JP3176187B2 - Recording head unit and recording apparatus using the recording head unit - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording head unit having a plurality of recording heads and a recording apparatus using the recording head unit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a recording apparatus in which a recording head is detachable is known.

In recent years, ink-jet recording apparatuses have generally adopted a constitution in which a recording head is detachably used. When the recording head is made detachable in this way,
There are not a few technical problems derived with various advantages, and one of the problems is a problem of mutual positioning between the print heads when a plurality of print heads are used. As another problem, there is known an electric contact provided on a recording head for transmitting and receiving an electric signal to and from the apparatus main body.

That is, in the former case, when individual recording heads are mounted on, for example, a carriage, it is necessary to maintain an accurate positional relationship among the recording heads.

[0005] In order to solve the problem relating to the positioning, there is a recording head mounting structure as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-16339. Here, each recording head is biased to a predetermined reference plane, positioned and mounted, and the connector on the apparatus main body side is made displaceable so that unnecessary force does not act on the recording head side electric connection portion connected thereto. Thus, the positional accuracy of the recording head is ensured.

As a configuration for solving the same problem, there is a recording head mounting structure as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-55253.

Here, when a cartridge type head cartridge in which the recording head and the ink tank are integrally formed is mounted, the cartridge is moved relatively to the connector on the apparatus main body side. The positioning is also performed. In addition, the configuration is such that the user can perform such a mounting operation with a simple operation.

[0008] The latter technical problem results from the arrangement of the electric contact portions of the recording head.

That is, the recording head is configured so that the recording paper is located close to the recording paper in order to maintain the recording accuracy. Therefore, the electrical contact portion of the recording head is also often close to the recording paper. The electrical contact portion may be contaminated by paper dust generated from the recording paper. In addition, the ink mist generated due to the ink ejection from the recording head may contaminate the electrical contacts.

With respect to such contamination of the electric contact portion,
2. Description of the Related Art A configuration in which a cover or the like for covering an electric contact portion is provided has been conventionally known.

When only the electric contact portion is located far from the recording paper in order to avoid the above problem, the accuracy of the connection position with the contact on the apparatus main body side may decrease.

Further, when a plurality of recording heads are used for color recording or the like, the ink supply unit, the ejection unit, the positioning unit, and the like provided for each recording head must be spatially efficiently provided. For these reasons, the electrical contact portion of the recording head is often in the form of a card edge.

[0013]

However, there is room for further improvement in the configurations relating to the above technical problems.

Regarding the positioning structure of a plurality of recording heads, first, when the recording head is mounted, the operation of joining the electrical contacts such as connectors is performed together with the positioning operation of the recording head. Since the setting may have a large error as compared with the positioning accuracy of the recording head, a force may be applied to the recording head, such as torsion or deformation of the recording head during joining.

In such a case, in particular, JP-A-5-163
Most of the recording head disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 39 has a plate-like chip shape, so that deformation due to torsion or the like is relatively large. Further, in the structure disclosed in this publication, when vibration or impact acts on the connector on the apparatus main body side, the connector may be displaced to cause a positional displacement of the recording head. In any case, in the case of the above-described conventional mounting structure, there is a limit in the accuracy of mechanical positioning and its maintenance.

The deformation and displacement of the recording head as described above appear as a displacement of the ejection direction and ejection position at the time of ink ejection. These deviations are caused by the distance between the recording head and a recording medium such as recording paper (hereinafter, referred to as a sheet distance).
Is augmented by

For example, in the apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-16339, the distance between sheets is 1.4 mm, and the distance from the print head positioning reference to the tip of the print head is 1.6.
mm and the length of the recording head is 30 mm, and if the connector is shifted by 1 mm, the ink landing position on the recording medium is shifted by about 106 μm. Here, assuming that the ejection port density of the recording head is 360 to 400 dpi, the normal pixel pitch is 70 to 60 μm, and thus the above-mentioned displacement of the landing position is about 1 to 1.5 pixels.

Such a large displacement of the ink droplet landing positions significantly degrades the image quality. In particular, when a plurality of recording heads respectively corresponding to a plurality of ink colors are used, a desired color may not be obtained due to the displacement. High-quality color images cannot be obtained without being reproduced. In addition, a large displacement of the landing position may cause a local increase in the amount of landing ink, and in such a case, so-called bleeding in which the ink oozes on the recording medium may occur.

Second, the life of the recording head is generally shorter than the life of the main body of the recording apparatus. In such a case, it is necessary to replace the recording head.
In the case of the configuration disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 339, a relatively complicated operation is required and it is not easy for the user to replace the recording head and accurately position the plurality of recording heads.

Third, in the configuration disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-55253, the user can relatively easily replace the recording head, but since the recording head and the ink tank are integrated, there is a problem with either one. Even if there is no, there is a problem that both must be replaced. Also in this case, there is a mechanical limit in arranging a plurality of recording heads with high accuracy. On the other hand, there is also known a configuration in which positional deviation is corrected by controlling the supply timing of an ink ejection signal. However, it is necessary to provide positional information to the recording head, and there is a problem that the recording head becomes expensive. .

Concerning the arrangement of the electrical contacts, contamination of the electrical contacts by paper dust or the like causes poor recording due to poor connection. In addition, the configuration for providing a cover or the like for preventing this requires a space for that, and in the configuration using a plurality of recording heads, the contact portion shape is the same as that of the card edge type as described above. Therefore, it is often not appropriate to provide a cover or the like.

Further, in a configuration in which the electric contact portion is located far from the recording paper, a connection failure may be caused due to a decrease in connection position accuracy.

In addition, in the case of a card edge type electric contact portion, the cost of the contact portion becomes relatively high, and the positional deviation of the recording head similar to that described above with respect to the mutual positioning between the recording heads, etc. It can also cause problems.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and to hold each recording head on the frame so as to obtain positioning accuracy between the recording heads held on the frame. Also,
An object of the present invention is to provide a recording head unit in which an electrode unit and a relay connector are connected so as to maintain the positioning accuracy, and a recording apparatus using the recording head unit.

An object of the present invention is to provide a recording head unit capable of maintaining a high positioning accuracy among a plurality of recording heads without being affected by the configuration of electrical signal connections, and to use the recording head unit. A recording device is provided.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a recording head unit provided with a high-precision, low-cost and highly-reliable electric signal contact portion, and a recording apparatus using the recording head unit.

Another object of the present invention is to position a plurality of printheads on a frame of a printhead unit having a positioning reference for each printhead, or by other means. Go to place on the frame with high accuracy, collectively bundle the drive electrodes of each recording head,
Electrodes that are in contact with the recording device when the recording device is mounted are arranged in a part of the recording head unit, and the alignment between each recording head is accurately adjusted to the original standard so that high-quality recorded images can be obtained. It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording head unit having an electrode structure capable of maintaining the recording head unit and a recording apparatus using the recording head unit.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a recording head unit capable of preventing a displacement of the recording head and maintaining image quality, and a recording apparatus using the recording head.

[0029]

According to the present invention, there is provided:
A recording head unit for accommodating a plurality of ink jet recording heads each including a surface on which an ink discharge port for discharging ink is formed, and a head-side electrical contact on a surface different from the surface, wherein a plurality of the ink jet recording heads are provided. To
A head holding for accommodating a space between adjacent inkjet recording heads or between the recording units, and accommodating the head-side electrical contacts in the same direction of ink ejection direction so as to expose the head-side electrical contacts. A plurality of first electrical connection members for obtaining electrical continuity between the member and one surface, and the head is provided on a back surface of the one surface and facing the ink jet recording head An electrical relay member provided with a plurality of second electrical connection members for obtaining electrical conduction with the side electrical contacts,
The second electric connection member is an elastic member that extends into the space so as to extend from the back surface of the electric relay member to the head-side electric contact.

In a recording apparatus for performing recording on a recording medium using a recording head, an ink jet recording apparatus includes a surface on which an ink discharge port for discharging ink is formed, and a head-side electrical contact on a surface different from the surface. A recording head unit for accommodating a plurality of heads, wherein a plurality of the inkjet recording heads form spaces between adjacent inkjet recording heads or between the recording units, respectively, and the ink ejection direction is the same direction. A head holding member for accommodating the head-side electric contact so as to be exposed in the space, and a plurality of first electric connection members for obtaining electric conduction between the head and the outside on one surface. Then, electrical continuity with the head-side electrical contact is obtained on the back surface of the one surface and the surface facing the ink jet recording head. An electrical relay member provided with a plurality of second electrical connection members, wherein the second electrical connection member extends into the space from the rear surface of the electrical relay member to the head-side electrical contact. A recording head unit that is an elastic member; and a supply unit that supplies a predetermined current to the first electrical connection member.

[0031]

According to the above arrangement, the electrical connection between the apparatus main body and the plurality of recording heads is made via the electric relay member of the recording head unit accommodating the plurality of ink jet recording heads. Unnecessary force acts on the recording head, the positional accuracy among the plurality of recording heads is maintained, and the second electric connection member of the electric relay member is connected to the recording head from the back surface of the second electric connection member. The recording head extends to the space formed between adjacent inkjet recording heads or between the recording units so as to reach the head-side electrical contact, so that a plurality of recording heads can be arranged close to each other.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an electrical contact with the apparatus main body is provided on a surface opposite to the ink ejection surface, thereby preventing the electrical contact from being contaminated by paper dust, ink mist, or the like. it can.

Further, according to another embodiment of the present invention, a contact portion of the relay connector member is formed of an elastic member to each recording head and an electrode of each head, or a wiring of the connector member is formed of a flexible member. By forming, high-quality image recording can be performed without causing interference in the positional accuracy of the contacts of the relay connector and the positional accuracy between the recording heads.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, the relay connector of the recording head unit in which the electrode portion and the relay connector are connected so as to maintain the positioning accuracy between the recording heads held in the recording head unit frame. The guide rib is inserted along the guide groove of the frame, the locking arm is locked in the locking recess, and the positioning pin can be fitted and fixed in the positioning hole.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, the recording head is positioned so as to be orthogonal to the main scanning direction without pressing against the recording medium transporting body against the wall, so that the manufacturing accuracy of the transporting body varies. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the recording head from being displaced.

[0036]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

First, FIGS. 1 and 2 show a specific embodiment of the main part of the ink jet head IJH used in the present invention. As shown in FIG.
The JH includes a substrate 100 (hereinafter, referred to as a heater board) provided with an ink discharge pressure generating element, an ink chamber 7 and an ink path 8 which are joined to the substrate 100 and accommodate a recording medium (hereinafter, referred to as ink). Substrate 1 having constituent irregularities
Consists of 300. The substrate 1300 (hereinafter, referred to as a grooved top plate) integrally has an orifice plate 4 having an ink discharge port 9 for discharging ink connected to the ink path 8.

The heater board 100 is adhered and fixed to the support substrate 300 with an adhesive, and the grooved top plate 1300 is provided on the heater board 100 with a heater section as an ink discharge pressure generating element arranged on the heater board 100;
The orifice plate 400 of the grooved top plate 1300, which is fixed by the mechanical biasing force of the provisionally bonded back-pressing spring 500 so that the ink path 8 of the grooved top plate 1300 coincides, It is arranged like a hang on the front end face.

The ink is supplied from the ink supply member 600 through the ink supply port 2a provided on the top of the grooved top plate 1300, and the ink supply member 600 has a projection bar (not shown). Is fixed to the support substrate 300 by inserting a protruding rod into a through hole provided in the substrate and heat caulking.

At this time, uniform gaps 10a and 10b are formed in the gap between the orifice plate 4 and the ink supply member 5.

1 and 2, the ink supply member 600
In addition, the bonding area where the heater board 100, the gaps 10a and 10b such as the grooved top plate 1300, and the gap between the orifice plate 4 and the front end surface of the support substrate 3 are provided with a small gap so that the sealant can be filled therein. Then, a sealant is poured as an adhesion space. The groove 3A may be any groove as long as the sealant can be filled sufficiently well.

It is important that the groove 3A provided in the support substrate 300 forms a space that is continuous with the gap between the orifice plate 400 and the ink supply member 600. It is not preferable that the groove 3A is completely covered with the orifice plate 400 or is independent of the gaps 10a and 10b. This is because the flow path of the injected sealant is cut off, and good sealing cannot be achieved. The groove 3A formed on the front end surface of the support substrate 3 is formed by pressing in consideration of mass productivity.

The sealant is injected from a sealant injection port (not shown) on the ink supply member 600 to seal a wire bonding portion (not shown) for transmitting an electric signal, and at the same time, to seal the orifice plate 400 and the ink. Supply member 600
And the gap between the orifice plate 400 and the front end face of the support substrate 300 is completely sealed through the groove 3A provided in the support substrate 300. In order for the sealant to seal the gap without closing the orifice 9, an appropriate thixotropy and an appropriate viscosity are required. That is, if the viscosity of the sealant is too low, the sealant may enter the nozzles and orifices 9 in the grooved top plate 1300 and cause clogging. Conversely, if the viscosity is too high, the sealant will not completely flow around the orifice plate 400. The viscosity of the sealant used in the present invention is 1,000 to 15,000 cps, more preferably 2,000 to 10,000 cps, and most preferably 4,000 to 10,000 cps.

The sealing agent includes a heater board 100 made of a silicon wafer and a support substrate 30 made of a metal.
Good adhesiveness to the top plate 1300 with grooves and the orifice plate 400, the ink supply member 5, and the like made of synthetic resin and the like is required. Further, in order to join a plurality of different materials having different coefficients of thermal expansion to each other, a soft material capable of absorbing a difference in thermal expansion due to a temperature environment, specifically, a sealant having a hardness of JIS A100 or less. Must be used.

On the other hand, since this sealant also plays a role of covering and protecting the wire bonding portion, it must be a material that does not cause corrosion to the aluminum wire bonding portion and the aluminum electrode. To prevent corrosion of the electrodes and wire bonding, C
The concentration of impurity ions such as l ^- and Na ⁺ is preferably 30 ppm or less. Such a material is required to have properties such as excellent ink resistance, particularly excellent solvent resistance and alkali resistance, because it is in contact with the ink locally. Furthermore, it is necessary that the permeability to oxygen, nitrogen, and water vapor is low.

(Inkjet head unit) FIG.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the inkjet head unit IJHU, and the configuration will be described.

In FIG. 3, on a substrate 100 made of Si, electrothermal transducers (discharge heaters) as thermal energy generating elements arranged in a plurality of rows, and electric wiring of Al or the like for supplying electric power thereto. Are formed by a film forming technique. The heat generated by the electrothermal conversion element causes film boiling in the ink, and the ink is ejected by the generation of air bubbles. The wiring board 200 has a wiring corresponding to the wiring of the heater board 100 (for example, connected by wire bonding) and a pad located at an end of the wiring and receiving an electric signal from the main unit.

As described above, the grooved top plate 1300 has grooves for forming partition walls for partitioning a plurality of ink paths, supply liquid chambers for accommodating ink supplied to the ink paths, and the like. An ink supply port 150 that receives the ink supplied from the ink tank and introduces the ink into the common liquid chamber.
0 and an orifice plate 400 having a plurality of ejection ports corresponding to each ink path. Polysulfone is preferred as these integrally molded materials, but other molding resin materials may be used.

The support 300 supports the rear surface of the wiring substrate 200 on a flat surface and is made of a metal such as Al. The presser spring 500 has an M-shape, presses a portion corresponding to the common liquid chamber of the top plate with a slight pressure at the center of the M-shape, and has a front droop portion 501.
, The area corresponding to the ink path, preferably the area near the ejection port, is intensively pressed with linear pressure. The heater board 100 and the top plate 1300 are inserted into the holes 19
01, 1902 to engage with the back side of the support 300, thereby engaging the two in a state where they are sandwiched, and by the concentrated biasing force of the pressing spring 500 and the front droop 501, the heater board 100 and the top plate And 1300. The attachment of the wiring substrate 200 to the support 300 is performed by sticking with an adhesive or the like. The recesses 2400 and 2400 of the support 300 are respectively provided with the positioning projections 25.
The ink supply path member 600 is provided in the vicinity of the ink supply pipe 2200, and the ink supply path member 600 forms the ink supply pipe 2200 as a cantilever with the supply pipe 2200 side fixed. Sealing ball 6 for ensuring capillary action with ink supply pipe 2200
02 is inserted. A filter 700 is provided at the tank-side end of the supply pipe.

Since the ink supply path member 600 is molded, it is relatively inexpensive, has high positional accuracy, suppresses a reduction in manufacturing accuracy, and has a cantilevered conduit 160.
With 0, the pressure contact state of the conduit 1600 with the ink supply port 1500 can be stabilized even during mass production.
In this example, a more complete communication state can be reliably obtained only by pouring the sealing adhesive from the ink supply path member side under this pressure contact state. The ink supply path member 600
As described above, the pin (not shown) of the ink supply path member 600 with respect to the holes 301, 302, and 303 of the support 300 is fixed via the holes 301, 302, and 303 of the support 300. This is easily performed by projecting through and then heat-fusing the portion of the support body 300 projecting to the rear surface side.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are exploded perspective views of a recording head unit to which a plurality of recording heads are mounted according to the embodiment of the present invention which will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. Illustration of the housing member of the unit is omitted.

The recording head unit of this embodiment can mount four recording heads capable of ejecting inks of different colors, and accurately determine the positional relationship between these recording heads. Note that the four recording heads may eject ink of the same color. In this case, high-speed recording or gradation expression according to the number of ink droplets can be performed. Even when each is ejected, gradation recording becomes possible.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 4000 denotes a unit frame. The unit frame 4000 is a U-shaped outer wall plate 4001
And a head holding unit 400 for accommodating each recording head.
It has three inner wall plates 4002 limiting three. The print head IJU described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 has the head holding section 400 with its ink ejection port directed downward in the drawing.
3 The positioning of each recording head in the unit frame 4000 is performed by abutting a reference surface provided in each recording head against a reference surface in three directions provided in each head holding unit, and thereafter fixed by an adhesive or the like. In this case, the positional relationship between the reference surface and the orifice in each recording head IJU needs to be set with high accuracy.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the four recording heads are bonded and fixed to the unit frame, and the recording heads are exchanged for each unit. The positional relationship between the recording heads does not shift. Further, according to the configuration of the present example in which the individual recording heads are housed and fixed in the unit frame, compared with the configuration of the recording head in which different colors of ink are ejected from the beginning by an integrated recording head. There is a degree of freedom in design, and it is possible to manufacture recording head units having various specifications, for example, as described later with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 4005 denotes a porous member capable of absorbing ink.
It is arranged between U orifice arrangement surfaces. This allows
The ink adhering to the blade when the orifice arrangement surface is wiped by the blade is absorbed, and the re-adhesion of a different color ink to the adjacent orifice arrangement surface can be prevented.

In FIG. 5, an upper housing 4506 and a side housing 4006 are respectively provided with a unit frame 400.
Fixed to 0. In fixing the upper housing, a pair of pins 4504 (one not shown) provided on the upper housing is inserted into a hole 4011 provided on the upper end surface of the outer wall plate 4001 of the unit frame 4000, thereby fixing the upper housing. The positioning of the housing 4506 is performed, and the projections (not shown) on the locking plates 4505 formed at both ends of the upper housing are fitted in the recesses 4010 formed in the outer wall plate.
It is fixed by being hooked with the elastic urging force of 05. The fixing of the side housing 4006 to the unit frame is performed in the same manner as the upper housing 4506 by using a pair of locking plates 4008 of the housing 4006 and the concave portion 4007 of the unit frame 4000.

A plurality of pads 4502 as electrical contacts on the recording head IJU side are provided in a portion corresponding to the outer surface of the upper housing 4506, and each of the pads 4502 is a terminal 45 extending on the back side of the upper housing 4506.
01 is connected. Each terminal 4501 comes into contact with a corresponding connection pad on the substrate of the recording head when the housing 4506 is fixed to the unit frame.

The side housing 4006 has a hole 4 through which the ink supply pipe 2200 of the recording head IJU is inserted.
009 is formed.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the connection between the recording head unit shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 and each ink tank.

As shown in FIG. 6, the ink tanks 6000 corresponding to the respective ink colors are formed by individually inserting the ink supply pipes 2200 of the corresponding recording heads into the openings of the joints (not shown). Connect to recording head. Also, when the ink tank 6000 is detached from the recording head, it can be detached individually for each ink tank of each ink color.

FIG. 7 is an external perspective view of an ink jet recording apparatus IJRA on which the recording head unit shown in the above embodiment can be mounted.

In FIG. 7, the forward / reverse rotation of the drive motor 5013 is transmitted to the lead screw 5004 via the drive force transmission gears 5011 and 5009 to rotate the lead screw 5004.
005 with a pin (not shown). Thereby, the carriage HC is reciprocated in the longitudinal direction of the apparatus.
Reference numeral 5002 denotes a cap for capping the front surface of each recording head in the recording head unit, and is used for performing suction recovery of the recording head through an opening in the cap by a suction unit (not shown). The cap 5002 can be moved by the driving force transmitted via the gear 5008 and the like to cover the ejection opening surface of each recording head. In the vicinity of the cap 5002, a cleaning blade (not shown) is provided, and this blade is supported so as to be movable in the vertical direction in the figure. The blade is not limited to this form, and it goes without saying that a well-known cleaning blade can be applied to this embodiment.

The capping, cleaning, and suction recovery are configured so that desired processing can be performed at the corresponding positions by the action of the lead screw 5005 when the carriage moves to the home position. Any desired operation can be applied to this example.

The connection pad 4502 of the recording head unit mounted on the carriage HC is connected to the connection pad 5031 by rotating the connection plate 5030 provided on the carriage HC about a predetermined axis, and the electrical connection is established. Done. As described later, since this connection does not use a connector or the like, unnecessary force does not act on the recording head unit.

An example in which the present invention is applied to the recording head unit of the ink jet recording apparatus described above will be described below.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration on the back side of the upper housing shown in FIG. 5, and showing the initial stage of the manufacturing process.

In FIG. 8, each terminal 4501 has a plurality of contact members 4512 each having a contact 4514 and a connecting portion 450 for connecting the plurality of contact members 4512.
Consists of nine. Note that this connecting portion is finally separated. Each contact 4514 is a contact member 45
12 is formed in a protruding shape at a substantially central portion, and
The fixing portion 4513 near the lower end of the contact member 4512 is fixed to the upper housing 4506, and thereby the terminal 450
1 can be fixed to the upper housing 4506. Further, an end of the contact member 4512 constitutes a contact 4515 connected to the pad 4508 of the wiring board 4507.

The upper housing 4506 includes a plurality of terminals 4.
A hole 4510 is formed corresponding to each of the holes 501. By irradiating a laser through the hole 4510, the contact 4515 of the terminal 4501 and the pad 4508 of the wiring board 4507 can be laser-soldered. When reflow solder is used instead of laser solder, thermal energy can be applied through the hole 4510. A pin 4504 for positioning with the unit frame 4000 is further provided on the upper housing 4506.
Further, a fixing claw 4505 for fixing the upper housing to the unit frame 4000 is provided.

A wiring board 4507 joined to the upper housing 4506 has a positioning hole 45 for engaging a pin (not shown) provided in the housing 4506 at the time of joining.
11 is formed. In addition, a positioning hole 4503 between the electric contact portion of the apparatus main body is also formed. Further, on the front side (back side, not shown in FIG. 8) of the wiring board 4507,
The connection pad 4502 shown in FIG. 5 is formed.

FIG. 9 shows that the terminal 4501 is connected to the upper housing 450.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which the unit is assembled in a sixth embodiment.

At this stage of the manufacturing process, the connecting portion 45
09 is still in a connected state. Terminal 4501
The assembly of the housing and the housing 4506 will be described later in detail.

FIG. 10 shows a state in which the wiring board 4507 is further joined to the upper housing 4506. At this stage,
Contact 4 between pad 4508 of substrate 4507 and terminal 4501
515 is connected by soldering to enable electrical connection. Also at this stage, the connecting portion 4509 is in a connected state.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a step of separating the connecting portion 4509.

In this cutting, a portion of the contact member 4512, which forms substantially the same plane, is cut. The contact member 4
The reason why the substantially same surface is formed in 512 is to facilitate cutting, and it is not always necessary to form the same surface.

FIG. 12 is a view showing a state in which all of the connecting portions 4509 are cut off.
0 is completed.

FIGS. 13 and 14 are perspective views showing a process of assembling the terminal 4501 to the housing 4506 by insert molding.

In these figures, reference numeral 7002 denotes a mold top, and the top 7002 is a contact 4 of a terminal 4501.
There is a comb-shaped recess 7004 for fitting 515. The connecting portion 4509 of the terminal 4501 is fitted into the positioning slit 7003 of the mold, and is positioned and fixed. Furthermore, a slide 7001 which is a mold and the other mold is used.
Thus, a part of the fixing portion 4513 of the terminal 4501 is sandwiched and fixed. An escape portion is formed on the slide 7001 so that the slide 7001 does not come into contact with the contact point 4514 when the slide 7001 is sandwiched.

The housing 4506 is formed in a portion not pressed by the mold by pouring the resin forming the material of the housing into the mold to which the terminals are fixed as described above and performing insert molding. Thereby, the terminal 450
1 is assembled to the housing 4506 with the same precision as the mold precision. In addition, since the necessary number of contacts for one recording head are connected by the connecting portion 4509 in the assembling process, the work of fitting the terminal 4501 into the mold becomes easy.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of assembling the terminal 4501 into the housing 4506 by press fitting.

In FIG. 15, a press-fit receiving jig 8002 has a surface 8004 for receiving a housing 4506 and a positioning portion (not shown) for positioning the housing 4506.
And a groove 8003 into which the connecting portion 4509 of the terminal 4501 is fitted.
06 and the terminal 4501 with high precision.
By pressing the contact 4515 of the terminal 4501 with 01, the terminal 4501 can be press-fitted from the state shown by the solid line to the state shown by the broken line. Here, reference numeral 4
Reference numerals 517 and 4518 denote press-fit projections provided on the terminal 4501 as shown in detail in FIG. Here, as shown in FIG. 16, the dimensions of the convex portions 4517 and 4518 are determined so that a relationship of A <B <C ≦ D is established with respect to the dimension B of the press-fit portion of the housing 4506.

The distance between the contact point 4514 of the terminal 4501 and the other contact point 4515 in this embodiment is made different depending on the odd-numbered and even-numbered positions as shown in FIG. 15 and the like. When the 4509 is separated, the contact 451 becomes separate.
Even if the position of 4 is shifted, it is possible to prevent the adjacent contacts from coming into contact with each other to cause a short circuit or the like. This is particularly effective when the relay connector 4500 is reduced in size. Therefore, if there is sufficient space, it is not always necessary to make the distance different.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a stress-strain curve at the contact 4514 of the terminal 4501.

In this embodiment, the relationship between the contact pressure between the contact point 4514 and the pad of the recording head is indicated by a solid line.
It is set to be within the range from before the elastic limit to the elastic limit. Thereby, the value of the contact stress ΔP with respect to the variation Δδ of the strain δ is changed to ΔP ′ in the normal elastic range.
Can be made smaller. As a result, even when the relative positional relationship between each recording head, the housing of the relay connector 4500, and the contact 4514 greatly fluctuates, the contact pressure becomes substantially uniform, and not only the reliability of the electric contact is improved, but also the unit is improved. Excessive force is prevented from acting on the recording head arranged with high accuracy in the frame 4000, and the positional accuracy of the recording head can be maintained.

FIGS. 18 and 19 show that, in addition to the connecting part 4509 of the terminal 4501, the second connecting part 4519
An embodiment in the case where it is provided also on the 515 side is shown.

Here, 4520 is a second connecting portion 4519.
The hole 4520 is fitted with a pin provided on a mold top 7002. By providing the second connecting portion 4519 also on the contact 4515 side in this manner, the comb-shaped concave portion 70 on the mold top 7002 is formed.
Also in the case where the contact 4515 is fitted into the 04, the contact poles can be assembled with good workability without the contact poles being shifted from each other. This also makes the press-fitting work more efficient in the case of press-fitting as shown in FIG.

By the way, the second connecting portion 4519 needs to be cut off before joining to the wiring board 4507 (see FIG. 8). The subsequent steps are exactly the same as described above.

FIG. 20 is a plan view of the details of the wiring board 4507 viewed from the side that becomes the surface when joined to the upper housing 4506.

Reference numeral 4507-1 denotes a pad area provided with a pad for contacting an electric contact on the recording apparatus main body side and receiving a signal from the main body side.
Are formed with a predetermined number of pads 4502, which are indicated by oblique lines in the figure. A predetermined number of through holes 4507-3 are provided in the vicinity of both ends of the wiring board 4507, whereby the wiring on the back side of the wiring board 4507 is connected. The conductor 4507-4 is connected to the pad 4502 and the through hole 450.
7-3 is electrically connected.

Reference numeral 4503 denotes a guide hole into which a positioning projection of a connection pad of a carriage, which forms an electrical contact portion on the apparatus body side, is inserted. Among them, the guide hole 4503 on the left side in the figure is used for positioning, and the guide hole 4503 on the right side functions as a guide for the horizontal movement at the time of this positioning. Hole 450 provided at the end of the substrate
7-7 guides positioning pins provided on the upper housing 4506.

The substrate 4507 is of a PCB type using glass epoxy as a base. However, a wiring board other than a PCB may be used as long as the same effect is obtained.

FIG. 21 is a plan view of the wiring board 4507 viewed from the back side.

The conductor 4507-8 is connected to the above-mentioned through hole 4507-3 and the contact 4515 of the terminal 4501.
It is electrically connected to a bonding surface 4508 for bonding to the substrate.
The joining surface 4508 is indicated by hatching in the figure. Each joining surface 4508 is provided in parallel with each recording head.

FIG. 22 schematically shows the state of connection between the electrical contacts on the apparatus main body side provided on the carriage shown in FIG. 7 and the wiring board 4507.

In the drawing, reference numeral 4530 denotes a connection plate provided on the carriage of the recording apparatus of the present embodiment, and a plurality of hemispherical pad portions 4531 for transferring signals on the apparatus main body side are provided. A pressing member 4533 made of rubber having flexibility is attached to the surface on which the pad portion 4531 is provided.

The connection plate 4530 is provided with positioning pins 4532 for making accurate contact with the wiring board 4507 on the above-mentioned upper housing 4506, whereby the pads 4531 and the pads 4502 are accurately contacted. .

The upper housing 4506 is provided with positioning pins 4520 for accurately assembling the upper housing 4506 and the wiring board 4507.

With the above configuration, a highly reliable connector that can receive an electric signal from the apparatus main body and transfer it to each recording head can be obtained.

According to the configuration of the wiring board described above, the electric contact portion for receiving a signal from the apparatus main body can be formed on the surface opposite to the recording surface, whereby ink stains, paper dust, etc. Can prevent contamination of the contact portion, and can improve the reliability of the contact.

By arranging the pad of the contact portion at the center of the wiring board and by bringing the pad closer to the positioning portion,
High-precision contact positioning becomes possible.

Further, by providing a guide hole for connecting to the apparatus body side contact portion provided on the carriage, it is possible to further increase the connection accuracy.

In addition, when the wiring board or the like is used as a connector for taking in an external signal of a recording head unit integrating a plurality of recording heads, such as color recording, a connection pad portion is provided on the outer surface of the unit and recording is performed on the back surface. By providing a joint with the head contact, when wiring each, a through hole is provided at the end of the wiring board, and the conductors are provided in parallel with each other so as to cross the recording head, thereby reducing the number of parts. A small number of wiring circuits with high integration can be formed, and an inexpensive and easily manufactured connector can be obtained.

Next, another embodiment of the relay connector 4500 will be described below.

(Other Embodiment of Relay Connector) The relay connector 4500 (FIG. 5) serves both as a contact and an electrode. FIGS. 23 and 24 show perspective views of members of a main part of the relay connector, respectively. As shown in FIG. 23, a metal electrode frame 14510 (FIG. 23) and a plastic mold lid member 14506 for supporting the same are shown. (FIG. 24). The electrode frame 14510 is made of a metal having high elasticity, for example, phosphor bronze, SUS, or the like, and its contact portion is plated with gold. A contact 14501 is a contact of each recording chip, and 14502 is a unit for receiving an electric signal from the recording device. These contact portions are not limited to only gold plating, and may be silver plating or the like, for example, which may be set according to the assumed cumulative number of contacts and reliability.
The metal frame 14510 is press-formed from one sheet of material,
It is formed by punching and bending. This frame 14
510 is formed with a press-fit fixing portion 14509 for press-fitting and fixing when inserted into the lid member 14506.

A plastic mold lid member 14506
Is a hole 145 for inserting the electrode frame 14510.
07 and slit 1 for holding frame 14510
4508 is provided, with holes 14507 and slits 1450
When the frame 14510 is inserted into the boundary with the frame 8, a fixing portion for receiving the press-fit is provided.
A combination of the slits 14508 and the holes 14507 is machined in parallel with the required number for each 0. The plastic cover member 14506 preferably has good moldability, has little deformation under external pressure, and has excellent precision.
PS resin is preferred. The lid member 14506 is provided with pins 14505a for positioning with respect to a unit frame 4000 (FIG. 5) on which the chip is mounted, and an engaging arm 14505 which is snapped on the unit frame 4000.
In addition, a pair of holes 14503 for positioning with the main body electrode is provided.

(Still Another Embodiment) FIG. 25
24 is a perspective view of another embodiment 14510a of the electrode frame 14510 shown in FIG. 24 as another embodiment of the relay connector. 14501a becomes a contact portion with the head, and
4509a becomes a fixing portion when press-fitted, and 1450
2a is configured to be a contact portion with the apparatus main body, and can be formed by processing a single wire, a thin plate, or the like, so that the cost is low and the molding is easy.

By supporting the opposite surface of the head chip contact portion 14501a with the cover member 14506, the contact portion 1
The contact can be formed by the bending force of the loop portion of the plate material forming the 4501a, and a high-strength contact can be formed.

(Still Another Embodiment of Relay Connector) FIG.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the relay connector.
This relay connector 10001 is provided with an electrode frame 10002 provided with tape contact portions 10007 and 10008 in the form of lead frames having different levels.
A printed circuit board (PCB) 10003 in which a support member 10004 formed by inserting the 0002 is provided, and a frame 10002 is soldered 10006 to the portion protruding through the support member 10004 by cream solder or the like.
Consists of 10001a indicates a resin lid.

The PCB 10003 is a double-sided board, each having means 10005 for connecting the solder part of the frame 10002 to other necessary solder parts, and receiving electric signals that come into contact with the device on the opposite surface through through-hole parts (not shown). Form a part. Thereafter, the frame 10002 is cut and separated into contact portions that are different in level from 10007 and 10008, respectively. In the figure, 10009 indicates a heat intake port.

(Another Embodiment of Relay Connector) FIG.
FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a recording head according to a further embodiment 10002a to which a relay connector having a plurality of recording chips 10004 arranged in parallel is applied. This relay connector 100
02a, the electrode 10006 of each recording chip 10004
The elastic contact 10003a which press-contacts with a is provided. Each of the chips 10004a is precisely arranged on a frame 10005a having a positioning portion, and is configured to receive ink supply from a back surface of the frame 10005a. As in this embodiment, each chip 1 is connected in parallel.
A recording head in which 0004a are arranged is a head having a structure suitable not only for colorization of a recorded image but also for high-speed recording.

(Still Another Embodiment of Relay Connector) Next, FIG. 28 shows an embodiment of a head device HD of an ink jet head device having another relay connector. Reference numeral 14100a denotes a state in which the inkjet head unit IJHU is provided in the unit frame. 1
Reference numeral 4500a denotes a relay connector of another embodiment, in which a plurality of connectors 14501a for supplying electric signals to the respective inkjet head units IJHU are arranged in a line in a row for each inkjet head unit IJHU. And they are positioned / held in a housing 14506a. Reference numeral 14502a denotes a connection portion, which is a main body carriage HC shown in FIG.
It is configured to be in contact with and electrically connected to the connection pad provided above.

Reference numeral 14503 denotes a positioning hole which is engaged with a complementary positioning pin on the main body carriage HC to prevent the connection portion 14502a from being displaced from the connection pad on the carriage, and to ensure the reliability of contact. The wiring from the contact 14501a to the connection portion 14502a is
Devices electrically connected between the respective heads on the 506a, for example, GND and the like are collectively reduced to reduce the number of connections with the main body.

14504a is a housing 14506a.
And fits into the pin 14507a on the housing 14506a. Also, the unit frame 14001
There is provided a member that engages with the locking portion a and fixes the relay connector 14100a to the unit frame 14001a. 1
Reference numeral 4506a has a function of covering and protecting the internal precision part when completed as the head device HD, and has a hole 14009a for passing the ink supply pipe 12200a and the filter.
Are drilled.

Wiring portion 14 of relay connector 14100a
Reference numeral 510a is made of a flexible printed board provided with wiring on both sides, and is covered with a polyimide resin. The wiring 14510a is divided into a portion 14511a which is tightly fixed to the housing 14506a and each of the recording chips.
4512a and a connector mounting portion 14513a to which the connector 14514a is mounted. 145
In a portion 11a, wirings are gathered, a contact portion 14502a for electrical connection with the main body, and a positioning hole 14503.
a, 14504a. Connector 1451
4a and the connector attaching portion are securely attached electrically and mechanically by soldering.
4a is a printed circuit board P provided on each recording tape.
It is configured to be inserted into the card edge portion 14515a of the CB to make an electrical connection.

(Still Another Embodiment of Relay Connector) As shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, this relay connector is characterized by comprising a flexible wiring portion 14510a. A flexible wiring portion 14510a is provided with a 14511a portion securely fixed to the housing 14506a and a flexible bending portion 1451 distributed to each recording chip.
It is divided into a portion 2a and a connector attaching portion 14513a for securely attaching a connector 14514a connected to the recording chip.

The connector mounting portion 14513a is a through hole portion 14 for inserting and soldering a connector pin.
516a is provided. A through hole 14517a for bundling each wiring is provided in a 14511a portion fixed to the housing 14506a, and an electrode wiring (not shown) for connecting a through hole that can be shared by each recording chip is provided on the back side of the 14511a portion. It has been done. Therefore, the wires that can be shared are collected on one side as much as possible and provided so as not to hinder the routing of the individual wires.

When the connector 14514a is inserted and attached by soldering, the relay connector 1
Support members 14518a may be provided below and above 4510a. The support member 14518a may be any material that has heat resistance to soldering, has mutual insulation between pins, and has excellent processing accuracy and strength.

When attaching the relay connector to the head frame, as shown in FIGS. 29 to 31, the flexible wiring 14510a is arranged with a margin in the portion 14512a so as to be able to sufficiently escape even when the connector is mounted. Thus, even if the mounting position of the housing 14506a is displaced, or if the recording heads 10300 are displaced up, down, left, right, and back and forth after alignment, they can be assembled without any interference with a margin of 14512a. Became possible.

(Still Another Embodiment of Relay Connector) FIG.
2 is a further embodiment 14500 of the relay connector.
b.

The relay connector 14500b includes a flexible wiring 14512b and a printed circuit board (PCB) 1
0200 in the common wiring 14511b
12b is connected by soldering. 14511b is further provided with an electrode portion for receiving an electric signal from the main body. The 14511b portion is securely bonded or welded to the support member 14506b. At one end of the flexible wiring 14512b, an attachment portion for the connector 14514b is provided, and is fixed by soldering. Connector 14514
b is inserted and connected to the card edge portion of the PCB 10200 of the recording chip 10300.

As described above, the relay connector 1450
0b is a connector part, a flexible wiring part, a common electrode part,
It is divided into support members and integrally formed.

(Still Another Embodiment of Relay Connector) FIG.
FIG. 3 shows still another embodiment of the relay connector.

The relay connector 14500c is soldered to the flexible wiring 14512c and the wiring 14512c that are wired to the support members 14506c and the recording heads 10300, respectively, and is mounted on the PCB provided on the recording head 10300.
Connector 145 Connected to Card Edge of 10200
14c.

The flexible wirings 14512c are arranged so as to overlap each other, and the wirings common to the respective recording heads 10300 are sequentially electrically connected to the next wiring by soldering and pressure welding, and are mounted on the main body at a part of the upper part. In this case, a contact portion for receiving an electric signal is provided.

(Still Another Embodiment of Relay Connector) FIG.
FIG. 4 shows a diagram corresponding to FIG. 27 of another embodiment in which the recording heads 10004a are arranged in parallel. Relay connector 10
002b includes the electrode 100 of each recording head 10004a.
A connector 10003b that connects to the connector 06a is provided. Each recording head 10004a is accurately arranged in parallel with a frame 10005b provided with a positioning portion, and has a structure in which ink is supplied from the back of the frame 10005b. Each recording head 10 is arranged in parallel as shown in FIG.
The recording unit provided with 004a is a recording head unit having a structure suitable not only for colorization of a recorded image but also for high-speed recording.

Next, another embodiment of the positioning structure when the relay connector is attached to the unit frame will be described.

FIG. 35 shows a state where the unit frame 20030 is held and fixed to the print head holding portion 20030a. Reference numeral 20033 denotes a relay connector provided with a plurality of contact members 20034 on the rear surface side for supplying an electric signal to each recording head 20030b. A plurality of contact members 20034 are provided for each recording head in a row. It is juxtaposed. The contact member 2
0034 is positioned and held by the housing 20035. Reference numeral 20036 denotes a connection portion, which is configured to be in contact with and electrically connected to a connection pad (not shown) provided on the carriage.

Reference numeral 20037 denotes a positioning hole, which is engaged with a corresponding positioning pin (not shown) provided on the carriage to prevent the connection portion 20036 from being displaced from the connection pad on the carriage side, thereby providing reliable contact. It is to ensure the nature. The wiring from the contact member 20034 to the connection part 20036 is connected to the housing 2
The components electrically connected among the recording heads 20030b among the recording heads, for example, GND, etc., are wired together so as to reduce the number of connections. 2
0038 is a pair of positioning pins for positioning with the unit frame 20030 and for receiving the force from each contact member 20034, and protrudes from the back side corner of the housing 200335. The positioning pins 20038 fit into positioning holes 20039 formed on the corresponding upper end surface of the unit frame 20038.

Reference numeral 20040 denotes a pair of locking arms, which protrude near the side surface on the back surface side of the housing 200335. A hook-shaped locking portion 20 is provided at the tip of the locking arm 20040.
040a is formed. Also, the unit frame 20030
A locking recess 20041 is formed on the inner surface of the outer wall 20030a. As described later, the locking arm 20040
Is locked in the locking recess 20041 and the positioning pin 200
By fitting 38 into positioning hole 20033, relay connector 20033 is attached and fixed to unit frame 20030. Further, on both sides of the locking arm 20040, a guide rib 2 having a slope 20043a at the tip end.
0043 are protruded, and guide grooves 20044 are formed on both sides of the locking concave portion 20041 of the unit frame 20030 corresponding to the guide ribs 20043.

Reference numeral 20042 denotes a cover which covers and protects a precise portion inside each recording head 20030b. The cover 20042 has an ink supply pipe 2
Hole 200 for passing the 0024b and the filter 20004d
42a are provided at four places. In this embodiment, a case where four recording heads 20030b are arranged in parallel with the unit frame 20030 will be exemplified. The cover 20
Reference numeral 042 is mounted on the unit frame 20030 by locking the locking claws 20042b provided at both ends to the corresponding locking portions 20030c of the unit frame 20030.

(Structure of Relay Connector) Next, a more specific structure of the relay connector 20033 will be described with reference to FIGS. 36 and 37. The relay connector 20 of FIG.
033 shows a state in which the back side is facing up. In FIG. 36, the contact members 20034 are integrated together by the number of electrodes necessary for one recording head by the connecting portion 200045 in the vicinity of the contacts 23034a bent in a V-shape. FIG. 36 shows a final form in which the connecting portion 20045 is separated.

Reference numeral 20046 denotes a fixing member for fixing the contact member 20034 to the housing 20035. The fixing member is fixed to the housing 200335 by press fitting or insert molding. Reference numeral 20047 denotes an electrical connection portion for electrically connecting the contact member 20034 to a wiring member 20009 described later.
The electric connection portion 20074 is disposed in a long hole 20048 formed in the housing 20035. 2004
Reference numeral 9 denotes a wiring member, which is a substrate for electrically connecting the contact member 20034 and the connection portion 20036. The electric connection portion 2004 of the wiring member 20049
A pad 20049a is formed at the slot position corresponding to No. 7. Therefore, the elongated hole 20048 is connected to the electrical connection portion 2.
In connecting the 0047 and the pad 20009a, for example, when laser soldering is performed, a laser beam is irradiated, and when reflow soldering is performed, the laser beam is used to supply energy from a heat source. The soldering method is not limited to these.

As described above, the housing 2003
Positioning pins 200338 for positioning with the unit frame 20030 protrude from both corner portions of the housing 5.
30 and locking arm 20040 for fixing by patching
Are protruding.

Also, as shown in FIG.
Peripheral portion 20050 of electric connection portion 20074 in 035
(See FIG. 36).
A space 20051 is formed with respect to 049. This is because the solder 20052 is connected to the
This is for generating a meniscus between the portions 0049a, and if this space portion 20051 is not sufficient, there is a possibility that the solder 20052 which could not form a meniscus may be short-circuited between adjacent portions. Therefore, when the contact member 20034 is fixed to the housing 20035 by press-fitting or insert molding, the space 200
Care must be taken not to forget to form 51.

In FIG. 36, the locking arm 2004
The guide ribs 200043 are provided on both sides of the “0”. As described above, the guide rib 20003 is attached to the unit frame 2.
The contact member 20034 is provided at a position corresponding to the guide groove 20044 formed in the recording head 2.
0030b is provided so as to resist the pressure of contact with the wiring board. The guide rib 20003 has a slope 200.
43 a is formed, and the locking arm 20040 can be guided to a predetermined position of the locking recess 20041 according to the shape of the guide groove 20044.

(Attaching Relay Connector) Next, the work of incorporating the above-described relay connector 20033 into the unit frame 20030 to which the recording head 20003 is fixed will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 38, the relay connector 20033 is inserted from above the unit frame 20030 with the locking arm 20040 and the guide ribs 20003 and the like down, so that the contact member 20034 comes into contact with the wiring board 200021 of each recording head 20003. It is attached and fixed. Hereinafter, the mounting operation of the relay connector will be described for each state with reference to the enlarged view of the part A in FIG.

In FIG. 39, the relay connector 20033
Is moved in the direction of the unit frame 20030 (the direction of the arrow Y in the drawing),
By inserting along the guide groove 20044 of 0030,
The contact point 20034a of the contact member 20034 is the recording head 2
The relay connector 20033 can be positioned on the unit frame 20030 without being in contact with the wiring board 20021 of the 0003.

Next, as shown in FIG.
0033 to move the slope 200 of the guide rib
When the contact 43a hits the groove slope 20044a of the guide groove 20044, the relay connector 20033 starts moving in the direction of the arrow X, and the contacts 20034a of the contact member 20034 contact the wiring board 20021. Even in this state, the locking arm 20040
Is in a natural state because it is not affected at all.

Next, as shown in FIG.
When the 0033 is further moved in the arrow Y direction, the guide rib 2
When the 0043 passes through the groove slope 20044a, the relay connector 20033 moves only in the arrow Y direction.
In this state, the deflection of the contact member 20034 is almost in the final state. That is, the contact member 20034 and the wiring board 200
The contact pressure with 21 is almost maximum (MAX). Even in this state, the guide rib 200043 receives the reaction force of the contact pressure, and no force acts on the locking arm 20040.

Next, the relay connector 20033 is further moved by the arrow Y.
42, the locking arm 200 is moved as shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 40 abuts against the unit frame 20030 and bends in the direction of arrow X. Then, as shown in FIG.
040a is locked in the locking recess 20041. Even when the locking arm 20040 bends as shown in FIG. 42, it does not affect the contact pressure between the contact member 20034 and the wiring board 20021.

The locking arm 20040 and the locking recess 20
041 is locked, the relay connector 2003
The third positioning pin 20038 fits into the positioning hole 20039 of the unit frame 20030. This positioning pin 2
As shown in FIG. 36, the distal end portion 20038a of the 0038 is chamfered, and by also chamfering the entrance of the corresponding positioning hole 20039, it is possible to smoothly fit and position.

According to the above configuration, the relay connector 2003
3 is assembled into the unit frame 20030, the contact member 2
There is no danger that the 0034 is carelessly applied to the recording head 20003 and an excessive load is applied to the contact member 20034 and the recording head 20003. Thereby, the work of attaching the relay connector 20033 to the unit frame 20030 can be performed efficiently and safely, and
It is possible to maintain the positional accuracy of the recording head 20003 fixed and positioned with high accuracy in the unit frame 20030.

The contact member 20034 may be deformed when it receives an excessive load. However, in this embodiment, since only a necessary contact pressure is applied, it is possible to ensure the reliability of the electrical contact with the recording head. it can.

Further, the reaction force caused by the contact pressure between the contact member 20034 and the recording head 20003 is guided by the guide rib 200.
For receiving at 43, the locking arm 20040 has a locking recess 2
Only the load necessary for locking with 0041 is received, and the locking arm 20040 is not deformed. This ensures the state of connection between the relay connector 20033 and the unit frame 20030 even after the relay connector 20033 has been assembled into the unit frame 20030, thereby ensuring the reliability of electrical contact between the contact member 20034 and the recording head 20003.

In addition, since the relay connector 20033, the unit frame 20030, and the like can be integrally formed by a molding member, it is possible to provide a high-accuracy, high-reliability inkjet recording apparatus suitable for mass production at low cost.

FIGS. 44 to 51 are views for explaining in detail a holding column 4011 as another embodiment of the holding member of the present embodiment.

FIG. 44 shows a state in which the head unit is assembled. A part of the side wall of the unit frame is formed so that the assembled state of the relay connector portion 34500, the unit frame 34000, and the cover 34006 as a covering member can be easily described. This shows a cut state.

As can be seen from the figure, the relay connector 345
00 to recess 3 which is a locking portion of the unit frame 34000
The hook of the locking arm 34505 is engaged with 4010, and the relay connector 34500 and the unit frame 34000 are assembled. Reference numeral 34011 denotes a holding column integrally formed with the cover 34006, which is located at a position close to the back surface of the locking arm 34505 of the relay connector portion 34500. This relationship is created by assembly.

The left side of FIG. 45 is AA 'in FIG.
It shows a cross section. Here, the holding column 34011 must be arranged so that the relationship of C <D is established with respect to the locking arm 34505 and the locking concave portion 34010.

The right side of FIG. 45 shows a cross section BB ′ on the left side of FIG.

With the above-described structure, even when an impact force such as a drop is received, the locking arm 34505 holds the back portion of the holding column 3.
Since it is held down by 4011, it does not come off the locking portion.

FIG. 46 shows a state in which the holding column 34011 is in contact with the back surface of the locking arm. In this case, the effect of holding the locking arm 34505 is higher, but it is sufficient to select one of the case where the contact is brought into contact and the case where the contact is made close in consideration of the assemblability.

Reference numeral 34013 denotes a hole formed when the locking claw 34008 of the cover 34006 is formed by a metal mold, and may not be provided depending on the mold structure.

Also, by pouring the adhesive through the hole 34013, the cover 34006 and the unit frame 34000 are formed.
And the effect of providing the holding column 34011 can be further increased because there is no possibility that the cover will come off.

FIGS. 47 to 51 show another embodiment of the holding member.

In FIG. 47, reference numeral 34014 denotes a hole for injecting an adhesive. This hole is provided with a cover 34006 as shown in FIG.
And it is desirable to be close to the holding column 34011. When 34600 is inserted from the injection hole 34014 with an adhesive, it reaches the locking arm along the holding column 34011. The amount of the adhesive 34600 to be applied may be determined by the amount flowing to the locking arm 34505 as needed.

In this way, the locking arm 34505 and the holding column 34011 are bonded and fixed, so that they become stronger.
In addition, the cover 34006 cannot be removed without bonding the hole 34013.

Also, by bonding, two surfaces of the head unit that are not formed by the unit frame except for the direction in which the ink is ejected are integrated, so that the head unit is completed as a more reliable product as a completed head unit. .

FIG. 49 and FIG. 50 show a further development of the above, wherein a groove 34015 is added to a holding column 34011.

The groove 34015 exhibits an effect of reliably guiding the adhesive 34600 from the injection hole 34014 to the locking arm 34505, and a reliable effect can be obtained with a smaller amount of adhesive applied.

FIG. 51 shows the most effective embodiment. An auxiliary rib is provided at a position adjacent to the holding column 34011 with the injection hole 34014 interposed therebetween. The auxiliary rib is the locking arm 34
Unit area 34000 extending to the vicinity of 505
Extending into the vicinity of the locking recessed portion 34010. When the adhesive 34600 is applied in this configuration, the holding column 34011 is formed.
The adhesive 34600 reaches the locking arm 34505 and the locking recess 34010 along the auxiliary rib 34016 and the cover 34006 relay connector 34500 unit frame 34
000 can be integrally bonded and fixed.

As described above, each embodiment of the relay connector shown in FIGS. 23 to 34 in the recording head unit shown in FIGS. 1 to 22, or each of the arrangements for positioning shown in FIGS. The effects of the present invention can be further preferably achieved by appropriately combining the embodiments or the embodiments of the holding member shown in FIGS. 44 to 51.

In the above-described embodiment, the reference surfaces of the plurality of recording heads are attached to the positioning portions of the head frame for each recording head.

However, in the above embodiment, since a plurality of recording heads are pressed against the wall on the carriage side to perform positioning, when dust or the like is caught between the recording head and the wall, ink droplets are not removed. There is a possibility that a landing deviation may occur and image quality may be degraded.

Further, the positional deviation of the recording head in the sub-scanning direction and the inclination of the nozzle row are determined by the positioning accuracy between each recording head and the carriage. Therefore, high precision is required in the production of the carriage, and the production cost increases. Therefore, there is a possibility that design restrictions may occur.

The following is another embodiment of mounting a recording head on a frame which solves the above-mentioned problem.

(Attaching Configuration of Recording Head) Next, the recording head 40003 constructed as described above is mounted on the carriage 400.
A configuration for attaching the camera to the camera 05 will be described with reference to FIG.

A plurality of recording heads 40003 are arranged in parallel to supply different color inks, thereby enabling color recording. When the same ink is supplied, high-speed printing is possible. In any case, each recording head 40003 needs to be positioned with high precision with respect to the carriage 40005.

In FIG. 52, a connector 40005c for transmitting an electric signal from the apparatus main body is formed on the recording head mounting surface 40005b of the carriage 40005. The connector 40005c is connected to the recording head 400.
03 is mounted so that no excessive force acts on it. The recording head 40003 is incorporated in the connector 40005c so that the connection of the recording head 40003 with the connection part 40005e is established based on the connection part 40005e that connects the lead screw. At this time, the recording head 40003 is positioned by forming a slight gap without pressing against the wall 40005d of the carriage 40005.

Recording head 4 positioned as described above
0003 is a carriage 4000 as shown in FIG.
The adhesive 40028 is applied to a gap formed between the first and second adhesive layers 5 and fixed. At least three bonding portions are required as shown in FIG. 53, but it is also possible to apply the coating on the front surface to further improve the strength. In this embodiment, a UV-based adhesive having a short tact is temporarily fixed, and then an adhesive 40028 having an adhesive force.
Fixed.

According to the above configuration, the recording head 40003
Is positioned directly without being pressed against the carriage 40005, so that the recording head 40003 can be positioned with high accuracy regardless of the manufacturing accuracy of the carriage 40005. Therefore, it is possible to prevent misalignment due to dust or the like at the time of mounting the recording head, and maintain good image quality.

When the recording head 40003 is fixed, the height between the connecting portion 40005e of the carriage 40005 and the nozzle of each recording head is determined by the apparatus. Determined by manufacturing accuracy. Therefore, each recording head 4003 is incorporated in a state in which all the ink landing deviation amounts other than the arrow x direction (the arrow y direction and the arrow z direction) are taken into account. Arrow x direction (main scanning direction)
The landing position is corrected by detecting the landing deviation amount and electrically shifting the timing of ink ejection to each print head by the amount of the deviation as in the related art.

(Another Embodiment of Mounting Structure of Recording Head) Next, another embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

The mounting configuration of the recording head 40003 will be described with reference to FIG. The print head mounting surface 40005b and the wall 40005d of the carriage 40005
A rail 40029 is continuous with the position of the connector 40005c and is parallel to the y and z directions. Are formed side by side. The recording head 40003 is mounted so as to sandwich the support 40019 in a groove 40030 formed between the rails 40029, and the position in the direction of the arrow x is regulated. Further, connecting portions 40031a, 4040 for connecting the two rails 40029 in the vertical direction (parallel to the x direction) are provided in the groove 40030.
Numerals 031b and 40031c are formed to engage with grooves formed in the support 40019 of the recording head 4003 as shown in FIG. 56 to regulate the position in the y and z directions.

As shown in FIG. 55, the recording head 40003 is held with a gap formed between the recording head 40003 and the groove bottom formed between the rails 40029, and an adhesive 40028 is applied to the gap. Fixed. The adhesive 40028 is applied to at least three places in the groove 40030. If the adhesive 40028 has rigidity, the adhesive force may be weaker than that in the above-described embodiment, and the range of choice of the adhesive is widened.

The recording head 40003 is moved to the carriage 4
When the print head 4000 is fixed to the print head 4000, the height between the connecting portion 40005e of the carriage 40005 and the nozzle of each print head is determined by the apparatus.
3 is determined by the manufacturing accuracy of the carriage 40005 to be incorporated. Therefore, each recording head 40003 is incorporated in a state where all the deviation amounts other than the arrow x direction (the arrow y direction and the arrow z direction) are taken into account. Further, the correction in the direction of the arrow x (main scanning direction) is performed by detecting the amount of recording deviation and electrically shifting the timing of ink ejection to each recording head by the amount of deviation as in the related art.

(Still Another Embodiment of Mounting Structure of Recording Head) Next, another embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

In the present embodiment, a plurality of recording heads are integrally held on a frame, and are mounted on a carriage. First, the configuration of the frame that holds the recording head 40003 will be described with reference to FIG. 4
Reference numeral 0032 denotes a frame which holds a plurality of recording heads 40003 in parallel. This frame 400
A plurality of ribs 40033 having different heights are provided at a plurality of locations on the inner wall of the nozzle 032. The support 40019 of the recording head 40003 abuts the bottom of the groove 40034 in the groove 40034 formed between the ribs 40033. It is fixed so that it is sandwiched without it. The higher rib of the pair of ribs 40033 has an effect of increasing the strength of the frame 40032.

A slide projection 40035 protrudes from the side surface of the outer wall of the frame body 40033, and is used for engagement with a carriage described later.

Furthermore, the material of the frame 40032 is
Influences the rigidity of the frame body 40032
Is selected in consideration of manufacturing accuracy (environment resistance), fixing force to the apparatus body, and deformation during handling. In this embodiment, PPS containing filler is used.

The mounting structure of each recording head 40003 to the frame 40032 is held with a gap formed between the rib 40033 and the bottom of the groove, similarly to the above embodiment. It is fixed by applying an adhesive to it. The adhesive should be at least 3 in the groove 40034.
As long as it is applied to the location, the entire surface of the groove may be adhered. Each recording head 40003 is held by the rigidity of the adhesive and the strength of the groove 40034. In addition, by providing the elastic member so as to cover the adhesive, the reliability of the positioning of the recording head 40003 can be further improved.

In this embodiment, a UV-based adhesive having a short tact and a high strength is used as an adhesive, and an elastic silicon-type adhesive is used as a filler.

Reference numeral 40036 denotes a cover for covering the frame body 40032, to which an electrode pad 40037 made of a flexible cable in which electrical contacts with the respective recording heads 40003 are integrated at one place. The lid 40
No. 036 is a nozzle 40003a of the print head 40003.
A window 400036a for arranging is provided.
The lid 40036 is provided with a connector 40036b for connecting to the recording head 40003. The connector 400036b is connected to the electrode pad 40037.
And the electrical contacts to the apparatus main body can be combined at one place. In this embodiment, since a shift register (not shown) is mounted on each recording head 40003, the number of contacts can be made smaller than the total number of electrodes of the recording head. A recording signal is transmitted to each recording head by being electrically connected to the apparatus main body via the. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which four recording heads 40003 are arranged in parallel, but the present invention is not limited to this.

As shown in FIG. 58, the frame 40
032 on the back side (in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 57)
One slot 40038 is formed, and positioning projections 40039 are provided at predetermined positions on the wall surface at three places.

When the frame 40032 holding the recording head 40003 is mounted on the carriage 40040, the slide projection 40035 is formed on the carriage 40040 by a slit 40040 as shown in FIG.
Slide along a to engage. Further, as shown in FIG. 59, a pressing member 40041 protruding from the apparatus main body side.
The slide projection 40035 is moved by the carriage 40
040 side. At this time, the carriage 400
The positioning pins 40040b protruding from the 40 are fitted into the slots 40038, respectively. Thus, the arrow x direction (main scanning direction), the z direction (height direction), θ _y
(Tilt angle in the sub-scanning direction) is determined. At the same time, the positioning projection 40039 on the frame 40032 is brought into contact with the corresponding reference surface 40040c on the carriage 40040. Thus, the direction of the arrow y (the sub-scanning direction), θ _x (the tilt angle in the main scanning direction), and θ _z (the tilt angle in the height direction) are determined.

As shown in FIG. 59, the electric connection with the apparatus main body is made by a lid 4003 which covers the frame 40032.
6 is connected by pressing the electrode pad 40042 on the apparatus main body side to the electrode pad 4037 assembled in 6.

Further, as shown in FIG. 60, after the frame 40032 is mounted on the carriage 40040, the ink tank 40004 is fitted into each of the ink supply pipes 40024b projecting from the back side of the frame 40032, and the carriage 40
The mounting operation of the recording head 40003 is completed by mounting the recording head 4000 on the recording head 040. The ink tank 40004
Are exchangeably attached to the frame 40032.

According to the above configuration, the plurality of recording heads 40
By holding 003 in the frame 40032, the recording head can be unitized and the head replacement operation for the carriage 40040 can be facilitated.

The frame 40 is mounted on the carriage 40040.
Since the recording head 40003 is attached via the line 032, it is possible to prevent the external force from directly acting on the recording head 40003 and to cause the displacement. Further, since the recording head 40003 does not directly contact the frame 40032, the recording head 40003 can be mounted on the carriage 40040 without being affected by the accuracy of the frame 40032 when the recording head 40003 is unitized. Head 400
All of the positions 03 in the x, y, and z directions can be positioned with high accuracy according to the accuracy of the apparatus main body.

Further, the landing deviation of the ink of the recording head 40003 is measured in advance, and the recording head 40003 is held in the frame 40032 in consideration of the information. In the corrected state, there is no need to electrically adjust the ink ejection timing from the apparatus main body side, and the control operation can be simplified. Therefore, even if the recording head unit is replaced, good image quality can be maintained without adjusting the position of the recording head in the main scanning direction.

As described above, each embodiment of the recording head unit shown in FIGS. 52 to 60 is replaced with each embodiment of the relay connector shown in FIGS. 23 to 34, or FIGS.
The effects of the present invention can be more preferably achieved by appropriately combining the respective embodiments of the configuration for positioning shown in FIG. 9 or the respective embodiments of the holding members shown in FIGS.

In each of the above-described embodiments, one of the ink jet recording systems is used as a recording means. The electric heat converter is energized in accordance with a recording signal, and the heat energy applied by the electric heat converter is applied to the ink. A recording head configured to perform recording by discharging ink from the discharge port by the growth and shrinkage of bubbles generated in the ink utilizing the generated film boiling.

The typical configuration and principle are described in, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 47407.
It is preferable to use the basic principle disclosed in the specification of Japanese Patent No. 96. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and the continuous type. In particular, in the case of the on-demand type, it is arranged corresponding to a sheet or a liquid path holding a liquid (ink). By applying at least one drive signal corresponding to the recording information and providing a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling to the electrothermal transducer, heat energy is generated in the electrothermal transducer, and the recording head is driven. This is effective because film boiling occurs on the heat-acting surface, and as a result, bubbles in the liquid corresponding to the drive signal can be formed integrally. The liquid is ejected through the ejection opening by the growth and reduction of the bubble to form at least one droplet. If this drive signal is pulse-shaped,
Since the growth and shrinkage of the bubbles are immediately and appropriately performed, particularly excellent liquid ejection can be achieved, which is more preferable.

As the pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable.

Further, when the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 relating to the temperature rise rate of the heat acting surface are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As the configuration of the recording head, in addition to the combination of the discharge port, the liquid path, and the electrothermal converter (linear liquid flow path or right-angled liquid flow path) as disclosed in the above-mentioned respective specifications, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,558,333 and 445,960 which disclose a configuration in which a heat acting portion is arranged in a bending region.
The configuration using the specification No. 0 is also included in the present invention.

For a plurality of electrothermal transducers, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Sho 59-123670 discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge section of the electrothermal transducer, and an opening for absorbing pressure waves of thermal energy is provided. The effect of the present invention is effective even if the configuration is based on JP-A-59-138461, which discloses a configuration corresponding to a discharge unit. That is, according to the present invention, the recording can be performed reliably and efficiently regardless of the form of the recording head.

Further, among the above-described serial type recording heads, a recording head fixed to a carriage, a cartridge type recording head in which an ink tank is provided integrally with the recording head itself, or the like may be used.

It is preferable to add recording head recovery means, preliminary auxiliary means, and the like provided as components of the recording apparatus of the present invention since the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. To be more specific, capping means for the recording head, cleaning means, pressurizing or suctioning means, preheating means using an electrothermal conversion type or another heating element or a combination thereof, and printing Performing a preliminary ejection mode for performing another ejection is also effective for performing stable printing.

The type and number of recording heads mounted on the carriage are, for example, not only those provided for one color ink but also a plurality of inks having different recording colors and densities. May be provided in plurality. That is, for example, the printing mode of the printing apparatus is not limited to a printing mode of only a mainstream color such as black, and may be a combination of a plurality of print heads integrally formed. To at least one of the full-color devices.

In addition, in the above-described embodiments, the ink is described as a liquid. However, an ink which solidifies at room temperature or lower and which softens or liquefies at room temperature, or an ink jet recording system Ink 3
Generally, the temperature is controlled within a range of 0 ° C. or more and 70 ° C. or less to control the temperature so that the viscosity of the ink is in a stable ejection range. Good. In addition, positively prevent the temperature rise due to thermal energy by using it as energy for changing the state of the ink from a solid state to a liquid state, or use an ink that solidifies in a standing state to prevent evaporation of the ink. In any case, the ink liquefies by the application according to the recording signal of the thermal energy,
The present invention is also applicable to a case where an ink having a property of being liquefied for the first time by thermal energy, such as a type in which liquid ink is ejected, a type in which solidification is already started upon reaching a recording sheet, and the like, is used.

The ink in such a case is disclosed in
As described in JP-A-56874 or JP-A-60-71260, a form in which the liquid sheet or the solid sheet is opposed to the electrothermal converter while being held as a liquid or solid substance in the concave portion or through hole of the porous sheet. It is good. The most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-described film boiling method.

Further, as the form of the above-described ink jet recording apparatus, in addition to those used as image output terminals of information processing equipment such as a computer, there are a copying apparatus combined with a reader and the like, and a facsimile apparatus having a transmission / reception function. It may be something to be taken.

[0203]

As is apparent from the above, according to the present invention, the electrical connection between the apparatus main body and the plurality of recording heads is performed by the electric relay member of the recording head unit accommodating the plurality of ink jet recording heads. Is done through
Unnecessary force does not act on the recording head, the positional accuracy between the plurality of recording heads is maintained, and the second electric connecting member of the electric relay member is used for recording from the back surface of the second electric connecting member. To reach the head side electrical contact of the head,
Since the recording head extends to a space formed between adjacent inkjet recording heads or between recording units, a plurality of recording heads can be arranged close to each other.

Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, the electric contact with the apparatus main body is provided on the surface opposite to the ink ejection surface, thereby preventing the electric contact from being contaminated by paper dust or ink mist. it can.

Further, according to another embodiment of the present invention, a contact portion of a relay connector member is formed of an elastic member to each recording head and an electrode of each head, or a wiring of the connector member is formed of a flexible member. By forming, high-quality image recording can be performed without causing interference in the positional accuracy of the contacts of the relay connector and the positional accuracy between the recording heads.

According to still another embodiment of the present invention, the relay connector of the recording head unit in which the electrode portion and the relay connector are connected so as to maintain the positioning accuracy between the recording heads held in the recording head unit frame. The guide rib is inserted along the guide groove of the frame, the locking arm is locked in the locking recess, and the positioning pin can be fitted and fixed in the positioning hole.

Further, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the recording head is positioned so as to be perpendicular to the main scanning direction without pressing against the recording medium conveying body against the wall, so that the manufacturing accuracy of the conveying body varies. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the recording head from being displaced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a main part of a recording head according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a main part of the recording head shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the recording head shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a recording head unit to which a plurality of recording heads shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 are attached, excluding a housing thereof.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the recording head unit.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view for explaining the connection between the recording head unit and the ink tank shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an ink jet recording apparatus using the recording head unit shown in FIGS. 4 and 5;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing one manufacturing process of the relay connector formed in the housing member of the recording head unit.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure following the step in FIG. 8 and showing a state in which the terminal shown in FIG. 8 is similarly attached to the housing shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a step subsequent to the step illustrated in FIG. 9, and illustrating connection between a contact point of a terminal and a pad of a wiring board;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a step subsequent to the step shown in FIG. 10 and showing a step of separating a connecting portion for connecting each connecting member of the terminal.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a state where a relay connector also serving as a housing of the recording head unit is completed.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating an example in which the connector is manufactured using a mold.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating an example in which the connector is manufactured using a mold.

FIG. 15 is a schematic sectional view illustrating an example of manufacturing the connector by press fitting.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating a terminal shape in the manufacture shown in FIG.

FIG. 17 is a stress-strain curve diagram for explaining a contact relationship between a terminal contact of the relay connector and a contact of a recording head.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing another example of a terminal shape in the production of a relay connector.

FIG. 19 is a schematic sectional view showing a step of assembling the terminal to a housing.

FIG. 20 is a plan view showing the front side of a wiring board, which is a contact portion between the relay connector and the apparatus body.

FIG. 21 is a plan view showing the back side of the wiring board.

FIG. 22 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the connection between the device body side contact portion and the wiring board.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of an electrode frame of the relay connector according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a lid member of the relay connector according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the electrode frame.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the relay connector.

FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram of still another embodiment of the relay connector.

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the head device.

FIG. 29 is a schematic view of a relay connector wiring portion according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 30 is a schematic view of a connector according to one embodiment of the present invention and a mounting portion thereof.

FIG. 31 is a schematic diagram of a head frame mounting portion of the relay connector according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 32 is a schematic view of still another embodiment of the relay connector.

FIG. 33 is a schematic view of still another embodiment of the relay connector.

FIG. 34 is an explanatory diagram of still another embodiment of the relay connector.

FIG. 35 is an exploded perspective view of a recording head unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 36 is an explanatory diagram of a relay connector according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 37 is a partially enlarged explanatory view of a relay connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 38 is an explanatory diagram showing a state immediately before a relay connector is incorporated into a frame according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 39 is an explanatory diagram showing an assembling operation when assembling the relay connector into the frame according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 40 is an explanatory diagram showing an assembling operation when assembling the relay connector into the frame according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 41 is an explanatory diagram showing an assembling operation when assembling the relay connector into the frame according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 42 is an explanatory diagram showing an assembling operation when assembling the relay connector into the frame according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 43 is an explanatory view showing an assembling operation when assembling the relay connector into the frame according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 44 is a schematic view showing a holding column according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 45 is a schematic view showing a holding column according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 46 is a schematic view showing a holding column according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 47 is a schematic view showing a holding column and an adhesive injection hole according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 48 is a schematic view showing a holding column and an adhesive injection hole according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 49 is a diagram showing a holding column and an adhesive injection hole and a schematic diagram showing a guide groove according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 50 is a diagram showing a holding column and an adhesive injection hole and a schematic diagram showing a guide groove according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 51 is a diagram showing a holding column and an adhesive injection hole and a schematic diagram showing an auxiliary rib according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 52 is an explanatory diagram showing a mounting configuration of a print head with respect to a carriage according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 53 is an explanatory diagram showing an adhesive portion between a recording head and a carriage according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 54 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a mounting configuration of a recording head to a carriage according to another embodiment.

FIG. 55 is an explanatory diagram showing an adhesive portion between a recording head and a carriage according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 56 is an explanatory diagram showing a bonding portion between a recording head and a carriage according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 57 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of attaching a recording head to a frame according to another embodiment.

FIG. 58 is an explanatory diagram showing a back surface side of a frame according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 59 is an explanatory diagram showing a mounting configuration of the frame to the carriage according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 60 is an explanatory diagram showing a mounting structure of the frame to the carriage according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 electrothermal conversion element 7 liquid chamber 8 ink path 9 discharge port (orifice) 100 heater board 200 printed circuit board 300 support substrate 400 orifice plate 600 ink supply path member 2200 ink supply pipe 4000 unit frame 4001 unit outer wall plate 4002 unit inner wall plate 4006 side housing 4009 hole 4501 terminal 4502 connection pad 4506 upper housing 4507 wiring board 4508 pad 4509 connecting part 4510 hole 4512 connecting member 4514,4515 contact 5030 connecting plate 5031 connection pad 6000,6000-A, 6000-B ink tank 14501 contact 14502 Electrical signal receiving portion 14505 Engagement arm 14509 Press-fit fixing portion 14510 Frame 20030 Unit frame 20034 Contact member 200335 Housing 20040 Locking arm 20057 Electrical connection 20049 Wiring member 20050 Peripheral 20051 Space 34011 Holding column 34505 Locking arm IJU Recording head

Continued on front page (31) Priority claim number Japanese Patent Application No. 5-122638 (32) Priority date May 25, 1993 (1993.5.25) (33) Priority claim country Japan (JP) (31) Priority claim number Japanese Patent Application No. 5-122977 (32) Priority date May 25, 1993 (1993.5.25) (33) Priority claiming country Japan (JP) (72) Inventor Masahiko Hikuma Ota, Tokyo 3-30-2 Shimomaruko-ku Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Seiichiro Karita 3-30-2 Shimomaruko 3-chome Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Tsuyoshi Orikasa 3-chome Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo 30-2 Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Naoto Asai 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Seiji Suzuki 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Yasuharu Sato 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (56) References JP-A-63-265644 (JP, A) Open flat 4-221664 (JP, A) JP flat 4-247959 (JP, A) JP flat 2-198850 (JP, A) (58 ) investigated the field (Int.Cl. ^7, DB name) B41J 2 / 01 B41J 2/05 B41J 2/21 B41J 29/00 H01R 24/00

Claims (20)

(57) [Claims] An ink discharge port for discharging ink is formed.
And a head-side electrical contact on a different surface
For accommodating multiple inkjet recording heads
A recording head unit, wherein a plurality of the inkjet recording heads are arranged adjacent to each other.
Between jet recording heads or the recording unit
And a space between them, and the ink ejection direction
Are in the same direction and the head-side electrical contacts are
A head holding member for housing so as to be exposed, and a plurality of first electrical connection members for obtaining electrical continuity with the outside on one surface, and a back surface of the one surface, An electrical relay member provided with a plurality of second electrical connection members for obtaining electrical continuity with the head-side electrical contacts on a surface facing the inkjet recording head , wherein the second electrical connection member comprises The back side of the relay member
From the head to the head-side electrical contact
A recording head unit comprising a flexible elastic member . 2. A recording head unit according to claim 1,
A surface on which ink ejection ports for ejecting ink are formed;
A plurality of head-side electrical contacts provided on a surface different from the surface;
Move the inkjet recording head to the adjacent inkjet
Husband between the recording heads or with the recording unit
Each space is formed, and the ink ejection direction is the same direction
Exposing the head-side electrical contact to the space
So that the plurality of ink jet recording
Make sure that the heads are housed in a predetermined mutual positional relationship.
Characteristic recording head unit . Wherein said head holding member according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said recording head to head positioning portion having a said head holding member abuts for positioning the recording head on the head holding member 2. The recording head unit according to item 1. Wherein said head holding member to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the holding and positioning the recording head without contacting the recording head in the head positioning portion having a said head holding member The recording head unit according to the above. 5. The head holding member has a positioning hole or a positioning pin, a locking recess, and a guide groove, respectively, and the electric relay member corresponds to the positioning pin corresponding to the positioning hole or the positioning pin. It has a positioning hole, a locking arm corresponding to the locking recess, and a guide rib corresponding to the guide groove, and when attaching the electric relay member to the holding member, the guide rib is attached to the guide groove. 3. The recording head unit according to claim 1 , wherein the recording head unit is inserted along the locking arm, the locking arm is locked in the locking recess, and the positioning pin and the positioning hole are fitted. 4. 6. The recording head unit according to claim 5 , wherein the guide groove and the guide rib resist a reaction force of a contact pressure between the electric relay member and an electric contact portion of the recording head. 7. The head holding member has a cover member attached from a direction different from that of the electric relay member, and the cover member has a pressing member that approaches or comes into contact with a locking arm of the electric relay member. Claims characterized by the following:
6. The recording head unit according to 5 . 8. The recording head unit according to claim 2 , wherein the inkjet recording head includes an electrothermal transducer that generates thermal energy used for discharging ink. 9. The electric contact of the second electric connection member is formed by bending a part of the columnar elastic member into a convex shape, and adjusting the position of the convex shape to be adjacent to the columnar elastic member. claim, characterized in that made different each other 1 or
3. The recording head unit according to item 2 . 10. The elastic member of the second electric connection member contacts the contact point of the recording head within a range from near the elastic limit of the elastic member to the elastic limit. 10. The recording head unit according to item 9. 11. A recording apparatus for recording on a recording medium using a recording head, wherein a surface on which ink ejection ports for ejecting ink are formed is provided.
An ink jet device having a head-side electrical contact on a surface different from
Record header Doyuni' in order to accommodate a plurality of Tsu door recording head
A plurality of the inkjet recording heads,
Between adjacent inkjet recording heads or
A space is formed between each unit and the recording unit.
Ink discharge direction is the same direction and the head
Head holder for housing so that the side electrical contacts are exposed
To provide electrical continuity between the holding member and one side to the outside.
A plurality of first electrical connection members, and
A surface facing the ink jet recording head
For obtaining electrical continuity with the head-side electrical contact
And an electric relay member provided with a second electric connection member of
The second electric connection member is provided on the back surface of the electric relay member.
From the head to the head-side electrical contact
A recording head unit that is an elastic member, and a supply unit that supplies a predetermined current to the first electrical connection member. 12. A recording head unit according to claim 11,
On the surface where the ink ejection ports for ejecting ink are formed
And a head-side electrical contact on a surface different from the surface.
Number of ink jet recording heads
Between print heads or between the print units
And the same direction of ink ejection
Direction and the head-side electrical contacts are exposed in the space.
Housed, and further, the plurality of inkjets
Make sure that the recording heads are
And a recording device. Wherein said head holding member according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that said recording head to head positioning portion having a said head holding member abuts for positioning the recording head on the head holding member The recording device according to claim 1. 14. The head holding member to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the holding and positioning the recording head without contacting the recording head in the head positioning portion having a said head holding member The recording device according to any one of the preceding claims. 15. The head holding member has a positioning hole or a positioning pin, a locking recess, and a guide groove, respectively.
The electric relay member has a positioning pin corresponding to the positioning hole or a positioning hole corresponding to the positioning pin, a locking arm corresponding to the locking recess, and a guide rib corresponding to the guide groove, respectively. When attaching the electric relay member to the holding member, the guide rib is inserted along the guide groove, the locking arm is locked in the locking recess, and the positioning pin and the positioning hole are connected. 13. The recording device according to claim 11 , wherein the recording device is fitted. 16. The recording apparatus according to claim 15 , wherein the guide groove and the guide rib resist a contact pressure between the electric relay member and an electric contact portion of a recording head. 17. The head holding member has a cover member attached from a direction different from that of the electric relay member, and the cover member has a pressing member that approaches or comes into contact with a locking arm of the electric relay member. The recording apparatus according to claim 15 , wherein: 18. The recording apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein said ink jet recording head includes an electrothermal transducer for generating thermal energy used for discharging ink. 19. The electric contact of the second electric connection member is formed by bending a part of the columnar elastic member into a convex shape, and adjusting the position of the convex shape to be adjacent to the columnar elastic member. 12. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the values are different from each other.
Or the recording device according to 12 . 20. The elastic member of the second electrical connection member contacts the contact of the recording head within a range from near the elastic limit of the elastic member to the elastic limit. 20. The recording device according to 19.