Liquid ejecting head, liquid ejecting unit, and liquid ejecting apparatus

Abstract

The present application relates to a liquid ejecting head, a liquid ejecting unit, and a liquid ejecting apparatus that provide the ability to suppress variation in the landing position of ink caused by the influence of air flow regardless of the conveying direction of the head. A liquid ejecting head (11) has a nozzle substrate (20A) formed with a plurality of nozzles (19) that eject droplets toward a recording medium conveyed in a sub-scanning direction and is freely movable in a main scanning direction orthogonal to the sub-scanning direction. In the nozzle substrate (20A), a plurality of nozzle rows (A, B, C, D) formed with a plurality of nozzles arranged side by side in the sub-scanning direction are formed in the main scanning direction. The density of the nozzles forming outer nozzle rows (A, D) is lower than the density of the nozzles forming inner nozzle rows (B, C). The outer nozzle rows are nozzle rows disposed on the outer side of the nozzle substrate in the main scanning direction. The inner nozzle rows are nozzle rows disposed on the inner side of the nozzle substrate in the main scanning direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a liquid injection head, a liquid injection unit, and a liquid injection device. Background Technology

[0002] Conventionally, liquid jetting devices using inkjet printing methods with liquid jetting heads that eject liquid are known. The liquid jetting head includes: a nozzle substrate with a plurality of nozzles arranged thereon for ejecting liquid; a valve member for opening and closing the nozzles; and an actuator unit having a displacement mechanism that moves the valve member between a nozzle open position and a nozzle closed position, and that operates the actuator to eject liquid from the nozzles. As image forming methods using this liquid jetting head, single-pass methods for forming images by conveying a recording medium relative to a fixed printhead, and multi-pass methods for forming images by conveying a recording medium and moving the printhead in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the recording medium.

[0003] In the aforementioned multiple communication methods, such as Figure 3 As shown in (a), since image formation is performed while the nozzle reciprocates relative to the recording medium conveyed along the sub-scanning direction in the main scanning direction orthogonal to the sub-scanning direction, high-density and high-quality images can be formed, making it particularly suitable for forming high-quality images such as photographic images. In this type of multi-pass liquid jet head, such as Figure 3 As shown in (b) and 3(c), the sprayed liquid flows from the normal landing position due to the airflow generated by the reciprocating movement of the nozzle and the airflow generated by the liquid jet, resulting in uneven concentration and streaks, which leads to a decrease in image quality.

[0004] To address the aforementioned problems, there are known technologies that include a control mechanism that controls the amount of ink ejected from the downstream nozzle array to the recording medium based on the ejection density of ink ejected from the upstream nozzle array to the recording medium (see, for example, "Patent Document 1"). The control mechanism controls the amount of ink ejected from the downstream nozzle array based on an surrounding airflow rate, which represents the generation rate of the surrounding airflow generated by the transport airflow of the recording medium bypassing the surrounding airflow of the ink ejected from the upstream nozzle array, calculated based on the ejection density.

[0005] In the above-mentioned technology, a system is required to determine the ink ejection volume of the downstream nozzle array based on the ejection volume of the upstream nozzle array. Moreover, when image formation is performed in a multi-pass manner, the control direction is different in the outgoing and return paths, resulting in a very complex control mechanism for the liquid ejection head.

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and provide a liquid jet head that can suppress the variation in ink drop position caused by airflow regardless of the print head's delivery direction.

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent No. 5936501 Summary of the Invention

[0008] A first aspect of the present invention relates to a liquid ejection head, characterized in that: it comprises a nozzle substrate having a plurality of nozzles, ejects droplets from the nozzles onto a recording medium conveyed along a sub-scanning direction, is freely movable in a main scanning direction orthogonal to the sub-scanning direction, and on the nozzle substrate, in the main scanning direction, forms a plurality of nozzle columns consisting of a plurality of nozzles arranged side by side in the sub-scanning direction, wherein the density of the nozzles forming the outer nozzle columns is lower than the density of the nozzles forming the inner nozzle columns, the outer nozzle columns being the nozzle columns disposed on the outside of the nozzle substrate in the main scanning direction, and the inner nozzle columns being the nozzle columns disposed on the inside of the nozzle substrate in the main scanning direction.

[0009] According to the present invention, a liquid jet head can be provided that can suppress the variation in ink drop position caused by the influence of airflow regardless of the delivery direction of the printhead. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1 The figure shown is a schematic cross-sectional view of a liquid jet head to which one embodiment of the present invention may be applied.

[0011] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a nozzle array formed on an existing nozzle substrate.

[0012] Figure 3 (a)-(c) are summary diagrams illustrating the problems in the existing structure.

[0013] Figure 4 (a)-(b) are summary diagrams illustrating the problems in the existing structure.

[0014] Figure 5 The diagram shown is a schematic representation of the arrangement of nozzles formed on the nozzle substrate of the liquid injection head according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 6 The diagram shown is a schematic representation of the arrangement of nozzles formed on the nozzle substrate of the liquid injection head according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 7 The diagram shown is a schematic diagram of the nozzle substrate of the liquid injection head according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 8 The diagram shown is a schematic representation of the arrangement of nozzles formed on the nozzle substrate of the liquid injection head according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 9 The diagram shown is a schematic representation of the arrangement of nozzles formed on the nozzle substrate of the liquid injection head according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 10 This is a schematic front view of an example of a liquid injection device having a liquid injection head according to various embodiments of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 11 This is a schematic front view illustrating a liquid injection unit of a liquid injection apparatus having a liquid injection head according to various embodiments of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 12 This is a schematic top view of other liquid injection devices having the liquid injection head involved in various embodiments of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 13 This is a schematic side view of other liquid injection devices having the liquid injection head involved in various embodiments of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 14 This is a schematic front view illustrating a liquid injection unit of another liquid injection device having the liquid injection head according to various embodiments of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 15 This is a schematic front view illustrating another liquid injection unit of another liquid injection device having the liquid injection head according to various embodiments of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 16 This is a schematic front view of an apparatus for manufacturing electrodes of yet another liquid jetting device having a liquid jetting head according to various embodiments of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a liquid injection unit 10, taken along the short side of the liquid injection head, applicable to one embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, the liquid injection unit 10 includes a plurality of liquid injection heads 11 for injecting liquid, a base member 12 for holding the plurality of liquid injection heads 11, and a cover member 13 serving as a nozzle cover for the liquid injection heads 11. The liquid injection unit 10 also includes a manifold 14 forming a flow path for supplying liquid to the plurality of liquid injection heads 11, a printed circuit board (PCB) 17 connected to a flexible wiring member 16 having a driver IC 15 as a drive circuit, and a module housing 18.

[0027] Multiple liquid injection heads 11 include a nozzle substrate 20 on which a nozzle 19 is formed, a flow path substrate 22 on which an individual liquid chamber 21 communicating with the nozzle 19 as a pressure chamber is formed, a vibrating plate 24 including a piezoelectric element 23, a piezoelectric element holding substrate 25 stacked on the vibrating plate 24, and a frame member 26 stacked on the piezoelectric element holding substrate 25 as a common flow path member, etc.

[0028] The nozzle substrate 20 uses a single-crystal silicon chip as the substrate material. The flow path substrate 22 and the individual liquid chamber 21 together form a supply-side individual flow path 27 that communicates with the individual liquid chamber 21 and a recovery-side individual flow path 28 that communicates with the individual liquid chamber 21.

[0029] The piezoelectric element holding substrate 25 uses a single crystal silicon chip as the substrate material and has a supply-side intermediate individual flow path 31 that communicates with the supply-side individual flow path 27 through the opening 29 of the vibrating plate 24, and a recycling-side intermediate individual flow path 32 that communicates with the recycling-side individual flow path 28 through the opening 30 of the vibrating plate 24.

[0030] The piezoelectric element holding substrate 25 and frame member 26 form a supply-side common flow path 33 that communicates with the individual flow path 31 on the supply side and a recycling-side common flow path 34 that communicates with the individual flow path 32 on the recycling side. The supply-side common flow path 33 communicates with the supply port 36 via the flow path 35 of the manifold 14, and the recycling-side common flow path 34 communicates with the recycling port 38 via the flow path 37 of the manifold 14. The printed circuit board 17 and the piezoelectric element 23 are connected via a flexible wiring member 16, on which a driver IC 15 is mounted.

[0031] exist Figure 4 In this, the actuator unit 40 is formed among the components with diagonal lines applied to the nozzle substrate 20, flow path component 22, piezoelectric element 23, actuator (not shown), etc.

[0032] In this embodiment, a plurality of liquid injection heads 11 are mounted on the base member 12 at predetermined intervals. The liquid injection head 11 is mounted on the base member 12 by inserting the liquid injection head 11 into the opening 39 provided in the base member 12, and by engaging and fixing the peripheral portion of the nozzle base plate 20 constituting the liquid injection head 11 into the cover member 13 which is engaged and fixed to the base member 12.

[0033] Additionally, the flange portion (not shown) on the outer side of the frame member 26 of the liquid jet head 11 is joined and fixed to the base member 12. Furthermore, the fixing structure between the liquid jet head 11 and the base member 12 is not limited to the structure described above; any structure such as adhesive bonding, riveting, or threaded fixing can be used. In this structure, the liquid jet head 11 reciprocates in a direction parallel to the main scanning direction described later via a moving mechanism (not shown).

[0034] Figure 2 This indicates the configuration of the nozzles 19 formed on a conventional nozzle substrate 20. The conventional nozzle substrate 20 has a nozzle row formed by arranging a plurality of nozzles 19 side by side in the sub-scanning direction, which is the transport direction of the recording medium, and multiple rows (four rows A to D in this example) are formed in the main scanning direction, which is the direction orthogonal to the sub-scanning direction.

[0035] Although the problems with multiple communication methods have been described above, the following text will discuss those with... Figure 2 Problems in the liquid injection head 11 of the nozzle substrate 20 shown will be explained.

[0036] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the effect of airflow on the liquid ejection head 11 equipped with nozzle substrate 20. In the liquid ejection head 11, ideally, no airflow is generated accompanying the movement of the nozzle, and the liquid ink ejected from each nozzle 19 falls perpendicularly relative to the recording medium. However, in actual devices, such as… Figure 4 As shown, the airflow generated by the movement of the printhead and the jet airflow generated by the ink droplets flying in the space upstream interfere with each other to generate airflow vortices, and the ink ejected from each nozzle 19 lands at a position deviating from the ideal position. Here, the airflow generated by the movement of the printhead affects the nozzle array D formed on the nozzle substrate 20 in the outgoing path, and affects the nozzle array A in the return path.

[0037] To address the aforementioned problems, in this invention, relative to the influence of airflow vortices, the nozzle density on the upstream side of the liquid jet head's movement direction is lower than that on the downstream side. By reducing the jet airflow on the upstream side, interference between the airflow generated by the nozzle head movement and the jet airflow on the upstream side is suppressed, thus suppressing the occurrence of landing position deviation and forming a high-quality image. Furthermore, to similarly suppress airflow interference in both the outgoing and return paths, the outer nozzle array located on the outer side of the nozzle substrate (in...) Figure 4 The nozzle density of nozzle rows A and D is shown in the figure. Based on this structure, without complicating the drive control mechanism of the liquid ejector head, it is possible to suppress the offset of ink droplet landing position relative to the recording medium in both the outgoing and returning paths, thus obtaining high-quality images. The following description is based on the accompanying drawings.

[0038] Figure 5 The nozzle substrate 20A shown is according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The nozzle substrate 20A is mounted on the liquid injection head 11 and... Figure 2 The nozzle substrate 20 shown differs from the nozzle substrate 20 in that the nozzle 19 is positioned differently.

[0039] Multiple nozzles 19 of the nozzle substrate 20A are arranged side by side in the sub-scanning direction to form a nozzle array. This nozzle array has multiple rows (four rows A to D in this example) in the main scanning direction, which is orthogonal to the sub-scanning direction. Among each nozzle array A to D, nozzle arrays A and D located on the outside of the nozzle substrate 20A in the main scanning direction constitute the outer nozzle array, and nozzle arrays B and C located on the inside of the nozzle substrate 20A in the same direction constitute the inner nozzle array.

[0040] exist Figure 5 In the structure shown, the density of nozzles 19 in each nozzle row B and C, which are the inner nozzle rows, is configured to achieve a desired image resolution of, for example, 150 dpi. On the other hand, the density of nozzles 19 in each nozzle row A and D, which are the outer nozzle rows, is configured to be half the density of the inner nozzle rows, i.e., a density with a resolution of 75 dpi.

[0041] According to this structure, by reducing the number of nozzles 19 that eject ink, the jet airflow can be reduced, and the generation of airflow vortices can be suppressed, resulting in images with good image quality. Therefore, a liquid jet printhead can be provided that can suppress variations in the ink drop position caused by airflow regardless of the printhead's delivery direction.

[0042] Figure 6 The nozzle substrate 20B shown is according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The nozzle substrate 20B is mounted on the liquid injection head 11 and... Figure 5 Compared to the nozzle substrate 20A shown, the difference is that nozzle rows A' and D', which are other outer nozzle rows, are provided outside the nozzle rows A and D, which are outer nozzle rows.

[0043] Nozzle array A' is configured with the same density of nozzles 19 as nozzle array A, i.e., a density of 75 dpi resolution. Each nozzle 19 in nozzle array A is arranged in a position corresponding to the nozzles 19 removed from nozzle array B. Nozzle array D' is configured with the same density of nozzles 19 as nozzle array D, i.e., a density of 75 dpi resolution. Each nozzle 19 in nozzle array D is arranged in a position corresponding to the nozzles 19 removed from nozzle array C.

[0044] According to this structure, the same effect as the first embodiment can be obtained, and the overall resolution of the liquid jet head 11 can be ensured, resulting in a better image.

[0045] Figure 7 The nozzle substrate 20C shown is according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The nozzle substrate 20C is mounted on the liquid injection head 11 and... Figure 6 The nozzle substrate 20C shown differs from the nozzle substrate 20B in that it has chamfers 20Ca (C chamfers) at each corner.

[0046] According to this structure, the reciprocating liquid jet head 11 has a shape that is closer to streamlined than that of the first and second embodiments relative to the direction of movement. This reduces the airflow generated by the movement of the jet head and suppresses the generation of airflow vortices, resulting in images with good image quality. Furthermore, the chamfer 20Ca can also be an R-shaped chamfer. Compared to a C-shaped chamfer, an R-shaped chamfer can reduce air resistance and further suppress the generation of airflow.

[0047] Figure 8 The nozzle substrate 20D shown is according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The nozzle substrate 20D mounted on the liquid injection head 11 and... Figure 7 Compared to the nozzle substrate 20C shown, the difference is that, outside the nozzle rows A' and D' which are other outer nozzle rows, there are also nozzle rows A” and D” which are other outer nozzle rows.

[0048] Furthermore, the nozzle substrate 20D differs from the nozzle substrate 20C in that the density of nozzles 19 in nozzle rows A, A', A”, D, D', D” is 1 / 3 of the density of nozzles 19 in nozzle rows B and C, and that chamfers 20Da (C chamfers) are implemented at each corner of the rectangular nozzle substrate 20D.

[0049] The nozzles 19 in nozzle array A are configured with a density one-third that of nozzle array B, i.e., a density with a resolution of 50 dpi, and are arranged in nozzle array B such that two of the three nozzles 19 connected in series are removed. Nozzle array A' is configured with the same nozzle 19 density as nozzle array A, i.e., a density with a resolution of 50 dpi, and each nozzle 19 in nozzle array A is positioned corresponding to the upstream nozzle 19 of the two nozzles 19 removed from nozzle array B. Nozzle array A' is configured with the same nozzle 19 density as nozzle array A, i.e., a density with a resolution of 50 dpi, and each nozzle 19 in nozzle array A is positioned corresponding to the downstream nozzle 19 of the two nozzles 19 removed from nozzle array B.

[0050] The nozzles 19 in nozzle array D have a density that is one-third that of nozzle array C, i.e., a density with a resolution of 50 dpi. In nozzle array C, two of the three nozzles 19 connected in series are removed. Nozzle array D' has the same nozzle 19 density as nozzle array D, i.e., a density with a resolution of 50 dpi. Each nozzle 19 in nozzle array D is positioned corresponding to the downstream nozzle 19 of the two nozzles 19 removed from nozzle array C. Nozzle array D' has the same nozzle 19 density as nozzle array D, i.e., a density with a resolution of 50 dpi. Each nozzle 19 in nozzle array D is positioned corresponding to the upstream nozzle 19 of the two nozzles 19 removed from nozzle array C.

[0051] In the fourth embodiment, since the density of nozzles 19 in nozzle row A, which is the outer nozzle row, is 1 / 3 of the density of nozzles 19 in nozzle row B, which is the inner nozzle row, two rows of nozzles A' and A" are provided outside the outer nozzle row A. The same applies to nozzle rows D' and D" .

[0052] Chamfers 20Da (C-chamfers) are applied to each corner of the rectangular nozzle substrate 20D. The chamfer 20Da is formed such that its chamfer width is larger than that of the chamfer 20Ca shown in the third embodiment, and in this example, it is formed to be 1.5 times the chamfer width of the chamfer 20Ca. Alternatively, the chamfer 20Da can also be an R-chamfer.

[0053] According to this structure, since the size of the chamfer 20Da increases proportionally to the number of other outer nozzle rows, the reciprocating liquid jet head 11 becomes more streamlined in terms of the direction of movement than in the third embodiment. This further reduces the airflow caused by the movement of the nozzle and suppresses the generation of airflow vortices, resulting in a better image quality.

[0054] Figure 9 The nozzle substrate 20E shown is according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. The nozzle substrate 20E mounted on the liquid injection head 11 and... Figure 5 Compared to the nozzle substrate 20A shown, the difference lies in that the spacing L1 between nozzle rows A and D (which are outer nozzle rows) and nozzle rows B and C (which are inner nozzle rows) is narrower than the spacing W1 between each nozzle 19 in nozzle rows B and C. The spacing W1 is the same as the spacing between each nozzle 19 that constitutes the density of nozzles 19 at a resolution of 150 dpi, and the spacing L2 between nozzle rows B and C is the same as the spacing W1.

[0055] According to this structure, by reducing the density of the outer nozzles compared to the inner nozzle array, even if the interval L1 is smaller than the interval W1, the generation of airflow vortices can be suppressed, resulting in a good image quality. Furthermore, the length L of the nozzle substrate 20E can be smaller than that of the nozzle substrate 20A, enabling miniaturization of the liquid injection head 11.

[0056] Next, the liquid injection device equipped with the liquid injection head 11 described above will be explained.

[0057] like Figure 10 , Figure 11As shown, the printing apparatus 500, which is both a liquid jetting device and an image forming apparatus, includes: an input means 501 for inputting a continuous medium 510 as the recording medium; and a guide transport means 503 for guiding and transporting the continuous medium 510 input by the input means 501 to the printing means 505. Furthermore, the printing apparatus 500 includes: a printing means 505 for performing a printing operation of jetting liquid onto the continuous medium 510 to form an image; a drying means 507 for drying the continuous medium 510 with attached liquid; and an output means 509 for outputting the continuous medium 510.

[0058] The continuous material 510 is fed out from the initial winding roller 511 of the input means 501, and is guided and conveyed by the rollers of the input means 501, the guide conveying means 503, the drying means 507, and the output means 509, and is wound onto the winding roller 591 of the output means 509. In the printing means 505, the continuous material 510 is conveyed on the transport guide member 559 facing the printhead unit 550, which is a liquid jetting unit, and an image is printed by the liquid jetted from the printhead unit 550.

[0059] The printing apparatus 500 includes liquid jetting units 10A and 10B, which are the same as the liquid jetting unit 10 described above, in the printhead unit 550, and the liquid jetting units 10A and 10B are respectively disposed on the common base component 552.

[0060] When the arrangement direction of the liquid injection heads 11 in the direction orthogonal to the continuous conveying direction is set as the nozzle arrangement direction, each liquid injection unit 10A and 10B sprays liquid of the same color in the group of nozzle rows 11A1 and 11A2 of liquid injection unit 10A. Similarly, in the group of nozzle rows 11B and 11B2 of liquid injection unit 10A, the group of nozzle rows 11C and 11C2 of liquid injection unit 10B, and the group of nozzle rows 11D and 11D2 of liquid injection unit 10B, liquid of the desired color is sprayed respectively.

[0061] Next, based on Figure 12 as well as Figure 13 Other examples of printing apparatuses that are liquid jetting devices according to the present invention will be described.

[0062] The printing apparatus 400, which functions as both a liquid jetting device and an image forming device, is a serial printing apparatus. The carriage 403 reciprocates in the main scanning direction via a main scanning movement mechanism 493. The main scanning movement mechanism 493 includes a guide member 401, a main scanning motor 405, and a timing belt 408. The guide member 401 is mounted on left and right side plates 491A and 491B, holding the carriage 403 in a movable position. The carriage 403 receives the driving force of the main scanning motor 405 via the timing belt 408, which is mounted between the drive pulley 406 and the driven pulley 407, thereby reciprocating in the main scanning direction.

[0063] A liquid injection unit 440, which integrates a liquid injection head 11 and a nozzle tank 441, is mounted on a carriage 403. Here, the liquid injection head 11 injects liquids of various colors, such as yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), and black (K). Furthermore, the liquid injection head 11 is installed with a nozzle array consisting of multiple nozzles arranged along a sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction, and with the liquid injection direction downwards. The liquid injection head 11 is connected to a liquid circulation device (not shown), which circulates and supplies the desired color of liquid to the liquid injection head 11.

[0064] The printing apparatus 400 includes a transport mechanism 495 for transporting paper 410, which is the recording medium. The transport mechanism 495 has a transport belt 412 as a transport means and a sub-scanning motor 416 that drives the transport belt 412. The transport belt 412, as a loop, is positioned between a transport roller 413 and a tension roller 414, adsorbing the paper 410 and transporting it at a position opposite to the liquid jet head 11. Adsorption is performed by electrostatic adsorption or air suction, etc. The driving force of the sub-scanning motor 416 is transmitted via a synchronous belt 417 and a synchronous pulley 418, causing the transport belt 412 to move in a loop in the sub-scanning direction.

[0065] On one side of the carriage 403 in the main scanning direction and on the side of the conveyor belt 412, a maintenance and recovery mechanism 420 for maintaining and recovering the liquid injection head 11 is arranged. The maintenance and recovery mechanism 420 is composed, for example, a cover member 421 covering the nozzle surface of the liquid injection head 11 and a scraping member 422 wiping the nozzle surface. In addition, the main scanning movement mechanism 493, the maintenance and recovery mechanism 420, and the conveying mechanism 495 are mounted on a frame including side plates 491A, 491B and a back plate 491C.

[0066] In the printing apparatus 400 configured as described above, paper 410 is attracted by conveyor belt 412 and transported in the sub-scanning direction by the circular movement of conveyor belt 412. At this time, by moving carriage 403 in the main scanning direction and driving liquid jet head 11 according to image signal, liquid is jetted onto the stopped paper 410 to form an image.

[0067] Next, we will refer to Figure 14 The above liquid injection unit 440 is described.

[0068] The liquid jetting unit 440 consists of a frame portion consisting of side plates 491A, 491B and a back plate 491C, a main scanning movement mechanism 493, a carriage 403, a liquid jetting head 11 and other components of the printing apparatus 400 which is a liquid jetting device and an image forming apparatus.

[0069] Alternatively, the liquid injection unit 440 may also be configured to further install the aforementioned maintenance and recovery mechanism 420 in, for example, the side plate 491B.

[0070] Next, according to Figure 15 To illustrate another example of a liquid injection unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0071] Figure 15 The liquid injection unit 450 shown has a liquid injection head 11 on which a flow path component 444 is mounted and a pipe 456 connected to the flow path component 444. The flow path component 444 is disposed inside a cover 442, and a connector 443 for electrical connection with the liquid injection head 11 is provided on the upper part of the flow path component 444. Alternatively, the configuration may include a nozzle canister 441 instead of the flow path component 444.

[0072] In the liquid jetting units 10, 10A, 10B, 440, 450, and 550 that include the liquid jetting head 11, and in the printing apparatuses 400 and 500 that serve as liquid jetting devices, the same effect as that in the inkjet printhead 11 can be obtained.

[0073] In this invention, the liquid used is not particularly limited as long as it has a viscosity and surface tension suitable for ejection from the printhead. Preferably, it is a liquid with a viscosity of 30 MPa·s or less at room temperature and pressure, or when heated or cooled. Specifically, this includes solvents such as water or organic solvents, colorants such as dyes and pigments, polymeric compounds, resins, functional materials such as surfactants, biocompatible materials such as DNA, amino acids and proteins, and calcium, and edible materials such as natural pigments, including solutions, suspensions, and emulsions of these substances. For example, these substances can be used as inkjet inks, surface treatment liquids, and three-dimensional modeling material liquids.

[0074] Energy sources for jetting liquids include thermal actuators that use electrothermal conversion elements such as actuators (layered piezoelectric elements and thin-film piezoelectric elements) and heating resistors, and electrostatic actuators that consist of a vibrating plate and opposing electrodes.

[0075] The term "liquid jet head" is not limited to the pressure generating mechanism used. For example, in addition to the piezoelectric actuators mentioned above (a stacked piezoelectric element may also be used), thermal actuators with electrothermal conversion elements such as heating resistors, electrostatic actuators consisting of a vibrating plate and a counter electrode, etc., may also be used.

[0076] A "liquid spraying unit" is an assembly of parts related to liquid spraying, formed by integrating functional components and mechanisms into a liquid spraying head. For example, a "liquid spraying unit" may include at least one of the following components: a nozzle tank, a carriage, a supply mechanism, a maintenance and recovery mechanism, a main scanning movement mechanism, and a liquid circulation device, combined with a liquid spraying head.

[0077] Here, integration refers to the mutual fixation of, for example, liquid injection heads and functional parts or mechanisms through fastening, bonding, or locking, whereby one is kept movable relative to the other. Furthermore, liquid injection heads and functional parts or mechanisms can also be assembled and disassembled.

[0078] The liquid injection unit includes a liquid injection unit that integrates a liquid injection head and a nozzle tank, as well as a liquid injection unit in which the two are connected to each other via pipes or the like. Here, a unit including a filter can be added between the liquid injection head and the nozzle tank of these liquid injection units.

[0079] In addition, as a liquid jetting unit, there are liquid jetting units that integrate the liquid jetting head and the carriage, and liquid jetting units that integrate the liquid jetting head, the carriage, and the main scanning movement mechanism. Furthermore, as a liquid jetting unit, there are also units that movably hold the liquid jetting head onto a guide member that forms part of the scanning movement mechanism, thereby integrating the liquid jetting head and the scanning movement mechanism.

[0080] As a liquid injection unit, a cover component, which is part of the maintenance and recovery mechanism, is fixed on the carriage on which the liquid injection head is mounted, thereby integrating the liquid injection head, carriage, and maintenance and recovery mechanism. Furthermore, as a liquid injection unit, a hose is connected to the liquid injection head, which is fitted with a nozzle canister or flow path component, thereby integrating the liquid injection head and the supply mechanism. Liquid from the liquid storage source is supplied to the liquid injection head through this hose.

[0081] The main scanning movement mechanism also includes a guide component unit. The supply mechanism also includes a hose unit and a filling unit unit.

[0082] In this invention, the liquid injection unit is described in the context of a combination with a liquid injection head, but the liquid injection unit also includes a configuration that integrates a nozzle module or nozzle unit having the liquid injection head with the aforementioned functional parts and mechanisms.

[0083] The liquid spraying device includes a liquid spray head, a liquid spraying unit, a nozzle module, and a nozzle unit, and includes a device for driving the liquid spray head to spray liquid. The liquid spraying device is not only a device capable of spraying liquid relative to an object to which the liquid can adhere, but may also include a device for spraying liquid into a gas or liquid.

[0084] Liquid jetting devices may also include means for feeding, conveying, and discharging liquid-adherent materials, as well as other pre-treatment and post-treatment devices.

[0085] For example, examples of liquid jetting devices include image forming apparatuses that form images by jetting ink onto a recording medium, and three-dimensional modeling apparatuses that jet modeling liquid into a powder layer in which powder is formed in layers to shape a three-dimensional object.

[0086] Furthermore, liquid jetting devices are not limited to visualizing interesting images such as text and graphics through jetting liquid. For example, they also include creating graphics that are not inherently meaningful, as well as shaping three-dimensional images.

[0087] The aforementioned substances that can adhere to liquids refer to substances to which liquids can adhere at least temporarily, meaning substances that stick or permeate after adhesion. Specific examples include recording media such as paper, film, and cloth, as well as electronic components such as electronic substrates and piezoelectric elements, powder layers, organ models, and inspection units. Unless otherwise specified, this includes all substances to which liquids can adhere.

[0088] The material to which liquids can adhere is any material, such as paper, silk, fiber, cloth, leather, metal, plastic, glass, wood, ceramics, etc., even if the liquid can adhere temporarily.

[0089] In addition to liquid spraying devices, examples include: a treatment liquid coating device that coats the surface of paper with a treatment liquid for purposes such as modifying the surface of paper, thereby spraying the treatment liquid onto the paper surface; and a spray granulation device that granulates the raw material particles by spraying a composition liquid formed by dispersing the raw material in a solution through a nozzle.

[0090] The liquid injection device of the present invention also includes an apparatus for manufacturing electrodes and electrochemical elements. The apparatus for manufacturing electrodes will be described below.

[0091] Figure 16 The diagram shown is a schematic representation of an example of an electrode manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The electrode manufacturing apparatus 700 is an apparatus for manufacturing an electrode comprising a layer having an electrode material by spraying a liquid composition using a liquid spraying unit including a liquid spraying head.

[0092] First, the means and process for forming the layer containing electrode material will be explained.

[0093] Figure 16 The electrode manufacturing apparatus 700 shown includes a liquid jetting means, which is the liquid jetting unit of the present invention described above. By jetting a liquid composition from a liquid jetting head provided by the liquid jetting unit, the liquid composition is applied to the object to form a liquid composition layer. The object (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as the "jetting object") can be any object that forms a layer containing electrode material; there are no particular limitations, and it can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. Examples of objects include electrode substrates (current collectors), active material layers, and layers containing solid electrode material. Alternatively, the object can be an electrode composite material layer containing active material on an electrode substrate. Furthermore, as long as a layer containing electrode material can be formed on the jetting object, the jetting means and jetting process can also be means and processes for forming a layer containing electrode material by directly jetting the liquid composition. The jetting means and jetting process can also be means and processes for forming a layer containing electrode material by indirectly jetting the liquid composition.

[0094] Next, the other components and processes will be explained.

[0095] Other components included in the apparatus for manufacturing the electrode composite layer are not particularly limited, as long as they do not impair the effects of the present invention, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. Similarly, other steps included in the method for manufacturing the electrode composite layer are not particularly limited, as long as they do not impair the effects of the present invention, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. For example, components and steps included in the apparatus and method for manufacturing the electrode composite layer may include heating mechanisms and heating steps.

[0096] Next, the heating method and heating process will be explained.

[0097] The heating mechanism included in the apparatus for manufacturing the electrode composite layer is a mechanism for heating the liquid composition sprayed by a spraying means. Furthermore, the heating step included in the method for manufacturing the electrode composite layer is a step for heating the liquid composition sprayed during the spraying step. By heating the liquid composition, the liquid composition can be dried.

[0098] Next, the structure of forming a layer containing electrode material by direct spraying of a liquid composition will be described. Here, as an example of an electrode manufacturing apparatus that forms a layer containing electrode material, an electrode manufacturing apparatus that forms an electrode composite material layer containing an active substance on an electrode substrate (current collector) will be described.

[0099] like Figure 16As shown, the electrode manufacturing apparatus 700 includes a spraying process unit 110, which includes a process of applying a liquid composition to a printing substrate material 704 having a spraying target to form a liquid composition layer, and a heating process unit 130, which includes a heating process of heating the liquid composition layer to obtain an electrode composite material layer.

[0100] The electrode manufacturing apparatus 700 includes a conveying means 705 for conveying a printing substrate 704. The conveying means 705 conveys the printing substrate 704 in the order of the jetting process section 110 and the heating process section 130 at a preset speed. There are no particular limitations on the manufacturing method of the printing substrate material 704, which is the object to be jetted, such as having an active material layer; any known method can be appropriately selected. The jetting process section 110 includes a liquid jetting head 281a for performing the application process of applying a liquid composition to the printing substrate material 704, a receiving container 281b for containing a liquid composition 707, and a supply pipe 281c for supplying the liquid composition 707 in the receiving container 281b to the liquid jetting head 281a.

[0101] In the spraying process section 110, liquid composition 707 is sprayed from liquid spray head 281a and applied to printing substrate material 704 to form a thin film-like liquid composition layer. Furthermore, the receiving container 281b can be integrated with the electrode composite material layer manufacturing apparatus, or it can be removed from the electrode composite material layer manufacturing apparatus. Alternatively, the receiving container 281b can be an integrated container with the electrode composite material layer manufacturing apparatus, or it can be a container for adding to a receiving container that can be removed from the electrode composite material layer manufacturing apparatus.

[0102] The container 281b and the supply tube 281c can be chosen arbitrarily as long as they can stably contain and supply the liquid composition 707.

[0103] In the heating process section 130, a solvent removal process is performed to remove the solvent remaining in the liquid composition layer by heating. Specifically, drying is achieved by heating with the heating device 703 provided in the heating process section 130, thereby removing the solvent remaining in the liquid composition layer and forming the electrode composite material layer. Alternatively, the solvent removal process in the heating process section 130 can also be performed under reduced pressure.

[0104] There are no particular limitations on the heating device 703, and it can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. For example, substrate heaters, IR heaters, and hot air heaters can be used as heating devices 703. In addition, the heating device 703 may also be a device that combines at least two of the substrate heater, IR heater, and hot air heater. Furthermore, the heating temperature and heating time can be appropriately selected based on the boiling point of the solvent contained in the liquid composition 707 or the film thickness formed.

[0105] In the electrode manufacturing apparatus 700, the same liquid jetting head as the liquid jetting head 11 described above is used as the liquid jetting head 281a.

[0106] By using the electrode manufacturing apparatus 700 according to an embodiment of the present invention, a liquid composition can be sprayed onto a target location of an object to be sprayed. The electrode composite material layer can preferably be used as part of the structure of an electrochemical element, for example. There are no particular limitations on the components other than the electrode composite material layer in the electrochemical element, and known structures can be appropriately selected. Examples of components other than the electrode composite material layer include, for instance, a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator.

[0107] The present invention can be described, for example, as follows.

[0108] [1] A liquid ejection head, characterized in that: it comprises a nozzle substrate having a plurality of nozzles, and ejects droplets from the nozzles to a recording medium conveyed along a sub-scanning direction, and is freely movable in a main scanning direction orthogonal to the sub-scanning direction; on the nozzle substrate, a plurality of nozzle rows are formed in the main scanning direction, each row consisting of a plurality of nozzles arranged side by side in the sub-scanning direction; the density of the nozzles forming the outer nozzle rows is lower than the density of the nozzles forming the inner nozzle rows; the outer nozzle rows are the nozzle rows disposed on the outside of the nozzle substrate in the main scanning direction, and the inner nozzle rows are the nozzle rows disposed on the inside of the nozzle substrate in the main scanning direction.

[0109] [2] The liquid jet head according to [1] is characterized in that: outside the outer nozzle column, there is another outer nozzle column where the nozzles are formed with the same density as the outer nozzle column and the position of the nozzles in the main scanning direction is different from that of the outer nozzle column, and the desired image resolution is formed by the outer nozzle column and the other outer nozzle columns.

[0110] [3] The liquid jet head according to [2] is characterized in that: the nozzle substrate is a rectangular shape with all corners beveled.

[0111] [4] According to the liquid jet head of [3], the other outer nozzle columns are provided with n-1 columns when the resolution of the density of the nozzles forming the outer nozzle columns and the other outer nozzle columns is 1 / n (n>2) of the resolution of the desired image. The size of the chamfer increases proportionally to n.

[0112] [5] The liquid jet head according to any one of [1] to [4] is characterized in that the interval between the outer nozzle array and the inner nozzle array is narrower than the interval between the nozzles in the inner nozzle array.

[0113] [6] A liquid injection unit, characterized in that it has a liquid injection head as described in any one of [1] to [5].

[0114] [7] A liquid injection device, characterized in that it has a liquid injection head as described in any one of [1] to [5].

[0115] [8] A liquid injection device, characterized in that it has the liquid injection unit described in [6].

Claims

1. A liquid injection head, characterized in that: It has a nozzle substrate with multiple nozzles formed thereon, and Droplets are ejected from the nozzle onto the recording medium being transported along the sub-scanning direction. It can move freely in the main scanning direction orthogonal to the sub-scanning direction. On the nozzle substrate, multiple rows of nozzles, each consisting of a plurality of nozzles arranged side-by-side in the secondary scanning direction, are formed in the main scanning direction. The density of the nozzles forming the outer nozzle array is lower than the density of the nozzles forming the inner nozzle array. The outer nozzle array is the nozzle array disposed on the outside of the nozzle substrate in the main scanning direction, and the inner nozzle array is the nozzle array disposed on the inside of the nozzle substrate in the main scanning direction.

2. The liquid injection head according to claim 1, characterized in that: Outside the outer nozzle array, there are other outer nozzle arrays, with the nozzles formed at the same density as the outer nozzle array, and the nozzles are positioned differently from the outer nozzle array in the main scanning direction. The desired image resolution is achieved by the outer nozzle array and the other outer nozzle arrays.

3. The liquid injection head according to claim 2, characterized in that: The nozzle substrate is a rectangular shape with all corners beveled.

4. The liquid injection head according to claim 3, characterized in that... : When the resolution based on the density of the nozzles forming the outer nozzle array and the other outer nozzle arrays is 1 / n (n>2) of the resolution of the desired image, the other outer nozzle arrays are provided with n-1 columns, and the size of the chamfer increases proportionally to n.

5. The liquid injection head according to claim 4, characterized in that... : The spacing between the outer nozzle array and the inner nozzle array is narrower than the spacing between the nozzles in the inner nozzle array.

6. A liquid injection unit, characterized in that: The liquid injection head is provided according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. A liquid injection device, characterized in that: The liquid injection head is provided according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

8. A liquid injection device, characterized in that: It is equipped with the liquid injection unit as described in claim 6.

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