JP2019104152A - Liquid discharge head, liquid discharge unit, and liquid discharge device - Google Patents

Abstract

To arrange dampers without providing an exclusive damper chamber.SOLUTION: A liquid discharge head includes: a plurality of nozzles 4 for discharging liquid; a plurality of individual liquid chambers 6 which lead to each of the nozzles 4; one or a plurality of liquid introduction sections 8 which lead to the plurality of individual liquid chambers 6; and a common liquid chamber 10 which leads to the plurality of individual liquid chambers 6 through the liquid introduction sections 8. Dampers 19 forming a displaceable wall surface of the common liquid chamber 10 are arranged between the common liquid chamber 10 and the liquid introduction sections 8. Surfaces of the dampers 19 on an opposite side of the common liquid chamber 10 face the liquid introduction sections 8. The liquid introduction sections 8 to be flow passages also serve as damper chambers (damper recesses) for enabling displacement of the dampers 19.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid discharge head, a liquid discharge unit, and a device for discharging a liquid.

  As a liquid discharge head for discharging a liquid, one that absorbs and suppresses pressure fluctuation propagating in the common liquid chamber as the liquid is discharged is known as a wall surface capable of displacing a part of the wall surface of the common liquid chamber.

  For example, conventionally, a pressure generating chamber communicating with a nozzle opening and a sealing plate for closing an opening of a liquid storage chamber for storing a liquid supplied to the pressure generating chamber, and a sealing plate disposed on the opposite side to the liquid storage chamber A head case is formed, a recess for damper (damper chamber) is formed in a portion corresponding to the liquid storage chamber of the head case, a recess is also provided on the sealing plate side corresponding to the damper chamber, and partial displacement is possible There is one that is (Patent Document 1).

Patent No. 4285453

  However, in the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is a problem that the head case must be provided with a dedicated damper chamber (recess for damper) for allowing displacement of a portion to be the damper of the sealing plate. is there.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has an object of arranging a damper without providing a dedicated damper chamber.

In order to solve the above problems, a liquid discharge head according to the present invention is
A plurality of nozzles for discharging liquid,
A plurality of individual liquid chambers respectively communicating with the nozzles;
One or more liquid inlets leading to the plurality of individual liquid chambers;
A common liquid chamber communicating with the plurality of individual liquid chambers via the liquid introduction unit;
A damper that forms a displaceable wall surface of the common liquid chamber is disposed between the common liquid chamber and the liquid introduction portion.

  According to the present invention, the damper can be disposed without providing a dedicated damper chamber.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of the liquid discharge head according to the first embodiment of the present invention in the direction orthogonal to the nozzle arrangement direction. It is cross-sectional explanatory drawing which follows the nozzle array direction in the X1-X1 line of FIG. 1 of the head. It is a principal part plane explanatory view of the head. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of the liquid discharge head according to the second embodiment of the present invention in the direction orthogonal to the nozzle arrangement direction. It is principal part plane explanatory drawing of the liquid discharge head which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is principal part plane explanatory drawing of the liquid discharge head which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is principal part plane explanatory drawing of the liquid discharge head which concerns on 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is principal part plane explanatory drawing of the liquid discharge head which concerns on 6th Embodiment of this invention. It is principal part plane explanatory drawing of the liquid discharge head which concerns on 7th Embodiment of this invention. It is principal part plane explanatory drawing of the liquid discharge head which concerns on 8th Embodiment of this invention. It is principal part plane explanatory drawing of the liquid discharge head which concerns on 9th Embodiment of this invention. It is principal part plane explanatory drawing of an example of the apparatus which discharges the liquid which concerns on this invention. It is principal part side explanatory drawing of the same apparatus. It is principal part plane explanatory drawing of the other example of the liquid discharge unit which concerns on this invention. It is front explanatory drawing of the further another example of the liquid discharge unit which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic explanatory drawing of the other example of the apparatus which discharges the liquid which concerns on this invention. It is plane explanatory drawing of the head unit of the same apparatus. FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining an example of a liquid circulation system in the same device.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. A liquid discharge head according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of the liquid discharge head in a direction orthogonal to the nozzle arrangement direction, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional explanatory view along the nozzle arrangement direction at line X1-X1 of FIG. 1 of the head, and FIG. FIG.

  The liquid discharge head laminates and joins the nozzle plate 1, the flow path plate 2, and the diaphragm member 3 as a wall surface member. Further, the piezoelectric actuator 11 for displacing the vibration area (diaphragm) 30 of the diaphragm member 3 and the common liquid chamber member 20 which also serves as a frame member of the head are provided.

  The nozzle plate 1 has a plurality of nozzles 4 for discharging a liquid.

  The flow passage plate 2 is provided with a plurality of individual liquid chambers 6 respectively communicating with the plurality of nozzles 4 and a plurality of fluid resistance portions 7 forming one or more supply flow paths respectively communicating with the plurality of individual liquid chambers 6 Form one or more liquid introduction portions 8 leading to the The flow channel plate 2 is configured by laminating three plate members 2A to 2C.

  The diaphragm member 3 has a deformable vibration area 30 which forms a wall surface of the individual liquid chamber 6 of the flow channel plate 2. Here, the diaphragm member 3 has a two-layer structure (not limited), and is formed of a first layer 3A forming a thin portion from the flow path plate 2 side and a second layer 3B forming a thick portion, A deformable vibration area 30 is formed in a portion corresponding to the individual liquid chamber 6 in the layer 3A.

  Then, on the opposite side of the diaphragm member 3 to the individual liquid chamber 6, a piezoelectric actuator 11 including an electromechanical transducer as a drive unit (actuator unit, pressure generation unit) for deforming the vibration area 30 of the diaphragm member 3 is It is arranged.

  The piezoelectric actuator 11 is grooved by half-cut dicing on the piezoelectric member joined on the base member 13 to form a required number of columnar piezoelectric elements 12 in a comb-tooth shape at predetermined intervals in the nozzle arrangement direction. ing.

  Then, the piezoelectric element 12 is joined to a convex portion 30 a which is an island-shaped thick portion formed in the vibration area (diaphragm) 30 of the diaphragm member 3.

  The piezoelectric element 12 is formed by alternately laminating a piezoelectric layer and an internal electrode, and the internal electrode is drawn to the end face to provide an external electrode, and the flexible wiring member 15 is connected to the external electrode.

  The common liquid chamber member 20 forms a common liquid chamber 10, and a supply port 21 for supplying liquid from the outside is in communication with the common liquid chamber 10.

  The common liquid chamber 10 is in communication with the liquid introducing portion 8 through the opening 9 which is a flow path provided in the diaphragm member 3 and is in communication with the plurality of individual liquid chambers 6 through the liquid introducing portion 8.

  In the liquid discharge head configured as described above, for example, the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element 12 is lowered from the reference potential (intermediate potential) so that the piezoelectric element 12 contracts and the vibration area 30 of the diaphragm member 3 is pulled to separate the liquid As the volume of the chamber 6 expands, the liquid flows into the individual liquid chamber 6.

  Thereafter, the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element 12 is increased to elongate the piezoelectric element 12 in the stacking direction, and the vibration area 30 of the diaphragm member 3 is deformed in the direction toward the nozzle 4 to shrink the volume of the individual liquid chamber 6. Thus, the liquid in the individual liquid chamber 6 is pressurized, and the liquid is discharged from the nozzle 4.

  The method of driving the head is not limited to the above-described example (pull-push), and depending on the drive waveform, it is possible to perform pull or push.

  Next, the arrangement configuration of the damper in the present embodiment will be described.

  In the present embodiment, a damper 19 that forms a displaceable wall surface of the common liquid chamber 10 is disposed between the common liquid chamber 10 and the liquid introduction unit 8. The surface on the opposite side to the common liquid chamber 10 of the damper 19 faces the liquid introduction portion 8, and the damper chamber (recess for the damper) which enables the displacement of the damper 19 doubles as the liquid introduction portion 8 which is a flow path. ing. Here, the damper 19 is formed of the first layer 3A constituting the thin portion of the diaphragm member 3.

  In the damper 19, one side 19 a of the common liquid chamber 10 in the longitudinal direction (arrangement direction of the nozzles 4) is fixed between the flow path plate 2 and the common liquid chamber member 20. One side 19 a in the longitudinal direction of the common liquid chamber 10 is a side closer to the individual liquid chamber 6, and the other side 19 b in the longitudinal direction forms the periphery of the opening 9.

  In this configuration, the displaceable damper 19 forming the wall surface of the common liquid chamber 10 is adjacent to the opening 9 passing through the common liquid chamber 10 and the liquid introduction portion 8 in the direction along the in-plane direction of the damper 19. It will be arranged.

  As a result, the vibration propagated from the individual liquid chamber 6 to the common liquid chamber 10 as the liquid is discharged is absorbed or suppressed by the displacement of the damper 19.

  And, by disposing the damper 19 between the common liquid chamber 10 and the liquid introduction portion 8, the liquid introduction portion 8 to be the flow path can also serve as the damper chamber (recess portion for damper). The damper 19 can be arranged without providing a dedicated damper chamber separately.

  In this case, one liquid introducing unit 8 may be connected to a plurality of individual liquid chambers 6 instead of one liquid introducing unit 8 being connected to one individual liquid chamber 6. With this configuration, the width of the common liquid chamber longitudinal direction (the nozzle arrangement direction) of one liquid introduction portion 8 is increased, the area of the damper 19 corresponding to one liquid introduction portion 8 is increased, and displacement is easy. become.

  Next, a liquid discharge head according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the liquid discharge head in the direction orthogonal to the nozzle arrangement direction.

  This liquid discharge head is a circulation type head, and includes a nozzle plate 1, a flow path plate 2, a diaphragm member 3 as a wall member, a piezoelectric actuator 11, and a common liquid chamber member 20.

  The flow path plate 2 forms a plurality of individual liquid chambers 6 respectively communicating with the plurality of nozzles 4 via the nozzle communication path 5, a plurality of fluid resistance sections 7 on the supply side, and one or a plurality of liquid introduction sections 8 doing. Further, the flow channel plate 2 forms a discharge-side individual flow passage 56 communicating with the plurality of individual liquid chambers 6 via the nozzle communication passage 5 and one or more liquid lead-out portions 58 communicating with the discharge-side individual flow passage 56. doing.

  The common liquid chamber member 20 forms a common liquid chamber 10 on the supply side and a common liquid chamber 50 on the discharge side. The common liquid chamber 10 on the supply side communicates with the liquid introduction unit 8 through the opening 9 on the supply side provided in the diaphragm member 3. The common liquid chamber 50 on the discharge side communicates with the liquid lead-out portion 58 through an opening 59 on the discharge side provided in the diaphragm member 3.

  Further, the common liquid chamber 10 on the supply side is connected to the external circulation path via the supply port 21, and the common liquid chamber 50 on the discharge side is connected to the external circulation path via the discharge port 22.

  In the circulation type liquid discharge head, the liquid in the individual liquid chamber 6 is pressurized by driving the piezoelectric element 12 as in the first embodiment, and the liquid is discharged from the nozzle 4.

  At this time, the liquid not discharged from the nozzle 4 is discharged from the discharge-side individual flow passage 56, the liquid lead-out portion 58, and the discharge-side opening 59 into the common liquid chamber 50 on the discharge side. It is again supplied to the common liquid chamber 10 on the supply side through the circulation path.

  Further, even when the liquid discharge operation for discharging the liquid from the nozzle 4 is not performed, the opening 9 on the supply side from the common liquid chamber 10 on the supply side, the liquid introduction unit 8, the fluid resistance unit 7, the individual liquid chamber 6, the nozzle It is discharged to the common liquid chamber 50 on the discharge side through the communication passage 5, the discharge side individual flow passage 56, the liquid lead-out portion 58, and the opening 59 on the discharge side, and from the common liquid chamber 50 on the discharge side to the supply side through the external circulation path. It is again supplied to the common liquid chamber 10.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a damper 69 that forms a displaceable wall surface of the common liquid chamber 50 on the discharge side is disposed between the common liquid chamber 50 on the discharge side and the liquid lead-out portion 58. The surface of the damper 59 opposite to the common liquid chamber 50 faces the liquid lead-out portion 58, and the damper chamber (damper concave portion) which enables the displacement of the damper 59 serves as the liquid lead-out portion 58 which is a flow path. ing. Here, the damper 69 is formed of the first layer 3A constituting the thin portion of the diaphragm member 3.

  In the damper 69, one side in the longitudinal direction of the common liquid chamber 50 on the discharge side is fixed between the flow path plate 2 and the common liquid chamber member 20. Here, one side in the longitudinal direction of the common liquid chamber 50 on the discharge side is one side opposite to the opening 59 on the discharge side.

  In this configuration, the displaceable damper 69 forming the wall surface of the common liquid chamber 50 on the discharge side communicates the common liquid chamber 50 on the discharge side and the liquid lead-out portion 58 in the direction along the in-plane direction of the damper 69. It will be disposed adjacent to the opening 59.

  As a result, the vibration transmitted from the individual liquid chamber 6 to the common liquid chamber 50 on the discharge side through the discharge side individual flow channel 56 along with the liquid discharge is absorbed or suppressed by the displacement of the damper 69.

  And, by arranging the damper 69 between the common liquid chamber 50 on the discharge side and the liquid lead-out portion 58, the liquid lead-out portion 58 which becomes the flow path can also serve as the damper chamber (recess portion for damper) The damper 59 can be disposed without providing a dedicated damper chamber separately.

  The arrangement and the like of the damper 19 on the supply side are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  Next, a liquid discharge head according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is an explanatory plan view of the main part of the liquid discharge head.

  In the present embodiment, both ends 19 c and 19 d in the longitudinal direction of the common liquid chamber 10 of the damper 19 are fixed between the flow path plate 2 and the common liquid chamber member 20.

  Thereby, the displacement of the damper 19 is facilitated, and the vibration absorbing characteristic is improved.

  Next, a liquid discharge head according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the main part of the liquid discharge head.

  In the present embodiment, one side 19 a in the longitudinal direction of the common liquid chamber 10 of the damper 19 is fixed between the flow path plate 2 and the common liquid chamber member 20. Further, the other side 19 b in the longitudinal direction of the damper 19 is partially fixed between the flow passage plate 2 and the common liquid chamber member 20 via the plurality of bridge portions 19 A.

  As a result, the displacement of the damper 19 is facilitated to improve the vibration absorption characteristics, and the rigidity of the damper 19 is increased.

  Next, a liquid discharge head according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is an explanatory plan view of the main part of the liquid discharge head.

  In the present embodiment, both ends 19 c and 19 d in the longitudinal direction of the common liquid chamber 10 of the damper 19 are fixed between the flow path plate 2 and the common liquid chamber member 20. A plurality of bridge portions 19A are partially provided on one side 19a and the other side 19b in the longitudinal direction of the common liquid chamber 10 of the damper 19, and the bridge portion 19A is used as the flow path plate 2 and the common liquid chamber member 20. It is fixed between and.

  As a result, the displacement of the damper 19 is facilitated to improve the vibration absorption characteristics, and the rigidity of the damper 19 is increased.

  Next, a liquid discharge head according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a plan view of the main part of the liquid discharge head.

  In this embodiment, a plurality of bridge portions 19A are partially provided on one side 19a and the other side 19b in the longitudinal direction of the common liquid chamber 10 of the damper 19 and both ends 19c in the longitudinal direction (the same applies to 19d). The bridging portion 19A is fixed between the flow path plate 2 and the common liquid chamber member 20, and the outer peripheral portion is partially fixed.

  As a result, the displacement of the damper 19 is facilitated to improve the vibration absorption characteristics, and the rigidity of the damper 19 is increased.

  Next, a liquid discharge head according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a plan view of the main part of the liquid discharge head.

  In the present embodiment, the common liquid chamber 10 and the liquid introduction unit 8 are communicated via the filter 90 instead of the simple opening 9. A filter hole 90 a having a diameter smaller than the hole diameter of the nozzle 4 is formed in the filter 90.

  The filter 90 is also constituted by the first layer 3 A of the diaphragm member 3, and the damper 19 and the filter 90 are arranged adjacent to each other in the in-plane direction of the damper 19.

  Thus, by forming the damper 19 and the filter 90 by the same member (first layer 3A) and arranging them adjacent to each other, the rigidity of the damper 19 is increased.

  Next, a liquid discharge head according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is an explanatory plan view of the main part of the liquid discharge head.

  In the present embodiment, as in the seventh embodiment, the damper 19 and the filter 90 are disposed between the common liquid chamber 10 and the liquid introduction unit 8. The damper 19 is provided with a through hole 91 having a diameter smaller than the diameter (filter hole diameter) of the filter hole 90 a of the filter 90.

  By using such a configuration, when using a liquid having a viscosity that can not pass through the through hole 91 of the damper 19, the damper 19 functions as a damper, and when using a liquid that can pass through the through hole 91, the common liquid chamber 10 is used. The fluid resistance to the fluid inlet 8 can be reduced.

  Next, a liquid discharge head according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a plan view of the main part of the liquid discharge head.

  In the present embodiment, as in the seventh embodiment, the damper 19 and the filter 90 are disposed between the common liquid chamber 10 and the liquid introduction unit 8. The damper 19 is provided with a through hole 92 having the same diameter as the diameter (filter hole diameter) of the filter hole 90 a of the filter 90.

  At this time, the through holes 92 are formed such that the total opening area of the plurality of through holes 92 of the damper 19 is smaller than the total opening area of the plurality of filter holes 90 a of the filter 90.

  By using such a configuration, when using a liquid having a viscosity that can not pass through the through hole 92 of the damper 19 as in the eighth embodiment, the damper 19 functions as a damper, and a liquid that can pass through the through hole 92 In the case of using the above, the fluid resistance between the common liquid chamber 10 and the liquid introduction unit 8 can be reduced.

  The third to ninth embodiments can be similarly applied to the circulation type liquid discharge head of the second embodiment.

  Next, an example of the apparatus for discharging a liquid according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13. FIG. 12 is an explanatory plan view of an essential part of the apparatus, and FIG. 13 is an explanatory side view of an essential part of the apparatus.

  This apparatus is a serial type apparatus, and the carriage 403 reciprocally moves in the main scanning direction by the main scanning movement mechanism 493. The main scanning movement mechanism 493 includes a guide member 401, a main scanning motor 405, a timing belt 408, and the like. The guide member 401 is bridged by the left and right side plates 491A and 491B and holds the carriage 403 movably. Then, the carriage 403 is reciprocated in the main scanning direction via the timing belt 408 bridged between the drive pulley 406 and the driven pulley 407 by the main scanning motor 405.

  On the carriage 403, a liquid discharge unit 440 in which a liquid discharge head 404 and a head tank 441 according to the present invention are integrated is mounted. The liquid ejection head 404 of the liquid ejection unit 440 ejects, for example, liquid of each color of yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), and black (K). Further, the liquid discharge head 404 has a nozzle row consisting of a plurality of nozzles arranged in the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction, and is mounted with the discharge direction downward.

  The liquid stored in the liquid cartridge 450 is supplied to the head tank 441 by the supply mechanism 494 for supplying the liquid stored in the outside of the liquid discharge head 404 to the liquid discharge head 404.

  The supply mechanism 494 includes a cartridge holder 451 as a filling unit for mounting the liquid cartridge 450, a tube 456, a liquid feeding unit 452 including a liquid feeding pump, and the like. The liquid cartridge 450 is detachably mounted to the cartridge holder 451. The liquid is fed from the liquid cartridge 450 to the head tank 441 by the liquid feeding unit 452 via the tube 456.

  The apparatus includes a transport mechanism 495 for transporting the sheet 410. The transport mechanism 495 includes a transport belt 412 which is transport means, and a sub scanning motor 416 for driving the transport belt 412.

  The conveyance belt 412 adsorbs the sheet 410 and conveys the sheet 410 at a position facing the liquid discharge head 404. The conveyance belt 412 is an endless belt and is stretched between the conveyance roller 413 and the tension roller 414. The adsorption can be performed by electrostatic adsorption or air suction.

  The conveyance belt 412 rotates in the sub-scanning direction as the conveyance roller 413 is rotationally driven by the sub-scanning motor 416 via the timing belt 417 and the timing pulley 418.

  Further, on one side of the carriage 403 in the main scanning direction, a maintenance recovery mechanism 420 for maintaining and recovering the liquid discharge head 404 is disposed on the side of the transport belt 412.

  The maintenance and recovery mechanism 420 includes, for example, a cap member 421 for capping the nozzle surface (surface on which the nozzle is formed) of the liquid discharge head 404, a wiper member 422 for wiping the nozzle surface, and the like.

  The main scanning movement mechanism 493, the supply mechanism 494, the maintenance recovery mechanism 420, and the transport mechanism 495 are attached to a housing including the side plates 491A and 491B and the back plate 491C.

  In this apparatus configured as described above, the sheet 410 is fed and adsorbed onto the conveyance belt 412, and the sheet 410 is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction by the circumferential movement of the conveyance belt 412.

Therefore, the liquid ejection head 404 is driven according to the image signal while moving the carriage 403 in the main scanning direction, thereby ejecting the liquid onto the stopped sheet 410 to form an image.

  As described above, in this apparatus, since the liquid discharge head according to the present invention is provided, a high quality image can be stably formed.

  Next, another example of the liquid discharge unit according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is an explanatory plan view of the main part of the unit.

  Among the members constituting the device for discharging the liquid, the liquid discharge unit includes a housing portion constituted by the side plates 491A and 491B and the back plate 491C, the main scanning movement mechanism 493, the carriage 403, and the liquid It comprises the discharge head 404.

  It is also possible to configure a liquid discharge unit in which at least one of the aforementioned maintenance and recovery mechanism 420 and the supply mechanism 494 is further attached to, for example, the side plate 491B of this liquid discharge unit.

  Next, still another example of the liquid discharge unit according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 15 is a front view of the unit.

  The liquid discharge unit includes a liquid discharge head 404 to which a flow path component 444 is attached, and a tube 456 connected to the flow path component 444.

  The channel component 444 is disposed inside the cover 442. Instead of the flow path component 444, a head tank 441 can be included. Further, a connector 443 electrically connected to the liquid discharge head 404 is provided on the upper portion of the flow path component 444.

  Next, another example of the apparatus for discharging a liquid according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 16 is a schematic explanatory view of the apparatus, and FIG. 17 is a plan explanatory view of a head unit of the apparatus.

  This apparatus discharges the liquid to the continuous medium 510 by carrying-in means 501 for carrying in the continuous medium 510, guiding and conveying means 503 for guiding and conveying the continuous medium 510 carried in from the carrying-in means 501 to the printing means 505. A printing unit 505 that performs printing for forming an image, a drying unit 507 that dries the continuous medium 510, and a discharge unit 509 that discharges the continuous medium 510 are provided.

  The continuous medium 510 is delivered from the original winding roller 511 of the loading means 501, guided and transported by the loading means 501, the guide transporting means 503, the drying means 507, and the discharging means 509, and the winding roller 591 of the discharging means 509. It is rolled up at

  The continuous medium 510 is conveyed by the printing unit 505 on the conveyance guide member 559 so as to face the head unit 550 and the head unit 555, and an image is formed by the liquid ejected from the head unit 550. Post-treatment is carried out with the processing solution to be treated.

  Here, the head unit 550 is, for example, a full line type head array 551K, 551C, 551M, 551Y for four colors from the upstream side in the medium conveyance direction (hereinafter referred to as “head array 551” when color is not distinguished. ) Are arranged.

  Each head array 551 is a liquid ejection unit, and ejects the liquids of black K, cyan C, magenta M, and yellow Y to the continuous medium 510 conveyed. The type and number of colors are not limited to this.

  The head array 551 is, for example, a plurality of liquid discharge heads (also referred to simply as “heads”) 1000 according to the present invention arranged in a zigzag on the base member 552, but the present invention is not limited thereto. .

  Next, an example of a liquid circulation system in this device will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 18 is a block diagram for explaining the system.

  The liquid circulation system 630 includes a main tank 602, a head 1000, a supply tank 631, a circulation tank 632, a compressor 633, a vacuum pump 634, a first liquid feed pump 635, a second liquid feed pump 636, a supply side pressure sensor 637, and a circulation side. The pressure sensor 638 includes regulators (R) 639a and 639b.

  The supply-side pressure sensor 637 is connected between the supply tank 631 and the head 1000 and to a supply-side flow path connected to the supply port of the head 1000. The circulation side pressure sensor 638 is connected between the head 1000 and the circulation tank 632 and in the discharge side flow path connected to the discharge port of the head 1000.

  One of the circulation tanks 632 is connected to the supply tank 631 via the first liquid feed pump 635, and the other one of the circulation tanks 632 is connected to the main tank 602 via the second liquid feed pump 636.

  As a result, liquid flows from the supply tank 631 into the head 1000 through the supply port 71, is discharged from the discharge port 72, and is discharged to the circulation tank 632. Then, the liquid is circulated by the liquid being sent from the circulation tank 632 to the supply tank 631 by the first liquid feeding pump 635.

  Further, a compressor 633 is connected to the supply tank 631 and is controlled so that a predetermined positive pressure is detected by the supply side pressure sensor 637. On the other hand, a vacuum pump 634 is connected to the circulation tank 632 and is controlled so that a predetermined negative pressure is detected by the circulation side pressure sensor 638.

  This allows the negative pressure of the meniscus to be kept constant while circulating the liquid through the head 1000.

  In addition, when the liquid is discharged from the nozzle 4 of the head 1000, the amount of liquid in the supply tank 631 and the circulation tank 632 decreases. Therefore, the second liquid feed pump 636 is used to replenish the liquid from the main tank 602 to the circulation tank 632 as appropriate. The timing of liquid replenishment from the main tank 602 to the circulation tank 632 is such that the liquid level provided in the circulation tank 632 is such that liquid replenishment is performed when the liquid level in the circulation tank 632 falls below a predetermined height. It can control by the detection result of a sensor etc.

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

  Use a piezoelectric actuator (laminated piezoelectric element and thin film piezoelectric element), a thermal actuator using an electrothermal transducer such as a heating resistor, an electrostatic actuator consisting of a diaphragm and a counter electrode, etc. as an energy source to discharge liquid It includes what you do.

  The “liquid discharge unit” is a liquid discharge head in which functional parts and mechanisms are integrated, and includes an assembly of parts related to the discharge of liquid. For example, the “liquid discharge unit” includes a combination of at least one of the configuration of a head tank, a carriage, a supply mechanism, a maintenance recovery mechanism, and a main scanning movement mechanism with a liquid discharge head.

  Here, integration means, for example, one in which the liquid discharge head and the functional component or mechanism are fixed to each other by fastening, bonding, engagement or the like, or one in which one is held movably with respect to the other. Including. In addition, the liquid discharge head, the functional components, and the mechanism may be configured to be removable from each other.

  For example, there is a liquid discharge unit in which a liquid discharge head and a head tank are integrated. In addition, there is one in which the liquid discharge head and the head tank are integrated by being connected to each other by a tube or the like. Here, it is possible to add a unit including a filter between the head tank of these liquid discharge units and the liquid discharge head.

  Further, as a liquid discharge unit, there is one in which a liquid discharge head and a carriage are integrated.

  Further, as a liquid discharge unit, there is one in which the liquid discharge head is movably held by a guide member constituting a part of the scanning movement mechanism, and the liquid discharge head and the scanning movement mechanism are integrated. In addition, there is one in which the liquid discharge head, the carriage, and the main scanning movement mechanism are integrated.

  Further, as a liquid discharge unit, there is one in which a cap member which is a part of a maintenance recovery mechanism is fixed to a carriage attached with a liquid discharge head, and the liquid discharge head, the carriage and the maintenance recovery mechanism are integrated. .

  Further, as a liquid discharge unit, there is one in which a tube is connected to a liquid discharge head to which a head tank or a flow path part is attached, and the liquid discharge head and the supply mechanism are integrated. The liquid of the liquid storage source is supplied to the liquid discharge head through the tube.

  The main scanning movement mechanism also includes a single guide member. The supply mechanism also includes a single tube and a single loading unit.

The “device for discharging liquid” includes a liquid discharge head or a liquid discharge unit, and includes a device which drives the liquid discharge head to discharge the liquid. The device for discharging the liquid includes not only a device capable of discharging the liquid to those to which the liquid can adhere, but also a device for discharging the liquid into the air or into the liquid.

  This "device for discharging liquid" can also include means related to feeding, transporting, and discharging of those to which the liquid can be attached, as well as a pre-processing device, a post-processing device, and the like.

  For example, as a “device for discharging a liquid”, an image forming device which is a device for discharging an ink to form an image on a sheet, and forming a powder in layers to form a three-dimensional object (three-dimensional object) There is a three-dimensional modeling apparatus (three-dimensional modeling apparatus) which discharges a modeling liquid to the powder layer.

  Further, the “device for discharging liquid” is not limited to a device in which a significant image such as characters and figures is visualized by the discharged liquid. For example, those which form patterns having no meaning per se and those which form three-dimensional images are included.

  The above-mentioned "thing to which liquid can be attached" means one to which liquid can be attached at least temporarily, which adheres and adheres, and adheres and penetrates. Specific examples include recording media such as paper, recording paper, recording paper, film, cloth, electronic substrates, electronic components such as piezoelectric elements, and media such as powder layers (powder layers), organ models, and inspection cells. Yes, and unless otherwise specified, all things to which the liquid adheres are included.

  The material of the above-mentioned "thing to which liquid can adhere" may be any liquid such as paper, yarn, fiber, fabric, leather, metal, plastic, glass, wood, ceramics, etc. as long as it temporarily adheres thereto.

  Further, as the “device for discharging the liquid”, there is a device in which the liquid discharge head and the device to which the liquid can be attached relatively move, but it is not limited to this. Specific examples include a serial type device that moves the liquid discharge head, a line type device that does not move the liquid discharge head, and the like.

  In addition, as the “apparatus for discharging liquid”, there is also provided a processing liquid application apparatus for discharging a processing liquid onto a sheet in order to apply the processing liquid to the surface of the sheet for the purpose of reforming the surface of the sheet. There is an injection granulator which granulates the fine particles of the raw material by injecting a composition liquid in which the raw material is dispersed in a solution through a nozzle.

  In the terms of the present application, image formation, recording, printing, printing, printing, modeling and the like are all synonymous.

Reference Signs List 1 nozzle plate 2 flow passage plate 3 diaphragm member 4 nozzle 5 nozzle communication passage 6 individual liquid chamber 7 fluid resistance portion 8 liquid introduction portion 9 opening (opening on supply side)
10 Common liquid chamber (Common liquid chamber on the supply side)
11 Piezoelectric actuator 19 Damper (damper on supply side)
Reference Signs List 20 common liquid chamber member 50 common liquid chamber on the discharge side 58 liquid outlet portion 59 opening on the discharge side 69 damper (damper on the discharge side)
403 Carriage 404 Liquid Ejection Head 440 Liquid Ejection Unit 630 Liquid Circulation System 1000 Liquid Ejection Head

Claims (11)

A plurality of nozzles for discharging liquid,
A plurality of individual liquid chambers respectively communicating with the nozzles;
One or more liquid inlets leading to the plurality of individual liquid chambers;
A common liquid chamber communicating with the plurality of individual liquid chambers via the liquid introduction unit;
A liquid discharge head, wherein a damper for forming a displaceable wall surface of the common liquid chamber is disposed between the common liquid chamber and the liquid introduction portion. A plurality of nozzles for discharging liquid,
A plurality of individual liquid chambers respectively communicating with the nozzles;
One or more liquid inlets leading to the plurality of individual liquid chambers;
A common liquid chamber on the supply side communicating with the plurality of individual liquid chambers via the liquid introduction unit;
A plurality of individual discharge flow paths for discharging the liquid through the plurality of individual liquid chambers respectively;
One or more liquid lead-outs leading to the plurality of individual discharge channels;
And a common liquid chamber on the discharge side through which the plurality of individual discharge flow paths communicate with each other via the liquid lead-out portion,
Between the common liquid chamber on the supply side and the liquid introduction portion, a damper on the supply side is disposed which forms a displaceable wall surface of the common liquid chamber on the supply side,
A discharge side damper is disposed between the common liquid chamber on the discharge side and the liquid lead-out portion to form a displaceable wall of the common liquid chamber on the discharge side. 3. The liquid discharge head according to claim 1, wherein one side of the damper along a longitudinal direction of the common liquid chamber is fixed. 3. The liquid discharge head according to claim 1, wherein both ends of the common liquid chamber in the longitudinal direction are fixed to the damper. The liquid discharge head according to claim 1, wherein an outer peripheral portion of the damper is partially fixed. The liquid discharge head according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a filter is disposed adjacent to the damper in a direction along the in-plane direction of the damper. 7. The liquid discharge head according to claim 6, wherein the damper is provided with a through hole smaller than the filter hole diameter of the filter. The damper is provided with a through hole having the same hole diameter as the filter hole diameter of the filter,
The liquid discharge head according to claim 6, wherein a total opening area of the plurality of through holes of the damper is narrower than a total opening area of the plurality of filter holes of the filter. A liquid discharge unit comprising the liquid discharge head according to any one of claims 1 to 8. A head tank for storing liquid to be supplied to the liquid discharge head, a carriage for mounting the liquid discharge head, a supply mechanism for supplying liquid to the liquid discharge head, a maintenance recovery mechanism for maintaining and recovering the liquid discharge head, the liquid 10. The liquid discharge unit according to claim 9, wherein at least one of a main scanning movement mechanism for moving the discharge head in the main scanning direction and the liquid discharge head are integrated. An apparatus for discharging a liquid comprising the liquid discharge head according to any one of claims 1 to 8 or the liquid discharge unit according to claim 9 or 10.

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