JPH0232854A - Recording element unit and, recording element driving unit, inkjet unit, inkjet driving unit and inkjet apparatus employing same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make it unnecessary to enhance the pitch accuracy of electric conductive members so much even when said members are used in an elongated unit by aligning a plurality of small electric connecting members in parallel to each other to connect a recording element or driving element, so that each connecting member can be made small in size. CONSTITUTION:Recording elements 2, electrodes 14, 15, and electric connecting members 3 are provided on a recording element substrate 4. The connecting members 3 may be or may not be connected each other. When the connecting members are so arranged as not to be connected each other, a unit can be further prevented from bending by the thermal expansion of the substrate 4 or conductive members 3. The interval between the connecting members 3 can be determined in consideration of the difference in thermal expansion coefficient between the substrate 4 and connecting member 3.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a recording element unit, a recording element drive unit, an inkjet unit, an inkjet drive unit, and an inkjet apparatus using the same.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, as a technique for electrically connecting a recording element substrate and a driving element substrate, the following techniques are known.

■Wire bonding method This method, as shown in FIG. It's a way to connect.

(2) Method of forming a recording element and a driving element on an integrated substrate This method is a method of forming a recording element and a driving element on an integrated substrate using an appropriate film forming technique.

■Method using an electrical connection member This method is a method of connecting the electrode portion of the recording element substrate and the electrode portion of the drive element substrate using an electrical connection member disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 133395/1983. .

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining this method. In the figure, 4 is a recording element substrate, 5 is a drive element substrate, 12 and 13 are electrode parts, and 19 and 20 are insulating films. Further, 3 is an electrical connection member, 17 is an electrically conductive member,
18 is a holder for holding the electrically conductive member 17. Here, the pitch of the electrically conductive members 17 is
and 15 pitches.

The recording element substrate 4, drive element substrate 5, and electrical connection members are first arranged as shown in FIG. 9(a), and then as shown in FIG.
They are pressed together as shown in b). In addition, FIG. 6(C) is an overall view after crimping.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, the conventional electrical connection method described above has the following problems.

■ Wire bonding method ■ In the wire bonding method, in order to avoid contact between adjacent ultra-fine metal wires, the pitch dimension of the connection parts on the drive element (distance between the centers of adjacent connection parts) must be set to a certain extent. Therefore, once the size of the drive element is determined, the maximum number of connections must be determined.

However, in the wire bonding method, the pitch dimension is usually as large as about 3.2 mm, so the number of connection parts must be reduced.

Conversely, this means that if the number of connection parts between the driving element and the recording element is fixed, the sizes of the driving element substrate and the recording element substrate must be returned to extremely long sizes.

■The height h of the ultra-fine metal wire measured from the connection part on the drive element is usually 0.2 to 0.4 mm, but it is relatively difficult to make it thinner than 0.2 mm, so try to make it thinner. do not have.

■Wire bonding takes time. In particular, when the number of connection points increases, bonding time becomes longer and production efficiency deteriorates.

■If the transfer mold condition range is exceeded for some reason, the ultra-fine metal wire may be deformed or, in the worst case, cut.

In addition, at the connection portion on the drive element, since Al1 that is not alloyed with the ultrafine metal wire is exposed, jlj2 corrosion is likely to occur, resulting in a decrease in reliability.

(2) When a drive element becomes defective, it is difficult to replace only the ffi drive element.

(2) Method of forming a recording element and a driving element on an integrated substrate This method has a problem in that if a defect occurs in any part of the recording element or the driving element, the entire device will stop working.

■Method using electrical connection members This method has the advantages of being able to miniaturize the unit, not requiring highly accurate positioning, and reducing costs.

However, if the electrical connection member is extremely long, ■ the electrical connection member may curve due to thermal expansion due to heat generated by the recording element, etc., ■ influence of pitch error of the electrically conductive member. Since the pitch becomes large, there is a problem in that high precision is required for the pitch, leading to a decrease in yield and an increase in cost.

[Means for Solving the Problems] A first aspect of the present invention is to provide a method comprising a holder made of an electrically insulating material and a plurality of electrically conductive members disposed on the holder. and a plurality of electrically conductive members, one end of which is exposed on one side of the holder, and the other end of the electrically conductive member is exposed on the other side of the holder. an electrical connection member; a recording element base having a plurality of connection parts and on which a plurality of recording elements are arranged; the plurality of electrical connection members being one of the electrical connection members; The recording element unit is disposed on the recording element base so that one end of the electrically conductive member exposed at the surface thereof is connected to a connecting portion of the recording element base. .

A second aspect of the present invention is a holder formed using an electrically insulating material having one or more grooves and/or holes, and a plurality of electrically conductive members disposed on the holder. and an electrical conductor having one end of the electrically conductive member exposed on one surface of the holder, and the other end of the electrically conductive member exposed on the other surface of the holder. a recording element base having a plurality of connection parts and on which a plurality of recording elements are disposed; and an electrically conductive member exposed on one surface of the electrical connection member. The recording element unit is characterized in that one end of the recording element base is connected to a connecting portion of the recording element base.

A third aspect of the present invention includes a holder formed using an electrically insulating material and a plurality of electrically conductive members disposed on the holder, one end of the electrically conductive member. is exposed on one surface of the holder, and the other end of the electrically conductive member is exposed on the other surface of the holder; A recording element base having a connection part and on which a plurality of recording elements are arranged; A drive element base having a plurality of connection parts and on which one or more drive elements are arranged. , the plurality of electrical connection members connect the recording element so that one end of the electrically conductive member exposed on one surface of each electrical connection member is connected to the connection portion of the recording element base. A recording element characterized in that the other end of an electrically conductive member disposed on a base and exposed on the other surface of each of the electrical connection members is connected to a connecting portion of the drive element base. Present in the drive unit.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is a holder formed using an electrically insulating material having one or more grooves and/or holes, and a plurality of electrically conductive members disposed on the holder. and one end of the electrically conductive member is exposed on one surface of the holder, and the other end of the electrically conductive member is exposed on the other surface of the holder. an electrical connection member; a recording element base having a plurality of connection parts and on which a plurality of recording elements are arranged; a recording element base having a plurality of connection parts and on which one or more drive elements are arranged; a drive element base; one end of the electrically conductive member exposed on one surface of the electrical connection member is connected to a connection portion of the recording element base; each electrical connection The recording element drive unit is characterized in that the other end of the electrically conductive member exposed on the other surface of the member is connected to the connecting portion of the drive element base.

A fifth aspect of the present invention is to provide a holder formed using an electrically insulating material, a plurality of electrically conductive members disposed on the holder, and one end of the electrically conductive members. a plurality of electrical connection members, each of which is exposed on one surface of the holder, and the other end of the electrically conductive member is exposed on the other surface of the holder; a recording element base having a connecting portion and on which a plurality of recording elements are arranged; an ejection port for ejecting ink on the recording element base; and a liquid path communicating with the ejection port. are formed, and the plurality of electrical connection members are configured such that one end of the electrically conductive member exposed on one surface of each electrical connection member is connected to the connection portion of the recording element base. The present invention is also present in an inkjet unit, characterized in that the inkjet unit is disposed on the recording element substrate.

A sixth aspect of the present invention is a holder formed using an electrically insulating material having one or more grooves and/or holes, and a plurality of electrically conductive members disposed on the holder. and an electrical conductor having one end of the electrically conductive member exposed on one surface of the holder, and the other end of the electrically conductive member exposed on the other surface of the holder. a recording element base having a plurality of connection parts and on which a plurality of recording elements are arranged; an ejection port for ejecting ink onto the recording element base; A liquid path communicating with the ejection port is formed, and one end of the electrically conductive member exposed on one surface of the electrically connecting member is connected to the connecting portion of the recording element. It is present in inkjet units.

A seventh aspect of the present invention is a holder formed using a gas insulating material, and a plurality of electrically conductive members disposed on the holder, one end of the electrically conductive member. is exposed on one surface of the holder, and the other end of the electrically conductive member is exposed on the other surface of the holder,
a plurality of electrical connection members; a recording element base having a plurality of connection parts and on which a plurality of recording elements are arranged; a recording element base having a plurality of connection parts and on which one or more drive elements are arranged; a drive element base provided; an ejection port for ejecting ink and a liquid path communicating with the ejection port are formed on the recording element base; a connecting member is disposed on the recording element base so that one end of the electrically conductive member exposed on one surface of each electrically connecting member is connected to a connecting portion of the recording element base; Cage: Present in an inkjet drive unit characterized in that the other end of the electrically conductive member exposed on the other surface of the electrical connection member and the connecting portion of the drive element are connected.

An eighth aspect of the present invention is a holder formed using an electrically insulating material having one or more grooves and/or holes, and a plurality of electrically conductive members disposed on the holder. and an electrical conductor having one end of the electrically conductive member exposed on one surface of the holder, and the other end of the electrically conductive member exposed on the other surface of the holder. a recording element base having a plurality of connection parts and on which a plurality of recording elements are arranged; a recording element base having a plurality of connection parts and on which one or more drive elements are arranged; a drive element base; an ejection port for ejecting ink and a wave path communicating with the ejection port are formed on the recording element base; on one surface of the electrical connection member; one end of the electrically conductive member exposed on the other side of the electrically conductive member is connected to a connecting portion of the recording element base; the other end of the electrically conductive member exposed on the other surface of the electrically conductive member is connected to the drive element; The inkjet drive unit is characterized in that the inkjet drive unit is connected to the

A ninth aspect of the present invention is a holder formed using an electrically insulating material, and a plurality of electrically conductive members disposed on the holder, one end of the electrically conductive member. is exposed on one surface of the holder, and the other end of the electrically conductive member is exposed on the other surface of the holder; A recording element base having a connection part and on which a plurality of recording elements are arranged; A drive element base having a plurality of connection parts and on which one or more drive elements are arranged. , an ejection port for ejecting ink and a liquid path communicating with the ejection port are formed on the recording element base; the plurality of electrical connection members are connected to one of the electrical connection members; disposed on the recording element base so that one end of the electrically conductive member exposed on the surface thereof is connected to a connection portion of the recording element base; An inkjet device comprising: an inkjet drive unit in which the other end of the electrically conductive member is connected to a connecting portion of the drive element; and means for mounting the inkjet drive unit. do.

A tenth aspect of the present invention is that one or more grooves or/and
and a holder formed using an electrically insulating material having holes, and a plurality of electrically conductive members disposed on the holder, one end of the electrically conductive member being connected to the holder. an electrical connection member that is exposed on one surface, and the other end of the electrically conductive member is exposed on the other surface of the holder; a recording element base on which the elements are disposed; a drive element base having a plurality of connection parts and on which one or more drive elements are disposed; and on the recording element base, ink is applied. An ejection port for ejecting the liquid and a liquid path communicating with the ejection port are formed, and one end of the electrically conductive member exposed on one surface of the electrical connection member and the recording element base are connected. an inkjet drive unit in which the other end of the electrically conductive member exposed on the other surface of the electrical connection member and the connection part of the drive element are connected; An inkjet device is characterized in that it has a means for mounting.

(Electrical Connection Member) The electrical connection member according to the present invention has a plurality of electrically conductive members arranged on a holder made of an electrically insulating material. The disposed conductive members are electrically insulated from each other. The electrically conductive member may be disposed, for example, by embedding a part of it in the holder, or by other methods. good.

One end of the electrically conductive member is exposed on one side of the holder, and the other end is exposed on the other side of the holder.

In addition, when an electrically conductive member is provided only on the surface, one end and the other end may be connected by appropriate wiring. Furthermore, the electrically connecting member may be composed of one layer or multiple layers of two or more layers. good.

Furthermore, when using a plurality of electrical connection members according to the present invention, the size of one electrical connection member and the number of electrically conductive members arranged are not particularly limited, and the optimum values thereof are as follows. This is because it is determined by the pitch of the electrically conductive members, the coefficient of thermal expansion of the holder, etc.

Similarly, the size and pitch of the grooves and/or holes of the electrically conductive member provided with the grooves and/or holes according to the present invention,
The number etc. are not particularly limited either.

(Electrically Conductive Member) The electrically conductive member may be any material as long as it exhibits electrical conductivity, and is generally a metal material, but it may also be a material that exhibits superconductivity in addition to a fully flexural material.

Gold is preferred as the material for the metal member, but any metal or alloy other than gold may also be used. For example, Ag, Be, Ca, Mg.

Mo, Ni, W, Fe, Ti, In, Ta.

Examples include metals or alloys such as Zn, Cu, AfL, Sn, and Pb-5n.

In addition, the metal member and the alloy member may be the same type of metal or different metals may be present in the same electrical connection member. One of the members may be made of the same metal or alloy, or may be made of different metals or alloys.

Furthermore, materials other than metals and alloys may be made of organic materials and/or inorganic materials, as long as they exhibit conductivity; It may also be used in combination with

Furthermore, the cross section of the electrically conductive member can be circular, square, or other shapes.

Further, the thickness of the electrically conductive member is not particularly limited. Considering the pitch of the connection parts of electric circuit components, for example, 20 μm
It may be greater than or equal to φ or less than 20 μmφ.

Note that the exposed portion of the electrically conductive member may be on the same surface as the holder, or may protrude from the surface of the holder. This protrusion may be on one side only or on both sides. If it is made to protrude further, it may be made into a bump shape.

Further, it is preferable that the pitch of the electrically conductive member is smaller than the pitch of the connecting portion of the driving element. By doing so, it becomes possible to connect the connection portion of the drive element base and the electrical connection member without requiring positioning of the connection portion of the drive element and the electrical connection member.

Note that when buried in the holder, the electrically conductive member does not need to be arranged vertically in the holder, but rather diagonally from one side of the holder to the other side of the holder. Good too.

(Holding body) The holder is made of electrically insulating material.

Any electrical or insulating material may be used.

Examples of electrically insulating materials include organic materials and inorganic materials. Alternatively, it may be a metal or alloy material that has been treated so that the electrically conductive members are electrically insulated from each other. moreover,
One or more types of inorganic materials, metal materials, and alloy materials having a desired shape such as powder, fibers, plate-like bodies, rod-like bodies, and spherical bodies may be dispersed in the organic material. Furthermore, one or more of organic materials, metal materials, and alloy materials having a desired shape such as powder, fibers, plate-like bodies, rod-like bodies, and spherical bodies may be dispersed in the inorganic material. good,
Further, one or more kinds of inorganic materials and organic materials having a desired shape such as powder, fibers, plate-like bodies, rod-like bodies, and spherical bodies may be dispersed and held in the metal material. In addition, when the holding body is made of a metal material, for example, an electrically insulating material such as resin may be provided between the electrically conductive member and the holding body.

Here, as the organic material, for example, an insulating resin may be used, and the resin may be a thermosetting resin, an ultraviolet curing resin, or a thermoplastic resin. For example, polyimide resin, polyphenylene sulfide resin, polyether sulfone resin, polyetherimide resin, polystyrene resin, fluororesin, polycarbonate resin, polydiphenyl ether resin, polybenzylimidazole resin, polyamideimide resin, polypropylene resin, polyvinyl chloride resin , polystyrene resin, methyl methacrylate resin, polyphenylene oxide resin, phenol resin, melanin resin, epoxy resin, urea resin, methacrylic resin, vinylidene chloride resin, alkyd resin, silicone resin and other resins can be used.

Among these resins, it is more preferable to use a resin with good thermal conductivity because even if the semiconductor element has heat, the heat can be radiated through the resin.
If you select a resin that has the same or similar coefficient of thermal expansion as the circuit board, and if there is at least one hole or multiple bubbles in the organic material, thermal expansion and contraction will be reduced. Based on this, it becomes possible to further prevent a decrease in the reliability of the device.

In addition, specific examples of metal materials and alloy materials include, for example,
Ag, Cu, Au, Au2. Be, Ca.

Mg, Mo, Fe, Ni, SL, Co, Mn.

W, Cr, Nb, Zr, Ti, Ta, Zn.

Examples include metals or alloys such as Sn and Pb-3n.

Examples of inorganic materials include 5i02°1320, A
n203. Na, O, ni, O.

Cab, ZnO, Bad, PbO, Sb, O,.

AS203, La2O5* ZrO2, Bad.

P20s, TiO2+ MgO, SiC, Bed.

B P, BN, AJ2N, B4 C, TaC, T
i B2°CrB2. TiN, Sis Na, Ta
Examples include ceramics such as a, Os, diamond, glass, carbon/boron, and other inorganic materials.

(Connection) The connection between the end of the electrical connection member and the connection portion of the recording element includes connection by metallization and/or alloying, and connection by a method other than metallization and/or alloying.

(Connection by metallization and/or alloying) Next, connection by metallization and/or alloying will be described.

When the electrically conductive member to be connected and the connecting portion of the recording element are made of the same type of pure metal, the layer formed by metallization has the same type of crystal structure as the electrically conductive member or the connecting portion. Note that metallization can be carried out by, for example, bringing an end of the electrically conductive member into contact with a connecting portion corresponding to the end, and then heating the end to an appropriate temperature. In this case, heating causes diffusion of atoms in the vicinity of the contact portion, and the diffusion portion becomes metalized to form a metal layer.

When the electrically conductive member to be connected and the connection portion of the recording element are made of different types of pure metals, the connecting layer to be formed is made of an alloy of both metals. In addition, the alloying method is as follows:
For example, after bringing an end of the electrically conductive member into contact with a connecting portion corresponding to the end, the end may be heated to an appropriate temperature. In this case, the addition of M causes diffusion of atoms in the vicinity of the contact portion, and an alloy layer made of a solid solution or an intermetallic compound is formed in the vicinity of the contact portion.

In addition, when Au is used for the metal member of the electrical connection member and AIL is used for the connection part of the electric circuit component, 200
A heating temperature of ~350°C is preferred.

When one of the electrically conductive member to be connected and the connecting portion of the recording element is made of pure metal and the other is made of an alloy, or when both are made of the same or different alloys,
The connection interface consists of an alloy layer.

Regarding multiple electrically conductive members in one electrical connection member, if each electrically conductive member is made of the same kind of metal or alloy, if each is made of different kinds of metal or alloy, or in other cases. In addition, a single electrically conductive member may be made of the same kind of metal or alloy, or made of different kinds of metal or alloy, or in other cases, but in any case, the above-mentioned requirements apply. Metallization or alloying takes place. On the other hand, the same applies to the connecting part.

Note that the connecting portion of the electrically conductive member or the recording element may be made of metal or alloy at the contact portion between the two.
The other portions may be, for example, metal mixed with an inorganic material such as glass, or metal mixed with an organic material such as resin.

Furthermore, a plating layer made of a metal or alloy that is easily alloyed may be provided on the surface of the portion to be connected.

In addition to methods such as thermocompression bonding, heating methods include internal heating methods such as ultrasonic heating, high frequency dielectric heating, high frequency dielectric heating, and microwave heating, and other external heating methods. Alternatively, the above heating methods may be used in combination. In either heating method, the connecting portion is directly or indirectly heated to effect connection.

(Connection by means other than metallization and/or alloying) To perform the above-mentioned connection other than metallization or alloying, for example, the connection portion of the recording element substrate and the electrically conductive member of the electrical connection member may be connected by appropriate means. Just press it and connect. For example, the electrical connection member and the recording element may be brought into a fitted state.

Other connection methods include a connection method using adhesive. That is, there is a method of connecting the recording element substrate and the electrically conductive member by adhering them at least in a portion excluding the connecting portion.

Incidentally, when connecting the drive element base on the other surface of the electrical connection member, the connection method described above may be similarly used. Note that it is preferable to connect the driving element base body in a detachable manner.

(Removable Connection) Among the various connection means described above, for recording elements, sub-substrates, and drive element substrates that require replacement, a means that can be removably connected (for example, connection by compression) may be selected.

Even when connections are made by metallization and/or alloying, the melting point of the metal layer or alloy layer for the drive element is
The melting point may be lower than the melting point of the metal layer or alloy layer of the recording element. That is, with this configuration, if the recording element is heated to a temperature higher than the melting point of the metal layer or alloy layer for the drive element and lower than the melting point of the gold R layer or alloy layer for the recording element, the recording element can be heated. Only the driving element can be removed without causing damage or other negative effects to the connection part. In the present invention, the term "removable connection" includes such a connection.

(Film) The present invention includes a film that covers the surface of the electrical connection member of the recording element unit and inkjet unit on the side opposite to the recording element. By having such a film, it is possible to prevent this surface from being contaminated by snoops, etc., and also to prevent the electrically conductive members exposed on this surface from being oxidized, so that a good connection with the drive element can be made. It becomes possible.

The film may be of any material as long as it can provide such effects, but it is preferably made of an organic material. For example, polyethylene film, polyethylene terephthalate film, etc. may be used. Incidentally, it is preferable that the coating with this film be performed at the time of manufacturing the electrical connection member. Of course, it may be coated after fabrication.

(Printing Element, Driving Element) As the printing element in the present invention, for example, an element operated by thermal energy (heating element) or other printing element, such as a piezo element, may be used.

In the recording element unit and inkjet unit according to the present invention, at least one more recording element connection portion than the required number is provided. Thereby, the electrical connection member and the recording element base can be connected without requiring precise positioning.

On the other hand, the required number of connecting parts of the driving element or at least one more than the required number of connection parts are arranged on the driving element base.

In this way, if more than the required number are provided, connection with the electrical connection member can be made reliably without positioning, or even if it is done, without much precision.

(Each unit) The recording element unit in the present invention has the above-described electrical connection member and the recording element base, and also has a liquid path formed on the recording element base of the recording element unit, which is an inkjet unit. It is configured. The shape, dimensions, etc. of the liquid path may be arbitrary.

Further, by providing a drive element base for each of the recording element unit and the inkjet, a recording element drive unit and an inkjet drive unit are formed.

(Inkjet Apparatus) The inkjet apparatus according to the present invention includes the inkjet drive unit and means for mounting the inkjet drive unit. There are two types of inkjet devices: the so-called serial scanning type (where the print head prints eight times horizontally back and forth across the paper) and the flat scanning type (where a print head is arranged horizontally in one row). But that's fine. In particular, the present invention is effective in long inkjet drive units;
A parallel scanning type is preferred.

[Function] ■In the present invention, when connecting the recording element or the drive element using the above-mentioned electrical connection members, each electrical connection member is It can be small, and even when used in a long unit, the accuracy of the pitch of the electrically conductive members does not need to be very high.

(2) When arranging the plurality of small electrical connection members, by leaving sufficient intervals between the electrical connection members, or by using an electrical connection member having grooves and/or holes in the holding member, It is possible to prevent the unit from being bent due to thermal expansion of the electrical connection member, drive element base, etc.

In particular, when the inkjet is a bubble inkjet, higher density wiring is required, so the pitch of the electrically conductive member needs to be highly accurate, and the influence of thermal expansion is also large, but according to the present invention, this Even in the case of high-density wiring, there is no such problem.

[Example] (Example 1) FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a recording element unit (when using a plurality of electrical connection members) according to a first example of the present invention. (a) is a diagram showing a recording element substrate before disposing a plurality of electrical connection members according to the present invention, and (b) is a diagram showing a recording element substrate (after disposing a plurality of electrical connection members according to the present invention). i.e. recording element unit)
FIG. Further, 4 is a recording element substrate, 2 is a recording element, 14 and 15 are electrodes, and 3 is an electrical connection member.

The electrodes 15 may be arranged at equal intervals, but it is better if they are arranged so as to form a group of a fixed number of electrodes as shown in FIG. 1(a). This is because it becomes easier to arrange the electrical connection member 3.

The number of electrodes 15 constituting each electrode group may be determined in consideration of the pitch of the electrodes 15, the pitch accuracy of the electrically conductive member 3, and manufacturing cost.

On such a recording element substrate, an electrical connection member 3 is disposed as shown in FIG. 3(b) to form a recording element unit according to this embodiment.

In this case, each electrical connection member 3 may or may not be in contact with each other. In the present invention, since each electrical connection member is small, the influence of pitch errors of electrically conductive members 3 However, if the electrical connection members 3 are arranged so that the electrical connection members 3 do not touch each other, the recording element substrate 4 and the electrically conductive member 3 can be ignored (the first effect). It is possible to obtain the effect (second effect) of preventing the unit from curving due to thermal expansion.

Note that the spacing between the electrical connection members 3 at this time may be determined by taking into consideration the difference in thermal expansion coefficient between the recording element substrate 4 and the electrical connection member 3. Furthermore, it goes without saying that when the thermal expansion of the recording element substrate 4 is always larger than that of the electrical connection members 3, the second effect can be obtained even if the electrical connection members 3 are in contact with each other.

When forming a recording element drive unit of the present invention by bonding a drive element substrate to the recording element unit according to this embodiment, the material of the drive element substrate is the same as that of the recording element substrate, or the thermal expansion coefficient is different from that of the material of the recording element substrate. It is better to use one with a small difference. This is because when materials with large differences in thermal expansion coefficients are used, although the above first effect is not affected,
This is because the second effect described above may be lost.

It should be noted that when the electrodes 15 are arranged to form groups as shown in Fig. 1(a), the need to leave gaps between each electrode group may impede high-density arrangement of the electrodes. However, there is no such concern at all. This is because, in this embodiment, the influence of the pitch error of the electrically conductive members disposed on the electrical connection member can be extremely reduced. This is because it can be made even smaller than in the case, and there is a sufficient margin to provide a spacing between each electrode group.

(Example 2) FIGS. 2 and 3 are diagrams for explaining a recording element unit according to a second example of the present invention. That is, in this embodiment, a groove is provided in the electrical connection member. The difference between FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 is that the grooves are provided in different positions.

In this embodiment as well, it is possible to obtain the effect of preventing the unit from curving due to thermal expansion. This is because it has a much larger surface area than conventional electrical connection members, and therefore has a greater heat dissipation effect.

Note that the number of electrodes, the interval between electrode groups, the number of grooves, the size of grooves, etc. constituting each electrode group of the electrical connection member of this example are not related to the wood quality of the present invention, and may vary depending on the implementation conditions. There's no point in saying what you need to decide.

Further, the holding body according to this embodiment may be, for example, a long plate with an electrical connection member fixed to it as shown in the above-mentioned embodiment 1, or may be formed integrally from the beginning, It is obvious that other methods may also be used.

Further, in both FIGS. 2 and 3, grooves are formed in a direction perpendicular to the recording element substrate, but grooves may be formed in a horizontal direction to the recording element substrate, and holes may be formed instead of grooves. It is also clear that a combination of grooves and holes may be used.

(Example 3) In Examples 1 and 2, the recording element unit according to the present invention has been described above. Here, a recording element drive unit, an inkjet unit, an inkjet drive unit, and an inkjet apparatus according to the present invention will be described.

The recording element drive unit according to the present invention is formed by connecting a drive element base to the recording element unit manufactured as described above, and has a configuration as shown in FIG. 4, for example.

In the figure, 3 is a recording element, 4 is a recording element substrate, 5 is a drive element substrate, and 6 is a drive element.

Next, an inkjet unit and an inkjet drive unit according to the present invention will be explained. The inkjet unit according to the present invention includes an ejection port for ejecting ink to the recording element unit manufactured as described above and a liquid path communicating with the ejection port, and an inkjet drive unit according to the present invention. In this example, a drive element board is connected to this inkjet unit. FIG. 5 shows an example of an inkjet unit and an inkjet drive unit according to the present invention. In the figure, 8 is an inkjet unit according to the present invention, 5 is a drive element substrate, and 6 is a drive element.

Finally, the inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention will be explained. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention. In FIG. , the sheet is fed in the direction of arrow A.

In addition, a guide glaze 25.2 is provided on the front surface of the recording sheet 21.
A carriage 10 is provided for six shifts along the line 5.

The above-mentioned inkjet drive unit 9 is placed on the carriage 26.

Note that the carriage 26 is driven by a carriage drive motor (
(not shown) through a belt transmission mechanism 27.

During recording, the recording sheet 21 of the carriage 27
A nozzle is formed toward the recording sheet 21 side at the tip of the ink chamber, which performs recording while forming flying ink droplets from the inkjet drive unit discharge port toward the recording sheet 21 in synchronization with the widthwise drive. , ink droplets fly in response to signals from the drive element.

FIG. 7 shows another example of the inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention. The difference between this example and the above-described inkjet recording apparatus is that the inkjet drive unit of this example is equipped with recording elements equivalent to recording on recording paper. Therefore, there is no need to drive the carriage back and forth, so the mechanism is simple and high-speed recording is possible. In this example, since a very long unit is used, the effect of implementing the present invention is enormous.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, when connecting a recording element or a driving element using an electrical connection member, each small electrical connection member is used in a row. The electrical connection member can be small, and even when used in a long unit, the accuracy of the pitch of the electrically conductive member does not need to be very high.

Further, according to the present invention, when arranging the plurality of small electrical connection members, sufficient intervals are left between the electrical connection members, or by using an electrical connection member having grooves and/or holes in the holding member. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the unit from being bent due to thermal expansion of the recording element base, the electrical connection member, the drive element base, and the like.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining one embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 2 and 3 are diagrams for explaining a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a recording element drive according to the present invention. diagram of the unit,
FIG. 5 is a diagram of an inkjet unit and an inkjet drive unit according to the present invention, FIGS. 6 and 7 are diagrams of an inkjet recording apparatus, and FIGS. 8 and 9 are for explaining an electrical connection method as a prior art. This is a diagram. 2... Recording element, 3... Electrical connection member, 4...
Recording element substrate, 5... Drive element substrate, 6... Drive element, 7... Base, 8... Inkjet unit,
9... Inkjet drive unit, 12, 13, 1
4゜15...electrode, 16...extremely fine metal wire, 17...
- Electrically conductive member, 18... Holder, 19.20...
- Insulating film, 21... Recording sheet, 22... Paper feeding roller, 23° 24... Sheet feeding roller, 25... Guide shaft, 26... Carriage, 27... Belt transmission mechanism. Figure 1 Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure (a) Figure (b) Figure Procedural amendment (method) 1. Indication of the case 1982 Patent Application No. 182879 2. Title of the invention 3. Making amendments Patent applicant address 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Name (100) Canon Co., Ltd. Representative Ryu Sanbe 4, Agent Address 11iO 03 (358) 8
840 Address 12 Yotsuya New Mansion 107 6゜, Honshio-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo

Claims (29)

[Claims] (1) A holder formed using an electrically insulating material and a plurality of electrically conductive members disposed on the holder, one end of the electrically conductive member being one end of the holder. a plurality of electrical connection members, the other end of which is exposed on the other surface of the holder, and the other end of the electrically conductive member is exposed on the other surface of the holder; a recording element base on which a plurality of recording elements are disposed; and the plurality of electrical connection members are connected to one end of an electrically conductive member exposed on one surface of each electrical connection member; A recording element unit, characterized in that the recording element unit is disposed on the recording element base so as to be connected to a connecting portion of the recording element base. (2) The recording element unit according to claim 1, wherein the electrical connection members are arranged so as not to be in contact with each other. (3) A holder made of an electrically insulating material having one or more grooves and/or holes, and a plurality of electrically conductive members disposed on the holder; an electrical connection member in which one end of the electrically conductive member is exposed on one surface of the holder, and the other end of the electrically conductive member is exposed on the other surface of the holder; a recording element base having a plurality of connection parts and on which a plurality of recording elements are disposed; and one end of an electrically conductive member exposed on one surface of the electrical connection member and the recording element. A recording element unit, characterized in that it is connected to a connecting portion of a base. (4) The recording element unit according to claim 1, wherein the connecting portion of the recording element base forms a plurality of groups, and the plurality of groups are arranged at appropriate intervals. (5) The recording element unit according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4, wherein the recording element is an element that performs recording using thermal energy. (6) The recording element unit according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, further comprising a film covering the other surface of the electrical connection member. (7) The recording element unit according to claim 6, wherein the film is made of an organic material. (8) A holder made of an electrically insulating material and a plurality of electrically conductive members disposed on the holder, one end of which is one end of the holder. a plurality of electrical connection members, the other end of which is exposed on the other surface of the holder, and the other end of the electrically conductive member is exposed on the other surface of the holder; a recording element base on which a plurality of recording elements are disposed; a drive element base having a plurality of connection parts and on which one or more drive elements are disposed; An electrical connection member is disposed on the recording element base so that one end of the electrically conductive member exposed on one surface of each electrical connection member is connected to a connecting portion of the recording element base. A recording element drive unit characterized in that the other end of the electrically conductive member exposed on the other surface of each of the electrical connection members is connected to a connecting portion of the drive element base. (9) The recording element drive unit according to claim 8, wherein the electrical connection members are arranged so as not to be in contact with each other. (10) A holder formed of an electrically insulating material having one or more grooves and/or holes, and a plurality of electrically conductive members disposed on the holder, an electrical connection member in which one end of the electrically conductive member is exposed on one surface of the holder, and the other end of the electrically conductive member is exposed on the other surface of the holder; a recording element base having a plurality of connection parts and on which a plurality of recording elements are arranged; a drive element base having a plurality of connection parts and on which one or more drive elements are arranged; one end of the electrically conductive member exposed on one surface of the electrical connection member is connected to a connection portion of the recording element substrate, and one end of the electrically conductive member exposed on one surface of the electrical connection member is connected to the connection portion of the recording element substrate; A recording element drive unit characterized in that the other end of the electrically conductive member is connected to a connecting portion of the drive element base. (11) The recording according to claim 8, 9, or 10, wherein the connecting portions of the recording element base and/or the drive element base form a plurality of groups, and the plurality of groups are arranged at appropriate intervals. Drive element unit. (12) Claim 8, Claim 9, or Claim 10, wherein the recording element is an element that performs recording using thermal energy.
Or the recording element drive unit according to claim 11. (13) A holder formed using an electrically insulating material and a plurality of electrically conductive members disposed on the holder, one end of the electrically conductive member being one end of the holder. a plurality of electrical connection members, the other end of which is exposed on the other surface of the holder; and a plurality of connection parts; a recording element base on which a plurality of recording elements are arranged; an ejection port for ejecting ink and a liquid path communicating with the ejection port are formed on the recording element base; The plurality of electrical connection members are arranged on the recording element base such that one end of the electrically conductive member exposed on one surface of each electrical connection member is connected to a connecting portion of the recording element base. An inkjet unit characterized by being arranged in. (14) The inkjet unit according to claim 13, wherein the electrical connection members are arranged so as not to be in contact with each other. (15) A holder formed of an electrically insulating material having one or more grooves and/or holes, and a plurality of electrically conductive members disposed on the holder; an electrical connection member in which one end of the electrically conductive member is exposed on one surface of the holder, and the other end of the electrically conductive member is exposed on the other surface of the holder; a recording element base having a plurality of connection parts and on which a plurality of recording elements are arranged; an ejection opening for ejecting ink on the recording element base; and a liquid communicating with the ejection opening. An inkjet unit, wherein an end of the electrically conductive member exposed on one surface of the electrically connecting member is connected to a connecting portion of the recording element. (16) The inkjet unit according to claim 13, 14, or 15, wherein the connection portion of the recording element base forms a plurality of groups, and the plurality of groups are arranged at appropriate intervals. (17) The inkjet unit according to claim 13, 14, 15, or 16, wherein the recording element is an element that performs recording using thermal energy. (18) Claim 13 or Claim 1 further comprising a film covering the other surface of the electrical connection member.
4, or the inkjet unit according to claim 15 or 16. (19) The inkjet unit according to claim 18, wherein the film is made of an organic material. (20) A holder formed using an electrically insulating material and a plurality of electrically conductive members disposed on the holder, one end of the electrically conductive member being one end of the holder. a plurality of electrical connection members, the other end of which is exposed on the other surface of the holder; and a plurality of connection parts; a recording element base on which a plurality of recording elements are disposed; a drive element base having a plurality of connection parts and on which one or more drive elements are disposed; and on the recording element base. an ejection port for ejecting ink and a liquid path communicating with the ejection port; the plurality of electrical connection members are exposed on one surface of each electrical connection member; The electrically conductive member is disposed on the recording element base so that one end of the electrically conductive member is connected to the connection portion of the recording element base; An inkjet drive unit characterized in that the other end of the conductive member and the connection portion of the drive element are connected. (21) The inkjet drive unit according to claim 20, wherein the electrical connection members are arranged so as not to contact each other. (22) A holder formed of an electrically insulating material having one or more grooves and/or holes, and a plurality of electrically conductive members disposed on the holder; an electrical connection member in which one end of the electrically conductive member is exposed on one surface of the holder, and the other end of the electrically conductive member is exposed on the other surface of the holder; a recording element base having a plurality of connection parts and on which a plurality of recording elements are arranged; a drive element base having a plurality of connection parts and on which one or more drive elements are arranged; an ejection port for ejecting ink and a liquid path communicating with the ejection port are formed on the recording element substrate; an electrical connection member exposed on one surface of the electrical connection member; one end of the electrically conductive member is connected to the connection portion of the recording element substrate; the other end of the electrically conductive member exposed on the other surface of the electrical connection member is connected to the connection portion of the drive element. An inkjet drive unit characterized by: (23) Claim 20, Claim 21, or Claim 22, wherein the connecting portions of the recording element base and/or the drive element base form a plurality of groups, and the plurality of groups are arranged at appropriate intervals.
The inkjet drive unit described in. (24) The inkjet drive unit according to claim 20, claim 21, claim 22, or claim 23, wherein the recording element is an element that performs recording using thermal energy. (25) A holder formed using an electrically insulating material and a plurality of electrically conductive members disposed on the holder, one end of the electrically conductive member being one end of the holder. a plurality of electrical connection members, the other end of which is exposed on the other surface of the holder; and a plurality of connection parts; a recording element base on which a plurality of recording elements are disposed; a drive element base having a plurality of connection parts and on which one or more drive elements are disposed; and on the recording element base. an ejection port for ejecting ink and a liquid path communicating with the ejection port; the plurality of electrical connection members are exposed on one surface of each electrical connection member; an electrically conductive member that is disposed on the recording element base so that one end of the electrically conductive member is connected to a connecting portion of the recording element base; and that is exposed on the other surface of the electrically conductive member; An inkjet device comprising: an inkjet drive unit whose other end is connected to a connecting portion of the drive element; and means for mounting the inkjet drive unit. (26) The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the electrical connection members are arranged so as not to be in contact with each other. (27) A holder formed of an electrically insulating material having one or more grooves and/or holes, and a plurality of electrically conductive members disposed on the holder, an electrical connection member in which one end of the electrically conductive member is exposed on one surface of the holder, and the other end of the electrically conductive member is exposed on the other surface of the holder; a recording element base having a plurality of connection parts and on which a plurality of recording elements are arranged; a drive element base having a plurality of connection parts and on which one or more drive elements are arranged; an ejection port for ejecting ink and a liquid path communicating with the ejection port are formed on the recording element substrate; an electrical connection member exposed on one surface of the electrical connection member; one end of the electrically conductive member is connected to the connection portion of the recording element substrate; the other end of the electrically conductive member exposed on the other surface of the electrical connection member is connected to the connection portion of the drive element. An inkjet device comprising: an inkjet drive unit; and means for mounting the inkjet drive unit. (28) Claim 25, Claim 26, or Claim 27, wherein the connecting portions of the recording element base and/or the drive element base form a plurality of groups, and the plurality of groups are arranged at appropriate intervals.
The inkjet device described in . (29) The inkjet apparatus according to claim 25, claim 26, claim 27, or claim 28, wherein the recording element is an element that performs recording using thermal energy.