Liquid dispensing head, head unit, liquid dispensing device

Abstract

The objective of this invention is to suppress the penetration of adhesive into through holes. [Solution] A liquid discharge head 1 comprising a nozzle 11 for discharging liquid, a damper member 23, a second damper frame 22 having a through hole 22a and a joining surface 22b1 and holding the damper member 23 from the side opposite to the nozzle 11, and a cover base 24 on the side of the second damper frame 22 opposite to the damper member 23, which is joined to the joining surface 22b1 by adhesive 90, wherein the through hole 22a opens toward the cover base 24 side of the second damper frame 22, and the second damper frame 22 has an upper surface portion 22c between the joining surface 22b1 and the through hole 22a that protrudes toward the cover base 24 side than the joining surface 22b1.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid ejection head, a head unit, and a liquid ejection device.

Background Art

[0002] In a liquid ejection head that ejects ink as a liquid by deforming a piezoelectric body, a damper member is provided to absorb vibrations propagated to adjacent liquid chambers due to the deformation of the piezoelectric body or vibrations due to fluctuations in the ink flow rate.

[0003] A damper frame (damper holding member) for holding the damper is laminated on this damper member, and a cover pedestal (joint member) is joined to the damper frame with an adhesive. This cover pedestal is the pedestal portion of a cover member that covers the upper part of the liquid ejection head.

[0004] For example, in the liquid ejection head described in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2024-71024), a cover member and a frame member are adhered with an adhesive. The cover member and the frame member are each formed with a concave shape with respect to the other member at their joint interfaces, thereby forming a first groove portion facing the joint interfaces of these members. An elastic body is provided in the first groove portion so as to cover the joint interface and fill the gap between the cover member and the frame member. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the intrusion of liquid from the end side to the center side of the joint interface between the cover member and the frame member.

[0005] By the way, the damper holding member is provided with a through hole that opens to the side of the joint member. This through hole is, for example, an air hole that communicates with a damper space in which the damper is disposed, which is formed inside the damper holding member, and releases the air in the damper space to the outside of the liquid ejection head.

[0006] However, there was a problem in that the adhesive used to join the damper holding member and the joining member would flow into the through hole, blocking the through hole or causing the adhesive to flow into the damper chamber. In the invention of Patent Document 1, while it is possible to suppress the intrusion of liquid from the outside to the inside of the liquid discharge head, it was not configured to suppress the intrusion of adhesive into such through holes. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] The objective of this invention is to suppress the penetration of adhesive into through holes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a liquid dispensing head comprising: a nozzle for dispensing liquid; a damper member; a damper holding member having a through hole and a joint and holding the damper member from the side opposite to the nozzle; and a joining member on the side of the damper holding member opposite to the damper member, which is joined to the joint by adhesive, wherein the through hole opens toward the joining member side of the damper holding member, and the damper holding member has a protruding portion between the joint and the through hole that protrudes toward the joining member side more than the joint. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the penetration of adhesive into through holes. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a front view of a head unit equipped with a liquid dispensing head according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of a liquid dispensing head and cover member according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view A in Figure 2. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view of the liquid dispensing head, seen from above. [Figure 5] It is a sectional view taken along line B1 - B1 of FIG. 4. [Figure 6] In a liquid discharge head different from the above embodiment, it is a perspective view showing a joint portion of the cover pedestal with respect to the second damper frame. [Figure 7] It is a sectional view D1 of FIG. 6. [Figure 8] In the liquid discharge head of FIG. 2, it is a perspective view showing a joint portion of the cover pedestal with respect to the second damper frame. [Figure 9] It is a sectional view D2 of FIG. 8. [Figure 10] It is a plan view showing a longitudinal recess provided in the second damper frame. [Figure 11] It is a sectional view showing a wall portion formed by burring. [Figure 12] It is a sectional view showing a wall portion made of burrs. [[ID=2】 [Figure 13] It is a sectional view showing another example of the protrusion. [Figure 14] It is a sectional view taken along line B2 - B2 of FIG. 4. [Figure 15] It is a sectional view showing an abutting portion provided in the second damper frame. [Figure 16] It is a schematic configuration diagram of a printing apparatus provided with the liquid discharge head of an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] It is a plan view of the liquid discharge head provided in the printing apparatus of FIG. 16 as viewed from the nozzle surface side. [Figure 18] It is a plan view showing a main part of a printing apparatus of another example. [Figure 19] It is a side view showing a main part of the printing apparatus of FIG. 18. [Figure 20] It is a plan view showing a main part of a liquid discharge unit of another example. [Figure 21] It is a front view showing a main part of a liquid discharge unit of still another example.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each figure, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the redundant description thereof will be simplified or omitted as appropriate.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a front view of a head unit including a liquid ejection head according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a liquid ejection head and a cover member according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A of FIG. 2.

[0013] The head unit 100 includes a liquid ejection head 1, a cover member 25, a heat sink 103 as a heat radiating member, and the like. The heat sink 103 can be formed of a resin such as a metal member or a polycarbonate resin having high thermal conductivity.

[0014] The cover member 25 covers the side opposite to the nozzle side of the liquid ejection head 1, and an electrical component section is provided inside thereof. As shown in FIG. 2, the cover member 25 is joined to the upper part of a cover pedestal 24 provided on the liquid ejection head 1. Further, the cover pedestal 24 is joined to the upper part of the common flow path member 16. The cover pedestal 24 is formed of, for example, a resin material. The common flow path member 16 has a supply port 51 for supplying ink as a liquid to the liquid ejection head 1 and a recovery port 52 for recovering the ink from the liquid ejection head 1.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 3, the liquid ejection head 1 includes a nozzle plate 10 as a nozzle member, a flow path substrate 12, a diaphragm 14, a piezoelectric element 15, a common flow path member 16, a first damper frame 21 as a damper holding member, a second damper frame 22, a damper member 23, a cover pedestal 24, and the like, and these members are laminated in the vertical direction in FIG. 3. The vertical direction Z in FIG. 3 is referred to as the vertical direction for convenience, but this does not necessarily indicate the gravitational direction and the opposite direction thereof. Further, this vertical direction Z is also the lamination direction of the above-described respective members such as the common flow path member 16, and is also a direction parallel to the joining direction of the cover pedestal 24 to the second damper frame 22 and the liquid ejection direction from the nozzle. The upward direction in FIG. 3 is the direction on the side of the cover pedestal 24 as viewed from the second damper frame 22.

[0016] The damper member 23 is a flexible member. The damper member 23 is held between the first damper frame 21 and the second damper frame 22. The first damper frame 21 holds the damper member 23 from the side of the nozzle plate 10 having the nozzle 11. The second damper frame 22 holds the damper member 23 from the opposite side of the nozzle plate 10 having the nozzle 11.

[0017] Multiple nozzles 11 are provided on the nozzle plate 10. The flow path substrate 12 forms individual liquid chambers 13 inside it. The common flow path member 16 forms a common flow path 17 inside it. The common flow path 17 leads to each individual liquid chamber 13. The laminated piezoelectric element 15 is a pressure generating means that deforms the diaphragm 14 to pressurize the ink in the individual liquid chambers 13. The cover member 25 covers and protects the common flow path member 16, piezoelectric element 15, etc. from above.

[0018] The flow path shapes of the flow path substrate 12, the first damper frame 21, and the second damper frame 22 can be formed, for example, by etching a SUS substrate with an acidic etching solution, or by mechanical processing such as punching.

[0019] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid discharge head 1 seen from above, and Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B1-B1 in Figure 4. Direction X, which is the left-right direction in Figure 4, is the longitudinal direction of the second damper frame 22 and the cover base 24, and will hereafter be referred to simply as the longitudinal direction. Direction Y, which is the up-down direction in Figure 4, is the short-side direction of the second damper frame 22 and the cover base 24, and will hereafter be referred to simply as the short-side direction.

[0020] As shown in Figure 4, a cover base 24 is joined to the upper surface of the second damper frame 22 so as to surround it. The second damper frame 22 is provided with a plurality of through holes 22a. In the second damper frame 22, multiple rows of through holes 22a are formed in the short direction, with the multiple through holes 22a arranged in rows in the longitudinal direction. As shown in Figure 5, one side of the through hole 22a communicates with the damper chamber C, and the other side opens to the top of the second damper frame 22, that is, to the cover base side.

[0021] The damper chamber C is the region in which the damper member 23 vibrates. The first damper frame 21 and the second damper frame 22 are stacked and sandwich the damper member 23 between them, and the damper chamber C is formed between the first damper frame 21 and the second damper frame 22. Multiple damper chambers C are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction, and each through hole 22a communicates with each damper chamber C.

[0022] The vibration of the damper member 23 can attenuate pressure waves and inertial flows that propagate to the common flow channel member 16 side due to deformation of the piezoelectric element 15, etc. In addition, since the damper chamber C communicates with the outside space through the through hole 22a, the air inside the damper chamber C can be released to the outside.

[0023] Next, problems that arise when joining the cover base to the second damper frame will be explained using Figures 6 and 7. Figures 6 and 7 show a liquid discharge head 200 equipped with a cover base 240 that is different from the cover base 24 of the above embodiment. Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the joining portion of the cover base 240 to the second damper frame 220, and Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of D1 in Figure 6.

[0024] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the lower surface 240a of the cover base 240 is joined to the upper surface 220b of the second damper frame 220 with adhesive 90. The height of this upper surface 220b is approximately the same along its shorter side, and the end of the through hole 220a opens into the upper surface 220b.

[0025] As shown in Figure 7, when the upper surface 220b of the second damper frame 220 and the lower surface 240a of the cover base 240 are joined, there is a problem in that the adhesive 90 oozes out from between the two surfaces and flows into the through hole 220a. As a result, the adhesive 90 can clog the through hole 220a or flow into the damper chamber.

[0026] Next, the configuration for suppressing the flow of adhesive into the through-hole of the liquid discharge head 1 of this embodiment will be explained using Figures 8 and 9. Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the joint portion of the cover base 24 to the second damper frame 22, and Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of line D2 in Figure 8. Figure 9 also corresponds to the cross-sectional view along line D2-D2 in Figure 4.

[0027] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, in this embodiment, the longitudinal recess 22b of the second damper frame 22, which includes the joining surface 22b1 to which the cover base 24 is joined, is recessed downward, away from the cover base 24. In other words, the upper surface portion 22c, which includes the upper surface 22c1 to which the end of the through hole 22 is formed, protrudes upward toward the cover base 24 than the longitudinal recess 22b. The longitudinal recess 22b as the joining surface portion refers to the lower part of the step recessed toward the opposite side of the upper surface 22c1 from the cover base 24 side. The upper surface portion 22c as the first surface portion refers to the upper part of the step protruding toward the cover base 24 side from the joining surface 22b1. Furthermore, a part of the joining surface 22b1, that is, the right-hand portion of the joining surface 22b1 in Figure 9, is the joint portion that is joined to the cover base 24. The joint portion of the second damper frame 22 (damper holding member) in this embodiment is the joint portion of the cover base 24 (jointing member) and the portion of the cover base 24 that is opposite to the joining direction of the cover base 24 to the second damper frame 22 (up and down direction in Figure 9) and is bonded to the cover base 24 via adhesive 90.

[0028] The cover base 24 is joined to the outer circumferential surface of the second damper frame 22 (see Figure 4), and the longitudinal recess 22b in this embodiment is provided at both ends in the short direction of the second damper frame 22 (upper and lower sides in Figure 10), as shown in Figure 10. The longitudinal recess 22b extends in the longitudinal direction and is provided in the region where the longitudinal through hole 22a is located, and in this embodiment in particular, it is provided in the entire region where the longitudinal through hole 22a is located.

[0029] By providing the longitudinal recess 22b in a concave shape, the upper surface portion 22c can be made into a protruding portion of this embodiment that protrudes toward the cover base 24 side than the joining surface 22b1. As shown in Figure 9, this protruding portion allows the adhesive 90 that joins the joining surface 22b1 and the lower surface 24a of the cover base 24 to be filled at a position one level lower than the upper surface 22c1 of the second damper frame 22, thereby preventing the adhesive 90 from flowing toward the upper surface 22c1 and the through hole 22a. Note that "the protruding portion protrudes toward the cover base 24 side (joint member side)" does not strictly mean that the protruding portion extends toward the cover base 24 (joint member side), but rather that the protruding portion protrudes toward the upward direction in Figure 9, which is parallel to the stacking direction of the cover base 24 toward the second damper frame 22, toward the cover base 24 side of the second damper frame 22.

[0030] In particular, in this embodiment, longitudinal recesses 22b are provided throughout the entire region where longitudinal through holes 22a are located. In other words, the upper surface portion 22c is provided to protrude toward the cover base 24 side from the joining surface 22b1 throughout the entire region where longitudinal through holes 22a are located. This provides the effect of suppressing the flow of adhesive 90 into all through holes 22a. It also suppresses the flow of adhesive 90 into the through holes 22a from adjacent longitudinal through holes 22a.

[0031] In this embodiment, the wall portion 22d, which has a through hole 22a on its inside, protrudes toward the cover base 24 side more than its peripheral portion (particularly in this embodiment, more than the entire upper surface 22c, which is the surface of the second damper frame 22 that faces the cover base 24). In other words, the wall portion 22d forms a protruding portion that extends toward the cover base 24 side more than the joining surface 22b1. The wall portion 22d is cylindrical with a through hole 22a on its inside, but it is also possible to provide the wall portion 22d only on a part of the circumferential direction.

[0032] Because the wall portion 22d protrudes upward in Figure 9, even if adhesive 90 flows onto the upper surface 22c, it is possible to prevent the adhesive 90 from flowing into the through hole 22a.

[0033] The upwardly protruding wall portion 22d in Figure 9 can be formed by burring, for example, as shown in the wall portion 22d in Figure 11. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 12, the upwardly protruding wall portion 22d in Figure 12 can be formed by leaving the burr formed when the through hole 22a is created. Burring allows for the formation of wall portions 22d with a large protrusion. Furthermore, by forming the wall portion 22d using burrs, the wall portion 22d can be formed without increasing the formation cost of the second damper frame 22.

[0034] In the second damper frame 22 of this embodiment, the upper surface portion 22c is made to protrude toward the cover base 24 side beyond the joining surface 22b1 to form a protruding portion, and the wall portion 22d is also made to protrude toward the cover base 24 side beyond the joining surface 22b1 to form a protruding portion. Thus, the second damper frame 22 may have a configuration having multiple protruding portions, or it may have only one of the above-described protruding portions. However, by providing both protruding portions as in this embodiment, the adhesive cannot reach the through hole 22a unless it overcomes the stepped shape between the longitudinal recess 22b and the upper surface portion 22c and also overcomes the wall portion 22d, so the flow of adhesive into the through hole 22a can be suppressed more effectively.

[0035] The second damper frame 22, which has protrusions different from those described above, will be explained with reference to Figure 13.

[0036] The second damper frame 22 shown in Figure 13 does not have a longitudinal recess 22b (see Figure 9) as in the previously described embodiment, and the height of the side of the second damper frame 22 to which the cover base 24 is joined and the side where the end of the through hole 22a is formed are the same. In other words, the upper surface 22e is the surface having the end of the through hole 22a and is also the surface having the joint with the cover base 24. The joint in this embodiment is the portion of the upper surface 22e that faces the cover base 24 in the vertical direction of Figure 13 via adhesive 90. Also, the portion that forms the through hole 22a does not protrude toward the cover base 24.

[0037] In this embodiment, instead of the protrusion formed in the embodiment of Figure 9, there is a protrusion 22f that protrudes upward toward the cover base 24 side (Figure 13) between the joint portion of the upper surface 22e and the through hole 22a. The protrusion 22f extends over the entire area where the through hole 22a is provided in the longitudinal direction (the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in Figure 13). However, multiple protrusions 22f may be provided opposite the through hole 22a, and the arrangement of the protrusions 22f can be changed as appropriate.

[0038] The presence of the protrusion 22f prevents the adhesive 90 from flowing into the through hole 22a even if it leaks out from between the upper surface 22e of the second damper frame 22 and the lower surface 24a of the cover base 24. In addition to the protrusion 22f shown in Figure 13, the configurations of the protrusions shown in Figure 9 may also be provided.

[0039] Next, we will explain the advantages of each of the protrusions described above.

[0040] As shown in Figure 9, when the upper surface portion 22c is to be used as a protrusion, the protrusion can be created by forming a longitudinal recess 22b on one end of the second damper frame 22, for example by machining. Therefore, if the protrusion 22f is formed by machining as in Figure 13, both sides of the protrusion 22f must be machined, and the machining cost can be reduced by forming the longitudinal recess 22b. When the protrusion is formed by the wall portion 22d, the protrusion can be formed more cheaply by forming the protrusion by the aforementioned burring process or by using burrs as the protrusion.

[0041] The configuration forming the longitudinal recess 22b allows the projection to be formed further away from the through hole 22a, thereby suppressing the flow of adhesive on the side farther from the through hole 22a. For this reason, compared to cases where the projection 22f is provided near the through hole 22a or where the projection is formed by the wall portion 22d, even if the adhesive flows out towards the through hole 22a side beyond the step shape between the longitudinal recess 22b and the upper surface portion 22c, there is an advantage that the adhesive 90 is less likely to flow into the through hole 22a. However, by providing the projection 22f on the side farther from the through hole 22a, the flow of adhesive 90 into the through hole 22a can be further suppressed. In addition, in the case of the projection 22f configuration, the adhesive 90 can adhere to and accumulate on the projection 22f, and in particular, the adhesive 90 tends to remain at the corner portion 22f1 between the projection 22f and the upper surface 22e shown in Figure 13 due to surface tension. Therefore, there is an advantage that the flow of adhesive 90 into the through hole 22a can be further suppressed. Furthermore, in the case where the wall portion 22d forms a protruding portion, the processing range can be limited to only the area around the through hole 22a, and the flow of adhesive 90 into the through hole 22a from any direction can be suppressed.

[0042] Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B2-B2 in Figure 4.

[0043] As shown in Figure 14, in this embodiment, base-side recesses 24b, which are concave relative to the second damper frame 22, are provided on the lower surface side at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the cover base 24. The base-side recesses 24b are provided along the short direction of the cover base 24 (the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in Figure 14). In part of the longitudinal direction, the base-side recesses 24 face the longitudinal recesses 22b of the second damper frame 22. In other words, the base-side recesses 24 overlap in part of the longitudinal direction with the position where the upper surface portion 22c of the second damper frame 22 (see Figure 8) protrudes toward the cover base 24 side than the longitudinal recesses 22b, forming the protruding portion of this embodiment.

[0044] By providing the base-side recess 24 and increasing the gap between the cover base 24 and the second damper frame 22 at both longitudinal ends, the pressure applied to the adhesive 90 when joining the cover base 24 and the second damper frame 22 is reduced, and the adhesive 90 is prevented from being crushed between the cover base 24 and the second damper frame 22 and oozing out from between them. Therefore, the flow of the adhesive 90 into the through hole 22a can be suppressed.

[0045] The cover base 24 also has abutment portion 24c that abuts against the second damper frame 22. The abutment portion 24c is located on the second damper frame 22 side, i.e., the lower side, of the cover base 24 and protrudes more toward the second damper frame 22 than the rest of the cover base 24. By abutting the abutment portion 24c against the second damper frame 22, the gap between the joint surface 22b1 and the lower surface 24a shown in Figure 9 can be maintained until the adhesive 90 fills and hardens between the second damper frame 22 and the cover base 24. This allows the joint surface 22b1 and the lower surface 24a to be joined with a thick layer of adhesive 90 formed between them as shown in Figure 14.

[0046] The abutment portion 24c is provided in an area other than the area where the through hole 22a of the second damper frame 22 is provided. In other words, as shown in Figure 15, the abutment portion 24c is provided in a position that does not overlap with the through hole 22a on the XY plane perpendicular to the stacking direction of the second damper frame 22 and the cover base 24. In particular, in this embodiment, the abutment portion 24c is provided in an area outside the area where the longitudinal through hole 22a is provided, at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the second damper frame 22. At both ends in the longitudinal direction, multiple abutment portions 24c are arranged in a row in the short direction. However, the abutment portions 24c may be provided longitudinally along the short direction.

[0047] In this way, by providing abutment portions 24c at positions away from the location where the through-hole 22a is provided, for example at both ends in the longitudinal direction, it is possible to prevent the adhesive applied between the abutment portion 24c and the second damper frame 22 from leaking out and reaching the through-hole 22a.

[0048] In the above description, an example was given in which the cover base 24 is provided with abutment portion 24c that protrudes toward the second damper frame 22. However, the second damper frame 22 may also be provided with abutment portion that protrudes toward the cover base 24 and abuts toward the second damper frame 22, or both the cover base 24 and the second damper frame 22 may be provided with abutment portions that protrude toward the other side and abut toward each other.

[0049] Next, an example of a printing apparatus equipped with the liquid ejection head of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 16 and 17. Figure 16 is a schematic diagram of the printing apparatus as a liquid ejection device according to the present embodiment, and Figure 17 is a plan view of the ejection unit of the printing apparatus as seen from the nozzle side.

[0050] The printing apparatus 500 includes a loading section 510 for loading sheet material P, a pre-processing section 520, a printing section 530, a drying section 540, an unloading section 550, and an inversion mechanism section 560. The printing apparatus 500 applies (coats) pre-processing liquid to the sheet material P loaded (supplied) from the loading section 510 as needed in the pre-processing section 520, applies liquid in the printing section 530 to perform the required printing, dries the liquid adhering to the sheet material P in the drying section 540, and then discharges the sheet material P to the unloading section 550.

[0051] The loading section 510 includes loading trays 511 (lower loading tray 511A, upper loading tray 511B) that accommodate multiple sheet materials P, and a feeding device 512 (512A, 512B) that separates and sends out the sheet materials P one by one from the loading trays 511, supplying the sheet materials P to the pre-processing section 520.

[0052] The pre-processing unit 520 includes, for example, a coating unit 521 which is a means for applying a processing liquid to the printed surface of the sheet material P, which has the effect of coagulating the colorants of the ink and preventing show-through.

[0053] The printing unit 530 includes a drum 531, which is a support member (rotating body) that supports a sheet material P on its circumferential surface and rotates, and a liquid discharge unit 532 that discharges liquid toward the sheet material P supported on the drum 531.

[0054] Furthermore, the printing unit 530 includes a transfer cylinder 534 that receives the sheet material P fed from the pre-processing unit 520 and transfers the sheet material P to the drum 531, and a transfer cylinder 535 that receives the sheet material P conveyed by the drum 531 and transfers it to the drying unit 540.

[0055] The sheet material P, which has been transported from the pre-processing unit 520 to the printing unit 530, is gripped at the tip by a gripping means (sheet gripper) provided on the transfer cylinder 534 and transported as the transfer cylinder 534 rotates. The sheet material P transported by the transfer cylinder 534 is then transferred to the drum 531 at a position opposite to the drum 531.

[0056] A gripping means (sheet gripper) is also provided on the surface of the drum 531, and the tip of the sheet material P is gripped by the gripping means (sheet gripper). Multiple suction holes are formed dispersed on the surface of the drum 531, and the suction means generates a suction airflow directed inward from the required suction holes of the drum 531.

[0057] The sheet material P, which has been transferred from the transfer drum 534 to the drum 531, is then gripped at the tip by the sheet gripper and supported on the drum 531 by the suction airflow from the suction means, and is conveyed as the drum 531 rotates.

[0058] The liquid dispensing unit 532 is equipped with dispensing units 533 (533A to 533D), which are liquid dispensing means. For example, dispensing unit 533A dispenses cyan (C) liquid, dispensing unit 533B dispenses magenta (M) liquid, dispensing unit 533C dispenses yellow (Y) liquid, and dispensing unit 533D dispenses black (K) liquid. In addition, dispensing units that dispense special liquids such as white and gold (silver) can also be used.

[0059] The discharge unit 533 consists of multiple head units arranged in a staggered pattern on a head mounting member 502. Each head unit's liquid discharge head 1 has multiple rows of nozzles (four rows are used as an example here, but it is not limited to four rows) in which multiple nozzles 11 for discharging liquid are arranged. The direction of the arrow in Figure 17 indicates the direction of transport of the sheet material P.

[0060] Each discharge unit 533 of the liquid discharge unit 532 is controlled by a drive signal corresponding to the print information. When the sheet material P supported on the drum 531 passes through the area opposite the liquid discharge unit 532, liquid of each color is discharged from the discharge unit 533, and an image corresponding to the print information is printed.

[0061] The drying unit 540 dries the liquid that has adhered to the sheet material P in the printing unit 530. This causes the water and other liquid components in the liquid to evaporate, fixing the colorant contained in the liquid onto the sheet material P, and also suppressing curling of the sheet material P.

[0062] The reversal mechanism 560 is a mechanism that reverses the sheet material P in a switchback manner when performing double-sided printing on the sheet material P that has passed through the drying section 540, and the reversed sheet material P is sent back upstream of the transfer cylinder 534 through the transport path 561 of the printing section 530.

[0063] The discharge unit 550 is equipped with a discharge tray 551 on which multiple sheet materials P are loaded. The sheet materials P transported from the inversion mechanism unit 560 are sequentially stacked and held on the discharge tray 551.

[0064] Next, another example of a printing apparatus as a liquid dispensing device according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 18 and 19. Figure 18 is a plan view illustrating the main parts of the printing apparatus in this example. Figure 19 is a side view illustrating the main parts of the printing apparatus in this example.

[0065] The printing apparatus 500 in this example is a serial type apparatus, and the carriage 403 reciprocates in the main scanning direction E by the main scanning movement mechanism 493. The main scanning movement mechanism 493 includes a guide member 401, a main scanning motor 405, a timing belt 408, etc. The guide member 401 is stretched across the left and right side plates 491A and 491B and holds the carriage 403 in a movable position. The carriage 403 is then reciprocated in the main scanning direction E by the main scanning motor 405 via the timing belt 408 stretched between the drive pulley 406 and the driven pulley 407.

[0066] The carriage 403 is equipped with a liquid discharge unit 440 that integrates a liquid discharge head 1 and a head tank 441 according to the present invention. The liquid discharge head 1 of the liquid discharge unit 440 discharges liquids of various colors, such as yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), and black (K). The liquid discharge head 1 is also mounted with a nozzle row consisting of multiple nozzles arranged in a sub-scanning direction F perpendicular to the main scanning direction E, and with the discharge direction facing downward. The liquid discharge head 1 is connected to a liquid circulation device, and the required color of liquid is circulated and supplied.

[0067] The printing apparatus 500 is equipped with a transport mechanism 495 for transporting paper 410. The transport mechanism 495 includes a transport belt 412, which is a transport means, and a sub-scanning motor 416 for driving the transport belt 412. The transport belt 412 picks up the paper 410 and transports it to a position facing the liquid discharge head 1. This transport belt 412 is an endless belt and is stretched between a transport roller 413 and a tension roller 414. Pickup can be performed by electrostatic attraction or air suction. The transport belt 412 moves in a circular motion in the sub-scanning direction F by the sub-scanning motor 416, which rotates the transport roller 413 via a timing belt 417 and a timing pulley 418.

[0068] Furthermore, on one side of the carriage 403 in the main scanning direction E, a maintenance and recovery mechanism 420 is positioned to maintain and restore the liquid discharge head 1, located to the side of the conveyor belt 412. The maintenance and recovery mechanism 420 consists of, for example, a cap member 421 that caps the nozzle surface of the liquid discharge head 1, and a wiper member 422 that wipes the nozzle surface. The main scanning movement mechanism 493, the maintenance and recovery mechanism 420, and the conveyor mechanism 495 are mounted on a housing that includes side plates 491A, 491B, and a back plate 491C.

[0069] In the printing apparatus 500 configured in this way, the paper 410 is fed onto the transport belt 412 and held in place, and the paper 410 is transported in the sub-scanning direction F by the circular movement of the transport belt 412. Then, by moving the carriage 403 in the main scanning direction E and driving the liquid ejection head 1 in accordance with the image signal, liquid is ejected onto the stationary paper 410 to form an image.

[0070] Next, another example of the liquid dispensing unit according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 20. Figure 20 is a plan view illustrating the main parts of the liquid dispensing unit of this example.

[0071] This liquid discharge unit 440 consists of a housing portion composed of side plates 491A, 491B and a back plate 491C, a main scanning movement mechanism 493, a carriage 403, and a liquid discharge head 1, which are components of the liquid discharge device described above.

[0072] Furthermore, a liquid dispensing unit can also be configured by attaching the aforementioned maintenance and recovery mechanism 420 to, for example, the side plate 491B of the liquid dispensing unit 440.

[0073] Next, yet another example of the liquid dispensing unit according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 21. Figure 21 is a front view of the liquid dispensing unit of this example.

[0074] This liquid discharge unit 440 consists of a liquid discharge head 1 to which a flow path component 444 is attached, and a tube 456 connected to the flow path component 444.

[0075] The flow path component 444 is located inside the cover 442. A head tank 441 can be included instead of the flow path component 444. Furthermore, a connector 443 for electrical connection to the liquid discharge head 1 is provided on the upper part of the flow path component 444.

[0076] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0077] In this application, the discharged liquid is not particularly limited as long as it has a viscosity and surface tension that can be discharged from the head, but it is preferable that its viscosity becomes 30 mPa·s or less at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, or when heated or cooled. More specifically, it is a solution, suspension, emulsion, etc. containing a solvent such as water or an organic solvent, a colorant such as a dye or pigment, a polymerizable compound, a resin, a functional material such as a surfactant, a biocompatible material such as DNA, amino acids or proteins, calcium, or an edible material such as a natural pigment. These can be used, for example, as inkjet inks, surface treatment liquids, liquids for forming components of electronic elements and light-emitting elements or electronic circuit resist patterns, and three-dimensional molding material liquids.

[0078] The term "liquid" includes not only ink but also paints, pre-treatment solutions, binders, and overcoat solutions.

[0079] The energy source for discharging liquid includes piezoelectric actuators (multilayer piezoelectric elements and thin-film piezoelectric elements), thermal actuators using electrothermal conversion elements such as heating resistors, and electrostatic actuators consisting of a diaphragm and a counter electrode.

[0080] A "liquid discharge unit" is a liquid discharge head with integrated functional components and mechanisms, and includes an assembly of parts related to liquid discharge. For example, a "liquid discharge unit" may include a combination of a liquid discharge head with at least one of the following components: a head tank, carriage, supply mechanism, maintenance and recovery mechanism, main scanning movement mechanism, and liquid circulation device.

[0081] Here, integration includes, for example, cases where the liquid dispensing head and functional components or mechanisms are fixed to each other by fastening, bonding, engaging, etc., or where one is held movably relative to the other. Furthermore, the liquid dispensing head and functional components or mechanisms may be configured to be detachable from each other.

[0082] For example, some liquid dispensing units have a liquid dispensing head and head tank integrated into one unit. Others have a liquid dispensing head and head tank integrated by being connected to each other with tubes or similar means. Here, the head tank and liquid of these liquid dispensing units A unit including a filter can also be added between the discharge head and the nozzle.

[0083] Additionally, some liquid dispensing units have an integrated liquid dispensing head and carriage.

[0084] Furthermore, some liquid dispensing units integrate the liquid dispensing head and the scanning mechanism by movably holding the liquid dispensing head in a guide member that constitutes part of the scanning mechanism. Others integrate the liquid dispensing head, carriage, and main scanning mechanism.

[0085] Furthermore, some liquid dispensing units integrate the liquid dispensing head, carriage, and maintenance / recovery mechanism by fixing a cap component, which is part of the maintenance / recovery mechanism, to a carriage to which the liquid dispensing head is attached.

[0086] Furthermore, some liquid discharge units have a head tank or a liquid discharge head to which flow path components are attached, to which a tube is connected, integrating the liquid discharge head and the supply mechanism. Through this tube, the liquid from the liquid storage source is supplied to the liquid discharge head.

[0087] The main scanning movement mechanism shall include the guide member alone. The supply mechanism shall also include the tube alone and the loading section alone.

[0088] Here, the "liquid dispensing unit" is described in combination with a liquid dispensing head, but the "liquid dispensing unit" also includes a head module or head unit that includes the liquid dispensing head mentioned above, as well as the functional components and mechanisms described above, all integrated together.

[0089] A "liquid dispensing device" includes devices that drive a liquid dispensing head to dispense liquid, such as a liquid dispensing head, liquid dispensing unit, head module, and head unit. Liquid dispensing devices include not only devices that can dispense liquid onto surfaces to which liquid can adhere, but also devices that dispense liquid into air or into liquid.

[0090] This "liquid dispensing device" may also include means for feeding, transporting, and dispensing paper onto materials to which liquid can adhere, as well as pre-treatment devices, post-treatment devices, etc.

[0091] For example, "liquid ejection devices" include image forming devices that eject ink to form images on paper, and three-dimensional molding devices that eject molding liquid into a powder layer formed in layers to create three-dimensional objects.

[0092] Furthermore, the term "liquid dispensing device" is not limited to those that visualize meaningful images such as letters or figures through the dispensed liquid. For example, it also includes devices that form patterns that do not have meaning in themselves, or devices that create three-dimensional images.

[0093] The term "material to which liquid can adhere" above refers to a material to which liquid can adhere at least temporarily, such as material to which liquid adheres and solidifies, or material to which liquid adheres and penetrates, and is the recording medium in the above embodiment. Specific examples include recording media such as paper, recording paper, film, and cloth; electronic components such as electronic circuit boards and piezoelectric elements; powder layers; organ models; and inspection cells. Unless otherwise specified, it includes all materials to which liquid can adhere.

[0094] The materials referred to as "materials to which liquid can adhere" above include paper, thread, fibers, fabrics, leather, metal, plastic, glass, wood, ceramics, etc., as long as liquid can adhere to them, even temporarily.

[0095] Other examples of "liquid dispensing devices" include processing liquid coating devices that dispense processing liquid onto the surface of paper for purposes such as modifying the paper surface, and injection granulation devices that granulate fine particles of raw materials by spraying a compositional liquid, in which raw materials are dispersed in a solution, through a nozzle.

[0096] In this application, the terms image formation, recording, printing, copying, printing, and shaping are all considered synonymous.

[0097] Examples of the present invention are as follows: <1> A nozzle for dispensing liquid, damper member and A damper holding member having a through hole and a joint, which holds the damper member from the side opposite to the nozzle side, A liquid dispensing head comprising a joint member on the side of the damper holding member opposite to the damper member side, which is joined to the joint with an adhesive, The through hole opens toward the joint member side of the damper holding member, The damper holding member is a liquid discharge head characterized by having a protruding portion between the joint and the through hole that protrudes further toward the joint member than the joint. <2> The damper holding member has a first surface portion on which the end of the through hole on the joining member side is provided, The first surface portion protrudes further toward the joining member than the joining portion, forming a stepped shape between it and the joining portion, thereby forming the protruding portion. <1> This is the liquid dispensing head described. <3> The damper holding member has a plurality of through holes, The first surface portion protrudes toward the joining member side from the joining portion in the entire area where the through hole in the longitudinal direction of the damper holding member is provided. <2> This is the liquid dispensing head described. <4> The aforementioned protrusion is a wall portion having the through hole on its inner side. <1> from <3> It is one of the liquid dispensing heads described above. <5> The joining member has a joint member-side recess on its longitudinal end side that is recessed in a direction away from the damper holding member, At least a portion of the recess on the joining member side overlaps with the position where the longitudinal projection is provided. <1> from <4> It is one of the liquid dispensing heads described above. <6> At least one of the damper holding member or the joining member has a butt portion that protrudes toward the other side of the damper holding member or the joining member and abuts against the other side of the damper holding member or the joining member, and when the damper holding member and the joining member are joined, a gap is formed between the joining portion and the joining member into which the adhesive is filled. <1> from <5> It is one of the liquid dispensing heads described above. <7> The abutment portion is provided outside the region in the longitudinal direction of the damper holding member where the through hole is provided. <5> This is the liquid dispensing head described. <8> <1> from <7> A liquid dispensing head as described above, The head unit comprises a cover member that covers the liquid discharge head on the opposite side from the nozzle side. <9> <1> from <7> This is a liquid dispensing device equipped with one of the liquid dispensing heads described above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0098] 1. Liquid dispensing head 11 nozzles 21. First damper frame 22. Second damper frame (damper retaining member) 22a Through hole 22b Longitudinal recess (joint surface) 22b1 Joint surface (joint part) 22c Upper surface (first surface or protruding part) 22c1 top surface 22d Wall part (protruding part) 22e Top surface (joint part) 22f protrusion 23 Damper component 24 Cover base (connecting component) 24b Base-side recess (connecting member-side recess) 24c Buttocks 100 Head Units 500 Printing device (liquid ejection device) X Longitudinal direction Y-short direction Z stacking direction [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0099] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2024-71024

Claims

1. A nozzle for dispensing liquid, damper member and A damper holding member having a through hole and a joint, which holds the damper member from the side opposite to the nozzle side, A liquid dispensing head comprising a joint member on the side of the damper holding member opposite to the damper member side, which is joined to the joint with an adhesive, The through hole opens toward the joint member side of the damper holding member, The liquid discharge head is characterized in that the damper holding member has a protruding portion between the joint and the through hole that protrudes further toward the joint member than the joint.

2. The damper holding member has a first surface portion on which the end of the through hole on the joining member side is provided, The liquid dispensing head according to claim 1, wherein the first surface portion protrudes further toward the joining member than the joining portion, forming a stepped shape between it and the joining portion, thereby forming the protruding portion.

3. The damper holding member has a plurality of through holes, The liquid discharge head according to claim 2, wherein the first surface portion protrudes toward the joint member side from the joint portion over the entire area in which the through hole in the longitudinal direction of the damper holding member is provided.

4. The liquid dispensing head according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the protruding portion is a wall portion having the through hole on its inner side.

5. The joining member has a joint member-side recess on its longitudinal end side that is recessed in a direction away from the damper holding member, The liquid dispensing head according to claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the recess on the joining member side overlaps with the position where the longitudinal projection is provided.

6. The liquid dispensing head according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the damper holding member or the joining member has a stopper portion that protrudes toward the other side of the damper holding member or the joining member and abuts against the other side of the damper holding member or the joining member, and when the damper holding member and the joining member are joined, a gap is formed between the joining portion and the joining member into which the adhesive is filled.

7. The liquid discharge head according to claim 5, wherein the abutment portion is provided outside the region in the longitudinal direction of the damper holding member where the through hole is provided.

8. A liquid dispensing head according to any one of claims 1 to 3 or 5 to 7, A head unit comprising a cover member that covers the liquid discharge head on the side opposite to the nozzle side.

9. A liquid dispensing device comprising a liquid dispensing head according to any one of claims 1 to 3 or 5 to 7.

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