Damper member, liquid discharge head, liquid discharge device and recording device

Abstract

To provide a damper member capable of suppressing connection failure of an elastic film, and to provide a liquid discharge head, a liquid discharge device and a recording device including the damper member.SOLUTION: A damper member 6 is a member to be arranged on a second channel member 5 in a liquid discharge head 2. In the damper member 6, a first damper plate 61 and an elastic film 63 are connected by a first connection sheet 62. The first connection sheet 62 comprises: a partition wall connection part 625 for connecting a partition wall part 615 of the first damper plate 61 and the elastic film 63; a first peripheral wall connection part 626 for connecting a first peripheral wall part 616 of the first damper plate 61 and the elastic film 63; a second peripheral wall connection part 627 for connecting a second peripheral wall part 617 of the first damper plate 61 and the elastic film 63; and a connection part 628 for connecting the first peripheral wall connection part 626, the partition wall connection part 625 and the second peripheral wall connection part 627.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a damper member, a liquid ejection head provided with the damper member, a liquid ejection apparatus, and a recording apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, liquid ejection devices equipped with liquid ejection heads have been known. Liquid ejection heads suffer from a phenomenon called crosstalk, in which pressure fluctuations that occur when ejecting liquid affect the ejection characteristics. Crosstalk can cause fluctuations in the ejection speed or ejection volume, resulting in a deterioration in image quality.

[0003] A liquid ejection head capable of suppressing crosstalk is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1. The liquid ejection head disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a damper member joined to a support member. The damper member has an elastic film (damper membrane) that forms part of the wall surface of a liquid chamber that contains liquid. The damper member damps the vibration of the elastic film, thereby damping pressure fluctuations that occur in the liquid chamber. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-127716 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In some cases, multiple types of liquids may be ejected from a single liquid ejection head. In this case, multiple liquid chambers may need to be provided. In this case, it is possible to provide multiple liquid chambers spaced apart from each other in the width direction of the liquid ejection head. In such a case, the width of the partition wall separating adjacent liquid chambers in the width direction becomes narrow, which makes it more likely that poor bonding will occur between the partition wall wall and the elastic film, and there is a risk that the effect of attenuating pressure fluctuations occurring in each liquid chamber will not be achieved.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a damper member that can suppress poor bonding of an elastic film, and a liquid ejection head, a liquid ejection apparatus, and a recording apparatus that include the damper member. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A damper member according to one aspect of the present invention is a damper member that extends in a width direction and a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the width direction in a plan view, the longitudinal direction being longer than the width direction, and that is disposed on a flow path member that has first and second storage chambers that are spaced apart in the width direction and can store liquid, in a liquid ejection head. The damper member includes a first plate having a first damper opening that communicates with the first storage chamber and a second damper opening that communicates with the second storage chamber and is spaced apart in the width direction from the first damper opening, an elastically deformable elastic film that covers the first plate from above, and a first bonding sheet that is disposed between the first plate and the elastic film and bonds the first plate to the elastic film, the first bonding sheet having a first sheet opening formed in a region overlapping the first damper opening and a second sheet opening formed in a region overlapping the second damper opening. The first plate has, in the width direction, a partition wall portion extending in the longitudinal direction between the first damper opening and the second damper opening, a first circumferential wall portion extending in the longitudinal direction on a side of the first damper opening opposite the partition wall portion, and a second circumferential wall portion extending in the longitudinal direction on a side of the second damper opening opposite the partition wall portion. The first bonding sheet has a partition wall bonding portion extending in the longitudinal direction along the partition wall portion and bonding the partition wall portion to the elastic film, a first circumferential wall bonding portion extending in the longitudinal direction along the first circumferential wall portion and bonding the first circumferential wall portion to the elastic film, a second circumferential wall bonding portion extending in the longitudinal direction along the second circumferential wall portion and bonding the second circumferential wall portion to the elastic film, and a connection portion extending in the width direction across the first sheet opening and the second sheet opening and connecting the first circumferential wall bonding portion, the partition wall bonding portion, and the second circumferential wall bonding portion to one another.

[0008] A liquid ejection head according to another aspect of the present invention is a liquid ejection head that, in a plan view, extends in a width direction and a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the width direction, the longitudinal direction being longer than the width direction, and is capable of ejecting liquid. This liquid ejection head includes a flow path member that is disposed apart from each other in the width direction and that has first and second storage chambers that can store the liquid, and the damper member described above disposed on the flow path member.

[0009] A liquid ejection device according to another aspect of the present invention includes the liquid ejection head described above, and a supply unit that supplies liquid to each of the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber in the flow path member of the liquid ejection head.

[0010] A recording apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention includes the liquid ejection head described above, and a moving unit that moves the liquid ejection head relative to a recording medium onto which liquid ejected from the liquid ejection head is to land. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a damper member capable of suppressing poor bonding of an elastic film, and a liquid ejection head, a liquid ejection apparatus, and a recording apparatus that include the damper member. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a printer, which is a liquid ejection apparatus equipped with a liquid ejection head to which a damper member according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the liquid ejection head and the circulation unit in the printer. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view of a first flow path member in the liquid ejection head. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the first flow path member. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the second flow path member and the damper member in the liquid ejection head. [Figure 6]6 is a cross-sectional view of the second flow path member and the damper member taken along line VI-VI in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a plan view of each plate included in the second flow path member. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a plan view of each layer included in the damper member. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a first modified example of the first damper plate included in the damper member. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a second modified example of the first damper plate included in the damper member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, a damper member, a liquid ejection head, a liquid ejection device, and a recording device according to embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The liquid ejection head is a head equipped with a damper member, and the liquid ejection device is an apparatus equipped with a liquid ejection head. Examples of liquid ejection devices include a recording device that ejects ink as a liquid from a liquid ejection head, an apparatus that ejects a liquid containing conductive particles from a liquid ejection head to print a wiring pattern for an electronic device, and an apparatus that ejects a liquid such as a chemical agent from a liquid ejection head into a reaction vessel to produce a chemical agent. In the following embodiments, an inkjet printer, which is a recording device equipped with a liquid ejection head that ejects ink as a liquid, is exemplified as a specific example of a liquid ejection device. Inkjet printers are suitable for digital textile printing, which uses an inkjet method to print images such as letters and patterns on a recording medium, which is a workpiece made of fabric such as woven or knitted fabric. Of course, printers can also be used to print various images on workpieces such as paper sheets and resin sheets.

[0014] [Overall printer configuration] As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 1 includes a liquid ejection head 2 that ejects ink, a transport unit 8 that transports a workpiece (recording medium) W relative to the liquid ejection head 2, a carriage 10 on which the liquid ejection head 2 is mounted, and a control unit 9. In this embodiment, the left-right direction is the main scanning direction H1 when printing on the workpiece W, and the direction from rear to front that is perpendicular to the main scanning direction H1 is the sub-scanning direction H2. The transport unit 8 and carriage 10 are incorporated into a device frame that forms the framework of the printer 1. The transport unit 8 is a mechanism that intermittently feeds (transports) the workpiece W so that the workpiece W advances in the sub-scanning direction H2. The carriage 10 is equipped with the liquid ejection head 2 and moves back and forth in the main scanning direction H1 during printing. The control unit 9 controls the liquid ejection head 2 based on print data, which is image data, and ejects ink toward the workpiece W transported by the transport unit 8, causing ink droplets to land on the workpiece W, thereby performing recording, such as printing, on the workpiece W.

[0015] That is, the printer 1, which is a recording device, includes a liquid ejection head 2, and a conveying unit 8 and a carriage 10, which are moving units that move the liquid ejection head 2 relative to a workpiece W, which is a recording medium onto which the liquid ejected from the liquid ejection head 2 is to land. Recording devices include not only serial printers as described above, but also line printers. In line printers, the liquid ejection head is fixed to the recording device and ejects liquid onto a recording medium that is moved by a moving unit such as an endless belt.

[0016] A carriage guide 1F1 is attached to the upper side of the device frame to allow the carriage 10 to reciprocate in the main scanning direction H1. The carriage guide 1F1 is a flat, plate-shaped member that is elongated in the main scanning direction H1 and is disposed above the conveying unit 8. A timing belt 1F2 is attached to the carriage guide 1F1 so as to be able to rotate in the main scanning direction H1. The timing belt 1F2 is an endless belt that is driven to rotate in the main scanning direction H1. The carriage guide 1F1 is equipped with a pair of upper and lower guide rails 1F3 that extend parallel to the main scanning direction H1 and hold the carriage 10 in a state that allows it to reciprocate in the main scanning direction H1. The carriage 10 is engaged with the guide rails 1F3. The carriage 10 is also fixed to the timing belt 1F2. The carriage 10 moves back and forth in the main scanning direction H1 along the carriage guide 1F1 while being guided by the guide rail 1F3, in accordance with the circular movement of the timing belt 1F2 in the main scanning direction H1.

[0017] The conveying section 8 has an endless belt 81, a drive roller 82, and a driven roller 83. The drive roller 82 and the driven roller 83 stretch the endless belt 81. When the drive roller 82 rotates, the endless belt 81 rotates, conveying the workpiece W in the sub-scanning direction H2 so that it passes under the carriage 10.

[0018] The printer 1 performs printing processing on the workpiece W using a serial printing method. If the workpiece W is wide, it is not possible to print while continuously feeding the workpiece W. The serial printing method is a printing method in which a carriage 10 carrying a liquid ejection head 2 moves back and forth in a main scanning direction H1, and a transport unit 8 repeatedly feeds the workpiece W intermittently in a sub-scanning direction H2.

[0019] The ink ejected from the liquid ejection head 2 is not particularly limited, and inks using pigments and dyes can be used. For example, inks containing a pigment and an aqueous medium can be used. The ink may further contain at least one selected from the group consisting of surfactants, polyols, and binder resin particles, as necessary. Examples of pigments include yellow pigments, orange pigments, red pigments, blue pigments, purple pigments, and black pigments. The ink may also contain an anionic pigment.

[0020] Furthermore, the liquid ejection head 2 is not limited to ejecting ink, but may also eject a pre-treatment liquid for performing a predetermined pre-treatment on the workpiece W, or may eject a post-treatment liquid for performing a predetermined post-treatment on the workpiece W.

[0021] Any pretreatment liquid can be used. For example, a pretreatment liquid that aggregates the ink pigment to improve color development and fixation can be used. The pretreatment liquid may also suppress or promote ink penetration into the workpiece W, or may thickly print to create a three-dimensional shape or impart gloss. The pretreatment liquid may contain, for example, a water-soluble cationic polymer, an organic acid salt, and an aqueous medium. Such a pretreatment liquid reacts with and aggregates the pigment contained in the ink to be printed subsequently, improving color development. The cationic polymer contained in the pretreatment liquid and the anionic pigment contained in the ink electrically react and aggregate on the surface of the workpiece W, thereby inhibiting the binder resin contained in the ink from penetrating into the workpiece W. This prevents the binder resin from penetrating the gaps between fibers and bonding the fibers together when the workpiece W is fabric. This enhances the texture (e.g., feel) of the fabric to be printed.

[0022] Any post-treatment liquid can be used. For example, a post-treatment liquid that improves the texture of the fabric to be printed can be used. The post-treatment liquid may also be used to provide a coating to protect the printed ink, to thickly print a three-dimensional shape, or to impart gloss. It may also be used for treatments not directly related to ink printing, such as imparting water repellency to the workpiece W. The post-treatment liquid may contain, for example, emulsified particles containing silicone oil, a surfactant, and an aqueous medium. In other words, the post-treatment liquid is an emulsion in which emulsified particles are dispersed in an aqueous medium, more specifically, an oil-in-water (O / W) emulsion. The silicone oil may contain a non-modified silicone oil. Examples of non-modified silicone oils include dimethylpolysiloxane, methylphenylsilicone oil, and methylhydrogensilicone oil. The texture can be improved by using such a post-treatment liquid.

[0023] The workpiece W after printing by the printer 1 may be heated and dried by a heater or the like (not shown) provided in the printer 1. Also, the printed portion of the workpiece W may be transported to a dryer separate from the printer 1 and dried by that dryer, rather than being wound up on a winding roller (not shown). The heating temperature is, for example, 120°C or higher and 180°C or lower. The heating time is, for example, 1 minute or higher and 10 minutes or lower. Heating dries volatile components contained in the ink and treatment liquid, facilitating fixation of the ink to the workpiece W.

[0024] [Detailed configuration of liquid ejection head] Next, the liquid ejection head 2 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 to 8. In the following description, the outside of the liquid ejection head 2 will be referred to as the "exterior." In this embodiment, the liquid ejection head 2 is configured to be able to eject a first ink as a first liquid and a second ink as a second liquid of a different type from the first ink. The first ink and the second ink are, for example, different in color. The liquid ejection head 2 includes a head main body 21 in which ink flow paths and the like for ejecting the first ink and the second ink are formed, and a housing 22 connected to the head main body 21 and accommodating a driver IC, a wiring board, and the like for controlling the ink ejection operation.

[0025] In a plan view, the head main body 21 extends in a width direction D2 and a longitudinal direction D1 perpendicular to the width direction D2, with the longitudinal direction D1 being longer than the width direction D2. Hereinafter, with regard to directional relationships, one direction in the longitudinal direction D1 of the head main body 21 will be referred to as a first direction D11, and the direction opposite to the first direction D11 will be referred to as a second direction D12. Furthermore, one direction in the width direction D2 of the head main body 21 will be referred to as a third direction D21, and the direction opposite to the third direction D21 will be referred to as a fourth direction D22. Furthermore, the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction D1 and the width direction D2 of the head main body 21 will be referred to as a thickness direction D3 of the head main body 21. When the liquid ejection head 2 is mounted on the carriage 10, the longitudinal direction D1 of the head body 21 is parallel to the main scanning direction H1, the width direction D2 of the head body 21 is parallel to the sub-scanning direction H2, and the thickness direction D3 of the head body 21 is parallel to the vertical direction perpendicular to the printing surface of the workpiece W.

[0026] As shown in Figure 2, the head body 21 includes a first flow path member 3 arranged in a lower portion of the head body 21, a second flow path member 5 arranged in an upper portion of the head body 21, a piezoelectric actuator substrate 4 arranged between the first flow path member 3 and the second flow path member 5, and a damper member 6 arranged on the second flow path member 5.

[0027] The first flow path member 3 is a flat plate-like member in which flow paths are formed for ejecting the first ink and the second ink in response to driving of the piezoelectric actuator substrate 4. The second flow path member 5 is a flat plate-like member in which flow paths for supplying the first ink and the second ink to the first flow path member 3 and flow paths for the first ink and the second ink recovered from the first flow path member 3 are formed. The damper member 6 is a flat plate-like member that damps pressure fluctuations in the flow paths formed in the second flow path member 5. The damper member 6 has a first inlet 6A through which the first ink flows in from the outside, a second inlet 6C through which the second ink flows in from the outside, a first outlet 6B through which the first ink flows out to the outside, and a second outlet 6D through which the second ink flows out to the outside. The first ink flows into the second flow path member 5 through the first inlet 6A and flows out of the second flow path member 5 through the first outlet 6B. The second ink flows into the second flow path member 5 through the second inlet 6C and flows out of the second flow path member 5 through the second outlet 6D.

[0028] 2, a circulation unit 7 is disposed outside the liquid ejection head 2. The circulation unit 7 is connected to the first inlet 6A and the second inlet 6C, and the first outlet 6B and the second outlet 6D in the head main body 21. The circulation unit 7 circulates the first ink and the second ink through the head main body 21 by forming a flow of the first ink from the first outlet 6B to the first inlet 6A and by forming a flow of the second ink from the second outlet 6D to the second inlet 6C.

[0029] The circulation unit 7 includes a supply storage unit 71, a recovery storage unit 72, a pump 73, an external supply flow path member 74, and an external recovery flow path member 75. The supply storage unit 71 and the external supply flow path member 74 constitute a supply unit that supplies the first ink to the second flow path member 5 through the first inlet 6A and supplies the second ink to the second flow path member 5 through the second inlet 6C. The recovery storage unit 72 and the external recovery flow path member 75 constitute a recovery unit that recovers the first ink from the second flow path member 5 through the first outlet 6B and recovers the second ink from the second flow path member 5 through the second outlet 6D.

[0030] The supply storage section 71 stores the first ink supplied to the first inlet 6A of the head main body 21, and stores the second ink supplied to the second inlet 6C of the head main body 21, separately from the first ink. The recovery storage section 72 stores the first ink flowing out from the first outlet 6B of the head main body 21, and stores the second ink flowing out from the second outlet 6D of the head main body 21, separately from the first ink. A pump 73 sends the first ink and the second ink from the recovery storage section 72 to the supply storage section 71. The external supply flow path member 74 connects the supply storage section 71 to the first inlet 6A and the second inlet 6C of the head main body 21, and forms a flow path for flowing the first ink stored in the supply storage section 71 to the first inlet 6A, and a flow path for flowing the second ink stored in the supply storage section 71 to the second inlet 6C. The external recovery flow path member 75 connects the recovery storage section 72 to the first outlet 6B and the second outlet 6D of the head main body 21, and forms a flow path that flows the first ink flowing out from the first outlet 6B to the recovery storage section 72, and a flow path that flows the second ink flowing out from the second outlet 6D to the recovery storage section 72.

[0031] <Regarding the first flow path member> 3 and 4, the first flow path member 3 disposed in the lower portion of the head main body 21 has a plurality of individual flow paths 31, a first common flow path 32, and a second common flow path 33. The first common flow path 32 is a flow path connected to one end 311 which serves as an inlet for each of the plurality of individual flow paths 31. The second common flow path 33 is a flow path connected to the other end 312 which serves as an outlet for each of the plurality of individual flow paths 31. In this embodiment, the first flow path member 3 has a plurality of first common flow paths 32 connected to one end 311 of each of the plurality of individual flow paths 31, and has a plurality of second common flow paths 33 connected to the other end 312 of each of the plurality of individual flow paths 31.

[0032] Each of the multiple individual flow paths 31 has one end 311 connected to the first common flow path 32 and the other end 312 connected to the second common flow path 33, and is a flow path through which the first ink and the second ink flow from the one end 311 to the other end 312. In each individual flow path 31, the one end 311 is the upstream end in the flow direction of the first ink and the second ink and serves as an inlet of the flow path, and the other end 312 is the downstream end in the flow direction of the first ink and the second ink and serves as an outlet of the flow path. The shape of the cross section of each individual flow path 31 perpendicular to the flow direction of the first ink and the second ink is, for example, rectangular. Each individual flow path 31 has a pressure chamber 313 disposed on the upper surface 3A of the first flow path member 3 between the one end 311 and the other end 312, an ejection hole 315 disposed on the lower surface 3B of the first flow path member 3 between the one end 311 and the other end 312, and a descender 314 connecting the pressure chamber 313 and the ejection hole 315.

[0033] The pressurizing chamber 313 opens upward on the upper surface 3A of the first flow path member 3 and communicates with the discharge hole 315 through the descender 314. A piezoelectric actuator substrate 4 is bonded to the upper surface 3A of the first flow path member 3 so as to close the opening of the pressurizing chamber 313. As a result, a displacement element 41 incorporated in the piezoelectric actuator substrate 4 is disposed above the pressurizing chamber 313. The displacement element 41 functions as a pressurizing unit that applies pressure to the pressurizing chamber 313. The descender 314 extends downward from the pressurizing chamber 313 to the discharge hole 315 along the thickness direction D3 of the first flow path member 3. The pressurizing chamber 313 is connected to the upper end of the descender 314, and the discharge hole 315 is connected to the lower end of the descender 314. The ejection hole 315 opens downward on the lower surface 3B of the first flow path member 3, and ejects the first ink and second ink that have been pressurized in the pressure chamber 313 and passed through the descender 314 in response to the driving of the displacement element 41.

[0034] Each of the multiple first common flow paths 32 is a flow path extending along the longitudinal direction D1 of the first flow path member 3. The flow directions of the first ink and the second ink in each first common flow path 32 are parallel to the longitudinal direction D1 of the first flow path member 3. Each first common flow path 32 is connected to one end 311 of each of the multiple individual flow paths 31, thereby functioning as a flow path of a supply system that supplies the first ink and the second ink to each individual flow path 31. The first common flow paths 32 are arranged side by side in the width direction D2 of the first flow path member 3. Each first common flow path 32 has first openings 321 at each end in the first direction D11 and each end in the second direction D12 in the longitudinal direction D1, which receive the first ink and the second ink supplied from the second flow path member 5 to the first flow path member 3. The first ink and the second ink supplied to the first openings 321 at each end of the first common flow path 32 flow toward the center of the first common flow path 32 in the longitudinal direction D1. The first ink and the second ink that have flowed through the first common flow path 32 are supplied to the individual flow paths 31 each having one end 311 connected to the first common flow path 32 .

[0035] A filter 311A ​​is provided at a connection portion between the first common flow path 32 and one end 311 of each individual flow path 31. The filter 311A ​​allows the first ink and the second ink in the first common flow path 32 to pass through to each individual flow path 31, and prevents foreign matter in the ink from passing through to each individual flow path 31.

[0036] In the first flow path member 3, the surface below the first common flow path 32 is a first damper 322. The surface of the first damper 322 opposite to the surface facing the first common flow path 32 faces a first damper chamber 323 filled with a gas such as air. The volume of the first damper chamber 323 changes depending on the pressure applied from the first common flow path 32. The first damper 322 can vibrate in response to changes in the volume of the first damper chamber 323. By damping the vibration of the first damper 322, it is possible to attenuate pressure fluctuations occurring in the first common flow path 32. Therefore, by providing the first damper 322 for the first common flow path 32, it is possible to reduce pressure fluctuations such as resonance of ink in the first common flow path 32.

[0037] Each of the multiple second common flow paths 33 is a flow path extending along the longitudinal direction D1 at a position below the first common flow path 32 in the first flow path member 3. The flow directions of the first ink and the second ink in each second common flow path 33 are parallel to the longitudinal direction D1 of the first flow path member 3. Each second common flow path 33 is connected to the other end 312 of each of the multiple individual flow paths 31, and functions as a flow path of a recovery system that recovers ink that has not been ejected from the ejection holes 315 in each individual flow path 31. The second common flow paths 33 are arranged side by side in the width direction D2 of the first flow path member 3. Each second common flow path 33 has second openings 331 at each end in the first direction D11 and each end in the second direction D12 in the longitudinal direction D1, which allow the first ink and the second ink that have not been ejected from the ejection holes 315 in each individual flow path 31 and have been recovered in the second common flow path 33 to flow to the second flow path member 5. The ink recovered from each individual flow path 31 whose other end 312 is connected to the second common flow path 33 flows toward the second opening 331 at each end of the second common flow path 33 and is recovered into the second flow path member 5 through the second opening 331.

[0038] In the first flow path member 3, the surface below the second common flow path 33 forms a second damper 332. The surface of the second damper 332 opposite to the surface facing the second common flow path 33 faces a second damper chamber 333 filled with a gas such as air. The volume of the second damper chamber 333 changes depending on the pressure applied from the second common flow path 33. The second damper 332 can vibrate in response to changes in the volume of the second damper chamber 333. By damping the vibration of the second damper 332, it is possible to attenuate pressure fluctuations occurring in the second common flow path 33. Therefore, by providing the second damper 332 for the second common flow path 33, it is possible to reduce pressure fluctuations such as resonance of ink in the second common flow path 33.

[0039] In addition, each of the multiple individual flow paths 31 has a first throttling section 316 arranged between one end 311 and the pressurized chamber 313, and a second throttling section 317 connected to the lower end of a descender 314 having an outlet hole 315 between the other end 312 and the pressurized chamber 313.

[0040] The first throttle section 316 is a flow path extending in the width direction D2 of the first flow path member 3 between one end 311 of the individual flow path 31 and the pressure chamber 313. The first throttle section 316 is in communication with both the first common flow path 32 connected to one end 311 of the individual flow path 31 and the pressure chamber 313. The flow directions of the first ink and the second ink in the first throttle section 316 are parallel to the width direction D2 of the first flow path member 3. The second throttle section 317 is a flow path extending in the width direction D2 of the first flow path member 3 between the other end 312 of the individual flow path 31 and the lower end of the descender 314. The second throttle section 317 is in communication with the second common flow path 33 connected to the other end 312 of the individual flow path 31, and is in communication with the pressure chamber 313 and the ejection hole 315 via the descender 314. The flow direction of the first ink and the second ink in the second throttle portion 317 is parallel to the width direction D2 of the first flow path member 3.

[0041] In the first flow path member 3 in which the individual flow paths 31, the first common flow path 32, and the second common flow path 33 are formed, the first ink and the second ink supplied from the second flow path member 5 to the first flow path member 3 flow into the first common flow path 32 through the first opening 321. The ink that flows into the first common flow path 32 flows into each individual flow path 31 through one end 311, which is a connecting portion with the first common flow path 32. The ink that flows into each individual flow path 31 through the one end 311 passes through a first throttle section 316 and then flows into a pressure chamber 313. The ink that flows into the pressure chamber 313 flows through a descender 314, and some of the ink is ejected from an ejection hole 315. The ink that is not ejected from the ejection hole 315 passes through a second throttle section 317 and then flows into the second common flow path 33 through the other end 312. The ink that flows into the second common flow path 33 flows toward the second flow path member 5 through the second opening 331 and is collected.

[0042] 4, the piezoelectric actuator substrate 4 has a laminated structure made up of two piezoelectric layers: a first piezoelectric ceramic layer 4A and a second piezoelectric ceramic layer 4B. Both the first piezoelectric ceramic layer 4A and the second piezoelectric ceramic layer 4B extend across the multiple pressure chambers 313.

[0043] The piezoelectric actuator substrate 4 has a common electrode 42 and individual electrodes 43. The individual electrodes 43 are arranged on the upper surface of the piezoelectric actuator substrate 4 at positions facing each of the pressure chambers 313. A drive signal is supplied to the individual electrodes 43 from the control unit 9 via a signal transmission unit 552 (see FIG. 6 below). The drive signal is supplied at a constant cycle in synchronization with the transport of the workpiece W. The common electrode 42 is formed over almost the entire surface in the plane direction in the region between the first piezoelectric ceramic layer 4A and the second piezoelectric ceramic layer 4B. That is, the common electrode 42 extends so as to cover all of the pressure chambers 313 in the region facing the piezoelectric actuator substrate 4. The common electrode 42 is connected to a surface electrode for the common electrode (not shown) formed on the first piezoelectric ceramic layer 4A at a position avoiding the electrode group consisting of the individual electrodes 43, via a through conductor formed through the first piezoelectric ceramic layer 4A. The common electrode 42 is also grounded via the surface electrode for the common electrode and is maintained at ground potential. The surface electrode for the common electrode is connected directly or indirectly to the control unit 9, similar to the individual electrodes 43.

[0044] <Regarding the second flow path member> The second flow path member 5, which is disposed in the upper portion of the head main body 21, is bonded to an area of ​​the upper surface 3A of the first flow path member 3 where the piezoelectric actuator substrate 4 is not connected. That is, the second flow path member 5 is bonded to the upper surface 3A of the first flow path member 3 so as to surround the piezoelectric actuator substrate 4. As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the second flow path member 5 has a first supply flow path 51, a first recovery flow path 52, a second supply flow path 53, and a second recovery flow path 54. The second flow path member 5 has a layered structure in which multiple flat flow path plates are stacked in the thickness direction D3. In the example of FIG. 7, the second flow path member 5 includes seven flow path plates, namely, first to seventh flow path plates 5a to 5g, stacked in order from top to bottom. The first to seventh flow path plates 5a to 5g are bonded with an adhesive.

[0045] (First supply flow path) The first supply flow path 51 is a flow path through which the first ink flows to be supplied to the first common flow path 32 of the first flow path member 3. The first supply flow path 51 communicates with a first inlet 6A formed in the damper member 6. The first supply flow path 51 is connected to a first opening 321 of the first common flow path 32, and supplies the first ink that has flowed in from the first inlet 6A to the first common flow path 32 through the first opening 321.

[0046] The first supply flow path 51 has a first inflow connection flow path 511 connected to the first inlet 6A, a first supply storage chamber 512 connected to the first inlet 6A through the first inflow connection flow path 511, a first supply branch connection flow path 513 connected to the first supply storage chamber 512, and a first supply branch flow path 514 connected to the first supply storage chamber 512 through the first supply branch connection flow path 513.

[0047] The first inflow connection channel 511 is formed in the first channel plate 5a. The first inflow connection channel 511 is a channel that connects the first inlet 6A and the first supply storage chamber 512.

[0048] The first supply storage chamber 512 is formed in the first flow path plate 5a. The first supply storage chamber 512 is a flow path that extends along the longitudinal direction D1, and is disposed in a region that is closer to the second direction D12 than the center of the second flow path member 5 in the longitudinal direction D1 and closer to the fourth direction D22 than the center of the second flow path member 5 in the width direction D2. The first supply storage chamber 512 is capable of storing the first ink that has flowed in from the first inlet 6A, and opens upward toward the damper member 6. The upward opening of the first supply storage chamber 512 is covered by the damper member 6.

[0049] The first supply branch connection flow path 513 is formed in the second to fourth flow path plates 5b to 5d. The first supply branch connection flow path 513 is disposed in the center of the second flow path member 5 in the longitudinal direction D1, and is a flow path that connects the first supply storage chamber 512 and the first supply branch flow path 514.

[0050] The first supply branch flow channels 514 are formed in the fifth to seventh flow channel plates 5e to 5g. The first supply branch flow channels 514 are flow channels that communicate with the first supply storage chamber 512 through the first supply branch connection flow channels 513, and are also connected to the first opening 321 in the first flow channel member 3, thereby communicating with the first common flow channel 32. The first supply branch flow channels 514 are connected to the first supply branch connection flow channels 513 at the center of the second flow channel member 5 in the longitudinal direction D1, and extend along the longitudinal direction D1. In the first supply branch flow channels 514, first supply branch end portions 515 located at both ends in the longitudinal direction D1 are connected to the first opening 321 of the first common flow channel 32.

[0051] (First recovery channel) The first recovery flow path 52 is a flow path through which the first ink recovered from the second common flow path 33 of the first flow path member 3 flows. The first recovery flow path 52 communicates with a first outlet 6B formed in the damper member 6. The first recovery flow path 52 is connected to the second opening 331 of the second common flow path 33, and causes the first ink recovered from the second common flow path 33 to flow through the second opening 331 to the first outlet 6B.

[0052] The first recovery flow path 52 has a first outflow connection flow path 521 connected to the first outlet 6B, a first recovery storage chamber 522 connected to the first outlet 6B through the first outflow connection flow path 521, a first recovery branch connection flow path 523 connected to the first recovery storage chamber 522, and a first recovery branch flow path 524 connected to the first recovery storage chamber 522 through the first recovery branch connection flow path 523.

[0053] The first outlet connection channel 521 is formed in the first channel plate 5a. The first outlet connection channel 521 is a channel that connects the first outlet 6B and the first collection storage chamber 522.

[0054] The first recovery storage chamber 522 is formed in the first flow path plate 5a. The first recovery storage chamber 522 is disposed in a region closer to the first direction D11 than the center of the second flow path member 5 in the longitudinal direction D1 and closer to the fourth direction D22 than the center of the second flow path member 5 in the width direction D2, and is a flow path extending along the longitudinal direction D1. The first recovery storage chamber 522 is adjacent to the first supply storage chamber 512 in the longitudinal direction D1. The first recovery storage chamber 522 is capable of storing the first ink that has flowed out from the first outflow port 6B, and opens upward toward the damper member 6. The upward opening of the first recovery storage chamber 522 is covered by the damper member 6.

[0055] The first recovery branch connection channel 523 is formed in the second channel plate 5b. The first recovery branch connection channel 523 is disposed in the center of the second channel member 5 in the longitudinal direction D1, and is a channel that connects the first recovery storage chamber 522 and the first recovery branch channel 524.

[0056] The first recovery branch channel 524 is formed in the third to seventh channel plates 5c to 5g. The first recovery branch channel 524 is a channel that communicates with the first recovery storage chamber 522 via the first recovery branch connection channel 523, and is also connected to the second opening 331 in the first channel member 3, thereby communicating with the second common channel 33. The first recovery branch channel 524 is connected to the first recovery branch connection channel 523 at the center of the second channel member 5 in the longitudinal direction D1, and extends along the longitudinal direction D1. In the first recovery branch channel 524, first recovery branch end portions 525 located at both ends in the longitudinal direction D1 are connected to the second opening 331 of the second common channel 33.

[0057] (Second supply flow path) The second supply flow path 53 is a flow path through which the second ink flows to be supplied to the first common flow path 32 of the first flow path member 3. The second supply flow path 53 communicates with a second inlet 6C formed in the damper member 6. The second supply flow path 53 is connected to the first opening 321 of the first common flow path 32, and supplies the second ink that has flowed in from the second inlet 6C to the first common flow path 32 through the first opening 321.

[0058] The second supply flow path 53 has a second inlet connection flow path 531 connected to the second inlet 6C, a second supply storage chamber 532 connected to the second inlet 6C through the second inlet connection flow path 531, a second supply branch connection flow path 533 connected to the second supply storage chamber 532, and a second supply branch flow path 534 connected to the second supply storage chamber 532 through the second supply branch connection flow path 533.

[0059] The second inflow connection channel 531 is formed in the first channel plate 5a. The second inflow connection channel 531 is a channel that connects the second inlet 6C and the second supply storage chamber 532.

[0060] The second supply storage chamber 532 is formed in the first flow path plate 5a. The second supply storage chamber 532 is disposed in a region closer to the second direction D12 than the center of the second flow path member 5 in the longitudinal direction D1 and closer to the third direction D21 than the center of the second flow path member 5 in the width direction D2, and is a flow path extending along the longitudinal direction D1. The second supply storage chamber 532 is adjacent to the first supply storage chamber 512 in the width direction D2. That is, in the second flow path member 5, the first supply storage chamber 512 and the second supply storage chamber 532 are disposed apart from each other in the width direction D2. The second supply storage chamber 532 is capable of storing the second ink flowing in from the second inlet 6C and opens upward toward the damper member 6. The upward opening of the second supply storage chamber 532 is covered by the damper member 6.

[0061] The second supply branch connection flow path 533 is formed in the second to fourth flow path plates 5b to 5d. The second supply branch connection flow path 533 is a flow path that is arranged in the center of the second flow path member 5 in the longitudinal direction D1 and connects the second supply storage chamber 532 and the second supply branch flow path 534.

[0062] The second supply branch flow channels 534 are formed in the fifth to seventh flow channel plates 5e to 5g. The second supply branch flow channels 534 are flow channels that communicate with the second supply storage chamber 532 through the second supply branch connection flow channels 533, and are also connected to the first opening 321 in the first flow channel member 3, thereby communicating with the first common flow channel 32. The second supply branch flow channels 534 are connected to the second supply branch connection flow channels 533 at the center of the second flow channel member 5 in the longitudinal direction D1, and extend along the longitudinal direction D1. Then, in the second supply branch flow channels 534, second supply branch end portions 535 located at both ends in the longitudinal direction D1 are connected to the first opening 321 of the first common flow channel 32.

[0063] (Second recovery channel) The second recovery flow path 54 is a flow path through which the second ink recovered from the second common flow path 33 of the first flow path member 3 flows. The second recovery flow path 54 communicates with the second outlet 6D formed in the damper member 6. The second recovery flow path 54 is connected to the second opening 331 of the second common flow path 33, and causes the second ink recovered from the second common flow path 33 to flow through the second opening 331 to the second outlet 6D.

[0064] The second recovery flow path 54 has a second outflow connection flow path 541 connected to the second outlet 6D, a second recovery storage chamber 542 connected to the second outlet 6D through the second outflow connection flow path 541, a second recovery branch connection flow path 543 connected to the second recovery storage chamber 542, and a second recovery branch flow path 544 connected to the second recovery storage chamber 542 through the second recovery branch connection flow path 543.

[0065] The second outflow connecting channel 541 is formed in the first channel plate 5a. The second outflow connecting channel 541 is a channel that connects the second outlet 6D and the second collection storage chamber 542.

[0066] The second recovery storage chamber 542 is formed in the first flow path plate 5a. The second recovery storage chamber 542 is disposed in a region closer to the first direction D11 than the center of the second flow path member 5 in the longitudinal direction D1 and closer to the third direction D21 than the center of the second flow path member 5 in the width direction D2, and is a flow path extending along the longitudinal direction D1. The second recovery storage chamber 542 is adjacent to the second supply storage chamber 532 in the longitudinal direction D1. Furthermore, the second recovery storage chamber 542 is adjacent to the first recovery storage chamber 522 in the width direction D2. That is, in the second flow path member 5, the first recovery storage chamber 522 and the second recovery storage chamber 542 are disposed apart from each other in the width direction D2. The second recovery storage chamber 542 is capable of storing the second ink flowing out from the second outlet 6D and opens upward toward the damper member 6. The upward opening of the second recovery storage chamber 542 is covered by the damper member 6.

[0067] The second recovery branch connection channel 543 is formed in the second channel plate 5b. The second recovery branch connection channel 543 is a channel that is arranged in the center of the second channel member 5 in the longitudinal direction D1, and connects the second recovery storage chamber 542 and the second recovery branch channel 544.

[0068] The second recovery branch channel 544 is formed in the third to seventh channel plates 5c to 5g. The second recovery branch channel 544 is a channel that communicates with the second recovery storage chamber 542 via the second recovery branch connection channel 543, and is also connected to the second opening 331 in the first channel member 3, thereby communicating with the second common channel 33. The second recovery branch channel 544 is connected to the second recovery branch connection channel 543 at the center of the second channel member 5 in the longitudinal direction D1, and extends along the longitudinal direction D1. Then, in the second recovery branch channel 544, second recovery branch end portions 545 located at both ends in the longitudinal direction D1 are connected to the second opening 331 of the second common channel 33.

[0069] The second flow path member 5 also has through holes 551 that penetrate from the upper surface to the lower surface at each end in the third direction D21 and the fourth direction D22b in the width direction D2 of the second flow path member 5. The through holes 551 of the second flow path member 5 communicate with a through hole 6E of the damper member 6, which will be described later. A signal transmission part 552, such as an FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit), that transmits a drive signal that drives the piezoelectric actuator substrate 4 passes through these through holes 551, 6E.

[0070] The first flow path plate 5a constituting the upper surface of the second flow path member 5 has first flow path plate partition portions 5a5 between the first supply storage chamber 512 and the second supply storage chamber 532 and between the first recovery storage chamber 522 and the second recovery storage chamber 542. The first flow path plate 5a has first flow path plate first peripheral wall joint portions 5a6 between the first supply storage chamber 512 and the through hole 551 and between the first recovery storage chamber 522 and the through hole 551. The first flow path plate 5a has first flow path plate second peripheral wall joint portions 5a7 between the second supply storage chamber 532 and the through hole 551 and between the second recovery storage chamber 542 and the through hole 551.

[0071] <About the damper material> The damper member 6 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5, 6, and 8. The damper member 6 is disposed on the second flow path member 5, thereby covering the upward openings of the first supply storage chamber 512, the first recovery storage chamber 522, the second supply storage chamber 532, and the second recovery storage chamber 542. The damper member 6 attenuates pressure fluctuations in the first supply storage chamber 512, the first recovery storage chamber 522, the second supply storage chamber 532, and the second recovery storage chamber 542. The damper member 6 has a first inlet 6A through which the first ink flows in from the outside, a second inlet 6C through which the second ink flows in from the outside, a first outlet 6B through which the first ink flows out to the outside, and a second outlet 6D through which the second ink flows out to the outside. The damper member 6 and the second flow path member 5 are bonded together with an adhesive. The damper member 6 also has a through-hole 6E penetrating from the upper surface to the lower surface at each end in the third direction D21 and the fourth direction D22 in the width direction D2 of the damper member 6. A signal transmission portion 552 passes through the through-hole 6E.

[0072] The damper member 6 has a laminated structure in which each of the flat plate-shaped members, a first damper plate 61, a first bonding sheet 62, an elastic film 63, a second bonding sheet 64, and a second damper plate 65, is stacked in thickness direction D3 in order from the bottom.

[0073] (First damper plate) The first damper plate 61 is a plate made of a metal material such as stainless steel. The first damper plate 61 has a first inlet 6A, a second inlet 6C, a first outlet 6B, a second outlet 6D, and a through-hole 6E. The first damper plate 61 also has a first supply damper opening 611, a first recovery damper opening 612, a second supply damper opening 613, a second recovery damper opening 614, a partition wall 615, a first peripheral wall 616, and a second peripheral wall 617.

[0074] The first supply damper opening 611 is an opening that communicates with the first supply accommodating chamber 512 of the second flow path member 5. In the first damper plate 61, the first supply damper opening 611 is formed in a region that overlaps with the first supply accommodating chamber 512 when viewed in the thickness direction D3. The first supply damper opening 611 is disposed in a region that is closer to the second direction D12 side than the center of the first damper plate 61 in the longitudinal direction D1 and closer to the fourth direction D22 side than the center of the width direction D2, and extends along the longitudinal direction D1.

[0075] The first recovery damper opening 612 is an opening that communicates with the first recovery storage chamber 522 of the second flow path member 5. The first recovery damper opening 612 is formed in a region of the first damper plate 61 that overlaps with the first recovery storage chamber 522 when viewed in the thickness direction D3. The first recovery damper opening 612 is located in a region that is closer to the first direction D11 than the center of the first damper plate 61 in the longitudinal direction D1 and closer to the fourth direction D22 than the center of the first damper plate 61 in the width direction D2, and extends along the longitudinal direction D1. The first recovery damper opening 612 is adjacent to the first supply damper opening 611 in the longitudinal direction D1.

[0076] The second supply damper opening 613 is an opening that communicates with the second supply accommodating chamber 532 of the second flow path member 5. In the first damper plate 61, the second supply damper opening 613 is formed in a region that overlaps with the second supply accommodating chamber 532 when viewed in the thickness direction D3. The second supply damper opening 613 is disposed in a region that is closer to the second direction D12 than the center of the first damper plate 61 in the longitudinal direction D1 and closer to the third direction D21 than the center of the first damper plate 61 in the width direction D2, and extends along the longitudinal direction D1. Furthermore, the second supply damper opening 613 is adjacent to the first supply damper opening 611 in the width direction D2. That is, in the first damper plate 61, the first supply damper opening 611 and the second supply damper opening 613 are disposed apart from each other in the width direction D2.

[0077] The second recovery damper opening 614 is an opening that communicates with the second recovery storage chamber 542 of the second flow path member 5. In the first damper plate 61, the second recovery damper opening 614 is formed in a region that overlaps with the second recovery storage chamber 542 when viewed in the thickness direction D3. The second recovery damper opening 614 is located in a region that is closer to the first direction D11 than the center of the first damper plate 61 in the longitudinal direction D1 and closer to the third direction D21 than the center of the first damper plate 61 in the width direction D2, and extends along the longitudinal direction D1. The second recovery damper opening 614 is adjacent to the second supply damper opening 613 in the longitudinal direction D1. Furthermore, the second recovery damper opening 614 is adjacent to the first recovery damper opening 612 in the width direction D2. That is, in the first damper plate 61, the first recovery damper opening 612 and the second recovery damper opening 614 are located apart from each other in the width direction D2.

[0078] The partition wall portion 615 is a partition wall that extends in the longitudinal direction D1 between the first supply damper opening 611 and the second supply damper opening 613 in the first damper plate 61. In the first damper plate 61, the partition wall portion 615 is formed in a region that overlaps with the first flow path plate partition wall portion 5a5 when viewed in the thickness direction D3. The partition wall portion 615 extends between the first supply damper opening 611 and the second supply damper opening 613, spanning between both ends of the first supply damper opening 611 and the second supply damper opening 613 in the longitudinal direction D1. Furthermore, in the first damper plate 61, a partition wall portion 615 is also provided between the first recovery damper opening 612 and the second recovery damper opening 614, extending between both ends of the first recovery damper opening 612 and the second recovery damper opening 614 in the longitudinal direction D1.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 8 , each partition wall 615 has a wide portion in which the central region is wider than the end regions in the longitudinal direction D1. The width of each partition wall 615 gradually increases from the end to the center in the longitudinal direction D1. The design conditions for the shape of the wide portion of each partition wall 615 are as follows: The area of ​​the upward opening of each of the first supply storage chamber 512, the first recovery storage chamber 522, the second supply storage chamber 532, and the second recovery storage chamber 542 is defined as the storage chamber opening area S1, and the area of ​​each of the first supply damper opening 611, the first recovery damper opening 612, the second supply damper opening 613, and the second recovery damper opening 614 is defined as the damper opening area S2. In this case, the shape of the wide portion of each partition wall 615 is set so that the ratio (S2 / S1) of the damper opening area S2 to the storage chamber opening area S1 is within the range of 0.9 to 1.1. This prevents the elastic deformation of the portions of the elastic film 63 described below facing the first supply damper opening 611, the first recovery damper opening 612, the second supply damper opening 613, and the second recovery damper opening 614 from being hindered by the wide portions of each partition wall portion 615.

[0080] The first peripheral wall portion 616 is a peripheral wall of the first damper plate 61 that extends in the longitudinal direction D1 on the opposite side of the partition wall portion 615 of the first supply damper opening 611 in the width direction D2. In the first damper plate 61, the first peripheral wall portion 616 is formed in a region that overlaps with the first flow path plate first peripheral wall joint portion 5a6 when viewed in the thickness direction D3. The first peripheral wall portion 616 extends between both ends of the first supply damper opening 611 in the longitudinal direction D1. Furthermore, the first damper plate 61 is provided with another first peripheral wall portion 616 that extends between both ends of the first recovery damper opening 612 in the longitudinal direction D1 on the opposite side of the partition wall portion 615 of the first recovery damper opening 612 in the width direction D2.

[0081] The second peripheral wall portion 617 is a peripheral wall that extends in the longitudinal direction D1 on the side of the first damper plate 61 opposite the partition wall portion 615 of the second supply damper opening 613 in the width direction D2. In the first damper plate 61, the second peripheral wall portion 617 is formed in a region that overlaps with the first flow path plate second peripheral wall joint portion 5a7 when viewed in the thickness direction D3. The second peripheral wall portion 617 extends between both ends of the second supply damper opening 613 in the longitudinal direction D1. Furthermore, the first damper plate 61 is provided with a second peripheral wall portion 617 that extends between both ends of the second recovery damper opening 614 in the longitudinal direction D1 on the side opposite the partition wall portion 615 of the second recovery damper opening 614 in the width direction D2.

[0082] (elastic film) The elastic film 63 is made of a resin material such as polyimide (PI), polypropylene (PP), or polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and is an elastically deformable film. The elastic film 63 has a first inlet 6A, a second inlet 6C, a first outlet 6B, a second outlet 6D, and a through-hole 6E. The elastic film 63 covers the first damper plate 61 from above. As a result, the elastic film 63 closes the upward-facing openings of the first supply storage chamber 512, the first recovery storage chamber 522, the second supply damper opening 613, and the second recovery storage chamber 542, which are in communication with the first supply damper opening 611, the first recovery damper opening 612, the second supply damper opening 613, and the second recovery damper opening 614, respectively.

[0083] The volumes of the first supply storage chamber 512, the first recovery storage chamber 522, the second supply storage chamber 532, and the second recovery storage chamber 542 each change in response to elastic deformation of the portion of the elastic film 63 facing the first supply damper opening 611, the first recovery damper opening 612, the second supply damper opening 613, and the second recovery damper opening 614. The elastic film 63 is capable of vibrating in response to the elastic deformation. By damping the vibration of the elastic film 63, it is possible to attenuate pressure fluctuations occurring in the first supply storage chamber 512, the first recovery storage chamber 522, the second supply storage chamber 532, and the second recovery storage chamber 542. This makes it possible to reduce pressure fluctuations, such as those caused by resonance of ink inside the first supply storage chamber 512, the first recovery storage chamber 522, the second supply storage chamber 532, and the second recovery storage chamber 542.

[0084] (Second damper plate) The second damper plate 65 is a plate made of a metal material such as stainless steel. The second damper plate 65 covers the elastic film 63 from above. The second damper plate 65 has external communication holes 651 that communicate with the outside. The elastic film 63 is sandwiched between the first damper plate 61 and the second damper plate 65 via a first bonding sheet 62 and a second bonding sheet 64, which will be described later. In this case, the elastic film 63 can be suitably held by the first damper plate 61 and the second damper plate 65.

[0085] (First bonding sheet and second bonding sheet) The first bonding sheet 62 and the second bonding sheet 64 are sheets made of a thermosetting resin material such as polyethylene (PE). When the Young's modulus of the elastic film 63 is E1 and the Young's modulus of the first bonding sheet 62 and the second bonding sheet 64 is E2, the ratio of the Young's modulus E2 to the Young's modulus E1 (E2 / E1) is set to a range of 0.1 to 2.0. The first bonding sheet 62 is disposed between the first damper plate 61 and the elastic film 63 in the thickness direction D3 and bonds the first damper plate 61 and the elastic film 63 together when hardened by heating. The second bonding sheet 64 is disposed between the second damper plate 65 and the elastic film 63 in the thickness direction D3 and bonds the second damper plate 65 and the elastic film 63 together when hardened by heating. The damper member 6 is formed by heating and pressurizing a laminate in which a first damper plate 61, a first bonding sheet 62, an elastic film 63, a second bonding sheet 64, and a second damper plate 65 are laminated.

[0086] The first joining sheet 62 has a first inlet 6A, a second inlet 6C, a first outlet 6B, a second outlet 6D, and a through-hole 6E. The first joining sheet 62 also has a first supply sheet opening 621, a first recovery sheet opening 622, a second supply sheet opening 623, a second recovery sheet opening 624, a partition wall joining portion 625, a first peripheral wall joining portion 626, a second peripheral wall joining portion 627, and a connection portion 628.

[0087] The first supply sheet opening 621 is an opening that communicates with the first supply damper opening 611 of the first damper plate 61. In the first bonding sheet 62, the first supply sheet opening 621 is formed in a region that overlaps with the first supply damper opening 611 when viewed in the thickness direction D3. The first supply sheet opening 621 is disposed in a region that is closer to the second direction D12 side than the center of the first bonding sheet 62 in the longitudinal direction D1 and closer to the fourth direction D22 side than the center of the first bonding sheet 62 in the width direction D2, and extends along the longitudinal direction D1.

[0088] The first recovery sheet opening 622 is an opening that communicates with the first recovery damper opening 612 of the first damper plate 61. The first recovery sheet opening 622 is formed in a region of the first bonding sheet 62 that overlaps with the first recovery damper opening 612 when viewed in the thickness direction D3. The first recovery sheet opening 622 is located in a region that is closer to the first direction D11 than the center of the first bonding sheet 62 in the longitudinal direction D1 and closer to the fourth direction D22 than the center of the first bonding sheet 62 in the width direction D2, and extends along the longitudinal direction D1. The first recovery sheet opening 622 is adjacent to the first supply sheet opening 621 in the longitudinal direction D1.

[0089] The second supply sheet opening 623 is an opening that communicates with the second supply damper opening 613 of the first damper plate 61. In the first bonding sheet 62, the second supply sheet opening 623 is formed in a region that overlaps with the second supply damper opening 613 when viewed in the thickness direction D3. The second supply sheet opening 623 is located in a region that is closer to the second direction D12 than the center of the first bonding sheet 62 in the longitudinal direction D1 and closer to the third direction D21 than the center of the first bonding sheet 62 in the width direction D2, and extends along the longitudinal direction D1. Furthermore, the second supply sheet opening 623 is adjacent to the first supply sheet opening 621 in the width direction D2. That is, in the first bonding sheet 62, the first supply sheet opening 621 and the second supply sheet opening 623 are spaced apart from each other in the width direction D2.

[0090] The second collection sheet opening 624 is an opening that communicates with the second collection damper opening 614 of the first damper plate 61. In the first bonding sheet 62, the second collection sheet opening 624 is formed in an area that overlaps with the second collection damper opening 614 when viewed in the thickness direction D3. The second collection sheet opening 624 is located in an area that is closer to the first direction D11 than the center of the first bonding sheet 62 in the longitudinal direction D1 and closer to the third direction D21 than the center of the first bonding sheet 62 in the width direction D2, and extends along the longitudinal direction D1. The second collection sheet opening 624 is adjacent to the second supply sheet opening 623 in the longitudinal direction D1. Furthermore, the second collection sheet opening 624 is adjacent to the first collection sheet opening 622 in the width direction D2. That is, in the first bonding sheet 62, the first collection sheet opening 622 and the second collection sheet opening 624 are spaced apart from each other in the width direction D2.

[0091] The partition joints 625 extend between the first supply sheet opening 621 and the second supply sheet opening 623, across both ends in the longitudinal direction D1 of the first supply sheet opening 621 and the second supply sheet opening 623. Furthermore, the first joining sheet 62 is provided with partition joints 625 between the first collection sheet opening 622 and the second collection sheet opening 624, extending across both ends in the longitudinal direction D1 of the first collection sheet opening 622 and the second collection sheet opening 624. In this case, each partition joint 625 extends in the longitudinal direction D1 along each partition portion 615 of the first damper plate 61, and joins each partition portion 615 and the elastic film 63.

[0092] The first peripheral wall joint portion 626 extends between both ends of the first supply sheet opening 621 in the longitudinal direction D1 on the side of the first joining sheet 62 opposite the partition wall joint portion 625 of the first supply sheet opening 621 in the width direction D2. Furthermore, the first joining sheet 62 also has a first peripheral wall joint portion 626 extending between both ends of the first collection sheet opening 622 in the longitudinal direction D1 on the side of the first joining sheet 62 opposite the partition wall joint portion 625 of the first collection sheet opening 622 in the width direction D2. In this case, each first peripheral wall joint portion 626 extends in the longitudinal direction D1 along each first peripheral wall portion 616 of the first damper plate 61 and joins each first peripheral wall portion 616 and the elastic film 63.

[0093] The second peripheral wall joint portion 627 extends between both ends of the second supply sheet opening 623 in the longitudinal direction D1 on the side of the first joining sheet 62 opposite the partition wall joint portion 625 of the second supply sheet opening 623 in the width direction D2. Furthermore, the first joining sheet 62 also has a second peripheral wall joint portion 627 extending between both ends of the second collection sheet opening 624 in the longitudinal direction D1 on the side of the first joining sheet 62 opposite the partition wall joint portion 625 of the second collection sheet opening 624 in the width direction D2. In this case, each second peripheral wall joint portion 627 extends in the longitudinal direction D1 along each second peripheral wall portion 617 of the first damper plate 61 and joins each second peripheral wall portion 617 and the elastic film 63.

[0094] The connection portion 628 extends in the width direction D2 across the first supply sheet opening 621 and the second supply sheet opening 623 in the first joining sheet 62, and connects the first peripheral wall joint portion 626, the partition wall joint portion 625, and the second peripheral wall joint portion 627 to one another. Furthermore, the first joining sheet 62 is provided with a connection portion 628 between the first collection sheet opening 622 and the second collection sheet opening 624, which extends in the width direction D2 across the first collection sheet opening 622 and the second collection sheet opening 624 to connect the first peripheral wall joint portion 626, the partition wall joint portion 625, and the second peripheral wall joint portion 627 to one another.

[0095] The design conditions for each connection portion 628 in the first bonding sheet 62 are as follows: The area of ​​each of the first supply sheet opening 621, the first recovery sheet opening 622, the second supply sheet opening 623, and the second recovery sheet opening 624 is defined as a sheet opening area S3, and the area of ​​each connection portion 628 is defined as a connection portion area S4. In this case, the width dimension of each connection portion 628 is set so that the ratio of the connection portion area S4 to the sheet opening area S3 (S4 / S3) is within the range of 0.05 to 0.5. This makes it possible for each connection portion 628 to suppress deformation of each partition wall bonding portion 625 in the first bonding sheet 62, and also makes it possible to suppress inhibition of elastic deformation of the elastic film 63 by each connection portion 628.

[0096] The second bonding sheet 64 has a first inlet 6A, a second inlet 6C, a first outlet 6B, a second outlet 6D, and a through-hole 6E. The second bonding sheet 64 also has a second bonding sheet first supply sheet opening (one of the second bonding sheet first sheet openings) 641, a second bonding sheet first return sheet opening (one of the second bonding sheet first sheet openings) 642, a second bonding sheet second supply sheet opening (one of the second bonding sheet second sheet openings) 643, a second bonding sheet second return sheet opening (one of the second bonding sheet second sheet openings) 644, a second bonding sheet partition wall joint 645, a second bonding sheet first peripheral wall joint 646, a second bonding sheet second peripheral wall joint 647, and a second bonding sheet connection 648, all of which have the same shape as the first bonding sheet 62.

[0097] In the second bonding sheet 64, when viewed in the thickness direction D3, a second bonding sheet first supply sheet opening 641 is formed in the area overlapping the first supply damper opening 611, a second bonding sheet first recovery sheet opening 642 is formed in the area overlapping the first recovery damper opening 612, a second bonding sheet second supply sheet opening 643 is formed in the area overlapping the second supply damper opening 613, and a second bonding sheet second recovery sheet opening 644 is formed in the area overlapping the second recovery damper opening 614.

[0098] The second bonding sheet partition wall bonding portion 645 extends in the longitudinal direction D1 and, at a portion of the elastic film 63 that is bonded to the partition wall portion 615, bonds the second damper plate 65 to a surface opposite to the surface that is bonded to the partition wall portion 615. The second bonding sheet first circumferential wall bonding portion 646 extends in the longitudinal direction D1 and, at a portion of the elastic film 63 that is bonded to the first circumferential wall portion 616, bonds the second damper plate 65 to a surface opposite to the surface that is bonded to the first circumferential wall portion 616. The second bonding sheet second circumferential wall bonding portion 647 extends in the longitudinal direction D1 and, at a portion of the elastic film 63 that is bonded to the second circumferential wall portion 617, bonds the second damper plate 65 to a surface opposite to the surface that is bonded to the second circumferential wall portion 617.

[0099] The second joining sheet connecting portion 648 extends in the width direction D2 across the second joining sheet first supply sheet opening 641 and the second joining sheet second supply sheet opening 643 in the second joining sheet 64, and connects the second joining sheet first peripheral wall connecting portion 646, the second joining sheet partition wall connecting portion 645, and the second joining sheet second peripheral wall connecting portion 647 to one another. Furthermore, the second joining sheet 64 has a second joining sheet connecting portion 648 between the second joining sheet first recovery sheet opening 642 and the second joining sheet second recovery sheet opening 644 in the width direction D2, and connects the second joining sheet first peripheral wall connecting portion 646, the second joining sheet partition wall connecting portion 645, and the second joining sheet second peripheral wall connecting portion 647 to one another. In the damper member 6, the connection portion 628 of the first bonding sheet 62 and the second bonding sheet connection portion 648 of the second bonding sheet 64 are arranged to overlap each other when viewed in the thickness direction D3.

[0100] In the damper member 6, a first supply damper opening 611 and a second supply damper opening 613 are formed in the first damper plate 61 adjacent to each other in the width direction D2, corresponding to the first supply storage chamber 512 and the second supply storage chamber 532 of the second flow path member 5, respectively. Furthermore, a first recovery damper opening 612 and a second recovery damper opening 614 are formed in the first damper plate 61 adjacent to each other in the width direction D2, corresponding to the first recovery storage chamber 522 and the second recovery storage chamber 542 of the second flow path member 5, respectively. In this case, when the dimension of the liquid ejection head 2 in the width direction D2 is designed to a predetermined value, the width of each partition wall portion 615 in the first damper plate 61 becomes narrow. Therefore, the width of each partition wall bonding portion 625 in the first bonding sheet 62 also becomes narrow. In this case, for example, when the damper member 6 is formed by heating and pressurizing a laminate formed by stacking the first damper plate 61, the first bonding sheet 62, the elastic film 63, the second bonding sheet 64, and the second damper plate 65, the partition wall bonding portions 625 of the first bonding sheet 62 are deformed (for example, the partition wall bonding portions 625 are misaligned with respect to the partition wall portions 615), which makes it easy for bonding failure to occur between the partition wall portions 615 of the first damper plate 61 and the elastic film 63. If bonding failure occurs between the first damper plate 61 and the elastic film 63, there is a risk that the effect of attenuating pressure fluctuations occurring in each of the first supply storage chamber 512, the first recovery storage chamber 522, the second supply storage chamber 532, and the second recovery storage chamber 542 of the second flow path member 5 will be reduced.

[0101] Therefore, the first bonding sheet 62 has connection portions 628 that connect each partition wall bonding portion 625 to each first peripheral wall bonding portion 626 and each second peripheral wall bonding portion 627. This allows each connection portion 628 to suppress deformation of each partition wall bonding portion 625 in the first bonding sheet 62, thereby suppressing bonding failure between each partition wall portion 615 of the first damper plate 61 and the elastic film 63. This maintains the effect of damping pressure fluctuations generated in each of the first supply storage chamber 512, the first recovery storage chamber 522, the second supply storage chamber 532, and the second recovery storage chamber 542 of the second flow path member 5 by the elastic film 63.

[0102] The connection portion 628 connecting the first circumferential wall joint portion 626 and the partition wall joint portion 625 and the connection portion 628 connecting the second circumferential wall joint portion 627 and the partition wall joint portion 625 do not have to be located at the same position in the longitudinal direction D1. By locating them at the same position, the possibility of the partition wall joint portion 625 being misaligned can be further reduced.

[0103] As with the first bonding sheet 62, the second bonding sheet 64 also has a second bonding sheet connecting portion 648 that reduces the possibility of the second bonding sheet partition wall bonding portion 645 being misaligned when the damper member 6 is manufactured by stacking the sheets.

[0104] Although the connecting portion 628 and the second bonding sheet connecting portion 648 both have the above-mentioned effects, they make it difficult for the corresponding damper to vibrate, slightly reducing the performance of the damper. By arranging the connecting portion 628 and the second bonding sheet connecting portion 648 in positions where they overlap each other when viewed in the thickness direction D3, the reduction in damper performance can be reduced.

[0105] When the second flow path member 5 and the damper member 6 are bonded, the first flow path plate partition wall portion 5a5 is bonded to the partition wall portion 615, the first flow path plate first peripheral wall joint portion 5a6 is bonded to the first peripheral wall portion 616, and the first flow path plate second peripheral wall joint portion 5a7 is bonded to the second peripheral wall portion 617. Increasing the width of each adhesive portion increases the adhesive strength and makes it less likely for ink to leak, but doing so narrows the width of the damper, which reduces damper performance.

[0106] By providing a wide portion in the central region of the partition wall 615 in the longitudinal direction D1, the adhesive strength is increased, reducing the risk of ink leakage and other problems while minimizing degradation of damper performance. Specifically, even if the dimensions and positions of each component vary due to manufacturing variations or if misalignment occurs when stacking the second flow path member 5 and the damper member 6, the actual adhesive width is unlikely to be narrowed. Because both the first flow path plate partition wall 5a5 and the partition wall 615 have elongated structures, misalignment and dimensional accuracy are likely to occur in their central regions. Therefore, widening the central region of the partition wall 615 can achieve greater improvements in strength and ink leakage suppression than widening other portions. Furthermore, even if the width of the damper is narrowed, the width of the damper in other portions is not narrowed, reducing the risk of degradation of damper performance. By positioning the damper so that its width is narrowed in the central region, the portions of the damper at both ends where the width is not narrowed are the same length in the longitudinal direction D1, thereby minimizing the reduction in the total performance of the dampers at both ends.

[0107] Furthermore, each partition wall 615 of the first damper plate 61 has a wide portion in the longitudinal direction D1, in which the central region is wider than the end regions, which makes it possible to suppress deformation of each partition wall 615 of the first damper plate 61, thereby more reliably suppressing poor bonding between each partition wall 615 of the first damper plate 61 and the elastic film 63.

[0108] In the damper member 6, instead of the first damper plate 61, a first damper plate 61A according to a first modified example shown in FIG. 9 may be used, or a first damper plate 61B according to a second modified example shown in FIG. 10 may be used.

[0109] 9, the partition wall portion 615 does not have a wide shape, but extends with a constant width in the longitudinal direction D1. In the first damper plate 61A, the first peripheral wall portion 616 has a shape in which a central region in the longitudinal direction D1 protrudes toward the first supply damper opening 611, and the second peripheral wall portion 617 has a shape in which a central region in the longitudinal direction D1 protrudes toward the second supply damper opening 613. The first peripheral wall portion 616 and the second peripheral wall portion 617 each have a wide central region in the longitudinal direction D1.

[0110] In the first damper plate 61A, the first circumferential wall portion 616 and the second circumferential wall portion 617 have a wide central region in the longitudinal direction D1, which increases adhesive strength and reduces ink leakage while minimizing degradation of damping performance. The first circumferential wall portion 616, the second circumferential wall portion 617, the first flow path plate first circumferential wall joint portion 5a6, and the first flow path plate second circumferential wall joint portion 5a7 all have a long, narrow structure, making their central regions prone to misalignment and dimensional accuracy variations. Therefore, widening the central region can achieve greater improvements in strength and ink leakage suppression than widening other portions. Furthermore, even if the damper width is narrowed, the width of the damper in other portions is not narrowed, thereby minimizing degradation of damping performance. By positioning the damper so that its width is narrowed in the central region, the portions of the damper at both ends where the width is not narrowed are the same length in the longitudinal direction D1, thereby minimizing the reduction in the total performance of the dampers at both ends.

[0111] In the first damper plate 61B shown in FIG. 10, like the first damper plate 61 shown in FIG. 8, the partition wall portion 615 has a wide portion. In the first damper plate 61B, like the first damper plate 61A shown in FIG. 9, the first peripheral wall portion 616 and the second peripheral wall portion 617 have protruding shapes. Specifically, in the first damper plate 61B, the first peripheral wall portion 616 has a shape that protrudes toward the first supply damper opening 611 so as to face the wide portion of the partition wall portion 615, and the second peripheral wall portion 617 has a shape that protrudes toward the second supply damper opening 613 so as to face the wide portion of the partition wall portion 615. The wide and protruding shapes provide the aforementioned effects. Furthermore, by arranging the wide and protruding shapes opposite each other, the deterioration of damping performance can be reduced compared to when they are misaligned. [Explanation of symbols]

[0112] 1. Printer (liquid ejection device, recording device) 2 Liquid ejection head 3. First flow path member 4 Piezoelectric actuator substrate 5 Second flow path member 512 Supply Containment Chamber 1 522 Recovery Containment Cell 1 532 Second Supply Containment Chamber 542 Recovery Containment Cell No. 2 6 Damper member 61 First damper plate 611 First supply damper opening 612 First recovery damper opening 613 Second supply damper opening 614 Second recovery damper opening 615 Bulkhead 616 1st peripheral wall section 617 Second peripheral wall section 62 First joining sheet 621 First supply sheet opening 622 First collection sheet opening 623 Second supply sheet opening 624 Second collection sheet opening 625 Bulkhead joint 626 1st peripheral wall joint 627 2nd peripheral wall joint 628 Connection 63 Elastic Film 64 Second bonding sheet 65 Second damper plate

Claims

1. In a liquid ejection head that extends in a width direction and a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the width direction when viewed in a plane, and the longitudinal direction is longer than the width direction, a damper member is disposed on a flow path member in which a first storage chamber and a second storage chamber that are disposed apart from each other in the width direction and are capable of storing liquid are formed, a first damper plate having a first damper opening communicating with the first storage chamber and a second damper opening communicating with the second storage chamber and spaced apart from the first damper opening in the width direction; an elastic film that is elastically deformable and covers the first damper plate from above; a first joining sheet that is disposed between the first damper plate and the elastic film and joins the first damper plate and the elastic film, the first joining sheet having a first sheet opening formed in an area overlapping the first damper opening and a second sheet opening formed in an area overlapping the second damper opening, the first damper plate has, in the width direction, a partition wall portion extending in the longitudinal direction between the first damper opening and the second damper opening, a first peripheral wall portion extending in the longitudinal direction on a side of the first damper opening opposite to the partition wall portion, and a second peripheral wall portion extending in the longitudinal direction on a side of the second damper opening opposite to the partition wall portion, The first bonding sheet is a partition joint portion extending in the longitudinal direction along the partition portion and joining the partition portion and the elastic film; a first peripheral wall joining portion extending in the longitudinal direction along the first peripheral wall portion and joining the first peripheral wall portion and the elastic film; a second peripheral wall joining portion extending in the longitudinal direction along the second peripheral wall portion and joining the second peripheral wall portion and the elastic film; a connecting portion extending in the width direction across the first sheet opening and the second sheet opening and connecting the first peripheral wall joint portion, the partition wall joint portion, and the second peripheral wall joint portion to one another.

2. The damper member according to claim 1 , wherein the partition wall has a wide portion in which a central region is wider than end regions in the longitudinal direction.

3. the first peripheral wall portion has a shape that protrudes toward the first damper opening so as to face the wide portion of the partition wall portion, The damper member according to claim 2 , wherein the second peripheral wall portion has a shape that protrudes toward the second damper opening so as to face the wide portion of the partition wall portion.

4. the first peripheral wall portion has a shape in which a central region thereof protrudes toward the first damper opening in the longitudinal direction, The damper member according to claim 1 , wherein the second peripheral wall portion has a central region that protrudes toward the second damper opening in the longitudinal direction.

5. a second damper plate covering the elastic film from above; a second bonding sheet disposed between the second damper plate and the elastic film and bonding the second damper plate and the elastic film together, The damper member according to claim 1 , wherein the elastic film is sandwiched between the first damper plate and the second damper plate via the first bonding sheet and the second bonding sheet.

6. The second bonding sheet is a second bonding sheet first sheet opening formed in an area overlapping the first damper opening; a second sheet opening formed in a region of the second joining sheet overlapping the second damper opening; a second bonding sheet-partition wall bonding portion extending in the longitudinal direction along the partition wall portion and bonding a surface of the elastic film opposite to a portion of the elastic film that is bonded to the partition wall portion to the second damper plate; a second bonding sheet first peripheral wall bonding portion extending in the longitudinal direction along the first peripheral wall portion and bonding a surface of the elastic film opposite to a portion bonded to the first peripheral wall portion to the second damper plate; a second bonding sheet second peripheral wall bonding portion extending in the longitudinal direction along the second peripheral wall portion and bonding a surface of the elastic film opposite to a portion bonded to the second peripheral wall portion to the second damper plate; 6. The damper member according to claim 5, further comprising: a second joining sheet connecting portion extending in the width direction across the second joining sheet first sheet opening and the second joining sheet second sheet opening, and connecting the second joining sheet first peripheral wall joining portion, the second joining sheet partition wall joining portion, and the second joining sheet second peripheral wall joining portion to each other.

7. The damper member according to claim 6 , wherein the connecting portion and the second joining sheet connecting portion are arranged to overlap each other.

8. the first damper plate and the second damper plate are made of a metal material, The damper member according to claim 5 , wherein the first bonding sheet and the second bonding sheet are made of a resin material.

9. A liquid ejection head that, when viewed from above, extends in a width direction and a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the width direction, the longitudinal direction being longer than the width direction, and that is capable of ejecting liquid, a flow path member in which a first storage chamber and a second storage chamber capable of storing the liquid are formed, the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber being spaced apart from each other in the width direction; A liquid ejection head comprising: the damper member according to any one of claims 1 to 8, which is disposed on the flow path member.

10. The liquid ejection head according to claim 9; a supply unit that supplies liquid to each of the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber in the flow path member of the liquid ejection head.

11. The liquid ejection device according to claim 10 , wherein the supply unit supplies a first liquid to the first storage chamber, and supplies a second liquid, which is a different type from the first liquid, to the second storage chamber.

12. The liquid ejection head according to claim 9; a recording medium onto which liquid ejected from the liquid ejection head is to land, and a moving unit that moves the liquid ejection head relative to the recording medium;

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