JPH09141874A - Ink-jet head, ink-jet catridge, and ink-jet apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely and stably perform electric connection between an energy generation element unit in a separable state and a driving element unit. SOLUTION: In an ink-jet head which is equipped with an energy generation element unit UE which has signal wiring for supplying an electric signal to an exothermic resistor and in which connection electrodes 13a, 13b are installed projectingly in the terminal part of the signal wiring positioned on a butting surface F, and a driving element unit UD which has signal wiring for sending an electric signal for driving the exothermic resistor from a driving element and in which a connection electrode 20 is installed projectingly in the terminal part of the signal wiring positioned on a butting surface and in which the butting surfaces FE, FD of the two units UE, UD are laid to overlap each other to connect the connection electrodes 13a, 13b, 20 each other, a projection part 14 for maintaining these opposite distances is formed at least on one butting surface FE of the two units UE, UD.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an energy generating element unit having an energy generating element for discharging a liquid to print on a print medium, and a driving element having a driving element for driving the energy generating element. The present invention relates to an inkjet head including a unit, an inkjet cartridge incorporating the inkjet head, and an inkjet device using the inkjet head.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Ink-jet printing is a method in which ink or a processing liquid for adjusting the characteristics of the ink is discharged from a discharge port provided in an ink-jet head and adhered to a print medium such as paper. This is a method of performing printing, in which generation of noise is extremely small and high-speed printing is possible. Among them, thermal energy is applied to the liquid to rapidly heat the liquid to generate bubbles, and the volume expansion of the bubbles causes the liquid in the liquid flow path to be ejected as droplets from the ejection port. The ink jet head in a form in which the liquid is introduced from the liquid chamber into the liquid flow path has advantages such as good responsiveness to a print signal and easy realization of high multi-head.

FIG. 11 shows the appearance of an energy generating unit of such an ink jet head, and FIG. 12 shows a state in which a part thereof is broken. That is, a heating resistor 102 as an electrothermal conversion element that is an energy generating element is provided on an insulating layer formed on the surface of the substrate 101, and an electrode (not shown) for energizing the heating resistor 102 is further provided. Is provided. The liquid flow path 103 exposed by the heating resistor 102 on the substrate 101 has one opening that serves as a discharge port 104 and the other communicates with a common liquid chamber 105. A liquid tank (not shown) separately provided for the inkjet head is connected to the common liquid chamber 105 via a coupling member 106.

As shown in the figure, when a heating resistor 102 is incorporated for each liquid flow path 103 communicating with the ejection ports 104 arranged in a straight line and a plurality of dots are simultaneously printed on a print medium, the heating resistor is used. It is necessary to individually control ON / OFF of energization for the 102. The drive element for performing such control is integrally incorporated in the above-mentioned energy generating element unit 107, or as shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 showing the XIV-XIV arrow sectional structure, the bonding wire 108 is used. There is a method of electrically connecting to the energy generating element unit 107 via the.

However, the energy generating element unit 10
7 and the driving element 109 are connected to each other by the bonding wire 108 in a fixed state, and a defect occurs in at least one of the heating resistor 102 and the driving element 109, there is a problem that the entire inkjet head does not operate. is there.

In order to solve such a problem, the drive element unit 1 having the drive element 109 as shown in FIG.
10, the driving element unit 110 and the energy generating element unit 107 are separable, and the connection electrodes 111 and 112 are superposed and closely contacted with each other as shown in FIG. And an inkjet device using this inkjet head have been proposed.

When the above-mentioned exchangeable energy generating element unit 107 is used, when the energy generating element unit 107 has a failure or the printing operation is disabled due to its life, the energy generating element unit 1
Replace only 07 with a new drive element unit 11
This is very advantageous in terms of cost because it is only necessary to connect to 0.

[0008]

As shown in FIG.
In the inkjet head in which the energy generating element unit 107 and the driving element unit 110 are separably overlapped and brought into close contact with each other, these connection electrodes 1
Reference numerals 11 and 112 denote heating resistors 1 that actually eject ink.
No. 02 and No. 02 are installed respectively, and in order to fully exhibit the function and performance of the inkjet head, it is necessary that all of these connection electrodes 111 and 112 are securely connected.

However, in the conventional device, the heights and shapes of the connection electrodes 111, 112 protruding from the abutting surfaces 113, 114 of the units 107, 110 are not uniform,
Alternatively, connection failure may occur due to uneven pressing force during the contact operation, and as shown in FIG.
When joining 7, 110, the point of action of the pressing force is the connection electrode 11
If it deviates from between 1 and 112, the units 107 and 110
As a result of generation of moment force centering on the connection electrodes 111, 112 during this time, there is a possibility that connection failure may occur between the connection electrodes 111, 112.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet head capable of reliably and stably electrically connecting an energy generating element unit of a separable form and a driving element unit, and an ink jet incorporating the ink jet head. An object of the present invention is to provide an inkjet device using a cartridge and an inkjet head.

[0011]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of energy generating elements for ejecting a liquid are connected at one end side to a plurality of energy generating elements for supplying electric signals to the energy generating elements. An energy generating element unit having a signal wire and a butt face formed thereon, and a plurality of connection electrodes projecting from the other end of the signal wire located on the butt surface, and for driving the energy generating element. One end side is connected to the drive element, respectively, and a plurality of signal wirings for sending out an electric signal from the drive element are provided and a butt surface is formed, and the other end side of the signal wire located on the butt surface is respectively formed. A drive element unit provided with a plurality of connection electrodes projecting, the energy generating element unit and the drive element unit. An inkjet head in which the contact surfaces are overlapped with each other so that the connection electrodes are connected to each other, and the facing distances of at least one of the energy generating element unit and the driving element unit are opposed to each other. The inkjet head is characterized in that a protrusion for holding is formed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, one end side is connected to a plurality of energy generating elements for ejecting liquid respectively, and a plurality of signal wirings for supplying electric signals to these energy generating elements are provided. An energy generating element unit that has a butt surface and has a plurality of connection electrodes on the other end side of the signal wiring located on the butt surface, and a driving element for driving the energy generating element. Each side has a plurality of signal wirings for transmitting electric signals from the driving element, and a butt surface is formed, and a plurality of connection electrodes are provided on the other end side of the signal wirings located on the butt surface. A drive element unit provided with a protrusion, the energy generating element unit and the protrusion of the drive element unit. An ink jet cartridge comprising: an ink jet head in which mating surfaces are superposed on each other so that the connection electrodes are connected to each other; and a liquid tank for storing the liquid to be supplied to the ink jet head. The inkjet cartridge is characterized in that at least one of the element unit and the drive element unit is provided with a protrusion on the abutting surface for maintaining a facing distance therebetween.

Further, according to a third aspect of the present invention, one end side is connected to a plurality of energy generating elements for respectively ejecting liquid from a plurality of ejection ports, and a plurality of energy generating elements for supplying an electric signal to these energy generating elements. For driving the energy generating element, an energy generating element unit having a book signal wire and a butt surface and a plurality of connection electrodes projecting from the other end of the signal wire located on the butt surface, respectively. One end side is connected to each of the drive elements of, and a butt surface is formed with a plurality of signal wirings for transmitting an electric signal from the drive element, and the other end side of the signal wirings located on the butt surface is formed. And a drive element unit provided with a plurality of connecting electrodes protruding from each other, wherein the energy generating element unit and the drive element unit are provided. An ink jet device using an ink jet head in which the abutting surfaces of a battery are connected to each other so that the connection electrodes are connected to each other, the abutting surfaces of at least one of the energy generating element unit and the driving element unit. In the ink jet device, a protrusion is formed to hold the facing interval.

According to the present invention, when the abutting surfaces of the energy generating element unit and the driving element unit are overlapped with each other and the connection electrodes are electrically connected to each other, at least one of the energy generating element unit and the driving element unit is butted. Protrusions are formed on the surfaces to maintain these facing intervals, and these abutting surfaces are in a face-to-face state so that all connection electrodes are in proper contact.

The electric signal sent from the driving element of the driving element unit through the signal wiring thereof is supplied to the energy generating element from the signal wiring of the energy generating element unit through the connection electrode, whereby the energy generating element is activated. Then, the liquid is ejected.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION In the ink jet head according to the first aspect of the present invention, the protrusion may have a region aligned with the connection electrode, or may be extended on the other end side of the signal wiring. It may have a region lined up along the arrangement direction of the connection electrodes, or a region lined up with the connection electrodes and an extension of the other end side of the signal wiring along the arrangement direction of the connection electrodes. It may have a region arranged side by side. Further, the protrusion may be a dummy electrode having a shape corresponding to the connection electrode, and the energy generating element may be an electrothermal converter that generates thermal energy that causes film boiling in the liquid.

In the ink jet cartridge according to the second aspect of the present invention, the liquid is ink or a treatment liquid for adjusting the characteristics of the ink ejected onto the print medium.
Alternatively, these inks and treatment liquids are desirable.

Here, the protrusion may have a region aligned with the connection electrode in a straight line, or a region aligned along the arrangement direction of the connection electrode on an extension of the other end side of the signal wiring. It may have, or may have a region aligned with the connection electrode and a region aligned along the arrangement direction of the connection electrode on the extension of the other end side of the signal wiring. The protrusion may be a dummy electrode having a shape corresponding to the connection electrode, and the ejection ports may be arranged over the entire width of the print area of the print medium.

[0019]

EXAMPLES Some examples of the ink jet head according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8. The ink jet head is provided in each of the energy generating element unit and the driving element unit. The basic structure of the connection electrode portion can be exactly the same for both these two units.

Therefore, only one of the energy generating element units, which is one unit, will be described below, but the structure of the connecting electrode portion of the driving element unit may be exactly the same.

FIG. 1 showing the appearance of the substrate surface of the energy generating element unit in the first embodiment and its II-II.
As shown in FIG. 2 showing the sectional structure in the direction of the arrow, an insulating layer 12 having a heat storage property such as silicon dioxide (SiO ₂ ) is formed on the surface of a rectangular substrate 11, and the insulating layer 12 is formed on the insulating layer 12. Are a plurality of pairs of connection electrodes 13a,
13b and the dummy electrode 14 are arranged in a straight line at a predetermined interval. The surface of the substrate 11 around the connection electrodes 13a and 13b and the dummy electrode 14 functions as the butt surface F _E of the present invention.

The connection electrodes 13a and 13b of each pair are formed on the substrate 1
1 is formed at one end of the signal wiring 15 made of aluminum or the like extending in the front-rear direction (horizontal direction in FIG. 2). The other end of each pair of the signal wirings 15 has a hafnium diboride ( HfB2) and other elements are connected to each other via heat-generating resistors 16 and U
It is shaped like a letter. These connection electrodes 13a, 13
b is in a state of being laminated on the resistance layer 16 'and the signal wiring 15, and the resistance layer 16' and the signal wiring 15 except for the connection electrodes 13a and 13b have oxidation resistance due to silicon dioxide or the like. A cavitation-resistant layer 18 made of tantalum or the like is covered with an insulating layer 17, and is laminated on the heating resistor 16 via the insulating layer 17.

The dummy electrode 14 as the protrusion of the present invention
Are arranged in parallel with the connection electrodes 13a, 13b at one end side in the front-rear direction of the substrate 11 along the arrangement direction of the connection electrodes 13a, 13b.
Similar to 13b, it is in a state of being laminated on the resistance layer 16 'and the conductive layer 15'. The resistance layer 16 'and the conductive layer 15' are covered with the insulating layer 17 except the dummy electrode 14.

The procedure for manufacturing the substrate 11 having such a structure will be described. First, the insulating layer 12 is formed on the surface of the substrate 11.
Then, the resistance layer 16 'and the conductive layer 15' are sequentially formed by sputtering so as to have a film thickness of 2 .mu.m, 0.2 .mu.m, and 0.6 .mu.m (see FIG. 3).

Then, by etching the resistance layer 16 'and the conductive layer 15' using the photolithographic technique,
The heating resistor 16 and the signal wiring 15, and the dummy electrode 14
Pattern the resistive layer 16 'and the conductive layer 15' (see FIG. 4).

Thereafter, an insulating film and an anti-cavitation film are sequentially formed on these surfaces by sputtering to have a film thickness of 0.9 μm and 0.5 μm, respectively, and the insulating film and the anti-cavitation film are formed using a photolithographic technique. The insulating layer 17 and the anti-cavitation layer 18 are patterned by etching the cavitation film. At this time, the signal wiring 1
5 and the conductive layer 15 'corresponding to the dummy electrode 14
A part of the insulating layer 17 is etched so that the through holes 19 are formed so as to respectively face the surfaces (see FIG. 5).

Further, as an electroplating undercoat layer, titanium and copper are deposited in the order of 0.05 μm and 0.3 μm, respectively. Then, after forming a pattern using a resist for forming plating, electroplating is performed to form gold, nickel, copper, platinum or the like with a film thickness of several micrometers to several tens of micrometers. Then, the resist is peeled off and the undercoat layer is etched to form the connection electrodes 13a and 13b and the dummy electrode 14 in the through hole 19 as shown in FIG.

For the substrate 11 thus obtained, as shown in FIG.
The ejection port 104, the ink flow path 103, the common ink chamber 105, and the like as shown in FIG. 2 were formed, and the coupling member 106 as shown in FIG. 11 was joined to form the energy generating element unit.

As shown in FIG. 6, which shows the appearance of the ink jet head by assembling the energy generating element unit and the driving element unit, as shown in FIG.
And the abutting surface F _{E of} the energy generating element unit U _{E from which} the dummy electrode 14 protrudes and the abutting surface F _D of the driving element unit U _{D from} which the connecting electrode 20 and the dummy electrode 21 protrude, and these connecting electrodes 13
When a, 13b, 20 are connected to each other, if the points of action of these joining forces are between the connection electrodes 13a, 13b, 20 and the dummy electrodes 14, 21, the abutting surfaces F _E , F _D are mutually connected. The connection electrodes 13a, 13b, 20 can be kept in parallel and can be kept in a good connection state. In this case, it is preferable to make the protrusion heights of the connection electrodes 13a and 13b and the dummy electrode 14 from the surface of the substrate 11 equal, and if such a condition can be satisfied, the dummy electrode 1
Instead of 4, it is possible to form another protrusion.

By forming the dummy electrodes 14 and 21 in this manner, the allowable range of positional deviation of the action point when the energy generating element unit U _E and the driving element unit U _D are joined is shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. The energy generating element unit U _E and the driving element unit U _D can be more simplified than the conventional one shown in FIG. 1 and the cost reduction can be achieved by further simplifying the positioning mechanism.

In the above-described embodiment, the dummy electrode 14 is formed further on the one end side in the front-rear direction of the substrate 11 than the connection electrodes 13a, 13b along the arrangement direction of the connection electrodes 13a, 13b. As shown in FIG. 7 showing the appearance of the surface of the substrate in the embodiment, the dummy is formed so as to be aligned with both ends of the substrate 11 in the longitudinal direction, that is, both ends along the arrangement direction of the connection electrodes 13a and 13b. The electrodes 14a and 14b may be formed. Further, as shown in FIG. 8 showing the appearance of the surface of the substrate in the third embodiment of the present invention, these two embodiments are combined, and the connection electrode is located further on one end side in the front-back direction of the substrate 11 than the connection electrodes 13a and 13b. The dummy electrode 14 is formed along the arrangement direction of 13a and 13b, and the connection electrode 13
Dummy electrodes 14a and 14b may be formed at both longitudinal ends of the substrate 11 along the arrangement direction of a and 13b so as to be aligned with the connection electrodes 13a and 13b.

7 and 8, members having the same functions as those of the previous embodiment shown in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals.

Next, an embodiment of the ink jet cartridge according to the present invention, in which the above ink jet head is incorporated, will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 9 showing its appearance.

That is, the ink jet cartridge 31 in this embodiment is attached to a carriage of a serial type ink jet apparatus (not shown) in a positioned state, and exchanges electrical signals with the ink jet apparatus. . Inkjet cartridge 31 that is detachably attached to the carriage
Is an inkjet head 10, a head holder 32 that holds the inkjet head 10, a pressing block 33 that presses the inkjet head 10 against the head holder 32, and an ink tank 34 that stores ink.
And a lid member 35 for sealing the inside of the ink tank 34, a main part is configured, and the ink tank 34, which occupies most of the volume of the ink jet cartridge 31, keeps the inside of the ink tank 34 at atmospheric pressure. An atmosphere communication port 36 is formed for this purpose.

The ink jet head 10 having a large number of ink ejection ports 104 for ejecting ink has a structure corresponding to the embodiment shown in FIGS. Are pressed and held by the head holder 32 by the pressing block 33. Ink is guided from the ink tank 34 to the common ink chamber 105 and each ink flow path 103 through an ink supply pipe and a communication passage (not shown) of the inkjet head 10 (see FIG. 12 respectively).

The ink jet cartridge 31 in this embodiment is formed by integrally forming the ink jet head 10 and the ink tank 34. The ink jet head 10 has a structure in which the ink tank 34 side is exchangeably connected. It may be an inkjet cartridge.

FIG. 10 shows the appearance of an embodiment of the ink jet device according to the present invention, which is equipped with the ink jet head of the present invention. That is, the ink jet apparatus of this embodiment is a full-line type color printer, and the ink jet cartridge has four ink tanks 37Y and 37 that store yellow ink, magenta ink, cyan ink, and black ink, respectively.
M, 37C, 37B (hereinafter collectively referred to as an ink tank 37), and an ink supply pipe connected to each of these ink tanks 37 via a connection pipe 38 4
Inkjet heads 10Y, 10M, 10C, 1
0B (hereinafter, these are collectively referred to as the inkjet head 1
Each of the ink tanks 37 is exchangeably connected to a connection pipe 38.

Head driver 4 connected to the controller 39
Inkjet head 10 whose energization to each heating resistor 16 is switched on / off by 0
1 has the same basic structure as that of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, and is arranged along the carrying direction of the carrying belt 41 so as to face the platen 42 with the endless carrying belt 41 interposed therebetween. Are arranged at predetermined intervals. And the control device 3
The head moving means 43 for recovery processing whose operation is controlled by 9 can move up and down in the direction opposite to the platen 42. On the side of each inkjet head 10, a head cap for performing recovery processing of the inkjet head 10 by ejecting old ink existing in the ink flow path 103 from the ink ejection port 24 prior to the printing operation on the print paper 44. 45 are arranged in a state of being shifted by a half pitch with respect to the arrangement interval of the inkjet heads 10, and are moved directly below the inkjet heads 10 by the cap moving means 46 whose operation is controlled by the control device 39, and from the ink ejection ports 24. It is designed to receive the discharged waste ink.

The conveyor belt 41 for conveying the print paper 44 is wound around the drive roller 48 connected to the belt drive motor 47, and its operation is switched by the motor driver 49 connected to the controller 39. Also,
On the upstream side of the conveyor belt 41, the conveyor belt 41
Is provided with a charger 50 for bringing the print paper 44 into close contact with the conveyor belt 41 by charging the printer. The charger 50 connected to the controller 39 turns on the energization of the charger 50. / OFF can be switched. A paper feed motor 53 for driving and rotating the pair of paper feed rollers 52 is connected to the pair of paper feed rollers 52 for supplying the print paper 44 onto the transport belt 41. The motor 53 is the control device 3
The operation is switched by the motor driver 54 connected to 9.

Therefore, prior to the printing operation on the printing paper 44, the ink jet head 10 is lifted away from the platen 42, and then the head cap 4 is moved.
5 moves directly below the inkjet heads 10 to perform the recovery processing of the inkjet heads 10, then moves the head cap 45 to the original standby position, and further moves the inkjet heads 10 to the printing position to the platen 42.
Move to the side. Then, at the same time when the charging device 50 is operated, the transport belt 41 is driven, and further, the print paper 44 is placed on the transport belt 41 by the paper feed roller 52, and each inkjet head 10 prints a predetermined color image on the print paper. Printed on 44.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the ink jet head using the electrothermal conversion element for generating thermal energy as the energy generating element has been described in order to achieve the high density and high definition of the print. It can also be applied to an inkjet head using the electromechanical conversion element.

Regarding typical constitutions and principles of the ink jet head using the electrothermal converting element and the laser beam described above, for example, US Pat. No. 4,723,129 and US Pat. No. 4,740,796. Preference is given to working with the basic principles disclosed in the specification. This method is applicable to both the so-called on-demand type and the continuous type, but in particular, in the case of the on-demand type, the sheet is arranged corresponding to the sheet holding the liquid or the liquid flow path. By applying at least one drive signal to the electrothermal transducing element, which corresponds to the print information and causes a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling, thermal energy is generated in the electrothermal transducing element, and heat of the inkjet head is generated. This is effective because film boiling is caused on the working surface, and as a result, bubbles in the liquid can be formed in a one-to-one correspondence with this drive signal. Due to the growth and contraction of the bubbles, the liquid is ejected through the ejection opening to form at least one droplet. When the drive signal is formed into a pulse shape, the growth and shrinkage of the bubble are performed immediately and appropriately, so that the ejection of the liquid having particularly excellent responsiveness can be achieved, which is more preferable. As the pulse-shaped driving signal, those described in US Pat. No. 4,463,359 and US Pat. No. 4,345,262 are suitable. It should be noted that US Pat. No. 4,313,124 of the invention relating to the rate of temperature rise of the heat acting surface
If the conditions described in the specification are adopted, even better printing can be performed.

As the constitution of the ink jet head, a combination constitution (straight liquid flow passage or right-angled liquid flow passage) of a discharge port, a liquid flow passage and an electrothermal conversion element as disclosed in the above-mentioned specifications is used. In addition, a configuration using US Pat. No. 4,558,333 or a configuration using US Pat. No. 4,459,600 disclosing a configuration in which a heat acting portion is arranged in a bending region is also the present invention. Are included in. In addition, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 59-12 discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of the electrothermal conversion element for a plurality of electrothermal conversion elements.
Japanese Patent No. 3670 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 59-1 disclose a configuration in which an opening for absorbing a pressure wave of thermal energy is made to correspond to a discharge portion.
The effect of the present invention is effective even with the configuration based on 38461. That is, according to the present invention, printing can be performed reliably and efficiently regardless of the form of the inkjet head.

Further, the present invention can be effectively applied to a full line type ink jet head having a length corresponding to the maximum width of a print medium which can be printed by the ink jet apparatus. Such an inkjet head may have a configuration that fills its length by a combination of a plurality of inkjet heads or a configuration as one integrally formed inkjet head.

In addition, even in the case of the serial type as in the above example, an ink jet head fixed to the apparatus main body,
Alternatively, a replaceable chip-type inkjet head that can be electrically connected to the device body and supply liquid from the device body by being attached to the device body, or a liquid tank integrally provided on the inkjet head itself The present invention is also effective when the cartridge type inkjet head described above is used.

Further, as the constitution of the ink jet device of the present invention, it is preferable to add a discharge recovery means of the ink jet head, a preliminary auxiliary means and the like because the effect of the present invention can be further stabilized. Specific examples of these are: a capping unit for the inkjet head, a cleaning unit, a pressurizing or suction unit, an electrothermal conversion element, a heating element other than this, or a combination of these and the preliminary heating. The heating means and the preliminary discharge means for performing discharge different from the print can be mentioned.

Regarding the type and number of ink-jet heads to be mounted, for example, only one ink-jet head is provided for a single color ink, or a plurality of inks having different print colors and densities are provided. A plurality of pieces may be provided. That is, for example, the print mode of the inkjet apparatus is not limited to the print mode of only the mainstream color such as black, but the inkjet head may be integrally configured or a plurality of combinations may be used. The present invention is also extremely effective for an apparatus provided with at least one of full-color print modes by color mixing.

In addition, in the above-described embodiments of the present invention, the liquid is described as a liquid, but a liquid that solidifies at room temperature or lower and that softens or liquefies at room temperature may be used. Or, in the inkjet method, it is common to adjust the temperature of the liquid itself within the range of 30 ° C. or higher and 70 ° C. or lower to control the temperature of the liquid so that the viscosity of the liquid is within the stable ejection range. A liquid may be used at times. In addition, in order to positively prevent the temperature rise due to heat energy as the energy of the state change from the solid state of the liquid to the liquid state, or to prevent the evaporation of the liquid, solidify and heat it in the standing state. You may use the liquid liquefied by. In any case, by applying thermal energy such as liquid that is liquefied by applying thermal energy according to the print signal and liquid liquid is ejected, or that begins to solidify when it reaches the print medium. The present invention can be applied to the case where a liquid having a property of being liquefied for the first time is used. The liquid in such a case is disclosed in
JP-A-4-56847 or JP-A-60-71260.
As described in Japanese Patent Publication No. JP-A-2003-115, it may be configured to face the electrothermal conversion element in a state of being held as a liquid or a solid in the concave portion or the through hole of the porous sheet. In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned liquids is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

In addition, as the form of the ink jet device according to the present invention using the above-mentioned ink jet head, besides the one used as an image output terminal of information processing equipment such as a computer, a copying device combined with a reader or the like, May take the form of a facsimile machine having a transmission / reception function.

[0050]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the protrusions are provided to maintain the facing distance between the abutting surfaces of the energy generating element unit and the driving element unit, the contact state of the connection electrodes of these two units is made uniform. Therefore, it is possible to easily and reliably perform reliable electrical connection.

Further, since the position of the pressing action point when connecting the energy generating element unit and the driving element unit may be rougher than in the conventional case, a reliable connection can be made with a simpler mechanism. Cost can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the shape of a first embodiment of a substrate portion that constitutes an energy generating element unit of an inkjet head according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG.

3 is a cross-sectional view showing a manufacturing procedure of the substrate shown in FIG. 2 together with FIG. 4 and FIG.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a procedure for manufacturing the substrate shown in FIG. 2 together with FIGS. 3 and 5.

5 is a cross-sectional view showing a manufacturing procedure of the substrate shown in FIG. 2 together with FIG. 3 and FIG.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing a state in which an energy generating element unit and a driving element unit according to the present invention are combined.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the shape of a second embodiment of the substrate portion that constitutes the energy generating element unit of the inkjet head according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the shape of a third embodiment of the substrate portion that constitutes the energy generating element unit of the inkjet head according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an embodiment of an inkjet cartridge according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing the appearance of an embodiment of an inkjet device according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of an energy generating element unit of an inkjet head which is a target of the present invention.

12 is a perspective view in which a part of the energy generating element unit shown in FIG. 11 is cut away.

FIG. 13 is a plan view showing an electric circuit of a conventional inkjet head.

14 is a sectional view taken along the line XIV-XIV in FIG.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a conventional drive element unit.

FIG. 16 is a conceptual diagram showing a state in which a conventional energy generating element unit and a driving element unit are combined.

FIG. 17 is a conceptual diagram showing a contact failure state of the connection electrode in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

10, 10Y, 10M, 10C, 10B Inkjet head 11 Substrate 12 Insulating layer 13a, 13b Connection electrode 14 Dummy electrode 14a, 14b Dummy electrode 15 Signal wiring 15 'Conductive layer 16 Heating resistor 16' Resistive layer 17 Insulating layer 18 Cavitation resistance Layer 19 Through Hole 20 Connection Electrode 21 Dummy Electrode 31 Inkjet Cartridge 32 Head Holder 33 Pressing Block 34 Ink Tank 35 Lid Member 36 Atmosphere Communication Port 37Y, 37M, 37C, 37B Ink Tank 38 Connection Piping 39 Controller 40 Head Driver 41 Transport Belt 42 Platen 43 Head moving means 44 Print paper 45 Head cap 46 Cap moving means 47 Belt drive motor 48 Drive roller 49 Motor driver 50 Charger 51 Charger driver 52 the paper feed roller 53 the paper feed motor 54 motor driver F _E, F _D abutting surface U _E energy generating element unit U _D driving element unit

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of energy generating elements for ejecting a liquid are respectively connected at one end side to a plurality of signal wirings for supplying electric signals to these energy generating elements, and a butt surface is formed. An energy generating element unit in which a plurality of connection electrodes are respectively provided on the other end side of the signal wiring located on the abutting surface, and one end side is connected to a driving element for driving the energy generating element from the driving element. And a drive element unit having a plurality of signal wirings for transmitting electric signals and having a butt face formed thereon, and a plurality of connection electrodes projecting from the other end of the signal line located on the butt face. The abutting surfaces of the energy generating element unit and the driving element unit are overlapped with each other. An ink jet head configured to connect the connection electrodes to each other, wherein a protrusion for maintaining a facing interval between the energy generating element unit and the driving element unit is formed on the abutting surface. Inkjet head characterized by. 2. The inkjet head according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion has a region aligned with the connection electrode. 3. The inkjet head according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion has a region that is arranged along the arrangement direction of the connection electrodes on an extension of the other end side of the signal wiring. 4. The projection has a region aligned with the connection electrode in a straight line, and a region aligned along the arrangement direction of the connection electrode on an extension of the other end side of the signal wiring. The inkjet head according to claim 1. 5. The ink jet head according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion is a dummy electrode having a shape corresponding to the connection electrode. 6. The ink jet head according to claim 1, wherein the energy generating element is an electrothermal converter that generates thermal energy that causes film boiling in the liquid. . 7. A plurality of energy generating elements for ejecting a liquid are respectively connected at one end side to a plurality of signal wirings for supplying electric signals to these energy generating elements, and a butt surface is formed. An energy generating element unit in which a plurality of connection electrodes are respectively provided on the other end side of the signal wiring located on the butt surface, and one end side is connected to a driving element for driving the energy generating element And a drive element unit having a plurality of signal wirings for transmitting electric signals and having a butt face formed thereon, and a plurality of connection electrodes projecting from the other end of the signal line located on the butt face. The energy generating element unit and the driving element unit, the abutting surfaces of the energy generating element unit and the driving element unit being overlapped with each other. An inkjet cartridge comprising: an inkjet head configured to connect the connection electrodes to each other; and a liquid tank for storing the liquid to be supplied to the inkjet head, the inkjet cartridge comprising: An ink jet cartridge characterized in that at least one of the abutting surfaces is formed with a protrusion for maintaining a facing interval therebetween. 8. The ink jet cartridge according to claim 7, wherein the liquid is a treatment liquid that adjusts characteristics of the ink and / or the ink ejected onto the print medium. 9. An abutting surface having a plurality of signal wirings for supplying electric signals to these energy generating elements by connecting one end side to a plurality of energy generating elements for respectively ejecting liquid from a plurality of ejection ports. Is formed, and one end side is connected to an energy generating element unit in which a plurality of connection electrodes are respectively provided on the other end side of the signal wiring located on the abutting surface and a drive element for driving the energy generating element. Has a plurality of signal wirings for transmitting an electric signal from the driving element, and a butt surface is formed, and a plurality of connection electrodes are respectively provided on the other end side of the signal wirings located on the butt surface. A driving element unit, the energy generating element unit and the abutting surface of the driving element unit are mutually connected. An ink jet device using an ink jet head in which the connection electrodes are connected to each other by overlapping with each other, wherein at least one of the energy generating element unit and the driving element unit has a facing space therebetween on the abutting surface. An ink jet device having a protrusion for forming. 10. The ink jet apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the protrusion has a region aligned with the connection electrode. 11. The ink jet apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the protrusion has a region arranged along the arrangement direction of the connection electrodes on an extension of the other end side of the signal wiring. 12. The projection has a region aligned with the connection electrode and a region aligned along the arrangement direction of the connection electrode on an extension of the other end side of the signal wiring. The inkjet device according to claim 9. 13. The ink jet device according to claim 9, wherein the protrusion is a dummy electrode having a shape corresponding to the connection electrode. 14. The ink jet apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the ejection ports are arranged over the entire width of the print area of the print medium.