JP2018154085A - Liquid discharge head, liquid discharge unit, and device for discharging liquid - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable stable liquid discharge while suppressing an increase in size of a head. A supply-side common liquid chamber 10 does not line up with a downstream-side common liquid chamber portion 10A, which is a portion aligned with a discharge-side common liquid chamber 50, and a discharge-side common liquid chamber 50 in a direction orthogonal to the nozzle arrangement direction. The upstream common liquid chamber portion 10B, which includes the upstream common liquid chamber portion 10B and is not aligned with the discharge side common liquid chamber 50 of the supply side common liquid chamber 10, is provided with the discharge side common liquid chamber 50. A damper that includes an overlapping portion 10b that overlaps when projected onto the supply-side common liquid chamber 10, and forms a wall surface including the wall surface of the overlapping portion 10b in the upstream-side common liquid chamber portion 10B of the supply-side common liquid chamber 10. The thin film member 80 constituting the 81 and the filter 82 is arranged. [Selection diagram] Fig. 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid discharge head, a liquid discharge unit, and an apparatus for discharging liquid.

  As a liquid discharge head for discharging liquid, by returning the liquid that was not discharged from the supply side common liquid chamber to the individual liquid chamber from the discharge channel to the discharge side common liquid chamber and circulating the liquid A circulation type head (flow-through head) is known which improves the discharge of bubbles mixed in individual liquid chambers and suppresses changes in liquid characteristics.

  Conventionally, a supply-side common liquid chamber (common supply flow path) that supplies liquid to a plurality of individual liquid chambers and a discharge-side common liquid chamber (common return flow path) through which the liquid is returned through the plurality of individual liquid chambers, An arrangement in which the frame members of the head are arranged side by side in a direction orthogonal to the nozzle arrangement direction is known (Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2015-071289

  By the way, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, if the supply-side common liquid chamber and the discharge-side common liquid chamber are arranged side by side in a direction orthogonal to the nozzle arrangement direction, the width of the head increases and the size increases.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to enable stable liquid discharge while suppressing an increase in the size of the head.

In order to solve the above problems, a liquid ejection head according to the present invention is
A plurality of individual liquid chambers leading to a nozzle for discharging liquid;
A supply-side common liquid chamber for supplying the liquid to the individual liquid chamber;
A discharge channel leading to the individual liquid chamber;
A discharge side common liquid chamber from which the liquid is discharged from the discharge flow path,
The supply side common liquid chamber has a portion aligned with the discharge side common liquid chamber in a direction orthogonal to the nozzle arrangement direction, and a portion not aligned with the discharge side common liquid chamber,
In the portion of the supply side common liquid chamber that is not aligned with the discharge side common liquid chamber, at least the overlapping portion that overlaps when the discharge side common liquid chamber is projected onto the supply side common liquid chamber from the nozzle surface in the vertical direction. Including
The wall surface of the supply-side common liquid chamber has a portion that can be restored and deformed.

  According to the present invention, stable liquid ejection can be performed while suppressing an increase in the size of the head.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective explanatory view of the liquid discharge head according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional explanatory drawing in alignment with the direction orthogonal to the nozzle arrangement direction of the head. It is an explanatory plan view of the common liquid chamber member of the head. FIG. 3 is an explanatory cross-sectional view along the nozzle arrangement direction along the line AA in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional explanatory view along the nozzle arrangement direction along line BB in FIG. 2. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional explanatory diagram along a direction orthogonal to a nozzle arrangement direction of a liquid ejection head according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is an explanatory cross-sectional view along a direction orthogonal to a nozzle arrangement direction of a liquid ejection head according to a third embodiment of the present invention. It is a plane explanatory view in the portion of the common liquid chamber member for explanation of the liquid discharge head concerning a 4th embodiment of the present invention. It is principal part plane explanatory drawing of an example of the apparatus which discharges the liquid which concerns on this invention. It is principal part side explanatory drawing of the apparatus. It is principal part plane explanatory drawing of the other example of the liquid discharge unit which concerns on this invention. It is front explanatory drawing of the further another example of the liquid discharge unit which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic explanatory drawing of the other example of the apparatus which discharges the liquid based on this invention. It is a plane explanatory view of the head unit of the device. FIG. 2 is a block explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a liquid circulation system in the apparatus.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. A liquid discharge head according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the liquid discharge head, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional explanatory view along a direction orthogonal to the nozzle arrangement direction of the head. 3 is an explanatory plan view of the common liquid chamber member of the head, FIG. 4 is an explanatory sectional view along the nozzle arrangement direction along the line AA in FIG. 2, and FIG. 5 is a nozzle along the line BB in FIG. It is sectional explanatory drawing in alignment with an arrangement direction.

  In this liquid discharge head, a nozzle plate 1, a flow path plate 2, and a vibration plate member 3 as a wall surface member are laminated and joined. The piezoelectric actuator 11 that displaces the vibration region (vibration plate) 30 of the vibration plate member 3, the common liquid chamber member 20 that also serves as a frame member of the head, and a cover 49 are provided.

  The nozzle plate 1 has a plurality of nozzles 4 that discharge liquid.

  The flow path plate 2 is connected to the individual liquid chamber 6 communicating with the nozzle 4 via the nozzle communication path 5, the supply side fluid resistance portion 7 constituting the supply flow path leading to the individual liquid chamber 6, and the supply leading to the supply side fluid resistance portion 7. A side introduction portion 8 is formed. The supply-side introduction unit 8 can be configured to communicate with one or more supply-side fluid resistance units 7.

  The vibration plate member 3 has a deformable vibration region 30 that forms the wall surface of the individual liquid chamber 6 of the flow path plate 2. Here, the diaphragm member 3 has a two-layer structure (not limited), and is formed of a first layer that forms a thin portion and a second layer that forms a thick portion from the flow path plate 2 side. A deformable vibration region 30 is formed in a portion corresponding to the individual liquid chamber 6.

  Then, on the opposite side of the diaphragm member 3 from the individual liquid chamber 6, a piezoelectric actuator 11 including an electromechanical conversion element as drive means (actuator means, pressure generating means) for deforming the vibration region 30 of the diaphragm member 3 is provided. It is arranged. The piezoelectric actuator 11 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 25 (FIG. 3) of the common liquid chamber member 20.

  In this piezoelectric actuator 11, a groove is formed by half-cut dicing on a piezoelectric member bonded on a base member, and a required number of columnar piezoelectric elements 12 are formed in a comb shape at a predetermined interval in the nozzle arrangement direction. . The piezoelectric element 12 is bonded to the vibration region (vibration plate) 30 of the vibration plate member 3.

  The piezoelectric element 12 is formed by alternately laminating piezoelectric layers and internal electrodes, and the internal electrodes are drawn out to the end surfaces to provide external electrodes, and the flexible wiring member 15 is connected to the external electrodes.

  The common liquid chamber member 20 is made of a metal material such as stainless steel, and forms the supply side common liquid chamber 10 and the discharge side common liquid chamber 50. The supply-side common liquid chamber 10 communicates with the supply port 41 (41a, 41b), and the discharge-side common liquid chamber 50 communicates with the discharge port 42 (42a, 42b) (FIG. 1).

  The supply-side common liquid chamber 10 communicates with the supply-side introduction portion 8 through the supply-side opening 9.

  The flow path plate 2 has a discharge flow path 56 communicating with each individual liquid chamber 6 via the nozzle communication path 5, and a discharge side fluid resistance portion 57 is provided on the nozzle communication path 5 side of the discharge flow path 56. It has been. Further, the discharge flow channel 56 communicates with the discharge side outlet 58.

  Here, the discharge side lead-out part 58 communicates with one or a plurality of discharge flow paths 56. The discharge-side outlet 58 communicates with the discharge-side common liquid chamber 50 through the discharge-side opening 59.

  In the liquid discharge head configured as described above, for example, by lowering the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element 12 from the reference potential (intermediate potential), the piezoelectric element 12 contracts, the vibration region 30 is drawn, and the volume of the individual liquid chamber 6 increases. By expanding, the liquid flows into the individual liquid chamber 6.

  Thereafter, the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element 12 is increased to extend the piezoelectric element 12 in the stacking direction, and the vibration region 30 is deformed in the direction toward the nozzle 4 to contract the volume of the individual liquid chamber 6. The liquid in 6 is pressurized, and the liquid is discharged from the nozzle 4.

  Further, the liquid that is not discharged from the nozzle 4 passes through the nozzle 4, is discharged from the discharge side fluid resistance portion 57 to the discharge side common liquid chamber 50 through the discharge flow path 56 and the discharge side derivation portion 58, and the discharge side common liquid chamber 50. To the supply-side common liquid chamber 10 through an external circulation path. Further, even when the liquid is not discharged, the liquid flows from the supply-side common liquid chamber 10 to the discharge-side common liquid chamber 50 and is supplied again to the supply-side common liquid chamber 10 through an external circulation path.

  Note that the driving method of the head is not limited to the above example (drawing-pushing), and it is also possible to perform striking or pushing depending on the direction to which the drive waveform is given.

  Next, the structure of the common liquid chamber in the liquid discharge head according to the present embodiment will be described.

  In this liquid discharge head, as shown in FIG. 3, the supply-side common liquid chamber 10 and the discharge-side common liquid chamber 50 are disposed on both sides in the direction orthogonal to the nozzle arrangement direction with the accommodating portion 25 of one piezoelectric actuator 11 interposed therebetween. Is arranged. Here, since the piezoelectric actuators 11 are arranged in two rows, four supply-side common liquid chambers 10 and discharge-side common liquid chambers 50 are arranged.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the supply-side common liquid chamber 10 includes a downstream-side common liquid chamber portion 10 </ b> A that is a portion aligned with the discharge-side common liquid chamber 50 in a direction orthogonal to the nozzle arrangement direction, and a discharge-side common liquid. The chamber 50 and the upstream common liquid chamber part 10B which is a part which is not lined up are included.

  Thus, in the nozzle arrangement direction, the discharge-side common liquid chamber 50 and the downstream-side common liquid chamber portion 10A, which is a part of the supply-side common liquid chamber 10, are arranged side by side. 50 and the supply side common liquid chamber 10 as a whole can be made smaller than the case where they are arranged side by side.

  The discharge-side common liquid chamber 50 is projected onto the supply-side common liquid chamber 10 in a direction perpendicular to the nozzle surface in the upstream-side common liquid chamber portion 10B that is not aligned with the discharge-side common liquid chamber 50 of the supply-side common liquid chamber 10. The overlapping part 10b which overlaps when it does is included.

  Here, the upstream common liquid chamber portion 10B of the supply side common liquid chamber 10 includes a damper 81, which is a reversibly deformable member constituting a wall surface including the wall surface of the overlapping portion 10b, and an upstream common liquid chamber. A thin film member 80 constituting a filter 82 that removes foreign matters and the like from the liquid flowing into the chamber portion 10B is disposed.

  A damper chamber 84 is provided on the opposite side of the damper 81 from the supply-side common liquid chamber 10, and the damper chamber 84 communicates with the atmosphere via the atmosphere opening path 85.

  A filter upstream common liquid chamber portion 10 </ b> C communicating with the internal flow path 44 of the supply port 41 is provided on the upstream side of the filter 82.

  The discharge side common liquid chamber 50 communicates with the internal flow path 45 of the discharge port 42.

  In this case, since the liquid supply from the outside to the supply side common liquid chamber 10 is the both-end supply, the filter 82, the damper 81, and the filter 82 are arranged in this order in the nozzle arrangement direction. In addition, it can also be set as the case where the liquid supply from the outside with respect to the supply side common liquid chamber 10 is supplied on one side.

  Further, the common liquid chamber member 20 is divided into a first member 20A on the downstream side and a second member 20B on the upstream side with the thin film member 80 interposed therebetween. The first member 20 </ b> A forms the downstream common liquid chamber portion 10 </ b> A, the upstream common liquid chamber portion 10 </ b> B, and the discharge side common liquid chamber 50 of the supply side common liquid chamber 10. The second member 20B forms a damper chamber 84, an air release path 85, a filter upstream side common liquid chamber portion 10C, and internal flow paths 44 and 45.

  Thus, by providing the damper 81 that constitutes the wall surface of the supply-side common liquid chamber 10, when the pressure wave accompanying the liquid discharge propagates to the supply-side common liquid chamber 10, the pressure wave is attenuated or absorbed. Further, repropagation to the individual liquid chamber 6 side can be prevented. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the variation in the discharge characteristics due to the re-propagation of the pressure wave from the supply-side common liquid chamber 10 to the individual liquid chamber 6 and to perform stable liquid discharge.

  In addition, since the filter 82 that removes foreign matters and the like is provided in the supply-side common liquid chamber 10, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of clogging of the nozzles 4 when foreign matters enter the individual liquid chamber 6.

  Here, since the damper 81 and the filter 82 are formed by the same thin film member 80, the number of parts can be reduced and the configuration is simplified. Moreover, the damper 81 and the filter 82 can be formed with the same member by setting it as the structure which arrange | positions the damper 81 and the filter 82 on the same plane.

  Next, a liquid ejection head according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional explanatory diagram along a direction orthogonal to the nozzle arrangement direction of the head.

  The thin film member 80 includes a thin portion 80A and a thick portion 80B. The thin portion 80A forms the damper 81 and the filter 82, and the periphery of the damper 81 and the filter 82 is formed by the thick portion 80B. Here, the thin film member 80 is formed of a Ni electroformed film.

  By adopting such a structure, even when a high temperature curable adhesive is used when the thin film member 80 is joined to the common liquid chamber member 20, the linear expansion coefficient is made uniform with the common liquid chamber member 20 made of metal. And warpage of the parts can be suppressed.

  Next, a liquid ejection head according to a third embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is an explanatory sectional view taken along a direction orthogonal to the nozzle arrangement direction of the head.

  Also in the present embodiment, the thin portion 80A and the thick portion 80B are configured, and the damper 81 and the filter 82 are formed by the thin portion 80A, and the periphery of the damper 81 and the filter 82 is formed by the thick portion 80B. Here, in the thin film member 80, the thin portion 80A is formed of a resin film, and the thick portion 80B is formed of SUS (metal film).

  And the thickness of the thick part 80B is made into the thickness which can form the duplication part 10b of the upstream common liquid chamber part 10B of the supply side common liquid chamber 10 between 20 A of 1st members.

  By comprising in this way, the shape of 20 A of 1st members which comprise the common liquid chamber member 20 can be simplified.

  Next, a liquid discharge head according to a fourth embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is an explanatory plan view of a common liquid chamber member for explaining the embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, the extension portions 81a of the dampers 81 arranged in the direction orthogonal to the filter 82 and the nozzle arrangement direction are arranged at both ends in the nozzle arrangement direction.

  As a result, the deformable area of the damper 81 can be widened, and the residual vibration can be more efficiently damped.

  Next, an example of an apparatus for ejecting liquid according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 9 is an explanatory plan view of the main part of the apparatus, and FIG. 10 is an explanatory side view of the main part of the apparatus.

  This apparatus is a serial type apparatus, and the carriage 403 reciprocates in the main scanning direction by the main scanning moving mechanism 493. The main scanning movement mechanism 493 includes a guide member 401, a main scanning motor 405, a timing belt 408, and the like. The guide member 401 spans the left and right side plates 491A and 491B and holds the carriage 403 so as to be movable. The carriage 403 is reciprocated in the main scanning direction by the main scanning motor 405 via the timing belt 408 spanned between the driving pulley 406 and the driven pulley 407.

  A liquid discharge unit 440 in which the liquid discharge head 404 and the head tank 441 according to the present invention are integrated is mounted on the carriage 403. The liquid discharge head 404 of the liquid discharge unit 440 discharges, for example, yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), and black (K) liquids. The liquid ejection head 404 is mounted with a nozzle row composed of a plurality of nozzles arranged in the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction, and the ejection direction facing downward.

  The liquid stored in the liquid cartridge 450 is supplied to the head tank 441 by the supply mechanism 494 for supplying the liquid stored outside the liquid discharge head 404 to the liquid discharge head 404.

  The supply mechanism 494 includes a cartridge holder 451 that is a filling unit for mounting the liquid cartridge 450, a tube 456, a liquid feeding unit 452 including a liquid feeding pump, and the like. The liquid cartridge 450 is detachably attached to the cartridge holder 451. Liquid is fed from the liquid cartridge 450 to the head tank 441 by the liquid feeding unit 452 via the tube 456.

  This apparatus includes a transport mechanism 495 for transporting the paper 410. The transport mechanism 495 includes a transport belt 412 serving as transport means, and a sub-scanning motor 416 for driving the transport belt 412.

  The conveyance belt 412 adsorbs the paper 410 and conveys it at a position facing the liquid ejection head 404. The transport belt 412 is an endless belt and is stretched between the transport roller 413 and the tension roller 414. The adsorption can be performed by electrostatic adsorption or air suction.

  The transport belt 412 rotates in the sub-scanning direction when the transport roller 413 is rotationally driven by the sub-scanning motor 416 via the timing belt 417 and the timing pulley 418.

  Further, on one side of the carriage 403 in the main scanning direction, a maintenance / recovery mechanism 420 that performs maintenance / recovery of the liquid ejection head 404 is disposed on the side of the transport belt 412.

  The maintenance / recovery mechanism 420 includes, for example, a cap member 421 for capping the nozzle surface (surface on which the nozzle is formed) of the liquid ejection head 404, a wiper member 422 for wiping the nozzle surface, and the like.

  The main scanning movement mechanism 493, the supply mechanism 494, the maintenance / recovery mechanism 420, and the transport mechanism 495 are attached to a housing including the side plates 491A and 491B and the back plate 491C.

  In this apparatus configured as described above, the paper 410 is fed and sucked onto the transport belt 412, and the paper 410 is transported in the sub-scanning direction by the circular movement of the transport belt 412.

Therefore, the liquid ejection head 404 is driven in accordance with the image signal while moving the carriage 403 in the main scanning direction, thereby ejecting liquid onto the stopped paper 410 to form an image.

  Thus, since this apparatus includes the liquid ejection head according to the present invention, a high-quality image can be stably formed.

  Next, another example of the liquid discharge unit according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is an explanatory plan view of the main part of the unit.

  The liquid discharge unit includes a casing portion composed of side plates 491A and 491B and a back plate 491C, a main scanning moving mechanism 493, a carriage 403, and a liquid among the members constituting the liquid discharge device. The discharge head 404 is configured.

  Note that a liquid discharge unit in which at least one of the above-described maintenance and recovery mechanism 420 and the supply mechanism 494 is further attached to, for example, the side plate 491B of the liquid discharge unit may be configured.

  Next, still another example of the liquid discharge unit according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is an explanatory front view of the unit.

  This liquid discharge unit includes a liquid discharge head 404 to which a flow path component 444 is attached, and a tube 456 connected to the flow path component 444.

  The flow path component 444 is disposed inside the cover 442. A head tank 441 may be included instead of the flow path component 444. In addition, a connector 443 that is electrically connected to the liquid ejection head 404 is provided above the flow path component 444.

  Next, another example of an apparatus for ejecting liquid according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 13 is a schematic explanatory view of the apparatus, and FIG. 14 is a plan explanatory view of the head unit of the apparatus.

  This apparatus includes a carry-in means 501 for carrying in the continuous medium 510, a guide carrying means 503 for guiding and carrying the continuous medium 510 carried from the carry-in means 501 to the printing means 505, and discharging liquid to the continuous medium 510. A printing unit 505 that performs printing for forming an image, a drying unit 507 that dries the continuous medium 510, and a discharge unit 509 that discharges the continuous medium 510 are provided.

  The continuous medium 510 is fed out from the original winding roller 511 of the carry-in means 501, guided and conveyed by the respective rollers of the carry-in means 501, the guide conveyance means 503, the drying means 507 and the discharge means 509, and the take-up roller 591 of the discharge means 509. It is wound up by.

  The continuous medium 510 is conveyed by the printing unit 505 on the conveyance guide member 559 so as to face the head unit 550 and the head unit 555, and an image is formed by the liquid ejected from the head unit 550. Post-processing is performed with the processing liquid.

  Here, the head unit 550 includes, for example, full-line head arrays 551K, 551C, 551M, and 551Y for four colors from the upstream side in the medium conveying direction (hereinafter referred to as “head array 551” when colors are not distinguished). ) Is arranged.

  Each head array 551 is a liquid ejecting unit, and ejects black K, cyan C, magenta M, and yellow Y liquids to the transported continuous medium 510, respectively. The type and number of colors are not limited to this.

  The head array 551 includes, for example, a plurality of liquid ejection heads (hereinafter also simply referred to as “heads”) 1000 according to the present invention arranged in a staggered manner on the base member 552, but is not limited thereto. .

  Next, an example of the liquid circulation system in this apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 15 is an explanatory block diagram for explaining the system.

  The liquid circulation system 630 includes a main tank 602, a head 1000, a supply tank 631, a circulation tank 632, a compressor 633, a vacuum pump 634, a first liquid feed pump 635, a second liquid feed pump 636, a supply side pressure sensor 637, and a circulation side. A pressure sensor 638, regulators (R) 639a, 639b, and the like are included.

  The supply-side pressure sensor 637 is connected between the supply tank 631 and the head 1000, and is connected to a supply-side flow path connected to the supply port 41 (see FIG. 1) of the head 1000. The circulation side pressure sensor 638 is connected between the head 1000 and the circulation tank 632 and is connected to a discharge side flow path connected to the discharge port 42 (see FIG. 1) of the head 1000.

  One of the circulation tanks 632 is connected to the supply tank 631 via the first liquid feed pump 635, and the other of the circulation tanks 632 is connected to the main tank 602 via the second liquid feed pump 636.

  As a result, liquid flows from the supply tank 631 through the supply port 41 into the head 1000, is discharged from the discharge port 42, and is discharged to the circulation tank 632. Further, the liquid is circulated by the liquid being further fed from the circulation tank 632 to the supply tank 631 by the first liquid feed pump 635.

  In addition, a compressor 633 is connected to the supply tank 631, and the supply side pressure sensor 637 is controlled so as to detect a predetermined positive pressure. On the other hand, a vacuum pump 634 is connected to the circulation tank 632 and is controlled so that a predetermined negative pressure is detected by the circulation side pressure sensor 638.

  Thereby, the negative pressure of the meniscus can be kept constant while circulating the liquid through the head 1000.

  Further, when the liquid is discharged from the nozzle 4 of the head 1000, the amount of liquid in the supply tank 631 and the circulation tank 632 decreases. Therefore, the liquid is replenished from the main tank 602 to the circulation tank 632 using the second liquid feeding pump 636 as appropriate. The liquid replenishment timing from the main tank 602 to the circulation tank 632 is the liquid level provided in the circulation tank 632 such that liquid replenishment is performed when the liquid level of the liquid in the circulation tank 632 falls below a predetermined height. It can be controlled by the detection result of a sensor or the like.

  In the present application, the liquid to be ejected is not particularly limited as long as it has a viscosity and surface tension that can be ejected from the head, and the viscosity becomes 30 mPa · s or less at room temperature, normal pressure, or by heating and cooling. It is preferable. More specifically, solvents such as water and organic solvents, colorants such as dyes and pigments, functional materials such as polymerizable compounds, resins, and surfactants, and biocompatible materials such as DNA, amino acids, proteins, and calcium. , Edible materials such as natural pigments, solutions, suspensions, emulsions, and the like. These include, for example, inkjet inks, surface treatment liquids, components of electronic devices and light emitting devices, and formation of electronic circuit resist patterns. It can be used in applications such as liquids for use, three-dimensional modeling material liquids, and the like.

  As energy generation sources for discharging liquid, piezoelectric actuators (laminated piezoelectric elements and thin film piezoelectric elements), thermal actuators using electrothermal transducers such as heating resistors, electrostatic actuators consisting of a diaphragm and counter electrode are used. To be included.

  The “liquid ejection unit” is a unit in which functional parts and mechanisms are integrated with a liquid ejection head, and includes an assembly of parts related to liquid ejection. For example, the “liquid discharge unit” includes a combination of at least one of a head tank, a carriage, a supply mechanism, a maintenance / recovery mechanism, and a main scanning movement mechanism with a liquid discharge head.

  Here, the term “integrated” refers to, for example, a liquid discharge head, a functional component, and a mechanism that are fixed to each other by fastening, adhesion, engagement, etc., and one that is held movably with respect to the other. Including. Further, the liquid discharge head, the functional component, and the mechanism may be configured to be detachable from each other.

  For example, there is a liquid discharge unit in which a liquid discharge head and a head tank are integrated. Also, there are some in which the liquid discharge head and the head tank are integrated by being connected to each other by a tube or the like. Here, a unit including a filter may be added between the head tank and the liquid discharge head of these liquid discharge units.

  In addition, there is a liquid discharge unit in which a liquid discharge head and a carriage are integrated.

  In addition, there is a liquid discharge unit in which the liquid discharge head and the scanning movement mechanism are integrated by holding the liquid discharge head movably on a guide member that constitutes a part of the scanning movement mechanism. In some cases, a liquid discharge head, a carriage, and a main scanning movement mechanism are integrated.

  Also, there is a liquid discharge unit in which a cap member that is a part of the maintenance / recovery mechanism is fixed to a carriage to which the liquid discharge head is attached, and the liquid discharge head, the carriage, and the maintenance / recovery mechanism are integrated. .

  In addition, there is a liquid discharge unit in which a tube is connected to a liquid discharge head to which a head tank or a flow path component is attached, and the liquid discharge head and a supply mechanism are integrated. The liquid from the liquid storage source is supplied to the liquid discharge head via this tube.

  The main scanning movement mechanism includes a guide member alone. The supply mechanism includes a single tube and a single loading unit.

The “apparatus for ejecting liquid” includes an apparatus that includes a liquid ejection head or a liquid ejection unit and that ejects liquid by driving the liquid ejection head. The apparatus for ejecting a liquid includes not only an apparatus capable of ejecting a liquid to an object to which the liquid can adhere, but also an apparatus for ejecting the liquid into the air or liquid.

  This “apparatus for discharging liquid” may include means for feeding, transporting, and discharging a liquid to which liquid can adhere, as well as a pre-processing apparatus and a post-processing apparatus.

  For example, as a “liquid ejecting device”, an image forming device that forms an image on paper by ejecting ink, a powder is formed in layers to form a three-dimensional model (three-dimensional model) There is a three-dimensional modeling apparatus (three-dimensional modeling apparatus) that discharges a modeling liquid onto the powder layer.

  Further, the “apparatus for ejecting liquid” is not limited to an apparatus in which significant images such as characters and figures are visualized by the ejected liquid. For example, what forms a pattern etc. which does not have a meaning in itself, and what forms a three-dimensional image are also included.

  The above-mentioned “applicable liquid” means that the liquid can be attached at least temporarily and adheres and adheres, or adheres and penetrates. Specific examples include recording media such as paper, recording paper, recording paper, film, and cloth, electronic parts such as electronic substrates and piezoelectric elements, powder layers (powder layers), organ models, and test cells. Yes, unless specifically limited, includes everything that the liquid adheres to.

  The material of the above-mentioned “material to which liquid can adhere” is not limited as long as liquid such as paper, thread, fiber, fabric, leather, metal, plastic, glass, wood, ceramics can be adhered even temporarily.

  In addition, the “device for ejecting liquid” includes a device in which the liquid ejection head and the device to which the liquid can adhere move relatively, but is not limited thereto. Specific examples include a serial type apparatus that moves the liquid discharge head, a line type apparatus that does not move the liquid discharge head, and the like.

  In addition, as the “device for ejecting liquid”, other than the above, a treatment liquid coating apparatus that ejects a treatment liquid onto a sheet in order to apply the treatment liquid to the surface of the sheet for the purpose of modifying the surface of the sheet, There is an injection granulation apparatus that granulates raw material fine particles by spraying a composition liquid in which raw materials are dispersed in a solution through a nozzle.

  Note that the terms “image formation”, “recording”, “printing”, “printing”, “printing”, “modeling” and the like in the terms of the present application are all synonymous.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Nozzle plate 2 Flow path plate 3 Vibration plate member 4 Nozzle 6 Individual liquid chamber 10 Supply side common liquid chamber 11 Piezoelectric actuator 20 Common liquid chamber member 50 Discharge side common liquid chamber 80 Thin film member 81 Damper 82 Filter 403 Carriage 404 Liquid discharge head 440 Liquid discharge unit 630 Liquid circulation system 1000 Liquid discharge head

Claims (10)

A plurality of individual liquid chambers leading to a nozzle for discharging liquid;
A supply-side common liquid chamber for supplying the liquid to the individual liquid chamber;
A discharge channel leading to the individual liquid chamber;
A discharge side common liquid chamber from which the liquid is discharged from the discharge flow path,
The supply side common liquid chamber has a portion aligned with the discharge side common liquid chamber in a direction orthogonal to the nozzle arrangement direction, and a portion not aligned with the discharge side common liquid chamber,
In the portion of the supply side common liquid chamber that is not aligned with the discharge side common liquid chamber, at least the overlap occurs when the discharge side common liquid chamber is projected onto the supply side common liquid chamber from a direction perpendicular to the nozzle surface. Including parts,
The liquid discharge head according to claim 1, wherein a wall surface of the supply side common liquid chamber has a portion that can be restored and deformed. The liquid discharge head according to claim 1, wherein the portion that can be restored and deformed forms at least a wall surface of the overlapping portion. The liquid discharge head according to claim 1, wherein a filter is disposed in the supply-side common liquid chamber. The liquid discharge head according to claim 1, wherein the filter and the part that can be restored and deformed are arranged on the same plane. 5. The liquid discharge head according to claim 3, wherein in the nozzle arrangement direction, the filter, the part that can be restored and deformed, and the filter are arranged in this order. 6. The liquid discharge head according to claim 3, wherein the filter and the part that can be restored and deformed are integrally formed of a thin film member. The thin film member comprises a thin part constituting the filter, a thin part constituting the part that can be restored and deformed, and a thick part provided around each of the two thin parts. The liquid ejection head according to claim 6,   A liquid discharge unit comprising the liquid discharge head according to claim 1. A head tank for storing liquid to be supplied to the liquid discharge head, a carriage on which the liquid discharge head is mounted, a supply mechanism for supplying liquid to the liquid discharge head, a maintenance / recovery mechanism for maintaining and recovering the liquid discharge head, and the liquid 9. The liquid discharge unit according to claim 8, wherein the liquid discharge head is integrated with at least one of a main scanning movement mechanism that moves the discharge head in the main scanning direction.   An apparatus for ejecting liquid, comprising the liquid ejection head according to claim 1 or the liquid ejection unit according to claim 8 or 9.

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