JP5444866B2 - Liquid discharge head, liquid discharge device, and method of manufacturing liquid discharge head - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid ejection head used in a liquid ejection apparatus such as an ink jet printer, a liquid ejection apparatus, and a method for manufacturing the liquid ejection head, and in particular, nozzle formation in which nozzles for ejecting liquid droplets are established. The present invention relates to a liquid discharge head including a head cover that protects a member and a peripheral portion of the nozzle forming member, a liquid discharge apparatus, and a method of manufacturing the liquid discharge head.

  There are various types of liquid ejection heads. For example, an ink jet recording head (hereinafter referred to as a recording head) in an ink jet recording apparatus (hereinafter simply referred to as a printer) is a series of nozzles from a reservoir to a nozzle through a pressure chamber. Some include a flow path unit in which a liquid flow path is formed, an actuator unit having pressure generating means capable of changing the volume of the pressure chamber, and a head case to which the flow path unit and the actuator unit are fixed.

  The recording head is provided with a metal head cover that covers the side surface of the flow path unit and the peripheral edge of the nozzle surface of a metal nozzle plate (a kind of nozzle forming member) provided in the flow path unit. This head cover not only protects the flow path unit, but also functions to prevent the wiper from being damaged by the corners of the flow path unit when the nozzle surface is wiped by the wiper (during wiping). Further, the head cover is connected to a ground line, and is electrically connected to the nozzle plate so that, for example, the static electricity generated from the recording paper or the like is transmitted through the nozzle plate. It is designed to prevent malfunctions such as malfunctions.

  By the way, in the recording head described above, the surface of the nozzle plate (nozzle forming surface) is repelled from the viewpoint of preventing ejection failure such as flying bending due to ink adhering to the nozzle peripheral portion and improving the wiping property during wiping. A liquid film is formed, which improves the liquid repellency (ink repellency) of the nozzle plate surface. However, in recent years, it may also be used for applications that discharge a liquid (high viscosity liquid) having a viscosity higher than that of a liquid such as a dye ink in an ink jet printer that has been used in the home. It has also been confirmed that liquid adheres and solidifies and accumulates. During the wiping, the wiper blade rubs the liquid adhering to the head cover against the nozzle forming surface, which may contaminate the nozzle periphery. In order to prevent such problems, a configuration in which a liquid repellent film is also formed on the head cover has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 09-254394 A

  However, since the liquid repellent film has high insulating properties, it is difficult to ensure electrical continuity between the nozzle plate and the head cover in a configuration in which the peripheral portion of the nozzle plate is protected by the head cover as in Patent Document 1. There was a problem.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a liquid discharge head capable of imparting liquid repellency to the head cover while ensuring conduction between the nozzle forming member and the head cover. Another object of the present invention is to provide a liquid discharge apparatus and a method for manufacturing a liquid discharge head.

The present invention has been proposed in order to achieve the above object, has an insulating region to a surface, the nozzle forming member having conductivity in which the nozzles are opened to discharge the liquid to the nozzle forming surface And an electrically conductive head cover that covers the periphery of the nozzle forming surface, and the nozzle forming surface is at least part of the region covered by the head cover. The head cover is provided with a conduction region in at least a part of a region covering the nozzle formation surface, and is provided on the conduction region provided on the nozzle formation surface and the head cover. conduction region is electrically connected in contact with each other, the head cover, and characterized in that it has an exposed portion to expose the conductive region provided on the nozzle forming surface That.

  According to this configuration, since the liquid repellent film is formed not only on the nozzle forming surface of the nozzle forming member but also on at least the area where the wiping member is in contact with the head cover, the wiping property of liquid such as ink when wiping with the wiping member is performed. Even in a configuration in which liquid that is easily solidified is discharged, it is possible to suppress the liquid from solidifying and depositing on the head cover. Further, since the head cover is attached to the head unit in a state where at least a part of the non-liquid repellent portion is in contact with the non-liquid repellent area of the nozzle forming surface, the nozzle forming member and the head cover can be made conductive. Therefore, even if the surface of the nozzle forming member and the head cover becomes higher as the liquid repellency is enhanced, the nozzle forming member can be grounded through the head cover, and the drive IC or the like is damaged or erroneously caused by static electricity. Problems such as operation can be prevented.

In the above configuration, the non-liquid repellency for continuity confirmation in which the liquid repellent film is not formed at a position different from the non-liquid repellent area on the nozzle forming surface, which is an area covered by the overlap portion of the head cover. An area is provided,
It is desirable to adopt a configuration in which an exposure window for exposing at least a part of the non-liquid-repellent region for conduction confirmation is opened in the overlap portion of the head cover.

  According to this configuration, since at least part of the non-liquid repellent area for confirming conduction on the nozzle forming surface is exposed from the exposure window of the head cover, the non-liquid repellent liquid for confirming conduction through the exposure window with the head cover attached to the head unit. One of the continuity confirmation probes can be brought into contact with the region, and the other probe can be brought into contact with a part of the head cover (the part where the liquid repellent film is not formed) to confirm the continuity.

In the above configuration, the non-liquid-repellent region is formed at a corner of the nozzle forming surface of the nozzle forming member,
The corner is provided with burrs bent on the nozzle forming surface side,
It is desirable to adopt a configuration in which the head cover and the nozzle forming member are electrically connected when the burrs contact the head cover.

  According to this configuration, since the head cover and the nozzle forming member are brought into conduction by the contact of the nozzle forming member with the head cover, the conduction between the nozzle forming member and the head cover can be more reliably ensured.

Further, a liquid discharge apparatus according to the present invention includes a liquid discharge head having any one of the above configurations,
A wiping mechanism having a wiping member for wiping the nozzle forming surface of the liquid ejection head;
It is provided with.

Furthermore, the method for manufacturing a liquid discharge head according to the present invention includes a head unit including a conductive nozzle forming member in which a nozzle for discharging droplets is provided on a nozzle forming surface, a peripheral portion of the nozzle forming surface, A head cover having conductivity to protect the side surface of the head unit, and the head cover is a method of manufacturing a liquid discharge head having an overlap portion that covers a peripheral portion of a nozzle forming surface with the nozzle exposed. ,
Forming a liquid repellent film in a region where a wiping member that wipes at least the nozzle forming surface in the nozzle forming surface is in contact with wiping;
Forming a non-liquid-repellent region in a region covered with an overlap portion of the head cover on the nozzle forming surface;
Forming a liquid repellent film in an area where at least the wiping member contacts the head cover during wiping;
Forming a non-liquid repellent part at a position facing the non-liquid repellent area of the nozzle forming surface in the head cover;
Attaching the head cover to the head unit in a state in which at least a part of the non-liquid-repellent portion is brought into contact with the non-liquid-repellent region of the nozzle-forming surface and is electrically connected to the nozzle-forming member;
Electrically grounding the head cover;
It is characterized by including.

2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer. FIG. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the recording head as viewed obliquely from above. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the recording head as viewed obliquely from below. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the recording head viewed from the nozzle forming surface side. It is a top view explaining the structure of a head cover. It is a top view explaining the state where the head cover was attached to the head unit. It is principal part sectional drawing of the recording head explaining other embodiment.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the embodiments described below, various limitations are made as preferred specific examples of the present invention. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following description unless otherwise specified. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. In the following description, an ink jet recording head (hereinafter simply referred to as a recording head) mounted on an ink jet printer (a kind of the liquid ejecting apparatus of the present invention) is taken as an example of the liquid ejecting head of the present invention. .

  FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a configuration of a printer 1 equipped with a recording head 10 according to the present invention. The printer 1 includes a frame 2 and a platen 3 disposed in the frame 2, and recording is performed on the platen 3 by a paper feed roller (none of which is shown) that is rotated by driving a paper feed motor. Paper (a type of recording medium or discharge target: not shown) is conveyed. Further, a guide rod 4 is installed in the frame 2 in parallel with the platen 3, and a carriage 5 accommodating a recording head 10 is slidably supported on the guide rod 4. The carriage 5 is connected to a timing belt 9 installed between a driving pulley 7 that is rotated by driving of a pulse motor 6 and an idler pulley 8 provided on the opposite side of the frame 2 from the driving pulley 7. ing. The carriage 5 is configured to reciprocate in the main scanning direction perpendicular to the paper feeding direction along the guide rod 4 by driving the pulse motor 6.

  A cartridge holder 14 on which an ink cartridge 13 is detachably mounted is provided on one side of the frame 2. In the present embodiment, a total of four ink cartridges 13 are mounted on the cartridge holder 14. The ink cartridge 13 is connected to an air pump 16 through an air tube 15, and air from the air pump 16 is supplied into each ink cartridge 13. The ink is supplied (pressure-fed) to the recording head 10 through the ink supply tube 17 by pressurizing the ink cartridge 13 with the air.

  The ink supply tube 17 is a flexible hollow member made of a synthetic resin such as silicone, for example, and an ink flow path corresponding to each ink cartridge 13 is formed inside the ink supply tube 17. ing. Further, an FFC (flexible flat cable) 18 for transmitting a drive signal or the like from a control unit (not shown) on the printer body side to the recording head 10 side is provided between the printer 1 body side and the recording head 10 side. Wired.

  A wiping mechanism 19 for wiping the nozzle forming surface of the nozzle plate 35 of the recording head 10 mounted on the carriage 5 is disposed at a home position which is a non-recording area of the printer 1. The wiping mechanism 19 has a wiper blade 19 '(a kind of wiping member in the present invention), and the wiper blade 19' is composed of an elastic member such as rubber or elastomer. The wiping mechanism 19 positions the wiper blade 19 ′ so that the tip of the wiper blade 19 ′ intersects the movement locus of the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 10 during wiping. As the recording head 10 passes, the tip of the wiper blade 19 'comes into contact with the nozzle forming surface, and the nozzle forming surface is wiped off by the wiper blade 19' by relative movement of the two.

  A capping mechanism 20 is disposed adjacent to the wiping mechanism 19 at or near the home position. The capping mechanism 20 has a tray-like cap member 20 ′ that can come into contact with the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 10. In this capping mechanism 20, the space in the cap member 20 ′ functions as a sealing void, and is configured to be in close contact with the nozzle forming surface with the nozzle 40 of the recording head 10 facing the sealing void. Yes. Further, a pump unit (not shown) is connected to the capping mechanism 20, and the inside of the sealed empty space can be made negative pressure by the operation of the pump unit. Then, when the pump unit is operated in close contact with the nozzle forming surface and the inside of the sealing empty portion (sealed space) is made negative, ink and bubbles in the recording head 10 are sucked from the nozzle 40 and the cap member 20 '. It is discharged in the sealed empty space.

  2 is an exploded perspective view of the recording head 10, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the recording head 10 as viewed from the nozzle forming surface side. In addition, illustration of the 2nd case 24 is abbreviate | omitted in FIG. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the recording head 10 as viewed from the nozzle forming surface side. FIG. 4 shows a state where the head cover 30 is not attached to the head unit 11.

  The recording head 10 according to this embodiment includes a head unit 11 (head main body), a sub tank 22, a first case 23, and a second case 24 as main components. The head unit 11 includes an introduction needle unit 21, a head case 25, a vibrator unit 26, a flow path unit 27, a drive substrate 28, a head cover 30, and the like.

  The head case 25 is a hollow box-like member, and a flow path unit 27 is fixed to the front end surface (lower surface) of the head case 25, and the vibrator unit 26 is accommodated in an accommodation space formed inside. A relay substrate 29 and an introduction needle unit 21 are arranged on the base end surface (upper surface) side opposite to 27. The vibrator unit 26 fixes a plurality of piezoelectric vibrators (a kind of pressure generating means) arranged in a comb shape, a wiring member for supplying a drive signal to the piezoelectric vibrators, and the piezoelectric vibrator. It is composed of a fixed plate or the like (both not shown). The piezoelectric vibrator is bonded to a flexible surface that partitions a part of a pressure chamber (not shown) in the flow path unit 27. The piezoelectric vibrator is expanded and contracted by applying a drive signal to expand or contract the volume of the pressure chamber, thereby causing a pressure variation in the ink in the pressure chamber. Can be discharged.

  The flow path unit 27 is integrally joined by an adhesive in a state where constituent members such as a nozzle plate 35 (a kind of nozzle forming member) in which nozzles are opened and a flow path forming substrate that forms an ink flow path are laminated. The unit member forms a series of ink flow paths (liquid flow paths) from the common ink chamber (reservoir) to the nozzles through the ink supply port and the pressure chamber. A pressure chamber in the flow path unit 27 is formed for each nozzle, and is configured such that ink is supplied from the sub tank 22 side through the common ink chamber. The flow path unit 27 is joined to the front end surface of the head case 25, and a metal head cover 30 is attached to the head unit 11 by a fastening member 36 such as a screw so as to surround the peripheral edge of the joined flow path unit 27. Attached to the head case 25. The head cover 30 not only protects the flow path unit 27 but also protects the wiper blade 19 ′ from being damaged by the edge portion of the flow path unit 27 when the nozzle forming surface of the nozzle plate 35 is wiped by the wiping mechanism 19. Fulfills the function of preventing. The head cover 30 is connected to the ground line 37 and is electrically connected to the nozzle plate 35, thereby fulfilling a function of preventing troubles such as noise caused by static electricity generated from recording paper or the like. The connection between the head cover 30 and the nozzle plate 35 will be described later.

  The drive board 28 includes a connector 31 for connecting the FFC 18, and is configured to receive a drive signal from the control unit side of the printer body through the FFC 18 and supply the drive signal to the piezoelectric vibrator side. The recording head 10 in this embodiment includes a total of two drive substrates 28 described above. The drive board 28 is attached to the first case 23 while being connected to the relay board 29 via the flexible cable 32. The relay substrate 29 is a substrate for relaying a signal path between the drive substrate 28 and the piezoelectric vibrator, and is a base end surface of the head case 25 (a surface opposite to a front end surface to which the flow path unit 27 is joined). ) Side.

  In addition to the relay substrate 29, the introduction needle unit 21 is disposed on the base end surface of the head case 25. The introduction needle unit 21 is molded of synthetic resin or the like, and a plurality of ink introduction needles 34 are attached to the upper surface of the introduction needle unit 21 with a filter 33 interposed therebetween. The sub tank 22 is disposed on the upper surface of the introduction needle unit 21. The sub tank 22 is a member that is connected to the ink supply tube 17 via the attachment 38 shown in FIG. 1 and introduces ink from the ink supply tube 17 to the pressure chamber side of the recording head 10. Each sub-tank 22 has a self-sealing function that controls the introduction of ink to the recording head 10 side by opening and closing a valve in accordance with an internal pressure fluctuation. When the sub tank 22 is attached to the introduction needle unit 21, the ink introduction needle 34 is inserted into the sub tank. As a result, the ink from the sub tank 22 side is introduced to the liquid channel side of the channel unit 27 through the ink introduction needle 34.

  The first case 23 is a sleeve-like member whose upper and lower surfaces are open. The planar shape of the opening of the first case 23 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape, and the internal space is an accommodation space 23 ′ for accommodating the sub tank 22. The second case 24 includes a base surface 24a that can cover the upper opening of the accommodation space 23 'in the first case 23, and a lower side from both edge portions in the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the sub tanks 22 are arranged on the base surface 55 ( It is a case member formed from the side wall 24b extending to the head unit 11 side in the attached state. The base surface 24a is provided with an opening 24c that exposes the flow path connecting portion of the sub tank 22 exposed from the upper opening of the accommodation space 23 'of the first case 23. Further, the side wall portion 24 b functions as a substrate covering wall that covers the drive substrate 28 fixed to the side surface of the first case 23.

  Then, the first case 23 is attached to the head base end surface portion of the head unit 11, the sub tank 22 is inserted into the accommodation space 23 ′ of the first case 23, and the first case 23 is disposed on the head base end surface portion. The drive substrate 28 is fixed to the outer surface of the 23. Then, by attaching the second case 24 from above the first case 23, the second tank 24 covers the sub tank 22 exposed from the upper opening of the accommodation space 23 ′ and the drive board 28 on the side surface of the first case 23. To do.

  Next, details of the nozzle plate 35 will be described. The nozzle plate 35 is formed with a nozzle row 41 in which a plurality of nozzles 40 communicating with the liquid flow path of the flow path unit 27 are arranged. In this embodiment, a total of 8 nozzle rows 41 are formed. Has been. A liquid repellent film (the hatched portion of the nozzle plate 35 in FIG. 3) is formed on the surface of the nozzle plate 35 facing the recording medium, that is, the surface on which ink droplets are ejected (nozzle formation surface). . This liquid repellent film is provided in order to improve ink wiping by the wiper blade 19 'of the wiping mechanism and reduce ink adhesion and deposition.

  As a material of the nozzle plate 35, a conductive substrate, for example, a metal substrate such as stainless steel or a material substrate such as a conductive resin plate is used. Then, after the opening process of the nozzle 40 is performed on this material substrate and the one surface (the surface that becomes the nozzle forming surface) is subjected to a liquid repellent treatment, a plurality of nozzle plates 35 are cut out from the material substrate. Therefore, the liquid repellent film is formed only on one surface of the nozzle plate 35. Specifically, a base film is formed by plasma polymerization of a silicone material on a raw material substrate, and a molecular film of a metal alkoxide having liquid repellency is formed on the base film, followed by a drying treatment, A liquid repellent film is formed through an annealing treatment or the like. The metal alkoxide molecular film may be any film having water repellency and oil repellency, but the metal alkoxide monomolecular film or liquid repellent group having a long-chain polymer group containing fluorine (long-chain RF group) may be used. It is desirable to be a monomolecular film of a metal acid salt. As the metal alkoxide, for example, silicon, titanium, aluminum, zirconium and the like are generally used. Examples of the long chain RF group include a perfluoroalkyl chain and a perfluoropolyether chain. Examples of the alkoxysilane having a long chain RF group include a silane coupling agent having a long chain RF group.

  As described above, a liquid repellent film is entirely formed on the nozzle forming surface of the nozzle plate 35. However, since the liquid repellent film exhibits electrical insulation, it is electrically connected to the head cover 30 as described later. In order to ensure, a non-liquid-repellent region 39 where the base of the nozzle plate 35 is exposed is provided at a position covered by the overlap portion 44 of the head cover 30. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, non-liquid-repellent regions 39 having a substantially triangular shape in plan view with the corners as apexes are formed at the corners of the four corners of the nozzle formation surface. With respect to the non-liquid repellent region 39, the liquid repellent film may be removed only in a corresponding portion after the liquid repellent film is formed on the entire nozzle formation surface, or only a corresponding portion is masked when the liquid repellent film is formed. Thus, the liquid repellent film may not be formed from the beginning in the portion. Similarly, it is a position covered by the overlap portion 44 of the head cover 30 and at a position different from the non-liquid-repellent region 39, more specifically, one of both edge portions covered by the overlap portion 44 (see FIG. 5, a non-liquid-repellent region 45 for conduction confirmation having a circular shape in plan view is formed in the center portion on the right side. The non-liquid repellent areas 39 and 45 are not limited to the positions exemplified in the present embodiment as long as they are positions covered by the head cover 30. Further, the shape and the number of the non-liquid-repellent regions 39 and 45 are not limited to the shape and the number of formation exemplified in the present embodiment.

  FIG. 5 is a plan view for explaining the configuration of the head cover 30. The head cover 30 is manufactured by pressing a conductive plate material such as stainless steel in the same manner as the nozzle plate 35. The head cover 30 has four side surface portions 43 a to 43 d that are in contact with the side surface of the head unit 11, more specifically, the side surfaces of the flow path unit 27 and the head case 25. Of these side surface portions 43, the wiping direction relative to the nozzle forming surface by the wiper blade 19 ′ during wiping in the state of being mounted on the head case 25 (direction indicated by an arrow in FIG. 5 (direction perpendicular to the nozzle row)). An overlap portion 44 is provided that covers the edge of the nozzle forming surface within a range that does not interfere with the nozzle 40 by bending from the leading edge of the side portions 43b and 43d located on both sides of the nozzle plate 35 to the nozzle forming surface side. ing. The side surface portions 43a and 43c located on both sides in the direction orthogonal to the wiping direction (nozzle row direction) are respectively formed with flange portions 46 that protrude from the base edge toward the side. In this flange portion 46, there are four insertion holes 47 through which the fastening member 36 is inserted, corresponding to the fastening holes 48 of the head case 25, two in each flange portion 46.

  Similar to the nozzle formation surface of the nozzle plate 35, a liquid repellent film (a hatched portion of the head cover 30 in FIG. 3) is formed on the head cover 30 to reduce the adhesion and deposition of ink and the like. The liquid-repellent film only needs to be formed at least in a portion where the wiper blade 19 'contacts at the time of wiping, and the specific position is the outer surface of the overlap portion 44 (the surface facing the recording medium during the recording operation), Side surfaces 43b and 43d. The position where the liquid repellent film is not actively formed is at least a position corresponding to the non-liquid repellent area 39 of the nozzle plate 35 on the inner surface side of the overlap part 44 (non-liquid repellent part 49) and the flange part 46. This is an opening peripheral edge portion of the insertion hole 47 to which the ground wire 37 is connected (portion where the terminal of the ground wire 37 contacts). Further, as will be described later, in the case where the continuity confirmation with the nozzle plate 35 is performed, the portion where the continuity confirmation probe is brought into contact does not form the liquid repellent film. As a method for forming the liquid repellent film, a method similar to the method for forming the liquid repellent film on the nozzle plate 35 may be adopted. However, after the entire head cover 30 is immersed in a liquid repellent agent, it is pulled up and dried. Thus, after the liquid repellent film is formed on the entire head cover, the liquid repellent film can be removed only at a portion where the liquid repellent film 49 or the like is unnecessary. When this method is employed, the film thickness of the liquid repellent film can be controlled by the lifting speed of the head cover 30.

  One of the overlap portions 44 on the both sides of the head cover 30 (on the right side in FIG. 5) has a continuity confirmation liquid repellent region 45 corresponding to the continuity confirmation liquid repellent region 45 of the nozzle plate 35. An exposure window 50 that exposes at least a portion is provided. The exposure window 50 is a portion into which a probe for confirming conduction is inserted when confirming conduction between the nozzle plate 35 and the head cover 30.

  In order to attach the head cover 30 to the head unit 11, the head cover 30 is put on the head case 25 from the nozzle plate 35 side with the side portions 43 along the side surfaces of the flow path unit 27 and the side surface of the head case 25, and flanges The fixing member 36 is fixed to the fixing hole 48 through the insertion hole 47 in a state where the positions of the respective insertion holes 47 of the portion 46 are superimposed on the corresponding fixing holes 48 of the head case 25. At this time, one of the fixing members 36 is fixed with the terminal portion of the ground wire 37 interposed between the fixing member 36 and the head cover 30 as shown in FIG. The head cover 35 can be fixed to the head case 25 by screwing, bonding, caulking, or the like.

  When the head cover 30 is attached to the head unit 11 in this way, the side surfaces of the flow path unit 27 are covered with the side surface portions 43, and the nozzles 40 are exposed to the nozzle plate 35 from the openings 42. In this state, the overlap portion 44 is overlapped, and both edges in the wiping direction (direction orthogonal to the nozzle row direction) are covered with the overlap portion 44 on the nozzle forming surface. As a result, at least a part of the corresponding non-liquid-repellent portion 49 comes into contact with each non-liquid-repellent region 39 on the nozzle forming surface, and the nozzle plate 35 and the head cover 30 are electrically connected. If the nozzle plate 35 and the head cover 30 are conducted, the head cover 30 is connected to the ground line as described above, so that the nozzle plate 35 is also grounded. Furthermore, in this embodiment, since at least a part of the non-liquid-repellent region 45 for confirming conduction of the nozzle plate 35 is exposed from the exposure window 50 of the head cover 30, the exposure window is attached with the head cover 30 attached to the head unit 11. 50, one probe for continuity confirmation is brought into contact with the non-liquid repellent region 45 for continuity confirmation through 50, and the other probe is brought into contact with a part of the head cover 30 (part where the liquid repellent film is not formed). It can be performed.

  As described above, the step of forming the liquid repellent film at least in the region where the wiper blade 19 ′ contacts at the time of wiping on the nozzle forming surface of the nozzle plate 35 and the region covered by the overlap portion 44 of the head cover 30 on the nozzle forming surface. A step of forming a non-liquid-repellent region 39, a step of forming a liquid-repellent film in a region where at least the wiper blade 19 'is in contact with the head cover 30 at the time of wiping, and a non-liquid-repellent region 39 on the nozzle forming surface in the head cover 30. Step of providing a non-liquid-repellent part 49 at a position (not only when a non-liquid-repellent part is positively formed after forming a liquid-repellent film on the entire head cover, but also when a non-liquid-repellent part is not formed on the part from the beginning. And at least a part of the non-liquid-repellent portion 49 in contact with the non-liquid-repellent region 39 on the nozzle forming surface. Producing and attaching the head cover 30 to the head unit 11 in a state of being electrically connected to the le plate 35, and the step of grounding the head cover 30 electrically, the recording head 10 via the.

  Thereby, since the liquid repellent film is formed not only on the nozzle forming surface of the nozzle plate 35 but also on the area where the wiper blade 19 'contacts with the head cover 30, the wiping property of ink or the like when wiping with the wiper blade 19' is improved. For example, even in a configuration that discharges a liquid that tends to solidify, such as an ink having a higher viscosity than conventional dye inks such as ultraviolet curable ink, the ink is prevented from solidifying and depositing on the head cover 30. Can do. Further, since the head cover 30 is attached to the head unit 11 with at least a part of the non-liquid-repellent portion 49 in contact with the non-liquid-repellent area 39 on the nozzle forming surface, the nozzle plate 35 and the head cover 30 are made conductive. Can do. Therefore, even if the surface insulation of the nozzle plate 35 and the head cover 30 becomes higher as the liquid repellency is enhanced, the nozzle plate 35 can be grounded through the head cover 30, and damage to the driving IC and the like due to static electricity. And malfunctions such as malfunctions can be prevented.

  By the way, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made based on the description of the scope of claims.

  Regarding the shape of the head cover 30, in the present embodiment, the configuration in which only the two edge portions on both sides in the wiping direction of the nozzle forming surface is covered with the overlap portion 44 is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this, A configuration in which the edges of the four sides are covered with the overlap portion 44, that is, a configuration in which the overlap portion 44 has a frame shape and an opening 42 that exposes each nozzle 40 at the center thereof is opened. You can also.

  In addition, regarding the configuration in which the nozzle plate 35 and the head cover 30 are electrically connected, the present embodiment exemplifies the configuration in which the non-liquid repellent region 39 and the non-liquid repellent portion 49 are brought into contact with each other to ensure electrical connection. For example, when the nozzle plate 35 is cut out from the material substrate by press working, each corner (the corner of the non-liquid-repellent region 39) of the nozzle plate 35 is bent toward the nozzle forming surface (burr). As shown in FIG. 7, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which continuity is ensured by leaving (cutting into) the burrs 51 with the head cover 30 as shown in FIG. Thereby, conduction between the nozzle plate 35 and the head cover 30 can be ensured more easily and reliably. This configuration is suitable when a liquid repellent film is formed on the entire head cover. That is, when the head cover 30 is attached to the flow path unit 27, the above-described burrs 51 can break the liquid repellent film formed on the surface of the head cover 30, and can be brought into contact with the base material of the head cover 30 to conduct. In this configuration, the portion of the head cover 30 that contacts the tip of the burrs 51 functions as the non-liquid repellent portion 49.

  In the above, the ink jet recording head 10 which is a kind of liquid discharge head has been described as an example, but the present invention can also be applied to other liquid discharge heads. For example, color material ejecting heads used for manufacturing color filters such as liquid crystal displays, electrode material ejecting heads used for forming electrodes such as organic EL (Electro Luminescence) displays, FEDs (surface emitting displays), biochips (biochemical elements) The present invention can also be applied to bioorganic matter ejecting heads and the like used in the production of

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printer, 10 ... Recording head, 11 ... Head unit, 19 ... Wiping mechanism, 19 '... Wiper blade, 25 ... Head case, 27 ... Flow path unit, 30 ... Head cover, 35 ... Nozzle plate, 39 ... Non-liquid repellency 40, nozzle, 42, opening, 43, side surface, 44, overlap portion, 45, non-liquid-repellent region for conductivity confirmation, 49, non-liquid-repellent portion, 50, exposure window

Claims (5)

Surface has an insulating region, and a nozzle forming member having a nozzle opened electrically conductive for discharging liquid to the nozzle formation surface,
A head cover having an insulating region on the surface and having conductivity to cover a peripheral edge of the nozzle forming surface ;
With
The nozzle forming surface is provided with a conduction region in at least a part of the region covered with the head cover,
The head cover is provided with a conduction region in at least a part of a region covering the nozzle forming surface,
The conduction region provided on the nozzle forming surface and the conduction region provided on the head cover are in contact with each other and are electrically connected.
The liquid discharge head according to claim 1, wherein the head cover has an exposed portion that exposes a conduction region provided on the nozzle formation surface . An electrically conductive nozzle forming member having an insulating region on the surface and having a nozzle for discharging liquid on the nozzle forming surface; and
A head cover having an insulating region on the surface and having conductivity to cover a peripheral edge of the nozzle forming surface;
With
The nozzle forming surface is provided with a conduction region in at least a part of the region covered with the head cover,
The conductive region of the nozzle forming surface is provided with a bent bent on the nozzle forming surface side,
The liquid discharge head according to claim 1, wherein the head cover and the burrs are in electrical contact with each other.
The liquid discharge head according to claim 1 or 2 ,
A wiping mechanism having a wiping member for wiping the nozzle forming surface of the liquid ejection head;
A liquid ejection apparatus comprising: A conductive nozzle forming member having an insulating region on the surface and having a nozzle for discharging liquid on the nozzle forming surface, and a peripheral edge of the nozzle forming surface having an insulating region on the surface A liquid discharge head manufacturing method comprising: a conductive head cover that covers a portion,
Providing a conduction region in at least a part of the region covered with the head cover on the nozzle forming surface;
In the head cover, providing a conduction region in at least a part of a region covering the nozzle forming surface;
Electrically connecting the conduction region provided on the nozzle forming surface and the conduction region provided on the head cover with each other;
Forming an exposed portion that exposes a conductive region provided on the nozzle forming surface in the head cover;
A method for manufacturing a liquid discharge head, comprising:
A conductive nozzle forming member having an insulating region on the surface and having a nozzle for discharging liquid on the nozzle forming surface, and a peripheral edge of the nozzle forming surface having an insulating region on the surface A liquid discharge head manufacturing method comprising: a conductive head cover that covers a portion,
Providing a conduction region in at least a part of the region covered with the head cover on the nozzle forming surface;
In the conduction region of the nozzle forming surface , providing a bent edge on the nozzle forming surface side;
Making the head cover and the burrs contact each other and electrically conducting;
A method for manufacturing a liquid discharge head, comprising:

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