JP6376329B2 - Liquid ejecting head and liquid ejecting apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a flow path forming member that ejects liquid from a nozzle opening, a liquid ejecting head, and a liquid ejecting apparatus.

  As the liquid ejecting head, for example, a pressure generating chamber communicating with a nozzle opening that discharges ink droplets is deformed by pressure generating means such as a piezoelectric element, and a head main body that discharges ink droplets from the nozzle opening, and the head main body are supplied to the head main body. 2. Description of the Related Art An ink jet recording head including a flow path member that forms a flow path of ink is known.

  In such an ink jet type recording head, when there are a plurality of tributary flow paths communicating from a main flow path sharing a common ink supply source via a branch point, there is a variation in pressure loss between the tributary flow paths. There is a desire to reduce the discharge characteristics between the heads as much as possible. Therefore, a technique is disclosed in which the cross-sectional area of the supply pipe is changed in accordance with the distance from the liquid storage means to the head when ink is supplied to a plurality of heads using a supply pipe having a branch function (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2011-88400 A

  However, Patent Document 1 basically uses a tube as a flow path, and since the cross-sectional area of the flow path is changed uniformly, the connectivity of the flow path becomes a problem, and the flow rate for each flow path It has not been studied about the occurrence of variations, and the problems of flow path connectivity and flow rate variations cannot be solved. Moreover, the problem that the dimension required for the flow path increases due to an increase in the number of branches cannot be solved. Furthermore, there is no particular mention of the supply pressure to the mainstream. For example, in order to sufficiently secure the bubble discharge performance in a tributary with a low flow velocity, there may be a problem that the supply pressure to the main flow needs to be excessively increased.

  Such a problem exists not only in the ink jet recording head but also in a liquid ejecting head unit that ejects liquid other than ink.

  In view of such circumstances, the present invention, when there are a plurality of tributary flow paths communicating from the main flow path via a branch point, while adjusting the pressure loss for each tributary, An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid ejecting head and a liquid ejecting apparatus that solve at least one of the problem of variation in flow velocity and the problem of dimensions required for a flow path.

[Aspect 1] According to an aspect of the present invention for solving the above problems, a plurality of head main bodies each having a liquid ejection surface having a nozzle opening through which liquid is ejected, and a flow path for supplying liquid to each of the head main bodies are provided. A flow path member, and the flow path of the flow path member includes a main flow communicating with an inlet to which a liquid from a liquid supply source is supplied, and a plurality of tributaries branched from the main flow, The channel friction coefficient changes in the middle of the channel, and the distance from the liquid ejection surface to the position where the channel friction coefficient changes differs for each of the tributaries, and each of the plurality of tributaries is a vertical extending in the vertical direction. A flow path including the vertical flow path communicating with the manifold portion of the head body on the outlet side, and the diameter of the outlet of the tributary flow communicating with the manifold section is uniform for each of the tributaries, and the flow path friction The coefficient is the vertical flow path A liquid-jet head, characterized in that changes in the medium.
In this aspect, since the channel resistance is changed by changing the channel friction coefficient of the channel of the tributary in the middle, each tributary can be a channel having a different channel resistance. Therefore, by appropriately setting the length of each flow path, for example, variation in pressure loss of each branch can be reduced, or the pressure loss of each branch can be set appropriately. In addition, according to this, since the diameter of the outlet is uniform, the connection with the head body can be facilitated, and the variation in the flow velocity of each branch at the outlet can be reduced. Since the channel resistance is changed by changing the channel friction coefficient of the vertical channel in the middle, the size required for the channel is smaller than the case where the variation in pressure loss of each branch is reduced only by the size of the cross-sectional area of the branch. Can be downsized.
[Aspect 2] In the liquid jet head according to aspect 1, it is preferable that a cross-sectional area of the vertical flow path is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the main flow. According to this, since the flow velocity of the vertical flow path can be increased, the retention of bubbles in the flow path up to the vertical flow path can be reduced. In addition, the size required for the vertical flow path can be reduced.
[Aspect 3] In the liquid jet head according to Aspect 1 or Aspect 2, in the vertical flow path, the flow path friction coefficient is smaller than the first flow path friction coefficient portion and the first flow path friction coefficient. A position of the first channel friction coefficient portion with respect to the second channel friction coefficient portion in the liquid flow direction in the vertical channel, It is preferable that it is the same between the said tributaries. According to this, since the regions in which the flow path resistance changes are relatively aligned, the liquid flow is made uniform between the tributaries. In addition, for example, the first channel friction coefficient portion can be formed of the same member, and manufacturing becomes relatively easy.
[Aspect 4] In the liquid jet head according to Aspects 1 to 3, the main flow is in the vertical direction.
Two sets of tributaries that are provided in two stages and are branched from each main stream and connected to the common head body
The supply pressure in is preferably uniform. According to this, even if the mainstream is provided in two stages
The supply pressure for each of the two stages of tributaries connected to the common head body can be made uniform.
[Aspect 5] In the liquid jet head according to Aspects 1 to 4, the plurality of the tributaries are adjacent to each other.
It is preferable that a wiring board connected to the head body is disposed between the tributaries in contact.
Good. According to this, space is saved by arranging the wiring board in the space between the tributaries.
Can do.
[Aspect 6] In the liquid jet head according to Aspects 1 to 5, the discharge of a plurality of the tributaries is performed.
It is preferable to provide a common outlet forming member that forms the mouth. According to this, the manifold
Compared to the case where there is an outlet forming member for each head body having
With a common outlet forming member, it is easy to fix the flow path forming member and the plurality of head bodies.
Become.
[Aspect 7] In the liquid jet head according to Aspects 1 to 6, the flow path friction in the mainstream
The maximum value of the friction coefficient is preferably equal to or less than the minimum value of the respective channel friction coefficients of the tributaries.
Yes. According to this, since the flow resistance of the mainstream is sufficiently small, even if the number of tributaries increases,
Variation in pressure loss can be reduced.
[Aspect 8] In the liquid jet head according to Aspects 1 to 7, the tributaries are arranged in the vertical direction.
A vertical flow path that extends and communicates with the manifold portion of the head body on the outlet side
Provided between the flow path, the tributary and the vertical flow path, and communicates with the tributary and the vertical flow path
A branch channel that circulates liquid in a direction that intersects the vertical direction.
The branch flow path is an intersecting portion having a surface intersecting the intersecting direction,
Having the intersecting portion for reducing the cross-sectional area of the branch channel toward the vertical channel.
Is preferred. According to this, the branch channel has an intersecting part, and the cross-sectional area of the channel at the intersecting part is gradually reduced.
The pressure loss can be reduced up to the intersection of the branch flow path, and
Increase the flow velocity at the difference so that air bubbles do not stay above the connection with the vertical channel.
You can.
[Aspect 9] Further, another aspect of the invention includes the liquid jet head according to aspects 1 to 8.
The liquid ejecting apparatus is characterized in that.
In this aspect, the flow resistance is changed by changing the flow coefficient of the tributary flow path in the middle.
Therefore, each tributary can be a channel with different channel resistance, and the length of each channel can be adjusted appropriately.
By appropriately setting, for example, variation in pressure loss of each tributary is reduced, or pressure of each tributary is reduced.
A liquid ejecting apparatus including a liquid ejecting head in which force loss is appropriately set is realized.
Another aspect of the present invention is as follows.
[Aspect 1] Another aspect includes a plurality of head main bodies having a liquid ejecting surface having a nozzle opening through which liquid is ejected, and a flow path member provided with a flow path for supplying liquid to each of the head main bodies. The flow path of the flow path member includes a main flow communicating with an inflow port supplied with a liquid from a liquid supply source, and a plurality of tributaries branching from the main flow, and the flow coefficient of the tributary flow path is The liquid ejecting head is characterized in that a distance from the liquid ejecting surface to a position where the flow coefficient of friction varies in the middle of the flow path differs for each of the tributaries.
In this aspect, since the channel resistance is changed by changing the channel friction coefficient of the channel of the tributary in the middle, each tributary can be a channel having a different channel resistance. Therefore, by appropriately setting the length of each flow path, for example, variation in pressure loss of each branch can be reduced, or the pressure loss of each branch can be set appropriately.

  [Aspect 2] Here, in the liquid jet head according to aspect 1, each of the plurality of tributaries is a vertical flow path extending in the vertical direction, and communicates with the manifold portion of the head body on the outlet side. The diameter of the outlet of the tributary that communicates with the manifold portion is uniform for each tributary, and the flow coefficient of friction preferably varies in the middle of the vertical flow path. According to this, since the diameter of the outlet is uniform, the connection with the head body can be facilitated, and the variation in the flow velocity of each branch at the outlet can be reduced. Since the channel resistance is changed by changing the channel friction coefficient of the vertical channel in the middle, the size required for the channel is smaller than the case where the variation in pressure loss of each branch is reduced only by the size of the cross-sectional area of the branch. Can be downsized.

  [Aspect 3] In the liquid jet head according to aspect 2, it is preferable that a cross-sectional area of the vertical flow path is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the main flow. According to this, since the flow velocity of the vertical flow path can be increased, the retention of bubbles in the flow path up to the vertical flow path can be reduced. In addition, the size required for the vertical flow path can be reduced.

  [Aspect 4] In the liquid jet head according to Aspects 2 to 3, in the vertical flow path, the flow path friction coefficient is smaller than the first flow path friction coefficient portion and the first flow path friction coefficient. A position of the first channel friction coefficient portion with respect to the second channel friction coefficient portion in the liquid flow direction in the vertical channel, It is preferable that it is the same between the said tributaries. According to this, since the regions in which the flow path resistance changes are relatively aligned, the liquid flow is made uniform between the tributaries. In addition, for example, the first channel friction coefficient portion can be formed of the same member, and manufacturing becomes relatively easy.

  [Aspect 5] In the liquid jet head according to Aspects 1 to 4, the main flow is provided in two sets of the tributaries which are provided in two stages in the vertical direction and are branched from each main flow and connected to the common head body. The supply pressure is preferably uniform. According to this, even if the main flow is provided in two stages, the supply pressure for each of the two stages of tributaries connected to the common head body can be made uniform.

  [Aspect 6] In the liquid jet head according to aspects 1 to 5, it is preferable that a wiring substrate connected to the head main body is disposed between the adjacent tributaries among the plurality of tributaries. According to this, a wiring board can be arrange | positioned in the space between tributaries, and space saving can be achieved.

  [Aspect 7] In the liquid jet head according to aspects 1 to 6, it is preferable that a common outlet forming member that forms the outlets of a plurality of the tributaries is provided. According to this, since a common outlet forming member is provided for a plurality of head main bodies as compared with the case where there is an outlet forming member for each head main body having a manifold, the flow path forming member and the plurality of head main bodies are fixed. Becomes easy.

  [Aspect 8] In the liquid jet head according to aspects 1 to 7, it is preferable that the maximum value of the channel friction coefficient in the main flow is equal to or less than the minimum value of each channel friction coefficient of the tributary. According to this, since the flow resistance of the main flow is sufficiently small, variation in pressure loss in the tributary can be reduced even if the number of tributaries increases.

  [Aspect 9] In the liquid jet head according to Aspects 1 to 8, the tributary is a vertical flow path extending in the vertical direction, and the vertical flow path communicating with the manifold portion of the head body on the outlet side; A branch channel provided between the tributary and the vertical channel and communicating with the tributary and the vertical channel, wherein the branch channel is configured to circulate liquid in a direction intersecting the vertical direction. The branch channel has an intersecting portion having a plane intersecting the intersecting direction, and has the intersecting portion that reduces the cross-sectional area of the branch channel toward the vertical channel. It is preferable. According to this, since the branch flow path has an intersection, and the cross-sectional area of the flow path at the intersection is gradually reduced, the pressure loss can be reduced to the intersection of the branch flow path, and the intersection The flow velocity can be increased by the above, so that bubbles do not stay above the connection portion with the vertical flow path.

[Aspect 10] Furthermore, another aspect of the invention is a liquid ejecting apparatus including the liquid ejecting head according to aspects 1 to 9.
In such an aspect, by changing the channel friction coefficient of the tributary channel in the middle and changing the channel resistance, each tributary can be a channel having a different channel resistance. By appropriately setting the length, for example, a liquid ejecting apparatus including a liquid ejecting head in which variation in pressure loss of each branch is reduced or pressure loss of each branch is appropriately set is realized.

1 is a schematic perspective view of a recording apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the head unit according to the first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the head unit according to the first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the recording head according to the first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the recording head according to the first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A ′ of FIG. 4. It is a disassembled perspective view of the head main body which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the head main body which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is the figure which showed typically arrangement | positioning of the nozzle opening of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a top view of the channel member (1st channel member) concerning Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is a top view of the 2nd channel member concerning Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is a top view of the 3rd channel member concerning Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is a bottom view of the 3rd channel member concerning Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is B-B 'sectional view taken on the line of FIGS. It is the C-C 'sectional view taken on the line of FIGS. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D ′ of FIGS. 10 to 15. It is the perspective view and sectional drawing which show a branch channel and a vertical channel typically. It is sectional drawing which shows the modification of a vertical flow path. It is sectional drawing which shows a flow path structure typically. It is the perspective view and sectional drawing which show a branch flow path, a vertical flow path, and a distribution flow path typically. It is sectional drawing which shows typically the branch channel and vertical channel of Embodiment 2. It is sectional drawing which shows the cross | intersection part of Embodiment 2 typically. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a modification of the intersecting portion of the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a modification of the intersecting portion of the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a modification of the intersecting portion of the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a modification of the intersecting portion of the second embodiment.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on embodiments.

<Embodiment 1>
The present invention will be described in detail based on embodiments. An ink jet recording head is an example of a liquid jet head, and is also simply referred to as a recording head. The ink jet recording head unit is an example of a liquid ejecting head unit, and is also simply referred to as a head unit. An ink jet recording apparatus is an example of a liquid ejecting apparatus. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the ink jet recording apparatus 1 is a so-called line recording apparatus that includes a head unit 101 and performs printing by transporting a recording sheet S such as paper that is an ejection target medium.

  Specifically, the ink jet recording apparatus 1 includes an apparatus main body 2, a head unit 101 having a plurality of recording heads 100, a conveying unit 4 that conveys a recording sheet S, and a recording sheet S that faces the head unit 101. And a support member 7 for supporting the. In the present embodiment, the conveyance direction of the recording sheet S is the X direction. Further, in the liquid ejection surface provided with the nozzle openings of the head unit 101, the direction orthogonal to the X direction is defined as the Y direction. Furthermore, let the direction orthogonal to the X direction and the Y direction be the Z direction. In the present embodiment, the Z direction coincides with the vertical direction. In the X direction, the upstream side for conveying the recording sheet S is the X1 side, the downstream side is the X2 side, one is the Y1 side and the other is the Y2 side in the Y direction, and the liquid ejection direction side (the recording sheet S in the Z direction). Side) is the Z1 side, and the opposite side is the Z2 side.

  The head unit 101 includes a plurality of recording heads 100 and a head fixing substrate 102 that holds the plurality of recording heads 100.

  The plurality of recording heads 100 are arranged side by side in the Y direction, which is a direction intersecting the X direction that is the transport direction, and are fixed to the head fixing substrate 102. In the present embodiment, the plurality of recording heads 100 are arranged side by side on a straight line in the Y direction. In other words, the plurality of recording heads 100 are not displaced in the X direction. Thereby, the width of the head unit 101 in the X direction can be narrowed, and the head unit 101 can be downsized.

  The head fixing substrate 102 holds the plurality of recording heads 100 so that the nozzle openings of the plurality of recording heads 100 face the recording sheet S side, and is fixed to the apparatus main body 2.

  The transport unit 4 transports the recording sheet S to the head unit 101 in the X direction. The transport unit 4 includes, for example, a first transport roller 5 and a second transport roller 6 provided on both sides in the X direction that is the transport direction of the recording sheet S with respect to the head unit 101. The recording sheet S is conveyed in the X direction by the first conveyance roller 5 and the second conveyance roller 6 as described above. The transport unit 4 that transports the recording sheet S is not limited to the transport roller, and may be a belt, a drum, or the like.

  The support member 7 supports the recording sheet S conveyed by the conveying unit 4 at a position facing the head unit 101. The support member 7 is made of, for example, a metal or resin having a rectangular cross section, and is provided opposite to the head unit 101 between the first transport roller 5 and the second transport roller 6.

  The support member 7 may be provided with a suction unit that sucks the conveyed recording sheet S on the support member 7. Examples of the suction means include a device that sucks and sucks the recording sheet S and a device that electrostatically sucks the recording sheet S by electrostatic force. For example, when the transport unit 4 is a belt or a drum, the support member 7 supports the recording sheet S on the belt or the drum at a position facing the head unit 101.

  Although not shown, each storage head 100 of the head unit 101 is connected to a liquid storage means such as an ink tank or an ink cartridge in which ink is stored so as to be able to supply ink. For example, the liquid storage unit may be held on the head unit 101 or may be held at a position different from the head unit 101 in the apparatus main body 2. Further, a flow path or the like for supplying ink supplied from the liquid storage means to the recording head 100 may be provided inside the head fixed substrate 102, and an ink flow path member is provided on the head fixed substrate 102 to provide ink. You may make it supply the ink from a liquid storage means to the recording head 100 via a flow-path member. Of course, the ink may be directly supplied from the liquid storage means to the recording head 100 without using the head fixing substrate 102 or the ink flow path member fixed to the head fixing substrate 102.

  In such an ink jet recording apparatus 1, the recording sheet S is transported in the X direction by the first transport roller 5, and printing is performed on the recording sheet S supported on the support member 7 by the head unit 101. The printed recording sheet S is conveyed in the X direction by the second conveying roller 6.

  The head unit 101 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the head unit according to this embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the liquid ejection surface side of the head unit.

  The head unit 101 of this embodiment includes a plurality of recording heads 100 and a head fixing substrate 102 that holds the plurality of recording heads 100. The recording head 100 has a liquid ejection surface 20a provided with nozzle openings 21 on the Z1 side in the Z direction. Each recording head 100 is fixed to the side of the head fixing substrate 102 facing the recording sheet S, that is, the Z1 side that is the recording sheet S side in the Z direction.

  As described above, the plurality of recording heads 100 are arranged in a straight line in the Y direction orthogonal to the X direction, which is the transport direction, and are fixed to the head fixing substrate 102. In other words, the plurality of recording heads 100 are not displaced in the X direction. Thereby, the width of the head unit 101 in the X direction can be narrowed, and the head unit 101 can be downsized. Of course, the recording heads 100 arranged side by side in the Y direction may be shifted in the X direction, but if the recording head 100 is greatly shifted in the X direction, the width of the head fixing substrate 102 or the like in the X direction becomes wider. turn into. When the size of the head unit 101 in the X direction is increased in this way, the distance in the X direction between the first transport roller 5 and the second transport roller 6 in the ink jet recording apparatus 1 is increased, and the posture of the recording sheet S is increased. It becomes difficult to fix. Further, the head unit 101 and the ink jet recording apparatus 1 are increased in size.

  In this embodiment, the four recording heads 100 are fixed to the head fixing substrate 102. However, the number of the recording heads 100 is not particularly limited as long as the number is two or more.

  The recording head 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 4 to 6. 4 is a plan view of the recording head, FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the recording head, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A ′ of FIG. 4. 4 is a plan view of the recording head 100 on the Z2 side in the Z direction, and the holding member 120 is not shown.

  The recording head 100 includes a plurality of head main bodies 110, a COF substrate 98 connected to each head main body 110, and a flow path member 200 provided with a flow path for supplying ink to each head main body. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the recording head 100 includes a holding member 120 that holds a plurality of head main bodies 110, a fixing plate 130 provided on the liquid ejecting surface 20 a side of the head main body 110, and a relay substrate 140. .

  The head main body 110 is supplied with ink from the holding member 120 and the flow path member 200 provided with an ink flow path, and is connected to a relay board 140 and a COF board from a control unit (not shown) provided in the ink jet recording apparatus 1. A control signal is transmitted via 98, and ink droplets are ejected based on the control signal. The detailed configuration of the head body 110 will be described later.

  Each head body 110 has a liquid ejecting surface 20a provided with a nozzle opening 21 on the Z1 side in the Z direction. Further, the Z2 side of the plurality of head bodies 110 is bonded to the Z1 side surface of the flow path member 200.

  The flow path member 200 is a member provided with a liquid flow path for ink supplied to the head main body 110. Although the detailed configuration of the flow path member 200 will be described later, a plurality of head main bodies 110 are bonded to the flow path member 200 in parallel in the Y direction on the surface on the Z1 side. The liquid flow path provided in the flow path member 200 communicates with the liquid flow path of each head body 110 so that ink is supplied from the flow path member 200 to each head body 110.

  In the present embodiment, six head bodies 110 are bonded to one flow path member 200. Of course, the number of head main bodies 110 to be fixed to one flow path member 200 is not limited to the above-described one, and there may be one head main body 110 for one flow path member 200, or two or more. It may be a plurality.

  The flow path member 200 is provided with an opening 201 penetrating in the Z direction, and a COF substrate 98 having one end connected to the head body 110 is inserted through the opening 201.

  The COF substrate 98 is an example of a flexible wiring substrate. The flexible wiring board is formed by wiring on a flexible substrate. The COF substrate 98 also includes a drive circuit 97 (see FIG. 7) that drives pressure generating means provided in the head body 110.

  The relay substrate 140 is a substrate on the surface of which electrical components such as wiring, IC, and resistance are mounted, and is disposed between the holding member 120 and the flow path member 200. The relay substrate 140 is formed with a through portion 141 communicating with the opening 201 provided in the flow path member 200. The opening shape of each penetration part 141 is formed larger than the opening part 201 of the flow path member 200.

  The COF substrate 98 connected to the pressure generating means of the head main body 110 is inserted through the opening 201 and the through portion 141 and connected to a terminal (not shown) provided on the Z2 side surface of the relay substrate 140. . That is, one COF substrate 98 is connected to each head body 110 and extends from the Z1 side in the Z direction to the Z2 side. Further, the COF substrates 98 connected to the plurality of head main bodies 110 are all provided at overlapping positions as viewed in the Y direction. As will be described later, although the COF substrate 98 of the present embodiment is inclined, the lead electrode 90 and the relay substrate 140 that are electrically connected to the COF substrate 98 are separated in the Z direction. Including such a case, the COF substrate 98 is assumed to extend in the Z direction.

  Although not particularly illustrated, the relay substrate 140 is connected to a control unit of the ink jet recording apparatus 1. For this reason, a drive signal or the like sent from the control unit is transmitted to the drive circuit 97 of the COF board 98 through the relay board 140, and the pressure generation means of the head body 110 is driven by the drive circuit 97. Thereby, the ink ejection operation of the recording head 100 is controlled.

  The holding member 120 has a holding part 121 that forms a groove-like space on the Z1 side. The holding portion 121 is provided continuously on the surface on the Z1 side of the holding member 120 over the Y direction so as to be opened on both side surfaces in the Y direction. In addition, the holding member 120 is provided with a holding portion 121 at a substantially central portion in the X direction, so that foot portions 122 are formed on both sides of the holding portion 121 in the X direction. That is, the foot part 122 is provided only on both ends in the X direction on the Z1 side surface of the holding member 120, and is not provided on both ends in the Y direction. In the present embodiment, the holding member 120 is composed of one member, but is not limited to such a mode, and a plurality of members may be stacked in the Z direction.

  In such a holding part 121, the relay substrate 140, the flow path member 200, and the plurality of head main bodies 110 are accommodated. Specifically, each head main body 110 is bonded to the Z1 side surface of the flow path member 200 with an adhesive or the like, and the relay substrate 140 is fixed to the Z2 side surface of the flow path member 200. The relay substrate 140, the flow path member 200, and the plurality of head main bodies 110 that are integrally configured in this way are accommodated in the holding portion 121.

  The holding member 120 and the flow path member 200 are bonded to each other with the adhesive portions of the holding part 121 and the flow path member 200 facing each other in the Z direction. The relay substrate 140 is accommodated in a space sandwiched between the holding part 121 and the flow path member 200. Note that the holding member 120 and the flow path member 200 may be integrated by a fixing means such as a screw instead of bonding with an adhesive.

  In addition, although not particularly shown, the holding member 120 is formed with a flow path through which ink flows, a filter that captures foreign matters, and the like. The flow paths of these holding members 120 are in communication with the liquid flow paths of the flow path member 200. As a result, the ink from the liquid storage means provided in the ink jet recording apparatus 1 is supplied to the head body 110 via the holding member 120 and the flow path member 200.

  The fixing plate 130 is a member that is provided on the liquid ejection surface 20 a side of the recording head 100, that is, on the Z1 side of the recording head 100 in the Z direction, and holds each recording head 100. The fixed plate 130 is formed, for example, by bending a plate-like member such as metal. Specifically, the fixing plate 130 includes a base portion 131 provided on the liquid ejection surface 20a side, and a bent portion 132 provided by bending both end portions in the Y direction of the base portion 131 to the Z2 side in the Z direction. It has.

  Further, the base 131 is provided with an exposure opening 133 that is an opening for exposing the nozzle opening 21 of each head body 110. In the present embodiment, the exposure opening 133 is provided so as to open independently for each head body 110. That is, since the recording head 100 of this embodiment has six head bodies 110, the base portion 131 is provided with six independent exposure openings 133. Of course, depending on the configuration of the head main body 110 and the like, one common exposed opening 133 may be provided for the head main body group including a plurality of head main bodies 110.

  Such a base portion 131 covers the Z1 side of the holding portion 121 of the holding member 120. As shown in FIG. 6, the base portion 131 is joined to the Z1 side surface of the holding member 120 in the Z direction, that is, the end surface on the Z1 side of the foot portion 122 via an adhesive.

  The bent portions 132 are provided at both ends of the base portion 131 in the Y direction, and are formed to have a size that covers an opening area that opens on the side surface of the holding portion 121 in the Y direction. That is, the bent portion 132 is a region from the end portion of the base portion 131 in the Y direction to the edge portion of the fixed plate 130. And such a bending part 132 is joined to the side surface of the holding member 120 in the Y direction via an adhesive. Thereby, the opening to the side surface in the Y direction of the holding portion 121 is covered and sealed by the bent portion 132.

  As described above, the fixing plate 130 is bonded to the holding member 120 with an adhesive, whereby the head main body 110 is disposed in the holding portion 121 that is a space between the holding member 120 and the fixing plate 130.

  As described above, the recording head 100 according to the present embodiment provides a plurality of head main bodies 110 with respect to one recording head 100 to increase the number of nozzle rows, so that one recording head 100 is provided. The yield can be improved as compared with the case where a plurality of nozzle rows are provided in only one head main body 110 to increase the number of rows. That is, increasing the number of nozzle rows in the single head main body 110 decreases the yield of the head main body 110 and increases the manufacturing cost. On the other hand, by increasing the number of nozzle rows by using the plurality of head main bodies 110, the yield of the head main bodies 110 can be improved and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  The opening on the side surface in the Y direction of the holding member 120 is sealed by the bent portion 132 of the fixing plate 130. Thereby, even if there is no foot portion 122 for bonding to the base portion 131 of the fixing plate 130 on both sides of the holding member 120 in the Y direction (hatched portions shown in FIG. 3), Moisture evaporation from the provided opening can be suppressed.

  Therefore, the head unit 101 in which the recording heads 100 are arranged in the Y direction does not have the foot portion 122 on the side of the recording head 100 adjacent in the Y direction, so that the interval between the recording heads 100 adjacent in the Y direction is reduced. Can do. Thereby, the head main bodies 110 of the recording heads 100 adjacent in the Y direction can be provided close to each other, and the nozzle openings 21 provided in the head main bodies 110 of the adjacent recording heads 100 are provided close to each other in the Y direction. be able to.

  In the recording head 100 according to the present embodiment, the foot portions 122 are provided on both sides of the holding member 120 in the X direction, but the foot portions 122 may not be provided. That is, the head main body 110 may be bonded to the surface of the holding member 120 on the Z1 side, and the bent portions 132 may be provided on both sides of the fixing plate 130 in the X direction and the Y direction. That is, the fixed plate 130 is provided with a bent portion 132 over the entire circumference in the in-plane direction of the liquid ejection surface 20a, and the fixed plate 130 is bonded over the entire circumference of the side surface of the holding member 120. Also good. However, by providing the foot portions 122 on both sides in the X direction of the holding member 120 as in the present embodiment, the end surface on the Z1 side of the foot portion 122 is bonded to the base portion 131 of the fixing plate 130, so that ink jet recording is performed. The strength of the head 100 in the Z direction can be improved, and moisture evaporation from the foot 122 can be suppressed.

  The head main body 110 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the head main body according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the head main body in the Y direction. Of course, the configuration of the head body 110 is not limited to the following configuration.

  The head main body 110 of this embodiment includes a pressure generation chamber 12, a nozzle opening 21, a manifold 95, pressure generation means, and the like. For this purpose, a plurality of members such as the flow path forming substrate 10, the communication plate 15, the nozzle plate 20, the protective substrate 30, the compliance substrate 45, and the case 40 are joined together with an adhesive or the like.

  In the flow path forming substrate 10, pressure generation chambers 12 partitioned by a plurality of partition walls are arranged in parallel along the direction in which the plurality of nozzle openings 21 are arranged by anisotropic etching from one side. In the present embodiment, the direction in which the pressure generating chambers 12 are arranged is referred to as the Xa direction. Further, the flow path forming substrate 10 is provided with a plurality of rows in which the pressure generating chambers 12 are arranged in the Xa direction, and in this embodiment, two rows. An arrangement direction in which a plurality of rows of the pressure generation chambers 12 are arranged is hereinafter referred to as a Ya direction. In the present embodiment, the directions orthogonal to the Xa direction and the Ya direction coincide with the Z direction. The head main body 110 according to the present embodiment is mounted on the head unit 101 so that the Xa direction, which is the direction in which the nozzle openings 21 are arranged, is inclined with respect to the X direction, which is the conveyance direction of the recording sheet S. The

  Further, the flow path forming substrate 10 is provided with a flow path resistance of the ink flowing into the pressure generation chamber 12 on one end side in the Ya direction of the pressure generation chamber 12 and having an opening area smaller than that of the pressure generation chamber 12. A supply path or the like may be provided.

  A communication plate 15 is bonded to one surface side of the flow path forming substrate 10. Further, a nozzle plate 20 provided with a plurality of nozzle openings 21 communicating with each pressure generating chamber 12 is joined to the communication plate 15. In the present embodiment, the Z1 side in the Z direction where the nozzle openings 21 of the nozzle plate 20 are open is the liquid ejection surface 20a.

  The communication plate 15 is provided with a nozzle communication path 16 that communicates the pressure generation chamber 12 and the nozzle opening 21. The communication plate 15 has a larger area than the flow path forming substrate 10, and the nozzle plate 20 has a smaller area than the flow path forming substrate 10. Thus, cost reduction can be achieved by making the area of the nozzle plate 20 relatively small.

  The communication plate 15 is provided with a first manifold 17 and a second manifold 18 that constitute a part of the manifold 95. The first manifold 17 is provided through the communication plate 15 in the Z direction. The second manifold 18 opens to the nozzle plate 20 side of the communication plate 15 without penetrating the communication plate 15 in the Z direction, and is provided halfway in the Z direction.

  Further, the communication plate 15 is provided with a supply communication passage 19 that communicates with one end portion of the pressure generation chamber 12 in the Y direction independently for each pressure generation chamber 12. The supply communication path 19 communicates the second manifold 18 and the pressure generation chamber 12.

  In the nozzle plate 20, nozzle openings 21 communicating with the pressure generation chambers 12 through the nozzle communication passages 16 are formed. A plurality of nozzle openings 21 are juxtaposed in the Xa direction, and each of the juxtaposed nozzle openings 21 forms two nozzle rows a and b, and the nozzle row a and nozzle row b are juxtaposed in the Ya direction. ing. In the present embodiment, although details will be described later, each of the nozzle row a and the nozzle row b is divided into two so that two types of liquid can be ejected in one row.

  On the other hand, a diaphragm 50 is formed on the surface of the flow path forming substrate 10 opposite to the communication plate 15. In addition, the first electrode 60, the piezoelectric layer 70, and the second electrode 80 are sequentially stacked on the vibration plate 50, thereby configuring the piezoelectric actuator 300 that is a pressure generating unit of the present embodiment. In general, one electrode of the piezoelectric actuator 300 is used as a common electrode, and the other electrode and the piezoelectric layer are patterned for each pressure generating chamber 12.

  A protective substrate 30 having substantially the same size as the flow path forming substrate 10 is bonded to the surface of the flow path forming substrate 10 on the piezoelectric actuator 300 side. The protective substrate 30 has a holding portion 31 that is a space for protecting the piezoelectric actuator 300. Further, the protective substrate 30 is provided with a through hole 32 penetrating in the Z direction. The end portion of the lead electrode 90 drawn out from the electrode of the piezoelectric actuator 300 is extended so as to be exposed in the through hole 32, and the lead electrode 90 COF substrate 98 is electrically connected in the through hole 32. Yes.

  A case 40 that defines a manifold 95 that communicates with the plurality of pressure generation chambers 12 is fixed to the protective substrate 30 and the communication plate 15. The case 40 has substantially the same shape as the communication plate 15 described above in a plan view, and is bonded to the protective substrate 30 and is also bonded to the communication plate 15 described above. Specifically, the case 40 has a recess 41 having a depth in which the flow path forming substrate 10 and the protective substrate 30 are accommodated on the protective substrate 30 side. The concave portion 41 has an opening area larger than the surface of the protective substrate 30 bonded to the flow path forming substrate 10. The opening surface on the nozzle plate 20 side of the recess 41 is sealed by the communication plate 15 in a state where the flow path forming substrate 10 and the like are accommodated in the recess 41. Accordingly, a third manifold 42 is defined by the case 40, the flow path forming substrate 10, and the protective substrate 30 on the outer peripheral portion of the flow path forming substrate 10. The third manifold 42 and the first manifold 17 and the second manifold 18 provided on the communication plate 15 constitute a manifold 95 of the present embodiment. As described above, since two types of liquid can be ejected by one nozzle row, the first manifold 17, the second manifold 18 and the third manifold 42 constituting the manifold 95 are respectively arranged in the nozzle row. The direction is divided into two in the Xa direction. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the first manifold 17 includes a first manifold 17a and a first manifold 17b. Similarly, the second manifold 18 and the third manifold 42 are also divided into two, and the entire manifold 95 is also divided into two in the Xa direction.

  In the present embodiment, the first manifold 17, the second manifold 18, and the third manifold 42 constituting the manifold 95 are arranged symmetrically with the nozzle row a and the nozzle row b interposed therebetween, respectively. According to this, it is also possible to eject different liquids for each nozzle row a and nozzle row b. Of course, the arrangement of the manifold is not limited to this.

  Further, in this embodiment, the manifold corresponding to each nozzle row is divided into two in the Xa direction so that four types of liquids can be ejected as will be described later. In addition, a manifold formed for each nozzle row b may be used, or a single manifold common to two rows of the nozzle row a and the nozzle row b may be used.

  A compliance substrate 45 is provided on the surface of the communication plate 15 where the first manifold 17 and the second manifold 18 open. The compliance substrate 45 seals the openings of the first manifold 17 and the second manifold 18.

  Such a compliance substrate 45 includes a sealing film 46 and a fixed substrate 47 in this embodiment. The sealing film 46 is formed of a flexible thin film (for example, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), stainless steel (SUS), etc. Further, the fixed substrate 47 is made of metal such as stainless steel (SUS), etc. A region facing the manifold 95 of the fixed substrate 47 is an opening 48 that is completely removed in the thickness direction, and thus one surface of the manifold 95 has flexibility. The compliance portion 49 is a flexible portion sealed only with the sealing film 46.

  The fixing plate 130 is bonded to the surface of the compliance substrate 45 opposite to the communication plate 15. That is, the exposed opening 133 provided in the base portion 131 of the fixed plate 130 has an opening area larger than the area of the nozzle plate 20, and exposes the liquid ejection surface 20 a of the nozzle plate 20 in the exposed opening 133. . Of course, the fixing plate 130 is not limited to this. For example, the exposed opening 133 of the fixing plate 130 has an opening area smaller than the outer shape of the nozzle plate 20, and the fixing plate 130 contacts the liquid ejection surface 20a of the nozzle plate 20. You may make it contact | connect or adhere | attach. Even if the exposed opening 133 of the fixed plate 130 has a smaller opening area than the outer shape of the nozzle plate 20, the fixed plate 130 and the liquid ejection surface 20a may be provided so as not to contact each other. That is, the fact that the fixed plate 130 is provided on the liquid ejecting surface 20a includes not only the one that is not in contact with the liquid ejecting surface 20a but also the one that is in contact with the liquid ejecting surface 20a.

  The case 40 is provided with an introduction path 44 that communicates with the manifold 95 and supplies ink to each manifold 95. The case 40 is provided with a connection port 43 that communicates with the through hole 32 of the protective substrate 30 and through which the COF substrate 98 is inserted.

  In the head main body 110 having such a configuration, when ink is ejected, the ink is taken in from the storage unit via the introduction path 44 and the inside of the flow path is filled with the ink from the manifold 95 to the nozzle opening 21. Thereafter, in accordance with a signal from the drive circuit 97, a voltage is applied to each piezoelectric actuator 300 corresponding to the pressure generation chamber 12 to bend and deform the diaphragm together with the piezoelectric actuator 300. As a result, the pressure in the pressure generating chamber 12 is increased and ink droplets are ejected from the predetermined nozzle openings 21.

  Here, using FIG. 5 and FIG. 9, the parallel arrangement direction of the nozzle openings 21 constituting the nozzle row of the head main body 110 is provided to be inclined with respect to the X direction that is the conveyance direction of the recording sheet S. The point will be described in detail. FIG. 9 is an explanatory view schematically showing the arrangement of the nozzle openings of the head body according to the present embodiment.

  The plurality of head main bodies 110 are fixed so that the nozzle row a and the nozzle row b are inclined with respect to the X direction that is the conveyance direction of the recording sheet S in the in-plane direction of the liquid ejection surface 20a. The nozzle row here means a plurality of nozzle openings 21 arranged in parallel in a predetermined direction. In the present embodiment, the liquid ejecting surface 20a is provided with two nozzle rows a and nozzle rows b in which a plurality of nozzle openings 21 are arranged in parallel in the Xa direction as the predetermined direction. The Xa direction is a direction intersecting the X direction at an angle greater than 0 degree and less than 90 degrees. Here, it is preferable that the X direction and the Xa direction intersect at an angle greater than 0 degree and less than 45 degrees. According to this, as compared with the case of intersecting at an angle greater than 45 degrees and less than 90 degrees, the interval D1 between the nozzle openings 21 in the Y direction can be made smaller, and a high-resolution recording head 100 can be realized in the Y direction. it can. Of course, the X direction and the Xa direction may intersect at an angle greater than 45 degrees and less than 90 degrees.

  Note that the fact that the X direction and the Xa direction intersect at an angle greater than 0 degree and less than 45 degrees means that the nozzle row is directed in the X direction rather than a straight line intersecting the X direction at 45 degrees within the plane of the liquid ejection surface 20a. It means a state that is more inclined. The interval D1 here is an interval between the nozzle openings 21 when the nozzle openings 21 of the nozzle row a and the nozzle row b are projected in the X direction with respect to the virtual line in the Y direction. Further, the interval between the nozzle openings 21 when the nozzle openings 21 of the nozzle array a and the nozzle array b are projected in the Y direction with respect to the virtual line in the X direction is defined as D2.

  As shown in FIG. 9, in this embodiment, two types of liquid can be ejected by one nozzle row and four types of liquid by two nozzle rows. That is, assuming that four colors of ink are used, for example, the nozzle row a can eject black Bk and magenta M, and the nozzle row b can eject cyan C and yellow Y. Further, the nozzle row a and the nozzle row b have the same number of nozzle openings 21, and the position of the nozzle openings 21 of the nozzle row a in the Y direction and the position of the nozzle openings 21 of the nozzle row b in the Y direction are: Overlapping in the X direction.

  The head main bodies 110a to 110c have similar nozzle rows a and b, and the head main bodies 110a to 110c are provided close to the Y direction, whereby each nozzle opening 21 of the head main body 110 adjacent to the Y direction is provided. Are arranged side by side so as to overlap each other in the X direction. Therefore, for example, the magenta M nozzle row a and the yellow Y nozzle row b of the head main body 110a overlap the black Bk nozzle row a and the cyan C nozzle row b of the head main body 110b in the X direction. Four colors are arranged in a line in the direction, and a color image can be printed. Similarly, in the head main body 110b and the head main body 110c adjacent to each other in the Y direction, the nozzle openings 21 are arranged side by side so as to overlap each other in the X direction.

  Furthermore, by disposing at least some of the nozzle openings 21 in the same color nozzle row of the adjacent head main bodies 110 so as to overlap each other in the X direction, the image quality of the joint between the head main bodies 110 can be improved. Can do. That is, for example, one nozzle opening 21 of the magenta nozzle row a of the head main body 110a and one nozzle opening 21 of the magenta M nozzle row a of the head main body 110b are arranged so as to overlap each other in the X direction. In addition, by controlling the ejection from the two nozzle openings 21 that overlap each other, it is possible to prevent image quality degradation such as banding and streaking at the joint between the adjacent head bodies 110. In the example shown in FIG. 9, only one nozzle opening 21 overlaps in the X direction, but two or more nozzle openings 21 may overlap in the X direction.

  Of course, the arrangement of such colors is not limited to this. For example, although not particularly illustrated, the nozzles may be arranged so that four colors of black Bk, magenta M, cyan C, and yellow Y can be ejected by one nozzle row.

  As described above, four recording heads 100 having a plurality of head main bodies 110 are fixed to the head fixing substrate 102 to constitute the head unit 101. However, as shown by a straight line L in FIG. They are arranged so that part of the nozzle rows overlap in the X direction. That is, similarly to the relationship between adjacent head main bodies 110 in one recording head 100, adjacent head main bodies 110 are provided adjacent to each other in the Y direction between the adjacent recording heads 100 in the Y direction. A color image can be printed between 100 and the image quality of the joint between adjacent recording heads 100 can be improved. Of course, the number of nozzle openings 21 that overlap in the X direction between adjacent recording heads 100 need not be the same as the number of nozzle openings 21 that overlap in the X direction between the head bodies 110 in one recording head 100.

  Thus, the nozzle row between the head main bodies 110 and the nozzle row between the recording heads 100 partially overlap in the X direction, so that the image quality of the joint can be improved.

  In addition, the nozzle pitch and the angle between the X direction and the Xa direction are set so that the X direction interval D1 and the Y direction interval D2 have an integer ratio between the nozzle openings 21 adjacent to each other in the Xa direction of each nozzle row. Is preferred. According to this, when printing image data composed of pixels arranged in a matrix in the X direction and the Y direction, it is easy to associate each nozzle with a pixel. Of course, it is not limited to such an integer ratio.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the recording head 100 of the present embodiment has a shape that is a substantially parallelogram when viewed from the liquid ejection surface 20 a side. This is because, as described above, the Xa direction, which is the juxtaposed direction of the nozzle openings 21 constituting the nozzle row a and the nozzle row b of each head body 110, is inclined with respect to the X direction, which is the conveyance direction of the recording sheet S. Since the outer shape of the recording head 100, that is, the fixed plate 130 is formed to be a substantially parallelogram in the same manner as the Xa direction, which is the direction in which the nozzle row a and the nozzle row b are inclined. It is. Of course, the shape of the recording head 100 when viewed from the liquid ejection surface 20a side is not limited to a substantially parallelogram, and may be a trapezoidal rectangular shape, a polygonal shape, or the like.

  In the embodiment described above, an example in which two nozzle rows are provided in one head body has been described. However, even if the nozzle body has three or more nozzle rows, the above-described effects can be obtained. Needless to say. If the number of nozzle rows provided in one head body 110 is two as in the present embodiment, each of the two manifolds 95 corresponding to each nozzle row as shown in FIG. Since the nozzle openings 21 of the nozzle rows can be arranged, compared to the case where the nozzle openings 21 of the plurality of nozzle rows are arranged on the same side with respect to the manifold corresponding to each nozzle row, two nozzle rows Can be narrowed in the Ya direction. Therefore, the area required for one nozzle plate 20 with respect to two nozzle rows can be reduced. In addition, the connection between the piezoelectric actuators 300 of the two nozzle rows and the COF substrate 98 is facilitated.

  In the present embodiment, each nozzle row a, b has the same number of nozzle openings 21. According to this, the number of overlaps in the X direction between the nozzle rows can be made the same, and efficient liquid ejection can be performed. However, the number of nozzle openings in each nozzle row is not necessarily the same. Further, the types of liquid ejected by the nozzle rows a and b may all be the same, and for example, all the same color inks may be used.

  In the present embodiment, the head main body 110 preferably has one nozzle plate 20 for two nozzle rows. According to this, the arrangement of the nozzle rows can be realized with higher accuracy. Of course, you may provide another nozzle plate 20 for every nozzle row. The nozzle plate 20 is made of a stainless steel (SUS) plate or a silicon substrate.

  The flow path member 200 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 10 is a plan view of the first flow path member 210 as the flow path member 200, FIG. 11 is a plan view of the second flow path member 220 as the flow path member 200, and FIG. 13 is a plan view of the third flow path member 230, FIG. 13 is a bottom view of the third flow path member 230, FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB ′ of FIGS. 10 to 13, and FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC ′ of FIGS. 10 to 13, and FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD ′ of FIGS. 10 to 15. 10 to 12 are plan views on the Z2 side, and FIG. 13 is a bottom view on the Z1 side.

  The channel member 200 is a member provided with a channel 240 through which ink flows. In the present embodiment, the first flow path member 210, the second flow path member 220, the third flow path member 230, and a plurality of flow paths 240 stacked in the Z direction are provided. In the Z direction, the first flow path member 210, the second flow path member 220, and the third flow path member 230 are stacked in this order from the holding member 120 side (see FIG. 2) toward the head main body 110 side. Although not particularly illustrated, the first flow path member 210, the second flow path member 220, and the third flow path member 230 are bonded and fixed by an adhesive, but the present invention is not limited to this mode, and for example, fixing such as a screw The first flow path member 210, the second flow path member 220, and the third flow path member 230 may be integrated by means. Further, although there is no particular limitation on the material, for example, it can be formed of a metal such as SUS or a resin.

  The flow path 240 has both ends of an introduction flow path 280 into which ink supplied from an upstream member (the holding member 120 in the present embodiment) is introduced and a connection portion 290 serving as an outlet for supplying the ink to the head. It is a flow path. In the present embodiment, four flow paths 240 are formed, and each flow path 240 is supplied with ink to one introduction flow path 280 and branches in the middle, and the ink is supplied from the plurality of connection portions 290 to the head main body 110. It is comprised so that it may supply.

  Among the four channels 240, a part is a first channel 241 and the rest is a second channel 242. In the present embodiment, two first flow paths 241 and two second flow paths 242 are formed. Each of the two first channels 241 is referred to as a first channel 241a and a first channel 241b. Henceforth, when it describes as the 1st flow path 241, both the 1st flow path 241a and the 1st flow path 241b shall be pointed out. The same applies to the second flow path 242.

  The first flow path 241 includes a first introduction flow path 281. The first introduction flow path 281 includes a first distribution flow path 251 described later in the first flow path 241 and a flow path upstream of the flow path member 200 (the flow path of the holding member 120 in the present embodiment). It is a flow path which connects. In the present embodiment, the two first flow paths 241a and 241b have a first introduction flow path 281a and a first introduction flow path 281b, respectively.

  Specifically, the first introduction flow path 281a has a through hole 211 that opens in the top surface of the protrusion 212 provided on the Z2 side surface of the first flow path member 210 and penetrates in the Z direction. A through hole 221 that penetrates the flow path member 220 in the Z direction communicates therewith. The same applies to the first introduction flow path 281b. Hereinafter, when the first introduction flow path 281 is described, the first introduction flow path 281a and the first introduction flow path 281b are indicated.

  The second flow path 242 includes a second introduction flow path 282. The second introduction flow path 282 includes a second distribution flow path 252 to be described later and a flow path upstream of the flow path member 200 (the flow path of the holding member 120 in the present embodiment) of the second flow path 242. It is a flow path which connects. In the present embodiment, the two second flow paths 242a and the second flow path 242b have a second introduction flow path 282a and a second introduction flow path 282b, respectively.

  Specifically, the second introduction flow path 282a is a through hole that opens in the top surface of the protrusion 213 provided on the Z2 side surface of the first flow path member 210 and penetrates in the Z direction. The same applies to the second introduction channel 282b. Hereinafter, when the second introduction channel 282 is described, the second introduction channel 282a and the second introduction channel 282b are indicated.

  Furthermore, when the introduction channel 280 is described, all of the above-described four introduction channels are indicated. The introduction channel 280 corresponds to the inlet of the present invention.

  In the present embodiment, in the plan view shown in FIG. 10, the first introduction flow path 281 a is disposed in the vicinity of the upper left corner of the first flow path member 210, and the first flow path is in the vicinity of the lower right corner of the first flow path member 210. An introduction channel 281b is disposed. 10, the second introduction channel 282a is disposed in the vicinity of the upper right corner of the first channel member 210, and the second introduction channel in the vicinity of the lower left corner of the first channel member 210. 282b is arranged.

  The first flow path 241 includes a first distribution flow path 251 formed by the second flow path member 220 and the third flow path member 230. The first distribution channel 251 is a part of the first channel 241 that circulates ink in a direction parallel to the liquid ejection surface 20a. In the present embodiment, since two first flow paths 241 are formed, two first distribution flow paths 251 are also formed. Each of the two first distribution channels 251 is referred to as a first distribution channel 251a and a first distribution channel 251b.

  The first distribution channel 251a includes a distribution groove portion 231a formed along the Y direction on the Z1 side surface of the second flow channel member 220 and a Z2 side surface of the third flow channel member 230 along the Y direction. It is formed by sealing together with the formed distribution groove 231a. The first distribution channel 251b includes a distribution groove portion 231b formed along the Y direction on the Z1 side surface of the second flow channel member 220 and a Z2 side surface of the third flow channel member 230 along the Y direction. It is formed by sealing together with the formed distribution groove 231b.

  For any of the first distribution channels 251a and 251b, the distribution channels 226a, 226b, 231a, and 231b are formed in the second flow channel member 220 and the third flow channel member 230, respectively. The cross-sectional area of each 251b is expanded to reduce the pressure loss in the first distribution channels 251a and 251b. The first distribution channels 251a and 251b may be formed by distribution grooves 226a and 226b formed only in the second channel member 220, or formed only in the third channel member 230. The distribution groove portions 231a and 231b may be formed. For example, by forming the distribution groove portions 226a and 226b only in the second flow path member 220 on the Z2 side, as will be described later, the COF substrate 98 whose width in the Xa direction becomes narrower from the Z1 side to the Z2 side, The degree of freedom of arranging the first flow path 241 can be improved while preventing interference with the first distribution flow paths 251a and 251b.

  The first distribution channel 251a and the first distribution channel 251b are disposed on both outer sides in the X direction of the opening 201 (third opening 235) through which the COF substrate 98 is inserted.

  The second flow path 242 includes a second distribution flow path 252 formed by the first flow path member 210 and the second flow path member 220. The second distribution channel 252 is a part of the second channel 242 that circulates ink in a direction parallel to the liquid ejection surface 20a. In the present embodiment, since two second flow paths 242 are formed, two second distribution flow paths 252 are also formed. Each of the two second distribution channels 252 is defined as a second distribution channel 252a and a second distribution channel 252b.

  The second distribution channel 252a includes a distribution groove portion 222a formed along the Y direction on the Z1 side surface of the first channel member 210, and a Z2 side surface of the second channel member 220 along the Y direction. It is formed by sealing together with the formed distribution groove part 222a. The second distribution channel 252b includes a distribution groove 222b formed on the surface on the Z1 side of the first flow channel member 210 and a distribution groove formed on the surface on the Z2 side of the second flow channel member 220 along the Y direction. It is formed by sealing together with 222b.

  For any of the second distribution channels 252a, 252b, the distribution channel portions 213a, 213b, 222a, 222b are formed in the first channel member 210 and the second channel member 220, respectively, so that the second distribution channel 252a, The cross-sectional area of each 252b is expanded, and the pressure loss in the second distribution channels 252a and 252b is reduced. The second distribution channels 252a and 252b may be formed by distribution grooves 213a and 213b formed only in the first channel member 210, or formed only in the second channel member 220. It may be formed by the distribution groove portions 222a and 222b. For example, by forming the distribution groove portions 222a and 222b only in the first flow path member 210 on the Z2 side, the first distribution flow path 251a and 251b described above can prevent the interference with the COF substrate 98 while preventing the interference with the COF substrate 98. The degree of freedom of arranging the two flow paths 242 can be improved.

  The second distribution channel 252a and the second distribution channel 252b are arranged on both outer sides in the X direction of the opening 201 (second opening 225) through which the COF substrate 98 is inserted.

  Hereinafter, when the first distribution channel 251 is described, it refers to both the first distribution channel 251a and the first distribution channel 251b. When described as the second distribution channel 252, it indicates both the second distribution channel 252 a and the second distribution channel 252 b. Further, when the distribution channel 250 is described, it is assumed that all of the four distribution channels described above are indicated. The distribution channel 250 corresponds to the main channel of the present invention. In some cases, it is simply referred to as mainstream instead of the mainstream flow path.

  In the present embodiment, the first flow path 241 is configured to branch from one introduction flow path 280 to a plurality of connection portions 290. That is, from the first distribution channel 251, a plurality of first branch channels 261 are the same plane as the first distribution channel 251 (boundary surface where the second channel member 220 and the third channel member 230 are joined). Branches in

  In the present embodiment, in the plane parallel to the liquid ejection surface 20a (the boundary surface between the second flow path member 220 and the third flow path member 230), the first distribution flow path 251 to the six first branch flow paths 261. Is branched. Each of the six first branch channels 261 branched from the first distribution channel 251a is referred to as a first branch channel 261a1 to a first branch channel 261a6. Henceforth, when describing with the 1st branch flow path 261a, all the 6 branch flow paths connected to the 1st branch flow path 261a shall be pointed out.

  Similarly, each of the six first branch channels 261 branched from the first distribution channel 251b is referred to as a first branch channel 261b1 to a first branch channel 261b6. Henceforth, when describing with the 1st branch flow path 261b, all the 6 branch flow paths connected to the 1st branch flow path 261b shall be pointed out. Furthermore, when it describes as the 1st branch flow path 261, it shall point out all the 12 branch flow paths connected to the 1st branch flow path 261a and the 1st branch flow path 261b.

  In the figure, of the six first branch channels 261a1 to 261a6 arranged in the Y direction, the reference numerals of the first branch channels 261a2 to 261a5 are omitted. , And are arranged in order from the Y1 side to the Y2 side. The same applies to the first branch channel 261b1 to the first branch channel 261b6.

  Specifically, on the surface on the Z2 side of the third flow path member 230, a plurality of branch groove portions 232a that communicate with the distribution groove portion 231a and extend toward the opening portion 201 side are provided. On the surface of the second flow path member 220 on the Z1 side, a plurality of branch groove portions 227a that communicate with the distribution groove portion 226a and extend toward the opening portion 201 side are provided. The first branch channel 261a is formed by sealing the branch groove part 227a and the branch groove part 232a so as to face each other.

  On the surface on the Z2 side of the third flow path member 230, a plurality of branch groove portions 232b that communicate with the distribution groove portion 231b and extend toward the opening portion 201 side are provided. On the surface of the second flow path member 220 on the Z1 side, a plurality of branch groove portions 227b that communicate with the distribution groove portion 226b and extend toward the opening portion 201 side are provided. The first branch channel 261b is formed by sealing the branch groove part 227b and the branch groove part 232b so as to face each other.

  For any of the first branch flow paths 261a, 261b, the first branch flow paths 261a, 232b are formed by forming the branch groove portions 227a, 227b, 232a, 232b in the second flow path member 220 and the third flow path member 230, respectively. The cross-sectional area of each 261b is expanded to reduce the pressure loss in the first branch flow paths 261a and 261b. The first branch flow paths 261a and 261b are formed by the branch groove parts 227a and 227b formed only in the second flow path member 220 or the branch groove parts 232a and 232b formed only in the third flow path member 230. It may be. For example, as will be described later, in the region Q where the width in the Ya direction widens from the Z1 side toward the Z2 side by inclining in the Ya direction, the branch groove portions 227a and 227b are formed only in the second flow path member 220 on the Z2 side. By forming it, the freedom degree which arrange | positions the 1st flow path 241 can be improved, preventing interference with the COF board | substrate 98. FIG. In addition, in the region P where the width in the Ya direction increases from the Z2 side toward the Z1 side, the branch groove portions 232a and 232b are formed only in the third flow path member 230 on the Z1 side, thereby preventing interference with the COF substrate 98. While preventing, the freedom degree which arrange | positions the 1st flow path 241 can be improved.

  The second flow path 242 is configured to branch from one introduction flow path 280 to a plurality of connection portions 290. Although details will be described later, a plurality of second branch channels 262 are connected to the same plane as the second distribution channel 252 from the second distribution channel 252 (the first channel member 210 and the second channel member 220 are joined together). Branching at the boundary).

  In the present embodiment, six second branch flow channels 262 are provided from the second distribution flow channel 252 in a plane parallel to the liquid ejection surface 20a (a boundary surface between the first flow channel member 210 and the second flow channel member 220). Is branched. Each of the six second branch channels 262 branched from the second distribution channel 252a is referred to as a second branch channel 262a1 to a second branch channel 262a6.

  Similarly, each of the six second branch channels 262 branched from the second distribution channel 252b is referred to as a second branch channel 262b1 to a second branch channel 262b6.

  Henceforth, when describing with the 2nd branch flow path 262a, all the 6 branch flow paths connected to the 2nd branch flow path 262a shall be pointed out. When described as the second branch flow path 262b, all the six branch flow paths connected to the second branch flow path 262b are pointed out. Moreover, when describing as the 2nd branch flow path 262, all the 12 branch flow paths connected to the 2nd branch flow path 262a and the 2nd branch flow path 262b shall be pointed out. Furthermore, when it describes as the branch flow path 260, it shall point out all the 24 branch flow paths mentioned above.

  In the drawing, among the six second branch channels 262a1 to 262a6 arranged in the Y direction, the reference numerals of the second branch channels 262a2 to 262a5 are omitted. , And are arranged in order from the Y1 side to the Y2 side. The same applies to the second branch flow path 262b1 to the second branch flow path 262b6.

  Specifically, on the surface of the second flow path member 220 on the Z2 side, a plurality of branch groove portions 223a that communicate with the distribution groove portion 222a and extend toward the opening 201 are provided. On the surface on the Z1 side of the first flow path member 210, a plurality of branch groove portions 214a that communicate with the distribution groove portion 213a and extend toward the opening portion 201 side are provided. The second branch channel 262a is formed by sealing the branch groove portion 214a and the branch groove portion 223a so as to face each other.

  On the surface on the Z2 side of the second flow path member 220, a plurality of branch groove portions 223b that communicate with the distribution groove portion 222b and extend toward the opening 201 are provided. On the surface of the first flow path member 210 on the Z1 side, a plurality of branch groove portions 214b that communicate with the distribution groove portion 213b and extend toward the opening 201 are provided. The second branch channel 262b is formed by sealing the branch groove portion 214b and the branch groove portion 223b so as to face each other.

  For any of the second branch channels 262a and 262b, the second branch channels 262a, 223b, 223b are formed in the first channel member 210 and the second channel member 220, respectively. The cross-sectional area of each 262b is expanded, and the pressure loss in the second branch flow paths 262a and 262b is reduced. The second branch flow paths 262a and 262b may be formed by the branch groove portions 214a and 214b formed only in the first flow path member 210, or may be formed only in the second flow path member 220. It may be formed by the branch groove portions 223a and 223b. For example, as will be described later, in the region Q in which the width in the Ya direction widens from the Z1 side toward the Z2 side by inclining in the Ya direction, the branch groove portions 214a and 214b are formed only in the first flow path member 210 on the Z2 side. By forming, the freedom degree which arrange | positions the 2nd flow path 242 can be improved, preventing interference with the COF board | substrate 98. FIG. Further, in the region P in which the width in the Ya direction increases from the Z2 side toward the Z1 side, the branch groove portions 223a and 223b are formed only in the second flow path member 220 on the Z1 side, thereby preventing interference with the COF substrate 98. While preventing, the freedom degree which arrange | positions the 2nd flow path 242 can be improved.

  A first vertical flow path 271 is connected to the first branch flow path 261 at the end opposite to the first distribution flow path 251. Specifically, the first vertical flow path 271 is formed as a through hole penetrating the third flow path member 230 in the Z direction.

  In the present embodiment, one for each of the first branch flow paths 261a1 to 261a6 and the first branch flow paths 261b1 to 261b6, that is, 12 first vertical flow paths 271a1 to 271a6 as a whole, the first vertical flow The paths 271b1 to 271b6 are connected.

  Similarly, a second vertical flow path (second flow path of the present invention) 272 is connected to the second branch flow path 262 at the end opposite to the second distribution flow path 252. Specifically, the second flow path member 220 is provided with a through hole 224 penetrating in the Z direction, and the third flow path member 230 is provided with a through hole 233 penetrating in the Z direction. The through hole 224 and the through hole 233 communicate with each other to form a second vertical flow path 272.

  In this embodiment, one for each of the second branch flow paths 262a1 to 262a6 and the second branch flow paths 262b1 to 262b6, that is, twelve second vertical flow paths 272a1 to 272a6 as a whole, the second vertical flow The paths 272b1 to 272b6 are connected.

  Hereinafter, when described as the first vertical flow path 271a, it refers to the first vertical flow path 271a1 to 271a6, and when described as the first vertical flow path 271b, it refers to the first vertical flow path 271b1 to 271b6, When the first vertical flow path 271 is described, all of the first vertical flow path 271a and the first vertical flow path 271b are indicated.

  Similarly, when described as the second vertical flow path 272a, it refers to the second vertical flow path 272a1 to 272a6, and when described as the second vertical flow path 272b, it refers to the second vertical flow path 272b1 to 272b6. When the second vertical flow path 272 is described, all of the second vertical flow path 272a and the second vertical flow path 272b are indicated.

  Furthermore, when it describes as the vertical flow path 270, all the 24 vertical flow paths mentioned above shall be pointed out. In addition, the branch flow path 260, the vertical flow path 270, and the connection part 290 are corresponded to the flow path of the tributary of this invention. The tributary flow path may be simply referred to as a tributary.

  In the figure, out of the six first vertical channels 271a1 to 271a6 arranged in the Y direction, the reference numerals of the first vertical channels 271a2 to 271a5 are omitted. , And are arranged in order from the Y1 side to the Y2 side. The same applies to the first vertical channel 271b1 to the first vertical channel 271b6, the second vertical channel 272a1 to the second vertical channel 272b6, and the second vertical channel 272b1 to the second vertical channel 272b6.

  The vertical flow path 270 described above has a connection portion 290 that is an opening on the Z1 side of the third flow path member 230. As will be described in detail later, the connection portion 290 communicates with the introduction path 44 provided in the head main body 110.

  In the present embodiment, the first vertical flow paths 271a1 to 271a6 and the first vertical flow paths 271b1 to 271b6 are the first connection portions 291a1 to 291a6 and the first connection portions 291b1 that are openings on the Z1 side of the third flow path member 230. -291b6, respectively. Similarly, the second vertical flow paths 272a1 to 272a6 and the second vertical flow paths 272b1 to 272b6 are second connection parts 292a1 to 292a6 and second connection parts 292b1 to 292b6 that are openings on the Z1 side of the third flow path member 230. Respectively.

  The first connection portion 291a1, the first connection portion 291b1, the second connection portion 292a1, and the second connection portion 292b1 are connected to one of the six head bodies 110. The same applies to the first connection portions 291a2 to 291a6, the first connection portions 291b2 to 291b6, the second connection portions 292a2 to 292a6, and the second connection portions 292b2 to 292b6. That is, the first flow path 241a, the first flow path 241b, the second flow path 242a, and the second flow path 242b are connected to one head body 110.

  Hereinafter, when described as the first connection portion 291a, it refers to the first connection portion 291a1 to 291a6, and when described as the first connection portion 291b, it refers to the first connection portion 291b1 to 291b6, Reference numeral 291 denotes all of the first connection portion 291a and the first connection portion 291b.

  Similarly, when described as the second connection portion 292a, it refers to the second connection portions 292a1 to 292a6, and when described as the second connection portion 292b, it refers to the second connection portions 292b1 to 292b6, When it is described as the portion 292, it refers to all of the second connection portion 292a and the second connection portion 292b.

  Furthermore, when the connection portion 290 is described, it indicates all the 24 connection portions described above. In addition, the connection part 290 is equivalent to the exit of this invention.

  As described above, the flow path member 200 according to the present embodiment includes the four flow paths 240, that is, the first flow path 241a and the first flow path 241b, and the second flow path 242a and the second flow path 242b. ing. Each flow path 240 is configured as a single flow path from the introduction flow path 280 serving as an ink inlet to the distribution flow path 250, and is branched from the distribution flow path 250 to the branch flow path 260. In addition, the plurality of head main bodies 110 are connected to each other via the connection unit 290.

  In the present embodiment, four color inks of black Bk, magenta M, cyan C, and yellow Y are used. From a liquid storage means (not shown), cyan C is supplied to the first flow path 241a, yellow Y is supplied to the first flow path 241b, black Bk is supplied to the second flow path 242a, and magenta M is supplied to the second flow path 242b. Each color ink flows through the first flow path 241a, the first flow path 241b, the second flow path 242a, and the second flow path 242b, and is supplied to each head body 110.

  Here, the distribution flow path 250 corresponds to the main flow path (also simply referred to as the main flow) of the present invention. To be precise, the most upstream branch flow path 260 connected to the distribution flow path 250 and the most downstream flow path Of the branch flow channel 260 and the introduction flow channel 280 for introducing the liquid into the distribution flow channel 250, the flow channel sandwiched between the outer two channels is the mainstream. The distribution channel 250 may be a horizontal channel as described above, but may also be an oblique channel. In the case of an oblique channel, the vertical dimension increases as the number of tributaries increases. However, when the horizontal channel is used as described above, there is an advantage that the vertical dimension can be reduced. In the case of an oblique channel, there is an advantage that processing is easy because it is only necessary to make a hole in the channel substrate.

  The branch channel 260, the vertical channel 270, and the connecting portion 290 correspond to the tributary channel (also simply referred to as a tributary) of the present invention. The flow path may be a horizontal flow path or an oblique flow path, and the flow path may be formed by forming a hole in the flow path substrate or by a tube. Further, the length of the tributary may be a uniform length or may be different for each tributary. The vertical flow path 270 may be a flow path that is inclined from the vertical direction in addition to a flow path along the vertical direction, but that circulates ink in the vertical direction. These vertical flow paths also extend in the vertical direction. That's it.

  In the present invention, the vertical flow path 270 is connected to the manifold 95 of the head main body 110 from above in the vertical direction via a connection portion 290 that is an outlet. Accordingly, since the flow paths are not arranged in the horizontal direction of the manifold 95, the flow paths are provided above the manifold 95 in the vertical direction, so that the horizontal dimension can be reduced.

  Since the tributary may or may not include the horizontal flow path, the branch flow path 260 may be excluded and the vertical flow path 270 may be directly connected to the distribution flow path 250.

  Providing the branch flow path 260 as described above has an advantage that the degree of freedom of the position where the vertical flow path 270 is provided is increased in relation to the manifold 95.

  In the present embodiment, in both the first channel 241 and the second channel 242, the pressure loss in each vertical channel 270 is adjusted by changing the channel friction coefficient of the channel in the middle of the vertical channel 270. Hereinafter, the second flow path 242 will be described as a specific example.

  In FIG. 17, the perspective view showing the vertical flow path 272 is shown. As shown in FIG. 17, the second vertical flow paths 272a1 to 272a6 include a large friction flow path 272F1 having a first flow path friction coefficient on the upstream side and a small friction flow having a second frictional number on the downstream side. The large friction channel 272F1 has a larger channel friction coefficient than the small friction channel 272F2. The position where the flow coefficient changes, that is, the boundary between the large friction flow path 272F1 and the small friction flow path 272F2 is different for each flow path, and the length of the large friction flow path 272F1 and the small friction flow path 272F2 are different. Is different for each of the second vertical flow paths 272a1 to 272a6. That is, the lengths L1a1 to L1a6 of the large friction flow paths 272F1a1 to 272F1a6 of the second vertical flow paths 272a1 to 272a6 are gradually shortened from the second vertical flow path 272a6 to the second vertical flow path 272a1, and conversely, The lengths L2a1 to L2a6 of the small friction channels 272F2a1 to 272F1a6 of the vertical channels 272a1 to 272a6 are gradually increased from the second vertical channel 272a6 to the second vertical channel 272a1.

  Here, each set of the second branch flow paths 262a1 to 262a6 and the second vertical flow paths 272a1 to 272a6 communicates with the second distribution flow path 252a communicating with the second introduction flow path 282a. In the present embodiment, the second distribution channel 252 and the second branch channel 262 are both provided in a plane parallel to the liquid ejection surface 20a, but each set of second vertical channels from the second introduction channel 282a. The distances to the flow paths 272a1 to 272a6 are different. In the branched flow paths 260 having different distances from the introduction flow paths 280 to the respective sets of the vertical flow paths 270, the pressure loss to the vertical flow paths 270 varies. 270 is provided with a large friction channel 272F1 and a small friction channel 272F2, and the position where the channel friction coefficient changes is made different for each vertical channel 270, thereby adjusting the pressure loss variation for each channel. Can be homogenized.

  That is, the pressure loss in each of the second vertical flow paths 272a1 to 272a6 is adjusted by the above-described configuration. In the present embodiment, a difference occurs in the supply pressure at the inlets of the second vertical channels 272a1 to 272a6, and the supply pressure gradually decreases from the second vertical channel 272a6 to the second vertical channel 272a1 (that is, the inlet port). In order to make this difference uniform, the lengths L1a1 to L1a6 of the large friction flow paths 272F1a1 to 272F1a6 of the second vertical flow paths 272a1 to 272a6 are By gradually shortening from the flow path 272a6 to the second vertical flow path 272a1, the pressure loss is adjusted to gradually decrease from the second vertical flow path 272a6 to the second vertical flow path 272a1. In other words, the distance between the position where the flow coefficient changes from the large friction flow path 272F1 to the small friction flow path 272F2 and the liquid ejection surface 20a is adjusted for each vertical flow path 270. Thereby, the pressure loss between each flow path is adjusted, and the supply pressure in the exit of each 2nd vertical flow path 272a1-272a6 is substantially equalized. The same applies to the first distribution channel 251, the first branch channel 261, and the first vertical channel 271 of the first channel 241.

  In FIG. 17, the cross-sectional area of the second distribution channel 252 is shown to be uniform, but assuming that the flow rate to each vertical channel 270 is constant, the flow rate and flow velocity of the distribution channel 250 Varies depending on the number of branches. Therefore, in order to reduce the variation in the flow velocity in each set of branch flow paths 260 connected to the distribution flow path 250, the cross-sectional area of the distribution flow path 250 is reduced in accordance with the number of distribution points. You may reduce the dispersion of. That is, the cross-sectional area from the introduction flow path 280 of the distribution flow path 250 to the branch flow path 260 that first branches is maximized, and the cross-sectional area to the branch flow path 260 that branches next is made smaller than that. By gradually reducing the cross-sectional area for each path 260, variations in flow velocity can be reduced. Thereby, the dispersion | variation in the flow velocity in each branch flow path 260 can be reduced, and the problem of the bubble discharge property fall by the flow velocity fall can be eliminated.

  Here, the effect of the present invention is the same even if the positional relationship between the large friction channel 272F1 and the small friction channel 272F2 is reversed as shown in FIG. That is, the same effect can be obtained by using the small friction channel 272F2 on the upstream side and the large friction channel 272F1 on the downstream side.

  In the configuration of FIGS. 17 and 18, since the flow velocity is not affected even if the flow coefficient of friction changes, the bubble discharge property at the connection portion where the branch flow path 260, which is a horizontal flow path, transitions to the vertical flow path 270 is used. There is an advantage that there is no problem. Furthermore, as compared with the case where the variation in the pressure loss of each vertical flow path 270 is reduced only by the cross-sectional area of the vertical flow path 270, the dimensions in the XY direction can be reduced as the dimensions required for the flow paths.

  17 and 18 has an advantage that the connection portion 290 serving as the outlet can have the same diameter, and the connection with the manifold 95 of the head main body 110 is facilitated.

  The method of changing the channel friction coefficient to the large friction channel F1 or the small friction channel F2 may be achieved by changing the smoothness of the inner surface of the channel, in other words, the roughness (presence / absence of unevenness / degree). In general, the member forming the flow path has a coefficient of friction due to the material, but by changing the surface from a smooth surface to a rough rough surface that is not smooth, a flow path with a large flow coefficient is obtained. Can be formed. Here, when producing the large friction flow path F1 and the small friction flow path F2 by changing the degree of the rough surface, relatively smooth holes (that is, holes as the flow paths) are formed. What is necessary is just to utilize a processing means and the processing means which forms the hole (namely, hole as a flow path) of a relatively rough surface. In addition, after the flow path is formed, the flow path friction coefficient is changed by etching or surface treatment of the flow path, polishing, or applying surface processing (for example, punching or coating treatment). Also good. For example, the small friction flow path F2 may be a flow path as formed by processing, and only the region of the large friction flow path F1 may be processed to be roughened by etching, surface treatment, or roughening. Further, the material forming the flow channel may be changed to form a flow channel having a different flow coefficient. In addition, the measurement of the roughness of the inner surface of the flow path is based on JIS B 0601: 2001 using a surface roughness measuring machine Surfcorder SE3500 (manufactured by Kosaka Laboratory) or a surface shape measuring device (Laser microscope manufactured by Keyence Corporation). VK-9700) may be used.

  In the configuration described above, the positional relationship between the large friction channel 272F1 and the small friction channel 272F2 is the same for each channel, but may be different for each channel.

  Further, in the configuration described above, the difference in flow path loss up to the entrance of the vertical flow path 270 is determined by providing the large friction flow path 272F1 and the small friction flow path 272F2 in the vertical flow path 270 and changing the flow path friction coefficient. Although the adjustment is made by changing the position, the purpose of changing the position at which the flow coefficient of friction changes by providing the vertical flow path 270 with the large friction flow path 272F1 and the small friction flow path 272F2 is limited to this. It is not a thing. For example, in order to correspond to a suitable supply pressure set for each head main body 110 connected to each vertical flow path 270, the vertical flow path 270 is provided with a large friction flow path 272F1 and a small friction flow path 272F2 to reduce the diameter. You may make it change the position which changes.

  In the configuration described above, the flow friction coefficients of the large friction flow path 272F1 and the small friction flow path 272F2 are the same between the flow paths, but may be different flow path friction coefficients for each flow path. . In this case, the pressure loss for each channel can be adjusted more precisely.

  As described above, since the channel resistance of the vertical channel 270 is changed in the middle, each vertical channel 270 can be composed of a channel with a large channel resistance and a channel with a small channel resistance. As a result, when it is desired to reduce the variation in the pressure loss of each vertical flow path 270, the length of each flow path may be appropriately determined. Even if the number of the vertical flow paths 270 increases, the difference in length of the flow paths with large pressure loss may be increased between the vertical flow paths 270. Compared with the case where the cross-sectional area of the vertical flow paths 270 is uniformly changed. Then, the dimension required in the radial direction of the flow path can be reduced. With such a configuration, even if the channel friction coefficient is changed and the channel resistance is changed, the flow velocity does not decrease, so that the air bubbles are well discharged even in the vertical channel 270.

  Here, as described above, the branch flow path 260 and the distribution flow path 250 are provided between the first flow path member 210 and the second flow path member 220, and between the second flow path member 220 and the third flow path member 230. Are formed in two stages.

  This is schematically shown in FIG. When the first-stage flow path A1 and the second-stage flow path A2 are projected onto a plane including the Z direction, as shown in FIG. 19 (a), in the direction orthogonal to the Z direction on the plane, If it is made not to overlap, the member dimension of the perpendicular direction which is a thickness direction can be reduced. Also, as shown in FIG. 19B, by overlapping each other, the dimension in the X direction or Y direction, which is the width direction of the flow path, can be reduced. In the present invention, any configuration may be adopted. The first-stage flow path A1 and the second-stage flow path A2 may both be the distribution flow path 250 or may be the branch flow paths 260.

  Further, in the four flow paths 240 described above, the distance from the inlet of the introduction flow path 280 to the distribution flow path 250 is different between the first-stage flow path A1 and the second-stage flow path A2. The loss varies. Therefore, in order to reduce the variation in pressure loss, the flow path diameter of the introduction flow path 280 and the intersection 410 of the distribution flow path 250 are between the first-stage flow path A1 and the second-stage flow path A2. It is preferable to change the cross-sectional area. Specifically, since the distance from the inlet of the introduction flow path 280 to the distribution flow path 250 is longer in the second-stage flow path A2 than in the first-stage flow path A1, the first flow path The cross-sectional area up to the intersection 410 of the first distribution channel 251 of 241 may be larger than the cross-sectional area of the second distribution channel 252 up to the intersection 410 of the second distribution channel 252. The introduction channel 280 is preferably made as small as possible in order to allow bubbles to flow downward, and the cross-sectional area of the introduction channel 280 is preferably smaller than the minimum value of the cross-sectional area of the distribution channel 250.

  In any case, in this embodiment, the distribution channel 250 and the branch channel 260 are provided between the first channel member 210 and the second channel member 220 as the channel member 200 and as the channel member 200. The second flow path member 220 and the third flow path member 230 are formed in two stages so as to extend in the horizontal direction, and the vertical flow path 270 is a first flow as the flow path member 200. The path member 210, the second flow path member 220, and the third flow path member 230 are provided side by side in the horizontal direction. That is, the first flow path member 210, the second flow path member 220, and the third flow path member 230, which are common flow path members among the branch flow paths 260, correspond to the vertical flow path forming member of the present invention. The tributaries corresponding to the six head bodies 110 are formed.

  In addition, six head bodies 110 are connected to the third flow path member 230, and four connection portions 290 are provided in each of the six head bodies 110, and are connected to a total of 24 manifolds 95. ing. That is, the third flow path member 230 corresponds to the outlet forming member of the present invention common to the six head main bodies 110. When the common outlet forming member is provided in this way, the advantage that the flow path forming member and the plurality of head main bodies 110 can be easily fixed as compared with the case where there is an outlet forming member for each head main body 110 having the manifold 95. There is.

  The member forming the manifold 95 of the head body 110 and the third flow path member 230 formed with the outlet may be directly fixed as described above, but another member may be interposed therebetween.

  Here, the channel member 200 is provided with an opening 201 through which the COF substrate 98 provided in the head main body 110 is inserted. In the present embodiment, the first flow path member 210 is formed with a first opening 215 that is inclined with respect to the Z direction and penetrates. The second flow path member 220 is formed with a second opening 225 that is inclined with respect to the Z direction and penetrates therethrough. The third flow path member 230 is formed with a third opening 235 that is inclined with respect to the Z direction and passes therethrough.

  The first opening 215, the second opening 225, and the third opening 235 communicate with each other to form one opening 201. The opening 201 has a long opening shape in the Xa direction, and six openings 201 are arranged in parallel in the Y direction.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 16, the COF substrate 98 according to the present embodiment includes a lower end 98 c that is one end close to the head main body 110 in the Z direction and another end far from the head main body 110 in the Z direction. And an upper end 98d. The width in the Xa direction of the upper end portion 98d is formed to be narrower than the width in the Xa direction of the lower end portion 98c.

  In this embodiment, the portion of the COF substrate 98 inserted through the first opening 215 and the third opening 235 has a rectangular shape with a constant width in the Xa direction, and the portion inserted through the second opening 225 is Z1. A trapezoidal shape is formed so that the width in the Xa direction becomes narrower from the side toward the Z2 side.

  On the other hand, the opening 201 of the flow path member 200 extends from the first opening 236 (that is, the opening on the Z1 side of the third opening 235) close to the head body 110 in the Z direction perpendicular to the liquid ejection surface 20a and the head body 110. A distant second opening 216 (that is, an opening on the Z2 side of the first opening 215) is provided.

  The second opening 216 is formed narrower in the Xa direction than the first opening 236. That is, as the opening 201, the width in the Xa direction becomes narrower from Z1 to Z2 in the Z direction. Specifically, the opening 201 is configured to accommodate the COF substrate 98, and the width of the opening 201 in the Xa direction is slightly wider than the width of the COF substrate 98 in the Xa direction.

  The first opening 215, the second opening 225, and the third opening 235 formed in the first flow path member 210, the second flow path member 220, and the third flow path member 230 are adjacent in the Y direction. Provided in the space between the vertical flow paths 270. By providing the first opening 215, the second opening 225, and the third opening 235 in this space, the vertical flow path 270 and the COF substrate 98 can be connected to the head body 110 relatively easily. .

  Here, the figure which showed typically the perspective view of the distribution flow path 250 of this embodiment, the branch flow path 260, and the vertical flow path 270 is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 20, in this embodiment, the distribution flow paths 250 are formed in two stages so as to extend in the horizontal direction, and the vertical flow paths 270 are provided side by side in the horizontal direction.

  Further, as described above, the second vertical flow paths 272a1 to 272a6 include the large friction flow path 272F1 having the first flow path friction coefficient on the upstream side and the small friction having the second flow path friction coefficient on the downstream side. The large friction channel 272F1 has a larger channel friction coefficient than the small friction channel 272F2. And the position where a channel friction coefficient changes differs for every channel, and the length of large friction channel F1 and the length of small friction channel F2 differ for every 2nd vertical channels 272a1-272a6. Yes. That is, the length of the large friction channel 272F1 and the length of the small friction channel 272F2 according to the distance from the second introduction channel 282a to each of the second vertical channels 272a1 to 272a6 to the second distribution channel 252a. Is set as appropriate. The same applies to the second vertical flow paths 272b1 to 272b6.

  Further, as with the second vertical flow path 272a, the first vertical flow paths 271a1 to 271a6 include a large friction flow path 271F1 having a first flow path friction coefficient on the upstream side and a second flow path friction on the downstream side. The large friction channel 271F1 has a larger coefficient of channel friction than the small friction channel 271F2. And the position where a channel friction coefficient changes differs for every channel, and the length of large friction channel 271F1 and the length of small friction channel 271F2a1-271F2a6 are for every 1st vertical channel 271a1-271a6. Is different. That is, depending on the distance from the first introduction flow path 281a to the first distribution flow path 251a to each of the first vertical flow paths 271a1 to 272a6, the length of the large friction flow paths 271F1a1 to 271F1a6 and the small friction flow paths 271F2a1 The length of 271F2a6 is set as appropriate. Specifically, the lengths L1a1 to L1a6 of the large friction flow paths 271F1a1 to 271F1a6 of the first vertical flow paths 271a1 to 271a6 are gradually shortened from the vertical flow path 271a1 to the vertical flow path 271a6. The lengths L2a1 to L2a6 of the small friction channels 271F2a1 to 271F2a6 of 271a1 to 271a6 are gradually increased from the vertical channel 271a1 to the vertical channel 271a6.

  As described above, the distribution channel 250 and the branch channel 260 are provided in a plane parallel to the liquid ejection surface 20a, and further provided in two stages in the vertical direction, and the vertical channels 270 continuous with the branch channel 260 are arranged in the horizontal direction. By providing, many flow paths can be efficiently provided in the common flow path member.

  Here, of the first vertical flow paths 271a1 to 271a6 and the second vertical flow paths 272a1 to 272a6 branched from the two distribution flow paths 251 and 252 respectively, for example, the first vertical flow paths 271a1 and the second vertical flow paths The flow paths 272a6 are respectively connected to the two manifolds 95 of the same head body 110, and the vertical flow paths 271a6 and 272a1 are respectively connected to the two manifolds 95 of the other same head body 110. Therefore, it is preferable that the supply pressure at the outlet of the vertical flow path 270 connected to at least the same head body 110 is uniform. Further, if the six head bodies 110 are the same type of head body 110, it is preferable that the supply pressures at the outlets of all the vertical flow paths 270 be uniform. Of course, when the type of the head main body 110 is different, the pressure loss of the vertical flow path 270 may be adjusted so as to obtain a desired supply pressure.

  In the embodiment described above, the minimum value of the channel resistance per unit distance in the distribution channel 250 is smaller than the minimum value of the channel resistance per unit distance in each branch channel 260, and each It is preferably smaller than the minimum value of the channel resistance per unit distance in the vertical channel 270. That is, the minimum value of the channel resistance in the distribution channel 250 is smaller than the minimum value of the channel resistance in each branch channel 260 and each vertical channel 270 for all the branch channels 260 and the vertical channels 270. Small is enough. According to this, since the flow path resistance of the distribution flow path 250 is so small, even if the number of the branch flow paths 260 and the vertical flow paths 270 increases, the branch flow paths 260 and Variations in pressure loss in the vertical flow path 270 can be reduced.

  The maximum value of the channel friction coefficient in the distribution channel 250 is preferably equal to or less than the minimum value of the channel friction coefficient in each branch channel 260 and each vertical channel 270. That is, the final value of the channel friction coefficient in the distribution channel 250 is the minimum of the channel friction coefficient in each branch channel 260 and each vertical channel 270 with respect to all the branch channels 260 and the vertical channels 270. It is preferable that it is below the value. According to this, since the flow resistance of the distribution flow path 250 is sufficiently small, even if the number of the branch flow paths 260 and the vertical flow paths 270 increases, the variation in pressure loss in the branch flow paths 260 and the vertical flow paths 270 is increased. Can be reduced.

  For example, the minimum value of the cross-sectional area in the distribution channel 250 is preferably equal to or greater than the maximum value of the cross-sectional area in each branch channel 260 and each vertical channel 270. According to this, since the flow resistance of the distribution flow path 250 is sufficiently small, even if the number of the branch flow paths 260 and the vertical flow paths 270 increases, the variation in pressure loss in the branch flow paths 260 and the vertical flow paths 270 is increased. Can be reduced.

  In addition, the cross-sectional area of each vertical flow path 270 is preferably smaller than the cross-sectional area of the distribution flow path 250. For example, it is preferable that the maximum value of the cross-sectional area in each vertical flow path 270 is equal to or less than the minimum value of the cross-sectional area in the distribution flow path 250. According to this, since the flow velocity of the vertical flow path 270 can be increased, the retention of bubbles in the branch flow path 260 up to the vertical flow path 270 can be reduced. Furthermore, since the dimension required for the vertical flow path 270 can be reduced, for example, even if the COF substrate 98 is disposed between the vertical flow paths 270 adjacent in the Y direction, the dimension in the XY direction of the flow path member 200 can be reduced. Can do.

<Embodiment 2>
In the above-described embodiment, the pressure loss for each tributary is adjusted in the vertical flow path 270. Instead, as shown below, a structure for adjusting the pressure loss for each tributary in the branch flow path 260 is provided. May be. In addition, description about the common structure which is the same as embodiment mentioned above is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 21 shows a perspective view and a cross-sectional view showing the branch channel 260 and the vertical channel 270. The first branch channel 261 has the same configuration as the second branch channel 262, but the second branch channel 262 will be described as a representative. As shown in FIG. 21, the second branch flow paths 262a1 to 262a6 include a large friction flow path 262F3 having a first flow path friction coefficient on the upstream side and a small friction flow having a second frictional number on the downstream side. The large friction channel 262F3 has a larger channel friction coefficient than the small friction channel 262F4. The position where the flow coefficient changes, that is, the boundary between the large friction flow path 262F3 and the small friction flow path 262F4 is different for each flow path, and the length of the large friction flow paths 262F3a1 to 262F3a6 and the small friction flow The lengths of the paths 262F4a1 to 262F4a6 are different for each of the second branch flow paths 262a1 to 262a6. That is, the lengths L3a1 to L3a6 of the large friction flow paths 262F3a1 to 262F3a6 of the second branch flow paths 262a1 to 262a6 are gradually shortened from the second branch flow path 262a6 to the second branch flow path 262a1. The lengths L4a1 to L4a6 of the small friction channels 262F4a1 to 262F4a6 of the branch channels 262a1 to 262a6 are gradually increased from the second branch channel 262a6 to the second branch channel 262a1.

  Here, each set of the second branch flow paths 262a1 to 262a6 and the second vertical flow paths 272a1 to 272a6 communicates with the second distribution flow path 252a communicating with the second introduction flow path 282a. In the present embodiment, although both the second distribution flow path 252 and the second branch flow path 262 are provided in a plane parallel to the liquid ejection surface 20a, each pair of second branches from the second introduction flow path 282a. The distances to the flow paths 262a1 to 262a6 are different. In the branch flow paths 260 having different distances from the introduction flow paths 280 to the respective sets of branch flow paths 260, variations in pressure loss to the branch flow paths 260 occur. 260 is provided with a large friction channel F3 and a small friction channel F4, and the position where the channel friction coefficient changes is made different for each branch channel 260, thereby adjusting the pressure loss variation for each channel. Can be homogenized.

  That is, the pressure loss in each of the second branch channels 262a1 to 262a6 is adjusted by the above-described configuration. In the present embodiment, a difference occurs in the supply pressure at the inlets of the second branch channels 262a1 to 262a6, and the supply pressure gradually decreases from the second branch channel 262a6 to the second branch channel 262a1 (ie, the inlets). In order to make this difference uniform, the length L3a1 to L3a6 of the large friction flow path F3 of the second branch flow paths 262a1 to 262a6 is changed to the second branch flow path. By gradually shortening from 262a6 to the second branch channel 262a1, the pressure loss is adjusted to gradually decrease from the second branch channel 262a6 to the second branch channel 262a1. That is, the distance between the position where the flow coefficient changes from the large friction flow path F3 to the small friction flow path 272F4 and the liquid ejection surface 20a is adjusted for each branch flow path. Thereby, the pressure loss between each flow path is adjusted, and the supply pressure in the exit of each 2nd branch flow path 262a1-262a6 is substantially equalized. The same applies to the first distribution channel 251, the first branch channel 261, and the first vertical channel 271 of the first channel 241.

  In the present embodiment, the vertical flow path 270 does not employ a structure in which the flow coefficient of friction changes, but in addition to the structure of the branch flow path 260 described above, the vertical flow path 270 is similar to that of the first embodiment. A configuration may be adopted.

<Embodiment 3>
In the first embodiment described above, the pressure loss is adjusted for each tributary in the vertical flow path 270. However, as shown below, a structure for adjusting the pressure loss may be provided in the branch flow path 260. Since other configurations are the same as those in the above-described embodiment, descriptions of common configurations are omitted.

  Here, a connection portion between the branch flow path 260 and the vertical flow path 270 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  The branch flow path 260 extends in a direction intersecting with the vertical flow path 270 extending in the vertical direction, in the present embodiment, in a plane parallel to the liquid ejection surface 20a. Here, assuming that a connection portion 275 is a portion where a flow path extending the branch flow path 260 and a flow path extending the vertical flow path 270 intersect, the shape of the surface on the upper side in the vertical direction of the connection portion 275 is the branch flow path 260. When the cross section including the direction extending the vertical flow path 270 and the direction extending the vertical flow path 270 is viewed in plan, the surface 401 connecting the surface of the branch flow path 260 and the surface of the vertical flow path 270 on the upper side in the vertical direction. Is a curve. This is to prevent the bubbles 403 from easily flowing along the connecting surface 401 on the upper side in the vertical direction of the connecting portion 275 and to prevent the bubbles 403 from remaining on the upper side in the vertical direction. Note that the shape of the upper surface in the vertical direction of the connection portion 275 is not limited to a curved surface as long as the bubbles 403 can be prevented, and may be formed by an inclined surface or a plurality of continuous inclined surfaces (polygonal shapes). For example, the plane of the branch channel 260 and the plane of the vertical channel 270 intersect at an angle larger than an angle 402 formed by an imaginary line extending in the direction in which the branch channel 260 extends and the direction in which the vertical channel 270 extends. You may be comprised by the surface.

  Although the description of the above configuration is omitted in the above-described first embodiment, the same configuration is also provided in the first embodiment.

  Further, an intersection 410 is provided in the vicinity of the vertical flow path 270 of the branch flow path 260. The intersecting portion 410 is a region from the start position 411 to the end position 412 along the flow direction in the branch flow path 260, and includes an intersecting surface 415 formed of an inclined surface in this embodiment. By providing such an intersecting surface 415 and decreasing the flow path cross section toward the connection portion 275, the flow velocity is gradually increased, the flow of bubbles at the connection portion 275 is improved, and the bubbles 403 Retention can be prevented.

  In order to provide such an intersecting portion 410 in the first branch flow path 261, the depth in the Z direction of the branch groove portions 232a and 232b on the Z2 side surface of the third flow path member 230 is communicated with the distribution groove portions 231a and 231b, respectively. What is necessary is just to make it shallow toward the side in which the through-hole of the 1st vertical flow path 271 was provided from the side. Specifically, the depth in the Z direction of the branch groove portions 232a and 232b on the Z2 side surface of the third flow path member 230 is set in the Z direction of the distribution groove portions 231a and 231b on the side communicating with the distribution groove portions 231a and 231b, respectively. The depth of the first vertical channel 271 may be shallower than that on the side where the through-hole is provided. In order to provide the intersecting portion 410 in the second branch flow path 262, the second flow path member 220 may be similarly replaced with the third flow path member 230. In particular, by arranging the intersecting portion 410 on the lower side in the vertical direction, the flow toward the connecting surface 401 on the upper side in the vertical direction of the connecting portion 275 is improved, and the connecting surface 401 on the upper side in the vertical direction of the connecting portion 275 As a result of the bubbles 403 flowing toward the vertical flow path 270 along with them, the bubbles 403 can be prevented from remaining.

  Furthermore, the cross-sectional area of the vertical channel 270 is preferably smaller than the cross-sectional area of the branch channel 260. In that case, the flow rate of the vertical flow path 270 can be improved, and the bubbles 403 can be effectively flowed downward in the vertical direction. In addition, it is preferable that the cross-sectional area of the vertical flow path 270 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the branch flow path 260 from the crossing portion 410 to the connection portion 275. The flow velocity of the vertical flow path 270 can be further improved, and the bubbles 403 can flow more effectively downward in the vertical direction.

  The intersecting surface 415 can adjust the improvement in the flow velocity, the degree of decrease in pressure loss, and the discharge property of the bubbles 403 by appropriately setting the inclination of the inclination, the length of the inclined surface, and the like.

  Further, the intersecting surface 415 is not limited to an inclined surface, and may be, for example, an intersecting surface 415A formed of a stepped surface as shown in FIG. However, by making the intersecting surface 415 as an inclined surface as shown in FIG. 22, it is possible to reduce the retention of bubbles on the intersecting surface 415.

  Further, since the intersecting portion 410 only needs to change the cross-sectional area of the flow path, the cross-sectional area is changed by changing the width of the flow path (the dimension in the direction orthogonal to the paper surface of FIG. 22). Also good.

  The intersecting portion 410, that is, the intersecting surface 415 is preferably provided on the lower side in the vertical direction of the branch flow path 260, but may be provided on the upper side or the side surface. However, by providing the lower side as in the present embodiment, the flow that has passed through the intersecting portion 410 is directed toward the connecting surface 401. Therefore, even if the bubble 403 exists in the vicinity of the connecting surface 401, the intersecting portion 410 The air bubbles 403 are surely discharged by the flow passing through. In addition, since it is not necessary to widen or narrow the width in the depth direction of FIG. 22 in order to provide a wide or narrow cross-sectional area, the flow path can be used when arranging a plurality of flow paths in the depth direction of the drawing. There is also an advantage that the interval can be narrowed. That is, for example, the interval in the Y direction between the first branch flow path 261a1 to the first branch flow path 261a6 can be reduced. Similarly, with respect to the other branch flow paths 260, the interval in the Y direction can be narrowed.

  Further, by providing such an intersecting portion 410, the pressure loss of the flow path to the intersecting portion 410 can be minimized, and the overall pressure loss can be reduced. That is, in the distribution flow channel 250 and the branch flow channel 260, the pressure loss of the flow channel up to the intersection portion 410 is made as small as possible, but the flow velocity is increased at the intersection portion 410 to improve the bubble discharge performance at the connection portion 275. As a whole, both reduction of pressure loss and bubble discharge are achieved.

  As described above, there are six sets of the branch flow paths 260 and the vertical flow paths 270 in one flow path 240 in this embodiment, and the distance from the introduction flow path 280 to each set of the vertical flow paths 270 is as follows. Is different. The perspective view of the first channel 241a and the second channel 242a in the channel 240 is as schematically shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 20 referred to in the first embodiment, each set of the first branch flow paths 261a1 to 261a6 and the first vertical flow paths 271a1 to 271a6 includes a first distribution flow path 251a communicating with the first introduction flow path 281a. The distances from the first introduction flow path 281a to the first vertical flow paths 271a1 to 271a6 of the respective groups are different. Each set of the second branch flow paths 262a1 to 262a6 and the second vertical flow paths 272a1 to 272a6 communicates with the second distribution flow path 252a that communicates with the second introduction flow path 282a. The distances from 282a to the second vertical flow paths 272a1 to 272a6 of the respective groups are different.

  In the branch flow paths 260 having different distances from the introduction flow paths 280 to the respective sets of the vertical flow paths 270, there is a variation in pressure loss up to the intersection 410, but the start position 411 of the intersection 410 and Alternatively, by changing the degree of intersection of the end position 412 and the intersecting surface 415, the degree of pressure loss reduction at the intersecting portion 410 can be changed together with the bubble discharge performance, and the pressure loss between the branch flow paths 260 can be changed. Variations can be reduced.

FIG. 24 schematically shows such an example.
As shown in FIG. 24, for example, among a plurality of sets of branch flow paths 260 having different distances from the introduction flow path 280 to the respective vertical flow paths 270, the pressure loss is greater in the far set. Therefore, in order to reduce the variation in the pressure loss between the groups, the distance L1 (FIG. 24A) from the start position 411 of the distant intersection portion 410 to the vertical flow path 270 is close to the intersection portion. What is necessary is just to provide the crossing part 410 of each group so that it may become smaller than the distance L2 (FIG.24 (b)) from the starting position 411 of 410 to the vertical flow path 270, ie, L1 <L2.

  Alternatively, for example, the distance L3 (FIG. 24A) from the end position 412 of the distant intersection part 410 to the vertical flow path 270 is the distance from the end position 412 of the close intersection part 410 to the vertical flow path 270. What is necessary is just to provide the intersection part 410 of each group so that it may become smaller than L4 (FIG.24 (b)), ie, L3 <L4.

  As shown in FIG. 25, the second branch flow path 262 is formed on the boundary surface between the first flow path member 210 and the second flow path member 220, but the end position 412 of the intersecting portion 410 is Preferably, the second flow path member 220 is formed only, and the first flow path member 210 and other members are not used. That is, as shown in FIG. 25, when the end position 412 is an intersecting portion 410B located on the first flow path member 210 side, the intersecting portions are formed only by the branch grooves 223a, 223b, 232a, 232b to the first flow path member 210. 410B cannot be formed, and it is necessary to provide a through-hole that penetrates the inside of the first flow path member 210 in a direction orthogonal to the Z direction, which makes processing difficult. Moreover, although not shown in figure, when an intersection part is formed with the 1st flow path member 210 and another member, a number of parts will increase and it is unpreferable on a process. The same applies to the first branch channel 261 formed on the boundary surface between the second channel member 220 and the third channel member 230.

  More preferably, as shown in FIG. 26, the intersecting portion 410C of the second branch flow path 262 is formed by only the first flow path member 210, and the end position 412 is the first flow path member 210 and the second flow path member. It is preferable that the crossing portion 410 </ b> C exists on the second flow path member 220 side from the interface with 22. In other words, the part forming the cross-sectional area of the flow path at the intersecting portion is preferably located closer to the second flow path member 220 than the interface between the first flow path member 210 and the second flow path member 22. When the end position 412 is on the interface between the first flow path member 210 and the second flow path member 22, the management of the adhesion surface (that is, the management of the surface roughness and the reference surface) becomes difficult. For example, in the case where the processing accuracy of the adhesive surface is higher than the processing accuracy of the flow path surface, the adhesive surface and the flow path surface are adjacent to each other on the same plane if the configuration is not configured, and management is complicated. This causes a problem that the processing becomes difficult. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 26, a configuration in which the intersecting portion 410C of the second branch flow path 262 is formed only by the first flow path member 210 is preferable. The same applies to the first branch channel 261 formed on the boundary surface between the second channel member 220 and the third channel member 230.

<Other embodiments>
As mentioned above, although one Embodiment of this invention was described, the basic composition of this invention is not limited to what was mentioned above.

  For example, the recording head 100 according to the first to third embodiments includes the first flow path 241 and the second flow path 242, and the first distribution flow path 251 and the second distribution flow path 252 are at different positions in the Z direction. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, the recording head provided with the flow path member provided only on the same plane may be used as the flow path parallel to the liquid ejection surface 20a. For example, in the embodiment described above, a recording head in which only the second flow path is provided in the flow path member including the first flow path member 210 and the second flow path member 220 may be used. As described above, if the recording head does not include either the first flow path 241 or the second flow path 242, the recording head 100 can be reduced in size in the Z direction.

  Further, the first flow path member 210 and the second flow path member 220 are bonded to form the second flow path 242, and the second flow path member 220 and the third flow path member 230 are bonded to each other to form the first flow path 241. However, the method of forming the first channel 241 and the second channel 242 is not limited to these. For example, two or more flow path members may be integrally modeled by an additive manufacturing method that enables three-dimensional molding. Alternatively, the individual flow path members may be formed by three-dimensional molding, die molding (injection molding, etc.), cutting, or pressing.

  In addition, the flow path member 200 has two first flow paths 241a and 241b as the first flow paths 241, but the number is not limited to two, but one or three or more. May be. The same applies to the second flow path 242.

  The first distribution channel 251a is branched into six first branch channels 261a. However, the first distribution channel 251a is not limited to this, and may be connected to one head body 110 without branching, and the number of branches may be six. It is not limited to one and may be branched into two or more. The same applies to the first distribution channel 251b, the second distribution channel 252a, and the second distribution channel 252b.

  Moreover, although the cross-sectional area of the distribution flow path 250 is reduced according to the number of distribution points, it may be a constant cross-sectional area without being reduced. Furthermore, the flow path diameter of the introduction flow path 280 and the cross-sectional area to the intersection 410 of the distribution flow path 250 were changed between the first-stage flow path A1 and the second-stage flow path A2. Instead, the same cross-sectional area may be provided between the first-stage channel A1 and the second-stage channel A2.

  Further, regarding the vertical flow path 270 and the branch flow path 260, the distance from the introduction flow path 280 to the distribution flow path 250 to each vertical flow path 270 and each branch flow path 260 gradually increases from the long flow path to the short flow path. The lengths of the large friction flow paths 272F1 and 262F3 are set short and the lengths of the small friction flow paths 272F2 and 262F4 are set long. However, all the vertical flow paths 270 and all the branch flow paths 260 have this relationship. There is no need. That is, at least two of the two or more vertical channels 270 have such a relationship, or at least two of the two or more branch channels 260 have such a relationship. It may be a good relationship. Preferably, of these channels, the distance from the introduction channel 280 to the distribution channel 250 to each channel is such a relationship between the longest channel and the shortest channel. Good.

  Furthermore, only the configuration of any of Embodiments 1 to 3 may be used, or the configurations of Embodiments 1 to 3 may be combined as appropriate.

  Furthermore, in any case, if the cross-sectional area of the vertical flow path 270 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the branch flow path 260, the bubbles 403 can flow more effectively downward in the vertical direction. Can do.

  Further, the first distribution channel 251a is a channel that allows the ink to flow horizontally between the second channel member 220 and the third channel member 230, but is not limited to such a mode. That is, the channel may be inclined with respect to the Z plane. The same applies to the first distribution channel 251b, the second distribution channel 252a, and the second distribution channel 252b.

  Furthermore, although the first vertical flow path 271a is formed perpendicular to the liquid ejection surface 20a, the present invention is not limited to such a mode. That is, you may incline with respect to the liquid ejection surface 20a. The same applies to the first vertical channel 271b, the second vertical channel 272a, and the second vertical channel 272b.

  The second opening 216 of the opening 201 formed in the flow path member 200 does not have to be narrower in the Xa direction than the first opening 236. The opening may be such that the width of the second opening 216 and the first opening 236 in the Xa direction are substantially equal and the rectangular COF substrate 98 is accommodated. Conversely, the second opening 216 may be wider in the Xa direction than the first opening 236.

  Further, although the COF substrate 98 is provided as a flexible wiring substrate, a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) may be used.

  In the first to third embodiments, the holding member 120 and the flow path member 200 are fixed with an adhesive or the like, but may be integrated. That is, the holding part 121 and the foot part 122 may be provided on the Z1 side of the flow path member 200. Thereby, the holding member 120 can be reduced in size in the Z direction by the amount not stacked in the Z direction. Further, since the holding member 121 is provided in the flow path member 200, the flow path member 200 only needs to accommodate the plurality of head main bodies 110 and does not need to accommodate the relay substrate 140. Therefore, the size can be reduced in the XY directions. . Furthermore, the number of parts can be reduced by integrating a plurality of members. In the case where the flow path member 200 is constituted by the first flow path member 210, the second flow path member 220, and the third flow path member 230, the holding portion 121 and the foot portion on the Z1 side of the third flow path member 230. 122 may be provided.

  In the first to third embodiments, the Z direction coincides with the vertical direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the Z direction may be inclined with respect to the vertical direction.

  In the embodiment, the head body 110 is provided in the Y direction, and the recording head 100 is configured by the plurality of head bodies 110. However, the recording head 100 may be configured by one head body 110. Further, the number of recording heads 100 included in the head unit 101 is not particularly limited, and two or more recording heads 100 may be mounted, or one recording head 100 may be mounted on the ink jet recording apparatus 1 as a single unit. Also good.

  The above-described ink jet recording apparatus 1 is a so-called line-type recording apparatus that performs printing only by transporting the recording sheet S with the head unit 101 fixed, but is not particularly limited thereto. One or a plurality of recording heads 100 are mounted on the carriage, the head unit 101 or the recording head 100 is moved in the main scanning direction intersecting the recording sheet S conveyance direction, and the recording sheet S is conveyed for printing. The present invention can also be applied to a so-called serial type recording apparatus.

  Furthermore, the present invention is intended for a wide range of liquid ejecting head units in general, for example, manufacturing of recording heads such as various ink jet recording heads used in image recording apparatuses such as printers, and color filters such as liquid crystal displays. Liquid material ejecting head units equipped with color material ejecting heads, organic EL displays, electrode material ejecting heads used for forming electrodes such as FEDs (field emission displays), bio-organic matter ejecting heads used for biochip manufacturing, etc. Can be applied.

  Further, the wiring board of the present invention is not limited to the case where it is used for a liquid ejecting head, and can be applied to any electronic circuit or the like.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Inkjet recording apparatus (liquid ejecting apparatus), 43 connection port, 44 introduction path, 97 drive circuit, 98 COF board | substrate, 98a 1st surface, 98b 2nd surface, 98c lower end part, 98d upper end part, 100 recording Head, 101 Head unit, 110 Head body, 140 Relay substrate, 200 Flow path member, 201 Opening part, 210 First flow path member, 216 Second opening, 220 Second flow path member, 230 Third flow path member, 236 1st opening, 240 flow path, 241 1st flow path, 242 2nd flow path, 251 1st distribution flow path, 252 2nd distribution flow path, 261 1st branch flow path, 262 2nd branch flow path, 271 1st 1 vertical flow path, 272 2nd vertical flow path, 281 1st introduction flow path, 282 2nd introduction flow path, 291 1st connection part, 292 Second connecting portion, 300 a piezoelectric actuator, 410 intersection

Claims (9)

A plurality of head bodies including a liquid ejecting surface having a nozzle opening from which liquid is ejected;
A flow path member provided with a flow path for supplying a liquid for each head body,
The flow path of the flow path member includes a main flow communicating with an inflow port supplied with a liquid from a liquid supply source, and a plurality of tributaries branched from the main flow,
The tributary channel friction coefficient changes in the middle of the channel,
The distance from the liquid ejecting surface to a position where the channel coefficient of friction changes, varies for each of the tributaries,
Each of the plurality of tributaries is a vertical flow path extending in the vertical direction, and includes the vertical flow path communicating with the manifold portion of the head body on the outlet side,
The diameter of the outlet of the tributary communicating with the manifold portion is uniform for each tributary,
The liquid ejecting head, wherein the flow path friction coefficient changes in the middle of the vertical flow path . The cross-sectional area of the vertical flow path, claim 1 liquid ejecting head, wherein the smaller than the main flow cross-sectional area. The vertical flow path includes a portion having a first flow path coefficient of friction and a portion having a second flow coefficient smaller than the first flow coefficient,
The position of the portion of the first flow passage friction coefficient with respect to the portion of the second flow passage friction coefficient in the liquid flow direction in the vertical flow passage is the same between the tributaries. Item 3. The liquid jet head according to Item 1 or 2 . The mainstream, provided two stages in the vertical direction, according to claim 1 to 3, characterized in that the supply pressure in the two sets of said branch connected to the common of said head body is branched from the main flow is uniform The liquid ejecting head according to claim 1. Said during tributaries claim 1 any one liquid jet head according to 4 connected wiring board in the head body is characterized in that it is disposed adjacent one of the plurality of the branch. Common any one liquid jet head according to claim 1-5, characterized in that it comprises an outlet forming member forming the outlet of the plurality of the branch. The maximum value of the channel coefficient of friction mainstream, claim 1-6 or a liquid jet head one claim of which being not more than the minimum value of the flow paths friction coefficient of the tributaries. The tributary is
A vertical flow path extending in the vertical direction, the vertical flow path communicating with the manifold portion of the head body on the outlet side;
A branch channel provided between the tributary and the vertical channel and communicating with the tributary and the vertical channel, wherein the branch channel is configured to circulate liquid in a direction intersecting the vertical direction. Prepared,
The branch flow path has an intersecting portion having a surface intersecting with the intersecting direction, and has the intersecting portion that reduces the cross-sectional area of the branch flow path toward the vertical flow path. claim 1-7 or the liquid jet head one claim of characterized. A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising the liquid ejecting head according to any one of claims 1-8.