Liquid jet head and liquid jet device

Abstract

To solve the problem that liquid on one nozzle plate may invade into a nozzle of another nozzle plate due to vibration of a liquid jet head or inclination of a liquid jet head.SOLUTION: A liquid jet head that includes a jet surface F1 including a first nozzle formation surface 30a, a second nozzle formation surface 30b, and a non-nozzle formation surface 40 is such that: the nozzle formation surface 30a and the nozzle formation surface 30b are arranged so as to be aligned in an X-axis direction; the nozzle formation surface 30a and the nozzle formation surface 30b go along the X-axis direction and the jet surface F1 respectively, and extend in an N-axis direction crossing the X-axis direction and a Y-axis direction along the jet surface F1 and orthogonal to the X-axis direction; and the non-nozzle formation surface 40 includes a hydrophilic region 50 between the nozzle formation surface 30a and the nozzle formation surface 30b adjacent to each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid ejection head and a liquid ejection apparatus that eject liquid from nozzles. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a liquid jet head having a jet surface that includes a nozzle plate having nozzles for jetting liquid, and the jet surface is water-repellent. With such a liquid jet head, it is possible to reduce the amount of liquid left behind on the jet surface. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-214175 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] If liquid remains on the ejection surface after wiping, there is a risk that the liquid may enter the nozzles of another nozzle plate due to vibration or tilt of the liquid ejection head. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] An aspect of the present invention that solves the above problem is a liquid jet head comprising an ejection surface including a first nozzle forming surface, a second nozzle forming surface, and a non-nozzle forming surface, wherein the first nozzle forming surface and the second nozzle forming surface are arranged to be aligned in a first direction, and each of the first nozzle forming surface and the second nozzle forming surface extends in a third direction that intersects both the first direction and a second direction that is along the ejection surface and perpendicular to the first direction, and the non-nozzle forming surface includes a hydrophilic region between the first nozzle forming surface and the second nozzle forming surface that are adjacent to each other.

[0006] Another aspect of the present invention that solves the above problem is a liquid ejecting apparatus including the liquid ejecting head of the above aspect and a wiping member that wipes the ejection surface of the liquid ejecting head. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view of a liquid ejecting device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a side view of a liquid ejecting device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a plan view of an ejection surface of a head unit according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the head unit according to the first embodiment taken along the line AA. FIG. [Figure 5] 2 is a plan view of the liquid jet head according to the first embodiment, as viewed in the −Z direction. FIG. [Figure 6] 10 is a plan view of a liquid jet head according to a second embodiment, as viewed in the −Z direction. FIG. [Figure 7] 11 is a plan view of a liquid jet head according to a third embodiment, as viewed in the −Z direction. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention will be described in detail below based on embodiments. However, the following description illustrates one aspect of the present invention and can be modified as desired within the scope of the present invention. In each drawing, the same reference numerals indicate the same components, and their description will be omitted as appropriate. In each drawing, X, Y, and Z represent three spatial axes that are orthogonal to each other. In this specification, the directions along these axes are referred to as the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction. The X-axis direction is parallel to the horizontal plane F0, and the Y-axis direction intersects with the horizontal plane F0. The direction of gravity is referred to as the G-axis direction, and the direction orthogonal to both the G-axis direction and the X-axis direction is referred to as the H-axis direction. In the XY plane defined by the X-axis and Y-axis directions, the direction intersecting both the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction is referred to as the N-axis direction. In each drawing, the direction indicated by the arrow is referred to as the positive (+) direction, and the direction opposite to the arrow is referred to as the negative (-) direction.

[0009] (Embodiment 1) Fig. 1 is a plan view of a liquid ejecting device 1 according to embodiment 1, and Fig. 2 is a side view of the liquid ejecting device 1 according to embodiment 1. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the ejection surface of a head unit according to embodiment 1, and Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the head unit according to embodiment 1.

[0010] The liquid ejection device 1 is a so-called line-type liquid ejection device in which a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink as an example of a liquid are distributed across the entire range in the width direction of the medium S. The medium S can be made of any material such as recording paper, resin film, cloth, etc.

[0011] The liquid ejecting device 1 includes a head unit 2, a liquid storage section 3, a transport mechanism 4, a wiping member 7, and a control unit 8. In this embodiment, the liquid ejecting device 1 includes one head unit 2 having multiple, for example, six, liquid ejecting heads 10.

[0012] The liquid storage unit 3 stores the liquid to be ejected from the liquid ejection head. Examples of the liquid storage unit 3 include a cartridge that is detachable from the liquid ejection device 1, a bag-shaped ink pack made of flexible film, and an ink tank that can be refilled with ink. The liquid stored in the liquid storage unit 3 is supplied to the head unit 2 via a tube 3a. The head unit 2 is provided with a flow path (not shown), and the liquid is supplied to each liquid ejection head via the flow path. Although not specifically shown, the liquid storage unit 3 may store multiple types of ink with different colors, ingredients, etc. individually. The liquid storage unit 3 may also be divided into a main tank and a sub-tank. The sub-tank may be connected to the head unit 2, and the liquid may be replenished from the main tank to the sub-tank when consumed by the liquid ejection head ejecting droplets. The liquid may also be circulated between the liquid storage unit 3 and the head unit 2.

[0013] The transport mechanism 4 includes a first transport mechanism 5 and a second transport mechanism 6. The first transport mechanism 5 includes a first transport roller 501 and a first driven roller 502 that follows the first transport roller 501. The first transport roller 501 is driven by the driving force of a first drive motor 503. The first driven roller 502 holds the medium S between itself and the first transport roller 501.

[0014] The second transport mechanism 6 includes a transport belt 601, a second drive motor 602, a second transport roller 603, a second driven roller 604, a tension roller 605, a biasing member 606 such as a spring, and a pressure roller 607. The second transport roller 603 is driven by the driving force of the second drive motor 602. The transport belt 601 is an endless belt that is looped around the outer periphery of the second transport roller 603 and the second driven roller 604. The tension roller 605 abuts against the inner circumferential surface of the transport belt 601 and applies tension to the transport belt 601 by the biasing force of the biasing member 606. The pressure rollers 607 are provided on both the +Y direction side and the -Y direction side of the head unit 2. The medium S is sandwiched between these two pressure rollers 607 and the transport belt 601. As will be described in detail later, the transport mechanism 4 transports the medium S along a transport direction M that is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane F0.

[0015] The wiping member 7 wipes the ejection surface F1 of the liquid ejection head 10, which will be described later. In this embodiment, the liquid ejection device 1 includes two guide members 71 extending in the X-axis direction, and a support member 70 attached so as to be movable in the X-axis direction along these guide members 71. The support member 70 is capable of reciprocating movement in the X-axis direction by the power of a motor or the like (not shown). When the wiping member 7 is moved in the X-axis direction by the support member 70, its tip portion wipes the ejection surface F1. The wiping member 7 is not particularly limited in terms of material or shape, but is preferably made of an elastic and flexible material such as a synthetic resin or elastomer.

[0016] The control unit 8 includes, for example, a control device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and a storage device such as a semiconductor memory. The control unit 8 also includes a power supply device that supplies power from an external power source such as a commercial power source to each element of the liquid ejection device 1. The control unit 8 is electrically connected to the liquid ejection head 10 via external wiring (not shown). The control unit 8 comprehensively controls each element of the liquid ejection device 1 by the control device executing a program stored in the storage device.

[0017] The liquid jet head 10 is a device that jets liquid, and has a plurality of nozzle plates 12 that face the +Z direction and are provided with nozzles 11 that eject liquid. In this embodiment, one liquid jet head 10 is provided with six nozzle plates 12a to 12f, which are arranged in the X-axis direction. When there is no need to distinguish between these multiple nozzle plates 12a to 12f, they will be referred to as nozzle plates 12.

[0018] The head unit 2 includes a plurality of liquid jet heads 10 arranged side by side in the X-axis direction, and a holding member 20. The holding member 20 is a member that is elongated in the X-axis direction, and has a storage portion 21 that is a recess that opens toward the +Z direction. In this embodiment, the holding member 20 is provided with a plurality of storage portions 21, one for each of the plurality of liquid jet heads 10. That is, the plurality of storage portions 21 are arranged side by side in the X-axis direction, and each storage portion 21 stores one liquid jet head 10. Of course, one recess may be used as the storage portion 21 common to the plurality of liquid jet heads 10. The head unit 2 includes a plurality of liquid jet heads arranged side by side in the X-axis direction, and is capable of ejecting liquid over the entire range in the X-axis direction, which is the width direction of the medium S. Note that the liquid jet device 1 may include a plurality of liquid jet heads as described above, or may include a single liquid jet head.

[0019] The liquid jet head 10 is accommodated in the accommodation portion 21 with the nozzle plate 12 facing the +Z direction. With the liquid jet head 10 accommodated in the accommodation portion 21 in this manner, a cover 13 is fixed to the liquid jet head 10. The cover 13 is a plate-like member that is larger than the opening of the accommodation portion 21, and is provided with a plurality of exposure openings 14. The exposure openings 14 are openings formed corresponding to the nozzle plate 12 of the liquid jet head 10. With the nozzle plate 12 exposed through the exposure openings 14, both ends of the cover 13 in the Y-axis direction are bent and fixed to the side surfaces of the holding member 20. The surface of the liquid jet head 10 on the -Z direction side is bonded to the bottom of the accommodation portion 21 with an adhesive, and the surface of the liquid jet head 10 on the +Z direction side is bonded to the surface of the cover 13 on the -Z direction side with an adhesive. Of course, the method of fixing the liquid jet head 10 is not limited to using an adhesive. In this embodiment, a cover 13 is provided for each liquid jet head 10, but a single cover may be provided for multiple liquid jet heads 10. There are no particular limitations on the material of the cover 13, and it is possible to use a metal material such as stainless steel, for example.

[0020] Furthermore, although not particularly shown, a flow path is formed in the holding member 20. This flow path is a flow path for supplying the liquid in the liquid storage portion 3 to each liquid jet head 10. The liquid jet heads 10 housed in the housing portion 21 are connected to the flow path of the holding member 20, and liquid is supplied from this flow path. Note that the flow path may be configured to branch midway and supply liquid to multiple liquid jet heads 10. Furthermore, although not particularly shown, the head unit 2 has a relay board that relays power and print signals supplied from the control unit 8 to the liquid jet heads 10. The liquid jetting operation of the liquid jet heads 10 housed in the housing portion 21 is controlled by the control unit 8 via the relay board.

[0021] Such a liquid jet head 10 is used in an orientation in which the ejection surface F1 is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane F0. The ejection surface F1 of the liquid jet head 10 is the surface of the liquid jet head 10 that faces the medium S. In this embodiment, the ejection surface F1 includes a nozzle forming surface 30 that is the surface of the nozzle plate 12 facing the +Z side, and a non-nozzle forming surface 40 that is the surface of the cover 13 facing the +Z side. The nozzle forming surface 30 and the non-nozzle forming surface 40 are substantially flush with each other, but the ejection surface F1 does not need to be flush with each other. The nozzle forming surfaces of the multiple nozzle plates 12 are also referred to as nozzle forming surfaces 30a to 30f.

[0022] The orientation in which the ejection surface F1 is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane F0 means that the angle θ between the horizontal plane F0 and the ejection surface F1 is greater than 0. The Y-axis direction is perpendicular to the X-axis direction. The Y-axis direction is also a direction along the ejection surface F1. In other words, the Y-axis direction intersects with the horizontal plane F0. When viewed along the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction faces in the -G direction, moving from the -Y direction toward the +Y direction. The liquid ejection head 10 is inclined so that the ejection surface F1 is approximately parallel to the XY plane. In other words, the liquid ejection head 10 rotates around the X-axis direction from a state in which the ejection surface F1 is parallel to the horizontal plane F0, and is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane F0. Note that inclination also includes a case in which the angle θ is 90 degrees.

[0023] Also, an intersection line C (see FIG. 4) between the horizontal plane F0 and the ejection surface F1 is along the X-axis direction. In this embodiment, the X-axis direction and the intersection line C along the X-axis direction are both along the horizontal plane F0, but are not limited to this and may intersect with the horizontal plane F0.

[0024] In this embodiment, the head unit 2 holding the plurality of liquid jet heads 10 rotates by an angle θ around the X-axis direction, thereby holding the plurality of liquid jet heads 10 in an attitude in which the jetting surfaces F1 are inclined with respect to the horizontal plane F0. Note that the liquid jet device 1 may hold the liquid jet heads 10 in an inclined attitude via the head unit 2, or may hold the liquid jet heads 10 in an inclined attitude without using the head unit 2.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the transport mechanism 4 transports the medium S in a transport direction M substantially parallel to the ejection surface F1 at a predetermined distance. The transport direction M is the direction in which the medium S is transported at a position facing the ejection surface F1, and in this embodiment, it is from the +Y direction to the -Y direction. Specifically, the second driven roller 604 is positioned in the -G direction relative to the second transport roller 603. The transport belt 601, which is looped around the second transport roller 603 and the second driven roller 604, has a transport surface 608 on the head unit 2 side inclined with respect to the horizontal plane F0. The angle between the transport surface 608 and the horizontal plane F0 is equal to the angle between the ejection surface F1 and the horizontal plane F0. Note that the transport mechanism 4 may be configured to transport the medium S along the transport direction M at least at a position facing the ejection surface F1. Therefore, the transport mechanism 4 may be configured to transport the medium S in a direction other than the transport direction M at a location away from the position facing the ejection surface F1.

[0026] The liquid jet head 10 performs a jetting operation of jetting the liquid supplied from the liquid storage section 3 as droplets from each of the multiple nozzles 11 (see FIG. 3) in the +Z direction under the control of the control unit 8. The jetting operation by the liquid jet head 10 is performed in parallel with the transport of the medium S by the transport mechanism 4, thereby applying droplets to the medium S, i.e., performing so-called printing.

[0027] The ejection surface F1 of the liquid ejection head 10 will now be described in detail with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the liquid ejection head as viewed in the -Z direction.

[0028] The liquid jet head 10 has an ejection surface F1 that includes a plurality of nozzle forming surfaces 30 and a non-nozzle forming surface 40. As described above, the nozzle forming surface 30 is the surface of the nozzle plate 12 that faces the +Z direction. In this embodiment, six nozzle forming surfaces 30a to 30f are arranged so as to be aligned in the X-axis direction.

[0029] Each nozzle forming surface 30 extends in the N-axis direction, which intersects both the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. In the nozzle forming surface 30 of this embodiment, a plurality of nozzles 11 are arranged side by side along the N-axis direction in the in-plane direction of the nozzle forming surface 30, to form nozzle rows. In each nozzle forming surface 30, two nozzle rows are arranged side by side in the X-axis direction. In a plan view looking in the -Z direction, the nozzle forming surface 30 has a shape that is a substantial parallelogram along the X-axis direction and the N-axis direction. Of course, the nozzle forming surface 30 is not limited to this shape.

[0030] The non-nozzle forming surface 40 refers to the portion of the ejection surface F1 other than the nozzle forming surface 30. In this embodiment, it is the surface facing the +Z direction of the cover 13, excluding the exposed opening 14. The non-nozzle forming surface 40 includes a hydrophilic region 50 and a water-repellent region 60.

[0031] The hydrophilic regions 50 are formed between adjacent nozzle forming surfaces 30 in the X-axis direction and are hydrophilic portions. In this embodiment, six nozzle forming surfaces 30a to 30f are provided, and a total of five hydrophilic regions 50 are provided between each of the six nozzle forming surfaces 30a to 30f.

[0032] Specifically, the first width W1 in the X-axis direction of the hydrophilic region 50 at a first position P1 in the Y-axis direction of the hydrophilic region 50 is smaller than the second width W2 in the X-axis direction at a second position P2 located on the -Y-axis side of the hydrophilic region 50 from the first position P1. In this embodiment, the hydrophilic region 50 is formed in a substantially triangular shape with its apex on the +Y-axis side. Therefore, the first width W1 of the hydrophilic region 50 is smaller than the second width W2 at any first position P1 and second position P2 that are different positions in the Y-axis direction.

[0033] Furthermore, although there are no particular limitations on the shape of the hydrophilic region 50, in this embodiment, in the Y-axis direction, the hydrophilic region 50 extends further toward the −Y direction than the −Y direction end of the adjacent nozzle forming surface 30. The portion of the hydrophilic region 50 that extends further toward the −Y direction than the −Y direction end of the nozzle forming surface 30 is referred to as a first extending portion 51.

[0034] The water-repellent area 60 is a water-repellent portion of the non-nozzle surface 40. In this embodiment, the water-repellent area 60 is the portion of the surface of the cover 13 on the +Z direction side excluding the hydrophilic area 50.

[0035] Water repellency means that the static contact angle with pure water is 90 degrees or more. Hydrophilicity means that the water repellency is lower than that of the water repellent region 60. The hydrophilicity of the hydrophilic region 50 is preferably such that the static contact angle with pure water is less than 90 degrees, more preferably such that the static contact angle with pure water is less than 45 degrees, and even more preferably such that the static contact angle with pure water is less than 30 degrees.

[0036] The method for forming the hydrophilic area 50 and the water-repellent area 60 on the non-nozzle forming surface 40 of the ejection surface F1 can be any known method, so details will be omitted, but examples include methods of forming the hydrophilic area 50 and the water-repellent area 60 on the surface facing the +Z direction of the cover 13 by laser processing or forming a water-repellent film and / or a hydrophilic film.

[0037] As described above, the liquid jet head 10 of this embodiment has an ejection surface F1 that includes a plurality of nozzle forming surfaces 30a to 30f and a non-nozzle forming surface 40, and the nozzle forming surfaces 30a to 30f are arranged in a line in the X-axis direction, and each of the nozzle forming surfaces 30a to 30f extends in the N-axis direction that intersects both the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction that is along the ejection surface F1 and perpendicular to the X-axis direction, and the non-nozzle forming surface 40 includes a hydrophilic region 50 between adjacent nozzle forming surfaces 30 of the nozzle forming surfaces 30a to 30f.

[0038] In this liquid jet head 10, a hydrophilic region 50 is disposed between adjacent nozzle-forming surfaces 30. In other words, as shown in FIG. 5 , the hydrophilic region 50 is disposed on the −Y direction side of the nozzle-forming surface 30. Even if liquid remains on the nozzle-forming surface 30 after the wiping member 7 has wiped the ejection surface F1 and moves outside the nozzle-forming surface 30 due to vibration of the liquid jet head 10 or the like, the liquid can be collected in the hydrophilic region 50. Because the liquid droplets remaining on the nozzle-forming surface 30 are collected in the hydrophilic region 50 in this manner, it is possible to prevent, for example, liquid droplets adhering to the nozzle-forming surface 30a from entering the nozzles 11 of the nozzle-forming surface 30b. In particular, in cases where different liquid droplets are ejected from adjacent nozzle-forming surfaces 30, it is possible to prevent different liquid droplets from being mixed in the nozzles 11.

[0039] In this embodiment, the shape of the hydrophilic region 50 is substantially triangular, but is not limited to this shape. For example, the hydrophilic region 50 may be trapezoidal, or the sides that make up the hydrophilic region 50 may be curved rather than straight. Furthermore, the hydrophilic region 50 may include a portion where the first width W1 and the second width W2 are the same. For example, the hydrophilic region 50 may have a shape in which the width in the X-axis direction increases stepwise from the +Y direction to the -Y direction.

[0040] The hydrophilic region 50 is formed to be longer than the length of the nozzle forming surface 30 in the Y-axis direction, but there is no particular limitation on the length. The hydrophilic region 50 and a part of the water-repellent region 60 are formed between adjacent nozzle forming surfaces 30, but this is not a limitation. For example, the hydrophilic region 50 may be provided over the entire space between adjacent nozzle forming surfaces 30.

[0041] The X-axis direction is an example of a "first direction." The Y-axis direction is an example of a "second direction that runs along the ejection surface and is perpendicular to the first direction." The N-axis direction is an example of a "third direction that intersects both the first and second directions." Any one of the nozzle-forming surfaces 30a to 30f is an example of a "first nozzle-forming surface," and the other nozzle-forming surface 30a to 30f adjacent to it in the X-axis direction is an example of a "second nozzle-forming surface." For example, the nozzle-forming surface 30a is an example of a "first nozzle-forming surface," and the nozzle-forming surface 30b is an example of a "second nozzle-forming surface."

[0042] The liquid ejection head 10 of this embodiment is a liquid ejection head 10 used in an attitude in which the ejection surface F1 is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane F0, and when viewed in the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction faces from the -Y direction toward the +Y direction toward the -G direction of the G-axis direction, and the first width W1 in the X-axis direction at a first position P1 in the Y-axis direction of the hydrophilic region 50 is smaller than the second width W2 in the X-axis direction at a second position P2 located on the -Y side of the Y-axis direction of the hydrophilic region 50 relative to the first position P1.

[0043] In this embodiment, the liquid jet head 10 is used in an inclined position. Specifically, the ejection surface F1 along the Y-axis direction is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane F0. The hydrophilic region 50 has a width in the X-axis direction that increases from the +Y direction to the -Y direction. In this embodiment, the hydrophilic region 50 has a substantially triangular shape that increases in width from the +Y direction to the -Y direction. The -Y direction is located below the G-axis direction, which is the direction of gravity, and the +Y direction is located above the direction of gravity, so the hydrophilic region 50 has a shape that increases in width downward in the direction of gravity. Even if liquid on the nozzle forming surface 30 moves outside the nozzle forming surface 30, it is collected in the hydrophilic region 50 and is further guided to the first extension portion 51 in the -Y direction, which is downward in the direction of gravity. The hydrophilic region 50 has a width in the X-axis direction that increases as it moves toward the -Y direction, making it easy to collect more liquid. With such a liquid ejection head 10, more liquid can be recovered on the -Y direction side of the hydrophilic area 50, so that, for example, it is possible to more reliably prevent liquid on the nozzle forming surface 30a from entering the nozzles 11 on the nozzle forming surface 30b.

[0044] The liquid jet head 10 preferably has a liquid receiving portion that is capable of holding liquid that has spilled from the first extending portion 51, located further in the +G direction than the first extending portion 51 of the hydrophilic region 50, and it is preferable to perform wiping using the wiping member 7 in a configuration that has such a liquid receiving portion. This makes it possible to prevent the liquid droplets collected on the first extending portion 51 of the hydrophilic region 50 from spilling onto the medium S, other components, etc.

[0045] Of the Y-axis directions, the -Y direction is an example of "one of the second directions," the +Y direction is an example of "the other of the second directions," and the -G direction is an example of "upward in the direction of gravity."

[0046] The liquid ejection device 1 of this embodiment includes a liquid ejection head 10 and a wiping member 7 that wipes the ejection surface F1 of the liquid ejection head 10. By providing a hydrophilic region 50 between adjacent nozzle forming surfaces 30, such a liquid ejection device 1 can prevent liquid droplets adhering to one nozzle forming surface 30 from entering the nozzles 11 of the other nozzle forming surface 30. In particular, in cases where different liquid droplets are ejected from each of the adjacent nozzle forming surfaces 30, it is possible to prevent different liquid droplets from being mixed in the nozzles 11.

[0047] After wiping the nozzle forming surface 30 with the wiping member 7, it is preferable to perform side wiping, which wipes the first extension portion 51 and the side surfaces of the head unit 2 facing the +X direction and the -X direction. In this embodiment, after wiping the nozzle forming surface 30, liquid is collected in the first extension portion 51 as described above, and side wiping can wipe away the liquid collected in the first extension portion 51. Furthermore, the first extension portion 51 is positioned so as not to overlap with the nozzle forming surface 30 when viewed in the X-axis direction. Therefore, even if droplets move in the X-axis direction when side wiping is performed, the nozzle forming surface 30 is not positioned on an extension line in the X-axis direction, so it is possible to prevent the droplets from entering the nozzle forming surface 30.

[0048] (Embodiment 2) 6 is a plan view of the liquid jet head according to embodiment 2 as seen in the -Z direction. The same components as those in embodiment 1 are given the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0049] The liquid jet head 10 has an ejection surface F1 that includes a plurality of nozzle forming surfaces 30 and a non-nozzle forming surface 40. The non-nozzle forming surface 40 includes a hydrophilic region 50A and a water-repellent region 60.

[0050] The hydrophilic regions 50A are formed between adjacent nozzle forming surfaces 30 in the X-axis direction and are hydrophilic. In this embodiment, six nozzle forming surfaces 30a to 30f are provided, and a total of five hydrophilic regions 50A are provided between each of the six nozzle forming surfaces 30a to 30f.

[0051] Specifically, a first width W1 in the X-axis direction at a first position P1 in the Y-axis direction of the hydrophilic region 50A is smaller than a second width W2 in the X-axis direction at a second position P2 located on the -Y-axis side of the first position P1 of the hydrophilic region 50. Furthermore, the first width W1 is smaller than a third width W3 in the X-axis direction at a third position P3 located on the +Y-axis side of the first position P1 of the hydrophilic region 50.

[0052] In this embodiment, the hydrophilic region 50A is formed in a substantially pentagonal shape. On the +Y side of the first position P1, the hydrophilic region 50A has a width in the X-axis direction that continuously increases from the -Y direction to the +Y direction. Furthermore, on the -Y side of the first position P1, the width in the X-axis direction continuously increases from the +Y direction to the -Y direction. The portion of the hydrophilic region 50A that extends further in the +Y direction than the end of the nozzle forming surface 30 on the +Y side is referred to as a second extending portion 52.

[0053] The hydrophilic region 50A has a shape that widens downward in the direction of gravity, similar to the liquid jet head 10 of Embodiment 1. Even if the liquid on the nozzle forming surface 30 moves outside the nozzle forming surface 30, the liquid is collected in the hydrophilic region 50A, and is further guided to the first extending portion 51 in the −Y direction downward in the direction of gravity.

[0054] In such a liquid jet head 10, when the inclination is reversed, the first extension portion 51 side is positioned higher in the G-axis direction than the second extension portion 52 side. When the inclination is reversed in this way, that is, even when the second extension portion 52 is positioned on the -Y direction side, the width in the X-axis direction increases toward the -Y direction. Therefore, even if the liquid on the nozzle forming surface 30 moves outside the nozzle forming surface 30, it is collected in the hydrophilic region 50A and is further guided to the second extension portion 52 located in the -Y direction, which is downward in the direction of gravity.

[0055] In the liquid jet head 10 of this embodiment, the first width W1 is smaller than the third width W3 in the X-axis direction at a third position P3 located on the +Y-direction side in the Y-axis direction of the hydrophilic region 50A than the first position P1.

[0056] Such a liquid ejection head 10 achieves the same effects as in embodiment 1 whether it is tilted in an attitude such that the +Y side of the Y axis direction is located lower in the direction of gravity than the -Y side, or whether it is tilted in an attitude such that the +Y side of the Y axis direction is located higher in the direction of gravity than the -Y side.

[0057] (Embodiment 3) 7 is a plan view of the liquid jet head according to embodiment 3 as viewed in the -Z direction. The same components as those in embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0058] The liquid jet head 10 has an ejection surface F1 that includes a plurality of nozzle forming surfaces 30 and a non-nozzle forming surface 40. The non-nozzle forming surface 40 includes a hydrophilic region 50B and a water-repellent region 60.

[0059] The hydrophilic regions 50B are formed between adjacent nozzle forming surfaces 30 in the X-axis direction and are hydrophilic. In this embodiment, six nozzle forming surfaces 30a to 30f are provided, and a total of five hydrophilic regions 50B are provided between each of the six nozzle forming surfaces 30a to 30f.

[0060] Specifically, the first width W1 in the X-axis direction of the hydrophilic region 50B at a first position P1 in the Y-axis direction of the hydrophilic region 50B is larger than the second width W2 in the X-axis direction at a second position P2 located on the -Y side of the Y-axis direction of the hydrophilic region 50B relative to the first position P1. In this embodiment, the hydrophilic region 50B is formed in a substantially triangular shape with its apex on the -Y side. Therefore, the first width W1 of the hydrophilic region 50B is larger than the second width W2 at any first position P1 and second position P2 that are different positions in the Y-axis direction.

[0061] Such a hydrophilic region 50B has a shape in which its width narrows downward in the direction of gravity. Even if the liquid on the nozzle surface 30 moves outside the nozzle surface 30, it is collected in the hydrophilic region 50B. Because the width of the hydrophilic region 50B narrows in the -Y direction, the capillary force is strengthened, and the liquid is more likely to be guided to the first extending portion 51 in the -Y direction.

[0062] In the liquid jet head 10 of this embodiment, the first width W1 in the X-axis direction at a first position P1 in the Y-axis direction of the hydrophilic region 50B is larger than the second width W2 in the X-axis direction at a second position P2 located on the -Y-axis direction side of the first position P1 of the hydrophilic region 50B.

[0063] This liquid jet head 10 achieves the same effects as those of the first embodiment. Furthermore, because the width of the hydrophilic region 50B in the X-axis direction narrows toward the -Y direction, the capillary force is improved, making it easier to collect the liquid toward the -Y direction. This more reliably prevents liquid droplets from penetrating from one of the adjacent nozzle forming surfaces 30 to the other.

[0064] (Variation) In the above-described first to third embodiments, the liquid jet head 10 is in a position in which the ejection surface F1 is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane F0, but the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. That is, the liquid jet head 10 may have the ejection surface F1 parallel to the horizontal plane F0. Even with such a configuration, even if the liquid droplets remaining on the nozzle forming surface 30 move due to vibration of the liquid jet head 10 or the like, they are captured in the hydrophilic region 50. This makes it possible to prevent the liquid from entering the nozzles 11 of other nozzle forming surfaces 30.

[0065] (Other embodiments) Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the basic configuration of the present invention is not limited to the above.

[0066] The liquid jet head 10 of the above-described embodiment is not particularly limited in terms of the means for jetting liquid, and examples thereof include a thin-film piezoelectric actuator, a thick-film piezoelectric actuator formed by methods such as attaching green sheets, and a longitudinal vibration piezoelectric actuator in which piezoelectric material and electrode-forming material are alternately laminated to expand and contract in the axial direction. Other examples include so-called electrostatic actuators that generate static electricity between a vibration plate and an electrode, deform the vibration plate by electrostatic force, and eject droplets from nozzle openings.

[0067] Although a line-type liquid ejection device in which the liquid ejection head 10 is fixed has been exemplified as the liquid ejection device 1 described above, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can also be applied to a so-called serial-type liquid ejection device in which the liquid ejection head 10 moves in the main scanning direction and the medium S moves in the sub-scanning direction.

[0068] Furthermore, the present invention is broadly intended for liquid jet heads in general, and can be applied to, for example, recording heads such as various ink jet recording heads used in image recording devices such as printers, color material jetting heads used in manufacturing color filters for liquid crystal displays and the like, electrode material jetting heads used in forming electrodes for organic EL displays, FEDs (field emission displays), and the like, and bioorganic material jetting heads used in manufacturing biochips.

[0069] (Addendum) From the above-described exemplary embodiments, the following configurations can be understood, for example.

[0070] A preferred embodiment of a liquid jet head according to Aspect 1 includes an ejection surface including a first nozzle-forming surface, a second nozzle-forming surface, and a non-nozzle-forming surface, wherein the first nozzle-forming surface and the second nozzle-forming surface are aligned in a first direction, and each of the first nozzle-forming surface and the second nozzle-forming surface extends in a third direction that intersects both the first direction and a second direction that is aligned with the ejection surface and perpendicular to the first direction, and the non-nozzle-forming surface includes a hydrophilic region between the first nozzle-forming surface and the second nozzle-forming surface that are adjacent to each other. In this liquid jet head, a hydrophilic region is disposed between adjacent nozzle-forming surfaces. Even if liquid remains on the nozzle-forming surface and moves outside the nozzle-forming surface due to vibration of the liquid jet head or the like, the liquid can be collected in the hydrophilic region. Since droplets remaining on the nozzle-forming surface are collected in the hydrophilic region, it is possible to prevent droplets adhering to the first nozzle-forming surface from entering the nozzles of the second nozzle-forming surface.

[0071] In Aspect 2, which is a specific example of Aspect 1, there is provided a liquid jet head used in an orientation in which the ejection surface is inclined with respect to a horizontal plane, wherein, as viewed in the first direction, the second direction faces upward in the direction of gravity from one side to the other, and a first width in the first direction of the hydrophilic region at a first position in the second direction is smaller than a second width in the first direction of the hydrophilic region at a second position P2 located on the one side in the second direction of the hydrophilic region from the first position. The hydrophilic region has a width in the first direction that increases downward in the direction of gravity, making it easy to collect a larger amount of liquid. With this liquid jet head, liquid can be recovered on that one side of the hydrophilic region, thereby more reliably preventing liquid on the first nozzle-forming surface from entering the nozzles of the second nozzle-forming surface.

[0072] In Aspect 3, which is a specific example of Aspect 2, the first width is smaller than the third width in the first direction at a third position P3 that is located on the other side in the second direction of the hydrophilic region relative to the first position. Whether the liquid jet head is tilted in an attitude such that one side in the Y-axis direction is lower in the direction of gravity than the other side in the Y-axis direction, or whether the liquid jet head is tilted in an attitude such that one side in the Y-axis direction is higher in the direction of gravity than the other side, the liquid can be collected in the hydrophilic region 50, and the liquid on the first nozzle-forming surface can be more reliably prevented from entering the nozzles of the second nozzle-forming surface.

[0073] In Aspect 4, which is a specific example of Aspect 1, the first width in the first direction of the hydrophilic region at a first position in the second direction is smaller than the second width in the first direction of the hydrophilic region at a second position P3 located on one side of the first position in the second direction, and the first width is smaller than the third width in the first direction of the hydrophilic region at a third position P3 located on the other side of the first position in the second direction. Since droplets can be collected in the hydrophilic region even when the ejection surface is not inclined with respect to the horizontal plane, it is possible to more reliably prevent liquid on the first nozzle-forming surface from entering the nozzles of the second nozzle-forming surface.

[0074] In Aspect 5, which is a specific example of Aspect 1, there is provided a liquid jet head used with the ejection surface inclined with respect to a horizontal plane, wherein, as viewed in the first direction, the second direction faces upward in the direction of gravity from one side to the other, and a first width of the hydrophilic region in the first direction at a first position in the second direction is greater than a second width of the hydrophilic region in the first direction at a second position located on the one side in the second direction from the first position. In this liquid jet head, the width of the hydrophilic region in the first direction narrows toward one side of the second direction, improving capillary force and making it easier to collect liquid toward that one side. This more reliably prevents droplets from penetrating from the first nozzle forming surface to the second nozzle forming surface.

[0075] A liquid ejecting device according to Aspect 6, which is a preferred aspect, includes the liquid ejecting head according to any one of Aspects 1 to 5, and a wiping member that wipes the ejection surface of the liquid ejecting head. By providing a hydrophilic region between adjacent nozzle forming surfaces, this liquid ejecting device can prevent liquid droplets adhering to the first nozzle forming surface from entering the nozzles of the second nozzle forming surface.

[0076] In Aspect 7, which is a specific example of Aspect 6, the liquid jet head is disposed so that the intersection line between a horizontal plane and the jet surface is along the first direction. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] F0...horizontal surface, F1...ejection surface, P1...first position, P2...second position, P3...third position, W1...first width, W2...second width, W3...third width, 1...liquid ejection device, 2...head unit, 3...liquid storage section, 4...transport mechanism, 7...wiping member, 10...liquid ejection head, 11...nozzle, 12, 12a to 12f...nozzle plate, 13...cover, 20...holding member, 30, 30a to 30f...nozzle forming surface, 40...non-nozzle forming surface, 50, 50A, 50B...hydrophilic area, 60...water-repellent area

Claims

1. an ejection surface including a first nozzle forming surface, a second nozzle forming surface, and a non-nozzle forming surface; the first nozzle forming surface and the second nozzle forming surface are arranged to be aligned in a first direction, each of the first nozzle forming surface and the second nozzle forming surface extends in a third direction that intersects both the first direction and a second direction that is along the ejection surface and perpendicular to the first direction; the non-nozzle forming surface includes a hydrophilic region between the first nozzle forming surface and the second nozzle forming surface that are adjacent to each other; A liquid jet head characterized by:

2. A liquid ejection head used in an orientation in which the ejection surface is inclined with respect to a horizontal plane, When viewed in the first direction, the second direction is directed upward in the direction of gravity from one side to the other, a first width in the first direction at a first position in the second direction of the hydrophilic region is smaller than a second width in the first direction at a second position located on the one side in the second direction of the hydrophilic region relative to the first position; The liquid jet head according to claim 1 .

3. The first width is smaller than a third width in the first direction at a third position of the hydrophilic region that is located on the other side in the second direction from the first position. The liquid jet head according to claim 2 .

4. a first width in the first direction at a first position in the second direction of the hydrophilic region is smaller than a second width in the first direction at a second position located on one side of the first position in the second direction of the hydrophilic region; the first width is smaller than a third width in the first direction of the hydrophilic region at a third position located on the other side of the first position in the second direction; The liquid jet head according to claim 1 .

5. A liquid ejection head used in an orientation in which the ejection surface is inclined with respect to a horizontal plane, When viewed in the first direction, the second direction is directed upward in the direction of gravity from one side to the other, a first width in the first direction at a first position in the second direction of the hydrophilic region is larger than a second width in the first direction at a second position located on the one side in the second direction of the hydrophilic region relative to the first position; The liquid jet head according to claim 1 .

6. The liquid jet head according to claim 1 , a wiping member that wipes the ejection surface of the liquid ejection head; A liquid ejection device comprising:

7. the liquid ejection head is disposed so that an intersection line between a horizontal plane and the ejection surface is along the first direction; The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 6 .

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