Liquid ejection head and liquid ejection apparatus

Abstract

To provide a liquid ejection head and a liquid ejection apparatus that can suppress a deterioration of printing quality.SOLUTION: A liquid ejection head includes, as reference members: a first reference member and a second reference member that are provided at one end portion in a second direction crossing a first direction, where ejection ports are arrayed, so as to have different positions in the first direction; and a third reference member that is provided at the other end portion in the second direction so as to lie between, in the first direction, the first reference member and the second reference member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 27

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a liquid ejection head and a liquid ejection apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, in recording devices used for business purposes such as business, commerce, and industry, the liquid ejection head may be configured to be detachable from the liquid ejection device so that it can be replaced. In such cases, it is required that the liquid ejection head be easily replaced. In addition, in order to maintain a high recording quality, it is necessary that the liquid ejection head be positioned in the liquid ejection device with extremely high accuracy. Patent Document 1 discloses a printing device having a detachable liquid ejection head and a method for positioning with high accuracy. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2006-188057 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the method of Patent Document 1, the position of the liquid ejection head is not fixed and becomes unstable when the liquid ejection head is directly supported at two points by the support plate. Therefore, depending on the operation at the time of installation, there is a risk that the installation may not be performed properly. As a result, there is a risk that the recording quality may be deteriorated.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention provides a liquid ejection head and a liquid ejection apparatus that can suppress deterioration of recording quality. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] Therefore, the liquid ejection head of the present invention is a liquid ejection head comprising an ejection element substrate on which a plurality of ejection ports for ejecting liquid are formed in a row in a first direction, a support member for supporting the ejection element substrate, and a reference member attached to the support member and for positioning the ejection element substrate by abutting a positioning portion at a predetermined portion, wherein the reference member is characterized in that it comprises a first reference member and a second reference member arranged at one end in a second direction intersecting the first direction so as to be positioned differently in the first direction, and a third reference member arranged at the other end in the second direction between the first reference member and the second reference member in the first direction. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a liquid ejection head and a liquid ejection apparatus capable of suppressing deterioration of recording quality. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a liquid ejection device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a liquid ejection head. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a liquid ejection head. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the liquid ejection head. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an electrical connection configuration of the liquid ejection head. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a liquid ejection unit. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a liquid ejection unit. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the liquid ejection unit. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of an electrode portion of the liquid ejection unit. [Figure 10] FIG. [Figure 11] 4 is a plan view of the liquid ejection head assembled to the support unit, as viewed from the ejection surface side. FIG. [Figure 12]12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XII-XII in FIG. [Figure 13] 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XIII-XIII in FIG. [Figure 14] 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XIV-XIV in FIG. [Figure 15] 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a reference member and a positioning member of the liquid ejection head. FIG. [Figure 16] 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating a connection configuration of liquid flow paths between a support unit and a liquid supply unit. [Figure 17] 4 is a cross-sectional view of a fluid connection between a liquid supply unit and a liquid supply member. FIG. [Figure 18] 4A and 4B are diagrams showing a connection configuration of liquid flow paths of the support unit. [Figure 19] 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating a connection configuration of liquid flow paths of the liquid ejection unit. [Figure 20] 4A and 4B are diagrams showing a fluid connection configuration within the ejection element substrate. [Figure 21] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cooling unit for cooling a drive circuit board. [Figure 22] FIG. [Diagram 23] 23 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXIII-XXIII in FIG. 21. [Figure 24] 5 is a cross-sectional view of an electrical connection between a liquid ejection device main body and a liquid ejection head. FIG. [Diagram 25] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a reference member. [Figure 26] 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a positioning portion between the liquid ejection head and the liquid ejection device. FIG. [Figure 27] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the liquid ejection head as viewed from the bottom, which is the ejection port side. [Figure 28] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the liquid ejection head as viewed from above. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the following description does not limit the scope of the present disclosure. As an example, the present embodiment will be described using a method of ejecting liquid by driving a piezoelectric element, but liquid ejection heads employing a thermal method of ejecting liquid by bubbles generated by a heater element and various other liquid ejection methods are also within the scope of application of the present disclosure. In other words, the liquid ejection head can be a head having any energy generating element.

[0010] The present embodiment can be an inkjet recording device (recording device) in a form in which liquid such as ink is circulated between a tank and a liquid ejection head, but other forms are also possible. For example, instead of circulating the ink, tanks may be provided on the upstream side and downstream side of the liquid ejection head, and ink may flow from one tank to the other tank to cause the ink in the pressure chamber to flow. Furthermore, the device according to the present disclosure is not limited to a recording device that ejects ink, but can be a liquid ejection device that ejects any liquid.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a liquid ejection device 10 of this embodiment. The liquid ejection device 10 includes a so-called one-pass type liquid ejection head 100 that, when recording an image in a predetermined area of ​​a recording medium 20, completes the recording of the image in the predetermined area by moving the recording medium 20 once. The liquid ejection head 100 has ejection openings arranged over a range corresponding to the entire width of the recording medium 20 (X direction in FIG. 1). The recording medium 20 is conveyed in the direction of arrow A by a conveying unit 11, and recording is performed by the liquid ejection head 100. The liquid ejection head 100 of this embodiment is a liquid ejection head 100 corresponding to a total of four colors, cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. More specifically, it has two heads for each color. Specifically, it has cyan heads 100Ca, 100Cb, magenta heads 100Ma, 100Mb, yellow heads 100Ya, 100Yb, and black heads 100Ka, 100Kb. The following description focuses on one of the eight heads. For the sake of simplicity, any one of the heads will be described as the liquid ejection head 100. The liquid ejection head of the present disclosure may be a head of any shape, and is not limited to the example shown in FIG.

[0012] In this embodiment, the direction in which the liquid is ejected (gravity direction) is defined as the +Z direction, the upstream side of the transport direction of the recording medium 20 is defined as the +Y direction, and the arrangement direction in which the ejection ports are arranged in the head is defined as the +X direction.

[0013] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the liquid ejection head 100 of this embodiment. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the liquid ejection head 100 of this embodiment as viewed from a different direction than that of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the liquid ejection head 100 of this embodiment. The configuration of the liquid ejection head 100 will be described with reference to Figs. 2 to 4. As described above, one of the eight heads shown in Fig. 1 will be described below as the liquid ejection head 100.

[0014] As shown in Fig. 3, the liquid ejection head 100 is a head in which four ejection element substrates 210 capable of ejecting liquid are arranged in a staggered pattern on a support member 310. The liquid ejection head 100 is positioned in the main body of the liquid ejection device by a reference member 340. As shown in Fig. 2, a liquid connection part 501 and a coolant connection part 611 are provided on the upper part of the liquid ejection head 100. The liquid connection part 501 is connected to a liquid supply part 13 on the liquid ejection device main body side, and the coolant connection part 611 is connected to a coolant supply part 14 on the liquid ejection device main body side. In this way, liquid such as ink and coolant are supplied from the liquid ejection device main body to the inside of the liquid ejection head 100.

[0015] The exterior of the liquid ejection head 100 is provided with a cover member 420 and an electrical connection portion cover member 430 for covering and protecting the electric board and the electrical connection portion. As shown in FIG. 4, the liquid ejection head 100 has therein a support unit 300 including a support member 310, an electrical wiring board 400, and an electrical wiring board support member 410 for holding the electrical wiring board 400. The liquid ejection head 100 also has a liquid supply unit 500 for supplying liquid to the liquid ejection unit 200 via the support unit 300, and a cooling unit 600 for cooling the drive circuit. The liquid ejection head 100 has a plurality of liquid ejection units 200, specifically, four liquid ejection units 200. The configuration of each portion of the liquid ejection head 100 will be described in detail below.

[0016] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the electrical connection configuration of the liquid ejection head 100 of this embodiment. The liquid ejection device main body and the ejection element substrate 210 are electrically connected via a flexible wiring substrate 250 and an electrical wiring substrate 400. The electrical wiring substrate 400 is electrically connected to a control unit (not shown) on the liquid ejection device main body side by an electrical connection terminal 402. An ejection drive signal and power required for ejection are supplied to the electrical wiring substrate 400 via the electrical connection terminal 402. The electrical wiring substrate 400 and the flexible wiring substrate 250 are electrically connected by an electrical connection portion 401. By consolidating the wiring by the electrical circuit in the electrical wiring substrate 400, the number of terminals of the electrical connection terminal 402 can be made smaller than the number of terminals of the ejection element substrate 210. This reduces the number of electrical connections that need to be removed when assembling the liquid ejection head 100 to the liquid ejection device or when replacing the liquid ejection head 100. The flexible wiring substrate 250 is provided with a drive circuit substrate 251 for driving the ejection elements of the ejection element substrate 210. The drive circuit board 251 is provided with drive elements for driving the discharge elements. The discharge drive signal supplied to the electric wiring board 400 is input to the drive circuit board 251. The drive circuit board 251 performs drive control for driving each recording element in accordance with the discharge drive signal. As shown in FIG. 5, in this embodiment, two flexible wiring boards 250, a first flexible wiring board 250a and a second flexible wiring board 250b, are provided for one liquid discharge unit 200. In the following, when describing an individual flexible wiring board, it will be referred to as the first flexible wiring board 250a or the second flexible wiring board 250b, and when describing matters common to both, it will be simply described as the flexible wiring board 250.

[0017] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the liquid ejection unit 200. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the liquid ejection unit 200. Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the liquid ejection unit 200. Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of an electrode portion of the liquid ejection unit 200. The configuration of the liquid ejection unit 200 will be described below with reference to Figs. 6 to 9.

[0018] 6 to 8, the liquid ejection unit 200 has an ejection element substrate 210 that ejects liquid, an ejection element substrate flow path member 220 that supplies liquid to the ejection element substrate 210, and a flow path member 240 that supplies liquid to the ejection element substrate flow path member 220. The liquid ejection unit 200 also has a flexible wiring substrate 250 that is electrically connected to the ejection element substrate 210, and an ejection element substrate support member 230 that is joined to the ejection surface side of the ejection element substrate 210.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 9, electrode sections 212 are provided on the thin plate sections 211 at both ends of the discharge element substrate 210. FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of one end of the discharge element substrate 210. Note that this end refers to an end in a direction intersecting the arrangement direction in which the discharge elements (or discharge ports) are arranged on the discharge element substrate 210. As shown in FIG. 9, the discharge element substrate 210 and the flexible wiring substrate 250 are electrically connected by contacting the electrodes of the electrode section 212 and the first electrical connection section 252 of the flexible wiring substrate 250. In order to prevent liquid from penetrating into this electrical connection section and to reinforce the thin plate section 211 of the discharge element substrate 210, as shown in FIG. 6 to FIG. 8, a discharge element substrate support member 230 is joined to the discharge surface side of the thin plate section 211. The flexible wiring substrate 250 is provided with a drive circuit board 251 for driving the discharge elements of the discharge element substrate 210 (see FIG. 5).

[0020] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the support unit 300 that supports the liquid ejection unit 200. The support unit 300 has a support member 310 to which the liquid ejection unit 200 is joined, and a frame member 320 that surrounds the liquid ejection unit 200. The support unit 300 also has a liquid supply member 330 in which a flow path is formed to supply liquid to each liquid ejection unit 200 (four liquid ejection units 200 in this embodiment) via the support member 310. The support unit 300 also has a reference member 340 that has a positioning function with respect to the liquid ejection device main body, and a reference fixing member 350 for fixing the reference member 340 to the support member 310. It is preferable to select the same material for the support member 310, the frame member 320, and the liquid supply member 330, taking into consideration the influence of thermal expansion due to, for example, ink heating temperature control or environmental fluctuations. Alternatively, when different materials are used for the support member 310, the frame member 320, and the liquid supply member 330, it is preferable to select materials having linear expansion coefficients as close as possible. This makes it possible to suppress deformation of the entire support unit during thermal expansion and the associated deterioration in the positional accuracy of the ejection element substrate 210.

[0021] FIG. 11 is a plan view of the liquid ejection head in which the liquid ejection unit 200 is assembled to the support unit 300, as viewed from the ejection surface side. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XII-XII in FIG. 11. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XIII-XIII in FIG. 11. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XIV-XIV in FIG. 11. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing the reference member 340 and the positioning member 344 of the liquid ejection head 100. FIG. 15(a) is a view showing a state before the reference member 340 is positioned, and FIG. 15(b) is a view showing a state after the reference member 340 is positioned. Note that FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XIII-XIII in FIG. 11 showing a state in which the liquid ejection unit 200 is assembled to the support unit 300 and each member is further assembled. As shown in FIGS. 12 to 14, the flow path member 240 and the liquid supply member 330 are joined to the support member 310, and each liquid flow path is fluidly connected. The periphery of the ejection element substrate support member 230 is sealed with a peripheral sealing member 360 between the ejection element substrate support member 230 and the frame member 320 to prevent liquid infiltration. The back surface (the surface opposite to the ejection port surface) of the ejection element substrate support member 230 may be sealed with a back surface sealing member 370 for reinforcement. As shown in FIG. 11, the support member 310 has three holes for inserting the reference fixing member 350. The reference fixing member 350 is fixed to these holes, and the reference member 340 is fixed to the reference fixing member 350. The reference fixing member 350 may be an integral part with the support member 310. As shown in FIG. 15, the spherical portion of the positioning portion 341 of the reference member 340 is positioned by the conical portion of the positioning member 344 of the liquid ejection device 10, so that the reference member 340 is centered at the center of the positioning member 344. The spherical portion of the positioning portion 341 comes into contact with the positioning member (predetermined portion) 344, and the three-directional translational degrees of freedom (X / Y / Z directions in the figure) are fixed, thereby enabling positioning.

[0022] The positioning portion 341 is preferably substantially spherical, and three points on the surface of the sphere come into contact with a groove or cone portion provided on a positioning member 344 configured in the liquid ejection device 10, thereby fixing the three-way translational degree of freedom (X / Y / Z directions) and enabling positioning. In addition, in this embodiment, the sphere of the reference member 340 moves in the direction opposite to the liquid ejection direction, thereby coming into contact with the liquid ejection head 100. With such a configuration, it becomes easy to reduce the distance between the ejection element substrate 210 and the recording medium, enabling high-definition printing.

[0023] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a connection configuration of a liquid flow path between the support unit 300 and the liquid supply unit 500 of the liquid ejection head 100 according to this embodiment. FIG. 16(a) is a perspective view from above. FIG. 16(b) is a perspective view from below. The liquid supply unit 500 has a liquid connection part 501 and is connected to the liquid supply part 13 (FIG. 2) of the liquid ejection device main body. This allows liquid to be supplied from the supply system of the liquid ejection device main body to the liquid ejection head 100, and liquid that has passed through the liquid ejection head 100 is collected to the supply system of the liquid ejection device main body. In this way, the liquid can be circulated through the path of the liquid ejection device main body and the path of the liquid ejection head 100. Inside the liquid supply unit 500, a filter (not shown) is provided that communicates with each opening of the liquid connection part 501 in order to remove foreign matter from the ink being supplied.

[0024] Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view of the fluid connection between liquid supply unit 500 and liquid supply member 330. Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along XVII-XVII in Figure 16. Liquid flowing in from the liquid ejection device main body side through liquid connection part 501 passes through communication port 502 and is supplied to liquid supply member 330. The gap between liquid supply unit 500 and liquid supply member 330 is sealed by elastic member 503.

[0025] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a connection configuration of the liquid flow path of the support unit 300. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a connection configuration of the liquid flow path of the liquid discharge unit 200. The liquid supply unit 500 and the liquid supply member 330 in the support unit 300 are fluidically connected by a first communication port 331. A flow path for distributing liquid to each liquid discharge unit 200 is formed in the liquid supply member 330. In this example, a flow path for distributing liquid to four liquid discharge units 200 is formed in one liquid supply member 330. The liquid supply member 330 and the support member 310 are fluidically connected by a second communication port 311. The support member 310 and each liquid discharge unit 200 are fluidically connected by a third communication port 241 of the flow path member 240 as shown in FIG. 19. A liquid flow path 242 is formed in the flow path member 240. The flow path member 240 is fluidically connected to the discharge element substrate flow path member 220 via a fourth communication port 221. 20 is a diagram showing a fluid connection configuration within the ejection element substrate 210. The liquid that flows in from each of the fourth communication ports 221 passes through a common flow path 222 and is supplied to the ejection element substrate 210, and is ejected from the ejection port 213 by the piezoelectric element 214.

[0026] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a cooling unit 600 for cooling the drive circuit board 251. FIG. 22 is an exploded view of the cooling unit 600. FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XXIII-XXIII in FIG. 21. As described above, the drive circuit board 251 is disposed on the flexible wiring board 250 (see FIG. 5). FIG. 21 is a view showing a state in which the drive circuit board 251 is covered by the cooling unit 600. As shown in FIG. 21, the cooling unit 600 has a refrigerant connection part 611. The refrigerant connection part 611 is connected to the refrigerant supply part 14 (FIG. 2) of the liquid discharger body. This allows the refrigerant to be supplied from the refrigerant supply system of the liquid discharger body to the cooling unit 600, and the refrigerant that has passed through the cooling unit 600 is collected to the refrigerant supply system of the liquid discharger body. In this way, the refrigerant can circulate through the path of the liquid discharger body and the path of the cooling unit 600. The refrigerant flowing in through the refrigerant connection part 611 branches into a refrigerant flow path formed between the first refrigerant supply member 610 and the second refrigerant supply member 620, as shown in FIG. 22. The second refrigerant supply member 620 and the cooling member 630 are fluidly connected through a seal member 670. The refrigerant branched in the second refrigerant supply member 620 circulates in a refrigerant flow path 631 formed between the cooling member 630 and the cover member 640. Then, the refrigerant flows again into the second refrigerant supply member 620, merges with the refrigerant flow path formed between the first refrigerant supply member 610 and the second refrigerant supply member 620, and flows out from the refrigerant connection part 611. The second refrigerant supply member 620 and the cooling member 630 are fixed by a first fixing member 680. The cooling member 630 and the cover member 640 are fixed by a second fixing member 690.

[0027] The cooling unit 600 of this embodiment has four sets of cooling members 630 and lid members 640. The second refrigerant supply member 620 is separated into two cooling systems in the Y direction. Each cooling system is provided with two sets of cooling members 630 and lid members 640. The two sets are provided so as to face each other in the Y direction. In addition, a heat conduction member 650 is provided between the two sets in the Y direction, in contact with the cooling members 630.

[0028] In the cooling unit 600 of this embodiment, four cooling members 630 are provided. In FIG. 21 and FIG. 22, the cooling members 630 to which the refrigerant is supplied from the second refrigerant supply member 620 branched to the left front side of the paper are referred to as the first cooling member 630a and the second cooling member 630b from the left front side of the paper. In the following, when describing individual cooling members, they are referred to as the first cooling member 630a and the second cooling member 630b, and when describing matters common to both, they are simply described as the cooling member 630. In addition, the heat conduction member 650 in contact with the first cooling member 630a is referred to as the first heat conduction member 650a. The heat conduction member 650 in contact with the second cooling member 630b facing the first cooling member 630a is referred to as the second heat conduction member 650b. In this way, the first cooling member 630a and the second cooling member 630b are arranged facing each other. As shown in Fig. 22, in cooling unit 600, elastic member 660 is disposed between first heat conductive member 650a and second heat conductive member 650b. As shown in Fig. 21, flexible wiring board 250 on which drive circuit board 251 is disposed is provided between heat conductive member 650 and elastic member 660, and heat conductive member 650 abuts against drive circuit board 251 (see Figs. 21 and 23). Also, first cooling member 630a and second cooling member 630b are fixed by first fixing member 680 while being pressed against second refrigerant supply member 620.

[0029] In this manner, by abutting the cooling member 630 against the drive circuit board 251 with the thermally conductive member 650 sandwiched therebetween, the heat generated during operation of the drive circuit board 251 is transferred to the refrigerant in the cooling member 630. For the cooling member 630, it is preferable to select a material with as high a thermal conductivity as possible, such as aluminum, so as to facilitate the transfer of heat generated in the drive circuit board 251. An elastic member 660 is provided between the two flexible wiring boards 250, which makes it possible to reliably bring the thermally conductive member 650 into close contact with the drive circuit board 251.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 21, two flexible wiring boards 250 each having a drive circuit board 251 are arranged extending in the -Z direction from one discharge element substrate 210. The two flexible wiring boards 250 are arranged to face each other in a direction intersecting the discharge port row direction in which the discharge ports 213 are formed. More specifically, the two flexible wiring boards 250 are arranged so that the drive circuit boards 251 face each other outward. A heat conductive member 650 abuts on the side (outside) of the flexible wiring substrate 250 on which the drive circuit board 251 is arranged, and an elastic member 660 abuts on the side (inside) opposite to the side on which the drive circuit board 251 is arranged. Then, a cooling member 630 abuts on the outside of the heat conductive member 650 so as to sandwich the heat conductive member 650. This allows the drive circuit board 251 to be efficiently cooled. As shown in FIG. 21, in this embodiment, one cooling member (630a, 630b) is configured to cool the drive circuit substrates 251 of a plurality of ejection element substrates 210.

[0031] 24 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional view of the electrical connection portion between the liquid ejection device main body and the liquid ejection head 100. An electrical wiring board 400 in the liquid ejection head 100 is provided with an electrical connection terminal 402. The electrical connection terminal 402 is connected to the liquid ejection device electrical wiring section 12, thereby electrically connecting the liquid ejection device 10 and the liquid ejection head 100. The periphery of the electrical connection terminal 402 is covered with an electrical connection section cover member 430 that can be opened and closed.

[0032] 25 is a cross-sectional view showing the reference member 340. The reference member 340 has a positioning portion 341, an adjustment portion 342, and a recess 343. The positioning portion 341 abuts against a positioning member 344 (see FIG. 15) of the liquid ejection device 10 for positioning. In this embodiment, the positioning portion 341 of the reference member 340 is spherical, and the positioning member 344 of the liquid ejection device 10 is recessed. In this embodiment, the reference member 340 and the spherical portion of the positioning portion 341 are separate members, but they may be configured as an integrated unit.

[0033] When the spherical positioning portion 341 is a separate member, examples of the joining method include press-fitting and adhesion. The smaller the surface roughness of the spherical portion of the positioning portion 341 and the surface roughness of the positioning member 344 of the liquid ejection device 10, the more the positioning sliding property with the positioning member 344 of the liquid ejection device 10 improves, and positioning can be performed with high accuracy. For example, the surface roughness of the positioning portion 341 and the positioning member 344 is preferably Ra 0.1 μm or less. In addition, the material of the spherical portion of the positioning portion 341 is preferably alumina or the like in order to suppress deviation in position accuracy due to linear expansion.

[0034] Furthermore, the liquid ejection device 10 in this embodiment has an adjustment unit 342 that can adjust the distance between the positioning unit 341 and the ejection element substrate 210. In this embodiment, the adjustment unit 342 has a male thread shape, and the reference fixing member 350 (see FIG. 15) has a female thread shape, making it possible to adjust the height of the ejection element substrate 210 in the liquid ejection direction. Note that this is not limited to the above configuration, and the relationship between the male thread and the female thread may be reversed, and the height may be adjusted by a method other than using a screw.

[0035] In this embodiment, the height of the positioning portion 341 can be adjusted in the liquid ejection direction of the ejection element substrate 210 from the direction opposite to the insertion direction of the reference fixing member 350 into the support member 310. The height of the positioning portion 341 can be adjusted by adjusting the recess 343 of the adjustment portion 342 using a tool such as a screwdriver or a hexagonal wrench, and the shape of the recess 343 may be, for example, a cross recess, a hexagonal hole, or a flat-head slot. Also, the recess 343 may be adjusted by giving it a convex shape.

[0036] In this embodiment, the positioning portion 341 of the reference member 340 of the liquid ejection head 100 is spherical, and positioning is performed by the positioning portion 341 and a recess of the positioning member 344 of the liquid ejection device 10. Note that the opposite may also be true, in which the reference member 340 of the liquid ejection head 100 is recessed or grooved, and the positioning member 344 on the liquid ejection device 10 side is spherical.

[0037] By providing a reference member 340 on the liquid ejection head 100, the distance between the liquid ejection head 100 and the recording medium 20 set in the liquid ejection device 10 can be reduced, and as a result, the liquid ejection head 100 can be made smaller.

[0038] FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view showing the positioning portion between the liquid ejection head 100 and the liquid ejection device 10. The positioning member 344 is formed with a recess for receiving the reference member 340. The liquid ejection head 100 is fixed to the liquid ejection device 10 by abutting the liquid ejection head 100 against the positioning member 344 with the pressing member 720. The pressing member 720 is preferably an elastic member such as a rubber member or a spring member. In this embodiment, the positioning portion 341 of the reference member 340 is a sphere, and a groove or cone shape is provided on the positioning member 344 formed in the liquid ejection device 10 to abut the positioning portion 341. This makes it possible to position the liquid ejection head 100 easily and with high accuracy. The pressing direction by the pressing member 720 is preferably an axial direction including the liquid ejection direction.

[0039] FIG. 27 is a plan view of the liquid ejection head 100 as viewed from the bottom, which is the ejection port side, and FIG. 28 is a plan view of the liquid ejection head 100 as viewed from the top. As shown in FIG. 27, three reference fixing members 350 are provided on the liquid ejection head 100, two at one end in the Y direction and one at the other end between the two at one end in the X direction. Since there is only one plane that simultaneously passes through three points, it is known that an object is most stably supported at three points. Therefore, as in this embodiment, by providing three reference fixing members 350 and supporting the liquid ejection head 100 at three points, the liquid ejection head 100 can be stably supported. In addition, a configuration of the liquid ejection head 100 in which the center of gravity G of the liquid ejection head 100 is located inside a triangle with the three reference fixing members 350 as vertices on a plane viewed from the ejection surface side as shown in FIG. 27 is desirable in order to ensure stability when fixed.

[0040] 28, the reference members 340 are a first reference member 340a, a second reference member 340b, and a third reference member 340c at the respective reference positions in the liquid ejection head 100. The liquid connection part 501 and the refrigerant connection part 611 are arranged so as to be located inside a triangle formed by the three reference members 340 in a plane viewed from above the liquid ejection head 100. By arranging them in this way, it is possible to ensure the stability of the connection parts and the reference parts.

[0041] In this way, at least two reference members are provided at one end in the Y direction intersecting with the X direction, and at least one reference member is provided at the other end between the two reference members on one side in the X direction. Furthermore, the reference member has an adjustment unit, and the adjustment unit makes it possible to adjust the position of the ejection element substrate in the liquid ejection direction. This makes it possible to provide a liquid ejection head and a liquid ejection device that can suppress deterioration of recording quality.

[0042] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configuration.

[0043] (Configuration 1) an ejection element substrate on which a plurality of ejection ports for ejecting liquid are formed in a row in a first direction; A support member for supporting the ejection element substrate; a reference member attached to the support member, the reference member positioning the ejection element substrate by bringing a positioning portion into contact with a predetermined portion of the reference member, The liquid ejection head is characterized in that the reference member includes a first reference member and a second reference member arranged at one end in a second direction intersecting the first direction so as to be positioned at different positions in the first direction, and a third reference member arranged at the other end in the second direction between the first reference member and the second reference member in the first direction.

[0044] (Configuration 2) The liquid ejection head according to configuration 1, wherein the reference member has an adjustment portion, and the adjustment portion is capable of adjusting the position of the ejection element substrate in the ejection direction of liquid.

[0045] (Configuration 3) 3. The liquid ejection head according to configuration 1 or 2, wherein the positioning portion is substantially spherical.

[0046] (Configuration 4) 4. The liquid ejection head according to configuration 3, wherein the sphere of the positioning portion is made of alumina.

[0047] (Configuration 5) 5. The liquid ejection head according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, wherein the center of gravity of the surface on which the ejection ports are formed is inside a triangle having the three reference members as vertices.

[0048] (Configuration 6) the support member supports a plurality of the ejection element substrates, The ejection element substrate is arranged in the first direction and disposed in the second direction, A liquid ejection head described in any one of configurations 1 to 5, wherein the ejection element substrate arranged in the second direction is arranged so as to overlap in the second direction with two ejection element substrates arranged in the first direction.

[0049] (Configuration 7) 3. The liquid ejection head according to configuration 2, wherein the adjustment unit adjusts the position of the ejection element substrate by a screw.

[0050] (Configuration 8) 8. The liquid ejection head according to configuration 7, wherein the adjustment section has a recess on an opposite side to the positioning section.

[0051] (Configuration 9) 9. The liquid ejection head according to configuration 8, wherein the recess includes any one of a cross recess, a hexagonal recess, and a minus slot.

[0052] (Configuration 10) 3. The liquid ejection head according to configuration 2, wherein the positioning portion and the adjustment portion are formed of different members.

[0053] (Configuration 11) 3. The liquid ejection head according to configuration 2, wherein the positioning portion and the adjustment portion are integrally formed.

[0054] (Configuration 12) 12. The liquid ejection head according to any one of configurations 1 to 11, wherein the positioning portion abuts against the predetermined portion by being pressed in an axial direction including the ejection direction of the liquid.

[0055] (Configuration 13) A liquid ejection device comprising the liquid ejection head according to any one of configurations 1 to 12. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 10 Liquid dispensing device 100 Liquid ejection head 210 Ejection element substrate 310 Support member 340 Reference Component 341 Positioning part 342 Adjustment section 344 Positioning member 350 Reference Fixture

Claims

1. an ejection element substrate on which a plurality of ejection ports for ejecting liquid are formed in a row in a first direction; a support member that supports the ejection element substrate; a reference member attached to the support member, the reference member positioning the ejection element substrate by bringing a positioning portion into contact with a predetermined portion, the reference member includes a first reference member and a second reference member provided at one end in a second direction intersecting with the first direction so as to be positioned at different positions in the first direction, and a third reference member provided at the other end in the second direction between the first reference member and the second reference member in the first direction, The liquid ejection head is characterized in that the reference member has an adjustment portion, and the adjustment portion is capable of adjusting the distance between the positioning portion and the ejection element substrate in the liquid ejection direction.

2. The liquid ejection head according to claim 1 , wherein the positioning portion is substantially spherical.

3. The liquid ejection head according to claim 2 , wherein the sphere of the positioning portion is made of alumina.

4. 2. The liquid ejection head according to claim 1, wherein the center of gravity of the surface on which the ejection ports are formed is located inside a triangle having vertices defined by the three reference members.

5. the support member supports the plurality of ejection element substrates, the ejection element substrates are arranged in the first direction and disposed in the second direction; The liquid ejection head according to claim 1 , wherein the ejection element substrates arranged in the second direction are arranged so as to overlap in the second direction with two of the ejection element substrates arranged in the first direction.

6. A liquid ejection head as described in claim 1, wherein the adjustment unit adjusts the position of the ejection element substrate using a screw.

7. The liquid ejection head according to claim 6 , wherein a recess is provided on the adjustment portion on the opposite side to the positioning portion.

8. The liquid ejection head according to claim 7 , wherein the recessed portion includes one of a cross recess, a hexagonal recess, and a minus slot.

9. The liquid ejection head according to claim 1 , wherein the positioning portion and the adjustment portion are formed of separate members.

10. The liquid ejection head according to claim 1 , wherein the positioning portion and the adjustment portion are integrally formed.

11. The liquid ejection head according to claim 1 , wherein the positioning portion abuts against the predetermined portion by being pressed in an axial direction including the ejection direction of the liquid.

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