Liquid discharge head and liquid discharge device

Abstract

To provide a liquid discharge head which enables simplification of the structure of the device, and to provide a liquid discharge device.SOLUTION: A liquid discharge head includes: a nozzle plate 14 having nozzles for discharging a liquid; a needle valve 8 serving as a valve member which opens or closes a nozzles 14a; and a compression spring 7 serving as biasing means which biases the needle valve 8 so that the needle valve 8 is located at a closing position where the needle valve 8 closes the nozzles 14a. Further, the liquid discharge head includes: a moving mechanism which moves the needle valve 8 from the closing position to an open position where the needle valve 8 opens the nozzles 14a. The moving mechanism has: an actuator 2; and a link mechanism 6 which comprises a plurality of link members and moves the needle valve 8 in conjunction with displacement of the actuator 2. One of the link members is formed as a bending member 9 which is deformed in a bending manner.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid ejection head and an apparatus for ejecting a liquid.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a liquid ejection head including a nozzle plate having nozzles for ejecting a liquid, a valve member for opening and closing the nozzles, biasing means for biasing the valve member to a closed position where the valve member closes the nozzles, and a moving mechanism for moving the valve member from the closed position to an open position for opening the nozzles.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a liquid ejection head having a moving mechanism including a piezoelectric element as an actuator, and a lever as a link member rotatably supported, one end of which is connected to the piezoelectric element and the other end of which is connected to a needle as a valve member. Further, the piezoelectric element is held in a piezoelectric element casing so as to be movable in the displacement direction of the piezoelectric element, and the piezoelectric element is biased toward the lever side by a first spring via a weight. When a sealing portion for sealing the nozzle of the needle has worn, the piezoelectric element is raised against the biasing force of the first spring by the biasing force for pressing the sealing portion of the needle of a second spring as biasing means for biasing the valve member, to rotate the lever. Thereby, it is possible to press the sealing portion of the needle against the nozzle, and even if the sealing portion for sealing the nozzle of the needle has worn, it is possible to seal the nozzle well, and it is described that liquid leakage from the nozzle can be prevented.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, there has been a problem that the configuration is complicated.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a liquid discharge head including a nozzle plate having a nozzle for discharging a liquid, a valve member for opening and closing the nozzle, a biasing means for biasing the valve member to a closed position where the valve member closes the nozzle, and a moving mechanism for moving the valve member from the closed position to an open position where the nozzle is opened. In the moving mechanism, an actuator and a link mechanism composed of a plurality of link members are provided, and the link mechanism moves the valve member in conjunction with the displacement of the actuator. One of the plurality of link members is a bending member that bends and deforms.

Advantages of the Invention

[0006] According to the present invention, the configuration of the device can be simplified.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that those skilled in the art can easily make changes and modifications to the present invention within the scope of the claims to form other embodiments, and these changes and modifications are included in the scope of the claims. The following description is an example of the best mode in this invention and does not limit the scope of the claims.

[0009] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the liquid discharging head 10 according to the present embodiment. In the following description, the nozzle array direction (longitudinal direction of the liquid discharging head) will be described as the X direction, the liquid discharging direction from the nozzle (height direction of the liquid discharging head) will be described as the Z direction, and the direction orthogonal to both the X direction and the Z direction (lateral direction of the liquid discharging head) will be described as the Y direction.

[0010] The liquid discharging head 10 has a nozzle plate 14, a flow path member 15, and a cover 11 as a housing member. A supply port 12 for supplying liquid is provided at one end of the flow path member 15 in the X direction, and a recovery port 13 for discharging liquid is provided at the other end of the flow path member 15 in the X direction. Further, a harness through hole 16 for passing a harness for communicating with a piezoelectric element 2 as an actuator housed in the cover is provided in the upper part of the cover 11.

[0011] The nozzle plate 14, the flow path member 15, and the cover 11 are made of metal, resin, or ceramics. The cover 11 houses and supports a liquid ejection module 1 (see FIG. 3) described later inside. The flow path member 15 defines a flow path through which the liquid flows, and the nozzle plate 14 has a plurality of nozzles for ejecting the liquid. The nozzle plate 14 is mechanically (removably) fixed to the flow path member 15, and the cover 11 is mechanically (removably) fixed to the flow path member 15.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of the nozzle arrangement of the nozzle plate 14. As shown in FIG. 2(a), one nozzle row can be provided at the center of the nozzle plate in the Y direction (the short side direction of the head), or as shown in FIG. 2(b), the nozzles 14a can be arranged in a staggered pattern to provide two nozzle rows in the Y direction. Note that the nozzle arrangement shown in FIG. 2 is an example. For example, the nozzles may be arranged in a staggered pattern to provide two sets of two nozzle rows in the Y direction, having a total of four nozzle rows, or a plurality of nozzle rows with the same position of the nozzles in the X direction (the long side direction of the head) may be provided. The liquid ejection head of the embodiment described below has the nozzles 14a shown in FIG. 2(b) arranged in a staggered pattern to provide two nozzle rows in the Y direction.

[0013] FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of the main part of the liquid ejection head, (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 1, and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG. 1. In the housing portion 11a of the cover 11, a plurality of liquid ejection modules 1 provided corresponding to the respective nozzles 14a are housed in a two-row staggered arrangement. Each liquid ejection module 1 includes a needle valve 8 that is a valve member for opening and closing the nozzle 14a, a link mechanism 6, and a moving mechanism 17 having a piezoelectric element 2 as an actuator.

[0014] The plurality of liquid ejection modules 1 are arranged alternately in the X direction in two rows within the accommodation portion 11a of the cover 11 so as to face the needle valve 8 side. Further, as shown in FIG. 3(b), the plurality of liquid ejection modules 1 are arranged such that a part of the link member 3 overlaps when viewed from the X direction. Here, although the case where the nozzles 14a are arranged in two rows staggeredly on the nozzle plate 14 as shown in FIG. 2(b) has been described, even when the nozzles 14a are arranged in one row on the nozzle plate 14 as shown in FIG. 2(a), the plurality of liquid ejection modules 1 are arranged such that a part of the arm member 3 overlaps when viewed from the X direction.

[0015] Here, the alternate arrangement of the liquid ejection modules means that a liquid ejection module having the actuator 2 positioned on one side of the nozzle arrangement and a liquid ejection module having the actuator 2 positioned on the other side of the nozzle arrangement are arranged to face each other, and it can also be paraphrased as a state where they are arranged along the nozzle arrangement direction (X direction) such that a part of the arm member 3 overlaps when viewed from the nozzle arrangement direction (X direction).

[0016] The piezoelectric element 2 has a fixing element that serves to apply a preload for compressing the piezoelectric element 2 and to fix it, and the fixing element is fixed to the inner wall surface of the accommodation portion 11a of the cover 11 perpendicular to the Y direction. More specifically, the fixing element fixes the end portion of the piezoelectric element 2 in the Z direction, which is the direction in which the piezoelectric element 2 expands and contracts, to the inner wall surface of the accommodation portion 11a. The fixing method is performed by mechanical fixing using screws or the like, or chemical fixing such as bonding with an adhesive or thermal diffusion bonding.

[0017] The link mechanism 6 is composed of a link member 3 and a bending member 9. The link member 3 is rotatably supported by a link support shaft 4 that serves as a link support portion. Further, at one end of the link member, a drive-side joint portion 3b, which is a first connection portion rotatably connected to the piezoelectric element 2, is provided, and at the other end, a valve-side joint portion 3a, which is a second connection portion rotatably connected to the bending member 9, is provided.

[0018] The bent member 9 has one end connected to the valve-side joint portion 3a of the link member 3 and the other end connected to the top of the needle valve 8. The bent member 9 is preferably a sheet-like member that is strong against tension and easily bendable. For example, a stainless steel spring material, aramid fiber, nylon, polyethylene resin, etc. are used. In the case of a stainless steel spring material, a thickness of about 0.05 mm and a width of about 5 mm, in the case of aramid fiber, a thickness of 0.1 mm and a width of 5 mm, and in the case of nylon or polyethylene resin, a thickness of 0.3 mm and a width of about 5 mm are preferable from the viewpoints of the layout and handling in this embodiment. Also, the selection of the material of the bent member 9 should be made according to viewpoints such as strength, durability, and cost during actual use. Further, the bent member 9 is not limited to a plate shape and may be in the form of a wire or the like.

[0019] The needle valve 8 penetrates through a valve through-hole 11c provided in the bottom surface portion 11b of the accommodation portion 11a of the cover 11. Also, a seal member such as an O-ring is provided at the end portion on the flow path member 15 side of the valve through-hole 11c to seal the gap between the valve through-hole 11c and the needle valve 8. The movement of the needle valve 8 in the X and Y directions is restricted by the valve through-hole 11c, and the movement in the Z direction is guided.

[0020] Also, the needle valve 8 is biased toward the nozzle plate 14 by a compression spring 7 as biasing means disposed in the flow path 5. By biasing the needle valve 8 toward the nozzle plate 14 by the compression spring 7, it is possible to stabilize the movement of the needle valve 8 between an open position where the nozzle is opened and a closed position where the nozzle is closed.

[0021] Further, the compression spring 7 abuts against the needle valve 8 and directly biases the needle valve 8, so that the influence of the bending of the bending member 9 is eliminated, the action of the force at the time of nozzle closing is simplified, and the pressing force of the needle valve 8 against the nozzle plate 14 can be stabilized. Specifically, when the compression spring 7 indirectly biases the needle valve 8 via the link member 3, in order to make the pressing force against the nozzle plate 14 a desired pressing force, it is necessary to consider the bending amount of the bending member 9, the loss of force when passing through the valve-side joint portion 3a (for example, the loss due to the deflection of the link member 3), etc. in the design. On the other hand, when the compression spring 7 abuts against the needle valve 8 and directly biases the needle valve 8, the loss of force is small, and a desired pressing force can be obtained well. Thereby, liquid leakage from the nozzle 14a can be suppressed well, and a highly reliable liquid ejection head can be provided.

[0022] Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the portion surrounded by the broken line C in Fig. 3(b). As shown in Fig. 4, a sealing member 8a is provided at the tip of the needle valve 8. The sealing member 8a is made of any one of an elastomer, hard rubber, metal, and ceramics. The needle valve 8 and the sealing member 8a may be formed as an integral part. Further, the flow path opening / closing portion 14d where the sealing member 8a of the sealing member 8a contacts the nozzle plate 14 may be provided with a ceramic coating or a diamond-like coating for improving slidability and durability.

[0023] The tip of the sealing member 8a has a needle shape with a tapered cross section, and the flow path opening / closing portion 14d of the nozzle plate 14 also has a mortar shape with a tapered cross section. However, this example is just an example, and the tip of the sealing member 8a may be a smooth convex surface such as a spherical shape, and the flow path opening / closing portion 14d of the nozzle plate 14 may be a smooth concave surface that adheres to the smooth convex surface of the tip of the sealing member 8a. Further, the tip of the sealing member 8a may be a flat surface, and the tip of the sealing member may be brought into contact with the periphery of the inlet of the nozzle 14a to close the nozzle 14a.

[0024] Further, the nozzle plate 14 may be a multilayer structure including a layer having the nozzle 14a and a layer having the flow path opening / closing portion 14d. In this case, each layer of the nozzle plate 14 has a structure for defining the position, and is firmly fixed by chemical fixing such as bonding by adhesion or joining by heat diffusion, and liquid leakage between the layers is prevented.

[0025] By providing the sealing member 8a at the tip of the needle valve 8, when the sealing member 8a is pressed against the flow path opening / closing portion 14d by the biasing force of the compression spring 7, the sealing member 8a closely adheres to the flow path opening / closing portion 14d, and the nozzle 14a can be reliably closed.

[0026] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the opening / closing operation of the needle valve 8. FIG. 5(a) shows a state where the needle valve 8 is located at the closed position for closing the nozzle, and FIG. 5(b) shows a state where the needle valve 8 is located at the open position for opening the nozzle. As shown in FIG. 5, the piezoelectric element 2 of the liquid discharge module 1 is connected to the drive control device 30 via a harness. The drive control device 30 includes a waveform generation circuit 31 which is a drive pulse generation unit and an amplifier circuit 32.

[0027] The waveform generation circuit 31 generates a drive pulse waveform described later, and the amplifier circuit 32 amplifies the voltage value to a required value. Then, the amplified voltage signal is applied to the piezoelectric element 2. By applying this voltage, the drive control device 30 controls the displacement of the piezoelectric element 2 and controls the opening and closing of the nozzle 14a of the needle valve 8. Thereby, the discharge of the liquid from the liquid discharge head 10 is controlled. However, when the waveform generation circuit 31 can apply a voltage of a sufficient value, the amplifier circuit 32 may be omitted.

[0028] In the present embodiment, it is a normally closed configuration. When no signal is supplied from the drive control device 30 to the piezoelectric element 2, the needle valve 8 closes the nozzle 14a by the biasing force of the compression spring 7. Here, as the situation where no signal is supplied to the piezoelectric element 2, it may be either a situation where a constant voltage of 0 or a constant electrostatic voltage is always applied.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 5(a), when the needle valve 8 closes the nozzle 14a by the biasing force of the compression spring 7, the bending member 9 bends as shown by the two-dot chain line in the figure and absorbs various variations shown below. That is, variations in the component dimensions of the link member 3 and the piezoelectric element 2, variations in the relative position in the Z direction between the link member 3 and the nozzle plate 14, variations in the mounting position of the piezoelectric element 2, and the like. In this way, by bending the bending member 9 to absorb these variations, it is possible to suppress the application of the pressing force due to these variations to the needle valve 8. As a result, the pressing force of the needle valve 8 against the nozzle plate 14 can be made substantially equal to the biasing force of the compression spring 7, and wear of the sealing member 8a and the flow path opening / closing portion 14d (see Fig. 4) due to an excessive pressing force can be suppressed. Further, deformation of the nozzle plate 14 and the needle valve can be suppressed, and the durability of the liquid ejection head can be improved.

[0030] When the needle valve 8 is in the closed position, it may be designed aiming at a state where the bending member 9 is stretched (not loose and not bent), but it is preferable to design aiming at a state where the bending member 9 is loose and bent when the needle valve 8 is in the closed position. By doing so, when the above-described variations act in the direction of reducing the pressing force of the needle valve 8, it can be absorbed by a decrease in the bending amount of the bending member 9. Thereby, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the pressing force of the needle valve 8 against the nozzle plate due to the above-described variations, to satisfactorily suppress liquid leakage from the nozzle, and to provide a highly reliable liquid ejection head.

[0031] The waveform generation circuit 31 generates a drive pulse which is a waveform accompanying the passage of time of the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element 2. The waveform generation circuit 31 receives, for example, print data as input from an external PC or a microcomputer inside the apparatus, and generates a drive pulse based on this input data. The waveform generation circuit 31 can change the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element 2 and can generate a plurality of drive pulses. As described above, when the waveform generation circuit 31 generates a drive pulse, the piezoelectric element 2 expands and contracts according to the drive pulse.

[0032] Specifically, when a predetermined voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element 2, the piezoelectric element 2 expands. When the piezoelectric element 2 expands, the link member 3 rotates in a direction in which the valve-side joint portion 3a of the link member 3 pulls the bending member 9. As a result, the bending (loosening) of the bending member 9 is eliminated, and the bending member 9 is in a stretched state. Then, the needle valve 8 is pulled against the biasing force of the compression spring 7 by the bending member 9, and moves from the closed position closing the nozzle 14a to the open position opening the nozzle 14a. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5(b), droplets are discharged from the nozzle 14a by the pressure applied to the liquid in the flow path 5.

[0033] When the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element 2 decreases, the piezoelectric element 2 contracts. When the piezoelectric element 2 contracts, the link member 3 rotates such that the valve-side joint portion 3a of the link member 3 moves downward (moves toward the nozzle plate side). Then, the needle valve 8 moves from the open position to the closed position by the biasing force of the compression spring 7, and the nozzle 14a is closed. Further, even after the needle valve 8 closes the nozzle 14a, the link member 3 rotates. Then, the bending member 9 loosens and bends, and becomes the state shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 5(a).

[0034] In the present embodiment, the piezoelectric element 2 is used as the actuator, but as the actuator, other actuators using electricity such as a solenoid or a pneumatic drive piston provided with a solenoid valve or an electromagnetic valve may be used.

[0035] FIG. 6 is a graph showing the change in the pressing force from the needle valve 8 applied to the nozzle plate 14 when the needle valve 8 moves from the open position to the closed position. FIGS. 6(a1) and (b1) are graphs showing the change in the pressing force of the liquid discharge head 10 of the present embodiment. On the other hand, FIGS. 6(a2) and (b2) are graphs showing the change in the pressing force of the liquid discharge head of the comparative example. FIGS. 6(a1) and (a2) show the case where there is no such various variations as described above, and FIGS. 6(b1) and (b2) show the case where variations occur in the direction of increasing the pressing force.

[0036] FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a liquid discharge module of a liquid discharge head of a comparative example. The liquid discharge head of the comparative example is one in which the flexible member 9 is replaced with a rigid member 90 that is difficult to bend. Further, the liquid discharge head of the comparative example does not have a compression spring.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 6, from the start of contraction of the actuator (piezoelectric element) 2 until the needle valve 8 abuts against the nozzle plate 14 (point G1 in FIG. 6), the pressing force from the needle valve 8 applied to the nozzle plate 14 is zero.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 7, in the comparative example, the member connecting the link member 3 and the needle valve 8 is a rigid member 90. Therefore, after the needle valve 8 abuts against the nozzle plate 14 and the piezoelectric element 2 further contracts, the contraction force of the piezoelectric element 2 is applied to the needle valve 8 via the link mechanism 6, and the contraction force acts as a pressing force on the nozzle plate 14. In the comparative example, since all the components constituting the link mechanism 6 have high rigidity, the components hardly deform, and only a small amount of the contraction force is absorbed. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6(a2), after the needle valve 8 abuts against the nozzle plate 14, the pressing force increases with a large inclination.

[0039] When various variations of components such as those constituting the link mechanism 6 act in the direction of pushing the needle valve 8 toward the nozzle plate 14 side, in the comparative example, as shown in FIG. 6(b2), the pushing force due to the various variations also acts as a pressing force for the needle valve 8 to press the nozzle plate 14. Therefore, even with a slight variation, the pressing force of the needle valve 8 against the nozzle plate 14 increases significantly, resulting in an excessive pressing force. As a result, there is a risk of accelerating the wear of the sealing member 8a and the flow path opening / closing portion 14d (see FIG. 4). Further, the nozzle plate 14 and the needle valve may be deformed, and the durability of the liquid discharge head may be reduced.

[0040] In the comparative example, when various variations act in the direction of decreasing the pressing force between the needle valve 8 and the nozzle plate 14, even a slight variation causes a significant decrease in the pressing force of the needle valve 8 against the nozzle plate 14. As a result, it may not be possible to achieve good sealing, and there is a risk of liquid leakage from the nozzle 14a.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 6(a1), in the present embodiment, when the needle valve 8 comes into contact with the nozzle plate 14, a biasing force corresponding to the spring constant of the compression spring 7 applied to the needle valve 8 acts on the nozzle plate 14 as a pressing force. However, immediately after contact, the biasing force and the tension applied to the needle valve 8 by the bending member 9 are in balance, and the pressing force applied to the nozzle plate 14 is zero.

[0042] The bending member 9 is formed of a material that is strong against tension as described above, but is weaker than a rigid member and is slightly extended by the biasing force of the compression spring 7. Therefore, after the needle valve 8 comes into contact with the nozzle plate 14, when the piezoelectric element 2 further contracts and the valve-side joint portion side of the link member 3 descends (moves toward the nozzle plate side), the extension of the bending member 9 is gradually released. As a result, the tension of the bending member 9 applied to the needle valve 8 decreases, the biasing force of the compression spring 7 applied to the needle valve 8 increases, and the pressing force on the nozzle plate 14 increases with a slope corresponding to the spring constant of the compression spring 7.

[0043] When the tension applied to the needle valve 8 by the bending member 9 becomes zero (point G2 in FIG. 6(a1)), the pressing force of the needle valve 8 against the nozzle plate 14 becomes the biasing force of the compression spring 7. When the piezoelectric element 2 further contracts and the valve-side joint portion side of the link member 3 further descends from the state where the tension applied to the needle valve 8 by the bending member 9 is zero, a compressive force acts on the bending member 9, and the bending member 9 bends. When the bending member 9 bends, the restoring force of the bending member 9 acts on the needle valve 8. Due to this restoring force, the pressing force on the nozzle plate 14 slightly increases.

[0044] As can be seen from FIG. 6(a1), the pressing force on the nozzle plate 14 due to the restoring force from the bent state of the bending member 9 is smaller than the pressing force due to the biasing force of the compression spring 7. Therefore, even if the piezoelectric element 2 contracts excessively and the bending amount of the bending member 9 increases, the increase rate of the pressing force on the nozzle plate 14 due to the restoring force is slight and its influence is small. Thus, in the present embodiment, variations in the pressing force due to variations in the displacement of the piezoelectric element 2 can also be suppressed.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 6(b1), in the present embodiment, when there are various variations in components such as those constituting the link mechanism 6, the bending member 9 bends further under an additional compressive force from the link member 3. In this way, as the bending amount of the bending member 9 increases, the restoring force of the bending member 9 increases, and compared with the case where there are no various variations shown in FIG. 6(a1), the restoring force applied to the needle valve 8 increases, and the pressing force on the nozzle plate 14 increases.

[0046] However, as is clear from the comparison between FIG. 6(b2) and FIG. 6(b1), compared with the comparative example, the increase rate of the pressing force due to various variations is slight. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the pressing force on the nozzle plate 14 of the needle valve 8 from becoming excessive due to various variations. As a result, the progress of wear of the sealing member 8a and the flow path opening / closing portion 14d (see FIG. 4) can be suppressed, and deformation of the nozzle plate 14 and the needle valve 8 can be favorably suppressed. Thereby, the durability of the liquid ejection head 10 can be enhanced.

[0047] Also, in the present embodiment, with a simple configuration in which one of the plurality of link members constituting the link mechanism 6 is a bending member, an increase in the pressing force due to various variations can be suppressed. As a result, an increase in the size of the liquid ejection module 1 can be suppressed, and the degree of freedom of the liquid ejection head 10 can be increased. Also, the size of the liquid ejection head 10 can be reduced. Furthermore, an increase in the number of components can be suppressed, and the cost of the liquid ejection head 10 can be reduced.

[0048] A means for detecting the amount of bending of the bending member 9, such as a distance measuring sensor, may be provided, and the drive pulse and the applied voltage may be adjusted based on the amount of bending of the bending member 9. As described above, since the bending (loosening) of the bending member 9 is eliminated and the bending member 9 is in a stretched state before the needle valve 8 is pulled and starts to move, the timing at which the needle valve 8 starts to move to the open position varies depending on the amount of bending of the bending member 9. Also, the amount of movement of the needle valve 8 to the open position changes depending on the amount of bending of the bending member 9. Therefore, by adjusting the drive pulse based on the amount of bending of the bending member 9 and adjusting the drive start timing of the piezoelectric element 2, etc., it is possible to suppress the deviation in the movement start timing of the needle valve 8 to the open position due to the amount of bending of the bending member 9. Also, by adjusting the applied voltage to the piezoelectric element 2 based on the amount of bending and adjusting the displacement amount of the piezoelectric element 2, the amount of movement to the open position of the needle valve 8 can be kept constant, and the stabilization of the discharge performance can be achieved.

[0049] Next, a modified example will be described.

[0050] [Modified Example 1] FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of the liquid discharge module 1A of Modified Example 1, where (a) shows the nozzle sealed state and (b) shows the nozzle open state. In the liquid discharge module 1A of this Modified Example 1, the link support shaft 4 that rotatably supports the link member 3 is positioned on the drive side joint portion 3b side, which is the first connection portion, rather than at the center O1 in the longitudinal direction of the link member 3.

[0051] According to Modification Example 1, the rotation radius of the valve-side joint portion 3a is longer than that of the drive-side joint portion 3b, and the displacement amount of the valve-side joint portion 3a in the Z direction is larger than that of the drive-side joint portion 3b in the Z direction. As a result, the displacement amount of the valve-side joint portion 3a in the Z direction is larger than the displacement amount of the piezoelectric element 2 in the Z direction, and the displacement amount of the actuator is amplified by the link member 3. Thereby, the movement amount from the closed position to the open position of the needle valve 8 can be increased, and the gap between the nozzle 14a and the sealing member 8a when the needle valve 8 is in the open position can be enlarged. Thereby, a highly viscous liquid can easily flow into the nozzle 14a, the size of the liquid droplets discharged from the nozzle 14a can be increased, the printing efficiency can be improved, and the printing time can be shortened. Further, the piezoelectric element 2 with a small displacement amount can be used, the size of the piezoelectric element 2 can be reduced, and the size of the liquid ejection head 10 can be effectively reduced.

[0052] Also, since the gap between the nozzle 14a and the sealing member 8a when the needle valve 8 is in the open position can be enlarged, a liquid containing particulate matter such as a filler can flow into the good nozzle 14a, and the liquid containing particulate matter such as a filler can be discharged well.

[0053] [Modification Example 2] FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram of the liquid ejection module 1B of Modification Example 2, where (a) shows the nozzle sealed state and (b) shows the nozzle open state. In this Modification Example 2, a piezoelectric element 2 that contracts by voltage application from the drive control device 30 is used. Further, in this Modification Example 2, a link support shaft 4 that rotatably supports the link member 3 is provided at one end of the link member 3, and the drive-side joint portion 3b, which is the first connection portion, is positioned between the link support shaft 4 and the valve-side joint portion 3a.

[0054] As a result, when a voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element 2 and the piezoelectric element 2 contracts to lift the drive-side joint portion 3b of the link member 3, the link member 3 rotates in a direction to pull the valve-side joint portion 3a of the link member 3 in the direction of pulling the bending member 9. Therefore, as in the embodiment, the bending member 9 changes from a relaxed state to a stretched state, and the needle valve 8 is pulled and moves to the open position. As a result, the nozzle 14a is opened, and droplets can be discharged from the nozzle 14a by the pressure applied to the liquid in the flow path 5.

[0055] [Modification 3] FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram of the liquid ejection module 1C of Modification 3, where (a) shows the nozzle sealed state and (b) shows the nozzle open state. This Modification 3 is provided with a tensoner 61 which is a holding member for holding the bending member 9 in a bent state. The tensoner 61 is provided so as to be movable within a predetermined range in a direction of approaching and separating from the bending member 9, and is biased toward the bending member 9 by a biasing means such as a spring.

[0056] Further, the tensoner 61 bends the bending member 9 so that the bending member 9 extends straight from the needle valve in the Z direction (the moving direction of the needle valve). Thereby, when moving the needle valve 8 to the open position, the bending member 9 can pull the needle valve 8 in the moving direction (Z direction) of the needle valve 8. Thereby, the needle valve 8 can be smoothly moved to the open position without generating a loss of force.

[0057] In the case of FIG. 10(a), the tensoner 61 is located at a position where it bites into the bending member 9, and the bending member 9 maintains a stretched state. Then, when the piezoelectric element 2 is driven and the link member 3 rotates, the tensoner 61 moves diagonally downward to the right in the figure. Then, when the tensoner 61 reaches a position where it can no longer move, as shown in FIG. 10(b), the needle valve 8 is pulled by the bending member 9 and moves to the open position.

[0058] In this way, by bending and holding the bending member 9 with the tensoner 61, compared with the configuration shown in FIG. 8, the link mechanism 6 can be downsized by the space in the region indicated by the broken line X in FIG. 10. As a result, the degree of freedom in layout can be improved, and the liquid ejection head 10 can be downsized.

[0059] In addition, in this Modification 3, the tensoner 61 is configured to be movable in a direction of approaching and separating from the bending member 9, and even when the needle valve 8 shown in FIG. 10(a) is in the closed position, the bending member 9 is maintained in a tensioned state. However, the tensoner 61 may be configured to be immovable, and when the needle valve 8 is in the closed position, the bending member 9 may be in a relaxed state. By adopting such a configuration, the configuration of the tensoner 61 can be simplified, and the cost of the liquid ejection head can be reduced.

[0060] [Modification 4] FIG. 11 is a schematic configuration diagram of the liquid ejection module 1D of Modification 4, where (a) shows the nozzle sealed state and (b) shows the nozzle open state. As shown in FIG. 11, in this Modification 4, when viewed from the Z direction, the piezoelectric element 2 is arranged so as to overlap the needle valve 8.

[0061] The link mechanism 6 is composed of a first link member 103A, a second link member 103B, and a bending member 9. The first link member 103A has a substantially L shape, and a drive-side joint portion 3b connected to the piezoelectric element 2 is provided at one end (the upper end in the figure), and a link joint portion 104 to which the second link member 103B is rotatably connected is provided at the other end.

[0062] One end (the upper end in the figure) of the second link member 103B is rotatably supported by the link support shaft 4, and a valve-side joint portion 3a to which the bending member 9 is connected is provided at the other end (the lower end in the figure). And the first link member 103A is connected between the link support shaft 4 and the valve-side joint portion 3a.

[0063] When the piezoelectric element 2 is driven and the piezoelectric element 2 expands, the drive-side joint portion 3b of the first link member 103A is pushed by the piezoelectric element 2 and moves toward the nozzle plate 14. Then, the link joint portion 104 of the first link member 103A pushes the second link member 103B into the left side in the drawing, and the second link member 103B rotates clockwise in the drawing with the link support shaft 4 as a fulcrum. By this rotation of the second link member, the bending member 9 is pulled, and the bending member 9 is in a stretched state. When the bending member 9 is in a stretched state, the bending member 9 pulls the needle valve 8 against the biasing force of the compression spring 7, and as shown in FIG. 11(b), the needle valve 8 moves to the open position.

[0064] In this modification 4, when viewed from the Z direction, the piezoelectric element 2 is arranged so as to overlap the needle valve 8. Further, the longitudinal directions of the link members 103A and 103B are arranged to be in the Z direction, and the link mechanism is configured to be shorter in the Y direction. Thereby, the liquid discharge module 1D can be shortened in the Y direction, and the liquid discharge head can be miniaturized in the Y direction (the short side direction of the liquid discharge head).

[0065] The liquid discharge head described above is of the valve jet type, and can discharge a highly viscous liquid or large droplets (with a diameter of several tens to several hundreds of μm) toward a discharge target in the distance (several tens of mm ahead). Further, the nozzle diameter can be increased, and a liquid containing a material with a large particle size can also be discharged well. Thus, since a highly viscous liquid can be discharged, the above-described liquid discharge head is suitable for painting of vehicle bodies of cars and trucks, aircraft fuselages, building walls, road surfaces, etc., and printing of images. It can also be suitably used for forming electrodes such as lithium ion batteries mounted on vehicle bodies.

[0066] Next, an example of an apparatus for discharging a liquid having the above-described liquid discharge head 10 will be described.

[0067] FIG. 12 is a schematic configuration diagram of an inkjet printer as an apparatus for discharging a liquid. The inkjet printer 1001 includes a liquid ejection unit 1002 having a liquid ejection head, and a camera 1004 as imaging means disposed near the liquid ejection unit 1002. Further, it includes an X-Y table 1003 as a scanning movement mechanism for moving the liquid ejection unit 1002 and the camera 1004 in the X direction and the Y direction.

[0068] Also, the inkjet printer 1001 includes a control unit 1009. The control unit 1009 operates the X-Y table 1003 based on image editing software for editing an image captured by the camera 1004 and a preset control program, and controls ink ejection from the liquid ejection unit 1002 to perform printing on the printing surface. Further, the inkjet printer 1001 includes a drive unit 1011 that positions the camera 1004 and the liquid ejection unit 1002 at predetermined positions based on control from the control unit 1009 to perform imaging and printing operations.

[0069] The liquid ejection unit 1002 includes a plurality of liquid ejection heads that eject ink toward the painted surface of the object to be painted M. Here, the "ink" shall include "paint". The nozzle surface of the liquid ejection head is parallel to the X-Y plane formed by the movement of the X-Y table 1003, and the ink dots ejected from each nozzle are ejected in the Z direction perpendicular to the X-Y plane.

[0070] The plurality of liquid ejection heads included in the liquid ejection unit 1002 are each connected to an ink tank of a predetermined color, and the ink tank is pressurized by a pressurizing device. The ink in the ink tank is supplied from the supply port 12 (see FIG. 1) of the liquid ejection head, and the ink discharged from the recovery port 13 (see FIG. 1) of the liquid ejection head is recovered into the ink tank.

[0071] If the distance between the nozzle surface of the liquid ejection head and the printing surface of the object to be painted M is about 20 cm, ink dots can be ejected onto the printing surface of the object to be painted M without problems.

[0072] The X-Y table 1003 includes a Y-axis rail 1005 formed with a linear movement mechanism, and an X-axis movement mechanism 1006 that moves the Y-axis rail 1005 in the X direction while holding the Y-axis rail 1005 with two arms.

[0073] A liquid discharge unit 1002 and a camera 1004 (described later) are attached to a slider held by the Y-axis rail 1005. Further, a shaft 1007 is provided on the X-axis movement mechanism 1006, and this shaft 1007 is held by a robot arm 1008. With this robot arm, the liquid discharge unit 100 can be freely arranged at a predetermined position where printing is to be performed on the object to be painted M.

[0074] For example, when the object to be painted M is an automobile, it can be arranged at the upper part or in the horizontal position as shown in FIG. 13 by the robot arm 1008. Note that the operation of the robot arm 1008 is controlled based on a program stored in advance in the control unit 1009.

[0075] The camera 1004 is disposed on a slider of the Y-axis rail 1005 near the liquid discharge unit 1002 and takes pictures of a predetermined range of the surface to be printed of the object to be painted M at a constant minute interval while moving in the X-Y direction. The camera 1004 is a so-called digital camera, and as described above, specifications such as the specifications of the lens and the resolution that enable taking a plurality of finely divided images of a predetermined range of the surface to be printed are appropriately selected. The taking of a plurality of finely divided images of the surface to be printed by the camera 1004 is performed continuously and automatically according to a program provided in advance in the control unit 1009.

[0076] The control unit 1009 includes a storage device that records and stores various programs, data of photographed images, data of images to be printed, etc., and a central processing unit that executes various processes according to the programs. Further, the control unit 1009 is constituted by a so-called microcomputer including an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse, and a DVD player or the like as necessary.

[0077] Further, the inkjet printer 1001 further includes a monitor 1010, which displays input information to the control unit 1009, processing results by the control unit 1009, and the like. As will be described later, the control unit 1009 performs image processing on a plurality of sub-divided image data captured by the camera 1004 using image processing software, and generates a composite print surface obtained by projecting the print surface of the object to be painted M, which is not flat, onto a plane. Further, the control unit 1009 edits the drawing target image as follows to generate an edited drawing target image. That is, the drawing target image, which is an image to be printed so as to be continuous with the already printed image on the print surface, is overlaid on the composite print surface, and the drawing target image is edited so as to be continuous with the edge of the printed image.

[0078] For example, for the drawing target image, an edited drawing target image is generated by editing (deforming) the drawing target image so as to be aligned with the composite print surface so that a non-printing area is not formed between adjacent drawing target images. Then, actual printing is performed by the liquid discharge unit 1002 based on this edited drawing target image. As a result, it becomes possible to print a print image without a gap with the already printed print image. Note that the shooting of a plurality of sub-divided images by the camera 1004 and the printing by discharging ink from the nozzles of each liquid discharge head of the liquid discharge unit 1002 are performed by a drive unit 1011 whose operation is controlled by the control unit 1009.

[0079] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of an electrode manufacturing apparatus 700 as an apparatus for discharging a liquid including the liquid discharge head of the present embodiment. The electrode manufacturing apparatus 700 includes a discharge process section 710 including a process of applying a liquid composition onto a printing substrate 704 having an object to be discharged to form a liquid composition layer, and a heating process section 730 including a process of heating the liquid composition layer to obtain an electrode composite layer.

[0080] The printing substrate 704 on which the liquid composition layer is formed is not particularly limited as long as it is a target for forming a layer having an electrode material, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. Examples include an electrode substrate (current collector), an active material layer, and a layer having a solid electrode material.

[0081] In addition, as long as the discharge engineering part 710 can form a layer having an electrode material on the printing substrate 704, it may be configured to form a layer having an electrode material by directly discharging the liquid composition. Also, it may be configured to form a layer having an electrode material by indirectly discharging the liquid composition. The heating engineering part 730 is a process of heating the liquid composition discharged onto the printing substrate 704 by the discharge engineering part 710. The liquid composition layer can be dried by heating.

[0082] The electrode manufacturing apparatus 700 includes a transport part 705 for transporting the printing substrate 704, and the transport part 705 transports the printing substrate 704 at a preset speed in the order of the discharge engineering part 710 and the heating engineering part 730. As a manufacturing method of the printing substrate 704 having a discharge object such as an active material layer, there is no particular limitation, and a known method can be appropriately selected. The discharge engineering part 710 includes a printing apparatus 281a equipped with the liquid discharge head 10 of the present embodiment for discharging the liquid composition onto the printing substrate 704. It also includes a storage container 281b for storing the liquid composition and a supply tube 281c for supplying the liquid composition stored in the storage container 281b to the printing apparatus 281a.

[0083] The storage container 281b stores the liquid composition 707, and the discharge engineering part 710 discharges the liquid composition 707 from the printing apparatus 281a, applies the liquid composition 707 onto the printing substrate 704, and forms a liquid composition layer in a thin film shape. The storage container 281b may be configured to be integrated with the manufacturing apparatus of the electrode composite layer, or may be configured to be removable from the manufacturing apparatus of the electrode composite layer. Also, it may be a container used for adding to a storage container integrated with the manufacturing apparatus of the electrode composite layer or a storage container removable from the manufacturing apparatus of the electrode composite layer. In addition, the storage container 281b and the supply tube 281c can be arbitrarily selected as long as they can stably store and supply the liquid composition 707.

[0084] The heating process section 730 includes a solvent removal process of heating and drying the solvent remaining in the liquid composition layer by the heating device 703 to remove it, by which the electrode composite material layer can be formed. The heating process section 730 may perform the solvent removal process under reduced pressure.

[0085] The heating device 703 is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. Examples include substrate heating, IR heaters, hot air heaters, etc., and these may be combined. Also, regarding the heating temperature and time, they can be appropriately selected according to the boiling point of the solvent contained in the liquid composition 707 and the formed film thickness.

[0086] When the liquid ejection head 10 of the present embodiment is used in the electrode manufacturing apparatus 700, the liquid composition can be ejected to the target of the ejection object. The electrode composite material layer can be suitably used, for example, as a part of the configuration of an electrochemical element. The configuration other than the electrode composite material layer in the electrochemical element is not particularly limited, and known ones can be appropriately selected. Examples include a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator, etc.

[0087] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been explained, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it goes without saying that various changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0088] In the above description, an example has been described in which the drive control device 30 applies a voltage to a driving body such as a piezoelectric element to open and close the needle valve 8. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the needle valve 8 may be opened and closed by pneumatic or hydraulic pressure. In this case, the drive pulse generated by the drive control device 30 is a drive waveform for driving with a pressure set by a pressurizing mechanism using pneumatic or hydraulic pressure.

[0089] In the present application, the "device for discharging a liquid" is a device that includes a liquid discharge head or a liquid discharge unit in which functional components and mechanisms are integrated with the liquid discharge head, and drives the liquid discharge head to discharge the liquid. The above integration includes, for example, those in which the liquid discharge head and the functional components or mechanisms are fixed to each other by fastening, adhesion, engagement, etc., and those in which one is movably held with respect to the other. Further, the liquid discharge head and the functional components or mechanisms may be detachable from each other.

[0090] As the liquid discharge unit, there are those in which the liquid discharge head and the head tank are integrated, and those in which both are integrated by being connected to each other with a tube or the like. Here, it is also possible to add a unit including a filter between the liquid discharge head and the head tank of these liquid discharge units.

[0091] Further, as the liquid discharge unit, there are those in which the liquid discharge head and the carriage are integrated, and those in which the liquid discharge head, the carriage, and the scanning movement mechanism are integrated. Further, as the liquid discharge unit, there is one in which the liquid discharge head is movably held by a guide member that constitutes a part of the scanning movement mechanism, and the liquid discharge head and the scanning movement mechanism are integrated.

[0092] As the liquid discharge unit, there is one in which a cap member that is a part of the maintenance and recovery mechanism is fixed to the carriage to which the liquid discharge head is attached, and the liquid discharge head, the carriage, and the maintenance and recovery mechanism are integrated. Further, as the liquid discharge unit, there is one in which a tube is connected to the liquid discharge head to which the head tank or the flow path component is attached, and the liquid discharge head and the supply mechanism are integrated. Through this tube, the liquid from the liquid storage source is supplied to the liquid discharge head.

[0093] The scanning movement mechanism shall also include the guide member alone. The supply mechanism shall also include the tube alone and the loading unit alone.

[0094] The "device for discharging liquid" includes not only a device capable of discharging liquid onto an object to which the liquid can adhere, but also a device capable of discharging the liquid into the air or into a liquid.

[0095] This "liquid discharge device" can also include means related to the feeding, conveyance, and paper discharge of an object to which the liquid can adhere, as well as other pre-treatment devices, post-treatment devices, and the like.

[0096] For example, as a "device for discharging liquid", there are an image forming device that discharges ink to form an image on paper, and a three-dimensional modeling device (3D modeling device) that discharges a modeling liquid onto a powder layer formed by layering powder in order to model a three-dimensional object (3D object).

[0097] Also, the "device for discharging liquid" is not limited to those in which a significant image such as characters or figures is visualized by the discharged liquid. For example, those that form a pattern or the like that has no meaning by itself, and those that model a three-dimensional image are also included.

[0098] The above-mentioned "object to which the liquid can adhere" refers to the object onto which the liquid is discharged as described above, and means an object to which the liquid can adhere at least temporarily, such as an object that adheres and adheres firmly, or an object that adheres and penetrates. Specific examples include recording media such as paper, recording paper, recording sheets, films, and cloth, electronic components such as electronic substrates and piezoelectric elements, powder layers (powder layers), organ models, and media such as test cells, and include all objects to which the liquid adheres unless otherwise particularly limited.

[0099] The material of the above-mentioned "object to which the liquid can adhere" may be paper, thread, fiber, fabric, leather, metal, plastic, glass, wood, ceramics, etc., as long as the liquid can adhere even temporarily.

[0100] Also, there is a device in which the head unit and the object to which the liquid can adhere move relative to each other in the "device for discharging liquid", but it is not limited to this. Specific examples include a serial type device that moves the head unit and a line type device that does not move the head unit.

[0101] In addition, as the "apparatus for discharging a liquid", there are also, for example, a processing liquid application apparatus that discharges a processing liquid onto a sheet of paper in order to apply the processing liquid to the surface of the sheet of paper for the purpose of modifying the surface of the sheet of paper, and an injection granulation apparatus that injects a composition liquid in which raw materials are dispersed in a solution through nozzle holes to granulate fine particles of the raw materials.

[0102] As described above, the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims, unless otherwise particularly limited in the above description.

[0103] What has been described above is an example, and each of the following aspects has a specific effect. (Aspect 1) In a liquid discharge head 10 including a nozzle plate 14 having a nozzle 14a for discharging a liquid, a valve member such as a needle valve 8 for opening and closing the nozzle 14a, a biasing means such as a compression spring 7 for biasing the valve member to a closed position where the valve member closes the nozzle 14a, and a moving mechanism 17 for moving the valve member from the closed position to an open position for opening the nozzle, the moving mechanism 17 includes an actuator such as a piezoelectric element 2 and a link mechanism 6 configured by a plurality of link members, and moves the valve member in conjunction with the displacement of the actuator. One of the plurality of link members is a bending member 9 that bends and deforms. In Patent Document 1, dimensional errors of functional components of a moving mechanism such as an actuator such as a piezoelectric element can be absorbed by the expansion and contraction of a first spring, and fluctuations in the pressing force applied to the nozzle plate when the nozzle is sealed by the valve member due to the dimensional errors can be suppressed. However, in Patent Document 1, there is a problem that a casing for movably holding the actuator, a weight for favorably transmitting the displacement of the actuator by lever, a first spring for biasing the actuator toward the link member side, etc. are required, and the configuration is complicated. In contrast, in Embodiment 1, dimensional errors of functional components of a moving mechanism such as an actuator can be absorbed by the bending deformation of the bending member, and fluctuations in the pressing force applied to the nozzle plate when the valve member seals the nozzle can be suppressed. Even when the bending member is bent and deformed and the bending member is loosened, the valve member can be pressed against the nozzle by the biasing force of the biasing means, and the nozzle can be sealed satisfactorily. Further, in the present embodiment, by simply using one of the link members as the bending member, fluctuations in the pressing force of the valve member against the nozzle plate can be suppressed, and the number of components can be reduced and the configuration can be simplified as compared with the configuration described in Patent Document 1. Further, by reducing the number of components, the cost of the apparatus can be reduced.

[0104] (Embodiment 2) In Embodiment 1, the link mechanism 6 includes a link member 3 that is connected to an actuator such as a piezoelectric element 2 and is rotatably supported, and a bending member 9. One end of the bending member 9 is connected to the link member 3, and the other end is connected to a valve member such as a needle valve. According to this, as described in the embodiment, even after the needle valve 8 abuts against the nozzle plate 14 due to dimensional errors or the like, when the actuator such as the piezoelectric element 2 is displaced and the link member rotates, a compressive force acts on the bending member and the bending member bends, so that dimensional errors can be absorbed.

[0105] (Embodiment 3) In Embodiment 2, a link support portion such as a link support shaft 4 that rotatably supports the link member 3 is located between a first connection portion such as a drive-side joint portion 3b of the link member 3 connected to an actuator such as the piezoelectric element 2 and a second connection portion such as a valve-side joint portion 3a of the link member connected to the bending member 9. According to this, as described in the embodiment, an operation of opening the nozzle can be performed by an operation of expanding by applying a voltage to an actuator such as the piezoelectric element 2, and the valve body can be closed when no voltage is applied.

[0106] (Embodiment 4) In Embodiment 3, a link support portion such as the link support shaft 4 is positioned closer to the first connection portion side than the central portion (central O1 in the longitudinal direction of the link member) between the first connection portion such as the drive side joint portion 3b and the second connection portion such as the valve side joint portion 3a. According to this, as described in Modification 1, the displacement of the actuator such as the piezoelectric element 2 can be amplified, and the size of the droplets ejected from the nozzle can be increased. Further, an actuator with a small displacement amount can be used, and the size of the actuator can be reduced. Since the actuator is a large component among the components constituting the liquid ejection module, by reducing the size of the actuator, the size of the liquid ejection head can be effectively reduced.

[0107] (Embodiment 5) In any of Embodiments 2 to 4, the first connection portion such as the drive side joint portion 3b of the link member 3 connected to the actuator such as the piezoelectric element 2 is located between the link support portion such as the link support shaft 4 that rotatably supports the link member 3 and the second connection portion such as the valve side joint portion 3a of the link member 3 connected to the bending member 9. According to this, as described in Modification 2, the operation of opening the nozzle can be performed by the operation of contracting due to the application of voltage to the actuator such as the piezoelectric element 2, and the valve body can be closed when no voltage is applied.

[0108] (Embodiment 6) In any of Embodiments 1 to 5, when viewed from the liquid ejection direction (Z direction), the actuator such as the piezoelectric element 2 is arranged so as to overlap the valve member such as the needle valve 8. According to this, as described in Modification 4, for the liquid ejection head, miniaturization in the direction orthogonal to the liquid ejection direction (Z direction) (Y direction or X direction) can be achieved.

[0109] (Embodiment 7) In any of Embodiments 1 to 6, a holding member such as a tensioner 61 that abuts on the bending member 9 and holds the bending member 9 in a bent state is provided. According to this, as described in Modification 3, miniaturization of the link mechanism 6 can be achieved, the degree of freedom in layout can be improved, and miniaturization of the liquid ejection head 10 can be achieved. Further, the bending member 9 can be connected from the moving direction (Z direction) of the valve member, the valve member can be pulled straight up in the moving direction, and the valve member can be moved smoothly.

[0110] (Aspect 8) In any one of Aspects 1 to 7, the biasing means such as the compression spring 7 directly biases the valve member such as the needle valve 8. According to this, as described in the embodiment, the valve member can be pressed against the nozzle plate 14 by the biasing force of the biasing means without loss, and liquid leakage from the nozzle can be suppressed well. Further, a design considering loss of the biasing force due to bending of the link member or the like becomes unnecessary.

[0111] (Aspect 9) In an apparatus for ejecting a liquid provided with a liquid ejection head 10, any one of the liquid ejection heads of Aspects 1 to 8 is used as the liquid ejection head 10. According to this, cost reduction of the apparatus can be achieved.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0112] 1: Liquid ejection module 2: Piezoelectric element 3: Link member 3a: Valve-side joint portion 3b: Drive-side joint portion 4: Link support shaft 5: Flow path 6: Link mechanism 7: Compression spring 8: Needle valve 8a: Sealing member 9: Bending member 10: Liquid ejection head 11: Cover 11a: Accommodating portion 11b: Bottom surface portion 11c: Valve through-hole 12: Supply port 13: Recovery port 14: Nozzle plate 14a: Nozzle 14d: Flow path opening / closing part 15: Flow path member 16: Harness through-hole 17: Moving mechanism 30: Drive control device 31: Waveform generation circuit 32: Amplification circuit 61: Tensioner 90: Rigid member 100: Liquid ejection unit 103A: First link member 103B: Second link member 104: Link joint part 281a: Printing device 700: Electrode manufacturing device 1001: Inkjet printer

Prior art documents

Patent documents

[0113]

Patent Document 1

Claims

1. a nozzle plate having a nozzle for discharging a liquid; a valve member for opening and closing the nozzle; biasing means for biasing the valve member so that the valve member is positioned at a closed position where the nozzle is closed; a liquid discharge head including a moving mechanism for moving the valve member from the closed position to an open position where the nozzle is opened, wherein the moving mechanism includes an actuator and a link mechanism composed of a plurality of link members, and the link mechanism moves the valve member in conjunction with displacement of the actuator; A liquid discharge head, characterized in that one of the plurality of link members is a bending member that bends and deforms.

2. The liquid discharge head according to claim 1, wherein the link mechanism includes a link member connected to the actuator and rotatably supported, and the bending member; The liquid discharge head, characterized in that one end of the bending member is connected to the link member and the other end is connected to the valve member.

3. The liquid discharge head according to claim 2, wherein a link support portion that rotatably supports the link member is located between a first connection portion of the link member connected to the actuator and a second connection portion of the link member connected to the bending member.

4. The liquid discharge head according to claim 3, wherein the link support portion is located closer to the first connection portion than the central portion between the first connection portion and the second connection portion.

5. The liquid discharge head according to claim 2, wherein a first connection portion of the link member connected to the actuator is located between a link support portion that rotatably supports the link member and a second connection portion of the link member connected to the bending member.

6. The liquid discharge head according to claim 1, wherein the actuator is arranged so as to overlap the valve member when viewed from the liquid discharge direction.

7. The liquid discharge head according to claim 1, further comprising a holding member that contacts the bending member and holds the bending member in a bent state.

8. The liquid discharge head according to claim 1, wherein the biasing means directly biases the valve member.

9. In an apparatus for discharging a liquid provided with a liquid discharge head, An apparatus for discharging a liquid, characterized in that the liquid discharge head according to claim 1 is used as the liquid discharge head.

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