JP7310335B2 - Head module, head unit, device for ejecting liquid - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a head module, a head unit, and a device for ejecting liquid.

A head module is constructed by attaching a liquid ejection head to a base member.

Conventionally, there is provided a support plate to which an ink ejection head is fixed, and a sub-plate to which the support plate is fixed in a state where the nozzle surfaces of a plurality of ink ejection heads are arranged on the same plane and which is incorporated in an inkjet recording apparatus. , a head module in which a sub-plate is fixed to a carriage is known (Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-234720

However, in the configuration disclosed in Document 1, it is not possible to replace each head. There is also the problem that the accuracy between the sub-plate and the member that fixes the sub-plate affects the positional accuracy of the ejection surface of the head.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to enable head replacement and to improve the positional accuracy of the ejection surface of each head.

In order to solve the above problems, the head module according to claim 1 of the present invention comprises:
a plurality of heads for ejecting liquid;
a base member to which the plurality of heads are attached,
each of the plurality of heads is held by the base member via an intermediate member;
The base member has an opening into which the head is inserted,
The head has a flange facing the base member in a direction perpendicular to the plane,
The intermediate member is detachably attached to the base member,
the head is fixed to the intermediate member with an adhesive, and there is a space between the flange portion of the head and the base member;
The brim of the head is provided with a mounting hole into which the intermediate member is inserted,
The inner wall surface of the mounting hole of the head and the intermediate member are bonded with the adhesive.
It was configured.

According to the present invention, it is possible to replace the heads and improve the positional accuracy of the ejection surface of each head.

It is a cross-sectional explanatory view along the head short direction of the head module according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is an exploded perspective explanatory view of the same head module. It is similarly an exploded perspective explanatory view seen from the nozzle surface side. It is a perspective explanatory view of the same head side from the heat radiating member. It is an exploded perspective explanatory view similarly seen from the heat radiating member side closer to the head than the heat radiating member. It is similarly an exploded perspective explanatory view seen from the nozzle surface side of the head side from the heat radiating member. . FIG. 4 is a perspective explanatory view of the head for explaining a structure for holding the head with respect to the base member in the first embodiment; Similarly, it is a perspective explanatory view of a base member. It is similarly a cross-sectional explanatory drawing of a head module. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of a principal part in a state in which the head, the intermediate member, and the base member are similarly held; It is similarly a plane explanatory view. It is a perspective cross-sectional explanatory view of the same. FIG. 10 is a perspective explanatory view for explaining a head mounting procedure in the same embodiment; It is also a side explanatory view. FIG. 10 is a perspective explanatory view for explaining a procedure for removing the head from the base member in the same embodiment; It is explanatory drawing of the head module which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram of an example of a device for ejecting liquid according to the present invention; FIG. It is a plane explanatory view of an example of the head unit of the apparatus.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. A head module according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of a head module according to the same embodiment along the head short direction, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective explanatory view of the head module, FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective explanatory view of the same head module viewed from the nozzle surface side, FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective illustration viewed from the heat radiation member side of the head side of the heat radiation member, and FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view viewed from the nozzle surface side of the head side of the heat radiation member. It is a perspective explanatory view. Note that FIG. 1 shows only one head portion.

The head module 100 includes a plurality of heads 1 that are liquid ejection heads that eject liquid, a base member 102 , a cover member 103 , a heat dissipation member 104 , a manifold 105 , a printed circuit board (PCB) 106 , and a module case 107 . and

The plurality of heads 1 includes a nozzle plate 10 having nozzles 11 formed therein, an individual flow path plate 20 forming individual liquid chambers 21 communicating with the nozzles 11, a vibration plate 30 including a piezoelectric element 40, and a laminate of the vibration plates 30. and a frame member 70 laminated on the intermediate flow path plate 50 and serving also as a common flow path member.

The individual channel plate 20 , together with the individual liquid chamber 21 , forms a supply side individual channel 22 communicating with the individual liquid chamber 21 and a recovery side individual channel 24 communicating with the individual liquid chamber 21 .

The intermediate channel plate 50 has a supply-side intermediate individual channel 51 that communicates with the supply-side individual channel 22 through the opening 31 of the vibration plate 30, and communicates with the recovery-side individual channel 24 through the opening 32 of the vibration plate 30. A recovery-side intermediate individual channel 52 is formed.

A frame member 70 as a common channel member forms a supply-side common channel 71 communicating with the supply-side intermediate individual channel 51 and a recovery-side common channel 72 communicating with the recovery-side intermediate individual channel 52 .

The supply-side common channel 71 communicates with the channel 151 of the manifold 105 via the supply port 81 . Manifold 105 has a supply port 181 leading to flow path 151 therein. The recovery-side common channel 72 communicates with the channel 152 of the manifold 105 via the recovery port 82 . Manifold 105 has a collection port 182 leading to flow path 152 therein.

The printed circuit board 106 and the piezoelectric element 40 of the head 1 are connected via a flexible wiring member 90 , and a driver IC (driving circuit) 91 is mounted on the flexible wiring member 90 .

In this embodiment, a plurality of heads 1 are held by the base member 102 at intervals. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, two heads 1, 1 arranged side by side in the widthwise direction constitute one set, and four sets are arranged in a staggered manner in the lengthwise direction to form eight heads 1. It constitutes the module 100 .

The heat radiating member 104 is arranged to face a plurality of (here, four) heads 1 and the base member 102 . The heat dissipation member 104 is provided with a convex holding portion 141 between two heads 1 , 1 adjacent in the longitudinal direction of the head 1 . It is fixed by being fitted into the provided concave portion 122 .

Since the two heads 1, 1 are arranged side by side in the lateral direction of the head 1, the heat dissipation member 104 has a through hole 104a through which the two flexible wiring members 90, 90 of the adjacent heads 1, 1 pass. are provided.

A module case 107 is attached to the base member 102 . Module case 107 accommodates part of flexible wiring member 90 including printed circuit board 106 , manifold 105 , heat dissipation member 104 and driver IC 91 .

A port portion 80 forming a supply port 81 and a recovery port 82 of the head 1 is arranged outside the heat radiating member 104 in the longitudinal direction and through a through hole 104b provided in the heat radiating member 104 .

The port portion 80 protrudes from the upper surface of the heat dissipation member 104 , and the manifold 105 is arranged on the port portion 80 with a gap from the upper surface of the heat dissipation member 104 .

The cover member 103 covers at least part of the periphery of the ejection surfaces 10a of the plurality of heads 1, and covers all of the periphery in this embodiment.

Next, a structure for holding the head with respect to the base member in the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 12. FIG. 7 is a perspective explanatory view of the head, FIG. 8 is a perspective explanatory view of the base member, FIG. 9 is a partial sectional explanatory view of the head module, FIG. FIG. 11 is an explanatory plan view of the same, and FIG. 12 is an explanatory perspective cross-sectional view of the same.

The head 1 has flanges 171 at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the frame member 70 , and the flanges 171 are provided with through holes 172 through which the intermediate members 201 pass.

The base member 102 is provided with an opening 121 into which the portion of the frame member 70 of the head 1 other than the flange 171 can be inserted. When the frame member 70 of the head 1 is inserted into the opening 121, the flange portion 171 of the head 1 faces the base member 102 in the direction perpendicular to the plane.

The base member 102 is provided with a recess 122 into which the intermediate member 201 is fitted, and a female screw 123 is formed on the bottom surface of the recess 122 .

The intermediate member 201 is a cylindrical member (here, a cylindrical member) that can be fitted into the recess 122 of the base member 102 and has an outer diameter smaller than the through hole 172 of the flange 171 of the head 1 . .

The intermediate member 201 is fixed to the concave portion 122 of the base member 102 by a screw 202, which is a fastening member. A flange portion 171 of the head 1 is fitted with a through hole 172 on the outer periphery of the intermediate member 201 , and the intermediate member 201 and the head 1 are held together by an adhesive 203 between the inner wall surface of the through hole 172 and the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate member 201 . Fixed.

Here, as shown in FIG. 11, the adhesive 203 may be applied over the entire circumference of the through-hole 172 in the circumferential direction, or may be partially applied. good. In short, as long as the intermediate member 201 and the head 1 can be fixed, the application area of the adhesive 203 in the circumferential direction of the through hole 172 is not limited.

The region in which the adhesive 203 is applied in the circumferential direction of the through hole 172 is not particularly limited as long as the intermediate member 201 and the head 1 can be fixed.

Between the flange portion 171 of the head 1 and the base member 102, the head 1 is joined to the intermediate member 201 with the adhesive 203, and the direction perpendicular to the plane of the base member 102 (the head 1 is inserted into the opening 121). A gap (air gap) 204 is provided in the direction of

That is, the flange portion 171 of the head 1 is fixed to the intermediate member 201 with the adhesive 203 in a state of floating from the base member 102 , and the flange portion 171 of the head 1 is not directly held by the base member 102 .

In this way, since the collar portion 171 of the head 1 is fixed to the intermediate member 201 in a state of floating from the base member 102, the accuracy of the base member 102 and the intermediate member 201 is equal to the positional accuracy of the ejection surface 10a of the head 1. does not affect Further, since the flange portion 171 of the head 1 is not in direct contact with the base member 102, the positional relationship between the base member 102 and the head 1 does not affect the positional accuracy of the ejection surface 10a. As a result, the positional accuracy of the ejection surface 10a of the head 1 is improved.

Further, since the intermediate member 201 is detachably attached to the base member 102 with the screw 202, the intermediate member 201 can be easily removed from the base member 102 to remove the head 1 and replace it. Thereby, each head 1 can be exchanged.

Also, the cover member 103 that covers the peripheral edge portions of the ejection surfaces 10a of the plurality of heads 1 is bonded to the base member 102 with the adhesive 303, as described above.

The cover member 103 is bonded to the outer region of the nozzle plate 10 with an adhesive 303 on the surface of the individual channel plate 20 on the nozzle plate 10 side. At this time, the joint surface 103 a of the cover member 103 with the individual flow path plate 20 is positioned closer to the individual flow path plate 30 than the ejection surface 10 a of the nozzle plate 10 .

The cover member 103 is provided with a stepped portion 103b on the side facing the individual flow path plate 30, and the eaves portion 103c of the cover member 103 covers the peripheral edge portion of the ejection surface 10a without contacting the ejection surface 10a. ing.

As a result, while the thickness of the adhesive 303 that joins the cover member 103 and the individual flow path plate 30 is reduced, the cover member 103 covers the peripheral portion of the nozzle plate 10 to protect the edge of the nozzle plate 10. can be done.

In addition, since there is a gap 305 between the cover member 103 and the discharge surface 10a, the eaves portion 103c facing the peripheral edge of the discharge surface 10a and the adhesive 303 that joins the cover member 103 and the individual flow path plate 30 together. thickness can be reduced.

Further, the thickness of the adhesive that joins the cover member 103 and the base member 102 is made larger than the thickness of the adhesive that joins the cover member 103 and the individual flow path plate 30 . As a result, reliable adhesive sealing can be achieved. The joint region with the cover member 103 is narrower in the individual flow path plate 30 than in the base member 102, and adhesive sealing is difficult. Therefore, by making the joint surface of the individual flow path plate 30 protrude from the joint surface of the base member 102 toward the discharge surface 10 a of the nozzle plate 10 , the individual flow path plate 30 is securely adhered and sealed to the cover member 103 . can stop

Next, a procedure for mounting the head 1 in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14. FIG. FIG. 13 is a perspective view for explaining the same, and FIG. 14 is a side view for explaining the same.

As shown in FIG. 13(b), the intermediate member 201 is fitted into the concave portion 122 of the base member 102 shown in FIG. 13(a), and the intermediate member 201 is attached to the base member 102 by screws 202 as shown in FIG. 13(c). fixed.

Then, as shown in FIG. 13(d), after passing the intermediate member 201 through the through hole 172 of the flange portion 171 of the head 1, as shown in FIG. By pressing against the reference surface 300, the heights of the ejection surfaces 10a of all the heads 1 are made uniform.

At this time, the head 1 is lifted from the base member 102 with a gap 204 formed between the flange portion 171 of the head 1 and the base member 102 .

Then, as shown in FIG. 13E, an adhesive 203 is filled between the inner wall surface of the through hole 172 of the flange portion 171 of the head 1 and the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate member 201, and the flange portion 171 of the head 1 is sealed. is bonded to the intermediate member 201 with an adhesive 203 . As the adhesive 203, an ultraviolet curable adhesive was used.

As a result, the height positions of the ejection surfaces 10a of the heads 1 are aligned. When fixed with the adhesive 203, there is a gap 204 between the flange portion 171 of the head 1 and the base member 102. Therefore, positioning is not performed between the head 1 and the base member 102, and the positional accuracy of the ejection surface 10a is reduced. is not affected.

After that, as shown in FIG. 10, the cover member 103 is joined to the head 1 and the base member 102 with an adhesive 303 .

Here, the height H1 of the frame member 70 of the head 1 excluding the flange portion 171 is made larger than the thickness H2 of the base member 102 (H1>H2). Thereby, the gap 204 can be secured.

Next, a procedure for removing the head 1 from the base member will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 15 is a perspective view for explaining the same.

When the head 1 needs to be replaced while the head 1 is held by the base member 102 as shown in FIG. 15(a), the intermediate member 201 is replaced as shown in FIG. 15(b). The screw 202 that secures the base member 102 is removed.

Then, as shown in FIG. 15(c), the head 1 is removed from the base member 102 together with the intermediate member 201. Then, as shown in FIG.

After that, as described above, a new intermediate member 201 is fixed to the base member 102 with the screw 202, the flange portion 171 of the new head 1 is fitted into the intermediate member 201, and pressed against the reference surface 300 to attach another fixed head. Align the height with 1. Then, the flange portion 171 of the head 1 and the intermediate member 201 are joined with the adhesive 203 .

Since the head 1 can be removed together with the intermediate member 201 in this manner, the head 1 can be easily replaced. For example, before joining the cover member 103 to the base member 102 and the head 1, the performance test of the head 1 can be performed, and if there is an unsuitable head 1, the head can be easily replaced, and the yield of the head module 1 can be improved. can be improved.

Next, a head module according to a second embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of the same head module.

In this embodiment, each head 1 is provided with a cover member 103 that covers the periphery of the ejection surface 10a. In other words, in the first embodiment, the single cover member 103 covers the periphery of the ejection surface 10a of all the heads 1, whereas in the present embodiment, each head 1 is provided with the cover member 103. there is

Even with such a module configuration, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

Next, an example of an apparatus for ejecting liquid according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18. FIG. FIG. 17 is a schematic explanatory diagram of the same device, and FIG. 18 is a plan explanatory view of an example of a head unit of the same device.

A printing apparatus 500, which is a device for ejecting liquid, includes loading means 501 for loading a continuous body 510; It includes printing means 505 for printing to form an image by ejecting liquid onto 510 , drying means 507 for drying the continuous body 510 , carrying out means 509 for carrying out the continuous body 510 , and the like.

The continuous body 510 is sent out from the main winding roller 511 of the carrying-in means 501, guided and carried by rollers of the carrying-in means 501, the guide-conveying means 503, the drying means 507, and the carrying-out means 509. is taken up by

The continuum 510 is transported on the transport guide member 559 facing the head unit 550 in the printing means 505 , and an image is printed by the liquid ejected from the head unit 550 .

Here, the head unit 550 has two head modules 100A and 100B according to the present invention on a common base member 552 .

When the direction in which the heads 1 are arranged in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the head module 100 is defined as the head arrangement direction, the head rows 1A1 and 1A2 of the head module 100A eject liquid of the same color. Similarly, the head rows 1B1 and 1B2 of the head module 100A are paired, the head rows 1C1 and 1C2 of the head module 100B are paired, and the head rows 1D1 and 1D2 are paired, and liquid of a desired color is ejected.

It should be noted that the head module according to the present invention can be integrated with functional parts and mechanisms to form a liquid ejection unit. For example, at least one of the configurations of the head module, head tank, carriage, supply mechanism, maintenance/recovery mechanism, main scanning movement mechanism, and liquid circulation device can be combined.

Here, integration includes, for example, a head module and a functional part or a mechanism fixed to each other by fastening, adhesion, engagement, or the like, or one held movably with respect to the other. . Also, the head module, the functional parts, and the mechanism may be configured to be detachable from each other.

Further, the "apparatus for ejecting liquid" in the present invention includes an apparatus that includes a head module or a liquid ejection unit and drives a liquid ejection head to eject liquid. Devices that eject liquid include not only devices that can eject liquid onto an object to which liquid can adhere, but also devices that eject liquid into air or liquid.

The "liquid ejecting device" can include means for feeding, transporting, and ejecting an object to which liquid can adhere, as well as a pre-processing device, a post-processing device, and the like.

For example, as a "device that ejects liquid", an image forming device that ejects ink to form an image on paper, and powder is formed in layers to form a three-dimensional object (three-dimensional object). There is a three-dimensional modeling apparatus (three-dimensional modeling apparatus) that ejects a modeling liquid onto a formed powder layer.

Further, the "apparatus for ejecting liquid" is not limited to one that visualizes significant images such as characters and figures with the ejected liquid. For example, it includes those that form patterns that have no meaning per se, and those that form three-dimensional images.

The above-mentioned "substance to which a liquid can adhere" means a substance to which a liquid can adhere at least temporarily, such as a substance to which a liquid adheres and adheres, a substance which adheres and permeates, and the like. Specific examples include media such as recording media such as paper, recording paper, recording paper, film, and cloth, electronic components such as electronic substrates and piezoelectric elements, powder layers (powder layers), organ models, and test cells. Yes, and unless otherwise specified, includes anything that has liquid on it.

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

Further, the ``device for ejecting liquid'' includes a device in which a liquid ejection head and an object to which liquid can be adhered move relatively, but is not limited to this. Specific examples include a serial type apparatus in which the liquid ejection head is moved and a line type apparatus in which the liquid ejection head is not moved.

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

The liquid to be ejected is not particularly limited as long as it has a viscosity and surface tension that can be ejected from the head. is preferred. More specifically, solvents such as water and organic solvents, colorants such as dyes and pigments, functional-imparting materials such as polymerizable compounds, resins, and surfactants, biocompatible materials such as DNA, amino acids, proteins, and calcium. , edible materials such as natural pigments, solutions, suspensions, emulsions, etc. These are, for example, inkjet inks, surface treatment liquids, components of electronic elements and light emitting elements, and formation of electronic circuit resist patterns It can be used for applications such as liquids for liquids and material liquids for three-dimensional modeling.

Piezoelectric actuators (laminated piezoelectric element and thin film piezoelectric element), thermal actuators that use electrothermal conversion elements such as heating resistors, and electrostatic actuators that consist of a diaphragm and a counter electrode are used as energy sources for liquid ejection. includes those that

The terms used in the present application, such as image formation, recording, printing, copying, printing, and molding, are synonymous.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 head 10 nozzle plate 11 nozzle 70 frame member (common channel member)
71 flange portion 72 through hole 90 flexible wiring member 91 driver IC
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 head module 102 base member 103 cover member 104 heat dissipation member 105 manifold 106 printed circuit board 108 module case 121 opening 122 recess 123 female screw 201 intermediate member 202 screw 203 adhesive 204 gap 500 device for ejecting liquid (printing device)
550 head unit

Claims (9)

a plurality of heads for ejecting liquid;
a base member to which the plurality of heads are attached,
each of the plurality of heads is held by the base member via an intermediate member;
The base member has an opening into which the head is inserted,
The head has a flange facing the base member in a direction perpendicular to the plane,
The intermediate member is detachably attached to the base member,
the head is fixed to the intermediate member with an adhesive, and there is a space between the flange portion of the head and the base member;
The brim of the head is provided with a mounting hole into which the intermediate member is inserted,
The inner wall surface of the mounting hole of the head and the intermediate member are bonded with the adhesive.
A head module characterized by: 2. The head module according to claim 1 , wherein said intermediate member is a cylindrical member. a plurality of heads for ejecting liquid;
a base member to which the plurality of heads are attached,
each of the plurality of heads is held by the base member via an intermediate member;
The base member has an opening into which the head is inserted,
The head has a flange facing the base member in a direction perpendicular to the plane,
The intermediate member is detachably attached to the base member,
the head is fixed to the intermediate member with an adhesive, and there is a space between the flange portion of the head and the base member;
The head module, wherein the intermediate member is a cylindrical member. 4. A head module according to claim 1, wherein said intermediate member is attached to said base member with screws. the head includes a frame member having the collar,
5. The head module according to claim 1, wherein the height of said frame member is greater than the thickness of said base member. a plurality of heads for ejecting liquid;
a base member to which the plurality of heads are attached,
each of the plurality of heads is held by the base member via an intermediate member;
The base member has an opening into which the head is inserted,
The head has a flange facing the base member in a direction perpendicular to the plane,
The intermediate member is detachably attached to the base member,
the head is fixed to the intermediate member with an adhesive, and there is a space between the flange portion of the head and the base member;
A head module according to claim 1, wherein the base member is provided with one cover member that covers peripheral portions of the ejection surfaces of the plurality of heads. 6. The head module according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein each of said plurality of heads is provided with a cover member covering a peripheral edge portion of the ejection surface of said head. 8. A head unit comprising a plurality of head modules according to claim 1 arranged side by side on a common base member. 8. A device for ejecting liquid, comprising the head module according to claim 1 or the head unit according to claim 8.

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