JP6330477B2 - Liquid ejecting head and liquid ejecting apparatus - Google Patents

Description

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

  A typical example of a liquid ejecting head that ejects droplets is an ink jet recording head that ejects ink droplets. As this ink jet recording head, for example, a head main body that discharges ink droplets from a nozzle opening and a head main body are fixed, and an ink cartridge (liquid container) in which ink is stored is detachably provided. An apparatus including a flow path member that supplies ink from an ink cartridge to a head body has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  According to this patent document 1, a supply portion made of a pressure contact body formed of a porous material or the like is provided in an ink cartridge, and the supply portion is pressed against a filter provided in the flow path member and the pressure contact body and the filter are connected to each other. By sealing the periphery with a sealing member, the ink cartridge and the flow path member are connected.

  Such a filter improves the rigidity by laminating a fine-grained filter and a coarse-grained filter, and the filter is brought into contact with the pressure contact body by providing a convex center part toward the pressure contact body. When the liquid surface is connected, the bubbles are prevented from remaining between the filter and the pressure contact body, and the filter is prevented from being deformed.

JP 2006-326909 A

  However, in the case of using a two-layered filter, there is a problem that if a small opening diameter, that is, a fine layer is broken, a large foreign substance flows downstream and the reliability is low. In particular, the fine layer needs to be formed thin in order to reduce pressure loss, and is easily broken.

  In addition, when a two-layered filter is used, there is a problem that it is difficult to adjust the balance between the trapping rate for trapping foreign matters on the filter and the pressure loss. In particular, in the case of a filter that requires rigidity, a layer constituting the filter cannot be thinned, and there is a possibility that bubbles are held on the filter surface due to deformation of the filter having low rigidity.

  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 to provide a liquid ejecting head and a liquid ejecting apparatus that improve the reliability, easily adjust the trapping rate and pressure loss of foreign matters, and suppress bubbles by a highly rigid filter. And

An aspect of the present invention that solves the above-described problems is a liquid introduction unit that includes a filter that is detachably fitted to a liquid container including a supply port having an absorber that stores liquid and is connected to the liquid surface of the absorber. A liquid ejecting head in which a central portion is provided with a convex shape toward the absorber side, and the filter includes a first layer provided on the absorber side, and a first layer of the first layer. A second layer provided on the side opposite to the absorber and having a fine hole having a larger opening diameter than the fine hole of the first layer, and provided on the opposite side of the first layer of the second layer. A third layer having a fine hole having an opening diameter larger than the fine hole of the second layer, and the liquid introduction part is provided with a weld part to which the filter is welded. The filter is provided continuously over the circumferential direction of the filter. A first weld portion having a smaller outer diameter than the outer circumference of Luther, by comprising a second weld portion having an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the filter provided continuously over the circumferential direction of the filter The liquid ejecting head is characterized.
In such an embodiment, when the filter is composed of three or more layers and the first layer having the smallest opening diameter of the micropores is provided on the surface side that is liquid level connected to the absorber, the filter is liquid level connected to the absorber. In addition, air bubbles can be suppressed from being retained on the surface of the filter. In addition, by configuring the filter with three or more layers, the thickness of the first layer having the smallest opening diameter can be made relatively thin to reduce pressure loss, and the rigidity of the filter can be reduced. It can be improved easily, and the adjustment of the foreign substance capture rate (collection rate) and the pressure loss can be easily performed. Furthermore, by configuring the filter with three or more layers having different eye roughnesses, even if the first layer is broken, foreign matters can be captured by the second layer, and thus the reliability can be improved.

  Here, it is preferable that the first layer is thinner than the second layer. According to this, the foreign matter capture rate can be improved and the pressure loss can be reduced.

  The second layer is preferably thinner than the third layer. According to this, the rigidity can be improved without increasing the pressure loss of the filter.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the said 1st layer and the said 2nd layer consist of a nonwoven fabric. According to this, the filter which has a micropore can be provided easily.

Moreover, it is preferable that the end surface of the said filter is covered with the welding part provided in the said liquid introduction part between the said 1st welding part and the said 2nd welding part . According to this, it can suppress that a foreign material passes the end surface of a filter, and flows out downstream.
Moreover, it is preferable that the end surface of the said filter is covered with the said 2nd welding part provided in the said liquid introduction part.
Further, the liquid introduction part is provided with a projection part protruding toward the filter inside the weld part, and the tip of the projection part projects from the tip surface of the liquid introduction part to the liquid container side. It is preferable to be provided.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid introducing portion having a filter that is connected to a liquid container side that contains a liquid, and the filter has a convex central portion toward the outside in the liquid introducing portion. The liquid ejecting head is mounted so that the filter has, from the outside, the first layer and the second layer having a micropore having a larger opening diameter than the microhole of the first layer in the liquid introduction portion. A third layer having a fine hole having a larger opening diameter than the fine hole of the second layer, and the liquid introducing part is provided with a weld part to which the filter is welded, and the weld part The first welded portion continuously provided in the circumferential direction of the filter and having an outer diameter smaller than the outer periphery of the filter, and continuously provided in the circumferential direction of the filter. Inside larger than the diameter A liquid-jet head characterized by comprising a second weld portion, the having.
In such an embodiment, when the filter is composed of three or more layers and the first layer having the smallest opening diameter of the micropores is provided on the surface side that is liquid level connected to the absorber, the filter is liquid level connected to the absorber. In addition, air bubbles can be suppressed from being retained on the surface of the filter. In addition, by configuring the filter with three or more layers, the thickness of the first layer having the smallest opening diameter can be made relatively thin to reduce pressure loss, and the rigidity of the filter can be reduced. It can be improved easily, and the adjustment of the foreign substance capture rate (collection rate) and the pressure loss can be easily performed. Furthermore, by configuring the filter with three or more layers having different eye roughnesses, even if the first layer is broken, foreign matters can be captured by the second layer, and thus the reliability can be improved.

According to 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, a liquid ejecting apparatus with improved reliability can be realized.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the recording head according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view and an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of the recording head according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a plan view, a cross-sectional view, and an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of a flow path member according to Embodiment 1. 3 is a perspective view of a seal member according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a method for mounting the ink cartridge according to Embodiment 1 on a flow path member. 1 is a schematic diagram of a recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

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 that is a liquid ejecting 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 plan view of a main part of the flow path member, a sectional view taken along line AA ′, and an enlarged view thereof.

  As shown in the figure, the ink jet recording head 10 of this embodiment includes a flow path member 30 to which an ink cartridge 20 which is a liquid container storing ink as a liquid is attached and detached, and a head main body fixed to the flow path member 30. 40.

  The flow path member 30 includes a flow path member main body 310 and a seal member 330 provided on the flow path member main body 310.

  The flow path member main body 310 has a liquid supply path 311 through which ink, which is a liquid, passes, and a cartridge mounting portion 312 to which the ink cartridge 20 is mounted is provided on one surface where the liquid supply path 311 opens. Yes. In the present embodiment, four ink cartridges 20 are mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 312.

  The cartridge mounting portion 312 is surrounded by a wall portion 313, and a first engagement hole 314 penetrating in the thickness direction is provided on one wall surface of a pair of opposite wall surfaces of the wall portion 313. ing. Further, a second engagement hole 315 penetrating in the thickness direction is provided on the other wall surface opposite to the wall surface provided with the first engagement hole 314.

  The first engagement hole 314 and the second engagement hole 315 are engaged with a first engagement claw 24 and a second engagement claw 25 of the ink cartridge 20 which will be described in detail later. 20 is fixed.

  In the present embodiment, since four ink cartridges 20 are mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 312, a partition plate 313 a is provided between the ink cartridges 20.

  The cartridge mounting portion 312 of the flow path member main body 310 is provided with a liquid introduction portion 316 protruding in a columnar shape. In the present embodiment, since four ink cartridges 20 are fixed to the cartridge mounting portion 312, four liquid introduction portions 316 are provided. The liquid introduction part 316 has a cylindrical shape provided with a liquid supply path 311 that opens to the front end surface, and the protruding front end surface from which the liquid supply path 311 opens covers the opening of the liquid supply path 311. A filter 317 is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the filter 317 is for removing foreign substances and bubbles contained in the ink that is liquid, and is provided with a plurality of fine holes. The filter 317 according to the present embodiment includes a first layer 317a and a fine hole having a larger opening diameter than the fine hole of the first layer 317a, that is, the fine layer of the second layer 317b and the fine hole of the second layer 317b. And a third layer 317c having fine pores having a larger opening diameter than that of the third layer 317c. The filter 317 of the present embodiment has a configuration in which the first layer 317a, the second layer 317b, and the third layer 317c are stacked. However, the present invention is not particularly limited thereto, and for example, the first layer 317a and the second layer In addition to 317b and the third layer 317c, another fourth layer or the like may be provided. That is, four or more layers of the filter 317 may be laminated. Further, in the present embodiment, the large and small (the coarse and fine) opening diameter of the fine holes of the filter 317 is a so-called absolute filtration particle size (absolute filtration accuracy / absolute filtration particle size). Incidentally, when a sheet-like filter having a plurality of fine holes formed by finely weaving or knitting fibers such as metal or resin is used as the filter 317, the opening diameter of the fine holes of the filter 317 constitutes the filter 317. Even if the fiber diameter is small and the density is low, the opening diameter of the micropores is large.

  Such first layer 317a, second layer 317b, and third layer 317c have substantially the same outer diameter. That is, the end surfaces of the first layer 317a, the second layer 317b, and the third layer 317c are provided to be flush with each other. Of course, even when the filter 317 is provided with a fourth layer or the like, it is preferable that the outer diameter of the fourth layer is substantially the same as that of the first layer 317a, the second layer 317b, and the third layer 317c. In this way, by providing the first layer 317a, the second layer 317b, and the third layer 317c with substantially the same outer diameter, the ink passes only through the first layer 317a, the second layer 317b, and the third layer 317c. Can be suppressed. That is, if the outer diameter of the first layer 317a is smaller than the outer diameter of the second layer 317b, the ink may pass only through the second layer 317b. Similarly, if the first layer 317a and the second layer 317b are smaller than the outer diameter of the third layer 317c, the ink may pass through only the third layer 317c.

  The first layer 317a, the second layer 317b, and the third layer 317c constituting the filter 317 are, for example, a sheet-like shape in which a plurality of fine holes are formed by finely weaving or knitting fibers such as metal and resin. Or a plate-like member made of metal, resin, or the like and having a plurality of fine holes penetrated can be used. Further, the first layer 317a, the second layer 317b, and the third layer 317c constituting the filter 317 may be made of, for example, a nonwoven fabric such as metal or resin. In the present embodiment, a nonwoven fabric formed of stainless steel is used as the first layer 317a and the second layer 317b, and a woven fabric of fibers made of stainless steel is used as the third layer 317c. As in this embodiment, the first layer 317a, the second layer 317b, and the third layer 317c are made of the same material, in particular, a metal material such as stainless steel, so that the first layer 317a, the second layer 317b, and the third layer are used. By stacking 317c and sintering in a state where a predetermined pressure is applied, integration can be performed without using an adhesive.

  Such a filter 317 is arranged so that the first layer 317a is on the upstream side and the third layer 317c is on the downstream side. That is, the filter 317 is arranged such that the first layer 317a is on the ink cartridge 20 side, that is, the supply unit 23 side that is an absorber described in detail later, and the third layer 317c is on the liquid introduction unit 316 side. Yes. Accordingly, the filter 317 passes through the second layer 317b after the ink passes through the first layer 317a, and then passes through the third layer 317c. That is, in the present embodiment, the filter 317 is arranged so that the eyes gradually become coarser from the upstream side toward the downstream side. In this way, the first layer 317a, which is finer than the second layer 317b and the third layer 317c, is connected to the supply surface 23 of the ink cartridge at the liquid level, thereby suppressing the presence of bubbles on the surface of the filter 317. can do. By the way, if the filter 317 is arranged so that the second layer 317b or the third layer 317c having a coarser grain than the first layer 317a is connected to the supply unit 23 at the liquid level, the eyes of the second layer 317b or the third layer 317c There is a risk that bubbles will enter and be held, and the effective area of the filter 317 will be reduced by the bubbles, resulting in increased pressure loss and poor supply. Further, if bubbles are held on the surface of the filter 317, the held bubbles may flow out downstream at an unexpected timing, which may cause an ink discharge failure or the like. In this embodiment, by disposing the first layer 317a so as to be liquid level connected to the supply unit 23, it is possible to suppress air bubbles from being retained on the surface of the filter 317, thereby causing poor ink supply and poor ink ejection due to air bubbles. Can be suppressed.

  In addition, by configuring the filter 317 with three layers of the first layer 317a, the second layer 317b, and the third layer 317c, when the first layer 317a is broken, foreign matters can be captured by the second layer 317b. . That is, when the filter 317 includes only the first layer 317a and the third layer 317c, when the first layer 317a is broken, the foreign matter that can be captured by the second layer 317b of the present embodiment passes through the third layer 317c. And flow downstream. In addition, when the filter 317 includes only the first layer 317a and the second layer 317b, foreign matter can be captured by the second layer 317b even if the first layer 317a is torn, but the filter 317 It deforms due to the stress when it comes into contact with the supply unit 23 and comes into contact with the liquid surface, and bubbles are held between the filter 317 and the supply unit 23. In addition, when the filter 317 includes only the first layer 317a and the second layer 317b, the thickness of the first layer 317a and the second layer 317b is set to be rigid enough to withstand the pressure of the supply unit 23. It must be thick. When the fine first layer 317a and the second layer 317b are made thicker in this way, the pressure loss increases and there is a risk of supply failure. In the present embodiment, the filter 317 is configured by three layers of the first layer 317a, the second layer 317b, and the third layer 317c, so that the thickness of the first layer 317a and the second layer 317b can be made relatively thin. The rigidity of the entire filter 317 can be improved by the third layer 317c, and an increase in pressure loss of the filter 317 can be suppressed to prevent supply failure. The first layer 317a provided on the outermost layer of the filter 317 is in direct contact with the supply unit 23 and is connected to the liquid surface, and it is necessary to relatively reduce the thickness in order to reduce pressure loss. It is easier to break than the second layer 317b and the third layer 317c.

  In other words, in the present embodiment, the filter 317 is configured so that the thickness t1 of the first layer 317a, the thickness t2 of the second layer 317b, and the thickness t3 of the third layer 317c satisfy the condition of t1 <t2 <t3. Is provided. That is, the thickness t1 of the first layer 317a is thinner than the thickness t2 of the second layer 317b, and the thickness t2 of the second layer 317b is thinner than the thickness t3 of the third layer 317c. Thus, by setting the first layer 317a, the second layer 317b, and the third layer 317c of the filter 317 to thicknesses that satisfy the condition of t1 <t2 <t3, the foreign matter capture rate is improved and the pressure loss is reduced. Can be reduced. In this embodiment, since the filter 317 includes the first layer 317a, the second layer 317b, and the third layer 317c, the relationship between the capture rate and the pressure loss is adjusted by adjusting the thickness of each layer. It can be adjusted easily.

  Such a filter 317 is fixed to the front end surface of the liquid introduction part 316, that is, the opening surface where the liquid supply path 311 opens by welding. Here, the filter 317 fixed to the liquid introduction part 316 is gently curved so that the center part of the surface on the first layer 317a side has a convex shape. That is, the filter 317 is provided with a peripheral edge fixed to the tip surface of the liquid introduction part 316 and a center part protruding toward the supply part 23 side of the ink cartridge 20. In the present embodiment, the liquid inlet 316 is provided with a protrusion 318 that protrudes toward the filter 317, and the protrusion 318 is in contact with the surface of the filter 317 on the second layer 317 b side. By welding the part to the liquid introducing part 316, the filter 317 is deformed and provided so that the central part has a convex shape. That is, the protrusion 318 is provided such that the tip thereof protrudes toward the ink cartridge 20 from the tip surface of the liquid introduction part 316. In the present embodiment, a total of two such protrusions 318 are provided on both sides of the liquid supply path 311. Note that the number and position of the protrusions 318 are not particularly limited as long as the filter 317 can be deformed into a convex shape. Of course, without providing the protrusion 318, the filter 317 may be deformed into a convex shape and the peripheral edge may be welded to the liquid introduction part 316.

  The welding of the filter 317 to the liquid introduction part 316 is performed by the first welding part 320 and the second welding part 321.

  The first welding part 320 is provided so as to protrude from the surface where the liquid supply path 311 of the liquid introduction part 316 opens, and is provided continuously in the circumferential direction of the filter 317. In addition, the first welded portion 320 is provided with an outer diameter slightly smaller than the outer periphery of the filter 317. Such a first weld 320 is welded to the filter 317 by being melted by heat or ultrasonic waves and entering the third layer 317c of the filter 317. The first welded portion 320 does not reach the surface of the filter 317 on the first layer 317a side, and only enters partway in the thickness direction. This is because the first layer 317a is finer than the third layer 317c, and most of the melted first welded portion 320 remains in the third layer 317c or the second layer 317b.

  The second welded portion 321 is provided so as to protrude from the surface where the liquid supply path 311 of the liquid introducing portion 316 opens, and is provided continuously over the circumferential direction of the filter 317. The second welded portion 321 has an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the filter 317 and is provided so as to surround the outer peripheral portion of the filter 317. Such a second welded portion 321 is welded to the surface of the filter 317 on the first layer 317a side, that is, the surface that is liquid level connected to the supply portion 23 of the ink cartridge 20. Further, the end face of the filter 317 is covered between the first welded portion 320 and the second welded portion 321. Here, the end surface of the filter 317 is covered by the first welded portion 320 and the second welded portion 321 is that the end surface of the filter 317 is disposed in a closed space without being exposed to the outside air. Say that. That is, in the present embodiment, the distal end of the first welded portion 320 whose base end portion is fixed to the liquid introducing portion 316 is welded to the surface on the first layer 317a side, and the base end portion is fixed to the liquid introducing portion 316. The second welded portion 321 is welded to the surface on the third layer 317c side, so that the end face of the filter 317 can be covered between the first welded portion 320, the second welded portion 321 and the liquid introducing portion 316. In the present embodiment, the second welding portion 321 is continuously welded to the end surface of the filter 317 from the surface of the filter 317 on the first layer 317a side, so that the end surface of the filter 317 is formed by the second welding portion 321. Covered. That is, the end surface of the filter 317 is covered with the first welded portion 320 and the second welded portion 321 is that the second welded portion 321 is directly welded to the end surface of the filter 317. This includes the case where 321 is not directly welded to the end face of the filter 317 and a space is provided between them.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the amount of welding of the first welding portion 320 to the surface of the filter 317 on the third layer 317c side is larger than the amount of welding of the second welding portion 321 to the surface of the filter 317 on the first layer 317a side. There are many. Here, the term “welding amount” refers to an amount entering the thickness direction (stacking direction) from the surface, and the third layer 317c is coarser than the first layer 317a, and thus the first welding portion 320. It can be said that it has penetrated to the deep part of the thickness direction of the filter 317 compared with the 2nd welding part 321. FIG.

  In this way, the filter 317 in which the first layer 317a and the second layer 317b are stacked is used to cover the end surface of the filter 317 by welding with the first welded portion 320 and the second welded portion 321. The ink can be prevented from flowing through only the second layer 317b and the third layer 317c from the end face of 317, and foreign matter can be prevented from passing through the filter 317. That is, when the stacked filters 317 are used, if the end face of the filter 317 is not covered, the ink flows from the end face of the filter 317 only through the second layer 317b and the third layer 317c. Further, if the area of the first layer 317a is smaller than the second layer 317b or the third layer 317c as the filter 317, even if the end surface of the filter 317 is covered with the second welded portion 321 or the like, There is a possibility that the ink may pass only through the second layer 317b and the third layer 317c. As described above, when ink passes only through the second layer 317b and the third layer 317c of the filter 317, the second layer 317b and the third layer 317c are coarser than the first layer 317a. The foreign matter having a size captured by the layer 317a passes through the second layer 317b and the third layer 317c, and the foreign matter flows to the head body 40 on the downstream side, resulting in an ink ejection failure or the like. In the present embodiment, the first layer 317a can reliably capture foreign matter and suppress ink ejection defects.

  In addition, the filter 317 is fixed by the first welded portion 320 and the second welded portion 321 and the amount of welding of the first welded portion 320 is larger than that of the second welded portion 321, so that the filter 317 is deformed into a convex shape. The state can be reliably maintained. That is, in order to maintain the state where the filter 317 is deformed into a convex shape by the first welded portion 320 provided on the center side of the filter 317, the convex shape can be maintained if the welding force of the first welded portion 320 is low. There is a risk that it will not be possible. Further, increasing the amount of welding of the second welded portion 321 means that the second welded portion 321 needs to be heated (heated at a high temperature or for a long time) with respect to the fine first layer 317a. The first welded part 320 is also heated by the heating of the second welded part 321, and the first welded part 320 is melted, which may cause poor welding of the first welded part 320 or deformation of the convex shape of the filter 317. is there. In the present embodiment, the first welding portion 320 is simultaneously melted when the second welding portion 321 is welded to the filter 317 by making the welding amount of the second welding portion 321 smaller than the welding amount of the first welding portion 320. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of poor welding, the deformation of the convex shape of the filter 317, and the like.

  Furthermore, by making the filter 317 into a convex shape with the central portion protruding toward the supply unit, bubbles are held between the filter 317 and the supply unit 23 when the supply unit 23 is connected to the filter 317 at the liquid level. Can be suppressed. As described above, when the filter 317 is formed only of the first layer 317a, or only the first layer 317a and the second layer 317b, the rigidity of the filter 317 is low when the filter 317 contacts the supply unit 23. 317 is deformed. This is because the pressure when the supply unit 23 comes into contact with the filter 317 is concentrated in the center of the filter 317 because the filter 317 has a convex shape, so that the center of the filter 317 is deformed so as to be recessed downstream. Air bubbles are retained between the filter 317 and the supply unit 23. In the present embodiment, as the filter 317, when the first layer 317a, the second layer 317b, and the third layer 317c having different roughness are stacked, only the first layer 317a is provided thick, or the first layer 317a is provided. As compared with the case where only the second layer 317b is provided thick, the filter 317 is improved in rigidity and the bubbles are prevented from being held, and the pressure loss of the filter 317 is reduced to suppress supply failure. be able to.

  The liquid supply path 311 is provided with a buffer chamber 322 downstream of the filter 317. The buffer chamber 322 has an opening wider than the liquid supply path 311 on the head body 40 side. Further, the bottom surface of the buffer chamber 322, that is, the surface opposite to the filter 317 is formed as a tapered surface so as to gradually become deeper toward the liquid supply path 311. The protrusion 318 described above is provided on the bottom surface of the buffer chamber 322.

  As described above, by providing the buffer chamber 322 having a large volume on the downstream side of the filter 317, it is possible to prevent the ink immediately below the filter 317 from being thickened and gelled or fixed by moisture evaporated from the filter 317. can do. That is, if the amount of ink retained downstream of the filter 317 is small, the ink retained downstream of the filter 317 is thickened in a short time due to moisture evaporated from the filter 317. In particular, when pigment ink is used as the ink, gelation or fixation occurs in a short time due to thickening. In this embodiment, by providing the buffer chamber 322 downstream of the filter 317, the amount of ink retained downstream of the filter 317 can be increased. Therefore, even if moisture evaporates through the filter 317, the filter 317 It is possible to suppress the viscosity of the ink held downstream of the ink from increasing in a short time, and to increase the time until gelling or fixing.

  An annular sealing groove 323 is provided around the liquid introduction part 316 provided with such a filter 317, and a sealing member 330 is provided in the sealing groove 323.

  Here, the seal member 330 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the seal member.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the seal member 330 is made of a flexible material such as rubber or elastomer, and includes a flat plate-like first seal portion 331, a cylindrical second seal portion 332, and a second shape. A cylindrical third seal portion 333 having a larger inner diameter than the seal portion 332.

  The second seal portion 332 has a cylindrical shape that fits around the liquid introduction portion 316. The third seal portion 333 has a cylindrical shape having an inner diameter larger than that of the second seal portion 332. The first seal portion 331 is integrally connected to one end portion of the second seal portion 332. The first seal portion 331 is integrally connected to one end portion of the third seal portion 333 on the outer periphery. That is, the seal member 330 has a C-shape that opens toward the flow path member main body 310 side.

  In the present embodiment, the second seal portion 332 has an inner diameter that is close to the outer periphery of the liquid introduction portion 316. The third seal portion 333 has an outer diameter slightly smaller than the seal groove portion 323 provided around the liquid introduction portion 316.

  Such a seal member 330 is fitted and attached to the outer periphery of the liquid introduction part 316. At this time, the first seal portion 331 is supported by the upper end of the second seal portion 332 (the end portion on the ink cartridge 20 side) and the upper end of the third seal portion 333, and thus the first seal portion 331 is supported by the ink cartridge 20. Due to the pressing, the second seal portion 332 and the third seal portion 333 are easily bent and deformed so as to be convex toward the flow path member main body 310 side.

  Here, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the ink cartridge 20 that is a liquid container of the present embodiment that is attached to and detached from the flow path member 30 has a hollow box shape in which ink (liquid) is stored. .

  Further, a cylindrical rib 21 is provided on the bottom surface of the ink cartridge 20, and a supply port 22 for supplying ink inside the ink cartridge 20 to the flow path member 30 is provided inside the rib 21. Yes. Inside the supply port 22, a supply unit 23 that is an absorber that absorbs and holds ink is provided. The supply unit 23 is in pressure contact with the filter 317 of the flow path member 30 and supplies the ink in the ink cartridge 20 to the liquid supply path 311 of the flow path member 30. As such a supply part 23, porous materials, nonwoven fabrics, etc., such as cotton-like pulp, a polymeric water absorption polymer, a urethane foam, can be used, for example.

  Further, the ink cartridge 20 includes a first engagement claw 24 inserted into a first engagement hole 314 provided in the wall portion 313 of the flow path member main body 310, and a side opposite to the first engagement claw 24. And a second engagement claw 25 to be inserted into a second engagement hole 315 provided in the wall portion 313 of the flow path member main body 310 is provided.

  The second engagement claw 25 is formed integrally with the ink cartridge 20 so that one end is fixed to the supply part 23 side of the side surface of the ink cartridge 20 and the other end is a free end. . Thereby, the second engaging claw 25 can be elastically deformed toward the side surface of the ink cartridge 20.

  Here, a method of mounting the ink cartridge 20 on the flow path member 30 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a method of mounting the ink cartridge according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention on the flow path member.

  First, as shown in FIG. 5A, the first engagement claw 24 side of the ink cartridge 20 is first inserted obliquely into the wall portion 313 of the flow path member main body 310, and the first engagement claw 24 is inserted. Insert into the first engagement hole 314.

  Next, as illustrated in FIG. 5B, the ink cartridge 20 is rotated with the first engagement claw 24 as a fulcrum in a state where the first engagement claw 24 of the ink cartridge 20 is inserted into the first engagement hole 314. By doing so, the ink cartridge 20 is inserted into the wall portion 313. At this time, the second engaging claw 25 is pressed against the wall portion 313 of the flow path member main body 310 and is elastically deformed, so that the insertion of the ink cartridge 20 into the wall portion 313 is not hindered. Then, the second engagement claw 25 of the ink cartridge 20 is inserted into the second engagement hole 315, so that the second engagement claw 25 engages with the second engagement hole 315, and the ink cartridge 20 The cartridge is mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 312. At this time, the rib 21 of the ink cartridge 20 contacts the first seal portion 331 of the seal member 330, and the first seal portion 331 is located between the second seal portion 332 and the third seal portion 333 on the flow path member main body 310 side. The inside of the rib 21 is sealed by bending and deforming so as to protrude toward the top (see FIG. 2). In addition, by mounting the ink cartridge 20 on the cartridge mounting portion 312, the supply portion 23 of the ink cartridge 20 and the surface of the first layer 317 a of the filter 317 of the flow path member 30 are connected to the liquid surface.

  The head main body 40 is fixed to the surface of the flow path member 30 opposite to the cartridge mounting portion 312.

  The head main body 40 is provided with a liquid ejecting surface on which a nozzle that ejects ink droplets as a liquid opens on the side opposite to the surface fixed to the flow path member 30. Further, inside the head main body 40 (not shown) are provided a liquid flow path that communicates with the nozzles and communicates with the flow path of the flow path member 30, and a pressure generating means that causes a pressure change in the ink in the liquid flow path. ing. As such a pressure generating means, for example, the volume of the liquid flow path is changed by deformation of a piezoelectric actuator having a piezoelectric material exhibiting an electromechanical conversion function, thereby causing a pressure change in the ink in the liquid flow path, so that ink droplets are ejected from the nozzles. A device that discharges, a heat generating element placed in the liquid flow path, a device that discharges ink droplets from the nozzle by bubbles generated by the heat generated by the heat generating device, or an electrostatic force is generated between the diaphragm and the electrode. A so-called electrostatic actuator or the like that discharges ink droplets from nozzles by deforming the diaphragm by electrostatic force can be used.

  In such an ink jet recording head 10, the ink from the ink cartridge 20 is supplied to the head main body 40 via the flow path member 30, and the pressure in the liquid flow path is caused to change by the pressure generating means. Ink droplets are ejected from the nozzles.

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

  For example, the first embodiment described above is configured so that the thickness t1 of the first layer 317a, the thickness t2 of the second layer 317b, and the thickness t3 of the third layer 317c satisfy the condition of t1 <t2 <t3. However, the present invention is not particularly limited to this, and the thickness t1 of the first layer 317a may be maximized, and the thickness t2 of the second layer 317b may be maximized. That is, in this embodiment, by stacking three first layers 317a, second layers 317b, and third layers 317c having different roughness, the thickness of each layer is adjusted, and the capture rate and pressure loss Can be easily adjusted.

  Moreover, in Embodiment 1 mentioned above, although the filter 317 was fixed to the liquid introduction part 316 by the 1st welding part 320 and the 2nd welding part 321, it is not limited to this in particular, For example, the 2nd welding part 321 is mentioned. Only the filter 317 may be welded to the liquid introduction part 316. Further, the filter 317 may be welded to the liquid introduction part 316 only by the first welding part 320 as long as the first welding part 320 can be welded at a depth reaching the first layer 317a. In the first embodiment described above, the filter 317 is welded to the liquid introducing portion 316. However, the present invention is not particularly limited thereto, and the filter 317 may be fixed by adhesion using an adhesive. It is not limited.

  In the first embodiment described above, the protrusion 318 and the filter 317 are not welded. However, the present invention is not particularly limited thereto, and the protrusion 318 may be welded to the filter 317. Thereby, generation | occurrence | production of the foreign material by the slidable contact of the filter 317 and the projection part 318 can be suppressed. However, if the protrusion 318 is welded to the filter 317, the effective area of the filter 317 may be reduced.

  Furthermore, the ink jet recording head 10 of the above-described embodiment is mounted on an ink jet recording apparatus. FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing an example of the ink jet recording apparatus.

  In the ink jet recording apparatus I shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of ink jet recording heads 10 are detachably provided with an ink cartridge 20 constituting an ink supply means, and the carriage 3 on which the ink jet recording heads 10 are mounted is an apparatus. A carriage shaft 5 attached to the main body 4 is provided so as to be movable in the axial direction. The ink jet recording head 10 ejects, for example, a black ink composition and a color ink composition.

  The driving force of the driving motor 6 is transmitted to the carriage 3 through a plurality of gears and timing belt 7 (not shown), so that the carriage 3 on which the ink jet recording head 10 is mounted is moved along the carriage shaft 5. . On the other hand, the apparatus main body 4 is provided with a conveyance roller 8 as a conveyance means, and a recording sheet S which is a recording medium such as paper is conveyed by the conveyance roller 8. Note that the conveyance means for conveying the recording sheet S is not limited to the conveyance roller, and may be a belt, a drum, or the like.

  Furthermore, in the above-described example, the ink jet recording head 10 including the flow path member 30 has been described. However, the present invention is also applied to an ink jet recording apparatus in which the flow path member 30 is provided in a portion other than the ink jet recording head 10. Can be applied. Specifically, an ink tank, which is a liquid storage means in which ink is stored, is not mounted on the carriage 3, but is fixed to the apparatus main body 4, and the ink tank and the head main body 40 are connected by a tube-shaped supply pipe. In the case of an ink jet recording apparatus that performs this, for example, the above-described flow path member 30 may be provided at a place where an ink tank is installed.

  In the ink jet recording apparatus I described above, the ink jet recording head 10 is mounted on the carriage 3 and moved in the main scanning direction. However, the present invention is not particularly limited thereto. The present invention can also be applied to a so-called line type recording apparatus in which printing is performed simply by moving a recording sheet S such as paper in the sub-scanning direction.

  Furthermore, the present invention is widely intended for a manufacturing method for all liquid ejecting heads. For example, recording heads such as various ink jet recording heads used in image recording apparatuses such as printers, and color filters such as liquid crystal displays. This method is also applicable to manufacturing methods of color material ejection heads used in the manufacture of electrodes, electrode materials ejection heads used in electrode formation for organic EL displays, FEDs (field emission displays), and bio-organic matter ejection heads used in biochip production. be able to.

  The present invention is not limited to the flow path member mounted on the liquid ejecting head and the liquid ejecting apparatus, and can be applied to the flow path member mounted on other devices.

  I ink jet recording apparatus (liquid ejecting apparatus), 10 ink jet recording head (liquid ejecting head), 20 ink cartridge (liquid storing means), 23 supply unit, 30 flow path member, 40 head main body, 310 flow path member main body, 311 Liquid supply path, 312 Cartridge mounting part, 316 Liquid introducing part, 317 Filter, 317a First layer, 317b Second layer, 317c Third layer, 318 Projection part, 320 First welding part, 321 Second welding part, 330 Seal member, 331 first seal portion, 332 second seal portion, 333 third seal portion

Claims (9)

A liquid introduction part including a filter that is detachably fitted to a liquid container including a supply port having an absorber for containing liquid and is connected to the liquid surface of the absorber is provided, and the filter is disposed on the absorber side. A liquid ejecting head provided with a convex shape at the center,
The filter has a first layer provided on the absorber side and micropores that are provided on the opposite side of the first layer from the absorber and have a larger opening diameter than the micropores of the first layer. A second layer, and a third layer that is provided on the opposite side of the second layer from the first layer and has a fine hole having a larger opening diameter than the fine hole of the second layer ,
The liquid introduction part is provided with a weld part where the filter is welded,
The welded portion is provided continuously over the circumferential direction of the filter and has a first welded portion having an outer diameter smaller than the outer periphery of the filter, and is continuously provided over the circumferential direction of the filter. And a second weld portion having an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the filter .   The liquid ejecting head according to claim 1, wherein the first layer is thinner than the second layer.   The liquid ejecting head according to claim 1, wherein the second layer is thinner than the third layer.   The liquid ejecting head according to claim 1, wherein the first layer and the second layer are made of a nonwoven fabric. The end face of the filter is covered with a welded portion provided in the liquid introducing portion between the first welded portion and the second welded portion. The liquid ejecting head according to the item. 5. The liquid ejecting head according to claim 1, wherein an end surface of the filter is covered with the second welded portion provided in the liquid introducing portion. The liquid introduction part is provided with a protrusion that protrudes toward the filter inside the weld part,
The liquid ejecting head according to claim 1, wherein a tip of the protruding portion is provided so as to protrude from the tip surface of the liquid introducing portion toward the liquid container. A liquid ejecting head provided with a liquid introducing portion provided with a filter that is connected to the liquid containing body side that contains the liquid, and in which the filter has a convex shape toward the outside in the liquid introducing portion. Because
The filter has an opening diameter larger than that of the first layer, the second layer having a pore having a larger opening diameter than the minute hole of the first layer, and the minute hole of the second layer from the outside in the liquid introduction portion. It comprises in order with a third layer having micropores,
The liquid introduction part is provided with a weld part where the filter is welded,
The welded portion is provided continuously over the circumferential direction of the filter and has a first welded portion having an outer diameter smaller than the outer periphery of the filter, and is continuously provided over the circumferential direction of the filter. And a second weld portion having an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the filter. A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising the liquid ejecting head according to claim 1.

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