Liquid ejecting head and liquid ejecting apparatus
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202211664141.4
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2021-12-28
- Filing Date
- 2022-12-23
- Publication Date
- 2026-10-23
- Estimated Expiration
- 2042-12-23
AI Technical Summary
但是,近年的液体喷射装置希望高密度化,如果在维持液体喷射头的大小的状态下想要增大共用液室,则共用液室的形状会变得复杂,导致液体喷射头的制造困难
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Figure CN116353211B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to a liquid injection head and a liquid injection device. Background Technology
[0002] Liquid ejection devices, such as inkjet printers, typically include a liquid ejection head for ejecting liquids such as ink. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a liquid ejection device that ejects liquid stored in a common liquid chamber from a nozzle. Patent Document 2 discloses a liquid ejection device in which a filter is provided in the common liquid chamber.
[0003] When the filter described in Patent Document 2 is installed in the shared liquid chamber as described in Patent Document 1, the pressure loss of the liquid in the shared liquid chamber increases, leading to a decrease in the nozzle's injection characteristics. Injection characteristics refer to one or both of the injection volume and injection velocity. To suppress the increase in liquid pressure loss, the shared liquid chamber needs to be enlarged. However, recent liquid injection devices aim for higher density; if the shared liquid chamber is enlarged while maintaining the size of the liquid injection head, its shape becomes complex, making the manufacture of the liquid injection head difficult. Based on the above, in existing liquid injection devices, it is difficult to suppress the increase in liquid pressure loss when a filter is installed in the shared liquid chamber.
[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2021-133604
[0005] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-000461 Summary of the Invention
[0006] To address the above-mentioned issues, a preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a liquid injection head comprising: a nozzle array configured by arranging a plurality of nozzles for injecting liquid in a first direction in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction; a drive element for injecting liquid from the plurality of nozzles in the nozzle array; and a plurality of stacked components defining a common liquid chamber communicating with the plurality of nozzles in the nozzle array, the plurality of stacked components including: a filter dividing the common liquid chamber into an upstream common liquid chamber and a downstream common liquid chamber; a first housing defining a first common liquid chamber portion as part of the upstream common liquid chamber and stacked on the filter; and a second housing defining a second common liquid chamber portion as part of the upstream common liquid chamber and stacked on the first housing, the second common liquid chamber portion being located in a direction opposite to the first direction to the drive element, and the width of the second common liquid chamber portion in a third direction orthogonal to both the first and second directions being longer than the width of the first common liquid chamber portion in that third direction.
[0007] The liquid injection device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes: a liquid injection head as described above; and a liquid storage unit for storing liquid to be supplied to the liquid injection head. Attached Figure Description
[0008] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the liquid injection device 100 according to the first embodiment.
[0009] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the liquid injection head 50 and the support body 41 according to the first embodiment.
[0010] Figure 3 This is an exploded perspective view of the liquid injection head 50 according to the first embodiment.
[0011] Figure 4 This is an exploded 3D view of the head chip 54.
[0012] Figure 5 for Figure 4 Sectional view along line AA in the diagram.
[0013] Figure 6 for Figure 4 BB line section view.
[0014] Figure 7 for Figure 5 The CC line section view.
[0015] Figure 8 This is an exploded perspective view of the head chip 54A in the first modified example.
[0016] Figure 9 for Figure 8 DD line section view.
[0017] Figure 10 for Figure 8 EE line section view. Detailed Implementation
[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the dimensions and scales of the various parts in the drawings are appropriately different from the actual dimensions. Furthermore, since the embodiments described below are preferred examples of the present invention, various technically preferred limitations are imposed, but unless otherwise specified in the following description, the scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.
[0019] For convenience, the following description uses intersecting X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis as appropriate. Furthermore, in the following description, one direction along the X-axis is the X1 direction, and the opposite direction is the X2 direction. Similarly, opposite directions along the Y-axis are the Y1 and Y2 directions. Furthermore, opposite directions along the Z-axis are the Z1 and Z2 directions. Additionally, sometimes the observation along the Z-axis is simply referred to as a "top-down view." Also, the Z2 direction is an example of a "first direction." The Y1 or Y2 direction is an example of a "second direction." The X1 or X2 direction is an example of a "third direction."
[0020] Here, typically, the Z-axis is a vertical axis, and the Z2 direction corresponds to the downward direction in the vertical direction. However, the Z-axis may not be a vertical axis. Furthermore, although the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are typically orthogonal to each other, this is not a limitation; for example, they can intersect at an angle between 80 and 100 degrees.
[0021] 1. First Implementation Method
[0022] 1-1. Schematic structure of a liquid injection device
[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the liquid jetting apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. The liquid jetting apparatus 100 is an inkjet printing apparatus that jets ink, an example of a "liquid," as droplets onto a medium M. The medium M is typically printing paper. However, the medium M is not limited to printing paper; for example, it can be any printing material such as resin film or fabric.
[0024] like Figure 1 As shown, the liquid injection device 100 includes a liquid storage section 10, a control unit 20, a conveying mechanism 30, a moving mechanism 40, and a liquid injection head 50.
[0025] The liquid storage section 10 is a container for storing ink. Specific examples of the liquid storage section 10 include, for instance, a box that can be detached from the liquid spraying device 100, an ink bag formed of a flexible membrane, and an ink canister that can be refilled with ink.
[0026] Although not illustrated, the liquid storage section 10 has multiple containers for storing inks of different types. The inks stored in these containers are not particularly limited; examples include blue-green ink, magenta ink, yellow ink, black ink, transparent ink, white ink, and processing liquid, and combinations of two or more of these can be used. Furthermore, the composition of the inks is not particularly limited; for example, it can be an aqueous ink that dissolves color materials such as dyes or pigments in an aqueous solvent, a solvent-based ink that dissolves color materials in an organic solvent, or an ultraviolet-curable ink.
[0027] In this embodiment, a structure using four different inks is illustrated. These four inks are, for example, blue-green ink, magenta ink, yellow ink, and black ink, inks that are different colors from each other.
[0028] The control unit 20 controls the operation of various elements of the liquid injection device 100. For example, the control unit 20 includes processing circuits such as a CPU or FPGA and storage circuits such as semiconductor memory. CPU stands for Central Processing Unit. FPGA stands for Field Programmable Gate Array. The control unit 20 outputs a drive signal Com and a control signal S to the liquid injection head 50. The drive signal Com is a signal containing drive pulses that drive the drive element of the liquid injection head 50. The control signal S is a signal specifying whether to supply the drive signal Com to the drive element.
[0029] Under the control of the control unit 20, the conveying mechanism 30 conveys the medium M in the conveying direction DM, which is the Y1 direction. Under the control of the control unit 20, the moving mechanism 40 causes the liquid injection head 50 to reciprocate in the X1 and X2 directions. Figure 1 In the example shown, the moving mechanism 40 has a generally box-shaped support 41, called a carriage, which houses the liquid injection head 50, and a conveyor belt 42 that fixes the support 41. In addition to the liquid injection head 50, the liquid storage unit 10 described above may also be mounted on the support 41.
[0030] The liquid ejector head 50, as described below, has multiple nozzles 54, and under the control of the control unit 20, ink supplied from the liquid storage unit 10 is ejected from the multiple nozzles N of each nozzle 54 toward the medium M in the Z2 direction, which is the ejection direction. This ejection is performed in parallel with the transport of the medium M by the transport mechanism 30 and the reciprocating movement of the liquid ejector head 50 by the moving mechanism 40, thereby forming a predetermined image on the surface of the medium M with ink.
[0031] 1-2. Installation status of the liquid injection head
[0032] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the liquid injection head 50 and the support body 41 according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 As shown, the liquid injection head 50 is supported by a support body 41. The support body 41 is a component that supports the liquid injection head 50, and as described above, in this embodiment, it is a generally box-shaped carriage. The material of the support body 41 is not particularly limited; for example, it is preferable to use metal materials such as stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, or magnesium alloy. When the support body 41 is made of a metal material, it is easy to increase the rigidity of the support body 41, thus enabling stable support of the liquid injection head 50 relative to the support body 41.
[0033] Here, an opening 41a and a plurality of screw holes 41b are provided on the support body 41. In this embodiment, the support body 41 is generally box-shaped with a plate-like bottom, for example, an opening 41a and a plurality of screw holes 41b are provided on the bottom. The liquid injection head 50 is fixed to the support body 41 by means of the threads of the plurality of screw holes 41b when it is inserted into the opening 41a. As described above, the liquid injection head 50 is mounted on the support body 41.
[0034] exist Figure 2 In the example shown, the number of liquid injection heads 50 mounted on the support 41 is one. Alternatively, the number of liquid injection heads 50 mounted on the support 41 may be two or more. In this case, the support 41 may, for example, have a number or shape of openings 41a appropriately provided in accordance with this number.
[0035] 1-3. Structure of the liquid injection head
[0036] Figure 3 This is an exploded perspective view of the liquid injection head 50 according to the first embodiment. Figure 3As shown, the liquid injection head 50 includes a flow channel structure 51, a substrate unit 52, a bracket 53, four head chips 54_1 to 54_4, a fixing plate 55, and a cover 58. These components are arranged in the Z2 direction in the following order: cover 58, substrate unit 52, flow channel structure 51, bracket 53, four head chips 54, and fixing plate 55. The various parts of the liquid injection head 50 will be described in detail below.
[0037] The flow channel structure 51 is a structure in which the ink stored in the liquid storage section 10 is provided internally for supplying flow channels to the four head chips 54. The flow channel structure 51 has flow channel components 51a and eight connecting pipes 51b.
[0038] Although not shown in the figure, the flow channel component 51a is provided with four supply channels and four discharge channels for each of the four types of ink. Each of the four supply channels has an inlet for receiving ink from the connecting tube 51b and two outlets for discharging ink toward the connection port IO of the head chip 54, which will be described later. Each of the four discharge channels has two inlets for receiving ink from the connection port IO of the head chip 54 and one outlet for discharging ink into the connecting tube 51b. Each inlet of the supply channel and each outlet of the discharge channel is provided on the surface of the flow channel component 51a facing the Z1 direction. In contrast, each outlet of the supply channel and each inlet of the discharge channel is provided on the surface of the flow channel component 51a facing the Z2 direction.
[0039] Furthermore, a plurality of wiring holes 51c are provided on the flow channel component 51a. Each of these wiring holes 51c is a hole through which the wiring substrate 54i of the feed chip 54 (described later) passes toward the substrate unit 52. Additionally, cutouts are provided at two locations in the circumferential direction on the side of the flow channel component 51a. Furthermore, a hole (not shown) is provided on the flow channel component 51a, and it is fixed relative to the bracket 53 by means of a threaded fixation through this hole.
[0040] Although not illustrated, the flow channel component 51a is constructed from a stack of multiple substrates arranged in a direction along the Z-axis. Furthermore, in this specification, the statement "elements A and B are stacked" is not limited to structures where elements A and B are in direct contact. That is, a structure in which another element C exists between elements A and B also includes the concept of "elements A and B being stacked." Similarly, the statement "elements B are formed on the surface of element A" is not limited to structures where elements A and B are in direct contact. That is, even a structure where element C is formed on the surface of element A and element B is formed on the surface of element C, if at least a portion of elements A and B overlap when viewed from above, is also included in the concept of "elements B being formed on the surface of element A."
[0041] Each of the plurality of substrates is suitably provided with grooves and holes for the aforementioned supply and discharge channels. The plurality of substrates are joined together by means of adhesive, brazing, fusion, or threading, for example. In the following description, it will be explained that the plurality of substrates are joined together by adhesive. When joined by adhesive, pressure is applied to the plurality of components after the adhesive is applied and before the adhesive cures. Furthermore, a sheet-like sealing member made of rubber or the like can be suitably disposed between the plurality of substrates as needed. Moreover, the number or thickness of the substrates constituting the channel component 51a is determined by the shape of the supply and discharge channels and is not particularly limited; it is arbitrary.
[0042] Each of the eight connecting pipes 51b is a pipe body protruding from the Z1 direction face of the flow channel component 51a. The eight connecting pipes 51b correspond to the four supply flow channels and four discharge flow channels mentioned above, and are connected to the inlet of the corresponding supply flow channel or the outlet of the corresponding discharge flow channel.
[0043] Of the eight connecting pipes 51b described above, four corresponding to the four supply channels are connected to the liquid storage unit 10 to receive different types of ink. On the other hand, four of the eight connecting pipes 51b corresponding to the four discharge channels are used to connect to a sub-tank, which is positioned between the liquid storage unit 10 and the liquid spray head 50 for discharging ink at predetermined times, such as during initial filling of the liquid spray head 50, and for retaining the ink. During printing or other normal operations, the four connecting pipes 51b corresponding to the four discharge channels are blocked by a cap or other sealing material. Furthermore, when the liquid storage unit 10 is connected to the liquid spray head 50 via a circulation mechanism, the four connecting pipes 51b corresponding to the four discharge channels are normally connected to the ink recovery channel of that circulation mechanism.
[0044] The base unit 52 is an assembly having mounting components for electrically connecting the liquid injection head 50 to the control unit 20. The base unit 52 has a circuit board 52a, a connector 52b, and a support plate 52c.
[0045] The circuit board 52a is a printed wiring board, such as a rigid wiring board, having wiring for electrically connecting the various head chips 54 and connectors 52b. The circuit board 52a is disposed on the flow channel structure 51 via a support plate 52c, and the connectors 52b are provided on the surface of the circuit board 52a facing the Z1 direction.
[0046] Connector 52b is a connecting component for electrically connecting the liquid injection head 50 and the control unit 20. Support plate 52c is a plate-shaped component for mounting the circuit board 52a relative to the flow channel structure 51. The circuit board 52a is mounted on one surface of the support plate 52c, and the circuit board 52a is fixed relative to the support plate 52c by threaded fixing or the like. Furthermore, the other surface of the support plate 52c contacts the flow channel structure 51, and in this state, the support plate 52c is fixed to the flow channel structure 51 by threaded fixing or the like. The supporting plate 52c is made of resin materials such as modified polyphenylene ether resin, polyphenylene sulfide resin, polypropylene resin, etc., such as Zylon. Zylon is a registered trademark. In addition to resin materials, the supporting plate 52c may contain fiber substrates such as glass fiber, or fillers such as alumina particles, etc.
[0047] The bracket 53 is a structure for housing and supporting the four head chips 54. The bracket 53 is generally tray-shaped and has a recess 53a, a plurality of ink holes 53b, a plurality of wiring holes 53c, a plurality of recesses 53d, a plurality of holes 53e, a plurality of screw holes 53i, and a plurality of screw holes 53k. The recess 53a is an opening facing the Z1 direction and provides space for the aforementioned flow channel component 51a. Each of the plurality of ink holes 53b is a flow channel for ink to flow between the head chip 54 and the flow channel structure 51. Each of the plurality of wiring holes 53c is a hole through which the wiring substrate 54i of the head chip 54 passes toward the substrate unit 52. Each of the plurality of recesses 53d is an opening facing the Z2 direction and provides space for the head chip 54. The plurality of holes 53e are for connecting each of the plurality of connection ports IO of the plurality of head chips 54 described later, and each of the outlet of the supply channel and the inlet of the discharge channel of the flow channel component 51a. The plurality of screw holes 53i are for threading the bracket 53 relative to the support body 41. The plurality of screw holes 53k are for threading the cover 58 relative to the bracket 53.
[0048] Each head chip 54 ejects ink. Each head chip 54 has multiple nozzles N for ejecting a first ink and multiple nozzles N for ejecting a second ink of a different type than the first ink. Here, the first ink and the second ink are two of the four types of inks described above. For example, in each of head chips 54_1 and 54_2, two of the four types of inks can be used as the first ink and the second ink. Furthermore, in each of head chips 54_3 and 54_4, the remaining two of the four types of inks are used. A wiring board 54i is provided on each head chip 54. Additionally, in... Figure 3 The structure of each head chip 54 is illustrated in a simplified manner in the diagram. The structure of the head chip 54 is described later. Figure 4 A detailed account is provided.
[0049] The fixing plate 55 is a plate-shaped component that fixes four head chips 54 and a bracket 53. Specifically, the fixing plate 55 is configured such that the four head chips 54 are sandwiched between it and the bracket 53, and each head chip 54 and the bracket 53 are fixed by adhesive or the like. The fixing plate 55 has multiple openings 55a that expose the nozzle surfaces FN of the four head chips 54. Figure 3 In the example shown, the plurality of openings 55a are individually provided for each head chip 54. The fixing plate 55 is made of metal materials such as stainless steel, titanium, and magnesium alloy.
[0050] The cover 58 is a box-shaped component that houses the substrate unit 52. The cover 58 is made of resin materials such as modified polyphenylene ether resin, polyphenylene sulfide resin, and polypropylene resin, for example, similar to the support plate 52c described above.
[0051] The cover 58 has eight through holes 58a and openings 58b. The eight through holes 58a correspond to the eight connecting pipes 51b of the flow channel structure 51, and the corresponding connecting pipe 51b is inserted into each through hole 58a. The connector 52b passes through the openings 58b from the inside to the outside of the cover 58.
[0052] 1-4. Structure of the head chip
[0053] Figure 4 This is an exploded 3D view of the head chip 54. Figure 5 for Figure 4 Sectional view along line AA in the diagram. Figure 6 for Figure 4 The BB line section view in the figure. However, to avoid complicating the accompanying drawings, in Figure 6 The wiring board 54i is omitted from the illustration. Figure 4 as well as Figure 5As shown, the head chip 54 has a plurality of nozzles N arranged in the direction along the Y-axis. The plurality of nozzles N are divided into a first nozzle column L1 and a second nozzle column L2 arranged in the direction along the X-axis with gaps between them. The first nozzle column L1 and the second nozzle column L2 are each a set of a plurality of nozzles N arranged linearly in the direction along the Y-axis.
[0054] The head chip 54 has a structure that is approximately symmetrical to each other along the X-axis. However, the positions of the plurality of nozzles N in the first nozzle row L1 and the plurality of nozzles N in the second nozzle row L2 along the Y-axis may or may not be the same. Figure 5 The diagram illustrates a structure in which the positions of multiple nozzles N in the first nozzle array L1 and multiple nozzles N in the second nozzle array L2 are aligned with each other along the Y-axis.
[0055] like Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 As shown, the head chip 54 includes a connecting plate 54a, a pressure chamber substrate 54b, a nozzle plate 54c, a vibration absorber 54d, a vibrating plate 54e, multiple piezoelectric elements 54f, a protective substrate 54g, a wiring substrate 54i, a drive circuit 54j, a frame 54k, a first housing 54m, a second housing 54n, and a filter 54o. However, to avoid complicating the figures, in Figure 4 The diagrams of the pressure chamber substrate 54b, vibrating plate 54e, multiple piezoelectric elements 54f, vibration absorber 54d, wiring substrate 54i, drive circuit 54j, and frame 54k are omitted.
[0056] The connecting plate 54a and the pressure chamber substrate 54b are stacked in this order in the Z1 direction, forming a flow channel for supplying ink to a plurality of nozzles N. In the region located further Z1 than the connecting plate 54a, a filter 54o, a pressure chamber substrate 54b, a vibrating plate 54e, a plurality of piezoelectric elements 54f, a protective substrate 54g, a first housing 54m, a second housing 54n, a wiring substrate 54i, and a drive circuit 54j are provided. On the other hand, in the region located further Z2 than the connecting plate 54a, a nozzle plate 54c, a vibration absorber 54d, and a frame 54k are provided. The various elements of the head chip 54 are generally elongated plate-shaped components in the Y direction, and are joined together, for example, by adhesive. The various elements of the head chip 54 will be described below.
[0057] The nozzle plate 54c is a plate-shaped component having a plurality of nozzles N, each of a first nozzle array L1 and a second nozzle array L2. Each of the plurality of nozzles N is a through-hole through which ink passes. Here, the surface of the nozzle plate 54c facing the Z2 direction is the nozzle surface FN. That is, the normal direction of the nozzle surface FN is the direction of the normal vector of the nozzle surface FN, and is the Z2 direction, which is the jetting direction. The nozzle plate 54c is manufactured, for example, by processing a single-crystal silicon substrate using semiconductor manufacturing techniques such as dry etching or wet etching. However, other known methods and materials may also be appropriately used in the manufacture of the nozzle plate 54c. Furthermore, although the cross-sectional shape of the nozzle N is typically circular, it is not limited to this; for example, it may be a non-circular shape such as a polygon or an ellipse.
[0058] On the connecting plate 54a, a downstream common liquid chamber DR, multiple supply channels Ra, and multiple connecting channels Na (described later) are respectively provided for the first nozzle line L1 and the second nozzle line L2. Here, the downstream common liquid chamber DR that communicates with the multiple nozzles N of the first nozzle line L1 is referred to as the downstream common liquid chamber DR[L1]. The downstream common liquid chamber DR that communicates with the multiple nozzles N of the second nozzle line L2 is referred to as the downstream common liquid chamber DR[L2].
[0059] The downstream common liquid chamber DR[L1] includes an opening DR1[L1] through which the connecting plate 54a passes in the Z-axis direction, an opening DR2[L1] through which the connecting plate 54a passes in the Z-axis direction, and a connecting channel Xa[L1]. Openings DR1[L1] and DR2[L1] are separated by a connecting plate beam BR2[L1] extending in the X-axis direction. Openings DR1[L1] and DR2[L1] extend in the Y-axis direction, respectively. Similarly, the downstream common liquid chamber DR[L2] includes an opening DR1[L2] through which the connecting plate 54a passes in the Z-axis direction, an opening DR2[L2] through which the connecting plate 54a passes in the Z-axis direction, and a connecting channel Xa[L2]. Openings DR1[L2] and DR2[L2] are separated by a connecting plate beam BR2[L2] extending in the X-axis direction. Openings DR1[L2] and DR2[L2] extend in the Y-axis direction, respectively.
[0060] Here, unless otherwise specified, openings DR1[L1] and DR1[L2] are referred to simply as opening DR1. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, connecting channel Xa[L1] and connecting channel Xa[L2] are referred to simply as connecting channel Xa.
[0061] Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, openings DR2[L1] and DR2[L2] are simply referred to as opening DR2. Unless otherwise specified, connecting plate beam portion BR2[L1] and connecting plate beam portion BR2[L2] are simply referred to as connecting plate beam portion BR2. Although in Figure 4 In the example, one connecting plate beam portion BR2 is provided corresponding to each of the first nozzle column L1 and the second nozzle column L2, but multiple portions can be provided corresponding to each of the first nozzle column L1 and the second nozzle column L2. The connecting plate beam portion BR2 is an example of a "second beam portion".
[0062] The connecting channel Xa is connected to multiple supply channels Ra at one end in the X-axis direction, and to both openings DR1 and DR2 at the other end in the X-axis direction. That is, ink passing through openings DR1 and DR2 flows through the connecting channel Xa to the multiple supply channels Ra. The supply channels Ra and the connecting channel Xa are through-holes formed for each nozzle N.
[0063] like Figure 5 As shown, a common liquid chamber R connected to multiple nozzles N is provided for both the first nozzle array L1 and the second nozzle array L2. In the following description, there is a case where the common liquid chamber R connected to the multiple nozzles N of the first nozzle array L1 is represented as common liquid chamber R[L1]. There is a case where the common liquid chamber R connected to the multiple nozzles N of the second nozzle array L2 is represented as common liquid chamber R[L2]. The common liquid chamber R stores the ink to be supplied to multiple pressure chambers CB. The common liquid chamber R is defined by a vibration absorber 54d, a connecting plate 54a, a filter 54o, a first housing 54m, and a second housing 54n. The vibration absorber 54d, connecting plate 54a, filter 54o, first housing 54m, and second housing 54n are an example of "multiple stacked components". The filter 54o divides the common liquid chamber R into an upstream common liquid chamber UR and a downstream common liquid chamber DR. The connecting plate 54a defines a portion of the downstream common liquid chamber DR.
[0064] The pressure chamber substrate 54b is a plate-shaped component having multiple pressure chambers CB provided for the first nozzle array L1 and the second nozzle array L2, respectively. The multiple pressure chambers CB are arranged along the Y-axis. Each pressure chamber CB is formed for each nozzle N and is an elongated space extending along the X-axis when viewed from above. The connecting plate 54a and the pressure chamber substrate 54b are manufactured similarly to the nozzle plate 54c described above, for example, by processing a single-crystal silicon substrate using semiconductor manufacturing technology. However, other known methods and materials may be appropriately used for the manufacture of the connecting plate 54a and the pressure chamber substrate 54b.
[0065] The pressure chamber CB is the space located between the connecting plate 54a and the vibrating plate 54e. Multiple pressure chambers CB are arranged along the Y-axis for both the first nozzle array L1 and the second nozzle array L2. Furthermore, the pressure chamber CB is connected to both the connecting channel Na and the supply channel Ra. Therefore, the pressure chamber CB is connected to the nozzle N via the connecting channel Na, and to the downstream common liquid chamber DR via the supply channel Ra.
[0066] A vibrating plate 54e is disposed on the Z1-oriented surface of the pressure chamber substrate 54b. The vibrating plate 54e is a plate-shaped component capable of elastic vibration. The vibrating plate 54e has, for example, a first layer and a second layer, which are stacked in the Z1 direction in this order. The first layer is, for example, an elastic film made of silicon oxide. This elastic film is formed, for example, by thermal oxidation of one side of a single-crystal silicon substrate. The second layer is, for example, an insulating film made of zirconium oxide. This insulating film is formed, for example, by sputtering a zirconium layer and then thermally oxidizing that layer. Furthermore, the vibrating plate 54e is not limited to a structure achieved by stacking the first and second layers described above; for example, it can be composed of a single layer or three or more layers.
[0067] On the Z1-oriented surface of the vibrating plate 54e, multiple piezoelectric elements 54f, corresponding to nozzles N, are arranged as driving elements for the first nozzle array L1 and the second nozzle array L2, respectively. Each piezoelectric element 54f is a driven element that deforms upon the supply of a driving signal Com. When viewed from above, each piezoelectric element 54f appears as an elongated strip extending along the X-axis. The multiple piezoelectric elements 54f are arranged along the Y-axis in a manner corresponding to multiple pressure chambers CB. When viewed from above, the piezoelectric elements 54f overlap with the pressure chambers CB.
[0068] Although not illustrated, each piezoelectric element 54f has a first electrode, a piezoelectric layer, and a second electrode, which are stacked in this order in the Z1 direction. One of the first and second electrodes is a separate electrode configured for each piezoelectric element 54f, and a drive signal Com is applied to this electrode. The other electrode is a strip-shaped common electrode extending continuously across multiple piezoelectric elements 54f in the Y-axis direction, and a predetermined reference potential is supplied to this other electrode. Examples of metallic materials used for these electrodes include platinum, aluminum, nickel, gold, and copper, and one of these materials can be used alone or in combination of two or more in alloys or stacks. The piezoelectric layer is made of a piezoelectric material such as lead zirconate titanate, and is, for example, a strip extending continuously across multiple piezoelectric elements 54f in the Y-axis direction. However, the piezoelectric layer can also be an integral unit spanning multiple piezoelectric elements 54f. In this case, in the piezoelectric layer, in the region corresponding to the gap between adjacent pressure chambers CB when viewed from above, a through hole extending through the piezoelectric layer is provided in a manner extending along the X-axis. When the vibrating plate 54e vibrates in conjunction with the deformation of the piezoelectric element 54f, the pressure within the pressure chamber CB changes, causing ink to be ejected from the nozzle N. Alternatively, instead of the piezoelectric element 54f, a heating element that heats the ink within the pressure chamber CB can be used as the driving element.
[0069] The protective substrate 54g is a plate-shaped component disposed on the Z1-oriented surface of the vibrating plate 54e, which protects the multiple piezoelectric elements 54f and strengthens the mechanical strength of the vibrating plate 54e. For example... Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 As shown, an opening h1 is provided on the protective substrate 54g. The opening h1 is a hole through which the wiring substrate 54i passes. Furthermore, on the Z2-facing surface of the protective substrate 54g, two recesses are formed in the Z1-facing direction, corresponding to the first nozzle array L1 and the second nozzle array L2. A plurality of piezoelectric elements 54f are housed between these recesses of the protective substrate 54g and the vibrating plate 54e. The protective substrate 54g is, for example, made of a single-crystal silicon substrate.
[0070] The filter 54o is a plate-shaped or sheet-shaped component that is stacked on the Z1-oriented surface of the connecting plate 54a. The filter 54o allows ink to pass through while capturing foreign matter mixed in the ink.
[0071] Along the X-axis, the shape of filter 54o is the same as or smaller than that of the first housing 54m and the second housing 54n, and larger than that of the connecting plate 54a. Figure 5In the example, the shape of filter 54o is smaller than that of second housing 54n along the X-axis.
[0072] The filter 54o is provided with a plurality of filter holes h23 for ink to pass through and an opening h21. The plurality of filter holes h23 is an example of "a plurality of holes for liquid to pass through". The opening h21 is a through hole through which the pressure chamber substrate 54b passes. The plurality of filter holes h23 are provided within the filter hole region FR. In the following description, there are cases where the filter hole region FR with filter holes h23 communicating with the downstream shared liquid chamber DR[L1] is represented as filter hole region FR[L1], and the filter hole region FR with filter holes h23 communicating with the downstream shared liquid chamber DR[L2] is represented as filter hole region FR[L2]. There are cases where the filter hole h23 provided in the filter hole region FR[L1] is represented as filter hole h23[L1], and the filter hole h23 provided in the filter hole region FR[L2] is represented as filter hole h23[L2]. The filter hole region FR is constituted by an electroformed filter. Electroformed filters can be made of materials such as Ni-Pd alloys (nickel-palladium alloys). Alternatively, they can be made of stainless steel.
[0073] The first housing 54m is a component stacked on the Z1-oriented surface of the filter 54o. The first housing 54m defines a first common liquid chamber section UR1 as part of the upstream common liquid chamber UR. The first housing 54m is provided with an opening h31, a first common liquid chamber section UR1 communicating with a plurality of nozzles N of the first nozzle array L1, and a first common liquid chamber section UR1 communicating with a plurality of nozzles N of the second nozzle array L2. The opening h31 is a hole through which the wiring board 54i passes. When viewed from above along the Z-axis, the first common liquid chamber section UR1 is an elongated through hole extending along the Y-axis. In the following description, there are cases where the first common liquid chamber section UR1 included in the common liquid chamber R[L1] is represented as the first common liquid chamber section UR1[L1], and the first common liquid chamber section UR1 included in the common liquid chamber R[L2] is represented as the first common liquid chamber section UR1[L2]. The first common liquid chamber UR1 is formed by penetrating the first housing 54m along the Z-axis.
[0074] The first housing 54m has a housing beam portion BR1, which is disposed within the first common liquid chamber portion UR1 and extends in the direction along the X-axis. In the following description, there are cases where the housing beam portion BR1 disposed within the first common liquid chamber portion UR1 [L1] is represented as housing beam portion BR1 [L1], and the housing beam portion BR1 disposed within the first common liquid chamber portion UR1 [L2] is represented as housing beam portion BR1 [L2]. Furthermore, the housing beam portion BR1 is an example of a "first beam portion". For example... Figure 4 As shown, three housing beams BR1[L1] are provided within the first common liquid chamber UR1[L1], and three housing beams BR1[L2] are provided within the first common liquid chamber UR1[L2]. That is, three housing beams BR1 are provided corresponding to the first nozzle array L1 and the second nozzle array L2, respectively. However, one can be provided corresponding to the first nozzle array L1 and the second nozzle array L2, or more than three can be provided.
[0075] The first housing 54m has four side walls w31 arranged along the X-axis. Two side walls w31[L1] define the first common liquid chamber portion UR1[L1], and two side walls w31[L2] define the first common liquid chamber portion UR1[L2]. Each of the four side walls w31 has a cutout k32 on the wall surface that does not define the first common liquid chamber portion UR1. Adhesive 70 used to join the first housing 54m and the filter 54o flows into the cutout k32. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the filter holes h23 from becoming clogged due to residual adhesive 70 moving into them.
[0076] The second housing 54n is a component stacked on the surface of the first housing 54m facing the Z1 direction. The second housing 54n defines a second common liquid chamber portion UR2 as part of the upstream common liquid chamber UR. An opening h41 and a plurality of connection ports IO are provided in the second housing 54n, which are used to allow ink to flow from the liquid storage portion 10 located outside the head chip 54 and outside the liquid ejection head 50 into each common liquid chamber R, or to allow ink to flow from each common liquid chamber R out of the liquid ejection head 50. The second common liquid chamber portion UR2 is formed by a recess from surface SZ2 in the Z1 direction. Surface SZ2 is the surface of the second housing 54n that engages with surface SZ1 of the first housing 54m.
[0077] The second housing 54n has four sidewalls w44 arranged along the X-axis. Two sidewalls w44[L1] define the second common liquid chamber portion UR2[L1], and two sidewalls w44[L2] define the second common liquid chamber portion UR2[L2]. Each of the four sidewalls w44 has a cutout k45 on the wall surface that does not define the second common liquid chamber portion UR2. By using an adhesive 71 for joining the first housing 54m and the second housing 54n, the flow of adhesive 71 into the common liquid chamber R can be suppressed compared to a configuration without cutouts k45.
[0078] The first housing 54m and the second housing 54n, like the support plate 52c described above, are made of resin materials such as modified polyphenylene ether resin, polyphenylene sulfide resin, and polypropylene resin. The first housing 54m and the second housing 54n are manufactured, for example, by injection molding. Specifically, the manufacturer injects molten resin material into a metal mold having cavities with the same shape as the first housing 54m and the second housing 54n, respectively. After the resin material has solidified within the cavity, the solidified resin material is removed from the metal mold.
[0079] Figure 7 for Figure 5 The CC section view in the image. (See also: ...) Figure 7 As understood, when viewed along the Z2 direction, the area r38 of the portion of the first housing 54m that defines the second common liquid chamber UR2 in the Z1-oriented surface SZ1 is greater than the area r39 of the opening formed on the surface SZ1 to define the first common liquid chamber UR1.
[0080] like Figure 5 As shown, the second common liquid chamber UR2 is located closer to the piezoelectric element 54f in the Z1 direction. The width dx2 of the second common liquid chamber UR2 along the X-axis is longer than the width dx1 of the first common liquid chamber UR1 along the X-axis. The width dx1 is, for example, approximately 0.58 mm. Figure 5 As shown, when observed along the Z2 direction, the first common liquid chamber UR1 does not overlap with the protective substrate 54g. However, when observed along the Z2 direction, the second common liquid chamber UR2 overlaps with the protective substrate 54g. Overlapping of two objects means that a part or all of one object overlaps with a part or all of another object. Figure 5 In the example, when viewed along the Z2 direction, the second common liquid chamber portion UR2 overlaps with the piezoelectric element 54f. However, when viewed along the Z2 direction, the second common liquid chamber portion UR2 may not overlap with the piezoelectric element 54f. Furthermore, as can be seen from... Figure 5As understood, when viewed from the X-axis direction, the first common liquid chamber UR1 overlaps with the protective substrate 54g. On the other hand, when viewed from the X-axis direction, the second common liquid chamber UR2 does not overlap with the protective substrate 54g.
[0081] The vibration absorber 54d, also known as a flexible substrate, is a flexible resin film that forms the wall of the common liquid chamber R and absorbs pressure fluctuations of the ink within the common liquid chamber R. Alternatively, the vibration absorber 54d can be a flexible sheet of metal. The Z1-facing surface of the vibration absorber 54d is bonded to the connecting plate 54a using an adhesive or similar material. On the Z2-facing surface of the vibration absorber 54d, a frame 54k is bonded using an adhesive or similar material. The frame 54k is a frame-shaped component along the outer periphery of the vibration absorber 54d and contacts the aforementioned fixing plate 55. Here, the frame 54k is made of, for example, a metal material such as stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, or magnesium alloy.
[0082] A wiring board 54i is mounted on the Z1-oriented surface of the vibrating plate 54e and serves as a mounting component for electrically connecting the control unit 20 and the head chip 54. The wiring board 54i is, for example, a flexible wiring board such as COF (Chip On Film), FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit), or FFC (Flexible Flat Cable). In this embodiment, a drive circuit 54j is mounted on the wiring board 54i for supplying drive voltage to each piezoelectric element 54f. The drive circuit 54j is a circuit that switches whether to supply at least a portion of the waveform contained in the drive signal Com as a drive pulse based on a control signal S.
[0083] 1-5. Regarding the first shell 54m and the second shell 54n
[0084] The reason for dividing the housing of the upstream shared liquid chamber UR into a first housing 54m and a second housing 54n in the first embodiment will be explained. When a filter 54o is installed in the shared liquid chamber R, the flow resistance in the shared liquid chamber R increases. When the flow resistance increases, the energy required to supply ink to the nozzle N increases, thereby increasing the power consumption of the liquid injection head 50. Therefore, it is preferable to reduce the flow resistance. As a method to reduce the flow resistance in the shared liquid chamber R, increasing the volume of the shared liquid chamber R can be considered. However, as... Figure 5As shown, considering the layout of the housing and the protective substrate 54g, if the common liquid chamber R is extended in the Z1 direction while maintaining the width of the first common liquid chamber portion UR1 along the X-axis, the head chip 54 becomes larger in the Z-axis direction. On the other hand, although it is also possible to extend the common liquid chamber R in the Z1 direction of the protective substrate 54g, it is difficult to manufacture such a complex shape in a housing by injection molding, when viewed from the X-axis direction, by narrowing the width of the common liquid chamber R in the area overlapping with the protective substrate 54g and increasing the width of the common liquid chamber R in the area not overlapping with the protective substrate 54g. More specifically, although there is a process in injection molding to remove the cured resin material from the metal mold, if there is a part where the cured resin material is engaged with the metal mold in the direction of removing the metal mold, it will be difficult to remove the metal mold from the cured resin material.
[0085] Therefore, as shown in the first embodiment, the shell defining the upstream shared liquid chamber UR is divided into a first shell 54m and a second shell 54n. If it is possible to... Figure 5 As understood, since it is easy to remove the metal molds of the first housing 54m and the second housing 54n in the Z2 direction, it is also easy to manufacture the first housing 54m and the second housing 54n while increasing the volume of the common liquid chamber R.
[0086] By dividing the housing defining the upstream shared liquid chamber UR into a first housing 54m and a second housing 54n, the rigidity of the first housing 54m decreases compared to the rigidity of the second housing 54n. The second housing 54n, having an outer wall in the Z1 direction, can maintain a certain level of rigidity. On the other hand, the first housing 54m has a long, narrow opening extending along the Y-axis by forming the first shared liquid chamber portion UR1, thus reducing its rigidity. When the rigidity of the first housing 54m decreases, there is a possibility that the first housing 54m may deform, for example, due to pressure during the curing of the adhesive. Therefore, in the first embodiment, a housing beam portion BR1 along the X-axis intersecting the Y-axis is provided to suppress the decrease in the rigidity of the first housing 54m. However, when the housing beam portion BR1 contacts the filter 54o, a portion of the plurality of filter holes h23 is blocked by the housing beam portion BR1, resulting in a narrow effective area of the filter hole region FR. Furthermore, since no ink flow occurs between the housing beam BR1 and the filter 54o, air bubbles may become trapped. In the first embodiment, the housing beam BR1 is provided while also suppressing the trapping of air bubbles.
[0087] 1-6. Details of the shell beam section BR1 and the connecting plate beam section BR2
[0088] The housing beam BR1 is configured with a gap between it and the filter 54o. Specifically, in the direction along the Z-axis, the housing beam BR1 is configured to be a distance dz1 away from the filter 54o. Distance dz1 is the distance from the filter 54o to the bottom surface of the housing beam BR1. In the direction along the Z-axis, the housing beam BR1 is sized by distance dz2. The dimension of the first housing 54m in the direction along the Z-axis is sized by distance dz3. The sum of distances dz1 and dz2 is the same as distance dz3. Distance dz2 is approximately half of distance dz3. Approximately half of distance dz3 is specifically 40% to 60% of distance dz3. Preferably, approximately half of distance dz3 is 45% to 55% of distance dz3, more preferably, it is 49% to 51% of distance dz3. Distance dz1 is, for example, about 0.60 mm.
[0089] like Figure 6 As shown, the shell beam portion BR1 and the connecting plate beam portion BR2 are staggered in the direction along the Y-axis in a manner that they do not overlap when viewed along the Z2 direction. Specifically, in the direction along the Y-axis, the shell beam portion BR1 closest to the connecting plate beam portion BR2 is separated from the connecting plate beam portion BR2 by a distance dy1.
[0090] like Figure 6 As shown, the surface SB1 of the shell beam BR1 facing the second shell 54n is flush with the surface SZ1 of the first shell 54m facing the second shell 54n. "Flush" means there is no height difference between the two surfaces. Surface SB1 is an example of "the surface of the first beam facing the second shell." Surface SZ1 is an example of "the surface of the first shell that joins the second shell." Alternatively, surface SB1 can be referred to as a part of surface SZ1. On the other hand, the surface of the shell beam BR1 in the Z2 direction is a conical surface whose width narrows along the Y-axis as it faces the Z2 direction. Figure 6 In the example, the Z2 direction surface of the shell beam BR1 is a semi-circle protruding in the Z2 direction when viewed from the direction along the X-axis, but it can also be a trapezoidal shape with an upper side in the Z2 direction.
[0091] like Figure 6 As shown, the Z1 direction surface SB2 of the connecting plate beam BR2 is flush with the Z1 direction surface SZ3 of the connecting plate 54a.
[0092] like Figure 6 As shown, a portion of the multiple filter holes h23f is formed in the portion of the filter 54o that is stacked on the connecting plate beam BR2.
[0093] Along the Y-axis, the shape of filter 54o is the same as or smaller than that of the first housing 54m and the second housing 54n, but larger than the shape of the connecting plate 54a. Figure 6 In the example, along the Y-axis, the profile of filter 54o is smaller than that of the second housing 54n. (As can be seen from...) Figure 5 as well as Figure 6 As understood, when viewed along the Z2 direction, the shape of the filter 54o is the same as or smaller than the shape of the second housing 54n, and larger than the shape of the connecting plate 54a.
[0094] like Figure 6 As shown, the second housing 54n has two sidewalls w47 that define the second common liquid chamber portion UR2 and are disposed along the Y-axis of the second housing 54n. The two sidewalls w47 are a sidewall w47 disposed in the Y2 direction and a sidewall w47 disposed in the Y1 direction. The tapered surface t48 of the sidewall w47 disposed in the Y2 direction moves away from the connection port IO in the Y2 direction as it moves towards the Z2 direction. The tapered surface t48 of the sidewall w47 disposed in the Y1 direction moves away from the connection port IO in the Y1 direction as it moves towards the Z2 direction.
[0095] 1-7. Summary of the First Implementation Method
[0096] The liquid ejector head 50 has a first nozzle array L1 and a second nozzle array L2, a piezoelectric element 54f, and a plurality of stacked components. The first nozzle array L1 and the second nozzle array L2 are configured by arranging a plurality of nozzles N that eject ink in the Z2 direction in a direction orthogonal to the Z2 direction along the Y-axis. The piezoelectric element 54f causes ink to be ejected from the plurality of nozzles N in the first nozzle array L1 and the second nozzle array L2. The plurality of stacked components define a common liquid chamber R communicating with the plurality of nozzles N in the first nozzle array L1 and the second nozzle array L2. The plurality of stacked components include a filter 54o, a first housing 54m, and a second housing 54n. The filter 54o divides the common liquid chamber R into an upstream common liquid chamber UR and a downstream common liquid chamber DR. The first housing 54m defines a first common liquid chamber portion UR1, which is part of the upstream common liquid chamber UR, and is stacked on the filter 54o. The second housing 54n defines a second common liquid chamber portion UR2, which is part of the upstream common liquid chamber UR, and is stacked on the first housing 54m. The second common liquid chamber UR2 is located closer to the piezoelectric element 54f in the Z1 direction. The width dx2 of the second common liquid chamber UR2 along the X-axis is longer than the width dx1 of the first common liquid chamber UR1 along the X-axis.
[0097] According to the first embodiment, even when viewed from the X-axis direction, the upstream common liquid chamber UR has a complex shape where the width of the upstream common liquid chamber UR overlapping the protective substrate 54g is narrower, and the width of the upstream common liquid chamber UR not overlapping the protective substrate 54g is wider. This is easier to manufacture than manufacturing a shell that defines the upstream common liquid chamber UR. Therefore, compared to extending the common liquid chamber R in the Z1 direction while maintaining the width of the first common liquid chamber portion UR1 along the X-axis to ensure the same volume as the common liquid chamber in the first embodiment, the width of the head chip 54 along the Z-axis direction can be reduced. Since the width of the head chip 54 along the Z-axis direction can be reduced, the width of the liquid injection head 50 along the Z-axis direction can also be reduced.
[0098] The liquid injection head 50 also includes a protective substrate 54g, which covers the piezoelectric element 54f. The first common liquid chamber UR1 overlaps with the protective substrate 54g when viewed along the X-axis, but does not overlap with it when viewed along the Z2 direction. The second common liquid chamber UR2 does not overlap with the protective substrate 54g when viewed along the X-axis, but overlaps with it when viewed along the Z2 direction.
[0099] According to the first embodiment, compared with the method in which the second common liquid chamber portion UR2 does not overlap with the protective substrate 54g when observed along the Z2 direction, it is possible to expand the common liquid chamber R while maintaining the shape of the second housing 54n not being larger than the shape of the first housing 54m when observed along the Z2 direction.
[0100] The first common liquid chamber UR1 is formed by extending through the first housing 54m in the Z2 direction. The second common liquid chamber UR2 is formed by recessing from the surface SZ2 of the second housing 54n in the Z1 direction. The first housing 54m has a housing beam BR1, which is disposed within the first common liquid chamber UR1 and extends in the X-axis direction. The housing beam BR1 is configured to leave a gap with the filter 54o.
[0101] According to the first embodiment, although the rigidity of the first housing 54m is reduced compared to the second housing 54n having an outer wall in the Z1 direction, the reduction in rigidity can be suppressed by the housing beam BR1. Furthermore, since the housing beam BR1 is configured with a gap between it and the filter 54o, ink can pass between the housing beam BR1 and the filter 54o, thereby facilitating the removal of air bubbles. Furthermore, since the X2 direction surface of the housing beam BR1 is conical, air bubbles can easily move in the Z1 direction; therefore, compared to a housing beam BR1 where the X2 direction surface is not conical, air bubbles can be removed more easily.
[0102] The surface SB1 of the shell beam BR1 facing the second shell 54n is flush with the surface SZ1 of the first shell 54m that joins the second shell 54n.
[0103] In a configuration where surfaces SB1 and SZ1 are not flush, meaning there is a height difference between them, the first housing 54m needs to be manufactured with this height difference on its Z1-direction surface. Conversely, in a configuration where surfaces SB1 and SZ1 are flush, this height difference is not required on the Z1-direction surface of the first housing 54m, thus simplifying its manufacture. Furthermore, compared to a configuration where surfaces SB1 and SZ1 are flush, and where surface SB1 is positioned further Z2 than surface SZ1, the distance from the housing beam BR1 to the filter 54o can be increased while maintaining the same width of the housing beam BR1 along the Z-axis. By increasing this distance, ink can more easily pass between the housing beam BR1 and the filter 54o, thus facilitating the removal of air bubbles.
[0104] The dimension of the shell beam BR1 in the Z2 direction, i.e., the distance dz2, is approximately half the dimension of the first shell 54m in the Z2 direction, i.e., the distance dz3.
[0105] While increasing the distance dz2 improves the rigidity of the first housing 54m, it also makes it difficult for ink to pass between the housing beam BR1 and the filter 54o, thus hindering the removal of air bubbles. Conversely, while shortening the distance dz2 facilitates air bubble removal, it reduces the rigidity of the first housing 54m. According to the first embodiment, since the distance dz2 is approximately half the distance dz3, it is possible to maintain the rigidity of the first housing 54m to a certain extent while suppressing the difficulty in air bubble removal. Furthermore, when the distance dz1 from the filter 54o to the bottom surface of the housing beam BR1 is greater than or equal to the width dx1 of the first common liquid chamber UR1 along the X-axis, the pressure loss caused by the housing beam BR1 can be reduced. In the first embodiment, the distance dz1 is 0.60 mm and the width dx1 is 0.58 mm, which reduces the pressure loss caused by the housing beam BR1 compared to a distance dz1 shorter than the width dx1. Furthermore, preferably, the distance dz1 from the filter 54o to the bottom surface of the housing beam BR1 is greater than or equal to the width dy2 of the first common liquid chamber UR1 along the Y-axis.
[0106] The stacked components defining the common liquid chamber R also include a connecting plate 54a, which defines a portion of the downstream common liquid chamber DR. The connecting plate 54a has a connecting plate beam BR2 extending in the direction along the X-axis. The housing beam BR1 and the connecting plate beam BR2 are staggered in the direction along the Y-axis in a manner that they do not overlap when viewed in the Z2 direction.
[0107] When the housing beam BR1 and the connecting plate beam BR2 overlap when viewed along the Z2 direction, ink becomes difficult to flow into the nozzle N, which is located at the same position as the housing beam BR1 and the connecting plate beam BR2 along the Y-axis. Furthermore, when the housing beam BR1 and the connecting plate beam BR2 overlap when viewed along the Z2 direction, the narrowing between the housing beam BR1 and the connecting plate beam BR2 makes ink flow difficult, thus making it difficult to expel air bubbles. Therefore, according to the first embodiment, compared to the method where the housing beam BR1 and the connecting plate beam BR2 overlap when viewed along the Z2 direction, nozzle N, which makes ink flow difficult, is less likely to occur, and air bubbles can be expelled more easily.
[0108] A filter 54o is stacked on a connecting plate 54a. Multiple filter holes h23 are formed on the filter 54o for ink to pass through. A portion of the multiple filter holes h23, filter holes h23f, is formed in the portion of the filter 54o that is stacked on the beam portion BR2 of the connecting plate.
[0109] According to the first embodiment, compared with the method of forming filter holes h23 by avoiding the portion of filter 54o that is stacked on the connecting plate beam BR2, the manufacture of filter 54o becomes easier.
[0110] The second housing 54n has a sidewall w44 and a connection port IO. The sidewall w44 defines a second common liquid chamber portion UR2 and is disposed in the direction along the Y-axis of the second housing 54n. The connection port IO is disposed in the Z1 direction closer to the surface SZ2 of the second housing 54n that engages with the first housing 54m, and is used to allow ink to flow in from the outside of the liquid injection head 50. The sidewall w44 has a conical surface t48 that defines the second common liquid chamber portion UR2 and has a direction that moves away from the connection port IO in the direction along the Y-axis as it moves towards the Z2 direction from the connection port IO.
[0111] According to this embodiment, compared to a configuration where the sidewall w44 does not have a conical surface t48, the wall thickness in the Z1 direction of the second housing 54n can be increased while maintaining the same volume of the second common liquid chamber UR2. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, compared to a configuration where the sidewall w44 does not have a conical surface t48 and the wall thickness in the Z1 direction of the second housing 54n is maintained up to the end in the Z2 direction, the volume of the second common liquid chamber UR2 can be increased.
[0112] When viewed along the Z2 direction, the area r38 of the portion of the surface SZ1 where the first housing 54m joins the second housing 54n that defines the second common liquid chamber UR2 is greater than the area r39 of the opening formed on the surface SZ1 where the first housing 54m joins the second housing 54n to define the first common liquid chamber UR1.
[0113] The first housing 54m and the second housing 54n are made of resin material.
[0114] Compared to metals and ceramics, resin materials generally possess the characteristics of being lightweight and easy to process. However, when components are made of resin materials, it is difficult to form complex shapes. However, in the first embodiment, by dividing the components into two parts, such as the first housing 54m and the second housing 54n, it is possible to easily manufacture a housing that defines the upstream common liquid chamber UR with a complex shape while increasing the volume of the upstream common liquid chamber UR. Furthermore, although components made of resin materials have lower rigidity compared to components made of metals or ceramics, the reduction in rigidity of the first housing 54m can be suppressed by the housing beam BR1.
[0115] When observed along the Z2 direction, the shape of the filter 54o is the same as or smaller than that of the second housing 54n, and larger than that of the connecting plate 54a.
[0116] According to the first embodiment, the rigidity of the filter 54o can be improved compared to a method where the shape of the filter 54o is the same as the shape of the connecting plate 54a when viewed along the Z2 direction. However, if the shape of the filter 54o is larger than the shape of the second housing 54n when viewed along the Z2 direction, the shape of the liquid injection head 50 in the direction perpendicular to the Z-axis will become larger. Therefore, according to the first embodiment, the shape of the liquid injection head 50 in the direction perpendicular to the Z-axis can be maintained, and the rigidity of the filter 54o can be improved compared to a method where the shape of the filter 54o is the same as the shape of the connecting plate 54a when viewed along the Z2 direction.
[0117] The liquid injection device 100 includes a liquid injection head 50 and a liquid storage section 10 for storing the liquid to be supplied to the liquid injection head 50.
[0118] According to the first embodiment, a liquid jetting device 100 can be provided that suppresses the increase of ink pressure loss even when the filter 54o is set in the common liquid chamber R.
[0119] 2. Variations
[0120] The methods illustrated above can be modified in various ways. Specific modifications are illustrated below. Two or more methods selected from the following examples can be appropriately combined as long as they do not contradict each other.
[0121] 2.1. First Variation Example
[0122] Although in the first embodiment the filter 54o is stacked on the connecting plate 54a, it is not limited thereto. In a first variation, a spacer 54p is provided between the connecting plate 54a and the filter 54o.
[0123] Figure 8 This is an exploded perspective view of the head chip 54A in the first modified example. Figure 9 for Figure 8 DD line section view. Figure 10 for Figure 8 EE line section view.
[0124] The difference between head chip 54A and head chip 54 is that head chip 54A has a spacer 54p. For example... Figures 8 to 10 As shown, spacer 54p is stacked on connecting plate 54a. Filter 54o is stacked on spacer 54p.
[0125] Spacer 54p is used to ensure space between filter orifice h23 and connecting plate 54a. Spacer 54p is made of metal or ceramic. In the first variation, connecting plate 54a and spacer 54p define a portion of the downstream shared liquid chamber DR.
[0126] like Figure 8 As shown, the spacer 54p is provided with an opening h61 and two through holes SR. The opening h61 is a through hole through which the pressure chamber substrate 54b passes. One of the two through holes SR communicates with a portion or all of the plurality of filter holes h23[L1]. The other through hole SR communicates with a portion or all of the plurality of filter holes h23[L2]. Hereinafter, there are cases where the through hole SR communicating with a portion or all of the plurality of filter holes h23[L1] is presented as through hole SR[L1], and the through hole SR communicating with a portion or all of the plurality of filter holes h23[L2] is presented as through hole SR[L2]. In order to increase the effective area of the filter hole region FR, it is preferable that the through hole SR[L1] communicates with all of the plurality of filter holes h23[L1], and the through hole SR[L2] communicates with all of the plurality of filter holes h23[L2]. Figure 10 As shown, when observed along the Z2 direction, the filter hole h23f that overlaps with the beam portion BR2 of the connecting plate among the multiple filter holes h23 overlaps with the through hole SR.
[0127] In the first modified example, the multiple stacked components defining the common liquid chamber R further include a spacer 54p, which defines a portion of the downstream common liquid chamber DR. A filter 54o is stacked on the spacer 54p. Multiple filter holes h23f for ink passage are formed on the filter 54o. The spacer 54p is stacked on the connecting plate 54a. The spacer 54p is made of metal or ceramic. The spacer 54p has a through hole SR formed by passing through the spacer 54p in the Z2 direction. When viewed along the Z2 direction, the filter hole h23f that overlaps with the beam portion BR2 of the connecting plate overlaps with the through hole SR.
[0128] Since the spacer 54p is made of metal or ceramic, which has higher rigidity than resin material, deformation of the spacer 54p can be suppressed compared to a spacer 54p made of resin material. Furthermore, since space is ensured between the connecting plate beam BR2 and the filter hole h23f through the through hole SR, clogging of the filter hole h23f can be suppressed. Therefore, the narrowing of the effective area of the filter hole region FR can be prevented.
[0129] 2.2. Second variation
[0130] Although in all the above-described embodiments, the surface SB1 of the shell beam BR1 facing the second shell 54n is flush with the surface SZ1 of the first shell 54m facing the second shell 54n, the surface SB1 may also be located in a position closer to the Z2 direction than the surface SZ1.
[0131] 2.3. Third variation
[0132] While in the various embodiments described above, the dimension in the Z2 direction of the shell beam BR1, i.e., the distance dz2, is approximately half the dimension in the Z2 direction of the first shell 54m, i.e., the distance dz3, is present, this is not a limitation. For example, the distance dz2 may be shorter than approximately half the distance dz3. In this case, it is preferable that the first shell 54m is made of a metal or ceramic, which has higher rigidity than resin materials. Furthermore, the distance dz2 may be longer than approximately half the distance dz3.
[0133] 2.4. Fourth Variation
[0134] Although the connecting plate beam BR2 is provided on the connecting plate 54a in the above-described embodiments, the connecting plate beam BR2 may not be provided.
[0135] 2.5. Fifth Variation
[0136] Although the sidewall w47 of the second housing 54n has a conical surface t48 in all of the above embodiments, it may also not have a conical surface t48.
[0137] 2.6. Sixth Variation
[0138] Although in all the above embodiments, when viewed along the Z2 direction, the area r38 of the surface SZ1 where the first housing 54m and the second housing 54n intersect is larger than the area r39 of the opening formed on the surface SZ1 where the first housing 54m and the second housing 54n intersect, this is not a limitation. For example, the area r38 may also be equal to or less than the area r39.
[0139] 2.7. Seventh Variation
[0140] While the first housing 54m has a housing beam BR1 in all the above embodiments, it may also be without the housing beam BR1. For example, it may be configured such that the first housing 54m is made of metal or ceramic instead of resin material, thereby possessing rigidity sufficient to suppress deformation under pressure after adhesive application, even without the housing beam BR1. Furthermore, the second housing 54n may also be made of metal or ceramic instead of resin material.
[0141] 2.8. Eighth Variation
[0142] Although the various embodiments described above illustrate a serial liquid jetting device 100 in which the support body 41 supporting the liquid jet head 50 reciprocates, the present invention can also be applied to a row-type liquid jetting device in which multiple nozzles N are distributed across the entire width of the medium M. That is, the support body supporting the liquid jet head 50 is not limited to a serial carriage, but can also be a structure that supports the liquid jet head 50 in a row configuration. In such a case, for example, multiple liquid jet heads 50 are arranged in a manner that runs along the width direction of the medium M, and these multiple liquid jet heads 50 are supported together by a single support body.
[0143] 2.9. Ninth Variation
[0144] The liquid jetting apparatus illustrated above can be used not only in printing equipment but also in various other devices such as fax machines and copiers. Originally, the applications of liquid jetting apparatuses were not limited to printing. For example, a liquid jetting apparatus for jetting solutions of color materials can be used as a manufacturing apparatus for color filters in display devices such as liquid crystal display panels. Furthermore, a liquid jetting apparatus for jetting solutions of conductive materials can be used as a manufacturing apparatus for wiring or electrodes in wiring substrates. Additionally, a liquid jetting apparatus for jetting solutions of organic substances related to living organisms can be used as a manufacturing apparatus, for example, for manufacturing biochips.
[0145] 3. Notes
[0146] Based on the examples above, one can grasp, for instance, the following structure.
[0147] As a preferred embodiment, the liquid injection head according to Embodiment 1 comprises: a nozzle array configured by arranging a plurality of nozzles for injecting liquid in a first direction in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction; a drive element for causing liquid to be injected from the plurality of nozzles in the nozzle array; and a plurality of stacked components defining a common liquid chamber communicating with the plurality of nozzles in the nozzle array, the plurality of stacked components including: a filter dividing the common liquid chamber into an upstream common liquid chamber and a downstream common liquid chamber; a first housing defining a first common liquid chamber portion as part of the upstream common liquid chamber and stacked on the filter; and a second housing defining a second common liquid chamber portion as part of the upstream common liquid chamber and stacked on the first housing, the second common liquid chamber portion being located in a direction opposite to the first direction to the drive element, and the width of the second common liquid chamber portion in a third direction orthogonal to both the first and second directions being longer than the width of the first common liquid chamber portion in that third direction.
[0148] According to Method 1, even when viewed from a third direction, the upstream shared liquid chamber has a complex shape where the width of the shared liquid chamber R in the area overlapping with the protective substrate is narrower, and the width of the shared liquid chamber in the area not overlapping with the protective substrate is wider. This is easier to manufacture compared to manufacturing a shell that defines the upstream shared liquid chamber. Therefore, compared to the method of extending the shared liquid chamber in the opposite direction of the first direction while maintaining the width of the first shared liquid chamber portion in the third direction to ensure the same volume as the shared liquid chamber in Method 1, the width of the liquid jet head in the first direction can be reduced.
[0149] In the second embodiment, which is a specific example of the first embodiment, a protective substrate is also provided, which covers the driving element. The first common liquid chamber portion overlaps with the protective substrate when viewed along the third direction, but does not overlap with the protective substrate when viewed along the first direction. The second common liquid chamber portion does not overlap with the protective substrate when viewed along the third direction, but overlaps with the protective substrate when viewed along the first direction.
[0150] According to Method 2, compared with the method in which the second common liquid chamber portion does not overlap with the protective substrate when observed along the first direction, it is possible to expand the common liquid chamber R while maintaining the shape of the second housing not larger than the shape of the first housing when observed along the first direction.
[0151] In a third embodiment, which is a specific example of either the first or second embodiment, the first common liquid chamber is formed by extending the first housing through the first direction, and the second common liquid chamber is formed by recessing from the second housing in the opposite direction to the first housing facing the first housing. The first housing has a first beam portion disposed within the first common liquid chamber portion and extending upward in the third direction. The first beam portion is configured to be spaced apart from the filter.
[0152] According to method three, although the rigidity of the first housing is reduced compared to the second housing having an outer wall in the opposite direction to the first direction, the reduction in rigidity can be suppressed by the first beam. Furthermore, since the first beam is configured with a gap between it and the filter, liquid can pass between the first beam and the filter, thereby facilitating the removal of air bubbles.
[0153] In Method 4, which is a specific example of Method 3, the surface of the first beam facing the second housing is flush with the surface of the first housing that engages with the second housing.
[0154] In Method 4, where there is a height difference between the surface of the first beam facing the second housing and the surface of the first housing that joins with the second housing, the first housing needs to be manufactured by setting the height difference on the surface opposite to the first direction of the first housing. On the other hand, in Method 4, the height difference can be omitted on the surface opposite to the first direction of the first housing, thus making the manufacture of the first housing easier.
[0155] In Method 5, which is a specific example of Method 4, the dimension of the first beam in the first direction is approximately half the dimension of the first housing in the first direction.
[0156] While increasing the length of the first beam in the first direction improves the rigidity of the first housing, it also makes it difficult for liquid to pass between the first beam and the filter, thus hindering the removal of air bubbles. Conversely, while shortening the length of the first beam in the first direction facilitates the removal of air bubbles, it reduces the rigidity of the first housing. According to embodiment five, it is possible to maintain the rigidity of the first housing to a certain level while suppressing the difficulty in removing air bubbles.
[0157] In a sixth embodiment, which is a specific example of embodiments three to five, the plurality of stacked components further include a connecting plate that defines a portion of the downstream common liquid chamber, the connecting plate having a second beam extending upward from the third party, the first beam and the second beam being staggered in the second direction in such a way that they do not overlap when viewed along the first direction.
[0158] In the case where the first and second beams overlap when viewed along the first direction, liquid becomes difficult to flow into the nozzle located at the same position as the first and second beams in the second direction. Furthermore, in the case where the first and second beams overlap when viewed along the first direction, compared to method six, the space between the first and second beams narrows, causing liquid to flow more slowly and thus making it difficult to expel air bubbles. According to method six, compared to the case where the first and second beams overlap when viewed along the first direction, nozzles that make liquid flow difficult are less likely to appear, and air bubbles can be expelled more easily.
[0159] In embodiment seven, which is a specific example of embodiment six, the filter is stacked on the connecting plate, and a plurality of holes for liquid to pass through are formed on the filter, a portion of which is formed in the portion of the filter that is stacked on the second beam.
[0160] According to method seven, compared to the method of forming holes by avoiding the portion of the filter that is stacked on the second beam, the manufacture of the filter becomes easier.
[0161] In embodiment eight, which is a specific example of embodiment six, the plurality of stacked components further includes a spacer defining a portion of the downstream common liquid chamber, the filter being stacked on the spacer, having a plurality of holes formed on the filter for liquid to pass through, the spacer being stacked on the connecting plate, the spacer being made of metal or ceramic, the spacer having a through hole formed by passing the spacer through in the first direction, wherein, when viewed along the first direction, the hole among the plurality of holes that overlaps with the second beam portion overlaps with the through hole.
[0162] According to method eight, since the spacer is made of metal or ceramic, which has higher rigidity than resin material, deformation of the spacer can be suppressed compared to a method where the spacer is made of resin material. Furthermore, since the through-hole ensures space between the second beam and the filter's pores, pore clogging of the filter can be suppressed. Therefore, the narrowing of the filter's effective area can be prevented.
[0163] In embodiment nine, which is a specific example of any one of embodiments one through eight, the second housing has a sidewall and a connection port. The sidewall defines the second common liquid chamber portion and is disposed in the second direction of the second housing. The connection port is disposed in the opposite direction to the first housing surface of the second housing in the first direction and is used to allow liquid to flow in from the outside or to flow out from the outside. The sidewall has a conical surface that defines the second common liquid chamber portion and moves away from the connection port in the second direction as it moves from the connection port toward the first direction.
[0164] According to Method Nine, compared to a method where the sidewall does not have a conical surface, the wall thickness in the opposite direction to the first direction of the second housing can be increased while maintaining the same volume of the second common liquid chamber. Furthermore, according to Method Nine, compared to a method where the sidewall does not have a conical surface and the wall thickness in the opposite direction to the first direction of the second housing is maintained up to the end of the first direction, the volume of the second common liquid chamber can be increased.
[0165] In embodiment ten, which is a specific example of any one of embodiments one through nine, when viewed upward along the first direction, the area of the portion defining the second common liquid chamber on the surface of the first housing that engages with the second housing is greater than the area of the opening formed on the surface of the first housing that engages with the second housing in order to define the first common liquid chamber.
[0166] In Method 11, which is a specific example of any one of Methods 1 to 10, the first housing and the second housing are made of resin material.
[0167] Compared to metals and ceramics, resin materials generally possess the characteristics of being lightweight and easy to process. However, it is difficult to form complex shapes when components are made of resin materials. However, in embodiment eleven, by dividing the structure into two components, such as the first and second housings, it is possible to easily manufacture a housing with a complex shape defining the upstream common liquid chamber while increasing the volume of the upstream common liquid chamber. Furthermore, although components made of resin materials have lower rigidity compared to components made of metals or ceramics, the reduction in rigidity of the first housing can be mitigated by the first beam portion.
[0168] In embodiment 12, which is a specific example of any one of embodiments 1 to 11, the plurality of stacked components further includes a connecting plate that defines at least a portion of the second direction and the third direction of the downstream common liquid chamber. When viewed along the first direction, the shape of the filter is the same as or smaller than the shape of the second housing, and larger than the shape of the connecting plate.
[0169] According to method twelve, compared to a method where the shape of the filter is the same as the shape of the connecting plate when viewed along the first direction, the rigidity of the filter can be improved. However, if the shape of the filter is larger than the shape of the second housing when viewed along the first direction, the shape of the liquid injection head in the direction perpendicular to the first direction will become larger. Therefore, according to method twelve, the shape of the liquid injection head in the direction perpendicular to the first direction can be maintained, and compared to a method where the shape of the filter is the same as the shape of the connecting plate when viewed along the first direction, the rigidity of the filter can be improved.
[0170] The liquid injection device according to the preferred embodiment, embodiment thirteen, includes: a liquid injection head of any one of embodiments one to twelve; and a liquid storage unit for storing the liquid to be supplied to the liquid injection head.
[0171] A liquid injection device 100 is provided that can suppress the increase of liquid pressure loss even when the filter is placed in a common liquid chamber.
[0172] Symbol Explanation
[0173] 10…Liquid storage section; 20…Control unit; 30…Conveying mechanism; 40…Moving mechanism; 41…Support body; 41a…Opening; 41b…Screw hole; 42…Conveyor belt; 50…Liquid spray head; 51…Flow channel structure; 51a…Flow channel component; 51b…Connecting pipe; 51c…Wiring hole; 52…Substrate unit; 52a…Circuit board; 52b…Connector; 52c…Support plate; 53…Bracket; 53a…Recess; 53b…Ink hole; 53c…Wiring hole; 53d…Recess; 53e…Hole; 53i 53k… Screw hole; 54, 54A, 54_1, 54_2, 54_3, 54_4… Head chip; 54a… Connecting plate; 54b… Pressure chamber substrate; 54c… Nozzle plate; 54d… Vibration absorber; 54e… Vibrating plate; 54f… Piezoelectric element; 54g… Protective substrate; 54i… Wiring substrate; 54j… Drive circuit; 54k… Frame; 54m… First housing; 54n… Second housing; 54o… Filter; 54p… Spacer; 55… Fixing plate; 55a… Opening; 58… Cover; 58a… Penetration Perforation; 58b…Opening; 100…Liquid injection device; BR1…Housing beam; BR2…Connecting plate beam; CB…Pressure chamber; Com…Drive signal; DM…Conveying direction; DR…Downstream common liquid chamber; DR1, DR2…Opening; FN…Nozzle face; FR…Filter orifice area; IO…Connection port; L1…First nozzle row; L2…Second nozzle row; M…Medium; N…Nozzle; Na…Connecting flow channel; R…Common liquid chamber; Ra…Supply flow channel; S…Control signal; SB1, SB2…Face; SR…Through Perforation; SZ1, SZ2, SZ3…face; UR…upstream common liquid chamber; UR1…first common liquid chamber section; UR2…second common liquid chamber section; Xa…connecting flow channel; dx1, dx2…width; dy1, dy2; dz1, dz2, dz3…distance; h1, h21…opening; h23, h23f…filter hole; h31…opening; h41…opening; h61…opening; k32, k45…cut; r38, r39…area; t48…conical surface; w31, w44, w47…sidewall.
Claims
1. A liquid injection head, characterized in that, have: A nozzle array is configured by arranging a plurality of nozzles that spray liquid in a first direction in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction; A drive element for causing liquid to be ejected from the plurality of nozzles in the nozzle array; Multiple stacked components define a common liquid chamber communicating with the multiple nozzles of the nozzle array. The plurality of stacked components include: A filter that divides the common liquid chamber into an upstream common liquid chamber and a downstream common liquid chamber; A first housing, which defines a first common liquid chamber portion as part of the upstream common liquid chamber, is stacked on the filter; The second housing, which defines a second common liquid chamber portion as part of the upstream common liquid chamber, is stacked on top of the first housing. The second common liquid chamber is located in the opposite direction to the first direction compared to the driving element. The width of the second common liquid chamber portion in a third direction orthogonal to the first and second directions is longer than the width of the first common liquid chamber portion in that third direction. The first common liquid chamber is formed by penetrating the first housing in the first direction. The second common liquid chamber is formed by a recess in the second housing that faces the first housing in the opposite direction to the first direction. The first housing has a first beam portion disposed within the first common liquid chamber portion and extending upward therefrom. The first beam is configured to leave a gap between it and the filter.
2. The liquid injection head as claimed in claim 1, wherein, It also includes a protective substrate covering the driving element. The first common liquid chamber overlaps with the protective substrate when viewed along the third direction, but does not overlap with the protective substrate when viewed along the first direction. The second common liquid chamber portion does not overlap with the protective substrate when viewed along the third direction, but overlaps with the protective substrate when viewed along the first direction.
3. The liquid injection head as described in claim 1, wherein, The surface of the first beam facing the second housing is flush with the surface of the first housing that engages with the second housing.
4. The liquid injection head as described in claim 3, wherein, The dimension of the first beam in the first direction is half the dimension of the first housing in the first direction.
5. The liquid injection head as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The plurality of stacked components also include a connecting plate that defines a portion of the downstream shared liquid chamber. The connecting plate has a second beam portion extending upward from the third party. The first beam portion and the second beam portion are staggered in the second direction in such a way that they do not overlap when viewed along the first direction.
6. The liquid injection head as claimed in claim 5, wherein, The filters are stacked on the connecting plate. The filter has multiple holes for liquid to pass through. A portion of the plurality of holes is formed in the portion of the filter that is stacked on the second beam.
7. The liquid injection head as claimed in claim 5, wherein, The plurality of stacked components also include spacers that define a portion of the downstream shared liquid chamber. The filter is stacked on the spacer. The filter has multiple holes for liquid to pass through. The spacers are stacked on the connecting plate. The spacer is made of metal or ceramic. The spacer has a through hole, which is formed by passing the spacer through in the first direction. When observed along the first direction, the hole in the plurality of holes of the filter that overlaps with the second beam overlaps with the through hole of the spacer.
8. A liquid injection head, characterized in that, have: A nozzle array is configured by arranging a plurality of nozzles that spray liquid in a first direction in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction; A drive element for causing liquid to be ejected from the plurality of nozzles in the nozzle array; Multiple stacked components define a common liquid chamber communicating with the multiple nozzles of the nozzle array. The plurality of stacked components include: A filter that divides the common liquid chamber into an upstream common liquid chamber and a downstream common liquid chamber; A first housing, which defines a first common liquid chamber portion as part of the upstream common liquid chamber, is stacked on the filter; The second housing, which defines a second common liquid chamber portion as part of the upstream common liquid chamber, is stacked on top of the first housing. The second common liquid chamber is located in the opposite direction to the first direction compared to the driving element. The width of the second common liquid chamber portion in a third direction orthogonal to the first and second directions is longer than the width of the first common liquid chamber portion in that third direction. The second housing has a sidewall and a connection port. The sidewall defines the second common liquid chamber and is disposed in the second direction of the second housing. The connection port is disposed in the opposite direction to the first direction from the surface of the second housing that engages with the first housing, and is used to allow liquid to flow in from the outside or to flow out from the outside. The sidewall has a conical surface that defines the second common liquid chamber portion and moves away from the connection port in the second direction as it moves from the connection port toward the first direction.
9. The liquid injection head as claimed in claim 1 or 8, wherein, When viewed along the first direction, the area of the portion defining the second common liquid chamber on the surface of the first housing that engages with the second housing is greater than the area of the opening formed on the surface of the first housing that engages with the second housing to define the first common liquid chamber.
10. The liquid injection head as claimed in claim 1 or 8, wherein, Both the first housing and the second housing are made of resin material.
11. The liquid injection head as claimed in claim 1 or 8, wherein, The plurality of stacked components also include a connecting plate that defines at least a portion of the second direction and the third direction of the downstream shared liquid chamber. When observed along the first direction, the shape of the filter is the same as or smaller than the shape of the second housing, but larger than the shape of the connecting plate.
12. A liquid injection head, characterized in that, have: A nozzle array is configured by arranging a plurality of nozzles that spray liquid in a first direction in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction; A drive element for causing liquid to be ejected from the plurality of nozzles in the nozzle array; Multiple stacked components define a common liquid chamber communicating with the multiple nozzles of the nozzle array. The plurality of stacked components include: A filter that divides the common liquid chamber into an upstream common liquid chamber and a downstream common liquid chamber; A first housing, which defines a first common liquid chamber portion as part of the upstream common liquid chamber, is stacked on the filter; The second housing, which defines a second common liquid chamber portion as part of the upstream common liquid chamber, is stacked on top of the first housing. The second common liquid chamber is located in the opposite direction to the first direction compared to the driving element. The width of the second common liquid chamber portion in a third direction orthogonal to the first and second directions is longer than the width of the first common liquid chamber portion in that third direction. The first housing has a first opening, which is formed on a first surface of the first housing that engages with the second housing to define the first common liquid chamber portion. The second housing has a second opening, which is formed on a second surface of the second housing that engages with the first housing to define the second common liquid chamber portion. The first opening is directly connected to the second opening so that the first common liquid chamber portion can communicate with the second common liquid chamber portion.
13. A liquid injection device, comprising: The liquid injection head according to any one of claims 1 to 12; The liquid storage unit stores the liquid to be supplied to the liquid injection head.
Citation Information
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