JPH0556273B2 - - Google Patents
Info
- Publication number
- JPH0556273B2 JPH0556273B2 JP60177908A JP17790885A JPH0556273B2 JP H0556273 B2 JPH0556273 B2 JP H0556273B2 JP 60177908 A JP60177908 A JP 60177908A JP 17790885 A JP17790885 A JP 17790885A JP H0556273 B2 JPH0556273 B2 JP H0556273B2
- Authority
- JP
- Japan
- Prior art keywords
- ink
- air
- nozzle member
- air flow
- discharge port
- 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.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
- 230000005499 meniscus Effects 0.000 claims description 15
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 5
- 239000011810 insulating material Substances 0.000 description 4
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004043 responsiveness Effects 0.000 description 2
- 125000006850 spacer group Chemical group 0.000 description 2
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007599 discharging Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000035939 shock Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000087 stabilizing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
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
- B41J2/015—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process
- B41J2/04—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand
- B41J2/06—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by electric or magnetic field
-
- 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
- B41J2/015—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process
- B41J2/04—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand
- B41J2/06—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by electric or magnetic field
- B41J2002/061—Ejection by electric field of ink or of toner particles contained in ink
-
- 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
- B41J2002/14387—Front shooter
-
- 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
- B41J2202/00—Embodiments of or processes related to ink-jet or thermal heads
- B41J2202/01—Embodiments of or processes related to ink-jet heads
- B41J2202/02—Air-assisted ejection
Landscapes
- Particle Formation And Scattering Control In Inkjet Printers (AREA)
Description
【発明の詳細な説明】
産業上の利用分野
本発明は、空気流を利用してインクを吐出さ
せ、文字、画像等を被記録物に記録するインクジ
エツト記録装置に関する。DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an inkjet recording device that records characters, images, etc. on a recording material by ejecting ink using airflow.
従来の技術
従来、空気流を利用したインクジエツト記録ヘ
ツドの一例として第２図ａ、ｂに示すような構成
が知られている。このインクジエツト記録ヘツド
について説明すると、ボデイ部材１０１の外壁の
外端に絶縁材製の空気ノズル板１０２が取付けら
れ、ボデイ部材１０１の内壁の外端に絶縁材製の
インクノズル板１０３が取付けられている。ボデ
イ部材１０１の外壁と内壁の間に空気室１０４が
形成され、空気ノズル板１０２とインクノズル板
１０３の間に空気室１０４に連通する空気流路１
０５が形成され、インクノズル板１０３の内側に
インク室１０６が形成されている。インクノズル
板１０３の複数個所にはインク吐出口１０７が形
成され、空気ノズル板１０１にはインク吐出口１
０７に対向して空気吐出口１０８が形成されてい
る。空気ノズル板１０２の外面には空気吐出口１
０８の外周において共通電極１０９が設けられ、
インクノズル板１０３の内面には各インク吐出口
１０７の外周において制御電極１１０が分離独立
して設けられている。各電極１０９，１１０は信
号源１１１に接続されている。このように構成さ
れたインクジエツト記録ヘツド１１２の空気室１
０４には空気供給路１１３の一端が連結され、イ
ンク室１０６にはインク供給路１１４の一端が連
結されている。第３図に示すように空気供給路１
１３の他端は空気供給源１１５に連結され、イン
ク供給路１１４の他端はインクタンク１１６に連
結され、空気供給路１１３の途中より分岐する空
気供給路１１７がインクタンク１１６の上部に連
結されている。2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an example of an inkjet recording head that utilizes an air flow, a configuration as shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b is known. To explain this inkjet recording head, an air nozzle plate 102 made of an insulating material is attached to the outer end of the outer wall of the body member 101, and an ink nozzle plate 103 made of an insulating material is attached to the outer end of the inner wall of the body member 101. There is. An air chamber 104 is formed between the outer wall and the inner wall of the body member 101, and an air flow path 1 communicating with the air chamber 104 is formed between the air nozzle plate 102 and the ink nozzle plate 103.
05 is formed, and an ink chamber 106 is formed inside the ink nozzle plate 103. Ink discharge ports 107 are formed at multiple locations on the ink nozzle plate 103, and ink discharge ports 1 are formed in the air nozzle plate 101.
An air discharge port 108 is formed opposite to the air outlet 07. Air discharge ports 1 are provided on the outer surface of the air nozzle plate 102.
A common electrode 109 is provided on the outer periphery of 08,
Control electrodes 110 are separately and independently provided on the inner surface of the ink nozzle plate 103 at the outer periphery of each ink discharge port 107 . Each electrode 109, 110 is connected to a signal source 111. Air chamber 1 of the inkjet recording head 112 configured in this way
04 is connected to one end of an air supply path 113, and the ink chamber 106 is connected to one end of an ink supply path 114. As shown in Figure 3, air supply path 1
The other end of the ink supply path 113 is connected to an air supply source 115, the other end of the ink supply path 114 is connected to an ink tank 116, and an air supply path 117 branching from the middle of the air supply path 113 is connected to the upper part of the ink tank 116. ing.
次に上記従来例の動作について説明する。空気
供給源１１５より空気が空気供給路１１３を介し
て空気室１０４に供給され、これより急激な曲り
を生じながら空気流路１０５に空気層として一定
流速で流出し、この空気が空気吐出口１０８及び
インク吐出口１０７近傍で急激な曲りを生じなが
ら空気吐出口１０８より叶出している。一方、イ
ンク室１０６はインク供給源１１６よりインク供
給路１１４を介して供給されたインクにより常時
満たされており、空気供給源１１５より空気供給
路１１７を介してインク供給源１１６に送られる
空気圧力によりインク供給源及びインク室１０６
内のインクには一定の圧力が加えられている。こ
れによりインクジエツト記録装置の非駆動時に空
気流により生じるインク吐出口１０７近傍の空気
圧力とインク吐出口１０７内のインクの圧力がほ
ぼ等しくなり、インク吐出口１０７に生じるイン
クのメニスカスが静止して保たれている。そして
共通電極１０９と制御電極１１０に電位差を設け
ると、この電位差による静電力によつてインク吐
出口１０７に生じているインクのメニスカスが空
気吐出口１０８の方向に引き伸ばされる。インク
吐出口１０７から空気吐出口１０８に至る空気流
路１０５には空気流によつて急激な圧力勾配の変
化が生じているため、インク吐出口１０７のイン
クのメニスカスは一定長さ以上引き伸ばされると
急激に加速され、空気吐出口１０８より吐出す
る。 Next, the operation of the above conventional example will be explained. Air is supplied from the air supply source 115 to the air chamber 104 via the air supply path 113, and then flows out into the air flow path 105 as an air layer at a constant flow rate while making a sharp bend, and this air flows through the air outlet 108. The ink discharge port 108 projects from the air ejection port 108 while forming a sharp bend near the ink ejection port 107 . On the other hand, the ink chamber 106 is always filled with ink supplied from the ink supply source 116 via the ink supply path 114, and the air pressure is sent from the air supply source 115 to the ink supply source 116 via the air supply path 117. Ink supply source and ink chamber 106
A constant pressure is applied to the ink inside. As a result, when the inkjet recording device is not driven, the air pressure near the ink ejection ports 107 generated by the air flow and the pressure of the ink inside the ink ejection ports 107 become almost equal, and the meniscus of ink generated in the ink ejection ports 107 remains stationary. It's dripping. When a potential difference is provided between the common electrode 109 and the control electrode 110, the meniscus of ink generated at the ink discharge port 107 is stretched in the direction of the air discharge port 108 due to the electrostatic force caused by this potential difference. Since the air flow path 105 from the ink discharge port 107 to the air discharge port 108 undergoes a rapid change in pressure gradient due to the air flow, if the ink meniscus of the ink discharge port 107 is stretched beyond a certain length, The air is rapidly accelerated and discharged from the air discharge port 108.
ここで、インク吐出口１０７に保持されるイン
クを安定保持するための条件を第４図の説明図に
よつて更に詳しく説明する。空気室１０４に送ら
れて来る空気の圧力Paは、空気供給源１１５よ
りヘツド１１２までの空気供給路１１３に圧力損
失がない、あるいは無視できる程度である時、空
気供給源１１５の圧力とほぼ等しい。またインク
室１０６に加えられるインクの圧力Piは、インク
供給源１１６に加えられる空気圧力とほぼ等し
く、更には、空気供給源１１５の圧力とほぼ等し
い。従つて空気供給路１１３，１１７に圧力損失
がない、あるいは無視できる程度であれば、Pa
≒Piの関係が成立する。一方、インク吐出口１０
７にはインクのメニスカス１１８が保たれなけれ
ばならないが、このためには、インク吐出口１０
７内のインクの圧力Piと、インク吐出口１０７の
近傍の空気圧力Pnをほほ等しくすればよい。従
つて従来、空気吐出口１０８とインク吐出口１０
７を有する空気ノズル板１０２とインクノズル板
１０３の間〓により構成される空気流路１０５で
空気の圧力損失を少なくし、それぞれの吐出口１
０８，１０７においてPa≒Pnの関係が成立する
ように寸法構造を決定してPa≒Piの関係を成立
させ、インク吐出口１０７に生じるインクメニス
カスを安定保持させていた。 Here, the conditions for stably retaining the ink retained in the ink discharge ports 107 will be explained in more detail with reference to the explanatory diagram of FIG. 4. The pressure Pa of the air sent to the air chamber 104 is approximately equal to the pressure of the air supply source 115 when there is no or negligible pressure loss in the air supply path 113 from the air supply source 115 to the head 112. . Further, the ink pressure Pi applied to the ink chamber 106 is approximately equal to the air pressure applied to the ink supply source 116, and furthermore, approximately equal to the pressure of the air supply source 115. Therefore, if there is no pressure loss in the air supply paths 113 and 117, or if it is negligible, Pa
The relationship ≒Pi holds true. On the other hand, the ink discharge port 10
The ink meniscus 118 must be maintained at the ink outlet 10.
The ink pressure Pi in the ink chamber 7 and the air pressure Pn near the ink ejection port 107 may be made approximately equal. Therefore, conventionally, the air discharge port 108 and the ink discharge port 10
7 between the air nozzle plate 102 and the ink nozzle plate 103 to reduce air pressure loss.
In 2008, 107, the dimensional structure was determined so that the relationship Pa≈Pn was established, the relationship Pa≈Pi was established, and the ink meniscus generated at the ink ejection port 107 was stably maintained.
しかしながら、空気吐出口１０８とインク吐出
口１０７を複数個有するマルチノズルヘツドで
は、インクのメニスカスをそれぞれのインク吐出
口１０７間で等しく、安定に保つことは非常に困
難なことである。すなわち、空気流路の厚さは、
100μｍ前後と薄く、その厚さの僅な違いによつ
ても、各インク吐出口１０７の近傍の空気圧力
Pnが変化し、この空気流路１０５の厚さをマル
チノズルヘツドの各吐出口総てにわたつて均一に
コントロールすることは、製造面から極めて困難
である。 However, in a multi-nozzle head having a plurality of air discharge ports 108 and ink discharge ports 107, it is extremely difficult to maintain the ink meniscus equally and stably between the respective ink discharge ports 107. In other words, the thickness of the air flow path is
The air pressure near each ink ejection port 107 is small due to the slight difference in thickness, which is approximately 100 μm.
Pn changes, and it is extremely difficult from a manufacturing standpoint to control the thickness of the air flow path 105 uniformly over all the discharge ports of the multi-nozzle head.
このため、従来空気ノズル板１０２とインクノ
ズル板１０３の間に一定厚さのスペーサを配して
両者間の距離を一定にするようにしていた。 For this reason, conventionally, a spacer of a constant thickness is disposed between the air nozzle plate 102 and the ink nozzle plate 103 to maintain a constant distance between them.
発明が解決しようとする問題点
しかしながら、上記従来例のようにスペーサを
空気ノズル板１０２とインクノズル板１０３の間
に接着すると、接着剤と厚さが場所によつて異な
り、僅ではあるが、空気流路１０５の厚さが異な
ることがしばしば発生していた。結局、空気流路
１０５の厚さの不均一により、各インク吐出口１
０７近傍の空気圧力Pnがそれぞれ変化し、イン
クのメニスカスの安定度合が異なつてくる。その
結果、応答性、インク吐出量、しきい値電圧（記
録可能最小電圧）がそれぞれ異なり、記録特性の
バラツキが生じる。Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, when a spacer is bonded between the air nozzle plate 102 and the ink nozzle plate 103 as in the above conventional example, the adhesive and thickness vary depending on the location, and although it is slight, It often occurred that the thickness of the air flow path 105 was different. Eventually, due to the non-uniform thickness of the air flow path 105, each ink ejection port 1
The air pressure Pn in the vicinity of 07 changes, and the degree of stability of the ink meniscus becomes different. As a result, the responsiveness, ink ejection amount, and threshold voltage (minimum printable voltage) are different, resulting in variations in printing characteristics.
またヘツドに衝撃等が加わつて、インク吐出口
１０７より流出したインクが空気流路１０５に留
まつた場合には、常時、空気流が流れているが排
除し難い。これは、インクが留まつた個所の空気
吐出口１０８よりは隣接した空気吐出口１０８よ
り空気が流出し易くなるためである。このような
状態では、記録特性が低下し、マルチノズルヘツ
ドにおいては、記録特性のバラツキとして現われ
る。 Furthermore, if the head is subjected to a shock or the like and the ink flowing out from the ink discharge port 107 remains in the air flow path 105, the air flow is constantly flowing but it is difficult to eliminate it. This is because air flows out more easily from the adjacent air outlet 108 than from the air outlet 108 where the ink remains. In such a state, the recording characteristics deteriorate, which appears as variations in the recording characteristics in a multi-nozzle head.
そこで、本発明は、空気流路に留まつたインク
を排出して記録特性を向上させることができるこ
とは勿論のこと、各インク吐出口近傍の空気圧力
を均一化して記録特性を向上させることができる
ようにしたインクジエツト記録装置を提供しよう
とするものである。 Therefore, the present invention not only can improve the recording characteristics by discharging the ink that has remained in the air flow path, but also improve the recording characteristics by equalizing the air pressure near each ink ejection port. The purpose of this invention is to provide an inkjet recording device that can perform the following functions.
問題点を解決するための手段
そして上記問題点を解決するための本発明の技
術的な手段は、所定の間隔で配列された複数のイ
ンク吐出口を有する平板状の第１のノズル部材
と、前記第１のノズル部材のインク吐出口に対応
した複数の空気吐出口を有する平板状の第２のノ
ズル部材と、空気流を発生させるために空気を供
給する空気供給源と、前記インク吐出口と空気吐
出口との間〓部分において、前記空気供給源から
の空気流に急激な曲がりを生じさせながら前記空
気吐出口より送出するように、前記インク吐出口
から空気吐出口へ至る方向に前記空気流の圧力の
減少する圧力勾配の変化する空間を形成する第１
の手段と、前記空気吐出口の周囲において、前記
第２のノズル部材の表面に形成した電極と、前記
電極と前記インク吐出口内のインクとの間に印可
される信号に応じて、選択的に前記電極とインク
との間に電位差を生じさせる第２の手段とを有
し、前記第２の手段により生じる電位差による誘
引力により、前記インク吐出口に生じるインクメ
ニスカスを引き伸ばし、前記第１の手段によつて
形成される圧力勾配の変化する空間を通過する空
気流により、加速力を作用させ、前記インク吐出
口内のインクを、前記空気吐出口を経て外方に吐
出させるインクジエツト記録装置であつて、前記
第１のノズル部材の複数のインク吐出口、または
前記第２のノズル部材の複数の空気吐出口の略中
間部であつて、前記第１のノズル部材と第２のノ
ズル部材の間において、前記ノズル部材のいずれ
か一方に向けて突出し突起部材を有し、前記平板
状の第１のノズル部材のインク吐出口の配列方向
に直行する方向の幅または前記平板状の第２のノ
ズル部材の空気吐出口の配列方向に直交する方向
の幅L2と、前記直交する方向における突起部材
の幅L1とが、
L2／３＜L1＜L2
の関係にあるインクジエツト記録装置である。Means for Solving the Problems Technical means of the present invention for solving the above problems include: a flat first nozzle member having a plurality of ink ejection ports arranged at predetermined intervals; a flat second nozzle member having a plurality of air discharge ports corresponding to the ink discharge ports of the first nozzle member; an air supply source that supplies air to generate an air flow; and the ink discharge ports. and the air discharge port, the air flow from the ink discharge port to the air discharge port is arranged such that the air flow from the air supply source is sent out from the air discharge port while causing a sharp bend in the air flow. The first one forms a space in which the pressure gradient of the air flow decreases and the pressure gradient changes.
an electrode formed on the surface of the second nozzle member around the air outlet; and a signal applied between the electrode and the ink in the ink outlet. a second means for generating a potential difference between the electrode and the ink; the ink meniscus generated at the ink ejection port is stretched by an attractive force due to the potential difference generated by the second means; An inkjet recording device that applies an accelerating force to an airflow passing through a space where a pressure gradient changes, which is formed by , approximately in the middle of the plurality of ink ejection ports of the first nozzle member or the plurality of air ejection ports of the second nozzle member, and between the first nozzle member and the second nozzle member. , having a projection member protruding toward either one of the nozzle members, the width of the flat first nozzle member in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the ink ejection ports, or the flat second nozzle member; In the inkjet recording device, the width L2 in the direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the air discharge ports and the width L1 of the protruding member in the perpendicular direction satisfy the relationship L2 /3< L1 < L2 . .
作 用
上記技術的手段による作用は次のようになる。
即ち、突起部によつて、インク吐出口の配列方向
の流路を殆んど分離することができる。従つて各
インク吐出口近傍の空気圧力を均一化することが
でき、各インク吐出口間のインクメニスカスの安
定度のバラツキを少なくすることができ、またイ
ンク吐出口より流出したインクが空気流路に留ま
つてもある程度、強制的にインクの留まつた部分
に空気流が独立的に流れるので、その部分の空気
吐出口から比較的容易に排出することができる。Effects The effects of the above technical means are as follows.
That is, the protrusions can substantially separate the flow paths in the arrangement direction of the ink ejection ports. Therefore, the air pressure near each ink ejection port can be made uniform, and variations in the stability of the ink meniscus between each ink ejection port can be reduced, and the ink flowing out from the ink ejection port can be transferred to the air flow path. Even if the ink remains in the ink, the air flow is forced to flow independently to a certain extent in the part where the ink remains, so that it can be relatively easily discharged from the air outlet in that part.
実施例
以下、本発明の一実施例を図面に基いて詳細に
説明する。第１図はインクジエツト記録ヘツド部
を示し、同図ａは同図ｂのIa−Ia矢視断面図、同
図ｂは同図ａのIb−Ib矢視断面図である。第１図
ａ、ｂに示すようにボデイ部材１の外壁の先端に
絶縁材製の空気ノズル板２が取付けられ、ボデイ
部材１の内壁の先端に絶縁材製のインクノズル板
３が取付けられている。ボデイ部材１の外壁と内
壁の間に空気室４が形成され、空気ノズル板２と
インクノズル板３の間に空気室４に連通する空気
流路５が形成され、インクノズル板３の内側にイ
ンク室６が形成されている。インクノズル板３の
複数個所にはインク吐出口７が形成され、空気ノ
ズル板１にはインク吐出口７に対向して少くとも
１個の空気吐出口８が形成されている。空気ノズ
ル板２の外面には空気吐出口８の外周において共
通電極９が設けられ、インクノズル板３の内面に
は各インク吐出口７の外周において制御電極１０
が分離独立して設けられている。各電極９，１０
は信号源１１に接続されている。このように構成
されたインクジエツト記録ヘツド１２は、第３図
と同様に空気室４は空気供給路１３により空気供
給源（図示省略）に連結され、インク室６はイン
ク供給路１４によりインク供給源（図示省略）に
連結され、空気供給源は空気供給路（図示省略）
によりインク供給源に連結されている。Embodiment Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an inkjet recording head section, and FIG. 1a is a sectional view taken along the line Ia-Ia in FIG. 1b, and FIG. 1b is a sectional view taken along the line Ib-Ib in FIG. 1a. As shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b, an air nozzle plate 2 made of an insulating material is attached to the tip of the outer wall of the body member 1, and an ink nozzle plate 3 made of an insulating material is attached to the tip of the inner wall of the body member 1. There is. An air chamber 4 is formed between the outer wall and the inner wall of the body member 1, and an air passage 5 communicating with the air chamber 4 is formed between the air nozzle plate 2 and the ink nozzle plate 3. An ink chamber 6 is formed. Ink discharge ports 7 are formed at a plurality of locations on the ink nozzle plate 3, and at least one air discharge port 8 is formed in the air nozzle plate 1 opposite to the ink discharge ports 7. A common electrode 9 is provided on the outer surface of the air nozzle plate 2 at the outer periphery of the air outlet 8, and a control electrode 10 is provided on the inner surface of the ink nozzle plate 3 at the outer periphery of each ink outlet 7.
are established separately and independently. Each electrode 9, 10
is connected to the signal source 11. In the inkjet recording head 12 configured in this manner, the air chamber 4 is connected to an air supply source (not shown) through an air supply path 13, and the ink chamber 6 is connected to an ink supply source through an ink supply path 14, as shown in FIG. (not shown), and the air supply source is an air supply path (not shown)
is connected to the ink supply by the ink supply source.
上記空気流路５において、インクノズル板３に
インク吐出口７間の中間部で、且つインク吐出口
７の配列方向に直交方向で突起部１５が一体に設
けられている。各突起部１５は空気ノズル板２に
到達せず、空気ノズル板２と若干の〓間が存在す
るように形成され、且つ各突起部１５の流さL1
は空気流路５、即ちインクノズル板３の幅L2よ
り小さく、突起部１５の側方で、突起部１５の配
列方向の空気流路５を遮断しないように形成され
ている。各突起部１５の両側端部は空気流を乱さ
ないように面取りが施され、本実施例では断面弧
状に形成されている。 In the air flow path 5, a protrusion 15 is integrally provided on the ink nozzle plate 3 at an intermediate portion between the ink ejection ports 7 and in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the ink ejection ports 7. Each protrusion 15 is formed so that it does not reach the air nozzle plate 2 and there is a slight gap between it and the air nozzle plate 2, and the flow length L 1 of each protrusion 15 is
is smaller than the width L 2 of the air flow path 5, that is, the ink nozzle plate 3, and is formed on the side of the protrusion 15 so as not to block the air flow path 5 in the arrangement direction of the protrusion 15. Both ends of each protrusion 15 are chamfered so as not to disturb the airflow, and in this embodiment are formed into an arcuate cross section.
上記のように突起部１５を空気流路５の端まで
到達させていないのは、抵抗損失の影響を極力抑
え、インクメニスカスの安定をさらに増すためで
あり、また突起部１５の両端に面取りを施したの
は、空気流路５を流れる空気流の乱れを避けるた
めである。そして上記のように突起部１５の流さ
L1は、空気流路５の幅L2より常に小さい値でイ
ンクメニスカスの安定に対して最適値が存在し、
これらの関係は、空気流路５の厚さによつて変化
するが、ほぼ次のような式で表わされる。 The reason why the protrusion 15 does not reach the end of the air flow path 5 as described above is to minimize the influence of resistance loss and further increase the stability of the ink meniscus. This is done in order to avoid turbulence in the airflow flowing through the airflow path 5. Then, as described above, the protrusion 15 is
L 1 is always smaller than the width L 2 of the air flow path 5, and there is an optimal value for stabilizing the ink meniscus.
These relationships vary depending on the thickness of the air flow path 5, but are approximately expressed by the following equation.
１／３L2＜L1＜L2
次に上記実施例の動作について説明する（イン
ク吐出原理は従来と同様であるので、その詳細な
説明については省略する。）。突起部１５により完
全ではないが、空気流路５が各インク吐出口７毎
に分離しているので、各インク吐出口７間のイン
ク、空気流の干渉等の影響を避けることができ、
空気流路５の厚さにバラツキがあつても各インク
吐出口７近傍の空気圧力を均一化することがで
き、これによりインクメニスカスの安定度のバラ
ツキを減少させることができる。またインクが空
気流路５に留まつた場合でもある程度、強制的に
独立して空気流が流れるので、空気吐出口８より
排出し易くすることができる。 1/3L 2 <L 1 <L 2 Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be explained (since the ink ejection principle is the same as the conventional one, detailed explanation thereof will be omitted). Although not completely due to the projections 15, since the air flow path 5 is separated for each ink ejection port 7, it is possible to avoid influences such as interference between ink and air flow between each ink ejection port 7.
Even if there is variation in the thickness of the air flow path 5, the air pressure near each ink discharge port 7 can be made uniform, thereby reducing variation in the stability of the ink meniscus. Further, even if the ink remains in the air flow path 5, the air flow is forced to flow independently to some extent, so that it can be easily discharged from the air outlet 8.
なお、上記実施例においては、突起部１５の高
さを空気流路５の厚さよりやゝ小さくし、空気流
路５に形成される空気層の上層部はつながつた構
成となつている。効果の面ではこの部分を完全に
仕切るようにしても同様であるが、上層部にわず
かに間〓を設けた場合の方が効果はより顕著にあ
らわれるので好ましい。 In the above embodiment, the height of the protrusion 15 is made slightly smaller than the thickness of the air flow path 5, and the upper layer of the air layer formed in the air flow path 5 has a continuous structure. Although the effect is the same even if this part is completely partitioned, it is preferable to provide a slight gap in the upper part because the effect is more noticeable.
発明の効果
以上のように本発明によれば、複数個の空気吐
出口を有する空気ノズル板と、複数個のインク吐
出口を有するインクノズル板により形成された空
気流路において、上記インクノズル板にインク吐
出口間の中間部で、且つインク吐出口の配列方向
に直交する方向で突起部を設け、各突起部は上記
空気ノズル板に到達しないように、且つ上記空気
流路の幅より短くなるように形成している。従つ
て各空気吐出口及びインク吐出口近傍の空気圧力
を均一化することができ、各インク吐出口のイン
クメニスカスの安定度のバラツキを少なくするこ
とができるので、応答性、インク吐出量、しきい
値電圧を均一化し、記録特性のバラツキを抑える
ことができる。また空気流路に留まつたインクを
容易に排出することができる。Effects of the Invention As described above, according to the present invention, in the air flow path formed by the air nozzle plate having a plurality of air discharge ports and the ink nozzle plate having a plurality of ink discharge ports, the ink nozzle plate A protrusion is provided at an intermediate portion between the ink ejection ports and in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the ink ejection ports, and each protrusion is shorter than the width of the air flow path so as not to reach the air nozzle plate. It is formed so that it becomes. Therefore, the air pressure near each air discharge port and ink discharge port can be made uniform, and variations in the stability of the ink meniscus of each ink discharge port can be reduced, resulting in improved responsiveness, ink discharge amount, and It is possible to equalize the threshold voltage and suppress variations in recording characteristics. Further, ink remaining in the air flow path can be easily discharged.
第１図ａ，ｂは本発明の一実施例であるインク
ジエツト記録装置のヘツド部を示し、同図ａは同
図ｂのIa−Ia矢視断面図、同図ｂは同図ａのIb−
Ib矢視断面図、第２図ａ，ｂは従来のインクジエ
ツト記録装置のヘツド部を示し、同図ａは同図ｂ
のａ−ａ矢視断面図、同図ｂは同図ａのｂ
−ｂ矢視断面図、第３図は従来のインクジエツ
ト記録装置の全体側面図、第４図はインク吐出口
におけるインク安定保持条件の説明図である。
２……空気ノズル板、３……インクノズル板、
５……空気流路、７……インク吐出口、８……空
気吐出口、１５……突起部。
Figures 1a and 1b show the head portion of an inkjet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which figure a is a cross-sectional view taken along line Ia-Ia in figure b, and figure b is a cross-sectional view taken along line Ib-Ia in figure a.
Ib arrow sectional view, Figures 2a and 2b show the head section of a conventional inkjet recording device;
A sectional view taken along the line a-a of
3 is an overall side view of a conventional inkjet recording apparatus, and FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of conditions for stably retaining ink at an ink discharge port. 2... Air nozzle plate, 3... Ink nozzle plate,
5...Air flow path, 7...Ink discharge port, 8...Air discharge port, 15...Protrusion.
Claims (1)
を有する平板状の第１のノズル部材と、 前記第１のノズル部材のインク吐出口に対応し
た複数の空気吐出口を有する平板状の第２のノズ
ル部材と、 空気流を発生させるために空気を供給する空気
供給源と、 前記インク吐出口と空気吐出口との間〓部分に
おいて、前記空気供給源からの空気流に急激な曲
がりを生じさせながら前記空気吐出口より送出す
るように、前記インク吐出口から空気吐出口へ至
る方向に前記空気流の圧力の減少する圧力勾配の
変化する空間を形成する第１の手段と、 前記空気吐出口の周囲において、前記第２のノ
ズル部材の表面に形成した電極と、 前記電極と前記インク吐出口内のインクとの間
に印可される信号に応じて、選択的に前記電極と
インクとの間に電位差を生じさせる第２の手段と
を有し、 前記第２の手段により生じる電位差による誘引
力により、前記インク吐出口に生じるインクメニ
スカスを引き伸ばし、前記第１の手段によつて形
成される圧力勾配の変化する空間を通過する空気
流により、加速力を作用させ、前記インク吐出口
内のインクを、前記空気吐出口を経て外方に吐出
させるインクジエツト記録装置であつて、 前記第１のノズル部材の複数のインク吐出口、
または前記第２のノズル部材の複数の空気吐出口
の略中間部であつて、前記第１のノズル部材と第
２のノズル部材の間において、前記ノズル部材の
いずれか一方に向けて突出し突起部材を有し、前
記平板状の第１のノズル部材のインク吐出口の配
列方向に直行する方向の幅または前記平板状の第
２のノズル部材の空気吐出口の配列方向に直交す
る方向の幅L2と、前記直交する方向における突
起部材の幅L1とが、 L2／３＜L1＜L2 の関係にあるインクジエツト記録装置。 ２ 突起部材の突出方向の長さが、第１のノズル
部材と第２のノズル部材間との距離よりも小さい
特許請求の範囲第１項記載のインクジエツト記録
装置。 ３ 突起部材が第１のノズル部材に一体に形成さ
れている特許請求の範囲第１項記載のインクジエ
ツト記録装置。 ４ 突起部材の幅方向の両端部が面取されている
特許請求の範囲第１項記載のインクジエツト記録
装置。[Scope of Claims] 1. A flat first nozzle member having a plurality of ink ejection ports arranged at predetermined intervals; and a plurality of air ejection ports corresponding to the ink ejection ports of the first nozzle member. an air supply source that supplies air to generate an air flow; and an air flow from the air supply source in a portion between the ink discharge port and the air discharge port. a first air flow forming a space in which a pressure gradient of the air flow decreases in a direction from the ink discharge port to the air discharge port so that the air flow is sent out from the air discharge port while causing a sharp bend in the air flow; means; an electrode formed on the surface of the second nozzle member around the air ejection port; a second means for generating a potential difference between the electrode and the ink, and an attractive force due to the potential difference generated by the second means stretches the ink meniscus generated at the ink ejection port, and the ink meniscus generated at the ink ejection port is An inkjet recording device that applies an accelerating force to an air flow passing through a space where a pressure gradient changes, thereby ejecting ink within the ink ejection port outward through the air ejection port, a plurality of ink ejection ports of the first nozzle member;
or a protrusion member that is located approximately in the middle of the plurality of air discharge ports of the second nozzle member and that protrudes toward one of the nozzle members between the first nozzle member and the second nozzle member; and a width L in the direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the ink ejection ports of the flat first nozzle member or a width L in the direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the air ejection ports of the flat second nozzle member. 2 and the width L 1 of the protruding member in the orthogonal direction has a relationship of L 2 /3<L 1 <L 2 . 2. The inkjet recording device according to claim 1, wherein the length of the protruding member in the protruding direction is smaller than the distance between the first nozzle member and the second nozzle member. 3. The inkjet recording device according to claim 1, wherein the protruding member is integrally formed with the first nozzle member. 4. The inkjet recording device according to claim 1, wherein both ends of the protruding member in the width direction are chamfered.
Priority Applications (6)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP17790885A JPS6239250A (en) | 1985-08-13 | 1985-08-13 | Ink jet recording device |
| US06/896,340 US4736212A (en) | 1985-08-13 | 1986-08-13 | Ink jet recording apparatus |
| DE8686306259T DE3677669D1 (en) | 1985-08-13 | 1986-08-13 | COLOR JET PRINTER. |
| DE90100880T DE3688797T2 (en) | 1985-08-13 | 1986-08-13 | INK-JET PRINTER. |
| EP19900100880 EP0376922B1 (en) | 1985-08-13 | 1986-08-13 | Ink jet recording apparatus |
| EP86306259A EP0212943B1 (en) | 1985-08-13 | 1986-08-13 | Ink jet recording apparatus |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP17790885A JPS6239250A (en) | 1985-08-13 | 1985-08-13 | Ink jet recording device |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| JPS6239250A JPS6239250A (en) | 1987-02-20 |
| JPH0556273B2 true JPH0556273B2 (en) | 1993-08-19 |
Family
ID=16039163
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP17790885A Granted JPS6239250A (en) | 1985-08-13 | 1985-08-13 | Ink jet recording device |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPS6239250A (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6681886B2 (en) * | 2001-12-11 | 2004-01-27 | Visteon Global Technologies, Inc | Flexibly coupled electric power assist steering system |
Citations (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS60177907A (en) * | 1984-02-27 | 1985-09-11 | Hitachi Ltd | Rolling method of seamless pipe |
-
1985
- 1985-08-13 JP JP17790885A patent/JPS6239250A/en active Granted
Patent Citations (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS60177907A (en) * | 1984-02-27 | 1985-09-11 | Hitachi Ltd | Rolling method of seamless pipe |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JPS6239250A (en) | 1987-02-20 |
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|---|---|---|---|
| LAPS | Cancellation because of no payment of annual fees |