JP4844174B2 - Droplet discharge head and droplet discharge apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a droplet discharge head such as an inkjet head that discharges ink droplets onto a recording sheet, and a droplet discharge device.

  As a conventional inkjet printer, for example, a so-called full-line type printer using an inkjet head that is larger than the full width in the recording paper conveyance direction is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In this inkjet head, a plurality of unit heads in which dummy nozzles that do not eject ink are arranged at one end of a plurality of ink ejection ports arranged in a row are arranged in a staggered manner so that they partially overlap, The other end of the ink discharge port and the dummy nozzle of the adjacent unit head are positioned while observing with a monitor so as to be perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the ink discharge ports.

According to this configuration, it is possible to realize high-speed printing as compared with the method of reciprocating the head. Further, the yield is improved as compared with a head integrated with all nozzles.
JP-A-11-20175 (paragraphs [0042] to [0048], FIG. 2)

  From the viewpoint of manufacturing yield, before connecting a plurality of unit heads, an ink ejection test is performed to check whether the unit heads themselves are defective or not, and then only good unit heads are connected. Is more advantageous.

  However, according to the conventional inkjet head, there is a problem that ink remains in the ink discharge port by the ink discharge test, and it becomes difficult to recognize the ink discharge port to be observed together with the dummy nozzle. Further, in order to discharge the residual ink to a level where there is no problem, a lot of man-hours are required.

  Therefore, the present invention fundamentally eliminates the influence of liquid intrusion and residual in the positioning nozzle during the ejection failure inspection and wiping work before the alignment of the adjacent head unit in the manufacturing process, thereby improving the yield in a simple process. An object of the present invention is to provide a droplet discharge head and a droplet discharge device that can be manufactured and are excellent in positional accuracy and printing performance.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, the following droplet discharge head and droplet discharge apparatus are provided.

[1] A liquid droplet ejection head comprising: a base member that is long in a direction orthogonal to the feeding direction of the recording medium; and a plurality of head units that are joined or supported in alignment with the lower surface of the base member. The unit is used for alignment of a plurality of droplet discharge nozzles that discharge droplets via a liquid flow path and an adjacent head unit when aligning the plurality of head units on the lower surface of the base member. A plurality of positioning nozzles that do not communicate with the flow path but communicate with a predetermined space passage and do not discharge the liquid droplets , at least two of which are in communication with each other only via the space passage; mutual and a positioning nozzle which is opened to the atmosphere, the space passage and the positioning nozzles, than the liquid flow path and the liquid droplet ejection nozzle, the liquid Ri flow resistance is small der when flows, a dedicated suction cap coupled to each one of the positioning nozzle by individual suction, the liquid remaining in entering into the space passage and said positioning nozzle A droplet discharge head characterized by being capable of being discharged.

  Here, “the space passage and the positioning nozzle have a smaller flow path resistance when the liquid flows than the liquid flow passage and the droplet discharge nozzle.” When the liquid present in the liquid flow path and the droplet discharge nozzle is sucked with the same suction force using a predetermined suction device, the suction amount in the positioning nozzle is larger than that in the droplet discharge nozzle. Means many.

Further, the positioning nozzle may be formed simultaneously in the same process as the droplet discharge nozzle. Thereby, a positioning nozzle with high positional accuracy can be formed without increasing the number of steps. In addition, the space passage and the positioning nozzle that communicate with the positioning nozzle are configured so that the flow path resistance when the liquid flows is smaller than the liquid flow path and the droplet ejection head that communicate with the droplet ejection nozzle. Therefore, during the ejection failure inspection and wiping work before alignment of adjacent head units in the manufacturing process, liquid can easily be discharged by suction or the like from the positioning nozzle that has become difficult to recognize the captured image. In addition, it is possible to fundamentally eliminate the influence of liquid intrusion and remaining in the positioning nozzle, and to manufacture with a simple process with high yield, and to improve the positional accuracy and printing performance.
Further, by allowing at least two positioning nozzles to communicate with each other only, each of the positioning nozzles can be opened to the atmosphere. For example, a dedicated suction cap is connected to one of the positioning nozzles for individual suction. As a result, it is possible to easily discharge each of the liquids that have entered and remained there.

[2] The droplet discharge head according to [1], wherein the droplet discharge nozzle is formed in a nozzle plate, and the space passage is formed in the nozzle plate rate .

[3] The head unit has two or more sets of the positioning nozzles, and the positioning is substantially point-symmetric with respect to a point corresponding to the center of gravity of the shape formed by the entirety of the plurality of droplet discharge nozzles. The droplet discharge head according to [2] , wherein a nozzle is disposed. With this configuration, it is possible to easily and reliably form a two-dimensional array of positioning nozzles with high positional accuracy without increasing the number of steps.

[4] The head unit includes a plurality of positioning nozzles, and the space passages of the positioning nozzles are not communicated with each other, and each is open to the atmosphere so as to be sealed. 1]. By configuring in this way, for example, by connecting a maintenance cap to all of the positioning nozzles and sucking all of the positioning nozzles in a lump, all of the liquid that has entered into all of the positioning nozzles and has remained can be simplified. And can be discharged quickly.

[5] The droplet discharge head according to [1], wherein an opening area of the positioning nozzle is larger than an opening area of the droplet discharge nozzle. With this configuration, the flow path resistance of the space passage that communicates with the positioning nozzle can be made smaller and easier than the liquid flow path that communicates with the droplet discharge nozzle.

[6] The droplet discharge head according to [1], wherein the positioning nozzle is disposed at a peripheral portion of the plurality of droplet discharge nozzles. With this configuration, the positioning nozzle can be easily and reliably formed with high positional accuracy without increasing the number of steps.

[7] The positioning nozzle is disposed at a position separated from the droplet discharge nozzle located at the outermost position by n times (n is an integer of 1 to 2) the arrangement pitch of the droplet discharge nozzles. The liquid droplet ejection head according to [1], wherein: By comprising in this way, the positioning nozzle of a two-dimensional arrangement | sequence can be simply and reliably formed with high positional accuracy, without increasing a process.

[8] The droplet discharge head according to [1], wherein the space passage through which the positioning nozzle communicates communicates with a liquid storage chamber of a liquid relay member. In this way, by connecting the space passage of the positioning nozzle to the liquid storage chamber of the liquid relay member having a large volume, the flow path resistance of the space passage to which the positioning nozzle communicates is reduced by the liquid to which the droplet discharge nozzle communicates. It can be made smaller and easier than the flow path.

[9] As the head unit, a plurality of one-row arrangement units in which the droplet discharge nozzles are arranged in a row are aligned and joined to the lower surface of the base member in a state where they are aligned at a predetermined angle. The droplet discharge head according to [1], wherein the droplet discharge head is supported. By configuring in this way, it is possible to expand the degree of freedom of the layout of the droplet discharge head excellent in positional accuracy and printing performance.

[10] As the head unit, a plurality of one-row arrangement units in which the droplet discharge nozzles are arranged in a row are joined or supported in alignment with the lower surface of the base member in a staggered arrangement. The liquid droplet ejection head according to [1], wherein the liquid droplet ejection head is provided. By configuring in this way, it is possible to expand the degree of freedom of the layout of the droplet discharge head excellent in positional accuracy and printing performance.

[11] A drive signal comprising a droplet discharge head having a base member elongated in a direction orthogonal to the feeding direction of the recording medium, and a plurality of head units aligned or joined or supported on the lower surface of the base member In the liquid droplet ejection apparatus that ejects liquid droplets from the plurality of liquid droplet ejection nozzles toward the recording medium, the liquid droplet ejection head is configured such that the head unit ejects liquid droplets via a liquid flow path. A plurality of liquid droplet discharge nozzles are used for alignment of adjacent head units when aligning the plurality of head units on the lower surface of the base member. communicating, a plurality of positioning nozzles without ejecting the droplets, with at least two are seen communication with each other via the space passage, open to the atmosphere respectively to each other Is and a positioning nozzles, the space passage and the positioning nozzle than said liquid flow path and the liquid droplet ejection nozzle, Ri flow resistance is small der when the liquid flows, only suction cap The liquid droplet ejection apparatus is characterized in that the liquid remaining in the space passage and the positioning nozzle can be discharged by connecting each of the positioning nozzles to each of the positioning nozzles and individually sucking them . With this configuration, it is possible to provide a droplet discharge device with excellent printing performance.

  The present invention fundamentally eliminates the effects of liquid intrusion and residual in the positioning nozzle during ejection failure inspection and wiping work before alignment of adjacent head units in the manufacturing process, and manufactures with a simple process and high yield. It is possible to provide a droplet discharge head and a droplet discharge device that are excellent in positional accuracy and printing performance.

[First Embodiment]
(Configuration of droplet discharge head)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a droplet discharge head according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the droplet discharge head 1 has a base member 2 that is long in a direction R perpendicular to the paper feed direction Q of the paper P, and is attached to an intermediate member 5 on a lower surface 2a of the base member 2. A plurality of head units 3 having a plurality of nozzles that are bonded by a positioning adhesive 4 (see FIG. 2) and that discharge droplets are aligned and attached. Hereinafter, each component will be described.

(Base member)
As shown in FIG. 1, the base member 2 is a long rod-like member, and is preferably made of a metal such as SUS having ink corrosion resistance, dimensional stability, and rigidity.

(Positioning adhesive)
The positioning adhesive 4 is filled between the lower surface 5a of the intermediate member 5 and the upper surface 3a of the head unit 3, and adheres both. As the positioning adhesive 4, for example, a light (ultraviolet) curable adhesive such as a transparent acrylic adhesive having a high curing speed and a small thermal shrinkage can be given as a suitable example.

  The intermediate member 5 is attached to the base member 2 by bolts 6, with the head unit 3 adhered by the positioning adhesive 4 and the head unit 3 adhered thereto. Thereby, the head unit 3 can be detachably attached to the base member 2, and only the defective head unit 3 can be excluded to improve the yield. The intermediate member 5 is preferably made of a light (ultraviolet) transmitting material when a photo-curing adhesive is used as the positioning adhesive 4. The intermediate member 5 and the base member 2 may be integrally formed.

(Head unit)
3 is a plan view of the head unit used in the first embodiment, FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 3A, and FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view. In addition, illustration of a flexible printed wiring board is abbreviate | omitted in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the head unit 3 includes a substantially parallelogram-shaped diaphragm 37, a plurality of piezoelectric elements 38 arranged two-dimensionally on the diaphragm 37, and positions facing the plurality of piezoelectric elements 38. A plurality of droplet discharge nozzles 32a and positioning nozzles 32b disposed on the peripheral edge of the droplet discharge nozzle 32a, and a voltage is applied to the piezoelectric elements 38 so as to cover the plurality of piezoelectric elements 38. A flexible printed circuit board (hereinafter referred to as “FPC”) for application is provided, and the piezoelectric element 38 is driven via the FPC 42, whereby the liquid stored therein is ejected as droplets from the droplet ejection nozzle 32a. Is configured to do. In the figure, 18 piezoelectric elements 8 are illustrated, but 1024 are actually arranged.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the head unit 3 has a nozzle plate 32 on which droplet discharge nozzles 32a are formed, and a communication hole 33a is formed on a surface (back surface) opposite to the discharge side of the nozzle plate 32. And a pool plate 33 having a liquid pool 33b, a first supply hole plate 34A having a communication hole 34a, a supply hole 34b and a supply path 34c (see FIG. 5), a communication hole 35a, a supply path 35b and a supply path 35c ( 5), a second supply hole plate 34B having a communication hole 34a, a supply hole 34b and a supply path 34c (see FIG. 5), a pressure generating chamber 36a and a supply hole 36b (see FIG. 3). The pressure generation chamber plate 36 having a reference), the diaphragm 37, the piezoelectric element 38, and the FPC 42 are sequentially laminated.

  The piezoelectric element 38 has an individual electrode 38a formed on the upper surface and a common electrode 38b formed on the lower surface by sputtering or the like. The common electrode 38 b on the lower surface is electrically connected to the diaphragm 37 by a conductive adhesive and is grounded via the diaphragm 37. The individual electrode 38a on the upper surface of the piezoelectric element 38 is connected to the conductive pattern 42a of the FPC 42 by solder. The piezoelectric element 38 is joined to a portion of the vibration plate 37 corresponding to the pressure generating chamber 36a at least in the area required for discharging droplets.

(Liquid flow)
The flow of the liquid will be described with reference to FIG. In the head unit 3, the liquid supplied to the supply hole 37 a of the vibration plate 37 includes a supply hole 36 b of the pressure generation chamber plate 36, a supply path 34 c of the second supply hole plate 34 B, a supply path 35 c of the supply path plate 35, Supply path 34c of first supply hole plate 34A, liquid pool 33b of pool plate 33, supply hole 34b of first supply hole plate 34A, supply path 35b of supply path plate 35, supply of second supply hole plate 34B Hole 34b, pressure generation chamber 36a of pressure generation chamber plate 36, communication hole 34a of second supply hole plate 34B, communication hole 35a of supply path plate 35, communication hole 34a of first supply hole plate 34A, and pool plate The liquid droplets are ejected as droplets from the nozzles 32a of the nozzle plate 32 via the communication holes 33a.

(Positioning nozzle)
6A is a plan view of the head unit as viewed from the discharge side, FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. 6A, and FIGS. It is sectional drawing shown. The nozzle plate 32 of the head unit 3 does not communicate with the liquid flow path of the droplet discharge nozzle 32a outside the region where the plurality of droplet discharge nozzles 32a are formed, and does not discharge droplets (for example, four ) Positioning nozzle 32b.

  As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the four positioning nozzles 32b communicate with each other between the two positioning nozzles 32b on the left side and the two positioning nozzles 32b on the right side through a space passage 32c. The space passage 32c and the positioning nozzle 32b that communicate with the two positioning nozzles 32b are liquid passages that communicate with the droplet discharge nozzle 32a (the supply hole 37a to the communication hole 33a shown in FIG. 5 as an explanation of the liquid flow). The flow path resistance when the liquid flows is smaller than that of the flow path configured by the above and the droplet discharge nozzle 32a. Although the space passage 32c is illustrated as being formed in the nozzle plate 32, it is actually formed in another plate shown in FIG.

  For this reason, the opening area of the positioning nozzle 32b is formed to be larger than the opening area of the droplet discharge nozzle 32c, as shown in FIG. For example, when the diameter of the droplet discharge nozzle 32a is set to about 30 μm, the diameter of the positioning nozzle 32b is set to 35 μm or more.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, the four positioning nozzles 32b are arranged at substantially point-symmetrical positions with respect to a point corresponding to the center of gravity of the region where the plurality of droplet discharge nozzles 32a are formed. In addition, you may arrange | position in the diagonal position of the some droplet discharge nozzle 32a.

  The droplet discharge nozzles 32a are arranged at a constant arrangement pitch in the direction R perpendicular to the paper feed direction Q, and the positioning nozzles 32b are arranged from the droplet discharge nozzles 32a located on the outermost side to the droplet discharge nozzles 32a. They are arranged at positions separated by n times the arrangement pitch (n is an integer of 1 to 2, preferably a natural number of 1 or 2). FIG. 6A shows the case where n = 1.

(Method for manufacturing droplet discharge head)
Hereinafter, an example of a method of manufacturing the droplet discharge head 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

(1) Electrode Material Film Formation An electrode material (not shown) is formed by sputtering or the like on a 30 μm thick piezoelectric body (not shown) processed to a required thickness.

(2) Individualization of piezoelectric body The piezoelectric element 38, the individual electrodes 38a, and the common electrode that are individualized by means of a blasting method, a dicing method, or the like so as to have a structure in which a cross-section of the formed electrode material and piezoelectric body is exposed. 38b is formed.

(3) Joining the first laminated body and the second laminated body The first laminated body S1 obtained by joining the nozzle plate 32 and the pool plate 33, the diaphragm 37, the pressure generating plate 36, and the second supply plate 34B. The supply path plate 35 and the second stacked body S2 to which the first supply hole plate 34A is joined are joined together by means such as adhesion.

(4) Electrical joining The common electrode 38b of the piezoelectric element 38 is bonded to the position corresponding to each pressure generating chamber 36a on the vibration plate 37 with a conductive adhesive, and the FPC 42 is electrically connected to the individual electrode 38a of the piezoelectric element 38 with solder. The head unit 3 is formed by connecting to the pattern 42a.

(5) Attaching the liquid relay member The liquid relay member 50 for supplying the liquid supplied from the liquid holding tank (not shown) into the head unit 3 manufactured in the steps up to (4) (FIG. 8B, ( Install c)). Thus, the head unit 3 including the piezoelectric element 38 is completed.

(6) Head unit discharge defect inspection The head unit 3 is filled with liquid and discharged, and the directionality of the discharge drop is inspected to select non-defective products.

(7) Liquid Suction from Positioning Nozzle Next, when the liquid ejected in the head unit ejection failure inspection scatters and enters the positioning nozzle 32b, the positioning in the subsequent process is hindered. As shown, the dedicated suction cap 15 is connected to each one of the positioning nozzles 32b and individually sucked to discharge the remaining liquid that has entered the nozzle.

  When the droplet discharge head 1 is used in a printer or the like, as shown in FIG. 6D, the positioning nozzle 32b is used by using a maintenance cap 16 that is attached when printing is not performed (when the head is retracted). The liquid remaining after entering the nozzle may be simultaneously discharged to the two positioning nozzles 32b.

(8) Longening A UV curable adhesive is applied as the positioning adhesive 4 to the upper surface 3a of the head unit 3 determined to be non-defective, and is brought into close contact with the lower surface 5a of the intermediate member 5.

  Image recognition is performed for the positions of a plurality of positioning nozzles 32b (see FIG. 6A) disposed on the peripheral edge of each head unit 3, the posture (X, Y, θ) of the head unit 3 is recognized, and the adjacent head After aligning the angle θ and the distances X and Y so that the positional relationship with the unit 3 is a predetermined position, the base member 2 (see FIG. 2) is lowered to a predetermined height, and the lower surface 2a of the base member 2 The intermediate member 5 is brought into close contact, and the base member 2 and the intermediate member 5 are fixed with bolts 6.

Next, the positioning adhesive 4 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays, and the positioning adhesive 4 is cured and fixed while maintaining high-precision positioning accuracy. If necessary, as a reinforcing adhesive, for example, a two-component room temperature curable adhesive such as an epoxy adhesive is applied and cured.
To do.

(Effects of the first embodiment)
(A) As shown in FIG. 6A, the positioning nozzle 32b is disposed at the peripheral edge of the plurality of droplet discharge nozzles 32a, thereby performing the discharge defect inspection and wiping work before the alignment of the adjacent head unit 3. At this time, since it is difficult for liquid to enter the positioning nozzle 32b, the positioning nozzle 32b can be easily and reliably formed with high positional accuracy without increasing the number of steps.
(B) By connecting at least two positioning nozzles 32b to each other as shown in FIG. 6B, the positioning nozzles 32b can be opened to the atmosphere. For example, FIG. ), The dedicated suction cap 15 is connected to each one of the positioning nozzles 32b and individually sucked, so that the liquid that has entered and remained can be easily discharged.
(C) As shown in FIG. 6D, when the present droplet discharge head 1 is used in a printer or the like, the maintenance cap 16 that is attached when printing is not performed is used to enter the positioning nozzle 32b and remain. Each liquid can be easily discharged.
(D) As shown in FIG. 6A, the positioning nozzle 32b is moved from the outermost droplet discharge nozzle 32a to n times the arrangement pitch of the droplet discharge nozzles 32a (n is an integer of 1 to 2, By disposing at a position that is preferably a natural number of 1 or 2), it is possible to easily and reliably form a two-dimensional array of positioning nozzles with high positional accuracy without increasing the number of steps.

[Second Embodiment]
7A and 7B show a head unit used in the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7A is a plan view of the head unit as viewed from the ejection side, and FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD in FIG. FIGS. 3C and 3C are cross-sectional views showing a state in which liquid is sucked from the positioning norz, and FIGS. 3D and 3E are cross-sectional views showing a state in which the positioning nozzle is sealed.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the head unit 3 has a plurality of (for example, four) positioning nozzles 32b, and the spatial passages 32c of the positioning nozzles 32b communicate with each other. Instead, before the alignment of the adjacent head units in the manufacturing process, each is configured to be openable to the atmosphere from the atmosphere opening hole 32d so as to be sealed. In addition, after the alignment of the adjacent head unit in the manufacturing process, as shown in FIG. 7D, the space passage 32c may be sealed with a sealing agent 32e, and as shown in FIG. The air opening hole 32d to the positioning nozzle 32b may be sealed.

(Effect of the second embodiment)
According to the second embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(A) The spatial passages 32c of the positioning nozzle 32b do not communicate with each other, and before the alignment of adjacent head units in the manufacturing process, each is configured to be openable to the atmosphere from the atmosphere opening hole 32d so that it can be sealed. For example, by connecting a maintenance cap to all of the positioning nozzles and sucking all the positioning nozzles at once, it is possible to easily and quickly discharge all of the remaining liquid that has entered the positioning nozzles. it can.
(B) After the alignment of the adjacent head unit in the manufacturing process, the air opening hole 32d can be sealed, and the sealing agent 32e is injected from the air opening hole 32d to seal up to the positioning nozzle 32b. By configuring so that the liquid can be stopped, for example, when the product is shipped, the liquid can be prevented from leaking from the positioning nozzle.

[Third Embodiment]
8A and 8B show a head unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 8A is a plan view of the head unit viewed from the ejection side, and FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE of FIG. FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the liquid is sucked from the positioning norz. In addition, illustration of the liquid relay member 50 is abbreviate | omitted in Fig.8 (a).

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8B, the space passage 32c that communicates with the positioning nozzle 32b communicates with the droplet discharge head 32a of the liquid relay member 50 and has a large volume. It is configured to communicate with the chamber 51. In FIG. 8, the liquid relay member 50 is illustrated as being directly attached to the nozzle plate 3, but actually, it is attached via another plate illustrated in FIG. 4.

(Effect of the third embodiment)
According to the third embodiment, an adjacent head unit in the manufacturing process is established by communicating the space passage 32c of the positioning nozzle 32b with the liquid storage chamber 51 having a large volume of the liquid relay member 50 having a large volume. Before the alignment and when the printer is used, the flow path resistance of the space passage communicating with the positioning nozzle can be made smaller and easier than the liquid flow path communicating with the droplet discharge nozzle. For this reason, for example, as shown in FIG. 8 (c), the maintenance cap 16 can easily and surely remove liquid that has penetrated and remained before alignment of adjacent head units in the manufacturing process.

[Fourth Embodiment]
9A and 9B show a head unit according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 9A is a plan view of the head unit viewed from the ejection side, and FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view taken along line FF in FIG. FIG.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, as the head unit 3, a plurality of one-row arrangement units 3 </ b> A in which the droplet discharge nozzles 32 a are arranged in one row are arranged in parallel at a predetermined angle. The base member 2 (see FIG. 2) is configured to be joined or supported in alignment with the surface. Two positioning nozzles 32b communicated by air passages 32c are provided at both ends of the one-row arrangement unit 3A.

(Effect of the fourth embodiment)
According to the fourth embodiment, it is possible to expand the degree of freedom of the layout of the droplet discharge head excellent in positional accuracy and printing performance.

[Fifth Embodiment]
10A and 10B show a head unit according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 10A is a plan view of the head unit viewed from the ejection side, and FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view taken along line GG in FIG. It is.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the head unit 3 has a plurality of one-row arrangement units 3A in which the droplet discharge nozzles 32a are arranged in one row. It is configured to be joined or supported in alignment with the surface of the member 2 (see FIG. 2). One positioning nozzle 32b of the one-row arrangement unit 3A is provided at each end portion of the droplet discharge nozzle 32a, and they are communicated with each other by a space passage 32c.

(Effect of the fifth embodiment)
According to the fifth embodiment, the degree of freedom of the layout of the droplet discharge head excellent in positional accuracy and printing performance can be expanded.

[Sixth Embodiment]
(Color printer configuration)
FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of a color printer to which the droplet discharge device according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention is applied. This color printer 100 has a substantially box-shaped casing 101, a paper feed tray 120 for storing paper P in the lower part of the casing 101, and a recorded paper P in the upper part of the casing 101. Each of the discharged paper discharge trays 121 is disposed, main conveyance paths 131a to 131e from the paper supply tray 120 to the paper discharge tray 121 via the recording position 102, and from the paper discharge tray 121 side to the recording position 102 side. A transport mechanism 130 that transports the paper P along the reverse transport path 132 is provided.

  At the recording position 102, a plurality of the head units 3 shown in FIG. 3 are arranged in parallel to form the droplet discharge head 1, and the four droplet discharge heads 1 are respectively yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan. (C) As a droplet discharge head unit 141 (141Y, 141M, 141C, 141K) that discharges ink droplets of each color of black (K), the droplet discharge head array is configured by arranging in the paper P transport direction. Yes. Details of the arrangement will be described later.

  In addition, the color printer 100 includes a charging roll 143 as an adsorbing unit that adsorbs the paper P, a platen 144 disposed to face the droplet discharge head units 141Y, 141M, 141C, and 141K via an endless belt 135, and The maintenance unit 145 disposed in the vicinity of the droplet discharge head units 141Y, 141M, 141C, and 141K and each unit of the color printer 100 are controlled, and the droplet discharge head units 141Y, 141M, 141C, and the like are controlled based on image signals. And a control unit (not shown) that records a color image on the paper P by applying a driving voltage to the piezoelectric element 38 of the head unit 3 constituting 141K, ejecting ink droplets from the nozzle 32a.

  The droplet discharge head units 141 </ b> Y, 141 </ b> M, 141 </ b> C, and 141 </ b> K have an effective print area that is equal to or larger than the width of the paper P. In addition, although the piezoelectric method was used as a method for discharging droplets, there is no particular limitation, and for example, a widely used method such as a thermal method can be appropriately used.

  Ink tanks 142Y, 142M, 142C, and 142K that store ink of colors corresponding to the droplet discharge head units 141Y, 141M, 141C, and 141K are disposed above the droplet discharge head units 141Y, 141M, 141C, and 141K. is doing. From each ink tank 142Y, 142M, 142C, 142K, it is comprised so that ink may be supplied to each droplet discharge head 1 via piping which is not shown in figure.

  The ink stored in the ink tanks 142Y, 142M, 142C, and 142K is not particularly limited, and for example, commonly used inks such as water-based, oil-based, and solvent-based can be used as appropriate.

  The transport mechanism 130 is arranged in each part of the pick-up roll 133 that takes out the paper P one by one from the paper feed tray 120 and supplies it to the main transport path 131a, the main transport paths 131a, 131b, 131d, and 131e, and the reverse transport path 132. A plurality of transport rolls 134 that transport the paper P, an endless belt 135 that is provided at the recording position 102 and transports the paper P in the direction of the paper discharge tray 121, a drive roll 136 on which the endless belt 135 is stretched, and a follower A roll 137 and a drive motor (not shown) that drives the transport roll 134 and the drive roll 136 are provided.

(Color printer operation)
Next, the operation of the color printer 100 will be described. The transport mechanism 130 drives the pickup roll 133 and the transport roll 134 under the control of the control unit, takes out the paper P from the paper feed tray 120, and transports the paper P along the main transport paths 131a and 131b. When the sheet P reaches the vicinity of the endless belt 135, the sheet P is charged by the electrostatic attraction force of the charging roll 143, and the sheet P is attracted to the endless belt 135.

  The endless belt 35 is rotated by the drive of the drive roll 36, and when the paper P is conveyed to the recording position 102, a color image is recorded by the droplet discharge head units 41Y, 41M, 41C, 41K.

  That is, the liquid pool 33b of the head unit 3 shown in FIG. 4 is filled with ink supplied from the ink tanks 142Y, 142M, 142C, and 142K, and ink is supplied from the liquid pool 33b via the supply holes 34b and the supply path 35b. Is supplied to the pressure generating chamber 36a, and ink is stored in the pressure generating chamber 36a. When the control unit selectively applies a driving voltage to the plurality of piezoelectric elements 38 based on the image signal, the diaphragm 37 bends as the piezoelectric elements 38 are deformed, thereby changing the volume in the pressure generating chamber 36a. Then, the ink stored in the pressure generation chamber 36a is ejected as ink droplets from the nozzle 32a onto the paper P through the communication holes 33a to 35a, and an image is recorded on the paper P. On the paper P, Y, M, C, and K images are sequentially overwritten, and a color image is recorded.

  The paper P on which the color image is recorded is discharged to the paper discharge tray 121 by the transport mechanism 130 via the main transport path 131d.

  When the duplex recording mode is set, the paper P once discharged to the paper discharge tray 121 returns to the main transport path 131e again, passes through the reverse transport path 132, and again passes through the main transport path 131b. Then, the color image is recorded on the surface opposite to the surface of the sheet P recorded last time by the droplet discharge head units 141Y, 141M, 141C, and 141K.

(Effect of 6th Embodiment)
According to the above-described sixth embodiment, since the droplet discharge head having excellent printing performance is used, a high-definition and high-quality color image can be provided.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, the constituent elements of each embodiment can be arbitrarily combined without departing from the scope of the invention.

  The liquid droplet ejection head and the liquid droplet ejection apparatus of the present invention are required to form high-definition image information patterns by ejecting liquid droplets in various industrial fields such as polymer films and glass surfaces. Electrical and electronic such as forming ink color by using ink jet method to form color filter for display, discharging solder paste onto substrate to form bumps for mounting components, wiring for circuit board, etc. It is effectively used in the industrial field, the medical field for producing a biochip for inspecting the reaction with a sample by discharging a reaction reagent onto a glass substrate or the like.

1 is a perspective view showing a droplet discharge head according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is the sectional view on the AA line of FIG. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the head unit according to the first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 3. (A) is the top view which looked at the head unit which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention from the discharge side, (b) is CC sectional view taken on the line of (a), (c), (d) is It is sectional drawing which shows a mode that a liquid is attracted | sucked from positioning nords. (A) is the top view which looked at the head unit which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention from the discharge side, (b) is DD sectional view taken on the line of (a), (c) is from positioning nords Sectional drawing which shows a mode that a liquid is attracted | sucked, (d), (e) is sectional drawing which shows a mode that a positioning nozzle is sealed. (A) is the top view which looked at the head unit which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention from the discharge side, (b) is the EE sectional view taken on the line (a), (c) is positioning norz It is sectional drawing which shows a mode that a liquid is attracted | sucked from. (A) is the top view which looked at the head unit which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention from the discharge side, (b) is the FF sectional view taken on the line of (a). (A) is the top view which looked at the head unit which concerns on the 5th Embodiment of this invention from the discharge side, (b) is the GG sectional view taken on the line of (a). It is a block diagram of the color printer to which the droplet discharge apparatus which concerns on the 6th Embodiment of this invention is applied.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Droplet discharge head 2 Base member 2a Lower surface 3 Head unit 3a Upper surface 3A Single row arrangement unit 4 Positioning adhesive 5 Intermediate member 5a Lower surface 6 Bolt 15 Dedicated suction cap 16 Maintenance cap 21 Back surface of base member 31 Head unit surface 32 Nozzle plate 32a Droplet discharge nozzle 32b Positioning nozzle 32c Space passage 32d Air release hole 32e Sealant 33 Pool plate 33a Communication hole 33b Liquid pool 34A, 34B Supply hole plate 34a Communication hole 34b Supply hole 34c Supply path 35 Supply path plate 35a Communication holes 35b, 35c Supply path 36 Pressure generation chamber plate 36a Pressure generation chamber 36b Supply hole 37 Diaphragm 37a Supply hole 38 Piezo element 38a Individual electrode 38b Common electrode 42 Flexible printed circuit board (FPC)
42a conductive pattern 50 liquid relay member 51 liquid storage chamber 120 paper feed tray 121 paper discharge tray 130 transport mechanisms 131a to 131e main transport path 132 reverse transport path 133 pickup roll 134 transport roll 135 endless belt 136 drive roll 137 driven roll 141Y, 141M 141C, 141K Droplet discharge head units 142Y, 142M, 142C, 142K Ink tank 143 Charging roll 144 Platen 145 Maintenance unit 100 Color printer 101 Housing 102 Recording position S1 First laminate S2 Second laminate P Paper Q Paper feed direction

Claims (11)

In a droplet discharge head comprising a base member elongated in a direction orthogonal to the feeding direction of the recording medium, and a plurality of head units that are joined or supported in alignment with the lower surface of the base member,
The head unit is used for alignment of a plurality of droplet discharge nozzles that discharge droplets via a liquid flow path and an adjacent head unit when aligning the plurality of head units on the lower surface of the base member. A plurality of positioning nozzles that do not discharge the liquid droplets and communicate with a predetermined space passage without communicating with the liquid flow path, and at least two of them are in communication with each other only via the space passage; Each having a positioning nozzle open to the atmosphere ,
The space passage and the positioning nozzle than said liquid flow path and the liquid droplet ejection nozzle, Ri flow resistance is small der when the liquid flows, connected to dedicated aspiration cap by one of the positioning nozzle The liquid droplet ejection head is capable of discharging the liquid remaining after entering the space passage and the positioning nozzle by performing individual suction . The droplet discharge head according to claim 2, wherein the droplet discharge nozzle is formed in a nozzle plate, and the space passage is formed in the nozzle plate rate .   The head unit has two or more sets of positioning nozzles, and the positioning nozzles are substantially point-symmetric with respect to a point corresponding to the center of gravity of a region where the entirety of the plurality of droplet discharge nozzles is formed. The droplet discharge head according to claim 2, wherein the droplet discharge head is disposed.   The head unit includes a plurality of the positioning nozzles, and the space passages of the positioning nozzles are not communicated with each other, and each is open to the atmosphere so as to be sealed. Droplet discharge head.   The droplet discharge head according to claim 1, wherein an opening area of the positioning nozzle is larger than an opening area of the droplet discharge nozzle.   The droplet discharge head according to claim 1, wherein the positioning nozzle is disposed at a peripheral portion of the plurality of droplet discharge nozzles.   The positioning nozzle is disposed at a position away from the droplet discharge nozzle located at the outermost position by n times (n is an integer of 1 to 2) the arrangement pitch of the droplet discharge nozzles. The droplet discharge head according to claim 1.   The liquid droplet ejection head according to claim 1, wherein the space passage communicating with the positioning nozzle communicates with a liquid storage chamber of a liquid relay member.   As the head unit, a plurality of one-row arrangement units in which the droplet discharge nozzles are arranged in a row are aligned or joined or supported in alignment with the lower surface of the base member in a state where they are aligned at a predetermined angle. The droplet discharge head according to claim 1, wherein:   A plurality of one-row arrangement units in which the droplet discharge nozzles are arranged in one row as the head unit are aligned or joined or supported on the lower surface of the base member in a staggered manner. The droplet discharge head according to claim 1. A liquid droplet ejection head having a base member elongated in a direction perpendicular to the feeding direction of the recording medium and a plurality of head units that are joined or supported in alignment with the lower surface of the base member; In a droplet discharge device that discharges droplets from the plurality of droplet discharge nozzles toward the recording medium,
The droplet discharge head is
The head unit is used for alignment of a plurality of droplet discharge nozzles that discharge droplets via a liquid channel and an adjacent head unit when aligning the plurality of head units on the lower surface of the base member. A plurality of positioning nozzles that do not discharge the liquid droplets and communicate with a predetermined space passage without communicating with the liquid flow path, and at least two of them are in communication with each other only via the space passage; Each having a positioning nozzle open to the atmosphere ,
The space passage and the positioning nozzle than said liquid flow path and the liquid droplet ejection nozzle, Ri flow resistance is small der when the liquid flows, connected to dedicated aspiration cap by one of the positioning nozzle The liquid droplet ejecting apparatus is characterized in that the liquid remaining after entering the space passage and the positioning nozzle can be discharged by performing individual suction .

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