JPH11320886A - Ink jet recording head and ink jet recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an ink jet recording head and an ink jet recording apparatus capable of well emitting ink. SOLUTION: In an ink jet recording head constituted by forming a plurality of ink channels corresponding to energy generating elements 101 by bonding a plurality of element substrates 100 having a plurality of energy generating elements 101 generating emitting energy applied to ink arranged thereto to a grooved member wherein ink emitting offices 203 and grooves are formed to the element substrates, a projection is formed to the end part of one of the element substrates 100 mutually adjacent of the element substrates and pressed by the pressure contact part provided to the grooved member to be buckled to cover the mutual joints of the element substrates.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet recording head and an ink jet recording apparatus which perform recording by ejecting a recording substance (ink or the like) from an ejection port as a flying object and attaching the substance to a recording medium. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an ink jet recording head has a discharge port for discharging ink, an ink flow path for supplying ink from an ink tank to the discharge port, and an ink flow path provided in the ink flow path. And an energy generating element for generating discharge energy applied to the device. As a structure thereof, a structure in which a grooved member having a groove forming an ejection port and an ink flow path is bonded to a substrate provided with an energy generating element is generally used. In addition, when a negative type dry film is stuck on a substrate provided with an energy generating element, exposed and developed in a predetermined shape to form a partition of an ink flow path, and finally, a plate is placed to form an ink flow path. There is also.

In particular, in the case of a long ink jet recording head such as a line type ink jet recording head, a large number of energy generating elements such as several thousands are required. The whole substrate becomes defective and the yield of the substrate is deteriorated. Therefore, there is a device in which the yield is improved by using an element substrate provided with a relatively small number of energy generating elements such as 64 or 128 and arranging them on a base body with high accuracy. Then, a grooved member is joined to the base so as to cover each element substrate, thereby manufacturing an ink jet recording head.

[0004]

However, as described above, with an ink jet recording head in which a plurality of element substrates are arranged and fixed on a substrate, it is difficult to securely fix adjacent element substrates in close contact with each other. There is a gap between them. Although this gap is very small, it is not negligible for an ink jet recording head having a fine structure, and at the boundary of the element substrate,
If the grooved member is not joined so that the wall between the grooves of the grooved member straddles the two element substrates, ink leaks from a gap between the element substrates, causing ink ejection failure.

To prevent this, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 07-30 / 07
A configuration is conceivable in which the width of the wall of the grooved member corresponding to the gap between the element substrates as disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 9012 is increased so that the wall can easily span the gap between the element substrates.
Further, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 08-118639, there is a method in which two ribs are provided on the wall side with respect to the joint surface between the ink flow path wall and the element substrate to fill a step or a gap. However, even if the width of the wall 209 of the grooved member is increased,
As shown in FIG. 5, the wall 209 of the grooved member may come off from the upper part of the gap. At the time of printing, the ink flows into the gap, which may adversely affect the ejection performance.

Accordingly, the present invention solves the above-mentioned problems in the prior art, and provides an ink jet recording head and an ink jet recording apparatus capable of easily closing a gap between element substrates with a simple structure and capable of discharging ink satisfactorily. The purpose is to provide.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an ink-jet recording head and an ink-jet recording apparatus as described below, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems. That is, the inkjet recording head of the present invention has a plurality of element substrates on which a plurality of energy generating elements for generating ejection energy to be applied to ink are arranged, and a groove having ink ejection ports and grooves formed on the plurality of element substrates. In an ink jet recording head comprising a plurality of ink flow paths corresponding to the energy generating elements by joining members, a protrusion is formed on an end of one of the plurality of element substrates adjacent to each other. An object is formed, and the protrusion is buckled by being pressed by a substrate contact portion of the grooved member so as to cover a joint between the element substrates. Further, the inkjet recording head according to the present invention is characterized in that a projection is formed on a lower surface of a leading end portion of the projection to enhance adhesion by pressing the grooved member by a substrate contact portion.
Further, the inkjet recording head of the present invention is characterized in that a space for accommodating the projection is provided at an end of the upper surface of the other element substrate adjacent to the element substrate on which the projection is formed. Further, in the ink jet recording head according to the present invention, the energy generation element is an electrothermal converter for generating thermal energy used for discharging ink. In addition, an inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention is an inkjet recording apparatus that performs recording by discharging ink from an ejection port of the inkjet recording head based on a recording signal, comprising any one of the above-described inkjet recording heads of the present invention. It is characterized by having.

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the ink jet recording head of the present invention configured as described above, a plurality of element substrates on which energy generating elements are provided are fixed on a base, and the discharge is performed so as to cover each element substrate. By joining the grooved member having the outlet and the groove, a plurality of ink flow paths corresponding to the energy generating elements are formed. At this time, a portion of the grooved member that is in contact with the element substrate has a substrate abutting portion that is pressed along the shape of the portion, and the substrate abutting portion is pressed against the element substrate. Here, when the substrate contact portion presses the protrusion on the element substrate, the protrusion buckles and closes so as to cover the gap between the element substrates. Therefore, the element substrates are arranged without a gap, and as a result, ink does not leak from the ink flow path through the gap, and a high-quality inkjet recording head can be obtained. Also, the assembling process may be the same as the conventional process, and a high-quality inkjet recording head can be easily obtained.
Furthermore, if the number of element substrates is increased, a long ink jet recording head can be easily manufactured. Therefore, the ink jet recording head of the present invention is suitable for a line head such as a full line type ink jet recording head. . Further, the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention includes the above-described ink jet recording head of the present invention, thereby realizing an ink jet recording apparatus capable of excellent recording in which the element substrates of the ink jet recording head are securely adhered to each other. Can be.

[0009]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. [Embodiment 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of main components in Embodiment 1 of an ink jet recording head according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the density of the discharge port is 360 dp
An ink jet recording head having i (70.5 μm pitch) and 3008 ejection openings (print width 212 mm) will be described. In FIG. 1, a plurality of heater boards 10 as element substrates are provided on a base plate 300 as a base made of glass, silicon, ceramics, metal, or the like.
0 are arranged side by side and fixed by an adhesive or the like. Each heater board 100 has an energy generating element 1
128 are provided at predetermined positions at a density of 360 dpi, and each heater board 100 is precisely arranged along the direction in which the energy generating elements 101 are arranged so that the pitch between the energy generating elements 101 becomes equal. Are lined up.

Each heater board 100 is provided with a pad 102 for supplying an electric signal for driving each energy generating element 101 and a driving power. The pads 102 are electrically connected to the pads 401 of the wiring board 400 fixed and adhered to the base plate 300 by wire bonding or the like. Wiring board 40
Reference numeral 0 denotes a connector 402 which is electrically connected to a control board (not shown) of the printing apparatus main body by being mounted on the printing apparatus main body (not shown). The energy is supplied to each energy generating element 101 via the wiring board 400, whereby each energy generating element 101 is driven at an arbitrary timing.

On the other hand, a discharge port 203 for discharging ink and a groove 202 to be described later (see FIG. 2) are formed in the base plate 300 corresponding to each energy generating element 101.
The top plate 200 as a grooved member having the above is joined so as to cover each heater board 100. here,
The top plate 200 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG.
It is the top view, front view, and bottom view of the top plate shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the top plate 200 communicates with the plurality of grooves 202 provided corresponding to each of the ejection energy generating elements 101 (see FIG. 1) and the respective grooves 202 corresponding to the respective grooves 202. It has a discharge port 203 provided and a liquid chamber 201 which communicates with each groove 202 and temporarily holds ink flowing into each groove 202. Since the top plate 200 is joined to the base plate 300 so as to cover each heater board 100, the top plate 200 is pressed against each heater board 100, and the space surrounded by each groove 202 and the heater board 100 is It becomes an ink flow path. When the ink flow paths are formed, the energy generating element 101 is located in each ink flow path.

The top plate 200 may be made of any resin as long as it can accurately form the groove 202, but it is preferable that the top plate 200 be further excellent in mechanical strength, dimensional stability, and ink resistance. Such materials include epoxy resin, acrylic resin, diglycol, dialkyl carbonate resin, unsaturated polyester resin, polyurethane resin, polyimide resin, melamine resin, phenol resin,
Urea resins and the like are desirable, and resins such as polysulfone and polyethersulfone are particularly desirable from the viewpoint of moldability, liquid resistance and the like. As shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 3, a pipe 205 for supplying ink stored in an external ink tank (not shown) to the liquid chamber 201 is inserted into the top plate 200. A supply port 206 communicating with the liquid chamber 206 is opened in the pipe 205, and the ink in the pipe 205 is supplied to the liquid chamber 201 through the supply port 206. The pipe 205 is made of the same stainless steel as the material of the base plate 300 (see FIG. 1) in order to regulate the coefficient of thermal expansion of the top plate 200. Also, the support member 205
Are subjected to surface processing such as blasting and knurling with the top plate 200, so that the degree of adhesion with the top plate 200 is improved. Thereby, the coefficient of thermal expansion of the top plate 200 is similar to that of stainless steel due to its mechanical strength.
And the base plate 300 have the same coefficient of thermal expansion. As a result, there is no shift from the heater board 100 (see FIG. 1) due to heat generated when the energy generating element 101 (see FIG. 1) is driven. When the top plate 200 is joined to the base plate 300 based on the above configuration, the wall 209 that partitions the groove 202 formed in the top plate 200 is formed.
(See FIG. 5) is pressed against the heater board 100, and an ink flow path is formed by the heater board 100 and the groove 202 of the top plate 200.

As shown in FIG. 4, a gap s of about 3 to 5 μm is formed between heater boards 100 adjacent to each other, depending on the cutting precision and arrangement precision of the heater boards 100. Also, at the junction between the heater boards, a protrusion 210 is formed on the upper surface of the end of one of the heater boards 100 (a).
The heater board 100 (b) is formed in the longitudinal direction of the ink flow path so as to cover the upper surface of the facing end of the other heater board 100 (b). Next, a method for forming a projection will be described. A flat plate large enough to close the gap was bonded to the upper end of one of the heater boards (not shown) to form a projection as shown in FIG. The shape and shape dimensions of the flat plate may be any conditions that are sufficient to cover the gap. Further, the method of forming the protrusion is not limited to this, and any method may be used as long as a necessary shape is obtained.

In this embodiment, the shape of the projection 210 is
The length L is 15 [μm] which is enough to sufficiently cover the gap s, the thickness w is 2 [μm], and the thickness of the heater board 10 is determined by constraints such as the pitch of the ink flow path and ejection performance.
The angle θ forming a horizontal plane with 0 was set to 15 degrees. The shape and shape dimensions are not limited to the above values as long as the conditions are sufficient to cover the gap s. Here, a state in which the wall 209 is pressed against the heater board 100 will be considered. FIG. 5 shows a state in which the heater board 100 is pressed against the wall 209 that partitions the ink flow path. If the wall 209 is accurately placed over the gap so as to cover the gap, the gap s can be obtained without using a projection.
Is blocked. However, the thickness of the contact portion of the wall 209 is 12
Assuming that the width of the gap s is 5 μm, the allowable error in the nozzle pitch direction between the wall 209 and the heater board 100 in the nozzle pitch direction is 3.5 [μm] in order to completely eliminate the gap where the ink flows as shown in FIG. ], A highly accurate alignment work is required.

However, as shown in FIG. 6, when the wall 209 presses the heater board against the heater board, the wall 209 pushes down the protrusion 210 to cover the upper part of the gap s.
Even if an error in the nozzle pitch direction of about 0 μm occurs, it is possible to sufficiently close the gap s. Thus, heater board 1
Since the gap s between the positions 00 and 00 is securely sealed and the ink does not leak from the gap s, ink ejection failure due to the ink leak does not occur. In addition, since the bonding of the top plate 200 to the base plate 300 can be performed in the same process as in the related art, a high-quality inkjet recording head can be manufactured without changing the assembly process of the inkjet recording head.

Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG.
A new projection 211 is provided on the lower surface of the tip of the projection. In this case, the effect that the protrusion 211 is crushed at the time of pressing is aimed. As a result, the adhesiveness with the heater board on the side to be covered was improved, and ink ejection failure was eliminated. The shape of the protrusion 211 is not limited to the shape shown in FIG. 7 and may be any as long as it enhances the adhesion.

Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 8, a space suitable for accommodating the protrusion 210 is provided at the upper end of the heater board 100 on the side to be covered. The influence of the step caused by the thickness w of the protrusion 210 was completely eliminated, the adhesion was further improved, and the ink ejection failure was eliminated. As described above, it is also effective to further attach the projection 211 to the tip of the projection 210. Next, an ink jet recording apparatus using a line type ink jet recording head as shown in FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a so-called full-line type ink jet recording apparatus.

In FIG. 9, a recording medium 50 such as paper or cloth is shown.
2 is two transport rollers 501 arranged in parallel with each other
Is conveyed in the direction indicated by the arrow. Recording medium 502
, A full-line type ink jet recording head 503 is arranged at a predetermined interval from the recording medium 502. The ink jet recording head 503 has discharge ports (not shown) formed over the entire width of the recording medium 502 in the width direction of the recording medium 502.
While transporting the recording medium 2, an energy generating element (not shown) is driven based on a recording signal, and ink is ejected from an ejection port, thereby performing recording on the recording medium 502. As described above, the inkjet recording head of the present invention is configured by arranging a plurality of heater boards provided with energy generating elements, so that a long one can be easily manufactured.
It is particularly suitable for such a full-line type ink jet recording head 503.

The form of the ink jet recording head of the present invention can be applied to an ink jet cartridge 600 as shown in FIG. 10 in addition to the line type ink jet recording head as shown in FIG. The ink jet cartridge 600 integrates an ink jet recording head 601 and an ink tank 602 for storing ink to be supplied to the ink jet recording head 601 to reduce the size. In addition, such an ink jet cartridge 600 includes an ink tank 602
If there is no ink inside the ink jet recording head 6
01 can be replaced, and the ink tank 6
Since there is no need to attach and detach a pipe between the ink tank 02 and the inkjet recording head 601, the ink tank 602 can be easily replaced.

The present invention provides an excellent effect particularly in an ink jet recording head and a recording apparatus in which a flying liquid droplet is formed by utilizing thermal energy and recording is performed among ink jet recording methods. As the configuration of the recording head, in addition to the combination of the discharge port, the liquid path, and the electrothermal converter (linear liquid flow path or right-angled liquid flow path) as disclosed in each of the above-mentioned specifications, a thermal action U.S. Pat.
No. 558,333, U.S. Pat. No. 4,459,60.
The configuration using the specification No. 0 is also included in the present invention. In addition, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Sho 59-123670 discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of an electrothermal converter for a plurality of electrothermal converters, and an aperture for absorbing a pressure wave of thermal energy. The present invention is also effective as a configuration based on JP-A-59-138461 which discloses a configuration corresponding to a discharge unit.

Further, as a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the width of the maximum recording medium that can be recorded by the recording apparatus, a combination of a plurality of recording heads as disclosed in the above specification is used. Either a configuration that satisfies the length or a configuration as a single recording head that is integrally formed may be used, but the present invention can more effectively exert the above-described effects. In addition, a replaceable chip-type recording head that can be electrically connected to the device main body and supplied with ink from the device main body by being attached to the device main body, or ink that is integrated with the recording head itself The present invention is also effective when a cartridge type recording head provided with a tank is used.

It is preferable to add recovery means for the printhead, preliminary auxiliary means, and the like provided as components of the printing apparatus of the present invention, since the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. If you list these specifically,
Capping means, cleaning means, pressurizing or suction means for the recording head, preheating means using an electrothermal transducer or another heating element or a combination thereof, and a preliminary ejection mode for performing ejection different from recording Is also effective for performing stable recording. Further, the printing mode of the printing apparatus is not limited to a printing mode of only a mainstream color such as black, and may be a printing head integrally configured or a combination of a plurality of printing heads. The present invention is extremely effective for an apparatus having at least one of the full colors.

[0023]

As described above, according to the present invention, a projection is formed at an end of one of the element substrates adjacent to each other, and the projection is formed by the substrate contact portion of the grooved member. By pressing and covering the seam between the element substrates, even if a gap is formed between adjacent element substrates at the seam between the element substrates, the protrusions close the gap between the element substrates and are arranged. Therefore, a high-quality ink jet recording head without leakage of ink from the ink flow path to the gap can be configured. Also, the assembly process may be the same as the conventional process,
A high-quality inkjet recording head can be easily obtained. Further, in the ink jet recording head of the present invention, if the number of element substrates is increased, a long ink jet recording head can be easily manufactured, so that an ink jet recording head suitable for a full line type can be realized. . Further, the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention includes the above-described ink jet recording head of the present invention, whereby the element substrates of the ink jet recording head are securely brought into close contact with each other, so that good recording can be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of main components of an ink jet recording head.

FIG. 2 is a top view, a front view, and a bottom view of a top plate of the inkjet recording head.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the top plate shown in FIG. 2 taken along line XX.

FIG. 4 is a view for explaining the shape of a protrusion which is an embodiment of the present invention formed on the upper surface of the end of the heater board.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state in which ink leaks from a gap generated at a joint portion of a heater board.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which a wall partitioning an ink flow path is pressed against a heater board.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a shape of a protrusion according to another embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state in which a wall partitioning an ink flow path is pressed against a heater board in another embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a full-line type ink jet recording apparatus including an ink jet recording head according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an example of an ink jet cartridge provided with the ink jet recording head of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 100: Heater board 101: Energy generating element 102, 401: Pad 200: Top plate 201: Liquid chamber 202: Groove 203: Discharge port 205: Pipe 206: Supply port 209: Wall 210: Projection 211: Projection 300: Base plate 400: Wiring board 402: Connector 501: Conveying roller 502: Recording medium 503: Ink jet recording head 600: Ink jet cartridge 602: Ink tank

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A method according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of element substrates on which a plurality of energy generating elements for generating discharge energy given to the ink are arranged, and a grooved member having an ink discharge port and a groove formed on the plurality of element substrates. In an ink jet recording head comprising a plurality of ink flow paths corresponding to the energy generating elements, forming a protrusion at an end of one of the adjacent element substrates of the plurality of element substrates, An ink jet recording head, wherein the protrusions are buckled by being pressed by a substrate contact portion of the grooved member so as to cover a joint between the element substrates. 2. The ink jet recording head according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of said protrusions are formed. 3. A projection formed on a lower surface of a tip portion of the projection to enhance adhesion by pressing the grooved member by a substrate contact portion. 3. The ink jet recording head according to item 1. 4. A space for accommodating the projection is provided at an end of the upper surface of the other element substrate adjacent to the element substrate on which the projection is formed. 3. The inkjet recording head according to 2. 5. The energy generating element according to claim 1, wherein said energy generating element is an electrothermal converter for generating thermal energy used for discharging ink.
The inkjet recording head according to any one of the above. 6. An ink jet recording apparatus which performs recording by discharging ink from an ejection port of the ink jet recording head based on a recording signal, wherein the ink jet recording head according to any one of claims 1 to 5 is used. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: