Liquid ejection head and liquid ejection apparatus

Abstract

To provide a liquid ejection head and a liquid ejection device capable of suppressing deterioration of recording quality.SOLUTION: A liquid ejection head includes an ejection element substrate forming an ejection port array in a first direction, a support member for supporting the ejection element substrate, and a reference member for positioning the ejection element substrate with respect to a predetermined portion, wherein the reference member includes a first reference member and a second reference member at a first end portion in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a third reference member at a second end portion which is an end portion opposite to the first end portion in the second direction. Wherein the support member includes a first pressed portion and a second pressed portion at a first end portion and a third pressed portion at a second end portion as pressed portions that receive a pressing force with respect to a predetermined portion, and a center of gravity of a triangle formed by connecting reference points determined by the three reference members is inside a triangle formed by connecting the three pressed portions.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 29

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] In recent years, recording apparatuses (hereinafter referred to as "liquid ejection apparatuses" or simply "apparatuses") have been increasingly used for business, commerce, industry, and other commercial purposes. As a result, some of these apparatuses have a replaceable liquid ejection head (hereinafter referred to as "image recording head" or simply "head"). In such cases, it is required that the liquid ejection head can be easily and accurately attached and detached from the apparatus when being replaced. Specifically, in order to maintain the original recording quality of the head, the liquid ejection head must be positioned in the liquid ejection apparatus with extremely high precision. Patent Document 1 discloses a liquid ejection head that can be positioned with high precision when attached to the liquid ejection apparatus. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-148309 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When installing a liquid ejection head in a liquid ejection device, it is extremely important to perform accurate positioning. However, it is also important to properly install the liquid ejection head in the device while maintaining accurate positioning. This is because, even if highly accurate positioning is achieved, if the head is not properly installed, the inherent recording quality of the liquid ejection head cannot be maintained. Furthermore, since the types of liquid ejection devices to which liquid ejection heads are installed vary depending on their business applications, it is desirable to ensure flexibility in installation so that the head can be installed securely and stably in any device. In response to this demand, Patent Document 1 does not describe a configuration for securely and stably installing the liquid ejection head in the liquid ejection device after it has been positioned.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention provides a liquid ejection head that can be reliably and stably mounted on an apparatus, thereby preventing deterioration in recording quality, and also provides a liquid ejection apparatus to which the liquid ejection head is attached. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] Therefore, the liquid ejection head of the present invention comprises: an ejection element substrate having a plurality of ejection ports for ejecting liquid, the ejection element substrate forming an ejection port array along a first direction; a support member on which the ejection element substrate is provided and for supporting the ejection element substrate with respect to a predetermined portion; and a reference member attached to the support member for positioning the ejection element substrate with respect to the predetermined portion, the reference member having a first reference member and a second reference member provided at a first end in a second direction intersecting with the first direction so as to have different positions in the first direction, and a third reference member provided at a second end that is an end opposite to the first end in the second direction, the support member having, as pressed portions that receive a force pressing against the predetermined portion, a first pressed portion and a second pressed portion provided at the first end so as to have different positions in the first direction, and a third pressed portion at the second end, The center of gravity of the triangle is located inside a second triangle connecting three points of the first pressed portion, the second pressed portion, and the third pressed portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a liquid ejection head and a liquid ejection apparatus that can suppress a decrease in recording quality. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a liquid ejection device. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a liquid ejection head. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a liquid ejection head. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the liquid ejection head. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an electrical connection configuration of the liquid ejection head. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a liquid ejection unit. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a liquid ejection unit. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the liquid ejection unit. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of an electrode portion of the liquid ejection unit. [Figure 10] FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the liquid ejection head assembled to the support unit, as viewed from the ejection surface side. [Figure 12] 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XII-XII in FIG. [Figure 13] 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XIII-XIII in FIG. 11. [Figure 14] 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XIV-XIV in FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a reference member and a positioning member of the liquid ejection head. [Figure 16] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing a connection configuration of liquid flow paths between a support unit and a liquid supply unit. [Figure 17] 10 is a cross-sectional view of a fluid connection between a liquid supply unit and a liquid supply member. FIG. [Figure 18] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing a connection configuration of a liquid flow path of the support unit. [Figure 19] 3A and 3B are diagrams showing a connection configuration of liquid flow paths of a liquid ejection unit. [Figure 20] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a fluid connection configuration within an ejection element substrate. [Figure 21] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cooling unit for cooling a drive circuit board. [Figure 22] FIG. [Figure 23] 23 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XXIII-XXIII in FIG. 21. [Figure 24] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an electrical connection portion between the liquid ejection device main body and the liquid ejection head. [Figure 25] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a reference member. [Figure 26] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a positioning portion for positioning the liquid ejection head and the liquid ejection device. [Figure 27]FIG. 2 is a plan view of the liquid ejection head as seen from the bottom, which is the ejection port side. [Figure 28] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the liquid ejection head as viewed from above. [Figure 29] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the liquid ejection head as seen from the bottom, which is the ejection port side. [Figure 30] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a reference portion and a pressing portion. [Figure 31] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a reference portion and a pressing portion. [Figure 32] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a mounting configuration of the liquid ejection head to the liquid ejection device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the following description does not limit the scope of the present disclosure. As an example, the present embodiment will be described using a method of ejecting liquid by driving a piezoelectric element. However, liquid ejection heads employing a thermal method of ejecting liquid by bubbles generated by a heater element, as well as various other liquid ejection methods, are also within the scope of application of the present disclosure. In other words, the liquid ejection head can be a head having any energy generating element.

[0010] This embodiment can be an inkjet recording apparatus (recording apparatus) in a form in which a liquid such as ink is circulated between a tank and a liquid ejection head, but other forms are also possible. For example, instead of circulating the ink, a form in which tanks are provided upstream and downstream of the liquid ejection head, and the ink flows from one tank to the other, thereby causing the ink to flow within the pressure chamber. Furthermore, the apparatus according to the present disclosure is not limited to a recording apparatus that ejects ink, but can be a liquid ejection apparatus that ejects any liquid.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a liquid ejection device 10 according to the present embodiment. The liquid ejection device 10 includes a so-called one-pass liquid ejection head 100, which, when recording an image in a predetermined area on a recording medium 20, completes the recording of the image in the predetermined area by moving the recording medium 20 in a single movement. The liquid ejection head 100 has ejection openings arranged across a range corresponding to the entire width of the recording medium 20 (the X direction in FIG. 1). The recording medium 20 is transported in the direction of arrow A by a transport unit 11, and recording is performed by the liquid ejection head 100. The liquid ejection head 100 according to the present embodiment is a liquid ejection head 100 corresponding to a total of four colors: cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. More specifically, the liquid ejection head 100 includes two heads for each color. Specifically, the liquid ejection head 100 includes cyan heads 100Ca and 100Cb, magenta heads 100Ma and 100Mb, yellow heads 100Ya and 100Yb, and black heads 100Ka and 100Kb. The following description focuses on one of these eight heads. For the sake of simplicity, any one head will be described as the liquid ejection head 100. The liquid ejection head of the present disclosure may be a head of any form, and is not limited to the example shown in FIG.

[0012] In addition, in this embodiment, the direction in which the liquid is ejected (the direction of gravity) is defined as the +Z direction, the upstream side of the transport direction of the recording medium 20 is defined as the +Y direction, and the arrangement direction in which the ejection openings are arranged in the head is defined as the +X direction (the first direction described later).

[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the liquid ejection head 100 of this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the liquid ejection head 100 of this embodiment, seen from a different direction than FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the liquid ejection head 100 of this embodiment. The configuration of the liquid ejection head 100 will be described using FIGS. 2 to 4. As mentioned above, one of the eight heads shown in FIG. 1 will be described below as the liquid ejection head 100.

[0014] As shown in Fig. 3, the liquid ejection head 100 is a head in which four ejection element substrates 210 capable of ejecting liquid are arranged in a staggered pattern on a support member 310. The liquid ejection head 100 is positioned in the main body of the liquid ejection device by a reference member 340. As shown in Fig. 2, a liquid connection part 501 and a coolant connection part 611 are provided on the top of the liquid ejection head 100. The liquid connection part 501 is connected to a liquid supply part 13 on the liquid ejection device main body side, and the coolant connection part 611 is connected to a coolant supply part 14 on the liquid ejection device main body side. As a result, liquid such as ink and a coolant are supplied from the liquid ejection device main body into the liquid ejection head 100.

[0015] The exterior of the liquid ejection head 100 is provided with a cover member 420 and an electrical connection portion cover member 430 for covering and protecting the electrical board, electrical connection portions, etc. As shown in FIG. 4, the liquid ejection head 100 internally includes a support unit 300 including a support member 310, an electrical wiring board 400, and an electrical wiring board support member 410 for holding the electrical wiring board 400. The liquid ejection head 100 also includes a liquid supply unit 500 that supplies liquid to the liquid ejection units 200 via the support unit 300, and a cooling unit 600 that cools the drive circuit. The liquid ejection head 100 includes a plurality of liquid ejection units 200, specifically four liquid ejection units 200. The configuration of each portion of the liquid ejection head 100 will be described in detail below.

[0016] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the electrical connection configuration of the liquid ejection head 100 of this embodiment. The liquid ejection device main body and the ejection element substrate 210 are electrically connected via a flexible wiring substrate 250 and an electrical wiring substrate 400. The electrical wiring substrate 400 is electrically connected to a control unit (not shown) on the liquid ejection device main body side by electrical connection terminals 402. An ejection drive signal and power required for ejection are supplied to the electrical wiring substrate 400 via the electrical connection terminals 402. The electrical wiring substrate 400 and the flexible wiring substrate 250 are electrically connected by electrical connection portions 401. By consolidating the wiring using the electrical circuit within the electrical wiring substrate 400, the number of terminals of the electrical connection terminals 402 can be reduced compared to the number of terminals on the ejection element substrate 210. This reduces the number of electrical connections that need to be removed when assembling the liquid ejection head 100 to the liquid ejection device or when replacing the liquid ejection head 100. A drive circuit substrate 251 for driving the ejection elements of the ejection element substrate 210 is provided on the flexible wiring substrate 250. The drive circuit board 251 is provided with drive elements for driving the ejection elements. An ejection drive signal supplied to the electric wiring board 400 is input to the drive circuit board 251. The drive circuit board 251 performs drive control to drive each recording element in accordance with the ejection drive signal. As shown in FIG. 5, in this embodiment, one liquid ejection unit 200 is provided with two flexible wiring boards 250: a first flexible wiring board 250a and a second flexible wiring board 250b. In the following, when describing an individual flexible wiring board, it will be referred to as the first flexible wiring board 250a or the second flexible wiring board 250b, and when describing matters common to both, it will be simply referred to as the flexible wiring board 250.

[0017] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the liquid ejection unit 200. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the liquid ejection unit 200. Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the liquid ejection unit 200. Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of the electrode portion of the liquid ejection unit 200. The configuration of the liquid ejection unit 200 will be described below with reference to Figs. 6 to 9.

[0018] 6 to 8, the liquid ejection unit 200 has an ejection element substrate 210 that ejects liquid, an ejection element substrate flow path member 220 that supplies liquid to the ejection element substrate 210, and a flow path member 240 that supplies liquid to the ejection element substrate flow path member 220. The liquid ejection unit 200 also has a flexible wiring substrate 250 that is electrically connected to the ejection element substrate 210, and an ejection element substrate support member 230 that is joined to the ejection surface side of the ejection element substrate 210.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 9, electrode portions 212 are provided on thin plate portions 211 at both ends of the ejection element substrate 210. FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of one end of the ejection element substrate 210. Note that this end refers to an end in a direction intersecting the arrangement direction of the ejection elements (or ejection ports) on the ejection element substrate 210. As shown in FIG. 9, the ejection element substrate 210 and the flexible wiring substrate 250 are electrically connected by contacting the electrodes of the electrode portion 212 and the first electrical connection portion 252 of the flexible wiring substrate 250. In order to prevent liquid from penetrating into this electrical connection portion and to reinforce the thin plate portion 211 of the ejection element substrate 210, an ejection element substrate support member 230 is joined to the ejection surface side of the thin plate portion 211, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8. The flexible wiring substrate 250 is provided with a drive circuit board 251 for driving the ejection elements of the ejection element substrate 210 (see FIG. 5).

[0020] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a support unit 300 that supports a liquid ejection unit 200. The support unit 300 includes a support member 310 to which the liquid ejection unit 200 is joined and a frame member 320 that surrounds the liquid ejection unit 200. The support unit 300 also includes a liquid supply member 330 formed with a flow path that supplies liquid to each liquid ejection unit 200 (four liquid ejection units 200 in this embodiment) via the support member 310. The support unit 300 also includes a reference member 340 that functions to position the liquid ejection device body, and a reference fixing member 350 that fixes the reference member 340 to the support member 310. The support member 310, frame member 320, and liquid supply member 330 are preferably made of the same material, taking into consideration the effects of thermal expansion, for example, during ink heating temperature control or environmental fluctuations. Alternatively, if different materials are used for the support member 310, frame member 320, and liquid supply member 330, it is preferable to select materials with linear expansion coefficients that are as similar as possible. This makes it possible to suppress deformation of the entire support unit during thermal expansion and the resulting deterioration in the positional accuracy of the ejection element substrate 210.

[0021] FIG. 11 is a plan view of the liquid ejection head in which the liquid ejection unit 200 is assembled to the support unit 300, as seen from the ejection surface side. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII in FIG. 11. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII in FIG. 11. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIV-XIV in FIG. 11. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing the reference member 340 and the positioning member 344 of the liquid ejection head 100. FIG. 15(a) is a view showing the state before the reference member 340 is positioned, and FIG. 15(b) is a view showing the state after the reference member 340 has been positioned. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII in FIG. 11, showing the state after the liquid ejection unit 200 is assembled to the support unit 300 and the other components are further assembled. As shown in FIGS. 12 to 14, the flow path member 240 and the liquid supply member 330 are joined to the support member 310, and the respective liquid flow paths are fluidly connected. The periphery of the ejection element substrate support member 230 is sealed with a peripheral sealing member 360 between it and the frame member 320 to prevent liquid infiltration. The back surface of the ejection element substrate support member 230 (the surface opposite the ejection port surface) may be sealed with a back surface sealing member 370 for reinforcement. As shown in FIG. 11 , the support member 310 has three holes for inserting the reference fixing member 350. The reference fixing member 350 is fixed to these holes, and the reference member 340 is fixed to the reference fixing member 350. The reference fixing member 350 may be an integral part with the support member 310. As shown in FIG. 15 , the spherical portion of the positioning portion 341 of the reference member 340 is positioned by the conical portion of the positioning member 344 of the liquid ejection device 10, so that the reference member 340 is centered at the center of the positioning member 344. The spherical portion of the positioning portion 341 comes into contact with the positioning member (predetermined portion) 344, and the three translational degrees of freedom (X / Y / Z directions in the drawing) are fixed, thereby enabling positioning.

[0022] The positioning portion 341 is preferably approximately spherical, and three points on the surface of the sphere come into contact with grooves or conical portions provided on a positioning member 344 configured in the liquid ejection device 10, thereby fixing the three degrees of translational freedom (X / Y / Z directions) and enabling positioning. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the sphere on the reference member 340 moves in the direction opposite to the liquid ejection direction, thereby coming into contact with the liquid ejection head 100. With this configuration, it becomes easy to reduce the distance between the ejection element substrate 210 and the recording medium, enabling high-resolution printing.

[0023] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the connection configuration of the liquid flow path between the support unit 300 and the liquid supply unit 500 of the liquid ejection head 100 according to this embodiment. FIG. 16(a) is a perspective view from above. FIG. 16(b) is a perspective view from below. The liquid supply unit 500 has a liquid connection portion 501 and is connected to the liquid supply portion 13 (FIG. 2) of the liquid ejection device main body. This allows liquid to be supplied from the supply system of the liquid ejection device main body to the liquid ejection head 100, and liquid that has passed through the liquid ejection head 100 is recovered to the supply system of the liquid ejection device main body. In this way, the liquid can circulate through the paths of the liquid ejection device main body and the liquid ejection head 100. Inside the liquid supply unit 500, filters (not shown) are provided that communicate with each opening of the liquid connection portion 501 to remove foreign matter from the ink being supplied.

[0024] Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view of the fluid connection portion between liquid supply unit 500 and liquid supply member 330. Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along XVII-XVII in Figure 16. Liquid flowing in from the liquid ejection device main body side through liquid connection portion 501 passes through communication port 502 and is supplied to liquid supply member 330. The gap between liquid supply unit 500 and liquid supply member 330 is sealed by elastic member 503.

[0025] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing the connection structure of the liquid flow paths of the support unit 300. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing the connection structure of the liquid flow paths of the liquid ejection unit 200. The liquid supply unit 500 and the liquid supply member 330 in the support unit 300 are fluidly connected by a first communication port 331. A flow path for distributing liquid to each liquid ejection unit 200 is formed in the liquid supply member 330. In this example, a flow path for distributing liquid to four liquid ejection units 200 is formed in one liquid supply member 330. The liquid supply member 330 and the support member 310 are fluidly connected by a second communication port 311. The support member 310 and each liquid ejection unit 200 are fluidly connected by a third communication port 241 of the flow path member 240, as shown in FIG. 19. A liquid flow path 242 is formed in the flow path member 240. The flow path member 240 is fluidly connected to the ejection element substrate flow path member 220 via a fourth communication port 221. 20 is a diagram showing the fluid connection configuration within the ejection element substrate 210. The liquid that flows in through each fourth communication port 221 passes through a common flow path 222 and is supplied to the ejection element substrate 210, and is ejected from the ejection port 213 by the piezoelectric element 214.

[0026] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a cooling unit 600 for cooling the drive circuit board 251. FIG. 22 is an exploded view of the cooling unit 600. FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXIII-XXIII in FIG. 21. As described above, the drive circuit board 251 is disposed on the flexible wiring board 250 (see FIG. 5). FIG. 21 is a view showing the drive circuit board 251 covered by the cooling unit 600. As shown in FIG. 21, the cooling unit 600 has a refrigerant connector 611. The refrigerant connector 611 is connected to the refrigerant supply unit 14 (FIG. 2) of the liquid ejection device main body. This allows the refrigerant to be supplied from the refrigerant supply system of the liquid ejection device main body to the cooling unit 600, and the refrigerant that has passed through the cooling unit 600 is recovered to the refrigerant supply system of the liquid ejection device main body. In this way, the refrigerant can circulate through the paths of the liquid ejection device main body and the cooling unit 600. As shown in FIG. 22 , the refrigerant flowing in through the refrigerant connection portion 611 branches into refrigerant channels formed between the first refrigerant supply member 610 and the second refrigerant supply member 620. The second refrigerant supply member 620 and the cooling member 630 are fluidly connected via a seal member 670. The refrigerant branched in the second refrigerant supply member 620 circulates in a refrigerant channel 631 formed between the cooling member 630 and the cover member 640. The refrigerant then flows back into the second refrigerant supply member 620, joins together in the refrigerant channel formed between the first refrigerant supply member 610 and the second refrigerant supply member 620, and flows out from the refrigerant connection portion 611. The second refrigerant supply member 620 and the cooling member 630 are fixed by a first fixing member 680. The cooling member 630 and the cover member 640 are fixed by a second fixing member 690.

[0027] The cooling unit 600 of this embodiment has four sets of cooling members 630 and lid members 640. The second refrigerant supply member 620 is separated into two cooling systems in the Y direction. Each cooling system is provided with two sets of cooling members 630 and lid members 640. These two sets are arranged opposite each other in the Y direction. In addition, a heat conduction member 650 is provided between these two sets in the Y direction, contacting the cooling members 630.

[0028] The cooling unit 600 of this embodiment is provided with four cooling members 630. In FIGS. 21 and 22, the cooling members 630 to which a refrigerant is supplied from the second refrigerant supply member 620 branching off at the front left of the drawing are referred to as a first cooling member 630a and a second cooling member 630b, starting from the front left of the drawing. Hereinafter, when describing individual cooling members, they will be referred to as the first cooling member 630a and the second cooling member 630b, and when describing matters common to both, they will be simply referred to as the cooling member 630. Furthermore, the heat conduction member 650 in contact with the first cooling member 630a will be referred to as the first heat conduction member 650a. The heat conduction member 650 in contact with the second cooling member 630b opposite the first cooling member 630a will be referred to as the second heat conduction member 650b. In this manner, the first cooling member 630a and the second cooling member 630b are disposed opposite each other. 22, in cooling unit 600, elastic member 660 is disposed between first heat conduction member 650a and second heat conduction member 650b. As shown in Fig. 21, flexible wiring board 250 on which drive circuit board 251 is disposed is provided between heat conduction member 650 and elastic member 660, and heat conduction member 650 abuts drive circuit board 251 (see Figs. 21 and 23). Furthermore, first cooling member 630a and second cooling member 630b are each fixed by first fixing member 680 while being pressed against second refrigerant supply member 620.

[0029] In this way, by bringing cooling member 630 into contact with drive circuit board 251 with heat conduction member 650 sandwiched therebetween, heat generated during operation of drive circuit board 251 is transferred to the refrigerant in cooling member 630. To facilitate transfer of heat generated in drive circuit board 251, it is preferable to select a material with as high a thermal conductivity as possible for cooling member 630, such as aluminum. An elastic member 660 is provided between the two flexible wiring boards 250, which makes it possible to reliably bring heat conduction member 650 into close contact with drive circuit board 251.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 21 , two flexible wiring substrates 250, each having a drive circuit board 251, are disposed extending in the −Z direction from one ejection element substrate 210. The two flexible wiring substrates 250 are disposed so as to face each other in a direction intersecting the ejection port array direction in which the ejection ports 213 are formed. More specifically, the two flexible wiring substrates 250 are disposed so that the drive circuit boards 251 face each other outward. A heat conduction member 650 abuts on the side of the flexible wiring substrate 250 on which the drive circuit board 251 is disposed (outside), and an elastic member 660 abuts on the side opposite to the side on which the drive circuit board 251 is disposed (inside). A cooling member 630 abuts on the outside of the heat conduction member 650 so as to sandwich the heat conduction member 650 therebetween. This enables the drive circuit board 251 to be cooled efficiently. As shown in FIG. 21, in this embodiment, one cooling member (630a, 630b) is configured to cool the drive circuit substrates 251 of a plurality of ejection element substrates 210.

[0031] 24 is a cross-sectional view of the electrical connection portion between the liquid ejection device main body and the liquid ejection head 100. An electrical wiring board 400 inside the liquid ejection head 100 is provided with electrical connection terminals 402. The electrical connection terminals 402 are connected to the liquid ejection device electrical wiring section 12, thereby electrically connecting the liquid ejection device 10 and the liquid ejection head 100. The electrical connection terminals 402 are covered with an electrical connection section cover member 430 that can be opened and closed.

[0032] Figure 25 is a cross-sectional view showing the reference member 340. The reference member 340 has a positioning portion 341, an adjustment portion 342, and a recess 343. The positioning portion 341 abuts against a positioning member 344 (see Figure 15) of the liquid ejection device 10 to determine its position. In this embodiment, the positioning portion 341 of the reference member 340 is spherical, and the positioning member 344 of the liquid ejection device 10 is recessed. In this embodiment, the reference member 340 and the spherical portion of the positioning portion 341 are separate members, but they may also be configured as an integrated unit.

[0033] When the spherical positioning portion 341 is formed as a separate member, examples of joining methods include press-fitting and adhesive bonding. The lower the surface roughness of the spherical portion of the positioning portion 341 and the surface roughness of the positioning member 344 of the liquid ejection device 10, the better the positioning sliding properties with the positioning member 344 of the liquid ejection device 10, allowing for higher positioning accuracy. For example, the surface roughness of the positioning portion 341 and the positioning member 344 is preferably Ra 0.1 μm or less. Furthermore, it is preferable to use alumina or the like as the material for the spherical portion of the positioning portion 341 in order to suppress deviations in position accuracy due to linear expansion.

[0034] Furthermore, the liquid ejection device 10 in this embodiment has an adjustment unit 342 that can adjust the distance between the positioning unit 341 and the ejection element substrate 210. In this embodiment, the adjustment unit 342 has a male thread shape, and the reference fixing member 350 (see FIG. 15) has a female thread shape, making it possible to adjust the height of the ejection element substrate 210 in the liquid ejection direction. Note that this configuration is not limited to this, and the relationship between the male thread and the female thread may be reversed, or the height may be adjusted by a method other than using a screw.

[0035] In this embodiment, the height of the positioning portion 341 can be adjusted in the liquid ejection direction of the ejection element substrate 210 from the direction opposite to the insertion direction of the reference fixing member 350 into the support member 310. The height of the positioning portion 341 can be adjusted by adjusting the recess 343 of the adjustment portion 342 using a tool such as a screwdriver or a hexagonal wrench, and the shape of the recess 343 may be, for example, a cross recess, a hexagonal socket, or a flat-head slot. Alternatively, the recess 343 may be provided with a convex shape for adjustment.

[0036] In this embodiment, the positioning portion 341 of the reference member 340 of the liquid ejection head 100 is spherical, and positioning is performed by the positioning portion 341 and a recessed portion of the positioning member 344 of the liquid ejection device 10. Note that the reference member 340 of the liquid ejection head 100 may be configured to be recessed or grooved, and the positioning member 344 on the liquid ejection device 10 side may be configured to be spherical.

[0037] By providing a reference member 340 on the liquid ejection head 100, the distance between the liquid ejection head 100 and the recording medium 20 set in the liquid ejection device 10 can be reduced, and as a result, the liquid ejection head 100 can be made smaller.

[0038] FIG. 27 is a plan view of the liquid ejection head 100 as viewed from the bottom, which is the ejection port side, and FIG. 28 is a plan view of the liquid ejection head 100 as viewed from the top. As shown in FIG. 27, three reference fixing members 350 are provided on the liquid ejection head 100. Two (first and second reference fixing members) are provided at one end in a second direction (Y direction in FIG. 27) intersecting the X direction (arrangement direction of multiple ejection ports, first direction), and one (third reference fixing member) is provided at the other end, between the two at one end in the X direction (first direction). Since there is only one plane that simultaneously passes through three points, it is known that three-point support is the most stable way to support an object. Therefore, by providing three reference fixing members 350 and supporting the liquid ejection head 100 at three points, as in this embodiment, the liquid ejection head 100 can be stably supported. Furthermore, it is desirable to configure the liquid ejection head 100 so that the center of gravity G of the liquid ejection head 100 is located inside a triangle formed by three reference fixing members 350 (a first reference fixing member, a second reference fixing member, and a third reference fixing member) as vertices in a plane viewed from the ejection surface side as shown in Fig. 27. Note that the number of reference fixing members 350 needs to be at least three, and four or more points are also acceptable.

[0039] 28, the reference members 340 are first, second, and third reference members 340a, 340b, and 340c at the respective reference positions in the liquid ejection head 100. The liquid connection part 501 and the refrigerant connection part 611 are arranged so as to be located inside a triangle (first triangle) connecting the three reference points determined by the three reference members 340 in a plane viewed from above the liquid ejection head 100. By arranging them in this way, the stability of the connection parts and the reference parts can be ensured.

[0040] In this way, at least two reference members are provided at one end in the Y direction intersecting the X direction, and at least one reference member is provided at the other end, between the two reference members on one side in the X direction. Furthermore, the reference member has an adjustment unit, and the adjustment unit makes it possible to adjust the position of the ejection element substrate in the liquid ejection direction.

[0041] FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view showing the positioning portion between the liquid ejection head 100 and the liquid ejection device 10. The positioning member 344 has a recess formed therein to receive the reference member 340. The liquid ejection head 100 is fixed to the liquid ejection device 10 by abutting the liquid ejection head 100 against the positioning member 344 using a pressing member 720. The pressing member 720 is preferably made of an elastic material such as rubber or a spring. In this embodiment, the positioning portion 341 of the reference member 340 is spherical, and the positioning member 344 of the liquid ejection device 10 has a groove or cone shape for abutting the positioning portion 341. This enables easy and highly accurate positioning of the liquid ejection head 100. It is desirable that the pressing direction of the pressing member 720 be the axial direction including the liquid ejection direction. While it is most effective to press the reference member 340 coaxially, due to limitations on the configuration of the liquid ejection device, the pressing portion need not be coaxial with the reference member 340 as long as it is positioned in a manner that ensures reliable positioning.

[0042] An example of the positional relationship between the pressed portion 360 and the reference member 340 is shown in Fig. 29. In Fig. 29, the pressed portion 360 and the reference member 340 are provided adjacent to each other. That is, the first pressed portion is provided near the first reference member, the second pressed portion is provided near the second reference member, and the third pressed portion is provided near the third reference member.

[0043] A cross-sectional schematic diagram of the pressing portion in this case is shown in Figure 30. By arranging the pressed portion adjacent to or spaced apart from the reference member rather than coaxially with it, the ejection direction can also be changed as shown in Figure 30, thereby improving the design flexibility of the placement and configuration of the pressing member. It is desirable to install the pressed portion 360 near the reference member 340. However, it is possible to stably position the reference member 340 if the center of gravity of the first triangle connecting the three reference points determined by the three points of the reference member can be pressed. Therefore, it is possible to stably position the reference member 340 if the center of gravity of the first triangle is inside the second triangle connecting the three points of the pressed portion (the three points of the first pressed portion, the second pressed portion, and the third pressed portion). That is, it is preferable that the center of gravity 346 of a first triangle 345 connecting the three points of the first reference point determined by the first reference member, the second reference point determined by the second reference member, and the third reference point determined by the third reference member is inside a second triangle 365 connecting the three points of the first pressed portion, the second pressed portion, and the third pressed portion. Furthermore, it is preferable that the third pressed portion is provided with respect to the third reference member in a direction toward the center point of the line segment connecting the first reference member and the second reference member in the first direction.

[0044] Depending on the device configuration, it may be difficult to install the pressed portion 360 adjacent to the reference member 340 as in this example, and it may be necessary to install it at a position further away in the first direction. Even in this case, the distance can be such that the center of gravity of the first triangle is inside the second triangle, and the positions of the centers of gravity of the first triangle and the second triangle are separated in the first direction. In this case, it is preferable that the difference in the first direction between the center of gravity of the first triangle and the center of gravity of the second triangle is within 1 / 6 of the line segment connecting the two reference members on the side having two reference members.

[0045] Furthermore, the pressing method is not limited to pressing the pressed portion 360 that constitutes the surface with an elastic member or the like, and other pressing methods can also be used to achieve the same effect. For example, as shown in Figure 31, the pressed portion 360 may have an opening and be pressed by a screw that passes through the opening. Figure 32 is a perspective view showing an example of the device configuration.

[0046] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configuration.

[0047] (Configuration 1) an ejection element substrate on which a plurality of ejection ports for ejecting liquid form an ejection port array along a first direction; a support member provided with the ejection element substrate and configured to support the ejection element substrate relative to a predetermined portion; a reference member attached to the support member for positioning the ejection element substrate with respect to the predetermined portion; A liquid ejection head comprising: The reference member is a first reference member and a second reference member provided at first ends in a second direction intersecting the first direction so as to be positioned differently in the first direction; a third reference member at a second end portion that is an end portion opposite to the first end portion in the second direction, The support member serves as a pressed portion that receives a force pressing against the predetermined portion, a first pressed portion and a second pressed portion provided at the first end portion so as to be positioned differently in the first direction; The second end portion has a third pressed portion, A liquid ejection head characterized in that the center of gravity of a first triangle connecting three points, namely a first reference point determined by the first reference member, a second reference point determined by the second reference member, and a third reference point determined by the third reference member, is located inside a second triangle connecting three points, namely the first pressed portion, the second pressed portion, and the third pressed portion.

[0048] (Configuration 2) 2. The liquid ejection head according to configuration 1, wherein the third reference member is provided between the first reference member and the second reference member in the first direction.

[0049] (Configuration 3) 3. The liquid ejection head according to configuration 1 or 2, wherein the third pressed portion is provided between the first pressed portion and the second pressed portion in the first direction.

[0050] (Configuration 4) A liquid ejection head described in any of configurations 1 to 3, wherein the first reference member and the first pressed portion are arranged adjacent to each other, the second reference member and the second pressed portion are arranged adjacent to each other, and the third reference member and the third pressed portion are arranged adjacent to each other.

[0051] (Configuration 5) the third reference member is provided between the first reference member and the second reference member in the first direction, the third pressed portion is provided between the first pressed portion and the second pressed portion in the first direction, A liquid ejection head described in any of configurations 1 to 4, wherein the first reference member and the first pressed portion are arranged adjacent to each other, the second reference member and the second pressed portion are arranged adjacent to each other, and the third reference member and the third pressed portion are arranged adjacent to each other.

[0052] (Configuration 6) A liquid ejection head described in configuration 5, wherein the third pressed portion is arranged in the first direction relative to the third reference member, in a direction toward the center point of a line segment connecting the first reference member and the second reference member.

[0053] (Configuration 7) A liquid ejection head described in configuration 5 or 6, wherein the first pressed portion and the second pressed portion are arranged relative to the first reference member and the second reference member in the first direction toward the center point of a line segment connecting the first reference member and the second reference member.

[0054] (Configuration 8) A liquid ejection head described in any of configurations 1 to 7, wherein the first pressed portion, the second pressed portion, and the third pressed portion all have openings and are pressed against the specified portion by screws passing through the openings.

[0055] (Configuration 9) The liquid ejection head according to any one of the configurations 1 to 8, wherein the reference member positions the ejection element substrate by bringing a positioning portion into contact with the predetermined portion.

[0056] (Configuration 10) 10. The liquid ejection head according to any one of configurations 1 to 9, wherein the center of gravity of the surface on which the ejection ports are formed is inside the first triangle.

[0057] (Configuration 11) A liquid ejection head described in any one of configurations 1 to 10, wherein the difference in the first direction between the center of gravity of the first triangle and the center of gravity of the second triangle is within 1 / 6 of the line segment connecting the first reference member and the second reference member.

[0058] (Configuration 12) 12. A liquid ejection device comprising: the liquid ejection head according to any one of configurations 1 to 11; and the predetermined portion.

[0059] (Configuration 13) an ejection element substrate on which a plurality of ejection ports for ejecting liquid form an ejection port array along a first direction; a support member provided with the ejection element substrate and configured to support the ejection element substrate relative to a predetermined portion; a reference member attached to the support member for positioning the ejection element substrate with respect to the predetermined portion; A liquid ejection head comprising: The reference member is a first reference member and a second reference member provided at first ends in a second direction intersecting the first direction so as to be positioned differently in the first direction; a third reference member at a second end portion that is an end portion opposite to the first end portion in the second direction, The support member serves as a pressed portion that receives a force pressing against the predetermined portion, a first pressed portion and a second pressed portion provided at the first end portion so as to be positioned differently in the first direction; The second end portion has a third pressed portion, A liquid ejection head characterized in that the first pressed portion is provided near the first reference member, the second pressed portion is provided near the second reference member, and the third pressed portion is provided near the third reference member. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 10 Liquid dispensing device 100 Liquid ejection head 210 ejection element substrate 310 Support member 340 Reference Member 341 Positioning part 342 Adjustment section 344 Positioning member 350 Reference fixing member 345 First triangle 346 First Center of Gravity of a Triangle 360 Pressurized part 365 Second Triangle 701 Head support member 720 Pressing member

Claims

1. an ejection element substrate on which a plurality of ejection ports for ejecting liquid form an ejection port array along a first direction; a support member provided with the ejection element substrate and configured to support the ejection element substrate relative to a predetermined portion; a reference member attached to the support member for positioning the ejection element substrate with respect to the predetermined portion; A liquid ejection head comprising: The reference member is a first reference member and a second reference member provided at first ends in a second direction intersecting the first direction so as to be positioned differently in the first direction; a third reference member at a second end portion that is an end portion opposite to the first end portion in the second direction, The support member serves as a pressed portion that receives a force pressing against the predetermined portion, a first pressed portion and a second pressed portion provided at the first end portion so as to be positioned differently in the first direction; The second end portion has a third pressed portion, A liquid ejection head characterized in that the center of gravity of a first triangle connecting three points, namely a first reference point determined by the first reference member, a second reference point determined by the second reference member, and a third reference point determined by the third reference member, is located inside a second triangle connecting three points, namely the first pressed portion, the second pressed portion, and the third pressed portion.

2. The liquid ejection head according to claim 1 , wherein the third reference member is provided between the first reference member and the second reference member in the first direction.

3. The liquid ejection head according to claim 1 , wherein the third pressed portion is provided between the first pressed portion and the second pressed portion in the first direction.

4. A liquid ejection head as described in claim 1, wherein the first reference member and the first pressed portion are arranged adjacent to each other, the second reference member and the second pressed portion are arranged adjacent to each other, and the third reference member and the third pressed portion are arranged adjacent to each other.

5. the third reference member is provided between the first reference member and the second reference member in the first direction, the third pressed portion is provided between the first pressed portion and the second pressed portion in the first direction, A liquid ejection head as described in claim 1, wherein the first reference member and the first pressed portion are arranged adjacent to each other, the second reference member and the second pressed portion are arranged adjacent to each other, and the third reference member and the third pressed portion are arranged adjacent to each other.

6. A liquid ejection head as described in claim 5, wherein the third pressure-receiving portion is arranged in a direction toward the center point of a line segment connecting the first reference member and the second reference member in the first direction relative to the third reference member.

7. A liquid ejection head as described in claim 5, wherein the first pressed portion and the second pressed portion are arranged relative to the first reference member and the second reference member in the first direction toward the center point of a line segment connecting the first reference member and the second reference member.

8. The liquid ejection head according to claim 1 , wherein the first pressed portion, the second pressed portion, and the third pressed portion all have openings and are pressed against the predetermined portion by screws passing through the openings.

9. The liquid ejection head according to claim 1 , wherein the reference member positions the ejection element substrate by bringing a positioning portion into contact with the predetermined portion.

10. The liquid ejection head according to claim 1 , wherein the center of gravity of the surface on which the ejection ports are formed is inside the first triangle.

11. The liquid ejection head according to claim 1 , wherein the difference in the first direction between the center of gravity of the first triangle and the center of gravity of the second triangle is within 1 / 6 of a line segment connecting the first reference member and the second reference member.

12. A liquid ejection device comprising: the liquid ejection head according to claim 1; and the predetermined portion.

13. an ejection element substrate on which a plurality of ejection ports for ejecting liquid form an ejection port array along a first direction; a support member provided with the ejection element substrate and configured to support the ejection element substrate relative to a predetermined portion; a reference member attached to the support member for positioning the ejection element substrate with respect to the predetermined portion; A liquid ejection head comprising: The reference member is a first reference member and a second reference member provided at first ends in a second direction intersecting the first direction so as to be positioned differently in the first direction; a third reference member at a second end portion that is an end portion opposite to the first end portion in the second direction, The support member serves as a pressed portion that receives a force pressing against the predetermined portion, a first pressed portion and a second pressed portion provided at the first end portion so as to be positioned differently in the first direction; The second end portion has a third pressed portion, A liquid ejection head characterized in that the first pressed portion is provided near the first reference member, the second pressed portion is provided near the second reference member, and the third pressed portion is provided near the third reference member.

Images