Droplet ejection head and droplet ejection apparatus

Abstract

A droplet ejection head of the present disclosure has an ejection head body, a driver IC, an electrical mounting chamber, a sealing member, and a cavity portion. The ejection head body has a flow path member and a container. The flow path member has a plurality of ejection holes. The container has a container flow path located above the flow path member and connected to the flow path member. The driver IC controls driving of the ejection head body. The electrical mounting chamber houses the driver IC. The sealing member is located between the electrical mounting chamber and the container. The cavity portion is located between the sealing member and the container.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to droplet ejection heads and droplet ejection devices. Background Technology

[0002] As a printing apparatus, inkjet printers or inkjet plotters utilizing inkjet recording methods are known. Such inkjet recording printing apparatuses are equipped with droplet ejection heads for ejecting liquids.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-001315 Summary of the Invention

[0006] A droplet ejector head based on the present disclosure comprises an ejector head body, a driver IC, an electrical mounting chamber, a sealing member, and a cavity. The ejector head body has a flow path member and a container. The flow path member has multiple ejection orifices. The container has a container flow path located above and connected to the flow path member. The driver IC controls the actuation of the ejector head body. The electrical mounting chamber houses the driver IC. The sealing member is located between the electrical mounting chamber and the container. The cavity is located between the sealing member and the container. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the structure of the droplet ejection device according to the first embodiment.

[0008] Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view showing the outline structure of the droplet ejector according to the first embodiment.

[0009] Figure 3 This is a perspective view showing the outline structure of the droplet ejector according to the first embodiment.

[0010] Figure 4 It is along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view along line IV-IV.

[0011] Figure 5 This is a schematic top view showing the structure of the container, sealing member, and cavity according to the first embodiment.

[0012] Figure 6 It is along Figure 5 A sectional view along line VI-VI.

[0013] Figure 7 This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the structure of the droplet ejector according to the second embodiment.

[0014] Figure 8 This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the structure of the droplet ejector according to the third embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0015] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, a method for implementing the droplet ejection head and droplet ejection device of the present disclosure will be described in detail (hereinafter referred to as "Embodiment"). It should be noted that the present disclosure is not limited to this embodiment. In addition, the various embodiments can be appropriately combined within a range that does not cause contradictions in the processing content. Furthermore, in the following embodiments, the same reference numerals are used to mark the same parts, and repeated descriptions are omitted.

[0016] Furthermore, expressions such as "constant," "orthogonal," "perpendicular," or "parallel" are sometimes used in the embodiments shown below, but these expressions do not need to be strictly "constant," "orthogonal," "perpendicular," or "parallel." That is, it is assumed that each of the above expressions allows for offsets such as manufacturing precision or setting precision.

[0017] Additionally, in the accompanying figures, for ease of explanation, an orthogonal coordinate system is sometimes shown. This orthogonal coordinate system defines mutually orthogonal X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions, with the positive Z-axis direction set vertically upwards. Furthermore, the direction of rotation about the vertical axis is sometimes referred to as the θ direction.

[0018] Patent Document 1 discloses a liquid ejector head comprising a flow path forming substrate forming various flow paths in the ejector head, an ink receiving chamber supplying ink to the flow path forming substrate, and an ink receiving chamber containing ink discharged from the flow path forming substrate. Hereinafter, the ink receiving chamber and the ink receiving chamber will be collectively referred to as a container. Furthermore, a space (hereinafter referred to as an electrical mounting chamber) is provided between the ink receiving chamber and the ink receiving chamber for mounting lead electrodes or protective substrates.

[0019] However, in the liquid jet head described in Patent Document 1, if the liquid inside the container leaks out, the leaked liquid will seep into the electrical installation chamber, resulting in concerns, for example, that the liquid jet head will no longer operate properly.

[0020] Therefore, it is desirable to provide a droplet ejector and a droplet ejection device that prevents the liquid from seeping into the interior of the electrical installation chamber in the event of leakage from the container.

[0021] (First Implementation)

[0022] <Example of the external structure of a droplet ejection device>

[0023] use Figure 1 Here is an example of the structure of the droplet ejection device 100 according to the first embodiment. Figure 1This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the structure of the droplet ejection device 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0024] like Figure 1 As shown, the droplet ejection device 100 includes a robotic arm 1, a circulation mechanism 2, a droplet ejection head 3, and a control device 4. The robotic arm 1 is an example of an arm.

[0025] The robotic arm 1 is, for example, assembled on a base 5 placed on a horizontal floor surface, indoors or outdoors. The robotic arm 1 holds the droplet nozzle 3. In other words, the droplet nozzle 3 is mounted on the robotic arm 1. The robotic arm 1 is, for example, a vertical multi-joint robot. The robotic arm 1 has an arm 11. The arm 11 is composed of multiple components that can be bent, extended, and rotated freely. The arm 11 can move the droplet nozzle 3 mounted on its front end, or change the position, posture, and angle of the droplet nozzle 3, etc., according to instructions from the control unit 4a described later. Figure 1 The arm 11 illustrated is not particularly limited to any particular type, as long as it possesses the degrees of freedom to change the position, orientation, and angle required for the droplet ejector head 3. Figure 1 The structure shown.

[0026] The robotic arm 1 can move in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) by using the arm 11 to move, for example, the circulation mechanism 2 and the droplet nozzle 3 mounted at the front end of the arm 11, along a predetermined rotation axis. Thus, the circulation mechanism 2 and the droplet nozzle 3 can, for example... Figure 1 As shown, the liquid ejection surface 3SF of the droplet nozzle 3 is positioned parallel to and face-to-face with the spraying surface 6SF of the object 6. Furthermore, the robotic arm 1 can rotate, for example, the circulation mechanism 2 and the droplet nozzle 3 assembled at the front end of the arm 11, around a predetermined rotation axis using the arm 11. Thus, the circulation mechanism 2 and the droplet nozzle 3 can, for example, interchange their long-side and short-side positions, or reverse their vertical positions.

[0027] The circulation mechanism 2 is located at the front end of the arm 11 of the robotic arm 1. The circulation mechanism 2 supplies liquid to the droplet nozzle 3 while controlling the circulation flow rate of the liquid circulating between the droplet nozzle and the nozzle.

[0028] A droplet ejector head 3 is assembled to a circulation mechanism 2 located at the front end of the arm 11 of the robotic arm 1. The droplet ejector head 3 ejects liquid in droplet form onto the object 6. The liquid is, for example, a liquid capable of being coated and colored onto the object 6. Examples of liquids include ink or paint. The liquid may also be a liquid with a viscosity higher than that in its standard state.

[0029] The control device 4 is, for example, a computer, and includes a control unit 4a such as a processor and a storage unit 4b such as a memory. The storage unit 4b stores programs that control the various processes performed in the droplet ejection device 100. The control unit 4a controls the operation of the droplet ejection device 100 by reading and executing the programs stored in the storage unit 4b.

[0030] It should be noted that such a program can also be recorded on a computer-readable storage medium and loaded from that storage medium into the storage unit 4b of the control device 4. Examples of computer-readable storage media include hard disks (HD), floppy disks (FD), optical disks (CD), magneto-optical disks (MO), or memory cards.

[0031] <Structure of the droplet ejector>

[0032] Next, refer to Figures 2-4 The structure of the droplet ejector 3 according to the first embodiment will be explained. Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view showing the outline structure of the droplet ejector head 3 according to the first embodiment. Figure 3 This is a perspective view showing the outline structure of the droplet ejector head 3 according to the first embodiment. Figure 4 It is along Figure 3 A sectional view along line IV-IV. It should be noted that, for ease of understanding, [the following text is incomplete and likely refers to a different section or diagram]. Figure 4 The first groove 27 is omitted (see reference). Figure 6 (Records).

[0033] The droplet ejector 3 includes an ejector body 20, an electrical mounting section 30, and an electrical mounting protective cover 40. The ejector body 20 includes a flow path component 21, a piezoelectric actuator substrate (not shown), and a container 23.

[0034] In the following description, for convenience, the direction in which the nozzle body 20 is set in the droplet nozzle 3 will sometimes be referred to as "down", and the direction in which the electrical mounting protective cover 40 is set relative to the nozzle body 20 will be referred to as "up".

[0035] The flow path component 21 of the nozzle body 20 has, for example, a generally flat plate shape. On one side of the flow path component 21, the main surface 21a (see reference...) Figure 4 The container 23 is provided with an opening (not shown) through which liquid is supplied from the container 23 into the interior of the flow path member 21. On the other side of the flow path member 21, on the main surface 21b (see reference...),... Figure 4 The device is equipped with multiple nozzles (not shown) for spraying liquid onto the printing paper P. The flow path member 21 has an internal flow path (not shown) for liquid to flow from one main surface 21a to another main surface 21b.

[0036] A piezoelectric actuator substrate (not shown) is located on one of the main surfaces 21a of the flow path member 21. The piezoelectric actuator substrate has multiple displacement elements (not shown). The piezoelectric actuator substrate is electrically connected to the flexible substrate 31 of the electrical mounting section 30.

[0037] A container 23 is disposed on the piezoelectric actuator substrate. The container 23 has a first surface 231 opposite to the piezoelectric actuator substrate and a second surface 232 located on the opposite side of the first surface 231 (see reference). Figure 4 The second surface 232 of container 23 has openings 23a at both ends in the main scanning direction, which is orthogonal to the secondary scanning direction (which is the transport direction of printing paper P) and parallel to the printing paper P. Container 23 has internal container flow paths 23c and 23d (see reference). Figure 4 Liquid is supplied from the outside through opening 23a. Container flow paths 23c and 23d are connected to the flow path (not shown) of flow path member 21. Container 23 supplies liquid to flow path member 21. Additionally, container 23 stores the liquid supplied to flow path member 21. Container 23 has a stacked structure with multiple plates stacked on top of each other. Detailed structure of container 23 is described later.

[0038] The electrical mounting section 30 includes a flexible substrate 31, a wiring substrate 32, multiple driver ICs 33, a pressing member 34, and an elastic member 35 (see reference). Figure 4 The electrical installation section 30 is housed in the electrical installation chamber 30a located between the two container flow paths 23c and 23d (see reference). Figure 4 The flexible substrate 31 transmits a predetermined signal from the outside to the ejector head body 20. It should be noted that, as... Figure 2 As shown, the droplet ejector 3 according to the embodiment has two flexible substrates 31.

[0039] One end of the flexible substrate 31 is electrically connected to the piezoelectric actuator substrate of the nozzle body 20. The other end of the flexible substrate 31 extends upward and is electrically connected to the wiring substrate 32. Thus, the piezoelectric actuator substrate of the nozzle body 20 can be electrically connected to the outside.

[0040] The wiring board 32 is located above the nozzle body 20. The wiring board 32 distributes signals to multiple driver ICs 33.

[0041] Multiple driver ICs 33 are located on one of the main surfaces of the flexible substrate 31. For example... Figure 2 As shown, in the droplet ejector head 3 according to the embodiment, three driver ICs 33 are provided on each flexible substrate 31. It should be noted that the number of driver ICs 33 provided on each flexible substrate 31 is not limited to three.

[0042] Driver IC33 is based on control unit 4a (refer to) Figure 1 The driver IC 33 drives the piezoelectric actuator substrate of the nozzle body 20 by sending a drive signal. As a result, the driver IC 33 drives the droplet nozzle 3.

[0043] The pressing member 34 is, for example, a leaf spring having a generally U-shaped cross-section. The pressing member 34 is located between two flexible substrates 31 extending from the slit 24b, and presses the driver IC 33 on the flexible substrates 31 toward the third sidewall 43 and the fourth sidewall 44 of the electrical mounting protective cover 40. Thus, the driver IC 33 is in close contact with the electrical mounting protective cover 40, thereby enabling efficient dissipation of heat generated during the operation of the driver IC 33 toward the electrical mounting protective cover 40.

[0044] Elastic member 35 (refer to) Figure 4 The elastic member 35 is provided in a manner that connects with the sidewall portion of the pressing member 34. By providing such an elastic member 35, the possibility of the flexible substrate 31 being damaged by the pressing member 34 when it presses the driver IC 33 can be reduced.

[0045] The elastic member 35 may be made of, for example, foamed double-sided tape. Alternatively, a non-silicon-based heat-conducting sheet may be used as the elastic member 35, thereby improving the heat dissipation of the driver IC 33. It should be noted that the elastic member 35 is not necessarily required.

[0046] An electrical mounting protective cover 40 is mounted on the nozzle body 20. Specifically, the electrical mounting protective cover 40 is mounted on the nozzle body 20 to cover the electrical mounting portion 30 located on the nozzle body 20, such as the flexible substrate 31 extending from the slit portion 24b, the wiring substrate 32, or the pressing member 34. Thus, the electrical mounting protective cover 40 can seal the electrical mounting portion 30. The electrical mounting protective cover 40 is made of, for example, resin or metal.

[0047] The electrical mounting protective cover 40 has an opening in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) and a long quadrangular cylindrical shape extending in the main scanning direction (Y-axis direction). Specifically, the electrical mounting protective cover 40 has a first opening 40a on its lower surface and a second opening 40b on its upper surface. Furthermore, the electrical mounting protective cover 40 integrally has four sidewalls 41-44. The third sidewall 43 and the fourth sidewall 44, facing each other along the sub-scanning direction, are arranged to connect with the driver IC 33 and function as heat sinks to dissipate heat generated by the driver IC 33.

[0048] The first opening 40a is positioned opposite the container 23. The flexible substrate 31, the wiring substrate 32, and the pressing member 34 pass through the first opening 40a.

[0049] The second opening 40b is provided for a connector (not shown) disposed on the wiring substrate 32 to pass through. When such a connector and the second opening 40b are sealed with resin or the like, liquids or debris are less likely to enter the interior of the electrical mounting protective cover 40. It should be noted that the second opening 40b is not necessarily required. The sizes of the first opening 40a and the second opening 40b may also be different.

[0050] Each of the four sidewalls 41-44 has a plurality of protrusions 41a-44a projecting outward from the electrical installation protective cover 40. The lower surfaces of these protrusions 41a-44a are arranged coplanarly with the lower surfaces of the sidewalls 41-44. Each protrusion 41a-44a has a through hole 41b-44b extending in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). These through holes 41b-44b are provided to allow screws 37 for fixing the electrical installation protective cover 40 to the container 23 to pass through. This will be discussed later.

[0051] As described above, the droplet ejector 3 in the first embodiment is structured such that the electrical mounting chamber 30a (flexible substrate 31) is adjacent to the container flow paths 23c and 23d in the horizontal direction. Specifically, the electrical mounting chamber 30a is located between the two container flow paths 23c and 23d. Therefore, assuming nothing is provided between the container flow paths 23c and 23d and the electrical mounting chamber 30a, when liquid leaks inside the container flow paths 23c and 23d, the leaked liquid may sometimes travel between the plates of the container 23 and seep into the electrical mounting chamber 30a. As a result, there is a concern that, for example, the droplet ejector 3 may no longer operate properly.

[0052] Therefore, the droplet ejector 3 according to the first embodiment has a sealing member 24 and a cavity portion 25 between the electrical installation chamber 30a and the container 23. Furthermore, the container 23 has container flow paths 23c and 23d. Thus, even if liquid leaks from the container flow paths 23c and 23d, the leaking liquid can be blocked by the sealing member 24 and the cavity portion 25. Therefore, liquid is less likely to enter the electrical installation chamber 30a.

[0053] The following is further reference. Figure 5 and Figure 6 The structure of the container 23, sealing member 24 and cavity portion 25 involved in the first embodiment will be explained. Figure 5 This is a schematic top view showing the structure of the container 23, sealing member 24, and cavity portion 25 according to the first embodiment. Figure 6 It is along Figure 5 A sectional view along line VI-VI.

[0054] Container 23 is a member that opens in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) and extends long along the main scanning direction (Y-axis direction). Specifically, container 23 has an opening 23a, container flow paths 23c and 23d, and a through hole 23f. As described above, the opening 23a is provided on the second surface 232 of container 23, through which liquid is supplied to the interior of container 23. Container flow paths 23c and 23d are located at both ends in the short side direction of container 23 and have a shape that extends along the long side direction of container 23. The through hole 23f passes through the first surface 231 and the second surface 232 of container 23. Sealing member 24 passes through the through hole 23f (see reference). Figure 4 ).

[0055] It should be noted that during printing, liquid can be supplied from one opening 23a while the other opening 23a is closed beforehand. Alternatively, liquid can be supplied from both openings 23a. When initially introducing liquid into the droplet nozzle 8, if liquid is supplied from one opening 23a and recovered from the other opening 23a, air or preservatives in the flow path inside the container 23 can easily exit from the flow path, thus facilitating the introduction of liquid into the droplet nozzle 3.

[0056] Alternatively, during printing, liquid can be supplied from one opening 23a and recovered from the other opening 23a. This prevents air bubbles from accumulating in the flow path inside the container 23. Furthermore, by supplying liquid at a constant temperature, the temperature of the droplet ejector 8 can be stabilized. The recovered liquid can also be supplied back to the droplet ejector 3 after passing through a filter or similar means. In other words, liquid circulation is possible. Alternatively, the control unit 4a can control the supply and recovery of liquid to the droplet ejector 3, or the circulation of the liquid.

[0057] Alternatively, liquid can be supplied from container 23 to flow path member 21, and liquid can be recovered from flow path member 21 to container 23. Furthermore, liquid supply and recovery can be performed within flow path member 21, facing the flow path of the nozzle (ejection hole), preventing liquid from stagnating inside and around the nozzle. With such a scheme, liquid is supplied to the droplet ejector head 8 from the outside as a whole, a portion of which is ejected from the ejection hole, while the un-ejected liquid is recovered to the outside.

[0058] like Figure 4 As shown, container 23 has a stacked structure with multiple container plates 23A~23H stacked on top of each other. It should be noted that... Figure 4 This represents one example of the laminated structure of each container plate 23A-23H involved in the first embodiment, and is not particularly limited to... Figure 4 The example shown. For example, container plates 23A~23H can also be constructed by stacking more than 9 plates.

[0059] The sealing member 24 is a member that extends long in the main scanning direction (Z-axis direction). The sealing member 24 has two slits 24b. The flexible substrate 31 passes through the two slits 24b. In other words, the other end of the flexible substrate 31 is led upward through such slits 24b and electrically connected to the wiring substrate 32. The electrical mounting chamber 30a is separated by a part of the sealing member 24, such as the slits 24b. That is, the sealing member 24 is located between the electrical mounting chamber 30a and the container flow paths 23c, 23d. The sealing member 24 may also be made of resin, for example.

[0060] The sealing member 24 has two sidewalls opposite the container 23 with protrusions 24a. The lower surface of the protrusion 24a is coplanar with the lower surfaces of the two sidewalls. Each protrusion 24a has a through hole 24c extending in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). This will be described later.

[0061] The cavity 25 is located between the sealing member 24 and the container flow paths 23c and 23d. Alternatively, as shown below... Figure 5 As shown, the cavity 25 extends circumferentially around the electrical installation chamber 30a when viewed from above. In other words, the sealing member 24 is separate from the container 23, and the cavity 25 is formed between the sealing member 24 and the container 23. With this structure, liquid leaking from the container flow paths 23c and 23d is less likely to seep into the electrical installation chamber 30a.

[0062] It could also be, such as Figure 3 As shown, the cavity 25 opens on the second side 232 of the container 23. The cavity 25 can also be located outside the electrical installation protective cover 40 when viewed from above. Here, "outside" refers to the area away from the center of the nozzle body 20. Because the liquid-blocking cavity 25 is located outside the electrical installation protective cover 40, the operator can visually confirm the cavity 25. That is, the operator can easily confirm whether liquid is leaking from the container flow paths 23c and 23d.

[0063] Thus, the droplet ejector head 3 has a cavity 25, so that even if liquid leaks from the container flow paths 23c and 23d, the leaking liquid can be blocked by the sealing member 24 and the cavity 25. Therefore, liquid is less likely to enter the electrical installation chamber 30a.

[0064] The following describes the fixing points of the sealing member 24 and its surrounding components. The sealing member 24 and the flow path member 21 can also be fixed with screws 36. Specifically, as described above, the protrusion 24a of the sealing member 24 has a through hole 24c extending in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). The flow path member 21 has a through hole 21c at a position corresponding to the through hole 24c, connecting the two main surfaces. The screw 36 passes through and is screwed into such through holes 21c and 24c. Thus, the sealing member 24 and the flow path member 21 are fixed. Furthermore, the connection between the sealing member 24 and the flow path member 21 can also be sealed with an O-ring 60. With this structure, the sealing performance of the droplet ejector head 3 can be improved.

[0065] The connection between the sealing member 24 and the electrical installation protective cover 40 can also be sealed by an O-ring 61. This structure improves the sealing performance of the droplet ejector head 3.

[0066] The container 23 and the electrical installation protective cover 40 can also be secured with screws 37. Specifically, the container 23 has a threaded hole 23e on its second surface 232. The electrical installation protective cover 40 has through holes 41b to 44b at positions corresponding to the threaded hole 23e (see reference). Figure 2 Screw 37 passes through the through holes 41b-44b and screws into the threaded hole 23e. Thus, the container 23 is secured to the electrical mounting cover 40. This structure improves the sealing performance of the droplet ejector head 3.

[0067] That is, the sealing member 24 and the container 23 can also be fixed to both the electrical installation protective cover 40 and the flow path member 21. With this structure, the sealing performance and rigidity of the droplet ejector head 3 can be improved.

[0068] In addition, such as Figure 6 As shown, container 23 may also include a first groove 27 located around container flow paths 23c and 23d. The first groove 27 is formed by half-etching container plates 23B to 23H. With this structure, liquid leaking from container flow paths 23c and 23d can be further blocked by the first groove 27. Therefore, liquid is less likely to enter the electrical installation chamber 30a.

[0069] Additionally, the depth D1 of the cavity 25 (refer to...) Figure 4 It can also be compared to the first groove 27 (refer to) Figure 6 The depth D2 is greater. This increases the likelihood of the liquid being blocked.

[0070] As described above, the droplet ejector 3 according to the first embodiment has a sealing member 24 and a cavity portion 25 between the electrical installation chamber 30a and the container 23. Therefore, even if liquid leaks from the container flow paths 23c and 23d, the leaking liquid can be blocked by the sealing member 24 and the cavity portion 25. Consequently, liquid is less likely to enter the electrical installation chamber 30a.

[0071] Furthermore, while this description focuses on the case where container 23 has a layered structure consisting of multiple plates, it is not limited to this configuration; container 23 can also be a single piece. Similarly, even if container 23 develops a crack and liquid leaks from container flow paths 23c and 23d, the leaking liquid can be contained by the sealing member 24 and the cavity portion 25. Therefore, liquid is less likely to enter the electrical installation chamber 30a.

[0072] Furthermore, the cavity portion 25 may be located at least a portion between the sealing member 24 and the container 23. Thus, even if the container 23 cracks and liquid leaks from the container flow paths 23c and 23d, or if the liquid leaking from the container flow paths 23c and 23d passes through the gaps in the plates constituting the container 23, the leaking liquid can be blocked by the cavity portion 25.

[0073] (Second Implementation)

[0074] Figure 7 This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the structure of the droplet ejection head 3 according to the second embodiment. Alternatively, it could be, as... Figure 7 As shown, the sealing member 24 and the flow path member 21 are fixed together by adhesive 50. Additionally, the sealing member 24 and the electrical mounting protective cover 40 can also be fixed together by adhesive 51. In this case, the sealing performance of the droplet ejector head 3 can also be improved. In this case, the number of structural components can be reduced compared to using screws or O-rings.

[0075] It should be noted that fixation by screws or O-rings can also be combined with fixation by adhesive.

[0076] (Third implementation method)

[0077] Figure 8 This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the structure of the droplet ejector head 3 according to the third embodiment. Alternatively, it could be, as... Figure 8As shown, the droplet ejector head 3 also has a transparent member 28 that covers the opening of the cavity portion 25. With this structure, liquid blocked by the cavity portion 25 is less likely to overflow to the outside of the droplet ejector head 3. The transparent member 28 is, for example, a sealing resin based on epoxy resin. To seal each component of the droplet ejector head 3, a sealing resin can be provided, and this sealing resin can also be used as the transparent member 28. Therefore, during the sealing process of the droplet ejector head 3, the cavity portion 25 can also be blocked.

[0078] It should be noted that this technology can also adopt the following structure. (1)

[0080] A droplet ejector (e.g., droplet ejector 3) has an ejector body (e.g., ejector body 20), a driver IC (e.g., driver IC 33), an electrical mounting chamber (e.g., electrical mounting chamber 30a), a sealing member (e.g., sealing member 24), and a cavity (e.g., cavity 25). The ejector body has a flow path member (e.g., flow path member 21) and a container (e.g., container 23). The flow path member has multiple ejection holes. The container has container flow paths (e.g., container flow paths 23c, 23d) located above and connected to the flow path member. The driver IC controls the drive of the ejector body. The electrical mounting chamber houses the driver IC. The sealing member is located between the electrical mounting chamber and the container. The cavity is located between the sealing member and the container. (2)

[0082] In the droplet ejector described in (1) above, the container may have a first surface (for example, the first surface 231) opposite to the flow path member and a second surface (for example, the second surface 232) located on the opposite side of the first surface, with the cavity opening on the second surface. (3)

[0084] In the droplet ejector described in (2) above, the cavity may extend in a circumferential manner around the electrical installation chamber when viewed from above. (4)

[0086] In the droplet ejector described in (2) or (3) above, the droplet ejector may also have an electrical installation protective cover (for example, an electrical installation protective cover 40) covering the electrical installation chamber, with the cavity located on the outer side of the electrical installation protective cover when viewed from above. (5)

[0088] In the droplet ejector described in (4) above, the droplet ejector may also have a transparent member covering the opening of the cavity (for example, transparent member 28). (6)

[0090] In any of the droplet ejector heads described in (1) to (5) above, the sealing member and the flow path member may be fixed with screws (for example, screw 36), and the connection between the sealing member and the flow path member may be sealed with an O-ring (for example, O-ring 60). (7)

[0092] In any of the droplet ejector heads described in (1) to (5) above, the sealing member and the flow path member may be fixed by an adhesive (for example, adhesive 50). (8)

[0094] In the droplet ejector described in (4) above, the container and the electrical installation protective cover may be fixed with screws (for example, screw 37), and the connection between the sealing member and the electrical installation protective cover may be sealed with an O-ring (for example, O-ring 61). (9)

[0096] In the droplet ejector described in (4) above, the sealing member and the electrical installation protective cover may also be fixed by an adhesive (for example, adhesive 51). (10)

[0098] In the droplet ejector described in (4) above, the sealing component and the container may also be fixed to the electrical installation protective cover and the flow path component. (11)

[0100] In any of the droplet ejector heads described in (1) to (10) above, the container may also have a first groove (for example, the first groove 27) located around the container flow path. (12)

[0102] In the droplet ejector described in (11) above, the depth of the cavity may be deeper than the depth of the first groove. (13)

[0104] Alternatively, the droplet ejection device (for example, droplet ejection device 100) may include: a droplet ejection head as described in any one of (1) to (12) above; and a control unit (for example, control unit 4a) that controls the droplet ejection head. (14)

[0106] Alternatively, the droplet ejection device may include: a droplet ejection head as described in any one of (1) to (12) above; an arm (as an example, a robotic arm 1) on which the droplet ejection head is mounted; and a control unit that controls the droplet ejection head and the arm.

[0107] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered illustrative and not restrictive. In fact, the above embodiments can be implemented in various forms. Furthermore, the above embodiments can be omitted, substituted, or modified in various ways without departing from the appended technical solution and its spirit.

[0108] For example, an example of a droplet ejection device 100 with a robotic arm 1 is shown, but it is not limited to this. As a droplet ejection device, the present invention can also be used with serial printers or line printers. That is, the droplet ejection head 3 can also be a transport carriage or fixed to the printer. Furthermore, the droplet ejection device 100 can also be used for 3D printing and industrial applications such as printing wiring patterns.

[0109] Additionally, an example of the droplet ejector 3 being coated with ink or paint is shown, but it is not limited to this. The ejected droplets can also be thermoplastic resin (filament), liquid resin (resin), or metal paste.

[0110] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0111] 3. Droplet ejector head

[0112] 20. Main body of the nozzle

[0113] 21 Flow path components

[0114] 23 Containers

[0115] 24 Sealing components

[0116] 25. Cavity section

[0117] 27 First trench section

[0118] 30 Electrical Installation Department

[0119] 33 Driver IC

[0120] 30a Electrical Installation Room

[0121] 40 Electrical Installation Protective Cover

[0122] 100 Droplet ejection device.

Claims

1. A droplet ejector head, wherein, The droplet ejector head has: The nozzle body has a flow path component and a container, the flow path component having a plurality of nozzle holes, and the container having a container flow path located above and connected to the flow path component; A driver IC that controls the driving of the nozzle body; The electrical installation room houses the driver IC; A sealing member located between the electrical installation chamber and the container; and A cavity is located between the sealing member and the container.

2. The droplet ejector according to claim 1, wherein, The container has a first side opposite to the flow path member and a second side located on the opposite side of the first side. The cavity portion opens on the second surface.

3. The droplet ejector according to claim 2, wherein, When viewed from above, the cavity extends circumferentially around the electrical installation chamber.

4. The droplet ejector according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, The droplet ejector also has an electrical installation protective cover that covers the electrical installation chamber. When viewed from above, the cavity is located on the outer side of the electrical installation protective cover.

5. The droplet ejector according to claim 4, wherein, The droplet ejector also has a transparent component that covers the opening of the cavity.

6. The droplet ejector according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The sealing member is fixed to the flow path member with screws, and the connection between the sealing member and the flow path member is sealed by an O-ring.

7. The droplet ejector according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The sealing member and the flow path member are fixed together by an adhesive.

8. The droplet ejector according to claim 4, wherein, The container is fixed to the electrical installation protective cover with screws, and the connection between the sealing member and the electrical installation protective cover is sealed with an O-ring.

9. The droplet ejector according to claim 4, wherein, The sealing member is fixed to the electrical installation protective cover by an adhesive.

10. The droplet ejector according to claim 4, wherein, The sealing member and the container are fixed to both the electrical installation protective cover and the flow path member.

11. The droplet ejector head according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein, The container also has a first groove located around the container flow path.

12. The droplet ejector according to claim 11, wherein, The depth of the cavity is greater than the depth of the first groove.

13. A droplet ejection device, wherein, The droplet ejection device includes: The droplet ejector head according to any one of claims 1 to 12; and The control unit controls the droplet ejection head.

14. A droplet ejection device, wherein, The droplet ejection device includes: The droplet ejector head according to any one of claims 1 to 12; An arm, which is equipped with the droplet ejector head; and The control unit controls the droplet ejector head and the arm.

Images