JP2021102287A - Liquid discharge head, head module, head unit, liquid discharge unit, and device for discharging liquid - Google Patents

Abstract

To restrict pressure fluctuation of a common channel.SOLUTION: A liquid discharge head comprises: a plurality of common supply channel branches 52 respectively communicating with two or more individual supply channels 22; a plurality of recovery channel branches 53 respectively communicating with two or more individual recovery channels 23; and a damper member 60 forming a supply-side damper 62 serving as a displaceable wall surface for the plurality of common supply channel branches 52 and a recovery-side damper 63 serving as a displaceable wall surface for the plurality of common recovery channel branches 53. A partition portion 78 is provided opposite a partition wall portion 58 between the common supply channel branches 52 and common recovery channel branches 53 of the damper member 60. A recess 79 is provided in the surface of a joint of the partition portion 78 with the damper member 60.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

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

In a liquid discharge head that discharges a liquid, it is necessary to suppress crosstalk in which pressure fluctuations associated with liquid discharge affect the discharge characteristics of other pressure chambers (individual liquid chambers) via a common flow path.

Conventionally, there is known a pressure chamber circulation type head having a common flow path main stream and a common flow path tributary, which is provided with a damper forming a part of a wall surface of the common flow path tributary (Patent Document 1).

JP-A-2019-155683

By the way, in the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, crosstalk can be suppressed, but further improvement is required in order to suppress pressure fluctuation in the common flow path in the head.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to suppress pressure fluctuations in a common flow path.

In order to solve the above problems, the liquid discharge head according to the present invention is
Multiple pressure chambers that communicate with multiple nozzles that discharge liquid,
A plurality of individual flow paths communicating with the plurality of pressure chambers, and
A plurality of common channel tributaries communicating with each of the two or more individual channels, and
A common flow path main stream that communicates with the plurality of common flow path tributaries,
A damper member for forming a displaceable wall surface of each of the plurality of common flow path tributaries is provided.
A partition portion is provided on the side opposite to the partition wall portion between the common flow path tributaries of the damper member.
A recessed portion is provided on the joint surface of the partition portion with the damper member.

According to the present invention, pressure fluctuations in the common flow path can be suppressed.

It is an exploded perspective explanatory view of the liquid discharge head which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. Similarly, it is an exploded perspective explanatory view excluding the frame member. Similarly, it is a cross-sectional perspective explanatory view of the flow path portion. Similarly, it is a plan explanatory view of a flow path portion. It is sectional drawing which corresponds to the line AA of FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional explanatory view similar to FIG. 5 of the liquid discharge head according to the second embodiment of the present invention. It is an exploded perspective explanatory view of an example of the head module which concerns on this invention. It is an exploded perspective explanatory view seen from the nozzle surface side of the head module. 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 head unit of the same 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 5. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective explanatory view of the liquid discharge head according to the same embodiment, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective explanatory view of the same excluding the frame member, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional perspective explanatory view of the flow path portion. FIG. 4 is a plan explanatory view of the flow path portion, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional explanatory view corresponding to the line AA of FIG.

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, a damper member 60, a damper frame member 70, and a frame member 80. And a wiring board 45 on which the drive circuit 46 is mounted.

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 to form a nozzle group NG (NG1, NG2: FIG. 1).

The individual flow path member 20 forms a plurality of pressure chambers (individual liquid chambers) 21, an individual supply flow path 22, and an individual recovery flow path 23. The plurality of pressure chambers 21 communicate with the plurality of nozzles 11, respectively. The plurality of individual supply flow paths 22 communicate with each of the plurality of pressure chambers 21. The plurality of individual recovery flow paths 23 communicate with each of the plurality of pressure chambers 21. The individual supply flow path 22 and the individual recovery flow path 23 are individual flow paths.

The diaphragm member 30 forms a diaphragm 31 which is a deformable wall surface of the pressure chamber 21. A piezoelectric element 40 is integrally provided on the diaphragm 31. The diaphragm member 30 is formed with a supply side opening 32 leading to the individual supply flow path 22 and a recovery side opening 33 leading to the individual recovery flow path 23. The piezoelectric element 40 is a pressure generating means that deforms the diaphragm 31 to pressurize the liquid in the pressure chamber 21.

The common flow path member 50 is formed so that the common supply flow path tributary 52 and the common recovery flow path tributary 53, which are common flow path tributaries, are alternately adjacent to each other. The common supply channel tributary 52 leads to two or more individual supply channels 22. The common recovery channel tributary 53 leads to two or more individual recovery channels 23. The common supply flow path tributary 52 and the common recovery flow path tributary 53, which are between the common flow path tributaries, are separated by a partition wall portion 58.

The common flow path member 50 has a through hole serving as a supply port 54 through the supply side opening 32 of the individual supply flow path 22 and the common supply flow path tributary 52, and the recovery side opening 33 and the common recovery flow of the individual recovery flow path 23. A through hole is formed to serve as a recovery port 55 through the tributary 53. The supply port 54 is an opening that leads the common supply flow path tributary 52 to the pressure chamber 21. The recovery port 55 is an opening that leads the common recovery flow path tributary 53 to the pressure chamber 21.

The common flow path member 50 is a member that forms a common flow path main stream, and leads to one or a plurality of common supply flow path main streams 56 leading to a plurality of common supply flow path tributaries 52 and a plurality of common recovery flow path tributaries 53. One or more common recovery channels main stream 57 is formed.

The damper member 60 is a member that forms a displaceable wall surface (hereinafter referred to as “damper”) of a common flow path tributary (common supply flow path tributary 52 and common recovery flow path tributary 53). The damper member 60 includes a supply-side damper 62 that is a wall surface facing (opposing) the supply port 54 of the common supply flow path tributary 52, and a wall surface facing (opposing) the collection port 55 of the common recovery flow path tributary 53. The recovery side damper 63 is formed.

Here, the common supply flow path tributary 52 and the common recovery flow path tributary 53 have a plurality of grooves arranged alternately in the common flow path member 50, which is the same member, in the supply side damper 62 or the recovery side damper of the damper member 60. It is configured by sealing with 63. As the damper material (flexible material) of the damper member 60, it is preferable to use a metal thin film or an inorganic thin film that is resistant to organic solvents. The thickness of the supply side damper 62 and the recovery side damper 63 of the damper member 60 is preferably 10 μm or less.

The portions of the damper member 60 corresponding to the common supply flow path main stream 56 and the common recovery flow path main stream 57 are filter sections 66 (FIG. 5) and 67 (FIG. 2).

The damper member 60 is held by the damper frame member 70, which is a support member (holding member). The damper frame member 70 forms a partition portion 78 arranged on the opposite side of the partition wall portion 58 between the common flow path tributaries of the damper member 60.

The partition portion 78 is provided at a position facing the partition wall portion 58 between the common supply flow path tributary 52 and the common recovery flow path tributary 53 via the damper member 60. In the partition portion 78, the joint surface 78a is joined to the damper member 60 with an adhesive 77.

A recessed portion 79 is provided on the joint surface 78a of the partition portion 78 with the damper member 60. The partition portion 78 is provided with a recessed portion 79, so that a space is formed between the partition portion 78 and the damper member 60. Further, the partition portion 78 is provided with the recessed portion 79, so that the thickness h of the recessed portion 79 is thinner than that of the other portion (the portion joined to the damper member 60).

Here, the common flow path member 50 forming the common supply flow path tributary 52 and the common recovery flow path tributary 53 and the damper frame member 70 forming the partition portion 78 form a damper as a displaceable wall surface. The coefficient of linear expansion is different from that of the damper member 60.

Then, the partition portion 78 of the damper frame member 70, the damper member 60, and the partition portion 58 of the common flow path member 50 are coated with an adhesive 77 on the joint surface and heated in a pressurized state to form an adhesive. 77 is cured and joined.

At this time, a gap (space) is formed between the partition portion 78 of the damper frame member 70 and the damper member 60 by the recessed portion 79. Therefore, even if the partition portion 78 and the partition wall portion 58 are pressed through the damper member 60, the damper member 60 is not pressurized at the recessed portion 79 of the partition portion 78.

Therefore, when the adhesive 77 is heated and hardened, the supply side damper 62 and the recovery side damper 63 of the damper member 60 are bent due to the difference in the coefficient of linear expansion between the common flow path member 50 and the damper member 60. Is joined to the partition wall portion 58 and the partition portion 78.

In this way, when the supply side damper 62 and the recovery side damper 63 are in a state of being bent, the compliance of the common supply flow path tributary 52 and the common recovery flow path tributary 53 becomes large, and the vibration damping or vibration suppression effect is obtained. (Damper effect) is enhanced and pressure fluctuation can be suppressed more. By suppressing the pressure fluctuations of the common supply flow path tributary 52 and the common recovery flow path tributary 53, stable liquid supply can be performed.

It is preferable that the bent supply side damper 62 and the recovery side damper 63 do not come into contact with the bottom surface of the recessed portion 79 of the partition portion 78 of the damper frame member 70 so as not to reduce the damper effect.

Further, a member forming a common flow path tributary (common flow path member 50), a member forming a partition portion 78 (damper frame member 70), and a member forming a displaceable wall surface (damper member). The coefficient of linear expansion is different from that of 60).

As a result, the supply-side damper 62 and the recovery-side damper 63 can be bent, and the joint position can be prevented from shifting.

In the above liquid discharge head 1, the liquid supplied to the supply port 81 from the external liquid circulation path is supplied by the common supply flow path main stream 56, the common supply flow path tributary 52, the supply port 54, the supply side opening 32, and individual supply. It is supplied to the pressure chamber 21 via the flow path 22.

Then, liquids other than the liquid discharged from the nozzle 11 by driving the piezoelectric element 40 are common to the individual recovery flow path 23, the recovery side opening 33, the recovery port 55, and the common recovery flow path tributary 53 from the pressure chamber 21. It is returned to the external liquid circulation path through the recovery flow path main stream 57 and the recovery port 82.

Next, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional explanatory view similar to FIG. 5 of the liquid discharge head according to the same embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the recessed portion 79 of the partition portion 78 is locally provided in a portion corresponding to the supply port 54 which is the opening of the common supply flow path tributary 52 and the recovery port 55 which is the opening of the common recovery flow path tributary 53. ing.

As a result, the portion of the supply-side damper 62 facing the supply port 54, which is the outlet of the pressure wave from the pressure chamber 21, can be bent, and the compliance can be effectively increased. At the same time, the joining region between the partition portion 78 and the damper member 60 can be made wider than that in the first embodiment, and the joining defect can be reduced.

Next, an example of the head module according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of an exploded perspective view of the head module, and FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of an exploded perspective view of the head module as viewed from the nozzle surface side.

The head module 100 includes a plurality of heads 1 that are liquid discharge heads for discharging liquid, a base member 103 that holds the plurality of heads 1, and a cover member 113 that serves as a nozzle cover for the plurality of heads 1.

Further, the head module 100 includes a heat radiating member 104, a manifold 105 forming a flow path for supplying liquid to a plurality of heads, a printed circuit board (PCB) 106 connected to the flexible wiring member 101, and a module case. It is equipped with 107.

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 head unit of the device.

The printing device 500 is a device that discharges a liquid. The printing device 500 includes a carry-in means 501, a guide transport means 503, a printing means 505, a drying means 507, a carry-out means 509, and the like. The carry-in means 501 carries in the web-shaped sheet material P. The guide transport means 503 guides and transports the sheet material P carried in from the carry-in means 501 to the printing means 505. The printing means 505 prints to form an image by ejecting a liquid onto the sheet material P. The drying means 507 dries the sheet material P. The carry-out means 509 carries out the sheet material P.

The sheet material P 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 P is conveyed on the transfer guide member 559 by the printing means 505 facing the head unit 550, and an image is printed by the liquid discharged from the head unit 550.

Here, the head unit 550 includes two head modules 100A and 100B according to the present invention in the common base member 552.

Then, when the alignment direction of the heads 1 in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the head module 100 is the head arrangement direction, the liquids of the same color are discharged in the head rows 1A1 and 1A2 of the head module 100A. Similarly, the head rows 1B1 and 1B2 of the head module 100A are set, the head rows 1C1 and 1C2 of the head module 100B are set as a set, and the head rows 1D1 and 1D2 are set as a set to discharge the liquid of the required color.

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 a liquid for use and a material liquid 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 "liquid 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 "liquid 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 liquid discharge unit, there is one in which a liquid discharge head and a head tank are integrated. In addition, there are cases 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, a unit including a filter can be added between the head tank of these liquid discharge units and the liquid discharge head.

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

Further, as a liquid discharge unit, there is a liquid discharge head 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 liquid 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 liquid discharge unit, there is a liquid discharge unit in which a tube is connected to a head tank or a liquid discharge head to which 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 "liquid discharge unit" is described here in combination with the liquid discharge head, the "liquid discharge unit" includes the above-mentioned head module and head unit including the liquid discharge head and the above-mentioned functions. It also includes integrated parts and mechanisms.

The "device for discharging a liquid" includes a device including a liquid discharge head, a liquid 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 10 Nozzle plate 11 Nozzle 20 Individual flow path member 21 Pressure chamber 22 Individual supply flow path 23 Individual recovery flow path 30 Diaphragm member 40 Piezoelectric element 50 Common flow path member 52 Common supply flow path Tributary 53 Common recovery flow path Tributary 54 Supply port 55 Recovery port 56 Common supply flow path Main stream 57 Common recovery flow path Main stream 58 Partition part 60 Damper member 62 Supply side damper 63 Supply side damper 70 Damper frame member 78 Partition part 79 Recessed part 100 Head module 403 Carriage 440 Liquid Discharge unit 500 Printing device (device that discharges liquid)
550 head unit

Claims (9)

Multiple pressure chambers that communicate with multiple nozzles that discharge liquid,
A plurality of individual flow paths communicating with the plurality of pressure chambers, and
A plurality of common channel tributaries communicating with each of the two or more individual channels, and
A common flow path main stream that communicates with the plurality of common flow path tributaries,
A damper member for forming a displaceable wall surface of each of the plurality of common flow path tributaries is provided.
A partition portion is provided on the side opposite to the partition wall portion between the common flow path tributaries of the damper member.
A liquid discharge head characterized in that a recessed portion is provided on a joint surface of the partition portion with the damper member. The two or more individual flow paths are an individual supply flow path and an individual recovery flow path.
The common flow path tributary is a common supply flow path tributary leading to the individual supply flow path and a common recovery flow path tributary leading to the individual recovery flow path.
The liquid discharge head according to claim 1, wherein the partition wall portion between the common flow path tributaries is a partition wall portion between the common supply flow path tributary and the common recovery flow path tributary. The liquid discharge head according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the recessed portion of the partition portion is provided in a portion corresponding to an opening of the common flow path tributary leading to the pressure chamber. The liquid discharge according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the member forming the common flow path tributary, the member forming the partition portion, and the damper member have different linear expansion coefficients. head. The liquid discharge head according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the displaceable wall surface formed of the damper member is bent. A head module according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a plurality of liquid discharge heads are arranged. A head unit according to claim 6, wherein the head modules are arranged side by side. A liquid discharge unit comprising the liquid discharge head according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the head module according to claim 6, or the head unit according to claim 7. The liquid discharge head according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the head module according to claim 6, the head unit according to claim 7, and the liquid discharge unit according to claim 8 are provided at least one of them. A device that discharges a liquid, which is characterized by being present.

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