JP7067087B2 - Manufacturing method of liquid discharge head, liquid discharge device, liquid discharge device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a technique for ejecting a liquid such as ink.

In a liquid discharge device configured by mounting a liquid discharge head, a liquid such as ink or a gas for driving a valve body is transferred between the liquid discharge head and the liquid discharge device. In Patent Document 1, a plurality of gas holes are provided in the coupling member on the liquid discharge device side, gas holes on the liquid discharge head side are connected to these gas holes, and the liquid discharge head is attached to the liquid discharge device (FIG). See 7.). This enables the transfer of gas between the liquid discharge head and the liquid discharge device.

US Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0246823

However, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, there is a risk that the liquid will drip into the gas pores. For example, in Patent Document 1, since the liquid hole is not formed in the coupling member, the liquid hole needs to be connected separately, so that the liquid dripping when connecting the liquid hole may enter the gas hole. In particular, in Patent Document 1, since the gas hole (vent hole) and the liquid hole (ink inlet) are located very close to each other (see FIG. 4), the liquid drips when the pipe of the liquid hole is attached or detached. Easy to get in. Further, in Patent Document 1, a single gas hole is used in combination as a gas hole for transferring a gas for driving a valve body into the air chamber and a gas hole for opening the air chamber to the atmosphere. Therefore, the liquid dripping in the vicinity of the gas hole may be pushed into the gas hole when the gas for driving the valve body is transferred. In consideration of the above circumstances, it is an object of the present invention to prevent liquid from entering the gas pores.

[Aspect 1]
In order to solve the above problems, the liquid discharge head according to the preferred embodiment (aspect 1) of the present invention is a liquid discharge head provided with an exterior portion connected to the liquid discharge device and discharging the liquid from the nozzle. The exterior portion transfers gas between the first gas hole for communicating the first gas flow path provided in the exterior portion with the atmosphere, the second gas flow path provided in the exterior portion, and the liquid discharge device. The first gas hole and the second gas hole are provided with a second gas hole for transferring the liquid and a first liquid hole for transferring the liquid between the liquid flow path and the liquid discharge device provided in the exterior portion. And are placed separately on the exterior. According to the above aspect, the first gas hole, the second gas hole, and the first liquid hole are provided in the exterior portion connected to the liquid discharge device. Therefore, by connecting the exterior portion to the liquid discharge device, the exterior portion can be provided. The second gas hole and the first liquid hole can be connected to the liquid discharge device. Therefore, as compared with the case where the first liquid hole is connected to the liquid discharge device separately from the exterior portion in which the first gas hole and the second gas hole are formed, the first liquid hole hangs down when the first liquid hole is connected. It is possible to reduce the possibility that the liquid will enter the first gas hole or the second gas hole when connecting the second pores. Moreover, according to this aspect, the first gas hole for communicating with the atmosphere and the second gas hole for transferring gas between the liquid discharge device are separately arranged in the exterior portion. For example, when the gas is transferred by the gas transfer mechanism, the gas transfer mechanism is connected to the second gas hole instead of the first gas hole, so that the liquid dripping in the vicinity of the first gas hole is transferred by the gas transfer mechanism. 1 It is possible to prevent the gas from being pushed into the gas hole. As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent the liquid from entering the gas pores.

[Aspect 2]
In a preferred example of aspect 1 (aspect 2), the exterior portion has a first surface, and the second gas hole and the first liquid hole are arranged on the first surface. According to the above aspect, since the second gas hole and the first liquid hole are arranged on the first surface connected to the liquid discharge device, the liquid discharge device can be formed by connecting the exterior portion to the liquid discharge device. The second gas hole and the first liquid hole can be connected at once. Therefore, since the second pore hole is also connected when the first liquid hole is connected, it hangs down from the first liquid hole as compared with the case where the first liquid hole and the second gas hole are connected separately. The possibility that the liquid will enter the second pore can be greatly reduced.

[Aspect 3]
In the preferred example of Aspect 2 (Aspect 3), the second gas hole and the first liquid hole are arranged in a straight line. According to the above aspect, since the second gas hole and the first liquid hole are arranged in a straight line, it is easy to miniaturize in the direction intersecting the straight line.

[Aspect 4]
In any of the preferred examples of Aspects 1 to 3 (Aspect 4), a step is provided between the first gas hole and the first liquid hole. According to the above aspect, since the step is provided between the first gas hole and the first liquid hole, even if the liquid drips from the first liquid hole, the liquid is the first gas hole. It is difficult to move to. Therefore, when the first liquid hole is connected to the liquid discharge device, it is possible to prevent the liquid from entering the first gas hole.

[Aspect 5]
In a preferred example of the first aspect (aspect 5), the exterior portion has a first surface and a second surface facing in different directions from each other, and one of the first surface and the second surface is a first gas. A hole is arranged and a first liquid hole is arranged on the other side. According to the above aspect, of the first surface and the second surface facing in different directions, the first gas hole is arranged on one side and the first liquid hole is arranged on the other side. Even if the liquid drips from the liquid hole, it is difficult for the liquid to move to the first gas hole. Therefore, when the first liquid hole is connected to the liquid discharge device, it is possible to prevent the liquid from entering the first gas hole.

[Aspect 6]
In any of the preferred examples (Aspect 6) of Aspects 1 to 5, a second liquid hole for returning the liquid from the liquid discharge head to the liquid discharge device is provided, and the first liquid hole and the second liquid hole are straight. Arranged on a line, the second liquid hole is located at the end of a straight line. According to the above aspect, the first liquid hole and the second liquid hole are arranged in a straight line, and the second liquid hole is arranged at the end of the straight line, so that it is connected to the second liquid hole. It is possible to facilitate the routing of the flow path.

[Aspect 7]
In any of the preferred embodiments (Aspects 7) of Aspects 1 to 5, the first liquid hole is provided for returning a liquid from the liquid discharge head to the liquid discharge device, and the exterior portions are oriented in different directions. It has a surface and a second surface, and a first liquid hole is arranged on one of the first surface and the second surface, and a second liquid hole is arranged on the other side. According to the above aspect, the first liquid hole is arranged on one of the first surface and the second surface facing in different directions, and the second liquid hole is arranged on the other side. Therefore, the second liquid hole is arranged. It is possible to facilitate the routing of the flow path connected to.

[Aspect 8]
In any of the preferred examples of Aspects 1 to 7 (Aspect 8), a plurality of second gas holes are provided, the exterior portion has a first surface, and the plurality of second gas holes are arranged on the first surface. To. According to the above aspect, since a plurality of second gas holes are arranged in the exterior portion, gas can be transferred to each of them. For example, the gas can be transferred at different timings, or can be selectively transferred from a plurality of second gas holes.

[Aspect 9]
In a preferred example of aspect 8 (aspect 9), a plurality of first liquid holes are provided, and the plurality of first liquid holes and the plurality of second gas holes are arranged on the first surface. According to the above aspect, since the plurality of second gas holes and the plurality of first liquid holes are arranged on the first surface of the exterior portion, the plurality of second gas holes and the plurality of first liquid holes are arranged with the liquid discharge device. The first liquid hole can be connected at once. Therefore, since each second pore hole is also connected when each first liquid hole is connected, a plurality of first liquid holes and a plurality of second gas holes are connected as compared with the case where the plurality of first liquid holes and the plurality of second gas holes are connected separately. The possibility that the liquid dripping from any of the first liquid pores of the above will enter any of the plurality of second pores can be greatly reduced.

[Aspect 10]
In a preferred example of the ninth aspect (aspect 10), a plurality of liquid discharging portions for discharging liquid are provided, and the first surface has a plurality of regions corresponding to the plurality of liquid discharging portions, and each of the plurality of regions has a first surface. One liquid hole and a second gas hole are arranged, and the distance between the first liquid hole and the second gas hole in a straight line direction in an arbitrary region among a plurality of regions is the first in a straight line direction in another region. It is equal to the distance between the liquid hole and the second gas hole. According to the above aspect, the distance between the first liquid hole and the second gas hole in the linear direction in any region among the plurality of regions corresponding to the plurality of liquid discharge portions is in the linear direction in the other regions. It is equal to the distance between the first liquid hole and the second gas hole. Therefore, by providing a plurality of sets of holes on the liquid discharge device side connected to the first liquid hole and the second gas hole, the liquid discharge head can be connected to any position on the liquid discharge device side.

[Aspect 11]
In a preferred example (Aspect 11) of Aspects 1 to 10, a check valve communicating with the first liquid hole is provided. According to the above aspect, since the check valve communicating with the first liquid hole is provided, it is possible to prevent the liquid in the liquid discharge head from flowing out from the first liquid hole.

[Aspect 12]
In order to solve the above problems, the liquid discharge device according to the preferred aspect (aspect 12) of the present invention includes a device main body to which any of the liquid discharge heads according to claims 1 to 11 can be connected, and is a device. The main body includes a second gas hole on the main body side connected to the second gas hole and a first liquid hole on the main body side connected to the first liquid hole, and allows the first gas flow path to communicate with the atmosphere. According to the above aspect, the liquid is discharged by connecting the second gas hole of the liquid discharge head to the second gas hole on the main body side and connecting the first liquid hole of the liquid discharge head to the first liquid hole on the main body side. The head can be connected to the main body of the device. Further, the first gas flow path can be communicated with the atmosphere on the device main body side.

[Aspect 13]
In order to solve the above problems, the liquid discharge device according to the preferred embodiment (aspect 13) of the present invention includes a liquid discharge device main body to which a first liquid discharge head and a second liquid discharge head, which are different from each other, can be connected. In the device, the first liquid discharge head and the second liquid discharge head are each provided by a gas hole for transferring gas between the device main body and the device main body by a gas transfer mechanism and a liquid transfer mechanism between the device main body. The device main body of the liquid discharge device includes a main body side gas hole connected to the gas hole and a main body side liquid hole connected to the liquid hole. According to the above aspect, since the gas holes and the liquid holes of the first liquid discharge head and the second liquid discharge head are provided in the exterior portion that can be connected to the main body of the apparatus, the exterior of each liquid discharge head is provided in the liquid discharge device. By connecting the portions, the gas holes and the liquid holes of each liquid discharge head can be connected to the liquid discharge device. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the dripping liquid enters the gas hole when the liquid hole is connected, as compared with the case where the liquid hole is connected to the liquid discharge device separately from the exterior portion in which the gas hole is formed. .. Moreover, according to this aspect, since the gas holes and the liquid holes of the plurality of liquid discharge heads can be connected to the main body side gas holes and the main body side liquid holes, such gas holes and liquid holes should be provided. For example, not only the same liquid discharge head but also different liquid discharge heads can be connected to the main body of the device while suppressing the liquid from entering the gas holes.

[Aspect 14]
In a preferred example of aspect 13 (aspect 14), the number of gas holes in any liquid discharge head among the plurality of liquid discharge heads is different from the number of gas holes in another liquid discharge head. According to the above aspect, even liquid discharge heads having different numbers of gas holes can be connected to the main body of the apparatus.

[Aspect 15]
In the preferred example of the thirteenth aspect (aspect 15), the position of any liquid discharge head among the plurality of liquid discharge heads with respect to the device body is different from the position of another liquid discharge head with respect to the device body. According to the above aspect, even liquid discharge heads having different positions with respect to the device main body can be connected to the device main body.

[Aspect 16]
In order to solve the above problems, the method according to a preferred embodiment (aspect 16) of the present invention is a method for manufacturing a liquid discharge device including a device main body to which a first liquid discharge head and a second liquid discharge head can be connected. The first liquid discharge head and the second liquid discharge head are different from each other, and the first liquid discharge head and the second liquid discharge head are for transferring gas between the apparatus main body and the device main body by a gas transfer mechanism, respectively. A gas hole and a liquid hole for transferring a liquid between the device main body by a liquid transfer mechanism are provided, and the device main body of the liquid discharge device is connected to a main body side gas hole connected to the gas hole and a liquid hole. It has a replacement step of removing one of the first liquid discharge head and the second liquid discharge head mounted on the main body of the apparatus and replacing it with the other head. Then, the liquid hole is connected to the main body side liquid hole while the gas hole of the other head is connected to the main body side gas hole. According to the above aspects, by exchanging one of the heads of the first liquid discharge head and the second liquid discharge head, which are different from each other, with the other head, the liquid is suppressed from entering the gas hole, and the whole is different. A liquid discharge device including a head having a configuration can be easily manufactured.

It is a block diagram of the liquid discharge apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows one appearance structure of the liquid discharge head shown in FIG. It is a functional block diagram of the liquid discharge head shown in FIG. It is a side view and the bottom view of the liquid discharge head shown in FIG. It is a side view and the bottom view of the liquid discharge head which concerns on 1st modification of 1st Embodiment. It is a side view and the bottom view of the liquid discharge head which concerns on the 2nd modification of 1st Embodiment. It is a side view and the bottom view of the liquid discharge head which concerns on the 3rd modification of 1st Embodiment. It is a top view of the line head which concerns on 4th modification of 1st Embodiment. It is a top view of the line head which concerns on the 5th modification of 1st Embodiment. It is a top view of the line head which concerns on the 6th modification of 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram of the liquid discharge device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows one appearance structure of the liquid discharge head shown in FIG. It is a side view and the bottom view of the liquid discharge head shown in FIG. It is a top view of the line head which concerns on the modification of 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram of the liquid discharge apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the appearance structure of the liquid discharge head shown in FIG.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a partial configuration diagram of a liquid discharge device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The liquid ejection device 10 of the present embodiment is an inkjet printing apparatus that ejects ink, which is an example of a liquid, onto a medium 11 such as printing paper. The device main body 101 of the liquid discharge device 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes a control device 12 and a transfer mechanism 15. The apparatus main body 101 is provided with a line head 21 composed of a plurality of replaceable liquid discharge heads 20. A liquid container (cartridge) 14 for storing ink is detachably attached to the apparatus main body 101.

The liquid container 14 is an ink tank type composed of a box-shaped container that can be attached to and detached from the main body of the liquid ejection device 10. The liquid container 14 is not limited to the box-shaped container, and may be an ink pack type composed of a bag-shaped container. Ink is stored in the liquid container 14. The ink may be black ink or color ink. Ink is stored in the liquid container 14. The ink may be black ink or color ink. The ink stored in the liquid container 14 is pressure-fed to each liquid ejection head 20.

The control device 12 comprehensively controls each element of the liquid discharge device 10. The transport mechanism 15 transports the medium 11 in the Y direction under the control of the control device 12. However, the structure of the transport mechanism 15 is not limited to the above examples. Each liquid ejection head 20 of the line head 21 ejects the ink supplied from the liquid container 14 to the medium 11 under the control of the control device 12. The line head 21 of FIG. 1 illustrates a case where three liquid discharge heads 20 are attached to the main body side connection portion 102 of the main body 101 of the apparatus. The main body side connection portion 102 of the present embodiment is a block-shaped structure in which gas holes and liquid holes, which will be described later, are formed. The liquid discharge heads 20 are arranged along the direction X orthogonal to the Y direction, which is the transport direction of the medium 11. The direction perpendicular to the XY plane (plane parallel to the surface of the medium 11) is hereinafter referred to as the Z direction. The ink ejection direction of each liquid ejection head 20 corresponds to the Z direction.

<Liquid discharge head>
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing one external configuration of the liquid discharge head 20 constituting the line head 21. In FIG. 2, the main body side connection portion 102 before the liquid discharge head 20 is mounted is shown by a solid line, and the main body side connection portion 102 after the liquid discharge head 20 is mounted is shown by a alternate long and short dash line. The liquid discharge head 20 of FIGS. 1 and 2 includes four liquid discharge units 44. The liquid discharge portions 44 are arranged in two rows of two each. Specifically, four liquid discharge units 44 are arranged so that the positions of the liquid discharge units 44 in the X direction are different between the first row in which the two liquid discharge units 44 are arranged and the second row in which the two liquid discharge units 44 are arranged. The liquid discharge portions 44 are arranged in a staggered or staggered manner. The arrangement of the plurality of liquid discharge portions 44 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 1, and may be arranged so as to be arranged in parallel along the Y direction, for example.

The liquid discharge head 20 has a structure in which two box-shaped structural portions 21A and 21B long in the X direction are stacked so as to be displaced in the X direction. The structure portion 21A is provided with the two liquid discharge portions 44 in the first row, and the structure portion 21B is provided with the two liquid discharge portions 44 in the second row. As shown in FIG. 2, the liquid discharge head 20 includes a head main body 40 and an exterior portion 41. The exterior portion 41 of the present embodiment is arranged on the head body 40 (negative side in the Z direction), and the liquid flow path D (exemplification of the liquid flow path) and the gas flow path A (exemplification of the second gas flow path) are provided. It functions as a block-shaped flow path structure to be formed. In the present embodiment, the case where the head main body 40 of the structural portion 21A and the head main body 40 of the structural portion 21B are integrally configured, and the exterior portion 41 of the structural portion 21A and the exterior portion 41 of the structural portion 21B are integrally configured is exemplified. do. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a separate body may be used. Further, the exterior portion 41 and the head main body 40 may be integrally configured.

FIG. 3 is a functional configuration diagram for explaining the internal configuration of the liquid discharge head 20 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the head main body 40 includes a flow path unit 42 and a liquid discharge unit 44. The liquid ejection unit 44 ejects ink from a plurality of nozzles N. The flow path unit 42 is a structure in which a liquid flow path D for supplying ink via the exterior portion 41 to the liquid ejection portion 44 is formed inside. The liquid ejection unit 44 ejects ink supplied from the liquid container 14 to the medium 11 via the main body side connecting portion 102 and the flow path unit 42. The exterior portion 41 of the present embodiment is configured as a valve body unit, and includes an on-off valve 70, which will be described later, for controlling the opening and closing of the liquid flow path D of the ink supplied from the main body side connection portion 102.

In the liquid discharge portion 44, the pressure chamber substrate 482, the diaphragm 483, the piezoelectric element 484, the housing portion 485, and the sealing body 486 are arranged on one side of the flow path substrate 481, and the nozzle plate 487 and the nozzle plate 487 are on the other side. It is a structure in which the compliance unit 45 is arranged. The flow path substrate 481, the pressure chamber substrate 482, and the nozzle plate 487 are formed of, for example, a silicon flat plate material, and the housing portion 485 is formed, for example, by injection molding of a resin material. The plurality of nozzles N are formed on the nozzle plate 487. The surface of the nozzle plate 487 on the side opposite to the flow path substrate 481 corresponds to the discharge surface (the surface of the liquid discharge portion 44 facing the medium 11).

The plurality of nozzles N are divided into a first nozzle row L1 and a second nozzle row L2. Each of the first nozzle row L1 and the second nozzle row L2 is a set of a plurality of nozzles N arranged along the Y direction. The first nozzle row L1 and the second nozzle row L2 are arranged in parallel with each other at intervals in the X direction. In the present embodiment, the nozzles N in the first nozzle row L1 and the nozzles N in the second nozzle row L2 are arranged in a staggered arrangement or a staggered arrangement so that the positions in the X direction are different.

In the liquid discharge portion 44 of FIG. 3, the structure corresponding to the first nozzle row L1 (left side portion in FIG. 3) and the structure corresponding to the second nozzle row L2 (right side portion in FIG. 3) are virtual lines in the X direction. It is formed substantially axisymmetric with respect to OO, and both structures are substantially common. Therefore, in the following, the structure corresponding to the first nozzle row L1 (the portion on the left side of the virtual line OO in FIG. 3) will be mainly described. An opening 481A, a branch flow path 481B, and a communication flow path 481C are formed in the flow path substrate 481. The branch flow path 481B and the communication flow path 481C are through holes formed for each nozzle N, and the opening 481A is a continuous opening over a plurality of nozzles N.

A common liquid chamber (reservoir) SR communicating with the opening 481A of the flow path substrate 481 is formed in the housing portion 485. The liquid storage chamber SR on the left side of FIG. 3 is a space for storing ink supplied to a plurality of nozzles N constituting the first nozzle row L1, and is continuous over the plurality of nozzles N. The liquid storage chamber SR on the right side of FIG. 3 is a space for storing ink supplied to a plurality of nozzles N constituting the second nozzle row L2, and is continuous over the plurality of nozzles N. In each liquid storage chamber SR, an inflow port Rin into which ink supplied from the upstream side flows is formed.

An opening 482A is formed in the pressure chamber substrate 482 for each nozzle N. The diaphragm 483 is an elastically deformable flat plate material installed on the surface of the pressure chamber substrate 482 opposite to the flow path substrate 481. The space sandwiched between the diaphragm 483 and the flow path substrate 481 inside each opening 482A of the pressure chamber substrate 482 is a pressure chamber filled with ink supplied from the liquid storage chamber SR via the branch flow path 481B. (Cavity) Functions as SC. Each pressure chamber SC communicates with the nozzle N via the communication flow path 481C of the flow path substrate 481.

A piezoelectric element 484 is formed for each nozzle N on the surface of the diaphragm 483 on the side opposite to the pressure chamber substrate 482. Each piezoelectric element 484 is a driving element in which a piezoelectric body is interposed between electrodes facing each other. When the diaphragm 483 vibrates due to the deformation of the piezoelectric element 484 due to the supply of the drive signal, the pressure in the pressure chamber SC fluctuates and the ink in the pressure chamber SC is ejected from the nozzle N. The sealant 486 protects the plurality of piezoelectric elements 484. The piezoelectric element 484 is connected to the control device 12 via a flexible printed cable (FPC: Flexible Printed Circuit), a chip-on film (COF: Chip On Film), or the like (not shown).

The compliance unit 45 in FIG. 3 is an element for suppressing pressure fluctuations of ink in the liquid storage chamber SR, and includes a compliance substrate (buffer plate) 452 and a support plate 454. The compliance substrate 452 is a flexible member formed in the form of a film, and constitutes a part of the wall surface (specifically, the bottom surface) of the liquid storage chamber SR. The support plate 454 is a flat plate made of a highly rigid material such as stainless steel (SUS), and the compliance board 452 is headed to the head connection portion 481 so that the liquid storage chamber SR and the opening 481A are closed by the compliance board 452. Support on the surface of. An opening 456 is formed in a region of the support plate 454 that sandwiches the compliance substrate 452 and overlaps with the liquid storage chamber SR. The space inside the opening 456 of the support plate 454 communicates with the atmosphere, and serves as a damper chamber SG for deforming the compliance substrate 452 so that pressure fluctuations in the liquid storage chamber SR and the opening 481A are absorbed. Function.

The compliance unit 45 is fixed to the fixing plate 488. The fixing plate 488 is formed into a predetermined shape with a highly rigid material such as stainless steel. The fixed plate 488 is formed with a plurality of openings 489 corresponding to each nozzle plate 487. The support plate 454 of the compliance unit 45 is fixed to the fixing plate 488 so that the nozzle plate 487 is exposed from the opening 489. The space inside the opening 489 (specifically, the gap between the inner peripheral surface of the opening 489 and the outer peripheral surface of the nozzle plate 487) is filled with a filler made of, for example, a resin material. The positive side of the opening 489 in the Z direction is closed by the fixing plate 488, and the space sandwiched between the compliance substrate 452 and the fixing plate 488 inside the opening 489 becomes the damper chamber SG described above. Even if a pressure fluctuation occurs in the liquid storage chamber SR when the pressure-fed ink is introduced into the liquid storage chamber SR, the compliance substrate 452 is deformed to absorb the pressure fluctuation.

The flow path unit 42 functions as a flow path structure including a liquid flow path D and a gas flow path A together with the exterior portion 41. The liquid flow path D is a flow path that communicates with the nozzle N. The gas flow path A is formed by defoaming the liquid flow path D (from ink) via the bag-shaped body 73 of the pressurizing chamber RC that controls the on-off valve 70 of the liquid flow path D and the gas permeation membranes MA, MB, and MC. It communicates with the decompression defoaming chamber Q for performing the operation of removing air bubbles).

First, the on-off valve 70 and the pressurizing chamber RC will be described. Inside the exterior portion 41, a pressurizing chamber RC in which an upstream side flow path R1 and a downstream side flow path R2 forming a part of the liquid flow path D and a bag-shaped body 73 communicating with the gas flow path A are installed is installed. And are formed. The upstream side flow path R1 is connected to the liquid transfer mechanism 16 via the head side connection portion 412 and the main body side connection portion 102. The liquid transfer mechanism 16 is a pump (second pump) that transfers (pressure feeds) the ink stored in the liquid container 14 to the liquid discharge head 20 in a pressurized state. An on-off valve 70 is installed between the upstream side flow path R1 and the downstream side flow path R2, and a flexible membrane 71 is interposed between the downstream side flow path R2 and the pressurizing chamber RC.

The on-off valve 70 is a valve mechanism that opens and closes the liquid flow path D that supplies ink to the liquid ejection portion 44. The on-off valve 70 includes a valve body V. The valve body V is provided between the upstream side flow path R1 and the downstream side flow path R2, and communicates (open state) or shuts off (closed state) the upstream side flow path R1 and the downstream side flow path R2. The valve body V is provided with a spring Sp that urges the upstream side flow path R1 and the downstream side flow path R2 in a direction in which the upstream side flow path R1 and the downstream side flow path R2 are cut off. Therefore, when no force is applied to the valve body V, the upstream side flow path R1 and the downstream side flow path R2 are cut off. On the other hand, a force is applied to the valve body V against the urging force of the spring Sp to move to the positive side in the Z direction, so that the upstream side flow path R1 and the downstream side flow path R2 communicate with each other.

The bag-shaped body 73 installed in the pressurizing chamber RC is a bag-shaped member made of an elastic material such as rubber. The bag-shaped body 73 is connected to the gas flow path A, expands due to the pressurization of the gas flow path A, and contracts due to the depressurization. The gas flow path A is connected to the gas transfer mechanism 19 via the head-side connecting portion 412 and the main body-side connecting portion 102. The gas transfer mechanism 19 of the present embodiment is a pump that transfers the gas in the gas flow path A. Specifically, the gas transfer mechanism 19 is a pump (first pump) capable of pressurizing and depressurizing the gas flow path A, and is typically composed of a pneumatic pump. The gas transfer mechanism 19 may be configured by one pump for both pressurization and depressurization, or may be separately configured for a pressurization pump and a depressurization pump. Further, the entire surface of the bag-shaped body 73 does not have to be an elastic material, and if it can be expanded, only one surface thereof may be an elastic material. Further, the pressurizing chamber RC communicates with a gas flow path B (first gas flow path) for opening the pressurizing chamber RC to the atmosphere.

In the contracted state of the bag-shaped body 73, when the pressure in the downstream flow path R2 is maintained within a predetermined range, the valve body V is urged by the spring Sp and is upward (negative side in the Z direction). ), And the upstream side flow path R1 and the downstream side flow path R2 are cut off. On the other hand, when the pressure in the downstream flow path R2 drops to a value below a predetermined threshold due to ink ejection by the liquid ejection unit 44 or suction from the outside, the valve body V opposes the urging force by the spring Sp. It moves downward (on the positive side in the Z direction), and the upstream side flow path R1 and the downstream side flow path R2 are communicated with each other.

On the other hand, when the bag-shaped body 73 is expanded by the pressurization by the gas transfer mechanism 19, the flexible film 71 pushes down the valve body V against the urging force of the spring Sp by the pressing by the bag-shaped body 73, and the valve body V is pushed down in the Z direction. Move to the positive side. Therefore, the valve body V moves due to the pressing by the flexible membrane 71, and the on-off valve 70 is opened. That is, regardless of the pressure in the downstream flow path R2, the on-off valve 70 can be forcibly opened by pressurization by the gas transfer mechanism 19. The flexible film 71 is forcibly moved by pressurization by the gas transfer mechanism 19 to open the on-off valve 70, for example, when the liquid discharge head 20 is first filled with ink (hereinafter referred to as "initial filling"). Ink may be discharged from the nozzle N during cleaning.

Next, the gas permeable membranes MA, MB, MC and the decompression defoaming chamber Q will be described. The flow path unit 42 is formed with a filter chamber RF communicating with the vertical space RV and a decompression defoaming chamber Q. The decompression defoaming chamber Q is a space for depressurizing a part of the liquid flow path D to remove air bubbles from the ink. The vacuum defoaming chamber Q functions as a defoaming space in which bubbles (gas) removed from the ink temporarily stay. The decompression defoaming chamber Q is divided into two spaces, a decompression chamber and a defoaming chamber, which communicate with each other, and an on-off valve or a check valve is provided in the communicating portion between the decompression chamber and the defoaming chamber. You may.

A filter F is provided in the filter chamber RF. The filter F is installed in the liquid ejection portion 44 so as to cross the liquid flow path D, and collects air bubbles and foreign substances mixed in the ink. Specifically, the filter F is installed so as to partition the space RF1 and the space RF2. The space RF1 on the upstream side communicates with the flow path R2 on the downstream side of the exterior portion 41, and the space RF2 on the downstream side communicates with the vertical space RV.

The vertical space RV is a space for temporarily storing ink. In the vertical space RV, an inflow port Vin in which the ink that has passed through the filter F flows in from the space RF2 and an outflow port Vout in which the ink flows out to the nozzle N side are formed. The inlet Vin is located above the vertical direction (negative side in the Z direction) with respect to the outlet Vout. According to such a configuration, the ink in the space RF2 flows into the vertical space RV through the inflow port Vin, and the ink in the vertical space RV flows into the liquid storage chamber SR through the outflow port Vout. The ink flowing into the liquid storage chamber SR is supplied to each pressure chamber SC via the opening 481A, and is discharged from each nozzle N.

The gas permeable membranes MA, MB, and MC are installed so as to partition a plurality of locations of the decompression defoaming chamber Q and the liquid flow path D. However, the arrangement position and number of gas permeable membranes are not limited to those exemplified. The gas permeable membrane MA is interposed between the vertical space RV and the decompression defoaming chamber Q. The gas permeable membrane MB is interposed between the liquid storage chamber SR and the decompression defoaming chamber Q. The gas permeation membrane MC is interposed between the space RF1 and the decompression defoaming chamber Q. The gas permeable membranes MA to MC are gas permeable membranes (gas-liquid separation membranes) that allow gas (air) to pass through but not liquids such as ink, and are formed of, for example, known polymer materials. The bubbles collected by the filter F are discharged to the decompression defoaming chamber Q by passing through the gas permeation membrane MC and are removed from the ink. Bubbles that have passed through the filter F also flow from the space RF1 into the vertical space RV via the inlet Vin, and also flow into the vertical space RV. Therefore, the bubbles flowing into the vertical space RV also permeate the gas permeable membrane MA and are discharged to the decompression defoaming chamber Q.

A discharge port Rout is formed in the liquid storage chamber SR. The discharge port Rout is a flow path formed on the ceiling surface 49 of the liquid storage chamber SR. The ceiling surface 49 of the liquid storage chamber SR is an inclined surface (flat surface or curved surface) that rises from the inflow port Rin side to the discharge port Rout side. Therefore, the bubbles that have entered from the inlet Rin are also guided to the outlet Rout side and permeate through the gas permeation membrane MB, so that they are discharged to the decompression defoaming chamber Q.

Since the decompression defoaming chamber Q communicates with the gas flow path A, the decompression defoaming chamber Q is decompressed by depressurizing the gas flow path A by the gas transfer mechanism 19. When the decompression defoaming chamber Q is depressurized, air bubbles in the liquid flow path D pass through the gas permeable membranes MA, MB, and MC. The gas that has passed through the gas permeation membranes MA, MB, and MC and has moved to the decompression defoaming chamber Q is discharged to the outside of the apparatus through the gas flow path A. In this way, bubbles are removed from the liquid flow path D.

The liquid flow path D of the present embodiment has a liquid flow path E for returning the ink of the liquid discharge head 20 to the liquid discharge device 10 side. The liquid flow path E is a path that communicates with the internal flow path of the flow path unit 42 (specifically, a flow path for supplying ink to the liquid ejection unit 44). Specifically, the liquid flow path E communicates with the discharge port Rout of the liquid storage chamber SR of each liquid discharge unit 44 and the vertical space RV. The liquid flow path E is connected to the circulation mechanism 78 via the exterior portion 41 and the main body side connecting portion 102. The circulation mechanism 78 includes a circulation path, a pump, and the like, and has a function of returning the ink discharged from the liquid flow path E to the liquid discharge device 10 side and circulating the ink so that it can be used again by the liquid discharge head 20.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the exterior portion 41 includes a head-side connecting portion 412 that is connected to the flow path unit 42 and can be connected to the main body-side connecting portion 102 of the apparatus main body 101. The head-side connecting portion 412 is arranged so as to project in the X direction from the side surface of the flow path unit 42. In the present embodiment, the first surface FA, which is the positive side surface (lower surface in FIG. 3) of the head side connection portion 412 in the Z direction, is connected to the connection surface F1 (upper surface in FIG. 3) of the main body side connection portion 102. Will be done. The first surface FA and the connection surface F1 are connected so as to have a gap in the Z direction, but there may be no gap.

The head side connection portion 412 has a gas hole Ba (example of the first gas hole) communicating with the gas flow path B (example of the first gas flow path) and a gas flow path A (example of the second gas flow path). A gas hole Aa (an example of the second gas hole) communicating with the gas hole Aa is provided. Further, in the head side connection portion 412, a liquid hole Da (exemplification of the first liquid hole) communicating with the liquid flow path D (exemplification of the first liquid flow path) and a liquid flow path E (exemplification of the second liquid flow path) are provided. A liquid hole Ea (exemplification of the second liquid hole) communicating with the liquid hole Ea (exemplification of the second liquid hole) is provided. On the other hand, in the main body side connection portion 102, the main body side gas hole Ab for connecting to the gas hole Aa, the main body side liquid hole Db for connecting to the liquid hole Da, and the main body side for connecting to the liquid hole Ea A liquid hole Eb is provided. As shown in FIG. 3, a gas transfer mechanism 19 is connected to the main body side gas hole Ab, a liquid transfer mechanism 16 is connected to the main body side liquid hole Db, and a circulation mechanism 78 is connected to the main body side liquid hole Eb. ing. However, if the gas flow path B can be released to the atmosphere, the gas hole Ba on the main body side may not be provided.

According to such a configuration, by connecting the liquid discharge head 20 to the apparatus main body 101 so that the head side connection portion 412 connects to the main body side connection portion 102, the gas hole Ba communicating with the gas flow path B is provided. Separately, the gas hole Aa communicating with the gas flow path A can be connected to the gas hole Ab on the main body side.

If the gas hole Ba and the gas hole Aa are the same single hole, when the gas flow path A is pressurized by the gas transfer mechanism 19, ink dripping in the vicinity of the single hole is generated. The gas transfer mechanism 19 may push the gas into the gas flow path B. If ink enters the inside of the gas flow path B, the gas flow path B may be blocked due to the solidification of the ink. In this respect, in the present embodiment, the gas hole Ba for communicating with the atmosphere and the gas hole Aa connected to the gas transfer mechanism 19 are separately arranged in the head side connection portion 412, so that the gas hole Ba It is possible to prevent the ink dripping in the vicinity from being pushed into the gas flow path B by the gas transfer mechanism 19.

Further, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, the gas hole Aa, the liquid hole Da, and the liquid hole Ea can be connected to the main body side gas hole Ab, the main body side liquid hole Db, and the main body side liquid hole Eb at once, respectively. .. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the ink from dripping from the liquid hole Da or the liquid hole Ea and entering the gas hole Aa.

If the gas hole Aa, the liquid hole Da, and the liquid hole Ea are connected to the main body side gas hole Ab, the main body side liquid hole Db, and the main body side liquid hole Eb separately, the liquid hole Da and the liquid hole Ea are connected. There is a risk that ink will drip and enter the gas hole Aa when the liquid hole Db on the main body side and the liquid hole Eb on the main body side are connected. In this respect, in the present embodiment, the gas hole Aa, the liquid hole Da, and the liquid hole Ea can be connected to the main body side gas hole Ab, the main body side liquid hole Db, and the main body side liquid hole Eb at once, respectively, so that the liquid can be connected. It is possible to prevent the ink from dripping from the hole Da or the liquid hole Ea, and even if the ink drips, the gas hole Aa is connected to the gas hole Ab on the main body side, so that the dripping ink does not easily enter the gas hole Aa. Become.

FIG. 4 is a side view and a bottom view of the liquid discharge head 20. The side view of FIG. 4 (upper view of FIG. 4) is a view of the liquid discharge head 20 as viewed from the connection portion 412 side. The bottom view of FIG. 4 (lower view of FIG. 4) is a view of the liquid discharge head 20 as viewed from the fixing plate 488 side. In the side view of FIG. 4, a part of the main body side connecting portion 102 to which the head side connecting portion 412 is connected is shown by a dotted line.

In the liquid discharge head 20 of FIG. 4, the gas hole Aa, the liquid hole Da, and the liquid hole Ea common to the two liquid discharge parts 44 out of the four liquid discharge parts 44 are provided with the gas hole Aa1, the liquid hole Da1, and the liquid, respectively. Let the hole Ea1. Further, the gas hole Aa, the liquid hole Da, and the liquid hole Ea common to the other two liquid discharge portions 44 are designated as the gas hole Aa2, the liquid hole Da2, and the liquid hole Ea2, respectively. Further, the gas hole Aa1 and the liquid hole Da1 and the liquid hole Ea1 of the head side connection portion 412 are connected to the main body side gas hole Ab1 and the main body side liquid hole Db1 and the main body side liquid hole Eb1 of the main body side connection portion 102, respectively. .. Further, the gas hole Aa2, the liquid hole Da2, and the liquid hole Ea2 of the head side connection portion 412 face each other, and the main body side gas hole Ab2, the main body side liquid hole Db2, and the main body side liquid hole are arranged in the main body side connection portion 102, respectively. Connected to Eb2.

In FIG. 4, each gas hole Aa1 and Aa2 and each liquid hole Da1, Da2, Ea1 and Ea2 are formed in a tubular or needle-shaped protrusion provided on the surface of the head side connection portion 412, and each main body side gas hole is formed. An example is an example in which Ab1 and Ab2 and the liquid holes Db1, Db2, Eb1 and Eb2 on the main body side are formed on the surface of the main body side connection portion 102 as insertion holes into which the protrusions are inserted. By inserting the above protrusion into the insertion hole, each of the holes Aa1, Aa2, Da1, Da2, Ea1, and Ea2 of the head side connection portion 412 is each of the holes Ab1, Ab2, Db1, Db2, and Eb1 of the main body side connection portion 102. , Eb2, respectively. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the gas holes Ab1 and Ab2 on the main body side and the liquid holes Db1, Db2, Eb1 and Eb2 on the main body side are formed into tubular or needle-shaped protrusions, respectively, and the gas holes Aa1 and Aa2 are respectively. The liquid holes Da1, Da2, Ea1 and Ea2 may be configured by the insertion holes.

The plurality of gas holes Aa1 and Aa2 and the plurality of liquid holes Da1, Da2, Ea1 and Ea2 are arranged on the same first surface FA, respectively. On the other hand, the plurality of main body side gas holes Ab1 and Ab2 and the plurality of main body side liquid holes Db1, Db2, Eb1 and Eb2 connected to them are arranged on the connection surface F1 facing the first surface FA.

According to the configuration of FIG. 4, when the exterior portion 41 is connected to the apparatus main body 101, the head side connecting portion 412 is connected to the main body side connecting portion 102, so that the gas holes Aa1 and Aa2 and the liquid holes Da1 are connected. Da2, Ea1 and Ea2 can be connected to the main body side gas holes Ab1 and Ab2 and the main body side liquid holes Db1, Db2, Eb1 and Eb2 at once, respectively. Therefore, when the exterior portion 41 of the liquid discharge head 20 is connected to the apparatus main body 101, it is possible to prevent ink from dripping from the liquid holes Da1, Da2, Ea1 and Ea2 and entering the gas holes Aa1 and Aa2.

If the liquid holes Da1, Da2, Ea1, and Ea2 are connected to the main body side connection portion 102 separately from the exterior portion 41 on which the gas holes Aa1 and Aa2 are formed, the liquid holes Da1, Da2, and Ea1 are connected. If ink drips when connecting any of Ea2, the dripping ink may enter any of the gas holes Aa1 and Aa2 when connecting the exterior portion 41. In this regard, according to the configuration of FIG. 4, if the head-side connecting portion 412 of the exterior portion 41 is connected to the main body-side connecting portion 102, the liquid holes Da1, Da2, Ea1, Ea2 and the gas holes Aa1 and Aa2 are formed. Since they are connected at once, when the liquid holes Da1, Da2, Ea1 and Ea2 are connected, the pores Aa1 and Aa2 are also connected. Therefore, according to such a configuration of FIG. 4, the liquid holes Da1 are compared with the case where the liquid holes Da1, Da2, Ea1 and Ea2 and the gas holes Aa1 and Aa2 are separately connected as described above. , The possibility that the ink dripping from any of Da2, Ea1 and Ea2 enters the pores Aa1 and Aa2 can be greatly reduced.

Further, in the configuration of FIG. 4, since a plurality of gas holes Aa1 and Aa2 are arranged in the exterior portion 41, gas can be transferred to each of them. Since the plurality of gas holes Aa1 and Aa2 are connected to different gas flow paths A, for example, the gas can be transferred at different timings or can be selectively transferred from the plurality of gas holes Aa1 and Aa2. When the gas is selectively transferred, it becomes easy to pressurize or depressurize the gas flow path A as desired even if the pump capacity is not high.

Note that FIG. 4 illustrates a case where the gas hole and the liquid hole are arranged on the flush surface of the first surface FA, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the first surface FA is a plurality of surfaces having different steps and inclinations. A gas hole and a liquid hole may be arranged separately on these plurality of surfaces. By providing a step between the gas hole and the liquid hole, even if the ink drips from the liquid hole, it is difficult for the ink to move to the gas hole. Therefore, when the liquid hole is connected to the device main body 101, it is possible to prevent ink from entering the gas hole.

The gas hole Ba for opening to the atmosphere of the liquid discharge head 20 in FIG. 4 is on a second surface FB facing a different direction from the first surface FA in which the liquid holes Da1, Da2, Ea1 and Ea2 are arranged. Be placed. Therefore, when the exterior portion 41 of the liquid discharge head 20 is connected to the apparatus main body 101, it is possible to prevent ink from dripping from the liquid holes Da1, Da2, Ea1 and Ea2 and entering the gas hole Ba. Even if ink drips from the liquid holes Da1, Da2, Ea1, and Ea2 to the first surface FA, the dripping ink is a gas arranged on the second surface FB facing a direction different from that of the first surface FA. Since it is difficult to move to the hole Ba, it is difficult to enter the gas hole Ba. Moreover, since the gas holes Ba for opening to the atmosphere and the gas holes Da1 and Da2 for gas transfer by the gas transfer mechanism 19 are separately arranged in the exterior portion 41, ink drips in the vicinity of the gas holes Ba. However, it is possible to prevent the ink from being pushed into the gas hole Ba by driving the gas transfer mechanism 19.

The gas hole Aa1, the liquid hole Da1, the liquid hole Ea1, the gas hole Aa2, the liquid hole Da2, and the liquid hole Ea2 are arranged in this order from the positive side to the negative side in the X direction in a straight line along the virtual straight line G. To. Therefore, it is easy to miniaturize the liquid discharge head 20 in the Y direction intersecting the X direction of the virtual straight line G. The gas hole Ba for opening to the atmosphere arranged on the second surface FB exemplifies the case where the pressurizing chamber RC communicates with the gas flow path B for opening to the atmosphere, but the present invention is not limited to this. The gas hole Ba for opening to the atmosphere may be, for example, a gas hole communicating with a gas flow path for communicating the space accommodating the damper chamber SG of the compliance substrate 452 and the piezoelectric element 484 with the atmosphere. Further, the gas hole for gas transfer is not limited to the case illustrated in FIG. 4, and may be, for example, a gas hole for blowing off or sucking dust such as fluff and paper dust near the nozzle N. Further, each of the liquid holes Da1, Da2, Ea1 and Ea2 may be provided with a check valve. According to this, it is possible to prevent the ink in the liquid ejection head 20 from flowing out from each of the liquid holes Da1, Da2, Ea1 and Ea2.

By the way, in the first surface FA of the head side connection portion 412 in FIG. 4, the region where the gas hole Aa1, the liquid hole Da1 and the liquid hole Ea1 are arranged is defined as Ha, and the gas hole Ab1, the liquid hole Db1 and the liquid hole Eb1 Assuming that the region where is arranged is Hb, the distance between the region Ha and the region Hb is equal. Further, in the direction of the virtual straight line G, the distance between the liquid hole Da1 and the liquid hole Ea1 with respect to the gas hole Aa1 in the region Ha is equal to the distance between the liquid hole Da2 and the liquid hole Ea2 with respect to the gas hole Aa2 in the region Hb. Therefore, one liquid discharge head 20 can be connected to any position of the main body side connection portion 102 in which the three liquid discharge heads 20 are arranged. Note that FIG. 4 illustrates a case where the first surface FA of the head-side connecting portion 412 has two regions Ha and Hb corresponding to each of the two liquid discharging portions 44, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the first surface FA of the head-side connection portion 412 has a plurality of regions corresponding to the plurality of liquid discharge portions 44, and liquid holes and gas holes are arranged in each of the plurality of regions, and the plurality of regions are arranged. The distance between the liquid hole and the gas hole in the straight line direction in any region is equal to the distance between the liquid hole and the gas hole in the direction of the virtual straight line G in the other region, and the distance between the regions may be equal. can. According to this, by providing a plurality of sets of the main body side liquid hole and the main body side gas hole of the main body side connection portion 102 connected to the liquid hole and the gas hole, it is possible to connect to any position of the main body side connection portion 102. ..

The gas hole and the liquid hole arranged in the head side connection portion 412 are not limited to the case shown in FIG. The gas holes and liquid holes arranged in the head-side connection portion 412 may include unused dummy holes. For example, in the first modification of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 5, a case where the liquid hole Ea1 and the gas hole Aa2 in FIG. 4 are used as dummy holes is illustrated. In this case, since the liquid hole Ea1 and the gas hole Aa2 are not used, a protrusion P for closing the main body side liquid hole Eb1 and the main body side gas hole Ab2 corresponding to these is arranged at the positions of the liquid hole Ea1 and the gas hole Aa2. You may try to do it. According to the configuration of FIG. 5, according to the configuration of the head side connection portion 412, the main body side connection portion 102 of FIG. 4 is not manufactured again (so that the main body side liquid hole Eb1 and the main body side gas hole Ab2 are not formed). It is possible to prevent ink from entering the gas pores (even if it is not configured in).

Further, according to the configuration of FIG. 5, since the liquid hole Ea2 for liquid circulation is arranged at the end end of the virtual straight line G, it is possible to facilitate the routing of the liquid flow path D communicating with the liquid hole Ea2. .. Note that FIG. 5 illustrates a case where the liquid hole Ea2 for liquid circulation is arranged on the same first surface FA as the liquid hole Da1 and the liquid hole Da2 for liquid transfer, but the present invention is not limited to this. Liquid hole Da1 and liquid hole for liquid transfer on one of the first surface and the second surface (the first surface is not limited to FA and the second surface is not limited to FB) of the exterior portion 41 in different directions. Da2 may be arranged, and the liquid hole Ea2 for liquid circulation may be arranged on the other side. With such a configuration, it is possible to facilitate the routing of the liquid flow path D communicating with the liquid hole Ea2.

Further, in FIG. 4, the case where the gas hole and the liquid hole are arranged on the same surface of the exterior portion 41 is illustrated, but the gas hole and the liquid hole may be arranged separately on different surfaces of the exterior portion 41. For example, in the second modification of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the liquid holes Da1, Da2, Ea1 and Ea2 are arranged on the first surface FA of the head side connection portion 412, and each gas hole Aa1 is arranged on the second surface FB. , The case where Aa2 is arranged is illustrated. In the configuration of FIG. 6, the main body side connection portion 102 is divided into a main body side connection portion 102A connected to the first surface FA of the head side connection portion 412 and a main body side connection portion 102B connected to the second surface FB. do. The liquid holes Db1, Db2, Eb1 and Eb2 on the main body side are arranged on the connection surface F1 of the connection portion 102A on the main body side, and the gas holes Ab1 and Ab2 on the main body side are arranged on the connection surface F2 of the connection portion 102B on the main body side.

According to the configuration of FIG. 6, when connecting the exterior portion 41 of the liquid discharge head 20 to the apparatus main body 101, the connection surface F1 of the main body side connection portion 102 is connected to the first surface FA of the head side connection portion 412. Then, the liquid holes Da1, Da2, Ea1 and Ea2 can be connected to the liquid holes Db1, Db2, Eb1 and Eb2 on the main body side at once. Further, by connecting the connection surface F2 of the main body side connection portion 102 to the second surface FB of the head side connection portion 412, the gas holes Aa1 and Aa2 are connected to the main body side gas holes Ab1 and Ab2 at once, respectively. be able to. In the configuration of FIG. 6, the gas holes Aa1 and Aa2 are arranged on the second surface FB facing in a different direction from the first surface FA in which the liquid holes Da1, Da2, Ea1 and Ea2 are arranged. Even if ink drips from the liquid holes Da1, Da2, Ea1 and Ea2 to the first surface FA when the connection surface F1 is connected to the first surface FA, the ink reaches the gas holes Aa1 and Aa2 of the second surface FB. Difficult to move. Therefore, it is possible to prevent ink from entering each of the plurality of gas holes Aa1 and Aa2.

Also in the configuration of FIG. 6, as in the case of FIG. 5, the gas holes and the liquid holes arranged in the head-side connection portion 412 may include unused dummy holes. For example, in the third modification of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 7, a case where the liquid hole Ea1 and the gas hole Aa2 in FIG. 7 are used as dummy holes is exemplified. In this case, since the liquid hole Ea1 and the gas hole Aa2 are not used, a protrusion P for closing the main body side liquid hole Eb1 and the main body side gas hole Ab2 corresponding to these is arranged at the positions of the liquid hole Ea1 and the gas hole Aa2. You may try to do it. According to the configuration of FIG. 7, according to the configuration of the head side connection portion 412, the main body side connection portions 102A and 102B of FIG. 6 are formed (main body side liquid holes Eb1 and main body side gas holes Ab2) without remanufacturing. It is possible to prevent ink from entering the gas pores (without configuring it so that it does not occur).

In the line head 21 of the liquid discharge device 10 of FIG. 1 described above, the case where three liquid discharge heads 20 of FIG. 4 having the same configuration are attached to the device main body 101 is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the device main body is not limited to this. Liquid discharge heads 20 having different configurations may be mixed and mounted with respect to 101. For example, assuming that the liquid discharge head 20 of FIG. 4 is the first liquid discharge head 20A and the liquid discharge head 20 of FIG. 5 is the second liquid discharge head 20B, in the fourth modification of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 The liquid discharge head 20A and the second liquid discharge head 20B are mixed and connected to the main body side connection portion 102 of the apparatus main body 101. As described above, since the head-side connection portion 412 of FIGS. 4 and 5 can be connected to the main body-side connection portion 102 of FIG. 4, the first liquid discharge head 20A of FIG. 4 and the second liquid discharge of FIG. 5 are discharged. The head 20B and the head 20B can be mixed and connected to the device main body 101.

According to the configuration of FIG. 8, as a method of manufacturing the liquid discharge device 10, one of the first liquid discharge head 20A and the second liquid discharge head 20B mounted on the device main body 101 is removed and the other head is used. A process of replacement can be provided. In the replacement process, the gas hole (Aa1 or the like) of the other head is connected to the corresponding main body side gas hole (Ab1 or the like), while the liquid hole (Da1 or the like) is connected to the corresponding main body side liquid hole (Db1 or the like). To. Therefore, it is possible to easily manufacture the liquid ejection device 10 having the line head 21 having a different configuration as a whole while suppressing the ink from entering the gas holes only by replacing the head in the replacement step. Needless to say, the liquid discharge device 10 may be manufactured by connecting only one of the first liquid discharge head 20A and the second liquid discharge head 20B to the device main body 101.

The head replacement by the above replacement step may be performed by an operator, or may be automatically performed by a robot arm or the like. In this case, information on the type and mountable position of the liquid discharge head 20 that can be replaced in the liquid discharge device 10 is stored in the storage device, and the replacement step is performed based on the stored information. good. According to such a configuration, in the liquid discharge device 10, it is possible to prevent the liquid discharge head 20 of a type that cannot be replaced from being erroneously mounted or being mounted at a misaligned position. Information on the types of replaceable liquid discharge heads 20 is, for example, the types of mountable heads such as the liquid discharge heads 20A and 20B shown in FIG. The information on the position of the mountable liquid discharge head 20 is, for example, the information on the position where the liquid discharge head 20 can be connected to the main body side connection portion 102.

Regarding the position of such a liquid discharge head 20, the liquid discharge head 20A and the liquid discharge head 20B are connected to the main body side connection portion 102 as shown in the fifth modification of the first embodiment shown in FIG. It is also possible to adopt a configuration that can be connected by shifting it to a position different from that of the line head 21 of 1. FIG. 9 illustrates a case where different liquid discharge heads 20A and 20B can be mixed, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration in which the number of liquid discharge heads 20 having the same configuration can be changed or the positions can be shifted is adopted. It is also possible to do. By changing the number and position of the liquid discharge heads 20 in this way, it is possible to easily manufacture the liquid discharge device 10 provided with the line heads 21 having different printable ranges.

In the above, the case where the liquid discharge heads 20 having the configurations of FIGS. 4 and 5 can be mixed is illustrated, but the liquid discharge heads 20 of FIGS. 6 and 7 may be configured to be mixed. .. For example, assuming that the liquid discharge head 20 of FIG. 6 is the first liquid discharge head 20A and the liquid discharge head 20 of FIG. 5 is the second liquid discharge head 20B, in the fifth modification of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 The liquid discharge head 20A and the second liquid discharge head 20B are mixed and connected to the main body side connection portions 102A and 102B of the apparatus main body 101.

<Second Embodiment>
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described. For the elements whose actions and functions are the same as those of the first embodiment in each of the embodiments exemplified below, the reference numerals used in the description of the first embodiment will be diverted and detailed description of each will be omitted as appropriate. When the liquid discharge head 20 of the first embodiment includes four liquid discharge portions 44 and has two regions Ha and Hb corresponding to each of the two liquid discharge portions 44 on the first surface FA of the head side connection portion 412. Was exemplified. The liquid discharge head 20 of the second embodiment includes two liquid discharge portions 44, and has a single region Ha corresponding to the two liquid discharge portions 44 on the first surface FA of the head side connection portion 412. Illustrate.

FIG. 11 is a partial configuration diagram of the liquid discharge device 10 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing one external configuration of the liquid discharge head 20 constituting the line head 21 of the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a side view and a bottom view of the liquid discharge head 20 of the second embodiment. In FIG. 12, the main body side connection portion 102 before the liquid discharge head 20 is mounted is shown by a solid line, and the main body side connection portion 102 after the liquid discharge head 20 is mounted is shown by a alternate long and short dash line. As shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, the liquid discharge head 20 of the second embodiment is the liquid discharge head 20 of the first embodiment divided into two in the X direction, and the liquid discharge head 20 of the second embodiment is divided into two. With two of these, the configuration is the same as that of the liquid discharge head 20 of the first embodiment. That is, as shown in FIG. 13, in each liquid discharge head 20 of the second embodiment, the liquid hole Da for liquid transfer and the gas for gas transfer are in the region Ha of the first surface FA of the head side connection portion 412. The holes Aa and the liquid holes Ea for liquid circulation are arranged in this order from the positive side to the negative side in the X direction in a straight line along the virtual straight line G.

As shown in FIG. 11, in the second embodiment, six liquid discharge heads 20 can be connected to the same main body side connection portion 102 as in FIG. Therefore, since the number and positions of the liquid discharge heads 20 are changed more than those in the first embodiment, the liquid discharge device 10 having more types of line heads 21 than in the first embodiment can be easily manufactured.

Note that FIG. 11 illustrates a case where six liquid discharge heads 20 of the same FIG. 13 are connected, but the present invention is not limited to this. Since the main body side connection portion 102 of FIG. 11 has the same configuration as that of FIG. 1, the liquid discharge head 20 of FIG. 4 or FIG. 5 can also be connected. Therefore, if the liquid discharge head 20 of FIG. 13 is the first liquid discharge head 20A and the liquid discharge head 20 of FIG. 4 is the second liquid discharge head 20B, as in the modified example of the second embodiment shown in FIG. , The first liquid discharge head 20A of FIG. 13 and the second liquid discharge head 20B of FIG. 5 can be connected to the main body side connection portion 102 of FIG. 11 in a mixed manner. Therefore, the number of gas holes in any of the liquid discharge heads 20 among the plurality of liquid discharge heads 20 can be different from the number of gas holes in another liquid discharge head. In this way, the liquid discharge heads 20 having different numbers of gas holes and liquid holes can be connected to the main body side connection portion 102 in a mixed manner.

<Third Embodiment>
A third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the line head 21 in which the liquid discharge head 20 is arranged over the entire width of the medium 11 is exemplified. In the third embodiment, a serial head in which the carriage 18 on which the liquid discharge head 20 is mounted is repeatedly reciprocated along the X direction is illustrated. FIG. 15 is a partial configuration diagram of the liquid discharge device 10 according to the third embodiment. FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the liquid discharge head 20 of the third embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 15, the liquid ejection head 20 of the third embodiment is mounted on a substantially box-shaped carriage 18 and ejects ink supplied from the liquid container 14 to the medium 11 under the control of the control device 12. do. The control device 12 reciprocates the carriage 18 along the X direction intersecting the Y direction. A desired image is formed on the surface of the medium 11 by the liquid ejection head 20 ejecting ink to the medium 11 in parallel with the transfer of the medium 11 by the transport mechanism 15 and the repetitive reciprocation of the carriage 18. It is also possible to mount the liquid container 14 on the carriage 18 together with the liquid discharge head 20.

As shown in FIG. 16, the liquid discharge head 20 of the third embodiment includes one liquid discharge unit 44. Since the cross-sectional structure of the liquid discharge head 20 of FIG. 16 is almost the same as that of FIG. 3, detailed description thereof will be omitted. In the liquid discharge head 20 of FIG. 16, the upper surface (the surface on the negative side in the Z direction) of the exterior portion 41 is configured as the head side connecting portion 412. In the head side connection portion 412, the liquid hole Da for liquid transfer, the gas hole Aa for gas transfer, and the liquid hole Ea for liquid circulation are arranged in this order in a straight line from the negative side to the positive side in the X direction. Be placed. Therefore, also in the liquid discharge head 20 of the third embodiment, it is possible to prevent ink from dripping into the gas hole Aa when the head side connection portion 412 is connected to the main body side connection portion 102.

Further, a gas hole Ba for opening to the atmosphere is also arranged in the head side connection portion 412. A step 414 is formed between the gas hole Ba for opening to the atmosphere, the liquid hole Da, the gas hole Aa, and the liquid hole Ea. Therefore, even if the ink drips from the liquid holes Da and Ea, the step 414 becomes an obstacle, so that the ink does not easily move to the gas holes Ba. Therefore, it is possible to prevent ink from entering the gas pores Ba.

<Modification example>
The embodiments and embodiments exemplified above can be variously modified. Specific modes of modification are illustrated below. Two or more embodiments arbitrarily selected from the following examples and the above embodiments may be appropriately merged to the extent that they do not contradict each other.

(1) In the above-described embodiment, the piezoelectric liquid discharge head 20 using a piezoelectric element that applies mechanical vibration to the pressure chamber is exemplified, but a heat generating element that generates air bubbles inside the pressure chamber by heating is illustrated. It is also possible to adopt the thermal type liquid discharge head used.

(2) The liquid discharge device 10 exemplified in the above-described embodiment can be adopted in various devices such as a facsimile machine and a copier, in addition to a device dedicated to printing. However, the application of the liquid ejection device 10 of the present invention is not limited to printing. For example, a liquid discharge device that discharges a solution of a coloring material is used as a manufacturing device for forming a color filter of a liquid crystal display device, an organic EL (Electroluminescence) display, an FED (surface emitting display), and the like. Further, a liquid discharge device that discharges a solution of a conductive material is used as a manufacturing device for forming wiring and electrodes on a wiring substrate. It is also used as a chip manufacturing device that discharges a solution of a bio-organic substance as a kind of liquid.

10 ... Liquid discharge device, 101 ... Device main body, 102 ... Main body side connection part, 102A ... Main body side connection part, 102B ... Main body side connection part, 11 ... Medium, 12 ... Control device, 14 ... Liquid container, 15 ... Conveyance mechanism , 16 ... Liquid transfer mechanism, 18 ... Carriage, 19 ... Gas transfer mechanism, 20, 20A ... Liquid discharge head, 20B ... Liquid discharge head, 21 ... Line head, 21A, 21B ... Structural part, 40 ... Head body, 41 ... Exterior part, 412 ... Head side connection part, 414 ... Step, 42 ... Flow path unit, 44 ... Liquid discharge part, 45 ... Compliance part, 452 ... Compliance board, 454 ... Support plate, 456 ... Opening, 481 ... Flow path Substrate, 481A ... opening, 481B ... branch flow path, 481C ... communication flow path, 482 ... pressure chamber substrate, 482A ... opening, 483 ... vibrating plate, 484 ... piezoelectric element, 485 ... housing, 486 ... sealing Body, 487 ... nozzle plate, 488 ... fixed plate, 489 ... opening, 49 ... ceiling surface, 70 ... on-off valve, 71 ... flexible film, 73 ... bag-like body, 78 ... circulation mechanism, A ... gas flow path, Aa ... Gas hole, Aa1 ... Gas hole, Aa2 ... Gas hole, Ab ... Main body side gas hole, Ab1 ... Main body side gas hole, Ab2 ... Main body side gas hole, B ... Gas flow path, Ba ... Gas hole, D ... Liquid Flow path, Da ... Liquid hole, Da1 ... Liquid hole, Da2 ... Liquid hole, Db ... Main body side liquid hole, Db1 ... Main body side liquid hole, Db2 ... Main body side liquid hole, Ea ... Liquid hole, Ea1 ... Liquid hole, Ea2 ... Liquid hole, Eb ... Main body side liquid hole, Eb1 ... Main body side liquid hole, Eb2 ... Main body side liquid hole, E ... Liquid flow path, F ... Filter, F1, F2 ... Connection surface, FA ... First surface, FB ... Second surface, G ... straight line, Ha, Hb ... region, L1 ... first nozzle row, L2 ... second nozzle row, MA, MB, MC ... gas permeable film, N ... nozzle, OO ... virtual line, G -G ... Virtual straight line, Q ... Decompression defoaming chamber, Rin ... Inlet, Out ... Outlet, R1 ... Upstream flow path, R2 ... Downstream flow path, RC ... Pressurization chamber, RF ... Filter chamber, RF1 ... Space, RF2 ... Space, RV ... Vertical space, Sp ... Spring, SC ... Pressure chamber, SG ... Damper chamber, SR ... Liquid storage chamber, V ... Valve body, Vin ... Inlet, Vout ... Outlet.

Claims (17)

A liquid discharge head that has an exterior part connected to a liquid discharge device and discharges liquid from a nozzle.
The exterior part is
A first gas hole for communicating the first gas flow path provided in the exterior portion with the atmosphere, and a first gas hole.
A second gas hole for transferring gas between the second gas flow path provided in the exterior portion and the liquid discharge device, and
A first liquid hole for transferring the liquid between the liquid flow path provided in the exterior portion and the liquid discharge device is provided.
The first gas hole and the second gas hole are separately arranged in the exterior portion.
A liquid discharge head provided with a step between the first gas hole and the first liquid hole. The exterior portion has a first surface and has a first surface.
The liquid discharge head according to claim 1, wherein the second gas hole and the first liquid hole are arranged on the first surface. The liquid discharge head according to claim 2, wherein the second gas hole and the first liquid hole are arranged in a straight line. A liquid discharge head that has an exterior part connected to a liquid discharge device and discharges liquid from a nozzle.
The exterior part is
A first gas hole for communicating the first gas flow path provided in the exterior portion with the atmosphere, and a first gas hole.
A second gas hole for transferring gas between the second gas flow path provided in the exterior portion and the liquid discharge device, and
A first liquid hole for transferring the liquid between the liquid flow path provided in the exterior portion and the liquid discharge device, and
It has a first surface and a second surface that face different directions from each other.
A liquid discharge head in which the first gas hole is arranged on one of the first surface and the second surface, and the first liquid hole is arranged on the other side. A second liquid hole for returning the liquid from the liquid discharge head to the liquid discharge device is provided.
The first liquid hole and the second liquid hole are arranged in a straight line, and the first liquid hole and the second liquid hole are arranged in a straight line.
The liquid discharge head according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second liquid hole is arranged at an end on the straight line. A liquid discharge head that has an exterior part connected to a liquid discharge device and discharges liquid from a nozzle.
The exterior part is
A first gas hole for communicating the first gas flow path provided in the exterior portion with the atmosphere, and a first gas hole.
A second gas hole for transferring gas between the second gas flow path provided in the exterior portion and the liquid discharge device, and
A first liquid hole for transferring the liquid between the liquid flow path provided in the exterior portion and the liquid discharge device, and
A second liquid hole for returning the liquid from the liquid discharge head to the liquid discharge device is provided.
The first gas hole and the second gas hole are separately arranged in the exterior portion.
The first liquid hole and the second liquid hole are arranged in a straight line, and the first liquid hole and the second liquid hole are arranged in a straight line.
The second liquid hole is a liquid discharge head arranged at an end on the straight line. A second liquid hole for returning the liquid from the liquid discharge head to the liquid discharge device is provided.
The exterior portion has a first surface and a second surface facing in different directions from each other.
The liquid discharge according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first liquid hole is arranged on one of the first surface and the second surface, and the second liquid hole is arranged on the other side. head. A liquid discharge head that has an exterior part connected to a liquid discharge device and discharges liquid from a nozzle.
The exterior part is
The first and second surfaces facing different directions,
A first gas hole for communicating the first gas flow path provided in the exterior portion with the atmosphere, and a first gas hole.
A second gas hole for transferring gas between the second gas flow path provided in the exterior portion and the liquid discharge device, and
A first liquid hole for transferring the liquid between the liquid flow path provided in the exterior portion and the liquid discharge device, and
A second liquid hole for returning the liquid from the liquid discharge head to the liquid discharge device is provided.
The first gas hole and the second gas hole are separately arranged in the exterior portion.
A liquid discharge head in which the first liquid hole is arranged on one of the first surface and the second surface, and the second liquid hole is arranged on the other side. A liquid discharge head that has an exterior part connected to a liquid discharge device and discharges liquid from a nozzle.
The exterior part is
The first side and
A first gas hole for communicating the first gas flow path provided in the exterior portion with the atmosphere, and a first gas hole.
A plurality of second gas holes for transferring gas between the second gas flow path provided in the exterior portion and the liquid discharge device, and
A first liquid hole for transferring the liquid between the liquid flow path provided in the exterior portion and the liquid discharge device is provided.
The first gas hole and the second gas hole are separately arranged in the exterior portion.
The plurality of second gas holes are liquid discharge heads arranged on the first surface. It is provided with a plurality of the second gas holes.
The exterior portion has a first surface and has a first surface.
The liquid discharge head according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the plurality of second gas holes are arranged on the first surface. A plurality of the first liquid holes are provided, and the first liquid hole is provided.
The liquid discharge head according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the plurality of first liquid holes and the plurality of second gas holes are arranged on the first surface. A plurality of liquid discharge units for discharging the liquid are provided.
The first surface has a plurality of regions corresponding to the plurality of liquid discharge portions.
The first liquid hole and the second gas hole are arranged in each of the plurality of regions.
The distance between the first liquid hole and the second gas hole in the straight direction in any region among the plurality of regions is such that the first liquid hole and the second gas in the straight direction in other regions. Equal to the distance from the hole
The liquid discharge head according to claim 11, which cites at least one of claims 3, 5 and 6 . A liquid discharge head that has an exterior part connected to a liquid discharge device and discharges liquid from a nozzle.
The exterior part is
A first gas hole for communicating the first gas flow path provided in the exterior portion with the atmosphere, and a first gas hole.
A second gas hole for transferring gas between the second gas flow path provided in the exterior portion and the liquid discharge device, and
A first liquid hole for transferring the liquid between the liquid flow path provided in the exterior portion and the liquid discharge device is provided.
The first gas hole and the second gas hole are separately arranged in the exterior portion.
A liquid discharge head provided with a check valve communicating with the first liquid hole. The liquid discharge head according to claim 1 to 12, further comprising a check valve communicating with the first liquid hole. A device main body to which any of the liquid discharge heads according to claims 1 to 14 can be connected is provided.
The main body of the device is
The second gas hole on the main body side connected to the second gas hole,
The main body side first liquid hole connected to the first liquid hole is provided.
A liquid discharge device that communicates the first gas flow path with the atmosphere. A liquid discharge device including a device body to which a first liquid discharge head and a second liquid discharge head that are different from each other can be connected.
The first liquid discharge head and the second liquid discharge head are each
A gas hole for transferring gas to and from the main body of the device by a gas transfer mechanism,
A liquid hole for transferring a liquid to and from the apparatus main body by a liquid transfer mechanism is provided.
The main body of the liquid discharge device is
The gas hole on the main body side connected to the gas hole and
A liquid hole on the main body side connected to the liquid hole is provided.
A liquid discharge device in which the number of gas holes in the first liquid discharge head is different from the number of gas holes in the second liquid discharge head. A method for manufacturing a liquid discharge device including a device main body to which a first liquid discharge head and a second liquid discharge head can be connected.
The first liquid discharge head and the second liquid discharge head are different from each other.
The first liquid discharge head and the second liquid discharge head are each
A gas hole for transferring gas to and from the main body of the device by a gas transfer mechanism,
A liquid hole for transferring a liquid to and from the apparatus main body by a liquid transfer mechanism is provided.
The main body of the liquid discharge device is
The gas hole on the main body side connected to the gas hole and
A liquid hole on the main body side connected to the liquid hole is provided.
It has a replacement step of removing one of the first liquid discharge head and the second liquid discharge head mounted on the main body of the apparatus and replacing the head with the other head.
In the exchange step, a method for manufacturing a liquid discharge device in which the liquid hole is connected to the main body side liquid hole while the gas hole of the other head is connected to the main body side gas hole.

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