Liquid dispensing head and liquid dispensing device

Abstract

This allows for inspection of the delamination of the fixing member from the first wiring member. [Solution] The head has a COF connected to the actuator member 13. The COF includes a connection portion having multiple contacts located on the upper surface of the actuator member 13 and connected to each of the multiple contacts, and a pull-out portion extending from the front end and rear end in the front-rear direction of the connection portion. The COF also has multiple wires, wire 143 and wire 144. The head includes a fixing member that fixes the COF and the actuator member 13 to each other, and an inspection fixing member 160 located adjacent to the fixing member and spanning the wires 143 and 144, with at least the portion between the wires 143 and 144 fixing the COF and the actuator member 13 to each other.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid discharge head and a liquid discharge device including a flow path member, an actuator member, and a wiring member.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an actuator (actuator member) having an individual electrode, a common electrode, a piezoelectric layer disposed between the individual electrode and the common electrode, and an individual land (first contact) electrically connected to the individual electrode, a flat flexible substrate (first wiring member) having an output terminal (second contact) connected to the individual land and an inspection terminal (inspection fixing member) joined to the joint surface of the actuator, and a determination means for determining whether or not the inspection terminal is peeled off from the joint surface of the actuator based on the resistance value between the common electrode and the inspection terminal. An inkjet recording apparatus (liquid discharge device) is described.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] On the other hand, in order to improve the reliability of the connection between the actuator and the flat flexible substrate, there is a structure in which a fixing member for fixing the actuator and the flat flexible substrate to each other is provided around the connection portion between the individual land and the output terminal. In the inkjet recording apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the determination means determines whether or not the inspection terminal is peeled off from the joint surface of the actuator, but does not determine whether or not the fixing member is peeled off from the flat flexible substrate.

[0005] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a liquid dispensing head and liquid dispensing device capable of inspecting the peeling of a fixed member from a first wiring member. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The liquid discharge head of the present invention comprises a flow path member having a flow path including a plurality of nozzles; an actuator member disposed on the upper surface of the flow path member and having an upper surface on which a plurality of first contacts corresponding to the plurality of nozzles are disposed; a first wiring member including a first connection portion disposed on the upper surface of the actuator member and having a plurality of second contacts connected to each of the plurality of first contacts; and a first extension portion drawn out from a first end in a first direction perpendicular to the vertical direction of the first connection portion, wherein the first wiring member is The device further comprises a plurality of first wirings connected to each of the plurality of second contacts, a second wiring arranged at a distance from the plurality of first wirings, and a third wiring arranged at a distance from the plurality of first wirings and the second wirings, and includes a fixing member arranged around the plurality of second contacts to fix the first wiring member and the actuator member to each other, and an inspection fixing member arranged adjacent to the fixing member and spanning the second wiring and the third wiring, with at least the portion between the second wiring and the third wiring fixing the first wiring member and the actuator member to each other.

[0007] The liquid dispensing device of the present invention comprises a liquid dispensing head including a flow path member having a flow path including a plurality of nozzles, an actuator member disposed on the upper surface of the flow path member and having an upper surface on which a plurality of first contacts corresponding to the plurality of nozzles are disposed, a first wiring member including a first connection portion disposed on the upper surface of the actuator member and having a plurality of second contacts connected to each of the plurality of first contacts, and a first pull-out portion pulled out from a first end in a first direction perpendicular to the vertical direction of the first connection portion, and a control unit, wherein the first wiring member is connected to each of the plurality of second contacts The liquid discharge head has a plurality of first wirings connected to the plurality of second contacts, a second wiring arranged at a distance from the plurality of first wirings, and a third wiring arranged at a distance from the plurality of first wirings and the second wirings, and further includes a fixing member arranged around the plurality of second contacts and fixing the first wiring member and the actuator member to each other, and a test fixing member arranged adjacent to the fixing member and spanning the second wiring and the third wiring, the portion between the second wiring and the third wiring fixing the first wiring member and the actuator member to each other, and the control unit detects the resistance value between the second wiring and the third wiring. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the liquid discharge head and liquid discharge device of the present invention, if the inspection fixing member is detached from the first wiring member, there is a high probability that the fixing member is also detached from the first wiring member. When the inspection fixing member is detached from the first wiring member, the portion between the second and third wiring connected by the inspection fixing member is separated, and the resistance value between them increases. According to the present invention, by having a configuration that can detect the resistance value between the second and third wiring connected by an inspection fixing member adjacent to the fixing member, it is possible to inspect for detachment of the fixing member from the first wiring member. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a plan view of a printer including a print head according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of the head. [Figure 3] Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the head along the line III-III. [Figure 4] This is an unfolded view of the COF (Chip of Fiber) contained in the head, seen from the underside. [Figure 5] This is a plan view of the flow path component and actuator component included in the head. [Figure 6] This is a cross-sectional view along the line VI-VI shown in Figure 5. [Figure 7] This is an enlarged plan view showing the COF wiring 143, 144, inspection fixing member 160, contact 150, and fixing member 170 located in area VII of Figure 5. [Figure 8] This is a cross-sectional view along the line VIII-VIII shown in Figure 7. [Figure 9] Figure 4 is an enlarged view of region IX. [Figure 10] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the pressing member. [Figure 11] This is a perspective view of the pressing member of the head according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] This is a cross-sectional view of a key part showing the head fixing member and its surrounding area according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] <First Embodiment> The printer 100 shown in Figure 1 includes a head 10 which is a first embodiment of the "liquid ejection head" according to the present invention. In the following description, the vertical direction is defined based on the state in which the printer 100 is installed for use, the front-to-back direction is defined with the downstream side of the paper transport direction 9 as the front, and the left-to-right direction is defined when viewed from the front of the printer 100. The front-to-back direction corresponds to the "first direction" of the present invention, and the left-to-right direction corresponds to the "second direction" of the present invention. The printer 100 corresponds to the "liquid ejection device" of the present invention.

[0011] The printer 100 includes a head 10, a carriage 11 that holds the head 10, a scanning mechanism 30 that moves the carriage 11 and the head 10 in the left - right direction, a platen 7 that supports the paper 9 from below, a conveyance mechanism 70 that conveys the paper 9 forward, and a control unit 8.

[0012] The scanning mechanism 30 includes a pair of guides 31, 32 that support the carriage 11, and a belt 33 connected to the carriage 11. The guides 31, 32 and the belt 33 extend in the left - right direction. When a carriage motor is driven under the control of the control unit 8, the belt 33 runs, and the carriage 11 and the head 10 move in the left - right direction along the guides 31, 32.

[0013] The platen 7 is disposed below the carriage 11 and the head 10. The paper 9 is supported on the upper surface of the platen 7.

[0014] The conveyance mechanism 70 has a roller 71 disposed behind the head 10 and a roller 72 disposed in front of the head 10. Between the roller 71 and the roller 72 in the front - rear direction, the head 10, the carriage 11, and the platen 7 are disposed.

[0015] The rollers 71, 72 are each composed of a set of rotating members. The set of rotating members includes an upper - side rotating member disposed above the conveyance path of the paper 9 and a lower - side rotating member disposed below the conveyance path of the paper 9. The upper - side rotating member and the lower - side rotating member are arranged such that their circumferential surfaces contact each other.

[0016] When a conveyance motor is driven under the control of the control unit 8, each rotating member of the rollers 71, 72 rotates. By rotating while sandwiching the paper 9, the paper 9 is conveyed forward.

[0017] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the head 10 includes a flow path member 12, an actuator member 13, a COF 14, driver ICs 15A and 15B, a frame 19, and a wiring member 16. The COF 14 corresponds to the "first wiring member" of the present invention, and the wiring member 16 corresponds to the "second wiring member" of the present invention. The driver ICs 15A and 15B are mounted on the COF 14 and electrically connected to the control unit 8 (see Figure 1). The driver ICs 15A and 15B correspond to the "driving member" of the present invention.

[0018] As shown in Figure 2, the flow path member 12, actuator member 13, and frame 19 are rectangular in shape, elongated in the front-to-back direction in a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction. As shown in Figure 6, a plurality of nozzles 123 open on the lower surface of the flow path member 12. Inside the flow path member 12, a common flow path 121 and individual flow paths 122 are formed for each nozzle 123. The individual flow paths 122 are flow paths from the outlet of the common flow path 121 through the pressure chamber 12P to the nozzle 123. The common flow path 121 and the individual flow paths 122 correspond to the "flow paths" of the present invention.

[0019] As shown in Figure 5, multiple pressure chambers 12P are opened on the upper surface 12X of the flow channel member 12 in the area where the actuator member 13 is positioned. On the upper surface 12X of the flow channel member 12, four openings 129 communicating with the common flow channel 121 are arranged in front of and behind the area where the actuator member 13 is positioned.

[0020] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the frame 19 is a rectangular frame-shaped member arranged along the periphery of the flow channel member 12, and is positioned around the actuator member 13 on the upper surface 12X of the flow channel member 12. Four openings 191 are provided at the front and rear edges of the frame 19. Each opening 191 communicates with the opening 129 of the flow channel member 12 described above, and also communicates with the ink tank via a tube. For example, ink in the ink tank flows into the common flow channel 121 via the tube and the four front openings 191, and returns to the ink tank via the four rear openings 191 and the tube. The ink used in this embodiment contains at least one of cyclohexane and hexane. The ink corresponds to the "liquid" of the present invention.

[0021] As shown in Figures 3, 5, and 6, the actuator member 13 is positioned on the upper surface 12X of the flow channel member 12 so as to cover a plurality of pressure chambers 12P. As shown in Figure 6, the actuator member 13 includes a metal diaphragm 131 positioned on the upper surface 12X of the flow channel member 12, a piezoelectric layer 132 positioned on the upper surface of the diaphragm 131, and a plurality of individual electrodes 133 positioned on the upper surface of the piezoelectric layer 132 so as to face each of the plurality of pressure chambers 12P. The individual electrodes 133 correspond to the "first electrode" of the present invention, and the diaphragm 131 corresponds to the "second electrode" of the present invention. The diaphragm 131 is separated from the individual electrodes 133 in the vertical direction.

[0022] The diaphragm 131 and the multiple individual electrodes 133 are electrically connected to the driver ICs 15A and 15B via the COF 14. The driver ICs 15A and 15B are electrically connected to the control unit 8 via the wiring member 16.

[0023] As shown in Figure 5, the upper surface 13X of the actuator member 13 (i.e., the upper surface of the piezoelectric layer 132) has a plurality of contacts 54 and a plurality of contacts 139 arranged on the upper surfaces of a plurality of individual electrodes 133.

[0024] Multiple contacts 54 are arranged in a front-to-back direction at both ends of the upper surface 13X of the actuator member 13 in the left-to-right direction. The contacts 54 are electrically connected to the diaphragm 131 via through holes 54X formed in the piezoelectric layer 132. The through holes 54X are formed opposite the contacts 54 and are filled with a conductive member 54Y (see Figure 8).

[0025] As shown in Figure 4, COF14 has multiple contacts 149 electrically connected to multiple contacts 139, multiple contacts 150 (see Figure 8) electrically connected to multiple contacts 54, multiple wires 142 electrically connecting the multiple contacts 149 to the driver ICs 15A and 15B, four wires 143 spaced apart from the wires 142, and two wires 144 spaced apart from the wires 142 and 143. Each wire 144 electrically connects the multiple contacts 150 to the driver ICs 15A and 15B. In addition, one end of each wire 143 is connected to the driver ICs 15A and 15B, and the other end is electrically connected to the wire 144 via the inspection fixing member 160 described later. Contact 139 corresponds to the "first contact" of the present invention, and contact 149 corresponds to the "second contact" of the present invention. Wires 142 to 144 correspond to the "first to third wiring" of the present invention in order.

[0026] Under the control of the control unit 8, the driver ICs 15A and 15B maintain the potential of the diaphragm 131 at ground potential via four wires 143 and two wires 144, while simultaneously changing the potential of the individual electrodes 133 via wire 142. This causes the potential of the individual electrodes 133 to change between a predetermined drive potential and ground potential. At this time, the actuator 130 (see Figure 6), which is the part sandwiched between each individual electrode 133 and each pressure chamber 12P in the diaphragm 131 and piezoelectric layer 132, deforms, changing the volume of the pressure chamber 12P, applying pressure to the ink in the pressure chamber 12P, and ejecting ink from the nozzle 123. When the wire 144 is set to ground potential when ejecting ink from the nozzle 123, the driver ICs 15A and 15B set the narrow section 144B (described later) to ground potential, thereby setting the entire wire 144 to ground potential.

[0027] As shown in Figure 3, COF14 includes a connecting portion 14X positioned on the upper surface 13X of the actuator member 13, and two extension portions 14Y extending from the front end 14X1 and rear end 14X2 of the connecting portion 14X in the front-rear direction. The two extension portions 14Y each include a vertical portion 14Y1 and a horizontal portion 14Y2, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The vertical portion 14Y1 corresponds to the "first part" of the present invention, and the horizontal portion 14Y2 corresponds to the "second part" of the present invention.

[0028] The vertical section 14Y1 is formed by bending upward from the front end 14X1 or rear end 14X2 of the connecting section 14X. The horizontal section 14Y2 extends towards the center of the head 10 in the front-to-back direction by bending backward or forward from the upper end of the vertical section 14Y1, and overlaps with the connecting section 14X in the vertical direction. As shown in Figure 2, of the two pull-out sections 14Y, the driver IC 15A is positioned on the upper surface of the horizontal section 14Y2 of the front pull-out section 14Y, and the driver IC 15B is positioned on the upper surface of the horizontal section 14Y2 of the rear pull-out section 14Y. The front end 14X1 corresponds to the "first end or third end" of the present invention, and the rear end 14X2 corresponds to the "third end or first end" of the present invention.

[0029] As shown in Figure 4, COF14 has a rectangular base material 141 that defines the outer shape of COF14. The base material 141 is provided across the connection portion 14X and the two lead portions 14Y. The base material 141 is made of a flexible and insulating material such as polyimide. A notch 14Y3 is formed at the left end of each lead portion 14Y of COF14. The notch 14Y3 extends in the front-to-back direction from the tip of the lead portion 14Y (the end away from the connection portion 14X) to the end of the driver ICs 15A and 15B on the connection portion 14X side.

[0030] Multiple wires 142, four wires 143, and two wires 144 are arranged on the substrate 141. The contacts 150 are arranged in the front-to-back direction along the left and right ends of the piezoelectric layer 132, as shown in Figure 7. The contacts 150 are made of a conductive material and electrically connect the contacts 54 and the wires 144. As a result, the wires 144 and the diaphragm 131 are electrically connected via the contacts 54, 150 and the conductive member 54Y.

[0031] As shown in Figure 4, of the four wires 143, the two front wires 143 are provided across the front extension portion 14Y and the corners 14R1 and 14R2 of the connection portion 14X. Corner 14R1 is where the front end 14X1 of the connection portion 14X intersects with the left end 14X3 of the connection portion 14X. Corner 14R2 is where the front end 14X1 of the connection portion 14X intersects with the right end 14X4 of the connection portion 14X. The two rear wires 143 are provided across the rear extension portion 14Y and the corners 14R3 and 14R4 of the connection portion 14X. Corner 14R3 is where the rear end 14X2 of the connection portion 14X intersects with the left end 14X3 of the connection portion 14X. Corner 14R4 is the point where the rear end 14X2 of the connecting portion 14X and the right end 14X4 of the connecting portion 14X intersect. The left end 14X3 and the right end 14X4 correspond to the "second end" of the present invention.

[0032] Two wires 144 are provided, one at each of the left and right ends (left end 14X3 or right end 14X4) of the COF 14. As shown in Figure 7, each wire 144 has one wide section 144A which is longer in the left-right direction than wire 143, and two narrow sections 144B connected to both ends of the wide section 144A in the front-rear direction. The wide section 144A extends in the front-rear direction at the left end 14X3 or the right end 14X4 of the connection section 14X.

[0033] Of the two narrow sections 144B of wiring 144, the front narrow section 144B is connected to driver IC 15A, and the rear narrow section 144B is connected to driver IC 15B. Also, the two narrow sections 144B are shorter in the left-right direction than wiring 143. Of the four narrow sections 144B of the two wirings 144, the two front narrow sections 144B are provided across the corners 14R1 and 14R2 of the front lead-out section 14Y and connection section 14X. The two rear narrow sections 144B are provided across the corners 14R3 and 14R4 of the rear lead-out section 14Y and connection section 14X.

[0034] Between the COF14 and the actuator member 13, four inspection fixing members 160, two fixing members 170, and multiple fixing members 180 are positioned to fix the COF14 and the actuator member 13. As shown in Figure 8, each inspection fixing member 160 is positioned across the wiring 143 and wiring 144, electrically connecting these wirings 143 and 144. More specifically, the four inspection fixing members 160 are positioned at the four corners 14R1 to 14R4 of the connection portion 14X, and are positioned across the wide portion 144A of the wiring 143 and wiring 144. Each inspection fixing member 160 fixes the portion of the COF14 that overlaps with the wide portion 144A of the wiring 143 and wiring 144, and the portion between the wiring 143 and the wide portion 144A, to the actuator member 13. Furthermore, the inspection fixing member 160 only needs to fix the COF 14 and the actuator member 13 to each other in the portion between the wiring 143 and the wide portion 144A. Also, the inspection fixing member 160 is made of a conductive material and can be easily installed.

[0035] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9, the COF14 has a wiring region A on the base material 141 where a plurality of wires 142 are arranged, and a contact region B which is an area other than wiring region A where a plurality of contacts 149 are arranged. In wiring region A, the plurality of wires 142 are arranged in the left-right direction.

[0036] Wiring area A is located across the connection portion 14X and the two lead portions 14Y. On the other hand, contact area B is located on the connection portion 14X and not on the lead portions 14Y. The connection portion 14X has wiring area A and contact area B.

[0037] As shown in Figure 4, in the connection portion 14X, a total of 12 contact areas B are arranged at intervals in the left-right direction. Each contact area B extends in the front-rear direction and includes tapered portions B1 provided at one end and the other end in the front-rear direction, and the rest of the main portion B2. The tapered portion B1 has a tapered shape due to the arrangement of the wiring 142 around it, and its length in the left-right direction, i.e., its width, gradually decreases as it approaches one end or the other end in the front-rear direction. The main portion B2 has a substantially constant width. The contacts 149 are not located in the tapered portion B1, but are located in the main portion B2. In the main portion B2, multiple contacts 149 are arranged in two rows in a staggered pattern along the front-rear direction.

[0038] The wiring area A provided in the connection portion 14X includes an outer edge A1 along the front end 14X1 of the connection portion 14X, an outer edge A2 along the rear end 14X2 of the connection portion 14X, and a plurality of clamping portions A3 that sandwich the contact area B in the left-right direction.

[0039] The outer edge A1 extends in the left-right direction and contacts the tip of the tapered portion B1 at the front of the multiple contact areas B. The outer edge A2 extends in the left-right direction and contacts the tip of the tapered portion B1 at the rear of the multiple contact areas B.

[0040] The clamping portion A3 extends in the front-to-back direction, similar to the contact area B. In the clamping portion A3, the portion adjacent to the tapered portion B1 of the contact area B in the left-to-right direction has a larger left-to-right length, i.e., width, compared to the other portions.

[0041] As shown in Figures 4 and 9, the fixing members 180 are arranged in each tapered portion B1. The fixing members 180 are located near the front-rear ends of the contact region B, between the end of the contact region B and the plurality of contacts 149 in the front-rear direction. In other words, the fixing members 180 are located at both ends in the front-rear direction of each contact region B. The fixing members 180 have a substantially elliptical shape that is elongated in the left-right direction. The plurality of fixing members 180 are arranged spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction along the front end 14X1 and rear end 14X2 of the connecting portion 14X. The inspection fixing member 160 is arranged adjacent to the fixing member 180 in the left-right direction.

[0042] As shown in Figure 4, a fixing member 170 is further positioned along the left end 14X3 and the right end 14X4 of the connection portion 14X. The fixing member 170 is positioned outside the area of ​​the connection portion 14X where the wiring 144 is located. The fixing member 170 has a long rectangular shape extending in the front-to-back direction.

[0043] The fixing members 170 and 180 fix the connection portion 14X and the actuator member 13 to each other and may be made of a thermosetting material such as epoxy resin. The fixing members 170 and 180 do not overlap with any of the wiring 142-144 or the contact 149.

[0044] A coating film 146 (see Figure 8) is placed on the substrate 141 so as to cover the wirings 142 to 144. The coating film 146 covers almost the entire lower surface of the substrate 141, except for the parts where the contact 149 on the wiring 142 and the inspection fixing members 160 on the wirings 143 and 144 are joined. The coating film 146 may be made of a non-conductive material such as solder resist.

[0045] As shown in Figure 3, the actuator member 13 and COF 14 are arranged within the frame 19. The pressing member 18, the support base plate 16A for the wiring member 16, and the circuit board 17 are arranged in the space enclosed by the connection portion 14X and the two extension portions 14Y of the COF 14. The pressing member 18, the support base plate 16A, and the circuit board 17 are positioned above the connection portion 14X.

[0046] As shown in Figure 10, the pressing member 18 has a rectangular flat body 18A, a front wall portion 18B1, a rear wall portion 18B2, four first restricting portions 18C, and four second restricting portions 18D. The front wall portion 18B1 is located at the front end of the body 18A and extends in the vertical and horizontal directions. The rear wall portion 18B2 is located at the rear end of the body 18A and extends in the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0047] The four first restricting sections 18C are arranged such that two of them are located on the front portion of the main body 18A, and the remaining two are located on the rear portion of the main body 18A. Note that Figure 10 does not depict the leftmost of the two rear first restricting sections 18C, but there is also a first restricting section 18C on the left rear portion of the main body 18A.

[0048] The two front first restricting portions 18C are formed by bending so that they are positioned in front of the front wall portion 18B1 from the left and right sides of the main body 18A. Each of the two front first restricting portions 18C has an opposing portion 18CA that is in front of the front wall portion 18B1 and faces the front wall portion 18B1 in the front-rear direction.

[0049] The two rear first restricting portions 18C are formed by bending so that they are positioned behind the rear wall portion 18B2 from the left-right sides of the main body 18A. Each of the two rear first restricting portions 18C also has an opposing portion 18CA that is located behind the rear wall portion 18B2 and faces the rear wall portion 18B2 in the front-rear direction. Each opposing portion 18CA extends in the left-right direction. There are gaps 18E between the opposing portion 18CA of the front first restricting portion 18C and the front wall portion 18B1, and between the opposing portion 18CA of the rear first restricting portion 18C and the rear wall portion 18B2, respectively, that allow the vertical portion 14Y1 of COF 14 to pass through.

[0050] Each opposing portion 18CA is positioned to press the left-right ends of the vertical portion 14Y1 of the COF 14, which is passed through the gap 18E, inward along the front-rear direction toward the actuator member 13. In this way, each opposing portion 18CA restricts the vertical portion 14Y1 from curving outward along the front-rear direction toward the actuator member 13. The outward direction corresponds to the "direction toward the first end" in this invention. If the vertical portion 14Y1 of the pull-out portion 14Y curves outward, the connecting portion 14X is pulled toward the pull-out portion 14Y, making it more susceptible to a force that causes the connecting portion 14X to peel away from the actuator member 13. However, in this configuration, since this curving deformation is restricted, the connecting portion 14X is less likely to peel away from the actuator member 13. In addition, each opposing portion 18CA faces the portion between the center and the lower end of the front wall portion 18B1 and the rear wall portion 18B2 in the vertical direction.

[0051] The four second restricting sections 18D are arranged such that two of them are provided on the front portion of the main body 18A, and the remaining two are provided on the rear portion of the main body 18A. Each second restricting section 18D has a vertical section 18D1 extending upward from the left-right side of the main body 18A, and a horizontal section 18D2 extending left-right from the upper end of the vertical section 18D1 and facing the main body 18A in the vertical direction.

[0052] Each horizontal section 18D2 is positioned above the upper ends of the front wall section 18B1 and the rear wall section 18B2. In the vertical direction, there is a gap 18F between each horizontal section 18D2 and the upper ends of the front wall section 18B1 and the rear wall section 18B2, which allows the horizontal section 14Y2 of COF14 to pass through.

[0053] Each horizontal section 18D2 is positioned to press downwards the left and right ends of the horizontal section 14Y2 of the COF 14, which is passed through the gap 18F. This restricts the upward curving deformation of the horizontal section 14Y2. When the horizontal section 14Y2 of the pull-out section 14Y deforms upward, the connecting section 14X is pulled towards the pull-out section 14Y, making it more susceptible to a force that would cause the connecting section 14X to detach from the actuator member 13. However, in this configuration, this curving deformation is restricted, making it less likely for the connecting section 14X to detach from the actuator member 13.

[0054] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, each horizontal section 18D2 is positioned side-by-side with the driver ICs 15A and 15B in the left-right direction. In other words, each horizontal section 18D2 is positioned to face the left-right ends of the horizontal section 14Y2 of the COF 14, which is passed through the gap 18F, but does not face the region between the left-right ends of the horizontal section 14Y2 or the driver ICs 15A and 15B in the up-down direction. Therefore, the second restricting section 18D can directly restrict the horizontal section 14Y2 of the COF 14 without going through the driver ICs 15A and 15B, and effectively suppress curvature deformation.

[0055] Furthermore, the four second restricting sections 18D are positioned in the front-rear direction between the FPC 16B of the wiring member 16 and the vertical section 14Y1 of each lead-out section 14Y. Of the four second restricting sections 18D, the two second restricting sections 18D located to the left of the driver ICs 15A and 15B have their vertical section 18D1 positioned within the notch 14Y3.

[0056] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the COF14 has a thickness where portion 14A faces the opposing portion 18CA in the front-rear direction, and a thickness where portion 14B faces the horizontal portion 18D2 in the vertical direction, which are greater than the thickness of the other portions. The thicknesses of these portions 14A and 14B are achieved by adjusting the thickness of the base material 141 or the coating film 146.

[0057] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the wiring member 16 includes a support substrate 16A and an FPC 16B. The support substrate 16A is rectangular in shape, elongated in the left-right direction in a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction. The support substrate 16A supports three circuit boards 17 on its lower surface. Two lead-out portions 16Y of the COF 14 are connected to the upper surface of the support substrate 16A. In addition, the support substrate 16A has multiple wiring patterns (not shown) formed thereon that electrically connect the circuit boards 17 and COF 14 to the FPC 16B. The support substrate 16A corresponds to the "second connection portion" of the present invention, and the FPC 16B corresponds to the "second lead-out portion" of the present invention.

[0058] As shown in Figure 2, the FPC16B is connected to the left end of the support substrate 16A and extends upward from that left end. The FPC16B is positioned to straddle the notches 14Y3 of the two lead-out portions 14Y. Multiple wiring patterns (not shown) are formed on the FPC16B, electrically connecting the driver ICs 15A and 15B, the circuit board 17, and the control unit 8.

[0059] As shown in Figure 1, the control unit 8 includes a resistance detection unit 8A. The resistance detection unit 8A detects the resistance value between wires 143 and 144 that are electrically connected by inspection fixing members 160 at predetermined timings (for example, when the power is turned on or at periodic timings). More specifically, the resistance detection unit 8A supplies inspection signals to the four wires 143 individually and detects the resistance value between wires 143 and 144 that are connected by each inspection fixing member 160.

[0060] If a force is applied to the connection portion 14X of the COF14 via the pull-out portion 14Y for some reason, causing it to detach from the actuator member 13, and at least a part of at least one of the inspection fixing members 160 detaches from the COF14, the resistance value between the wiring 143 and wiring 144 connected by the detached inspection fixing member 160 increases. The resistance detection unit 8A detects this increased resistance value. If the resistance value detected by the resistance detection unit 8A exceeds the allowable resistance value, the control unit 8 outputs a signal indicating that the inspection fixing member 160 has detached from the COF14 to an external device such as a PC connected to a display (not shown) or printer 100. In this way, the user is notified that the inspection fixing member 160 has detached from the COF14. The allowable resistance value is the resistance value when the inspection fixing member 160 is not detached from the COF14 and is electrically connected to the wiring 143 and wiring 144.

[0061] Furthermore, during post-manufacturing inspection of the head 10, the resistance value between the electrically connected wiring 143 and wiring 144 by the inspection fixing member 160 may be detected by inspection equipment. If the detected resistance value exceeds the allowable resistance value, it becomes possible to detect whether at least a part of at least one of the inspection fixing members 160 has peeled off from the COF 14.

[0062] As described above, according to the head 10 of this embodiment, if the inspection fixing member 160 is detached from the COF 14, a force is applied to the connection portion 14X of the COF 14 via the pull-out portion 14Y for some reason, in a direction that pulls it away from the actuator member 13. As a result, it is highly likely that at least some of the fixing members 180 among the multiple fixing members 180 are also detached from the COF 14. If the inspection fixing member 160 is detached from the COF 14, the electrical connection portion between the wiring 143 and wiring 144 connected by the inspection fixing member 160 is interrupted, and the resistance value between them increases. By having a configuration that can detect the resistance value between the wiring 143 and wiring 144 connected by the inspection fixing member 160 adjacent to the fixing member 180, it becomes possible to inspect the detachment of the fixing member 180 from the COF 14.

[0063] Furthermore, in the printer 100 of this embodiment, the resistance detection unit 8A of the control unit 8 detects the resistance value between the wiring 143 and the wiring 144. Therefore, as described above, it becomes possible to inspect for peeling of the fixing member 180 from the COF 14.

[0064] The inspection fixing member 160 is positioned at the corners 14R1 to 14R4 of the connection portion 14X of the COF 14. Because the inspection fixing member 160 is positioned at the corners 14R1 to 14R4 where the COF 14 is prone to peeling from the actuator member 13, it is possible to efficiently detect the peeling of the COF 14 from the actuator member 13.

[0065] The inspection fixing member 160 is positioned across the wide portion 144A of the wiring 143 and the wiring 144. This allows for the detection of the resistance between the wiring 143 and the wide portion 144A of the wiring 144. In addition, it is possible to apply voltage to the narrow portion 144B when not performing the inspection, and voltage can be applied to the wide portion 144A of the wiring 144 without going through the inspection fixing member 160. Therefore, even if the potential supplied from each driver IC 15A, 15B to the wide portion 144A via the wiring 143 and the inspection fixing member 160 is reduced by the resistance of the inspection fixing member 160, the narrow portion 144B can still supply that potential.

[0066] Furthermore, a fixing member 170 is positioned between the COF 14 and the actuator member 13, extending along the left end 14X3 and the right end 14X4 of the connection portion 14X, to fix the COF 14 and the actuator member 13. This allows the COF 14 to be firmly fixed at the left end 14X3 and the right end 14X4 of the connection portion 14X, where it is relatively easy for the COF 14 to detach from the actuator member 13. As a result, the COF 14 becomes less likely to detach from the actuator member 13.

[0067] Multiple fixing members 180 are arranged along the front end 14X1 and rear end 14X2 of the connection portion 14X, spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction, and are located within the tapered portion B1. In other words, the fixing members 180 do not overlap with the wiring 142. This prevents the wiring 142 from peeling off (from the base material 141 of the COF 14) due to the difference in thermal expansion between the wiring 142 and the fixing members 180. In addition, the front end 14X1 and rear end 14X2 of the connection portion 14X of the COF 14 can be firmly fixed to the actuator member 13. As a result, the COF 14 is less likely to peel off from the actuator member 13.

[0068] In COF14, the thickness of section 14A and section 14B are greater than the thickness of the other sections. This makes it easier for the vertical section 14Y1 and the opposing section 18CA to come into contact, reducing the gap between them. Therefore, the curvature of the vertical section 14Y1 can be effectively restricted. Also, the horizontal section 14Y2 and the horizontal section 18D2 come into contact, reducing the gap between them. Therefore, the curvature of the horizontal section 14Y2 can be effectively restricted.

[0069] The second restricting portion 18D is positioned in the front-rear direction between the vertical portion 14Y1 of the extension portion 14Y and the FPC 16B. This prevents the second restricting portion 18D from interfering with the FPC 16B.

[0070] The ink in the ink tank contains at least one of cyclohexane and hexane. When the ink contains cyclohexane or hexane, the materials constituting the fixing members 170 and 180 have reduced resistance to the ink. Even in such cases, the presence of the first restricting portion 18C makes it less susceptible to forces that would cause the COF 14 connection portion 14X to peel away from the actuator member 13. Therefore, the COF 14 connection portion 14X is less likely to peel away from the actuator member 13.

[0071] <Second Embodiment> Next, with reference to Figure 11, the head 10 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, the head 10 is the same as the first embodiment described above, except that the configuration of the second restricting portion 218D of the pressing member 18 differs from that of the second restricting portion 18D of the first embodiment. Components that are the same as in the first embodiment are indicated by the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted.

[0072] The pressing member 18 in this embodiment has two second restricting portions 218D. One second restricting portion 218D is provided in the front portion and one in the rear portion of the main body 18A. Each second restricting portion 218D has two vertical portions 218D1 extending upward from each of the left and right sides of the main body 18A, and a horizontal portion 218D2 extending in the left and right directions so as to connect the upper ends of the two vertical portions 218D1.

[0073] The vertical length of the vertical portion 218D1 is slightly longer than that of the vertical portion 18D1 in the first embodiment. Each horizontal portion 218D2 faces the vertical direction C along the entire length of the horizontal portion 14Y2 of the COF 14, which passes through the gap 18F, and is positioned to be in contact with the upper surface of the driver ICs 15A and 15B, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 3. In other words, each horizontal portion 218D2 is positioned to be able to press the horizontal portion 14Y2 downward via the driver ICs 15A and 15B. This restricts the upward curving deformation of the horizontal portion 14Y2. It also allows heat from the driver ICs 15A and 15B to be transferred to the second restricting portion 218D, making it easier to dissipate heat from the driver ICs 15A and 15B. The second restricting portion 218D is made of metal. This allows for effective heat dissipation from the driver ICs 15A and 15B.

[0074] <Third Embodiment> Next, with reference to Figure 12, a head 10 according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, the head 10 has a fixing member 380 which has two fixing parts 381, and these fixing parts 381 are electrically connected to the surface electrode 301 and the connecting part 302. Other than these, it is the same as the first embodiment described above. Components similar to those in the first embodiment are indicated by the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted.

[0075] In this embodiment, four fixing members 380 are provided instead of the four fixing members 180 located at both ends in the left-right direction among the multiple fixing members 180 arranged on the front and rear ends of the actuator member 13, and each fixing member 380 has two fixing portions 381. The fixing portions 381 are made of a conductive material. Note that Figure 12 shows one fixing member 380 and its related surface electrode 301 and connection portion 302, and the remaining three fixing members 380 and their related surface electrodes 301 and connection portions 302 are omitted.

[0076] Surface electrodes 301 are formed on the upper surface 13X of the actuator member 13 in the region of the upper surface 13X facing each fixing member 380. The surface electrodes 301 electrically connect the lower ends of two fixing portions 381 of one fixing member 380. The surface electrodes 301 are electrically connected to the diaphragm 131 through through holes 55X formed in the piezoelectric layer 132. The through holes 55X are formed at a position facing the surface electrodes 301 and are filled with a conductive member 55Y. The through holes 55X correspond to the "through holes" of the present invention.

[0077] Connection portions 302 are formed in the region of the COF14 connection portion 14X facing each fixing member 380. The connection portions 302 are made of a conductive material and are located on the lower surface of the base material 141. The connection portions 302 electrically connect the upper ends of the two fixing portions 381 of one fixing member 380. The connection portions 302 are connected to the control unit 8 via driver ICs 15A and 15B and wiring member 16.

[0078] In this embodiment, the resistance detection unit 8A detects the resistance value between the surface electrode 301 and the connection part 302 at a predetermined timing similar to that of the first embodiment. More specifically, the resistance detection unit 8A supplies individual test signals to the four connection parts 302 or the four surface electrodes 301 and detects the resistance value between the surface electrode 301 connected by each fixing member 380 and the connection part 302. If the resistance value detected by the resistance detection unit 8A exceeds the allowable resistance value, the control unit 8 outputs a signal indicating that the fixing member 380 has detached from the COF 14 to an external device such as a PC connected to a display (not shown) or printer 100. In this way, the user is notified that the fixing member 380 has detached from the COF 14. The allowable resistance value is the resistance value when the fixing member 380 is not detached from the COF 14 and the surface electrode 301 and the connection part 302 are electrically connected.

[0079] During post-manufacturing inspection of the head 10, the resistance value between the surface electrode 301 and the connection part 302, which are electrically connected by the fixing member 380, may be detected by an inspection device. As the two fixing parts 381 of the fixing member 380 detach from the connection part 302, the resistance value between the surface electrode 301 and the connection part 302 increases. If the detected resistance value exceeds the allowable resistance value, it becomes possible to detect whether at least a part of at least one of the fixing members 380 has detached from the COF 14. By providing a configuration that can detect this increase in resistance value, it becomes possible to inspect the detachment of the fixing member 380 itself from the COF 14. In addition, when a voltage is applied to the connection part 302 outside of this inspection, since the fixing member 380 has two fixing parts 381, even if one fixing part 381 has detached from the COF 14, it is possible to supply potential to the diaphragm 131 via the surface electrode 301 from the other fixing part 381.

[0080] The fixing member 380 has two fixing parts 381. This allows the COF 14 and the actuator member 13 to be fixed together even if one of the two fixing parts 381 detaches. Furthermore, when joining the actuator member 13 and the COF 14, the connection is less likely to spread to the surrounding area than if it were composed of a single relatively large fixing part. As a result, it is possible to suppress the electrical connection between adjacent contacts 139.

[0081] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible as long as they are within the scope of the claims.

[0082] In the above-described embodiment, there may be 1 to 3 or 5 or more inspection fixing members 160, and they only need to be positioned adjacent to the fixing member 180. The two wirings that the inspection fixing member 160 straddles are not limited to wirings 143 and 144. In other words, two wirings for inspection can be provided, and the inspection fixing member 160 can be positioned to straddle these wirings. The inspection fixing member 160 may also be positioned in locations other than the corners 14R1 to 14R4 of the COF 14.

[0083] Wiring 144 does not necessarily have to have a narrow section 144B. Also, the length of the wide section 144A of wiring 144 in the left-right direction may be less than or equal to the length of wiring 143 in the left-right direction. Furthermore, it is sufficient to have one of each of wiring 143 and wiring 144.

[0084] The fixing member 170 is not required. Alternatively, one or more fixing members 170 may be provided. The fixing members 180 may be provided at one end of the COF 14 in the front-rear direction, in units of 1 to 11 or 13 or more. Alternatively, the fixing members 180 may be provided only at one end of the COF 14 in the front-rear direction.

[0085] The first regulating section 18C and the second regulating section 18D may be provided in 1 to 3 or 5 or more units. The second regulating section 18D may not be provided. The COF 14 may have portions 14A and 14B with the same thickness as the other portions. The wiring member 16 may not be provided. Also, the liquid discharged from the nozzle 123 may not contain at least one of cyclohexane and hexane.

[0086] The electrodes constituting the actuator 130 described above have a two-layer configuration including individual electrodes 133 and a diaphragm 131 (common electrode), but they may also have a three-layer configuration. For example, a three-layer configuration includes a drive electrode to which high potential and low potential are selectively applied, a high-potential electrode that is held at a high potential, and a low-potential electrode that is held at a low potential.

[0087] The type of liquid dispensing head of the present invention is not limited to serial type, but may also be line type.

[0088] The object from which the liquid is discharged from the nozzle 123 is not limited to paper, but may be, for example, cloth, a circuit board, a plastic component, etc.

[0089] The liquid discharged from nozzle 123 is not limited to ink, but may be any liquid (for example, a processing liquid that causes components in the ink to coagulate or precipitate). Furthermore, the liquid does not have to contain at least one of cyclohexane and hexane.

[0090] The present invention is not limited to printers, but can also be applied to facsimile machines, copiers, multifunction devices, etc. Furthermore, the present invention can also be applied to liquid ejection heads and liquid ejection devices used for purposes other than image recording (for example, liquid ejection heads and liquid ejection devices that eject conductive liquid onto a substrate to form a conductive pattern). [Explanation of Symbols]

[0091] 10 heads 12 Flow channel members 12X top 13 Actuator Member 13X top 14 COF 14A,14B part 14R1~14R4 Corner 14X Connection part 14X1 front end 14X2 rear end 14X3 left end 14X4 right end 14Y drawer part 14Y1 Vertical section 14Y2 Horizontal section 15A, 15B driver IC 16 Wiring components 18C First Regulatory Section 18D Second Regulatory Section 55X through hole 100 Printers 121 Common channel 122 Individual channel 123 Nozzles 139 Contacts 141-144 Wiring 144A Wide section 144B Narrow part 149 Contacts 160 Inspection Fixing Member 170,180 Fixing members 301 Surface electrode 302 Connection part 380 Fixing member 381 Fixed part

Claims

1. A flow channel member having a flow channel including multiple nozzles, An actuator member for discharging liquid from the plurality of nozzles, having an upper surface on which a plurality of first contacts corresponding to the plurality of nozzles are arranged, is disposed on the upper surface of the flow channel member, The actuator member comprises a first wiring member including a first connection portion having a plurality of second contacts arranged on the upper surface of the actuator member and connected to each of the plurality of first contacts, and a first extension portion extending from a first end of the first connection portion in a first direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, The first wiring member has a plurality of first wires connected to each of the plurality of second contacts, a second wire arranged at a distance from the plurality of first wires, and a third wire arranged at a distance from the plurality of first wires and the second wires. A fixing member is arranged around the plurality of second contacts and fixes the first wiring member and the actuator member to each other, A liquid discharge head further comprises an inspection fixing member, which is positioned adjacent to the fixing member and straddles the second and third wirings, and whose portion, at least between the second and third wirings, fixes the first wiring member and the actuator member to each other.

2. The liquid discharge head according to claim 1, characterized in that the inspection fixing member is positioned at the corner where the second end of the first connecting portion and the first end of the first connecting portion intersect in a second direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the vertical direction.

3. The second wiring is provided across the second end and the first lead-out portion of the first connection portion. The third wiring is provided at the second end of the first connection portion and has a wide portion that is longer in the second direction than the second wiring, and a narrow portion that is connected to the wide portion and extends across the second end and first lead portion of the first connection portion and has a narrow portion that is shorter in the second direction than the second wiring. The liquid discharge head according to claim 2, characterized in that the inspection fixing member is arranged across the second wiring and the wide portion.

4. The liquid discharge head according to claim 1, further comprising another fixing member extending along the second end of the first connection portion and fixing the first wiring member and the actuator member to each other.

5. The liquid dispensing head according to claim 1, characterized in that the inspection fixing member is made of a conductive material.

6. The plurality of first wirings are arranged at the first end of the first connection portion in a second direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the vertical direction. The liquid dispensing head according to claim 1, characterized in that the plurality of fixing members are spaced apart from each other in the second direction at the first end of the first connection portion so as not to overlap with the plurality of first wirings.

7. The liquid dispensing head according to claim 6, characterized in that the fixing member has two fixing parts arranged spaced apart from each other.

8. The aforementioned fixing member is made of a conductive material, The actuator member is A plurality of first electrodes are arranged on the upper surface of the actuator member and connected to each of the plurality of first contacts, The piezoelectric layer having the upper surface of the actuator member, A second electrode separated from the plurality of first electrodes in the vertical direction, A surface electrode is disposed on the upper surface of the actuator member and electrically connected to the lower ends of each of the two fixed parts, The device comprises a conductive member that fills a through-hole penetrating the piezoelectric layer and electrically connects the surface electrode and the second electrode, The liquid dispensing head according to claim 7, characterized in that the first wiring member further has a connection portion electrically connected to the upper ends of each of the two fixed portions.

9. The first pull-out portion includes a first portion that is folded upward from the first end of the first connecting portion, The liquid dispensing head according to claim 1, further comprising a first restricting portion positioned opposite to the first portion in the first direction, which restricts the first portion from curving deformation in a direction toward the first end along the first direction, starting from a third end opposite to the first end of the first connecting portion.

10. The first pull-out portion further includes a second portion that is bent in the first direction from the upper end of the first portion so as to overlap with the first connecting portion in the vertical direction, The liquid dispensing head according to claim 9, further comprising a second restricting portion that restricts the upward curving deformation of the second portion.

11. The liquid discharge head according to claim 9, characterized in that the thickness of the portion facing the first regulating portion is greater than the thickness of the other portions.

12. The liquid discharge head according to claim 10, characterized in that the thickness of the portion facing the second restricting portion is greater than the thickness of the other portions.

13. It further comprises a second wiring member connected to the second part, The second wiring member includes a second connecting portion connected to the second portion, and a second lead-out portion that extends upward from the end of the second connecting portion in a second direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the vertical direction. The liquid discharge head according to claim 10, characterized in that the second restricting portion is positioned between the first portion and the second dispensing portion in the first direction.

14. The liquid discharge head according to claim 10, characterized in that the second restricting portion faces the end of the second portion in a second direction that is perpendicular to both the first direction and the vertical direction, and does not face the region between the two ends of the second portion in the second direction in the vertical direction.

15. The second portion further comprises a drive member positioned on the upper surface and electrically connected to the actuator member, The liquid discharge head according to claim 10, characterized in that the second restricting portion faces the vertical direction over the entire length of the second portion in a second direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the vertical direction, and is in contact with the upper surface of the drive member.

16. The liquid dispensing head according to claim 15, characterized in that the second restricting portion is made of metal.

17. The liquid dispensing head according to claim 9, characterized in that the liquid contains at least one of cyclohexane and hexane.

18. A flow channel member having a flow channel including multiple nozzles, An actuator member for discharging liquid from the plurality of nozzles, having an upper surface on which a plurality of first contacts corresponding to the plurality of nozzles are arranged, is disposed on the upper surface of the flow channel member, A liquid discharge head including a first wiring member, which includes a first connection portion having a plurality of second contacts arranged on the upper surface of the actuator member and connected to each of the plurality of first contacts, and a first extension portion extending from a first end of the first connection portion in a first direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, It comprises a control unit and, The first wiring member has a plurality of first wires connected to each of the plurality of second contacts, a second wire arranged at a distance from the plurality of first wires, and a third wire arranged at a distance from the plurality of first wires and the second wires. The aforementioned liquid dispensing head is A fixing member is arranged around the plurality of second contacts and fixes the first wiring member and the actuator member to each other, The present invention further includes an inspection fixing member which is adjacent to the fixing member and positioned across the second and third wirings, with at least the portion between the second and third wirings being used to fix the first wiring member and the actuator member to each other. The control unit, A liquid dispensing device characterized by detecting the resistance value between the second wiring and the third wiring.

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