JP4857986B2 - Ink jet printer and head for ink jet printer - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an inkjet printer and an inkjet printer head .

  Conventionally, an inkjet printer that records on a recording medium by discharging ink includes a plurality of nozzles, a plurality of pressure chambers communicating with each of the plurality of nozzles, and a manifold that temporarily stores ink supplied to the pressure chambers. A cavity unit, and individual surface electrodes formed corresponding to the pressure chambers, respectively, supplying drive signals to the individual surface electrodes, and changing the volume of the corresponding pressure chambers from the nozzles. 2. Related Art Inkjet printers that include an actuator unit that ejects ink are widely known.

  Such an ink jet printer has an individual surface electrode and an auxiliary electrode (welded land) that is electrically connected to the individual surface electrode and does not overlap the pressure chamber in plan view. An arrangement is known that is arranged in a direction and connected to a connection pad (connection terminal portion) of a signal line of a flexible cable (see, for example, Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-311953)).

  In recent years, in inkjet printers, heads have been miniaturized and nozzles have a higher density due to demands for high-speed printing and improved image quality. Therefore, it is required to make the nozzle pitch as narrow as possible. However, in the ink jet printer described in Patent Document 1, in the flexible cable (FPC or COF) used to connect the individual surface electrode of the actuator unit and the control plate, the signal line (formation of flexible insulating substrate shape) On the lead-out side of the conductive pattern), the signal lines connected to the welding brand portions of the individual surface electrodes gather, and the number of signal lines increases. Accordingly, the wiring pitch of the signal lines (conductive patterns) is narrowed, and it is difficult to realize the miniaturization of the head and the high density of the nozzles.

  There is also known an individual surface electrode having a drive unit that overlaps with the pressure chamber in a plan view and a land portion that is connected to the drive unit and does not overlap with the pressure chamber in a plan view (for example, Patent Document 2 2004-328973).

  Even if such a land portion is provided, the wiring pitch of the signal lines (conductive pattern) in the flexible cable is similarly reduced.

By arranging the head terminals provided on the surface electrodes of the inkjet head and electrically connected to the surface electrodes in a staggered manner, the terminal electrodes of the flexible cable connected to the head terminals are also arranged in a staggered manner. A wiring structure configured as described above has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 3 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-114609)).
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2003-311953 (paragraph 0104 and FIG. 10) JP 2004-328773 A (paragraph 0019 and FIG. 1) Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2004-114609 (paragraph 0028 and FIG. 4)

  Even if the head terminal of the surface electrode of the ink jet head and the terminal electrode of the signal line of the flexible cable are formed in a zigzag manner as in the wiring structure described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-260, the size thereof cannot be reduced so much. This is because when the terminal electrodes are electrically connected to the head terminals by soldering, it is necessary to ensure their electrical connection, but if the head terminals and terminal electrodes are reduced in size, they are connected. This is because if the position is shifted even a little, the electrical connection may not be possible. Therefore, in such a wiring structure, the pitch of the signal lines of the flexible cable remains narrow, and it is difficult to further increase the density of the nozzles.

  In order to further increase the density of the nozzles and increase the number of individual surface electrodes, it is necessary to use a plurality of flexible cables (for example, FPC and COP), but the mechanical connection strength of the wiring becomes very weak. In addition, the cost is high.

An object of the present invention is to provide an inkjet printer head and an inkjet printer that can be electrically connected to actuators corresponding to nozzles arranged at high density without using a plurality of flexible cables.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an inkjet printer head for ejecting ink, the plurality of nozzles, the plurality of elongated pressure chambers communicating with each of the plurality of nozzles, and the ink supplied to the pressure chambers A cavity unit including a manifold for storing the electrode, an individual surface electrode formed corresponding to the pressure chamber, an electrode lead-out portion which is electrically connected to the individual surface electrode and is drawn out in the longitudinal direction of the pressure chamber, and the electrode An actuator unit that has a welding land portion that is electrically connected to each of the lead portions, and that is supplied with a drive signal to the individual surface electrode, thereby changing the volume of each of the pressure chambers and discharging the ink from the nozzle; Insulating base material having flexibility, a plurality of connection terminal portions formed on the base material, and the connection formed on the base material Has a signal line drawn in one direction from the terminal part, and a flexible cable disposed so as to overlap with the actuator unit, the weld land portion is connected to the connection terminal portion electrically, said plurality of The pressure chambers are arranged side by side in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and a distance from each pressure chamber to the welding land portion corresponding to each pressure chamber differs between adjacent pressure chambers, and the signal line There is provided an ink jet printer head in which the three welding land portions adjacent to each other in the short direction of the pressure chamber of the welding land portion on the drawing side are shifted from each other in the longitudinal direction of the pressure chamber. . Here, “on the signal line lead-out side” means that the welding land portion other than the signal line lead-out side includes a case where it is not displaced in the longitudinal direction of the pressure chamber.

  By doing so, the pressure chamber corresponding to the individual surface electrode and the weld land portion are separated from each other, so that solder and / or paste or the like is present in the region overlapping the pressure chamber of the actuator unit, which is a deformation region of the actuator unit. The risk of inflow can be avoided.

  Further, since the position of the weld land portion is shifted from the adjacent weld land portion in the longitudinal direction of the pressure chamber, the weld land portion is aligned in a line in a straight line (for example, the short direction of the pressure chamber). Also, the interval between the weld land portions becomes wide. As a result, the signal line formed as a conductive pattern has a margin between the connection terminal portions of the flexible cable electrically connected to the weld land portion on the signal line drawing side where the wiring pitch of the signal lines is the narrowest. It can be wired. Therefore, without using a plurality of flexible cables (for example, FPC and COP), a single flexible cable is used, and the welding land portion of the actuator formed corresponding to the pressure chambers arranged at high density, and flexible The connection terminal portion of the cable can be electrically connected inexpensively and easily.

In the inkjet printer head of the present invention, the plurality of pressure chambers form a plurality of pressure chamber rows arranged linearly in different column directions in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction , and on the signal line drawing side. In the pressure chamber row, the weld land portion that is electrically connected to the individual surface electrode corresponding to the pressure chamber forming the pressure chamber row is electrically connected to the individual surface electrode corresponding to the adjacent pressure chamber forming the same pressure chamber row. You may arrange | position in the position shifted | deviated to the said longitudinal direction with respect to the welding land part.

  In this way, at least in the pressure chamber row on the signal line lead-out side, the weld land portion of the individual surface electrode corresponding to the pressure chamber belonging to the pressure chamber row corresponds to the adjacent pressure chamber in the same pressure chamber row. Since the position of the welding land portion of the individual surface electrode is shifted in the longitudinal direction of the pressure chamber, the interval between the welding land portions becomes wider than when the welding land portions are arranged side by side.

In the inkjet printer head of the present invention, the electrode lead- out portions can have the same area in plan view .

  By doing this, the area of the individual surface electrode and the welding land portion are equal in plan view, and the electrode lead-out portion is also formed with the same area, so that the individual surface electrode, the welding land portion and the electrode lead-out portion are included. The capacitance for each electrode is equal, and waveform control is simplified.

  In the inkjet printer head of the present invention, the lengths of the pressure chambers in the longitudinal direction of the electrode lead portions may be equal to each other.

  In this way, by forming the electrode lead portions so that the lengths of the pressure chambers in the longitudinal direction are equal to each other, the capacitances of the electrode lead portions can be easily made equal.

In the inkjet printer head according to the aspect of the invention, the welding land portion may include a plurality of adjacent welding land portions including a plurality of the welding land portions adjacent to each other in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, and may be included in the group. The arrangement pattern of the welding land portions may be the same.

  In this way, the welding land portions corresponding to the pressure chambers in the pressure chamber row are divided into groups, and the same arrangement pattern is repeated for each group, so that the connection terminals of the flexible cables (signal lines) are connected. The arrangement of the weld land is simplified.

  In the inkjet printer head of the present invention, the electrode lead portions extending from the individual surface electrodes are parallel to each other, and the weld land portions included in the group are straight lines inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction of the pressure chamber. It may be arranged along.

  If it does in this way, the space | interval between welding land parts will become wide by arrange | positioning a some welding land part on the straight line inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction of a pressure chamber. Therefore, since the interval between the connection terminal portions arranged corresponding to the welding land portions is widened, the signal lines of the flexible cable can be easily wired with a margin.

  In the inkjet printer head of the present invention, the electrode lead portions extending from the individual surface electrodes are parallel to each other, and the weld land portions included in the groups are arranged at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction of the pressure chamber. In the group, the welding land portions located at both ends of the group have the widest interval in the longitudinal direction of the pressure chamber, and the remaining welding land portions excluding the welding land portions located at the both ends are arranged. May be arranged so as to be deviated from a straight line connecting the welding land portions located at both ends.

  In this way, the two welding land portions located at both ends of the group have the largest distance in the longitudinal direction of the pressure chamber in the group, and the signal line of the flexible cable can be wired with a margin. Further, since the remaining weld land portions excluding the two weld land portions at both ends of the group are arranged so as to be shifted from the straight line connecting the weld land portions located at both ends in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the pressure chamber. When electrically connecting the connection terminal portion of the flexible cable and the weld land portion of the actuator unit, the flexible cable and the actuator unit can be pressed in a balanced manner.

  In the inkjet printer head according to the present invention, the welding land portions included in each group are arranged one by one in the longitudinal direction of the pressure chamber, and the spacing is a group on the signal line drawing side. It may be as wide as possible.

  In this case, in the outermost part (group) on the signal line lead-out side, the distance between the weld land parts included in the group is the widest, so that the wiring pitch is narrowed in the outermost part. Is particularly advantageous.

  In the inkjet printer head of the present invention, the row direction of the pressure chamber row is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the pressure chamber, and the signal line drawing direction is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the pressure chamber. May be.

  In this way, since the signal line is drawn out in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the pressure chamber, the structure of the flexible cable is simplified and the manufacture is facilitated.

  In the inkjet printer head of the present invention, the plurality of pressure chambers include color-specific pressure chambers to which a plurality of colors of ink including black ink are respectively supplied, and correspond to individual surface electrodes on the side from which the signal lines are drawn. The black ink may be supplied to the color-specific pressure chamber.

  The length of the pressure chamber for black ink, which requires a large amount of ink ejection, is usually longer than the length of the pressure chambers for the other color inks for stable ink ejection. In such a case, the length of the individual surface electrode formed corresponding to the pressure chamber is also increased. Since the length of the individual surface electrode can be increased, the wiring pitch of the signal line of the flexible cable can be secured with a margin.

  In the inkjet printer head of the present invention, the cavity unit may include a plurality of metal plates joined by metal diffusion bonding.

  In this way, since the cavity unit is made of metal, it can also be applied to the case where the actuator is formed by firing piezoelectric ceramics.

  In the inkjet printer head of the present invention, the electrode lead-out portion may be disposed at a position overlapping the manifold.

  In this way, for example, when a large number of plates are heated at a high pressure at a time and metal diffusion bonding is performed, a position manifold is arranged that is separated from a portion that deforms and pressurizes the pressure chamber (deformation region). By doing so, although the width of the head becomes wide, it is possible to ensure the bonding between the plates at the portion that affects the ejection (ejection) of the ink. In addition, by disposing the electrode lead-out part where the welding land part connected to the flexible cable is formed away from the area overlapping the pressure chamber, the flexible cable interferes with the deformation area and affects ink ejection. Can be reduced.

  In the inkjet printer head according to the aspect of the invention, the actuator unit further includes an internal electrode formed above the pressure chamber, and a piezoelectric sheet formed on a surface of the internal electrode, and the individual surface electrode includes: It may be formed on the surface of the piezoelectric sheet.

  The actuator unit applies pressure to the pressure chamber by deforming the entire actuator (piezoelectric sheet). Here, when the signal line of the flexible cable is directly connected to the individual surface electrode formed on the piezoelectric sheet with solder, the rigidity of the soldered portion is increased, and the piezoelectric sheet is deformed. It becomes difficult. However, in the present invention, since the weld land portion is disposed in the region between the individual surface electrodes apart from the portion to be deformed, there is no possibility of affecting the pressurization to the pressure chamber due to the deformation of the piezoelectric sheet.

  In the inkjet printer head of the present invention, for all the weld land portions, the three weld land portions adjacent to each other in the short direction of the pressure chamber may be shifted from each other in the longitudinal direction of the pressure chamber. . In this case, for only the welding land part on the signal line lead-out side, the three welding land parts adjacent in the short direction of the pressure chamber are shifted from each other in the longitudinal direction of the pressure chamber. The degree of freedom for wiring the signal line of the flexible cable is increased.

  In the inkjet printer head according to the present invention, with respect to the weld land portion on the signal line drawing side, four weld land portions adjacent to each other in the short direction of the pressure chamber are arranged so as to be shifted from each other in the longitudinal direction of the pressure chamber. May be. In this case, the wiring pitch of the signal lines of the flexible cable can be widened as compared with the case where only the three adjacent weld land portions are shifted from each other in the longitudinal direction of the pressure chamber.

  The inkjet printer head of the present invention may include only one flexible cable. In this case, since a plurality of flexible cables are not used, the reliability of electrical connection and mechanical connection between the weld land portion and the connection terminal portion can be improved.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink jet printer that discharges ink and records on a recording medium, and includes a plurality of nozzles, a plurality of elongated pressure chambers communicating with each of the plurality of nozzles, and the pressure chambers. A cavity unit including a manifold for storing the ink to be supplied, an individual surface electrode formed corresponding to the pressure chamber, and an electrode lead that is electrically connected to the individual surface electrode and drawn in the longitudinal direction of the pressure chamber A weld land portion that is electrically connected to the electrode portion and the electrode lead-out portion, and a drive signal is supplied to the individual surface electrode, whereby the volume of each of the pressure chambers is changed and the ink is ejected from the nozzle. An actuator unit, a flexible insulating base, a plurality of connecting terminal portions formed on the base, and the base It has a signal line drawn in one direction from the connection terminal portion, and a head for an ink jet printer including a flexible cable arranged so as to overlap with the actuator unit, a carriage which moves in supporting the head for the inkjet printer And a drive control device connected to one end of the flexible cable, supplying the drive signal to the individual surface electrode, and supplying a signal for controlling the drive of the carriage to the carriage. A portion is electrically connected to the connection terminal portion, and the plurality of pressure chambers are arranged side by side in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the pressure chamber, and the welding corresponding to each pressure chamber from each pressure chamber distance to the land portion is different between the pressure chambers adjacent the weld land portion of the drawer side of the signal line Three of the weld land portions adjacent in the lateral direction of the pressure chamber, ink jet printers that are disposed offset from each other in the longitudinal direction of the pressure chamber is provided.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the pressure chamber corresponding to the individual surface electrode and the weld land portion are separated from each other, it is possible to avoid the possibility that solder, paste, or the like flows into the deformation region by the actuator unit. Further, of the weld land portions, at least the weld land portion corresponding to the individual surface electrode on the lead-out side of the signal line is displaced in the longitudinal direction of the pressure chamber from the weld land portion of the adjacent individual surface electrode. Therefore, the interval between the weld land portions can be made wider than in the case where the weld land portions are lined up side by side. Therefore, a signal line (of a flexible cable) formed as a conductive pattern can be wired between the connecting terminal portions electrically connected to the weld land portion with a margin.

  The ink jet printer of the present invention may include only one flexible cable. In this case, since a plurality of flexible cables are not used, the reliability of electrical connection and mechanical connection between the weld land portion and the connection terminal portion can be improved.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1A is a schematic configuration diagram of an inkjet printer 1 according to the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a diagram illustrating a relationship among a cavity unit, an actuator unit, and a flexible flat cable of the inkjet printer 1 according to the present invention. .

  As shown in FIG. 1A, an ink jet printer 1 according to the present invention is an ink jet printer for recording on a recording paper P (recording medium) on a lower surface of a carriage 2 on which an ink cartridge (not shown) is mounted. A head 3 (hereinafter simply referred to as a head) is provided. The carriage 2 is supported by a carriage shaft 5 and a guide plate (not shown) provided in the printer frame 4 and can reciprocate in a direction B orthogonal to the conveyance direction A of the recording paper P.

  The recording paper P conveyed in the A direction from a paper supply unit (not shown) is introduced between a platen roller (not shown) and the head 3 and is predetermined by ink ejected from the head 3 toward the recording paper P. And the like are recorded and then discharged by the discharge roller 6.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the head 3 includes a cavity unit 11 and an actuator unit 12 in order from the lower side, and a flexible cable 13 (signal line) that supplies a drive signal to the upper surface of the actuator unit 12. Is provided. One end of the flexible cable 13 is connected to the actuator unit 12, and the other end is connected to the drive control device 100. The drive control device 100 sends a drive signal (drive) to a drive control unit 101 that sends a signal for controlling the drive of the carriage 2 and to individual surface electrodes formed corresponding to each pressure chamber of an actuator unit described later. And a driver IC 33 for transmitting a voltage.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cavity unit 11 includes a laminate 14 composed of a plurality of plates. A top plate 15 to be described later is provided on the upper side of the laminated body 14, and a plate assembly 18 formed by bonding the nozzle plate 16 and the spacer plate 17 is integrally attached to the lower side.

  As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the actuator unit 12 is provided on the top plate 14. In addition, a filter 19 is provided in the opening 11a of the cavity unit 11 to capture dust contained in the ink. The nozzle plate 16 is a synthetic resin plate (for example, polyimide), and one nozzle 16a is formed for each pressure chamber 14Aa of a later-described cavity plate 14A constituting the laminate 14. The spacer plate 17 is a metal plate in which a through hole 17a corresponding to the nozzle 16a is formed. The nozzle plate 16 may be a metal plate.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the laminate 14 is formed by metal diffusion bonding by stacking a cavity plate 14A, a base plate 14B, an aperture plate 14C, two manifold plates 14D and 14E, and a damper plate 14F in this order from the top. It has been done. These six plates 14A to 14F are laminated in alignment with each other so that individual ink flow paths communicating with the respective nozzles 16a are formed. Here, a large number of regularly aligned through holes are formed in the metal cavity plate 14A, and a pressure chamber 14Aa is formed by these through holes. The metal base plate 14B has a communication hole 14Ba for communicating the manifolds 14Da and 14Ea (common ink chambers) to the pressure chamber 14Aa and a communication hole 14Bb for communicating the pressure chamber 14Aa to the nozzle 16a. The metal aperture plate 14C is also formed with a communication hole 14Ca for communicating the manifolds 14Da and 14Ea to the pressure chamber 14Aa and a communication hole 14Cb for communicating the pressure chamber 14Aa with the nozzle 16a. The manifold plates 14D and 14E made of metal are formed with manifolds 14Da and 14Ea and communication holes 14Db and 14Eb for communicating the pressure chambers 14Aa with the nozzles 16a, respectively. The damper plate 14F made of metal is formed with a damper chamber 14Fa and a communication hole 14Fb for communicating the pressure chamber 14Aa with the nozzle 16a.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the actuator unit 12 includes an internal common electrode 20 formed on the top plate 15 corresponding to each pressure chamber 14Aa, a piezoelectric sheet 24 formed on the internal common electrode 20, A surface electrode 21 (individual surface electrode) formed on the upper surface of the piezoelectric sheet 24, an electrode lead-out portion 22 electrically connected to the individual surface electrode 21 and drawn out in the longitudinal direction of the pressure chamber 11Aa, and an electrode lead-out portion 22 and a circular weld land portion 23 to which a connection terminal portion 32 of a flexible cable described later is connected.

  The piezoelectric sheet 24 is made of a lead zirconate titanate (PZT) ceramic material having ferroelectricity, and is polarized in the thickness direction. The surface electrode 21 is made of a metal material such as Ag—Pd, and is connected to a driver IC 33 (see FIG. 2) by a signal line 31 of the flexible cable 13 to which a drive signal is supplied. On the other hand, the internal common electrode 20 is always kept at the ground potential. Therefore, an electric field is applied to the piezoelectric sheet 24 in the polarization direction by setting the potential of the surface electrode 21 to a potential higher (or lower) than the ground potential. The piezoelectric sheet 24 to which an electric field is applied shrinks in the direction orthogonal to the polarization direction due to the piezoelectric transverse effect as an active layer. On the other hand, since the top plate 15 is not affected by the electric field and does not spontaneously shrink, there is a difference in distortion in the direction perpendicular to the polarization direction between the piezoelectric sheet 24 and the lower top plate 15. Become. Since the top plate 15 is fixed to the cavity plate 14A, the piezoelectric sheet 24 and the top plate 15 are deformed so as to protrude toward the pressure chamber 14Aa (unimorph deformation). For this reason, the volume of the pressure chamber 14Aa decreases, the pressure of the ink in the pressure chamber 14Aa increases, and ink is ejected from the nozzle 16a. Thereafter, when the surface electrode 21 is returned to the same potential as that of the internal common electrode 20, the piezoelectric sheet 24 and the top plate 15 return to their original shapes and the volume of the pressure chamber 14Aa returns to the original volume, so that the pressure in the pressure chamber 14Aa Decreases, and ink flows from the manifolds 14Da and 14Ea into the pressure chamber 14Aa. In the same manner, the ink ejection operation can be repeated.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, since the top plate 15 as the diaphragm is provided on the upper side of the cavity unit 11, excellent discharge efficiency due to unimorph deformation can be realized.

  Thus, the cavity unit 11 includes a plurality of nozzles 16a, a plurality of pressure chambers 14Aa communicating with each of the plurality of nozzles 16a, and manifolds 14Da and 14Ea for temporarily storing ink supplied to the pressure chambers 14Aa. On the other hand, the actuator unit 12 has an individual surface electrode 21 corresponding to the pressure chamber 14Aa, supplies a drive signal to the individual surface electrode 21, and changes the volume of the pressure chamber 14Aa to cause ink to be ejected from the nozzle 16a. ing.

  Next, the connection between the individual surface electrode 21 and the signal line of the flexible cable 13 (COP) will be further described with reference to FIGS.

  On the upper surface of the actuator unit 12, as shown in FIG. 7A, an elongated oblong individual surface electrode 21, an electrode lead portion 22 extending in parallel with each other from the individual surface electrode 21, and an electrode lead portion 22 are formed. The welded land portions 23 thus arranged are regularly arranged corresponding to the pressure chambers 11Aa. Each individual surface electrode 21 is formed at a position corresponding to each pressure chamber 11Aa, and each individual surface electrode 21 is included in the region of each pressure chamber 11Aa in plan view. Each electrode lead portion 22 is located on each manifold 14Da, 14Ea.

  Further, each of the electrode lead portions 22 is narrower than the individual surface electrode 21. Further, the lengths of the pressure chambers 14Aa in the longitudinal direction are formed to be equal in order to make all the electrostatic capacities generated by the electrode lead portions 22 equal. In plan view, the area of each individual surface electrode 21 and the area of each welding land portion 23 are formed to be equal to the areas of the other individual electrodes 21 and welding land portions 23, respectively. Since all the lengths are the same, the capacitances of all the electrodes including each individual surface electrode 21, each electrode lead-out portion 22, and each welding land portion 23 become equal, and the waveform control becomes simple.

  The plurality of pressure chambers 14Aa form a plurality of pressure chamber rows S1 to S8 that are linearly aligned in different directions (in the present embodiment, directions orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the pressure chambers 14Aa) that are the longitudinal directions of the pressure chambers 14Aa. To be arranged. Therefore, the individual surface electrodes 21 provided corresponding to these pressure chambers 14Aa are also arranged in a plurality of rows aligned linearly in a direction different from the longitudinal direction of the pressure chambers 14Aa. Note that the pressure chamber rows S1 to S8 are used for different colors of ink by two rows, respectively, magenta (S1, S2), cyan (S3, S4), yellow (S5, S6), black (S7). , S8) includes the pressure chambers for each ink color.

  The weld land portion 23 that is electrically connected to the individual surface electrode 21 corresponding to the pressure chamber 14Aa belonging to each pressure chamber row S1 to S8 is formed on the electrode lead-out portion 22 corresponding to the same pressure chamber 14Aa.

  The welding land portions 23 corresponding to the pressure chambers 11Aa belonging to the pressure chamber rows S1 to S8 are arranged at positions shifted in the longitudinal direction with respect to the welding land portions 23 corresponding to the adjacent pressure chambers in the same pressure chamber row. ing.

  Note that the weld land portion 23 may be disposed between the electrode lead portion 22 and the electrode lead portion 22 corresponding to the adjacent pressure chamber.

  In any case, a gap is provided between the weld land portion 23 and the electrode lead-out portion 22 adjacent thereto so as not to make electrical contact.

  As shown in FIG. 7B, the plurality of signal lines 31 for supplying the driving signal are formed on a conductive pattern on a strip-like flexible insulating substrate (not shown) extending in the longitudinal direction of the pressure chamber 14Aa. It is configured as. The connection terminal portion 32 of the signal line 31 is formed as a copper foil portion 32b in which a through hole 32a is formed at the center. The signal line 31 for supplying the driving signal is drawn out in the same direction, and the drawing direction is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the pressure chamber 14Aa.

  The connection terminal portion 32 of each signal line 31 is disposed on the flexible insulating substrate corresponding to the welding land portion 22 of each individual surface electrode 21, thereby forming a flexible cable 13 (COP). By filling the through holes 32a formed in the connection terminal portions 32 of the signal lines 31 with solder, the connection terminal portions 32 are electrically connected to the individual surface electrodes 21 via the weld land portions 22 as shown in FIG. Connected.

  Each weld land portion 23 is arranged so as to be shifted from the adjacent weld land portion 23 in the longitudinal direction of the pressure chamber 14Aa. That is, in the present embodiment, the welding land portions 23 are grouped into four adjacent ones in the pressure chamber rows S1 to S8, and the same arrangement pattern is repeated for each group.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4A, the plurality of weld land portions 23a, 23b, 23c, and 23d that constitute the group are arranged along a straight line L that is inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction of the pressure chamber 14Aa. Has been. Therefore, in the said group, the welding land parts 23a-23d are arrange | positioned at equal intervals in the longitudinal direction of 14 Aa of pressure chambers, and the space | interval is wider than the case where it located in a line. Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 7B and 8, in the flexible cable 13, the connection terminal portions 32 are arranged corresponding to the welding land portions 23 (23 a to 23 d). Since the interval is also wider than when they are arranged side by side, the conductive pattern of the signal lines can be wired between the connection terminal portions with a margin.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and can be modified as follows.

<First modification>
In the above-described embodiment, the plurality of welding land portions constituting the group are arranged on the straight line L inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction of the pressure chamber 14Aa. However, for example, they may be arranged as shown in FIG. Is possible.

  In this case, the plurality of weld land portions 23e, 23f, 23g, and 23h constituting the group are arranged one by one at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction of the pressure chamber 14Aa. In the group, the interval between the weld land portions 23e and 23h located at both ends of the group is the widest, and the remaining weld land portions 23f and 23g are arranged on a straight line connecting the two weld land portions 22e and 22h. It has not been. . Also in this case, in the flexible cable 13, the interval between the connection terminal portions 32 arranged corresponding to the welding land portions 23 (23e to 23h) becomes wider than in the case where they are arranged side by side. As shown in b) and FIG. 11, the conductive pattern of the signal line 31 formed between the connection terminal portions 32 can be wired with a margin. Further, when the connection terminal portion 32 of the flexible cable 13 and the welding land portion 23 of the actuator unit 15 are electrically connected by solder or the like, the flexible cable 13 needs to be pressed against the actuator unit 15. At this time, the actuator unit 15 can be pressed evenly and uniformly compared to the case where the weld land portions are arranged in a straight line.

<Second modification>
In the above-described embodiment, the electrode lead-out portions 22 are formed such that the lengths of the pressure chambers in the longitudinal direction are equal and the capacitances are equal, but the present invention is not limited thereto. . As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the lengths of the electrode lead portions 22a to 22d may be changed according to the positions of the weld land portions 23a to 23d. Even in this case, the same effect can be obtained by appropriately controlling the waveform.

<Third modification>
In the above-described embodiment, the group of individual surface electrodes includes four individual surface electrodes, but the number is not limited to four. For example, the number of three, five, or more A group including individual surface electrodes is also possible.

<Fourth modification>
In the embodiment, the plurality of pressure chambers 14Aa include the pressure chambers for different colors to which inks of different colors (magenta, cyan, yellow, black) are supplied, but the individual pressure chambers on the side from which the signal line 31 is drawn out. There is no particular limitation on the color of the ink supplied to the pressure chamber 14Aa corresponding to the surface electrode 21. However, in the following cases, it is desirable to arrange the pressure chamber to which the black ink is supplied on the signal line drawing side.

  Since black ink usually requires a large amount of ink ejection, the pressure chamber 14Aa and manifolds 14Da, 14Ea for black ink are longer than those for other color inks for stable ink filling. . In such a case, since the electrode lead-out portion 23 located on the upper side of the manifolds 14Da and 14Ea can be lengthened, the pressure chambers and the manifolds for inks of other colors can be compared with the case where they are arranged on the pull-out side. The interval between the weld land portions in the longitudinal direction of the chamber 14Aa can be widened, and the wiring pitch of the conductive pattern of the signal line 31 can be secured with a margin.

<Fifth Embodiment>
In the above-described embodiment, the individual surface electrodes of all the pressure chamber rows are arranged so as to be shifted from the welding land portion of the adjacent individual surface electrode in the longitudinal direction of the pressure chamber, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Is not to be done. A sufficient effect can also be obtained by arranging the weld land portions connected to the individual surface electrodes to be shifted in the longitudinal direction of the pressure chamber at least in the pressure chamber row on the signal line lead-out side. Since the wiring pitch of the signal lines becomes narrower toward the signal line lead-out side, it is effective if at least the weld land portions connected to the individual surface electrodes on the signal line lead-out side are shifted in the longitudinal direction of the pressure chamber. Is obtained.

<Sixth modification>
In the embodiment described above, the weld land portions are provided at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction of the pressure chamber, but the present invention is not limited to this. Since the wiring pitch of the signal lines becomes stricter as the signal lines are drawn out, it is possible to increase the distance between the weld land portions in the longitudinal direction of the pressure chambers as the signal lines are drawn out in the same group. .

<Seventh modification>
In the above embodiment, the actuator unit has an internal electrode formed above each pressure chamber, a piezoelectric sheet formed on the internal electrode, and an individual surface electrode formed on the piezoelectric sheet. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention provides a sheet material including a plurality of laminated piezoelectric ceramics extending over a plurality of pressure chambers, and the sheet provided between the plurality of sheet materials and having a side closest to the cavity unit as a common electrode. The present invention can also be applied to an actuator unit including a plurality of individual electrodes and common electrodes corresponding to the pressure chambers arranged alternately in the material stacking direction.

(A) is a schematic block diagram of the inkjet printer concerning this invention, (b) is a figure which shows the relationship between the cavity unit, actuator unit, and flexible flat cable concerning this invention. It is a figure which shows the relationship between a cavity unit, an actuator unit, and a flat cable. (A) is a figure which decomposes | disassembles and shows a cavity unit to what laminated | stacked the laminated body, the nozzle plate, and the spacer plate, (b) is a figure which shows a nozzle plate and a spacer plate. It is a figure which decomposes | disassembles the laminated body which comprises a cavity unit into each plate which is a component, and shows them with a top plate. It is sectional drawing in the AA of FIG. It is a figure which shows the upper surface of an actuator unit. 1A and 1B show a first embodiment according to the present invention, in which FIG. 1A is a diagram showing a relationship between individual surface electrodes and pressure chambers, and FIG. 2B is a diagram showing an arrangement of connection terminal portions of signal lines. It is a top view which shows the state which connected the connection terminal part of the signal wire | line to the individual surface electrode. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the individual surface electrode and pressure chamber in a 1st modification. The 2nd modification concerning this invention is shown, (a) is a figure which shows the relationship between an individual surface electrode and a pressure chamber, (b) is a figure which shows arrangement | positioning of the connection terminal part of a signal wire | line. It is a top view which shows the state which connected the connection terminal part of the signal wire | line to the individual surface electrode.

Explanation of symbols

S1 to S8 Pressure chamber row 1 Inkjet printer 3 Inkjet printer head 11 Cavity unit 12 Actuator unit 13 Flexible flat cable 14 Laminated body 14A Cavity plate 14B Base plate 14C Aperture plate 14D, 14E Manifold plate 14Da, 14Ea Manifold 14F Damper plate 21 Individual surface Electrode 21a, 21b Notch part 22 Electrode lead-out part 23, 23a-23h Welding land part 31 Signal line 32 Connection terminal part 32a Through hole 32b Copper foil part

Claims (18)

An ink jet printer head for discharging ink,
A cavity unit including a plurality of nozzles, a plurality of elongated pressure chambers communicating with each of the plurality of nozzles, and a manifold for storing the ink supplied to the pressure chambers;
An individual surface electrode formed corresponding to the pressure chamber, an electrode lead portion led out in the longitudinal direction of the pressure chamber, and a weld land portion connected to the electrode lead portion, respectively. An actuator unit that discharges the ink from the nozzles by changing the volume of each of the pressure chambers by supplying a drive signal to the individual surface electrodes;
A flexible insulating base material, a plurality of connection terminal portions formed on the base material, and a signal line formed on the base material and drawn in one direction from the connection terminal portion; With a flexible cable arranged to overlap the unit,
The weld land portion is electrically connected to the connection terminal portion;
The plurality of pressure chambers are arranged side by side in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction,
The distance from each pressure chamber to the weld land corresponding to each pressure chamber differs between the adjacent pressure chambers,
The three welding land portions adjacent to the short side direction of the pressure chamber of the welding land portion on the signal line drawing side are arranged to be shifted from each other in the longitudinal direction of the pressure chamber. Inkjet printer head. The plurality of pressure chambers form a plurality of pressure chamber rows arranged linearly in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction,
In the pressure chamber row on the lead-out side of the signal line, the weld land portion connected to the individual surface electrode corresponding to the pressure chamber forming the pressure chamber row corresponds to an adjacent pressure chamber forming the same pressure chamber row. 2. The head for an ink jet printer according to claim 1, wherein the head for an ink jet printer is disposed at a position shifted in the longitudinal direction with respect to the weld land portion that is electrically connected to the individual surface electrode. Each electrode lead portion is an ink jet printer head according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the area is respectively equal in plan view.   4. The head for an ink jet printer according to claim 2, wherein the lengths of the pressure chambers in the longitudinal direction of the electrode lead portions are equal to each other. The weld land portion includes a plurality of adjacent weld land portions including a plurality of adjacent weld land portions in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction ,
The inkjet printer head according to claim 1, wherein the arrangement patterns of the weld land portions included in the group are the same. The electrode lead portions extending from the individual surface electrodes are parallel to each other,
6. The head for an ink jet printer according to claim 5, wherein the welding land portion included in the group is disposed along a straight line inclined with respect to a longitudinal direction of the pressure chamber. The electrode lead portions extending from the individual surface electrodes are parallel to each other,
The welding land portions included in each group are arranged one by one at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction of the pressure chamber,
In the group, the distance between the weld land portions located at both ends of the group in the longitudinal direction of the pressure chamber is the widest, and the remaining weld land portions excluding the weld land portions located at the both ends are located at the both ends. 6. The ink jet printer head according to claim 5, wherein the head is disposed so as to be deviated from a straight line connecting the weld land portions.   The weld land portions included in each of the groups are arranged one by one at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the pressure chamber, and the interval is wider as the group on the drawing-out side of the signal line. The head for inkjet printers in any one of 5-7.   The row direction of the pressure chamber row is orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the pressure chamber, and a direction in which the signal line is drawn out is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the pressure chamber. The head for inkjet printers in any one of 8.   The plurality of pressure chambers include color-specific pressure chambers to which a plurality of color inks including black ink are respectively supplied, and the color-specific pressure chambers corresponding to the individual surface electrodes on the side from which the signal lines are drawn are 10. A head for an ink jet printer according to claim 1, wherein black ink is supplied.   The inkjet printer head according to claim 1, wherein the cavity unit includes a plurality of metal plates bonded by metal diffusion bonding.   The head for an inkjet printer according to claim 1, wherein the electrode lead portion is disposed at a position overlapping the manifold.   The actuator unit further includes an internal electrode formed above the pressure chamber, and a piezoelectric sheet formed on the surface of the internal electrode, and the individual surface electrode is formed on the surface of the piezoelectric sheet. The ink jet printer head according to claim 1, wherein the head is an ink jet printer.   The three welding land portions adjacent to each other in the short direction of the pressure chamber are arranged so as to be shifted from each other in the longitudinal direction of the pressure chamber. An inkjet printer head according to any one of the above.   The weld land portion on the signal line lead-out side is characterized in that four weld land portions adjacent in the short direction of the pressure chamber are arranged so as to be shifted from each other in the longitudinal direction of the pressure chamber. Item 15. The inkjet printer head according to any one of Items 1 to 14.   The inkjet printer head according to claim 1, wherein only one flexible cable is provided. An inkjet printer that discharges ink and records on a recording medium,
A cavity unit including a plurality of nozzles, a plurality of elongated pressure chambers communicating with each of the plurality of nozzles, and a manifold for storing the ink supplied to the pressure chambers;
An individual surface electrode formed corresponding to the pressure chamber, an electrode lead portion led out in the longitudinal direction of the pressure chamber, and a weld land portion connected to the electrode lead portion, respectively. An actuator unit that discharges the ink from the nozzle by changing a volume of each of the pressure chambers by supplying a drive signal to the individual surface electrode;
An insulating base material having flexibility, a plurality of connection terminal portions formed on the base material, and a signal line formed on the base material and drawn from the connection terminal portion, and overlaps the actuator unit An inkjet printer head including a flexible cable arranged in such a manner;
A carriage that supports and moves the inkjet printer head;
A drive control device connected to one end of the flexible cable, supplying the drive signal to the individual surface electrode, and supplying a signal for controlling the drive of the carriage to the carriage;
The weld land portion is electrically connected to the connection terminal portion;
The plurality of pressure chambers are arranged side by side in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the pressure chambers,
The distance from each pressure chamber to the weld land corresponding to each pressure chamber differs between the adjacent pressure chambers,
The three welding land portions adjacent to the short side direction of the pressure chamber of the welding land portion on the signal line drawing side are arranged to be shifted from each other in the longitudinal direction of the pressure chamber. Inkjet printer. The inkjet printer according to claim 17 , wherein only one flexible cable is provided.

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