Liquid ejection head and liquid ejection apparatus

Abstract

To provide a technique that can inhibit occurrence of jamming between a configuration that supports a recording element substrate and a configuration that guides a leading edge of a curled recording medium.SOLUTION: A liquid ejection head includes: an element substrate configured to eject a liquid from ejection ports; a support member configured to support the element substrate; and a cover member configured to cover the element substrate. The cover member includes: a flat part equipped with an opening through which the ejection ports are exposed to the outside; and an inclined part provided on at least one side of the flat part so as to incline toward the support member as the inclined part extends away from the flat part. The support member includes a recessed part configured to accommodate a leading edge of the inclined part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a liquid ejection head that includes a cover member that covers a flexible wiring board connected to a recording element substrate while exposing the ejection ports of the recording element substrate supported by a support member to the outside. This cover member is formed with a guide portion on the upstream side in the recording medium transport direction, which is inclined so as to guide a recording medium with a curved (curled) tip into the space between the liquid ejection head and a support portion (platen) from the tip during transport. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-168641 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The liquid ejection head disclosed in Patent Document 1 discloses configurations for the position where the protective member and guide portion are close to each other on the upstream side in the transport direction, including a configuration for reducing the gap between the protective member and guide portion, a configuration for overlapping the protective member and guide portion, and a configuration for sealing with a sealant. However, in configurations that create a gap, there is a risk that the leading edge of a curled recording medium will enter the gap and cause jamming. In addition, in overlapping configurations, a vertical surface is formed near the guide portion, which may guide the leading edge of the curled recording medium toward the protective member, causing jamming. Furthermore, in configurations that seal with a sealant, there is a risk that a protrusion is formed by the sealant, and the leading edge of the curled recording medium may get caught on the protrusion, causing jamming.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a technology that can suppress jamming that occurs between a configuration that supports a recording element substrate and a configuration that guides the leading edge of a curled recording medium. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, one embodiment of a liquid ejection head according to the present disclosure comprises an element substrate that ejects liquid from an ejection port, a support member that supports the element substrate, and a cover member that covers the element substrate, wherein the cover member comprises a flat portion having an opening that allows the ejection port to eject liquid to the outside, and an inclined portion that is provided on at least one side of the flat portion and inclined toward the support member as it moves away from the flat portion, and the support member comprises a recess that accommodates the tip of the inclined portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent jamming that occurs between a configuration that supports a recording element substrate and a configuration that guides the leading edge of a curled recording medium. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a liquid ejection device. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an external view of a liquid ejection head. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a liquid ejection unit. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing changes in a curled recording medium during conveyance in a comparative example. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing changes in a curled recording medium during conveyance in an embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram of a liquid ejection device according to another embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a liquid ejection unit. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing changes in a curled recording medium during conveyance in an embodiment. [Figure 11] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing modified examples of recesses provided in the support member. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which a resin material is placed in a recessed portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of a liquid ejection head and a liquid ejection device will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiment does not limit the present disclosure, and not all combinations of features described in the present embodiment are necessarily essential to the solutions of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the positions, shapes, etc. of the components described in the present embodiment are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the present invention to only those.

[0010] (First embodiment) First, a liquid ejection head according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0011] <Configuration of Liquid Ejection Device> The following describes an outline of the configuration of a liquid ejection device equipped with a liquid ejection head according to this embodiment. In the following description, a liquid ejection device equipped with a liquid ejection head that ejects ink as a liquid and ejects the ink from the liquid ejection head to perform recording on a recording medium will be described as an example. Note that the liquid ejected from the liquid ejection head is not limited to ink, but also includes a treatment liquid that performs a predetermined process on the ink ejected onto the recording medium. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the transport direction of the recording medium is defined as the X direction, the width direction of the recording medium perpendicular to the X direction is defined as the Y direction, and the direction perpendicular to both the X direction and the Y direction is defined as the Z direction. Furthermore, for ease of understanding, the liquid ejection head will be described using the orientation when mounted on the liquid ejection device.

[0012] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a liquid ejection device. The liquid ejection device 10 in Fig. 1 includes a transport unit 12 that transports a recording medium M, and a recording unit 13 that ejects ink onto the recording medium M transported by the transport unit 12. The transport unit 12 is configured to transport the recording medium M in the X direction, and includes a support unit (platen) 16 that supports the transported recording medium M.

[0013] The recording unit 13 is equipped with a plurality of liquid ejection heads 14. In the recording unit 13, the plurality of liquid ejection heads 14 are arranged in the Y direction so as to correspond to the width of the recording medium M transported by the transport unit 12. That is, in this embodiment, the recording unit 13 is equipped with a full-line type head unit configured using a plurality of liquid ejection heads 14. For example, ink stored in an ink tank (not shown) is supplied to each liquid ejection head 14 via a tube (not shown). Note that the recording unit 13 is not limited to being equipped with a plurality of liquid ejection heads 14. For example, the recording unit 13 may be configured to have one liquid ejection head 14 having a length corresponding to the width of the recording medium M.

[0014] In the liquid ejection device 10, for example, the conveying unit 12 conveys a plurality of recording media M continuously or intermittently, while the liquid ejection head 14 continuously performs recording on the recording media M. The recording media used in the liquid ejection device 10 include not only paper such as cut paper and roll paper, but also cloth, plastic film, metal plate, glass, ceramics, wood, leather, and other materials capable of accepting ink.

[0015] <Configuration of liquid ejection head> Next, we will explain the configuration of the liquid ejection head 14. Figure 2 is an external view of the liquid ejection head 14, where (a) is a perspective view seen from the bottom side facing the support part 16 of the transport part 12, and (b) is a perspective view seen from the top side.

[0016] The liquid ejection head 14 includes a liquid ejection unit 200 having a configuration for ejecting ink (see FIG. 2(a)). In the liquid ejection device 10, the liquid ejection head 14 is disposed so that the support unit 16 of the transport unit 12 and the liquid ejection unit 200 face each other during printing. The liquid ejection unit 200 includes a recording element substrate (hereinafter also referred to as "element substrate") 202 on which ejection ports 210 for ejecting ink are formed, and a support member 204 that supports the recording element substrate 202. The liquid ejection unit 200 also includes a cover member 212 that covers the recording element substrate 202 while exposing a predetermined area including the ejection ports 210 to the outside through an opening 208. Therefore, the bottom surface 14a of the liquid ejection head 14 includes a surface 204a of the support member 204 that faces the support unit 16, the cover member 212, and the predetermined area including the ejection ports 210 in the recording element substrate 202.

[0017] In the liquid ejection head 14, a flow path (not shown) for supplying liquid to the liquid ejection unit 200, and electrical wiring (not shown) for transmitting power and drive signals to the liquid ejection unit 200 are provided within the head cover 214. A liquid introduction unit 216 for introducing ink to the liquid ejection unit 200 via the flow path is provided on the upper surface 214a of the head cover 214, which forms the top surface 14b of the liquid ejection head 14 (see FIG. 2(b)). This liquid introduction unit 216 is connected via a tube to an ink tank that stores ink. In the present embodiment, a configuration including two liquid introduction units 216 has been illustrated as an example, but the number of liquid introduction units 216 may be one, or three or more. Furthermore, if the liquid ejection head 14 is configured to circulate ink, one of the liquid introduction units 216 will serve to introduce ink, and the other will serve to discharge ink.

[0018] In this embodiment, four recording element substrates 202 are arranged in a staggered manner in the liquid ejection section 200 in one liquid ejection head 14, and a cover member 212 is provided independently for each recording element substrate 202. The number of recording element substrates 202 in the liquid ejection section 200 is not limited to four, and may be one, two, three, or five or more. The arrangement of the recording element substrates 202 in the liquid ejection section 200 is not limited to a staggered arrangement, and may be arranged, for example, in the extension direction of the liquid ejection head 14 (the Y direction in this embodiment).

[0019] <Configuration of liquid ejection unit> Next, the configuration of the liquid discharger 200 will be described. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of the cover member 212, where (a) is a perspective view of the cover member 212 and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line IIIb-IIIb in Fig. 3(a). Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of the liquid discharger 200, where (a) is a view taken along arrow IVa in Fig. 2(a) and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line IVb-IVb in Fig. 4(a).

[0020] =Cover material= The cover member 212 provided in the liquid ejection unit 200 includes a plate-shaped flat portion 302 and a guide portion (hereinafter also referred to as an "inclined portion") 304 formed on the upstream side of the flat portion 302 in the transport direction and inclined relative to the flat portion 302 (see FIG. 3(a)). An opening 208 is provided in the approximate center of the flat portion 302. As will be described in detail later, the guide portion 304 is configured to guide the leading edge of the recording medium transported in the transport direction. The guide portion 304 is formed so as to gradually incline in the +Z direction toward the upstream side in the transport direction. Therefore, when the cover member 212 is placed on the recording element substrate 202, the guide portion 304 is formed so as to incline toward the support member as it moves away from the flat portion 302. The guide portion 304 is formed over the entire area of ​​one side of the flat portion 302 extending in the Y direction. The guide surface 304a of the guide portion 304, with which the conveyed recording medium M may come into contact, may be a flat surface (see FIG. 3(b)) or a curved surface. Hereinafter, the "guide surface" will also be referred to as an "inclined surface." The length L1 of the guide portion 304 is set so that the tip 304b of the guide portion 304 is accommodated in a groove-shaped recess (groove portion 400, described later) provided in the surface 204a of the support member 204 when the cover member 212 is placed on the recording element substrate 202. The length of the guide portion 304 accommodated in the groove portion 400 will be described later.

[0021] The thickness T of the cover member 212 greatly affects the distance between the recording medium M (or the support part 16) and the discharge port 210 when the liquid discharge head 14 is installed in the liquid discharge device 10. In other words, if the thickness T of the cover member 212 is thin, the distance between the recording medium M and the discharge port 210 can be reduced. Therefore, the thinner the thickness T, the more accurate the ink drawing can be. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of strength, it is desirable that the material of the cover member 212 be metal. For these reasons, in this embodiment, the cover member 212 is made of titanium, and the thickness T is set to 0.1 mm.

[0022] =Support member= The support member 204 that supports the recording element substrate 202 has a support surface 204b that supports the recording element substrate 202 at a position recessed from a surface 204a of the support member 204 (see FIG. 4(b)). The recording element substrate 202 supported by the support surface 204b faces the support part 16 of the transport unit 12 when the liquid ejection head 14 is installed in the liquid ejection device 10. The support member 204 also has a flow path 402 for introducing ink into the recording element substrate 202 (see FIG. 4(b)). As a result, ink introduced via the liquid introduction part 216 is supplied to the recording element substrate 202 via the flow path in the head cover 214 and the flow path 402.

[0023] The support member 204 has holes 406 through which a flexible wiring board 404 is inserted, which connects the electrical wiring housed in the head cover 214 to the recording element substrate 202 (see FIG. 4(b)). Each recording element (not shown) provided on the recording element substrate 202 is connected to, for example, a control unit (not shown) that controls the liquid ejection device 10 via the electrical wiring and the flexible wiring board 404. This allows power and drive signals to be transmitted from the control unit to each recording element via the electrical wiring, the flexible wiring board 404, etc. The recording elements are provided on the recording element substrate 202 and generate energy for ejecting ink from the ejection ports 210, and various known elements such as electrothermal conversion elements and electromechanical conversion elements can be used.

[0024] A groove portion 400 capable of accommodating the tip 304b of the guide portion 304 of the cover member 212 arranged on the recording element substrate 202 is formed on the surface 204a of the support member 204, on the upstream side of the transport direction of each recording element substrate 202 (see Figures 4(a) and (b)).

[0025] <Jamming Suppression> In the above configuration, when recording in the liquid ejection device 10, the recording medium M is transported by the transport unit 12, and at a position facing the liquid ejection head 14, the recording medium M is transported while being supported by the support unit 16. The jamming suppression effect of this embodiment will be described below.

[0026] First, with reference to Figures 5(a) and 5(b), we will explain the occurrence of jamming in a liquid ejection head as a comparative example in which no groove 400 is provided and the tip 304b of the guide portion 304 is located near the surface 204a of the support member 204. Figure 5 is a diagram explaining jamming that occurs in a liquid ejection head as a comparative example in which no groove 400 is provided. Figure 5(a) is a diagram showing the state immediately before the conveyed recording medium M comes into contact with the guide portion, and Figure 5(b) is a diagram showing the state in which jamming occurs due to the guide portion.

[0027] If the groove 400 is not provided, the recording medium M with a curled leading end will first come into contact with the support member 204 at its leading end Mt as it is conveyed by the conveyance unit 12. In this embodiment, the leading end Mt of the recording medium M refers to the end of the recording medium M on the downstream side in the conveyance direction. Specifically, the leading end Mt first comes into contact with the inclined surface 204c of the support member 204, and then travels along the inclined surface 204c as it is conveyed, reaching the surface 204a of the support member 204 (see FIG. 5(a)). Thereafter, as it is further conveyed by the conveyance unit 12, the leading end Mt travels along the surface 204a and comes into contact with the leading end 304b of the guide portion 304, which is close to the surface 204a, or enters the space between the leading end 304b and the surface 204a. As a result, the recording medium M is not guided into the space between the liquid ejection head 14 (cover member 212) and the support portion 16, and as it is transported, it deforms on the upstream side of the space in the transport direction, causing jamming (see Figure 5(b)).

[0028] If a jam occurs during recording, the recording operation must be stopped in order to remove the jammed recording medium M. Furthermore, when the leading edge Mt of the recording medium M abuts against the leading edge 304b of the guide portion 304, the impact at the time of abutment may damage the recording element substrate 202 to which the cover member 212 including the guide portion 304 is attached. Furthermore, when the leading edge Mt enters between the leading edge 304b and the surface 204a, the leading edge Mt may contact the recording element substrate 202 or the impact at that time may damage the recording element substrate 202. Furthermore, when the leading edge Mt enters between the leading edge 304b and the surface 204a, the leading edge Mt may contact the flexible wiring substrate 404 or the impact at that time may damage the connection portion between the recording element substrate 202 and the flexible wiring substrate 404.

[0029] Next, the jamming suppression effect of the liquid ejection head 14 having the configuration according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating jamming suppression by the liquid ejection head 14. Figure 6(a) is a diagram showing a state immediately before the conveyed recording medium M comes into contact with the guide portion 304, and Figure 6(b) is a diagram showing a state in which the recording medium M is guided by the guide portion 304.

[0030] When the leading edge portion of the recording medium M is curled, the leading edge Mt of the recording medium M first comes into contact with the support member 204 as the recording medium M is conveyed by the conveying unit 12. In this embodiment, the leading edge Mt first comes into contact with the inclined surface 204c of the support member 204, and then travels along the inclined surface 204c as the recording medium M is conveyed, reaching the surface 204a of the support member 204. Thereafter, as the recording medium Mt is further conveyed by the conveying unit 12, the leading edge Mt travels along the surface 204a and reaches the groove 400. When the leading edge Mt reaches the groove 400, the leading edge 304b comes into contact with the guide surface 304a of the guide unit 304, the leading edge 304b of which is housed in the groove 400 (see FIG. 6(a)).

[0031] The guide surface 304a of the guide unit 304, which is the surface with which the recording medium can come into contact, is formed so as to gradually incline in the -Z direction (downward in FIG. 5) as the recording medium advances in the conveying direction (+X direction). Therefore, the leading end Mt that comes into contact with the guide surface 304a is gradually guided along the guide surface 304a in the -Z direction where the support unit 16 is located by further conveyance of the recording medium M by the conveying unit 12, and is guided into the space between the cover member 212 and the support unit 16 (see FIG. 6(b)).

[0032] Here, the leading edge Mt of the recording medium M with its leading edge curled travels along the surface 204a as described above and reaches the guide portion 304, where the leading edge 304b is positioned within the groove portion 400. Therefore, if the distance between the wall surface 400a on the upstream side of the groove portion 400 in the conveying direction and the leading edge 304b of the guide portion 304 housed within the groove portion 400 is too great, there is a risk that the leading edge Mt will enter between the wall surface 400a and the leading edge 304b, depending on the degree of curl of the leading edge. Therefore, for example, the groove portion 400 is configured so that the wall surface 400a and the leading edge 304b abut against each other. Alternatively, based on the allowable degree of curl, the wall surface 400a and the leading edge 304b may be spaced apart in the conveying direction (X direction) by a predetermined distance so that the leading edge Mt will not enter the groove portion 400 when it reaches the groove portion 400 along the surface 204a. In this embodiment, the leading end portion of the recording medium M refers to a portion of the recording medium M within a predetermined range from the leading end Mt, including the leading end Mt.

[0033] Furthermore, the inclination angle D1 (see FIG. 3(b)) of the guide portion 304 with respect to the flat portion 302 is an angle that allows the tip Mt of the recording medium M to be guided between the cover member 212 and the support portion 16 after the tip Mt comes into contact with the guide surface 304a. Specifically, for example, when the tip Mt travels along the surface 204a and comes into contact with the guide surface 304a, the angle θ formed between the guide surface 304a and the curled tip portion of the recording medium M is an obtuse angle. Note that, if the guide surface 304a is a curved surface, for example, the guide surface 304a is formed so that the angle formed between the tip portion and a tangent at (and in the vicinity of) the contact position between the tip Mt and the guide surface 304a is an obtuse angle. Therefore, the length of the guide portion 304 accommodated in the groove portion 400 is set to a predetermined length that satisfies the above-mentioned conditions and allows the tip Mt of the recording medium M to abut against the guide surface 304b when the tip Mt enters the groove portion 400 along the surface 204a.

[0034] As a result, even if the leading edge of the recording medium M is curled, the guide portion 304 smoothly guides the recording medium M from the leading edge Mt into the space between the liquid ejection head 14 (cover member 212) and the support portion 16. This makes it possible to prevent jamming of the recording medium M during transport, and recording stops due to jamming are less likely to occur during a recording operation. In addition, in this embodiment, grooves 400 are provided at positions corresponding to the guide portions 304 of the cover members 212 of the four recording element substrates 202 arranged in a staggered arrangement. Therefore, even if the recording medium M continues to be transported with the leading edge curled after passing the two recording element substrates 202 located upstream in the transport direction, jamming can also be prevented at the two recording element substrates 202 located downstream in the transport direction.

[0035] <Action and effect> As described above, in the liquid ejection head 14, the guide portion 304 is provided on the upstream side of the cover member 212 in the transport direction, which is capable of guiding the leading edge Mt of the recording medium M, the leading edge of which has curled, between the cover member 212 and the support portion 16. The leading edge 304b of the guide portion 304 is accommodated in a groove portion 400 provided in the surface 204a of the support member 204 that supports the recording element substrate 202. As a result, the leading edge Mt of the curled recording medium M is smoothly guided from the surface 204a of the support member 204 to the support portion 16 side via the guide portion 304 during transport, thereby suppressing the occurrence of jamming.

[0036] (Second embodiment) Next, a liquid ejection head according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 7 to 10. In the following description, the same or corresponding components as those in the liquid ejection device according to the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals as those used in the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0037] The liquid ejection head according to the first embodiment is configured to be compatible with a full-line type liquid ejection device, whereas the liquid ejection head according to the second embodiment is configured to be compatible with a serial scan type liquid ejection device. Specifically, the liquid ejection head according to this embodiment differs from the liquid ejection head of the first embodiment in that guide portions are provided on three sides of the cover member 212: the upstream side in the transport direction and one and the other sides in the scanning direction of the liquid ejection head.

[0038] <Configuration of Liquid Ejection Device> Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of a liquid ejection device equipped with a liquid ejection head according to this embodiment. The liquid ejection device 700 in Fig. 7 includes a transport unit 12 that transports a recording medium M, and a recording unit 713 that performs recording on the recording medium M transported by the transport unit 12 while scanning in a direction intersecting (orthogonal in this embodiment) the transport direction of the recording medium M by the transport unit 12. The recording unit 713 includes a liquid ejection head 714. In the recording unit 713, the liquid ejection head 14 is installed so that an ejection port array formed by arranging a plurality of ejection ports 210 in each recording element substrate 202 intersects the scanning direction (Y direction) of the liquid ejection head.

[0039] <Configuration of liquid ejection head> Next, the configuration of the liquid ejection head 714 will be described. In the following explanation, differences between the liquid ejection head 714 and the liquid ejection head 14 will be described, and explanations of the same configurations will be omitted. The liquid ejection head 714 includes a liquid ejection unit 710 having a configuration for ejecting ink (see FIG. 7).

[0040] The liquid ejection head 714 includes a cover member 800 that covers the recording element substrate 202 with a predetermined area including the ejection ports 210 exposed to the outside through an opening 808, and that has a guide portion 804 formed therein for guiding the leading edge of a recording medium being conveyed. The configuration of the cover member 800 will be described later with reference to FIG. 8. The liquid ejection head 714 also includes a support member 904 that supports the recording element substrate 202 and that has a groove portion 900 on its surface that accommodates the leading edge 804b of the guide portion 804 provided on the cover member 800. The configuration of the groove portion 900 formed in the support member 904 will be described later with reference to FIG. 9.

[0041] <Configuration of liquid ejection unit> Next, the configuration of the liquid ejection unit 710 will be described. Figure 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of the cover member 800, where (a) is a perspective view of the cover member 800 and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIIIb-VIIIb in Figure 8(a). Figure 9 is a bottom view of the liquid ejection head 714.

[0042] =Cover material= The cover member 800 provided on the liquid discharge unit 710 includes a plate-shaped flat portion 802 and a guide portion 804 formed by connecting the flat portion 802 so as to surround three sides of the flat portion 802: the upstream side in the transport direction, one side in the scanning direction, and the other side in the scanning direction (see FIG. 8(a)). The guide portion 804 is formed at an angle with respect to the flat portion 802.

[0043] An opening 808 is provided in the approximate center of the flat portion 802. In the region S1 provided on the upstream side in the transport direction, the guide portion 804 is formed so as to gradually incline in the +Z direction toward the upstream side in the transport direction. In the region S2 provided on one side in the scanning direction (the left side in FIG. 8(b)), the guide portion 804 is formed so as to gradually incline in the +Z direction toward one side in the scanning direction (see FIG. 8(b)). In addition, in the region S3 provided on the other side in the scanning direction (the right side in FIG. 8(b)), the guide portion 804 is formed so as to gradually incline in the +Z direction toward the other side in the scanning direction (see FIG. 8(b)). Note that the regions S1 and S2 are connected by a region S4, and the regions S1 and S3 are connected by a region S5. The regions S4 and S5 are formed so as to gradually incline in the +Z direction as they move away from the flat portion 802. Therefore, when the cover member 800 is placed on the recording element substrate 202, the guide portion 804 is formed so as to incline toward the support member as it moves away from the flat portion 802.

[0044] The guide surface 804a of the guide portion 804 may be flat (see FIG. 8(b)) or curved. The length L2 of the guide portion 804 is set so that the tip 804b of the guide portion 804 is accommodated in a groove portion 900 provided in a surface 904a of the support member 904 when the cover member 800 is placed on the recording element substrate 202. The length of the guide portion 804 accommodated in the groove portion 900 will be described later.

[0045] =Support member= Next, the support member 904 that supports the recording element substrate 202 will be described, but in the following explanation, only the differences from the support member 204 will be described. A groove 900 capable of accommodating a tip 804b of a guide portion 804 of a cover member 800 placed on the recording element substrate 202 is formed on a surface 904a of the support member 904 (see FIG. 9). Specifically, the groove 900 is formed so as to surround the upstream side in the transport direction, one side in the scanning direction, and the other side in the scanning direction of each recording element substrate 202 supported by the support member 904.

[0046] <Jamming Suppression> Next, the jamming suppression effect of the liquid ejection head 714 having the configuration according to this embodiment will be described. Fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating jamming suppression in the liquid ejection head 714. Fig. 10(a) is a diagram illustrating a state just before the recording medium M comes into contact with the guide portion 804 due to relative movement between the recording medium M and the liquid ejection head 714. Fig. 10(b) is a diagram illustrating a state in which the recording medium M is guided by the guide portion 804 due to relative movement between the recording medium M and the liquid ejection head 714. Note that the outline arrows in Fig. 10 indicate the direction of relative movement of the recording medium M with respect to the liquid ejection head 714 (i.e., the transport direction and scanning direction).

[0047] If the leading edge of the recording medium M is curled, the leading edge Mt of the recording medium M first contacts the support member 904 as the conveyance unit 12 conveys the recording medium M and the liquid ejection head 714 scans. That is, in this embodiment, the leading edge Mt first contacts the inclined surface 904c of the support member 904, and then travels down the inclined surface 904c as the recording medium M is conveyed and scanned, reaching the surface 904a of the support member 904. Note that in this embodiment, the leading edge Mt of the recording medium M includes the downstream end of the recording medium M in the conveyance direction and one end and the other end of the recording medium M in the width direction (scanning direction). Thereafter, as the conveyance unit 12 conveys the recording medium M and the liquid ejection head 714 scans, the leading edge Mt travels down the surface 904a and reaches the groove 900. After reaching the groove 900, the leading edge Mt contacts the guide surface 804a of the guide unit 804, the leading edge 804b of which is accommodated in the groove 900 (see FIG. 10(a)).

[0048] The guide surface 804a is formed so as to gradually incline in the -Z direction (downward in FIG. 10) from the tip 804b toward the flat portion 802. Therefore, the tip Mt that has come into contact with the guide surface 804a is gradually guided along the guide surface 804a in the -Z direction where the support portion 16 is located by further conveyance of the recording medium M by the conveyance unit 12 and further scanning of the liquid ejection head 714. As a result, the tip Mt is guided into the space between the cover member 800 and the support portion 16 (see FIG. 10(b)).

[0049] As described above, the leading edge Mt of the recording medium M with its leading edge curled travels along the surface 904a until it reaches the guide portion 804, where the leading edge 804b is positioned within the groove portion 900. Therefore, if the distance between the leading edge 804b and the wall surfaces 900a on the upstream side of the groove portion 900 in the transport direction, one side in the scanning direction, and the other side in the scanning direction is too great, there is a risk that the leading edge Mt will enter between the wall surfaces 900a and the leading edge 804b, depending on the degree of curl. Therefore, for example, the groove portion 900 is configured so that the wall surfaces 900a and the leading edge 804b abut against each other. Alternatively, based on the allowable degree of curl, the wall surfaces 900a and the leading edge 804b may be spaced apart in the relative movement direction by a predetermined distance so that the leading edge Mt will not enter the groove portion 900 when it reaches the groove portion 900 along the surface 904a.

[0050] Furthermore, the inclination angle D2 (see FIG. 8(b)) of the guide portion 804 with respect to the flat portion 802 is an angle that allows the tip Mt of the recording medium M to be guided between the cover member 800 and the support portion 16 after the tip Mt comes into contact with the guide surface 804a. Specifically, for example, when the tip Mt moves along the surface 904a and abuts against the guide surface 804a, the angle θ between the guide surface 804a and the curled tip portion is an obtuse angle. Note that, if the guide surface 804a is a curved surface, for example, the angle between the tip portion and a tangent at the abutment position (and its vicinity) between the tip Mt and the guide surface 804a is an obtuse angle. Therefore, the length of the guide portion 804 accommodated in the groove portion 900 is set to a predetermined length that satisfies the above-mentioned conditions and allows the tip Mt to abut against the guide surface 804a when the tip Mt of the recording medium M moves along the surface 904a and enters the groove portion 900.

[0051] As a result, even if the leading edge of the recording medium M is curled, the guide portion 804 smoothly guides the recording medium M from the leading edge Mt into the space between the liquid ejection head 714 (cover member 800) and the support portion 16. This makes it possible to prevent jamming of the recording medium M when the recording medium M is being transported and when the liquid ejection head 714 is being scanned, making it less likely that recording will be stopped due to jamming during a recording operation. In addition, in this embodiment, groove portions 900 are provided at positions corresponding to the guide portions 804 of the cover members 800 of the four recording element substrates 202 arranged in a staggered arrangement. Therefore, even if the leading edge of the recording medium M continues to curl after passing the recording element substrate 202 located upstream in the relative movement direction, jamming can also be prevented at the recording element substrate 202 located downstream in the relative movement direction.

[0052] <Action and effect> As described above, in the liquid ejection head 714, the cover member 800 is provided with guide portions 804 on the upstream side in the transport direction, one side in the scanning direction, and the other side in the scanning direction, that can guide the leading edge Mt of the recording medium M, the leading edge of which is curled, between the cover member 800 and the support portion 16. The leading edge 804b of the guide portion 804 is accommodated in a groove portion 900 provided in a surface 904a of a support member 904 that supports the recording element substrate 202. As a result, the leading edge Mt of the curled recording medium M is smoothly guided from the surface 904a of the support member 904 to the support portion 16 via the guide portion 804 by transport and scanning, thereby suppressing the occurrence of jamming.

[0053] (Other embodiments) The above-described embodiment may be modified as shown in the following (1) to (5).

[0054] (1) In the above embodiment, a groove capable of receiving the tip of the guide portion is provided on the surface of the support member, but this is not limited to this. The support member only needs to have a configuration that allows the tip of the guide portion of the cover member to be received in the support member when the cover member is installed on the recording element substrate, and the shape of this configuration is not particularly limited.

[0055] FIG. 11 shows a modified example of the configuration for accommodating the tip of the guide portion in the support member. A configuration different from the groove portion 400 (900) for accommodating the tip 304b (804b) of the guide portion 304 (804) in the support member 204 (904) is, for example, a recess 1102 formed by widening the support surface 204b (904b) that supports the recording element substrate 202. The tip 304b (804b) of the guide portion 304 (804) is accommodated inside this recess 1102. That is, the recess 1102 is formed to include the support surface 204b. Specifically, the recess 1102 has a shape that connects the recess 602 (1002) (see FIGS. 6(a) and 10(a)) in which the support surface 204b (904b) is formed and the groove portion 400 (900) by removing the partition between them.

[0056] (2) Although not specifically described in the above embodiment, for example, a resin material 1202 may be disposed in the groove portion 400 (900) in which the tip 304b (804b) is accommodated (see FIG. 12). FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the groove portion 400 (900) in which the resin material is disposed. In this case, the resin material 1202 disposed in the groove portion 400 (900) does not protrude from the surface 204a (904a) of the support member 204 (904). By disposing the resin material 1202 in the groove portion 400 (900) in which the tip 304b (804b) is accommodated, the guide portion 304 (804) can be fixed to the support member 204 (904), and the cover member 212 (800) can be firmly installed. This prevents deformation or damage to the cover member 212 (800) even if the recording medium M collides with the guide portion 304 (804). Furthermore, minute droplets of ink ejected from the recording element substrate 202 that are not applied to the recording medium M but float around the recording medium M can be prevented from passing between the guide portion 304 (804) and the support member 204 (904) and adhering to electrical components such as the flexible wiring substrate 404. Adhering minute droplets to electrical components may cause electrical problems. For example, epoxy resin can be used as the resin material 1202. When applying this modification (2) to modification (1), the resin material 1202 is disposed at least between the tip 304b (804b) and the wall surface 400a (900a). The resin material 1202 is arranged so as not to protrude from the surface 204a (904a) of the support member 204 (904).

[0057] When disposing the resin material 1202 in the groove portion 400 (900), first fill the groove portion 400 (900) with the resin material 1202. Then, before the resin material 1202 hardens, the cover member 212 (800) is attached to the recording element substrate 202, and the tip 304b (804b) of the guide portion 304 (804) is placed in the groove portion 400 (900) where the resin material 1202 has been placed. Then, the resin material 1202 is hardened. Alternatively, first, the cover member 212 (800) is attached to the recording element substrate 202, and the tip 304b (804b) of the guide portion 304 (804) is placed in the groove portion 400 (900) where the resin material 1202 has not been placed. Thereafter, the groove 400 (900) in which the tip 304b (804b) is accommodated is filled with a resin material 1202, and the resin material 1202 is hardened.

[0058] (3) In the first embodiment, the guide portion 304 is provided only on the upstream side of the cover member 212 in the transport direction. However, this is not limiting. For example, the guide portion 304 may be provided not only on the upstream side in the transport direction but also on the downstream side in the transport direction. The guide portion 304 provided on the downstream side in the transport direction is formed so as to gradually incline in the +Z direction toward the downstream side in the transport direction. This results in a symmetrical shape of the cover member 212 on the upstream and downstream sides in the transport direction, improving shape stability and rigidity of the cover member 212. In this case, the surface 204a of the support member 204 is shaped to accommodate the tip 304b of the guide portion 304 when the cover member 212 is installed on the recording element substrate 202, for example, by providing a groove 400 on the downstream side in the transport direction of the recording element substrate 202.

[0059] (4) In the second embodiment, the guide portions 804 are provided on the upstream side in the transport direction, one side in the scanning direction, and the other side in the scanning direction of the cover member 800. However, this is not limiting. For example, the guide portion 804 may also be provided on the downstream side in the transport direction. That is, in this case, the guide portion 804 is provided so as to surround all four sides of the flat portion 802. This improves the symmetry of the cover member 800, improves shape stability, and increases the rigidity of the cover member 800. In this case, the surface 904a is shaped to accommodate the tip 804b of the guide portion 804 when the cover member 800 is installed on the recording element substrate 202, for example, by providing a groove portion 900 on the downstream side in the transport direction of the recording element substrate 202.

[0060] (5) The above embodiment and the various configurations shown in (1) to (4) above may be combined as appropriate.

[0061] The disclosure of the above embodiment includes the following configurations and methods. (Configuration 1) an element substrate that ejects liquid from ejection ports; a support member for supporting the element substrate; a cover member that covers the element substrate, The cover member is a flat portion having an opening for discharging the discharge port to the outside; an inclined portion provided on at least one side of the flat portion and inclined toward the support member as it moves away from the flat portion; The liquid ejection head is characterized in that the support member has a recess that accommodates the tip of the inclined portion. (Configuration 2) The liquid ejection head according to configuration 1, wherein the inclined portion is formed on the upstream side of the transport direction when the liquid ejection head is mounted on a liquid ejection device that ejects liquid from the liquid ejection head, which is installed so as to correspond to a direction intersecting the transport direction of the recording medium, onto a transported recording medium. (Configuration 3) 3. The liquid ejection head according to configuration 2, wherein the inclined portion is further formed on the downstream side in the transport direction. (Configuration 4) 4. The liquid ejection head according to configuration 2 or 3, wherein a plurality of the element substrates are arranged in the transport direction. (Configuration 5) The liquid ejection head according to configuration 1, wherein when the liquid ejection head is mounted on a liquid ejection device that ejects liquid from the liquid ejection head while scanning the liquid ejection head in a direction intersecting the transport direction of the transported recording medium, the inclined portions are formed on the upstream side of the transport direction, one side of the scanning direction of the liquid ejection head, and the other side of the scanning direction. (Configuration 6) 6. The liquid ejection head according to configuration 5, wherein the inclined portion is further formed on the downstream side in the transport direction. (Configuration 7) The liquid ejection head according to Configuration 5 or 6, wherein a plurality of the element substrates are arranged in the transport direction and the scanning direction. (Configuration 8) 8. The liquid ejection head according to any one of configurations 2 to 7, wherein the inclined portion has a flat or curved surface that can come into contact with a recording medium. (Configuration 9) 9. The liquid ejection head according to any one of configurations 2 to 8, wherein a tip of the inclined portion abuts against a wall surface of the recess. (Configuration 10) A liquid ejection head described in any one of configurations 2 to 8, wherein the tip of the inclined portion is separated from the wall surface by a predetermined distance so that a recording medium with a curled tip portion does not enter between the wall surface of the recess and the tip. (Configuration 11) A liquid ejection head described in any one of configurations 2 to 10, wherein the inclined portion is inclined with respect to the flat portion so that the angle formed between the surface against which the transported recording medium may come into contact and the leading edge of the curled recording medium is an obtuse angle. (Configuration 12) the liquid ejection device has a support unit that supports a recording medium to be conveyed; 12. The liquid ejection head according to any one of configurations 2 to 11, wherein the recess is formed on a surface of the support member that faces the support portion. (Configuration 13) 13. The liquid ejection head according to any one of configurations 1 to 12, wherein the cover member is made of metal. (Configuration 14) 14. The liquid ejection head according to any one of configurations 1 to 13, wherein the recess is in the shape of a groove. (Configuration 15) 14. The liquid ejection head according to any one of configurations 1 to 13, wherein the recess includes a support surface that supports the element substrate. (Configuration 16) 16. The liquid ejection head according to any one of configurations 1 to 15, wherein a resin material is disposed in the recess. (Configuration 17) a conveying means for conveying the recording medium; 3. A liquid ejection device comprising: the liquid ejection head according to claim 1 or 2, which is arranged to correspond to the length of the recording medium conveyed by the conveying means in a width direction intersecting with the conveying direction. (Configuration 18) a conveying means for conveying the recording medium; 10. A liquid ejection device comprising: the liquid ejection head according to claim 1, which scans in a direction intersecting a direction in which the recording medium is transported by the transport means. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 14,714 Liquid ejection head 202 Recording element substrate (element substrate) 204, 904 support member 212, 800 Cover member 304, 804 Guide section (inclined section) 400, 900 Groove (recess)

Claims

1. an element substrate that ejects liquid from ejection ports; a support member for supporting the element substrate; a cover member that covers the element substrate, The cover member is a flat portion having an opening for discharging the discharge port to the outside; an inclined portion provided on at least one side of the flat portion and inclined toward the support member as it moves away from the flat portion; The liquid ejection head is characterized in that the support member has a recess that accommodates the tip of the inclined portion.

2. 2. The liquid ejection head according to claim 1, wherein when the liquid ejection head is mounted on a liquid ejection device that ejects liquid from the liquid ejection head, which is installed so as to correspond to a direction that intersects with the transport direction of the transported recording medium, the inclined portion is formed on the upstream side of the transport direction.

3. The liquid ejection head according to claim 2 , wherein the inclined portion is further formed on the downstream side in the transport direction.

4. The liquid ejection head according to claim 2 , wherein a plurality of the element substrates are arranged in the transport direction.

5. 2. The liquid ejection head according to claim 1, wherein when the liquid ejection head is mounted on a liquid ejection device that ejects liquid from the liquid ejection head while scanning the liquid ejection head in a direction intersecting the transport direction of the transported recording medium, the inclined portions are formed on the upstream side of the transport direction, one side of the scanning direction of the liquid ejection head, and the other side of the scanning direction.

6. The liquid ejection head according to claim 5 , wherein the inclined portion is further formed on the downstream side in the transport direction.

7. The liquid ejection head according to claim 5 , wherein a plurality of the element substrates are arranged in the transport direction and the scanning direction.

8. 8. The liquid ejection head according to claim 2, wherein the inclined portion has a flat or curved surface that can come into contact with a recording medium.

9. The liquid ejection head according to claim 2 , wherein a tip of the inclined portion abuts against a wall surface of the recess.

10. 8. A liquid ejection head according to claim 2, wherein the tip of the inclined portion is spaced apart from the wall surface by a predetermined distance so that a recording medium with a curled tip portion does not enter between the tip and the wall surface of the recess.

11. 8. A liquid ejection head according to claim 2, wherein the inclined portion is inclined with respect to the flat portion so that the angle formed between the surface against which the transported recording medium may come into contact and the leading edge of the curled recording medium is an obtuse angle.

12. the liquid ejection device has a support unit that supports a recording medium to be conveyed; The liquid ejection head according to claim 2 , wherein the recess is formed on a surface of the support member that faces the support portion.

13. The liquid ejection head according to claim 1 , wherein the cover member is made of metal.

14. The liquid ejection head according to claim 1 , wherein the recessed portion is in the shape of a groove.

15. The liquid ejection head according to claim 1 , wherein the recess includes a support surface that supports the element substrate.

16. The liquid ejection head according to claim 1 , wherein a resin material is disposed in the recess.

17. a conveying means for conveying the recording medium; 3. A liquid ejection apparatus comprising: a liquid ejection head according to claim 1, which is disposed so as to correspond to the length of the recording medium in a width direction intersecting with the conveying direction, the width direction being intersected by the conveying means.

18. a conveying means for conveying the recording medium; 10. A liquid ejection apparatus comprising: the liquid ejection head according to claim 1, which scans in a direction intersecting a direction in which the recording medium is transported by the transport means.

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