JP6601152B2 - Liquid discharge head, liquid discharge unit, and apparatus for discharging liquid - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid discharge head, a liquid discharge unit, and an apparatus for discharging liquid.

  As the liquid discharge head, for example, a holding substrate (also referred to as a protective substrate) that covers the pressure generating elements is bonded to an actuator substrate on which a plurality of pressure generating elements are arranged, and liquid is placed in an individual liquid chamber on the holding substrate. There is a common liquid chamber member that forms a common liquid chamber for supplying the liquid with an adhesive.

  Conventionally, in a configuration in which a plurality of liquid ejection head units are held by a holding member to form one liquid ejection head, there is a configuration in which a vibration absorbing member is disposed between the liquid ejection head unit and the holding member (Patent Document 1). .

  Moreover, there exists what provided the convex-shaped part in the joint surface of an actuator substrate and a holding substrate (patent document 2).

  Further, the common liquid chamber member and the actuator substrate are joined together, and the frame member joined to the common liquid chamber member and the outer peripheral portion of the nozzle plate are arranged on the outer side in the direction orthogonal to the nozzle arrangement direction than the outer peripheral side of the actuator substrate. There is one in which a filler is filled in a gap formed between the outer peripheral surface of an actuator substrate and a frame member after joining (Patent Document 3).

JP 2007-181991 A JP 2014-184646 A JP2013-169683A

  By the way, in the configuration in which the common liquid chamber member is bonded to the holding substrate bonded to the actuator substrate, when the pressure generating element of the actuator substrate is driven, the holding substrate vibrates and the vibration is propagated to the common liquid chamber member. As a result, there is a problem that the discharge characteristics become unstable.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to stabilize and make uniform discharge characteristics.

In order to solve the above problem, a liquid discharge head according to claim 1 of the present invention is
A nozzle plate on which nozzles for discharging liquid are formed;
An actuator substrate joined to the nozzle plate and arranged with individual liquid chambers communicating with the nozzles and pressure generating elements that pressurize the liquid in the individual liquid chambers;
A holding substrate bonded to the actuator substrate and having a recess for accommodating the pressure generating element;
A common liquid chamber member that forms a common liquid chamber for supplying the liquid to the individual liquid chamber,
The common liquid chamber member is bonded to the outer peripheral portion of the holding substrate in a direction orthogonal to the nozzle arrangement direction, and is bonded to the outer peripheral portion of the nozzle plate outside the outer peripheral surfaces of the actuator substrate and the holding substrate. ,
A gap is provided between a portion of the common liquid chamber member that joins the nozzle plate and the outer peripheral surface of the actuator substrate and the holding substrate,
The nozzle plate has a non-joined area that is not joined to other members in the gap area,
In the direction perpendicular to the nozzle arrangement direction , the holding substrate has a flow through the common liquid chamber and the individual liquid chamber on the opposite side of the gap across the outer peripheral portion joined to the common liquid chamber member. There is an opening to be a road,
In the direction perpendicular to the nozzle arrangement direction, the common liquid chamber member and the outer peripheral portion of the holding substrate are joined with an inner region of the joint surface with a first adhesive, and an outer region of the joint surface with a second adhesive. Joined and
The first adhesive is an elastic adhesive;
The second adhesive is configured to be an adhesive having a Young's modulus higher than that of the first adhesive.

  According to the present invention, the ejection characteristics can be stabilized and made uniform.

It is a perspective explanatory view of an example of a liquid discharge head concerning the present invention. It is a principal part section explanatory drawing which follows a direction which intersects perpendicularly with a nozzle arrangement direction. It is principal part expanded sectional explanatory drawing of FIG. It is a principal part sectional view similarly along a nozzle arrangement direction. FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional explanatory diagram along a direction orthogonal to a nozzle arrangement direction for explaining the first embodiment of the present invention. It is an isometric view explanatory drawing of a frame member similarly. Similarly, it is a cross-sectional perspective view of the head. FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of FIG. 7. It is a typical perspective explanatory view of the joined portion of the frame member and the holding substrate. It is principal part explanatory drawing used for description of a comparative example. It is explanatory drawing of an example of the drive waveform similarly given to a piezoelectric element. It is explanatory drawing similarly used for description of a deformation | transformation of a nozzle plate. It is explanatory drawing similarly used for description of a deformation | transformation of a nozzle plate. It is a perspective explanatory view of the joined portion of the frame member and the outer periphery of the holding substrate for explaining the second embodiment of the present invention. It is perspective explanatory drawing of the junction part of the frame member and holding | maintenance board | substrate outer peripheral part with which it uses for description of 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective explanatory view of the joined portion of the frame member and the outer periphery of the holding substrate for explaining the fourth embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective explanatory view of the joined portion of the frame member and the outer periphery of the holding substrate for explaining the fifth embodiment of the present invention. It is perspective explanatory drawing of the junction part of the frame member and holding | maintenance board outer peripheral part with which it uses for description of 6th Embodiment of this invention. It is principal part plane explanatory drawing of an example of the apparatus which discharges the liquid which concerns on this invention. It is principal part side explanatory drawing of the apparatus. It is principal part plane explanatory drawing of the other example of the liquid discharge unit which concerns on this invention. It is front explanatory drawing of the further another example of the liquid discharge unit which concerns on this invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. An example of a liquid discharge head according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the liquid discharge head, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view along the direction perpendicular to the nozzle arrangement direction, FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part of FIG. 2, and FIG. FIG.

  The liquid discharge head includes a nozzle plate 1, a flow path plate 2, a vibration plate 3 that is a wall member, a piezoelectric element 11 that is a pressure generating element, a holding substrate 50, a wiring member 60, and a common liquid chamber member. And a frame member 70 that also serves as the same.

  Here, a portion constituted by the flow path plate 2, the vibration plate 3, and the piezoelectric element 11 is referred to as an “actuator substrate 20” in the present invention. However, this does not mean that an independent member is formed as the actuator substrate 20 and is bonded to the nozzle plate 1 and the holding substrate 50. Further, the flow path plate 2 and the vibration plate 3 are collectively used as a flow path member.

  The nozzle plate 1 is formed with a plurality of nozzles 4 for discharging liquid. Here, four nozzle rows in which the nozzles 4 are arranged are arranged.

  The flow path plate 2, together with the nozzle plate 1 and the vibration plate 3, form an individual liquid chamber 6 that communicates with the nozzle 4, a fluid resistance portion 7 that communicates with the individual liquid chamber 6, and a liquid introduction portion (passage) 8 that communicates with the fluid resistance portion 7. is doing.

  The liquid introducing portion 8 communicates with a common liquid chamber 10 formed by the frame member 70 through a passage (supply port) 9 of the diaphragm 3 and an opening 51 serving as a flow path of the holding substrate 50.

  The vibration plate 3 forms a deformable vibration region 30 that forms a part of the wall surface of the individual liquid chamber 6. A piezoelectric element 11 is provided integrally with the vibration region 30 on the surface of the vibration plate 3 opposite to the individual liquid chamber 6 in the vibration region 30, and a piezoelectric actuator is configured by the vibration region 30 and the piezoelectric element 11. Yes.

  The piezoelectric element 11 is configured by sequentially laminating a lower electrode 13, a piezoelectric layer (piezoelectric body) 12, and an upper electrode 14 from the vibration region 30 side. An insulating film 21 is formed on the piezoelectric element 11.

  The lower electrode 13 serving as a common electrode of the plurality of piezoelectric elements 11 is connected to the common electrode power supply wiring pattern 121 via the common wiring 15. As shown in FIG. 4, the lower electrode 13 is a single electrode layer formed across all the piezoelectric elements 11 in the nozzle arrangement direction.

  The upper electrode 14 serving as an individual electrode of the piezoelectric element 11 is connected to a drive IC (hereinafter referred to as “driver IC”) 500 serving as a drive circuit unit via an individual wiring 16. The individual wiring 16 and the like are covered with an insulating film 22.

  The driver IC 500 is mounted on the actuator substrate 20 by a method such as flip chip bonding so as to cover the region between the rows of piezoelectric element rows.

  The driver IC 500 mounted on the actuator substrate 20 is connected to the individual electrode power supply wiring pattern 101 to which a drive waveform (drive signal) is supplied.

  The wiring provided in the wiring member 60 is electrically connected to the driver IC 500, and the other end side of the wiring member 60 is connected to the control unit on the apparatus main body side.

  On the actuator substrate 20, as described above, the opening 51 serving as a flow path passing through the common liquid chamber 10 and the individual liquid chamber 6 side, the recess 52 for accommodating the piezoelectric element 11, and the opening 53 for accommodating the driver IC 500. A holding substrate 50 is provided.

  The holding substrate 50 is bonded to the diaphragm 3 side of the actuator substrate 20 with an adhesive.

  The frame member 70 forms a common liquid chamber 10 that supplies a liquid to each individual liquid chamber 6. The common liquid chamber 10 is provided corresponding to each of the four nozzle rows. Further, a liquid of a required color is supplied to the common liquid chamber 10 via the liquid supply port 71 (FIG. 1) from the outside.

  A damper member 90 is joined to the frame member 70. The damper member 90 includes a deformable damper 91 that forms a part of the wall surface of the common liquid chamber 10, and a damper plate 92 that reinforces the damper 91.

  The frame member 70 is bonded to the outer peripheral portion of the nozzle plate 1 and the outer peripheral portion of the holding substrate 50 with an adhesive, and accommodates the actuator substrate 20 and the holding substrate 50 to constitute a frame of this head.

  And the cover member 45 which covers a peripheral part of the nozzle plate 1 and a part of outer peripheral surface of the frame member 70 is provided.

  In this liquid ejection head, a voltage is applied from the driver IC 500 between the upper electrode 14 and the lower electrode 13 of the piezoelectric element 11, so that the piezoelectric layer 12 extends in the electrode stacking direction, that is, the electric field direction, and is parallel to the vibration region 30. Shrink in any direction.

  At this time, since the lower electrode 13 side is constrained by the vibration region 30, a tensile stress is generated on the lower electrode 13 side of the vibration region 30, and the vibration region 30 bends toward the individual liquid chamber 6 side and applies the internal liquid. By pressurizing, the liquid is discharged from the nozzle 4.

  Next, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional explanatory view along a direction orthogonal to the nozzle arrangement direction for explaining the embodiment, FIG. 6 is also a perspective explanatory view of the frame member, FIG. 7 is also a cross-sectional perspective explanatory view of the head, and FIG. FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective explanatory view of FIG. 7, and FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective explanatory view of a joint portion between a frame member which is a common liquid chamber member and a holding substrate.

  The frame member 70 that is a common liquid chamber member is formed with a rib 75 that joins the outer peripheral portion 56 of the holding substrate 50 and a rib 78 that joins the outer peripheral portion of the nozzle plate 1 outside the rib 75. Further, a groove 76 is formed between the rib 75 and the rib 78 in order to form the rib 75.

  Therefore, in a direction orthogonal to the nozzle arrangement direction, the frame member 70 that is a common liquid chamber member is joined to the outer peripheral portion 56 of the holding substrate 50, and outside the outer peripheral surfaces of the actuator substrate 20 and the holding substrate 50, the nozzle plate 1 is joined to the outer peripheral portion. At this time, the nozzle plate 1 and the holding substrate 50 are joined to the frame member 70 in steps.

  The actuator substrate 20 and the holding substrate 50 (hereinafter collectively referred to as “structure 200”, see FIG. 7) are separated from the wall surface of the rib 78 in the direction perpendicular to the nozzle plate surface, and the gap 79 is formed. It is provided and joined to the rib 75 of the frame member 70.

  On the other hand, the nozzle plate 1 corresponds to the gap 79 between the region bonded to the structure 200 and the region bonded to the rib 78 of the frame member 70 and is not bonded to other members. 42.

  As described above, the holding substrate 50 is provided with the opening 51 serving as a flow path through the common liquid chamber 10 and the individual liquid chamber 6 on the side opposite to the gap 79 via the outer peripheral portion 56. Therefore, the outer peripheral portion 56 joined to the frame member 70 of the holding substrate 50 becomes a columnar partition wall portion having a narrow width in a cross-sectional shape along a direction orthogonal to the nozzle arrangement direction.

  The rib 75 of the frame member 70 that is a common liquid chamber member and the outer peripheral portion 56 of the holding substrate 50 are joined by the first adhesive 81 in the inner region of the joining surface in the direction orthogonal to the nozzle arrangement direction. The outer region is joined with the second adhesive 82. The first adhesive 81 is an elastic adhesive, and the second adhesive 82 is an adhesive having a higher Young's modulus than the first adhesive 81.

  The elastic adhesive is an adhesive that becomes a rubber-like elastic body after curing, and a silicone-based adhesive can be used. Moreover, as a 2nd adhesive agent, when using a silicone type adhesive agent for the 1st adhesive agent 81, the epoxy type adhesive agent whose Young's modulus is higher than a silicone type adhesive agent can be used.

  Next, variations in ejection characteristics in the comparative example will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In the comparative example, as shown in FIG. 10, the rib 75 of the frame member 70 and the outer peripheral portion 56 of the holding substrate 50 are joined only by the elastic adhesive (first adhesive 81).

  Here, in the outer region of the nozzle row at the end in the direction orthogonal to the nozzle arrangement direction, the nozzle plate 1 and the non-bonded region 41 and the non-bonded region 41 that are not bonded to other members across the outer peripheral portion 200a of the structure 200 are sandwiched. A junction region 42 is generated. The outer peripheral portion 200 a of the structure 200 is a portion configured by the outer peripheral portion 56 of the holding substrate 50 and the outer peripheral portion of the actuator substrate 20.

  The non-bonding region 41 corresponds to the region facing the opening 51 of the holding substrate 50 and the liquid introducing portion 8 of the flow path plate 2, and the non-bonding region 42 is the wall surface of the rib 78 of the frame member 70 and the outer peripheral surface of the structure 200. It corresponds to the gap 79 between the two. The opening 51 of the holding substrate 50 and the liquid introduction part 8 of the flow channel plate 2 are openings that communicate with the plurality of individual liquid chambers 6 in the nozzle arrangement direction.

  The variation in the ejection characteristics is caused by the behavior when the vibration generated by the deformation of the non-bonded region 42 of the nozzle plate 1 corresponding to the gap 79 propagates to the region of the nozzle plate 1 facing the individual liquid chamber 6. This is considered to be caused by the difference between the center portion and the end portion of the row 4A.

  More specifically, when a plurality of droplets (described with two droplets) are ejected and merged during flight to form a droplet having a required droplet amount, all the piezoelectric elements of one nozzle row 4A of the actuator substrate 20 are formed. As shown in FIG. 11, two ejection pulses P1 and P2 in which the drive voltage falls and rises are given to the element 11 in time series.

  In this case, when the falling waveform element of the first ejection pulse P1 is given (time t1 in FIG. 11), the vibration region 30 is deformed in the out-of-plane direction and the individual liquid chamber 6 expands.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 12, the outer peripheral portion 200a of the structure 200 including the outer peripheral portion 56 of the holding substrate 50 is inclined to the side opposite to the gap 79, and the non-bonded region 41 is convex in the ejection direction. It is deformed so that the non-bonded region 42 is convex in the direction opposite to the ejection direction.

  Thereafter, a rising waveform element of the ejection pulse P1 is given (time t2 in FIG. 11), so that the vibration region 30 is deformed in the in-plane direction and the individual liquid chamber 6 contracts.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 13, the outer peripheral portion 200 a of the structure 200 including the outer peripheral portion 56 of the holding substrate 50 is inclined to the gap 79 side, and the non-bonded region 41 is convex in the direction opposite to the ejection direction. The non-bonded region 42 is deformed so as to be convex in the ejection direction.

  Then, due to the residual vibration when the discharge by the discharge pulse P1 is completed (time point t3 in FIG. 11), the vibration due to the protrusion of the nozzle plate 1 in the non-bonded region 42 and the drawing to the gap 79 side occurs. The vibration of the nozzle plate 1 due to this residual vibration propagates to the individual liquid chamber 6 side at both ends in the nozzle arrangement direction faster than the central portion.

  Then, when the ejection pulse P2 is given at the time point t5 in FIG. 11, the influence of the vibration of the nozzle plate 1 due to the residual vibration is different between the central portion and the end portion in the nozzle arrangement direction even in the same nozzle row. .

  That is, if the individual liquid chamber 6 is expanded by applying the drawing waveform element of the ejection pulse P2, the expansion amount of the individual liquid chamber 6 differs between the central portion and both ends of the nozzle row, and as a result, the droplet velocity of the ejected droplets. And the amount of droplets (discharge characteristics) will be different.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, as described above, the rib 75 of the frame member 70 and the outer peripheral portion 56 of the holding substrate 50 have the first region made of an elastic adhesive in the inner region of the joint surface in the direction orthogonal to the nozzle arrangement direction. Bonding is performed using an adhesive 81, and the outer region of the bonding surface is bonded using a second adhesive 82 having a Young's modulus higher than that of the first adhesive 81.

  The actuator substrate 20 is driven by driving the piezoelectric element 11 by joining the inner region of the joining surface of the rib 75 of the frame member 70 and the outer peripheral portion 56 of the holding substrate 50 with the first adhesive 81 made of an elastic adhesive. The vibration propagated through the holding substrate 50 is absorbed.

  As a result, the vibration propagating from the holding substrate 50 to the frame member 70, which is a common liquid chamber member, is reduced, the vibration of the liquid in the common liquid chamber 10 is also reduced, and the ejection characteristics are stabilized.

  On the other hand, the outer peripheral portion 56 of the holding substrate 50 is bonded to the frame member by bonding the outer region of the bonding surface between the rib 75 of the frame member 70 and the outer peripheral portion 56 of the holding substrate 50 with the second adhesive 82 having a high Young's modulus. It becomes difficult to fall against 70.

  As a result, deformation of the non-bonded region 42 of the nozzle plate 1 due to the fall of the outer peripheral portion 56 of the holding substrate 50 is suppressed, and variation in ejection characteristics due to the phase difference of deformation at both ends and the center of the nozzle row 4A is reduced. Thus, the discharge characteristics can be made uniform.

  In addition, by arranging the first adhesive 81 made of an elastic adhesive at a location in contact with the liquid, the pressure vibration of the liquid from the flow path 51 to the common liquid chamber 10 can be damped.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is a perspective explanatory view of a joint portion between the frame member and the outer periphery of the holding substrate for explaining the embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 14B, a convex portion 84 is provided on the outer side in the direction orthogonal to the nozzle arrangement direction on the joint surface 83 that joins the rib 75 of the frame member 70 of the outer peripheral portion 56 of the holding substrate 50. ing. The convex portion 84 is continuously provided in the nozzle arrangement direction. In addition, a convex-shaped part can also be provided in the joint surface of the frame member 70 (it is the same also in the following embodiment).

  14A, the rib 75 of the frame member 70 and the outer peripheral portion 56 of the holding substrate 50 are joined by an elastic adhesive 85. As shown in FIG.

  At this time, the thickness of the elastic adhesive 85 interposed between the convex portion 84 and the joint surface of the frame member 70 is reduced.

  As a result, the outer peripheral portion 56 of the holding substrate 50 is unlikely to fall down in the direction orthogonal to the nozzle arrangement direction, so that the deformation of the non-bonded region 42 of the nozzle plate 1 is suppressed and the discharge characteristics are the same as in the first embodiment. Can be reduced.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 15 is a perspective explanatory view of a joint portion between the frame member and the outer periphery of the holding substrate for explaining the embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 15B, a plurality of convex portions 84 are provided on the outer side in the direction orthogonal to the nozzle arrangement direction on the joint surface 83 that joins the frame member 70 of the outer peripheral portion 56 of the holding substrate 50. Yes. That is, the convex portion 84 is provided intermittently in the nozzle arrangement direction.

  As shown in FIG. 15A, the rib 75 of the frame member 70 and the outer peripheral portion 56 of the holding substrate 50 are joined by an elastic adhesive 85.

  Accordingly, as in the first embodiment, vibration propagation from the holding substrate 50 to the frame member 70 is reduced, the falling of the outer peripheral portion 56 of the holding substrate 50 in the direction of the gap 79 is reduced, and the discharge characteristics are stabilized. And uniform.

  Moreover, the area | region where the application | coating thickness of the adhesive agent 85 is thick increases from the said 2nd Embodiment, and a vibration reduction can be performed more effectively.

  Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 16 is a perspective explanatory view of a joint portion between the frame member and the outer periphery of the holding substrate for explaining the embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 16 (b), a convex-shaped portion 84 is provided on the outer side of the bonding surface 83 of the outer peripheral portion 56 of the holding substrate 50 with the frame member 70 in the direction orthogonal to the nozzle arrangement direction. The convex portion 84 is provided at a position of 1 / 3X where X is the length of the joint surface 83 in the nozzle arrangement direction.

  16A, the rib 75 of the frame member 70 and the outer peripheral portion 56 of the holding substrate 50 are joined by an elastic adhesive 85.

  Accordingly, as in the first and second embodiments, vibration propagation from the holding substrate 50 to the frame member 70 is reduced, the falling of the outer peripheral portion 56 of the holding substrate 50 is reduced, and discharge characteristics are stabilized and uniform. Can be realized.

  Moreover, the area | region where the application | coating thickness of the adhesive agent 85 is thick increases from the said 2nd, 3rd embodiment, and can perform a vibration reduction more effectively.

  Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 17 is a perspective explanatory view of a joint portion between a frame member and a holding substrate outer peripheral portion for explaining the embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, the convex portion 84 has a cylindrical shape.

  Accordingly, as in the first and second embodiments, vibration propagation from the holding substrate 50 to the frame member 70 is reduced, the falling of the outer peripheral portion 56 of the holding substrate 50 is reduced, and discharge characteristics are stabilized and uniform. Can be realized.

  Moreover, the area | region where the application | coating thickness of the adhesive agent 85 is thick increases from the said 4th Embodiment, and it can perform a vibration reduction more effectively.

  Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 18 is a perspective explanatory view of a joint portion between the frame member and the outer peripheral portion of the holding substrate for explaining the embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, in the first embodiment, the partition portion 86 that partitions the first adhesive 81 and the second adhesive 82 is provided on the joint surface 83 of the outer peripheral portion 56 of the holding substrate 50 with the frame member 70. . In addition, when applying an adhesive to the joint surface of the frame member 70, it is preferable to provide a partition portion on the joint surface of the frame member 70.

  As a result, different types of adhesives can be applied without being mixed.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which there are four nozzle rows has been described. However, the present invention can be similarly applied to a head having 1 to 3, 5 or more nozzle rows.

  Next, an example of a device for ejecting liquid according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 19 is an explanatory plan view of an essential part of the apparatus, and FIG. 20 is an explanatory side view of an essential part of the apparatus.

  This apparatus is a serial type apparatus, and the carriage 403 reciprocates in the main scanning direction by the main scanning moving mechanism 493. The main scanning movement mechanism 493 includes a guide member 401, a main scanning motor 405, a timing belt 408, and the like. The guide member 401 spans the left and right side plates 491A and 491B and holds the carriage 403 so as to be movable. The carriage 403 is reciprocated in the main scanning direction by the main scanning motor 405 via the timing belt 408 spanned between the driving pulley 406 and the driven pulley 407.

  A liquid discharge unit 440 in which the liquid discharge head 404 and the head tank 441 according to the present invention are integrated is mounted on the carriage 403. The liquid discharge head 404 of the liquid discharge unit 440 discharges, for example, yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), and black (K) liquids. The liquid ejection head 404 is mounted with a nozzle row composed of a plurality of nozzles arranged in the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction, and the ejection direction facing downward.

  The liquid stored in the liquid cartridge 450 is supplied to the head tank 441 by the supply mechanism 494 for supplying the liquid stored outside the liquid discharge head 404 to the liquid discharge head 404.

  The supply mechanism 494 includes a cartridge holder 451 that is a filling unit for mounting the liquid cartridge 450, a tube 456, a liquid feeding unit 452 including a liquid feeding pump, and the like. The liquid cartridge 450 is detachably attached to the cartridge holder 451. Liquid is fed from the liquid cartridge 450 to the head tank 441 by the liquid feeding unit 452 via the tube 456.

  This apparatus includes a transport mechanism 495 for transporting the paper 410. The transport mechanism 495 includes a transport belt 412 serving as transport means, and a sub-scanning motor 416 for driving the transport belt 412.

  The conveyance belt 412 adsorbs the paper 410 and conveys it at a position facing the liquid ejection head 404. The transport belt 412 is an endless belt and is stretched between the transport roller 413 and the tension roller 414. The adsorption can be performed by electrostatic adsorption or air suction.

  The transport belt 412 rotates in the sub-scanning direction when the transport roller 413 is rotationally driven by the sub-scanning motor 416 via the timing belt 417 and the timing pulley 418.

  Further, on one side of the carriage 403 in the main scanning direction, a maintenance / recovery mechanism 420 that performs maintenance / recovery of the liquid ejection head 404 is disposed on the side of the transport belt 412.

  The maintenance / recovery mechanism 420 includes, for example, a cap member 421 for capping the nozzle surface (surface on which the nozzle is formed) of the liquid ejection head 404, a wiper member 422 for wiping the nozzle surface, and the like.

  The main scanning movement mechanism 493, the supply mechanism 494, the maintenance / recovery mechanism 420, and the transport mechanism 495 are attached to a housing including the side plates 491A and 491B and the back plate 491C.

  In this apparatus configured as described above, the paper 410 is fed and sucked onto the transport belt 412, and the paper 410 is transported in the sub-scanning direction by the circular movement of the transport belt 412.

  Therefore, the liquid ejection head 404 is driven in accordance with the image signal while moving the carriage 403 in the main scanning direction, thereby ejecting liquid onto the stopped paper 410 to form an image.

  Thus, since this apparatus includes the liquid ejection head according to the present invention, a high-quality image can be stably formed.

  Next, another example of the liquid discharge unit according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 21 is an explanatory plan view of the main part of the unit.

  The liquid discharge unit includes a casing portion composed of side plates 491A and 491B and a back plate 491C, a main scanning moving mechanism 493, a carriage 403, and a liquid among the members constituting the liquid discharge device. The discharge head 404 is configured.

  Note that a liquid discharge unit in which at least one of the above-described maintenance and recovery mechanism 420 and the supply mechanism 494 is further attached to, for example, the side plate 491B of the liquid discharge unit may be configured.

  Next, still another example of the liquid discharge unit according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 22 is an explanatory front view of the unit.

  This liquid discharge unit includes a liquid discharge head 404 to which a flow path component 444 is attached, and a tube 456 connected to the flow path component 444.

  The flow path component 444 is disposed inside the cover 442. A head tank 441 may be included instead of the flow path component 444. In addition, a connector 443 that is electrically connected to the liquid ejection head 404 is provided above the flow path component 444.

  In the present application, the “apparatus for discharging liquid” is an apparatus that includes a liquid discharge head or a liquid discharge unit and drives the liquid discharge head to discharge liquid. The apparatus for ejecting liquid includes not only an apparatus capable of ejecting liquid to an object to which liquid can adhere, but also an apparatus for ejecting liquid toward the air or liquid.

  This “apparatus for discharging liquid” may include means for feeding, transporting, and discharging a liquid to which liquid can adhere, as well as a pre-processing apparatus and a post-processing apparatus.

  For example, as an “apparatus that ejects liquid”, an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a medium by ejecting liquid, a powder is formed in layers to form a three-dimensional structure (three-dimensional structure) There is a three-dimensional modeling apparatus (three-dimensional modeling apparatus) that discharges a modeling liquid onto the powder layer.

  Further, the “apparatus for ejecting liquid” is not limited to an apparatus in which significant images such as characters and figures are visualized by the ejected liquid. For example, what forms a pattern etc. which does not have a meaning in itself, and what forms a three-dimensional image are also included.

  The above-mentioned “thing to which liquid can adhere” means that liquid can adhere even temporarily. The material to which “the liquid adheres” may be any material as long as the liquid can temporarily adhere, such as paper, thread, fiber, cloth, leather, metal, plastic, glass, wood, ceramics.

  “Liquid” also includes ink, treatment liquid, DNA sample, resist, pattern material, binder, modeling liquid, and the like.

  Further, the “device for discharging liquid” includes both a serial type device that moves the liquid discharge head and a line type device that does not move the liquid discharge head, unless otherwise specified.

  In addition to the “device for discharging liquid”, a processing liquid application apparatus for discharging a processing liquid onto a sheet for applying a processing liquid on the surface of the sheet for the purpose of modifying the surface of the sheet, or a raw material There is an injection granulating apparatus for granulating raw material fine particles by spraying a composition liquid dispersed in a solution through a nozzle.

  The “liquid discharge unit” is a unit in which functional parts and mechanisms are integrated with a liquid discharge head, and is an assembly of parts related to liquid discharge. For example, the “liquid discharge unit” includes a combination of at least one of a head tank, a carriage, a supply mechanism, a maintenance / recovery mechanism, and a main scanning movement mechanism with a liquid discharge head.

  Here, the term “integrated” refers to, for example, a liquid discharge head, a functional component, and a mechanism that are fixed to each other by fastening, adhesion, engagement, etc., and one that is held movably with respect to the other. Including. Further, the liquid discharge head, the functional component, and the mechanism may be configured to be detachable from each other.

  For example, there is a liquid discharge unit in which a liquid discharge head and a head tank are integrated, such as the liquid discharge unit 440 shown in FIG. Also, there are some in which the liquid discharge head and the head tank are integrated by being connected to each other by a tube or the like. Here, a unit including a filter may be added between the head tank and the liquid discharge head of these liquid discharge units.

  In addition, there is a liquid discharge unit in which a liquid discharge head and a carriage are integrated.

  In addition, there is a liquid discharge unit in which the liquid discharge head and the scanning movement mechanism are integrated by holding the liquid discharge head movably on a guide member constituting a part of the scanning movement mechanism. Further, as shown in FIG. 21, there is a liquid discharge unit in which a liquid discharge head, a carriage, and a main scanning movement mechanism are integrated.

  Further, there is a liquid discharge unit in which a cap member that is a part of the maintenance / recovery mechanism is fixed to a carriage to which the liquid discharge head is attached, and the liquid discharge head, the carriage, and the maintenance / recovery mechanism are integrated. .

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 22, there is a liquid discharge unit in which a tube is connected to a liquid discharge head to which a head tank or a flow path component is attached, and the liquid discharge head and the supply mechanism are integrated. .

  The main scanning movement mechanism includes a guide member alone. The supply mechanism includes a single tube and a single loading unit.

  The “liquid discharge head” is not limited to the pressure generating means to be used. For example, in addition to the piezoelectric actuator as described in the above embodiment (a multilayer piezoelectric element may be used), a thermal actuator using an electrothermal conversion element such as a heating resistor, a diaphragm and a counter electrode are included. An electrostatic actuator or the like may be used.

  In addition, the terms “image formation”, “recording”, “printing”, “printing”, “printing”, “modeling” and the like in the terms of the present application are all synonymous.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Nozzle plate 2 Channel plate 3 Vibration plate 4 Nozzle 6 Individual liquid chamber 10 Common liquid chamber 11 Piezoelectric element 14 Upper electrode (individual electrode)
16 Individual wiring 20 Actuator substrate 50 Holding substrate 56 Outer peripheral portion of holding substrate 70 Frame member 75 Rib 76 Groove portion 78 Rib 79 Clearance 200 Structure 403 Carriage 404 Liquid discharge head 440 Liquid discharge unit

Claims (9)

A nozzle plate on which nozzles for discharging liquid are formed;
An actuator substrate joined to the nozzle plate and arranged with individual liquid chambers communicating with the nozzles and pressure generating elements that pressurize the liquid in the individual liquid chambers;
A holding substrate bonded to the actuator substrate and having a recess for accommodating the pressure generating element;
A common liquid chamber member that forms a common liquid chamber for supplying the liquid to the individual liquid chamber,
The common liquid chamber member is bonded to the outer peripheral portion of the holding substrate in a direction orthogonal to the nozzle arrangement direction, and is bonded to the outer peripheral portion of the nozzle plate outside the outer peripheral surfaces of the actuator substrate and the holding substrate. ,
A gap is provided between a portion of the common liquid chamber member that joins the nozzle plate and the outer peripheral surface of the actuator substrate and the holding substrate,
The nozzle plate has a non-joined area that is not joined to other members in the gap area,
In the direction perpendicular to the nozzle arrangement direction , the holding substrate has a flow through the common liquid chamber and the individual liquid chamber on the opposite side of the gap across the outer peripheral portion joined to the common liquid chamber member. There is an opening to be a road,
In the direction perpendicular to the nozzle arrangement direction, the common liquid chamber member and the outer peripheral portion of the holding substrate are joined with an inner region of the joint surface with a first adhesive, and an outer region of the joint surface with a second adhesive. Joined and
The first adhesive is an elastic adhesive;
The liquid discharge head according to claim 1, wherein the second adhesive is an adhesive having a Young's modulus higher than that of the first adhesive. The liquid discharge head according to claim 1, wherein the first adhesive and the second adhesive are partitioned by a partition portion. A nozzle plate on which nozzles for discharging liquid are formed;
An actuator substrate joined to the nozzle plate and arranged with individual liquid chambers communicating with the nozzles and pressure generating elements that pressurize the liquid in the individual liquid chambers;
A holding substrate bonded to the actuator substrate and having a recess for accommodating the pressure generating element;
A common liquid chamber member that forms a common liquid chamber for supplying the liquid to the individual liquid chamber,
The common liquid chamber member is bonded to the outer peripheral portion of the holding substrate in a direction orthogonal to the nozzle arrangement direction, and is bonded to the outer peripheral portion of the nozzle plate outside the outer peripheral surfaces of the actuator substrate and the holding substrate. ,
A gap is provided between a portion of the common liquid chamber member that joins the nozzle plate and the outer peripheral surface of the actuator substrate and the holding substrate,
The nozzle plate has a non-joined area that is not joined to other members in the gap area,
In the direction perpendicular to the nozzle arrangement direction , the holding substrate has a flow through the common liquid chamber and the individual liquid chamber on the opposite side of the gap across the outer peripheral portion joined to the common liquid chamber member. There is an opening to be a road,
The common liquid chamber member and the outer peripheral portion of the holding substrate are joined with an elastic adhesive,
The joint surface of at least one of the common liquid chamber member and the outer peripheral portion of the holding substrate is provided with a convex portion in an outer region in a direction orthogonal to the nozzle arrangement direction. Liquid discharge head. The liquid ejection head according to claim 3, wherein the convex portion is formed continuously in the nozzle arrangement direction. The liquid ejection head according to claim 3, wherein the convex portion is formed intermittently in the nozzle arrangement direction. The liquid according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the common liquid chamber member is provided with a groove portion that leads to the gap outside a bonding region where the outer peripheral portion of the holding substrate is bonded. Discharge head.   A liquid discharge unit comprising the liquid discharge head according to claim 1. A head tank for storing liquid to be supplied to the liquid discharge head, a carriage on which the liquid discharge head is mounted, a supply mechanism for supplying liquid to the liquid discharge head, a maintenance / recovery mechanism for maintaining and recovering the liquid discharge head, and the liquid The liquid discharge unit according to claim 7, wherein at least one of a main scanning movement mechanism that moves the discharge head in a main scanning direction and the liquid discharge head are integrated.   An apparatus for discharging a liquid, comprising the liquid discharge head according to claim 1 or the liquid discharge unit according to claim 7 or 8.

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