Liquid dispensing head unit and protective case

Abstract

This technology provides a form of protection for the liquid dispensing head using a protective case, enabling miniaturization of the liquid dispensing head unit. [Solution] The liquid discharge head has a reference portion that protrudes in the first direction at a first end face facing one side in the first direction and is used when attached to a liquid discharge device, and the protective case has a case body having a housing portion for housing the liquid discharge head, an opening that opens the housing portion to the outside so that the liquid discharge head can be inserted into the housing portion in a second direction, and an engaging portion, and a lid that is detachable from the case body so as to close the opening, having an engaging portion that can engage with the engaging portion, the housing portion is a recess that is recessed in the first direction and has a recess that extends in the second direction so as to guide the reference portion in the second direction when the liquid discharge head is inserted into the housing portion, and the engaging portion and the recess have regions that overlap each other when viewed in a third direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a protective case for protecting a liquid discharge head used in a liquid discharge device that discharges a liquid such as ink when not in use, and a liquid discharge head unit as a form of protecting the liquid discharge head by such a protective case.

Background Art

[0002] In a liquid discharge device such as an inkjet printer, the liquid discharge head is manufactured separately from the device main body, packaged and distributed in a state where it is not attached to the device main body, and may be attached to the device main body by a user or the like during use. As a form of protecting an unused (new) liquid discharge head (transport form, distribution form), there is one disclosed in Patent Document 1. That is, a protective cap is attached to the face surface (liquid discharge surface) of the liquid discharge head, housed in a resin-molded tray as a protective case, and sealed with an aluminum bag for conveyance. Thereby, it becomes possible to protect the liquid discharge head before being attached to the device main body from impacts such as dropping and vibration during logistics.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] As a form of protecting the liquid discharge head, it is desired that the configuration be made as small as possible, particularly as an advantage during distribution.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a technology that enables miniaturization of a liquid discharge head unit as a form of protecting a liquid discharge head by a protective case.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above objective, the liquid discharge head unit of the present invention is A liquid dispensing head unit comprising a liquid dispensing head that is detachable from a liquid dispensing device, and a protective case capable of housing the liquid dispensing head when it is detached from the liquid dispensing device, The liquid dispensing head has a first end face facing one side in the first direction, which protrudes in the first direction and has a reference portion used when attaching it to a liquid dispensing device. The aforementioned protective case is A case body having a housing portion for housing the liquid discharge head, an opening that opens the housing portion to the outside so that the liquid discharge head is inserted into the housing portion in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and an engaging portion, A lid that has an engaging portion that can engage with the engaged portion and is detachable from the case body so as to close the opening, It has, The housing portion is a recess that is recessed in the first direction and has a recess that extends in the second direction so as to guide the reference portion in the second direction when the liquid discharge head is inserted into the housing portion. The engaged portion and the recess have regions that overlap each other when viewed in a third direction that intersects both the first and second directions. It is characterized by the following: Furthermore, in order to achieve the above objective, the protective case of the present invention is A protective case capable of housing a liquid dispensing head that has been detached from a liquid dispensing device, It comprises a case body and a lid that can be attached to the case body, The aforementioned case body is A housing section that accommodates a liquid discharge head whose reference part, used when attached to a liquid discharge device, protrudes in a first direction, An opening that opens the housing to the outside so that the liquid discharge head is inserted into the housing in a second direction intersecting the first direction, The engaged portion and It has, The lid has an engaging portion that can engage with the engaged portion, The housing portion is a recess that is recessed in the first direction, and has a recess that extends in the second direction so as to guide the reference portion in the second direction when the liquid discharge head is inserted into the housing portion. The engaged portion and the recess have regions that overlap each other when viewed in a third direction that intersects both the first and second directions. It is characterized by the following: [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to miniaturize the liquid discharge head unit as a form of protection for the liquid discharge head by a protective case. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is an explanatory diagram of the liquid dispensing head of the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the use of the liquid dispensing head of the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is an explanatory diagram of a protective case according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is an explanatory diagram of a protective case according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is an explanatory diagram of a protective case according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This is an explanatory diagram of a protective case according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This is an explanatory diagram of a protective case according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This is an explanatory diagram of a protective case according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] This is an explanatory diagram of the protective case and liquid dispensing head according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] This is an explanatory diagram for attaching the lid component of the protective case. [Figure 11] This is an explanatory diagram showing the protective case housed within the bag component. [Figure 12] This is an explanatory diagram of a liquid discharge head according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] This is an explanatory diagram of the protective case according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] This is an explanatory diagram of the protective case and the liquid ejection head according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] This is an explanatory diagram of the protective case and the liquid ejection head according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out this invention will be exemplarily and specifically described based on examples with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, etc. of the components described in this embodiment should be appropriately changed according to the configuration of the device to which the invention is applied and various conditions. That is, the scope of this invention is not intended to be limited to the following embodiments.

[0010] Also, although a plurality of features are described in each of the embodiments described below, not all of these plurality of features are essential to the invention, and the plurality of features may be arbitrarily combined. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the same or similar configurations among the embodiments are assigned the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted.

[0011] (First Embodiment) Here, the liquid dispensing head unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention consists of a liquid dispensing head that is detachable from the main body of a liquid dispensing device, and a protective case capable of housing the liquid dispensing head when it is detached from the main body of the liquid dispensing device. Typically, a new, unused liquid dispensing head manufactured separately from the liquid dispensing device is housed in the protective case, which corresponds to the liquid dispensing head unit according to this embodiment. In some cases, the liquid dispensing head unit may be packaged in such a way that the protective case housing the liquid dispensing head is further housed in a bag, for example. Here, the liquid dispensing head constituting the liquid dispensing head unit is not limited to being new and unused. For example, when it becomes necessary to temporarily remove a liquid dispensing head attached to a liquid dispensing device from the liquid dispensing device (main body), it may be temporarily stored in the protective case. This storage configuration also corresponds to the liquid dispensing head unit according to this embodiment. In this case, the liquid dispensing head is a used or attached liquid dispensing head.

[0012] Examples of liquid ejection devices that use a liquid ejection head include inkjet printers and other recording devices that eject liquids such as ink onto a recording medium to form and record liquid images on the recording medium. Other examples include photocopiers, facsimile machines with communication systems, and word processors with printing units. Furthermore, liquid ejection heads used in industrial recording devices that are combined with various processing devices are also included in the scope of application of the present invention.

[0013] Recording methods (liquid ejection methods) for recording devices include serial scan type and page-wide type. The serial scan type is a recording method that performs recording operations while moving the carriage. The page-wide type is a method that performs recording operations while transporting only the recording medium by fixing the carriage with a liquid ejection head that has a size corresponding to the width of the recording medium. Compared to the serial scan type, the page-wide type can perform many recordings simultaneously and has a faster recording speed, so it is often used in liquid ejection recording devices that require high-speed recording. In the case of page-wide type liquid ejection heads, there are two types: one in which the print chips (ejection modules) that make up the nozzles that eject ink are arranged across the entire width of the recording medium, and another in which the liquid ejection head itself is combined in the width direction. In the case of page-wide type liquid ejection heads, the electrical connection part and ink supply part are located on the top surface opposite the face surface, so the top surface needs to be protected. In addition, the positioning part to the recording device body may be configured to protrude outwards, and the height of the housing makes it easy for the tray size to be large.

[0014] The protective case constituting the liquid dispensing head unit according to this embodiment is particularly suitable as a logistics protective case for individually housing multiple liquid dispensing heads that form a page-wide type, and is a protective case that enables miniaturization of the liquid dispensing head unit. The protective case in this embodiment is characterized by effectively utilizing the area around the receiving surface of the positioning reference part of the liquid dispensing head as space for engagement between the case body and the lid member. According to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a protective case that is miniaturized while protecting the top surface of the liquid dispensing head.

[0015] Referring to Figures 1(a), 1(b), and 2, the configuration of the liquid discharge head 10 constituting the liquid discharge head unit in the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 1(a) is a perspective view of the liquid discharge head 10 when the lower surface (liquid discharge surface) of the liquid discharge head 10 is viewed diagonally from below. Figure 1(b) is a perspective view of the liquid discharge head 10 when the upper surface of the liquid discharge head 10 is viewed diagonally from above. Figure 2 is a perspective view illustrating an example of the use of the liquid discharge head 10.

[0016] As shown in Figure 1(a), in this embodiment, the liquid discharge head 10 has recording element substrates 101a, 101b, 101c, and 101d that discharge liquid arranged in a staggered pattern. Each recording element substrate 101a to 101d has multiple liquid discharge ports (not shown) arranged in a line. Each recording element substrate 101a to 101d is arranged so that its respective liquid discharge ports face the same direction (direction D2 (second direction)). In the posture taken by the liquid discharge head 10 attached to the main body of the liquid discharge device during the liquid discharge operation (recording operation) of the liquid discharge device, the direction in which the liquid discharge ports face is typically downward in the vertical direction (direction of gravity).

[0017] The liquid ejection surface of the liquid ejection head 10 is composed of a collection of multiple recording element substrates 101a to 101d. The multiple recording element substrates 101a to 101d are arranged adjacent to each other in the D1 direction (first direction) and D3 direction (third direction), which intersect and intersect with respect to the D2 direction toward the liquid ejection port.

[0018] The staggered arrangement of the multiple recording element substrates 101a to 101d can be explained, for example, as follows. That is, as shown in Figure 1(a), recording element substrate 101a and recording element substrate 101b adjacent to recording element substrate 101a in the D1 direction (first direction) are offset from each other in the D3 direction. Similarly, recording element substrate 101b and recording element substrate 101c adjacent to recording element substrate 101b in the D1 direction (first direction) are offset from each other in the D3 direction. Similarly, recording element substrate 101c and recording element substrate 101d adjacent to recording element substrate 101c in the D1 direction (first direction) are offset from each other in the D3 direction.

[0019] Alternatively, the staggered arrangement of the multiple recording element substrates 101a to 101d can also be explained as follows: Recording element substrates 101a and 101c form a substrate row (first substrate row) aligned in the D3 direction, and recording element substrates 101b and 101d form another substrate row (second substrate row) aligned in the D3 direction. The first and second substrate rows are adjacent in the D1 direction and offset from each other (shifted) in the D3 direction.

[0020] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, the liquid dispensing head 10 is a liquid dispensing head that can be configured as a page-wide type liquid dispensing head by arranging a plurality of liquid dispensing heads 10a and 10b, each having the same configuration, in the longitudinal direction (first direction).

[0021] As shown in Figure 1(a), the liquid discharge head 10 has positioning reference parts (hereinafter referred to as reference parts) 103a, 103b, and 103c used when mounting to the liquid discharge device. The reference parts 103a to 103c are formed on two opposing side walls that do not interfere with the close arrangement of the liquid discharge heads 10a and 10b, as shown in Figure 2. Specifically, the liquid discharge head 10 has a base plate 102 to which a plurality of recording element substrates 101a to 101d are joined, and the reference parts 103a to 103c are provided on the side walls (end faces) of the base plate 102 facing the D1 direction. The reference part 103a is formed in the center of the first side wall 109 (first end face) of the base plate 102 facing one side in the D1 direction (downstream side in the direction of the arrow), so as to protrude in the D1 direction. Reference portions 103b and 103c are formed at both ends in the D3 direction of the second side wall 110 (second end face) of the base plate 102, which is opposite the first side wall 109, so as to protrude in the D1 direction. The second side wall 110 is the side wall of the base plate 102 that faces the other side in the D1 direction (the upstream side in the direction of the arrow).

[0022] As shown in Figure 1(b), the reference sections 103a to 103c are each equipped with spheres 104a, 104b, and 104c (not shown) on their upper surfaces, which serve as positional references.

[0023] As shown in Figure 1(a), in the liquid discharge head 10 of this embodiment, since the multiple recording element substrates 101a to 101d are arranged in a staggered pattern, the first side wall 109 and the second side wall 110 of the base plate 102 are offset in the D3 direction.

[0024] As shown in Figure 1(b), the housing 105 on the base plate 102 houses the flow path section, electrical circuit board, etc., and the top surface of the housing 105 is equipped with a flow path pipe 106 for supplying and discharging ink, etc. An elastic member 107 is placed at the base of the flow path pipe 106. In addition, a connector for electrical connection is housed inside the cover 108.

[0025] Figures 3(a) and 3(b) are perspective views of the protective case 20 constituting the liquid discharge head unit according to this embodiment, where Figure 3(a) illustrates the first side wall and Figure 3(b) illustrates the second side wall. Also, Figure 4(a) is a top view of the protective case 20 and Figure 4(b) is a front view. Figure 5(a) is a cross-sectional view of section AA shown in Figure 4(a), Figure 5(b) is an enlarged view of section B shown in Figure 5(a), and Figure 5(c) is an enlarged view of section C shown in Figure 5(a).

[0026] The protective case 20 consists of a case member 301 as the case body and a lid member 401 as the lid. The case member 301 has a housing section 320 for housing the liquid discharge head 10 and an opening 321 that opens the housing section 320 to the outside so that the liquid discharge head 10 can be inserted into the housing section 320 in the D2 direction. The lid member 401 is configured to be detachably attached to the case member 301 so as to close the opening 321.

[0027] The case member 301 has a first side wall 302 and a second side wall 303, which are sides in the direction D1. The first side wall 302 is a surface facing one side in the direction D1 (downstream in the direction of the arrow), and the second side wall 303 is a surface facing the other side in the direction D1 (upstream in the direction of the arrow). The upper part of the first side wall 302 is provided with two first engaging portions 201a and 201b for the case member 301 to engage with the lid member 401. The upper part of the second side wall 303 is provided with a second engaging portion 202 for the case member 301 to engage with the lid member 401.

[0028] Figures 6 and 7 are exploded perspective views of the protective case 20. Figure 6 shows the case member 301 and the lid member 401 from the first side wall side, and Figure 7 shows them from the second side wall side, respectively. Figure 8(a) is a perspective view of the bottom surface of the lid member 401, Figure 8(b) is a perspective view of the top surface of the case member 301, and Figure 9(a) is a top view of the case member 301.

[0029] The case member 301 has an inner bottom surface 311, which is the bottom surface of the housing section 320, and has a shape that mimics the contour of the face surface of the liquid discharge head 10. Liquid holding sections 308 are provided on the inner bottom surface 311 in the parts corresponding to each recording element substrate 101a to 101d, and have a shape that is capable of holding liquid dripping from the recording element substrates 101a to 101d. Furthermore, receiving surfaces 307a, 307b, and 307c are provided on the inner bottom surface 311 in the parts corresponding to the reference sections 103a to 103c of the liquid discharge head 10. These receiving surfaces 307a to 307c are configured to hold the liquid discharge head 10 inserted into the housing section 320 with the recording element substrates 101a to 101d slightly elevated from the liquid holding sections 308. The receiving surface 307a is formed by a portion of the first side wall 302 protruding inward, and the receiving surfaces 307b and 307c are formed by a portion of the second side wall 303 protruding inward.

[0030] The first side wall 302 has protruding portions 312a and 312b on both sides of the receiving surface 307a in the D3 direction. As shown in Figure 7, the protruding portions 312a and 312b rise above the case member 301, and openings 304a and 304b (first opening and third opening) are formed therein. The openings 304a and 304b are located inside the housing portion 320 of the case member 301, which is the opening edge of the opening 321. This is an opening that penetrates 01. The top surface portion 313 of the case member 301 (the opening edge of the opening 321) forms first hook portions 305a and 305b as engaging portions at the locations where the openings 304a and 304b are provided (the edges of the openings 304a and 304b in the case member 301).

[0031] The second side wall 303 has a protruding portion 312c between the receiving surface 307b and the receiving surface 307c. As shown in Figure 8(b), the protruding portion 312c has an opening 304c (second opening) formed on the inside of the housing portion 320 from the top surface portion 313 of the case member 301. As shown in Figure 9(a), the top surface portion 313 (the opening edge of the opening 321) forms a second hook portion 306 as an engaging portion at a location corresponding to one side of the opening 304c (the edge of the opening 304c in the case member 301).

[0032] In this configuration, the case member 301, when viewed from above, has a configuration in which the receiving surfaces 307a to 307c of the reference portions 103a to 103c and the engaging portions composed of the openings 304a to 304c and the hanging portions 305a, 305b, and 306 are alternately arranged on both the first side wall 302 side and the second side wall 303 side. The height of the case member 301 is such that the upper part of the housing 105 of the liquid discharge head 10 is exposed, and the movement of the housing 105 is restricted by a part of the lid member 401, which will be described later. In this embodiment, polypropylene molding material was used as the material for the case member 301.

[0033] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the lid member 401 is provided with first hooks 402a and 402b at positions corresponding to the openings 304a and 304b of the case member 301, and a second hook 403 at a position corresponding to the opening 304c.

[0034] The first hook portions 402a and 402b are fixed hook portions. The first hook portion 402a is arranged in the direction D3 as a first hook portion constituting a first engaging portion, and the first hook portion 402b is arranged in the direction D3 as a third hook portion constituting a third engaging portion. The opening 304a is through which the first hook portion 402a can be inserted, and by being inserted into the opening 304a, the first hook portion 402a can engage with the first hook portion 305a (the edge of the opening 304a in the case member 301). The opening 304b is through which the first hook portion 402b can be inserted, and by being inserted into the opening 304b, the first hook portion 402b can engage with the first hook portion 305b (the edge of the opening 304b in the case member 301).

[0035] The second hook portion 403 is a movable hook portion. The movable second hook portion 403 can be released by pressing the handle portion 404 located at its upper part. That is, the second engaging portion 420, including the second hook portion 403 and the handle portion 404, elastically deforms into a non-engaged position when the handle portion 404 receives an external force, such that the second hook portion 403 does not engage with the hook portion 306. When such an external force is removed, the second engaging portion, including the second hook portion 403 and the handle portion 404, returns to an engaged position in which the second hook portion 403 can form an engaged state with the hook portion 306. The opening 304c is through which the second hook portion 403 can be inserted. When the second hook portion 403 is inserted into the opening 304c and the pressure on the handle portion 404 is released, it can engage with the second hook portion 306 (the edge of the opening 304c in the case member 301).

[0036] As shown in Figure 8(a), the lower surface of the lid member 401 is provided with ribs 405 that restrict the movement of the outer shape of the housing 105 of the liquid discharge head 10. Furthermore, a liquid holding portion 407 is provided on the top surface of the liquid discharge head 10 at a position corresponding to the flow channel, enabling it to hold liquid dripping from the flow channel. Additionally, a portion of the ribs forming the outer circumference of the liquid holding portion 407 protrudes to form a pressing portion 406, which presses against the elastic member 107 on the top surface of the liquid discharge head 10 housed in the protective case 20. The elastic member 107 is positioned between the case member 301 and the lid member 401 so as to be compressed in the D2 direction. By pressing the component 107, it is possible to restrict the movement of the liquid dispensing head 10, which is housed in the protective case 20. In this embodiment, the material of the lid component 401 is also a molded polypropylene material.

[0037] Figure 9(b) is a top view (viewed in the D2 direction) illustrating the state in which the liquid discharge head 10 is housed in the case member 301. The opening 321 has an opening shape that substantially corresponds to the outer shape of the liquid discharge head 10 when viewed in the D2 direction. The protruding portion 312 formed on the case member 301 rises up to the top of the case member 301 and serves as a guide when housing the liquid discharge head 10 in the case member 301. That is, the protruding portions 312a, 312b, and 312c create recesses 330a, 330b, and 330c that, when viewed in the D2 direction, have a shape that is recessed in the D1 direction corresponding to the outer shape of the reference portions 103a to 103c, and these recesses extend along the insertion direction (D2 direction) of the liquid discharge head 10 (see Figure 9(a)). The recesses 330a, 330b, and 330c guide the reference portions 103a to 103c in the D2 direction when the liquid discharge head 10 is inserted into the housing portion 320 of the case member 301. Furthermore, a rib 314 is provided on the lower part of the inner surface of the housing portion 320, which also serves as a guide for the insertion of the liquid discharge head 10. As the liquid discharge head 10 is fitted along these guides, the positioning reference portions 103a, 103b, and 103c of the liquid discharge head 10 are held on the receiving surfaces 307a, 307b, and 307c of the case member 301.

[0038] As shown in Figure 9(a), the recess 330a, as the first recess, is located between the first hook portion 305a, as the first engaged portion, and the first hook portion 305b, as the third engaged portion, in the D3 direction, which intersects both the D2 and D1 directions when viewed in the D2 direction. Furthermore, the first hook portion 305a, as the first engaged portion, and the recess 330a, as the first recess, have overlapping regions Oa when viewed in the D3 direction. Similarly, the first hook portion 305b, as the third engaged portion, and the recess 330a, as the first recess, have overlapping regions Oa when viewed in the D3 direction.

[0039] As shown in Figure 9(a), the second hook portion 306, as the second engaged portion, is located between the second recess 330b and the third recess 330c in the D3 direction when viewed in the D2 direction. Furthermore, the second hook portion 306 and the second recess 330b have overlapping regions Ob when viewed in the D3 direction. Similarly, the second hook portion 306 and the third recess 330c have overlapping regions Ob when viewed in the D3 direction.

[0040] As shown in Figure 9(b), the first reference part 103a, the first hooking part 305a, the first engaged part, and the first hooking part 305b, the third engaged part, are arranged so that they are substantially aligned in the D3 direction when viewed in the D2 direction. Similarly, the second reference part 103b, the third reference part 103c, and the second hooking part 306, the second engaged part, are arranged so that they are substantially aligned in the D3 direction when viewed in the D2 direction.

[0041] Thus, the case member 301 has a structure that uses the space next to the positioning reference portions 103a to 103c that protrude outward from the side wall of the liquid discharge head 10 to form the engagement portion, making it possible to miniaturize the protective case 20.

[0042] Figures 10(a) and 10(b) illustrate the installation of the lid member 401, with Figure 10(a) showing the state before engagement and Figure 10(b) showing the state during engagement. The liquid discharge head 10, which fits into the case member 301, has its upper housing 105 and flow path pipe 106 protruding from the case member 301, and is held in place by the movement restricted by the rib 405 and pressing portion 406 when the lid member 401 is fully engaged. The lid member 401 lowers its first hook portions 402a and 402b toward the first hook portions 305a and 305b of the case member 301, and the two hook portions begin to engage. The lid member 401 is rotated around the top edge near the first engaging portions 201a and 201b, and the second hook portion 403 is engaged with the opposing second hook portion 306. That is, the case member 301 and the lid member 401 are rotated starting from the contact point between the lid member 401 and the region extending in the D3 direction near the first hook portions 305a and 305b on the edge of the opening 321 of the case member 301. This rotation is a rotation around a rotation axis along the D3 direction that passes through the contact point. Through this rotation, the case member 301 and the lid member 401 can take on a closed state in which the opening 321 is closed and an open state in which the opening 321 is opened to the outside. By rotating while engaging the two first engaging portions 201a and 201b, the lid member 401 can be rotated stably even in a protective case 20 where the first side wall 302 and the second side wall 303 are offset in the first direction, as in this embodiment.

[0043] Figure 11 is a perspective view illustrating the state in which the protective case 20 is placed inside the bag member 501. In this embodiment, the bag member 501 is a three-sided welded bag made of laminate film or the like. After placing the protective case 20 inside, the inside of the bag member 501 is depressurized, and the opening is heat-sealed to seal it. By depressurizing the bag member 501, the internal space is reduced, and the bag member 501 comes into close contact with the protective case 20.

[0044] As shown in Figure 6, in this embodiment, the case member 301 is provided with protrusions 309a and 309b (first protrusions) around the first engaging portions 201a and 201b, which extend outward from the first engaging portions 201a and 201b. Also, as shown in Figure 3(b), the lid member 401 has protrusions 408 (second protrusions) on both sides of the handle portion 404 of the second engaging portion 202 in the D3 direction, which extend outward in the D1 direction from the handle portion 404. These protrusions 309a, 309b, and 408 prevent the bag member 501 from being pushed in a direction that would disengage the engaging portions, even when the inside of the bag member 501 is under reduced pressure.

[0045] Furthermore, since the outer surface of the protruding portion 312 of the case member 301 is recessed, vertical ribs 310 can be formed without protruding outwards, making it easier to stack multiple case members 301 when only the case members 301 are being transported. In the D3 direction, an outer surface recess 340 recessed in the D1 direction is formed in the area of ​​the outer surface of the case member 301 adjacent to the recess 330a in the housing portion 320. The vertical ribs 310 formed in this outer surface recess 340 do not pose a risk of damaging the bag member 501 even when the bag member 501 is depressurized during the transport of the liquid discharge head 10. The vertical ribs 310 are provided so as to be contained inside the outermost edge of the case member 301 when viewed in the D2 direction. Therefore, the miniaturized case member 301 can improve transport efficiency.

[0046] As described above, the protective case 20 for the liquid discharge head 10 can effectively utilize the space next to the receiving surface of the positioning reference part of the liquid discharge head 10 as space for engaging the lid member 401. Therefore, it is possible to provide a compact protective case while protecting the top surface of the liquid discharge head 10.

[0047] (Second Embodiment) A liquid discharge head unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 12(a) to 14(b). Here, components common to the first embodiment in the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and only the differences between the second embodiment and the first embodiment will be described. Matters not specifically described here in the second embodiment are the same as in the first embodiment.

[0048] Figure 12(a) is a perspective view of a liquid discharge head 1010 constituting a liquid discharge head unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 12(b) is a perspective view illustrating an example of the use of the liquid discharge head 1010.

[0049] As shown in Figure 12(a), the liquid ejection head 1010 used in the second embodiment has a parallelogram-shaped recording element substrate 1101 from which liquid is ejected. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 12(b), this liquid ejection head can also be configured as a page-wide type liquid ejection head by arranging a plurality of liquid ejection heads 1010a and 1010b in the longitudinal direction (D3 direction). For this reason, the reference portions 103a, 103b, and 103c of the liquid ejection head 1010 are formed on two opposing side walls that do not obstruct the proximity of the liquid ejection heads 1010a and 1010b, just as in the first embodiment. A positioning reference portion 103a is formed in the center of the first side wall 109, and reference portions 103b and 103c are formed at both ends of the opposing second side wall 110. In this embodiment as well, the first side wall 109 and the second side wall 1110 are offset in the D3 direction.

[0050] Figures 13(a) and 13(b) illustrate a protective case 1020 according to a second embodiment of the present invention, with Figure 13(a) being a perspective view and Figure 13(b) being a top view. Figure 14(a) is a top view of the case member 1301, and Figure 14(b) illustrates the state in which the liquid discharge head 1010 is housed in the case member 1301.

[0051] Even when the outer shape of the recording element substrate 1101 is a parallelogram, or when the face surface composed of multiple recording element substrates 1101 is a parallelogram, the reference portions 103a, 103b, and 103c are configured in the same way as in Embodiment 1. That is, the first reference portion 103a is formed in the center of the first side wall 1109, and two second reference portions 103b and 103c are formed on the opposing second side wall 1110. With this configuration, as in the first embodiment, the space next to the receiving surface of the reference portion of the liquid discharge head 1010 can be effectively used as space for engaging the lid member 1401. Therefore, it is possible to provide a miniaturized protective case 1020 while protecting the top surface of the liquid discharge head 1010.

[0052] (Third embodiment) A liquid discharge head unit according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 15(a) and 15(b). Here, in the third embodiment, components common to the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and only the differences between the third embodiment and the first and second embodiments will be described. Matters not specifically described here in the third embodiment are the same as in the first and second embodiments.

[0053] Figure 15(a) is a top view of a case member illustrating a third embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 15(b) is a top view illustrating a state in which a liquid discharge head is housed in the case member.

[0054] As shown in Figure 15(b), the liquid discharge head 2010 used in the third embodiment has two positioning reference parts 103a and 103b at both ends of the first side wall, and two positioning reference parts 103c and 103d on the opposing second side wall. In the case of such a liquid discharge head 2010, as shown in Figure 15(a), the first side wall 302 has receiving surfaces 307a and 307b at both ends and a protruding part 312a in the center, forming a first hanging part 305. Similarly, the opposing second side wall 303 also has receiving surfaces 307c and 307d at both ends and a protruding part 312b in the center, forming a second hanging part 306.

[0055] The lid member can be configured to match the case member 301 by forming a first hook portion and a second hook portion, similar to the first embodiment, thereby forming a protective case.

[0056] In this embodiment, directions D1, D2, and D3 are three mutually orthogonal directions, but they may also be directions that intersect each other at a slight angle to a right angle.

[0057] In this embodiment, although an example is given in which the liquid ejection surface of the liquid ejection head 10 is made up of four recording element substrates, the liquid ejection surface may be made up of five or more recording element substrates.

[0058] In this embodiment, while examples are given of a single liquid discharge head 10 having three or four reference sections when the liquid discharge head 10 is attached to the liquid discharge device, it may also have a configuration with five or more reference sections.

[0059] Regarding the configuration of the engagement portion between the case member 301 and the lid member 401, in this embodiment, a hook portion is provided on the lid member 401 as one of the members, and a hook portion is provided on the case member 301 as the other member. However, the configuration is not limited to this. That is, the case member 301 may be provided with a hook portion, and the lid member 401 may be provided with a hook portion. Furthermore, the configuration of the engagement portion is not limited to a configuration consisting of a hook portion and a hook portion, and various known engagement configurations can be adopted.

[0060] Each of the above embodiments can be combined with the others.

[0061] The disclosure of embodiments of the present invention includes the following configurations. (Composition 1) A liquid dispensing head unit comprising a liquid dispensing head that is detachable from a liquid dispensing device, and a protective case capable of housing the liquid dispensing head when it is detached from the liquid dispensing device, The liquid dispensing head has a first end face facing one side in the first direction, which protrudes in the first direction and has a reference portion used when attaching it to a liquid dispensing device. The aforementioned protective case is A case body having a housing portion for housing the liquid discharge head, an opening that opens the housing portion to the outside so that the liquid discharge head is inserted into the housing portion in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and an engaging portion, A lid that has an engaging portion that can engage with the engaged portion and is detachable from the case body so as to close the opening, It has, The housing portion is a recess that is recessed in the first direction and has a recess that extends in the second direction so as to guide the reference portion in the second direction when the liquid discharge head is inserted into the housing portion. The engaged portion and the recess have regions that overlap each other when viewed in a third direction that intersects both the first and second directions. A liquid dispensing head unit characterized by the following features. (Configuration 2) The recess has a shape that is recessed when viewed in the second direction, corresponding to the outer shape of the reference portion. The liquid dispensing head unit described in Configuration 1. (Composition 3) The reference portion is designated as the first reference portion, the engaged portion as the first engaged portion, the engaging portion as the first engaging portion, and the recess as the first recess. The liquid dispensing head has a second reference portion that protrudes in the first direction at a second end face facing the other side of the first direction and is used when attaching to a liquid dispensing device. The case body has a second engaged portion, The lid has a second engaging portion that can engage with the second engaged portion, The housing portion has a second recess that is recessed in the first direction, and the second recess extends in the second direction so as to guide the second reference portion in the second direction when the liquid discharge head is inserted into the housing portion. The second engaged portion and the second recess overlap each other when viewed in the third direction. Having an area that A liquid dispensing head unit as described in configuration 1 or 2. (Composition 4) The liquid dispensing head has a third reference portion that protrudes in the first direction at a position different from the second reference portion on the second end face and is used when mounted on a liquid dispensing device. The housing portion is a third recess that is recessed in the first direction, and has a third recess that extends in the second direction so as to guide the third reference portion in the second direction when the liquid discharge head is inserted into the housing portion. The second engaged portion and the third recess have regions that overlap each other when viewed in the third direction. The liquid dispensing head unit described in configuration 3. (Composition 5) The second engaged portion is located between the second recess and the third recess in the third direction when viewed in the second direction. The liquid dispensing head unit described in configuration 4. (Composition 6) The case body has a third engaged portion, The lid has a third engaging portion that can engage with the third engaged portion, The third engaged portion and the first recess have regions that overlap each other when viewed in the third direction. A liquid dispensing head unit as described in configuration 4 or 5. (Composition 7) The first recess is located between the first engaged portion and the third engaged portion in the third direction when viewed in the second direction. The liquid dispensing head unit described in configuration 6. (Composition 8) The second recess has a shape that is recessed when viewed in the second direction, corresponding to the outer shape of the second reference portion. A liquid dispensing head unit as described in any one of configurations 3 to 7. (Composition 9) The third recess has a shape that is recessed when viewed in the second direction, corresponding to the outer shape of the third reference portion. A liquid dispensing head unit as described in any one of configurations 4 to 7. (Composition 10) The first engaging portion has a first hook portion, The first engaged portion has a first opening through which the first hook portion can be inserted, which penetrates the case body at a position inside the opening in the housing portion. The first hook portion and the edge of the first opening in the case body engage with each other, thereby creating an engaged state between the first engaging portion and the first engaged portion. The third engaging portion has a third hook portion, The third engaged portion has a third opening through which the third hook portion can be inserted, which penetrates the case body at a position inside the opening in the housing portion. The third hook portion and the edge of the third opening in the case body engage with each other, thereby engaging the first engaging portion and the first engaged portion. A liquid dispensing head unit as described in any one of configurations 4 to 7. (Composition 11) By rotating the case body and the lid around a rotation axis along the third direction that passes through the contact area between the region of the edge of the opening of the case body that extends in the third direction near the first engaged portion and the third engaged portion, the case body and the lid can take on a closed state in which the opening is closed and an open state in which the opening is opened to the outside. It is possible, Liquid dispensing head unit as described in configuration 10. (Composition 12) At least one of the second engaging portion and the second engaged portion has a second hook portion that can engage with the other, and is configured such that when subjected to an external force, the second hook portion elastically deforms into an unengaged position where it does not engage with the other, and when the external force is removed, the second hook portion returns to an engaged position where it can form an engaged state with the other. Liquid dispensing head unit as described in configuration 11. (Composition 13) The lid and the liquid dispensing head further comprise an elastic member that is compressed in the second direction, A liquid dispensing head unit as described in any one of configurations 1 to 12. (Composition 14) The case body has a first protrusion that extends outward in the first direction from the engaged portion at a position adjacent to the engaged portion in the third direction, The lid has a second protrusion in the third direction adjacent to the engaging portion, which extends outward in the first direction compared to the engaging portion. A liquid dispensing head unit as described in any one of configurations 1 to 13. (Composition 15) The liquid discharge head has a liquid discharge surface, and is housed in the housing such that the liquid discharge surface faces the bottom surface of the housing. The reference portion is provided in a position adjacent to the liquid discharge surface. A liquid dispensing head unit as described in any one of configurations 1 to 14. (Composition 16) The liquid discharge surface is composed of a plurality of recording element substrates arranged adjacent to each other. The plurality of recording element substrates are, A first row of substrates aligned in the third direction, A second row of substrates adjacent to the first row of substrates in the first direction and aligned in the third direction, Includes, The plurality of recording element substrates constituting the first substrate row and the plurality of recording element substrates constituting the second substrate row are offset from each other in the third direction. Liquid dispensing head unit as described in configuration 15. (Composition 17) The case body has an outer surface recess that is recessed in the first direction in a region of the outer surface adjacent to the recess in the third direction, and a rib provided in the outer surface recess. The ribs are provided such that, when viewed in the second direction, they are positioned inward from the outermost edge of the case body. A liquid dispensing head unit as described in any one of configurations 1 to 16. (Composition 18) A protective case capable of housing a liquid dispensing head that has been detached from a liquid dispensing device, It comprises a case body and a lid that can be attached to the case body, The aforementioned case body is A housing section that accommodates a liquid discharge head whose reference part, used when attached to a liquid discharge device, protrudes in a first direction, An opening that opens the housing to the outside so that the liquid discharge head is inserted into the housing in a second direction intersecting the first direction, The engaged portion and It has, The lid has an engaging portion that can engage with the engaged portion, The housing portion is a recess that is recessed in the first direction, and the liquid discharge head is inserted into the housing portion. It has a recess that extends in the second direction so as to guide the reference portion in the second direction when inserted, The engaged portion and the recess have regions that overlap each other when viewed in a third direction that intersects both the first and second directions. A protective case characterized by the following features. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0062] 10…Liquid discharge head, 20…Protective case, 101…Recording element substrate, 102…Base plate, 103…Positioning reference part, 201…First engaging part, 202…Second engaging part, 301…Case member, 304…Opening, 305…First hanging part, 306…Second hanging part, 320…Housing part, 321…Opening, 401…Lid member, 402…First hook part, 403…Second hook part, 404…Handle part

Claims

1. A liquid dispensing head unit comprising a liquid dispensing head that is detachable from a liquid dispensing device, and a protective case capable of housing the liquid dispensing head when it is detached from the liquid dispensing device, The liquid dispensing head has a first end face facing one side in the first direction, which protrudes in the first direction and has a reference portion used when attaching it to a liquid dispensing device. The aforementioned protective case is A case body having a housing portion for housing the liquid discharge head, an opening that opens the housing portion to the outside so that the liquid discharge head is inserted into the housing portion in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and an engaging portion, A lid that has an engaging portion that can engage with the engaged portion and is detachable from the case body so as to close the opening, It has, The housing portion is a recess that is recessed in the first direction, and has a recess that extends in the second direction so as to guide the reference portion in the second direction when the liquid discharge head is inserted into the housing portion. The engaged portion and the recess have regions that overlap each other when viewed in a third direction that intersects both the first and second directions. A liquid dispensing head unit characterized by the following features.

2. The recess has a shape that is recessed when viewed in the second direction, corresponding to the outer shape of the reference portion. The liquid dispensing head unit according to claim 1.

3. The reference portion is designated as the first reference portion, the engaged portion as the first engaged portion, the engaging portion as the first engaging portion, and the recess as the first recess. The liquid dispensing head has a second reference portion that protrudes in the first direction at a second end face facing the other side of the first direction and is used when attaching to a liquid dispensing device. The case body has a second engagement portion, The lid has a second engaging portion that can engage with the second engaged portion, The housing portion has a second recess that is recessed in the first direction, and the second recess extends in the second direction so as to guide the second reference portion in the second direction when the liquid discharge head is inserted into the housing portion. The second engaged portion and the second recess have regions that overlap each other when viewed in the third direction. The liquid dispensing head unit according to claim 1.

4. The liquid dispensing head has a third reference portion that protrudes in the first direction at a position different from the second reference portion on the second end face and is used when it is attached to the liquid dispensing device. The housing portion is a third recess that is recessed in the first direction, and has a third recess that extends in the second direction so as to guide the third reference portion in the second direction when the liquid discharge head is inserted into the housing portion. The second engaged portion and the third recess have regions that overlap each other when viewed in the third direction. The liquid dispensing head unit according to claim 3.

5. The second engaged portion is located between the second recess and the third recess in the third direction when viewed in the second direction. The liquid dispensing head unit according to claim 4.

6. The case body has a third engaged portion, The lid has a third engaging portion that can engage with the third engaged portion, The third engaged portion and the first recess have regions that overlap each other when viewed in the third direction. The liquid dispensing head unit according to claim 4.

7. The first recess, when viewed in the second direction, is located between the first engaged portion and the third engaged portion in the third direction. The liquid dispensing head unit according to claim 6.

8. The second recess has a shape that is recessed when viewed in the second direction, corresponding to the outer shape of the second reference portion. The liquid dispensing head unit according to claim 3.

9. The third recess has a shape that is recessed when viewed in the second direction, corresponding to the outer shape of the third reference portion. The liquid dispensing head unit according to claim 4.

10. The first engaging portion has a first hook portion, The first engaged portion has a first opening through which the first hook portion can be inserted, which penetrates the case body at a position inside the opening in the housing portion. The first hook portion and the edge of the first opening in the case body engage with each other, thereby creating an engaged state between the first engaging portion and the first engaged portion. The third engaging portion has a third hook portion, The third engaged portion has a third opening through which the third hook portion can be inserted, which penetrates the case body at a position inside the opening in the housing portion. The third hook portion and the edge of the third opening in the case body engage with each other, thereby causing the first engaging portion and the first engaged portion to be engaged. The liquid dispensing head unit according to claim 6.

11. By rotating the case body and the lid around a rotation axis along the third direction that passes through the contact area between the region of the edge of the opening of the case body that extends in the third direction near the first engaged portion and the third engaged portion, the case body and the lid can assume a closed state in which the opening is closed and an open state in which the opening is opened to the outside. The liquid dispensing head unit according to claim 10.

12. At least one of the second engaging portion and the second engaged portion has a second hook portion that can engage with the other, and is configured such that when subjected to an external force, the second hook portion elastically deforms into an unengaged position in which it does not engage with the other, and when the external force is removed, the second hook portion returns to an engaged position in which it can form an engaged state with the other. The liquid dispensing head unit according to claim 11.

13. The lid and the liquid dispensing head further comprise an elastic member that is compressed in the second direction, The liquid dispensing head unit according to claim 1.

14. The case body has a first protrusion that extends outward in the first direction from the engaged portion at a position adjacent to the engaged portion in the third direction, The lid is positioned adjacent to the engaging portion in the third direction, and is positioned further than the engaging portion. Having a second protrusion that extends outward in the first direction, The liquid dispensing head unit according to claim 1.

15. The liquid discharge head has a liquid discharge surface, and is housed in the housing such that the liquid discharge surface faces the bottom surface of the housing. The reference portion is provided in a position adjacent to the liquid discharge surface. The liquid dispensing head unit according to claim 1.

16. The liquid discharge surface is composed of a plurality of recording element substrates arranged adjacent to each other. The plurality of recording element substrates are, The first array of substrates aligned in the third direction, A second row of substrates adjacent to the first row of substrates in the first direction and aligned in the third direction, Includes, The plurality of recording element substrates constituting the first substrate row and the plurality of recording element substrates constituting the second substrate row are offset from each other in the third direction. The liquid dispensing head unit according to claim 15.

17. The case body has an outer surface recess that is recessed in the first direction in a region of the outer surface adjacent to the recess in the third direction, and a rib provided in the outer surface recess. The ribs are provided such that, when viewed in the second direction, they are positioned inward from the outermost edge of the case body. The liquid dispensing head unit according to claim 1.

18. A protective case capable of housing a liquid dispensing head that has been detached from a liquid dispensing device, It comprises a case body and a lid that can be attached to the case body, The aforementioned case body is A housing section that accommodates a liquid discharge head whose reference portion, used when attached to a liquid discharge device, protrudes in a first direction, An opening that opens the housing to the outside so that the liquid discharge head is inserted into the housing in a second direction intersecting the first direction, The engaged portion and It has, The lid has an engaging portion that can engage with the engaged portion, The housing portion is a recess that is recessed in the first direction, and has a recess that extends in the second direction so as to guide the reference portion in the second direction when the liquid discharge head is inserted into the housing portion. The engaged portion and the recess have regions that overlap each other when viewed in a third direction that intersects both the first and second directions. A protective case characterized by the following features.

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