Droplet discharge head

Abstract

To provide a droplet discharge head that makes a streak hardly produced on an image, in a constitution in which nozzle groups of a plurality of head units overlap each other.SOLUTION: An ink jet head 1 comprises a plurality of head units 10B and 10C. A nozzle group NB of the head unit 10B and a nozzle group NC of the head unit 10C include first and second nozzle sets 121N and 122N different in discharge property from each other, in an overlapping region R1, respectively.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a droplet ejection head equipped with a plurality of head units. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses that in a plurality of droplet deposition heads (head units) in which nozzle arrays (nozzle groups) are arranged so as to overlap one another, the nozzles to be used are switched in the overlapping regions (overlapping regions). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-527637 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the configuration of Patent Document 1, even if the nozzles to be used are switched in the overlapping region, droplets are not ejected from the nozzles at a constant pitch, and streaks may occur in the image formed by the droplets.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a droplet ejection head that is less likely to produce streaks in an image when the nozzle groups of a plurality of head units are configured to overlap each other. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The droplet ejection head of the present invention comprises a first head unit having a first nozzle group consisting of a plurality of nozzles aligned in a first direction, and a second head unit having a second nozzle group consisting of a plurality of nozzles aligned in the first direction, wherein the first nozzle group and the second nozzle group have an overlapping region in which they overlap in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and a non-overlapping region in which they do not overlap in the second direction, and wherein the first nozzle group and the second nozzle group each include, in the overlapping region, a first nozzle set consisting of a plurality of nozzles and having a first ejection characteristic, and a second nozzle set consisting of a plurality of nozzles and having a second ejection characteristic different from the first ejection characteristic. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view of a printer 100 having an inkjet head 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of region II shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of region III shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a plan view of a printer 200 having an inkjet head 201 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view corresponding to FIG. 2 of an inkjet head 301 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] First Embodiment An inkjet head (hereinafter referred to as a "head") 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is included in a printer 100, as shown in FIG.

[0009] In addition to the head 1, the printer 100 includes a housing 100A, a platen 3, a transport mechanism 4, and a control unit 5. The head 1, the platen 3, the transport mechanism 4, and the control unit 5 are arranged inside the housing 100A.

[0010] The head 1 is fixed to the housing 100A. The length of the head 1 in the paper width direction is longer than the length of the head 1 in the transport direction. The head 1 is of a line type.

[0011] The paper width direction is the direction along the width of the paper 9 and is perpendicular to the vertical direction. The transport direction is the direction in which the paper 9 is transported by the transport mechanism 4 and is perpendicular to the vertical direction and the paper width direction. The paper width direction corresponds to the "first direction D1" of the present invention, and the direction along the transport direction corresponds to the "second direction D2" of the present invention.

[0012] The head 1 includes four head units 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D arranged in a staggered pattern in the paper width direction. The length of each of the head units 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D in the paper width direction is longer than the length of each of the head units 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D in the transport direction.

[0013] The platen 3 is a plate along a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction, and is disposed below the head 1. A paper sheet 9 is supported on the upper surface of the platen 3.

[0014] The transport mechanism 4 includes a roller pair 41 having two rollers, a roller pair 42 having two rollers, and a transport motor (not shown). In the transport direction, the head 1 and the platen 3 are arranged between the roller pair 41 and the roller pair 42. When the transport motor is driven under the control of the control unit 5, the rollers of the roller pair 41, 42 rotate. As the rollers of the roller pair 41, 42 rotate, the paper 9 sandwiched between the rollers of the roller pair 41, 42 is transported in the transport direction.

[0015] Next, the configuration of the head 1 will be described in detail.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 4, each of the head units 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D of the head 1 includes a flow path member 12, an actuator member 13, and a sealing member 15 disposed between the flow path member 12 and the actuator member 13.

[0017] The flow path member 12 has six plates 11A to 11F. The plates 11A to 11F are stacked in the vertical direction and bonded to one another. Holes that form flow paths are formed in the plates 11A to 11F. The flow paths include a common flow path 12A and a plurality of individual flow paths 12B that communicate with the common flow path 12A.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 2, the flow path member 12 of each of the head units 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D has multiple common flow paths 12A aligned in the transport direction. Each of the multiple common flow paths 12A is connected to an ink tank via a tube at one end and the other end in the paper width direction. Each common flow path 12A is connected to multiple individual flow paths 12B.

[0019] The ink in the ink tank is supplied to one end of the common flow path 12A in the paper width direction by driving a pump (not shown) under the control of the control unit 5. The ink moves from one end of the common flow path 12A in the paper width direction to the other end, and is distributed to the multiple individual flow paths 12B. The ink that reaches the other end of the common flow path 12A in the paper width direction is returned to the ink tank.

[0020] 2 to 4, each of the individual channels 12B includes a pressure chamber 12P, a communication channel 21 that connects the pressure chamber 12P with the common channel 12A, two nozzles 121, 122, and two connection channels 12D that connect each of the nozzles 121, 122 with the pressure chamber 12P. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the connection channel 12D includes a horizontal channel 22 that extends horizontally and a vertical channel 23 that extends vertically.

[0021] 2, the element painted in black is the outlet of nozzle 121, and the element drawn in a circular dashed line is the outlet of nozzle 122. Nozzle 121 corresponds to the "first nozzle" of the present invention, and nozzle 122 corresponds to the "second nozzle" of the present invention.

[0022] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, two individual flow path arrays are arranged for one common flow path 12A. Each of the two individual flow path arrays is made up of a plurality of individual flow paths 12B arranged in the paper width direction, and are aligned in the transport direction. As shown in Figure 3, two connection flow paths 12D are arranged for one pressure chamber 12P. The horizontal flow paths 22 of each connection flow path 12D extend in the transport direction away from the corresponding common flow path 12A.

[0023] The center-to-center distance D (see FIG. 3) between each nozzle 121, 122 and the other nozzle 121, 122 closest to that nozzle in any direction in a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction is 220 to 300 μm or more.

[0024] 4, the sealing member 15 is disposed on the upper surface of the flow path member 12 so as to cover the pressure chambers 12P. The sealing member 15 is made of a material with low ink permeability, such as stainless steel.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 4, the actuator member 13 is fixed to the upper surface of the flow path member 12 via a sealing member 15. The actuator member 13 includes piezoelectric layers 13A and 13B, a plurality of individual electrodes 13C, and a common electrode 13D. The piezoelectric layers 13A and 13B and the common electrode 13D are arranged to cover the plurality of pressure chambers 12P. The individual electrode 13C is provided for each pressure chamber 12P and is arranged to overlap that one pressure chamber 12P in the vertical direction.

[0026] The portion of the actuator member 13 that overlaps with the pressure chamber 12P in the vertical direction functions as a piezoelectric element 13X. The piezoelectric element 13X can be independently deformed in response to the potential applied to the individual electrode 13C.

[0027] The individual electrodes 13C and the common electrode 13D are electrically connected to a driver IC 14. The driver IC 14 maintains the potential of the common electrode 13D at ground potential while changing the potential of the individual electrode 13C. The common electrode 13D functions as a common electrode that is common to the piezoelectric elements 13X.

[0028] The driver IC 14 generates a drive signal based on a control signal from the control unit 5 and supplies the drive signal to the individual electrode 13C. The drive signal changes the potential of the individual electrode 13C between a predetermined drive potential VDD and the ground potential.

[0029] When a drive signal is supplied to the individual electrode 13C, the piezoelectric element 13X deforms, reducing the volume of the pressure chamber 12P, and pressure is applied to the ink in the pressure chamber 12P. The pressurized ink passes through at least one of the two connection flow paths 12D and is ejected as ink droplets from at least one of the two nozzles 121, 122. By adjusting the pulse width of the drive signal, ink can be selectively ejected from one of the two nozzles 121, 122, the other, or both.

[0030] Here, if head unit 10B corresponds to the "first head unit" of the present invention and head unit 10C corresponds to the "second head unit" of the present invention, then nozzle group NB consisting of the multiple nozzles 121, 122 of head unit 10B corresponds to the "first nozzle group" of the present invention, and nozzle group NC consisting of the multiple nozzles 121, 122 of head unit 10C corresponds to the "second nozzle group" of the present invention (see FIG. 2). In each nozzle group NB, NC, the nozzles 121, 122 are aligned in the paper width direction. Ink droplets ejected from the nozzles 121, 122 of each nozzle group NB, NC form one line of an image to be recorded on paper 9.

[0031] Furthermore, when the head unit 10B corresponds to the "first head unit" of the present invention and the head unit 10C corresponds to the "second head unit" of the present invention, the common flow path 12A of the head unit 10B corresponds to the "first common flow path" of the present invention, and the common flow path 12A of the head unit 10C corresponds to the "second common flow path" of the present invention. The individual flow paths 12B of the head unit 10B correspond to the "first individual flow path" of the present invention, and the individual flow paths 12B of the head unit 10C correspond to the "second individual flow path" of the present invention. The pressure chamber 12P of the head unit 10B corresponds to the "first pressure chamber" of the present invention, and the pressure chamber 12P of the head unit 10C corresponds to the "second pressure chamber" of the present invention. The connecting flow path 12D of the head unit 10B corresponds to the "first connecting flow path" of the present invention, and the connecting flow path 12D of the head unit 10C corresponds to the "second connecting flow path" of the present invention.

[0032] 2, the nozzle group NB of head unit 10B and the nozzle group NC of head unit 10C have an overlapping region R1 where they overlap in the transport direction, and a non-overlapping region R2 where they do not overlap in the transport direction. Each nozzle group NB, NC includes, in the overlapping region R1, a first nozzle set 121N made up of a plurality of nozzles 121 and a second nozzle set 122N made up of a plurality of nozzles 122.

[0033] In this embodiment, nozzle group NB includes a first nozzle set 121N and a second nozzle set 122N in an edge region RB that includes the overlap region R1. Nozzle group NC includes a first nozzle set 121N and a second nozzle set 122N in an edge region RC that includes the overlap region R1. End regions RB and RC are regions that include the ends of the nozzle groups in the paper width direction, and are regions demarcated by dashed lines in FIG. 2.

[0034] The multiple nozzles 121 that make up the first nozzle set 121N are arranged at random intervals in the paper width direction. The multiple nozzles 122 that make up the second nozzle set 122N are arranged at equal intervals in the paper width direction. Due to this difference in arrangement intervals, the first ejection characteristic that is the ejection characteristic of the first nozzle set 121N and the second ejection characteristic that is the ejection characteristic of the second nozzle set 122N are different from each other. In the first embodiment, the ejection characteristic refers to the characteristic related to the landing position of ink droplets ejected from the nozzles 121, 122 that make up the nozzle sets 121N, 122N.

[0035] Note that the above is an explanation of the case where head unit 10B corresponds to the "first head unit" of the present invention and head unit 10C corresponds to the "second head unit" of the present invention, but the same applies to the case where head unit 10A corresponds to the "first head unit" of the present invention and head unit 10B corresponds to the "second head unit" of the present invention, or the case where head unit 10C corresponds to the "first head unit" of the present invention and head unit 10D corresponds to the "second head unit" of the present invention.

[0036] As described above, according to this embodiment, the nozzle group NB of the head unit 10B and the nozzle group NC of the head unit 10C each include, in the overlap region R1, a first nozzle set 121N and a second nozzle set 122N that have different ejection characteristics (see FIG. 2). In this case, when recording an image on the paper 9, the nozzles 121 and 122 of the nozzle sets 121N and 122N can be switched between for use, making it less likely that streaks will appear in the image. For example, the nozzles 121 and 122 to be used may be determined based on the results of test recording so as to make it less likely that streaks will appear in the image.

[0037] The multiple nozzles 121 that make up the first nozzle set 121N are arranged at random intervals in the first direction D1 (see FIG. 2). In this case, when recording an image on the paper 9, the multiple nozzles 121 arranged at random intervals are switched between and used, thereby adjusting the landing positions of ink droplets and making it less likely that streaks will occur in the image.

[0038] The center-to-center distance D (see FIG. 3) between each nozzle 121, 122 and the other nozzle 121, 122 closest to it in any direction in a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction is 220 to 300 μm or more. In this case, the connecting flow paths 12D and the like can be appropriately arranged.

[0039] Each individual flow path 12B includes one pressure chamber 12P and two nozzles 121, 122 (see FIG. 3). In this case, the nozzles 121, 122 can be arranged at high density, and high-resolution recording can be achieved.

[0040] Second Embodiment A head 201 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is included in a printer 200, as shown in FIG.

[0041] The printer 200 has the same configuration as the printer 100 of the first embodiment, except that the head 201 is of a serial type and further includes a carriage 2 that holds the head 201, a pair of guide rails 7 and 8 that support the carriage 2 and extend in the paper width direction, and a scanning mechanism (not shown) that moves the carriage 2 in the paper width direction along the guide rails 7 and 8.

[0042] In the head 201, the nozzle group of head unit 10B and the nozzle group of head unit 10C have an overlapping region in which they overlap in the paper width direction. In the second embodiment, the direction along the transport direction corresponds to the "first direction D1" of the present invention, and the paper width direction corresponds to the "second direction D2" of the present invention. The arrangement of the nozzles 121, 122 of head units 10B, 10C in the second embodiment corresponds to the arrangement in Figures 2 to 4 where the direction along the transport direction is read as the first direction D1 and the paper width direction is read as the second direction D2.

[0043] Here, the multiple nozzles 122 constituting the second nozzle set 122N are arranged at equal intervals in the first direction D1 (see FIG. 2). In this case, when recording an image on the paper 9, only one of the nozzle groups NB, NC is used, and only the nozzles 122 of the second nozzle set 122N of that nozzle group are used, thereby making it possible to cause ink droplets to land on the paper 9 at a constant pitch.

[0044] <Third embodiment> A head 301 (see FIG. 6) according to the third embodiment of the present invention differs from the head 1 (see FIG. 2) according to the first embodiment in the arrangement of the nozzles 121, 122 in each head unit.

[0045] 6 shows only two head units 10B and 10C, but in each head unit, the nozzles 121 and 122 are arranged in a W shape for each of the regions RB1, RB2, and RC1 to RC4. The angles θ of the four imaginary line segments forming the W shape relative to the paper width direction are the same for each other.

[0046] Regions RB1 and RB2 are regions of nozzle group NB of head unit 10B and are aligned in the paper width direction. Regions RC1 to RC4 are regions of nozzle group NC of head unit 10C and are aligned in the paper width direction.

[0047] Regions RB1 and RB2 are included in an overlap region R1 of the nozzle group NB. Region RB1 includes a second nozzle set 122N consisting of a plurality of nozzles 122 arranged in a W shape. Region RB2 includes a first nozzle set 121N consisting of a plurality of nozzles 121 arranged in a W shape.

[0048] Regions RC1 and RC2 are included in overlap region R1 of nozzle group NC. Region RC1 includes a first nozzle set 121N consisting of multiple nozzles 121 arranged in a W shape. Region RC2 includes a second nozzle set 122N consisting of multiple nozzles 122 arranged in a W shape.

[0049] In each of the regions RB2 and RC1, the nozzles 121 constituting the first nozzle set 121N are arranged in a direction that forms a predetermined angle θ with respect to the paper width direction. In each of the regions RB1 and RC2, the nozzles 122 constituting the second nozzle set 122N are arranged in a direction that forms a predetermined angle θ with respect to the paper width direction.

[0050] The regions RB1 and RC1 are aligned in the transport direction. The nozzles 122 in the region RB1 and the nozzles 121 in the region RC1 are aligned in the transport direction and overlap with each other in the transport direction.

[0051] The regions RB2 and RC2 are aligned in the transport direction. The nozzles 121 in the region RB2 and the nozzles 122 in the region RC2 are aligned in the transport direction and overlap with each other in the transport direction.

[0052] The regions RC3 and RC4 are included in the non-overlapping region R2 of the nozzle group NC. In each of the regions RC3 and RC4, the nozzles 121 and the nozzles 122 are arranged alternately in the paper width direction.

[0053] In the third embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the flow path member 12 of each of the head units 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D has a plurality of common flow paths 12A and a plurality of individual flow paths 12B that communicate with each common flow path 12A. For example, one nozzle 122 included in region RB1 and one nozzle 121 included in region RB2 constitute one individual flow path 12B. One nozzle 121 included in region RC1 and one nozzle 122 included in region RC2 constitute one individual flow path 12B.

[0054] The two nozzles 121 and 122 included in one individual flow path 12B eject ink droplets with different volumes. Specifically, even if the two nozzles 121 and 122 have the same diameter, the volumes of the ink droplets ejected differ due to differences in the resistance and inertance of the flow paths from the pressure chamber 12P to the nozzles 121 and 122. For example, when a predetermined pressure is applied to the pressure chamber 12P, the volume of the ink droplets ejected from the nozzle 121 is larger than the volume of the ink droplets ejected from the nozzle 122.

[0055] Due to this difference in ejection volume, the first ejection characteristic, which is the ejection characteristic of the first nozzle set 121N, and the second ejection characteristic, which is the ejection characteristic of the second nozzle set 122N, are different from each other. In the third embodiment, the ejection characteristic refers to the characteristic related to the volume of ink droplets ejected from the nozzles 121 and 122 that constitute the nozzle sets 121N and 122N.

[0056] As described above, according to this embodiment, the nozzle group NB of the head unit 10B and the nozzle group NC of the head unit 10C each include, in the overlap region R1, a first nozzle set 121N and a second nozzle set 122N that have different ejection characteristics (see FIG. 6). In this case, when recording an image on the paper 9, the nozzles 121 and 122 of the nozzle sets 121N and 122N can be switched between for use, making it less likely that streaks will appear in the image. For example, the nozzles 121 and 122 to be used may be determined based on the results of test recording so as to make it less likely that streaks will appear in the image.

[0057] The nozzles 121 constituting the first nozzle set 121N eject large droplets, and the nozzles 122 constituting the second nozzle set 122N eject small droplets. That is, in the overlapping region R1 of each nozzle group NB, NC, the first nozzle set 121N composed of nozzles 121 that eject large droplets and the second nozzle set 122N composed of nozzles 122 that eject small droplets are arranged (see FIG. 6). In this case, when recording an image on paper 9, by switching between using the nozzle set 121N that ejects large droplets and the second nozzle set 122N that ejects small droplets, streaks are less likely to occur in the image.

[0058] The multiple nozzles 121 that make up the first nozzle set 121N and the multiple nozzles 122 that make up the second nozzle set 122N are each arranged in a direction that forms a predetermined angle θ with respect to the paper width direction. That is, in the first nozzle set 121N and the second nozzle set 122N, the nozzles 121, 122 are arranged parallel to each other (see FIG. 6). In this case, even if an installation error occurs between the head units 10B, 10C in the paper width direction, the change in the distance between the nozzles in the transport direction is small, and deterioration of image quality due to deviation in landing position can be suppressed.

[0059] In the overlap region R1 of the nozzle groups NB and NC, the nozzles 121 constituting the first nozzle set 121N of the nozzle group NB and the nozzles constituting one of the first nozzle set 121N and the second nozzle set 122N of the nozzle group NC are aligned in the transport direction (see FIG. 6). In this case, by ejecting large droplets from the nozzles 121 of the first nozzle set 121N in the overlap region R1, white streaks can be suppressed.

[0060] In the overlap region R1 of the nozzle groups NB and NC, the nozzles 122 constituting the second nozzle set 122N of the nozzle group NB and the nozzles constituting one of the first nozzle set 121N and second nozzle set 122N of the nozzle group NC are aligned in the transport direction (see FIG. 6). In this case, by ejecting small droplets from the nozzles 122 of the second nozzle set 122N in the overlap region R1, black streaks can be suppressed.

[0061] In the overlap region R1 of the nozzle groups NB and NC, the nozzles 121 constituting the first nozzle set 121N of the nozzle group NB and the nozzles 122 constituting the second nozzle set 122N of the nozzle group NC are aligned in the transport direction (see FIG. 6). In this case, by switching between using the nozzles 121 of the first nozzle set 121N and the nozzles 122 of the second nozzle set 122N in the overlap region R1, white streaks and black streaks can be appropriately suppressed.

[0062] In the non-overlapping region R2 of the nozzle groups NB and NC, the nozzles 121 and the nozzles 122 are arranged alternately in the paper width direction (see FIG. 6). If the nozzles 121 that eject large droplets are arranged consecutively in the paper width direction, black streaks may occur. If the nozzles 122 that eject small droplets are arranged consecutively in the paper width direction, white streaks may occur. In this regard, according to this embodiment, the nozzles 121 and the nozzles 122 are arranged alternately in the paper width direction, making it less likely that black streaks or white streaks will occur.

[0063] <Modification> Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various design modifications are possible within the scope of the claims.

[0064] For example, the ejection target is not limited to paper, but may be, for example, cloth, a substrate, a plastic member, or the like.

[0065] The liquid ejected from the nozzles is not limited to ink, but may be any liquid (for example, a treatment liquid that aggregates or precipitates components in the ink, etc.).

[0066] The present invention is not limited to printers, but can also be applied to facsimiles, copiers, multifunction machines, etc. The present invention can also be applied to droplet ejection devices used for purposes other than image recording (for example, droplet ejection devices that eject conductive droplets onto a substrate to form a conductive pattern). [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1;201;301 Inkjet head (droplet ejection head) 10B Head Unit (1st Head Unit) 10C head unit (second head unit) 121 Nozzle (1st Nozzle) 122 Nozzle (Second Nozzle) 121N 1st Nozzle Set 122N 2nd Nozzle Set 12A Common flow path (first common flow path, second common flow path) 12B Individual flow path (first individual flow path, second individual flow path) 12P pressure chamber (1st pressure chamber, 2nd pressure chamber) 12D Connection channel (first connection channel, second connection channel) D1 1st direction D2 2nd direction NB nozzle group (first nozzle group) NC nozzle group (second nozzle group) R1 Overlapping area R2 non-overlapping area

Claims

1. a first head unit having a first nozzle group composed of a plurality of nozzles aligned in a first direction; a second head unit having a second nozzle group made up of a plurality of nozzles aligned in the first direction, the first nozzle group and the second nozzle group have an overlapping region in which they overlap with each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and a non-overlapping region in which they do not overlap with each other in the second direction, A droplet ejection head characterized in that the first nozzle group and the second nozzle group each include, in the overlapping region, a first nozzle set consisting of a plurality of nozzles and having a first ejection characteristic, and a second nozzle set consisting of a plurality of nozzles and having a second ejection characteristic different from the first ejection characteristic.

2. The droplet ejection head according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of nozzles constituting the first nozzle set are arranged at random intervals in the first direction.

3. The droplet ejection head according to claim 2 , wherein the plurality of nozzles constituting the second nozzle set are arranged at equal intervals in the first direction.

4. The droplet ejection head according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the center-to-center distance between each of the plurality of nozzles and the other nozzle closest to that nozzle in any direction in a plane including the first direction and the second direction is 220 to 300 μm or more.

5. the first head unit has a first common flow path and a plurality of first individual flow paths communicating with the first common flow path, the second head unit has a second common flow path and a plurality of second individual flow paths communicating with the second common flow path, each of the plurality of first individual flow paths includes two of the plurality of nozzles constituting the first nozzle group, one first pressure chamber, and a first connection flow path connecting the two of the plurality of nozzles constituting the first nozzle group and the one first pressure chamber; 2. The droplet ejection head according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the plurality of second individual flow paths includes two of the plurality of nozzles constituting the second nozzle group, one second pressure chamber, and a second connection flow path connecting two of the plurality of nozzles constituting the second nozzle group to the one second pressure chamber.

6. two nozzles included in each of the plurality of first individual flow paths and the plurality of second individual flow paths are composed of a first nozzle and a second nozzle that ejects a droplet with a smaller volume than the first nozzle when a predetermined pressure is applied to the first pressure chamber or the second pressure chamber; the plurality of nozzles constituting the first nozzle set are the first nozzles, The droplet ejection head according to claim 5 , wherein the plurality of nozzles constituting the second nozzle set are the second nozzles.

7. the first nozzles constituting the first nozzle set are arranged along a direction forming a predetermined angle with respect to the first direction, The droplet ejection head according to claim 6 , wherein the second nozzles constituting the second nozzle set are arranged along a direction that forms the predetermined angle with respect to the first direction.

8. 7. A droplet ejection head as described in claim 6, characterized in that in the overlapping region of the first nozzle group and the second nozzle group, each nozzle constituting the first nozzle set of the first nozzle group and each nozzle constituting one of the first nozzle set and the second nozzle set of the second nozzle group are aligned in the second direction.

9. 7. A droplet ejection head as described in claim 6, characterized in that in the overlapping region of the first nozzle group and the second nozzle group, each nozzle constituting the second nozzle set of the first nozzle group and each nozzle constituting one of the first nozzle set and the second nozzle set of the second nozzle group are aligned in the second direction.

10. 7. The droplet ejection head according to claim 6, characterized in that in the overlapping region of the first nozzle group and the second nozzle group, each nozzle constituting the first nozzle set of the first nozzle group and each nozzle constituting the second nozzle set of the second nozzle group are aligned in the second direction.

11. A droplet ejection head as described in any one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that in the non-overlapping region of the first nozzle group and the second nozzle group, the first nozzles and the second nozzles are arranged alternately in the first direction.

Images