 as shown in FIG. FIG. 4 shows a discharge surface FA of the fixed plate 22 on which four liquid discharge parts 70 are mounted as shown in FIG. The hatched portion in FIG. 4 is the contact area A where the edge 344 of the opening of the cap 342 shown in FIG. 6 contacts the discharge surface FA. As shown in FIG. 4, the contact area A of the cap 342 of the present embodiment is a substantially rectangular area surrounding the nozzle area P in which the nozzle array of each liquid ejection unit 70 is disposed. Therefore, by bringing the edge 344 of the cap 342 into contact with the contact area A of the discharge surface FA, the nozzle rows of the liquid discharge portions 70 can be sealed simultaneously.

  The fixing plate 22 of the present embodiment is sized to mount up to six liquid discharge parts 70, but not less than five liquid discharge parts 70 that do not become maximum, and do not change the size of the cap 342 Since the cap 342 can be made relatively large relative to the nozzle area P, the volume of the cap 342 can also be made large.

  The functions of such an embodiment will be specifically described below. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the four liquid discharge portions 70 are arranged from the positive side to the negative side in the X direction. Therefore, among the contact areas A1 and A2 positioned on both sides of the nozzle area P in the X direction of the discharge surface FA, the inner peripheral edge AI of the contact area A1 on the negative side in the X direction and the plurality of nozzle rows The distance W between the nozzle row closest to the inner peripheral edge AI1 in the X direction is larger than the maximum distance Wm between two nozzle rows adjacent in the X direction. Wm is the distance between the nozzle rows straddling the adjacent liquid discharger 70. The distance between two nozzle rows adjacent to each other in the X direction is also the distance Ws between the two nozzle rows of the liquid discharge unit 70, but the distance Wm between nozzle rows straddling the adjacent liquid discharge units 70 Is the largest.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, X of the sealing area B sealed by the cap 342 (the area inside the inner peripheral edge AI of the contact area A in the ejection surface FA) is X more than the nozzle area P. On the negative side of the direction, the cap 342 is enlarged. As a result, the volume of the cap 342 also increases with respect to the nozzle areas P of the four liquid discharge portions 70. Therefore, the cap 342 is brought into contact with the discharge surface FA to make the inside of the cap 342 negative pressure by maintenance suction operation. At the same time, the amount of ink that can be discharged from the nozzles N can be increased by the amount that can be held by the cap 342, so the moisture retention by the cap 342 can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, in the sealing region B by the cap 342, the region B1 on the negative side in the X direction with respect to the nozzle region P is larger than the region B2 on the positive side in the X direction. The area B1 and the area B2 are areas where the nozzle N is not exposed (an area where the liquid discharge unit 70 is not present). For this reason, if the opening 25 is also formed in the region B1 of the reinforcing plate 24 as in the comparative example shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, as shown in FIG. When a negative pressure is applied, the fixing plate 22 in the opening 25 may be pulled and deformed toward the cap 342 (in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 8).

  So, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5, the opening 25 is formed in the part which opposes the nozzle area P among the reinforcement board 24, and an opening is formed in the part which does not oppose the nozzle area P. The part 25 is not formed. That is, the opening 25 is not formed in the portion of the reinforcing plate 24 that faces the area in which the liquid discharge unit 70 is not disposed (the area B1 on the negative side in the X direction with respect to the nozzle area P in this embodiment). According to such a configuration, the fixing plate 22 can be reinforced by the reinforcing plate 24 even if the cap 342 is enlarged in the X direction and the area to be sucked by the suction operation is expanded in the X direction. Thus, the deformation of the fixing plate 22 can be effectively suppressed by arranging the reinforcing plate 24 also in the easily deformable region. Further, the variation in strength of the fixed plate 22 due to the presence or absence of the nozzle N can be reduced by the presence or absence of the opening 25 of the reinforcing plate 24. For example, the portion of the fixed plate 22 in which the nozzle plate 74 forming the nozzle N is disposed is weaker in strength against the collision of the medium 11 and suction by the cap 342 than the portion in which the nozzle plate 74 is not disposed. Therefore, by not providing the opening 25 for exposing the nozzle N in the portion of the reinforcing plate 24 which does not face the nozzle region P, the strength of the portion of the fixing plate 22 where the strength is weakened It can reinforce with the reinforcement board 24 which does not have.

  In addition, although the fixed plate 22 of this embodiment is an illustration of the lamination member which can reinforce the fixed plate 22, as a lamination member, liquid discharge part 70 itself may be sufficient. For example, the portion B1 of the fixing plate 22 can be reinforced by disposing the dummy liquid discharger 70 which does not discharge the ink in the opening 25 of the area B1 of the sealing region B in FIG. 7. In this case, the pressure chamber forming substrate 72 and the flow path forming substrate 71 of the liquid discharge unit 70 shown in FIG. 3 can also function as the reinforcing plate 24. In the present embodiment, arranging a plurality of pressure chamber forming substrates 72 makes it easy to cope with the change in the number of nozzle rows as compared to the case of arranging a single pressure chamber forming substrate common to each nozzle N. . If a single pressure chamber forming substrate common to the nozzles N is disposed, the size in the X direction also changes depending on the number of nozzle rows, so the kind of parts also increases with the number of nozzle rows. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, even if the number of nozzle rows is increased, the plurality of pressure chamber forming substrates 72 of the same type can be arranged side by side, so the types of parts can be reduced.

  Further, the area in which the reinforcing plate 24 is disposed in the X direction and the Y direction is wider than the contact area A of the cap 342. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the size of the reinforcing plate 24 is substantially the same as the size of the fixing plate 22. Therefore, since the contact area A to which the load of the cap 342 is applied can be reinforced by the reinforcing plate 24, the deformation of the fixing plate 22 due to the load of the cap 342 can be suppressed.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the present embodiment, the center OP of the nozzle area P is shifted to the positive side in the X direction with respect to the center OB of the sealing area B. According to this configuration, the nozzle area (area where the nozzle N is exposed) P in the sealing area B can be arranged to be biased to one side (positive side) in the X direction. Therefore, when the ink is discharged from the nozzle N while moving the liquid discharge head 20 in the X direction as in the present embodiment, the liquid discharge head 20 may be moved so that the nozzle area P is on the top side. it can. Thus, after the cap 342 is removed, the nozzle area P can reach the medium 11 earlier than the area B1 without the nozzle N. Therefore, the ink is discharged onto the medium 11 after the cap 342 is removed. Time can be shortened. The configuration is not limited to the above, and the center OP of the nozzle area P may be shifted to the negative side in the X direction with respect to the center OB of the sealing area B.

<Method of Manufacturing Liquid Ejection Head>
Next, a method of manufacturing the liquid discharge head 20 of the present embodiment will be described. In the liquid discharge head 20 of the present embodiment, the number of nozzle rows can be changed by changing the number of liquid discharge portions 70 mounted on the fixed plate 22. Therefore, in the method of manufacturing the liquid discharge head 20, reinforcing plates 24 having a shape corresponding to the number of nozzle rows exposed from the discharge surface FA of the fixed plate 22 shown in FIG. And 25) laminating the reinforcing plate 24) to the fixing plate 22.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the reinforcing plate 24 is laminated on the fixing plate 22 and adhered with an adhesive, and the liquid discharge portion 70 is disposed in the opening 25 of the reinforcing plate 24 to form an adhesive on the fixing plate 22. Glue with. As described above, since the reinforcing plate 24 has the openings 25 corresponding to the number of the liquid discharge portions 70 (here, corresponding to the number of nozzle rows), the number of the liquid discharge portions 70 may be arranged in each of the openings 25. , The position of the nozzle row is positioned. Therefore, the position of the liquid discharger 70 (nozzle array) can be easily positioned.

  As described above, according to the method of manufacturing the liquid discharge head 20 of the present embodiment, even if the number of the liquid discharge portions 70 changes, the reinforcing plate 24 having a shape corresponding to the number of the liquid discharge portions 70 can be changed. It is possible to easily manufacture liquid discharge heads 20 having different nozzle rows. On the other hand, since the sealing area B of the discharge surface FA does not change depending on the number of nozzle rows, it is not necessary to prepare the caps 342 having different sizes even if the number of nozzle rows changes. The kind can be reduced.

<Capping method of liquid discharge head>
Next, a capping method of the liquid discharge head 20 according to the present embodiment will be described. The capping operation of the liquid discharge head 20 is performed at the time of maintenance of the liquid discharge head 20 described above. In the capping method of the liquid discharge head 20 according to the present embodiment, a step of moving the liquid discharge head 20 relative to the cap 342 to make the cap 342 face the discharge surface FA of the fixed plate 22; Sealing the nozzle array by bringing the cap 342 into contact with the contact area A of the nozzle.

  Specifically, first, the liquid ejection head 20 is moved to the non-printing area H shown in FIG. 1 by the carriage 18 so that the cap 342 is opposed to the ejection surface FA of the fixing plate 22. Although the case where the liquid discharge head 20 is moved relative to the cap 342 is exemplified in the present embodiment, the cap 342 may be moved relative to the liquid discharge head 20.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the cap 342 is raised by the capping mechanism 34 to abut the cap 342 on the contact area A of the discharge surface FA, thereby sealing the nozzle row. As shown in FIG. 5, in the capping mechanism 34 of the present embodiment, the narrowing region B2 of the regions B1 and B2 located on both sides of the nozzle region P in the X direction of the sealing region B of the cap 342. The cap 342 is positioned with reference to the side surface 221 of the fixed plate 22 on the side. That is, the side surface 221 of the fixed plate 22 (contact member), which is a reference for positioning the cap 342, is the nozzle closest to the inner peripheral edge and the inner peripheral edge of the contact area among the side surfaces of the fixed plate 22 in the X direction. The distance in the X direction between the columns is the narrower side. The capping mechanism 34 is provided with a rising wall 346.

  According to this configuration, the capping mechanism 34 is raised, and the position of the carriage 18 in the X direction is adjusted so that the side surface 221 of the fixing plate 22 abuts the inside of the wall 346. Position can be positioned. In this way, after the X direction of the cap 342 is positioned, the cap 342 is raised to bring the cap 342 into contact with the ejection surface FA. By thus positioning the cap 342 in the X direction, even if there is a design variation in the dimension of the cap 342 in the X direction, the cap 342 is displaced to the wider area B1 side. Therefore, the variation in the dimensions of the cap 342 can be absorbed by the wider region B1.

  Subsequently, in a state in which the cap 342 is in contact with the ejection surface FA of the liquid ejection head 20, the inside of the cap 342 is subjected to a negative pressure by the suction operation, whereby the thickened ink or air bubble is discharged from the nozzle N. When maintenance is completed, the cap 342 is lowered by the capping mechanism 34 to separate the cap 342 from the ejection surface FA. At this time, the capping mechanism 34 is also lowered so that the wall 346 is disengaged from the side surface 221 of the fixing plate 22. Thus, printing on the medium 11 can be performed by moving the liquid discharge head 20 in the X direction by the carriage 18.

  As described above, according to the capping method of the liquid discharge head 20 of the present embodiment, the cap 342 is brought into contact with the contact area A of the discharge surface FA to seal the nozzle area P surrounded by the contact area A. Therefore, the nozzle rows of the nozzle area P can be sealed simultaneously. Moreover, while the nozzle area P changes depending on the number of nozzle rows (the number of liquid discharge portions 70), the contact area A does not change depending on the number of nozzle lines. The smaller the proportion, the larger the size of the cap 342 relative to the nozzle area P can be. Therefore, when the cap 342 is brought into contact with the fixing plate 22 and the inside of the cap 342 is made negative by the suction operation, the amount by which the ink discharged from the nozzle N can be held by the cap 342 can also be increased. The moisture retention by the cap 342 can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the center OP of the nozzle area P is shifted to the positive side in the X direction with respect to the center OB of the sealing area B, and one side of the sealing area B in the X direction Although the case where the nozzle area P is biased is illustrated in the above, the present invention is not limited to such an arrangement. For example, the configuration in which the center OP of the nozzle area P is not shifted in the X direction with respect to the center OB of the sealing area B as in the modification of the ejection surface FA of the first embodiment shown in FIG. Configuration). In the configuration of FIG. 9, in the X direction, the distance between the inner peripheral edge AI1 of one of the contact areas A1 and A2 on the both sides of the nozzle area P and the nozzle row closest to the inner peripheral area AI1. W1 is larger than the maximum distance Wm between adjacent nozzle rows. Further, in the second direction, the distance between the inner peripheral edge AI2 of the other contact region A2 of the contact regions A1 and A2 on both sides of the nozzle region P and the nozzle row closest to the inner peripheral edge AI2 is the above It is larger than the maximum interval Wm.

  According to the configuration of FIG. 9, since the cap 342 can be enlarged on both sides in the X direction with respect to the nozzle area P, the volume of the cap 342 can be larger than in the case where only one side in the X direction is enlarged. For this reason, when the inside of the cap 342 is made negative pressure in the suction operation, the amount by which the ink discharged from the nozzle N can be held by the cap 342 can be increased, so the moisture retention by the cap 342 can be further improved. Also, the nozzle row can be moved away from the contact area A of the cap 342. Since ink easily adheres to the contact area A of the cap 342, the possibility of the ink adhering to the contact area A entering the nozzle N can be reduced by moving the nozzle row away from the contact area A of the cap 342 .

  In the liquid discharge head 20 according to the first embodiment described above, the case in which the cap 342 is in contact with the contact area A of the fixing plate 22 is exemplified, but the invention is not limited thereto. For example, as in the modification of the case member 26 shown in FIG. 10, the cap 342 may be in contact with the contact area A of the end face 263 on the lower side (positive side in the Z direction) of the case member 26. FIG. 10 shows the same arrangement as the nozzle area P of FIG. 9, and the fixing plate 22 is supported by the edge 262 of the opening on the negative side in the Z direction of the case member 26, and the end face 263 of the edge 262 is a fixing plate. It is located on the positive side in the Z direction (closer to the medium 11) than the ejection surface FA of 22. In the configuration of FIG. 10, the case member 26 functions as a contact member, and the end face 263 of the edge portion 262 of the case member 26 functions as a cap surface. When the fixing plate 22 of the liquid discharge head 20 is not provided and the nozzle plate 74 constitutes the discharge surface FA, the cap 342 may be in contact with the discharge surface FA of the nozzle plate 74 as a cap surface.

Second Embodiment
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In each of the forms exemplified below, elements having the same actions or functions as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the reference numerals used in the description of the first embodiment, and the detailed description of each is appropriately omitted. 11 and 12 are diagrams showing the configuration of the liquid discharge head according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a plan view showing the discharge surface of the liquid discharge head according to the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII shown in FIG. In the second embodiment, the case where the slits 252 are formed in the portion of the reinforcing plate 24 facing the area B1 where the opening 25 is not formed will be exemplified.

  In the first embodiment described above, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 6, in the reinforcing plate 24 stacked on the fixed plate 22 in the portion facing the nozzle region P (the region in which the liquid discharge portion 70 is disposed) The opening 25 is formed, and the opening 25 is not formed in the reinforcing plate 24 in a portion which does not face the nozzle area P (the area B1 in which the liquid discharge portion 70 is not disposed). Thereby, the strength of the fixed plate 22 is enhanced against the collision of the medium 11 and the suction by the cap 342.

  However, in the reinforcing plate 24 joined to the fixing plate 22, the region without the opening 25 (portion not facing the nozzle region P) is more than the region with the opening 25 (portion facing the nozzle region P) Stress concentration is likely to occur due to the difference in thermal expansion coefficient.

  So, in 2nd Embodiment, the slit 252 along the Y direction is formed in area | region B1 which does not oppose the nozzle area | region P among the reinforcement boards 24. FIG. Thereby, the stress concentration which generate | occur | produces by the difference of a thermal expansion coefficient can be relieve | moderated. In the configurations of FIGS. 11 and 12, the slit 252 is disposed closer to the nozzle area P on one side (negative side in the X direction) sandwiching the nozzle area P. Since stress concentration is likely to occur due to the difference in thermal expansion coefficient in the reinforcing plate 24 near the nozzle region P, the slit 252 is formed in a portion where stress concentration tends to occur, thereby enhancing the effect of alleviating stress concentration. be able to.

  The method of manufacturing the liquid discharge head 20 according to the second embodiment includes the step of forming the opening 25 and the slit 252 in the reinforcing plate 24. Then, the reinforcing plate 24 is adhered to the fixing plate 22 with an adhesive, and the liquid discharge head 20 is disposed in the opening 25 of the reinforcing plate 24 and adhered to the fixing plate 22 with an adhesive. At this time, since the slits 252 are formed in the reinforcing plate 24 in the vicinity of the nozzle region P, the slits 252 can absorb the protrusion of the adhesive applied when the reinforcing plate 24 is fixed. Since this can suppress the adhesive from protruding and spreading, it is also possible to suppress the positional deviation of the liquid discharge unit 70 due to the adhesive protruding. In particular, since the protruding adhesive is likely to spread in the portion of the reinforcing plate 24 not facing the nozzle region P, forming the slits 252 in such a portion effectively spreads the protruding adhesive. Can be suppressed.

  In the second embodiment, the slit 252 is provided on one side of the reinforcing plate 24 in the X direction with respect to the nozzle region P. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the second embodiment shown in FIGS. As in the modification of the above, slits 252 may be provided on both sides of the reinforcing plate 24 with respect to the nozzle area P in the X direction. FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a modification of the discharge surface of the second embodiment, and FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIV-XIV shown in FIG. According to the configurations of FIGS. 13 and 14, stress concentration can be alleviated by the slits 252 on both sides in the X direction with respect to the nozzle region P. Further, the protrusion of the adhesive applied when the reinforcing plate 24 is fixed can be absorbed by the slits 252 on both sides of the nozzle area P in the X direction.

<Modification>
The aspects and embodiments illustrated above may be varied in many ways. The aspect of a specific deformation | transformation is illustrated below. Two or more aspects arbitrarily selected from the following exemplifications and the above-mentioned aspects may be appropriately merged within the scope not mutually contradictory.

(1) In the embodiment described above, the serial head in which the carriage 18 on which the liquid discharge head 20 is mounted is repeatedly reciprocated along the X direction has been exemplified, but a line head in which the liquid discharge heads 20 are arranged across the entire width of the medium 11 The present invention is also applicable.

(2) In the embodiment described above, the piezoelectric liquid discharge head 20 using the piezoelectric element that applies mechanical vibration to the pressure chamber is exemplified, but a heating element that generates air bubbles inside the pressure chamber by heating is used. It is also possible to adopt a thermal liquid discharge head used.

(3) The liquid ejection apparatus 10 exemplified in the above-described embodiment can be adopted to various apparatuses such as a facsimile machine and a copier other than the apparatus dedicated to printing. However, the application of the liquid ejection device 10 of the present invention is not limited to printing. For example, a liquid discharge apparatus that discharges a solution of a coloring material is used as a manufacturing apparatus for forming a color filter of a liquid crystal display device, an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, an FED (surface emitting display), and the like. Moreover, the liquid discharge apparatus which discharges the solution of a conductive material is utilized as a manufacturing apparatus which forms wiring of a wiring board, and an electrode. Moreover, it is utilized also as a chip manufacturing apparatus which discharges the solution of biological organic matter as 1 type of a liquid.

10: liquid discharge device, 11: medium, 12: control device, 14: liquid container, 15: transport device. Structure: 18: Carriage, 20: Liquid discharge head, 22: Fixing plate, 221: Side surface, 23: Opening, 24: Reinforcing plate, 25: Opening, 252: Slit, 26: Case member, 262: Edge, 263: end face, 27: flow path structure, 30: maintenance unit, 34: capping mechanism, 342: cap, 344: edge, 346: wall, 70: liquid discharge portion, 71: flow path forming substrate, 712: opening Sections 714: supply flow paths, 716: communication flow paths, 72: pressure chamber formation substrate, 722: openings, 73: diaphragms, 732: piezoelectric elements, 74: nozzle plates, 75: compliance parts, 752: seals Plate 754: Support body 76: Protective plate 77: Support body 772: Space 774: Supply port 78: Individual wiring board A (A1, A2): Contact area, AI1, AI2: Inner peripheral edge, B (B1, 2) Sealing area, C: Pressure chamber, FA: Discharge surface, FB: Mounting surface, H: Non-printing area, N: Nozzle, OB: Center, OP: Center, P: Nozzle area, R: Liquid storage chamber , Wm ... maximum interval.

Claims (17)

A plurality of nozzle rows in which a plurality of nozzles for discharging liquid are arrayed along a first direction;
And a contact member having a cap surface against which a cap for sealing the plurality of nozzle rows can contact.
The plurality of nozzle rows are arranged along a second direction intersecting the first direction,
The cap surface has an abutment area with which an edge on the opening side of the cap abuts so as to surround a nozzle area where the plurality of nozzle rows are exposed,
An inner peripheral edge of at least one contact region of the contact region located on both sides across the nozzle region in the second direction, and a nozzle closest to the inner peripheral edge in the second direction among the plurality of nozzle rows A distance between the row and the second direction is larger than a maximum distance between the two nozzle rows adjacent in the second direction in the second direction. The liquid discharge head according to claim 1, further comprising: a stacking member stacked on a surface opposite to the cap surface in the contact member. The liquid discharge head according to claim 2, wherein a region where the stacked member is disposed in the first direction and the second direction is wider than the contact region. A region inside the inner peripheral edge at the cap surface is a sealing region sealed by the cap,
The liquid discharge head according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the center of the nozzle area is offset in the second direction with respect to the center of the sealing area. Of the side surfaces of the contact member in the second direction, the side surface having a narrower distance in the second direction between the inner peripheral edge and the nozzle row closest to the inner peripheral edge is for positioning the cap The liquid discharge head according to claim 4, which is a standard of The distance in the second direction between the inner peripheral edge of each of the contact regions located on both sides of the nozzle region in the second direction and the nozzle row closest to the inner peripheral edge in the second direction is The liquid discharge head according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which is larger than the maximum interval. A portion of the laminated member facing the nozzle region has an opening that exposes the nozzle,
The liquid discharge head according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein a portion of the laminated member not facing the nozzle area does not have an opening for exposing the nozzle. The liquid discharge head according to claim 7, wherein a slit having a width smaller than that of the opening is formed in a portion not facing the nozzle region in the stacking member. 9. The liquid discharge head according to claim 8, wherein the slits are disposed closer to the nozzle area on both sides or one side of the laminating member in the second direction sandwiching the nozzle area in a portion not facing the nozzle area. The plurality of pressure chamber forming substrates for forming pressure chambers communicating with the nozzles are arranged in the second direction on the inner side than the contact region, according to any one of claims 1 to 9. Liquid discharge head. The method for capping a liquid discharge head according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein
Moving the liquid discharge head relative to the cap so that the cap faces the cap surface of the abutment member;
Sealing the nozzle row by bringing the cap into contact with the contact area of the cap surface. The capping method according to claim 11, wherein the cap is in contact with the contact area such that the center of the nozzle area is shifted in the second direction with respect to the center of the sealing area. Of the side surfaces of the contact member in the second direction, the distance between the inner peripheral edge and the nozzle row closest to the inner peripheral edge in the second direction is based on the side surface of the contact member with the narrower side. 13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the cap is brought into contact with the contact area after positioning the cap. A method of manufacturing a liquid discharge head according to any one of claims 2 to 10, wherein
Laminating the laminated member having a shape corresponding to the number of the nozzle rows exposed from the cap surface of the abutting member on the abutting member;
The manufacturing method of the liquid discharge head which does not change the sealing area | region of the said cap surface sealed by the said cap with the number of the said 1st nozzle row. The method of manufacturing a liquid discharge head according to claim 14, wherein the stacking member has an opening corresponding to the number of the nozzle rows. A portion of the laminated member facing the nozzle region has the openings corresponding to the number of the nozzle rows, and a portion not facing the nozzle region has a slit narrower than the opening. Have
The method for manufacturing a liquid discharge head according to claim 15, wherein the laminating member is adhered to the abutting member with an adhesive as a reinforcing plate for reinforcing the abutting member. A transport mechanism for transporting the medium;
A liquid discharge apparatus comprising: the liquid discharge head according to any one of claims 1 to 10, which discharges a liquid to the medium.

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