Liquid discharge head and recording device

Abstract

To provide a liquid discharge head which reduces a possibility that an electric connection part cover member is unintentionally removed from a housing of the liquid discharge head while inhibiting entry of a liquid into an electric connection part of the liquid discharge head, and to provide a recording device using the liquid discharge head.SOLUTION: A liquid discharge head 100 has: a discharge unit configured to discharge a liquid; a housing 420 covering the discharge unit; an electric connection part 402 electrically connected to an electric wiring board 12 of a recording device; and an electric connection part cover member 430 covering the electric connection part. Electric power is supplied from the recording device to the discharge unit through the electric connection part. The housing includes a recessed part 451 into which the electric connection part cover member is inserted. The electric connection part cover member has an insertion part 450 which may be inserted into the recessed part. The insertion part is covered by the recessed part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 23

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Among recording devices that record images, characters, etc., inkjet recording devices have a liquid ejection head for ejecting liquid onto a recording medium. In particular, inkjet recording devices used for business purposes such as business, commerce, and industry are required to have high durability that allows long-term use. That is, the liquid ejection head mounted on the inkjet recording device is also required to have high durability. One of the factors that reduces the durability of the liquid ejection head is, for example, liquid infiltration into the electrical connection between the inkjet recording device and the liquid ejection head. Factors that cause liquid infiltration into the electrical connection include, for example, dripping from the liquid connection when attaching and detaching the liquid ejection head from the recording device, and mist when ejecting liquid such as ink. If liquid infiltrates into the electrical connection between the inkjet recording device and the liquid ejection head, there is a concern that the electrical circuit will be short-circuited and the liquid ejection head will break down.

[0003] As a method for solving the above problem, Patent Document 1 discloses a liquid ejection head having an electrical connection cover member that covers the electrical connection between the recording device and the liquid ejection head. In this configuration, the electrical connection cover member is attached to the housing of the liquid ejection head so as to cover the electrical connection, thereby preventing liquid from entering. Furthermore, the electrical connection cover member has a protrusion for holding down the housing of the liquid ejection head, and by holding down the housing with the protrusion, the electrical connection cover member is prevented from coming off the housing of the liquid ejection head. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-4767 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, although the protrusions of the electrical connection cover member press down on the housing of the liquid ejection head, the electrical connection cover member itself, including the protrusions, is not inserted anywhere. Therefore, although the housing and the electrical connection cover member are fixed to a certain extent by the pressing force of the protrusions, if an unintended external force or the like is applied to the electrical connection cover member, there is a risk that the electrical connection cover member will come off the housing of the liquid ejection head relatively easily.

[0006] In view of the above problems, the present invention aims to provide a liquid ejection head and a recording device using the same, which suppresses liquid from penetrating into the electrical connection portion of the liquid ejection head while reducing the risk of the electrical connection portion cover member unintentionally coming off the housing of the liquid ejection head. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a liquid ejection head comprising an ejection unit that ejects liquid, a housing that covers the ejection unit, an electrical connection portion that is electrically connected to an electrical wiring board of a recording device, and an electrical connection portion cover member that covers the electrical connection portion, wherein power is supplied from the recording device to the ejection unit via the electrical connection portion, and wherein the housing has a recess into which the electrical connection portion cover member is inserted, the electrical connection portion cover member has an insertion portion that can be inserted into the recess, and the insertion portion is covered by the recess. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a liquid ejection head and a recording device using the same, which suppresses liquid from entering the electrical connection portion of the liquid ejection head while reducing the risk of the electrical connection portion cover member being unintentionally detached from the housing of the liquid ejection head. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an electrical connection configuration of the liquid ejection head. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of an electrode portion of the discharge unit. [Figure 10] FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the liquid ejection head as viewed from the ejection unit side. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid ejection head taken along line AA. [Figure 13] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid ejection head taken along the line BB. [Figure 14] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid ejection head taken along line CC. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a liquid connection configuration of the liquid ejection head. [Figure 16] 4 is a cross-sectional view of a liquid connection portion between the liquid supply unit and the liquid supply member. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a liquid connection configuration of the support unit. [Figure 18] FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. [Figure 20] FIG. [Figure 21] FIG. [Figure 22] DD cross-sectional view of the cooling unit. [Figure 23] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an electrical connection portion between the recording apparatus and the liquid ejection head. [Figure 24]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a liquid ejection head to which an electric wiring board is connected. [Diagram 25] FIG. 6 is an E-E cross-sectional view of the liquid ejection head to which an electric wiring board is connected. [Figure 26] FIG. [Figure 27] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid ejection head taken along line FF. [Figure 28] FIG. 4 is a front view of the liquid ejection head showing the periphery of an electrical connection portion cover member. [Figure 29] FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiment does not limit the subject matter of the present invention, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiment are necessarily essential to the solution of the present invention. Note that the same reference numbers are used for the same components.

[0011] (First embodiment) In this embodiment, a method of ejecting liquid using a piezoelectric element that generates pressure when a voltage is applied will be described as an example, but the present invention can also be applied to liquid ejection heads that use a thermal method of ejecting liquid using a thermoelectric conversion element, and various other liquid ejection methods.

[0012] Although the present embodiment is an inkjet recording apparatus in a form in which liquid such as ink is circulated between a tank and a liquid ejection head, other forms are also possible. For example, instead of circulating the ink, two tanks may be provided on the upstream side and downstream side of the liquid ejection head, and the ink may flow from one tank to the other tank to cause the ink to flow in the pressure chamber.

[0013] 1 is a perspective view of a recording apparatus 10 according to this embodiment. The recording apparatus 10 of this embodiment is a one-pass type inkjet recording apparatus that records an image or the like by moving the recording medium 20 relative to a liquid ejection head 100 that ejects liquid arranged across the entire width of the recording medium 20. The recording medium 20 is transported in the direction of arrow A by a transport unit 11, and recording is performed by the liquid ejection head 100. The inkjet recording apparatus of this embodiment has two liquid ejection heads in rows a and b for each of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K). The arrangement of the liquid ejection heads and the number of liquid ejection heads are not limited to this.

[0014] Next, the configuration of the liquid ejection head 100 according to this embodiment will be described. FIGS. 2 and 3 are perspective views of the liquid ejection head 100 according to this embodiment, and FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the liquid ejection head 100. In the liquid ejection head 100 of this embodiment, four recording element substrates 210 capable of ejecting liquid are arranged in a staggered pattern on a support member 310. The number of recording element substrates 210 is not limited to four, and the recording element substrates 210 do not have to be arranged in a staggered pattern. The liquid ejection head 100 is positioned in the recording device 10 by a reference member 340. An ink connection portion 501 and a refrigerant connection portion 611, which are liquid connection portions, are provided in the approximate center of the upper end portion of the liquid ejection head 100 (housing), and are connected to an ink supply portion and a refrigerant supply portion on the recording device 10 side, respectively, to supply liquid such as ink and refrigerant into the liquid ejection head 100. The liquid ejection head exterior portion has a housing 420 that covers the ejection unit 200 that ejects liquid. Furthermore, the housing 420 has an electrical connection part cover member 430 that covers the electrical connection part 402 that is electrically connected to the electrical wiring board 12 (FIG. 23) of the inkjet recording device. In this embodiment, two electrical connection parts 402 and two electrical connection part cover members 430 are provided for one liquid ejection head 100, but this is not limited to the above. When at least two electrical connection parts 402 and two electrical connection part cover members 430 are provided, it is preferable that the at least two electrical connection part cover members face each other so as to sandwich the liquid connection part as shown in FIG. 23. If liquid leaks from the ink connection part 501 to the left side of the paper, there is a risk that the liquid will adhere to the electrical connection part cover on the left side of the paper. On the other hand, since the electrical connection part cover member 430 on the right side of the paper is on the opposite side, the risk that the liquid will adhere to the electrical connection part cover member 430 on the right side of the paper is reduced. Therefore, by having at least two electrical connection portion cover members facing each other on either side of the liquid connection portion as shown in Figure 23, it is possible to prevent both the electrical connection cover on the left side of the page and the electrical connection cover member on the right side of the page from becoming contaminated with liquid.

[0015] The liquid ejection head 100 has a support unit 300 including a support member 310, an electric relay board 400, and an electric relay board support member 410 that holds the electric relay board 400. That is, the liquid ejection head 100 has a liquid supply unit 500 that supplies liquid to the ejection unit 200 via the support unit 300, and a cooling unit 600 that cools the drive circuit. That is, the electric relay board 400 is disposed inside a housing 420. Furthermore, the liquid supply unit 500 that supplies liquid to the ejection unit 200 via the support unit 300, and a cooling unit 600 that cools the drive circuit. The support member 310 is disposed between the ejection unit 200 and the housing 420. The configuration of each part of the liquid ejection head 100 will be described in detail below.

[0016] FIG. 5 is a perspective view for explaining the electrical connection configuration of the liquid ejection head 100 according to this embodiment. The liquid ejection head 100 has an electrical connection portion 402, an electrical relay board 400, an electrical connection terminal 401, and a flexible wiring board 250 as the electrical connection configuration. The recording device 10 and the liquid ejection head 100 are electrically connected by connecting the electrical wiring board 12 (FIG. 25) and the electrical relay board 400 at the electrical connection portion 402. The electrical relay board 400 supplies (relays) the power supplied from the recording device to the flexible wiring board 250 via the electrical connection terminal 401. The power supplied to the flexible wiring board 250 is supplied to the recording element board 210 via an electrode portion 212 (FIG. 9) described later. In this way, the ejection drive signal and power required for ejecting liquid from the liquid ejection head are supplied from the recording device 10 to the liquid ejection head 100. In other words, electricity is supplied from the recording device 10 to the ejection unit 200 via the electrical connection portion 402. By consolidating the wiring using the electrical circuit in the electrical relay board 400, the number of terminals of the electrical connection part 402 can be made smaller than the number of terminals of the recording element board 210. This reduces the number of electrical connections required when attaching and detaching the liquid ejection head 100 to the recording apparatus 10. The electrical connection part 402 is preferably formed at an end part of the electrical relay board 400.

[0017] 6 and 7 are perspective views of the discharge unit 200, and FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the discharge unit 200. The discharge unit 200 has a recording element substrate 210 equipped with a pressure generating element that generates pressure for discharging liquid. The discharge unit 200 further comprises a recording element substrate flow path member 220 that supplies liquid to the recording element substrate 210, a flow path member 240, and a recording element substrate support member 230 that is joined to the discharge surface side of the recording element substrate 210. It is preferable that the pressure generating element has a piezoelectric element that is driven by application of a voltage. Piezoelectric elements generally have a longer life than thermoelectric conversion elements that are pressure generating elements of a thermal system, and in a piezoelectric recording device, the liquid discharge head is likely to be replaced more frequently. Therefore, the present invention is more suitable for a piezoelectric recording device.

[0018] 9 is an enlarged view of the electrode portion 212 of the discharge unit 200. As shown in FIG. 9, the electrode portion 212 is provided on the thin plate portion 261 at both ends of the recording element substrate 210. The recording element substrate 210 and the flexible wiring substrate 250 are electrically connected by contacting the first electrical connection portion 252 of the flexible wiring substrate 250 with the electrode portion 212. In order to prevent liquid from entering the electrical connection portion and to reinforce the thin plate portion 261 of the recording element substrate 210, the recording element substrate support member 230 is joined to the discharge surface side of the thin plate portion 261. The flexible wiring substrate 250 is provided with a drive circuit board 251 for driving the recording elements of the recording element substrate 210.

[0019] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a support unit 300 that supports the discharge units 200. The support unit 300 has a support member 310 to which the discharge units 200 are joined, a frame member 320 that surrounds the discharge units, and a liquid supply member 330 in which a flow path is formed to supply liquid to each discharge unit 200 via the support member 310. In addition, the support unit 300 has a reference member 340 that has a positioning function with respect to the recording device 10, and a reference fixing member 350 for fixing the reference member 340 to the support member 310. It is preferable that the support member 310, the frame member 320, and the liquid supply member 330 are formed of the same material or materials with similar linear expansion coefficients, taking into consideration the influence of thermal expansion due to, for example, ink heating temperature control or environmental fluctuations. This makes it possible to suppress deformation of the entire support unit during thermal expansion and the associated deterioration in positional accuracy of the recording element substrate 210.

[0020] FIG. 11 is a plan view of the liquid ejection head 100 seen from the surface of the ejection unit 200. Furthermore, FIG. 12 shows an AA cross-sectional view, FIG. 13 shows a BB cross-sectional view, and FIG. 14 shows a CC cross-sectional view of the liquid ejection head 100 of this embodiment. The flow path member 240 and the liquid supply member 330 are joined to the support member 310, and each liquid flow path is liquid-connected. The support member 310 has three holes for inserting the reference fixing member 350, and the reference fixing member 350 is fixed to these holes, and the reference member 340 is fixed to the reference fixing member 350. Note that the number of points fixed by the reference fixing member 350 is not limited to this. The reference fixing member 350 may be an integral part with the support member 310. The housing 420 is connected to the upper part of the support member 310 and has a sealing member 421 that can seal the gap between the housing 420 and the support member 310. With such a configuration, for example, it is possible to suppress the infiltration of liquid into the liquid ejection head 100 due to dripping of liquid from the ink connection part 501 or the refrigerant connection part 611 when attaching or detaching the liquid ejection head 100 to the recording apparatus 10, or mist during ejection of liquid such as ink. As the material for the sealing member 421, elastomer or the like can be suitably used. As a method for forming the sealing member, for example, a method of two-color molding (bonding) or bonding to the housing 420 can be mentioned. When the housing 420 and the sealing member 421 are two-color molded (bonded), the difficulty of molding the housing 420 increases, but the number of parts constituting the liquid ejection head 100 and the mounting process can be reduced. On the other hand, when the housing 420 and the sealing member 421 are bonded, the number of parts constituting the liquid ejection head 100 and the mounting process increase, but the manufacturing of the sealing member 421 can be performed more easily than when two-color molding is used.

[0021] 15 is a perspective view showing the liquid connection configuration of the liquid ejection head 100 according to this embodiment. The liquid supply unit 500 has an ink connection section 501, and is connected to a liquid supply system of the recording device 10. This allows liquid to be supplied from the supply system of the recording device to the liquid ejection head 100, and liquid not ejected from the liquid ejection head 100 is collected into the supply system of the recording device 10. In this way, the liquid can be circulated between the recording device 10 and the liquid ejection head 100. It is preferable that filters (not shown) communicating with each opening of the ink connection section 501 are provided inside the liquid supply unit 500 in order to remove foreign matter from the ink being supplied.

[0022] 16 is a cross-sectional view of a liquid connection portion between a liquid supply unit 500 and a liquid supply member 330. Liquid that has flowed into the liquid ejection head 100 from the recording apparatus 10 side through an ink connection portion 501 passes through a communication port 502 and is supplied to the liquid supply member 330. The gap between the liquid supply unit 500 and the liquid supply member 330 is sealed by an elastic member 503.

[0023] FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing the liquid connection configuration of the support unit, and FIG. 18 is a flow path cross-sectional view of the discharge unit 200. The liquid supply unit 500 and the liquid supply member 330 are liquidly connected by a communication port 331. A flow path for distributing liquid to each discharge unit 200 is formed in the liquid supply member 330. The liquid supply member 330 and the support member 310 are liquidly connected by a communication port 311. The support member 310 and each discharge unit 200 are liquidly connected by a communication port 241 of the flow path member 240. A liquid flow path 242 is formed in the flow path member 240, and is liquidly connected to the recording element substrate flow path member 220 via the communication port 221.

[0024] 19 is a cross-sectional view of a flow path in the recording element substrate. The liquid flowing in from each communication port 221 passes through a common flow path 222 and is supplied to the recording element substrate 210. The ejection unit 200 (recording element substrate 210) has a piezoelectric element 262 that is driven by application of a voltage, and ejects liquid from the ejection port 213 by pressure generated by driving the piezoelectric element 262. In the liquid ejection head 100 of this embodiment, liquid that is not ejected from the ejection port is collected in the inkjet recording device through the common flow path 222 and the communication port 221, as described above.

[0025] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a cooling unit 600 for cooling the drive circuit board 251, FIG. 21 is an exploded perspective view of the cooling unit 600, and FIG. 22 is a DD cross-sectional view of the cooling unit 600. The cooling unit 600 has a refrigerant connection part 611 and is connected to a refrigerant supply system of the recording device 10. As a result, the refrigerant is supplied from the refrigerant supply system of the recording device 10 to the cooling unit 600, and the refrigerant that has passed through the cooling unit 600 is collected by the refrigerant supply system of the recording device 10. In this way, the refrigerant can circulate between the recording device 10 and the cooling unit 600. The refrigerant that flows in from the refrigerant connection part 611 is branched by a refrigerant flow path formed between the first refrigerant supply member 610 and the second refrigerant supply member 620. The second refrigerant supply member 620 and the first cooling member 630 are liquid-connected via a seal member 670. The refrigerant branched in the second refrigerant supply member 620 circulates in a refrigerant flow path formed between the first cooling member 630 and the second cooling member 640, and flows out again into the second refrigerant supply member 620. The first cooling member 630 is configured to transfer heat generated during operation of the drive circuit board 251 to the refrigerant in the first cooling member 630 by abutting the drive circuit board 251 with the heat conductive member 650 sandwiched therebetween. An elastic member 660 is provided between the two flexible wiring boards 250, which makes it possible to reliably bring the heat conductive member 650 into close contact with the drive circuit board 251. It is preferable to select a material with high thermal conductivity, such as aluminum, for the first cooling member 630 in order to easily transfer heat generated in the drive circuit board 251.

[0026] Next, the electrical connection cover member 430, which is a characteristic feature of the present invention, will be described in detail. Fig. 23 is a cross-sectional view showing the electrical connection between the recording apparatus 10 and the liquid ejection head 100. Fig. 23(a) shows a state in which the liquid ejection head 100 and the electric wiring board 12 of the recording apparatus 10 are not connected, and Fig. 23(b) shows a state immediately before the liquid ejection head 100 and the electric wiring board 12 of the recording apparatus 10 are connected. Fig. 24 is a perspective view of the liquid ejection head 100 connected to the electric wiring board 12, and Fig. 25 shows an E-E cross-sectional view of the liquid ejection head 100 connected to the electric wiring board 12 in Fig. 24.

[0027] The liquid ejection head 100 according to this embodiment has an electrical connection cover member 430 that covers the electrical connection portion 402. As described above, the liquid ejection head 100 has an ink connection portion 501 and a coolant connection portion 611 at the approximate center of the upper end portion thereof, which are connected to the ink supply portion and the coolant supply portion on the recording device side, respectively, and liquid such as ink and coolant are supplied into the liquid ejection head 100. In the liquid ejection head according to this embodiment, two electrical connection portions 402 and electrical connection cover members 430 are provided for one liquid ejection head 100, and are arranged opposite to each other so as to sandwich the ink supply portion and the coolant supply portion. The connection direction of the electrical connection portion 402 and the electrical wiring board 12 is approximately the same as the connection direction of the ink connection portion 501 and the coolant connection portion 611 to the ink supply portion and the coolant supply portion on the recording device side, and is approximately vertical when the liquid ejection head 100 is in use. Here, the usage state of the liquid ejection head 100 refers to the arrangement state of the liquid ejection head 100 in a state where the recording apparatus 10 can normally record images, characters, and the like.

[0028] By covering the electrical connection portion 402 with the electrical connection portion cover member 430, for example, it is possible to suppress the infiltration of liquid into the electrical connection portion 402 due to dripping of liquid from the liquid connection portion when attaching and detaching the liquid ejection head from the recording device, or mist when ejecting liquid such as ink. Furthermore, the housing 420 has a recess 451 into which the electrical connection portion cover member 430 is inserted, and the electrical connection portion cover member 430 has an insertion portion 450 that can be inserted into the recess. The electrical connection portion cover member 430 is inserted into the housing 420 in the direction of the thick arrow toward the insertion portion 450 in FIG. 23. Then, the electrical connection portion cover member 430 can be attached to the housing 420 by rotating the insertion portion 450 in the direction of the rotation arrow as a starting point. With this configuration, it is possible for the electrical connection portion cover member 430 to protect the electrical connection portion 402. By inserting the plug-in portion 450 into the recess 451, the fitting force (jointing force) between the electrical connection portion cover member 430 and the housing 420 becomes larger than when the electrical connection portion cover member 430 is not inserted anywhere as in Patent Document 1. This makes it possible to prevent the electrical connection portion cover member 430 from coming off the housing 420 even if an unintended external force or the like is applied to the electrical connection portion cover member 430. In addition, since the plug-in portion 450 is covered by the recess 451, it is possible to prevent the electrical connection portion cover member 430 from coming off unintentionally from the housing 420 even if an object accidentally touches the plug-in portion 450 or the liquid ejection head vibrates. In other words, it is possible to reduce the risk of the electrical connection portion cover member coming off unintentionally from the housing of the liquid ejection head while preventing liquid from entering the electrical connection portion of the liquid ejection head.

[0029] Fig. 24 is a perspective view of the liquid ejection head 100 in a state where the electric wiring board 12 is connected, that is, in a state where the liquid ejection head 100 is in use. Fig. 25 is an E-E sectional view of Fig. 24. When the liquid ejection head 100 is in a state where it is in use, the electric wiring board 12 protrudes from the electric connection portion cover member 430. In other words, at least a portion of the electric connection portion cover member 430 is in contact with the electric wiring board 12. It is preferable that the electric connection portion cover member 430 is in contact with the electric wiring board 12 at a position opposite to the position where the insertion portion 450 is formed.

[0030] 26, the electrical connection portion cover member 430 has a first elastic portion 431, and it is preferable that the electrical connection portion cover member 430 and the electrical wiring board 12 are in contact with each other via the first elastic portion. With such a configuration, the sealing performance between the electrical connection portion cover member 430 and the electrical wiring board 12 is improved, and the infiltration of liquid into the electrical connection portion 402 can be further suppressed. Note that, although it is preferable that the first elastic portion 431 is joined or adhered to the electrical connection portion cover member 430, the electrical connection portion cover member 430 itself may be formed of an elastic member.

[0031] In addition, it is preferable that the electric wiring board 12 is a flexible wiring board. When the electric wiring board 12 is formed of a flexible material such as a flexible wiring board, the sealing performance between the electric connection portion cover member 430 and the electric wiring board 12 is improved, and the infiltration of liquid into the electric connection portion 402 can be further suppressed.

[0032] 26, it is preferable that the electrical connection portion cover member 430 has a rib portion 433 on the back side of the surface having the first elastic portion 431. With this configuration, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the sealing performance of the electrical connection portion cover member 430 caused by the reaction force of the first elastic portion 431 when the electrical connection portion cover member 430 abuts against the electrical wiring board 12 via the first elastic portion 431. In other words, it is possible to further suppress the intrusion of liquid into the electrical connection portion 402.

[0033] As the material of the first elastic portion 431, elastomer or the like can be suitably used. Examples of the manufacturing method thereof include a two-color molding (bonding) method and an adhesion method to the electrical connection portion cover member 430. In the case of two-color molding (bonding), it is more difficult to mold the electrical connection portion cover member 430, but it is possible to reduce the number of parts and mounting steps constituting the liquid ejection head 100. On the other hand, in the case of adhesion, the number of parts and mounting steps constituting the liquid ejection head 100 increase, but the manufacturing of the elastic portion 431 can be performed more easily than in the case of two-color molding.

[0034] 27 is an FF cross-sectional view of the liquid ejection head 100 in FIG. 24. The housing 420 has an opening 440 that houses the electrical connection portion 402. The electrical connection portion cover member 430 is configured to cover the electrical connection portion 402 by covering the opening 440. At this time, it is preferable that at least one side of the electrical connection portion cover member 430 abuts against the opening 440 when the insertion portion 450 is inserted into the recess 451. With this configuration, it is possible to reduce the gap between the electrical connection portion cover member 430 and the opening 440. That is, the infiltration of liquid into the electrical connection portion 402 can be further suppressed.

[0035] Furthermore, it is more preferable that at least three sides of the electrical connection portion cover member 430 abut against the opening 440. In this embodiment, three sides of the electrical connection portion cover member 430 abut against the opening 440, other than the side where the electrical connection portion cover member 430 abuts against the electrical wiring board 12 via the first elastic portion 431. With this configuration, it is possible to further reduce the gap between the electrical connection portion cover member 430 and the opening 440. Also, it is preferable that the width W (FIG. 27) where the electrical connection portion cover member 430 abuts against the opening 440 is 1 mm or more. If the width W is too small, the effect of suppressing the intrusion of liquid may be reduced.

[0036] Furthermore, it is preferable that the electrical connection portion cover member 430 and the opening 440 come into contact with each other via a second elastic portion (not shown). With such a configuration, the sealing performance between the electrical connection portion cover member 430 and the opening 440 is improved, and the infiltration of liquid into the electrical connection portion 402 can be further suppressed. The second elastic portion 432 may be provided in either the electrical connection portion cover member 430 or the housing 420 (opening 440). The material and manufacturing method of the second elastic portion 432 are the same as those of the first elastic portion 431.

[0037] FIG. 28 is a front view of the liquid ejection head 100 showing the periphery of the electrical connection portion cover member 430. The housing 420 preferably has a first protrusion 470, and the electrical connection portion cover member 430 preferably has a first fitting portion 471 into which the first protrusion 470 fits. With such a configuration, it is possible to further prevent the electrical connection portion cover member 430 from being unintentionally detached from the housing 420 due to an external force or the like. It is preferable that the position of the electrical connection portion cover member 430 at which the first fitting portion 471 is provided is a side that does not have the insertion portion 450 and does not abut against the electrical wiring board 12 via the first elastic portion 431. Also, it is preferable that the position of the housing 420 at which the first protrusion is provided is a side that does not have the recess 451.

[0038] FIG. 29 is a top view of the liquid ejection head 100. The electrical connection portion cover member preferably has a second protrusion 480, and the housing 420 preferably has a second fitting portion 481 into which the second protrusion 480 fits. With this configuration, it is possible to further suppress the intrusion of liquid into the electrical connection portion 402. Furthermore, it is preferable that the electrical connection portion cover member 430 has a lever portion 482 extending in a direction covering the housing 420, and the second protrusion 480 is formed on the lever portion 482. With this configuration, the second protrusion 480 can be fitted into the second fitting portion 481, and the electrical connection portion cover member 430 can be firmly attached to the housing 420. Therefore, it is possible to further reduce the risk of the electrical connection portion cover member being unintentionally detached from the housing of the liquid ejection head. Moreover, by deforming the lever portion 482 inward, the second protrusion portion 480 can be released from the state where it is fitted into the second fitting portion 481, and the electrical connection portion cover member 430 can be easily removed from the housing 420. In other words, the electrical connection portion cover member 430 can be easily removed when attaching or detaching the liquid ejection head 100, while preventing the electrical connection portion cover member 430 from being unintentionally removed.

[0039] As described above, in the liquid ejection head of this embodiment, the insertion portion of the electrical connection portion cover member is inserted into (covered by) the recess in the housing, thereby suppressing the infiltration of liquid into the electrical connection portion while reducing the risk of the electrical connection portion cover member being unintentionally detached from the housing.

[0040] To summarize the present invention as described above, the present invention includes the following configurations.

[0041] (Configuration 1) A liquid ejection head comprising: an ejection unit that ejects liquid; a housing that covers the ejection unit; an electrical connection portion that is electrically connected to an electrical wiring board of a recording device; and an electrical connection portion cover member that covers the electrical connection portion, wherein power is supplied from the recording device to the ejection unit via the electrical connection portion, wherein the housing has a recess into which the electrical connection portion cover member is inserted, the electrical connection portion cover member has an insertion portion that can be inserted into the recess, and the insertion portion is covered by the recess.

[0042] (Configuration 2) 2. The liquid ejection head according to configuration 1, wherein at least a portion of the electrical connection portion cover member abuts against the electrical wiring board.

[0043] (Configuration 3) 3. The liquid ejection head according to configuration 1 or 2, wherein the electrical connection portion cover member has a first elastic portion and abuts against the electrical wiring board via the first elastic portion.

[0044] (Configuration 4) 4. The liquid ejection head according to configuration 3, wherein the electrical connection portion cover member has a rib portion on a surface opposite to a surface having the first elastic portion.

[0045] (Configuration 5) 5. The liquid ejection head according to any one of configurations 2 to 4, wherein the electrical connection portion cover member abuts against the electrical wiring board at a position opposite to a position where the insertion portion is formed.

[0046] (Configuration 6) A liquid ejection head described in any one of configurations 1 to 5, wherein the housing has an opening for accommodating the electrical connection portion, the electrical connection portion cover member covers the opening, and when the insertion portion is inserted into the recess, at least one edge of the electrical connection portion cover member abuts against the opening.

[0047] (Configuration 7) The liquid ejection head according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, wherein at least three sides of the electrical connection portion cover member abut against the opening.

[0048] (Configuration 8) The liquid ejection head according to configuration 6 or 7, wherein the width of the electrical connection portion cover member that abuts against the opening is 1 mm or more.

[0049] (Configuration 9) The liquid ejection head according to any one of configurations 6 to 8, wherein the electrical connection portion cover member and the opening portion are in contact with each other via a second elastic portion.

[0050] (Configuration 10) The liquid ejection head according to any one of configurations 6 to 9, wherein at least three sides of the electrical connection portion cover member abut against the opening via the second elastic portion.

[0051] (Configuration 11) 10. The liquid ejection head according to configuration 9, wherein the second elastic portion is included in the electrical connection portion cover member.

[0052] (Configuration 12) The liquid ejection head according to configuration 9 or 10, wherein the second elastic portion is provided in the opening.

[0053] (Configuration 13) A liquid ejection head described in any one of configurations 1 to 12, wherein the housing has a first protrusion, and the electrical connection portion cover member has a first fitting portion into which the first protrusion fits.

[0054] (Configuration 14) 14. A liquid ejection head according to any one of configurations 1 to 13, wherein the electrical connection portion cover member has a second protrusion, and the housing has a second fitting portion into which the second protrusion fits.

[0055] (Configuration 15) the electrical connection portion cover member has a lever portion extending in a direction covering the housing, 15. The liquid ejection head according to configuration 14, wherein the second protrusion is formed on the lever portion.

[0056] (Configuration 16) the discharge unit includes a recording element substrate having a pressure generating element that generates a pressure for discharging liquid, and a flexible wiring substrate that is electrically connected to the recording element substrate; an electrical relay board is disposed inside the housing, the electrical relay board being electrically connected to the flexible wiring board and relaying electricity to the flexible wiring board; 16. The liquid ejection head according to any one of configurations 1 to 15, wherein the electrical connection portion is formed at an end portion of the electrical relay board.

[0057] (Configuration 17) 17. The liquid ejection head according to configuration 16, wherein the pressure generating element is a piezoelectric element that is driven by application of a voltage.

[0058] (Configuration 18) 18. The liquid ejection head according to any one of configurations 1 to 17, wherein the housing has a liquid connection part that is liquid-connected to the recording device.

[0059] (Configuration 19) The electrical connection portion and the electrical connection portion cover member are provided in at least two pieces. 19. The liquid ejection head according to configuration 18, wherein the at least two electrical connection portion cover members cover the electrical connection portion in opposing positions so as to sandwich the liquid connection portion.

[0060] (Configuration 20) 20. The liquid ejection head according to any one of configurations 1 to 19, further comprising: a support member that supports the ejection unit and connects to the housing; and a sealing member that seals a gap between the housing and the support member.

[0061] (Configuration 21) 21. The liquid ejection head according to configuration 20, wherein the sealing member is adhered to the housing.

[0062] (Configuration 22) 21. The liquid ejection head according to configuration 20, wherein the sealing member is bonded to the housing.

[0063] (Configuration 23) 23. The liquid ejection head according to any one of configurations 1 to 22, wherein the electric wiring board is a flexible wiring board.

[0064] (Configuration 24) 24. A recording apparatus comprising the liquid ejection head according to claim 1. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 10 Recording Device 12 Electrical wiring board 100 Liquid ejection head 200 Discharge Unit 250 Flexible wiring board 402 Electrical Connections 420 Case 430 Electrical connection cover member 440 Opening 450 Insertion part 451 Recess

Claims

1. A discharge unit that discharges a liquid; A housing that covers the discharge unit; an electrical connection portion electrically connected to an electrical wiring board of the recording device; an electrical connection portion cover member for covering the electrical connection portion; having a liquid ejection head in which power is supplied from the recording apparatus to the ejection unit via the electrical connection portion, the housing has a recess into which the electrical connection portion cover member is inserted, the electrical connection portion cover member has an insertion portion that can be inserted into the recess, The liquid ejection head is characterized in that the insertion portion is covered by the recess.

2. The liquid ejection head according to claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the electrical connection portion cover member abuts against the electrical wiring board.

3. 3. The liquid ejection head according to claim 2, wherein the electrical connection portion cover member has a first elastic portion and abuts against the electrical wiring board via the first elastic portion.

4. The liquid ejection head according to claim 3 , wherein the electrical connection portion cover member has a rib portion on a surface opposite to a surface having the first elastic portion.

5. The liquid ejection head according to claim 2 , wherein the electrical connection portion cover member abuts against the electrical wiring board at a position opposite to a position where the insertion portion is formed.

6. the housing has an opening for receiving the electrical connection portion; the electrical connection portion cover member covers the opening, The liquid ejection head according to claim 1 , wherein at least one side of the electrical connection portion cover member abuts against the opening when the insertion portion is inserted into the recess.

7. The liquid ejection head according to claim 6 , wherein at least three sides of the electrical connection portion cover member abut against the opening.

8. 8. The liquid ejection head according to claim 6, wherein a width of said electrical connection portion cover member that abuts against said opening is 1 mm or more.

9. 8. The liquid ejection head according to claim 6, wherein the electrical connection portion cover member and the opening portion are in contact with each other via a second elastic portion.

10. The liquid ejection head according to claim 9 , wherein at least three sides of the electrical connection portion cover member come into contact with the opening via the second elastic portion.

11. The liquid ejection head according to claim 9 , wherein the second elastic portion is provided in the electrical connection portion cover member.

12. The liquid ejection head according to claim 9 , wherein the second elastic portion is provided in the opening portion.

13. The housing has a first protrusion, The liquid ejection head according to claim 1 , wherein the electrical connection portion cover member has a first fitting portion into which the first protrusion is fitted.

14. the electrical connection portion cover member has a second protrusion, The liquid ejection head according to claim 1 , wherein the housing is provided with a second fitting portion into which the second protrusion is fitted.

15. the electrical connection portion cover member has a lever portion extending in a direction covering the housing, The liquid ejection head according to claim 14 , wherein the second protrusion is formed on the lever portion.

16. the discharge unit includes a recording element substrate having a pressure generating element that generates a pressure for discharging liquid, and a flexible wiring substrate that is electrically connected to the recording element substrate; an electrical relay board is disposed inside the housing, the electrical relay board being electrically connected to the flexible wiring board and relaying electricity to the flexible wiring board; The liquid ejection head according to claim 1 , wherein the electrical connection portion is formed at an end portion of the electrical relay board.

17. 17. The liquid ejection head according to claim 16, wherein the pressure generating element is a piezoelectric element that is driven by application of a voltage.

18. The liquid ejection head according to claim 1 , wherein the housing has a liquid connection part that is liquid-connected to the recording device.

19. The electrical connection portion and the electrical connection portion cover member are provided in at least two pieces. The liquid ejection head according to claim 18 , wherein the at least two electrical connection portion cover members cover the electrical connection portion in opposing positions so as to sandwich the liquid connection portion.

20. a support member that supports the discharge unit and is connected to the housing; a sealing member that seals a gap between the housing and the support member; The liquid ejection head according to claim 1 , further comprising:

21. The liquid ejection head according to claim 20 , wherein the sealing member is adhered to the housing.

22. The liquid ejection head according to claim 20 , wherein the sealing member is joined to the housing.

23. 2. The liquid ejection head according to claim 1, wherein the electric wiring board is a flexible wiring board.

24. A recording apparatus comprising the liquid ejection head according to any one of claims 1 to 23.

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