Liquid discharge head and liquid discharge apparatus

Abstract

To provide a liquid ejection head capable of suppressing overshoot of a valve member, and an apparatus for ejecting liquid.SOLUTION: The moving mechanism includes a connection spring member 50 as a second elastic deformation member connected to the pair of arm members 21. When the pair of arm members 21 is rotated by the driving of the piezoelectric element 18, the coupling spring member 50 is elastically deformed to bias the pair of arm members 21 in a direction opposite to the rotation direction. In this way, at least when the needle valve 17 is placed at the open position, the coupling spring member 50 limits the pivotal movement of the pair of arm members at the time of resiliently deforming the flat spring member 30, which serves as the first resiliently deformable member, such that the coupling location is moved in the direction away from the nozzle 14, and thereby limits the resilient deformation of the flat spring member 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid ejection head and a device for ejecting liquid. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a liquid ejection head is known that includes a valve member that opens and closes a nozzle that ejects liquid, and a movement mechanism that has an actuator and moves the valve member between an open position where the nozzle is opened and a closed position where the nozzle is closed by displacement of the actuator.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a liquid ejection head as described above, in which the movement mechanism includes an elastically deforming member formed by molding rubber, soft resin, or a thin metal plate. The elastically deforming member has a guide section that moves in response to the expansion and contraction of a piezoelectric element serving as an actuator, a deformation section that is connected to the guide section on one side and to a valve member on the other side and elastically deforms in response to movement of the guide section, and a support section that supports the deformation section. In a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the valve member moves, the position at which the deformation section and the guide section are connected is located closer to the center of the nozzle than the position at which the support section supports the deformation section.

[0004] When the valve member is moved from the closed position to the open position, the piezoelectric element is extended. This extension of the piezoelectric element elastically deforms the connecting portion of the deforming portion of the elastically deforming member with the guide portion so that it moves toward the nozzle, and elastically deforms the connecting portion of the deforming portion of the elastically deforming member with the valve member so that it moves toward the piezoelectric element. This moves the valve member from the closed position to the open position. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When the extension of the actuator, such as a piezoelectric element, is completed and the valve member reaches the open position, the inertia of the valve member causes the elastic deformation member to elastically deform, which could result in the valve member not stopping at the open position but overshooting. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a liquid ejection head comprising a valve member that opens and closes a nozzle that ejects liquid, and a moving mechanism having an actuator that moves the valve member from a closed position in which the nozzle is blocked by the actuator to an open position in which the nozzle is opened, wherein the moving mechanism comprises a first elastic deformation member that is connected to the valve member and that elastically deforms when driven by the actuator so that the connection point with the valve member moves in a direction away from the nozzle, and a second elastic deformation member that elastically deforms so as to inhibit the elastic deformation of the first elastic deformation member that moves the connection point in a direction away from the nozzle, at least when the valve member is in the open position. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, overshoot of the valve member can be suppressed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is an overall perspective view of a liquid ejection head. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a head unit. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the basic configuration of a liquid ejection module. [Figure 4] 4 is a graph showing the displacement of a needle valve at the start-up of the liquid ejection module having the basic configuration shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a main part of the liquid ejection module according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] 6 is a graph showing the displacement of the needle valve 17 during start-up in this embodiment. [Figure 7] Schematic diagram of the main part of the connecting spring member made of sheet metal [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a main part of a third modified example. [Figure 11] 10 is a graph showing the displacement of the needle valve 17 at the time of start-up in a third modified example. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an inkjet printer. [Figure 13] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the arrangement of an inkjet printer in a vehicle. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing another example of an inkjet printer. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing yet another example of an inkjet printer. [Figure 16] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of an electrode manufacturing apparatus. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing another example of an electrode manufacturing apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that a person skilled in the art can easily modify or alter the present invention within the scope of the claims to create other embodiments, and these modifications and alterations are included within the scope of the claims. The following description is an example of the best mode for carrying out the present invention and does not limit the scope of the claims.

[0010] Fig. 1 is an overall perspective view of a liquid ejection head 10. In Fig. 1, the longitudinal direction of the liquid ejection head 10 (the direction in which the nozzles 14 are arranged) is defined as the X direction, and the lateral direction of the liquid ejection head 10 is defined as the Y direction. The height direction of the liquid ejection head 10 (the opening and closing direction of the needle valve 17, the movement direction of the needle valve 17, and the direction in which liquid is ejected from the nozzles 14) is defined as the Z direction. The definitions of these coordinates will be the same in the subsequent figures unless otherwise specified.

[0011] The liquid ejection head 10 has a housing 11 that serves as a case. The housing 11 is made of metal or resin. The housing 11 also has a connector 29 on its top for communicating electrical signals. One end of the housing 11 in the X direction has a supply port 12 for supplying liquid such as ink into the head, and the other end in the X direction has a recovery port 13 for discharging liquid from the head.

[0012] 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the head unit 60, and is also a cross-sectional view of the liquid ejection head 10 taken along the line AA in FIG.

[0013] The liquid ejection head 10 has a nozzle plate 15. The nozzle plate 15 is joined to the housing 11. The nozzle plate 15 has a plurality of nozzles 14 for ejecting liquid arranged in the longitudinal direction (X direction) of the liquid ejection head 10. The housing 11 is provided with a flow path 16 through which the liquid flows. The flow path 16 is a path through which the liquid supplied from the supply port 12 passes over the nozzle plate 15 and is sent to the recovery port 13. The liquid is sent on the flow path 16 in the directions indicated by arrows a1 to a3 in FIG. 2.

[0014] With the above configuration, supply port 12 takes in pressurized liquid from the outside, sends the liquid in the direction of arrow a1, and supplies the liquid to flow path 16. Flow path 16 sends the liquid from supply port 12 in the direction of arrow a2. Then, recovery port 13 discharges the liquid that has not been ejected from nozzles 14 arranged along flow path 16 in the direction of arrow a3.

[0015] A plurality of liquid ejection modules 70 are arranged between the supply port 12 and the recovery port 13. The number of liquid ejection modules 70 corresponds to the number of nozzles 14, and in this example, a configuration is shown in which eight liquid ejection modules 70 corresponding to the eight nozzles 14 arranged in a row are provided. Note that the number and arrangement of the nozzles 14 and liquid ejection modules 70 are not limited to those described above. For example, the number of nozzles 14 and liquid ejection modules 70 may be one instead of multiple. The number may also be eight or more or less. The nozzles 14 and liquid ejection modules 70 may also be arranged in multiple rows instead of a single row.

[0016] Each liquid ejection module 70 includes a needle valve 17 as a valve member that opens and closes the nozzle 14, and a piezoelectric element 18 as an actuator that drives the needle valve 17. By displacing the piezoelectric element 18, the needle valve 17 is opened and closed, and liquid is ejected from the nozzle 14.

[0017] The housing 11 is provided with a plurality of storage sections 11a (see FIG. 3) that each store a liquid ejection module 70. Each storage section 11a is provided with a piezoelectric element restricting member 19 at a position facing the upper end of the piezoelectric element 18. This piezoelectric element restricting member 19 abuts against the upper end of the piezoelectric element 18, and serves as a fixing point for the piezoelectric element 18.

[0018] A through-hole through which the needle valve 17 passes is formed between the storage section 11a and the flow path 16, and an O-ring 22 (see Figure 3) is provided inside the through-hole to seal the gap between the through-hole and the needle valve 17.

[0019] A sealing member, which is an elastic member, is provided at the tip of the needle valve 17. When the sealing member of the needle valve 17 is pressed against the nozzle plate 15, the sealing member is compressed, thereby reliably closing the nozzle 14 with the needle valve 17.

[0020] When a voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element 18 by the drive control device 40, the piezoelectric element 18 is displaced in the Z direction, and the needle valve 17 is pulled up in a direction away from the nozzle 14 by a movement mechanism 58, which will be described later. This causes the needle valve 17 to move away from the nozzle 14, opening the nozzle 14. This causes the liquid supplied under pressure to the flow path 16 to be ejected from the nozzle 14. Furthermore, when no voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element 18, the needle valve 17 closes the nozzle 14. In this state, even if liquid is supplied under pressure to the flow path 16, the liquid will not be ejected from the nozzle 14.

[0021] The drive control device 40 has a waveform generation circuit 41, which is a drive pulse generation unit, and an amplifier circuit. The waveform generation circuit generates a drive pulse waveform, which will be described later, and the amplifier circuit amplifies the voltage value to the required value. The amplified voltage is then applied to the piezoelectric element 18. By applying this voltage, the drive control device 40 controls the opening and closing of the needle valve 17, thereby controlling the ejection of liquid from the liquid ejection head 10. However, if the waveform generation circuit can apply a sufficient voltage, the amplifier circuit may be omitted.

[0022] The waveform generating circuit 41 generates a drive pulse, which is a waveform that changes over time as the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element 18 changes. The waveform generating circuit receives print data from an external PC or an internal microcomputer of the device and generates a drive pulse based on this input data. The waveform generating circuit can change the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element 18 and generate multiple drive pulses. As described above, when the waveform generating circuit generates a drive pulse, the piezoelectric element 18 expands and contracts in accordance with the drive pulse, opening and closing the needle valve 17.

[0023] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the basic configuration of the liquid ejection module 70. As shown in FIG. FIG. 3(a) is a schematic diagram showing the state in which the needle valve 17 closes the nozzle 14, and FIG. 3(b) is a schematic diagram showing the state in which the needle valve 17 opens the nozzle 14. The liquid ejection module 70 is accommodated in the accommodation portion 11a of the housing 11, and includes a needle valve 17 serving as a valve member for opening and closing the nozzle 14, and a movement mechanism 58. The movement mechanism 58 includes a piezoelectric element 18, a movement member 20, a pair of arm members 21 serving as rotating members, and a leaf spring member 30 serving as a first elastic deformation member. One end of the movement member 20 is fixed to the piezoelectric element 18, and the pair of arm members 21 are rotatably attached to the other end, and the movement member 20 is attached to a holder 63 that holds the piezoelectric element 18 so as to be movable in the Z direction. The pair of arm members 21 are rotatably supported by a support shaft 21a attached to the holder 63.

[0024] The leaf spring member 30 is formed by bending a stainless steel sheet metal to form a valve connecting portion 31 connected to the needle valve 17, a pair of inclined portions 32 as elastic deformation portions, and a pair of arm connecting portions 33 connected to each arm member. The needle valve 17 is bonded to the valve connecting portion 31 with an adhesive, and the inclined portions 32 as elastic deformation portions extend diagonally upward in the figure from both ends of the valve connecting portion 31. The arm connecting portions 33 are attached to the arm member 21 by being fitted into slits provided in the arm member 21.

[0025] 3(a), when the needle valve 17 closes the nozzle 14 (when the needle valve 17 is in the closed position), the pair of inclined portions 32 of the leaf spring member 30 elastically deform as shown by the dashed lines in the figure, generating a biasing force that presses the needle valve 17 against the nozzle plate 15. This allows the needle valve 17 to effectively seal the nozzle 14, and prevents liquid from leaking from the nozzle 14.

[0026] As shown by the black arrow in FIG. 3(b), the piezoelectric element 18 is displaced toward the nozzle 14, causing the moving member 20 to move toward the nozzle and push the pair of arm members 21 toward the nozzle. This causes the pair of arm members 21 to rotate around the support shaft 21a as a fulcrum. As the pair of arm members 21 rotate, both ends of the leaf spring member 30 move in directions away from each other. This causes the pair of inclined portions 32 to elastically deform, and the valve connecting portion 31 moves in a direction away from the nozzle. As a result, the needle valve 17 is lifted, opening the nozzle 14 and causing liquid to be ejected from the nozzle 14 (this corresponds to a state in which the needle valve 17 is in the open position that opens the nozzle 14).

[0027] Fig. 4 is a graph showing the displacement of the needle valve 17 during start-up of the liquid ejection module 70 having the basic configuration shown in Fig. 3. The displacement on the vertical axis in Fig. 4 is the distance that the needle valve 17 moves from the closed position where the nozzle 14 is closed toward the piezoelectric element 18. The start-up period is the period from when the piezoelectric element 18 starts to be driven until the displacement of the piezoelectric element 18 toward the nozzle 14 side is completed. As shown in FIG. 4, even after the displacement of the piezoelectric element 18 toward the nozzle 14 is completed (time t1 in FIG. 4), the needle valve 17 continues to move toward the piezoelectric element 18 due to inertia, resulting in an overshoot. This overshoot causes the needle valve 17 to vibrate. This vibration does not decay easily, and 1 ms after the piezoelectric element 18 starts to be driven (time 0.001 s in FIG. 4), the position of the needle valve 17 stabilizes at the open position (a position approximately 40 μm from the closed position) (time 0.002 s in FIG. 4). In particular, when driven at a high frequency of 1 kHz or higher, the needle valve 17 moves faster, increasing the inertia of the needle valve after the displacement of the piezoelectric element 18 is completed. This vibration of the needle valve 17 due to the overshoot makes it difficult to control the discharge of the liquid. Furthermore, when driving at a high frequency of 1 kHz or more, the needle valve 17 needs to be opened and closed at a frequency of 1 kHz or more. Therefore, the piezoelectric element 18 needs to be driven so that the needle valve 17 starts to move toward the nozzle 14 0.5 ms after the piezoelectric element 18 starts to be driven (time 0.0015 s in FIG. 4). In other words, the needle valve 17 needs to be moved toward the nozzle 14 in a state where there is a large vibration due to overshoot. As a result, it becomes difficult to accurately move the needle valve 17 to the closed position.

[0028] Such an overshoot of the needle valve 17 occurs when the leaf spring member 30 is further elastically deformed due to the inertia of the needle valve 17, the inertia of the arm member 21, etc. after the displacement of the piezoelectric element 18 is completed.

[0029] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a liquid ejection module 70 of this embodiment. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, a connecting spring member 50 is provided as a second elastic deformation portion connected to a pair of arm members 21. The connecting spring member 50 is made of rubber or resin, and as shown in FIG. 5, when the pair of arm members 21 is closed (when the needle valve 17 is in the closed position), it is attached to the pair of arm members 21 in a nearly natural state (with almost no elastic deformation).

[0030] FIG. 6 is a graph showing the displacement of the needle valve 17 during start-up in this embodiment (the configuration shown in FIG. 5). As shown in Figure 6, in this embodiment, overshooting of the needle valve 17 is suppressed, and vibration of the needle valve 17 is suppressed. This is because, when the piezoelectric element 18 is displaced toward the nozzle 14 and the pair of arm members 21 rotates, the connecting spring member 50 elastically deforms, and the restoring force of the connecting spring member 50 acts on the pair of arm members 21. This restoring force urges the pair of arm members 21 in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the arm members 21 when moving the needle valve 17 from the closed position to the open position. This urging force prevents further rotation of the pair of arm members 21 due to inertia of the pair of arm members 21 after the displacement of the piezoelectric element 18 is complete (after the needle valve reaches the open position).

[0031] Furthermore, the connecting spring member 50 inhibits the rotation of the pair of arm members 21, thereby inhibiting the elastic deformation of the leaf spring member 30 after the displacement of the piezoelectric element 18 is completed (after the needle valve reaches the open position). This suppresses the elastic deformation of the leaf spring member 30 due to the inertia of the needle valve 17.

[0032] In this way, the connecting spring member 50 inhibits the rotation of the pair of arm members 21 and the elastic deformation of the leaf spring member after the piezoelectric element 18 has been displaced (after the needle valve reaches the open position), thereby suppressing overshoot of the needle valve 17. Suppressing overshoot of the needle valve 17 suppresses vibration of the needle valve 17 after the piezoelectric element 18 has been displaced (at time t1). Furthermore, the connecting spring member 50 makes it difficult for the leaf spring member 30 to elastically deform, thereby quickly damping the vibration of the leaf spring member 30 after overshoot. This allows the needle valve 17 to quickly stabilize at the open position (approximately 30 μm from the closed position). That is, the vibration of the needle valve 17 becomes sufficiently small 0.5 ms (0.0015 s in FIG. 6 ) after the piezoelectric element 18 begins to be driven. Therefore, liquid discharge can be easily controlled during continuous drive at high frequencies of 1 kHz or higher.

[0033] In this embodiment, an overshoot of the needle valve 17 causes the inclined portion 32 of the leaf spring member 30 to vibrate, thereby vibrating the needle valve 17. The connecting spring member 50 also vibrates due to an overshoot of the pair of arm members 21, causing the pair of arm members 21 to vibrate. By appropriately setting the natural frequency of the connecting spring member 50 to, for example, a natural frequency that does not resonate with the vibration of the inclined portion 32 or the arm members 21 and is higher than the natural frequency of the leaf spring member 30, it is possible to quickly damp the vibration of the leaf spring member 30, thereby shortening the vibration time after the needle valve 17 overshoots.

[0034] Additionally, overshooting of the needle valve 17 can be suppressed by increasing the rigidity of the leaf spring member 30 to make it less susceptible to elastic deformation, but increasing the rigidity of the leaf spring member 30 may result in a risk that the contact pressure of the leaf spring member 30 against the nozzle plate 15 when the needle valve 17 is in the closed position becoming too strong due to dimensional errors of the leaf spring member 30, etc. In contrast, in this embodiment, overshooting of the needle valve 17 can be suppressed without increasing the rigidity of the leaf spring member 30. This makes it possible to suppress an increase in the contact pressure of the leaf spring member 30 against the nozzle plate when the needle valve 17 is in the closed position, which is caused by dimensional errors of the leaf spring member 30, etc.

[0035] Furthermore, when the needle valve 17 is in the closed position, the pair of arm members 21 are restricted by the piezoelectric element 18 from rotating in the opposite direction to the direction of rotation when moving the needle valve 17 to the open position. Therefore, when the needle valve 17 is in the closed position, even if the pair of arm members 21 are urged by the connecting spring member 50 in the direction opposite to the direction of rotation when moving the needle valve 17 to the open position, the pair of arm members 21 do not rotate in the opposite direction. Therefore, an increase in the contact pressure of the needle valve 17 against the nozzle plate 15 can be suppressed, and deformation of the nozzle plate 15 can be suppressed.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 4 , without the connecting spring member 50, the open position was approximately 40 μm from the closed position. However, with the connecting spring member 50, the open position was approximately 30 μm from the closed position. Thus, in this embodiment, the displacement of the needle valve 17 is reduced. This is because the force required to rotate the arm member 21 increases due to the restoring force of the connecting spring member 50, thereby reducing the amount of displacement when the same voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element 18. Therefore, in this embodiment, by increasing the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element 18, the open position of 40 μm, equivalent to that shown in FIG. 4 , can be achieved. Furthermore, by tailoring the material and shape of the connecting spring member 50 to the operating conditions, such as the drive frequency and the set open position, the increase in voltage applied to the piezoelectric element 18 can be reduced.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 7, the connecting spring member 50 may be formed by bending a plate made of stainless steel. By using highly rigid stainless steel, the connecting spring member 50 can be made small and lightweight. In the configuration shown in FIG. 7, by devising the bending locations, it is easy to increase the rigidity of the connecting spring member 50 and easily increase the restoring force when the needle valve 17 is in the open position. This effectively suppresses overshoot of the needle valve 17 and suppresses vibration of the needle valve 17 in the open position. Furthermore, compared to rubber, resin, etc., the connecting spring member 50 can be easily assembled to the pair of arm members 21.

[0038] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a main part of a first modified example of this embodiment. In the first modified example shown in FIG. 8 , a buffer material 51 is provided between the valve connecting portion 31 of the leaf spring member 30 and the contact portion 50a of the connecting spring member 50, which is an opposing portion facing the valve connecting portion 31. A retaining shaft 17b that holds the buffer material 51 is provided at the end of the needle valve 17 on the piezoelectric element 18 side. A through hole through which the retaining shaft 17b passes is provided between the buffer material 51 and the contact portion 50a of the connecting spring member 50. The diameter of the through hole between the buffer material 51 and the contact portion 50a is larger than the diameter of the retaining shaft 17b. By having the retaining shaft 17b pass through the through hole of the buffer material 51, the buffer material 51 is held by the retaining shaft 17b so as to be movable relative to the retaining shaft 17b in the opening and closing directions of the needle valve 17. Furthermore, the retaining shaft 17b passes through the through hole of the contact portion 50a so as to be movable relative to the contact portion 50a in the opening and closing directions of the needle valve 17. The upper surface of the buffer material 51 abuts against the abutting portion 50a of the connecting spring member 50, and the lower surface abuts against the valve connecting portion 31 of the flat spring member 30. The buffer material 51 is made of an elastic material such as rubber or a porous resin material (foam material).

[0039] The connecting spring member 50 is connected to the arm member 21 on the inside of the leaf spring member 30. Therefore, when the arm member 21 moves the needle valve 17 to the open position, the movement amount of the abutting portion 50a of the connecting spring member 50 in the opening / closing direction of the needle valve 17 is smaller than the movement amount of the valve connecting portion 31 of the leaf spring member 30 in the opening / closing direction. As a result, when the needle valve 17 moves to the open position, the buffer material 51 elastically deforms and pushes the needle valve 17 toward the nozzle via the valve connecting portion 31. The amount of elastic deformation of the buffer material 51 increases as the needle valve 17 approaches the open position, and the force pushing the needle valve 17 toward the nozzle increases. This pushing force decelerates the movement speed of the needle valve 17, thereby reducing the movement speed of the needle valve 17 at the time when the displacement of the piezoelectric element 18 is completed (when the needle valve reaches the open position). This makes it possible to further suppress the elastic deformation of the leaf spring member 30 due to the inertia of the needle valve 17 after the displacement of the piezoelectric element 18 is completed, and to suppress overshoot of the needle valve 17. Furthermore, by optimizing the natural frequency of the cushioning material 51, for example by making it so that it does not resonate with the vibration of the leaf spring member 30 and is sufficiently lower than the natural frequency of the leaf spring member 30, the vibration of the needle valve 17 after an overshoot can be damped by the cushioning material 51, and the vibration time of the needle valve after an overshoot can be shortened.

[0040] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a main part of a second modified example of this embodiment. 9, the gap between the flat spring component 30 and the connecting spring component 50 is filled with an elastic component 52. In this second modification, the gap between the flat spring component 30 and the connecting spring component 50 is filled with an elastic adhesive such as a silicone adhesive, so that the gap between the flat spring component 30 and the connecting spring component 50 is filled with the elastic component 52.

[0041] In this second modified example, by filling the gap between the leaf spring member 30 and the connecting spring member 50 with the elastic member 52, the rigidity of the inclined portion, which is the elastic deformation portion of the leaf spring member, is increased, making it difficult for the inclined portion 32 to elastically deform. As a result, elastic deformation of the leaf spring member 30 due to the inertia of the needle valve 17 after the displacement of the piezoelectric element 18 is suppressed, further suppressing overshoot of the needle valve 17. Furthermore, vibration of the needle valve 17 after overshoot is suppressed, and the vibration time of the needle valve after overshoot can be shortened.

[0042] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a main part of a third modified example of this embodiment. 10 , a connecting spring member 50 is connected to the needle valve 17. In addition, the connecting spring member 50 has inclined portions 50c extending from both ends of a valve connecting portion 50b connected to the needle valve 17, which extend from the valve connecting portion 50b toward the nozzle, and are inclined in the opposite direction to the inclined portions 32 extending from both ends of the valve connecting portion 31 of the leaf spring member 30. By making the inclined portions 50c of the connecting spring member 50 inclined in the opposite direction to the inclined portions 32 of the leaf spring member 30, the valve connecting portion 50b of the connecting spring member 50 tends to be displaced toward the nozzle when the pair of arm members 21 rotates.

[0043] When the pair of arm members 21 rotate, the valve connecting portion 50b of the connecting spring member 50 attempts to displace toward the nozzle. If the force of displacing this valve connecting portion 50b toward the nozzle is strong, the needle valve 17 will not move to the open position. For this reason, the rigidity of the connecting spring member 50 is made sufficiently weaker than the rigidity of the leaf spring member 30, making it more susceptible to elastic deformation than the leaf spring member 30. As a result, when the pair of arm members 21 rotate to move the needle valve 17 to the open position, the force of the leaf spring member 30 lifting the needle valve 17 (the force moving it toward the piezoelectric element 18) becomes greater than the force of the connecting spring member 50 pressing the needle valve 17 toward the nozzle. As a result, the connecting spring member 50 elastically deforms so that the valve connecting portion 50b of the connecting spring member 50 moves toward the piezoelectric element together with the needle valve 17. This allows the needle valve 17 to move to the open position.

[0044] FIG. 11 is a graph showing the displacement of the needle valve 17 at the start-up in the third modified example shown in FIG. As shown in Fig. 11, in the third modified example, the overshoot of the needle valve 17 is suppressed more than in the configuration of the embodiment shown in Fig. 5 (see Fig. 6). In addition, the vibration time of the needle valve 17 is also shorter than in the configuration of the embodiment shown in Fig. 5.

[0045] In this third modified example, as in the embodiment, the restoring force of the connecting spring member 50 suppresses the rotation of the pair of arm members 21 after the displacement of the piezoelectric element 18 is completed. Furthermore, the force of the connecting spring member 50, which pushes the needle valve 17 toward the nozzle due to the elastic deformation of the connecting spring member 50, can slow down the speed at which the needle valve 17 moves toward the open position. This reduces the inertia of the needle valve 17 when the displacement of the piezoelectric element 18 is completed (when the needle valve reaches the open position).

[0046] Furthermore, when the arm member 21 rotates further due to the inertia of the arm member 21 and the elastic deformation of the leaf spring member 30 after the displacement of the piezoelectric element 18 is complete, the connecting spring member 50 elastically deforms, increasing the force pressing the needle valve 17 toward the nozzle. This makes it possible to further suppress overshoot of the needle valve 17, which is thought to be more suppressed than in the configuration of the embodiment shown in Figure 5. By further suppressing overshoot in this way, it is possible to suppress vibration of the needle valve 17 after the displacement of the piezoelectric element 18 is complete, and the needle valve can be quickly stabilized in the open position.

[0047] In the third modification, the force required to move the needle valve 17 to the open position is greater than in the embodiment due to the force pushing the needle valve 17 toward the nozzle caused by the elastic deformation of the connecting spring member 50. Therefore, the displacement of the piezoelectric element 18 is smaller than in the embodiment, and as shown in FIG. 11 , the movement of the needle valve 17 is reduced, and the open position is closer to the nozzle than in the embodiment. Furthermore, optimizing the natural frequency of the connecting spring member 50 can accelerate the damping of the needle valve vibration after an overshoot. For example, by making the natural frequency of the connecting spring member 50 the same as the natural frequency of the leaf spring member 30, the phase difference between the vibration of the valve connecting portion 50b of the connecting spring member 50 and the vibration of the valve connecting portion 31 of the leaf spring member 50 can be made half a cycle, thereby accelerating the damping of the needle valve vibration after an overshoot.

[0048] A plurality of connecting spring members 50 may be provided. A buffer material 51 may be provided between one of the plurality of connecting spring members 50 and the valve connecting portion 31 of the leaf spring member 30 (see FIG. 8), or, as shown in FIG. 9, the gap between one of the plurality of connecting spring members 50 and the leaf spring member 30 may be filled with an elastic member 52 (see FIG. 9). Furthermore, one of the plurality of connecting spring members 50 may be configured as shown in FIG. 10 and connected to the needle valve 17.

[0049] The liquid ejection head 10 described above is a valve jet type, and can eject highly viscous liquids and large droplets (diameters of tens to hundreds of μm) toward a target object located at a distance (tens of mm away). Furthermore, the nozzle diameter can be increased, and liquids containing large particle diameter materials can also be ejected effectively. Because the liquid ejection head 10 can eject highly viscous liquids, it is suitable for painting car and truck bodies, aircraft fuselages, building walls, road surfaces, and the like, as well as for printing images. It can also be used favorably for forming electrodes for lithium-ion batteries and the like installed in vehicle bodies.

[0050] An example of a liquid ejection device having the above-described liquid ejection head 10 will now be described.

[0051] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of an inkjet printer 810 as a device for discharging liquid, and FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an example of the placement of the inkjet printer 810 relative to an automobile U1. 12, an inkjet printer 810 includes a liquid ejection unit 100 having a liquid ejection head, and a camera 812 serving as an image capturing means disposed near the liquid ejection unit 100. The inkjet printer 810 also includes an XY table 811 serving as a scanning movement mechanism that moves the liquid ejection unit 100 and the camera 812 in the X and Y directions.

[0052] The inkjet printer 810 also includes a control unit 600. The control unit 600 operates the XY table 811 based on image editing software S that edits images captured by the camera 812 and a preset control program to eject ink from the liquid ejection unit 100 and control printing on a surface to be printed. The inkjet printer 810 also includes a drive unit 620 that positions the camera 812 and the liquid ejection unit 100 at predetermined positions based on control from the control unit 600 and performs operations of capturing images and printing.

[0053] The liquid ejection unit 100 is equipped with multiple liquid ejection heads that eject ink toward the surface of an automobile U1 (see FIG. 13) that serves as the object to be coated. Note that "ink" here also includes "paint." The nozzle surfaces of the liquid ejection heads are parallel to the XY plane formed by the movement of the XY table 811, and ink dots ejected from each nozzle are ejected in the Z direction, which is perpendicular to the XY plane.

[0054] The liquid ejection unit 100 has a plurality of liquid ejection heads, each connected to an ink tank of a predetermined color, which is pressurized by a pressure device. Ink from the ink tank is supplied from a supply port 12 (see FIG. 1) of the liquid ejection head and discharged from a recovery port 13 (see FIG. 1) of the liquid ejection head. The ink discharged from the recovery port 13 is recovered into the ink tank.

[0055] If the distance between the nozzle surface of the liquid ejection head and the print surface of the car U1 is about 20 cm, ink dots can be ejected onto the print surface of the car U1 without any problems.

[0056] The XY table 811 is provided with a Y-axis rail 813 formed with a linear movement mechanism, and an X-axis movement mechanism 814 that moves the Y-axis rail 813 in the X direction while holding the Y-axis rail 813 with two arms.

[0057] The liquid discharge unit 100 and a camera 812, which will be described later, are attached to a slider held by a Y-axis rail 813. A shaft 815 is provided on the X-axis movement mechanism 814, and this shaft 815 is held by a robot arm 816. This robot arm allows the liquid discharge unit 100 to be freely positioned at a predetermined position on the automobile U1 where printing is to be performed.

[0058] For example, the robot arm 816 can be placed above the vehicle U1 as shown in Fig. 13(a) or to the side of the vehicle U1 as shown in Fig. 13(b). The operation of the robot arm 816 is controlled based on a program stored in advance in the control unit 600.

[0059] The camera 812 is mounted on a slider on a Y-axis rail 813 near the liquid discharge unit 100 and moves in the X and Y directions while capturing images of a predetermined range of the surface to be printed on the automobile U1 at constant, minute intervals. The camera 812 is a so-called digital camera, and as described above, the specifications of the lens, resolution, etc. that enable capturing multiple sub-divided images of the predetermined range of the surface to be printed are appropriately selected. The capturing of the multiple sub-divided images of the surface to be printed by the camera 812 is performed continuously and automatically according to a program pre-installed in the control unit 600.

[0060] The control unit 600 includes a storage device that records and saves various programs, data on captured images and data on images to be printed, and a central processing unit that executes various processes in accordance with the programs. The control unit 600 is also configured as a so-called microcomputer that includes input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse, and a DVD player, etc., if necessary.

[0061] In addition, the inkjet printer 810 further includes a monitor 610, which displays information input to the control unit 600, the results of processing by the control unit 600, and the like. As will be described later, the control unit 600 uses image processing software to process the multiple pieces of subdivided image data captured by the camera 812, and generates a composite print surface by projecting the non-flat print surface of the automobile U1 onto a flat surface. The control unit 600 also edits the image to be drawn as follows to generate the edited image to be drawn. That is, the image to be drawn, which is an image to be printed so as to be continuous with the image already printed on the print surface, is superimposed on the composite print surface, and the image to be drawn is edited so as to be continuous with the edge of the already printed image.

[0062] For example, an edited image to be drawn is generated by editing (deforming) the image to be drawn so that it fits into the composite print surface so that no non-print area is formed between adjacent images to be drawn. Then, based on this edited image to be drawn, printing is actually performed by the liquid ejection unit 100. This makes it possible to print a print image with no gaps between already printed print images. Note that the photographing of multiple subdivided images by the camera 812 and the printing by ejecting ink from the nozzles of each liquid ejection head of the liquid ejection unit 100 are performed by the drive unit 620, whose operation is controlled by the control unit 600.

[0063] FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view showing another example of an inkjet printer as a device for ejecting liquid. Another example of an inkjet printer 830 includes a movable frame unit 840 that is installed facing an object U2 to be ejected. The frame unit 840 includes a Y-axis rail 833 extending horizontally, a plurality of X-axis rails 834 extending vertically and provided at predetermined intervals, and a Z-axis rail 835 intersecting the X-axis rail 834 and the Y-axis rail 833.

[0064] Each X-axis rail 834 holds a Y-axis rail 833 extending horizontally so that the Y-axis rail 833 can move in the X direction (the direction in which the nozzles of the liquid ejection head are arranged, which is the vertical direction). Furthermore, the Y-axis rail 833 holds a Z-axis rail 835 so that the Z-axis rail 835 can move in the Y direction. Furthermore, the Z-axis rail 835 holds the carriage 831 so that the carriage 831 can move in the Z direction.

[0065] The carriage 831 is equipped with a head holder 832. The head holder 832 holds, for example, liquid ejection heads of different colors. For example, it holds a C-color liquid ejection head that ejects cyan paint, an M-color liquid ejection head that ejects magenta paint, a Y-color liquid ejection head that ejects yellow paint, and a K-color liquid ejection head that ejects black paint. It may also hold a W-color liquid ejection head that ejects white paint. It may also hold a liquid ejection head that ejects clear (transparent) coating paint, so that coating can be applied simultaneously with printing.

[0066] The carriage 831 is also provided with a first Z-direction driver 838 that moves the carriage 831 in the Z direction (the liquid ejection direction, which is the direction toward and away from the ejection target U2) along the Z-rail 835. The carriage 831 is also provided with a Y-direction driver 836 that moves the Z-rail 835 in the Y direction (the horizontal direction, which is perpendicular to both the liquid ejection direction and the nozzle arrangement direction of the liquid ejection head) along the Y-rail 833. The carriage 831 is also provided with an X-direction driver 837 that moves the Y-rail 833 in the X direction (the nozzle arrangement direction of the liquid ejection head, which is the vertical direction) along the X-rail 834. The Y-rail 833 is supported by the X-direction driver 837 that is held by each X-rail 834. The carriage 831 is also provided with a second Z-direction driver 839 that moves the head holder 832 in the Z direction relative to the carriage 831.

[0067] In this inkjet printer 830, paint is ejected from a liquid ejection head provided on a head holder 832 while a carriage 831 is moved in the X-, Y-, and Z-axis directions, to draw on an ejection target U2. Here, the movement of the carriage 831 and head holder 832 in the Z direction does not need to be parallel to the Z direction, and may be oblique movement as long as it includes at least a Z-directional component. Furthermore, if the liquid ejection head has a single nozzle row, the liquid ejection head may be held on the carriage 110 so as to be tiltable with respect to the X-direction, making the nozzle pitch variable.

[0068] FIG. 15 is a schematic perspective view showing yet another example of an inkjet printer as a device for ejecting liquid. 15 is, for example, an unmanned vehicle that can travel on a road surface, and can move on a road surface U3 such as a roadway or sidewalk by driving wheels 871. A liquid (e.g., paint) stored in a liquid tank 873 is supplied to a liquid discharge unit 872 having a liquid discharge head of this embodiment via a cable 874. Paint is discharged from the liquid discharge unit 872 toward the road surface U3, and a coating portion P of the road surface U3 is formed with, for example, a crosswalk, a stop line, a center line, etc.

[0069] Next, an electrode manufacturing apparatus will be described as another example of an apparatus for discharging liquid that includes the liquid discharge head of this embodiment.

[0070] FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of an electrode manufacturing apparatus 850. As shown in FIG. 16 is an apparatus for manufacturing negative electrodes used in electrochemical elements such as primary batteries, secondary batteries, capacitors, condensers, etc. The electrode manufacturing apparatus 850 is equipped with a liquid ejection unit 852 having the liquid ejection head 10 of this embodiment, and ejects liquid onto a negative electrode substrate U4 on a stage 851 using an inkjet method.

[0071] Liquid tank 853 contains liquid composition D 1 for forming negative electrode composite material layer 855 , and liquid composition D 1 is supplied from liquid tank 853 to liquid discharge unit 852 via tube 854 .

[0072] FIG. 17 is a schematic perspective view showing another example of an electrode manufacturing apparatus 850. As shown in FIG. 17, an electrode manufacturing apparatus 850 winds a strip-shaped negative electrode substrate U4 made of stainless steel, copper, or the like around a cylindrical core, and loads the electrode substrate U4 between a feed roller 857 and a take-up roller 859 with the surface on which the negative electrode composite layer 855 is to be formed facing upward. The feed roller 857 and the take-up roller 859 rotate counterclockwise, and the negative electrode substrate U4 moves from right to left in the drawing.

[0073] Liquid tank 853 contains liquid composition D1 for forming negative electrode composite layer 855, and supplies liquid composition D1 from liquid tank 853 to liquid discharge unit 852 via tube 854. Liquid discharge unit 852 is installed above negative electrode substrate U4 between delivery roller 857 and take-up roller 859. Furthermore, a plurality of liquid discharge units 852 may be installed in a direction substantially parallel to or substantially perpendicular to the transport direction of negative electrode substrate U4.

[0074] A delivery roller 857 and a take-up roller 859 transport the negative electrode substrate U4 carrying the liquid composition D1 to a drying device 858. As a result, the liquid composition D1 on the negative electrode substrate U4 is dried by the drying device 858 to form a negative electrode mixture layer 855, and a negative electrode 856 is formed in which the negative electrode mixture layer 855 is bonded to the negative electrode substrate serving as the negative electrode substrate U4. Thereafter, the negative electrode 856 is cut to a desired size by punching or the like.

[0075] The drying device 858 is not particularly limited as long as it does not come into direct contact with the liquid composition D1, and can be selected appropriately. Examples include a resistance heater, an infrared heater, and a fan heater. The drying device 858 may be installed either above or below the negative electrode substrate U4. Furthermore, multiple drying devices 858 may be installed.

[0076] While the above description has been given as an example of an apparatus for manufacturing a negative electrode for use in an electrochemical element, it is of course also applicable to an apparatus for manufacturing a positive electrode. When manufacturing a positive electrode, the electrode substrate for a negative electrode is replaced with an electrode substrate for a positive electrode, and liquid composition D1 for forming negative electrode composite layer 855 is replaced with a liquid composition for forming a positive electrode composite layer. Furthermore, the components other than the electrode composite layer in the electrochemical element are not particularly limited, and known components can be appropriately selected, such as a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator.

[0077] Alternatively, an external tank may be provided and a valve may be controlled so that when the liquid composition D1 in the liquid tank 853 decreases, the liquid composition D1 is supplied from the external tank 860 to the liquid tank 853.

[0078] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and unless otherwise specifically limited in the above description, various modifications and variations are possible within the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims.

[0079] For example, in the above description, an embodiment has been described in which the needle valve 17 is opened and closed by the piezoelectric element 18, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the needle valve 17 may be opened and closed by air pressure or hydraulic pressure. In this case, the drive pulse generated by the drive control device 40 is a drive waveform for driving the pressurizing mechanism by air pressure or hydraulic pressure at a set pressure.

[0080] In this application, a "liquid ejection device" refers to a device that includes a liquid ejection head or a liquid ejection unit in which functional components and mechanisms are integrated with the liquid ejection head, and that ejects liquid by driving the liquid ejection head. The above-mentioned integration includes, for example, a device in which the liquid ejection head and the functional components or mechanisms are fixed to each other by fastening, bonding, engaging, etc., or a device in which one is held movably relative to the other. The liquid ejection head and the functional components or mechanisms may also be detachable from each other.

[0081] There are liquid ejection units in which the liquid ejection head and head tank are integrated, and in which the two are integrated by being connected to each other by a tube, etc. Here, it is also possible to add a unit including a filter between the liquid ejection head and head tank of these liquid ejection units.

[0082] There are liquid ejection units in which the liquid ejection head and carriage are integrated, and liquid ejection units in which the liquid ejection head, carriage, and scanning movement mechanism are integrated, and there are liquid ejection units in which the liquid ejection head is movably held by a guide member that constitutes part of the scanning movement mechanism, and the liquid ejection head and scanning movement mechanism are integrated.

[0083] Some liquid ejection units integrate the liquid ejection head, carriage, and maintenance and recovery mechanism by fixing a cap member, which is part of the maintenance and recovery mechanism, to a carriage on which the liquid ejection head is attached. Other liquid ejection units integrate the liquid ejection head and supply mechanism by connecting a tube to the liquid ejection head, which is equipped with a head tank or flow path components. Liquid from a liquid storage source is supplied to the liquid ejection head via this tube.

[0084] The scanning movement mechanism includes the guide member alone, and the supply mechanism includes the tube alone and the loading unit alone.

[0085] The term "device for ejecting liquid" includes not only a device that can eject liquid onto an object onto which the liquid can adhere, but also a device that ejects liquid into air or liquid.

[0086] This "liquid ejection device" can also include means for feeding, transporting, and discharging items onto which liquid can be attached, as well as pre-processing devices and post-processing devices.

[0087] For example, examples of "liquid ejecting devices" include image forming devices that eject ink to form images on paper, and three-dimensional modeling devices (three-dimensional modeling devices) that eject modeling liquid onto a powder layer formed from layers of powder in order to create a three-dimensional object (a three-dimensional model).

[0088] Furthermore, the term "liquid ejection device" is not limited to devices that use ejected liquid to visualize meaningful images such as letters and figures. For example, it also includes devices that form patterns that have no meaning in themselves, and devices that create three-dimensional images.

[0089] The above-mentioned "object onto which liquid can adhere" refers to the aforementioned object onto which liquid is ejected, and means an object onto which liquid can adhere at least temporarily, an object onto which the liquid adheres and sticks, an object onto which the liquid adheres and penetrates, etc. Specific examples include media such as paper, recording paper, film, and cloth, electronic circuit boards, electronic components such as piezoelectric elements, powder layers, organ models, and test cells, and unless otherwise specified, includes all objects onto which liquid can adhere.

[0090] The material of the "substance to which a liquid can adhere" may be any material to which a liquid can adhere, even temporarily, such as paper, thread, fiber, fabric, leather, metal, plastic, glass, wood, or ceramics.

[0091] Furthermore, the "liquid ejection device" may be a device in which a head unit and an object onto which the liquid can be attached move relatively, but is not limited to this. Specific examples include a serial type device in which the head unit moves, and a line type device in which the head unit does not move.

[0092] Other examples of "liquid ejection devices" include treatment liquid application devices that eject treatment liquid onto paper to apply the treatment liquid to the surface of the paper for purposes such as modifying the surface of the paper, and spray granulation devices that spray a composition liquid in which raw materials are dispersed through a nozzle hole to granulate the raw material particles.

[0093] The above description is merely an example, and each of the following aspects provides unique effects. (Aspect 1) In a liquid ejection head (10) comprising a valve member such as a needle valve (17) that opens and closes a nozzle (14) that ejects liquid, and a movement mechanism (58) having an actuator such as a piezoelectric element (18) that moves the valve member between an open position where the nozzle (14) is opened by displacement of the actuator and a closed position where the nozzle (14) is closed, the movement mechanism (58) comprises a first elastically deforming member such as a leaf spring member (30) that is connected to the valve member and elastically deforms when driven by the actuator so that a connection point with the valve member, such as a valve connection part (31), moves in a direction away from the nozzle (14), and a second elastically deforming member such as a connecting spring member (50) that elastically deforms so as to inhibit elastic deformation of the first elastically deforming member that moves the connection point in a direction away from the nozzle, at least when the valve member is in the open position. In the first aspect, the second elastic deformation member inhibits the elastic deformation of the first elastic deformation member, thereby suppressing the elastic deformation of the first elastic deformation member due to the inertia of the valve member, and thus suppressing overshoot of the valve member.

[0094] (Aspect 2) In aspect 1, the moving mechanism 58 has a pair of arm members 21 that rotate when driven by an actuator such as a piezoelectric element 18, and a first elastically deforming member such as a leaf spring member 30 and a second elastically deforming member such as a connecting spring member 50 are connected to the pair of arm members 21, and when the pair of arm members rotate when driven by the actuator, the first elastically deforming member elastically deforms so that the connecting point (valve connecting portion 31) with a valve member such as a needle valve 17 moves in a direction away from the nozzle 14, and the second elastically deforming member elastically deforms so as to inhibit the rotation of the pair of arm members 21 when the connecting point (valve connecting portion 31) is moved in a direction away from the nozzle 14. According to this, as described in the embodiment, when a valve member such as needle valve 17 is in the open position, the first elastically deforming member, which is a leaf spring member, elastically deforms so that the connecting point moves in a direction away from nozzle 14, causing the pair of arm members to rotate. The second elastically deforming member, such as connecting spring member 50, elastically deforms to inhibit the rotation of the pair of arm members 21, making it difficult for the pair of arm members to rotate when the first elastically deforming member elastically deforms, and inhibiting elastic deformation of the first elastically deforming member. This suppresses elastic deformation of the first elastically deforming member due to the inertia of the valve member, thereby suppressing overshoot of the valve member.

[0095] (Aspect 3) In embodiment 1 or 2, a buffer material 51 is provided between the connection point (valve connection portion 31) of the first elastic deformation member such as the leaf spring member 30 with a valve member such as the needle valve 17 and an opposing portion such as the abutment portion 50a that faces the connection point of the second elastic deformation member such as the connecting spring member 50. 8, when a valve member such as needle valve 17 moves from the closed position to the open position, cushioning material 51 is elastically deformed by being crushed by valve connecting portion 31 and contact portion 50a, making it possible to push the valve member toward the nozzle. This reduces the movement speed of the valve member when it reaches the open position, suppresses overshooting of the valve member, and suppresses vibration of the valve member when in the open position.

[0096] (Aspect 4) In any of aspects 1 to 3, at least a portion of the second elastic deformation member such as the connecting spring member 50 faces an elastic deformation portion such as the inclined portion 32 of the first elastic deformation member such as the leaf spring member 30, which elastically deforms when a connecting point such as the valve connecting portion 31 moves in a direction away from the nozzle 14, and the gap between the elastic deformation portion of the first elastic deformation member and the second elastic deformation member is filled with the elastic member 52. As a result, as explained using Figure 9, the elastic deformation portion such as the inclined portion 32 of the first elastic deformation member such as the leaf spring member 30 becomes less elastic, and the elasticity of the first elastic deformation member due to the inertia of the valve member when the valve member such as the needle valve 17 reaches the open position can be suppressed, and overshoot of the valve member can be suppressed.

[0097] (Aspect 5) In embodiment 1 or 2, a second elastically deformable member such as the connecting spring member 50 is connected to a valve member such as the needle valve 17, and the second elastically deformable member elastically deforms to push the valve member toward the closed position when the valve member moves from the closed position to the open position. As a result, as explained using Figure 10, the force of the second elastic deformation member pressing the valve member toward the nozzle side can slow down the movement speed of the valve member toward the open position, and overshooting of the valve member can be suppressed.

[0098] (Aspect 6) In any of the first to fifth aspects, the second elastic deformation member such as the connecting spring member 50 is formed by bending a metal plate. 7, by devising the bending locations, it is easy to increase the rigidity of the second elastically deforming member such as the connecting spring member 50, and to easily increase the restoring force when the valve member such as the needle valve 17 is in the open position. Furthermore, compared to when the second elastically deforming member is made of rubber or resin, it is possible to improve the ease of assembly to the movable member such as the arm member 21.

[0099] (Aspect 7) In any of the first to fifth aspects, the second elastic deformation member such as the connecting spring member 50 is made of rubber or a resin material. According to this, the second elastic deformation member can be elastically deformed by the rotation of the rotation member such as the arm member 21.

[0100] (Aspect 8) In any of the first to seventh embodiments, the first elastically deformable member such as the leaf spring member 30 elastically deforms when the valve member such as the needle valve 17 is in the closed position, and urges the valve member to be in the closed position. According to this, as explained with reference to FIG. 3(b), the nozzle 14 can be sealed well by a valve member such as the needle valve 17, and leakage of liquid from the nozzle 14 can be suppressed.

[0101] (Aspect 9) In a liquid ejection device equipped with a liquid ejection head 10, the liquid ejection head according to any one of the first to eighth embodiments was used as the liquid ejection head 10. This allows for good control of liquid ejection during continuous driving at high frequency, resulting in high productivity and high-quality images. [Explanation of symbols]

[0102] 10: Liquid ejection head 11: Housing 11a: Storage section 12: Supply port 13: Collection port 14: Nozzle 15: Nozzle plate 16: Flow path 17: Needle valve 17b: Holding shaft 18: Piezoelectric element 19: Piezoelectric element control member 20: Moving member 21: Arm member 21a: Support shaft 22: O-ring 29: Connector 30: Leaf spring material 31: Valve connection part 32: Inclined part 33: Arm connection part 40: Drive control device 41: Waveform generating circuit 50: Connecting spring member 50a: Contact part 50b: Valve connection part 50c: Inclined part 51: Cushioning material 52: Elastic member 58: Movement mechanism 60: Head unit 63: Holder 70: Liquid dispensing module 100: Liquid discharge unit 110: Carriage 600: Control unit 610: Monitor 620: Drive unit 810: Inkjet printer 811: XY table 812: Camera 813: Y-axis rail 814:X-axis movement mechanism 815: Shaft 816: Robot arm 830: Inkjet printer 831: Carriage 832: Head holder 833: Y-axis rail 834: X-axis rail 835: Z-axis rail 836: Y-direction drive unit 837: X-direction drive unit 838: First Z-direction drive unit 839: Second Z-direction drive unit 840: Frame unit 850: Electrode manufacturing equipment 851: Stage 852: Liquid dispensing unit 853: Liquid tank 854: Tube 855: Negative electrode composite material layer 856 :Negative electrode 857: Delivery roller 858 :Drying equipment 859: Winding roller 860: External Tank 871: Wheel 872: Liquid dispensing unit 873: Liquid tank 874: Cable [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0103] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7271956

Claims

1. a valve member that opens and closes a nozzle that discharges liquid; a movement mechanism having an actuator and configured to move the valve member by the actuator from a closing position at which the nozzle is closed to an opening position at which the nozzle is opened, The moving mechanism includes: a first elastically deformable member connected to the valve member and elastically deformed by actuation of the actuator so that a connection point between the valve member and the first elastically deformable member moves in a direction away from the nozzle; A liquid ejection head characterized by comprising a second elastic deformation member that elastically deforms so as to inhibit elastic deformation of the first elastic deformation member such that the connecting point moves in a direction away from the nozzle, at least when the valve member is in an open position.

2. 2. The liquid ejection head according to claim 1, the moving mechanism has a pair of arm members that rotate when driven by the actuator, the first elastic deformation member and the second elastic deformation member are connected to the pair of arm members, the first elastic deformation member is elastically deformed by the rotation of the pair of arm members due to the driving of the actuator so that a connection point with the valve member moves in a direction away from the nozzle, The liquid ejection head is characterized in that the second elastic deformation member elastically deforms so as to inhibit the rotation of the pair of arm members when the connecting point is moved in a direction away from the nozzle.

3. 2. The liquid ejection head according to claim 1, A liquid ejection head characterized in that a buffer material is provided between a connecting point of the first elastic deformation member with the valve member and an opposing portion of the second elastic deformation member that faces the connecting point.

4. 2. The liquid ejection head according to claim 1, at least a portion of the second elastic deformation member faces an elastic deformation portion of the first elastic deformation member that elastically deforms when the connecting point moves in a direction away from the nozzle, A liquid ejection head, wherein a gap between the elastic deformation portion of the first elastic deformation member and the second elastic deformation member is filled with an elastic member.

5. 2. The liquid ejection head according to claim 1, the second elastic deformation member is connected to the valve member, The liquid ejection head is characterized in that the second elastic deformation member elastically deforms so as to push the valve member toward the nozzle when the valve member moves to the open position.

6. 2. The liquid ejection head according to claim 1, The liquid ejection head is characterized in that the second elastic deformation member is formed by bending a metal plate.

7. 2. The liquid ejection head according to claim 1, The liquid ejection head is characterized in that the second elastic deformation member is made of rubber or a resin material.

8. 2. The liquid ejection head according to claim 1, The liquid ejection head is characterized in that the first elastic deformation member elastically deforms when the valve member is located at the closed position, and urges the valve member toward the nozzle.

9. In a liquid ejection device equipped with a liquid ejection head, 10. A liquid ejection device, comprising: a liquid ejection head according to claim 1;

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