JPH01281952A - Ink jet head - Google Patents

Ink jet head

Info

Publication number
JPH01281952A
JPH01281952A JP11190188A JP11190188A JPH01281952A JP H01281952 A JPH01281952 A JP H01281952A JP 11190188 A JP11190188 A JP 11190188A JP 11190188 A JP11190188 A JP 11190188A JP H01281952 A JPH01281952 A JP H01281952A
Authority
JP
Japan
Prior art keywords
gap
ink
nozzle
generating member
pressure generating
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
JP11190188A
Other languages
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
Koichi Higashimura
東村　公一
Masanao Matsuzawa
松澤　正尚
Osamu Nakamura
修 中村
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Seiko Epson Corp
Original Assignee
Seiko Epson Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Seiko Epson Corp filed Critical Seiko Epson Corp
Priority to JP11190188A priority Critical patent/JPH01281952A/en
Publication of JPH01281952A publication Critical patent/JPH01281952A/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/135—Nozzles
    • B41J2/14—Structure thereof only for on-demand ink jet heads
    • B41J2/14201—Structure of print heads with piezoelectric elements
    • B41J2/14282—Structure of print heads with piezoelectric elements of cantilever type

Landscapes

  • Particle Formation And Scattering Control In Inkjet Printers (AREA)

Abstract

PURPOSE:To achieve the simultaneous improvement of characteristics such as the discharge velocity, amount and response of ink droplets by designing the gap between a pressure-generating member and a nozzle formation substrate in such a manner that the gap narrows at its periphery and widens at its center. CONSTITUTION:A plurality of nozzles 12 are provided on a nozzle formation substrate 11, and on each nozzle 12, pressure generating members 15 consisting of a laminated material of a piezoelectric element 13 and a metal plate 14, are arranged in a mutually opposed position, and immersed in ink 16. In addition, the member 15 is thick in the section corresponding to the periphery 18 of the gap 17 between the member 15 and the substrate 11, and thin in the section corresponding to the center of the gap 17. If a voltage 20 is applied to the piezoelectric element 13, it contracts and the member 15 deforms in a direction of the nozzle 12 due to bimetallic effects. This results in the increased pressure of the ink existing in the gap 17 and the subsequent discharge of the ink from the nozzle 12. At that time, it is possible to set the area, shape of the periphery 18 and the center 19 independently and freely control the impact applied to the oscillation of the member 15 by the inertia and viscosity of the ink in the gap 17.

Description

【発明の詳細な説明】 〔産業上の利用分野〕 本発明は、インクの中に浸されている圧力発生部材に電
圧を印加して圧力発生部材を変位させ、ノズル形成基板
との間隙に存在するインクの圧力を高めてノズルからイ
ンク滴を吐出させる機構のインクジェットヘッドに関す
る。Detailed Description of the Invention [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention applies a voltage to a pressure-generating member immersed in ink to displace the pressure-generating member, thereby displacing the pressure-generating member present in the gap between the nozzle forming substrate and The present invention relates to an inkjet head with a mechanism that increases the pressure of ink to eject ink droplets from a nozzle.

〔従来の技術〕[Conventional technology]

複数のノズルを有するノズル形成基板と、ノズルの各々
と対向配置し、インクの中に浸されている圧力発生部材
とを備え、電圧印加により圧力発生部材を変位させ、ノ
ズル形成基板との間隙に存在するインクの圧力を高めて
ノズルからインク滴を吐出させるオンデマンド型インク
ジェットヘッドは、例えば特開昭５７−１７．８７６８
等に提案されており、このインクジェット機構は、イン
ク滴の吐出安定性に優れ、インク中に気泡・ゴミ等が混
入した場合でもその影響を受けずに正常なインク滴の吐
出が可能であるという特徴を有している。It is equipped with a nozzle forming substrate having a plurality of nozzles, and a pressure generating member disposed facing each of the nozzles and immersed in ink. An on-demand inkjet head that increases the pressure of existing ink to eject ink droplets from a nozzle is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 57-17.8768.
This inkjet mechanism has excellent ink droplet ejection stability, and is said to be able to eject ink droplets normally without being affected by air bubbles, dirt, etc. mixed into the ink. It has characteristics.

〔発明が解決しようとする課題〕[Problem to be solved by the invention]

このタイプのインクジェットヘッドにおいては、圧力発
生部材とノズル形成基板との間隙の寸法力ｆ、インク滴
の吐出スピード・吐出量・吐出応答性といったインクジ
ェット特性に大きな影響を与える事が判っているものの
、満足のいく特性を獲得する事は非常に難しく、各特性
間のトレードオフによってヘッドの仕様が決定されてい
た。即ち、インク滴の吐出スピードと吐出量を決定する
圧力発生部材の振動は、ノズル形成基板との間隙に存在
するインクが有する慣性と粘性に大きく左右さ汰所望の
吐出スピードと吐出量を得る為には、間隙の寸法をある
一定の範囲に抑える必要があるのに対し、吐出応答性は
、間隙が狭い程低下する傾向にあり、吐出スピード・吐
出量・吐出応答性の全てに満足のいく様な間隙に設定す
る事は、事実上不可能だった。In this type of inkjet head, it is known that the dimensional force f of the gap between the pressure generating member and the nozzle forming substrate has a large effect on the inkjet characteristics such as the ejection speed, ejection amount, and ejection response of the ink droplets. It was extremely difficult to obtain satisfactory characteristics, and head specifications were determined by trade-offs between each characteristic. In other words, the vibration of the pressure generating member that determines the ejection speed and amount of ink droplets is greatly influenced by the inertia and viscosity of the ink existing in the gap with the nozzle forming substrate. In order to achieve this, it is necessary to keep the gap size within a certain range, but the discharge response tends to decrease as the gap becomes narrower, and it is necessary to maintain a satisfactory discharge speed, discharge amount, and discharge response. It was virtually impossible to set up such a gap.

本発明の目的は、こうした技術課題を解決して、インク
滴の吐出スピード・吐出量・吐出応答性といった緒特性
の向上を同時に達成し、性能の優れたインクジェットヘ
ッドを提供する事にある。An object of the present invention is to solve these technical problems and provide an inkjet head with excellent performance by simultaneously achieving improvement in the characteristics such as ink droplet ejection speed, ejection amount, and ejection response.

〔課題を解決するための手段〕[Means to solve the problem]

本発明におけるインクジェットヘッドは、複数のノズル
を有するノズル形成基板と、ノズルの各々と対向配置し
、インクの中に浸されている圧力発生部材とを備え、電
圧印加により圧力発生部材を変位させ、ノズル形成基板
との間隙に存在するインクの圧力を高めてノズルからイ
ンク滴を吐出させるイン、クジエツトヘッドであって、
斥力発生部材とノズル形成基板との間隙が、間隙の辺縁
部で狭く、間隙の中央部で広くなっている事を特徴とす
る。An inkjet head according to the present invention includes a nozzle forming substrate having a plurality of nozzles, a pressure generating member disposed facing each of the nozzles and immersed in ink, and displacing the pressure generating member by applying a voltage. An ink jet head that increases the pressure of ink existing in a gap with a nozzle forming substrate to eject ink droplets from a nozzle,
The gap between the repulsive force generating member and the nozzle forming substrate is narrow at the edges of the gap and wide at the center of the gap.

〔作用〕[Effect]

本発明の上記の構成によれば、辺縁部の面積・辺縁部の
形状・辺縁部の間隙寸法・中央部の面積・中央部の形状
・中央部の間隙寸法を独立に設定出来る為、圧力発生部
材とノズル形成基板との間隙に存在するインクが有する
慣性と粘性が圧力発生部材の振動に与える影響を、゛自
由に操作出来る。According to the above configuration of the present invention, the area of the edge, the shape of the edge, the gap size of the edge, the area of the center, the shape of the center, and the gap size of the center can be set independently. The influence of the inertia and viscosity of the ink existing in the gap between the pressure generating member and the nozzle forming substrate on the vibration of the pressure generating member can be controlled freely.

〔実施例〕〔Example〕

本発明における実施例を、図面に基づき説明する。 Embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

第１図は、本発明におけるインクジェットヘッドを搭載
した記録装置の一実施例を説明するための斜視図である
。記録媒体１は、送りローラー２、・３の押圧によりプ
ラ、テン４に捲き回され、記録の進行に従い矢印５の方
向に搬送される。ガイド軸６・７に案内されプラテン４
の軸と平行な方向に移動可能なキャリッジ８上には、複
数のノズルを有するインクジェットヘッド９が搭載され
ており、矢印１０の方向に移動しつつ各々のノズルから
インク滴を吐出して記録媒体上にインク像を形成する。FIG. 1 is a perspective view for explaining an embodiment of a recording apparatus equipped with an inkjet head according to the present invention. The recording medium 1 is wound around the plate and ten 4 by the pressure of the feed rollers 2 and 3, and is conveyed in the direction of the arrow 5 as recording progresses. The platen 4 is guided by the guide shafts 6 and 7.
An inkjet head 9 having a plurality of nozzles is mounted on a carriage 8 that is movable in a direction parallel to the axis of the arrow 10 and ejects ink droplets from each nozzle while moving in the direction of an arrow 10 to print on a recording medium. Form an ink image thereon.

第２図（ａ）　　・　（ｂ）は、本発明におけるインク
ジェットヘッド９の構造並びにインク滴の吐出原理を説
明するためのヘッド断面図である。ノズル形成基板１１
には、複数のノズル１２力ｆ設けられ、各々のノズル１
２には、圧電素子１３と金属板１４の積層材から成る圧
力発生部材１５が対向配置され、インク１６中に浸され
た構造となっている。更に、圧力発生部材１５の厚みは
、圧力発生部材１５とノズル形成基板１１との間隙１７
の辺縁部１８に対応する部分で厚く、間隙１７の中央部
１９に対応する部分で薄くなっている。圧電素子１３に
電圧２０を印加すると、圧電素子１３が収縮し、金属板
１４とで形成するバイメタル効果によって、圧力発生部
材１５は、ノズルの方向へ変形する。この変形によって
圧力発生部材１５とノズル形成基板１１との間隙１７に
存在するインクの圧カカオ高まり、ノズル１２からイン
ク滴力ｆ吐出する。FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b) are head sectional views for explaining the structure of the inkjet head 9 and the principle of ejecting ink droplets in the present invention. Nozzle forming substrate 11
is provided with a plurality of nozzles 12 force f, each nozzle 1
2, a pressure generating member 15 made of a laminated material of a piezoelectric element 13 and a metal plate 14 is disposed facing each other and is immersed in ink 16. Furthermore, the thickness of the pressure generating member 15 is equal to the gap 17 between the pressure generating member 15 and the nozzle forming substrate 11.
It is thick at the portion corresponding to the edge portion 18 of the gap 17 and thin at the portion corresponding to the center portion 19 of the gap 17. When a voltage 20 is applied to the piezoelectric element 13, the piezoelectric element 13 contracts, and due to the bimetallic effect formed with the metal plate 14, the pressure generating member 15 is deformed in the direction of the nozzle. This deformation increases the pressure of the ink existing in the gap 17 between the pressure generating member 15 and the nozzle forming substrate 11, and the ink droplet force f is ejected from the nozzle 12.

第３図（ａ）　　・　（ｂ）は、本発明におけるインク
ジェットヘッド９の構造の別の実施例を説明するための
ヘッド断面図である。図中、第２図と同じ構成要素には
、同じ番号が付しである。本実施例のヘッドにおいては
、ノズル形成基板１１の厚み力ｆ、圧力発生部材１５と
ノズル形成基板１１との間隙１７の辺縁部１８に対応す
る部分で厚く、間隙１７の中央部１９に対応する部分で
薄くなっている。本実施例においては、間隙１７０寸法
の差をノズル形成基板１１の厚みの差によって実現する
為、間隙１７の寸法の差を機能部品である圧力発生部材
１５の厚みの差によって実現する第一の実施例よりも、
製造コストの面で有利である。FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) are head sectional views for explaining another embodiment of the structure of the inkjet head 9 according to the present invention. In the figure, the same components as in FIG. 2 are given the same numbers. In the head of this embodiment, the thickness force f of the nozzle forming substrate 11 is thick at a portion corresponding to the edge portion 18 of the gap 17 between the pressure generating member 15 and the nozzle forming substrate 11, and corresponding to the central portion 19 of the gap 17. It is thinner in the areas where it is exposed. In this embodiment, since the difference in the dimension of the gap 170 is realized by the difference in the thickness of the nozzle forming substrate 11, the difference in the dimension of the gap 17 is realized by the difference in the thickness of the pressure generating member 15, which is a functional component. From the example,
It is advantageous in terms of manufacturing cost.

〔発明の効果〕〔Effect of the invention〕

以上述べたように、本発明によれば、圧力発生部材とノ
ズル形成基板との間隙が、間隙の辺縁部で狭く、間隙の
中央部で広くなっている為、並びに、辺縁部の面積・辺
縁部の形状・辺縁部の間隙寸法・中央部の面積・中央部
の形状・中央部の間隙寸法を独立に設定して、圧力発生
部材とノズル形成基板との間隙に存在するインフカｆ有
する慣性と粘性が圧力発生部材の振動に与える影響を、
自由に操作出来る為、インク滴の吐出スピード・吐出量
・吐出応答性といった緒特性が同時に向上した、性能の
優れたインクジェットヘッドを提供する車力ｆ出来、こ
うした性能の優れたインクジェットヘッドを搭載する事
により、高性能の記録装置を実現する事が可能となる。As described above, according to the present invention, the gap between the pressure generating member and the nozzle forming substrate is narrow at the edge of the gap and wide at the center of the gap.・The shape of the edge, the gap size of the edge, the area of the center, the shape of the center, and the gap size of the center can be set independently to reduce the influx that exists in the gap between the pressure generating member and the nozzle forming board. The influence of inertia and viscosity with f on the vibration of the pressure generating member is
Because it can be operated freely, it provides an inkjet head with excellent performance, which simultaneously improves the characteristics such as the ejection speed, ejection amount, and ejection response of ink droplets. This makes it possible to realize a high-performance recording device.

また、本発明によれば、圧力発生部材とノズル形成基板
との間隙が、間隙の中央部で広くなっている為、間隙に
存在するインクが有する粘性によって消費されるエネル
ギーロス力！低減し、消費電力の低下に貢献するととも
に、圧力発生部材とノズル形成基板との間隙の寸法のマ
ージンが広がり、製造上有利に作用する。Furthermore, according to the present invention, since the gap between the pressure generating member and the nozzle forming substrate is widened at the center of the gap, there is no energy loss caused by the viscosity of the ink present in the gap! This contributes to a reduction in power consumption, and increases the margin of the gap between the pressure generating member and the nozzle forming substrate, which is advantageous in terms of manufacturing.

【図面の簡単な説明】[Brief explanation of the drawing]

第１図は、本発明におけるインクジェットヘッドを搭載
した記録装置の一実施例を説明するための斜視図、第２
図（ａ）　　・　（ｂ）は、本発明の一実施例における
インクジェットヘッドの構造図並びにＡ−Ａ断面図、第
３図（ａ）　　・　（ｂ）は、本発明の他の実施例にお
けるインクジェットヘッドの構造図並びにＢ−Ｂ断面図
。 １・・・記録媒体 ９・・・インクジェットヘッド １１・・・ノズル形成基板 １２・・・ノズル　　　　　１３・・・圧電素子１４・
・・金属板　　　　　１５・・・圧力発生部材１６・・
・インク　　　　　１７・・・間隙１８・・・間隙の辺
縁部　　１９・・・間隙の中央部以上 出願人　　セイコーエプソン株式会社 代理人　　弁理土鈴木喜三部他１名 第１図 ７ノ、°ノズ゛１し砿１１版 ７２．゛ノズ゛ｌン ７７、゛ノス゛ル刊ヂ東籐力Ｌ ７２、°ノス゛１し　　・ ７５、°瓜力発生部杆 （ＣＩ）　　　　　　　　・ 第３図（ｂ）FIG. 1 is a perspective view for explaining one embodiment of a recording device equipped with an inkjet head according to the present invention, and FIG.
Figures (a) and (b) are structural diagrams and A-A sectional views of an inkjet head in one embodiment of the present invention, and Figures (a) and (b) are inkjet heads in another embodiment of the present invention. A structural diagram and a BB sectional view of the head. 1... Recording medium 9... Inkjet head 11... Nozzle forming substrate 12... Nozzle 13... Piezoelectric element 14...
...Metal plate 15...Pressure generating member 16...
・Ink 17...Gap 18...Edge of the gap 19...Central part of the gap Applicant Seiko Epson Co., Ltd. Agent Patent attorney Kizo Suzuki and 1 other person Figure 1 No. 7 No.゛1 Shiki 11th edition 72.゛Noz゛177,゛Nos゛゛published゛Totoki L 72,゛Nos゛1shi ・ 75, ゛Nos゛1shi ・ ゛Nos゛ln77,゛Nos゛゛゛゛published゛゛゛゛ ゛ ゛ ゛1 ・ 75, ゛Nos゛1shi ・ Figure 3 (b)

Claims (3)

【特許請求の範囲】[Claims] （１）複数のノズルを有するノズル形成基板と、前記ノ
ズルの各々と対向配置し、インクの中に浸されている圧
力発生部材とを備え、電圧印加により前記圧力発生部材
を変位させ、前記ノズル形成基板との間隙に存在するイ
ンクの圧力を高めて前記ノズルからインク滴を吐出させ
るインクジェットヘッドにおいて、前記圧力発生部材と
前記ノズル形成基板との間隙が、前記間隙の辺縁部で狭
く、前記間隙の中央部で広くなっている事を特徴とする
インクジェットヘッド。(1) A nozzle forming substrate having a plurality of nozzles, and a pressure generating member disposed facing each of the nozzles and immersed in ink, and displacing the pressure generating member by applying a voltage, In an inkjet head that ejects ink droplets from the nozzle by increasing the pressure of ink existing in a gap between the pressure generating member and the nozzle forming substrate, the gap between the pressure generating member and the nozzle forming substrate is narrow at an edge of the gap; An inkjet head characterized by a gap that is wide at the center. （２）圧力発生部材の厚みが、前記圧力発生部材とノズ
ル形成基板との間隙の辺縁部に対応する部分で厚く、前
記間隙の中央部に対応する部分で薄くなっている事を特
徴とする請求項１記載のインクジェットヘッド。(2) The thickness of the pressure generating member is thick in a portion corresponding to the edge of the gap between the pressure generating member and the nozzle forming substrate, and thinner in a portion corresponding to the center of the gap. The inkjet head according to claim 1. （３）ノズル形成基板の厚みが、圧力発生部材と前記ノ
ズル形成基板との間隙の辺縁部に対応する部分で厚く、
前記間隙の中央部に対応する部分で薄くなっている事を
特徴とする請求項１記載のインクジェットヘッド。(3) The thickness of the nozzle forming substrate is thick at a portion corresponding to the edge of the gap between the pressure generating member and the nozzle forming substrate;
2. The inkjet head according to claim 1, wherein the inkjet head is thinner at a portion corresponding to a central portion of the gap.
JP11190188A 1988-05-09 1988-05-09 Ink jet head Pending JPH01281952A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP11190188A JPH01281952A (en) 1988-05-09 1988-05-09 Ink jet head

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP11190188A JPH01281952A (en) 1988-05-09 1988-05-09 Ink jet head

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
JPH01281952A true JPH01281952A (en) 1989-11-13

Family

ID=14572970

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
JP11190188A Pending JPH01281952A (en) 1988-05-09 1988-05-09 Ink jet head

Country Status (1)

Country Link
JP (1) JPH01281952A (en)

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