JP5929479B2 - 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 from nozzle openings, and more particularly to an ink jet recording head and an ink jet recording apparatus that eject ink as liquid.

  An ink jet recording head, which is a typical example of a liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid droplets, includes, for example, a nozzle opening and a flow path such as a pressure generating chamber that communicates with the nozzle opening. Some ink droplets cause ink droplets to be ejected from the nozzle openings by causing a pressure change.

  In such an ink jet recording head, the components contained in the ink evaporate from the nozzle openings, thereby increasing the viscosity of the ink, causing variations in the ejection characteristics of the ink droplets over time, and keeping the liquid ejection quality constant. I can't. In addition, the liquid ejection quality is also caused by the difference between the ink droplet component when the component contained in the ink settles and ejected continuously and the component of the ink droplet when ejected after a while. Variation will occur.

  For this reason, ink is supplied to a manifold which is a common liquid chamber in which a plurality of pressure generating chambers communicate in common, and ink is recovered from the manifold, and the ink is circulated by repeating supply and recovery, thereby providing ink. Inkjet recording heads have been proposed in which the thickening of the ink and the sedimentation of components contained in the ink are suppressed (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

JP 2009-247938 A Japanese Patent No. 3161095

  However, even if the ink in the manifold is circulated, the temperature difference (temperature gradient) between the temperature at the center of the ink flow in the manifold and the temperature of the ink near the nozzle opening communicating with the pressure generating chamber supplied from the manifold. Even if the ink at the desired temperature circulates in the manifold, the temperature of the ink near the nozzle opening becomes lower than the temperature of the ink in the manifold, and the ink cannot be ejected at the optimum temperature. There is a problem that optimum ejection characteristics cannot be obtained.

  If the volume of the manifold is reduced, the temperature gradient between the temperature of the ink in the manifold and the temperature of the ink in the pressure generating chamber can be reduced, but the pressure loss increases and the pressure change of the pressure generating means is Cannot be absorbed and causes problems such as crosstalk.

  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.

  In view of such circumstances, the present invention provides a liquid ejecting head and a liquid ejecting apparatus that can suppress a decrease in volume of a manifold, reduce a temperature gradient, and eject liquid at an optimal temperature. For the purpose.

Application Example 1 An application example of the present invention that solves the above-described problem is that a pressure generation chamber that communicates with a nozzle opening that ejects liquid, a pressure generation unit that causes a pressure change in the pressure generation chamber, and a plurality of the pressures A manifold communicating with the generation chamber; an introduction path for supplying liquid to the manifold; and a discharge path for discharging the liquid from the manifold to the outside. A protrusion that protrudes in a direction intersecting the flow direction of the liquid flowing in the manifold is provided between the opening and the discharge opening in which the discharge passage opens, and the protrusion is formed in the pressure generation chamber. The liquid ejecting head is provided so as to protrude toward the opening on the manifold side.
In such an application example, by providing the protrusion, the center of the flow of the liquid flowing from the inlet to the outlet is moved to the opening side of the pressure generating chamber, so that the liquid flowing in the manifold and the liquid in the vicinity of the nozzle opening And the temperature difference (temperature gradient) can be reduced. Further, since only the protrusions are provided, the volume of the manifold is not significantly reduced, the increase in pressure loss can be suppressed, and adverse effects on the discharge characteristics and the like can be suppressed. Further, the center of the flow of the liquid flowing through the manifold from the inlet to the outlet can be reliably moved to the opening side of the pressure generating chamber.
[Application Example 2] Another application example of the present invention that solves the above-described problem is that a pressure generation chamber that communicates with a nozzle opening that ejects liquid, a pressure generation unit that causes a pressure change in the pressure generation chamber, A manifold communicating with the pressure generation chamber; an introduction path for supplying liquid to the manifold; and a discharge path for discharging liquid from the manifold to the outside. The introduction path is open in the manifold. A protrusion projecting in a direction intersecting with the flow direction of the liquid flowing in the manifold is provided between the inlet opening to be opened and the discharge opening to which the discharge passage is opened, and one side surface of the manifold is flexible. The liquid ejecting head is characterized in that the liquid ejecting head is formed of a compliance substrate having a property, and the protrusion is bonded to the compliance substrate.
In such an application example, by providing the protrusion, the center of the flow of the liquid flowing from the inlet to the outlet is moved to the opening side of the pressure generating chamber, so that the liquid flowing in the manifold and the liquid in the vicinity of the nozzle opening And the temperature difference (temperature gradient) can be reduced. Further, since only the protrusions are provided, the volume of the manifold is not significantly reduced, the increase in pressure loss can be suppressed, and adverse effects on the discharge characteristics and the like can be suppressed. Further, the rigidity of the member can be improved by the protruding portion, and peeling of the compliance substrate can be suppressed.
Application Example 3 Here, it is preferable that the protrusion is provided so as to protrude toward an opening on the manifold side of the pressure generating chamber. According to this, the center of the flow of the liquid flowing through the manifold from the inlet to the outlet can be reliably moved to the opening side of the pressure generating chamber.
Application Example 4 In addition, it is preferable that a plurality of the protrusions are provided between the introduction port and the discharge port. According to this, the center of the flow of the liquid flowing through the manifold from the inlet to the outlet can be reliably moved to the opening side of the pressure generating chamber by the plurality of protrusions.
Application Example 5 Another application example of the invention is a liquid ejecting apparatus including the liquid ejecting head according to the application example.
In such an application example, it is possible to realize a liquid ejecting apparatus that can suppress a decrease in the volume of the manifold, reduce a temperature gradient, and discharge liquid at an optimum temperature.
According to another aspect of the present invention for solving the above-described problems, a pressure generating chamber communicating with a nozzle opening for ejecting liquid, a pressure generating means for causing a pressure change in the pressure generating chamber, and a plurality of the pressure generating chambers communicate with each other. A manifold, an introduction path for supplying a liquid to the manifold, and a discharge path for discharging the liquid from the manifold to the outside. In the manifold, an introduction port for opening the introduction path; In the liquid ejecting head, a protrusion protruding in a direction intersecting with a flow direction of the liquid flowing in the manifold is provided between the discharge port where the discharge path is opened.
In this aspect, by providing the protrusion, the center of the flow of the liquid flowing from the inlet to the outlet is moved to the opening side of the pressure generating chamber, so that the liquid flowing through the manifold and the liquid in the vicinity of the nozzle opening Temperature difference (temperature gradient) can be reduced. Further, since only the protrusions are provided, the volume of the manifold is not significantly reduced, the increase in pressure loss can be suppressed, and adverse effects on the discharge characteristics and the like can be suppressed.

  Here, it is preferable that the protrusion is provided so as to protrude toward the opening on the manifold side of the pressure generating chamber. According to this, the center of the flow of the liquid flowing through the manifold from the inlet to the outlet can be reliably moved to the opening side of the pressure generating chamber.

  Moreover, it is preferable that a plurality of the protrusions are provided between the introduction port and the discharge port. According to this, the center of the flow of the liquid flowing through the manifold from the inlet to the outlet can be reliably moved to the opening side of the pressure generating chamber by the plurality of protrusions.

  Further, it is preferable that one side surface of the manifold is configured by a compliance substrate having flexibility, and the protrusion is bonded to the compliance substrate. According to this, the rigidity of the member can be improved by the protruding portion, and peeling of the compliance substrate can be suppressed.

According to still another aspect of the invention, there is provided a liquid ejecting apparatus including the liquid ejecting head according to the above aspect.
In this aspect, it is possible to realize a liquid ejecting apparatus that can suppress a decrease in the volume of the manifold, reduce a temperature gradient, and discharge liquid at an optimum temperature.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the recording head according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the recording head according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a flow path of the recording head according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a flow path compared with the recording head according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of the recording head compared with the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a recording head according to another embodiment. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a recording head according to another embodiment. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a recording apparatus according to an embodiment.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on embodiments.
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an ink jet recording head showing an example of a liquid jet head according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the ink jet recording head and an enlarged view of a main part thereof. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA ′ of FIG. 2 showing the flow path configuration of the ink jet recording head.

  As shown in the figure, the ink jet recording head 1 includes a plurality of members such as a head main body 11 and a case member 40, and the plurality of members are joined by an adhesive or the like. In the present embodiment, the head main body 11 includes a flow path forming substrate 10, a communication plate 15, a nozzle plate 20, and a protective substrate 30.

  In the flow path forming substrate 10 constituting the head body 11, a plurality of pressure generating chambers 12 are arranged in parallel along a direction in which a plurality of nozzle openings 21 for discharging the same color ink are arranged in parallel. Hereinafter, this direction is referred to as a direction in which the pressure generating chambers 12 are arranged side by side or a first direction X. Further, the flow path forming substrate 10 is provided with a plurality of rows in which the pressure generation chambers 12 are arranged in parallel in the first direction X, and in this embodiment, two rows. An arrangement direction in which a plurality of rows of the pressure generation chambers 12 in which the pressure generation chambers 12 are formed along the first direction X is provided is hereinafter referred to as a second direction Y. In the two rows in which the pressure generation chambers 12 are arranged in the first direction X, the row of the other pressure generation chambers 12 is adjacent to the row of the one pressure generation chamber 12 in the first direction X. The pressure generating chambers 12 are arranged at positions shifted in the first direction X by half the interval between the pressure generating chambers 12. As a result, the nozzle openings 21 to be described in detail later are similarly arranged so that two rows of the nozzle openings 21 are shifted in the first direction X by a half interval to double the resolution.

  Further, an ink supply path 14 is provided on one end portion side in the second direction Y of the pressure generation chamber 12 of the flow path forming substrate 10. Ink from the manifold, which is a common liquid chamber common to the plurality of pressure generation chambers 12, is supplied to the pressure generation chamber 12 via the ink supply path 14. The ink supply path 14 is formed with a narrower width than the pressure generation chamber 12, and maintains a constant flow path resistance of ink flowing from the manifold 100 into the pressure generation chamber 12. Incidentally, in this embodiment, the pressure generating chamber 12 and the ink supply path 14 constitute a plurality of individual flow paths communicating with the manifold which is a common flow path.

  A communication plate 15 is bonded to one surface of the flow path forming substrate 10 via an adhesive, a heat welding film, or the like. Further, the nozzle plate 20 provided with the nozzle openings 21 is joined to the communication plate 15. The communication plate 15 is provided with a communication passage 16 that communicates the pressure generating chamber 12 and the nozzle opening 21 in the thickness direction.

  Such a communication plate 15 has a larger area than the flow path forming substrate 10 (bonding surface with the flow path forming substrate 10), and a case described later in detail outside the ink supply path 14 of the flow path forming substrate 10. A manifold 100 is defined with the member 40. For this reason, the communication plate 15 has substantially the same area as the case member 40 in a plan view from the droplet discharge direction.

  The nozzle plate 20 has an area smaller than that of the flow path forming substrate 10 and has a size that covers at least two rows of the communication plates 15 on the nozzle plate 20 side in common. Thus, cost reduction can be achieved by making the area of the nozzle plate 20 relatively small. Incidentally, although not shown, a water repellent film having water repellency (liquid repellency) with respect to ink is provided on the liquid ejecting surface of the nozzle plate 20 (the surface opposite to the communication plate 15). . Such a water-repellent film is expensive, and the cost of the nozzle plate 20 increases depending on the area where the water-repellent film is formed. In the present embodiment, by reducing the area of the nozzle plate 20, the area for forming the water repellent film can be reduced and the cost of the nozzle plate 20 can be reduced. Of course, the cost can be reduced by simply reducing the area of the metal plate, ceramic plate or the like that is the material of the nozzle plate 20.

  On the other hand, an elastic film 50 is formed on the surface of the flow path forming substrate 10 opposite to the communication plate 15, and an insulator film 55 is further formed on the elastic film 50. On the insulator film 55, a piezoelectric actuator (pressure generating means) 300 including a first electrode 60, a piezoelectric layer 70, and a second electrode 80 is provided. In the present embodiment, the first electrode 60 functions as a common electrode common to the plurality of piezoelectric actuators 300, and the second electrode 80 functions as an individual electrode independent of each piezoelectric actuator 300. There is no problem even if this is reversed. In the above-described example, the elastic film 50, the insulator film 55, and the first electrode 60 function as a diaphragm. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the elastic film 50 and the insulator film 55 are provided. Instead, only the first electrode 60 may act as a diaphragm. Further, the piezoelectric actuator 300 itself may substantially serve as a diaphragm.

  One end of each lead electrode 90 is connected to the second electrode 80. The other end of the lead electrode 90 is connected to a wiring board 121 such as COF which is a flexible wiring provided with a driving circuit 120 such as a driving IC. The signal from the driving circuit 120 is transmitted to the wiring board 121 and the lead electrode. The piezoelectric actuators 300 are supplied to the piezoelectric actuators 300 through 90.

  A protective substrate 30 having substantially the same size as the flow path forming substrate 10 is bonded to the surface of the flow path forming substrate 10 on the piezoelectric actuator 300 side. The protective substrate 30 has a holding portion 31 that is a space for protecting the piezoelectric actuator 300. Since the piezoelectric actuator 300 is formed in the holding portion 31, it is protected in a state where it is hardly affected by the external environment. In the present embodiment, two rows in which the piezoelectric actuators 300 are juxtaposed in the first direction X are provided corresponding to two rows in which the pressure generating chambers 12 are juxtaposed in the first direction X. The holding part 31 was provided independently for each row of the piezoelectric actuators 300.

  The protective substrate 30 is provided with a through hole 32 provided between the two holding portions 31 so as to penetrate the protective substrate 30 in the thickness direction. The end portion of the lead electrode 90 drawn out from the piezoelectric actuator 300 of the flow path forming substrate 10 is extended so as to be exposed in the through hole 32, and the lead electrode 90 and the wiring substrate 121 are in the through hole 32. Electrically connected.

  In addition, a case member 40 is fixed to the head main body 11 having such a configuration. The case member 40 defines a manifold 100 communicating with the plurality of pressure generating chambers 12 together with the head main body 11.

  The case member 40 has substantially the same shape as the communication plate 15 described above in a plan view, and is fixed to the protective substrate 30 with an adhesive, and is also fixed to the communication plate 15 with an adhesive. Specifically, the case member 40 has a recess 41 having a depth in which the flow path forming substrate 10 and the protective substrate 30 are accommodated on the protective substrate 30 side. The concave portion 41 has an opening area larger than the surface of the protective substrate 30 bonded to the flow path forming substrate 10. The opening surface on the nozzle plate 20 side of the recess 41 is sealed by the communication plate 15 in a state where the flow path forming substrate 10 and the like are accommodated in the recess 41. As a result, the manifold 100 is defined by the case member 40 and the head body 11 on the outer periphery of the flow path forming substrate 10. In the present embodiment, the head main body 11 is held at the center of the concave portion 41 of the case member 40 in the second direction Y, and the manifold 100 is formed on both sides of the head main body 11 across the second direction Y. did. Note that the manifolds 100 provided on both sides of the head body 11 in the second direction Y are provided in communication on both sides of the head body 11 in the first direction X. For this reason, the same ink is supplied to the two manifolds 100.

  The case member 40 is provided with an introduction path 42 that communicates with the manifold 100 and supplies ink to the manifold 100 from the outside, and a discharge path 43 that communicates with the manifold 100 and discharges ink from the manifold 100 to the outside. It has been. The introduction path 42 and the discharge path 43 are provided so as to open in areas where the two manifolds 100 on both sides of the head body 11 in the first direction X communicate with each other. For this reason, the ink supplied from one introduction path 42 passes through (circulates) the two manifolds 100 and is discharged from one discharge path 43. In the present embodiment, the opening of the introduction path 42 to the manifold 100 is defined as the introduction port 42a, and the opening of the discharge path 43 to the manifold 100 is defined as the discharge port 43a.

  In addition, the recess 41 is provided with an opening in the side surface of the case member 40, that is, a region facing the end surfaces of the flow path forming substrate 10 and the protection substrate 30. A compliance substrate 44 is provided.

  The compliance substrate 44 is bonded across the case member 40 and the communication plate 15 and seals the opening on the side surface of the manifold 100.

  In this embodiment, such a compliance substrate 44 includes a sealing film 44a and a fixing plate 44b. The sealing film 44a is made of a flexible thin film (for example, a thin film having a thickness of 20 μm or less formed of polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) or stainless steel (SUS)), and the fixing plate 44b is made of stainless steel ( It is formed of a hard material such as a metal such as SUS. Since the region of the fixing plate 44b facing the manifold 100 is an opening that is completely removed in the thickness direction, one surface of the manifold 100 is sealed only with a flexible sealing film 44a. It has become a compliance department.

  Further, the manifold 100 is provided with a protrusion 45 projecting in a direction intersecting the direction of the ink flowing through the manifold 100 on the way from the introduction port 42 a of the introduction channel 42 to the discharge port 43 a of the discharge channel 43. Yes. In the present embodiment, a single manifold 100 is provided with a plurality of protrusions 45 at regular intervals in the first direction X, in this embodiment four projections 45.

  The manifold 100 is provided with a portion on the side opposite to the head body 11 and having the side opposite to the communication plate 15 widened. For this reason, the protrusion 45 of the present embodiment includes a first protrusion 46 provided to protrude from the side opposite to the communication plate 15 toward the communication plate 15 so as to fill this widened portion, And a second protrusion 47 provided so as to protrude from the surface on the compliance substrate 44 side toward the opening of the ink supply path 14.

  That is, the protrusion 45 is provided across the corner that is opposite to the corner of the flow path forming substrate 10 and the communication plate 15 where the ink supply path 14 of the manifold 100 is opened. It can be said that the pressure generating chamber 12 protrudes toward the manifold 100 side opening (the ink supply path 14 opening on the manifold 100 side).

  By providing the plurality of protrusions 45 protruding in the direction perpendicular to the ink flow direction in the ink flow direction (circulation direction) of the manifold 100 in this way, the manifold 100 is not significantly reduced in volume, and the manifold 100 is not significantly reduced in volume. The center of the flow of ink flowing through the ink 100, that is, the center at which the flow velocity becomes maximum can be moved to the opening side of the ink supply path 14. In particular, the protrusion 45 protrudes toward the manifold 100 side opening of the pressure generating chamber 12 (the opening of the ink supply path 14 on the manifold 100 side) as in the present embodiment, whereby the flow of ink flowing in the manifold 100 is performed. Can be efficiently moved to the opening side of the ink supply path 14. Therefore, when the ink flowing in the manifold 100 is supplied to the pressure generation chamber 12 via the ink supply path 14, the temperature of the ink circulating in the manifold 100 and the temperature of the ink supplied to the pressure generation chamber 12. That is, the temperature difference (temperature gradient) with the temperature of the ink near the nozzle opening 21 can be reduced. That is, the ink having a desired temperature circulating in the manifold 100 can be supplied to the pressure generation chamber 12 in a state in which the temperature is suppressed from decreasing, and the ink can be ejected at the desired temperature. It is possible to suppress a decrease in ink discharge characteristics.

That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the case without the protrusions 45 into the manifold 100, as shown in FIG. 5 (a), whereas the center C ₁ of the flow of ink through the manifold 100, the present embodiment When the protrusion 45 is provided in the manifold 100 of the configuration, the ink flow center C ₂ flowing through the manifold 100 is supplied with ink more than the center C _{1 where the} protrusion 45 is not provided, as shown in FIG. Move to the opening side of the path 14. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the line AA ′ showing a comparative example of the recording head of this embodiment. FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the recording head of the comparative example. FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the recording head of the present embodiment.

Accordingly, by providing the protrusion 45 into the manifold 100, the center C ₂ of the flow of ink flowing through the manifold 100 may be a open side of the ink supply path 14, the ink supplied to the ink supply path 14, closer to the ink of the center C ₂ through the manifold 100, it is possible to reduce the temperature gradient. The center C ₂ of the ink flowing through the manifold 100 to move the nozzle plate 20 side (communication plate 15 side), and the nozzle plate 20 is warmed up by the ink flowing manifold 100, the ink in the nozzle openings 21 near A temperature difference (temperature gradient) between the temperature and the temperature of the ink flowing through the manifold 100 can be reduced.

  Further, since the protrusion 45 does not significantly reduce the volume of the manifold 100, an increase in pressure loss can be suppressed, and supply failure due to insufficient volume of the manifold 100 or driving of the piezoelectric actuator 300 causes the manifold 100 side. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of crosstalk caused by the movement of ink.

  Furthermore, by providing a plurality of protrusions 45 at a predetermined interval from the introduction port 42a to the discharge port 43a, the rigidity of the case member 40 in which a long space is defined like the manifold 100 is improved and deformed. Can be difficult.

  Further, since the protrusion 45 has the second protrusion 47 on the compliance substrate 44 side, the compliance substrate 44 is joined to the second protrusion 47. Therefore, the second projecting portion 47 functions as a beam with respect to the compliance substrate 44, and the compliance substrate 44 can be prevented from being peeled off or elastically broken.

(Other embodiments)
As mentioned above, although one Embodiment of this invention was described, the basic composition of this invention is not limited to what was mentioned above.

  For example, in the first embodiment described above, the protrusion 45 is opposed to the first protrusion 46 protruding from the surface opposite to the communication plate 15 toward the communication plate 15 and the end surface of the flow path forming substrate 10. The second projecting portion 47 projecting from the surface toward the end surface of the flow path forming substrate 10 is provided. However, the present invention is not particularly limited thereto. For example, the projecting portion 45 includes the first projecting portion 46 and the second projecting portion. 47 may be configured by only one of them. Further, the protrusion 45 is not limited to the first protrusion 46 and the second protrusion 47. Here, another example of the protrusion is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 are cross-sectional views of an ink jet recording head showing modifications of the protrusions according to another embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the protrusion 45 </ b> A is provided so as to protrude from the surface opposite to the communication plate 15 toward the communication plate 15. Further, the protrusion 45 </ b> A is disposed so as to define a predetermined space between the protrusion 45 </ b> A and the compliance substrate 44.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the protrusion 45 </ b> B includes a second protrusion 47 provided to protrude from the compliance substrate 44 side toward the end surface of the flow path forming substrate 10.

  Even in the protrusions 45A and 45B shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the center of the flow of the ink flowing in the manifold 100 is moved to the opening side of the ink supply path 14, so that the first embodiment described above. The same effect can be achieved.

  Furthermore, in the above-described first embodiment, the manifold 100 is illustrated as being formed between the case member 40 and the communication plate 15 outside the flow path forming substrate 10 and the protective substrate 30. However, the present invention is particularly limited to this. Instead, a manifold penetrating the flow path forming substrate 10 and the protective substrate 30 in the thickness direction (stacking direction) may be used. Further, the compliance substrate 44 does not have to be provided at a position facing the end face of the flow path forming substrate 10, and may be provided on the communication plate 15 side or on the opposite side of the communication plate 15. Good.

  In the first embodiment described above, the pressure generation means for causing the pressure change in the pressure generation chamber 12 has been described using a thin film type piezoelectric actuator. However, the present invention is not particularly limited thereto, and, for example, a green sheet is pasted. For example, a thick film type piezoelectric actuator formed by a method such as the above, a longitudinal vibration type piezoelectric actuator in which piezoelectric materials and electrode forming materials are alternately stacked and expanded and contracted in the axial direction can be used. Also, as a pressure generating means, a heating element is arranged in the pressure generating chamber, and droplets are discharged from the nozzle opening by bubbles generated by the heat generated by the heating element, or static electricity is generated between the diaphragm and the electrode. Thus, a so-called electrostatic actuator that discharges liquid droplets from the nozzle openings by deforming the diaphragm by electrostatic force can be used.

  The ink jet recording head 1 described above constitutes a part of the ink jet recording head unit and is mounted on the ink jet recording apparatus. FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing an example of the ink jet recording apparatus.

  The ink jet recording apparatus I according to the present embodiment fixes the ink jet recording head 1 to the apparatus main body and conveys an ejection target medium such as recording paper in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the nozzle openings 21 are arranged side by side. This is a so-called line type ink jet recording apparatus that performs printing on an ejection medium.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, an ink jet recording apparatus I supplies an ink jet recording head unit 2 including an ink jet recording head 1, an apparatus main body 3, and a recording sheet S that is a recording medium. A paper roller 4 and liquid storage means 5 are provided.

  The ink jet recording head unit 2 (hereinafter also referred to as the head unit 2) includes a plurality of ink jet recording heads 1 and a plate-like base plate 6 that holds the plurality of ink jet recording heads 1. The head unit 2 is fixed to the apparatus main body 3 via a frame member 7 attached to the base plate 6.

  The apparatus body 3 is provided with a roller 4. The roller 4 conveys a recording sheet S such as paper that is an ejection medium fed to the apparatus main body 3 and passes the recording sheet S through the ink ejection surface side of the ink jet recording head 1.

  Further, as described above, each ink jet recording head 1 is connected to the liquid storage means 5 that is fixed to the apparatus main body 3 and stores ink via a supply pipe 8 such as a flexible tube and a recovery pipe 9. . Ink from the liquid storage means 5 is supplied to each ink jet recording head 1 via the supply pipe 8, and ink that has not been ejected by the ink jet recording head 1 is recovered to the liquid storage means 5 via the recovery pipe 9. The A pump 9a is provided in the middle of the recovery pipe 9, and ink from the liquid storage means 5 is supplied to the liquid flow path (manifold 100, discharge path 43, etc.) in the ink jet recording head 1 by the pressure of the pump 9a. Circulate through.

  In such an ink jet recording apparatus I, the recording sheet S is transported in the transport direction by the roller 4, and ink is ejected by the ink jet recording head 1 of the head unit 2 to print an image or the like on the recording sheet S. .

  In the above example, only one head unit 2 including a plurality of ink jet recording heads 1 is provided in the ink jet recording apparatus I. However, two head units 2 mounted on the ink jet recording apparatus I are provided. You may provide above. Further, the ink jet recording head 1 may be directly mounted on the ink jet recording apparatus I.

  In the above-described example, the so-called line-type ink jet recording apparatus I that performs printing only by transporting the recording sheet S while the ink jet recording head 1 is fixed is illustrated, but the present invention is not particularly limited thereto. Absent. For example, an ink jet recording head 1 is mounted on a carriage that moves in a direction (main scanning direction) that intersects the conveyance direction of the recording sheet S, and printing is performed while moving the ink jet recording head 1 in the main scanning direction. The present invention can also be applied to a type of ink jet recording apparatus.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the ink jet type recording apparatus I in which the liquid storing means 5 is fixed to the apparatus main body 3 is illustrated, but the present invention is not particularly limited thereto. For example, the liquid storing means such as an ink cartridge is used for each ink jet. The present invention can also be applied to an ink jet recording apparatus of a type that is fixed to the ink jet recording head 1, the ink jet recording head unit 2, or a carriage.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the ink jet recording apparatus has been described as an example of the liquid ejecting apparatus. However, the present invention is intended for all liquid ejecting apparatuses having a liquid ejecting head widely, and liquid other than ink is used. Of course, the present invention can also be applied to a liquid ejecting apparatus including a liquid ejecting head for ejecting. Other liquid ejecting heads include, for example, various recording heads used in image recording apparatuses such as printers, color material ejecting heads used in the manufacture of color filters such as liquid crystal displays, organic EL displays, and FEDs (field emission displays). Examples thereof include an electrode material ejection head used for electrode formation, a bioorganic matter ejection head used for biochip production, and the like.

  I Inkjet recording apparatus (liquid ejecting apparatus), 1 Inkjet recording head (liquid ejecting head), 12 Pressure generating chamber, 20 Nozzle plate, 21 Nozzle opening, 40 Case member, 44 Compliance substrate, 45, 45A, 45B Protrusion 46 1st protrusion, 47 2nd protrusion, 100 manifold, 300 piezoelectric actuator (pressure generating means)

Claims (5)

A pressure generating chamber communicating with a nozzle opening for ejecting liquid;
Pressure generating means for causing a pressure change in the pressure generating chamber;
A manifold communicating with the plurality of pressure generating chambers;
An introduction path for supplying liquid to the manifold;
A discharge path for discharging the liquid from the manifold to the outside,
In the manifold, a protrusion projecting in a direction intersecting with the flow direction of the liquid flowing in the manifold is provided between the introduction port where the introduction passage opens and the discharge port where the discharge passage opens. and,
The liquid ejecting head according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion is provided so as to protrude toward an opening on the manifold side of the pressure generating chamber . A pressure generating chamber communicating with a nozzle opening for ejecting liquid;
Pressure generating means for causing a pressure change in the pressure generating chamber;
A manifold communicating with the plurality of pressure generating chambers;
An introduction path for supplying liquid to the manifold;
A discharge path for discharging the liquid from the manifold to the outside,
In the manifold, a protrusion projecting in a direction intersecting with the flow direction of the liquid flowing in the manifold is provided between the introduction port where the introduction passage opens and the discharge port where the discharge passage opens. And
One side of the manifold is composed of a compliance substrate having flexibility,
The liquid ejecting head is characterized in that the protrusion is bonded to a compliance substrate. The liquid ejecting head according to claim 2 , wherein the protrusion is provided so as to protrude toward an opening on the manifold side of the pressure generation chamber. The protrusion A liquid jet head according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that provided plurality between from said inlet to said outlet.   A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising the liquid ejecting head according to claim 1.

Images