JP6380627B2 - Liquid ejection device, head - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid ejection apparatus and a head that include a plurality of head units each having a plurality of ejection ports that eject liquid.

  A recording head that is long and fixedly arranged in the width direction (main scanning direction) of the recording medium is provided, and ink is ejected from the ejection port of the recording head to the recording medium conveyed in the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction. A line-type ink jet printer that forms an image by discharging the ink is known. As a recording head of such a line type ink jet printer, there is a recording head composed of a plurality of head units arranged in the main scanning direction (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Each head unit has a signal input for inputting a signal for driving an ink supply unit for supplying ink discharged from the discharge port and an actuator for applying discharge energy for discharging ink from the discharge port. Department. The ink supply unit and the signal input unit of the head unit are connected to an ink supply channel and a head substrate provided in the printer body.

JP-A-7-81049

  When the ink supply unit and the signal input unit of the head unit as described above are provided at the same position in the sub-scanning direction, the ink adheres to the signal input unit when the ink leaks from the ink supply unit, There is a risk that the signal input section may have poor contact. In addition, the configuration on the side where the ink supply unit and the signal input unit are provided is complicated, and the degree of freedom in design is reduced.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid ejection device that is unlikely to cause poor contact at a signal input section and that has a high degree of design freedom.

In the liquid discharge apparatus according to the present invention, a plurality of discharge ports that discharge liquid are arranged in a first direction, and a plurality of discharge port arrays are provided along a second direction that intersects the first direction. A plurality of head units each having an energy applying unit to which discharge energy for discharging liquid is applied, and the plurality of head units are provided at one end in the second direction and discharged from the plurality of discharge ports. A liquid supply unit to which the liquid to be supplied is provided, and a signal input unit which is provided at the other end opposite to the one end with respect to the second direction and to which a signal for driving the energy application unit is input. Further, the plurality of head units are arranged at a first position and a second position, which are positions different from each other in the second direction, and the first position among the plurality of head units. The first head unit disposed in the second head unit is provided on the side where the liquid supply unit is separated from the second position in the second direction, and the second head disposed in the second position among the plurality of head units. The head unit is provided on the side where the liquid supply unit is separated from the first position in the second direction.

According to this configuration, in the head unit, the liquid supply unit and the signal input unit are provided on the opposite sides with respect to the second direction, so that they are provided on the same side and are close to each other. The liquid leaking from the liquid supply unit can be prevented from adhering to the signal input unit. Furthermore, the first head unit and the second head unit, which are respectively disposed at the first position and the second position that are different from each other in the second direction, have the liquid supply unit disposed in the other direction in the second direction. Since the liquid supply part of one head unit does not come close to the signal input part of the other head unit between the first head unit and the second head unit, It is also possible to prevent the liquid leaking from the liquid supply part of one head unit from adhering to the signal input part of the other head unit. Thereby, the poor contact of the signal input unit can be made difficult to occur. Further, in the case where the liquid supply unit and the signal input unit are provided on the same side in the second direction in one head unit, the configuration on the side of the head unit on which the liquid supply unit and the signal input unit are provided is complicated. However, according to the above-described configuration, the liquid supply unit and the signal input unit are distributed and provided at one end and the other end in the second direction of the head unit, so the configuration is not complicated. The degree of freedom increases.

  Furthermore, in the liquid ejection apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that the at least one head substrate is disposed above the plurality of head units.

  When removing the head unit from the apparatus, it is necessary to release the connection between the head substrate and the signal input unit and the connection between the liquid supply channel and the liquid supply unit. According to the above-described configuration, the head unit is removed by disconnecting the head substrate from the signal input unit to remove the head substrate, and then removing the head unit after releasing the connection between the liquid supply channel and the liquid supply unit. Can be easily removed from the apparatus.

  In the liquid ejection apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that the liquid supply unit is located below the signal input unit.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the liquid that leaks from the liquid supply unit and hangs downward from adhering to the signal input unit.

  In the liquid delivery / discharge apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that the liquid supply unit is connected to an upper portion of the at least one liquid supply flow path.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the liquid from leaking from the liquid supply channel when the liquid supply unit is removed from the liquid supply channel.

  In addition, in the liquid ejection device of the present invention, the liquid supply section is detachably connected to the corresponding liquid supply flow path, and the liquid leaks when removed from the liquid supply flow path. It may have a leakage prevention valve for preventing this.

  According to this configuration, when the liquid supply unit is removed from the liquid supply channel, it is possible to reliably suppress the liquid leaking from the liquid supply unit from adhering to the signal input unit.

  Furthermore, in the liquid ejection apparatus according to the present invention, each of the plurality of head units further includes a reservoir for storing the liquid ejected from the ejection port, and a connection flow path connecting the liquid supply unit and the reservoir. And the connection channel may be connected to an upper portion of the reservoir.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the liquid in the reservoir from leaking when the liquid supply unit is removed from the liquid supply channel.

Further, in the image liquid ejection device of the present invention, two liquid supply channels are provided, and one of the two liquid supply channels is the first head unit of the plurality of head units. It is connected to a liquid supply unit, and is disposed at a position opposite to the second head unit with the head unit sandwiched in the second direction, and another one of the two liquid supply channels is the plurality of the plurality of liquid supply channels. The head unit may be connected to the liquid supply unit of the second head unit and disposed at a position opposite to the first head unit across the head unit in the second direction.

  According to this configuration, since the liquid supply channel is not disposed between the first head unit and the second head unit, the distance between these head units can be reduced. Thus, for example, when a head having a plurality of head units supported by a single support member is attached to the apparatus, the normal posture is maintained within a plane including both a straight line extending in the first direction and a straight line extending in the second direction. Even if it is attached with an inclination, the size of the landing position deviation of the liquid discharged from the discharge port can be reduced. Therefore, the image quality of the formed image can be improved.

  In the liquid ejection apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the transport mechanism includes at least two transport roller pairs that transport the recording medium while sandwiching the recording medium, and one of the at least two transport roller pairs includes the first transport roller pair. The liquid supply section of the head unit is disposed below the liquid supply flow path to which the liquid supply section is connected, and another one of the at least two transport roller pairs is connected to the liquid supply section of the second head unit. You may arrange | position below the said liquid supply flow path.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to effectively use the space and save space by arranging the pair of transport rollers below the liquid supply flow path.

In the liquid ejection device of the present invention, each of the plurality of head units is provided with a plurality of ejection port arrays along the second direction, and the plurality of ejection port arrays have a plurality of colors. Each of the plurality of discharge ports discharges different colors of liquid, and the first head unit of the plurality of head units includes the plurality of the plurality of discharge port arrays. A plurality of discharge ports that discharge the darkest color liquid is provided at a position closest to the second head unit in the second direction, and In the second head unit of the head units, among the plurality of ejection port arrays, there is an ejection port array configured by the plurality of ejection ports that eject the darkest color liquid among the plurality of colors. , Serial may be provided in a position closest to the first head unit in a second direction.

According to this configuration, it is possible to shorten the distance between the first head unit and the second head unit in the second direction between the discharge ports that discharge the darkest and most conspicuous color liquid. Thus, for example, when a head having a plurality of head units supported by a single support member is attached to the apparatus, the normal posture is maintained within a plane including both a straight line extending in the first direction and a straight line extending in the second direction. Even if it is attached with an inclination, the amount of landing position deviation of the darkest color liquid discharged from the discharge port can be reduced. Therefore, the image quality of the formed image can be improved.

Furthermore, in the liquid ejection device according to the present invention, each of the plurality of head units is provided with a plurality of ejection port arrays along the second direction, and the plurality of ejection port arrays have a plurality of colors. Each of the plurality of discharge ports discharges liquids of different colors from each other, and each of the plurality of head units has the same color order corresponding to the plurality of discharge port arrays. May be.

  According to this configuration, since the discharge control can be made common between the first head unit and the second head unit, the discharge control of all the head units can be simplified.

Furthermore, the liquid ejection apparatus of the present invention includes two exhaust passages for discharging gas from the plurality of head units, and each of the plurality of head units is connected to the two exhaust passages. One of the two exhaust passages is connected to the gas exhaust part of the first head unit of the plurality of head units, and the head unit in the second direction Is disposed at a position opposite to the second head unit, and another one of the two exhaust flow paths is connected to the gas discharge portion of the second head unit among the plurality of head units. It may be connected and arranged at a position opposite to the first head unit across the head unit in the second direction.

  According to this configuration, since the exhaust flow path is not disposed between the first head unit and the second head unit, the interval between these head units can be reduced. Thus, for example, when a head having a plurality of head units supported by a single support member is attached to the apparatus, the normal posture is maintained within a plane including both a straight line extending in the first direction and a straight line extending in the second direction. Even if it is attached with an inclination, the size of the landing position deviation of the liquid discharged from the discharge port can be reduced. Therefore, the image quality of the formed image can be improved.

  In the liquid ejection apparatus of the present invention, the head substrate may be provided for each of the plurality of head units.

  According to this configuration, when one head unit is removed from the apparatus, only the head substrate connected to the head unit has to be removed, so that the head unit can be easily replaced.

In addition, in the liquid ejection device of the present invention, the first head unit and the second head unit may be arranged in a staggered manner along the first direction.

According to this configuration, when the liquid is discharged to the recording medium conveyed in the second direction, the liquid is discharged from the discharge port of the second head unit between the first head units adjacent to each other in the first direction. The liquid can be discharged from the discharge ports of the first head unit between the second head units that are discharged and adjacent to each other in the first direction.

Further, in the liquid discharge apparatus of the present invention, the first direction and the second direction may be orthogonal.

As described above, in the liquid ejection device according to the present invention, the liquid supply unit and the signal input unit are provided on the opposite sides with respect to the first direction, so that they are provided on the same side and are close to each other. As in the case, it is possible to suppress the liquid leaking from the liquid supply unit from adhering to the signal input unit. Further, the first head unit and the second head unit, which are respectively arranged at the first position and the second position which are different from each other in the first direction, have the liquid supply unit arranged in the other direction in the first direction. Between the first head unit and the second head unit, one liquid supply unit does not come close to the other signal input unit, and the liquid of the adjacent head unit is provided. The liquid leaking from the supply unit is also prevented from adhering to the signal input unit. Thereby, the poor contact of the signal input unit can be made difficult to occur. In addition, when the liquid supply unit and the signal input unit are provided on the same side in the first direction, the configuration of the head unit on the side where the liquid supply unit and the signal input unit are provided is complicated. According to the configuration, since the liquid supply unit and the signal input unit are distributed and provided at one end and the other end in the first direction of the head unit, the configuration is not complicated and the degree of freedom in design is increased. .

1 is a top view illustrating a schematic configuration of an ink jet printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view of the ink jet printer of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the inkjet head shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the head unit shown in FIG. 3. It is sectional drawing which follows the VV line of FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the reservoir unit taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 1. It is a figure of the inkjet printer concerning the modification of this invention, (a) is a side view, (b) is sectional drawing of a reservoir unit.

  A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the inkjet printer 1 of the present embodiment includes a transport mechanism 2 that transports the recording paper P in the transport direction (the direction from the right to the left in FIGS. 1 and 2: the second direction). , Six head units 10 (see FIG. 2), extending in the main scanning direction ( first direction), which is the arrangement direction of a plurality of ejection ports 62 (see FIG. 4) in a later-described ejection port array 61. A line-type inkjet head 3, a plurality of ink supply channels 4 for supplying ink in an ink tank (not shown) to the inkjet head 3, and six head substrates 5 arranged above each head unit 10. It is mainly equipped with. In the following description, a straight line extending in the transport direction and a straight line extending in the main scanning direction are parallel to a plane including both and are orthogonal to the main scanning direction (referred to as an orthogonal direction ( first direction)). In the present embodiment, the transport direction and the main scanning direction are orthogonal to each other. Therefore, the orthogonal direction is parallel to the transport direction.

  Four ink supply channels 4 are arranged on both sides of the inkjet head 3 in the orthogonal direction. These four ink supply channels 4 correspond to four colors of ink of magenta, yellow, cyan, and black, and can supply four colors of ink to each head unit 10. The transport mechanism 2 includes two transport roller pairs 21 and 22 that transport the recording paper P while pinching it. The two transport roller pairs 21 and 22 are respectively disposed below the ink supply flow paths 4 provided on both sides of the inkjet head 3 in the orthogonal direction.

  FIG. 3 is a plan view of the inkjet head 3, but illustration of a reservoir unit 8 and an FPC 9 described later is omitted. As shown in FIG. 3, the six head units 10 of the inkjet head 3 are supported by a support plate 3a, and are arranged in two rows in a staggered manner along the main scanning direction. That is, three head units 10 are arranged at each of the first position and the second position which are different from each other in the orthogonal direction. In the following description, when distinguishing the head unit 10 arranged at the first position and the second position, the head unit 10 arranged at the first position on the right side (upstream side in the transport direction) in FIGS. The first head unit 11 and the head unit 10 disposed at the second position on the left side in FIG.

  Here, the configuration of the head unit 10 will be described with further reference to FIGS. In FIG. 4, the reservoir unit 8 and the FPC 9 described later are omitted as in FIG. 3. In FIG. 5, illustration of the reservoir unit 8 is omitted. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the head unit 10 is configured to apply pressure to the ink in the pressure chamber 64 and the flow path unit 6 in which the individual ink flow paths 67 including the discharge ports 62 and the pressure chambers 64 for discharging ink are formed. By applying (discharge energy), the piezoelectric actuator 7 that discharges ink from the discharge port 62 of the flow path unit 6 and four reservoirs that respectively store the four colors of ink that are supplied via the ink supply flow path 4 81 (see FIG. 6) has a reservoir unit 8 formed inside, and a flexible printed circuit 9 (Flexible Printed Circuit: hereinafter referred to as FPC) on which a driver IC 91 is mounted.

  A plurality of discharge ports 62 are provided on the lower surface of the flow path unit 6. A plurality of pressure chambers 64 are opened on the upper surface of the flow path unit 6 so as to correspond to the plurality of discharge ports 62. Each pressure chamber 64 has a substantially elliptical shape that is long in the orthogonal direction. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the plurality of discharge ports 62 constitute a discharge port array 61 arranged in the main scanning direction. Four discharge port arrays 61 are provided along the orthogonal direction. These four ejection port arrays 61 are composed of a plurality of ejection ports 62 that eject one of four colors of magenta, yellow, cyan, and black.

  More specifically, in the first head unit 11, the discharge port array 61 provided at the position closest to the second head unit 12 in the orthogonal direction among the four discharge port arrays 61 is the darkest of the four colors. It is composed of a plurality of ejection ports 62 that eject black ink as a color. Further, in the second head unit 12, the ejection port array 61 provided at a position closest to the first head unit 11 in the orthogonal direction includes a plurality of ejection ports 62 that eject black ink. Regarding the other three ejection port arrays 61, both the first head unit 11 and the second head unit 12 respectively correspond to cyan, yellow, and magenta in order from the right side (upstream side in the transport direction) in FIGS.

  In the channel unit 6, a manifold channel 65 is formed in addition to the individual ink channel 67. As shown in FIG. 4, four manifold channels 65 are formed corresponding to the four discharge port arrays 61. Each manifold channel 65 extends in the main scanning direction at a position away from the corresponding discharge port array 61 in the orthogonal direction. As shown in FIG. 5, the individual ink channels 67 are channels from the outlet of the manifold channel 65 to the discharge port 62 through the pressure chamber 64, and a plurality of individual ink channels 67 are formed independently from each other in the channel unit 6. Yes.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, one end portions of the four manifold channels 65 communicate with the four ink supply ports 69 opened on the upper surface of the channel unit 6. These four ink supply ports 69 are respectively connected to four reservoirs 81 to be described later, and the ink in the reservoir 81 is supplied from the ink supply port 69 to the manifold channel 65.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the piezoelectric actuator 7 includes a vibration plate 71, a piezoelectric layer 72, and a plurality of individual electrodes 73. The vibration plate 71 is made of a conductive material such as a metal material, and is joined to the upper surface of the flow path unit 6 so as to cover the plurality of pressure chambers 64. The diaphragm 71 having conductivity also serves as a common electrode for applying an electric field to a portion disposed between the plurality of individual electrodes 73 of the piezoelectric layer 72 as will be described later. Is always held at the ground potential. The piezoelectric layer 72 is continuously disposed on the upper surface of the vibration plate 71 across the plurality of pressure chambers 64. The piezoelectric layer 72 is previously polarized in the thickness direction. The individual electrode 73 is provided at a position overlapping the pressure chamber 64 in plan view of the upper surface of the piezoelectric layer 72.

  A plurality of connection terminals 74 are drawn out from the plurality of individual electrodes 73 to areas that do not overlap with the corresponding pressure chambers 64. One end of the FPC 9 is connected to the plurality of connection terminals 74 through conductive bumps 95. Thus, the plurality of individual electrodes 73 are connected to the driver IC 91 (see FIG. 2) mounted on the FPC 9. The other end of the FPC 9 is connected to a head substrate 5 that is electrically connected to a control device (not shown) that controls the entire printer.

  The driver IC 91 generates a drive signal for driving the piezoelectric actuator 7 based on a command from the control device input via the head substrate 5. The generated drive signals are supplied to a plurality of individual electrodes 73 of the piezoelectric actuator 7 via a plurality of wirings (not shown) on the FPC 9 and a plurality of bumps 95, respectively. That is, the other end portion of the FPC 9 connected to the head substrate 5 serves as a signal input unit 16 (see FIG. 2) to which a signal for driving the piezoelectric actuator 7 in the head unit 10 is input.

  When a drive signal is supplied to a certain individual electrode 73, a voltage is generated between the individual electrode 73 and the diaphragm 71 as a common electrode. As a result, an electric field in the thickness direction is generated at a portion of the piezoelectric layer 72 sandwiched between the individual electrode 73 and the diaphragm 71. At this time, since the direction of the electric field and the direction of polarization coincide in the piezoelectric layer 72, the piezoelectric layer 72 sandwiched therebetween contracts in the plane direction. Along with the contraction deformation of the piezoelectric layer 72, the portion of the vibration plate 71 facing the pressure chamber 64 is bent so as to protrude toward the pressure chamber 64 (unimorph deformation). At this time, as the volume of the pressure chamber 64 decreases, ejection energy is applied to the ink inside the pressure chamber 64, and ink droplets are ejected from the ejection port 62 communicating with the pressure chamber 64.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the reservoir unit 8 is disposed above the flow path unit 6 so that a gap is formed between the reservoir unit 8 and the piezoelectric actuator 7 bonded to the upper surface of the flow path unit 6. As shown in FIG. 6, in the reservoir unit 8, a reservoir 81 that temporarily stores ink to be supplied to the flow path unit 6, a connection flow path 82 that extends from the top of the reservoir 81, and ink in the flow path unit 6. A discharge channel 83 connected to the supply port 69 is formed. Four of these reservoirs 81, connection channels 82, and discharge channels 83 are provided corresponding to four colors of ink. The end of the connection channel 82 opposite to the reservoir 81 is detachably connected to the upper part of the ink supply channel 4. As a result, the ink from the ink supply flow path 4 is supplied into the flow path unit 6 via the connection flow path 82, the reservoir 81, and the discharge flow path 83, and is discharged from the discharge port 62. In other words, the end of the connection channel 82 opposite to the reservoir 81 is an ink supply unit 15 for supplying ink to the head unit 10.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the ink supply channel 4 is disposed below the head substrate 5. That is, the ink supply unit 15 connected to the ink supply channel 4 is located below the signal input unit 16 connected to the head substrate 5.

  As shown in FIG. 6, an accommodation chamber 85 a in which a normally closed on-off valve 85 is accommodated is formed at the end of the connection flow path 82 serving as the ink supply unit 15 so as to extend in the vertical direction. The storage chamber 85a communicates with the connection channel 82 on the downstream side (reservoir 81 side). A seal member 89 having a through-hole 89a is attached to the opening at the lower end of the storage chamber 85a, that is, the opening at the end of the connection channel 82.

  The on-off valve 85 is urged downward by the compression coil spring 87 so that the vertically elongated valve body 86 closes the through hole 89 a of the seal member 89 when the ink supply unit 15 is removed from the ink supply flow path 4. The valve is kept closed. Therefore, ink does not leak from the ink supply unit 15. When the ink supply unit 15 is attached to the ink supply channel 4, the needle 4 a that is a hollow tube protruding from the upper surface of the ink supply channel 4 is inserted into the through hole 89 a of the seal member 89. At this time, the valve body 86 is pressed by the needle 4 a and moves upward against the urging force of the compression coil spring 87, and the through hole 89 a closed by the valve body 86 is opened. Thereby, the ink in the ink supply flow path 4 flows into the storage chamber 85a through the needle 4a.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the first head unit 11 located on the right side in the drawing, the connection flow path 82 extends to one side in the orthogonal direction (right side in FIG. 2), and the ink supply unit 15 is orthogonal. It is located at one end in the direction. The ink supply unit 15 of the first head unit 11 is connected to the ink supply channel 4 located on one side in the orthogonal direction. In the second head unit 12 located on the left side in FIG. 2, the connection channel 82 extends to the other side in the orthogonal direction (left side in FIG. 2), and the ink supply unit 15 is located at the end on the other side in the orthogonal direction. ing. The ink supply unit 15 of the second head unit 12 is connected to the ink supply channel 4 located on the other side in the orthogonal direction.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the FPC 9 connected to the piezoelectric actuator 7 in the head unit 10 is pulled out from the gap between the reservoir unit 8 and the piezoelectric actuator 7 to one side or the other side in the orthogonal direction. The signal input unit 16 is bent upward so as to be substantially parallel to the side surface of the reservoir unit 8, and the signal input unit 16 at the end thereof is connected to the head substrate 5 disposed above the reservoir unit 8. More specifically, in the first head unit 11 located on the right side in FIG. 2, the FPC 71 is pulled out from the other side in the orthogonal direction (left side in FIG. 2), and the signal input unit 16 is the end on the other side in the orthogonal direction. Is located. In the second head unit 12 located on the left side in FIG. 2, the FPC 71 is drawn out from one side in the orthogonal direction (right side in FIG. 2), and the signal input unit 16 is located at the end on the one side in the orthogonal direction. .

  That is, in the head unit 10, the ink supply unit 15 and the signal input unit 16 are disposed at opposite ends of the orthogonal direction.

As described above, in the ink jet printer 1 of the present embodiment, the ink jet head 3 has the six head units 10 arranged at either the first position or the second position, which are different positions in the orthogonal direction. Yes. Each head unit 10 drives the ink supply unit 15 for supplying ink discharged from the discharge port 62 and the piezoelectric actuator 7 to which discharge energy for discharging ink from the discharge port 62 is applied. The signal input unit 16 to which the above signal is input is disposed at the ends opposite to each other in the orthogonal direction. The first head unit 11 disposed at the first position is provided on the side where the ink supply unit 15 is separated from the second position in the orthogonal direction, and the second head unit 12 disposed at the second position is configured to supply ink. The part 15 is provided on the side away from the first position in the orthogonal direction.
Accordingly, since the ink supply unit 15 and the signal input unit 16 are provided on the opposite sides with respect to the orthogonal direction, the ink supply unit 15 and the signal input unit 16 are provided on the same side and close to each other as in the case where they are close to each other. It is possible to suppress the leaked ink from adhering to the signal input unit 16. Further, the first head unit 11 and the second head unit 12 are provided on the side away from the position where the other head unit 10 is arranged in the orthogonal direction, so that the first head unit 11 and the second head unit 12 are provided. 11 and the second head unit 12, one ink supply unit 15 does not approach the other signal input unit 16, and ink leaking from the ink supply unit 15 of the adjacent head unit 10 is signal input unit. Adhering to 16 is also suppressed. Thereby, the poor contact of the signal input part 16 can be made difficult to occur. In addition, when the ink supply unit 15 and the signal input unit 16 are provided on the same side in the orthogonal direction, the configuration of the head unit 10 on the side where the ink supply unit 15 and the signal input unit 16 are provided is complicated. However, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, the ink supply unit 15 and the signal input unit 16 are distributed and provided at one end and the other end of the head unit 10 in the orthogonal direction, so the configuration is complicated. Without increasing design freedom.

  In the inkjet printer 1 of the present embodiment, the head substrate 5 is disposed above the head unit 10. When removing the head unit 10 from the printer, it is necessary to release the connection between the head substrate 5 and the signal input unit 16 and the connection between the ink supply flow path 4 and the ink supply unit 15. According to the configuration of the present embodiment, the head unit 5 is disconnected from the signal input unit 16 to remove the head substrate 5, and then the connection between the ink supply channel 4 and the ink supply unit 15 is released. The head unit 10 can be easily removed from the apparatus by the procedure of removing 10.

  Furthermore, in the ink jet printer 1 of the present embodiment, the ink supply unit 15 is positioned below the signal input unit 16. Therefore, it is possible to prevent ink that leaks from the ink supply unit 15 and hangs downward from adhering to the signal input unit 16.

  In addition, in the inkjet printer 1 of the present embodiment, the ink supply unit 15 is connected to the upper part of the ink supply flow path 4. Therefore, when the ink supply unit 15 is removed from the ink supply channel 4, it is possible to prevent ink from leaking from the ink supply channel 4.

  Furthermore, in the ink jet printer 1 of the present embodiment, the ink supply unit 15 is detachably connected to the ink supply channel 4, and prevents ink from leaking when it is removed from the ink supply channel 4. For this purpose, an on-off valve 85 is provided. Therefore, when the ink supply unit 15 is removed from the ink supply channel 4, it is possible to reliably suppress the ink leaking from the ink supply unit 15 from adhering to the signal input unit 16.

  In the inkjet printer 1 of the present embodiment, each of the six head units 10 includes a reservoir 81 for storing ink discharged from the discharge ports 62, and a connection flow path 82 that connects the ink supply unit 15 and the reservoir 81. The connection flow path 82 is connected to the upper part of the reservoir 81. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the ink in the reservoir 81 from leaking when the ink supply unit 15 is removed from the ink supply flow path 4.

  Further, in the ink jet printer 1 of the present embodiment, the ink supply flow paths 4 are arranged on both sides of the ink jet head 3 with respect to the orthogonal direction. The first head unit 11 located on one side in the orthogonal direction is connected to the ink supply channel 4 located on one side in the orthogonal direction. The second head unit 12 located on the other side in the orthogonal direction is connected to the ink supply channel 4 located on the other side in the orthogonal direction. Therefore, since the ink supply channel 4 is not disposed between the first head unit 11 and the second head unit 12, the interval between the head units 10 can be reduced. Therefore, when the ink jet head 3 is attached, even if the ink jet head 3 is attached with an inclination from a normal posture in a plane including both a straight line extending in the transport direction and a straight line extending in the main scanning direction, The magnitude of landing position deviation can be reduced. Therefore, the image quality of the formed image can be improved.

  Furthermore, in the ink jet printer 1 of the present embodiment, the transport mechanism 2 includes two transport roller pairs 21 and 22 that transport the recording paper P while sandwiching it. The transport roller pair 21 is disposed below the ink supply channel 4 to which the ink supply unit 15 of the first head unit 11 is connected, and the transport roller pair 22 is connected to the ink supply unit 15 of the second head unit 12. The ink supply channel 4 is disposed below. Therefore, by arranging the transport roller pairs 21 and 22 below the ink supply channel 4, the space can be effectively used and the space can be saved.

  In addition, in the inkjet printer 1 of the present embodiment, each of the six head units 10 is provided with four ejection port arrays 61 along the orthogonal direction. The four ejection port arrays 61 are each composed of a plurality of ejection ports 62 that eject different colors of the four colors of ink. In the first head unit 11, the ejection port array 61 including a plurality of ejection ports 62 that eject black ink, which is the darkest of the four colors, is closest to the second head unit 12 in the orthogonal direction. In the second head unit 12, the ejection port array 61 including a plurality of ejection ports 62 that eject black ink is provided at a position closest to the first head unit 11 in the orthogonal direction. It has been. Therefore, the distance between the first head unit 11 and the second head unit 12 in the orthogonal direction between the ejection ports 62 that eject the black ink, which is the darkest and most conspicuous color, can be shortened. As a result, when the inkjet head 3 is mounted, the inkjet head 3 is ejected from the ejection port 62 even if it is tilted and attached from a normal posture in a plane including both the straight line extending in the transport direction and the straight line extending in the main scanning direction. It is possible to reduce the size of the landing position deviation of the black ink. Therefore, the image quality of the formed image can be improved.

  In the inkjet printer 1 of the present embodiment, the head substrate 5 is provided for each of the six head units 10. Accordingly, when removing one head unit 10, only the head substrate 5 connected to the head unit 10 needs to be removed, so that the replacement operation of the head unit 10 is facilitated.

  Furthermore, in the inkjet printer 1 of the present embodiment, the first head unit 11 and the second head unit 12 are arranged in a staggered pattern along the main scanning direction. Therefore, when ejecting ink onto the recording paper P transported in the transport direction, ink is ejected from the ejection ports 62 of the second head unit 12 between the first head units 11 adjacent to each other in the main scanning direction. Ink is ejected from the ejection ports 62 of the first head unit 11 between the second head units 12 that are ejected and adjacent to each other in the main scanning direction.

<First Modification>
Here, a modification of the above-described embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. However, components having the same configuration as those of the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted as appropriate.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, in the ink jet printer 101 according to this modification, exhaust flow paths 104 for discharging gas from the head unit 110 are provided on both sides in the orthogonal direction of the ink jet head 103. The exhaust passage 104 is located above the ink supply passage 4. The exhaust passage 104 is connected to an opening opened to the outside, and the air discharged from the head unit 110 is released to the outside.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7B, the reservoir unit 108 of the head unit 110 includes a reservoir 181 corresponding to the reservoir 81, the connection channel 82, and the discharge channel 83 of the above-described embodiment, the first connection flow. In addition to the channel 182 and the discharge channel 183, a second connection channel 184 is formed. The second connection channel 184 extends from the upper part of the reservoir 181, and the end opposite to the reservoir 181 is connected to the exhaust channel 104. Therefore, the gas accumulated in the upper part of the reservoir 181 can be discharged to the exhaust flow path 104 via the second connection flow path 184. That is, the end of the second connection channel 184 on the opposite side to the reservoir 181 is a gas discharge part 117 through which the gas is discharged from the head unit 110.

  The gas discharge portion 117 of the first head unit 111 located on one side in the orthogonal direction (right side in FIG. 7A) is connected to the exhaust passage 104 located on one side in the orthogonal direction, and the other side in the orthogonal direction (FIG. 7). The gas discharge portion 117 of the second head unit 112 located on the left side in (a) is connected to the exhaust flow path 104 located on the other side in the orthogonal direction.

  In the present modification, the exhaust flow path 104 is not disposed between the first head unit 111 and the second head unit 12, so that the interval between these head units 110 can be reduced. Thus, when the ink jet head 103 is attached, even if the ink jet head 103 is attached with an inclination from a normal posture in a plane including both a straight line extending in the transport direction and a straight line extending in the main scanning direction, the ink ejected from the ejection port 62 It is possible to reduce the magnitude of the landing position deviation. Therefore, the image quality of the formed image can be improved.

<Second Modification>
Furthermore, in another modified example, for all the head units 10, the four ejection port arrays 61 provided in each head unit 10 include inks ejected from a plurality of ejection ports 62 constituting the ejection port array 61. The colors are arranged so as to be magenta, yellow, cyan, and black in order from one side to the other side in the orthogonal direction (from the first position to the second position). That is, in the above-described embodiment, the first head unit 11 and the second head unit 12 have different color orders corresponding to the four discharge port arrays 61 provided in each head unit 10, In the present modification, the order of colors corresponding to each of the discharge port arrays 61 is the same.

  In this modified example, the first head unit 11 and the second head unit 12 can share ink ejection control, so that the ejection control of all the head units 10 can be simplified.

  The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various design changes can be made as long as they are described in the claims. Is.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the head substrate 5 is disposed above the head unit 10 has been described. However, the head substrate 5 may be disposed below the head unit 10.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the ink supply unit 15 is located below the signal input unit 16 has been described. However, the ink supply unit 15 may be located above the signal input unit 16. .

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the ink supply unit 15 is connected to the upper part of the ink supply channel 4 has been described. However, the ink supply unit 15 is connected to the side part or the lower part of the ink supply channel 4. May be.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the ink supply unit 15 is provided with the opening / closing valve 85 that is closed when the ink supply unit 15 is removed from the ink supply flow path 4 by the biasing force of the compression coil spring 87 has been described. The configuration of the valve provided in the ink supply unit 15 is not limited to this. That is, for example, a valve that is opened and closed by an actuator may be used. Further, the ink supply unit 15 may not be provided with a valve.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the connection channel 82 connecting the ink supply unit 15 and the reservoir 81 is connected to the upper portion of the reservoir 81 has been described. It may be connected to.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the ink supply channels 4 are arranged on both sides of the inkjet head 3 in the orthogonal direction has been described. However, the ink supply channels 4 include the first head unit 11 and the second head unit. 12 may be arranged.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, a case where the two transport roller pairs 21 and 22 of the transport mechanism 2 are respectively disposed below the ink supply flow paths 4 disposed on both sides of the inkjet head 3 with respect to the orthogonal direction. As described above, the conveyance roller pairs 21 and 22 may not be disposed below the ink supply flow path 4.

  In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the head substrate 5 is provided for each of the six head units 10 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, for example, one head substrate 5 may be provided for the three first head units 11, and one head substrate 5 may be provided for the three second head units 12. In this case, when removing one head unit 10, it is necessary to remove the head substrate 5 disposed across the three head units 10.

  Furthermore, although the above-mentioned embodiment demonstrated the case where the 1st head unit 11 and the 2nd head unit 12 were arrange | positioned in zigzag form along the main scanning direction, it is not limited to this. That is, for example, with respect to the first head unit 11 located at the first position, the second head unit 12 located at the second position is arranged at a half pitch in the main scanning direction (half the interval between the discharge ports 62 adjacent in the main scanning direction). ). Thereby, the resolution can be doubled.

  In the above-described embodiment, the conveyance direction and the main scanning direction are orthogonal to each other, and the conveyance direction and the orthogonal direction are parallel to each other. However, the conveyance direction and the orthogonal direction may not be orthogonal to each other. It only has to cross.

  Furthermore, in the above-described first modification, the case where the exhaust flow paths 104 are respectively disposed on both sides in the orthogonal direction of the inkjet head 103 has been described. However, the exhaust flow path 104 includes the first head unit 11 and the second head. It may be arranged between the head unit 12.

1, 101 Inkjet printer (liquid ejection device)
2 Transport mechanism 3, 103 Inkjet head 4 Ink supply channel (liquid supply channel)
5 Head substrate 7 Piezoelectric actuator (energy applying part)
10, 110 Head unit 11, 111 First head unit 12, 112 Second head unit 15 Ink supply part (liquid supply part)
16 Signal input parts 21 and 22 Conveying roller pair 61 Discharge port array 62 Discharge port 81 and 181 Reservoir 82 Connection flow path 85 On-off valve (leak prevention valve)
104 Exhaust flow path 117 Gas exhaust section

Claims (19)

A plurality of discharge ports for discharging liquid are arranged in a first direction, a plurality of discharge port arrays provided along a second direction intersecting the first direction, and discharge energy for discharging liquid from the plurality of discharge ports is applied. A plurality of head units each having an energy applying unit,
The plurality of head units are:
Provided at one end in the second direction and supplied with liquid discharged from the plurality of discharge ports, and provided at the other end opposite to the one end with respect to the second direction. And a signal input unit to which a signal for driving the energy applying unit is input.
The plurality of head units are arranged at a first position and a second position which are different from each other in the second direction,
Of the plurality of head units, the first head unit disposed at the first position is provided on the side where the liquid supply unit is separated from the second position in the second direction,
Among the plurality of head units, the second head unit arranged at the second position is provided with the liquid supply unit on the side away from the first position in the second direction. apparatus.   The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising at least one head substrate to which the plurality of signal input units related to the plurality of head units are connected. A flexible wiring board that electrically connects the energy application unit and the head substrate;
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the signal input unit is disposed at an end portion on the head substrate side. The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the head substrate is disposed above the plurality of head units.   The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid supply unit is located below the signal input unit. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising at least one liquid supply channel to which the liquid supply units according to the plurality of head units are connected. A reservoir for storing liquid discharged from the discharge port;
A connection flow path for fluidly connecting the liquid supply flow path and the reservoir,
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the liquid supply unit is disposed at an end on the liquid supply flow path side. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the liquid supply unit is connected to an upper portion of the at least one liquid supply flow path.   The liquid supply section is detachably connected to the corresponding liquid supply flow path, and has a leakage prevention valve for preventing the liquid from leaking when removed from the liquid supply flow path. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the liquid ejecting apparatus is a liquid ejecting apparatus. Each of the plurality of head units is
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the connection flow path is connected to an upper portion of the reservoir. Two liquid supply channels are provided,
One of the two liquid supply passages is connected to the liquid supply part of the first head unit of the plurality of head units, and the second head unit sandwiches the head unit in the second direction. It is placed in the opposite position,
Another one of the two liquid supply channels is connected to the liquid supply part of the second head unit among the plurality of head units, and the first head is sandwiched between the head units in the second direction. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the liquid ejecting apparatus is disposed at a position opposite to the unit. A transport mechanism for transporting the recording medium in the second direction;
The transport mechanism has at least two transport roller pairs that transport the recording medium while sandwiching it,
One of the at least two transport roller pairs is disposed below the liquid supply channel to which the liquid supply unit of the first head unit is connected,
The another one of the at least two transport roller pairs is disposed below the liquid supply channel to which the liquid supply unit of the second head unit is connected. Liquid ejection device. Each of the plurality of head units is provided with a plurality of the ejection port arrays along the second direction,
The plurality of discharge port arrays are respectively configured by the plurality of discharge ports that discharge liquids of different colors among a plurality of color liquids,
In the first head unit of the plurality of head units, the discharge port configured by the plurality of discharge ports that discharges the darkest liquid in the plurality of colors among the plurality of discharge port arrays. An outlet row is provided at a position closest to the second head unit in the second direction;
In the second head unit of the plurality of head units, the discharge port configured by the plurality of discharge ports that discharges the darkest color liquid among the plurality of colors among the plurality of discharge port arrays. The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the outlet row is provided at a position closest to the first head unit in the second direction. Each of the plurality of head units is provided with a plurality of the ejection port arrays along the first direction,
The plurality of ejection port arrays are respectively configured by the plurality of ejection ports that respectively eject liquids of different colors from among a plurality of color liquids,
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of head units has the same color order corresponding to the plurality of ejection port arrays. Two exhaust passages for exhausting gas from the plurality of head units are provided,
Each of the plurality of head units has a gas discharge portion connected to the two exhaust flow paths,
One of the two exhaust flow paths is connected to the gas discharge portion of the first head unit among the plurality of head units, and is opposite to the second head unit with the head unit sandwiched in the first direction. Is located at
Another one of the two exhaust flow paths is connected to the gas discharge portion of the second head unit among the plurality of head units, and the first head unit is sandwiched between the head units in the second direction. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid ejecting apparatus is disposed at a position opposite to.   The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the head substrate is provided for each of the plurality of head units.   The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first head unit and the second head unit are arranged in a staggered manner along the first direction.   The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first direction and the second direction are orthogonal to each other. A plurality of discharge ports for discharging liquid are arranged in a first direction, a row of discharge ports arranged in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and energy application to which discharge energy for discharging liquid from the plurality of discharge ports is applied. A plurality of head units each having a portion,
The plurality of head units are:
Provided at one end in the second direction and supplied with liquid discharged from the plurality of discharge ports, and provided at the other end opposite to the one end with respect to the second direction. And a signal input unit to which a signal for driving the energy applying unit is input.
Each of the plurality of head units is disposed at one of a first position and a second position that are different from each other in the second direction,
Of the plurality of head units, the first head unit disposed at the first position is provided on the side where the liquid supply unit is separated from the second position in the second direction,
Of the plurality of head units, the second head unit arranged at the second position has the liquid supply unit provided on the side away from the first position in the second direction.

Images