JP2021084256A - Liquid discharge head, discharge unit and liquid discharge device - Google Patents

Abstract

To suppress variation of discharge characteristics.SOLUTION: A flow passage pattern 71 forming a supply port 34a as a portion of a flow passage communicating with a pressure chamber 21 is provided at a surface side on which a piezoelectric element 40 of a vibration plate member 30 constituting an actuator member 2 is arranged. The flow passage pattern 71 is provided to surround a whole circumference of a supply-side opening 32 of the vibration plate member 30 and is interposed between the supply-side opening 32 and a supply port 54 of a common flow passage member 50 to make the supply port 34a constitute a portion of a supply passage through which the common supply flow passage is communicated with the pressure chamber 21. Around the flow passage pattern 71 are arranged double surrounding patterns 73 (73A and 73B) surrounding the whole circumference of the flow passage pattern 71, and the inner flow passage pattern 73A and the flow passage pattern 71 are arranged across a gap 75a in an in-plane direction. Between the double surrounding patterns 73A and 73B is formed in the in-plane direction a gap 75b.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

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

As the liquid discharge head, for example, there is an actuator member including a plurality of pressure chambers through which a plurality of nozzles pass and a plurality of pressure generating elements provided in a vibration region formed on the wall surface of each pressure chamber.

Conventionally, a common electrode of a piezoelectric element arranged on a diaphragm forming a wall surface of a pressure chamber is provided on the entire surface of the diaphragm, and the common electrode is an ink supply path that matches the ink supply path of the diaphragm leading to the pressure chamber. Is known (Patent Document 1).

JP-A-2018-108707

However, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the supply path is formed by the common electrode, an electric field acts on the supply path when the piezoelectric element is driven, and the liquid is altered, or the liquid is altered via the Okitsu electrode. The viscosity of the liquid changes when heat is transferred to the liquid in the supply path. Therefore, there is a problem that the discharge characteristics fluctuate.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to suppress fluctuations in discharge characteristics.

In order to solve the above problems, the liquid discharge head according to the present invention is
It has an actuator member including a pressure chamber through which a nozzle for discharging a liquid passes and a pressure generating element provided in a displaceable region of the pressure chamber.
A flow path pattern forming a part of the flow path leading to the pressure chamber is provided on the surface of the actuator member provided with the pressure generating element.
At least one surrounding pattern surrounding the flow path pattern is arranged around the flow path pattern with a gap in the in-plane direction from the flow path pattern.

According to the present invention, fluctuations in discharge characteristics can be suppressed.

It is a plane explanatory view of the actuator member of the liquid discharge head which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which corresponds to the line AA of FIG. It is a perspective cross-sectional explanatory view around the opening of the diaphragm member of the actuator member. It is a perspective explanatory view of the example in which only the flow path pattern independent from the wiring pattern used for the operation explanation of the same embodiment is provided. It is sectional drawing which is the same as FIG. 2 of the liquid discharge head which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a plane explanatory view around the supply side opening of the diaphragm member in the liquid discharge head which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a plane explanatory view around the supply side opening of the diaphragm member in the liquid discharge head which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a plane explanatory view around the supply side opening of the diaphragm member in the liquid discharge head which concerns on 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic explanatory drawing of an example of the apparatus which discharges a liquid which concerns on this invention. It is a plane explanatory view of an example of the discharge unit which concerns on this invention in this apparatus.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. 1 is a plan explanatory view of an actuator member of a liquid discharge head according to the same embodiment, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional explanatory view corresponding to line AA of FIG. It is a perspective cross-sectional explanatory view.

The liquid discharge head 1 includes a nozzle plate 10, a flow path plate (individual flow path member) 20, a diaphragm member 30, a common flow path member 50, and the like. The actuator member 2 is composed of the individual flow path member 20 and the diaphragm member 30.

The nozzle plate 10 has a plurality of nozzles 11 for discharging a liquid. The plurality of nozzles 11 are arranged in a two-dimensional matrix.

The individual flow path member 20 forms a plurality of pressure chambers (individual liquid chambers) 21 that communicate with each of the plurality of nozzles 11.

The diaphragm member 30 forms a diaphragm (vibration region) 31 which is a displaceable wall surface of the pressure chamber 21, and a piezoelectric element 40 which is a pressure generating element is integrally provided in the vibration region 31. Further, the diaphragm member 30 is formed with a supply side opening 32 leading to the pressure chamber 21. The piezoelectric element 40 is a pressure generating means that deforms the vibration region 31 to pressurize the liquid in the pressure chamber 21.

The common flow path member 50 is formed with a supply port 54 that forms a supply path through the common supply flow path and the pressure chamber 21.

Here, a drive wiring pattern 42 that connects the individual electrodes of the piezoelectric element 40 and the electrodes 41 is provided on the diaphragm member 30 that is on the surface of the actuator member 2 on which the piezoelectric element 40 is provided.

Further, a flow path pattern 71 is provided on the diaphragm member 30 to form a supply port 71a which is a part of the flow path leading to the pressure chamber 21. The flow path pattern 71 is provided so as to surround the entire circumference of the supply side opening 32 of the diaphragm member 30, and is interposed between the supply side opening 32 and the supply port 54 of the common flow path member 50, and is interposed between the supply port 71a. Consists of a part of the supply path through the common supply channel and the pressure chamber 21.

Then, on the diaphragm member 30, a double surrounding pattern 73 (73A, 73B) surrounding the entire circumference of the flow path pattern 71 is arranged around the flow path pattern 71. The inner flow path pattern 73A is arranged with a gap 75a in the in-plane direction from the flow path pattern 71. Further, a gap 75b is provided in the in-plane direction between the double surrounding patterns 73A and 73B.

The flow path pattern 71 and the surrounding pattern 73 are made of the same members as the wiring pattern 42.

Further, an intermediate pattern 44 made of the same member as the wiring pattern 42 is arranged between the surrounding pattern 73B and the piezoelectric element 40.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective explanatory view of an example in which only a flow path pattern independent of the wiring pattern used to explain the operation is provided.

As shown in FIG. 4, by providing the flow path pattern 71 independent of the wiring pattern 42, no current flows through the flow path pattern 71 when the piezoelectric element 40 is used. As a result, an electric field does not act from the flow path pattern 71 to the supply port 71a, and deterioration of the liquid can be prevented.

In the present embodiment, the surrounding pattern 73 is further arranged with a gap 75a on the outer peripheral side of the flow path pattern 71. The heat generated in the wiring pattern 42 can be suppressed from being transferred to the flow path pattern 71 by the surrounding pattern 73 and the gap 75a. As a result, changes in the viscosity of the liquid due to heat generation can be suppressed, and fluctuations in discharge characteristics can be suppressed.

Further, the flow path pattern 71 and the surrounding pattern 73 improve the mechanical strength around the supply side opening 32 of the diaphragm member 30.

Next, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of the liquid discharge head according to the same embodiment.

The liquid discharge head 1 of the present embodiment is a pressure chamber circulation type head, and the diaphragm member 30 constituting the actuator member 2 is formed with a recovery side opening 33 leading to the pressure chamber 21.

The common flow path member 50 is formed with a recovery port 55 that forms a recovery path through the recovery side common flow path and the pressure chamber 21.

Further, a flow path pattern 72 is provided on the diaphragm member 30 to form a recovery port 72a which is a part of the flow path leading to the pressure chamber 21. The flow path pattern 72 is provided so as to surround the entire circumference of the recovery side opening 33 of the diaphragm member 30, is interposed between the recovery side opening 33 and the recovery port 55 of the common flow path member 50, and is interposed in the recovery port 72a. Consists of a part of the recovery path through the common recovery channel and the pressure chamber 21.

Then, on the diaphragm member 30, a double surrounding pattern 74 (74A, 74B) surrounding the entire circumference of the flow path pattern 72 is arranged around the flow path pattern 72. The inner flow path pattern 74A is arranged with a gap 76a in the in-plane direction from the flow path pattern 72. Further, a gap 76b is also provided in the in-plane direction between the double surrounding patterns 74A and 74B.

The flow path pattern 72 and the surrounding pattern 74 are made of the same members as the wiring pattern 42.

In the liquid discharge head 1 of the present embodiment, the liquid is supplied from the common supply flow path to the pressure chamber 21 through the supply ports 54 and 71a and the supply side opening 32. Then, the liquid that is not discharged from the nozzle 11 is returned from the pressure chamber 21 to the common recovery flow path through the recovery side opening 33, the recovery port 72a, and the recovery port 55. After that, it is returned to the common supply flow path again through the external liquid circulation path.

By providing the flow path pattern 72 independent of the wiring pattern 42, no current flows through the flow path pattern 72 when the piezoelectric element 40 is used. As a result, an electric field does not act on the recovery port 72a from the flow path pattern 72, and deterioration of the liquid returning to the circulation path can be prevented.

Further, a gap 76a is placed on the outer peripheral side of the flow path pattern 72 to arrange the surrounding pattern 74. The heat generated in the wiring pattern 42 can be suppressed from being transferred to the flow path pattern 72 by the surrounding pattern 74 and the gap 76a. As a result, changes in the viscosity of the liquid due to heat generation can be suppressed, and fluctuations in discharge characteristics can be suppressed.

Further, the flow path pattern 72 and the surrounding pattern 74 improve the mechanical strength around the recovery side opening 33 of the diaphragm member 30.

Next, the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a plan explanatory view around the supply side opening of the diaphragm member in the liquid discharge head according to the same embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the surrounding patterns 73A and 73B are partially provided with slit-shaped openings 73a and 73b in the in-plane direction.

As described above, even if the surrounding pattern has an opening in a part, the same effect as that of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a plan explanatory view around the supply side opening of the diaphragm member in the liquid discharge head according to the same embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the inner surrounding pattern 73A is partially provided with a slit-shaped opening 73a in the in-plane direction. On the other hand, the outer surrounding pattern 73B surrounds the entire circumference of the flow path pattern 71 via the inner surrounding pattern 73A.

As described above, even in a configuration including a pattern having an opening in a part as the surrounding pattern, the same effect as that of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a plan explanatory view around the supply side opening of the diaphragm member in the liquid discharge head according to the same embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the flow path pattern 71 and the surrounding patterns 73A and 73B have a polygonal shape (here, a quadrangular shape, but the present invention is not limited to this) in a planar shape.

As described above, the same effect as that of the above-described embodiment can be obtained even with the planar shape of the flow path pattern and the surrounding pattern.

These third to fifth embodiments can also be applied to the recovery side of the second embodiment.

In each of the above embodiments, the example in which the surrounding pattern is double is described, but a single surrounding pattern may be provided, or a triple or more surrounding pattern may be provided.
Further, in each of the above embodiments, an example in which a plurality of nozzles are arranged in a two-dimensional matrix is described, but a plurality of nozzle rows in which a plurality of nozzles are arranged in the first direction are orthogonal to the first direction. The same can be applied to the liquid discharge heads arranged in two directions.

Next, an example of the device for discharging the liquid according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG. 9 is a schematic explanatory view of the device, and FIG. 10 is a plan explanatory view of an example of the discharge unit according to the present invention in the device.

The printing device 500, which is a device for discharging this liquid, includes a carry-in means 501 for carrying in the sheet material 510, a guide transport means 503 for guiding and transporting the sheet material 510 carried in from the carry-in means 501 to the printing means 505, and a sheet material. It is provided with a printing means 505 that discharges a liquid to 510 to form an image, a drying means 507 that dries the sheet material 510, and a unloading means 509 that carries out the sheet material 510.

The sheet material 510 is sent out from the original winding roller 511 of the carrying-in means 501, guided and conveyed by the rollers of the carrying-in means 501, the guiding and conveying means 503, the drying means 507, and the carrying-out means 509, and is guided and conveyed by the winding roller 591 of the carrying-out means 509. It is wound up at.

The sheet material 510 is conveyed on the transfer guide member 559 by the printing means 505 facing the discharge unit 550 and the discharge unit 555, an image is formed by the liquid discharged from the discharge unit 550, and the sheet material 510 is discharged from the discharge unit 555. Post-treatment is performed with the treatment liquid to be treated.

Here, the discharge unit 550 is provided with, for example, full-line head arrays 551A, 551B, 551C, 551D for four colors from the upstream side in the transport direction (hereinafter, referred to as "head array 551" when the colors are not distinguished). Is placed.

Each head array 551 is a liquid discharging means, and discharges black K, cyan C, magenta M, and yellow Y liquids to the sheet material 510 to be conveyed, respectively. The types and numbers of colors are not limited to this.

The head array 551 is, for example, in which the liquid discharge heads (which are also simply referred to as “heads”) 1 according to the present invention are arranged in a staggered pattern on the base member 552, but the head array 551 is not limited to this.

In the present application, the liquid to be discharged may have a viscosity and surface tension that can be discharged from the head, and is not particularly limited, but the viscosity becomes 30 mPa · s or less at room temperature, under normal pressure, or by heating or cooling. It is preferable that it is a thing. More specifically, solvents such as water and organic solvents, colorants such as dyes and pigments, polymerizable compounds, resins, functionalizing materials such as surfactants, biocompatible materials such as DNA, amino acids and proteins, and calcium. , Solvents, suspensions, emulsions, etc. containing edible materials such as natural pigments, etc., for example, inks for inkjets, surface treatment liquids, constituents of electronic elements and light emitting elements, and formation of electronic circuit resist patterns. It can be used for applications such as liquids for three-dimensional modeling.

Piezoelectric actuators (laminated piezoelectric elements and thin-film piezoelectric elements), thermal actuators that use electrothermal conversion elements such as heat-generating resistors, and electrostatic actuators that consist of a vibrating plate and counter electrodes are used as energy sources for discharging liquid. Includes what to do.

The "discharge unit" is a liquid discharge head integrated with functional parts and a mechanism, and includes an aggregate of parts related to liquid discharge. For example, the "discharge unit" includes a head tank, a carriage, a supply mechanism, a maintenance / recovery mechanism, a main scanning movement mechanism, a liquid circulation device in which at least one of the configurations is combined with a liquid discharge head, and the like.

Here, "integration" means, for example, a liquid discharge head and a functional component, a mechanism in which the mechanism is fixed to each other by fastening, adhesion, engagement, etc., or one in which one is movably held with respect to the other. Including. Further, the liquid discharge head, the functional parts, and the mechanism may be detachably attached to each other.

For example, as a discharge unit, there is a unit in which a liquid discharge head and a head tank are integrated. In addition, there are some that are connected to each other by a tube or the like to integrate the liquid discharge head and the head tank. Here, a unit including a filter can be added between the head tank of these discharge units and the liquid discharge head.

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

Further, as a discharge unit, there is a unit in which the liquid discharge head and the scanning movement mechanism are integrated by holding the liquid discharge head movably by a guide member forming a part of the scanning movement mechanism. In some cases, the liquid discharge head, the carriage, and the main scanning movement mechanism are integrated.

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

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

The main scanning movement mechanism shall also include a single guide member. Further, the supply mechanism includes a single tube and a single loading unit.

Although the "discharge unit" is described here in combination with the liquid discharge head, the "discharge unit" includes a head module or head unit including the above-mentioned liquid discharge head and functional parts as described above. The one with integrated mechanism is also included.

The "device for discharging a liquid" includes a device including a liquid discharge head, a discharge unit, a head module, a head unit, and the like, and driving 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 a device to which the liquid can adhere, but also a device for discharging the liquid into the air or the liquid.

The "device for discharging the liquid" may include means for feeding, transporting, and discharging paper to which the liquid can be attached, as well as a pretreatment device, a posttreatment device, and the like.

For example, as a "device that ejects a liquid", an image forming apparatus that ejects ink to form an image on paper, and a three-dimensional object (three-dimensional object) are formed in layers in order to form a three-dimensional object. There is a three-dimensional modeling device (three-dimensional modeling device) that discharges the modeling liquid into the powder layer.

Further, the "device for discharging a 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 that form patterns that have no meaning in themselves and those that form a three-dimensional image are also included.

The above-mentioned "material to which a liquid can adhere" means a material to which a liquid can adhere at least temporarily, such as one that adheres and adheres, and one that adheres and permeates. Specific examples include paper, recording paper, recording paper, film, recording media such as cloth, electronic substrates, electronic components such as piezoelectric elements, powder layers (powder layers), organ models, and media such as inspection cells. Yes, including anything to which the liquid adheres, unless otherwise specified.

The material of the above-mentioned "material to which liquid can be attached" may be paper, thread, fiber, cloth, leather, metal, plastic, glass, wood, ceramics or the like as long as the liquid can be attached even temporarily.

Further, the "device for discharging the liquid" includes, but is not limited to, a device in which the liquid discharge head and the device to which the liquid can adhere move relatively. 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 a "device for ejecting a liquid", a treatment liquid coating device for ejecting a treatment liquid to a paper in order to apply the treatment liquid to the surface of the paper for the purpose of modifying the surface of the paper, etc. There is an injection granulation device that granulates 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 addition, image formation, recording, printing, printing, printing, modeling, etc. in the terms of the present application are all synonymous.

1 Liquid discharge head 2 Actuator member 10 Nozzle plate 11 Nozzle 20 Individual flow path member 21 Pressure chamber 30 Diaphragm member 32 Supply side opening 33 Recovery side opening 40 Piezoelectric element (pressure generating element)
50 Common flow path member 71, 72 Flow path pattern 71a Supply port 72b Recovery port 73A, 73B, 74A, 74B Surrounding pattern 75a, 75b, 76a, 76b Gap 500 Printing device (device that discharges liquid)
550 discharge unit

Claims (9)

It has an actuator member including a pressure chamber through which a nozzle for discharging a liquid passes and a pressure generating element provided in a displaceable region of the pressure chamber.
A flow path pattern forming a part of the flow path leading to the pressure chamber is provided on the surface of the actuator member provided with the pressure generating element.
A liquid discharge head characterized in that at least one surrounding pattern surrounding the flow path pattern is arranged around the flow path pattern with a gap in the in-plane direction from the flow path pattern. The liquid according to claim 1, wherein the flow path leading to the pressure chamber is at least one of an opening for supplying the liquid to the pressure chamber and a collection port for collecting the liquid from the pressure chamber. Discharge head. The liquid discharge head according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the flow path pattern and the surrounding pattern are the same members as the wiring pattern for the pressure generating element. The liquid discharge head according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the surrounding pattern surrounds the entire circumference of the flow path pattern. The liquid discharge head according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the surrounding pattern is partially open. The liquid discharge according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the surrounding pattern that surrounds the entire circumference of the flow path pattern and the surrounding pattern that is partially open are arranged. head. The liquid discharge head according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the plurality of nozzles are arranged in a two-dimensional matrix. A discharge unit including the liquid discharge head according to any one of claims 1 to 7. A device for discharging a liquid, which comprises the liquid discharge head according to any one of claims 1 to 7 or the discharge unit according to claim 8.

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