WO2024080101A1 - Droplet discharge unit, droplet discharge device, and droplet discharge system - Google Patents

Droplet discharge unit, droplet discharge device, and droplet discharge system Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2024080101A1
WO2024080101A1 PCT/JP2023/034423 JP2023034423W WO2024080101A1 WO 2024080101 A1 WO2024080101 A1 WO 2024080101A1 JP 2023034423 W JP2023034423 W JP 2023034423W WO 2024080101 A1 WO2024080101 A1 WO 2024080101A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
droplet ejection
nozzle
positioning portion
ejection device
point contact
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/JP2023/034423
Other languages
French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
賢一 山本
Original Assignee
コニカミノルタ株式会社
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by コニカミノルタ株式会社 filed Critical コニカミノルタ株式会社
Publication of WO2024080101A1 publication Critical patent/WO2024080101A1/en

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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
    • 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
    • B41J2/16—Production of nozzles

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a droplet ejection unit, a droplet ejection device, and a droplet ejection system.
  • a droplet ejection system that ejects liquid from a droplet ejection head (droplet ejection device) onto a recording surface of a recording medium at appropriate timing based on image data, thereby recording an image on the recording surface.
  • the present invention was made in consideration of these circumstances, and aims to provide a droplet ejection unit, a droplet ejection device, and a droplet ejection system that can be installed with high precision and have stable ejection characteristics.
  • the present invention provides a droplet ejection device that ejects droplets from each nozzle of a nozzle array that is arranged parallel to the longitudinal direction of a nozzle surface to record an image on a recording medium; a mounting plate having an opening which is a through hole to which the droplet ejection device is attached, a point contact portion where the droplet ejection device and an inner periphery of the opening portion are in point contact with each other when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the nozzle surface, at least one point contact portion is provided on at least two surfaces of the droplet ejection device, the first surface being parallel to the nozzle row and the second surface being different from the first surface; the first point contact portion of the first surface is located outside an end portion of the nozzle row in a longitudinal direction,
  • the droplet ejection device includes at least one positioning portion that is a protrusion that forms the point contact portion.
  • the present invention relates to a droplet ejection unit comprising:
  • the droplet ejection device includes a plurality of droplet ejection heads, a mounting member having an insertion portion into which the plurality of droplet ejection heads are inserted and mounted, the mounting member includes a rib that protrudes downward in a droplet ejection direction along the insertion portion, The rib has the positioning portion on its outer circumferential surface.
  • the present invention relates to a droplet ejection unit comprising: The positioning portion is provided on a straight portion of the droplet ejection device.
  • the invention according to claim 4 is the droplet ejection unit according to claim 1 or 2, At least one of the point contact portions is formed by a contact surface that is parallel or perpendicular to the nozzle row, on the inner periphery of the opening portion.
  • the invention according to claim 5 is the droplet ejection unit according to claim 1 or 2,
  • the positioning portion has an arc shape or a triangular shape when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the nozzle surface.
  • the present invention according to claim 6 is the droplet ejection unit according to claim 1 or 2, the droplet ejection device includes a plurality of first positioning portions on the first surface; An imaginary line connecting the first point contact portions is parallel to the nozzle row.
  • the invention according to claim 7 is the droplet ejection unit according to claim 1 or 2, the droplet ejection device includes a first positioning portion on the first surface and a second positioning portion on the second surface; The second positioning portion is provided on a side closer to the first positioning portion than the center of the second surface in the arrangement direction of the nozzle rows.
  • the invention according to claim 8 is the droplet ejection unit according to claim 1 or 2, When viewed in a direction perpendicular to the nozzle surface, the nozzle surface is located lower than the lower surface of the mounting plate.
  • the invention according to claim 9 is the droplet ejection unit according to claim 2,
  • the positioning portion is provided so as not to protrude from the outer periphery of the mounting member.
  • the present invention according to claim 10 is the droplet ejection unit according to claim 1 or 2, a fixing member that presses the droplet discharge device downward in a droplet discharge direction to fix the droplet discharge device;
  • the fixed member includes an elastic portion that applies a pressing force downward in the droplet ejection direction by elastic force.
  • the invention described in claim 11 is A droplet ejection device which is attached to a mounting plate of a droplet ejection unit and ejects droplets from each nozzle of a nozzle row arranged parallel to a longitudinal direction of a nozzle face to record an image on a recording medium, a positioning portion that makes point contact with a contact surface of the mounting plate when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the nozzle surface, the positioning portion is provided on at least two surfaces, i.e., a first surface parallel to the nozzle row and a second surface different from the first surface, and The first positioning portion provided on the first surface is provided outside the longitudinal end of the nozzle row.
  • the present invention is a droplet ejection system, comprising: A droplet ejection unit according to claim 1 or 2; and a conveying unit that conveys the recording medium.
  • the invention according to claim 13 is the droplet ejection system according to claim 12, It has a circulation mechanism for circulating the liquid.
  • the invention according to claim 14 is the liquid droplet ejection system according to claim 13, It has a heating section for heating the liquid.
  • the present invention allows for highly accurate installation and stable discharge characteristics.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a droplet ejection system.
  • 1 is a perspective view of a droplet discharge unit to which a droplet discharge device according to a first embodiment is attached.
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a fixing member.
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a fixing member.
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a fixing member.
  • 1 is a perspective view showing a droplet ejection device according to a first embodiment.
  • FIG. 2 is a bottom view showing the droplet ejection device according to the first embodiment.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a point contact portion.
  • FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a droplet ejection device according to a second embodiment.
  • FIG. 11 is a bottom view showing a droplet ejection device according to a second embodiment.
  • 13A and 13B are schematic diagrams showing point contact parts according to other examples.
  • 13A and 13B are schematic diagrams showing point contact parts according to other examples.
  • 13A and 13B are schematic diagrams showing point contact parts according to other examples.
  • 13A and 13B are schematic diagrams showing point contact parts according to other examples.
  • 13A and 13B are schematic diagrams showing point contact parts according to other examples.
  • 13A and 13B are schematic diagrams showing point contact parts according to other examples.
  • 13A and 13B are schematic diagrams showing point contact parts according to other examples.
  • 13 is a bottom view showing a positioning portion with another shape. FIG.
  • the transport direction of the recording medium S in the inkjet recording device 10 is referred to as the front-rear direction.
  • the direction perpendicular to the transport direction on the transport surface of the recording medium S is referred to as the left-right direction.
  • the direction perpendicular to the front-rear and left-right directions (the ink ejection direction) is referred to as the up-down direction.
  • the inkjet unit 100 and the droplet ejection device 200 (see FIG. 2), which will be described later, will also be explained in terms of directions based on the state in which they are attached to the inkjet recording device 10.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an inkjet recording device 10 according to this embodiment.
  • the inkjet recording device 10 includes a transport unit 11 and an inkjet unit 100.
  • the transport unit 11 includes two transport rollers 11a and a transport belt 11b.
  • the transport unit 11 transports the recording medium S in the front-rear direction.
  • the transport roller 11a rotates about a rotation axis extending in the left-right direction in Fig. 1.
  • the transport roller 11a also supports the inside of a ring-shaped transport belt 11b.
  • a recording medium S is placed on the conveying surface of the conveyor belt 11b with the recording surface facing upward.
  • the transport roller 11a rotates in response to the operation of a transport motor (not shown)
  • the transport belt 11b moves in a circular motion in the front-rear direction, transporting the recording medium S in the front-rear direction.
  • the conveying unit 11 is not limited to such a belt conveying type configuration.
  • the transport unit 11 may be configured as a drum transport type having a transport drum that rotates in the transport direction with the recording medium S in close contact with its outer circumferential surface.
  • the recording medium S is, for example, a sheet of paper cut to a certain size.
  • the recording medium S is fed onto the conveyor belt 11b from a paper feeder (not shown). After an image or text is recorded on the recording medium S by the inkjet unit 100, the recording medium S is discharged to a predetermined paper discharge section.
  • the recording medium S may be a long recording medium such as roll paper or continuous paper.
  • the recording medium S may also be paper such as plain paper or coated paper, fabric, or sheet-like resin. In this way, various media capable of fixing the ink that has landed on the surface can be used as the recording medium S.
  • a plurality of inkjet units 100 are arranged side by side from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction of a recording medium S.
  • Each inkjet unit 100 records images and characters by ejecting ink from each droplet ejection device 200 (see FIG. 2) onto the recording medium S transported by the transport unit 11.
  • the inkjet unit 100 ejects ink from the droplet ejection device 200 at appropriate timing based on image data.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates an example in which four inkjet units 100 are arranged, each corresponding to one of four colors of ink, namely, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), this is not limiting. That is, the number of inkjet units 100 included in the inkjet recording apparatus 10 may be three or less, or five or more. Also, a plurality of inkjet units 100 that eject ink of the same color may be arranged.
  • FIG. 2 shows one inkjet unit 100 according to this embodiment.
  • the inkjet unit 100 includes a mounting plate 110 , a fixing member 120 , and a droplet ejection device 200 .
  • the mounting plate 110 is a thin plate having a substantially rectangular shape extending in the left-right direction, and the droplet ejection device 200 is mounted on the mounting plate 110 .
  • the mounting plate 110 has a plurality of openings 111 formed therein, which are substantially rectangular through-holes.
  • the opening 111 is a through hole that is the same as or slightly larger than the outer shape of the droplet ejection device 200 excluding the extension portion 210 when viewed from above.
  • a plurality of openings 111 are provided in the attachment plate 110 in a staggered manner.
  • the droplet ejection devices 200 When mounting the droplet ejection devices 200 on the mounting plate 110, first, the droplet ejection devices 200 are inserted into the respective openings 111. Then, the droplet ejection devices 200 are pressed to bring the positioning portions P into point contact with the inner periphery (contact surface 112) of the openings 111 when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the nozzle surface. In this way, the droplet ejection device 200 can be attached to the attachment plate 110 in a state where it is positioned with high accuracy.
  • the location where the droplet ejection device 200 and the contact surface 112 come into point contact is referred to as a point contact portion C (see FIG. 6).
  • the mounting plate 110 may be capable of mounting three or less, or five or more, droplet ejection devices 200.
  • the multiple droplet ejection devices 200 are capable of covering the entire left-right area of the recording medium S. This is because, with this configuration, it becomes possible to form an image on the entire surface of the recording medium S without moving the inkjet unit 100 in the left-right direction.
  • the fixing member 120 is a member that fixes the droplet ejection device 200 attached to the mounting plate 110 to the mounting plate 110 .
  • the fixing member 120 applies a downward pressing force to the extension portion 210 , the lower surface of which abuts against the upper surface of the mounting plate 110 , thereby fixing the droplet ejection device 200 to the mounting plate 110 .
  • the fixing member 120 is not limited in configuration as long as it is capable of fixing the droplet ejection device 200 to the mounting plate 110 by applying a downward pressing force to the extension portion 210.
  • the fixing member 120 may be a separate member from the inkjet unit 100.
  • the fixing member 120 is an elastic part consisting of a screw-shaped rigid part and an elastic body such as a spring, as shown in Fig. 3A.
  • the fixing member 120 may also be an elastic part consisting of an elastic body such as a leaf spring, as shown in Fig. 3B.
  • the fixing member 120 may also be an elastic part consisting of a clamp-shaped rigid part and an elastic body such as a spring, as shown in Fig. 3C.
  • the fixing member 120 is composed only of a screw-shaped rigid portion, because if the droplet ejection device 200 is fixed by rotating a screw, the rotational torque based on the rotation may cause the aligned droplet ejection device 200 to become misaligned. Therefore, it is preferable that the fixing member 120 has an elastic portion made of an elastic body, and the droplet ejection device 200 is fixed to the mounting plate 110 by the elastic force of the elastic portion.
  • the droplet ejection device 200 is a device that records images and characters on a recording medium S by ejecting ink droplets.
  • Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing one droplet ejection device 200 according to the first embodiment
  • Fig. 5 is a bottom view showing one droplet ejection device 200 according to the first embodiment.
  • the droplet ejection device 200 in the inkjet recording apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment is an inkjet head 300 .
  • the inkjet head 300 includes a nozzle plate 310, a first connector 320, a second connector 330, and a positioning portion P.
  • the inkjet head 300 also includes a head chip (not shown) in which a drive mechanism for ejecting ink is formed.
  • the nozzle plate 310 is a flat plate that is elongated in the left-right direction and disposed horizontally. As shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of nozzles N are formed on a nozzle surface, which is the lower surface of the nozzle plate 310.
  • the nozzles N form, for example, four nozzle rows NL that are parallel to each other in the left-right direction at a uniform nozzle pitch (hereinafter, referred to as x).
  • the four nozzle rows NL are arranged at regular intervals in the front-rear direction.
  • the second nozzle row NL in the front-rear direction is offset leftward (or rightward) by x/2 from the first nozzle row NL.
  • the third nozzle row NL is offset leftward (or rightward) by x/4 from the first nozzle row NL.
  • the fourth nozzle row NL is offset leftward (or rightward) by x/2 from the third nozzle row NL.
  • the four nozzle rows NL of the nozzle plate 310 are arranged so as to be shifted in sequence by x/4 to the left (or right), thereby achieving dot formation with a dot pitch of x/4.
  • the number of nozzle rows NL in the nozzle plate 310 is not limited to four.
  • the first connector 320 is a connection portion to a control board (not shown) of the inkjet recording apparatus 10 , which controls the ink ejection operation of the inkjet head 300 .
  • Ink flow paths leading to the individual nozzles N of the nozzle plate 310 are formed in a head chip (not shown). Piezoelectric elements for ejecting ink from the nozzles N are individually provided in these ink flow paths. Wiring for applying a drive voltage to the individual piezoelectric elements is connected to a first connector 320 provided on the top of the inkjet head 300. When the inkjet recording apparatus 10 is operated, the first connector 320 is connected to a drive circuit on the control board via a cable and receives a drive signal from the drive circuit. When this occurs, the piezoelectric element is deformed and ink is ejected from the nozzle N.
  • the second connector 330 is a connection portion to an ink tank (not shown) which is a liquid tank provided in the inkjet recording apparatus 10, and a waste liquid tank (not shown).
  • the second connector 330 has an inlet 331 that supplies ink to the inkjet head 300 through a supply pipe connected to an ink tank.
  • the second connector 330 also has an outlet 332 that discharges ink from the inkjet head 300 through a discharge pipe connected to a waste liquid tank. Both the inlet 331 and the outlet 332 are connected to a manifold (not shown) inside the inkjet head 300.
  • the ink to be ejected from the nozzles N is stored. Furthermore, the ink that was not ejected from the nozzles N is returned to and stored in the waste liquid tank.
  • the ink in the waste liquid tank is passed through a filter, for example, to remove foreign matter such as air bubbles and impurities, and then supplied to the ink tank.
  • the inkjet head 300 is provided with an ink circulation mechanism, which can suppress changes in viscosity and separation of components of ink that is not ejected and is stored in the liquid tank.
  • the second connector 330 may be provided on the top surface of the inkjet head 300, similar to the first connector 320.
  • the inkjet head 300 also includes a heating unit (not shown) that heats the ink.
  • the ink ejected from the nozzles N changes phase to a gel or sol state depending on the temperature, and hardens when irradiated with energy rays such as ultraviolet rays.
  • the heat source of the heating unit is PZT (lead zirconate titanate) or a heater.
  • the heating unit heats the ink to a temperature at which the ink becomes a sol under the control of the inkjet recording device 10.
  • the inkjet head 300 then ejects the ink that has been heated and turned into a sol. When the ink in a sol state is ejected onto the recording medium S and allowed to cool naturally after impact, it quickly gels and solidifies.
  • the positioning portion P is one of the protrusions that form the point contact portion C and that is provided on the droplet ejection device 200 .
  • the positioning portion P positions the droplet ejection device 200 in the opening 111 when the droplet ejection device 200 is attached to the attachment plate 110 .
  • the positioning portion P is provided, for example, at the lower end of the side surface of the inkjet head 300.
  • the positioning portion P has, for example, an arc shape when viewed from above, and protrudes from the side surface of the inkjet head 300.
  • the positioning portion P is provided on one surface (hereinafter, referred to as a first surface) 300a parallel to the nozzle row NL of the side surface of the inkjet head 300.
  • the positioning portion P is also provided on one surface (hereinafter, referred to as a second surface) 300b different from the first surface 300a.
  • the positioning portion P provided on the first surface 300a will be referred to as a first positioning portion Pa
  • the positioning portion P provided on the second surface 300b will be referred to as a second positioning portion Pb.
  • the first positioning portion Pa is provided for positioning the inkjet head 300 in the left-right direction. 5, the first positioning portion Pa is provided outside the longitudinal (left-right) ends of the nozzle row NL. This arrangement prevents a decrease in ejection uniformity caused by the transfer of heat from the nozzle N to the contact surface 112 via the first point contact portion C1 (see FIG. 6), which is the point contact portion C on the first surface 300a.
  • the second positioning portion Pb is provided for positioning the inkjet head 300 in the front-rear direction. For the same reasons as for the first positioning portion Pa, it is desirable to provide the second positioning portion Pb in front of the front end nozzle row NL or behind the rear end nozzle row NL, but this is not limiting.
  • the point contact portion C on the second surface 300b is referred to as a second point contact portion C2 (see FIG. 6).
  • the positioning portion P is not limited to being provided on the inkjet head 300.
  • the positioning portion P may be provided separately from the inkjet head 300, and the positioning portion P may be attached to a predetermined location on the side surface of the inkjet head 300.
  • at least one positioning portion P may be provided in the droplet ejection device 200 .
  • FIG. 6 shows a top cross-sectional view of one droplet ejection device 200 attached to one opening 111 of the inkjet unit 100 .
  • the droplet ejection device 200 comes into point contact with the contact surface 112 of the mounting plate 110 to form a point contact portion C.
  • the droplet ejection device 200 may come into surface contact with the contact surface 112.
  • the positioning portion P and the contact surface 112 include manufacturing errors. Therefore, if the positioning portion P is in surface contact with the contact surface 112, positional deviation occurs according to the contact point.
  • the droplet ejection device 200 and the mounting plate 110 are in point contact with each other to form the point contact portion C, as in this embodiment, there is only one contact point. Therefore, variation in the mounting position is minimized, and mounting accuracy is improved.
  • the droplet ejection device 200 is an inkjet head 300.
  • the droplet ejection device 200 includes at least one first positioning portion Pa and one second positioning portion Pb, and forms at least one point contact portion C on the first surface 300a and at least one point contact portion C on the second surface 300b.
  • the first point contact portion C1 is provided outside the longitudinal end portion of the nozzle row NL. According to this configuration, the inkjet head 300 can be attached to the mounting plate 110 while being positioned with high accuracy in the left-right and front-rear directions.
  • the inkjet recording device 10 equipped with a circulation mechanism for circulating the ink, a certain thermal uniformity is required for the ink. Therefore, it is preferable to reduce the temperature difference among the nozzles N by using the above configuration to suppress a drop in the temperature of the ink that was not ejected.
  • the inkjet recording apparatus 10 that includes not only a circulation mechanism but also a heating unit for heating the ink, a higher degree of thermal uniformity is required for the ink. Therefore, it is more preferable to reduce the temperature difference of the nozzles N by the above configuration and suppress the drop in the temperature of the ink that was not ejected.
  • the droplet discharge unit 100 also includes a fixed member 120 that includes an elastic portion that applies a downward pressing force by elastic force.
  • a fixed member 120 that includes an elastic portion that applies a downward pressing force by elastic force.
  • the droplet ejection device 200 can be fixed not only in the front-rear and left-right directions, but also in the up-down direction. Therefore, the droplet ejection device 200 is less likely to become misaligned. Furthermore, since the pressing force is applied by elastic force, positional deviation is unlikely to occur when the droplet ejection device 200 is fixed by the fixing member 120 .
  • an inkjet recording apparatus 10 according to a second embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
  • the same components as those in the inkjet recording apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.
  • the droplet ejection device 200 is an inkjet head module 400 modularized by multiple inkjet heads (droplet ejection heads) 300.
  • the positioning portion P is provided on a rib 422 of the inkjet head module 400, not on the inkjet head 300.
  • the inkjet head module 400 includes a plurality of inkjet heads 300, a cover member 410, a mounting member 420, and a positioning portion P. In addition, as shown in FIG.
  • an inkjet head module 400 including two inkjet heads 300 will be described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the inkjet head module 400 may be configured to include three or more inkjet heads 300. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the following describes an example in which a plurality of inkjet heads 300 are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the nozzle row NL, but the present invention is not limited to this.
  • the cover member 410 is attached to the mounting member 420 and/or the inkjet head 300 so as to cover the periphery of the inkjet head 300 except for the connection portion and the nozzle plate 310. This prevents misalignment caused by the user of the droplet ejection device 200 touching the inkjet head 300 and the associated deterioration in print quality.
  • the cover member 410 is preferably made of a resin with a relatively low thermal expansion coefficient. This configuration can prevent the cover member 410 from bending when the inkjet head 300 generates heat.
  • PI polyimide
  • PPS polyphenylene sulfide
  • LCP liquid crystal polymer
  • PEEK polyether ether ketone
  • the mounting member 420 is, for example, a flat plate having a generally rectangular shape when viewed from above, and integrates (modules) the multiple inkjet heads 300.
  • the mounting member 420 includes an insertion portion 421 and a rib 422.
  • the mounting member 420 is preferably made of a metal, particularly an aluminum alloy, but is not limited to this.
  • the insertion portion 421 is a through hole provided in approximately the center of the mounting member 420, and in a top view, the width in the left-right direction is the same as or slightly larger than the width of the inkjet head 300. As shown in Fig. 8, the insertion portion 421 is approximately rectangular, the longitudinal direction of which is parallel to the left-right direction, and two inkjet heads 300 are inserted into the insertion portion 421. When the inkjet head 300 is inserted into the insertion portion 421, the inkjet head 300 is attached to the attachment member 420. At this time, the nozzle row NL provided in the nozzle plate 310 is aligned in the left-right direction.
  • the rib 422 is a protrusion that protrudes downward from the lower surface of the mounting member 420 along the insertion portion 421 . Providing ribs 422 on the mounting member 420 improves rigidity and strength.
  • the mist intrusion prevention member 430 is a member for preventing ink mist from entering through gaps in the inkjet head module 400. By attaching the mist intrusion prevention member 430, it is possible to prevent the ink mist that has entered through the gaps from accumulating and contaminating the inkjet head 300 or adhering to the recording medium S.
  • the mist intrusion prevention member 430 is a generally rectangular flat plate whose width in the left-right direction is approximately the same as or slightly narrower than the insertion portion 421.
  • the mist intrusion prevention member 430 is made of a synthetic resin sheet such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate), or a contractile material such as rubber or sponge.
  • the mist intrusion prevention member 430 is attached in advance to the opposing surface of the inkjet head 300 and the inner surface or adjacent portion of the insertion portion 421. Then, after assembling the inkjet head module 400, the gaps between the inkjet heads 300 or between the mounting member 420 and the inkjet head 300 are filled with the mist intrusion prevention member 430. As a result, it is possible to prevent the intrusion of ink mist into the inkjet head 300.
  • the mist intrusion prevention member 430 is made of a contractile material, so that even if the inkjet head 300 is pressed when the mist intrusion prevention member 430 fills the gap, the attachment position will not shift.
  • mist intrusion prevention member 430 is not a required component of the inkjet head module 400 according to the second embodiment.
  • the positioning portion P is provided on the rib 422 .
  • a positioning portion P is provided on a first surface 422a, which is one surface parallel to the nozzle row NL, of the outer peripheral surface of the rib 422.
  • a positioning portion P is provided on a second surface 422b, which is one surface different from the first surface 422a, of the outer peripheral surface of the rib 422.
  • a first positioning portion Pa is provided on the first surface 422a such that a first point contact portion C1 is formed outside the longitudinal end of the nozzle row NL.
  • the positioning portion P according to the second embodiment is provided so as not to protrude from the outer periphery of the mounting member 420. If the positioning portion P protrudes from the outer periphery of the mounting member 420, there is a risk of the positioning portion P being worn due to increased contact when the inkjet head module 400 is attached to the mounting plate 110.
  • the droplet ejection device 200 is an inkjet head module 400 including a plurality of inkjet heads 300.
  • the positioning portion P is provided on the rib 422 that protrudes downward along the insertion portion 421.
  • the inkjet head module 400 can be attached to the mounting plate 110 in a state where it is positioned with high precision by the positioning portion P.
  • the positioning portion P is provided so as not to protrude from the outer periphery of the mounting member 420 . According to this configuration, damage to the droplet ejection device 200 when it is attached to the inkjet recording device 10 can be suppressed.
  • the inkjet head 300 according to the second embodiment with a protrusion similar to the positioning portion P of the inkjet head 300 according to the first embodiment. With this configuration, the inkjet head 300 can be attached in a state where it is positioned with high precision relative to the mounting member 420.
  • the droplet ejection device 200 is preferably configured such that, when attached to the attachment plate 110 , the nozzle surface is positioned lower than the bottom surface of the attachment plate 110 . With this configuration, the nozzle surface and the recording medium S are brought closer together, so that variation in droplet ejection is reduced and drawing accuracy is improved.
  • the droplet ejection device 200 is less likely to become displaced even when subjected to an external force, and stability is improved.
  • the first surface 300a (422a) is a surface parallel to the nozzle row NL and has a larger area than the second surface 300b (422b). Therefore, if the first positioning portion Pa is provided so as to increase the distance therebetween, stability is improved when the nozzle row NL is attached to the attachment plate 110.
  • the first positioning portion Pa it is preferable to provide the first positioning portion Pa so that an imaginary line connecting two or more first point contact portions C1 is parallel to the nozzle row NL. This is because, with this configuration, even if an external force is applied after the droplet ejection device 200 is attached to the attachment plate 110, positional deviation is unlikely to occur.
  • the second positioning portion Pb is preferably provided closer to the first surface 300a (422a) than the center of the second surface 300b (422b) in the arrangement direction (front-rear direction) of the nozzle rows NL. This is because, with this configuration, even if the first surface 300a (422a) including the first positioning portion Pa is deformed by an external force, the amount of deviation of the first positioning portion Pa is reduced.
  • the first point contact portion C1 is preferably formed by a contact surface 112 parallel to the nozzle row NL.
  • the second point contact portion C2 which is the point contact portion C on the second surface 300b (422b)
  • the positioning portion P is preferably provided on a linear portion, which is a flat surface, of the side portion of the droplet ejection device 200 . This is because if the positioning portion P is provided in a corner or recess of the droplet ejection device 200, the position at which it is formed becomes unstable during the manufacturing process of the droplet ejection device 200.
  • a positioning portion P may be provided at a corner of the droplet ejection device 200.
  • the protrusion at the corner is a first positioning portion Pa provided on the first surface 300a, and a second positioning portion Pb provided on the second surface 300b.
  • the droplet ejection unit 100 may be configured to form a point contact C by providing a protrusion on the inner periphery of the opening 111.
  • the droplet ejection unit 100 may be formed by a contact surface 112 in which the point contact portion C is not parallel or perpendicular to the nozzle row NL.
  • the droplet ejection device 200 may be a droplet ejection unit 100 having a positioning portion P that is planar when viewed from above, and that forms a point contact portion C with a protrusion on the inner periphery of the opening 111.
  • the droplet ejection unit 100 may have protrusions on the inner circumference of the opening 111 that form point contacts C with two surfaces of the droplet ejection device 200.
  • the droplet ejection device 200 does not have to be configured to include both the first positioning portion Pa and the second positioning portion Pb.
  • the droplet ejection device 200 has a first positioning portion Pa and a second positioning portion Pb, and that the point contact portion C is the contact portion between the protrusion and the contact surface 112, which is a flat portion. This is because it is easier to manufacture by providing the droplet ejection device 200 with a positioning protrusion and making the inner periphery of the opening 111 of the mounting plate 110 flat.
  • the positioning portion P of the present invention may have any shape as long as it is in point contact with the contact surface 112, and is not limited to an arc shape when viewed from above. Therefore, for example, the positioning portion P may be triangular in top view as shown in FIG.
  • all of the positioning portions P do not have to have the same shape, and may each have a different shape.
  • the present invention is not limited to the inkjet recording device 10, but may be applied to various types of droplet ejection devices that eject droplets of liquid other than ink from the nozzles N.
  • the present invention can be used in a droplet ejection head driving method, droplet ejection device, and program that do not reduce productivity even when new drive pulses are added.
  • Inkjet recording device (droplet ejection system) 11 Transport unit 100 Inkjet unit (droplet ejection unit) 110: Mounting plate 111: Opening 112: Contact surface 120: Fixed member 200: Droplet ejection device 300: Inkjet head (droplet ejection head) 300a First surface 300b Second surface 400 Inkjet head module 420 Mounting member 421 Insertion portion 422 Rib 422a First surface 422b Second surface C Point contact portion C1 First point contact portion P Positioning portion Pa First positioning portion Pb Second positioning portion N Nozzle NL Nozzle row S Recording medium

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Abstract

A droplet discharge unit 100 comprises: a droplet discharge device 200 that discharges a droplet from a nozzle N and records an image on a recording medium S; and an attachment plate 110 provided with an opening 111 to which the droplet discharge device 200 is attached, the droplet discharge unit 100 further comprising point contact portions C at which the droplet discharge device 200 and contact surfaces 112 come into point contact with each other, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to a nozzle surface. At least one point contact portion C is provided on at least two surfaces including a first surface 300a (422a) parallel to a nozzle row NL of the droplet discharge device 200 and a second surface 300b (422b) differing from the first surface 300a (422a). A first point contact portion C1 of the first surface 300a (422a) is positioned further to the outer side than an end part of the nozzle row NL in the longitudinal direction, and the droplet discharge device 200 is provided with at least one positioning part P.

Description

液滴吐出ユニット、液滴吐出装置及び液滴吐出システムDroplet ejection unit, droplet ejection device, and droplet ejection system
　本発明は、液滴吐出ユニット、液滴吐出装置及び液滴吐出システムに関する。 The present invention relates to a droplet ejection unit, a droplet ejection device, and a droplet ejection system.
　従来、記録媒体の記録面に、画像データに基づいて適切なタイミングで液滴吐出ヘッド（液滴吐出装置）から液体を吐出して、当該記録面に画像を記録する液滴吐出システムが知られている。 　Conventionally, a droplet ejection system is known that ejects liquid from a droplet ejection head (droplet ejection device) onto a recording surface of a recording medium at appropriate timing based on image data, thereby recording an image on the recording surface.
　かかる液滴吐出システムにおいては、液滴吐出ヘッドの側面部に突起を設ける発明が知られている（例えば、特許文献１及び２参照）。当該突起により、液滴吐出ヘッドを液滴吐出システムの取付部に高精度に位置決めされた状態で取り付け可能となる。 In such a droplet ejection system, there is known an invention in which a protrusion is provided on the side of the droplet ejection head (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). The protrusion makes it possible to attach the droplet ejection head to the attachment part of the droplet ejection system while positioning it with high precision.
特開２０１２－０６１７１９号公報JP 2012-061719 A 特開２０１１－２１８７５０号公報JP 2011-218750 A
　ところで、側面部に突起を有する液滴吐出ヘッドを取付部に取り付けると、当該突起を介して、突起近傍の熱が液滴吐出システムの本体側に移動する。また、特許文献１及び２の発明においては、液滴吐出ヘッドのうち、ノズルの配列方向上に、突起が形成されている。
　そのため、特許文献１及び２の発明において、突起近傍のノズルは、他のノズルよりも温度が低くなる。そして、突起近傍のノズルから吐出される液滴の温度は、他のノズルから吐出される液滴の温度よりも低くなる。
　その結果、１つの液滴吐出ヘッドにおいて、ノズル毎の吐出特性にバラつきが生まれるという課題を抱えていた。 When a droplet ejection head having a protrusion on its side is attached to a mounting part, heat near the protrusion is transferred to the main body of the droplet ejection system via the protrusion. Also, in the inventions of Patent Documents 1 and 2, protrusions are formed in the droplet ejection head in the nozzle arrangement direction.
Therefore, in the inventions of Patent Documents 1 and 2, the nozzles in the vicinity of the protrusions have a lower temperature than the other nozzles, and the temperature of the droplets ejected from the nozzles in the vicinity of the protrusions is lower than the temperature of the droplets ejected from the other nozzles.
As a result, there is a problem in that the ejection characteristics of each nozzle in a single droplet ejection head vary.
　本発明はかかる事情に鑑みてなされたものであり、取付時に高精度に取り付けられ、且つ吐出特性が安定する液滴吐出ユニット、液滴吐出装置及び液滴吐出システムの提供を目的とする。 The present invention was made in consideration of these circumstances, and aims to provide a droplet ejection unit, a droplet ejection device, and a droplet ejection system that can be installed with high precision and have stable ejection characteristics.
　以上の課題を解決するために、請求項１記載の発明は、ノズル面の長手方向に平行に配列されたノズル列の各ノズルから液滴を吐出して記録媒体に画像を記録する液滴吐出装置と、
　前記液滴吐出装置が取り付けられる貫通穴である開口部を備えた取付プレートと、を備える液滴吐出ユニットであって、
　前記ノズル面に垂直な方向から見たときに、前記液滴吐出装置と、前記開口部の内周部とが点接触する点接触部を備え、
　前記点接触部は、前記液滴吐出装置の前記ノズル列に平行な第１面と、前記第１面とは異なる面である第２面との少なくとも２つの面に、少なくとも１つ以上設けられ、
　前記第１面の第１点接触部は、前記ノズル列の長手方向端部よりも外側であり、
　前記液滴吐出装置は、前記点接触部を形成する突起である位置決め部を少なくとも１つ備える。 In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a droplet ejection device that ejects droplets from each nozzle of a nozzle array that is arranged parallel to the longitudinal direction of a nozzle surface to record an image on a recording medium;
a mounting plate having an opening which is a through hole to which the droplet ejection device is attached,
a point contact portion where the droplet ejection device and an inner periphery of the opening portion are in point contact with each other when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the nozzle surface,
at least one point contact portion is provided on at least two surfaces of the droplet ejection device, the first surface being parallel to the nozzle row and the second surface being different from the first surface;
the first point contact portion of the first surface is located outside an end portion of the nozzle row in a longitudinal direction,
The droplet ejection device includes at least one positioning portion that is a protrusion that forms the point contact portion.
　請求項２記載の発明は、請求項１記載の液滴吐出ユニットであって、
　前記液滴吐出装置は、複数の液滴吐出ヘッドであって、
　前記複数の液滴吐出ヘッドを挿入して取り付ける挿入部を備える取付部材を備え、
　前記取付部材は、前記挿入部に沿って液滴吐出方向下方に突出するリブを備え、
　前記リブは、外周面部に前記位置決め部を備える。 The present invention relates to a droplet ejection unit comprising:
The droplet ejection device includes a plurality of droplet ejection heads,
a mounting member having an insertion portion into which the plurality of droplet ejection heads are inserted and mounted,
the mounting member includes a rib that protrudes downward in a droplet ejection direction along the insertion portion,
The rib has the positioning portion on its outer circumferential surface.
　請求項３記載の発明は、請求項１又は２記載の液滴吐出ユニットであって、
　前記位置決め部は、前記液滴吐出装置の直線部に設けられている。 The present invention relates to a droplet ejection unit comprising:
The positioning portion is provided on a straight portion of the droplet ejection device.
　請求項４記載の発明は、請求項１又は２記載の液滴吐出ユニットであって、
　前記点接触部のうち少なくとも一つは、前記開口部の内周部のうち、前記ノズル列に平行又は垂直な接触面によって形成される。 The invention according to claim 4 is the droplet ejection unit according to claim 1 or 2,
At least one of the point contact portions is formed by a contact surface that is parallel or perpendicular to the nozzle row, on the inner periphery of the opening portion.
　請求項５記載の発明は、請求項１又は２記載の液滴吐出ユニットであって、
　前記位置決め部は、ノズル面に垂直な方向から見たときに円弧状、あるいは三角形状である。 The invention according to claim 5 is the droplet ejection unit according to claim 1 or 2,
The positioning portion has an arc shape or a triangular shape when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the nozzle surface.
　請求項６記載の発明は、請求項１又は２記載の液滴吐出ユニットであって、
　前記液滴吐出装置は、前記第１面に複数の第１位置決め部を備え、
　複数の前記第１点接触部を結ぶ架空線は、前記ノズル列に対して平行である。 The present invention according to claim 6 is the droplet ejection unit according to claim 1 or 2,
the droplet ejection device includes a plurality of first positioning portions on the first surface;
An imaginary line connecting the first point contact portions is parallel to the nozzle row.
　請求項７記載の発明は、請求項１又は２記載の液滴吐出ユニットであって、
　前記液滴吐出装置は、前記第１面に第１位置決め部を備え、前記第２面に第２位置決め部を備え、
　前記第２位置決め部は、前記ノズル列の配列方向につき、前記第２面の中央よりも前記第１位置決め部に近い側に設けられている。 The invention according to claim 7 is the droplet ejection unit according to claim 1 or 2,
the droplet ejection device includes a first positioning portion on the first surface and a second positioning portion on the second surface;
The second positioning portion is provided on a side closer to the first positioning portion than the center of the second surface in the arrangement direction of the nozzle rows.
　請求項８記載の発明は、請求項１又は２記載の液滴吐出ユニットであって、
　前記ノズル面に垂直な方向から見たときに、前記ノズル面が前記取付プレートの下面よりも下方に位置する。 The invention according to claim 8 is the droplet ejection unit according to claim 1 or 2,
When viewed in a direction perpendicular to the nozzle surface, the nozzle surface is located lower than the lower surface of the mounting plate.
　請求項９記載の発明は、請求項２記載の液滴吐出ユニットであって、
　前記位置決め部は、前記取付部材の外周から突出しないように設けられている。 The invention according to claim 9 is the droplet ejection unit according to claim 2,
The positioning portion is provided so as not to protrude from the outer periphery of the mounting member.
　請求項１０記載の発明は、請求項１又は２記載の液滴吐出ユニットであって、
　前記液滴吐出装置を液滴吐出方向下方に押圧して固定する固定部材を備え、
　前記固定部材は、弾性力によって前記液滴吐出方向下方への押圧力を付与する弾性部を備える。 The present invention according to claim 10 is the droplet ejection unit according to claim 1 or 2,
a fixing member that presses the droplet discharge device downward in a droplet discharge direction to fix the droplet discharge device;
The fixed member includes an elastic portion that applies a pressing force downward in the droplet ejection direction by elastic force.
　請求項１１記載の発明は、
　液滴吐出ユニットの取付プレートに取り付けられて、ノズル面の長手方向に平行に配列されたノズル列の各ノズルから液滴を吐出して記録媒体に画像を記録する液滴吐出装置であって、
　ノズル面に垂直な方向から見たときに、前記取付プレートとの接触面と点接触して位置決めする位置決め部を備え、
　前記位置決め部は、前記ノズル列に平行な第１面と、前記第１面とは異なる面である第２面との少なくとも２つの面に、少なくとも１つ以上設けられ、
　前記第１面に設けられた第１位置決め部は、前記ノズル列の長手方向端部よりも外側に設けられている。 The invention described in claim 11 is
A droplet ejection device which is attached to a mounting plate of a droplet ejection unit and ejects droplets from each nozzle of a nozzle row arranged parallel to a longitudinal direction of a nozzle face to record an image on a recording medium,
a positioning portion that makes point contact with a contact surface of the mounting plate when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the nozzle surface,
the positioning portion is provided on at least two surfaces, i.e., a first surface parallel to the nozzle row and a second surface different from the first surface, and
The first positioning portion provided on the first surface is provided outside the longitudinal end of the nozzle row.
　請求項１２記載の発明は、液滴吐出システムであって、
　請求項１又は２記載の液滴吐出ユニットと、
　記録媒体を搬送する搬送部と、を備える。 The present invention is a droplet ejection system, comprising:
A droplet ejection unit according to claim 1 or 2;
and a conveying unit that conveys the recording medium.
　請求項１３記載の発明は、請求項１２記載の液滴吐出システムであって、
　液体を循環させる循環機構を有する。 The invention according to claim 13 is the droplet ejection system according to claim 12,
It has a circulation mechanism for circulating the liquid.
　請求項１４記載の発明は、請求項１３記載の液滴吐出システムであって、
　液体を加熱させる加熱部を有する。 The invention according to claim 14 is the liquid droplet ejection system according to claim 13,
It has a heating section for heating the liquid.
　本発明によれば、取付時に高精度に取り付けられ、且つ吐出特性が安定する。 The present invention allows for highly accurate installation and stable discharge characteristics.
液滴吐出システムの斜視図である。FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a droplet ejection system. 第１実施形態に係る液滴吐出装置が取り付けられた液滴吐出ユニットの斜視図である。1 is a perspective view of a droplet discharge unit to which a droplet discharge device according to a first embodiment is attached. 固定部材の一例を示す模式図である。FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a fixing member. 固定部材の一例を示す模式図である。FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a fixing member. 固定部材の一例を示す模式図である。FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a fixing member. 第１実施形態に係る液滴吐出装置を示す斜視図である。1 is a perspective view showing a droplet ejection device according to a first embodiment. 第１実施形態に係る液滴吐出装置を示す下面図である。FIG. 2 is a bottom view showing the droplet ejection device according to the first embodiment. 点接触部を示す模式図である。FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a point contact portion. 第２実施形態に係る液滴吐出装置を示す斜視図である。FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a droplet ejection device according to a second embodiment. 第２実施形態に係る液滴吐出装置を示す下面図である。FIG. 11 is a bottom view showing a droplet ejection device according to a second embodiment. 他の例に係る点接触部を示す模式図である。13A and 13B are schematic diagrams showing point contact parts according to other examples. 他の例に係る点接触部を示す模式図である。13A and 13B are schematic diagrams showing point contact parts according to other examples. 他の例に係る点接触部を示す模式図である。13A and 13B are schematic diagrams showing point contact parts according to other examples. 他の例に係る点接触部を示す模式図である。13A and 13B are schematic diagrams showing point contact parts according to other examples. 他の例に係る点接触部を示す模式図である。13A and 13B are schematic diagrams showing point contact parts according to other examples. 他の例に係る点接触部を示す模式図である。13A and 13B are schematic diagrams showing point contact parts according to other examples. 他の例に係る点接触部を示す模式図である。13A and 13B are schematic diagrams showing point contact parts according to other examples. 他の形状の位置決め部を示す底面図である。13 is a bottom view showing a positioning portion with another shape. FIG.
［第１実施形態］
　以下、図面を参照して、本発明の第１実施形態に係る液滴吐出システムについて詳細に説明する。以下に述べる実施形態には、本発明を実施するために技術的に好ましい種々の限定が付されるが、本発明の範囲を以下の実施形態及び図示例に限定するものではない。 [First embodiment]
A droplet ejection system according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The embodiment described below is subject to various technically preferable limitations for carrying out the present invention, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment and illustrated examples.
（インクジェット記録装置）
　初めに、本実施形態に係る液滴吐出システムとして、液滴吐出ユニットとしてのインクジェットユニット１００を備えるインクジェット記録装置１０の構成例を開示する。 (Inkjet recording device)
First, as a droplet ejection system according to this embodiment, a configuration example of an inkjet recording apparatus 10 including an inkjet unit 100 as a droplet ejection unit will be disclosed.
　なお、以下の説明においては、各図に示すように、インクジェット記録装置１０における記録媒体Ｓの搬送方向を前後方向とする。また、記録媒体Ｓの搬送面における当該搬送方向に直行する方向を左右方向とする。また、前後方向及び左右方向に垂直な方向（インクの吐出方向）を上下方向とする。また、インクジェットユニット１００や後述する液滴吐出装置２００（図２参照）についても、インクジェット記録装置１０に装着された状態を基準とした方向で説明する。 In the following explanation, as shown in each figure, the transport direction of the recording medium S in the inkjet recording device 10 is referred to as the front-rear direction. The direction perpendicular to the transport direction on the transport surface of the recording medium S is referred to as the left-right direction. The direction perpendicular to the front-rear and left-right directions (the ink ejection direction) is referred to as the up-down direction. The inkjet unit 100 and the droplet ejection device 200 (see FIG. 2), which will be described later, will also be explained in terms of directions based on the state in which they are attached to the inkjet recording device 10.
　図１は、本実施形態に係るインクジェット記録装置１０を示す概略斜視図である。インクジェット記録装置１０は、搬送部１１及びインクジェットユニット１００を備える。 FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an inkjet recording device 10 according to this embodiment. The inkjet recording device 10 includes a transport unit 11 and an inkjet unit 100.
｛搬送部｝
　搬送部１１は、２本の搬送ローラー１１ａと、搬送ベルト１１ｂを備える。
　搬送部１１は、記録媒体Ｓを前後方向に搬送する。 {Transport section}
The transport unit 11 includes two transport rollers 11a and a transport belt 11b.
The transport unit 11 transports the recording medium S in the front-rear direction.
　搬送ローラー１１ａは、図１の左右方向に延びる回転軸を中心に回転する。また、搬送ローラー１１ａは、輪状の搬送ベルト１１ｂの内側を支持する。
　また、搬送ベルト１１ｂの搬送面上には、記録媒体Ｓの記録面が上面を向くよう載置されている。
　搬送ローラー１１ａが不図示の搬送モーターの動作に応じて回転すると、搬送ベルト１１ｂが前後方向に周回移動し、記録媒体Ｓを前後方向に搬送する。 The transport roller 11a rotates about a rotation axis extending in the left-right direction in Fig. 1. The transport roller 11a also supports the inside of a ring-shaped transport belt 11b.
Furthermore, a recording medium S is placed on the conveying surface of the conveyor belt 11b with the recording surface facing upward.
When the transport roller 11a rotates in response to the operation of a transport motor (not shown), the transport belt 11b moves in a circular motion in the front-rear direction, transporting the recording medium S in the front-rear direction.
　なお、搬送部１１はこのようなベルト搬送方式の構成に限られない。
　例えば搬送部１１は、記録媒体Ｓをその外周面に密着させた状態で搬送方向に回転する搬送ドラムを備える、ドラム搬送式の構成であってもよい。 The conveying unit 11 is not limited to such a belt conveying type configuration.
For example, the transport unit 11 may be configured as a drum transport type having a transport drum that rotates in the transport direction with the recording medium S in close contact with its outer circumferential surface.
｛記録媒体｝
　記録媒体Ｓは、例えば一定の寸法に裁断された枚葉紙である。記録媒体Ｓは、不図示の給紙装置から搬送ベルト１１ｂ上に給紙される。そして、インクジェットユニット１００によって画像や文字が記録されると、記録媒体Ｓは所定の排紙部に排出される。 {recoding media}
The recording medium S is, for example, a sheet of paper cut to a certain size. The recording medium S is fed onto the conveyor belt 11b from a paper feeder (not shown). After an image or text is recorded on the recording medium S by the inkjet unit 100, the recording medium S is discharged to a predetermined paper discharge section.
　なお、記録媒体Ｓとしては、ロール紙や連帳用紙といった長尺な記録媒体を用いてもよい。また、記録媒体Ｓとしては、普通紙や塗工紙といった紙や、布帛又はシート状の樹脂等を用いてもよい。このように、記録媒体Ｓには、表面に着弾したインクを定着させられる種々の媒体が用いられる。 Note that the recording medium S may be a long recording medium such as roll paper or continuous paper. The recording medium S may also be paper such as plain paper or coated paper, fabric, or sheet-like resin. In this way, various media capable of fixing the ink that has landed on the surface can be used as the recording medium S.
　図１に示すように、インクジェット記録装置１０においては、記録媒体Ｓの搬送方向の上流側から下流側にかけて、複数のインクジェットユニット１００が並設されている。
　各インクジェットユニット１００は、搬送部１１により搬送された記録媒体Ｓに対して、各液滴吐出装置２００（図２参照）からインクを吐出させて画像や文字を記録する。インクジェットユニット１００による、液滴吐出装置２００からのインクの吐出は、画像データに基づく適切なタイミングで行われる。 As shown in FIG. 1, in an inkjet recording apparatus 10, a plurality of inkjet units 100 are arranged side by side from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction of a recording medium S.
Each inkjet unit 100 records images and characters by ejecting ink from each droplet ejection device 200 (see FIG. 2) onto the recording medium S transported by the transport unit 11. The inkjet unit 100 ejects ink from the droplet ejection device 200 at appropriate timing based on image data.
　なお、図１は、イエロー（Ｙ）、マゼンタ（Ｍ）、シアン（Ｃ）、ブラック（Ｋ）の４色のインクにそれぞれ対応する４つのインクジェットユニット１００が配列されている場合を例示しているが、これに限られない。
　すなわち、インクジェット記録装置１０が備えるインクジェットユニット１００の数は、３つ以下又は５つ以上であってもよい。また、同一色のインクを吐出するインクジェットユニット１００が複数配列されてもよい。 Note that, while FIG. 1 illustrates an example in which four inkjet units 100 are arranged, each corresponding to one of four colors of ink, namely, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), this is not limiting.
That is, the number of inkjet units 100 included in the inkjet recording apparatus 10 may be three or less, or five or more. Also, a plurality of inkjet units 100 that eject ink of the same color may be arranged.
｛インクジェットユニット｝
　図２に、本実施形態に係る１つのインクジェットユニット１００を示す。
　インクジェットユニット１００は、取付プレート１１０、固定部材１２０及び液滴吐出装置２００を備える。 {Inkjet unit}
FIG. 2 shows one inkjet unit 100 according to this embodiment.
The inkjet unit 100 includes a mounting plate 110 , a fixing member 120 , and a droplet ejection device 200 .
〔取付プレート〕
　取付プレート１１０は、図２に示すように、左右方向に延在する略矩形状の薄板であり、液滴吐出装置２００が取り付けられる。
　取付プレート１１０には、略矩形状の貫通穴である開口部１１１が複数形成されている。 [Mounting plate]
As shown in FIG. 2, the mounting plate 110 is a thin plate having a substantially rectangular shape extending in the left-right direction, and the droplet ejection device 200 is mounted on the mounting plate 110 .
The mounting plate 110 has a plurality of openings 111 formed therein, which are substantially rectangular through-holes.
＜開口部＞
　開口部１１１は、上面視において、延出部２１０を除く液滴吐出装置２００の外形と同じか僅かに大きい貫通穴である。また、開口部１１１は、千鳥状となるように取付プレート１１０に複数設けられている。 <Opening>
The opening 111 is a through hole that is the same as or slightly larger than the outer shape of the droplet ejection device 200 excluding the extension portion 210 when viewed from above. A plurality of openings 111 are provided in the attachment plate 110 in a staggered manner.
　液滴吐出装置２００を取付プレート１１０に取り付けるにあたっては、初めに各開口部１１１に液滴吐出装置２００をそれぞれ差し込む。そして、液滴吐出装置２００を押圧して、位置決め部Ｐを開口部１１１の内周部（接触面１１２）に、ノズル面に垂直な方向から見て点接触させる。
　このようにすることで、液滴吐出装置２００を高精度に位置決めされた状態で取付プレート１１０に取り付け可能となる。
　なお、以下においては液滴吐出装置２００と接触面１１２とが点接触する箇所を、点接触部Ｃ（図６参照）とする。 When mounting the droplet ejection devices 200 on the mounting plate 110, first, the droplet ejection devices 200 are inserted into the respective openings 111. Then, the droplet ejection devices 200 are pressed to bring the positioning portions P into point contact with the inner periphery (contact surface 112) of the openings 111 when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the nozzle surface.
In this way, the droplet ejection device 200 can be attached to the attachment plate 110 in a state where it is positioned with high accuracy.
In the following description, the location where the droplet ejection device 200 and the contact surface 112 come into point contact is referred to as a point contact portion C (see FIG. 6).
　なお、図２においては、４つの液滴吐出装置２００を取り付け可能な取付プレート１１０を例示しているが、これに限られない。３つ以下、あるいは５つ以上の液滴吐出装置２００を取り付け可能な取付プレート１１０としても良い。
　ただし、複数の液滴吐出装置２００が記録媒体Ｓの左右方向の全域をカバー可能とするのが好ましい。当該構成とすると、インクジェットユニット１００を左右方向に移動させずとも、記録媒体Ｓの全面に画像形成が可能になるからである。 2 illustrates an example of the mounting plate 110 capable of mounting four droplet ejection devices 200, but the present invention is not limited to this. The mounting plate 110 may be capable of mounting three or less, or five or more, droplet ejection devices 200.
However, it is preferable that the multiple droplet ejection devices 200 are capable of covering the entire left-right area of the recording medium S. This is because, with this configuration, it becomes possible to form an image on the entire surface of the recording medium S without moving the inkjet unit 100 in the left-right direction.
〔固定部材〕
　固定部材１２０は、取付プレート１１０に取り付けられた液滴吐出装置２００を取付プレート１１０に固定する部材である。
　固定部材１２０は、その下面が取付プレート１１０の上面部と当接する延出部２１０に、下方向の押圧力を付与することで、液滴吐出装置２００を取付プレート１１０に固定する。 [Fixing member]
The fixing member 120 is a member that fixes the droplet ejection device 200 attached to the mounting plate 110 to the mounting plate 110 .
The fixing member 120 applies a downward pressing force to the extension portion 210 , the lower surface of which abuts against the upper surface of the mounting plate 110 , thereby fixing the droplet ejection device 200 to the mounting plate 110 .
　固定部材１２０は、延出部２１０に対して下方向の押圧力を付与することで、液滴吐出装置２００を取付プレート１１０に固定可能な構成であればよく、その構成は限定されない。また、固定部材１２０は、インクジェットユニット１００と別体であってよい。
　本実施形態において、固定部材１２０は、例えば図３Ａに示すような、ネジ形状を有する剛体部とバネ等の弾性体からなる弾性部である。また、固定部材１２０は、図３Ｂに示すような、板バネのような弾性体からなる弾性部であってもよい。また、固定部材１２０は、図３Ｃに示すような、クランプ形状の剛体部とバネなどの弾性体からなる弾性部であってもよい。 The fixing member 120 is not limited in configuration as long as it is capable of fixing the droplet ejection device 200 to the mounting plate 110 by applying a downward pressing force to the extension portion 210. In addition, the fixing member 120 may be a separate member from the inkjet unit 100.
In this embodiment, the fixing member 120 is an elastic part consisting of a screw-shaped rigid part and an elastic body such as a spring, as shown in Fig. 3A. The fixing member 120 may also be an elastic part consisting of an elastic body such as a leaf spring, as shown in Fig. 3B. The fixing member 120 may also be an elastic part consisting of a clamp-shaped rigid part and an elastic body such as a spring, as shown in Fig. 3C.
　ただし、固定部材１２０は、ネジ形状の剛体部のみによって構成するのは好ましくない。ネジの回転により液滴吐出装置２００を固定すると、当該回転に基づく回転トルクにより、位置合わせした液滴吐出装置２００が位置ズレする恐れがあるからである。
　したがって、固定部材１２０が弾性体からなる弾性部を備え、当該弾性部の弾性力によって、液滴吐出装置２００を取付プレート１１０に固定する構成が好ましい。 However, it is not preferable that the fixing member 120 is composed only of a screw-shaped rigid portion, because if the droplet ejection device 200 is fixed by rotating a screw, the rotational torque based on the rotation may cause the aligned droplet ejection device 200 to become misaligned.
Therefore, it is preferable that the fixing member 120 has an elastic portion made of an elastic body, and the droplet ejection device 200 is fixed to the mounting plate 110 by the elastic force of the elastic portion.
〔液滴吐出装置〕
　液滴吐出装置２００は、インク液滴を吐出することで記録媒体Ｓに画像や文字を記録する装置である。
　図４は、第１実施形態に係る１つの液滴吐出装置２００を示す斜視図である。また、図５は第１実施形態に係る１つの液滴吐出装置２００を示す下面図である。
　第１実施形態に係るインクジェット記録装置１０における液滴吐出装置２００は、インクジェットヘッド３００である。 [Droplet ejection device]
The droplet ejection device 200 is a device that records images and characters on a recording medium S by ejecting ink droplets.
Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing one droplet ejection device 200 according to the first embodiment, and Fig. 5 is a bottom view showing one droplet ejection device 200 according to the first embodiment.
The droplet ejection device 200 in the inkjet recording apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment is an inkjet head 300 .
〔インクジェットヘッド〕
　インクジェットヘッド３００は、図４及び図５に示すように、ノズルプレート３１０、第１コネクタ３２０、第２コネクタ３３０及び位置決め部Ｐを備える。また、インクジェットヘッド３００は、インクを吐出させる駆動機構が形成されたヘッドチップ（不図示）を備える。 [Inkjet head]
4 and 5, the inkjet head 300 includes a nozzle plate 310, a first connector 320, a second connector 330, and a positioning portion P. The inkjet head 300 also includes a head chip (not shown) in which a drive mechanism for ejecting ink is formed.
＜ノズルプレート＞
　ノズルプレート３１０は、左右方向に長尺で水平に配置される平板である。図５に示すように、ノズルプレート３１０の下面側であるノズル面には、ノズルＮが複数形成されている。 <Nozzle plate>
The nozzle plate 310 is a flat plate that is elongated in the left-right direction and disposed horizontally. As shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of nozzles N are formed on a nozzle surface, which is the lower surface of the nozzle plate 310.
　各ノズルＮは、例えば均一のノズルピッチ（以下、ｘとする）で左右方向に平行な４本のノズル列ＮＬを構成する。
　当該４本のノズル列ＮＬは、前後方向に一定の間隔で配置される。また、当該４本のノズル列ＮＬのうち、前後方向の２番目のノズル列ＮＬは、１番目のノズル列ＮＬに対してｘ／２だけ左方向（又は右方向）にオフセットして配置される。また、３番目のノズル列ＮＬは、１番目のノズル列ＮＬに対してｘ／４だけ左方向（又は右方向）にオフセットして配置される。また、４番目のノズル列ＮＬは、３番目のノズル列ＮＬに対してｘ／２だけ左方向（又は右方向）にオフセットして配置される。
　つまり、ノズルプレート３１０の４本のノズル列ＮＬは、順番にｘ／４ずつ左方向（又は右方向）にずれた配置となり、ドットピッチをｘ／４とするドット形成を実現できる。
　なお、ノズルプレート３１０におけるノズル列ＮＬの本数は、４本に限られない。 The nozzles N form, for example, four nozzle rows NL that are parallel to each other in the left-right direction at a uniform nozzle pitch (hereinafter, referred to as x).
The four nozzle rows NL are arranged at regular intervals in the front-rear direction. Of the four nozzle rows NL, the second nozzle row NL in the front-rear direction is offset leftward (or rightward) by x/2 from the first nozzle row NL. The third nozzle row NL is offset leftward (or rightward) by x/4 from the first nozzle row NL. The fourth nozzle row NL is offset leftward (or rightward) by x/2 from the third nozzle row NL.
In other words, the four nozzle rows NL of the nozzle plate 310 are arranged so as to be shifted in sequence by x/4 to the left (or right), thereby achieving dot formation with a dot pitch of x/4.
The number of nozzle rows NL in the nozzle plate 310 is not limited to four.
＜第１コネクタ＞
　図４に戻って、第１コネクタ３２０は、インクジェットヘッド３００のインク吐出動作を制御する、インクジェット記録装置１０の制御基板（不図示）との接続部である。 <First Connector>
Returning to FIG. 4 , the first connector 320 is a connection portion to a control board (not shown) of the inkjet recording apparatus 10 , which controls the ink ejection operation of the inkjet head 300 .
　不図示のヘッドチップには、ノズルプレート３１０の個々のノズルＮに通じるインク流路が形成されている。そして、これらのインク流路には、ノズルＮからインクを吐出するための圧電素子が個別に設けられる。そして、個々の圧電素子に駆動電圧を印加する配線が、インクジェットヘッド３００の上部に設けられた第１コネクタ３２０に接続される。
　インクジェット記録装置１０が駆動する際は、第１コネクタ３２０が制御基板の駆動回路にケーブル接続され、駆動回路からの駆動信号を受信する。すると、圧電素子が変形してノズルＮからインクが吐出される。 Ink flow paths leading to the individual nozzles N of the nozzle plate 310 are formed in a head chip (not shown). Piezoelectric elements for ejecting ink from the nozzles N are individually provided in these ink flow paths. Wiring for applying a drive voltage to the individual piezoelectric elements is connected to a first connector 320 provided on the top of the inkjet head 300.
When the inkjet recording apparatus 10 is operated, the first connector 320 is connected to a drive circuit on the control board via a cable and receives a drive signal from the drive circuit. When this occurs, the piezoelectric element is deformed and ink is ejected from the nozzle N.
＜第２コネクタ＞
　第２コネクタ３３０は、インクジェット記録装置１０が備える液体タンクであるインクタンク（不図示）及び廃液タンク（不図示）との接続部である。 <Second Connector>
The second connector 330 is a connection portion to an ink tank (not shown) which is a liquid tank provided in the inkjet recording apparatus 10, and a waste liquid tank (not shown).
　第２コネクタ３３０は、インクタンクと接続される供給用配管を介してインクをインクジェットヘッド３００に供給するインレット３３１を備える。また、第２コネクタ３３０は、廃液タンクと接続される排出用配管を介してインクジェットヘッド３００からインクを排出するアウトレット３３２を備える。インレット３３１と、アウトレット３３２は、共にインクジェットヘッド３００内のマニホールド（不図示）に繋がっている。 The second connector 330 has an inlet 331 that supplies ink to the inkjet head 300 through a supply pipe connected to an ink tank. The second connector 330 also has an outlet 332 that discharges ink from the inkjet head 300 through a discharge pipe connected to a waste liquid tank. Both the inlet 331 and the outlet 332 are connected to a manifold (not shown) inside the inkjet head 300.
　インクタンクには、ノズルＮから吐出するインクが貯留される。
　また、廃液タンクには、ノズルＮから吐出されなかったインクが戻されて貯留される。廃液タンク中のインクは、例えばフィルターを通過することで気泡や夾雑物等の異物が除去された後、インクタンクに供給される。 In the ink tank, the ink to be ejected from the nozzles N is stored.
Furthermore, the ink that was not ejected from the nozzles N is returned to and stored in the waste liquid tank. The ink in the waste liquid tank is passed through a filter, for example, to remove foreign matter such as air bubbles and impurities, and then supplied to the ink tank.
　以上に説明したように、インクタンクからインレット３３１を介して供給されたインクのうち、ノズルＮから排出されなかった分は、アウトレット３３２を介して廃液タンクへ戻される。そして、廃液タンク中のインクは、異物の除去後、インクタンクに戻される。
　このように、本発明において、インクジェットヘッド３００は、インクの循環機構を備える。当該循環機構によれば、吐出されずに液体タンク内に貯留されたインクの粘度変化や成分の分離を抑制できる。 As described above, of the ink supplied from the ink tank via the inlet 331, the portion that is not discharged from the nozzle N is returned to the waste liquid tank via the outlet 332. Then, the ink in the waste liquid tank is returned to the ink tank after foreign matter has been removed.
In this way, in the present invention, the inkjet head 300 is provided with an ink circulation mechanism, which can suppress changes in viscosity and separation of components of ink that is not ejected and is stored in the liquid tank.
　なお、第２コネクタ３３０は、第１コネクタ３２０と同様に、インクジェットヘッド３００の上面部に設けても構わない。 The second connector 330 may be provided on the top surface of the inkjet head 300, similar to the first connector 320.
　また、インクジェットヘッド３００は、インクを加熱する加熱部（不図示）を備える。そして、ノズルＮから吐出されるインクには、温度によってゲル状又はゾル状に相変化し、紫外線等のエネルギー線を照射すると硬化する性質を備えるものが用いられる。
　加熱部の熱源はＰＺＴ（チタン酸ジルコン酸鉛）や、発熱ヒーターである。加熱部は、インクジェット記録装置１０の制御の下、インクをゾル状となる温度に加熱する。そして、インクジェットヘッド３００は、加熱されてゾル状となったインクを吐出する。このゾル状のインクが記録媒体Ｓに吐出され、着弾した後に自然冷却されると、速やかにゲル状となって凝固する。 The inkjet head 300 also includes a heating unit (not shown) that heats the ink. The ink ejected from the nozzles N changes phase to a gel or sol state depending on the temperature, and hardens when irradiated with energy rays such as ultraviolet rays.
The heat source of the heating unit is PZT (lead zirconate titanate) or a heater. The heating unit heats the ink to a temperature at which the ink becomes a sol under the control of the inkjet recording device 10. The inkjet head 300 then ejects the ink that has been heated and turned into a sol. When the ink in a sol state is ejected onto the recording medium S and allowed to cool naturally after impact, it quickly gels and solidifies.
＜位置決め部＞
　位置決め部Ｐは、点接触部Ｃを形成する突起のうち、液滴吐出装置２００に設けられた突起である。
　位置決め部Ｐは、液滴吐出装置２００を取付プレート１１０に取り付けるにあたって、開口部１１１における液滴吐出装置２００の位置決めをする。 <Positioning unit>
The positioning portion P is one of the protrusions that form the point contact portion C and that is provided on the droplet ejection device 200 .
The positioning portion P positions the droplet ejection device 200 in the opening 111 when the droplet ejection device 200 is attached to the attachment plate 110 .
　液滴吐出装置２００がインクジェットヘッド３００である本実施形態において、位置決め部Ｐは、例えばインクジェットヘッド３００の側面部の下端部に設けられる。また、位置決め部Ｐは、例えば上面視円弧状であり、インクジェットヘッド３００の側面部から突出している。
　位置決め部Ｐを取付プレート１１０の接触面１１２に点接触させることで、高精度に位置決めされた状態で、液滴吐出装置２００を取付プレート１１０に取り付けられる。 In this embodiment, where the droplet ejection device 200 is an inkjet head 300, the positioning portion P is provided, for example, at the lower end of the side surface of the inkjet head 300. The positioning portion P has, for example, an arc shape when viewed from above, and protrudes from the side surface of the inkjet head 300.
By bringing the positioning portion P into point contact with the contact surface 112 of the mounting plate 110, the droplet ejection device 200 can be attached to the mounting plate 110 in a state where it is positioned with high accuracy.
　位置決め部Ｐは、インクジェットヘッド３００の側面部のうち、ノズル列ＮＬに平行な１つの面（以下、第１面）３００ａに設けられる。また、位置決め部Ｐは、第１面３００ａとは異なる１つの面（以下、第２面）３００ｂに設けられる。
　以下においては、第１面３００ａに設けられた位置決め部Ｐを第１位置決め部Ｐａ、第２面３００ｂに設けられた位置決め部Ｐを第２位置決め部Ｐｂと区別する。
　第１面３００ａ及び第２面３００ｂに位置決め部Ｐを設けると、液滴吐出装置２００を前後方向及び左右方向に位置決めできる。 The positioning portion P is provided on one surface (hereinafter, referred to as a first surface) 300a parallel to the nozzle row NL of the side surface of the inkjet head 300. The positioning portion P is also provided on one surface (hereinafter, referred to as a second surface) 300b different from the first surface 300a.
In the following, the positioning portion P provided on the first surface 300a will be referred to as a first positioning portion Pa, and the positioning portion P provided on the second surface 300b will be referred to as a second positioning portion Pb.
By providing the positioning portions P on the first surface 300a and the second surface 300b, the droplet ejection device 200 can be positioned in the front-rear and left-right directions.
≪第１位置決め部≫
　第１位置決め部Ｐａは、インクジェットヘッド３００の左右方向の位置決めをするために設けられる。
　第１位置決め部Ｐａは、図５に示されるように、ノズル列ＮＬの長手方向（左右方向）端部よりも外側に設けられる。当該配置とすると、第１面３００ａにおける点接触部Ｃである第１点接触部Ｃ１（図６参照）を介してノズルＮの熱が接触面１１２に移ることによる、吐出均一性の低下を防げる。 <First positioning portion>
The first positioning portion Pa is provided for positioning the inkjet head 300 in the left-right direction.
5, the first positioning portion Pa is provided outside the longitudinal (left-right) ends of the nozzle row NL. This arrangement prevents a decrease in ejection uniformity caused by the transfer of heat from the nozzle N to the contact surface 112 via the first point contact portion C1 (see FIG. 6), which is the point contact portion C on the first surface 300a.
≪第２位置決め部≫
　第２位置決め部Ｐｂは、インクジェットヘッド３００の前後方向の位置決めをするために設けられる。
　第２位置決め部Ｐｂは、第１位置決め部Ｐａと同様の理由により、前端のノズル列ＮＬよりも前側、ないし後端のノズル列ＮＬよりも後側に設けるのが望ましいが、これに限られない。
　なお、以下においては第２面３００ｂにおける点接触部Ｃを第２点接触部Ｃ２（図６参照）とする。 <Second positioning portion>
The second positioning portion Pb is provided for positioning the inkjet head 300 in the front-rear direction.
For the same reasons as for the first positioning portion Pa, it is desirable to provide the second positioning portion Pb in front of the front end nozzle row NL or behind the rear end nozzle row NL, but this is not limiting.
In the following, the point contact portion C on the second surface 300b is referred to as a second point contact portion C2 (see FIG. 6).
　なお、位置決め部Ｐは、インクジェットヘッド３００に設けられる構成に限られない。すなわち、例えばインクジェットヘッド３００とは別体の位置決め部Ｐを設け、インクジェットヘッド３００の側面部の所定箇所に位置決め部Ｐを取り付ける構成としてもよい。
　また、位置決め部Ｐは、液滴吐出装置２００において、少なくとも１つ設けられればよい。 The positioning portion P is not limited to being provided on the inkjet head 300. In other words, for example, the positioning portion P may be provided separately from the inkjet head 300, and the positioning portion P may be attached to a predetermined location on the side surface of the inkjet head 300.
Furthermore, at least one positioning portion P may be provided in the droplet ejection device 200 .
　図６に、インクジェットユニット１００のうち、１つの開口部１１１に取り付けられた１つの液滴吐出装置２００の上面断面図を示す。
　図６に示すように、上面視した際に、液滴吐出装置２００は、取付プレート１１０の接触面１１２と点接触して点接触部Ｃを形成する。なお、側面視した際は、液滴吐出装置２００は接触面１１２と面接触していても構わない。
　位置決め部Ｐ及び接触面１１２は製造誤差を含む。そのため、接触面１１２に対して面接触する位置決め部Ｐとした場合、接触箇所に応じた位置ズレが生じる。一方で、本実施形態のように、液滴吐出装置２００と取付プレート１１０とが点接触して点接触部Ｃを形成すると、接点が１つとなる。そのため、取付位置のバラつきが最小限に抑えられ、取り付け精度が向上する。 FIG. 6 shows a top cross-sectional view of one droplet ejection device 200 attached to one opening 111 of the inkjet unit 100 .
6, when viewed from the top, the droplet ejection device 200 comes into point contact with the contact surface 112 of the mounting plate 110 to form a point contact portion C. When viewed from the side, the droplet ejection device 200 may come into surface contact with the contact surface 112.
The positioning portion P and the contact surface 112 include manufacturing errors. Therefore, if the positioning portion P is in surface contact with the contact surface 112, positional deviation occurs according to the contact point. On the other hand, if the droplet ejection device 200 and the mounting plate 110 are in point contact with each other to form the point contact portion C, as in this embodiment, there is only one contact point. Therefore, variation in the mounting position is minimized, and mounting accuracy is improved.
［第１実施形態の効果］
　以上に示すように、第１実施形態に係るインクジェット記録装置１０において、液滴吐出装置２００は、インクジェットヘッド３００である。また、液滴吐出装置２００は、第１位置決め部Ｐａと第２位置決め部Ｐｂを少なくとも１つずつ備え、点接触部Ｃを、第１面３００ａと第２面３００ｂに少なくとも１つずつ形成する。また、点接触部Ｃのうち、第１点接触部Ｃ１は、ノズル列ＮＬの長手方向端部よりも外側に設けられる。
　当該構成によれば、左右方向及び前後方向に高精度に位置決めされた状態でインクジェットヘッド３００を取付プレート１１０に取り付けられる。
　また、第１点接触部Ｃ１の近傍のノズルＮの熱が、第１点接触部Ｃ１を介して取付プレート１１０に移動するのを抑制できる。そして、第１点接触部Ｃ１の近傍のノズルＮと、その他のノズルＮとの間で温度差が生まれ、吐出性能にバラつきが生じるのを防げる。 [Effects of the First Embodiment]
As described above, in the inkjet recording apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment, the droplet ejection device 200 is an inkjet head 300. The droplet ejection device 200 includes at least one first positioning portion Pa and one second positioning portion Pb, and forms at least one point contact portion C on the first surface 300a and at least one point contact portion C on the second surface 300b. Among the point contact portions C, the first point contact portion C1 is provided outside the longitudinal end portion of the nozzle row NL.
According to this configuration, the inkjet head 300 can be attached to the mounting plate 110 while being positioned with high accuracy in the left-right and front-rear directions.
In addition, it is possible to suppress the transfer of heat from the nozzle N in the vicinity of the first contact point C1 to the mounting plate 110 via the first contact point C1. This prevents a temperature difference from occurring between the nozzle N in the vicinity of the first contact point C1 and the other nozzles N, which causes variations in the ejection performance.
　また、インクを循環させる循環機構を備えるインクジェット記録装置１０においては、インクにつき、所定の熱均一性を要求される。そのため、上記構成により、ノズルＮの温度差を小さくして、吐出されなかったインクの温度の低下を抑制するのが好ましい。
　また、循環機構のみならず、インクを加熱する加熱部を備えるインクジェット記録装置１０においては、インクにつき、より高度な熱均一性を要求される。そのため、上記構成により、ノズルＮの温度差を小さくして、吐出されなかったインクの温度の低下を抑制するのがなお好ましい。 In addition, in the inkjet recording device 10 equipped with a circulation mechanism for circulating the ink, a certain thermal uniformity is required for the ink. Therefore, it is preferable to reduce the temperature difference among the nozzles N by using the above configuration to suppress a drop in the temperature of the ink that was not ejected.
In addition, in the inkjet recording apparatus 10 that includes not only a circulation mechanism but also a heating unit for heating the ink, a higher degree of thermal uniformity is required for the ink. Therefore, it is more preferable to reduce the temperature difference of the nozzles N by the above configuration and suppress the drop in the temperature of the ink that was not ejected.
　また、液滴吐出ユニット１００は、弾性力によって下方への押圧力を付与する弾性部を備える固定部材１２０を備える。
　当該構成によれば、前後方向及び左右方向のみならず、上下方向にも液滴吐出装置２００を固定できる。そのため、より液滴吐出装置２００に位置ズレが生じにくくなる。
　また、弾性力によって押圧力を付与するため、固定部材１２０により液滴吐出装置２００を固定する際に位置ズレが生じにくい。 The droplet discharge unit 100 also includes a fixed member 120 that includes an elastic portion that applies a downward pressing force by elastic force.
According to this configuration, the droplet ejection device 200 can be fixed not only in the front-rear and left-right directions, but also in the up-down direction. Therefore, the droplet ejection device 200 is less likely to become misaligned.
Furthermore, since the pressing force is applied by elastic force, positional deviation is unlikely to occur when the droplet ejection device 200 is fixed by the fixing member 120 .
［第２実施形態］
　次に、第２実施形態に係るインクジェット記録装置１０について、図７及び図８に基づいて詳細に説明する。
　なお、以下の説明において、第１実施形態に係るインクジェット記録装置１０と同様の構成については、同様の符号を付してその説明を省略する。
　第２実施形態における相違点は、液滴吐出装置２００が、複数のインクジェットヘッド（液滴吐出ヘッド）３００をモジュール化したインクジェットヘッドモジュール４００である点である。また、第２実施形態における相違点は、位置決め部Ｐが、インクジェットヘッド３００ではなく、インクジェットヘッドモジュール４００のリブ４２２に設けられる点である。
　液滴吐出装置２００をインクジェットヘッドモジュール４００とすると、画像記録時のドットピッチをより高精度化できる。 [Second embodiment]
Next, an inkjet recording apparatus 10 according to a second embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
In the following description, the same components as those in the inkjet recording apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.
The difference in the second embodiment is that the droplet ejection device 200 is an inkjet head module 400 modularized by multiple inkjet heads (droplet ejection heads) 300. Another difference in the second embodiment is that the positioning portion P is provided on a rib 422 of the inkjet head module 400, not on the inkjet head 300.
When the droplet ejection device 200 is the inkjet head module 400, the dot pitch during image recording can be made more precise.
〔インクジェットヘッドモジュール〕
　図７に示すように、インクジェットヘッドモジュール４００は、複数のインクジェットヘッド３００、カバー部材４１０、取付部材４２０及び位置決め部Ｐを備える。また、図８に示すように、インクジェットヘッドモジュール４００は、ミスト侵入防止部材４３０を備える。 [Inkjet head module]
7, the inkjet head module 400 includes a plurality of inkjet heads 300, a cover member 410, a mounting member 420, and a positioning portion P. In addition, as shown in FIG.
　なお、以下においては２つのインクジェットヘッド３００を備えるインクジェットヘッドモジュール４００を例示するが、これに限られない。すなわち、インクジェットヘッドモジュール４００が、３つ以上のインクジェットヘッド３００を備える構成でも構わない。
　また、図８に示すように、以下においては複数のインクジェットヘッド３００が、ノズル列ＮＬに対して垂直な方向に配置される場合を例示するが、これに限られない。 In the following, an inkjet head module 400 including two inkjet heads 300 will be described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the inkjet head module 400 may be configured to include three or more inkjet heads 300.
Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the following describes an example in which a plurality of inkjet heads 300 are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the nozzle row NL, but the present invention is not limited to this.
＜カバー部材＞
　カバー部材４１０は、インクジェットヘッド３００の接続部及びノズルプレート３１０を除いた周囲を覆うように、取付部材４２０又は／及びインクジェットヘッド３００に取り付けられる。そして、液滴吐出装置２００の使用者がインクジェットヘッド３００に接触することによる位置ズレと、それに伴うプリント品質の低下を抑制する。 <Cover member>
The cover member 410 is attached to the mounting member 420 and/or the inkjet head 300 so as to cover the periphery of the inkjet head 300 except for the connection portion and the nozzle plate 310. This prevents misalignment caused by the user of the droplet ejection device 200 touching the inkjet head 300 and the associated deterioration in print quality.
　カバー部材４１０としては、熱膨張係数が比較的低い樹脂を原料として用いるのが好ましい。当該構成によれば、インクジェットヘッド３００が発熱した際にカバー部材４１０が撓むのを抑制できる。 The cover member 410 is preferably made of a resin with a relatively low thermal expansion coefficient. This configuration can prevent the cover member 410 from bending when the inkjet head 300 generates heat.
　具体的には、ＰＩ（ポリイミド）、ＰＰＳ（ポリフェニレンサルファイド）、ＬＣＰ（Liquid　Crystal　Polymer；液晶ポリマー）又はＰＥＥＫ（ポリエーテルエーテルケトン）等をカバー部材４１０の原料とするのが好ましい。また、これらの樹脂にガラスフィラー、カーボンフィラー、無機フィラー、粒子あるいはファイバー等が適宜添加されているのがなお好ましいが、これに限られない。 Specifically, it is preferable to use PI (polyimide), PPS (polyphenylene sulfide), LCP (liquid crystal polymer), PEEK (polyether ether ketone), or the like as the raw material for the cover member 410. It is also preferable to appropriately add glass filler, carbon filler, inorganic filler, particles, fibers, or the like to these resins, but this is not limited to the above.
＜取付部材＞
　取付部材４２０は、例えば上面視略矩形状の平板であり、複数のインクジェットヘッド３００を一体化（モジュール化）する。取付部材４２０は、挿入部４２１及びリブ４２２を備える。
　取付部材４２０は金属、特にアルミ合金によって構成されるのが好ましいが、これに限られない。 <Mounting parts>
The mounting member 420 is, for example, a flat plate having a generally rectangular shape when viewed from above, and integrates (modules) the multiple inkjet heads 300. The mounting member 420 includes an insertion portion 421 and a rib 422.
The mounting member 420 is preferably made of a metal, particularly an aluminum alloy, but is not limited to this.
≪挿入部≫
　挿入部４２１は、取付部材４２０の略中央部に設けられた貫通穴であり、上面視において、左右方向の幅長はインクジェットヘッド３００の幅長と同じか僅かに大きい。図８に示すように、挿入部４２１は、略矩形状であり、その長手方向は左右方向に平行であり、２つのインクジェットヘッド３００がそれぞれ挿入される。
　挿入部４２１にインクジェットヘッド３００が挿入されると、インクジェットヘッド３００が取付部材４２０に取り付けられた状態となる。このとき、ノズルプレート３１０に設けられたノズル列ＮＬは左右方向に沿った状態となる。 <Insertion part>
The insertion portion 421 is a through hole provided in approximately the center of the mounting member 420, and in a top view, the width in the left-right direction is the same as or slightly larger than the width of the inkjet head 300. As shown in Fig. 8, the insertion portion 421 is approximately rectangular, the longitudinal direction of which is parallel to the left-right direction, and two inkjet heads 300 are inserted into the insertion portion 421.
When the inkjet head 300 is inserted into the insertion portion 421, the inkjet head 300 is attached to the attachment member 420. At this time, the nozzle row NL provided in the nozzle plate 310 is aligned in the left-right direction.
≪リブ≫
　リブ４２２は、取付部材４２０の下面部から、挿入部４２１に沿って下方に突出するよう設けられた突起である。
　取付部材４２０にリブ４２２を設けると、剛性や強度が向上する。 <Rib>
The rib 422 is a protrusion that protrudes downward from the lower surface of the mounting member 420 along the insertion portion 421 .
Providing ribs 422 on the mounting member 420 improves rigidity and strength.
＜ミスト侵入防止部材＞
　ミスト侵入防止部材４３０は、インクジェットヘッドモジュール４００の隙間からインクミストが入り込むのを防止するための部材である。ミスト侵入防止部材４３０を取り付けると、当該隙間から入り込んだインクミストが堆積してインクジェットヘッド３００を汚染したり、記録媒体Ｓに付着したりするのを防げる。 <Mist intrusion prevention material>
The mist intrusion prevention member 430 is a member for preventing ink mist from entering through gaps in the inkjet head module 400. By attaching the mist intrusion prevention member 430, it is possible to prevent the ink mist that has entered through the gaps from accumulating and contaminating the inkjet head 300 or adhering to the recording medium S.
　ミスト侵入防止部材４３０は、図８に示すように、左右方向の幅が挿入部４２１と同程度か幾分か狭い幅の略長方形状の平板である。また、ミスト侵入防止部材４３０は、ＰＥＴ（ポリエチレンテレフタレート）等の合成樹脂シート、ゴム又はスポンジ等の収縮性を有する部材からなる。 As shown in FIG. 8, the mist intrusion prevention member 430 is a generally rectangular flat plate whose width in the left-right direction is approximately the same as or slightly narrower than the insertion portion 421. The mist intrusion prevention member 430 is made of a synthetic resin sheet such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate), or a contractile material such as rubber or sponge.
　インクジェットヘッドモジュール４００を組み立てる際は、ミスト侵入防止部材４３０を、予めインクジェットヘッド３００の対向面や挿入部４２１の内面ないし近接部分に貼着させておく。すると、インクジェットヘッドモジュール４００の組み立て後、インクジェットヘッド３００間、ないし取付部材４２０とインクジェットヘッド３００の間の隙間がミスト侵入防止部材４３０によって埋まる。結果、インクジェットヘッド３００へのインクミストの侵入を防止できる。
　他方で、ミスト侵入防止部材４３０は、収縮性を有する部材からなる。そのため、ミスト侵入防止部材４３０によって隙間を埋めた際にインクジェットヘッド３００を押圧しても、その取付位置にズレは生じない。 When assembling the inkjet head module 400, the mist intrusion prevention member 430 is attached in advance to the opposing surface of the inkjet head 300 and the inner surface or adjacent portion of the insertion portion 421. Then, after assembling the inkjet head module 400, the gaps between the inkjet heads 300 or between the mounting member 420 and the inkjet head 300 are filled with the mist intrusion prevention member 430. As a result, it is possible to prevent the intrusion of ink mist into the inkjet head 300.
On the other hand, the mist intrusion prevention member 430 is made of a contractile material, so that even if the inkjet head 300 is pressed when the mist intrusion prevention member 430 fills the gap, the attachment position will not shift.
　なお、ミスト侵入防止部材４３０は、第２実施形態に係るインクジェットヘッドモジュール４００において必須の構成ではない。 Note that the mist intrusion prevention member 430 is not a required component of the inkjet head module 400 according to the second embodiment.
＜位置決め部＞
　第２実施形態の液滴吐出装置２００において、位置決め部Ｐは、リブ４２２に設けられる。
　具体的には、リブ４２２の外周面のうち、ノズル列ＮＬに平行な１つの面である第１面４２２ａに位置決め部Ｐが設けられる。また、リブ４２２の外周面のうち、第１面４２２ａとは異なる１つの面である第２面４２２ｂに位置決め部Ｐが設けられる。より具体的には、第１実施形態と同様に、第１面４２２ａのうち、ノズル列ＮＬの長手方向端部よりも外側に第１点接触部Ｃ１が形成されるように第１位置決め部Ｐａが設けられる。 <Positioning unit>
In the droplet ejection device 200 of the second embodiment, the positioning portion P is provided on the rib 422 .
Specifically, a positioning portion P is provided on a first surface 422a, which is one surface parallel to the nozzle row NL, of the outer peripheral surface of the rib 422. Also, a positioning portion P is provided on a second surface 422b, which is one surface different from the first surface 422a, of the outer peripheral surface of the rib 422. More specifically, as in the first embodiment, a first positioning portion Pa is provided on the first surface 422a such that a first point contact portion C1 is formed outside the longitudinal end of the nozzle row NL.
　また、図８に示すように、第２実施形態に係る位置決め部Ｐは、取付部材４２０の外周から突出しないように設けられるのが好ましい。位置決め部Ｐが取付部材４２０の外周から突出していると、インクジェットヘッドモジュール４００を取付プレート１１０に取り付ける段階での接触が増えて、位置決め部Ｐが損耗するおそれがあるからである。 Also, as shown in FIG. 8, it is preferable that the positioning portion P according to the second embodiment is provided so as not to protrude from the outer periphery of the mounting member 420. If the positioning portion P protrudes from the outer periphery of the mounting member 420, there is a risk of the positioning portion P being worn due to increased contact when the inkjet head module 400 is attached to the mounting plate 110.
［第２実施形態の効果］
　以上に示すように、第２実施形態に係る液滴吐出装置２００は、複数のインクジェットヘッド３００を備えるインクジェットヘッドモジュール４００である。また、第２実施形態において、位置決め部Ｐは、挿入部４２１に沿って下方に突出するリブ４２２に設けられる。
　当該構成によっても、位置決め部Ｐにより、高精度に位置決めされた状態でインクジェットヘッドモジュール４００を取付プレート１１０に取り付けられる。
　また、第１点接触部Ｃ１の近傍のノズルＮの熱が、第１点接触部Ｃ１を介して取付プレート１１０に移動するのを抑制できる。そして、第１点接触部Ｃ１の近傍のノズルＮと、その他のノズルＮとの間で温度差が生まれ、吐出性能にバラつきが生じるのを防げる。
　また、取付部材４２０がリブ４２２を備えるため、液滴吐出装置２００をインクジェット記録装置１０に取り付ける際の破損や挿入部４２１内の位置ズレを抑制できる。 [Effects of the second embodiment]
As described above, the droplet ejection device 200 according to the second embodiment is an inkjet head module 400 including a plurality of inkjet heads 300. In the second embodiment, the positioning portion P is provided on the rib 422 that protrudes downward along the insertion portion 421.
With this configuration as well, the inkjet head module 400 can be attached to the mounting plate 110 in a state where it is positioned with high precision by the positioning portion P.
In addition, it is possible to suppress the transfer of heat from the nozzle N in the vicinity of the first contact point C1 to the mounting plate 110 via the first contact point C1. This prevents a temperature difference from occurring between the nozzle N in the vicinity of the first contact point C1 and the other nozzles N, which causes variations in the ejection performance.
Furthermore, since the mounting member 420 is provided with the ribs 422, damage and misalignment within the insertion portion 421 when the droplet ejection device 200 is attached to the inkjet recording device 10 can be suppressed.
　また、位置決め部Ｐは、取付部材４２０の外周から突出しないように設けられている。
　当該構成によれば、液滴吐出装置２００をインクジェット記録装置１０に取り付ける際の破損を抑制できる。 Moreover, the positioning portion P is provided so as not to protrude from the outer periphery of the mounting member 420 .
According to this configuration, damage to the droplet ejection device 200 when it is attached to the inkjet recording device 10 can be suppressed.
　なお、第２実施形態に係るインクジェットヘッド３００に、第１実施形態に係るインクジェットヘッド３００の位置決め部Ｐと同様の突起を設けてもよいのは勿論である。当該構成であると、取付部材４２０に対して高精度に位置決めされた状態でインクジェットヘッド３００を取り付けられる。 It is of course possible to provide the inkjet head 300 according to the second embodiment with a protrusion similar to the positioning portion P of the inkjet head 300 according to the first embodiment. With this configuration, the inkjet head 300 can be attached in a state where it is positioned with high precision relative to the mounting member 420.
［その他の好ましい構成］
　以下においては第１実施形態、第２実施形態の液滴吐出装置２００において共通する好ましい構成について説明する。 [Other preferred configurations]
In the following, a preferred configuration common to the droplet ejection device 200 of the first and second embodiments will be described.
　図２に示すように、液滴吐出装置２００は、取付プレート１１０に取り付けられた際に、取付プレート１１０の下面よりも、ノズル面が下方に位置する構成であるのが好ましい。
　当該構成とすると、ノズル面と記録媒体Ｓがより近接するため、液滴吐出のバラつきが低減し、描画精度を高められる。 As shown in FIG. 2, the droplet ejection device 200 is preferably configured such that, when attached to the attachment plate 110 , the nozzle surface is positioned lower than the bottom surface of the attachment plate 110 .
With this configuration, the nozzle surface and the recording medium S are brought closer together, so that variation in droplet ejection is reduced and drawing accuracy is improved.
　また、図６に示すように、点接触部Ｃを３箇所以上設けるのが好ましい。
　当該構成とすると、外力を受けても液滴吐出装置２００が位置ズレを起こしにくくなり、安定性が高まるからである。 As shown in FIG. 6, it is preferable to provide three or more point contact portions C.
This is because, with this configuration, the droplet ejection device 200 is less likely to become displaced even when subjected to an external force, and stability is improved.
　また、図５及び図８に示すように、ノズル列ＮＬの両端の外側に、少なくとも１つずつ第１位置決め部Ｐａを設けるのが好ましい。
　第１面３００ａ（４２２ａ）は、ノズル列ＮＬに平行な面であり、第２面３００ｂ（４２２ｂ）に比して面積が大きい。したがって、その距離が離れるように第１位置決め部Ｐａを設けると、取付プレート１１０に取り付けた際に安定性が高まるからである。 As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, it is preferable to provide at least one first positioning portion Pa on each of the outer sides of the nozzle row NL.
The first surface 300a (422a) is a surface parallel to the nozzle row NL and has a larger area than the second surface 300b (422b). Therefore, if the first positioning portion Pa is provided so as to increase the distance therebetween, stability is improved when the nozzle row NL is attached to the attachment plate 110.
　また、図５及び図８に示すように、２つ以上の第１点接触部Ｃ１を結んだ架空線が、ノズル列ＮＬと平行になるように第１位置決め部Ｐａを設けるのが好ましい。
　当該構成とすると、液滴吐出装置２００を取付プレート１１０に取り付けた後に外力を受けても、位置ズレが生じにくくなるからである。 Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, it is preferable to provide the first positioning portion Pa so that an imaginary line connecting two or more first point contact portions C1 is parallel to the nozzle row NL.
This is because, with this configuration, even if an external force is applied after the droplet ejection device 200 is attached to the attachment plate 110, positional deviation is unlikely to occur.
　また、図５及び図８に示すように、第２位置決め部Ｐｂは、ノズル列ＮＬの配列方向（前後方向）につき、第２面３００ｂ（４２２ｂ）の中央よりも、第１面３００ａ（４２２ａ）側に設けるのが好ましい。
　当該構成とすると、外力によって第１位置決め部Ｐａを備える第１面３００ａ（４２２ａ）が変形しても、第１位置決め部Ｐａのズレ量が少なくなるからである。 As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, the second positioning portion Pb is preferably provided closer to the first surface 300a (422a) than the center of the second surface 300b (422b) in the arrangement direction (front-rear direction) of the nozzle rows NL.
This is because, with this configuration, even if the first surface 300a (422a) including the first positioning portion Pa is deformed by an external force, the amount of deviation of the first positioning portion Pa is reduced.
　また、図６に示すように、第１点接触部Ｃ１は、ノズル列ＮＬと平行な接触面１１２によって形成されるのが好ましい。あるいは、第２面３００ｂ（４２２ｂ）における点接触部Ｃである第２点接触部Ｃ２は、ノズル列ＮＬと垂直な接触面１１２によって形成されるのが好ましい。
　当該構成とすると、位置決め部Ｐに交差バラつきがあったとしても、その影響を受けにくくなるからである。
　なお、全ての点接触部Ｃがノズル列ＮＬに平行又は垂直な接触面１１２によって形成される必要は無い。少なくとも１つの点接触部Ｃが、ノズル列ＮＬに平行又は垂直な接触面１１２によって形成されればよい。 6, the first point contact portion C1 is preferably formed by a contact surface 112 parallel to the nozzle row NL. Alternatively, the second point contact portion C2, which is the point contact portion C on the second surface 300b (422b), is preferably formed by a contact surface 112 perpendicular to the nozzle row NL.
This is because, with this configuration, even if there is an intersection variation in the positioning portion P, it is less susceptible to the influence of this.
It is not necessary that all of the point contact portions C are formed by the contact surface 112 parallel or perpendicular to the nozzle row NL. At least one point contact portion C may be formed by the contact surface 112 parallel or perpendicular to the nozzle row NL.
　また、図５及び図８に示すように、位置決め部Ｐは、液滴吐出装置２００の側面部のうち、平坦な面である直線部に設けるのが好ましい。
　これは、位置決め部Ｐを液滴吐出装置２００の角部や凹部に設けると、液滴吐出装置２００の製造工程においてその形成位置が不安定になるからである。 As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, the positioning portion P is preferably provided on a linear portion, which is a flat surface, of the side portion of the droplet ejection device 200 .
This is because if the positioning portion P is provided in a corner or recess of the droplet ejection device 200, the position at which it is formed becomes unstable during the manufacturing process of the droplet ejection device 200.
　以上、本発明の実施形態及びその変形例について説明したが、上記実施形態及び変形例における記述内容は、本発明の好適な一例であり、これに限定されるものではない。 The above describes an embodiment of the present invention and its modified examples, but the contents described in the above embodiment and modified examples are preferred examples of the present invention and are not limited to these.
　例えば図９Ａに示すように、液滴吐出装置２００の角部に位置決め部Ｐを設けても構わない。なお、当該構成において、当該角部の突起は、第１面３００ａに設けられた第１位置決め部Ｐａであるとともに、第２面３００ｂに設けられた第２位置決め部Ｐｂである。 For example, as shown in FIG. 9A, a positioning portion P may be provided at a corner of the droplet ejection device 200. In this configuration, the protrusion at the corner is a first positioning portion Pa provided on the first surface 300a, and a second positioning portion Pb provided on the second surface 300b.
　また、図９Ｂ及び図９Ｄに示すように、開口部１１１の内周部に突起を設けることで点接触部Ｃを形成する液滴吐出ユニット１００としても構わない。 Also, as shown in Figures 9B and 9D, the droplet ejection unit 100 may be configured to form a point contact C by providing a protrusion on the inner periphery of the opening 111.
　また、図９Ｃに示すように、点接触部Ｃがノズル列ＮＬに平行又は垂直でない接触面１１２によっても形成される液滴吐出ユニット１００としても構わない。 Also, as shown in FIG. 9C, the droplet ejection unit 100 may be formed by a contact surface 112 in which the point contact portion C is not parallel or perpendicular to the nozzle row NL.
　また、図９Ｅに示すように、液滴吐出装置２００が上面視平面状の位置決め部Ｐを備え、開口部１１１の内周部の突起と点接触部Ｃを形成する液滴吐出ユニット１００としても構わない。 Also, as shown in FIG. 9E, the droplet ejection device 200 may be a droplet ejection unit 100 having a positioning portion P that is planar when viewed from above, and that forms a point contact portion C with a protrusion on the inner periphery of the opening 111.
　また、図９Ｆ及び図９Ｇに示すように、開口部１１１の内周部に設けた突起が、液滴吐出装置２００の２つの面と点接触部Ｃを形成する液滴吐出ユニット１００としても構わない。 Also, as shown in Figures 9F and 9G, the droplet ejection unit 100 may have protrusions on the inner circumference of the opening 111 that form point contacts C with two surfaces of the droplet ejection device 200.
　また、図９Ｂと図９Ｄから図９Ｇに示すように、液滴吐出装置２００が第１位置決め部Ｐａと第２位置決め部Ｐｂの両方を備える構成でなくても構わない。 Also, as shown in Figures 9B and 9D to 9G, the droplet ejection device 200 does not have to be configured to include both the first positioning portion Pa and the second positioning portion Pb.
　ただし、図６に示したように、液滴吐出装置２００が第１位置決め部Ｐａ及び第２位置決め部Ｐｂを備え、点接触部Ｃは、当該突起と平面部である接触面１１２との接触部とするのが好ましい。液滴吐出装置２００に位置決め用の突起を設けて、取付プレート１１０の開口部１１１の内周部を平面状とする方が、製造が容易であるからである。 However, as shown in FIG. 6, it is preferable that the droplet ejection device 200 has a first positioning portion Pa and a second positioning portion Pb, and that the point contact portion C is the contact portion between the protrusion and the contact surface 112, which is a flat portion. This is because it is easier to manufacture by providing the droplet ejection device 200 with a positioning protrusion and making the inner periphery of the opening 111 of the mounting plate 110 flat.
　また、本発明の位置決め部Ｐは接触面１１２に対して点接触する形状であればよく、上面視円弧状に限られない。
　したがって、例えば位置決め部Ｐは、図１０に示すような上面視三角形状でもよい。 Further, the positioning portion P of the present invention may have any shape as long as it is in point contact with the contact surface 112, and is not limited to an arc shape when viewed from above.
Therefore, for example, the positioning portion P may be triangular in top view as shown in FIG.
　また、全ての位置決め部Ｐは同一形状でなくてもよく、それぞれ異なる形状でもよい。 Furthermore, all of the positioning portions P do not have to have the same shape, and may each have a different shape.
　また、本発明はインクジェット記録装置１０に限られず、インク以外の液体の液滴をノズルＮから吐出する各種の液滴吐出装置であってもよい。 Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the inkjet recording device 10, but may be applied to various types of droplet ejection devices that eject droplets of liquid other than ink from the nozzles N.
　本発明は、駆動パルスを新たに追加しても生産性が低下しない液滴吐出ヘッドの駆動方法、液滴吐出装置及びプログラムに利用することができる。 The present invention can be used in a droplet ejection head driving method, droplet ejection device, and program that do not reduce productivity even when new drive pulses are added.
１０　インクジェット記録装置（液滴吐出システム）
１１　搬送部
１００　インクジェットユニット（液滴吐出ユニット）
１１０　取付プレート
１１１　開口部
１１２　接触面
１２０　固定部材
２００　液滴吐出装置
３００　インクジェットヘッド（液滴吐出ヘッド）
３００ａ　第１面
３００ｂ　第２面
４００　インクジェットヘッドモジュール
４２０　取付部材
４２１　挿入部
４２２　リブ
４２２ａ　第１面
４２２ｂ　第２面
Ｃ　点接触部
Ｃ１　第１点接触部
Ｐ　位置決め部
Ｐａ　第１位置決め部
Ｐｂ　第２位置決め部
Ｎ　ノズル
ＮＬ　ノズル列
Ｓ　記録媒体 10 Inkjet recording device (droplet ejection system)
11 Transport unit 100 Inkjet unit (droplet ejection unit)
110: Mounting plate 111: Opening 112: Contact surface 120: Fixed member 200: Droplet ejection device 300: Inkjet head (droplet ejection head)
300a First surface 300b Second surface 400 Inkjet head module 420 Mounting member 421 Insertion portion 422 Rib 422a First surface 422b Second surface C Point contact portion C1 First point contact portion P Positioning portion Pa First positioning portion Pb Second positioning portion N Nozzle NL Nozzle row S Recording medium

Claims (14)

  1. 　ノズル面の長手方向に平行に配列されたノズル列の各ノズルから液滴を吐出して記録媒体に画像を記録する液滴吐出装置と、
    　前記液滴吐出装置が取り付けられる貫通穴である開口部を備えた取付プレートと、を備える液滴吐出ユニットであって、
    　前記ノズル面に垂直な方向から見たときに、前記液滴吐出装置と、前記開口部の内周部とが点接触する点接触部を備え、
    　前記点接触部は、前記液滴吐出装置の前記ノズル列に平行な第１面と、前記第１面とは異なる面である第２面との少なくとも２つの面に、少なくとも１つ以上設けられ、
    　前記第１面の第１点接触部は、前記ノズル列の長手方向端部よりも外側であり、
    　前記液滴吐出装置は、前記点接触部を形成する突起である位置決め部を少なくとも１つ備える液滴吐出ユニット。     a droplet ejection device that ejects droplets from each nozzle of a nozzle row that is arranged parallel to the longitudinal direction of a nozzle surface, to record an image on a recording medium;
    a mounting plate having an opening which is a through hole to which the droplet ejection device is attached,
    a point contact portion where the droplet ejection device and an inner periphery of the opening portion are in point contact with each other when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the nozzle surface,
    at least one point contact portion is provided on at least two surfaces of the droplet ejection device, the first surface being parallel to the nozzle row and the second surface being different from the first surface;
    the first point contact portion of the first surface is located outside an end portion of the nozzle row in a longitudinal direction,
    The droplet discharge device is a droplet discharge unit including at least one positioning portion that is a protrusion that forms the point contact portion.
  2. 　前記液滴吐出装置は、複数の液滴吐出ヘッドであって、
    　前記複数の液滴吐出ヘッドを挿入して取り付ける挿入部を備える取付部材を備え、
    　前記取付部材は、前記挿入部に沿って液滴吐出方向下方に突出するリブを備え、
    　前記リブは、外周面部に前記位置決め部を備える請求項１記載の液滴吐出ユニット。     The droplet ejection device includes a plurality of droplet ejection heads,
    a mounting member having an insertion portion into which the plurality of droplet ejection heads are inserted and mounted,
    the mounting member includes a rib that protrudes downward in a droplet ejection direction along the insertion portion,
    The liquid droplet ejection unit according to claim 1 , wherein the rib has the positioning portion on an outer circumferential surface thereof.
  3. 　前記位置決め部は、前記液滴吐出装置の直線部に設けられている請求項１又は２記載の液滴吐出ユニット。 The droplet ejection unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the positioning portion is provided on a straight portion of the droplet ejection device.
  4. 　前記点接触部のうち少なくとも一つは、前記開口部の内周部のうち、前記ノズル列に平行又は垂直な接触面によって形成される請求項１又は２記載の液滴吐出ユニット。 The droplet ejection unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the point contacts is formed by a contact surface on the inner periphery of the opening that is parallel or perpendicular to the nozzle row.
  5. 　前記位置決め部は、ノズル面に垂直な方向から見たときに円弧状、あるいは三角形状である請求項１又は２記載の液滴吐出ユニット。 The droplet ejection unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the positioning portion is arc-shaped or triangular-shaped when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the nozzle surface.
  6. 　前記液滴吐出装置は、前記第１面に複数の第１位置決め部を備え、
    　複数の前記第１点接触部を結ぶ架空線は、前記ノズル列に対して平行である請求項１又は２記載の液滴吐出ユニット。     the droplet ejection device includes a plurality of first positioning portions on the first surface;
    3. The droplet discharge unit according to claim 1, wherein an imaginary line connecting the first point contact portions is parallel to the nozzle row.
  7. 　前記液滴吐出装置は、前記第１面に第１位置決め部を備え、前記第２面に第２位置決め部を備え、
    　前記第２位置決め部は、前記ノズル列の配列方向につき、前記第２面の中央よりも前記第１位置決め部に近い側に設けられている請求項１又は２記載の液滴吐出ユニット。     the droplet ejection device includes a first positioning portion on the first surface and a second positioning portion on the second surface;
    3. The droplet ejection unit according to claim 1, wherein the second positioning portion is provided on a side closer to the first positioning portion than a center of the second surface in the arrangement direction of the nozzle rows.
  8. 　前記ノズル面に垂直な方向から見たときに、前記ノズル面が前記取付プレートの下面よりも下方に位置する請求項１又は２記載の液滴吐出ユニット。 The droplet ejection unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the nozzle surface is located below the lower surface of the mounting plate when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the nozzle surface.
  9. 　前記位置決め部は、前記取付部材の外周から突出しないように設けられている請求項２記載の液滴吐出ユニット。 The droplet ejection unit according to claim 2, wherein the positioning portion is arranged so as not to protrude from the outer periphery of the mounting member.
  10. 　前記液滴吐出装置を液滴吐出方向下方に押圧して固定する固定部材を備え、
    　前記固定部材は、弾性力によって前記液滴吐出方向下方への押圧力を付与する弾性部を備える請求項１又は２記載の液滴吐出ユニット。     a fixing member that presses the droplet discharge device downward in a droplet discharge direction to fix the droplet discharge device;
    3. The droplet ejection unit according to claim 1, wherein the fixed member includes an elastic portion that applies a downward pressing force in the droplet ejection direction by elastic force.
  11. 　液滴吐出ユニットの取付プレートに取り付けられて、ノズル面の長手方向に平行に配列されたノズル列の各ノズルから液滴を吐出して記録媒体に画像を記録する液滴吐出装置であって、
    　ノズル面に垂直な方向から見たときに、前記取付プレートとの接触面と点接触して位置決めする位置決め部を備え、
    　前記位置決め部は、前記ノズル列に平行な第１面と、前記第１面とは異なる面である第２面との少なくとも２つの面に、少なくとも１つ以上設けられ、
    　前記第１面に設けられた第１位置決め部は、前記ノズル列の長手方向端部よりも外側に設けられている液滴吐出装置。     A droplet ejection device which is attached to a mounting plate of a droplet ejection unit and ejects droplets from each nozzle of a nozzle row arranged parallel to a longitudinal direction of a nozzle face to record an image on a recording medium,
    a positioning portion that makes point contact with a contact surface of the mounting plate when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the nozzle surface,
    the positioning portion is provided on at least two surfaces, i.e., a first surface parallel to the nozzle row and a second surface different from the first surface, and
    A droplet ejection device, wherein the first positioning portion provided on the first surface is provided outside an end of the nozzle row in a longitudinal direction.
  12. 　請求項１又は２記載の液滴吐出ユニットと、
    　記録媒体を搬送する搬送部と、を備える液滴吐出システム。     A droplet ejection unit according to claim 1 or 2;
    A droplet ejection system comprising: a transport unit that transports a recording medium.
  13. 　液体を循環させる循環機構を有する請求項１２記載の液滴吐出システム。 The droplet ejection system according to claim 12, which has a circulation mechanism for circulating the liquid.
  14. 　液体を加熱させる加熱部を有する請求項１３記載の液滴吐出システム。 The droplet ejection system according to claim 13, further comprising a heating unit for heating the liquid.
PCT/JP2023/034423 2022-10-14 2023-09-22 Droplet discharge unit, droplet discharge device, and droplet discharge system WO2024080101A1 (en)

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