JP7095522B2 - Liquid discharge head, liquid discharge unit, liquid discharge device - Google Patents

Description

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

In the liquid discharge head that discharges the liquid, the discharge characteristics fluctuate due to the residual vibration generated by the discharge of the liquid.

Conventionally, a thin-walled portion for ensuring compliance is formed on the nozzle opening side and the ink supply port side, and a diaphragm having an island portion formed in the center is provided, and pressure is generated by a piezoelectric vibrator via the island portion. It is a recording head that compresses the chamber and ejects ink droplets from the nozzle opening, and in order to apportion the compliance of the entire diaphragm so that it is substantially the same on the nozzle opening side and the ink supply port side, the nozzle opening side A recording head in which a mass body is added to a thin-walled portion or a thin-walled portion on the ink supply port side is known (Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 8-25632

In the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is possible to suppress the generation of residual vibration due to the difference in compliance between the nozzle opening side and the ink supply port side, but it is possible to suppress the residual vibration associated with liquid ejection. There is a problem that it cannot be done.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to reduce fluctuations in liquid discharge characteristics.

In order to solve the above problems, the liquid discharge head according to the present invention is
Multiple nozzles that eject liquid and
A plurality of pressure chambers leading to each of the plurality of nozzles,
A plurality of vibration regions, each forming a displaceable wall surface of the plurality of pressure chambers, are provided.
It is configured to have a damper region that is independent of the vibration region and that forms a displaceable wall surface of the pressure chamber at least across two adjacent pressure chambers.

According to the present invention, fluctuations in liquid discharge characteristics can be reduced.

It is sectional drawing which follows the direction orthogonal to the nozzle arrangement direction of the liquid discharge head which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. Similarly, it is a cross-sectional explanatory view along the nozzle arrangement direction along the line AA of FIG. Similarly, it is a plan explanatory view of each member. It is sectional drawing which follows the nozzle arrangement direction along the line BB of FIG. It is a plane explanatory view seen from the diaphragm member side. It is also a plane explanatory view provided for the explanation of the example of which the length of a damper region is different. It is sectional drawing which follows the direction orthogonal to the nozzle arrangement direction of the liquid discharge head which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which follows the direction orthogonal to the nozzle arrangement direction of the liquid discharge head which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which follows the direction orthogonal to the nozzle arrangement direction of the liquid discharge head which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention. Similarly, it is a plan explanatory view of a different shape example of a damper region seen from the diaphragm member side. Similarly, it is a cross-sectional explanatory view along the nozzle arrangement direction along the CC line of FIG. It is an external perspective explanatory view of the liquid discharge head which concerns on 6th Embodiment of this invention. It is also a cross-sectional explanatory view along the direction orthogonal to the nozzle arrangement direction similar to FIG. It is a schematic explanatory drawing of an example of the apparatus which discharges a liquid which concerns on this invention. It is a plane explanatory view of an example of the head unit of the same apparatus. It is a block explanatory drawing of an example of a liquid circulation device. It is a plane explanatory view of the main part of another example of the apparatus which discharges a liquid which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the main part side surface of the apparatus. It is a plane explanatory view of the main part of another example of the liquid discharge unit which concerns on this invention. It is a front explanatory view of still another example of the liquid discharge unit which concerns on this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional explanatory view along a direction orthogonal to the nozzle arrangement direction of the liquid discharge head according to the same embodiment, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional explanatory view along the nozzle arrangement direction along line AA of FIG. 1, and FIG. Similarly, it is a plan explanatory view of each member.

The liquid discharge head 100 has a nozzle plate 1, a flow path plate 2, and a diaphragm member 3 as a wall surface member laminated and joined. Further, it includes a piezoelectric actuator 11 that displaces the vibration region (vibration plate) 30 of the diaphragm member 3, and a common flow path member 20 that also serves as a frame member of the head.

The nozzle plate 1 has a nozzle array in which a plurality of nozzles 4 for discharging a liquid are arranged.

The flow path plate 2 has a pressure chamber 6 which is a plurality of pressure chambers leading to a plurality of nozzles 4, a fluid resistance portion 7 communicating with each pressure chamber 6, and a plurality of liquid introduction portions 8 communicating with the plurality of fluid resistance portions 7. Is forming.

In the present embodiment, the flow path plate 2 is configured by laminating plate-shaped members 2A and 2B. The plate-shaped member 2A is formed with through grooves 6A, 7A, 8A forming each pressure chamber 6, the fluid resistance portion 7, and the liquid introduction portion 8, and the plate-shaped member 2B is formed with each pressure chamber 6. The through groove 6B and the through groove 8B forming the liquid introduction portion 8 are formed respectively.

The diaphragm member 3 has a plurality of displaceable diaphragms (vibration regions) 30 that form the wall surface of the pressure chamber 6 of the flow path plate 2. Here, the diaphragm member 3 has a two-layer structure (not limited), and is composed of a first layer 3a forming a thin wall portion from the flow path plate 2 side and a second layer 3b forming a thick wall portion. A deformable (displaceable) vibration region 30 is formed in the portion corresponding to the pressure chamber 6 in the layer 3a.

Then, on the side of the diaphragm member 3 opposite to the pressure chamber 6, a piezoelectric actuator 11 including an electromechanical conversion element as a driving means (actuator means, pressure generating means) for deforming the vibration region 30 of the diaphragm member 3 is arranged. is doing.

In this piezoelectric actuator 11, the piezoelectric member 12 joined on the base member 13 is grooved by half-cut dicing, and a required number of columnar piezoelectric elements 12A and 12B are combed at predetermined intervals in the nozzle arrangement direction. Is formed in.

Then, the piezoelectric element 12A is joined to the convex portion 30a, which is an island-shaped thick portion formed in the vibration region 30 of the diaphragm member 3. Further, the piezoelectric element 12B, which is a support column portion, is joined to the convex portion 30b, which is a thick portion of the diaphragm member 3. The piezoelectric element 12A has a convex portion 12c formed at a portion to be joined to the convex portion 30a.

The piezoelectric element 12 is formed by alternately laminating a piezoelectric layer and an internal electrode. The internal electrodes are each drawn out to an end face and connected to an external electrode (end face electrode), and a flexible wiring member is connected to the external electrode. There is.

The common flow path member 20 forms the common flow path 10. The common flow path 10 leads to the liquid introduction section 8 via the filter section 9 provided on the diaphragm member 3.

In the liquid discharge head 100, for example, by lowering the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element 12A from the reference potential (intermediate potential), the piezoelectric element 12A contracts, the vibration region 30 of the vibrating plate member 3 is pulled, and the volume of the pressure chamber 6 is reached. As the pressure chamber 6 expands, the liquid flows into the pressure chamber 6.

After that, the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element 12A is increased to extend the piezoelectric element 12A in the stacking direction, the vibration region 30 of the vibrating plate member 3 is deformed in the direction toward the nozzle 4, and the volume of the pressure chamber 6 is contracted. , The liquid in the pressure chamber 6 is pressurized, and the liquid is discharged from the nozzle 4.

The method of driving the head is not limited to the above example (pull-push), and pulling or pushing may be performed depending on the driving waveform.

Next, the damper configuration in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional explanatory view along the nozzle arrangement direction along the line BB of FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 is a plan view of a main part seen from the diaphragm member side.

In the present embodiment, the damper region 33 is independent of the diaphragm (vibration region) 30 and forms a displaceable wall surface of each pressure chamber 6.

Here, by forming a flat groove-shaped concave portion 33a on the second layer 3b of the diaphragm member 3 forming the wall surface of the pressure chamber 6, at least adjacent to each other by the remaining first layer 3a. A damper region 33 is formed straddling the two pressure chambers 6 and 6 to form a displaceable (deformable) wall surface of each pressure chamber 6.

The damper region 33 may be formed across two or more pressure chambers 6, and may be formed over all pressure chambers 6 or may be formed over three or more pressure chambers 6.

The portion of the damper region 33 facing the partition wall 6a of the pressure chambers 6 and 6 is joined and fixed to the partition wall 6a with an adhesive or the like. As a result, the displaceable wall surface formed in the damper region 3 can be displaced independently for each pressure chamber 6, and is not affected by the pressure change in the other pressure chambers 6.

As described above, since the damper region 33 forming the displaceable wall surface of the pressure chamber 6 is provided, when the residual vibration occurs when the piezoelectric element 12A is driven to discharge the liquid from the nozzle 4, the damper region 33 is displaced and the residual vibration is damped or suppressed.

As a result, stable liquid discharge characteristics can be obtained, and variations in liquid discharge characteristics can be reduced.

Here, since the damper region 33 is formed so as to straddle the adjacent pressure chambers 6 and 6, only the portion of only the first layer 3a (the region where the rigidity is low) which becomes the damper region 33 individually for each pressure chamber 6 is formed. The portion of only the first layer 3a is wider than in the case of providing. As a result, even if a joint misalignment occurs, a compliance unit having a target size can be provided.

Further, even if the joint between the diaphragm member 3 and the flow path plate 2 is misaligned, the shape of the compliance is determined by the width of the flow path plate 2 in the lateral direction, so that the variation in the size of the compliance can be suppressed. ..

Further, by providing the damper region 33 in a strip shape straddling the adjacent pressure chambers 6, high accuracy is not required for the position accuracy of the damper region 33, and an increase in the cost of the diaphragm member 3 can be suppressed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the rigidity can be adjusted by changing the length of the damper region 33 facing the pressure chamber 6 in the direction orthogonal to the nozzle arrangement direction (length L1 <length L2). can.

Further, the damper region 33 is arranged near the end portion in the longitudinal direction of the pressure chamber 6, here, near the end portion on the side far from the fluid resistance portion 7 and near the nozzle 4.

Next, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional explanatory view along a direction orthogonal to the nozzle arrangement direction of the liquid discharge head according to the same embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the diaphragm member 3 has a three-layer structure of a first layer 3a, a second layer 3b, and a third layer 3c. The convex portion 30a to be joined to the piezoelectric element 12A is composed of two layers, a second layer 3b and a third layer 3c.

Next, the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional explanatory view along a direction orthogonal to the nozzle arrangement direction of the liquid discharge head according to the same embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the diaphragm member 3 has a two-layer structure of the first layer 3a and the second layer 3b as in the first embodiment, and the joint surface of the piezoelectric element 12A with the convex portion 30a is a flat surface. ..

Also in this embodiment, the same effect can be obtained by configuring the damper region 33 in the same manner as in each of the above embodiments.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 11. 9 is a cross-sectional explanatory view along a direction orthogonal to the nozzle arrangement direction of the liquid discharge head according to the same embodiment, FIG. 10 is a plan explanatory view of a different example of the vibrating plate member, and FIG. 11 is the CC of FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows the nozzle arrangement direction along the line.

In the present embodiment, the concave portion 33a forming the damper region 33 is formed in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the pressure chambers, and a part thereof faces (opposes) the outside of the pressure chambers 6. In this case, the shape of the displaceable region of the damper region 33 (the shape of the compliance portion) is defined by the shape of the pressure chamber 6.

Therefore, the planar shape of the concave portion 33a may be a rectangular shape as shown in FIG. 10A, or may be an indefinite shape as shown in FIG. 10B.

As a result, the damper region 33 in the required range can be secured even if a positional deviation or a component error occurs when the diaphragm member 3 and the flow path plate 2 are joined.

Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13. FIG. 12 is an external perspective explanatory view of the liquid discharge head according to the same embodiment, and FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional explanatory view along a direction orthogonal to the nozzle arrangement direction, which is also the same as in FIG.

The liquid discharge head 100 is a circulation type liquid discharge head, and a nozzle plate 1, a flow path plate 2, and a diaphragm member 3 as a wall surface member are laminated and joined. Further, it includes a piezoelectric actuator 11 that displaces the vibration region (vibration plate) 30 of the diaphragm member 3, and a common flow path member 20 that also serves as a frame member of the head.

The nozzle plate 1 has a plurality of nozzles 4 for discharging a liquid.

The flow path plate 2 includes a plurality of pressure chambers 6 that communicate with the plurality of nozzles 4 via the nozzle communication passages 5, a plurality of fluid resistance portions 7 on the supply side that each communicate with the plurality of pressure chambers 6, and one or more. One or a plurality of liquid introduction portions 8 and the like leading to the fluid resistance portion 7 on the supply side are formed. The liquid introduction portion 8 is connected to the common flow path 10 on the supply side via the opening 19 on the supply side of the diaphragm member 3.

In the present embodiment, the flow path plate 2 is configured by laminating a plurality of plate-shaped members 2A to 2E, but the present invention is not limited to this.

The diaphragm member 3 has a deformable vibration region 30 that forms the wall surface of the pressure chamber 6 of the flow path plate 2. Here, the diaphragm member 3 has a three-layer structure (not limited), and is composed of a first layer 3a that forms a thin wall portion from the flow path plate 2 side, and a second layer 3b and a third layer 3c that form a thick wall portion. A deformable (displaceable) vibration region 30 is formed in the portion corresponding to the pressure chamber 6 in the first layer 3a.

A piezoelectric actuator 11 that deforms the vibration region 30 of the diaphragm member 3 is arranged on the side of the diaphragm member 3 opposite to the pressure chamber 6. The piezoelectric element 12A of the piezoelectric actuator 11 is joined to the convex portion 30a of the vibration region (vibration plate) 30 of the diaphragm member 3.

Further, the flow path plate 2 includes a plurality of individual recovery flow paths 56 along the surface direction of the flow path plate 2 that communicates to the plurality of pressure chambers 6 via the nozzle communication passages 5, and one or a plurality of individual recovery flow paths 56. It forms one or more liquid lead-out portions 58 leading to the above. The liquid lead-out portion 58 leads to the common flow path 50 on the recovery side via the opening 59 on the recovery side of the diaphragm member 3.

The common flow path member 20 forms a common flow path 10 on the supply side and a common flow path 50 on the recovery side. The common flow path 10 on the supply side leads to the supply port 71, and the common flow path 50 on the collection side leads to the collection port 72.

In the liquid discharge head 100, for example, by lowering the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element 12A from the reference potential (intermediate potential), the piezoelectric element 12A contracts, the vibration region 30 of the vibrating plate member 3 is pulled, and the volume of the pressure chamber 6 is reached. As the pressure chamber 6 expands, the liquid flows into the pressure chamber 6.

After that, the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element 12A is increased to extend the piezoelectric element 12A in the stacking direction, the vibration region 30 of the vibrating plate member 3 is deformed in the direction toward the nozzle 4, and the volume of the pressure chamber 6 is contracted. , The liquid in the pressure chamber 6 is pressurized, and the liquid is discharged from the nozzle 4.

Further, the liquid not discharged from the nozzle 4 passes through the nozzle 4 and is collected from the individual collection flow path 56 to the common flow path 50 on the collection side, and from the common flow path 50 on the collection side to the common flow on the supply side through the external circulation path. It is supplied to the road 10 again.

The method of driving the head is not limited to the above example (pull-push), and pulling or pushing may be performed depending on the driving waveform.

Further, also in the present embodiment, the diaphragm member 3 is provided with a displaceable (deformable) wall surface of each pressure chamber 6 so as to be independent of the vibration region 30 and straddle at least two pressure chambers 6 and 6 adjacent to each other. The damper region 33 to be formed is provided.

As a result, the residual vibration of the pressure chamber 6 can be attenuated or suppressed, stable liquid discharge characteristics can be obtained, and variations in discharge characteristics can be reduced.

Next, an example of the device for discharging the liquid according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15. FIG. 14 is a schematic explanatory view of the device, and FIG. 15 is a plan view of an example of the head unit of the device.

The printing device 500, which is a device for discharging this liquid, includes a carry-in means 501 for carrying in the continuous body 510, a guide transport means 503 for guiding and transporting the continuous body 510 carried in from the carry-in means 501 to the printing means 505, and a continuous body. It is provided with a printing means 505 that discharges a liquid to 510 to form an image, a drying means 507 that dries the continuum 510, and a unloading means 509 that carries out the continuum 510.

The continuum 510 is sent out from the original winding roller 511 of the carrying-in means 501, guided and conveyed by the rollers of the carrying-in means 501, the guiding and transporting means 503, the drying means 507, and the carrying-out means 509, and is guided and conveyed by the winding roller 591 of the carrying-out means 509. It is wound up at.

In the printing means 505, the continuous body 510 is conveyed on the transfer guide member 559 facing the head unit 550 and the head unit 555, an image is formed by the liquid discharged from the head unit 550, and the continuous body 510 is discharged from the head unit 555. Post-treatment is performed with the treatment liquid to be treated.

Here, the head unit 550 is, for example, a full-line head array 551A, 551B, 551C, 551D for four colors from the upstream side in the transport direction (hereinafter, referred to as "head array 551" when the colors are not distinguished). Is placed.

Each head array 551 is a liquid discharging means, and discharges black K, cyan C, magenta M, and yellow Y liquids to the conveyed continuum 510, respectively. The types and numbers of colors are not limited to this.

The head array 551 is, for example, arranged with the liquid discharge heads (which are also simply referred to as “heads”) 100 according to the present invention arranged in a staggered pattern on the base member 552, but is not limited to this.

Next, an example of the liquid circulation device will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 16 is a block explanatory view of the circulation device. Although only one head is shown here, when arranging a plurality of heads, the supply side liquid path and the recovery side liquid path are provided on the supply side and the recovery side of the plurality of heads via a manifold or the like, respectively. Will be connected.

The liquid circulation device 600 includes a supply tank 601 and a recovery tank 602, a main tank 603, a first liquid feed pump 604, a second liquid feed pump 605, a compressor 611, a regulator 612, a vacuum pump 621, a regulator 622, and a supply side pressure sensor 631. , The recovery side pressure sensor 632 and the like.

Here, the compressor 611 and the vacuum pump 621 constitute means for generating a differential pressure between the pressure in the supply tank 601 and the pressure in the recovery tank 602.

The supply-side pressure sensor 631 is connected to the supply-side liquid path between the supply tank 601 and the head 100 and connected to the supply port 71 of the head 100. The recovery side pressure sensor 632 is connected between the head 1 and the recovery tank 602 to a recovery side liquid path connected to the recovery port 72 of the head 100.

One of the recovery tanks 602 is connected to the supply tank 601 via the first liquid feed pump 604, and the other of the recovery tanks 602 is connected to the main tank 603 via the second liquid feed pump 605.

As a result, the liquid flows from the supply tank 601 through the supply port 71 into the head 100, is collected from the collection port 72 to the collection tank 602, and the liquid is collected from the collection tank 602 to the supply tank 601 by the first liquid feeding pump 604. By being sent, a circulation path through which the liquid circulates is constructed.

Here, a compressor 611 is connected to the supply tank 601 and is controlled so that a predetermined positive pressure is detected by the supply side pressure sensor 631. On the other hand, a vacuum pump 621 is connected to the recovery tank 602, and is controlled so that a predetermined negative pressure is detected by the recovery side pressure sensor 632.

As a result, the negative pressure of the meniscus can be kept constant while circulating the liquid through the head 100.

Further, when the liquid is discharged from the nozzle 4 of the head 100, the amount of liquid in the supply tank 601 and the recovery tank 602 decreases. Therefore, the liquid is replenished from the main tank 603 to the recovery tank 602 by using the second liquid feeding pump 605 as appropriate.

The timing of liquid replenishment from the main tank 603 to the recovery tank 602 is provided in the recovery tank 602, such as replenishing the liquid when the liquid level height in the recovery tank 602 drops below a predetermined height. It can be controlled by the detection result of the liquid level sensor or the like.

Next, another example of the printing device as a device for discharging the liquid according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18. FIG. 17 is an explanatory plan view of a main part of the device, and FIG. 18 is an explanatory view of a side surface of the main part of the device.

The printing device 500 is a serial type device, and the carriage 403 is reciprocated 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 is bridged over the left and right side plates 491A and 491B to movably hold the carriage 403. Then, the carriage 403 is reciprocated in the main scanning direction by the main scanning motor 405 via the timing belt 408 bridged between the drive pulley 406 and the driven pulley 407.

The carriage 403 is equipped with a liquid discharge unit 440 in which the liquid discharge head 100 and the head tank 441 according to the present invention are integrated. The liquid discharge head 100 of the liquid discharge unit 440 discharges, for example, liquids of each color of yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), and black (K). Further, the liquid discharge head 100 has a nozzle row composed of a plurality of nozzles arranged in a sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction, and is mounted with the discharge direction facing downward.

The liquid discharge head 100 is connected to the liquid circulation device 600 described above, and a liquid of a required color is circulated and supplied.

The printing device 500 includes a transport mechanism 495 for transporting the paper 410. The transport mechanism 495 includes a transport belt 412, which is a transport means, and a sub-scanning motor 416 for driving the transport belt 412.

The transport belt 412 attracts the paper 410 and transports it at a position facing the liquid discharge head 100. The transport belt 412 is an endless belt, and is hung between the transport roller 413 and the tension roller 414. Adsorption can be performed by electrostatic adsorption, air suction, or the like.

Then, the transport belt 412 orbits in the sub-scanning direction by rotationally driving the transport roller 413 via the timing belt 417 and the timing pulley 418 by the sub-scanning motor 416.

Further, on one side of the carriage 403 in the main scanning direction, a maintenance / recovery mechanism 420 for maintaining / recovering the liquid discharge head 100 is arranged on the side of the transport belt 412.

The maintenance / recovery mechanism 420 includes, for example, a cap member 421 that caps the nozzle surface (the surface on which the nozzle is formed) of the liquid discharge head 100, a wiper member 422 that wipes the nozzle surface, and the like.

The main scanning movement mechanism 493, 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 the printing apparatus 500 configured in this way, the paper 410 is fed onto the transport belt 412 and sucked, and the paper 410 is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction by the circumferential movement of the conveyor belt 412.

Therefore, by driving the liquid ejection head 100 in response to the image signal while moving the carriage 403 in the main scanning direction, the liquid is ejected onto the stopped paper 410 to form an image.

Next, another example of the liquid discharge unit according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 19 is an explanatory plan view of a main part of the unit.

Among the members constituting the liquid discharge unit 440 and the device for discharging the liquid, the housing portion composed of the side plates 491A, 491B and the back plate 491C, the main scanning moving mechanism 493, the carriage 403, and the liquid. It is composed of a discharge head 100.

It is also possible to form a liquid discharge unit in which the above-mentioned maintenance / recovery mechanism 420 is further attached to, for example, the side plate 491B of the liquid discharge unit 440.

Next, still another example of the liquid discharge unit according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 20 is a front explanatory view of the unit.

The liquid discharge unit 440 is composed of a liquid discharge head 100 to which the flow path component 444 is attached and a tube 456 connected to the flow path component 444.

The flow path component 444 is arranged inside the cover 442. A head tank 441 may be included instead of the flow path component 444. Further, a connector 443 that electrically connects to the liquid discharge head 100 is provided on the upper part of the flow path component 444.

In the present application, the liquid to be discharged may have a viscosity and surface tension that can be discharged from the head, and is not particularly limited, but the viscosity becomes 30 mPa · s or less at room temperature, under normal pressure, or by heating or cooling. It is preferable that it is a thing. More specifically, solvents such as water and organic solvents, colorants such as dyes and pigments, polymerizable compounds, resins, functionalizing materials such as surfactants, biocompatible materials such as DNA, amino acids and proteins, and calcium. , Solvents, suspensions, emulsions, etc. containing edible materials such as natural pigments, such as inks for inkjets, surface treatment liquids, components of electronic and light emitting elements, and formation of electronic circuit resist patterns. It can be used in applications such as liquids and material liquids for three-dimensional modeling.

Piezoelectric actuators (laminated piezoelectric elements and thin-film piezoelectric elements), thermal actuators that use electric heat conversion elements such as heat-generating resistors, and electrostatic actuators that consist of a vibrating plate and counter electrodes are used as energy sources for discharging liquid. Includes what to do.

The "liquid discharge unit" is a liquid discharge head integrated with functional parts and a mechanism, and includes a collection of parts related to liquid discharge. For example, the "liquid discharge unit" includes a head tank, a carriage, a supply mechanism, a maintenance / recovery mechanism, a main scanning movement mechanism, a liquid circulation device in which at least one of the configurations is combined with a liquid discharge head, and the like.

Here, the term "integration" means, for example, a liquid discharge head and a functional component, a mechanism in which the mechanism is fixed to each other by fastening, bonding, engagement, etc., or one in which one is movably held with respect to the other. include. Further, the liquid discharge head, the functional component, and the mechanism may be configured to be detachable from each other.

For example, as a liquid discharge unit, there is a unit in which a liquid discharge head and a head tank are integrated. In some cases, 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 can be added between the head tank of these liquid discharge units and the liquid discharge head.

Further, as a liquid discharge unit, there is a unit in which a liquid discharge head and a carriage are integrated.

Further, 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 by a guide member constituting a part of the scanning movement mechanism. In some cases, the liquid discharge head, the carriage, and the main scanning movement mechanism are integrated.

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

Further, as a liquid discharge unit, there is a liquid discharge unit in which a tube is connected to a head tank or a liquid discharge head to which a flow path component is attached, and the liquid discharge head and a supply mechanism are integrated. The liquid of the liquid storage source is supplied to the liquid discharge head through this tube.

The main scanning movement mechanism shall include a single guide member. Further, the supply mechanism includes a single tube and a single loading unit.

The "device for discharging a liquid" includes a device provided with a liquid discharge head or a liquid discharge unit and driving the liquid discharge head to discharge the liquid. The device for discharging a liquid includes not only a device capable of discharging a liquid to a device to which the liquid can adhere, but also a device for discharging the liquid into the air or into the liquid.

The "device for discharging the liquid" may include means for feeding, transporting, and discharging paper to which the liquid can adhere, as well as a pretreatment device, a posttreatment device, and the like.

For example, as a "device for ejecting a liquid", an image forming device, which is a device for ejecting ink to form an image on paper, and a three-dimensional object (three-dimensional object) are formed in layers in order to form a three-dimensional object. There is a three-dimensional modeling device (three-dimensional modeling device) that discharges the modeling liquid into the powder layer.

Further, the "device for discharging a liquid" is not limited to a device in which a significant image such as characters and figures is visualized by the discharged liquid. For example, those that form patterns that have no meaning in themselves and those that form a three-dimensional image are also included.

The above-mentioned "thing to which a liquid can adhere" means a material to which a liquid can adhere at least temporarily, such as a material to which the liquid adheres and adheres, and a material to which the liquid adheres and permeates. Specific examples include media such as paper, recording paper, recording paper, film, cloth and other recording media, electronic substrates, electronic components such as piezoelectric elements, powder layers (powder layers), organ models, and inspection cells. Yes, and includes everything to which the liquid adheres, unless otherwise specified.

The material of the above-mentioned "material to which a liquid can adhere" may be paper, thread, fiber, cloth, leather, metal, plastic, glass, wood, ceramics or the like as long as the liquid can adhere even temporarily.

Further, the "device for discharging the liquid" includes, but is not limited to, a device in which the liquid discharge head and the device to which the liquid can adhere move relatively. Specific examples include a serial type device that moves the liquid discharge head, a line type device that does not move the liquid discharge head, and the like.

In addition, as a "device for ejecting a liquid", a treatment liquid coating device for ejecting a treatment liquid to the paper in order to apply the treatment liquid to the surface of the paper for the purpose of modifying the surface of the paper, etc. There is an injection granulator that granulates fine particles of a raw material by injecting a composition liquid in which a raw material is dispersed in a solution through a nozzle.

In addition, in the term of this application, image formation, recording, printing, printing, printing, modeling, etc. are all synonymous.

1 Nozzle plate 4 Nozzle 2 Flow plate 3 Vibration plate member 6 Pressure chamber 10 Common flow path 11 Piezoelectric actuator 20 Common flow path member 33 Damper area 33a Concave shape part 50 Common flow path 100 Liquid discharge head 403 Carriage 440 Liquid discharge unit 500 Printing device (device that ejects liquid)
550 Head Unit 600 Liquid Circulator

Claims (7)

Multiple nozzles that eject liquid and
A plurality of pressure chambers leading to each of the plurality of nozzles,
A plurality of vibration regions, each forming a displaceable wall surface of the plurality of pressure chambers, are provided.
A liquid discharge head having a damper region that is independent of the vibration region and that forms a displaceable wall surface of the pressure chamber, each straddling at least two adjacent pressure chambers. The liquid discharge head according to claim 1, wherein the damper region is arranged near the end portion in the longitudinal direction of the pressure chamber. The liquid discharge head according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the damper region is formed by the diaphragm member forming the vibration region. The liquid discharge head according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a part of the damper region faces the outside of the pressure chamber in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the pressure chambers. A liquid discharge unit comprising the liquid discharge head according to any one of claims 1 to 4. A head tank that stores the liquid to be supplied to the liquid discharge head, a carriage on which the liquid discharge head is mounted, a supply mechanism that supplies the liquid to the liquid discharge head, a maintenance / recovery mechanism that maintains and recovers the liquid discharge head, and the liquid. The liquid discharge unit according to claim 5, wherein at least one of the main scanning moving mechanisms for moving the discharge head in the main scanning direction is integrated with the liquid discharge head. A device for discharging a liquid, comprising the liquid discharge head according to any one of claims 1 to 4 or the liquid discharge unit according to claim 5 or 6.

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