WO2010106970A1 - Tête d'injection de liquide, dispositif d'enregistrement d'injection de liquide, et usage d'un dispositif d'enregistrement d'injection de liquide - Google Patents

Tête d'injection de liquide, dispositif d'enregistrement d'injection de liquide, et usage d'un dispositif d'enregistrement d'injection de liquide Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2010106970A1
WO2010106970A1 PCT/JP2010/054187 JP2010054187W WO2010106970A1 WO 2010106970 A1 WO2010106970 A1 WO 2010106970A1 JP 2010054187 W JP2010054187 W JP 2010054187W WO 2010106970 A1 WO2010106970 A1 WO 2010106970A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
liquid
ink
suction
slit
nozzle
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/JP2010/054187
Other languages
English (en)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
明史 坂田
和由 冨永
俊顕 渡邉
文子 加山
Original Assignee
エスアイアイ・プリンテック株式会社
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Application filed by エスアイアイ・プリンテック株式会社 filed Critical エスアイアイ・プリンテック株式会社
Publication of WO2010106970A1 publication Critical patent/WO2010106970A1/fr

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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
    • B41J2/17596—Ink pumps, ink valves
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/18—Ink recirculation systems
    • B41J2/185—Ink-collectors; Ink-catchers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/135—Nozzles
    • B41J2/14—Structure thereof only for on-demand ink jet heads
    • B41J2002/14362—Assembling elements of heads
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2202/00—Embodiments of or processes related to ink-jet or thermal heads
    • B41J2202/01—Embodiments of or processes related to ink-jet heads
    • B41J2202/10—Finger type piezoelectric elements

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a liquid jet head, a liquid jet recording apparatus, and a method of using the liquid jet recording apparatus.
  • a liquid jet recording apparatus for example, an ink jet printer that performs various types of printing includes a transport device that transports a recording medium and an ink jet head.
  • a nozzle body having a nozzle row (injection hole row) composed of a plurality of nozzle holes, a plurality of pressure generation chambers communicating with the nozzle holes in pairs with each nozzle hole, and pressure generation
  • An ink supply system for supplying ink to the chamber and a piezoelectric actuator disposed adjacent to the pressure generating chamber are provided, and the piezoelectric actuator is driven to pressurize the pressure generating chamber, and the ink in the pressure generating chamber is supplied to the nozzles of the nozzle holes. What discharges from a discharge outlet is known.
  • One type of such an ink jet printer is one that ejects ink with the opening direction of the discharge port of the ink jet head oriented in the direction of gravity and prints on the upper surface of a recording medium that is conveyed below the ink jet head.
  • a service station for maintenance is provided within the movable range of the inkjet head, the inkjet head is moved to this service station, the nozzle holes are cleaned, and the inkjet head is covered with a cap so that negative pressure is applied. The ink is sucked and the nozzle holes are initially filled with ink (so-called suction filling).
  • the present invention has been made in view of the above-described problem, and by improving the recovery capability of excess liquid, it is possible to perform initial liquid filling without moving to a service station or the like.
  • a liquid jet head, a liquid jet recording apparatus, and a method of using the liquid jet recording apparatus are provided.
  • the liquid ejecting head according to the present invention is a liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid in the horizontal direction from the ejection hole row in a state where the ejection hole rows are arranged in the horizontal direction, and is formed so as to cover the ejection hole row.
  • a body guard, and the spray guard includes a peripheral wall that surrounds the periphery of the spray hole row, and a slit that extends from the peripheral edge of the peripheral wall portion along the opening surface of the spray hole row and faces the spray hole row.
  • a suction channel that communicates with the inner space of the ejector guard and is connected to a suction unit that sucks the liquid leaked from the row of ejection holes, and a suction port of the suction channel , It is characterized by being arranged below in the direction of gravity from the row of injection holes.
  • the inner space of the ejector guard when the air in the inner space of the ejector guard is sucked by the suction portion, the external air flows into the inner space from the slit, but after the air reaches the suction port after passing through the inner space.
  • the inner space is depressurized by being sucked. Thereby, the inner space becomes a negative pressure chamber in which the negative pressure is sufficiently lower than the atmospheric pressure.
  • the excess liquid that is supplied from the liquid supply unit during initial filling of the liquid or during normal use and leaks from the injection hole array flows into the negative pressure chamber that communicates with the outside only through the slits, and the gas outside the negative pressure chamber Flows into the negative pressure chamber through the slit.
  • the excess liquid moves in the negative pressure chamber in a state where it is difficult to leak out from the slit, and is sucked into the suction channel from the suction port and discharged to the outside. can do.
  • the liquid can be continuously discharged by the suction channel, the recovery capability of the excess liquid is extremely high, and even when the excess liquid flows out, contamination with the excess liquid can be prevented, and the liquid Liquid injection after filling can be stabilized.
  • the suction port is disposed below the spray hole array in the direction of gravity, it is possible to effectively suck the excess liquid leaked from the spray hole array when the liquid is filled.
  • the excess liquid leaking from the row of injection holes drips along the direction of gravity, but such excess liquid can be collected in the spray guard without leaking from the slit. Therefore, even when the injection hole array is arranged in the horizontal direction so that the liquid can be ejected in the horizontal direction, the surplus liquid can be recovered without providing a service station.
  • the liquid can be initially filled with the apparatus cost reduced.
  • recovery capability of the excess liquid in inner space can be improved by providing multiple suction flow paths. That is, surplus liquid leaking from the ejection hole array is quickly sucked into the nearby suction flow path, so that the surplus liquid recovery capability can be further improved, and leakage of surplus liquid from the slit is ensured. Can be prevented.
  • the suction port is provided at a position not facing the slit. According to this configuration, by arranging the slit and the suction port so as not to face each other, the air flowing into the inner space of the ejector guard from the slit does not reach the suction port directly, and the inner side of the ejector guard. Since the suction port is reached after flowing through the space, the negative pressure state in the inner space of the ejector guard can be maintained in a good state. Thereby, collection
  • the opening width of the slit is set to be larger in the gravity direction than the opening width of the slit above the injection hole array in the gravitational direction. It is characterized by having.
  • the opening width of the slit below the injection hole array in the direction of gravity is formed larger than the opening width of the upper portion, so that excess liquid leaks from the slit when filling the liquid. It can be surely prevented. That is, the liquid rising at the opening edge of the injection hole begins to sag downward in the direction of gravity due to gravity while maintaining a balance due to the surface tension. In this case, surplus liquid leaking from the injection hole array is sucked from the suction port without contacting the peripheral edge of the slit.
  • the opening width of the slit below the injection hole array in the gravitational direction is gradually increased as the distance from the suction port along the arrangement direction of the injection hole array is increased.
  • the opening width of the slit below the injection hole array is gradually increased in the direction of gravity, so that a sufficient negative pressure is secured in the inner space of the injection guard.
  • leakage of excess liquid can be prevented. That is, at a place away from the suction port, it is possible to reliably prevent the excess liquid leaking from the ejection hole array from coming into contact with the peripheral edge of the slit, and to reliably prevent leakage of the excess liquid from the slit.
  • the opening width of the slit is narrow near the suction port, the distance from the suction port to the slit becomes longer. In this case, the air that has entered the slit from the outside is sucked from the suction port via the inner space of the ejector guard, so that it is difficult for the air to enter the slit. Thereby, since the negative pressure state of the inner space of the ejector guard can be maintained in a good state, it is possible to efficiently recover the surplus liquid and efficiently perform the initial filling of the liquid.
  • the suction flow path extends in a state of being in contact with the outermost surface in the gravity direction in the inner space of the ejector guard.
  • the volume of the inner space of the sprayer guard is set to be smaller in the volume of the inner space above the slit in the gravity direction than the volume of the inner space below the slit in the gravity direction. It is characterized by being. According to this configuration, since the volume of the inner space above the slit is reduced in the direction of gravity, the inner space can be easily decompressed when the air in the inner space of the ejector guard is sucked. Therefore, the inner space can be quickly made into a negative pressure chamber, and the negative pressure chamber can be easily maintained in a good negative pressure state. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the excess liquid from leaking from the slit while improving the recovery capability of the excess liquid.
  • an absorber for absorbing the liquid leaking from the ejection hole row is disposed in the inner space of the ejection body guard. According to this configuration, by arranging the absorber in the inner space of the ejector guard, it is possible to absorb the excess liquid that could not be immediately sucked by the suction portion, and prevent the excess liquid from leaking from the slit. be able to. And the surplus liquid absorbed by the absorber flows through the absorber together with the air flowing toward the suction port, and is sucked from the suction port.
  • a guide member that guides the liquid leaked from the jet hole array to the suction port is disposed in the inner space of the jet guard. According to this configuration, it is possible to guide the surplus liquid leaked from the ejection hole array toward the suction port, and therefore it is possible to efficiently suck even the surplus liquid existing at a position away from the suction port. . As a result, the surplus liquid recovery capability can be further improved.
  • the top plate portion is formed with a recess portion that is recessed toward the inner space, and the slit is formed on a bottom surface of the recess portion.
  • the top plate portion is formed with an annular protruding wall that protrudes toward the inner space and surrounds the slit in an annular shape. According to this configuration, when excess liquid remains on the inner surface of the top plate during printing or the like, even if the excess liquid flows toward the slit, the excess liquid is blocked by the depression. , Can stay in the inner space. Then, the surplus liquid that is blocked by the depression is later sucked from the suction port by the suction part. Thereby, it becomes possible to prevent leakage of excess liquid more reliably.
  • the liquid jet recording apparatus of the present invention is connected to the liquid jet head of the present invention, a liquid supply unit configured to be able to supply the liquid to the liquid jet head, and the suction flow path.
  • the inner space is a negative pressure chamber, and the suction section sucks the liquid leaked from the ejection hole array through the suction flow path.
  • the liquid jet recording apparatus of the present invention is characterized in that a plurality of the suction channels are collectively connected to the suction part. According to this configuration, by connecting each suction channel to the same suction pump, it is possible to reduce the device cost as compared with the case where the suction unit is provided in each suction channel.
  • liquid jet recording apparatus of the present invention a plurality of liquid jet heads are arranged along the direction of gravity, and the liquid is continuously applied to a recording medium conveyed along the direction of arrangement of the liquid jet heads. It is characterized by spraying. According to this configuration, since the liquid ejecting head of the present invention is provided, stable liquid is continuously ejected to the recording medium conveyed along the arrangement direction of the liquid ejecting head. Can do. Therefore, high-precision printing can be performed promptly.
  • the liquid jet recording apparatus of the present invention is any one of the liquid droplet jet recording apparatuses adopting the above-described solution means, wherein the liquid overflowing into the negative pressure chamber is collected by suction and is collected in each jet hole.
  • a means of having a reuse liquid supply system for supplying the liquid to a plurality of communicating pressure generating chambers is adopted. According to the present invention, the liquid overflowing into the negative pressure chamber can be reused.
  • the liquid jet recording apparatus of the present invention is any one of the droplet jet recording apparatuses adopting the above-described solution means, and adopts a means in which a reuse liquid supply system has a filter unit or a deaeration device. According to the present invention, the liquid in an appropriate state can be reused.
  • the method of using the liquid jet recording apparatus of the present invention is the method of using the liquid jet recording apparatus of the present invention, wherein the suction space is operated by a first output, so that the inner space is a negative pressure chamber. And a liquid filling mode for sucking the liquid leaked from the ejection hole array through the suction channel.
  • the inner space of the ejector guard becomes a negative pressure chamber in which the negative pressure is sufficiently lower than the atmospheric pressure.
  • the excess liquid that is supplied from the liquid supply unit during initial filling of the liquid or during normal use and leaks from the injection hole array flows into the negative pressure chamber that communicates with the outside only through the slits, and the gas outside the negative pressure chamber Flows into the negative pressure chamber through the slit.
  • the excess liquid moves in the negative pressure chamber in a state where it is difficult to leak out from the slit, and is sucked into the suction channel from the suction port and discharged to the outside. can do.
  • the jet section is formed through the suction flow path by operating the suction section with a first output so that the inner space is a negative pressure chamber.
  • the liquid filling mode for sucking the liquid leaked from the liquid and the suction unit is operated by a second output smaller than the first output, and the liquid is ejected from the ejection hole array to the recording medium. It is characterized by switching control between the normal use mode in which recording is performed.
  • the suction port is disposed below the jet hole row in the direction of gravity, the excess liquid leaked from the jet hole row at the time of liquid filling is effectively removed. Can be aspirated. In other words, the excess liquid leaking from the row of injection holes drips along the direction of gravity, but such excess liquid can be collected in the spray guard without leaking from the slit. Therefore, even when the injection hole array is arranged in the horizontal direction so that the liquid can be ejected in the horizontal direction, the surplus liquid can be recovered without providing a service station. In addition, the liquid can be initially filled with the apparatus cost reduced.
  • the suction portion in the normal operation mode, is operated by the second output smaller than that in the liquid filling mode, thereby leaking from the jet holes during printing.
  • the suction portion is operated by the second output smaller than that in the liquid filling mode, thereby leaking from the jet holes during printing.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram (side view) illustrating an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a principal part enlarged view of FIG. It is a front view of the inkjet head in a 1st embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a top view of the inkjet head according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is the II sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view of a head chip. It is the figure which showed the relationship between the operation
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an ink jet recording apparatus (liquid jet recording apparatus) 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram (top view) of the ink jet recording apparatus 1.
  • FIG. 2 for ease of explanation, only one ink jet head 10 is shown among the plurality of ink jet heads 10, and the recording paper D is conveyed along the depth direction of the paper surface (in FIG. 2). See arrow).
  • the inkjet recording apparatus 1 is connected to a predetermined personal computer (not shown), and ejects ink (liquid) I based on print data sent from the personal computer ( The recording paper D is printed.
  • the ink jet recording apparatus 1 includes a transport mechanism 2 that transports the recording paper D, an ink discharge unit 3 that includes a plurality of ink jet heads (liquid ejecting heads) 10, and an ink I and a cleaning device on the ink jet head 10 as shown in FIG.
  • An ink supply unit (liquid supply unit) 5 that supplies the cleaning liquid W for cleaning and a suction pump (suction unit) 16 connected to the inkjet head 10 are provided.
  • the recording paper D of the present embodiment is wound and held in a roll shape in a supply source (not shown) disposed on the upper side (upstream side) of the inkjet recording apparatus 1, and the inkjet recording apparatus 1 is supplied from the supply source. Is continuously conveyed by the conveyance mechanism 2 to a winding source disposed at the lower part (downstream side) of the sheet.
  • the transport mechanism 2 includes a plurality of transport rollers 4a and 4b arranged along the transport direction (see arrows in FIG. 1), and the recording paper D is held so as to bridge between the transport rollers 4a and 4b. . And it is comprised so that the recording paper D can be continuously conveyed toward a downstream by rotating conveyance roller 4a, 4b. Specifically, after the recording paper D is transported along the horizontal direction, the transport direction is folded back downward in the direction of gravity via the transport roller 4a, and then the transport direction is again set to the horizontal direction via the transport roller 4b. It is folded to be.
  • a plurality (for example, five) of the inkjet heads 10 described above are arranged along the transport direction (gravity direction) between the transport rollers 4a and 4b.
  • Each inkjet head 10 is supported by a support member (not shown) in a state where the ink discharge surface 11a of each case 11 faces the surface of the recording paper D.
  • FIG. 3 is a front view of the ink jet head 10
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of the ink jet head 10 viewed from above
  • FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II of FIG.
  • the inkjet head 10 includes a case 11, a liquid supply system 12, a head chip 20, and a drive circuit board 14 (see FIG. 5).
  • the case 11 has a thin box shape in which an opening 11b is formed on the ink discharge surface 11a, and a through hole communicating with the internal space is formed along the height direction (gravity direction) of the case 11 on the back surface 11c. Two places are formed. Specifically, an ink injection hole 11d is formed in the upper part of the case 11, and an ink suction hole 11e is formed in the lower part.
  • the case 11 includes a base plate 11f fixed along the horizontal direction in the internal space, and accommodates each component of the inkjet head 10.
  • attachment pieces 11 h that are attached to the support member are formed at both ends in the longitudinal direction (horizontal direction) of the case 11. The attachment pieces 11h and the support member are fastened and fixed, so that the case 11 is arranged in a state where the longitudinal direction thereof coincides with the horizontal direction.
  • the liquid supply system 12 communicates with the ink supply unit 5 through the ink injection hole 11d, and is roughly configured by a damper 17 and an ink flow path substrate 18.
  • the damper 17 is for adjusting the pressure fluctuation of the ink I, and includes a storage chamber 17 a for storing the ink I.
  • the damper 17 is fixed to the base plate 11f, and is connected to the ink intake hole 17b connected via the ink injection hole 11d and the pipe member 17d, and via the ink flow path substrate 18 and the pipe member 17e. And an ink outflow hole 17c.
  • the ink flow path substrate 18 is a member in which a flow passage 18 a that communicates with the damper 17 and through which the ink I flows is formed, and is attached to the head chip 20.
  • the drive circuit board 14 includes a control circuit (not shown) and a flexible board 14a.
  • the drive circuit board 14 has a flexible substrate 14a having one end joined to a plate electrode (not shown) described later and the other end joined to a control circuit (not shown) on the drive circuit board 14 so that a ceramic is formed according to the print pattern.
  • a voltage is applied to the piezoelectric plate 21.
  • the drive circuit board 14 is fixed to the base plate 11f.
  • FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the head chip 20.
  • the head chip 20 includes a ceramic piezoelectric plate 21, an ink chamber plate 22, a nozzle body 23, and a nozzle guard (ejecting body guard) 24.
  • the ceramic piezoelectric plate 21 is a substantially rectangular plate-shaped member made of PZT (lead zirconate titanate), and a plurality of long grooves 26 are juxtaposed on one plate surface 21a of the two plate surfaces 21a and 21b. Each long groove 26 is separated by a side wall 27.
  • PZT lead zirconate titanate
  • the long grooves 26 extend in the short direction of the ceramic piezoelectric plate 21, and a plurality of the long grooves 26 are arranged in parallel over the entire length of the ceramic piezoelectric plate 21 in the longitudinal direction.
  • a plurality of side walls 27 are juxtaposed along the longitudinal direction of the ceramic piezoelectric plate 21 to divide the long grooves 26.
  • a plate-like electrode (not shown) for applying a driving voltage is extended over the short groove direction of the ceramic piezoelectric plate 21 on the opening side (plate surface 21a side) of the long groove 26 on both wall surfaces of each side wall 27. .
  • the flexible substrate 14a is joined to the plate electrode.
  • such a ceramic piezoelectric plate 21 has a rear surface side of the plate surface 21b fixed to the edge of the base plate 11f, and the extending direction of the long groove 26 faces the opening 11b.
  • the ink chamber plate 22 is a substantially rectangular plate-like member like the ceramic piezoelectric plate 21, and the longitudinal dimension is substantially the same as the ceramic piezoelectric plate 21, and the lateral dimension is the same. It is short.
  • the ink chamber plate 22 includes an open hole 22 c that penetrates in the thickness direction and is formed along the longitudinal direction of the ink chamber plate 22.
  • the ink chamber plate 22 is joined to the ceramic piezoelectric plate 21 from the plate surface 21a side so that the front side 22a constitutes a butting surface 25a that is flush with the front side 21c of the ceramic piezoelectric plate 21.
  • the open holes 22c expose the plurality of long grooves 26 of the ceramic piezoelectric plate 21, and all the long grooves 26 are opened outward, and the long grooves 26 are in communication with each other. Yes.
  • the ink flow path substrate 18 is attached to the ink chamber plate 22 so as to cover the open hole 22c, and the flow path 18a of the ink flow path substrate 18 and each long groove 26 communicate with each other. .
  • the nozzle body 23 is configured by sticking a nozzle plate 31 to a nozzle cap 32 as shown in FIG.
  • the nozzle plate 31 is a thin plate made of polyimide (for example, about 50 ⁇ m thick) and an elongated member, and a plurality of nozzle holes 31a penetrating in the thickness direction are arranged in a row.
  • the nozzle row 31c is configured. More specifically, the same number of nozzle holes 31 a as the long grooves 26 are formed on the same line at the middle position in the short direction of the nozzle plate 31 and at the same intervals as the long grooves 26.
  • a water repellent film having water repellency for preventing adhesion of ink and the like is applied to the plate surface where the discharge port 31 b for discharging the ink I opens.
  • the other plate surface is a joint surface between the butting surface 25 a and the nozzle cap 32.
  • the nozzle hole 31a is formed using an excimer laser device.
  • the nozzle cap 32 is a thin plate-like member having a shape obtained by scraping the outer peripheral edge of one of the two frame surfaces of the frame plate-like member.
  • the outer frame portion 32a, the inner frame portion 32b formed thicker than the outer frame portion 32a, the inner frame portion 32c formed thinner than the inner frame portion 32b, and the inner frame portion inside the outer frame portion 32a
  • the long hole 32d extends in the longitudinal direction (horizontal direction) while penetrating in the thickness direction at the intermediate portion in the short direction of 32c.
  • the outer frame portion 32a is formed thinner than the middle frame portion 32b and the inner frame portion 32c, and is formed in a bowl shape over the entire outer periphery of the nozzle cap 32.
  • a pair of middle frame portions 32b are formed on both sides in the short direction of the inner frame portion 32c, and extend in parallel with each other along the longitudinal direction of the nozzle cap 32 in a state of projecting along the thickness direction from the inner frame portion 32c. Exist. On both sides in the longitudinal direction of the nozzle cap 32, step portions 32k are formed that are thinner in the thickness direction than the middle frame portion 32b so as to bridge both ends of the middle frame portion 32b.
  • a groove 32f cut in the thickness direction from the inner frame surface 32e is formed between the middle frame portion 32b and the inner frame portion 32c.
  • the groove 32f is formed so as to surround the entire circumference of the inner frame portion 32c.
  • a discharge hole 32h penetrating in the thickness direction is formed in the bottom 32g of the groove 32f along the longitudinal direction of the nozzle cap 32.
  • the discharge hole 32h is arranged below the long hole 32d in the gravity direction at the longitudinal center of the long hole 32d.
  • the nozzle plate 31 is stuck on the inner frame surface 32e so as to close the long hole 32d, and the annular end portion 24d of the nozzle guard 24 is in contact with the outer frame surface 32i of the outer frame portion 32a. Yes.
  • Such a nozzle body 23 is accommodated in the internal space of the case 11 and fixed to the case 11 and the base plate 11f so that the discharge hole 32h of the nozzle cap 32 is located at the center in the longitudinal direction (see FIG. 3). (See FIG. 5).
  • an adhesive flow groove 32j is provided at the opening edge of the long hole 32d of the nozzle cap 32 in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. Since the adhesive flow groove 32j is a matching position where the nozzle cap 32, the ceramic piezoelectric plate 21, the ink chamber plate 22, and the nozzle plate 31 are joined, it is possible to effectively surplus by adopting this configuration. The adhesive can be removed.
  • the adhesive flow groove 32j is not necessarily a groove portion that must be provided, and may be configured not to be provided.
  • the nozzle guard 24 is a substantially box-shaped member made of stainless steel or the like, and is formed by press molding.
  • the nozzle guard 24 includes a top plate portion 24a formed in a rectangular plate shape, and a peripheral wall portion 24b extending from the peripheral portion of the top plate portion 24a in a direction substantially orthogonal to the plate surface direction.
  • the top plate portion 24a includes a slit 24c extending in the longitudinal direction at the middle portion in the short direction.
  • the slit 24c is formed to be slightly longer than the length of the nozzle row 31c.
  • the width Q (width in the direction of gravity) of the slit 24c is set to about 1.5 mm with respect to the nozzle diameter of 40 ⁇ m of the nozzle hole 31a.
  • the nozzle row 31c is arranged at the center in the width direction of the slit 24c, and the width of the slit 24c above the center of the nozzle hole 31a and the width of the lower slit 24c in the gravitational direction are set to be the same. ing.
  • the width Q of the slit 24c is limited to a width that can be set to a negative pressure by the suction pump 16, and the width that prevents the ink I from overflowing from the slit 24c during the initial filling of the ink I. It is desirable to set in the range set as the lower limit.
  • the nozzle guard 24 has a hydrophilic film 24g formed of titanium coating on an inner surface 24e facing inward, and an outer surface 24f facing away from the inner surface 24e and slits 24c.
  • a water repellent film 24h is formed on the inner surface by fluorine resin coating or Teflon (registered trademark) plating.
  • the nozzle guard 24 is arranged such that the top plate portion 24a covers the middle frame portion 32b, the inner frame portion 32c, the groove portion 32f, and the discharge hole 32h of the nozzle cap 32 from the front in the opening direction of the nozzle hole 31a.
  • the inner surface 24e along the longitudinal direction of the peripheral wall portion 24b contacts the outer surface of the middle frame portion 32b, and the inner surface 24e along the width direction contacts the outer surface of the step portion 32k.
  • the nozzle guard 24 is attached to the nozzle cap 32 by bonding the annular end 24d to the outer frame surface 32i with an adhesive.
  • the slit 24c faces the nozzle row 31c and does not face the discharge hole 32h.
  • the inner space of the nozzle guard 24, specifically, the space between the nozzle guard 24 and the nozzle cap 32 constitutes an inner space S in which the nozzle holes 31a and the slits 24c are opened.
  • the nozzle guard 24 sets the distance between the top plate portion 24a and the nozzle plate 31 to the upper limit of the distance at which the suction pump 16 can make a negative pressure. It is desirable to set the distance within a range that does not overflow.
  • the suction channel 15 is inserted into the discharge hole 32h of the nozzle cap 32 described above.
  • These suction flow paths 15 are tube-tube-shaped, are fixed in a state of being inserted into the discharge holes 32h, and the outer peripheral surfaces thereof are in contact with the inner side surfaces of the middle frame portion 32b. That is, the outer peripheral surface of the suction channel 15 is in contact with the lowermost surface in the space S of the nozzle guard 24.
  • the suction channel 15 extends from the nozzle cap 32 toward the top plate portion 24a along the horizontal direction. Specifically, the suction channel 15 has a suction port 15a at the tip thereof protruding from the bottom 32g of the nozzle cap 32.
  • the top plate of the nozzle guard 24 than the nozzle plate 31 in a top view protrudes to the part 24a side. Therefore, the suction flow path 15 is arranged at the center in the arrangement direction of the nozzle row 31c and below the nozzle row 31c in the gravity direction, with the opening direction of the suction port 15a facing the horizontal direction.
  • the other end of the suction channel 15 is connected to the ink suction hole 11e on the back surface 11c. That is, the suction flow path 15 and the space S communicate with each other through the suction port 15a.
  • the suction pumps 16 are connected to the ink suction holes 11e through tubes 62, respectively. During operation, these suction pumps 16 suck air and ink I in the space S, and make the spaces S into negative pressure chambers R, respectively.
  • the suction pump 16 stores the sucked ink I in the waste liquid tank E (see FIG. 2).
  • the suction pump 16 may be mounted on the inkjet head 10 or may be separately provided on the apparatus side as an inkjet recording apparatus as in the present embodiment. In this embodiment, since the suction pump 16 is provided on the apparatus side, it is not necessary to attach the suction pump 16 to the inkjet head 10 side, the configuration of the inkjet head 10 can be simplified, and the inkjet head 10 can be simplified. Miniaturization is possible.
  • the ink supply unit 5 includes an ink tank 51 in which the ink I is stored, a cleaning liquid tank 52 in which the cleaning liquid W is stored, a switching valve 53 that can switch between two flow paths, and the ink I or A pressurizing pump 54 that pressurizes and supplies the cleaning liquid W to the inkjet head 10 and an open / close valve 55 that can open and close the flow path are provided.
  • the ink tank 51 communicates with the pressurizing pump 54 via the supply pipe 57a, the switching valve 53 and the supply pipe 57c, and the cleaning liquid tank 52 communicates with the pressure pump 54 via the supply pipe 57b, the switching valve 53 and the supply pipe 57c, respectively. That is, the switching valve 53 is connected to the supply pipes 57a and 57b as inflow pipes and the supply pipe 57c as outflow pipes.
  • the pressurization pump 54 is connected to the inkjet head 10 through the supply pipe 57d and connected to the inkjet head 10 through the supply pipe 57d, and supplies the ink I or the cleaning liquid W flowing from the supply pipe 57c to the inkjet head 10.
  • the pressurizing pump 54 is configured so that fluid does not flow when not in operation, and has a function of an on-off valve.
  • the open / close valve 55 is connected to a supply pipe 57e that communicates with the supply pipe 57c and serves as an inflow pipe, and a supply pipe 57f that communicates with the supply pipe 57d and serves as an outflow pipe. That is, when the opening / closing valve 55 is opened, the supply pipes 57e and 57f function as bypass pipes for the pressure pump 54. Next, the operation of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 having the above-described configuration will be described.
  • FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the operation timing of the suction pump 16 and the pressure pump 54 and the space S (negative pressure chamber R).
  • FIG. 8 is a diagram of the inkjet head 10 illustrating the operation during initial filling. It is a principal part expanded sectional view.
  • the suction pump 16 of the inkjet head 10 is operated (ON1), and the suction pump 16 sucks the air in the space S from the suction port 15a via the suction flow path 15 (FIG. 7).
  • the output of the operating suction pump 16 is preferably set to such an extent that the space S can be made sufficiently negative, and the output at this time is set as the filling output of the suction pump 16.
  • the suction pump 16 is operated at the filling output (first output)
  • external air flows into the space S from the slit 24c, and this air is sucked after reaching the suction port 15a after passing through the space S.
  • the space S is depressurized (liquid filling mode).
  • the space S becomes the negative pressure chamber R in which the negative pressure is sufficiently lower than the atmospheric pressure.
  • the ink supply unit 5 pressurizes and fills the inkjet head 10 with the ink I (time T2 in FIG. 7).
  • the ink supply unit 5 is set as follows. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the supply pipe 57a and the supply pipe 57c are brought into communication with each other by the switching valve 53, the open / close valve 55 is closed, and the supply pipe 57e and the supply pipe 57f are shut off.
  • the pressurizing pump 54 is operated.
  • the pressure pump 54 injects the ink I from the ink tank 51 into the ink injection hole 11d of the inkjet head 10 through the supply pipes 57a, 57c, and 57d.
  • the ink I injected into the ink injection hole 11 d flows into the storage chamber 17 a through the ink intake hole 17 b of the damper 17, and then flows through the ink outlet hole 17 c. It flows out to the flow passage 18a of the substrate 18. And the ink I which flowed into the flow path 18a flows in into each long groove
  • the ink I flowing into each long groove 26 flows to the nozzle hole 31a side, reaches the nozzle hole 31a, and then flows out from the nozzle hole 31a as excess ink Y as shown in FIG.
  • the surplus ink Y that has flowed out flows downward on the nozzle plate 31 in the direction of gravity.
  • the surplus ink Y that flows downward in the gravitational direction is sucked by the suction pump 16, and flows in the groove 32f of the nozzle cap 32 and on the nozzle plate 31 downward in the gravitational direction to reach the suction port 15a.
  • the surplus ink Y that has reached the suction port 15 a is sucked into the suction channel 15 and discharged to the waste liquid tank E.
  • the pressurization pump 54 is stopped after a predetermined time T3, and the pressurization and filling of the ink I is completed. As the pressurizing pump 54 stops, the surplus ink Y does not flow out from the nozzle hole 31a, and the surplus ink Y remaining in the negative pressure chamber R is discharged to the waste liquid tank E through the suction port 15a.
  • the suction pump 16 is stopped after predetermined time T4 progress.
  • the long groove 26 is filled with the ink I.
  • the operation when printing is performed on the recording paper D will be described.
  • the setting of the ink supply unit 5 will be described. In other words, as shown in FIG. 2, the supply pipe 57a and the supply pipe 57c are brought into communication with each other by the switching valve 53, and the open / close valve 55 is opened to connect the supply pipe 57e and the supply pipe 57f.
  • the pressurization pump 54 is inactivated, and the supply pipe 57c and the supply pipe 57d are not communicated with each other via the pressurization pump 54.
  • the ink I is injected into the ink injection hole 11d of the inkjet head 10 through the supply pipes 57a, 57c, 57e, 57f, and 57d.
  • the transport mechanism 2 is driven with the ink supply unit 5 set as described above (see FIG. 1), and the recording paper D is transported toward the downstream side.
  • the ink ejection unit 3 ejects ink droplets toward the surface of the recording paper D.
  • the drive circuit board 14 selectively applies a voltage to a predetermined plate electrode corresponding to the print data. As a result, the volume of the long groove 26 corresponding to the plate electrode is reduced, and the ink I filled in the long groove 26 is discharged from the discharge port 31b toward the recording paper D along the horizontal direction.
  • the long groove 26 becomes negative pressure, so the ink I is filled into the long groove 26 through the supply pipes 57a, 57c, 57e, 57f, and 57d.
  • the ceramic piezoelectric plate 21 of the inkjet head 10 is driven according to the image data, and ink droplets are ejected from the nozzle holes 31a to land on the recording paper D.
  • an image (character) is printed at a desired position on the recording paper D by continuously ejecting ink droplets from the inkjet head 10 while moving the recording paper D.
  • the ink I leaks from the nozzle hole 31a when it is filled.
  • the excess ink Y cannot be sucked and remains at the boundary portion between the top plate portion 24 a and the peripheral wall portion 24 b of the nozzle guard 24.
  • the excess ink Y leaks from the nozzle holes 31a, for example, at the time of printing.
  • the suction pump 16 is always operated even after the ink I is filled (ON2 in FIG. 7).
  • the output of the suction pump 16 is set so as to be weaker than the output at the time of ink I filling (filling output) and to sufficiently suck the surplus ink Y existing in the space S during printing (normal use mode).
  • the space S becomes a negative pressure space that is weaker than when the ink I is filled.
  • the output of the suction pump 16 at this time is set as a normal output (second output).
  • ON2 in FIG. 9 described as the normal use mode is not necessarily performed together with the operation of ON1 in FIG. 9 described as the liquid filling mode, and is appropriately determined depending on the surrounding operating environment and the type of ink I. Just do it.
  • the suction port 15a of the suction channel 15 is arranged at the center in the arrangement direction of the nozzle holes 31a and below the nozzle row 31c in the gravity direction.
  • the excess ink Y moves in the negative pressure chamber R in a state where it is difficult to leak out from the slit 24c, and is sucked into the suction flow path 15 from the suction port 15a and discharged to the waste liquid tank E.
  • the space for collecting the excess ink Y flowing out from the nozzle hole 31a can be made extremely small, the space factor of the ink jet head 10 can be improved, and the degree of freedom in designing the ink jet recording apparatus 1 can be improved.
  • the surplus ink Y can be continuously discharged by the suction flow path 15, the recovery capability of the surplus ink Y is extremely high, and contamination by the surplus ink Y is prevented even when the surplus ink Y flows out. In addition, it is possible to stabilize the ejection of the ink I after the ink I is filled.
  • the suction port 15a is located at the center in the arrangement direction of the nozzle holes 31a and below the nozzle row 31c in the gravitational direction, the excess ink Y leaked from the nozzle holes 31a when ink I is filled is effective Can be aspirated. That is, the surplus ink Y leaking from the nozzle hole 31a drips along the direction of gravity, but such surplus ink Y can be collected in the nozzle guard 24 without leaking from the slit 24c. Therefore, even when the nozzle row 31c is arranged in the horizontal direction and the ink I can be ejected in the horizontal direction, the surplus ink Y can be collected without providing a service station.
  • the ink I can be initially filled while simplifying the apparatus and reducing the apparatus cost.
  • the air flowing into the space S of the nozzle guard 24 from the slit 24c does not directly reach the suction port 15a, and the space of the nozzle guard 24 Since the suction port 15a is reached after flowing through S, the negative pressure state in the space S can be maintained in a good state. Thereby, the excess ink Y can be collected quickly.
  • the peripheral surface of the suction channel 15 extends in contact with the inner side surface of the inner frame portion 32b of the nozzle cap 32, the lowermost portion of the space S where excess ink Y easily remains, the nozzle Excess ink Y present at the boundary portion between the peripheral wall portion 24b of the guard 24 and the top plate portion 24a can be efficiently recovered.
  • the inkjet recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes the inkjet head 10 described above, the stable ink I is applied to the recording paper D that is conveyed along the arrangement direction (gravity direction) of the inkjet head 10. Can be continuously discharged. Therefore, high-precision printing can be performed promptly.
  • FIG. 9 is a front view of the inkjet head 100 in the second embodiment
  • FIG. 10 is an enlarged view showing the slit 124c of the inkjet head 100.
  • the same components as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.
  • the width Q1 in the gravity direction of the slit 124c of the inkjet head 100 of the second embodiment is set wider than the width Q of the slit 24c of the first embodiment.
  • the width Q1 of the slit 124c is such that the width Q2 below the nozzle row 31c in the gravity direction is lower than the nozzle row 31c in the slit 24c of the first embodiment (Q / 2).
  • the slit 124c is formed such that the width Q2 below the gravity direction from the nozzle hole 31a is wider than the width Q3 upward, and the nozzle row 31c is the upper half of the width direction (gravity direction) of the slit 124c in plan view. Will be placed.
  • the width Q1 of the slit 124c has an upper limit as a width that can be made negative by the suction pump 16, and a lower limit as a width that prevents the ink I from overflowing from the slit 24c during the initial filling of the ink I. It is desirable to set within the specified range.
  • the excess ink Y leaked from the nozzle hole 31a is hemispherical due to the surface tension at the discharge port 31b of the nozzle hole 31a. It rises to the slit 124c side in a state. Then, the surface of the ink I raised by the surface tension comes into contact with the peripheral edge of the slit 124c in this state, and the balance of the surface tension is broken. As a result, the ink I that has contacted the periphery of the slit 124c may leak out through the slit 124c.
  • FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the inkjet head 100.
  • the width Q2 below the nozzle hole 31a in the slit 124c in the gravitational direction is set larger than that in the slit 24c in the first embodiment. Leakage of excess ink Y can be reliably prevented. That is, the ink I that has risen at the ejection port 31b starts to drip downward in the direction of gravity due to gravity while maintaining balance by the surface tension. In this case, the ink I is sucked from the suction port 15a without contacting the peripheral edge of the slit 124c. As a result, the surplus ink Y is sucked by the suction port 15a and discharged to the waste liquid tank E.
  • FIG. 12 is a front view of the inkjet head 110 according to the third embodiment.
  • the same components as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.
  • the suction port 115a of the suction flow path 115 is disposed on one end side of the nozzle row 31c in the arrangement direction (longitudinal direction of the nozzle guard 24).
  • the width of the slit 111 is formed so as to gradually increase from one end side to the other end side in the arrangement direction of the nozzle row 31c.
  • the width above the nozzle row 31c in the gravity direction in the slit 111 is constant along the arrangement direction of the nozzle row 31c, whereas the width below the nozzle row 31c in the gravity direction is equal to the nozzle row 31c.
  • the width of the slit 111 is formed with the width Q1 while the other end is formed with the width Q1.
  • the inkjet head 110 of the present embodiment is formed such that the width of the slit 111 gradually increases as the distance from the suction port 115a increases.
  • the width of the top plate portion 24a below the slit 111 in the direction of gravity is formed so as to gradually increase from the other end side in the arrangement direction of the nozzle row 31c to the one end side.
  • the suction port 115a is disposed at one end side in the arrangement direction of the nozzle row 31c, the suction port 115a is completely covered by the top plate portion 24a in plan view.
  • the slit 111 is formed so as to gradually widen from one end side to the other end side in the arrangement direction of the nozzle row 31c. Leakage of the excess ink Y can be prevented while sufficiently securing the negative pressure in the space S. That is, since the suction port 115a is disposed on one end side, the distance from the suction port 115a to the slit 111 is longer than in the case where the suction port 115a is disposed on the other end side. In this case, since air that has entered the slit 111 from the outside is sucked from the suction port 115 a via the space S, it is difficult for air to enter the slit 111. Thereby, the negative pressure state of the space S of the nozzle guard 24 can be maintained in a good state.
  • the slit 111 is gradually formed wider toward the other end side in the arrangement direction of the nozzle row 31c, the ink I leaking from the nozzle hole 31a contacts the peripheral edge of the slit 111 as in the second embodiment described above. And the leakage of excess ink Y from the slit 111 can be reliably prevented. As a result, it is possible to efficiently collect the surplus ink Y and efficiently perform the initial filling of the ink I.
  • FIG. 13 is a front view of an inkjet head 120 according to a modification of the third embodiment.
  • the same components as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.
  • the suction port 15a of the suction channel 15 is arranged in the center of the arrangement direction of the nozzle row 31c (longitudinal direction of the nozzle guard 24), and the slit 121
  • the width is formed so as to gradually increase as the distance from the suction port 15a increases.
  • the width above the nozzle row 31c in the gravity direction in the slit 121 is constant along the arrangement direction of the nozzle row 31c, whereas the width below the nozzle row 31c in the gravity direction is equal to the nozzle row 31c.
  • the rows 31c are formed so as to gradually widen from the center to both ends in the arrangement direction.
  • the periphery of the slit 121 in the lower direction of gravity is formed in a V shape in plan view.
  • the slit 121 has a width Q at the center, whereas the slit 121 has a width Q1 at both ends. Therefore, also in this modification, the same effects as those of the third embodiment described above can be obtained.
  • FIG. 14 is a front view of the inkjet head 130 in the fourth embodiment.
  • the same components as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.
  • the inkjet head 130 of this embodiment is different from the above-described embodiment in that a plurality of (for example, two) suction channels 131 and 132 are provided. Specifically, the suction flow paths 131 and 132 are arranged on both end sides along the arrangement direction of the nozzle row 31c, and suction ports 131a and 132a are opened below the gravity direction of the nozzle row 31c.
  • the slit 133 is formed so that its width gradually increases as the distance from the suction ports 131a and 132a increases. Specifically, the width above the nozzle row 31c in the gravity direction in the slit 133 is constant along the arrangement direction of the nozzle row 31c, whereas the width below the nozzle row 31c in the gravity direction is equal to the nozzle row 31c. Are formed so as to gradually widen from both ends to the center in the arrangement direction. That is, the periphery of the slit 133 below the gravitational direction is formed in a V shape in plan view. In this case, the width of the slit 133 is the width Q at both ends, whereas the central portion is formed at the width Q1.
  • the same effects as those of the third embodiment described above can be obtained, and the recovery capability of the excess ink Y in the space S of the nozzle guard 24 can be improved by providing a plurality of suction flow paths 131 and 132.
  • each may be connected to the same suction pump (for example, the suction pump 16), or each may be a separate suction pump. You may connect to.
  • the suction flow paths 131 and 132 are connected to the same suction pump, the apparatus cost can be reduced compared to the case where the suction flow paths 131 and 132 are provided with the suction pumps, respectively.
  • a valve flow rate adjusting device
  • the flow rate of air sucked from the suction ports 131a and 132a can be adjusted, and the suction flow paths 131 and 132 to be sucked can be arbitrarily selected.
  • surplus ink Y remains on one suction port 131a side
  • the valve and sucking air from only one suction port 131a intensively, the surplus ink Y is removed together with this air. Effective suction is possible. Therefore, since the flow rate sucked by the suction pump can be easily adjusted, workability can be improved.
  • the number of suction channels is not limited to two and may be two or more.
  • FIG. 15 is a front view of the inkjet head 140 according to the fifth embodiment.
  • the same components as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.
  • the inkjet head 140 is different from the first embodiment described above in that the guide member 141 that guides the excess ink Y to the suction port 15 a is provided in the space S of the nozzle guard. It is different.
  • the guide member 141 is adhered to the inner surface 24e of the top plate portion 24a of the nozzle guard 24 in a state where the thickness direction thereof coincides with the horizontal direction (opening direction of the nozzle hole 31a).
  • the guide member 141 is disposed below the nozzle row 31c in the gravitational direction, and an inclined surface 141a is formed on the upper surface of the guide member 141.
  • the inclined surface 141a is inclined downward from the both ends in the arrangement direction of the nozzle row 31c to the center.
  • Both ends of the inclined surface 141a are disposed above the suction port 15a in the gravitational direction and reach the vicinity of the slit 24c, while the central portion is disposed directly below the suction port 15a. That is, the guide member 141 is formed in a V shape in plan view.
  • the excess ink Y leaked from the nozzle hole 31a hangs downward in the direction of gravity and contacts the inclined surface 141a of the guide member 141. Excess ink Y that has contacted the inclined surface 141a is guided on the inclined surface 141a toward the suction port 15a while being sucked by the suction pump 16 (see FIG. 2) through the suction flow path 15. The excess ink Y guided to the suction port 15a is discharged from the suction port 15a to the waste liquid tank E (see FIG. 2).
  • FIG. 16 is a front view of an inkjet head 150 according to the sixth embodiment.
  • the same components as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.
  • the inkjet head 150 of the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment described above in that a filling member 151 is provided above the slit 24 c in the gravity direction in the space S of the nozzle guard 24. is doing.
  • the filling member 151 is a member arranged so as to be filled above the slit 24c in the space S, and the thickness (horizontal direction) is formed to be equal to the thickness of the space S, and the width (gravity direction) is set. It is formed about half the width of the space S.
  • the region above the slit 24c in the gravity direction in the space S is configured with the filling region S1 filled with the filling member 151 without a gap, while the gravity of the slit 24c is greater than that of the slit 24c.
  • An open area S2 is formed in the area below the direction.
  • the same effect as that of the first embodiment described above is obtained, and the filling region S1 in which the filling member 151 is provided in the space S is configured.
  • the volume will be reduced.
  • the space S can be easily depressurized, so that the space S can be quickly made into the negative pressure chamber R and the negative pressure chamber R is brought into a favorable negative pressure state. Easy to maintain. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the surplus ink Y from leaking from the slit 24c while improving the recovery capability of the surplus ink Y.
  • the design of the shape of the filling member 151 described above can be changed as appropriate, and in the space S of the nozzle guard 24, the volume above the gravitational direction with the slit 24c interposed therebetween is smaller than the volume below the gravitational direction. What is necessary is just to form.
  • FIG. 17 is a front view of an inkjet head 160 according to the seventh embodiment, and FIG.
  • the same components as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.
  • the inkjet head 160 is provided with an absorber 161 for absorbing excess ink Y leaking from the nozzle hole 31 a in the space S of the nozzle guard 24.
  • the absorber 161 is formed to have a length equal to the length in the longitudinal direction of the top plate portion 24 a of the nozzle guard 24 and has a width (gravity direction) shorter than half the width of the nozzle guard 24.
  • the absorber 161 has one surface (front surface side) along the thickness direction in contact with the inner surface 24e of the top plate portion 24a, and the other surface (back surface side) in contact with the peripheral edge of the suction port 15a. ing. Therefore, the absorber 161 is held in a state of being sandwiched between the top plate portion 24a and the suction port 15a.
  • porous membranes such as PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) (for example, Kanebo Belita A series) and high-density polyethylene powder (for example, Asahi Kasei (Sun fine)), are used suitably. Yes.
  • PVA polyvinyl alcohol
  • high-density polyethylene powder for example, Asahi Kasei (Sun fine)
  • a high-viscosity adhesive made of, for example, epoxy or the like.
  • the surplus ink Y that could not be sucked immediately by the suction pump 16 travels on the inner surface 24e of the nozzle plate 31 or the nozzle guard 24. It hangs down in the direction of gravity. At this time, surplus ink Y that drips in the direction of gravity is absorbed by the absorber 161 disposed below the nozzle row 31c. The surplus ink Y absorbed in the absorber 161 flows through the absorber 161 together with the air flowing toward the suction port 15a in the negative pressure chamber R. Then, the surplus ink Y flowing in the absorber 161 is sucked from the suction port 15a and discharged to the waste liquid tank E.
  • the surplus ink Y sucked into the negative pressure chamber R because the absorber 161 is disposed in the space S.
  • excess ink Y can be prevented from leaking from the slit 24c.
  • the absorber 161 is in contact with the peripheral edge of the suction port 15a, the suction port 15a and the absorber 161 are in contact with each other without a space. As a result, a suction force can be directly applied to the absorber 161 and suction can be performed. Therefore, it is possible to continuously suck the excess ink Y absorbed in the absorber 161. The excess ink Y contained inside can be discharged from the suction port 15a more effectively. As a result, it is possible to quickly dry the absorber 161 and suppress the absorption amount of the absorber 161 from becoming saturated.
  • the arrangement position and shape of the absorber 161 can be changed as appropriate.
  • FIG. 19 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an inkjet recording apparatus 200 showing another configuration of the present invention.
  • the ink jet recording apparatus 200 includes a transport mechanism 201 for transporting the recording paper D.
  • the transport mechanism 201 is rotatably supported by a large-diameter roller 201a and a lower portion in the gravity direction of the large-diameter roller 201a, which are arranged on the upstream side and the downstream side of the large-diameter roller 201a, respectively.
  • Small diameter rollers 201b and 201c are provided. Accordingly, the recording paper D transported in the horizontal direction from a supply source (not shown) is folded upward in the transport direction (see the arrow in FIG. 19) via the upstream small-diameter roller 201b, and then the large-diameter roller 201a is moved.
  • the sheet is folded back about 180 degrees and conveyed downward. Thereafter, the sheet is folded back about 90 degrees via the small-diameter roller 201c and conveyed again along the horizontal direction.
  • a plurality of (for example, five) inkjet heads 10 are arranged along the direction of gravity between the small diameter roller 201b and the large diameter roller 201a and between the large diameter roller 201a and the small diameter roller 201c. .
  • the inkjet head 10 that can perform initial liquid filling without moving to a service station or the like is provided, high-precision printing can be performed quickly.
  • An ink jet recording apparatus 200 can be provided. Further, the above-described embodiments can be appropriately combined and employed.
  • the method of filling the ink I or the cleaning liquid W is performed using both the pressurization pump 54 and the suction pump 16, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.
  • the ink jet head 10 may be filled with the ink I or the cleaning liquid W only by the operation of the suction pump 16.
  • the ceramic piezoelectric plate 21 provided with electrodes is provided as an actuator for discharging the ink I.
  • the present invention is not limited to this configuration.
  • an electrothermal conversion element may be used as a mechanism for generating bubbles in a chamber filled with the ink I and discharging the ink I by the pressure.
  • the open holes 22c are formed across the long grooves 26 and the ink I is filled into the long grooves 26 from the open holes 22c.
  • the present invention is not limited to this configuration.
  • the open holes 22 c may not be communicated with all the long grooves 26, but a slit-shaped groove may be provided in the ink chamber plate 22, and the slits may be formed to be half the pitch of the long grooves 26. That is, the slit may correspond to every other long groove 26, and the ink I may be filled only in the long groove 26 corresponding to the slit.
  • FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view showing an inkjet head 170 in the eighth embodiment.
  • the nozzle guard 24 of the inkjet head 170 is formed with a recess 24x that is recessed toward the space S in the top plate 24a.
  • the recess 24x is formed by press molding (rolling), and a slit 24c is formed on the bottom surface of the recess 24x.
  • FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view showing an inkjet head 180 according to a modification of the present invention.
  • the nozzle guard 24 of the inkjet head 180 is formed with an annular protruding wall 24y that protrudes toward the space S and surrounds the slit 24c in an annular shape.
  • FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view showing an inkjet head 190 according to a modification of the present invention.
  • the nozzle guard 24 of the inkjet head 190 is formed with a recess 24x and an annular protruding wall 24y by press molding.
  • the excess ink Y sucked by the suction pump 16 is discharged to the waste liquid tank E.
  • the present invention is not limited to this form.
  • the configuration connected to the flow path on the outlet side of the suction pump 16 may be the ink tank 51 instead of the waste liquid tank.
  • the surplus ink Y sucked by the suction pump 16 may be supplied to the ink tank 51 and supplied from the ink tank 51 to the inkjet head 10 as the ink I.
  • a reusable liquid supply system that collects the ink I overflowed into the negative pressure chamber by suction and supplies the ink I to a plurality of pressure generation chambers that communicate with the nozzle holes, respectively, is adopted.
  • the surplus ink Y can be reused as the ink I.
  • a filter member may be provided in the flow path from the suction pump 16 to the ink tank 51 when the excess ink Y is reused.
  • a deaeration device may be provided in the flow path from the suction pump 16 to the ink tank 51.
  • a deaeration device may be provided in the flow path from the suction pump 16 to the ink tank 51.
  • Inkjet recording apparatus liquid jet recording apparatus 5 ...
  • Ink supply part liquid supply part
  • 10 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190 ...
  • Inkjet head liquid jet
  • 16 Suction pump (suction part) 24 ...
  • Nozzle guard 24a ...
  • Top plate part 24b ...
  • Peripheral wall part 24c 111, 121, 124c, 133 ... Slit 31a ... Nozzle hole 31c ... Nozzle array 60, 131, 132 ... Suction flow Paths 60a, 131a, 132a ... suction port 141 ... induction member 161 ... absorber I ... ink (liquid) R ... negative pressure chamber S ... space

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  • Ink Jet (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention porte sur une tête d'injection de liquide, sur un dispositif d'enregistrement d'injection de liquide, et sur un usage d'un dispositif d'enregistrement d'injection de liquide apte à effectuer un remplissage initial de liquide sans déplacement vers une station service, etc., par amélioration de la capacité à récupérer un surplus de liquide. Une protection de buse (24) formée de façon à couvrir un groupement de buses est disposée. La protection de buse (24) comprend une partie de paroi périphérique (24b) entourant la périphérie du groupement de buses, une partie panneau supérieure (24a) s'étendant à partir d'un bord périphérique de la partie paroi périphérique (24b) le long d'une plaque de buses (31), et comprenant une fente (24c) qui est opposée au groupement de buses, et un canal d'écoulement d'aspiration (15) qui communique avec un espace interne (S) de la protection de buse (24), et qui est relié à une pompe d'aspiration pour aspirer un surplus de liquide (Y) fuyant à partir du groupement de buses, un orifice d'aspiration (15a) du canal d'écoulement d'aspiration (15) étant disposé plus bas que le groupement de buses dans la direction de la force de gravitation.
PCT/JP2010/054187 2009-03-16 2010-03-12 Tête d'injection de liquide, dispositif d'enregistrement d'injection de liquide, et usage d'un dispositif d'enregistrement d'injection de liquide WO2010106970A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2009063550 2009-03-16
JP2009-063550 2009-03-16

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2010106970A1 true WO2010106970A1 (fr) 2010-09-23

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PCT/JP2010/054187 WO2010106970A1 (fr) 2009-03-16 2010-03-12 Tête d'injection de liquide, dispositif d'enregistrement d'injection de liquide, et usage d'un dispositif d'enregistrement d'injection de liquide

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WO (1) WO2010106970A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2016075889A1 (fr) * 2014-11-12 2016-05-19 セイコーエプソン株式会社 Tête d'éjection de liquide, tête de ligne, et dispositif d'éjection de liquide

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5222925A (en) * 1975-08-13 1977-02-21 Hitachi Ltd Ink jet reording device
JPH11505481A (ja) * 1995-05-09 1999-05-21 ムーア ビジネス フォームス インコーポレイテッド 連続印刷インク噴射ノズルの洗浄流体装置および方法
JP2002079666A (ja) * 2000-06-27 2002-03-19 Toshiba Tec Corp インクジェットプリンタヘッド

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5222925A (en) * 1975-08-13 1977-02-21 Hitachi Ltd Ink jet reording device
JPH11505481A (ja) * 1995-05-09 1999-05-21 ムーア ビジネス フォームス インコーポレイテッド 連続印刷インク噴射ノズルの洗浄流体装置および方法
JP2002079666A (ja) * 2000-06-27 2002-03-19 Toshiba Tec Corp インクジェットプリンタヘッド

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2016075889A1 (fr) * 2014-11-12 2016-05-19 セイコーエプソン株式会社 Tête d'éjection de liquide, tête de ligne, et dispositif d'éjection de liquide

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