JP2825159B2 - Printing element driving unit, ink jet driving unit and ink jet recording apparatus using the same - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a printing element drive unit for driving a printing element in accordance with an image signal input from the outside in inkjet printing or the like, an inkjet drive unit using the same, and The present invention relates to an inkjet device.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, as a technique configured by electrically connecting a printing element substrate and a driving element substrate, the following techniques have been known or known.

Wire bonding method In this method, as shown in FIG. 5, the electrodes 14 and 15 of the recording element substrate 4 and the desired electrodes of the driving element substrate are electrically connected to each other using a fine metal wire 16 such as gold. How to

Method of Forming Recording Element and Driving Element on Integrated Substrate This method is a method of forming a recording element and a driving element on an integrated substrate by an appropriate film forming technique.

This method uses an electrical connection member disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 63-133395 to connect an electrode portion of a recording element substrate and an electrode portion of a drive element substrate. .

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining this method. In the figure, 4 is a printing element substrate, 5 is a driving element substrate, 14 and 15 are electrode portions, and 19 and 20 are insulating films. Reference numeral 3 denotes an electric connection member, reference numeral 17 denotes an electric conductive member, and reference numeral 18 denotes a holder for holding the electric conductive member 17. here,
The pitch of the electrically conductive member 17 is set smaller than the pitch of the electrodes 14 and 15.

The recording element substrate 4, the driving element substrate 5, and the electrical connection member are first arranged as shown in FIG. 6A, and then pressed against each other as shown in FIG. 6B. FIG. 3C is an overall view after the pressure contact.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, the above-described conventional electrical connection method has the following problems.

Wire bonding method In the wire bonding method, in order to avoid contact between adjacent ultrafine metal wires, a certain interval is taken as a pitch dimension (distance between centers of adjacent connection portions) on the drive element. Not get. Therefore, if the size of the drive element is determined, the maximum number of connection parts is inevitably determined. However, in the wire bonding method, since this pitch dimension is usually as large as about 0.2 mm, the number of connection portions must be reduced.

Conversely, if the number of connections between the driving element and the recording element is determined, it means that the driving element substrate and the recording element substrate must be extremely long.

The height h of the ultrafine metal wire measured from the connection portion on the drive element is usually 0.2 to 0.4 mm, but it is relatively difficult to reduce the thickness to 0.2 mm or less, so that the thickness cannot be reduced.

It takes time for wire bonding. In particular, when the number of connection points increases, the bonding time increases, and the production efficiency deteriorates.

If the transfer mold condition range is exceeded for some reason, the ultrafine metal wire is deformed or, in the worst case, cut.

In addition, at a connection portion on the drive element, Al that is not alloyed with the ultrafine metal wire is exposed, so that Al corrosion is likely to occur and reliability is reduced.

When a drive element becomes defective, it is difficult to replace only the drive element.

In the method in which the recording element and the driving element are formed on an integrated substrate, there is a problem that if any part of the recording element or the driving element is defective, the entire element does not operate.

Method Using Electrical Connection Member In this method, as can be understood from FIG. 7 (c), the reference surfaces (the surfaces on which elements and the like are mounted) of the recording element substrate 4 and the driving element substrate 5 are in opposite directions. There is a problem that strict dimensional accuracy is required when each substrate is mechanically fixed in manufacturing, and a fixing operation becomes difficult.

[Means for Solving the Problems] A first gist of the present invention includes a holder formed using an electrically insulating material, and a plurality of electrically conductive members provided on the holder. A plurality of electrical conductors, one end of which is exposed on one surface of the holder, and the other end of which is exposed on the other surface of the holder. A recording element substrate on which a plurality of recording elements are disposed; a driving element substrate on which a plurality of driving elements are disposed; disposing the recording element substrate and the driving element substrate. And a base for connecting the recording element substrate via a first electrical connection member on the surface on which the wiring pattern is formed, and the drive element substrate via a second electrical connection member. A circuit substrate to which is connected; the circuit substrate and the recording element substrate And a pressure contact member for pressing the circuit substrate and the drive element substrate through the electrical connection member, respectively, wherein the pressure contact member covers the plurality of drive elements. There is a printing element drive unit that is fixed to a base.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a holding member formed using an electrically insulating material, and a plurality of electrically conductive members provided on the holding member, and one end of the electrically conductive member. A plurality of electrical connection members exposed on one surface of the holder, and the other end of the electrically conductive member is exposed on the other surface of the holder; A recording element substrate on which elements are disposed; a driving element substrate on which a plurality of driving elements are disposed; a base on which the recording element substrate and the driving element substrate are disposed; A circuit substrate to which the recording element substrate is connected via the first electric connection member and the drive element substrate is connected via the second electric connection member; The circuit substrate and the printing element substrate, and the circuit substrate and the drive And a press-contact member for press-contacting each of the sub-substrates via the electrical connection member; and a discharge port for discharging ink on the recording element substrate, and a liquid communicating with the discharge port. A path is formed, and the pressing member is fixed to the base so as to cover the plurality of driving elements.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a holding member formed by using an electrical connection material, and a plurality of electrically conductive members disposed on the holding member. A plurality of electrical connection members exposed on one surface of the holder, and the other end of the electrically conductive member is exposed on the other surface of the holder; A recording element substrate on which elements are disposed; a driving element substrate on which a plurality of driving elements are disposed; a base on which the recording element substrate and the driving element substrate are disposed; A circuit substrate to which the recording element substrate is connected via the first electric connection member and the drive element substrate is connected via the second electric connection member; The circuit substrate and the printing element substrate, and the circuit substrate and the drive And a press-contact member for press-contacting each of the sub-substrates via the electrical connection member; and a discharge port for discharging ink on the recording element substrate, and a liquid communicating with the discharge port. An ink jet drive unit having a path formed therein, wherein the pressure contact member is fixed to the base so as to cover the plurality of drive elements.

(Electrical Connection Member) In the electrical connection member according to the present invention, a plurality of electrically conductive members are provided on a holder made of an electrically insulating material. The arranged conductive members are electrically insulated from each other.
For example, a part of the electrically conductive member may be embedded in the holder, or another method may be used. For example, it may be disposed on the surface of the holder by appropriate means without being embedded in the holder.

One end of the electrically conductive member is exposed on one surface of the holder, and the other end is exposed on the other surface of the holder.

When an electrically conductive member is provided only on the surface,
One end and the other end may be connected by an appropriate wiring. Further, the electrical connection member may be formed of one layer or two or more layers.

(Electrically Conductive Member) The electrically conductive member may be anything as long as it shows electrical conductivity. A metal material is generally used, but a material having superconductivity or the like may be used in addition to the metal material.

As the material of the metal member, gold is preferable, but any metal or alloy other than gold can be used. For example, Ag, Be, Ca, Mg, Mo, Ni, W, Fe, Ti, In, Ta, Zn, Cu, Al, Sn, Pb
A metal or alloy such as -Sn.

The metal member and the alloy member may have the same kind of metal in the same electrical connection member, or may have different kinds of metals. Further, one of the metal member and the alloy member of the electrical connection member may be made of the same metal or alloy, or may be made of a different metal or alloy. Furthermore, a material in which one or both of an organic material and an inorganic material are included in a metal material may be used as long as the material exhibits conductivity even if it is not a metal or an alloy. Further, a combination of an inorganic material and an organic material may be used as long as the material exhibits conductivity.

Further, the cross section of the electrically conductive member may be circular, square or any other shape.

Further, the thickness of the electrically conductive member is not particularly limited. Considering the pitch of the connection part of the electric circuit parts, for example, 20 μm
The diameter may be not less than φ or not more than 20 μmφ.

The exposed portion of the electrically conductive member may be flush with the holder, or may protrude from the surface of the holder.
This protrusion may be on only one side or on both sides. If it is made to project further, it may be in the form of a bump.

Further, it is preferable that the pitch is smaller than the pitch of the connection portion of the pitch drive element of the electrically conductive member. This makes it possible to connect the connection portion of the drive element base and the electrical connection member without having to position the connection portion of the drive element and the electrical connection member.

When buried in the holder, the electrically conductive member does not need to be disposed vertically in the holder, and may be inclined from one side of the holder toward the other surface of the holder. Good.

(Holder) The holder is made of an electrically insulating material.

Any electrically insulating material may be used. Examples of the electrically insulating material include an organic material and an inorganic material. Alternatively, a metal or alloy material that has been treated so that the electrically conductive members are electrically insulated from each other may be used. Furthermore, in an organic material, one or more of inorganic materials, metal materials, and alloy materials having a desired shape such as powder, fiber, plate, rod, and sphere may be dispersed and held. Good. Furthermore, in an inorganic material, one or more of an organic material, a metal material, and an alloy material having a desired shape such as a powder, a fiber, a plate, a rod, and a sphere may be dispersed and held. Good. Also,
One or a plurality of inorganic materials and organic materials having a desired shape such as powder, fiber, plate, rod, and sphere may be dispersed and held in a metal material. When the holder is made of a metal material, for example, an electrical insulating material such as a resin may be provided between the electrically conductive member and the holder.

Here, as the organic material, for example, an insulating resin may be used, and the resin may be any of a thermosetting resin, an ultraviolet curable resin, and a thermoplastic resin. For example, polyimide resin, polyphenylene sulfide resin, polyether sulfone resin, polyether imide resin, polysulfone resin, fluorine resin, polycarbonate resin,
Polydiphenyl ether resin, polybenzyl imidazole resin, polyamide imide resin, polypropylene resin, polyvinyl chloride resin, polystyrene resin, methyl methacrylate resin, polyphenylene oxide resin, phenol resin, melanin resin, epoxy resin, urea resin,
Methacrylic resin, vinylidene chloride resin, alkyd resin, silicone resin and other resins can be used.

It is more preferable to use a resin having good heat conductivity among these resins, because even if the semiconductor element has heat, the heat can be radiated through the resin. Furthermore, if a resin having the same or similar thermal expansion coefficient as that of the circuit substrate is selected as the resin, and at least one hole or a plurality of bubbles are present in the organic material,
It is possible to further prevent a decrease in the reliability of the device due to thermal expansion / contraction.

Further, specifically as a metal material or an alloy material, for example, Ag, Cu, Au, Al, Be, Ca, Mg, Mo, Fe, Ni, Si, Co, Mn, W, Cr, N
Metals or alloys such as b, Zr, Ti, Ta, Zn, Sn, and Pb-Sn are included.

As the inorganic material, for example, SiO ₂ , B ₂ O ₃ , Al ₂ O ₃ , Na ₂ O, K
₂ O, CaO, ZnO, BaO, PbO, Sb ₂ O ₃ , As ₂ O ₃ , La ₂ O ₃ , ZrO ₂ , BaO, P
₂ O ₅ , TiO ₂ , MgO, SiC, BeO, BP, BN, AlN, B ₄ C, TaC, TiB ₂ , CrB ₂ , T
Ceramics such as iN, Si ₃ N ₄ , and Ta ₂ O ₅ , diamond, glass, carbon, boron and other inorganic materials can be used.

(Printing Element, Driving Element) As the printing element in the present invention, for example, an element (heating element) that operates by thermal energy, other printing elements,
For example, a piezo element may be used.

In the recording element unit and the ink jet unit according to the present invention, the connection portions of the recording elements may be provided in a larger number than necessary. Thus, the connection between the electrical connection member and the recording element base can be performed without requiring strict positioning.

On the other hand, the same effect can be obtained by arranging the necessary number of connection parts of the drive elements or more drive parts on the drive element base.

In this way, by providing more than the required number, the connection with the electrical connection member can be surely performed without positioning, or even when performed, without much accuracy.

(Each Unit) The recording element unit of the present invention has the above-described electrical connection member, recording element substrate, and driving element substrate, and the inkjet driving unit has a liquid on the recording element substrate of the recording element unit. The road is formed. The shape, size, etc. of the liquid path may be arbitrary.

(Inkjet device) The inkjet device according to the present invention includes the inkjet drive unit and a unit for mounting the inkjet drive unit. As the type of the ink jet device, there is a so-called serial scanning type (a type in which a print head prints while reciprocating in a horizontal direction with respect to paper) or a plane scanning type (a type using a horizontal print head). Good. In particular, in the present invention, a planar scanning type is preferable in order to exhibit an effect in a long inkjet driving unit.

[Operation] According to the present invention, since the reference planes of the recording element substrate and the driving element substrate can be formed on the same plane, the operation of mechanically fixing can be facilitated.

Further, according to the present invention, the recording element substrate and the driving element substrate can be detachably connected, the driving element substrate can be easily separated, and the exchange can be easily performed.

Embodiment (Reference Example 1) FIG. 1 is a view for explaining a reference example of a printing element drive unit. FIG. 1A is a view of the printing element drive unit of the present reference example viewed from above a reference surface (a surface on which elements and the like are mounted), and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view. FIG. 3C is a view for explaining a state in which the circuit board 2 and the electrical connection member 3 are arranged on the press contact member 1. In the figure, 1 is a pressure contact member, 2 is a circuit board, 3 is an electrical connection member, 4 is a printing element substrate, 5 is a driving element substrate, 6 is a driving element, and 7 is a base.

The pressure contact member 1 is fixed to the base 7 at both ends in the longitudinal direction by a method such as screwing, as shown in FIG. The circuit board, the electrical connection member, and the recording element substrate, and the circuit board, the electrical connection member, and the drive element substrate are pressed against each other.

In FIG. 1C, the upper electrical connection member 1 is electrically connected to the lower electrical connection member 1 via the circuit board 2, so that the recording element substrate 4 and the driving element substrate 5 It is electrically conductive (FIG. 2B).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the printing element drive unit can be formed on one base, so that the manufacture of the printing element drive unit can be facilitated. It can be easily attached to the device.

(Reference Example 2) FIG. 2 is a view for explaining a second reference example of the printing element drive unit. FIG. 2A is a view of the printing element drive unit of the present reference example as viewed from above a reference plane.
(B) is a sectional view.

The difference between this reference example and reference example 1 is that the distance between the electrodes of the recording element substrate is small.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to make the interval between the electrodes of the recording element substrate smaller than the connection by wire bonding.

In the recording element drive unit as shown in Reference Example 1 and Reference Example 2, an ink jet is formed by using a recording element substrate on which a discharge port for discharging ink and a liquid path communicating with the discharge port are formed. A drive unit can be obtained.

Further, an inkjet recording apparatus can be obtained by using the inkjet drive unit.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 3 is a view for explaining an embodiment of a printing element drive unit according to the present invention. FIG. 3A is a view of the printing element drive unit of the present embodiment as viewed from above a reference plane, and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view.

The difference between this embodiment and Reference Examples 1 and 2 is that
Is changed to the shape shown in FIG. 9B, and the fixing position by screwing or the like is changed. With such a configuration, even when the number of printing elements mounted on the printing element drive unit is large (that is, when the length of the printing element drive unit in the longitudinal direction is long), there is no possibility that the press-contact member 1 is bent. . In such a printing element drive unit,
An ink jet drive unit can be obtained by using a recording element substrate in which an ejection port for ejecting ink and a liquid path communicating with the ejection port are formed.

Further, an inkjet recording apparatus can be obtained by using the inkjet drive unit.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 4 is a view for explaining an embodiment of a recording element drive unit according to the present invention. FIG. 4A is a view of the printing element drive unit of the present embodiment as viewed from above a reference plane, and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view. In the figure, the components denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 3 indicate the same components as those in FIG.
Reference numeral 9 denotes a connector, 11 denotes a press-contact rubber, 12 denotes a flexible cable, and 13 denotes a flexible cable reinforcing plate.

The difference between this embodiment and Reference Example 2 is that a connector for inputting an image signal and the like to the printing element drive unit and a means (flexible cable or the like) for electrically connecting the drive element substrate to the connector are newly provided. Further, an elastic member (rubber or the like) for pressing a flexible cable or the like to the drive element substrate is provided. In this embodiment, the electrical connection between the flexible cable and the drive element substrate can also be made by pressure contact, so that the manufacture of the recording element drive unit can be further facilitated. In such a recording element driving unit, an ink jet driving unit can be obtained by using a recording element substrate in which an ejection port for ejecting ink and a liquid path communicating with the ejection port are formed.

Further, an inkjet recording apparatus can be obtained by using the inkjet drive unit.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, the printing element driving unit can be formed on one base, so that the manufacturing of the printing element driving unit can be facilitated.
In addition, the recording element driving unit can be easily mounted on the recording apparatus.

Further, according to the present invention, the electrical connection between the flexible cable and the drive element substrate can be performed by pressure contact, so that the manufacture of the recording element drive unit can be further facilitated.

Further, according to the present invention, since the pressing member is fixed to the base so as to cover the plurality of driving elements, the driving elements can be protected.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view showing a first reference example, FIG. 2 is a view showing a second reference example, FIG. 3 is a view showing a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a view showing a conventional printing element drive unit (by wire bonding), and FIG. 6 is a view showing a conventional printing element drive unit (by an electrical connection member). is there. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Press-contact member, 2 ... Circuit board, 3 ... Electrical connection member, 4 ... Recording element board, 5 ... Drive element board, 6 ...
Drive element, 7 base, 8 electrode, 9 connector
11 ... Pressing rubber, 12 ... Flexible cable, 13 ...
… Flexible cable reinforcement plate, 14,15 …… electrode, 16…
... extra fine metal wire, 17 ... electrically conductive member, 18 ... holder
19,20 …… Insulating film.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B41J 2/05

Claims (27)

(57) [Claims] 1. A holding body formed using an electrically insulating material, and a plurality of electrically conductive members disposed on the holding body, one end of which is electrically connected to the holding body. A plurality of electrical connection members that are exposed on one side of the substrate and the other end of the electrically conductive member is exposed on the other side of the holder; and a plurality of recording elements are provided. A driving element substrate on which a plurality of driving elements are disposed; a base on which the recording element substrate and the driving element substrate are disposed; and a wiring pattern is formed. Surface, the recording element substrate is connected via the first electrical connection member,
A circuit substrate to which the drive element substrate is connected via the second electrical connection member; the circuit substrate and the recording element substrate; and the circuit substrate and the drive element substrate, respectively. And a press-contact member for press-contacting through a dynamic connection member, wherein the press-contact member is fixed to the base so as to cover the plurality of drive elements. . 2. The printing element driving unit according to claim 1, further comprising an electric signal transmitting means for transmitting a driving signal to the driving element base. 3. The printing element drive unit according to claim 1, further comprising a connector for inputting a drive signal. 4. The printing element driving unit according to claim 1, wherein the printing element base and the driving element base are arranged on the same plane of the base. 5. The printing element drive unit according to claim 1, wherein the pressing members are fixed to the base at both ends in the longitudinal direction. 6. The printing element drive unit according to claim 1, wherein the pressing member is fixed to the base at one end on the long side. 7. The printing element drive unit according to claim 1, wherein the printing element is an element that performs printing using thermal energy. 8. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the number of printing elements provided on the printing element base is:
2. The printing element drive unit according to claim 1, wherein the number is at least one more than a required number. 9. The printing element drive unit according to claim 1, wherein the number of connection portions of the drive elements provided on the drive element base is at least one more than a required number. 10. A holding body formed using an electrically insulating material, and a plurality of electrically conductive members disposed on the holding body, one end of the electrically conductive member being connected to the holding body. A plurality of electrical connection members that are exposed on one side of the substrate and the other end of the electrically conductive member is exposed on the other side of the holder; and a plurality of recording elements are provided. A driving element substrate on which a plurality of driving elements are disposed; a base on which the recording element substrate and the driving element substrate are disposed; and a wiring pattern is formed. Surface, the recording element substrate is connected via the first electrical connection member,
A circuit substrate to which the drive element substrate is connected via the second electrical connection member; the circuit substrate and the recording element substrate; and the circuit substrate and the drive element substrate, respectively. And a press-contact member for press-contacting through a static connection member, wherein a discharge port for discharging ink, and a liquid path communicating with the discharge port are formed on the recording element substrate. The ink jet drive unit, wherein the pressure contact member is fixed to the base so as to cover the plurality of drive elements. 11. An electric signal transmitting means for transmitting a driving signal to a driving element base.
3. The inkjet drive unit according to item 1. 12. The ink jet drive unit according to claim 10, further comprising a connector for inputting a drive signal. 13. The ink jet drive unit according to claim 10, wherein the recording element base and the drive element base are arranged on the same plane of the base. 14. The ink jet drive unit according to claim 10, wherein the pressure contact members are fixed to the base at both ends in the longitudinal direction. 15. The ink jet drive unit according to claim 10, wherein the pressing member is fixed to the base at one end on the long side. 16. The ink-jet driving unit according to claim 10, wherein the recording element is an element that performs recording using thermal energy. 17. The ink jet drive unit according to claim 10, wherein the number of recording elements provided on the recording element base is at least one more than the required number. 18. The ink-jet drive unit according to claim 10, wherein the number of connection portions of the drive elements provided on the drive element base is at least one more than a required number. 19. A holding member formed by using an electrically insulating material, and a plurality of electrically conductive members disposed on the holding member, one end of which is electrically connected to the holding member. A plurality of electrical connection members that are exposed on one side of the substrate and the other end of the electrically conductive member is exposed on the other side of the holder; and a plurality of recording elements are provided. A driving element substrate on which a plurality of driving elements are disposed; a base on which the recording element substrate and the driving element substrate are disposed; and a wiring pattern is formed. Surface, the recording element substrate is connected via the first electrical connection member,
A circuit substrate to which the drive element substrate is connected via the second electrical connection member; the circuit substrate and the recording element substrate; and the circuit substrate and the drive element substrate, respectively. And a press-contact member for press-contacting through a connection member, wherein an ejection port for ejecting ink and a liquid path communicating with the ejection port are formed on the recording element substrate. An ink jet recording apparatus, comprising: a driving unit, wherein the pressing member is fixed to the base so as to cover the plurality of driving elements. 20. An electric signal transmitting means for transmitting a driving signal to a driving element base.
20. The ink jet recording apparatus according to 19. 21. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising a connector for inputting a drive signal. 22. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the recording element base and the driving element base are arranged on the same plane of the base. 23. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the pressing members are fixed to the base at both ends in the longitudinal direction. 24. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the pressing member is fixed to the base at one end on the long side. 25. The ink-jet recording apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the recording element is an element that performs recording using thermal energy. 26. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the number of recording elements provided on the recording element base is at least one more than a required number. 27. The ink-jet recording apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the number of connection portions of the drive elements provided on the drive element base is at least one more than a required number.