JPH09226123A - Deformable member for emitting ink and image recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a deformable member for ink emission which emits ink droplets without a nozzle and heater, and an image recorder which forms an image by using the ink-emitting deformable member. SOLUTION: An ink droplet 6 is emitted by using the stretch and flexure of a deformable, flexible member 4 whose ink-emitting part is in the form of a recess. The flexible member 4 supplies and holds ink 2 when it has a flexed shape as illustrated in (A), and emits the ink droplet 6 when it is deformed by driving elements 3 from the flexed shape to a stretched shape as illustrated in (B), thereby forming an image onto a medium 5 to be recorded. The flexible member 4 are attached to the two driving elements which are horizontally driven in opposite directions to each other, and it is supplied with the ink from an ink reservoir 1.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jetting deformation member and an image recording apparatus for jetting ink droplets to form an image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a non-impact printer as an information output method. Non-impact printers occupy the mainstream of printers because they are advantageous for obtaining a color image in terms of mechanism and have low noise during printing. Among the non-impact printers, a thermal inkjet printer is one of the methods of forming an image by ejecting ink droplets from nozzles and combining the ink droplets.

FIG. 14 is a schematic view of a conventional thermal ink jet system. In the figure, 81 is a nozzle, 82 is an ink droplet, 83 is a heater, 84 is an ink chamber, and 85 is an ink supply tube. The thermal ink jet method uses a heater 8
Utilizing the expansion force of the bubble generated in the ink chamber 84 by the heat generated by 3, the ink droplet 82 is pushed out from the nozzle 81 to form an image on the recording medium. The ink is supplied from the ink supply pipe 85.

In this method, an image can be formed on any medium regardless of a recording medium. Also, since the device is small, both initial cost and running cost are low. If a large number of heads having a series of mechanisms for pushing out the ink droplets 82 from the nozzles 81 are prepared, registration becomes unnecessary and a color image without color shift can be obtained.
In addition, drop-on-demand method
nd methods) are possible. Therefore, thermal inkjet printers are widely used as personal output devices as well as office output devices.

However, since an image is obtained by displaying the ink droplets 82 as halftone dots, a clear image cannot be obtained unless the opening diameter of the nozzle 81 is reduced. The nozzles 81 are clogged due to drying of impurities or ink, and have a problem in maintenance. Since the opening diameter of the nozzle 81 is small, the pigment-dispersed ink is likely to be clogged with the pigment in the nozzle, there is a problem of kogation of the heater, and there is a problem that the selection range of the ink is narrowed.

Another method of ejecting ink droplets from a nozzle and combining the ink droplets to form an image is a piezoelectric ink jet printer. The piezoelectric ink jet printer is the same as the thermal ink jet printer in that an ink droplet is pushed out from a nozzle to form an image on a recording medium. However, the displacement force of the piezoelectric body is used to push out the ink droplet from the nozzle.

FIG. 15 is a structural diagram of the piezoelectric body.
15A is a structural diagram of a vertical effect element, and FIG. 15B is a structural diagram of a horizontal effect element. 16A and 16B are structural diagrams of a laminated piezoelectric material, FIG. 16A being a laminated vertical effect element, and FIG. 16B being a bimorph lateral effect element. In the figure, 91 is a ceramic, and 92 is an electrode.

As shown in FIG. 15, the piezoelectric body is composed of ceramics 91 and two electrodes 92 sandwiching the ceramics 91. The piezoelectric body is displaced when a voltage is applied to both electrodes 92. The direction of displacement depends on the structure,
It is divided into a vertical effect element of FIG. 15 (A) and a horizontal effect element of FIG. 15 (B). As shown in FIG. 16, there is a piezoelectric body having a laminated structure of the piezoelectric body of FIG. 15 in order to increase the displacement amount. FIG. 16A shows a laminated vertical effect element, and FIG.
(B) is a bimorph lateral effect element.

[0009] The piezoelectric ink-jet printer uses the displacement force of these piezoelectric bodies to push out ink droplets from an ink tank from a nozzle to form an image on a recording medium. This method also has the same advantages as the thermal inkjet printer, and is also widely used as an office output device and a personal output device.

However, similar to a thermal ink jet printer, an image is obtained by printing ink droplets on halftone dots.
Unless the opening diameter of the nozzle is reduced, a clear image cannot be obtained, and a nozzle having a narrow opening diameter is easily clogged by impurities or drying of the ink. This leaves a problem on the maintenance side. Further, in the case of pigment-dispersed ink, the pigment is easily clogged in the nozzle, and the selection range of the ink is narrowed.

As described above, a printing apparatus having a nozzle requires a nozzle due to the structure in which ink droplets fly from the nozzle, and it is difficult to facilitate maintenance.
Also, it is necessary to select an ink that does not easily cause clogging. Furthermore, when a heater is used, there is a problem of kogation, the original heater performance cannot be exerted, and there is a problem that it hinders the flight of ink droplets and that the ink changes or deteriorates due to heat. .

[0012]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an ink jetting deforming member that ejects ink droplets without a nozzle and a heater, and an image using the ink jetting deforming member. An object is to provide an image recording device to be formed. In particular, the size of ink droplets is made uniform, the directionality of ink droplet flight is stabilized, and good images are obtained.

[0013]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, in an ink-flying deformable member that deforms from a shape that receives ink supply to a shape that causes the ink to fly, the portion that causes the ink to fly is concave. It is characterized by being out.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the ink-flying deformable member that deforms from a shape that receives ink supply to a shape that causes the ink to fly, the portion that causes the ink to fly is concavely curved. It is characterized by.

According to the third aspect of the invention, in the ink-flying deformable member that deforms from the shape that receives the ink supply to the shape that causes the ink to fly, the portion that causes the ink to fly is recessed into a square shape. It is characterized by.

In the invention according to claim 4, in the ink-flying deformable member that deforms from the shape supplied with the ink to the shape that causes the ink to fly, the surface of the portion that causes the ink to fly is wide. It is characterized by.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the ink flying deformation member that transforms from a shape that receives ink supply to a shape that causes the ink to fly, at least one slit is provided at the portion where the ink flies. It is characterized by that.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the ink flying deformation member according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the ink flying deformation member is a flexible linear member or streak. It is characterized by being a strip, a strip, or a strip.

According to a seventh aspect of the invention, in the ink jetting deformation member that deforms from a shape that receives the supply of ink to a shape that causes the ink to fly, a plurality of bending members are provided, and the plurality of bending members are bent. The member is characterized in that it is connected at a portion where the ink is ejected, and is deformed from a shape that receives the supply of the ink to a shape that ejects the ink.

According to an eighth aspect of the invention, an ink jetting deforming member that deforms from a shape that receives the supply of ink to a shape that causes the ink to fly has a plurality of bending members, and the plurality of bending members The member is characterized in that it is connected at the portion where the ink is ejected, and the portion where the ink is ejected is recessed, and is deformed from the shape supplied with the ink to the shape ejecting the ink.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the ink flying deformation member according to the seventh or eighth aspect, the flexible member is a flexible linear body, streak body, continuous body or band shape. It is characterized by being a body.

According to a tenth aspect of the invention, in the image recording apparatus, the ink is ejected from a shape having an ink supply portion and an ink holding portion, and the ink holding portion is supplied with the ink from the ink supply portion. The ink flying deformation member according to any one of claims 1 to 9 that is deformed into a shape that allows the ink flying deformation member, and a drive unit that deforms the ink flying deformation member.

[0023]

1 is an explanatory view of a first embodiment of an image recording apparatus of the present invention, FIG. 1 (A) is an illustration of an ink supply state, and FIG. 1 (B). FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a flying state of ink droplets. In the drawing, 1 is an ink tank, 2 is ink, 3 is a driving element, 4 is a bending member, 5 is a recording medium, 6
Is an ink drop. In this embodiment, the ink is ejected by utilizing the tension and flexure of the deformable bending member 4 in which the ink ejection portion is recessed. The flexure member 4 supplies and holds the ink 2 in the flexure shape, and causes the ink droplets 6 to fly when the driving element 3 deforms the flexure shape to the tension shape, thereby forming an image on the recording medium 5. The bending member 4 is attached to the two drive elements 3 that are driven in opposite directions in the horizontal direction, and is supplied with ink from the ink tank 1. In order to fly the ink droplet 6, a driving force that overcomes the surface tension of the ink is required.

In FIG. 1A, individual drive elements 3 are provided at the upper ends of the left and right side walls of the ink tank 1 so as to face each other in a space above the liquid surface of the ink 2. Both ends of the bending member 4 are attached to each drive element 3. As the flexible member 4, for example, a flexible linear body, a streak body, a band-like body, a continuous body in which small parts are connected in a chain shape, or the like, has a sufficient strength to be flexible and not cut when stretched. Any shape is acceptable as long as you have it. The cross section may be any shape such as a rectangle, a triangle, a circle, and an ellipse, and a cross section having a uniform cross section in the longitudinal direction is easily manufactured. In the longitudinal direction of the flexible member 4, the shape of the portion that holds the ink and ejects the ink, for example, the vicinity of the center is recessed in the direction of ejecting the ink. This point will be described later with reference to FIGS.

The flexible member 4 is attached by a method such as adhesion or welding, but other fixing methods such as engagement and fitting may be adopted. Alternatively, depending on the material of the flexible member 4, the flexible member 4 and the member on the drive element 3 side may be integrally molded or processed.

The guide rail of the drive element 3 is fixed to the ink tank. Although the drive element 3 and the guide rail are schematically illustrated, the drive element 3 is a linear drive element that is driven in a horizontal direction when a voltage is applied. The flexible member 4 is flexible when no voltage is applied to the drive element 3. Since the vicinity of the central portion of the flexible member 4 is in the state of having entered the ink 2, the ink 2 is supplied to the flexible member 4. As shown in FIG. 1 (B), when a voltage is applied to the left and right drive elements 3, the left and right drive elements 3 move in the horizontal direction and the bending member 4 is stretched. On the contrary, if the left and right drive elements 3 are constantly urged by springs or the like in the direction of moving away from each other in the horizontal direction and the voltage is applied in the direction of approaching the horizontal direction, the flexure occurs when the voltage application is stopped. The member 4 can be stretched.

When a voltage is applied to the driving element 3,
The length of the flexible member 4 and the fixed position of the drive element 3 are adjusted so that the flexible member 4 has sufficient tension. When the bending member 4 is bent, the vicinity of the center of the bending member 4 sufficiently enters the ink 2 and the ink 2 is supplied,
When the flexible member 4 is stretched, the fully stretched flexible member 4
Is adjusted so that the ink comes out of the ink 2. It should be noted that such adjustment is similarly performed in other embodiments of the image recording apparatus described later with reference to FIGS. 12 to 13.

An external power source is turned on according to a predetermined print signal,
The drive element 3 is turned off to control the drive element 3, and the ink droplet 6 is caused to fly by the tension and bending of the bending member 4. The recording medium 5 is set in the direction in which the ink droplet 6 flies, and an image is formed on the recording medium 5. A head composed of a series of members such as an ink tank 1, an ink 2, a driving element 3, and a bending member 4, or
By moving the recording medium 5 two-dimensionally, it is possible to realize the droplet ejection method corresponding to the demand, and to obtain a desired image.

Further, since the horizontal force can be changed to the vertical force, the heads for flying the ink droplets 6 can be arranged one-dimensionally, so that the printing density can be increased. Also, without using thermal energy, the ink droplet 6 can be formed only by using the tension, the pushing force, and the vibration force of the flexible member 4.
Is energy efficient because it can fly.

In FIG. 1, both ends of the bending member 4 are attached to separate drive elements 3. However, a support is used, one end of the bending member 4 is attached to this support, and the other end is attached to the drive element 3. The ink droplets 6 can be ejected even when attached to. Further, both ends of the flexible member 4 may be attached to a support, and an up-down lever connected to a drive element may be attached to the flexible member 4 on the ink tank 1 side.

As described above, in the first embodiment of the image recording apparatus of the present invention, the ink droplet 6 is directly ejected by using the vibration or the pushing due to the tension or the bending of the bending member 4, so that the apparatus is used. It is possible to realize small size, low recording cost, low maintenance cost, wide range of ink selection, etc., regardless of recording medium.

Further, in the bending member 4 which is the embodiment of the ink flying deformation member of the present invention, the shape of the portion for holding the ink and flying the ink in the longitudinal direction of the bending member 4 is as follows.
The shape is recessed in the direction in which ink is ejected. Therefore, the size of the ink droplet 6 becomes uniform, and the flight directionality becomes stable. When an image is formed on the recording medium 5 by combining the adhered ink droplets 6, if the ink droplets 6 are present in unnecessary places or the ink droplets 6 are non-uniform, a good image cannot be obtained. However, such a problem can be eliminated.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of the first embodiment of the ink flying deformation member of the present invention. In the figure, the bending member 4 which is an example of the ink flying deformation member is the bending member 4 of FIG.
Is a linear body having a circular cross section, and is shown as a partially enlarged perspective view. Reference numeral 11 is a recess. In this embodiment, the portion where the ink is ejected is a concave portion which is opened and recessed in the direction in which the ink droplet is ejected.

Returning to FIG. 1, the description will be continued. The bending member 4 is stretched by the driving element 3 and comes out of the ink tank 1 so that the ink droplet 6
The ink droplet 6 is momentarily held in the concave portion 11 and then ejected. Since the concave portion 11 is opened in the direction in which the ink droplet 6 flies, the ink droplet 6 is
Fly in the direction of open. Also, the flight direction of the ink droplet 6 is stabilized by the recess 11 serving as a guide.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of a second embodiment of the ink flying deformation member of the present invention. In the figure, the bending member 4
2 uses a linear body having a circular cross section, like the bending member 4 in FIG. 2, and is shown as a partially enlarged perspective view. Reference numeral 12 is a curved portion. In this embodiment,
The portion where the ink is ejected is a curved portion 12 which is curved in a semicircular shape and is recessed in the direction in which the ink is ejected. Since the bending portion 12 is opened in the direction in which the ink is ejected,
At the time when the bending member 4 causes the ink droplets 6 to fly,
The ink droplets 6 are momentarily held by the bending portion 12, and then fly in the opening direction of the bending portion 12. The curved portion 12 serves as a guide to stabilize the flight direction of the ink droplet 6.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of a third embodiment of the ink flying deformation member of the present invention. In the figure, the bending member 4
2 uses a linear body having a circular cross section, like the bending member 4 in FIG. 2, and is shown as a partially enlarged perspective view. In this embodiment, the ink droplet flying portion is a square portion 13 which is opened in the ink droplet flying direction and is recessed into a triangular shape such as a triangle. As the concrete shape of the square portion 13, a conical shape, a triangular pyramid shape, a quadrangular pyramid shape, a wedge shape, or the like can be used, but it does not mean a strict shape and is a dent having a substantially square cross section. If Since the rectangular portion 13 is opened in the direction in which the ink droplet 6 is ejected, in FIG. 1, when the flexible member 4 ejects the ink droplet 6, the ink droplet 6 is momentarily held by the rectangular portion 13, It flies in the direction in which the rectangular portion 13 is open.
The flying direction of the ink droplet 6 is stabilized by the rectangular portion 13 serving as a guide.

In the first to third embodiments of the ink-jetting deformable member of the present invention described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4, the shape and size of the ink droplet 6 are the recesses 11,
It can be freely determined by changing the shapes and sizes of the curved portion 12 and the square portion 13. Bending member 4 shown as r in the figure
The radius or half width of the recessed portion 11 of 10 μm to 1
By setting the thickness to 30 μm, preferably 15 μm to 60 μm, and more preferably 20 μm to 40 μm, a clear image can be formed on the recording medium 5 shown in FIG.

The size of the ink droplet 6 is almost the same as the size of the concave portion 11 and the like of the flexible member 4, but when the ink droplet 6 adheres to the recording medium 5, the ink droplet 6 may be covered depending on the recording medium 5. It spreads over the recording medium 5 and becomes larger than the diameter or width of the recess 11 or the like. In consideration of the spread of the ink droplets 6 on the recording medium 5, the smaller the ink droplets 6, the higher the resolution and the clearer image can be obtained. But,
If the ink droplets 6 are too small, the directionality may not be stable, or mist may not be controlled. When the radius of the concave portion 11 of the bending member 4 is large, that is, when the ink droplet 6 is large, it is easy to control.

What can withstand the formation of an image is
Up to 4 dots (4 dots / mm) in 1 mm. The size of 1 dot at this time is 250 μm, and the bending member 4
Radius of the concave portion 11 or upper limit of 1/2 width r of 130 μm
(260 μm in diameter or full width) is almost the same. In the method of ejecting the ink droplets 6 by tensioning the bending member 4, the radius of the concave portion 10 of the bending member 4 or 1 /
The lower limit of the width r of 10 μm is the limit at which the ink droplet 6 can be controlled. When the radius of the concave portion 11 or the like of the flexible member 4 or the 1/2 width r is 15 μm to 60 μm, the ink droplets 6 can be easily controlled and a relatively clear image can be obtained.
When it is ˜40 μm, the ink droplets 6 can be controlled most easily and a clear image can be obtained.

Since the size of the ink droplet 6 differs depending on the viscosity of the ink used, thixotropy, the form of the coloring material, etc., the diameter of the ink droplet 6 attached to the recording medium 5 should be taken into consideration and adjusted to the ink. It is preferable to determine the size of the recess 11 and the like. In addition, side surfaces of the concave portion 11 and the like of the bending member 4,
That is, the side wall may be provided on the side of the bending member 4 in the lateral direction to prevent the ink from leaking when the ink droplets 6 fly.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of a fourth embodiment of the ink flying deformation member of the present invention. In the figure, the bending member 4
2 uses a linear body having a circular cross section, like the bending member 4 in FIG. 2, and is shown as a partially enlarged perspective view. Reference numeral 21 is an enlarged portion. In this embodiment,
Unlike the deformable flexible member 4 in which the ink droplet flying portion is recessed as described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4, the ink flying portion has an enlarged portion 2 having a wide surface.
It is 1. However, the overall configuration of the image recording apparatus is the same as that described with reference to FIG. FIG.
At the time when the flexible member 4 is stretched by the drive element 3 and ejects the ink droplet 6 from the ink tank 1, the enlarged portion 21 has a large contact area with the ink droplet 6 and thus the ink droplet 6
Easy to hold.

The size and shape of the ink droplet 6 is determined by the enlarged portion 21.
It can be freely decided by changing the shape and size of. Although the width of the enlarged portion 21 is determined by the size of the ink droplet 6 to be ejected, it is preferable that the enlarged portion 21 has a size such that only one ink droplet 6 is formed on the enlarged portion 21. When two or more ink droplets 6 are formed, it becomes difficult to control the flight of the ink droplets 6. The size of only one ink droplet 6 formed on the enlarged portion 21 is
It depends on the viscosity of the ink 2 used, the thixotropy, the form of the coloring material, and the like, so it is preferable to determine it according to the ink 2 used. After the ink droplet 6 is held by the enlarged portion 21, the ink droplet 6 is caused to fly, but since the enlarged portion 21 of the bending member 4 is widened in the direction of flying the ink droplet 6, the ink droplet 6 is ejected.
The flight direction of is stable.

Although not shown in the drawing, in the enlarged portion 21 of the portion where the ink droplet 6 is ejected, by further providing a concave portion which is opened and recessed in the direction in which the ink droplet 6 is ejected, the ejection direction of the ink droplet 6 is changed. It is stable, and since the ink droplet 6 can be held in this recess, the size of the ink droplet 6 is also stable. Since the size of the ink droplet 6 depends on the size of the recess, the ink droplet 6 can be freely determined by changing the shape and size of the depression.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of a fifth embodiment of the ink flying deformation member of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 31 denotes a band-shaped body as an example of the ink flying deformation member, which is shown as a partially enlarged perspective view. 32 is a slit. In this embodiment, the strip-shaped body 31 is provided with one or more slits 32 in a portion where ink is ejected. The overall configuration of the image recording device is the same as that described with reference to FIG.

When the flexible strip 31 is used as the ink flying deformable member, the contact area with ink is wide, and therefore the strip 31 that replaces the flexible member 4 in FIG. 1 is used.
When the ink droplet 6 is stretched by the drive element 3 and ejects the ink droplet 6 from the ink tank 1, it becomes easier to hold the ink droplet 6 as compared with a flexible linear body. Furthermore, if one or more slits 32 are provided in the portion of the band-shaped body 31 where the ink droplets fly, the ink droplets 6 are taken into the slits 32 and the surface tension is increased when the band-shaped body 31 exits the ink tank 1. With this, the slit 32 is formed into the size, and the ink droplets 6 are easily held. Therefore, the flying of the ink droplet 6 easily occurs from the slit 32 portion, and the flying portion and the flying direction of the ink droplet 6 are stabilized.

When the ink droplet 6 is held, the shape and the size of the ink droplet 6 can be freely determined by changing the shape and the size of the slit 32 of the strip 31. However, if the slit 32 is too large, the ink droplet 6 escapes from here, and the ink droplet 6 cannot be held. The size of the ink droplet 6 formed on the slit 32 varies depending on the viscosity of the ink used, the thixotropy, the form of the coloring material, and the like, and therefore the ink droplet 6 used to adhere to the recording medium 5 is used.
It is preferable to determine the size of the slit 32 of the band-shaped body 31 in consideration of the diameter of the slit 32 in accordance with the ink.

7A and 7B are explanatory views of a sixth embodiment of the ink flying deformation member of the present invention, FIG. 7A is a plan view, and FIG. 7B is a front view. In the figure, reference numeral 41 is a band-shaped body as an example of the ink flying deformation member, and a part of the band-shaped body is shown enlarged. 42 is a recess. In this embodiment, the belt 41 is used, and the portion where the ink is ejected is a concave portion 42 which is opened and recessed in the direction in which the ink is ejected.
The belt-shaped body 41 is bent at 90 degrees at four locations, and a recess 42 is formed such that the recess has a quadrangular cross section when viewed from the front.

8A and 8B are explanatory views of a seventh embodiment of the ink flying deformation member of the present invention. FIG. 8A is a plan view and FIG. 8B is a front view. In the figure, reference numeral 41 is the same as the belt-shaped body 41 of FIG. 7, and a part thereof is shown in an enlarged manner. Reference numeral 43 is a curved portion. In this embodiment, the belt-like member 41 is used, and the portion on which the ink is ejected is a curved portion 43 which is open and curved to be concave in the ink ejecting direction.
The band-shaped body 41 is bent at two places, and a curved portion 43 is formed such that the cross section of the recessed portion when viewed from the front has a substantially semicircular shape.

9A and 9B are explanatory views of an eighth embodiment of the ink flying deformation member of the present invention. FIG. 9A is a plan view and FIG. 9B is a front view. In the figure, reference numeral 41 is the same as the belt-shaped body 41 of FIG. 7, and a part thereof is shown in an enlarged manner. Reference numeral 44 is a rectangular portion. In this embodiment, the belt 41 is provided, and the portion where the ink droplet 6 is ejected is a square portion 44 which is open and recessed in the direction in which the ink droplet is ejected. The band-shaped body 41 is bent at three places, and a rectangular portion 44 is formed so that the concave portion has a triangular cross section when viewed from the front.

In each of the embodiments of the ink flying deformation member described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9, since the flexible strip 31 is used, the strip 31 in FIG. 1 is used.
When the ink droplets 6 are ejected from the ink tank 1 and are ejected, the ink droplets 6 are easily held, and the ink droplet ejecting portion is a concave portion 42 opened in the ink droplet ejecting direction.
Since it is the curved portion 43 and the square portion 44, the ink droplets 6 are taken into these concave portions 42 and the like, and are more easily held. The ink droplets 6 fly after being held by the recesses 42 and the like, but since the recesses 42 and the like are opened in the direction in which the ink drops 6 fly, the ink droplets 6 fly in the directions in which the recesses 42 and the like are open. To do.

The flight of the ink droplet 6 is likely to occur from the recess 42 or the like, and the flight location and the flight direction of the ink droplet 6 are stabilized.
The shape and size of the ink droplet 6 follow the shape and size of the recess 42 and the like. Therefore, the ink droplet 6 can be freely determined by changing the shape and size of the recess 42 and the like. 2 to 4
In the same manner as in the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 1, the half width r of the recess 42, etc., shown as r in the figure, is 10 μm.
.About.130 .mu.m, preferably 15 .mu.m to 60 .mu.m, and more preferably 20 .mu.m to 40 .mu.m, a clear image can be formed on the recording medium 5 shown in FIG. that time,
In consideration of the diameter of the ink droplet 6 attached to the recording medium 5, it is preferable to determine the size of the recess 42 or the like according to the ink. It is also possible to prevent the ink from leaking when the ink droplets 6 fly by providing a side wall of the recess 42 or the like, that is, a side wall on one side or both sides of the strip 41 in the lateral direction.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory view of a ninth embodiment of the ink flying deformation member of the present invention, and is shown as an enlarged perspective view of a part of the ink flying deformation member. In the figure, 51 and 52 are first and second bending members, and 53 is a joint. In this embodiment, the first and second bending members 5 are
Reference numerals 1 and 52 are connected to each other at a portion where ink is ejected, and the shape is changed from a shape in which ink is supplied to a shape in which ink is ejected.

Two first and second bending members 51 and 52 are provided, and these are connected by a joint portion 53 at a portion where ink is ejected. Each of the first and second bending members 51 and 52 is the same as the bending member 4 described with reference to FIG. 1 except that there is no recessed portion in the portion where the ink is ejected, but the cross section thereof is the same. Exemplifies a rectangular linear body.
The joint portion 53 is, for example, the first and second bending members 51, 5
2 is a thin film stretched and adhered to each upper surface of 2. FIG.
If the bending member 4 shown in FIG. 4 is replaced with the ink flying deformation member of this embodiment, the overall configuration of the image recording apparatus is the same as that described with reference to FIG.

Since the contact area of the joint portion 53 with the ink droplet 6 is wide, the first and second bending members 51 and 52 connected to the joint portion 53 in FIG. It is easier to hold the ink droplet 6 when flying the ink, as compared with the single flexible member 4 having flexibility. Ink drop 6
Although the ink droplets 6 are ejected after being held by the joint portions 53, the ink droplets 6 easily fly from the joint portions 53, and the flight location and the flight direction of the ink droplets 6 are stable.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory view of the tenth embodiment of the ink flying deformation member of the present invention. In the figure, the same parts as those in FIG. 53
a is a recess of the joint. This embodiment is shown in FIG.
The joint portion 53 shown in is provided with a concave portion 53a of the joint portion which is opened and recessed in the direction in which the ink is ejected. In the recess 53a of the joint shown in the figure, the joint 53 is curved and recessed between the first and second bending members 51 and 52. Since the joint portion 53 has a recess, the ink droplet 6 is more easily held. As the joint 53 emerges from the ink reservoir 2, the ink drop 6 is shaped and retained in the recess 53a of the joint. The flight of the ink droplet 6 is likely to occur from the concave portion 53a of the joint portion, and the ink droplet 6 is more likely to be ejected than the one without it.
The flight location and flight direction are stable.

10 and 11, the shape and size of the ink droplet 6 follow the shape and size of the joint portion 53 or the recess 53a of the joint portion. Therefore, the shape and size of the ink droplet 6 can be freely determined by changing the shape and size of the joint 53 or the recess 53a of the joint. The size of the ink droplet 6 formed in the joint portion 53 or the concave portion 53a of the joint portion varies depending on the viscosity of the ink used, the thixotropic property, the form of the coloring material, and the like. In consideration of the diameter of 6, the joint portion 5 according to the ink
3 or the size of the concave portion 53a of the joint portion may be determined. The bending member is not limited to two,
Any number may be used as long as the flexibility can be maintained and the ink droplets 6 can fly.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of the second embodiment of the image recording apparatus of the present invention, FIG. 12 (A) is an explanatory diagram of an ink supply state, and FIG. 12 (B) is a diagram of ink drops. It is explanatory drawing of a flying state. In the figure, the same parts as those in FIG. 61 is a piezoelectric body. In this embodiment, the bending members 4, 31, 41 as described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 9 or the ink flying deformation member (instead of the bending member 4 described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11 ( Both ends of (hereinafter, simply referred to as the flexure member 4) are attached to separate piezoelectric bodies 61, and each piezoelectric body 61 is displaced in the opposite direction in the horizontal direction to utilize the tension and flexure of the flexure member 4. The ink droplet 6 to fly, and the recording medium 5
To form an image.

Two piezoelectric bodies 61 are provided in the ink tank 1,
For example, the lower part is fixed to a support (not shown). An end of the bending member 4 is attached to an upper part of each piezoelectric body 61. The upper portion of the piezoelectric body 61 is displaced in the horizontal direction when a voltage is applied.

As shown in FIG. 12A, when a voltage is not applied to the piezoelectric body 61, the piezoelectric body 61 is not displaced and the flexible member 4 flexes to supply the ink 2 to the flexible member 4. As shown in FIG. 12B, when a voltage is applied to the piezoelectric body 61, the piezoelectric body 61 is displaced in the horizontal direction, the flexible member 4 is stretched, and the ink droplets 6 are ejected to the recording medium 5. Form an image.

The external power supply is turned on in response to a predetermined print signal,
The ink droplet 6 is caused to fly by the tension and bending of the bending member 4 caused by the displacement of the piezoelectric body 61 when turned off, and an image is formed on the recording medium 5. At this time, by moving the recording medium 5 two-dimensionally by moving the head constituted by a series of members that fly the ink droplets 6 or the recording medium 5, it is possible to carry out the droplet ejection method corresponding to the request and obtain a desired image. it can.

In FIG. 12, both ends of the bending member 4 are attached to separate piezoelectric bodies. However, if one end of the bending member 4 is attached to the support and the other end is attached to the piezoelectric body 61, the ink The droplet 6 can be made to fly. In addition, each of the piezoelectric bodies 61 is equally displaced in the vertical direction to push out the ink droplet 6 from the bending member 4, or
The vibration of the bending member 4 can cause the ink droplet 6 to fly. Both ends of the flexible member 4 may be attached to two horizontally installed supports, and an up / down lever connected to the piezoelectric body from the ink tank 1 side may be attached to a part of the flexible member 4.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory view of the third embodiment of the image recording apparatus of the present invention, FIG. 13 (A) is an explanatory view of the ink supply state, and FIG. 13 (B) is an ink drop state. It is explanatory drawing of a flying state. In the figure, the same parts as those in FIGS. 71 is a support, 7
2 is a rotating body, and 73 is a fixture. In this embodiment,
One end of the bending member 4 is attached to the support 71, the other end is attached to a point other than the center of the rotating body 72, and the tension and bending of the bending member 4 caused by the rotation of the rotating body 72 are used to form the ink droplets 6
To fly to form an image on the recording medium 5.

As shown in FIG. 13A, the ink tank 1 is provided with a support 71 and a rotating body 72 connected to the rotation shaft of a motor (not shown), and the support 71 and the motor are mounted on, for example, a support base (not shown). Fix it. One end of the flexible member 4 is fixed to a point other than the center of the rotating body 72 with a fixture 73,
The other end is attached to the upper part of the support 71. A voltage is applied to the motor to rotate the rotating body 72 to cause the bending and bending of the bending member 4. Flexible member 4 attached to rotating body 72
When the fixing point of (1) approaches the support 71, the bending member 4 bends to supply the ink 2. As shown in FIG. 13B, when the fixing portion of the bending member 4 attached to the rotating body 72 is farthest from the support body 71, the bending member 4 is stretched to fly the ink droplets 6 to the recording medium. Form an image.

In the droplet ejection method corresponding to the demand, the rotation of the motor is stopped and the ink droplet is stopped at a position where the fixing member of the bending member 4 attached to the rotating body 72 is the farthest from the support body 71 in response to a predetermined print signal. 6 is caused to fly, and the fixing portion of the bending member 4 attached to the rotating body 72 is brought close to the support body 71 until the next print signal arrives, and the ink 2 is supplied. In order to rotate the motor and stop it at a predetermined position, the rotation and stop are controlled by an externally mounted control circuit.

Further, when the supply position of the ink 2 to the bending member 4 and the flight position of the ink droplet 6 are on a straight line, the ink 2 can be supplied and the ink droplet 6 can fly most efficiently. Therefore, a stepping motor may be used to control the stepping motor by sending a pulse corresponding to the rotation of the rotating body 72 by 180 °. The recording medium 5 is set in the direction in which the ink droplet 6 flies, and an image is formed on the recording medium 5. At this time, a desired image can be obtained by moving the recording medium 5 or the head composed of a series of members that fly the ink droplets 6 in two dimensions.

In FIG. 13, one end of the bending member 4 is used as a support, and the other end is connected to the rotary shaft of the motor.
However, the ink droplets 6 can be made to fly even if both ends of the bending member 4 are attached to separate rotating bodies.
Further, both ends of the flexible member 4 may be attached to individual support members 71, and an up / down lever connected to a rotating body attached to a motor (not shown) from the ink tank 1 side may be installed in a part of the flexible member 4. .

In addition, although not shown, the bending member 4
It is also possible to attach both ends of each to separate magnets, drive the electromagnets facing these magnets, and use the tension and bending of the bending member 4 to cause the ink droplets 6 to fly. One end of the flexible member 4 may be attached to the magnet and the other end may be fixed to drive the electromagnet. Alternatively, both ends of the flexible member 4 are attached to the two supports 7, a magnet is installed on a part of the flexible member 4 on the ink tank 1 side, and an electromagnet is provided below the magnet to reverse the polarity of the electromagnet. The ink droplet 6 may be ejected. As these drive sources, piezoelectric body, motor,
In addition to the electromagnet, a driving source such as an electrostatic micromotor or an electrostatic microactuator that is driven by electrostatic force can be used.

The material of the flexible member 4, the strip-shaped body 31, the strip-shaped body 41, the first and second flexible members 51 and 52 described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 11 and the method of forming the recess 11 will be described. . Examples of the material for the ink flying deformation member include metals such as gold, silver, copper, platinum, and aluminum, metal alloys, metal oxides, metal nitrides, non-metal inorganic fibers such as glass fibers and ceramic fibers, natural fibers, Regenerated fiber, semi-synthetic fiber, synthetic fiber, etc. can be used. Various combinations and twists of these can also be used. Different materials may be used for the portion where the ink droplets 6 fly and the other portions.

A flexible member having a small elastic force is suitable for causing the ink droplets 6 to fly by utilizing the tension or flexure of the flexible member. When a flexible member having a large elastic force is used, it is preferable to use the vibration force of the flexible member to eject the ink droplet. When the pushing out of the bending member is used, the magnitude of the elastic force does not matter so long as it has a bending property. When using highly viscous ink, it is easier to eject ink droplets by positively using the pushing force or the vibration force of the bending member.

The recess 11 and the like can be formed by cutting, grinding, etching, laser machining, electric discharge machining or the like depending on the specific material of the ink flying deformable member. When the integrally moldable material is used, the recess may be formed at the same time when the ink jetting deformable member is molded. The curved portion 12 shown in FIG. 3, the square portion 13 shown in FIG. 3, the concave portion 42 shown in FIG. 7, the curved portion 43 shown in FIG. 8, and the square portion 4 shown in FIG.
4 can also be formed by bending. The enlarged portion 21 shown in FIG. 5 can also be formed by compressing the bending member 4 from both ends. The joint portion 53 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 may be made of the same material as the first and second bending members 51 and 52, and in that case, they can be integrally formed. Etc. are attached to the first and second bending members 51 and 52.

In each of the embodiments of the image recording apparatus described with reference to FIGS. 1, 12, and 13, the driving element 3 and the piezoelectric element 61, the driving member such as the motor, and the bending member 4 are provided in the ink tank 1. A case has been described in which the ink droplets 6 are ejected using the tension and flexure of the flexible member 4 or the vibration caused by the installation. However, the above-described driving body and the bending member 4 may be installed outside the ink tank 1 so that only the portion where the ink droplets 6 fly can enter the ink tank 1.
There is no problem even with a small ink tank 1 in which only the portion where the ink droplets 6 fly can enter. Ink may be supplied to the bending member 4 from a means other than the ink layer 1, for example, an ink supply pipe. As long as the ink 2 can be supplied to the flexible member 4 and the ink droplets 6 can fly, the installation positions of the ink supply unit, the drive element, the flexible member, the support, and the like are not limited, and their sizes are not limited.

A new printing apparatus is provided by utilizing the above-described respective embodiments of the image recording apparatus for a printing apparatus, attaching the generated ink droplets 6 to the recording medium 5 and combining the attached ink droplets 6. it can. By using the ink flying deformation member as described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 11, formation of the ink droplets 6 having a uniform size and stable flight directionality are obtained, and a good image is formed. be able to.
In order to increase the printing speed, a large number of heads having such a bending member 4 are arranged, and the printing points are divided and printing is performed.
The ink droplets 6 to be attached may be combined.

If a head corresponding to each original color is provided and the ink droplets 6 of each color are ejected and the ink droplets 6 to be attached are combined, a desired color image can be obtained. At this time, from the above-mentioned respective embodiments,
By combining heads of the same type or different types, it is possible to provide a new printing device with multiple heads,
It can correspond to high speed and colorization. A large number of the above-mentioned heads may be arranged in one of the head mounting mechanism jigs, or one head may be arranged in one of the head mounting mechanism jigs, and a large number of these mechanisms may be used.

[0074]

According to the invention described in claim 1, the portion where the ink is ejected is recessed, and according to the invention described in claim 2, it is curved and recessed. According to the invention of claim 1, the surface is wide according to the invention described in claim 4, according to the invention of claim 4, and has one or more slits according to the invention of claim 5. From
Since the ink droplets are shaped by these shapes, the size of the ink droplets becomes uniform, and the shape of the flexible member itself serves as a guide to determine the flight direction of the ink droplets, thus stabilizing the flight directionality. There is an effect of doing.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the ink flying deformable member is a flexible linear body, streak-shaped body, continuous body or band-shaped body, the ink flying deformable member is There is an effect that the ink droplets can be easily ejected by the tension and the bending.

According to the seventh aspect of the invention, since the plurality of bending members are connected at the portion where the ink is ejected and are deformed from the shape in which the ink is supplied to the shape in which the ink is ejected, the plurality of bending members are formed. The shape of the ink droplet is shaped by the shape of the connecting portion of the flexible member, so that the size of the ink droplet becomes uniform, and the shape itself can serve as a guide to determine the flight direction of the ink droplet.
This has the effect of stabilizing the flight directionality. According to the invention described in claim 8, in addition to that, since the portion where the ink is ejected is recessed, a further effect is exhibited. According to the invention described in claim 9, there is the same effect as the invention described in claim 6.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the ink supply section and the ink holding section are provided, and the shape in which the ink is supplied from the ink supply section is changed to a shape in which the ink is ejected. Since the ink jetting deformation member according to any one of 1 to 9 and the drive unit that deforms the ink jetting deformation member are included, there are no nozzles that are clogged with ink drying or impurities, and maintenance is easy. In addition, there is an effect that the selection range of ink can be widened. There is no need for a heater to create bubbles that cause ink to fly. There is an effect that the formation of the ink droplets 6 having a uniform size and stable flight directionality can be obtained, and a good image can be formed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a first embodiment of an image recording apparatus of the present invention, FIG. 1 (A) is an explanatory diagram of an ink supply state, and FIG. 1 (B) is an ink droplet flying state. FIG.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the first embodiment of the ink flying deformation member of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a second embodiment of an ink jetting deformation member of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a third embodiment of an ink jetting deformation member of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a fourth embodiment of the ink flying deformation member of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a fifth embodiment of an ink jetting deformation member of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a sixth embodiment of the ink flying deformation member of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a seventh embodiment of the ink flying deformation member of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of an eighth embodiment of the ink flying deformation member of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a ninth embodiment of an ink jetting deformation member of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a tenth embodiment of the ink flying deformation member of the invention.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of the second embodiment of the image recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of the third embodiment of the image recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of a conventional thermal inkjet system.

15A and 15B are structural views of a piezoelectric body, FIG. 15A being a vertical effect element, and FIG. 15B being a horizontal effect element.

16 is a structural diagram of a laminated piezoelectric body, and FIG.
16A is a structural view of a laminated vertical effect element, and FIG. 16B is a structural diagram of a bimorph lateral effect element.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Ink tank, 2 ... Ink, 3 ... Driving element, 4, 4a,
4b, 51, 52 ... Bending member, 5 ... Recording medium, 6 ... Ink droplets, 7 ... Support, 11, 42 ... Recess, 12, 43 ...
Curved parts, 13, 44 ... Square parts, 21 ... Enlarged parts, 31, 4
1 ... Band, 32 ... Slit, 53 ... Joining portion, 53a ...
Recesses at the joint, 61 ... Piezoelectric body, 71 ... Supporting body, 72 ... Rotating body, 73 ... Fixing tool.

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A deforming member for ejecting ink, wherein a portion for ejecting the ink is recessed in the deforming member for ejecting ink, which is deformed from a shape supplied with ink to a shape for ejecting the ink. 2. An ink flying deformation member for transforming from a shape supplied with ink to a shape for flying the ink, wherein a portion for flying the ink is concavely curved. Element. 3. An ink jetting deformation member that transforms from a shape that receives the supply of ink to a shape that causes the ink to fly, wherein the portion that causes the ink to fly is recessed into a square shape. Element. 4. An ink flying deformation member, wherein a surface of a portion where the ink is jetted is widened in an ink flying deformation member that transforms from a shape supplied with ink to a shape that causes the ink to fly. Element. 5. An ink flying deformation member that transforms from a shape supplied with ink to a shape that causes the ink to fly, wherein at least one slit is provided at a portion where the ink is made to fly. Deformable member. 6. The ink-jetting deformation member is a flexible linear body, streak-shaped body, continuous body, or strip-shaped body, according to any one of claims 1 to 5. Deformation member for ink flight. 7. An ink jetting deformation member that is deformed from a shape that receives ink supply to a shape that causes the ink to fly has a plurality of bending members, and the plurality of bending members fly the ink. A deformable member for ejecting ink, wherein the deformable member is connected by portions and is deformed from a shape that receives the supply of the ink to a shape that causes the ink to fly. 8. An ink jetting deformation member that is deformed from a shape that receives ink supply to a shape that causes the ink to fly has a plurality of bending members, and the plurality of bending members fly the ink. While connecting in parts,
An ink jetting deformation member, characterized in that a portion for jetting the ink is recessed, and the shape for supplying the ink is transformed into a shape for jetting the ink. 9. The ink flying deformable member according to claim 7, wherein the flexible member is a flexible linear body, a linear body, a continuous body, or a strip body. 10. An ink supply unit and an ink holding unit, wherein the ink holding unit is transformed from a shape in which the ink is supplied from the ink supply unit to a shape in which the ink is ejected. An image recording apparatus comprising: the ink flying deformation member according to item 1; and a drive unit that deforms the ink flying deformation member.