JP5783347B2 - Liquid ejecting head and liquid ejecting apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid ejecting head and a liquid ejecting apparatus that eject liquid, and more particularly, to an ink jet recording head and an ink jet recording apparatus that eject ink as liquid.

  In an ink jet recording head, which is a typical example of a liquid ejecting head, generally, an ink cartridge which is a liquid storage unit filled with ink is detachably inserted into or extended from the ink cartridge. Ink is supplied to the head main body through an ink supply needle formed as an ink supply body disposed at the tip of a supply pipe such as a tube and an ink supply path formed in a supply member such as a cartridge case for holding the ink cartridge. Ink supplied to the head body is ejected from the nozzles by driving pressure generating means such as a piezoelectric element provided in the head body.

  In such an ink jet recording head, in order to solve a discharge failure such as missing dots due to bubbles or the like, bubbles or dust in the ink is removed between the ink supply needle inserted into the ink cartridge and the cartridge case. A filter provided with a filter is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2009-220567 A

  However, in the configuration as in Patent Document 1, a filter, a cartridge case, or the like may be deformed due to heat or the like during integral molding. In this case, if the filter is deformed and falls to the inner wall surface side of the flow path downstream from the filter, the filter may stick to the inner wall surface during cleaning of the bubble discharge operation that sucks with a large negative pressure. There is a problem that the bubble discharge performance is reduced by the closed filter blocking the flow path. In addition, the filter is liable to stick to the inner wall surface of the flow path downstream from the filter, or bubbles are likely to accumulate between the twisted filter and the inner wall surface of the flow path downstream of the filter. There is.

  Such a problem exists not only in an ink jet recording head but also in a liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid other than ink.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a liquid ejecting head capable of suppressing a decrease in bubble discharge performance and a liquid ejecting apparatus having desired liquid ejecting characteristics using the liquid ejecting head.

The liquid ejecting head of the present invention includes a head body that ejects the liquid supplied from the liquid storage unit via the liquid supply path, and a first liquid supply path that constitutes a part of the liquid supply path. A second liquid supply path that communicates with the first liquid supply path and forms a part of the liquid supply path, and supplies the liquid to the head body; A filter sandwiched between one supply member and a sandwiching portion of the second supply member, and an integrally molded portion for integrally molding and joining the first supply member and the second supply member, has a clamping area which is sandwiched by the holding portion of the first supply member and the second supply member, and the flow path area, wherein the holding portion is provided with an inclined surface, on the outside of the inclined surface A flat surface portion, and the inclined surface includes the filter. So as to be convex on the downstream side of the flat portion toward the central portion of the Iruta, and being inclined.

In the present invention, the amount of protrusion of the filter to the downstream side can be adjusted by tilting the filter so that it protrudes further downstream than the sandwiching portion by the inclined surface that is the support surface that supports the filter. As a result, excessive deformation of the filter can be prevented and deterioration of the bubble discharge performance can be suppressed. And since the amount of protrusion to the downstream side of the filter can be adjusted, it is possible to prevent excessive deformation of the filter, so that the flow rate between the filter and the inner wall surface is not so narrow that the flow rate is extremely reduced. A sufficient flow rate of liquid can be supplied to the bubbles to be generated, and the bubbles can be made difficult to accumulate between the filter and the inner wall surface.

  It is preferable that a second projecting member projecting toward the first liquid supply path is provided on an inner wall surface of the second liquid supply path facing the flow channel area. By providing such a second projecting member, the filter can be supported from the downstream side, the filter and the inner wall surface are reliably separated from each other, and the filter and the inner wall surface are adhered to each other during the bubble discharging operation. It can prevent more reliably, and can make it difficult to accumulate bubbles between the filter and the inner wall surface.

The liquid ejecting apparatus of the invention includes any one of the liquid ejecting heads described above. By providing a liquid ejecting head in which a reduction in bubble discharge properties is suppressed and bubbles are less likely to accumulate, desired liquid ejecting characteristics can be obtained.
The liquid ejecting head of the present invention includes a head body that ejects the liquid supplied from the liquid storage unit via the liquid supply path, and a first liquid supply path that constitutes a part of the liquid supply path. A second liquid supply path that communicates with the first liquid supply path and forms a part of the liquid supply path, and supplies the liquid to the head body; A filter sandwiched between one supply member and the second supply member, and an integrally molded portion that integrally molds and joins the first supply member and the second supply member, 1 has a clamping area sandwiched between the supply member and the second supply member, and a flow path area, and a support surface for supporting the filter is provided. The support surface allows the filter to be in the center of the filter. On the downstream side of the clamping part Characterized in that it is inclined such that.
A support surface for supporting the filter is provided, and the support surface is inclined so that the filter protrudes downstream from the sandwiching portion. Since the filter can be adjusted, excessive deformation of the filter can be prevented and deterioration of the bubble discharge performance can be suppressed. And since the amount of protrusion to the downstream side of the filter can be adjusted, it is possible to prevent excessive deformation of the filter, so that the flow rate between the filter and the inner wall surface is not so narrow that the flow rate is extremely reduced. A sufficient flow rate of liquid can be supplied to the bubbles to be generated, and the bubbles can be made difficult to accumulate between the filter and the inner wall surface.
Here, as a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the support surface is provided in a sandwiching portion composed of the first liquid supply path and the second liquid supply path for sandwiching the filter, from the liquid flow path side. It is an inclined surface that is inclined upstream toward the outside of the liquid supply path, or the support surface is provided on the first supply member, and is a second supply member rather than a surface that holds the filter. The first projecting member projecting to the side, the projecting member-side contact surface that contacts the filter, and the filter of the clamping portion that includes the first liquid supply path and the second liquid supply path that sandwich the filter It is mentioned that it consists of the clamping part side contact surface which contacts.
It is preferable that a second projecting member projecting toward the first liquid supply path is provided on an inner wall surface of the second liquid supply path facing the flow channel area. By providing such a second projecting member, the filter can be supported from the downstream side, the filter and the inner wall surface are reliably separated from each other, and the filter and the inner wall surface are adhered to each other during the bubble discharging operation. It can prevent more reliably, and can make it difficult to accumulate bubbles between the filter and the inner wall surface.
The liquid ejecting apparatus of the invention includes any one of the liquid ejecting heads described above. By providing a liquid ejecting head in which a reduction in bubble discharge properties is suppressed and bubbles are less likely to accumulate, desired liquid ejecting characteristics can be obtained.

1 is a schematic perspective view of a recording apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the recording head according to the first embodiment. 3 is a top view of a supply member according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a supply member according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a head body according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the head body according to the first embodiment. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a supply member according to Embodiment 2. FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a cartridge case according to a second embodiment.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on embodiments.
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an ink jet recording apparatus which is an example of a liquid ejecting apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the ink jet recording apparatus 10 of the present invention has an ink jet recording head (hereinafter also referred to as a recording head) 11, which is an example of a liquid ejecting head for ejecting ink droplets, fixed to a carriage 12. The recording head 11 is an example of a liquid storage unit in which a plurality of different color inks such as black (B), light black (LB), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) are stored. Each of the ink cartridges 13 is detachably fixed.

  The carriage 12 on which the recording head 11 is mounted is provided on a carriage shaft 15 attached to the apparatus main body 14 so as to be movable in the axial direction. Then, the driving force of the driving motor 16 is transmitted to the carriage 12 via a plurality of gears and a timing belt 17 (not shown), so that the carriage 12 is moved along the carriage shaft 15. On the other hand, the apparatus main body 14 is provided with a platen 18 along the carriage shaft 15, so that a recording medium S such as paper fed by a paper feeding device (not shown) is conveyed on the platen 18. ing.

  A capping device 20 having a cap member 19 that seals the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 11 is provided at a position corresponding to the home position of the carriage 12, that is, in the vicinity of one end of the carriage shaft 15. . The cap member 19 seals the nozzle forming surface on which the nozzle openings are formed, thereby preventing the ink from drying. The cap member 19 also functions as an ink receiver during the flushing operation.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the recording head 11 includes a plurality of ink supply needles 31 (first supply members) inserted into an ink cartridge 13 that is a liquid storage unit, and a cartridge case 32 (first assembly) to which the ink cartridge 13 is fixed. 2 supply members), a head main body 220 fixed to the surface of the supply member 30 opposite to the ink cartridge 13, and a cover head 240 provided on the liquid ejection surface side of the head main body 220. It has.

  First, the supply member 30 will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 3 which is a top view of the supply member 30 and FIG. 4 which is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA ′ of FIG. 3, the cartridge case 32 constituting the supply member 30 A mounting portion 35 is provided. Further, the cartridge case 32 is formed with a second ink supply path 92 (second liquid supply path) having one end opened on the cartridge mounting portion 35 side and the other end opened on the head main body 220 side. As shown in FIG. 4, the second ink supply path 92 is a filter chamber 93 whose inner diameter gradually decreases from the ink supply needle 31 side toward the bottom surface, and an opening on the head body 220 side of the filter chamber 93. A communication supply path 99 that communicates with the filter chamber 93 through the opening 94 (liquid supply port) and also communicates with the head body 220 is formed.

  An ink supply needle 31 is fixed to the opening of the second ink supply path 92 of the cartridge mounting portion 35 of the cartridge case 32 via a filter 33. The ink supply needle 31 has a first ink supply path 91 (first liquid supply path) having one end opened to the cartridge case 32 side and the other end opened to the ink cartridge 13 side. The first ink supply path 91 has a wide portion 95 whose inner diameter gradually decreases from the cartridge case 32 side. The first ink supply path 91 and the second ink supply path 92 are in communication with each other and constitute a part of an ink supply path (liquid supply path) that connects the ink cartridge 13 and the head body 220.

  The cartridge case 32 and the ink supply needle 31 have a clamping part 39 that is an area for clamping the filter 33. In the present embodiment, the clamping unit 39 includes a filter clamping unit 37 provided at an opening edge of the cartridge case 32 on the cartridge mounting unit 35 side of the second ink supply path 92 and a cartridge case 32 side of the ink supply needle 31. It comprises a needle-side filter clamping part 42 provided at the opening edge and facing the filter clamping part 37.

  Further, the filter 33 is a sheet-like material in which a plurality of fine holes are formed by finely knitting metal, and is held by a holding part 39 constituted by a filter holding part 37 and a needle side filter holding part 42. Thus, the first ink supply path 91 provided in the ink supply needle 31 and the second ink supply path 92 provided in the cartridge case 32 are provided. That is, the filter 33 is sandwiched by the sandwiching section 39 and the area that is not sandwiched by the sandwiching section 39, that is, the first ink supply path 91 and the second ink supply path 92 (hereinafter referred to as ink channels). And the flow path area 33b exposed to the surface. The filter 33 removes bubbles and foreign matters in the ink.

  In the present invention, the supply member 30 includes an integrally molded portion 34 that integrates the cartridge case 32, the ink supply needle 31, and the filter 33. The integral molding unit 34 integrally molds and joins the cartridge case 32 sandwiching the filter 33 and the ink supply needle 31. Here, the integral molding joining means that the cartridge case 32 and the ink supply needle 31 are formed regardless of ultrasonic welding or the like by molding the integral molding portion 34 so as to contact both the cartridge case 32 and the ink supply needle 31. Is to join. In the present embodiment, a wall portion 43 that protrudes from the surface of the cartridge case 32 to which the ink supply needle 31 is fixed is formed, and is formed inside the wall portion 43 by a manufacturing process that will be described later. An integrally molded portion 34 is provided.

  Thus, since the cartridge case 32 and the ink supply needle 31 are integrally molded and joined, the recording head 11 can be reduced in size. More specifically, when the cartridge case 32 and the ink supply needle 31 are not integrally molded and joined, the filter 33 is welded to the cartridge case 32 by thermal welding or the like, and the ink supply needle 31 is welded by ultrasonic welding or the like. Manufactured by the method. In this case, an area for welding the filter 33 is provided in the cartridge case 32, and an area for welding the ink supply needle 31 is required outside the area. On the other hand, in the present invention, since the cartridge case 32 and the ink supply needle 31 are fixed by the integral molding portion 34, such a region for welding is unnecessary. Thereby, the space | interval of the adjacent ink supply needle | hook 31 can be shortened, and the recording head 11 can be reduced in size. Further, in the present invention, since it is possible to reduce the size of the filter 33, it is not necessary to reduce the area of the filter 33 to reduce the size of the recording head 11. It is not necessary to increase the driving voltage for driving the pressure generating means such as the piezoelectric element 300 or the heating element.

  By the way, when the cartridge case 32 and the ink supply needle 31 are fixed by such an integral molding portion 34, conventionally, the filter 33 is bent due to thermal contraction after the integral molding joining, and the filter 33 becomes the filter clamping portion 37 and the needle side filter. A plane including the edge of the filter 33 sandwiched by the sandwiching portion 42 (a sandwiching surface of the filter 33), that is, a joint surface P (hereinafter simply referred to as a joint surface P) between the ink supply needle 31 and the cartridge case 32. As a result, the filter 33 tends to stick to the inner wall surface 96 during the bubble discharging operation, and even if the filter 33 does not stick to the inner wall surface 96, the flow path is blocked during the bubble discharging operation. There was a problem.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the sandwiching portion 39 includes an inclined portion 38a provided to be inclined upward (upstream side) from the ink flow path side toward the integral molding portion 34 side. As a result, the filter 33 held by the inclined portion 38a is more convex toward the filter chamber 93 than the joint surface P. Specifically, the filter 33 is sandwiched by the sandwiching portion 39 in a state where the sandwiching area 33a of the filter 33 is inclined, and the filter 33 is contracted during molding in this state, so that the filter 33 protrudes most at the center and is a gently inclined curved surface. It has become a shape.

  However, in the present embodiment, the amount of deformation of the filter 33 sandwiched between the inclined portions 38a can be regulated by the inclined portions 38a, so that the distance between the inner wall surface 96 and the filter 33 can be kept at a predetermined distance. . In other words, if the filter 33 is convex toward the filter chamber 93 with respect to the joint surface P, the distance between the inner wall surface 96 and the filter 33 may approach and stick to the inner wall surface 96 during the bubble discharging operation. However, in this embodiment, since the amount of inclination of the filter 33, that is, the amount of protrusion is determined by the amount of inclination of the inclined portion 38a, the amount of inclination of the inclined portion 38a is set to a predetermined amount, so that the filter 33 can be discharged. Even during operation, the inner wall surface 96 is not stuck and can be separated by a predetermined distance that does not block the flow path due to deformation. That is, in the present embodiment, the inclined portion 38a that is inclined toward the bottom surface is provided in the sandwiching portion 39, so that the inclined surface of the inclined portion 38a serves as a support surface to support and protrude the filter 33. Since the distance between the filter 33 and the inner wall surface 96 can be kept at a predetermined distance, the filter 33 is prevented from sticking to the inner wall surface 96 during the bubble discharging operation, and the bubbles are less likely to accumulate between the filter 33 and the inner wall surface 96. can do. Thereby, the fall of the bubble discharge property of the filter 33 can be suppressed.

  Further, by configuring the filter 33 so as to protrude from the bonding surface P toward the filter chamber 93, the filter 33 is not subjected to pressure against the ink flow. That is, if the filter is configured to protrude toward the ink supply needle 31 so that it does not easily stick to the inner wall surface 96 during the bubble discharging operation, the ink flows from the first ink supply path 91 to the second ink supply path 92 side. In this case, it is conceivable that the protruding direction of the filter 33 is reversed by increasing the pressure, that is, the filter protrudes from the ink supply needle 31 side to the filter chamber 93 side. In this way, the protruding direction of the filter is opposite to the originally planned direction, and in some cases, the filter sticks to the inner wall surface 96 during the bubble discharging operation or may block the flow path. It is done. Therefore, it is preferable that the amount of inclination of the filter 33 is regulated by the inclined portion 38a as in the present embodiment so as to protrude toward the inner wall surface 96 side.

  In the case of integral molding, it cannot be determined from the appearance whether or not the filter 33 is deformed, and in order to grasp the deformation of the filter 33, it is necessary to confirm by destroying the member provided with the filter 33 or the like. However, in this embodiment, since the filter 33 protrudes toward the filter chamber 93 by providing an inclination in the clamping portion 39, the filter 33 is formed on the inner wall surface 96 by breaking the member provided with the filter 33 or the like. There is no need to check whether it is stuck or not.

  The above-described ink jet recording head 11, particularly the supply member 30, is manufactured as follows, for example.

  The filter 33 is disposed between the filter holding portion 37 of the cartridge case 32 and the needle side filter holding portion 42 of the ink supply needle 31. In this case, since the filter holding portion 37 and the holding portion 39 of the ink supply needle 31 are formed with a flat portion 38b provided outside the inclined portion 38a (on the integrally molded portion 34 side), the filter 33 is stabilized. Can be held. In this state, the filter 33 is sandwiched between the cartridge case 32 and the ink supply needle 31 (a sandwiching step). In this clamping step, the filter 33 is inclined and bent by the inclined portion 38a and protrudes toward the filter chamber 93 side. When the filter 33 is attached in a state where the cartridge case 32 is inclined, the filter 33 is held between the cartridge case 32 and the ink supply needle 31 while sucking.

  Next, the cartridge case 32 and the ink supply needle 31 holding the filter 33 are held by a mold, and a space is formed by the mold, the surface of the cartridge case 32, and the inner surface of the wall portion 43, and the space is heated. After the injected resin is injected and cooled to cure the resin, the integrally molded portion 34 is formed (see FIG. 4) (integrated molding process). In the present embodiment, when the integral molding portion 34 is formed, the filter 33 is caused by a difference in linear expansion coefficient between the cartridge case 32 and the ink supply needle 31, thermal contraction of the resin forming the integral molding portion 34, or the like. Therefore, the filter 33 further protrudes toward the filter chamber 93. That is, the filter 33 protruded by the inclined portion 38a due to the contraction has a central portion protruding further to the filter chamber 93 side, and the filter 33 has a curved shape that is convex toward the filter chamber 93 side as shown in FIG. Become. In this case, in this embodiment, since the deformation amount of the filter 33 is regulated, the filter 33 sticks to the inner wall surface 96 of the cartridge case 32 or the bent filter 33 and the cartridge case 32 during the bubble discharging operation. It is possible to prevent bubbles from accumulating between the inner wall surface 96 and the inner wall surface 96. That is, in this embodiment, the inclined portion 38a is provided so that the filter 33 protrudes so as to protrude toward the filter chamber 93, so that stress is applied to the filter 33 and the filter 33 further moves toward the filter chamber 93. Protruding. In the present embodiment, the amount of deformation is preliminarily collected to determine the amount of inclination of the inclined portion 38a.

  Thereafter, the head body 220 is provided on the supply member 30 via the head case 230 (installation step), and the cover head 240 is attached so as to cover the head body 220, whereby the recording head 11 is formed (see FIG. 2). ).

  A head main body 220 is provided on the side of the supply member 30 opposite to the ink cartridge 13. Here, the head main body 220 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the head main body, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the head main body.

  As shown in the figure, the flow path forming substrate 60 constituting the head main body 220 is made of a silicon single crystal substrate in the present embodiment, and an elastic film 50 made of silicon dioxide is formed on one surface thereof. The flow path forming substrate 60 is formed with two rows in which pressure generation chambers 62 partitioned by a plurality of partition walls are arranged in parallel in the width direction by anisotropic etching from the other side. Further, on the outer side in the longitudinal direction of the pressure generation chambers 62 in each row, communication is made with a reservoir portion 81 provided on a reservoir forming substrate 80, which will be described later, and constitutes a reservoir 100 serving as a common ink chamber for each pressure generation chamber 62. A portion 63 is formed. Further, the communication part 63 is in communication with one end part in the longitudinal direction of each pressure generating chamber 62 via the supply path 64. That is, in the present embodiment, the pressure generation chamber 62, the communication part 63, and the supply path 64 are provided as the liquid channels formed in the channel forming substrate 60.

  Further, the nozzle plate 70 in which the nozzle openings 71 are formed is fixed to the opening surface side of the flow path forming substrate 60 via the adhesive 400. Specifically, a plurality of nozzle plates 70 are provided so as to correspond to the plurality of head main bodies 220, and the nozzle plates 70 have a slightly larger area than an exposed opening 241 of the cover head 240 described in detail later. And is fixed by an adhesive or the like in a region overlapping with the cover head 240. In addition, the nozzle openings 71 of the nozzle plate 70 are formed at positions where they communicate with each other on the side opposite to the supply path 64 of each pressure generating chamber 62. In this embodiment, since two rows in which the pressure generating chambers 62 are arranged in parallel are provided on the flow path forming substrate 60, two nozzle rows 71A in which nozzle openings 71 are arranged in parallel are provided in one head body 220. Yes. In the present embodiment, the surface of the nozzle plate 70 where the nozzle openings 71 are open is the liquid ejection surface. Examples of such a nozzle plate 70 include a silicon single crystal substrate and a metal substrate such as stainless steel (SUS).

  On the other hand, on the side opposite to the opening surface of the flow path forming substrate 60, on the elastic film 50, a first electrode made of metal, a piezoelectric layer made of a piezoelectric material such as lead zirconate titanate (PZT), A piezoelectric element 300 is formed by sequentially laminating a second electrode made of metal.

  A reservoir forming substrate 80 having a reservoir portion 81 constituting at least a part of the reservoir 100 is joined on the flow path forming substrate 60 on which such a piezoelectric element 300 is formed. In this embodiment, the reservoir portion 81 is formed across the reservoir forming substrate 80 in the thickness direction and across the width direction of the pressure generating chamber 62. As described above, the communicating portion of the flow path forming substrate 60 is formed. The reservoir 100 is connected to the pressure generating chamber 62 and serves as a common ink chamber.

  A piezoelectric element holding portion 82 having a space that does not hinder the movement of the piezoelectric element 300 is provided in a region of the reservoir forming substrate 80 facing the piezoelectric element 300.

  Further, on the reservoir forming substrate 80, a drive circuit 110 made of a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) or the like for driving each piezoelectric element 300 is provided. Each terminal of the drive circuit 110 is connected to a lead wiring drawn from the individual electrode of each piezoelectric element 300 via a bonding wire or the like (not shown). Each terminal of the drive circuit 110 is connected to the outside via an external wiring 111 such as a flexible printed circuit (FPC), and receives various signals such as a print signal from the outside via the external wiring 111. Yes.

  In addition, the compliance substrate 140 is bonded onto the reservoir forming substrate 80. An ink introduction port 144 for supplying ink to the reservoir 100 is formed in a region facing the reservoir 100 of the compliance substrate 140 by penetrating in the thickness direction. Further, the region other than the ink inlet 144 in the region facing the reservoir 100 of the compliance substrate 140 is a flexible portion 143 formed thin in the thickness direction, and the reservoir 100 is sealed by the flexible portion 143. Has been. This flexible portion 143 provides compliance within the reservoir 100.

A head case 230 is fixed on the compliance substrate 140.
The head case 230 is provided with an ink supply communication path 231 that communicates with the ink introduction port 144 and also communicates with the ink supply path of the supply member 30 and supplies ink from the supply member 30 to the ink introduction port 144. In the head case 230, a groove portion 232 is formed in a region facing the flexible portion 143 of the compliance substrate 140, and the flexible portion 143 is appropriately deformed. The head case 230 is provided with a drive circuit holding portion 233 penetrating in the thickness direction in a region facing the drive circuit 110 provided on the reservoir forming substrate 80, and the external wiring 111 holds the drive circuit holding The drive circuit 110 is connected through the portion 233.

  Each member constituting the head main body 220 is provided with two pin insertion holes 234 into which pins for positioning the respective members are inserted at the time of assembly. Then, the head main body 220 is integrally combined by inserting the pins into the pin insertion hole 234 and joining the members while performing relative positioning of the respective members.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the head main body 220 held by the supply member 30 via the head case 230 is relative to each other by a cover head 240 having a box shape so as to cover the liquid ejection surface side of the five head main bodies 220. Positioned and held. The cover head 240 has an exposed opening 241 that exposes the nozzle opening 71, an exposed opening 241, and both ends of the nozzle openings 71 arranged in parallel in at least the nozzle row 71 </ b> A on the liquid ejection surface of the head body 220. And a head joint 242 joined to the head.

  Further, the cover head 240 is provided with a side wall portion 245 that extends so as to bend over the outer peripheral edge portion of the liquid ejection surface on the side surface side of the liquid ejection surface of the head body 220.

  As described above, the cover head 240 is configured such that the head joint portion 242 is bonded to the liquid ejecting surface of the head main body 220. Therefore, the step between the liquid ejecting surface and the cover head 240 can be reduced. Even if a suction operation or the like is performed, it is possible to prevent ink from remaining on the liquid ejection surface. Further, since the adjacent head main bodies 220 are blocked by the beam portions 244, ink does not enter between the adjacent head main bodies 220, and deterioration due to ink such as the piezoelectric element 300 and the drive circuit 110 and the like. Destruction can be prevented. Further, since the liquid ejection surface of the head main body 220 and the cover head 240 are bonded without any gap by an adhesive, the recording medium S is prevented from entering the gap, and the cover head 240 is deformed and paper jam occurs. Can be prevented. Further, since the side wall 245 covers the outer peripheral edge portions of the plurality of head main bodies 220, it is possible to reliably prevent the ink from flowing into the side surfaces of the head main bodies 220. Further, since the head joining portion 242 joined to the liquid ejection surface of the head main body 220 is provided in the cover head 240, the nozzle rows 71A of the plurality of head main bodies 220 are positioned with high accuracy with respect to the cover head 240. Can be joined together.

  As such a cover head 240, metal materials, such as stainless steel, are mentioned, for example, A metal plate may be formed by press work and may be formed by shaping | molding. Further, the cover head 240 can be grounded by using a conductive metal material. The joining of the cover head 240 and the nozzle plate 70 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include adhesion using a thermosetting epoxy adhesive or an ultraviolet curable adhesive.

  The ink jet recording head 11 of this embodiment takes in ink from the ink cartridge 13 via the first ink supply path 91 and the second ink supply path 92, and opens the ink supply communication path 231 and the ink introduction port 144. Then, after filling the interior from the reservoir 100 to the nozzle opening 71 with ink, a voltage is applied to each piezoelectric element 300 corresponding to each pressure generating chamber 62 in accordance with a recording signal from the drive circuit 110, and the elastic film By bending and deforming 50 and the piezoelectric element 300, the pressure in each pressure generating chamber 62 increases, and ink droplets are ejected from the nozzle openings 71.

(Embodiment 2)
In the present embodiment, in order to make the filter 33 convex toward the filter chamber 93, a first protruding member 97 a is provided on the inner wall surface of the ink supply needle 31 instead of providing an inclined portion in the clamping portion 39. This will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS.

  In the present embodiment, the first protruding member 97 a is provided on the inner wall surface of the ink supply needle 31, and the filter 33 is protruded toward the filter chamber 93. In the present embodiment, the first projecting member 97a is provided to be spaced apart in the diameter direction of the circular filter chamber 93 in a top view, and is closer to the filter chamber 93 side than the joint surface P on the inner wall surface of the ink supply needle 31, respectively. It is a columnar protrusion protruding toward the surface. By providing the first protruding member 97a, the filter 33 is pushed down and protrudes toward the filter chamber 93. In other words, in the present embodiment, the filter 33 is formed by the clamping portion side contact surface that the clamping portion 39 contacts and holds the filter 33 and the protruding member side contact surface that the first protruding member 97a contacts and supports the filter 33. It is supported, and a support surface is constituted by the clamping portion side contact surface and the protruding member side contact surface. In this case, since the projecting member side contact surface is present on the filter chamber 93 side than the sandwiching portion side contact surface, the filter 33 projects on the filter chamber 93 side.

  Thus, in this embodiment, the filter 33 is pushed down by the flat clamping part 39 and the protrusion member 97a, and protrudes to the filter chamber 93 side. Specifically, the filter 33 is projected to the filter chamber 93 side by the flat clamping part 39 and the protruding member 97a, and the filter 33 is contracted during molding in this state, so that the filter 33 is most at the center. It has a curved surface that protrudes and is gently inclined.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the first projecting member 97a is provided, the sandwiching portion side contact surface and the projecting member side contact surface are provided as support surfaces, and the projecting member from the sandwiching portion side contact surface. Since the filter 33 is inclined toward the upstream side of the liquid supply path toward the side contact surface, the filter 33 can be supported in an inclined state. Also in the present embodiment, the filter 33 can be deliberately deformed by a predetermined amount by the flat clamping portion 39 and the protruding member 97a, so that the filter 33 sticks to the inner wall surface 96 during the bubble discharging operation. It can suppress that a flow path is obstruct | occluded by deformation | transformation of 33 and bubble discharge property falls.

  In the present embodiment, two second projecting members 97 b are further provided on the inner wall surface 96 of the cartridge case 32. The second protruding member 97b is a columnar protrusion protruding toward the ink supply needle 31 side, and supports the flow path area 33b of the filter 33 from the downstream side. By providing the second projecting member 97b, the filter 33 is supported by the second projecting member 97b and the deformation of the filter 33 is restricted. Therefore, the filter 33 reliably holds the distance from the inner wall surface 96 by a predetermined distance. can do. This prevents the filter 33 from being pulled and stuck to the inner wall surface 96 side when the air is sucked from the nozzle opening side in the bubble discharging operation, or the flow path is blocked by excessive deformation of the filter 33 with high accuracy. it can. Thereby, the fall of the bubble discharge property in the filter 33 can be suppressed.

  Further, in the present embodiment, by providing the second projecting member 97b, the filter 33 is supported by the second projecting member 97b and the deformation of the filter 33 is restricted. Bubbles can be made difficult to accumulate.

  Specifically, the second projecting member 97b is provided in a state of being separated in the diameter direction of the filter chamber 93 in a top view. By providing the filter in the diametrical direction, the filter can be effectively prevented from being bent. Further, the second projecting member 97 b is provided so as to be separated from the holding portion 39. By providing them apart from each other, it is possible to ensure the flow of ink between the sandwiching portion 39 and the second projecting member 97b, thereby preventing the ink from staying and the bubbles from collecting. For example, unlike the present embodiment, if a sandwiching portion 39 and a continuous projecting member are provided, ink tends to stay between the projecting members, and bubbles tend to accumulate.

  In addition, since the second projecting members 97b are provided at a predetermined interval, the flow of ink in the ink flow path in the cartridge case 32 is not hindered, and the flow velocity does not decrease. For example, unlike this embodiment, if a protruding member is provided continuously in the circumferential direction without leaving a predetermined interval, ink stays and bubbles tend to accumulate in that portion. It is. Further, since the second projecting member 97b is arranged along the shape of the ink flow path, the second projecting member 97b does not hinder the flow of ink, and bubbles accumulate in the vicinity of the second projecting member 97b. This can be suppressed. Further, in the present embodiment, the second projecting member 97b is provided without being biased and symmetrical with respect to the inner wall surface 96. By providing the second projecting member 97b symmetrically and unevenly in this way, the entire filter 33 can be projected uniformly, and thereby the flow path caused by sticking to the inner wall surface 96 of the filter 33 or deformation during the bubble discharging operation. Blockage can be further suppressed. And since the 2nd protrusion member 97b is spaced apart and provided along the circumferential direction, a part of filter 33 does not fall to the inner wall surface 96 side, and, thereby, the inner wall surface of the filter 33 at the time of bubble discharge | emission operation | movement The blockage of the flow path due to sticking to 96 or deformation can be further suppressed.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the filter 33 can be protruded toward the filter chamber 93 while being regulated by the first projecting member 97a and the flat clamping portion 39. Can be suppressed. Furthermore, by providing the second projecting member 97b, it is possible to reliably prevent the filter 33 from being pulled and stuck to the inner wall surface 96 side when sucked from the nozzle opening side in the bubble discharging operation.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, the basic composition of this invention is not limited to what was mentioned above. In the second embodiment, two first projecting members 97a and two second projecting members 97b are provided, but this number is not limited to this. The number and shape are not limited as long as they are provided so as not to disturb the flow of ink. For example, in the present embodiment, the protruding member 97a has a columnar shape, but may have a wall shape.

  In the second embodiment, the first projecting member 97a and the second projecting member 97b are provided. However, if at least the first projecting member 97a is provided, the object of the present invention can be achieved. Further, the second projecting member 97b may be provided in the ink jet recording head 11 according to the first embodiment. This also makes it possible to regulate the filter 33.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the ink cartridge 13 is detachably connected to the ink supply needle 31 directly, but is not limited thereto. For example, a supply pipe made of a flexible tube (not shown) is arranged between the ink cartridge 13 and the ink supply needle 31 to supply ink from the ink cartridge arranged at a distance to the ink supply needle. You may comprise as follows.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the filter 33 is sandwiched between the ink supply needle 31 and the cartridge case 32, and then integrally molded and joined by the integral molding unit 34. However, the present invention is not limited to this as long as it is integrally molded and joined. . For example, the filter 33 may be welded to the cartridge case 32, and then the cartridge case 32 to which the filter 33 is welded and the ink supply needle 31 may be integrally molded and joined by the integral molding portion 34. When the filter 33 is welded to the cartridge case 32, the filter 33 may be deformed by heat or the like. However, in the present invention, since the inclined portion 38a is provided, the filter 33 is welded when the filter 33 is welded. Even if the deformation of 33 occurs, it is possible to prevent the filter 33 from sticking to the inner wall surface 96 or blocking the flow path during the bubble discharging operation.

  Furthermore, in each embodiment mentioned above, although the filter 33 was made into the sheet form knitted by the metal, it is not limited to this. For example, it may be formed by punching a metal plate or a sheet formed of a resin having fine holes.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the ink cartridge 13 that is a liquid storage unit is provided so as to be detachable from the supply member 30, but is not particularly limited thereto. For example, an ink tank or the like is used as the liquid storage unit. It may be provided at a position different from the recording head 11, and the liquid storage means and the recording head 11 may be connected via a supply pipe such as a tube. That is, in the above-described embodiment, the needle-like ink supply needle 31 is exemplified as the first supply member, but the first supply member is not limited to the needle-like one.

  Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the configuration in which one head main body 220 is provided for two liquid supply paths is illustrated, but a plurality of head main bodies may be provided for each ink color. In such a case, each liquid supply path communicates with each head body. That is, each liquid supply path may be provided so as to communicate with each nozzle row in which nozzle openings provided in each head body are arranged in parallel. Of course, the liquid supply path does not have to communicate with each nozzle array, and one liquid supply path may communicate with a plurality of nozzle arrays, and each nozzle array is divided into two, A liquid supply path may be communicated with the liquid. That is, the liquid supply path only needs to communicate with a nozzle opening group including a plurality of nozzle openings.

  Furthermore, in each of the above-described embodiments, the present invention has been described by exemplifying the ink jet recording head 11 that ejects ink droplets. However, the present invention is widely intended for all liquid ejecting heads. Examples of the liquid ejecting head include a recording head used for an image recording apparatus such as a printer, a color material ejecting head used for manufacturing a color filter such as a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, and an electrode formation such as an FED (field emission display). Electrode material ejecting heads used in manufacturing, bioorganic matter ejecting heads used in biochip production, and the like.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Inkjet recording apparatus (liquid ejecting apparatus), 11 Inkjet recording head (liquid ejecting head), 30 Supply member, 31 Ink supply needle, 32 Cartridge case, 33 Filter, 34 Integrated molding part, 38a Inclination part, 39 Clamping part 91 First ink supply path, 92 Second ink supply path, 93 Filter chamber, 94 Opening, 96 Inner wall surface, 97a First projecting member, 97b Second projecting member

Claims (3)

A head main body for ejecting the liquid supplied from the liquid storage means via the liquid supply path;
A first supply member provided with a first liquid supply path constituting a part of the liquid supply path;
A second liquid supply path that communicates with the first liquid supply path and forms a part of the liquid supply path; a second supply member that supplies the liquid to the head body;
A filter sandwiched between sandwiching portions of the first supply member and the second supply member;
An integral molding part for integrally molding and joining the first supply member and the second supply member;
The filter has a clamping area that is clamped by a sandwiching portion of the first supply member and the second supply member, and a flow path area.
The holding portion includes an inclined surface, and a flat portion provided on the outer side of the inclined surface, and
The liquid ejecting head according to claim 1, wherein the inclined surface is inclined so that the filter protrudes toward the central portion of the filter toward the downstream side of the flat portion. 2. The liquid ejection according to claim 1 , wherein a second projecting member projecting toward the first liquid supply path is provided on an inner wall surface of the second liquid supply path facing the flow channel area. head. A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising the liquid ejecting head according to claim 1 .

Images