Liquid dispensing head device, liquid dispensing unit, and device for dispensing liquid

Abstract

This prevents liquids such as water droplets or ink droplets from adhering to the nozzle surface due to condensation, without interfering with proper liquid dispensing. [Solution] A liquid discharge head device 51 is provided with liquid discharge heads 100-1 and 100-2 that discharge liquid from nozzles formed on the nozzle surface 101a to a conveyed discharge medium 10, and is provided with a head holding member 52 that holds the liquid discharge head while facing the nozzle surface to the discharge medium, and the head holding member has exhaust ports 53-1A, 53-1B, 53-2A, and 53-2B on the facing portion 52B that faces the discharge medium.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a liquid ejection head device including a liquid ejection head that ejects a liquid from nozzles formed on a nozzle surface with respect to a conveyed ejection medium is known.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a line head type inkjet printer (a device for ejecting a liquid). In this printer, exhaust means is provided on each of the upstream side and the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the ejection medium of a full-color line head (a liquid ejection head device) including a printing head (a liquid ejection head). In this printer, by exhausting the air near the printing head by the exhaust means, water droplets are prevented from adhering to the printing head or the like due to water vapor generated from the ejection medium heated by the preheater before printing.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, conventionally, it has been difficult to suppress the adhesion of a liquid such as water droplets to the nozzle surface of the liquid ejection head without hindering appropriate liquid ejection.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention is a liquid ejection head device including a liquid ejection head that ejects a liquid from nozzles formed on a nozzle surface with respect to a conveyed ejection medium, the liquid ejection head being held by a head holding member while facing the nozzle surface to the ejection medium, the head holding member having an exhaust port in a facing portion facing the ejection medium.

Effects of the Invention

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the adhesion of liquids such as water droplets or ink droplets to the nozzle surface due to condensation, without hindering proper liquid discharge. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] A schematic diagram showing an example of an image forming system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] This diagram illustrates the view of the head unit of the image forming system from a direction perpendicular to the sheet surface of the continuous sheet facing the head unit. [Figure 3] An external perspective view illustrating the liquid discharge head in the head unit. [Figure 4] A cross-sectional diagram of the liquid discharge head, perpendicular to the direction of the nozzle row. [Figure 5] A schematic cross-sectional view showing the cross-section of the head array in the embodiment when cut along the sheet transport direction. [Figure 6] An explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the exhaust means in the head array. [Figure 7] A schematic cross-sectional view showing the cross-section of the head array when cut along the sheet transport direction in a modified example. [Figure 8] An explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the exhaust means in the head array. [Figure 9] A plan view illustrating the main components of another example of a device for dispensing liquid. [Figure 10] Side view diagram of the main part of the device. [Figure 11] A plan view illustrating the main components of another example of a liquid dispensing unit. [Figure 12] Front view diagram of yet another example of a liquid dispensing unit. [Figure 13] A schematic diagram showing an example of an electrode manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] The following describes one embodiment in which the liquid ejection head device according to the present invention is applied to an image forming system including an image forming apparatus consisting of an inkjet printer, which is a device for ejecting liquid. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the type of liquid discharge head, and can be applied to any type of liquid discharge head, such as a piezo type liquid discharge head, a bubble jet (registered trademark) type liquid discharge head, or an electrostatic type liquid discharge head.

[0009] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the image forming system 1000 of this embodiment. The image forming system 1000 of this embodiment includes an unwinding device 1 for transporting a continuous sheet 10 which is a continuous body as the discharge medium, an image forming apparatus 5 for discharging liquid onto the continuous sheet 10 transported by the unwinding device 1 to form an image, and a winding device 9 for discharging the continuous sheet 10 on which the image has been formed. The image forming apparatus 5 includes a transporting unit 3 for transporting the continuous sheet 10 transported by the unwinding device 1 to a head unit 50, a drying unit 7 for drying the continuous sheet 10 on which the image has been formed, and the like.

[0010] The continuous sheet 10 is fed out from the sheet roll 11 of the unwinding device 1, transported by the rollers of the unwinding device 1, the transport unit 3, the drying unit 7, and the winding device 9, and wound up by the printing roll 91 of the winding device 9. In the image forming apparatus 5, the continuous sheet 10 is transported opposite the head unit 50, and an image is formed by the ejection liquid (image forming ink) ejected from the head unit 50.

[0011] The head unit 50 includes, for example, four full-line head arrays 51K, 51C, 51M, and 51Y for each of the four colors, arranged in order from the upstream side in the sheet transport direction (transport direction of the discharged medium) A, and liquid circulation mechanisms 200K, 200C, 200M, and 200Y corresponding to each head array 51K, 51C, 51M, and 51Y. Each head array 51K, 51C, 51M, and 51Y is a liquid discharge head device equipped with one or more liquid discharge heads, and discharges black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) liquids, respectively, to the continuous sheet 10 being transported.

[0012] Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of the head unit 50, showing the head unit 50 viewed from a direction perpendicular to the sheet surface of the continuous sheet 10 facing the head unit 50. In this embodiment, each head array 51K, 51C, 51M, and 51Y is arranged in a staggered pattern on a base member 52, which serves as a head holding member, as shown in Figure 2. Specifically, the multiple liquid discharge heads 100-1 and 100-2 arranged in each head array 51K, 51C, 51M, and 51Y are arranged so that the nozzle row direction coincides with the sheet width direction (a direction perpendicular to the sheet transport direction A). The sheet transport direction positions of adjacent liquid discharge heads 100-1 and 100-2 are offset alternately so that the sheet width direction positions of the nozzle rows of adjacent liquid discharge heads 100-1 and 100-2 partially overlap.

[0013] Hereinafter, the liquid discharge head located upstream of the sheet conveying direction A will be referred to as the upstream head 100-1, and the liquid discharge head located downstream of the sheet conveying direction A will be referred to as the downstream head 100-2. In cases where there is no distinction between the two, they may also be referred to as the liquid discharge head 100.

[0014] Figure 3 is an external perspective view illustrating the liquid dispensing head 100 in this embodiment. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of the liquid discharge head 100 in this embodiment, perpendicular to the direction of the nozzle row. The liquid ejection head 100 of the present embodiment includes a structural part in which a nozzle plate 101, a flow path plate 102, and a diaphragm member 103 are laminated and joined. The liquid ejection head 100 also includes a piezoelectric actuator 111 as a pressure generating means for displacing the vibration region (diaphragm) 130 of the diaphragm member 103, a common liquid chamber member 120 that also serves as a frame member of the liquid ejection head 100, and a cover 129. Note that the portion composed of the flow path plate 102 and the diaphragm member 103 is referred to as a flow path member 140.

[0015] A plurality of nozzles 104a for ejecting liquid are formed on the nozzle plate 101, and each nozzle 104a opens on a nozzle surface 101a facing the continuous sheet 10. In the liquid ejection head 100 of the present embodiment, at least two nozzle rows in which a plurality of nozzles 104a are arranged in the nozzle row direction are formed on the nozzle surface 101a. The liquid ejection head 100 of the present embodiment will be described, for example, with an example in which four nozzle rows are arranged along the sheet conveyance direction A, but the number of nozzle rows is set as appropriate.

[0016] In the flow path plate 102, through holes and groove portions serving as individual liquid chambers 106 as pressure chambers communicating with the nozzles 104a via nozzle communication paths 105, supply side fluid resistance portions 107 leading to the individual liquid chambers 106, and liquid introduction portions 108 leading to the supply side fluid resistance portions 107 are formed. The nozzle communication path 105 is a flow path that is continuous and communicates with the nozzle 104a and the individual liquid chamber 106, respectively. The liquid introduction portion 108 communicates with the supply side common liquid chamber 110 through the opening 109 of the diaphragm member 103.

[0017] The diaphragm member 103 has a deformable vibration region 130 that forms the wall surface of the individual liquid chamber 106 of the flow path plate 102. The diaphragm member 103 has, for example, a two-layer structure (not limited), and is composed of a first layer forming a thin portion and a second layer forming a thick portion from the flow path plate 102 side, and a deformable vibration region 130 is formed in the portion corresponding to the individual liquid chamber 106 in the first layer.

[0018] On the side of the diaphragm member 103 opposite the individual liquid chambers 106, a piezoelectric actuator 111 is positioned, which includes an electromechanical conversion element as a driving means (actuator means, pressure generating means) for deforming the vibration region 130 of the diaphragm member 103. The piezoelectric actuator 111 is formed, for example, by grooving a piezoelectric member joined to a base member 113 using half-cut dicing to create a required number of columnar piezoelectric elements 112 in a comb-like pattern at predetermined intervals. The piezoelectric elements 112 are joined to the island-shaped thickened protrusions 130a formed in the vibration region 130 of the diaphragm member 103. A flexible wiring member 115 is also connected to the piezoelectric elements 112.

[0019] The common liquid chamber member 120 has a supply-side common liquid chamber 110 and a discharge-side common liquid chamber 150. The supply-side common liquid chamber 110 is connected to the supply port 171, and the discharge-side common liquid chamber 150 is connected to the discharge port 181. The common liquid chamber member 120 is composed of, for example, a first common liquid chamber member 121 and a second common liquid chamber member 122, with the first common liquid chamber member 121 joined to the diaphragm member 103 side of the flow path member 140, and the second common liquid chamber member 122 being laminated and joined to the first common liquid chamber member 121.

[0020] The first common liquid chamber member 121 forms a downstream common liquid chamber 110A, which is part of the supply-side common liquid chamber 110 that leads to the liquid introduction section 108, and a discharge-side common liquid chamber 150 that leads to the discharge channel 151. The second common liquid chamber member 122 forms an upstream common liquid chamber 110B, which is the remaining part of the supply-side common liquid chamber 110. The flow channel plate 102 has a discharge channel 151 that extends along the surface direction of the flow channel plate 102 and leads to each individual liquid chamber 106 via the nozzle communication passage 105. The discharge channel 151 leads to the discharge-side common liquid chamber 150.

[0021] In the liquid discharge head 100 of this embodiment, for example, by lowering the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element 112 from the reference potential (intermediate potential), the piezoelectric element 112 contracts, the vibration region 130 of the diaphragm member 103 is pulled, and the volume of the individual liquid chamber 106 expands. As a result, liquid flows into the individual liquid chamber 106. On the other hand, by increasing the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element 112 to stretch the piezoelectric element 112 in the stacking direction and deforming the vibration region 130 of the diaphragm member 103 toward the nozzle 104a, the volume of the individual liquid chamber 106 contracts. As a result, the liquid in the individual liquid chamber 106 is pressurized and the liquid is discharged from the nozzle 104a.

[0022] The liquid in the individual liquid chamber 106 that is not discharged from the nozzle 104a is discharged from the discharge channel 151 to the discharge-side common liquid chamber 150, and then supplied again from the discharge-side common liquid chamber 150 to the supply-side common liquid chamber 110 through an external circulation path. The method of driving the head is not limited to the above example (pull-push), and pull-pull or push-pull methods can also be performed depending on the driving waveform applied.

[0023] Next, in this embodiment, a configuration will be described that suppresses the adhesion of liquids such as water droplets or ink droplets to the nozzle surface 101a of the liquid discharge head 100 due to condensation or the like by air containing water vapor or ink mist present around the nozzle surface 101a. Conventionally, some systems use a separate discharge mechanism from the liquid ejection head to expel air containing water vapor and ink mist surrounding the nozzle surface of the liquid ejection head. In these conventional systems, the exhaust port is too far from the nozzle surface of the liquid ejection head, resulting in insufficient exhaust of air around the nozzle surface, which can cause liquids such as water droplets and ink droplets to adhere to the nozzle surface due to condensation. On the other hand, if the force of the airflow drawn in from the exhaust port is increased to sufficiently exhaust the air around the nozzle surface, the direction of liquid ejection from the nozzle is altered by this airflow, hindering proper liquid ejection.

[0024] Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the cross-section of the head array 51 in this embodiment when cut along the sheet transport direction A. Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the exhaust means in the head array 51 in this embodiment.

[0025] In this embodiment, the head array 51 has exhaust ports 53-1A, 53-1B, 53-2A, and 53-2B on the part of the base member 52, which serves as a head holding member for holding the liquid discharge heads 100-1 and 100-2, that faces the continuous sheet 10. Specifically, the base member 52 in this embodiment is composed of two plate-shaped members, an upper plate 52A and a lower plate 52B, which are spaced apart from each other and facing each other. The exhaust ports 53-1A, 53-1B, 53-2A, and 53-2B are opened in the lower plate 52B, which is located on the side facing the continuous sheet 10.

[0026] Furthermore, the base member 52 of this embodiment has a configuration in which a spacer member 52C is sandwiched between the upper plate 52A and the lower plate 52B, and this spacer member 52C creates a space between the upper plate 52A and the lower plate 52B. The space between the upper plate 52A and the lower plate 52B is in communication with the exhaust ports 53-1A, 53-1B, 53-2A, and 53-2B, and constitutes an exhaust passage 54. The exhaust passage 54 within the base member 52 is in communication with the exhaust ducts 55A and 55B. Suction fans 56A and 56B are provided at the ends of the exhaust ducts 55A and 55B as suction sections.

[0027] When the suction fans 56A and 56B are driven, an airflow W0 is generated in the exhaust ducts 55A and 55B and the exhaust passage 54 toward the suction fans 56A and 56B. As a result, an intake airflow W1 is generated at the exhaust ports 53-1A, 53-1B, 53-2A, and 53-2B, which are connected to the exhaust passage 54, drawing in outside air between the continuous sheet 10 and the head array 51. Consequently, the outside air flows from the exhaust ports 53-1A, 53-1B, 53-2A, and 53-2B into the exhaust passage 54 within the base member 52 and is discharged from the suction fans 56A and 56B via the exhaust ducts 55A and 55B.

[0028] In this embodiment, the base member 52 that holds the liquid discharge heads 100-1 and 1100-2 is equipped with exhaust ports 53-1A, 53-1B, 53-2A, and 53-2B. This makes it possible to provide the exhaust ports 53-1A, 53-1B, 53-2A, and 53-2B in the vicinity of each nozzle surface 101a of the liquid discharge heads 100-1 and 1100-2 held by the base member 52. Therefore, compared to conventional devices in which the exhaust ports are located away from the nozzle surface of the liquid discharge head, it is possible to quickly exhaust the air containing water vapor and ink mist around the nozzle surface 101a. As a result, it is possible to suppress the adhesion of liquids such as water droplets and ink droplets to the nozzle surface 101a due to condensation, etc.

[0029] In particular, in this embodiment, exhaust ports 53-1A, 53-1B, 53-2A, and 53-2B are provided on both the upstream and downstream sides of the sheet conveying direction A with respect to the nozzle surface 101a of the liquid discharge heads 100-1 and 100-2. Specifically, for the upstream head 100-1, exhaust port 53-1A opens at the upstream side of the sheet conveying direction A, and exhaust port 53-1B opens at the downstream side of the sheet conveying direction A. Similarly, for the downstream head 100-2, exhaust port 53-2A opens at the upstream side of the sheet conveying direction A, and exhaust port 53-2B opens at the downstream side of the sheet conveying direction A.

[0030] With this configuration, the air facing the nozzle surface 101a can be exhausted to the exhaust ports 53-1A, 53-1B, 53-2A, and 53-2B by suction airflow W1 from both the upstream and downstream sides in the sheet conveying direction A. Therefore, it is possible to exhaust the air around the nozzle surface 101a with a suction airflow W1 of less force.

[0031] In this embodiment, exhaust ports 53-1A, 53-1B, 53-2A, and 53-2B are provided on both the upstream and downstream sides of the nozzle surface 101a in the sheet transport direction A. However, exhaust ports may be provided on only one of these sides.

[0032] Furthermore, the exhaust port may be provided at the end of the nozzle surface 101a in the direction of the nozzle row. However, if the nozzle surface 101a has an elongated shape along the direction of the nozzle row, as in this embodiment, the exhaust port at the end in the direction of the nozzle row will be located away from the vicinity of the center of the nozzle surface 101a in the direction of the nozzle row, making it difficult to exhaust the air near the center of the nozzle surface 101a in the direction of the nozzle row. Therefore, in this case, it is preferable to provide the exhaust port at the end in the sheet conveying direction (short direction of the head), as in this embodiment, rather than at the end in the direction of the nozzle row (long direction of the head).

[0033] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, a transport airflow W2 flows downstream in the sheet transport direction A between the head array 51 and the continuous sheet 10 due to the transport of the continuous sheet 10. Therefore, the air around each nozzle surface 101a of the head array 51 is carried downstream in the sheet transport direction A by this transport airflow W2. Thus, in order to efficiently exhaust the air around each nozzle surface 101a of the head array 51, the exhaust ports 53-1B and 53-2B located downstream in the sheet transport direction A relative to the nozzle surface 101a are more important than the exhaust ports 53-1A and 53-2A located upstream in the sheet transport direction A.

[0034] In particular, in a configuration such as that of this embodiment, in which a plurality of liquid discharge heads 100-1, 100-2 are held at different positions in the sheet conveying direction A by the base member 52 of the head array 51, it is preferable to provide an exhaust port 53-2B that opens at a position downstream in the sheet conveying direction with respect to the nozzle surface 101a of at least the liquid discharge head located furthest downstream in the sheet conveying direction (downstream head 100-2).

[0035] On the other hand, in situations where a conveying airflow W2 flows downstream in the sheet conveying direction A, providing exhaust ports 53-1A and 53-2A upstream of the nozzle surface 101a in the sheet conveying direction A may actually reduce the exhaust efficiency of the air around the nozzle surface 101a. Specifically, the suction airflow generated at the exhaust ports 53-1A and 53-2A upstream of the nozzle surface 101a in the sheet conveying direction may disturb the conveying airflow W2 that directs the air around the nozzle surface 101a downstream in the sheet conveying direction A. When the conveying airflow W2 is disturbed, the air around the nozzle surface 101a does not flow smoothly downstream in the sheet conveying direction A, reducing the exhaust efficiency of the exhaust ports 53-1B and 53-2B downstream of the nozzle surface 101a in the sheet conveying direction.

[0036] Considering this point, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, it is preferable to provide only the exhaust ports 53-1B and 53-2B on the downstream side in the sheet conveying direction, and not the exhaust ports 53-1A and 53-2A on the upstream side in the sheet conveying direction for each nozzle surface 101a of each liquid discharge head 100-1 and 100-2. With this configuration, there is no turbulence in the conveying airflow W2 due to the exhaust ports 53-1A and 53-2A on the upstream side in the sheet conveying direction, and it is possible to improve the exhaust efficiency of the air around the nozzle surface 101a.

[0037] In the examples shown in Figures 7 and 8, focusing on the downstream head 100-2, we see that the downstream head 100-2 is equipped with exhaust ports 53-1B and 53-2B both upstream and downstream in the sheet conveying direction A relative to the nozzle surface 101a of the downstream head 100-2. That is, the exhaust port 53-1B, which is located downstream in the sheet conveying direction relative to the nozzle surface 101a of the upstream head 100-1, is located upstream in the sheet conveying direction A relative to the nozzle surface 101a of the downstream head 100-2. Therefore, the conveying airflow W2 that flows the air around the nozzle surface 101a of the downstream head 100-2 downstream in the sheet conveying direction A is disturbed by the suction airflow of the exhaust port 53-1B, and the exhaust efficiency of the exhaust port 53-2B downstream in the sheet conveying direction relative to the nozzle surface 101a of the downstream head 100-2 decreases.

[0038] In such cases, it is preferable to configure the system so that the flow rate of the suction airflow flowing into the exhaust port 53-2B on the downstream side in the sheet conveying direction relative to the nozzle surface 101a of the downstream head 100-2 is greater than the flow rate of the suction airflow flowing into the exhaust port 53-1B on the upstream side in the sheet conveying direction relative to the nozzle surface 101a of the downstream head 100-2. For example, as the suction fan 56B that generates the suction airflow to the exhaust port 53-2B on the downstream side in the sheet conveying direction relative to the nozzle surface 101a of the downstream head 100-2, a suction fan with a larger airflow than the suction fan 56A that generates the suction airflow to the exhaust port 53-1B on the upstream side in the sheet conveying direction relative to the nozzle surface 101a of the downstream head 100-2 is used. This makes it possible to compensate for the decrease in exhaust efficiency of the air around the nozzle surface 101a of the downstream head 100-2 at the exhaust port 53-2B on the downstream side in the sheet conveying direction relative to the nozzle surface 101a of the downstream head 100-2.

[0039] Furthermore, airflow may flow in from the sheet width direction between the continuous sheet 10 and the head array 51. In this case, the transport airflow W2 that directs the air around the nozzle surface 101a downstream in the sheet transport direction A may be disturbed by the inflow airflow from the sheet width direction, potentially reducing the exhaust efficiency of the air around the nozzle surface 101a by the exhaust ports 53-1A, 53-1B, 53-2A, and 53-2B. In such cases, it is preferable to provide an inflow suppression section between the continuous sheet 10 and the head array 51 to suppress the inflow of airflow from the sheet width direction.

[0040] A specific example of the inflow suppression section is an example in which side walls are provided at both ends of the base member 52 in the sheet width direction (nozzle row direction), projecting in a direction perpendicular to the sheet surface to a position facing the sheet width end of the continuous sheet 10.

[0041] Next, another example of a liquid dispensing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 9 and 10. Figure 9 is a plan view illustrating the main parts of the device, and Figure 10 is a side view illustrating the main parts of the device. This device is a serial type device, and the carriage 403 reciprocates in the main scanning direction 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 by the main scanning motor 405 via the timing belt 408 stretched between the drive pulley 406 and the driven pulley 407.

[0042] The carriage 403 is equipped with a liquid discharge unit 440 which integrates a liquid discharge head device 404 equipped with a liquid discharge head according to the present invention and a head tank 441. The liquid discharge head device 404 of the liquid discharge unit 440 is equipped with a liquid discharge head that discharges liquids of various colors, such as yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), and black (K), similar to the head unit 50 of the embodiment described above. Furthermore, the liquid discharge head in the liquid discharge head device 404 is equipped with a liquid discharge head 100 having a nozzle row consisting of multiple nozzles arranged in a staggered pattern, similar to the liquid discharge head 100 of the embodiment described above. The direction of the nozzle row is along the sub-scanning direction (head longitudinal direction) which is perpendicular to the main scanning direction, and the discharge direction is mounted facing downward.

[0043] A supply mechanism 494 supplies liquid stored outside the liquid discharge head device 404 to the liquid discharge head device 404, thereby supplying the head tank 441 with the liquid stored in the liquid cartridge 450.

[0044] The supply mechanism 494 consists of a cartridge holder 451, which is a filling section for mounting the liquid cartridge 450, a tube 456, a liquid delivery unit 452 including a liquid delivery pump, and the like. The liquid cartridge 450 is detachably mounted in the cartridge holder 451. Liquid is delivered from the liquid cartridge 450 to the head tank 441 via the tube 456 by the liquid delivery unit 452.

[0045] This device includes 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.

[0046] The conveyor belt 412 picks up the paper 410 and transports it to a position opposite the liquid discharge head device 404. This conveyor belt 412 is an endless belt and is stretched between the conveyor roller 413 and the tension roller 414. Pickup can be performed by electrostatic attraction or air suction.

[0047] Then, the conveyor belt 412 moves in a circular motion in the sub-scanning direction as the conveyor rollers 413 are rotationally driven by the sub-scanning motor 416 via the timing belt 417 and timing pulley 418.

[0048] Furthermore, a maintenance and recovery mechanism 420 for maintaining and recovering the liquid discharge head device 404 is positioned on one side of the carriage 403 in the main scanning direction, next to the conveyor belt 412.

[0049] The maintenance and recovery mechanism 420 consists of, for example, a cap member 421 that caps the nozzle surface (the surface on which the nozzle is formed) of the liquid discharge head device 404, and a wiper member 422 that wipes the nozzle surface.

[0050] The main scanning movement mechanism 493, the supply mechanism 494, the maintenance and recovery mechanism 420, and the transport mechanism 495 are mounted on a housing that includes side plates 491A, 491B, and a back plate 491C.

[0051] In this configured device, the paper 410 is fed onto the transport belt 412 and picked up, and the paper 410 is transported in the sub-scanning direction by the circumferential movement of the transport belt 412.

[0052] Therefore, by moving the carriage 403 in the main scanning direction and driving the liquid ejection head device 404 in accordance with the image signal, liquid is ejected onto the stationary paper 410 to form an image.

[0053] Thus, since this device is equipped with a liquid discharge head according to the present invention, it can stably form high-resolution images.

[0054] Next, another example of the liquid dispensing unit according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 11. Figure 11 is a plan view illustrating the main parts of the unit.

[0055] This liquid discharge unit consists of a housing portion comprising side plates 491A, 491B and a back plate 491C, a main scanning movement mechanism 493, a carriage 403, and a liquid discharge head device 404, which are components of the liquid discharge device.

[0056] Furthermore, a liquid dispensing unit can also be configured by further attaching, for example, the side plate 491B of this liquid dispensing unit to at least one of the aforementioned maintenance and recovery mechanism 420 and supply mechanism 494.

[0057] Next, yet another example of the liquid dispensing unit according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 12. Figure 12 is a front view diagram of the unit.

[0058] This liquid discharge unit consists of a liquid discharge head device 404 to which a flow path component 444 is attached, and a tube 456 connected to the flow path component 444.

[0059] 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 device 404 is provided on the upper part of the flow path component 444.

[0060] In this application, "liquid dispensing device" refers to a device that includes a liquid dispensing head, a liquid dispensing head device, or a liquid dispensing unit, and drives the liquid dispensing head to dispense liquid. A liquid dispensing device includes not only devices that can dispense liquid onto objects to which liquid can adhere, but also devices that dispense liquid into air or into liquid.

[0061] 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.

[0062] For example, "devices that dispense liquids" include image forming machines, which dispense ink to form images on paper, and three-dimensional molding machines, which dispense molding liquid into a powder layer formed in layers to create three-dimensional objects.

[0063] Furthermore, "devices that dispense liquid" are not limited to those that visualize meaningful images such as letters or figures through the dispensed liquid. For example, devices that form patterns that do not have meaning in themselves, or devices that create three-dimensional images, are also included.

[0064] The term "material to which liquid can adhere" refers to any material to which liquid can adhere, at least temporarily, including materials that adhere and solidify, or materials that adhere and penetrate. Specific examples include extrusion 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.

[0065] The materials referred to as "materials to which liquid can adhere" include paper, thread, fibers, fabrics, leather, metal, plastic, glass, wood, ceramics, building materials such as wallpaper and flooring, and textiles for clothing, as long as liquid can adhere to them, even temporarily.

[0066] Furthermore, "liquid" also includes inks, processing solutions, DNA samples, resists, patterning materials, binders, molding fluids, or solutions and dispersions containing amino acids, proteins, calcium, etc.

[0067] Furthermore, "liquid dispensing devices" include devices in which the liquid dispensing head and the surface to which the liquid can adhere move relative to each other, but are not limited to these. Specific examples include serial-type devices in which the liquid dispensing head moves, and line-type devices in which the liquid dispensing head does not move.

[0068] Other examples of "devices that dispense liquids" include processing liquid coating devices that dispense processing liquid onto the surface of paper for purposes such as modifying the surface of the paper, and injection granulation devices that granulate fine particles of raw materials by spraying a composition liquid, in which raw materials are dispersed in a solution, through a nozzle.

[0069] Furthermore, the "liquid dispensing apparatus" according to the present invention also includes apparatus for manufacturing electrodes and electrochemical elements. The electrode manufacturing apparatus will be described below.

[0070] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an electrode manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The electrode manufacturing apparatus is a device that manufactures electrodes containing a layer having electrode material by discharging a liquid composition using a head module that includes a liquid discharging head.

[0071] The discharge means provided in the electrode manufacturing apparatus shown in Figure 13 is a head module including a liquid discharge head 100 according to the above-described embodiment (including modifications). A liquid composition is discharged from the liquid discharge head 100 of the head module, thereby applying the liquid composition to the discharge medium and forming a liquid composition layer. The discharge medium is not particularly limited as long as it is an object on which a layer containing electrode material is formed, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. For example, the discharge medium can be an electrode substrate (current collector), an active material layer, or a layer containing solid electrode material. Alternatively, the discharge medium may be an electrode composite layer containing active material on an electrode substrate (current collector). Furthermore, the discharge means and discharge process may be means and processes for forming a layer containing electrode material by directly discharging a liquid composition, as long as it is possible to form a layer containing electrode material on the discharge medium. Alternatively, the discharge means and discharge process may be means and processes for forming a layer containing electrode material by indirectly discharging a liquid composition.

[0072] Other components included in the electrode composite layer manufacturing apparatus are not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. Similarly, other processes included in the electrode composite layer manufacturing method are not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. For example, components and processes included in the electrode composite layer manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method include heating means and heating processes.

[0073] The heating means included in the electrode composite layer manufacturing apparatus is a means for heating the liquid composition discharged by the discharge means. Furthermore, the heating step included in the electrode composite layer manufacturing method is a step for heating the liquid composition discharged in the discharge step. By heating the liquid composition, the liquid composition layer can be dried.

[0074] Here, as an example of an electrode manufacturing apparatus, we will describe an electrode manufacturing apparatus that forms an electrode composite layer containing an active material on an electrode substrate (current collector). As shown in Figure 13, the electrode manufacturing apparatus includes an ejection process section 500 which includes a step of applying a liquid composition onto a printing substrate 704 having an ejection medium to form a liquid composition layer, and a heating process section 510 which includes a heating step of heating the liquid composition layer to obtain an electrode composite layer.

[0075] The electrode manufacturing apparatus includes a transport unit 705 for transporting the printing substrate 704. The transport unit 705 transports the printing substrate 704 at a preset speed in the order of the discharge process unit 500 and the heating process unit 510. There are no particular restrictions on the method for manufacturing the printing substrate 704 having a discharge medium such as an active material layer, and known methods can be appropriately selected. The discharge process unit 500 includes a liquid discharge head 100 that performs a dispensing process for applying a liquid composition onto the printing substrate 704, a container 501 that contains the liquid composition 503, and a supply tube 502 that supplies the liquid composition 503 contained in the container 501 to the liquid discharge head 100.

[0076] In the discharge process section 500, the liquid composition 503 is discharged from the liquid discharge head 100 and applied to the printing substrate 704, forming a thin film layer of the liquid composition. The containment container 501 may be integrated with the electrode composite layer manufacturing apparatus, or it may be detachable from the electrode composite layer manufacturing apparatus. Alternatively, the containment container 501 may be a container used for adding to a containment container integrated with the electrode composite layer manufacturing apparatus, or a containment container detachable from the electrode composite layer manufacturing apparatus.

[0077] The containment container 501 and the supply tube 502 can be arbitrarily selected as long as they are capable of stably containing and supplying the liquid composition 503.

[0078] In the heating section 510, a solvent removal step is performed in which the solvent remaining in the liquid composition layer is heated and removed. Specifically, the solvent remaining in the liquid composition layer is heated and dried by the heating device 703 of the heating section 510, thereby removing the solvent from the liquid composition layer. This forms the electrode composite layer. Furthermore, the solvent removal step in the heating section 510 may be performed under reduced pressure.

[0079] There are no particular restrictions on the heating device 703, and it can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. For example, the heating device 703 can be a substrate heater, an IR heater, or a hot air heater. Alternatively, the heating device 703 may be a combination of at least two of the substrate heater, IR heater, and hot air heater. Furthermore, the heating temperature and heating time can be appropriately selected according to the boiling point of the solvent contained in the liquid composition 503 or the film thickness to be formed.

[0080] By using the electrode manufacturing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, a liquid composition can be discharged to a targeted location on the discharge medium. The electrode mixture layer can be suitably used, for example, as part of the configuration of an electrochemical element. There are no particular restrictions on the components of the electrochemical element other than the electrode mixture layer, and known components can be appropriately selected. For example, components other than the electrode mixture layer include a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator, etc.

[0081] A "liquid dispensing unit" is a collection of components related to liquid dispensing, in which functional parts and mechanisms are integrated with a liquid dispensing head. For example, a "liquid dispensing unit" may include a combination of a liquid dispensing head with at least one of the following components: a head tank, carriage, supply mechanism, maintenance and recovery mechanism, and main scanning and moving mechanism.

[0082] 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.

[0083] For example, some liquid dispensing units, such as the liquid dispensing unit 440 shown in Figure 10, have a liquid dispensing head and head tank integrated into one unit. Others have a liquid dispensing head and head tank integrated into one unit, connected to each other by tubes or similar means. It is also possible to add a unit containing a filter between the head tank and the liquid dispensing head of these liquid dispensing units.

[0084] Additionally, some liquid dispensing units have an integrated liquid dispensing head and carriage.

[0085] 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. Additionally, as shown in Figure 11, some liquid dispensing units integrate the liquid dispensing head, carriage, and main scanning mechanism.

[0086] 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.

[0087] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 12, some liquid discharge units have a head tank or a liquid discharge head to which a flow path component is attached, to which a tube is connected, integrating the liquid discharge head and the supply mechanism.

[0088] 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.

[0089] Furthermore, the "liquid discharge head" is not limited to any specific actuator. For example, in addition to the piezoelectric element described in the above embodiment (which may be a multilayer piezoelectric element), a thermal actuator using an electrothermal conversion element such as a heating resistor, or an electrostatic actuator consisting of a diaphragm and a counter electrode may also be used.

[0090] Furthermore, in the terminology used in this application, image formation, recording, printing, copying, printing, and shaping are all considered synonymous.

[0091] Finally, the embodiments described above are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Each of these novel embodiments can be carried out in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. Such embodiments and variations thereof are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims and their equivalents.

[0092] The above is just one example; each of the following embodiments produces its own unique effects. [First aspect] The first embodiment is a liquid discharge head device (e.g., a head array 51) equipped with a liquid discharge head 100 that discharges liquid from a nozzle 104a formed on a nozzle surface 101a onto a conveyed discharge medium (e.g., a continuous sheet 10), wherein the device is equipped with a head holding member (e.g., a base member 52) that holds the liquid discharge head while facing the nozzle surface toward the discharge medium, and the head holding member is characterized in that it has exhaust ports 53-1A, 53-1B, 53-2A, 53-2B on the part facing the discharge medium. Conventional liquid dispensing head devices were configured to exhaust water vapor-containing air from exhaust ports located on both the upstream and downstream sides of the liquid dispensing medium transport direction. In this configuration, the exhaust ports are too far from the nozzle surface of the liquid dispensing head, resulting in insufficient exhaust of the air surrounding the nozzle surface (air containing water vapor, ink mist, etc.), which can cause liquids such as water droplets or ink droplets to adhere to the nozzle surface due to condensation. On the other hand, if the force of the airflow drawn in from the exhaust port is increased to sufficiently exhaust the air surrounding the nozzle surface, the direction of liquid discharged from the nozzle will change due to the airflow, hindering proper liquid discharge. In this embodiment, the head holding member that holds the liquid discharge head has an exhaust port on the part facing the discharge medium. This allows the exhaust port to be located near the nozzle surface of the liquid discharge head, which is held by the head holding member so as to face the discharge medium. Therefore, it is possible to quickly exhaust the air around the nozzle surface while keeping the force of the airflow drawn in from the exhaust port within an appropriate range (a range that does not hinder proper liquid discharge). Thus, according to this embodiment, it is possible to suppress the adhesion of liquids such as water droplets or ink droplets to the nozzle surface due to condensation, without hindering proper liquid discharge.

[0093] [Second aspect] The second embodiment is characterized in that, in the first embodiment, the head holding member has an exhaust passage 54 that guides the airflow flowing in from the exhaust port to the discharge section (for example, exhaust ducts 55A, 55B, suction fans 56A, 56B). According to this, the airflow flowing in from the exhaust port provided in the head holding member can be guided through the inside of the head holding member (exhaust passage 54) to the discharge section.

[0094] [Third aspect] The third embodiment is characterized in that, in the second embodiment, the opposing portion is composed of two plate-shaped members (for example, an upper plate 52A and a lower plate 52B) that are spaced apart from each other and facing each other, the exhaust port is opened in the plate-shaped member (for example, the lower plate 52B) of the two plate-shaped members that is located on the side facing the discharged medium, and the exhaust passage is composed of the space formed between the two plate-shaped members. According to this, an exhaust passage 54 can be formed inside the head holding member with a simple configuration.

[0095] [Fourth aspect] The fourth embodiment is characterized in that, in any of the first to third embodiments, the exhaust port is open to at least one of the following positions relative to the nozzle surface: an upstream position in the direction of conveying the discharged medium and a downstream position in the direction of conveying the discharged medium. According to this, in a liquid discharge head that is elongated in a direction perpendicular to the direction of transport of the discharged medium (the width direction of the discharged medium (sheet width direction), the nozzle row direction), the air around the nozzle surface can be exhausted from the exhaust port compared to when the exhaust port is located at the end position in that direction.

[0096] [Fifth aspect] The fifth embodiment is characterized in that, in the fourth embodiment, the exhaust port does not open on the upstream side in the direction of transport of the discharged medium with respect to the nozzle surface, but opens on the downstream side in the direction of transport of the discharged medium. According to this, there is no exhaust port opening at a position upstream in the direction of transport of the discharged medium, which could disrupt the transport airflow W2 generated by the transport of the discharged medium. Therefore, the exhaust efficiency of the air around the nozzle surface by an exhaust port opening at a position downstream in the direction of transport of the discharged medium will not decrease due to such disruption of the transport airflow W2, and it is possible to increase the exhaust efficiency of the air around the nozzle surface.

[0097] [Sixth aspect] The sixth embodiment is characterized in that, in any of the first to third embodiments, the head holding member holds a plurality of liquid discharge heads 100-1, 100-2 at mutually different positions in the direction of transport of the discharged medium, and the exhaust port opens at a position downstream in the direction of transport of the discharged medium with respect to the nozzle surface of at least the liquid discharge head located furthest downstream in the direction of transport of the discharged medium (for example, the downstream head 100-2). According to this, the air around the nozzle surface of each of the multiple liquid discharge heads, which is flowed downstream in the direction of conveying the discharged medium by the conveying airflow W2 generated by the conveying of the discharged medium, can ultimately be exhausted from an exhaust port that opens downstream in the direction of conveying the discharged medium relative to the nozzle surface of the liquid discharge head located furthest downstream in the direction of conveying the discharged medium.

[0098] [Seventh aspect] The seventh embodiment is characterized in that, in the sixth embodiment, the exhaust port is opened at a position downstream in the direction of transport of the discharged medium with respect to each nozzle surface of the plurality of liquid discharge heads. According to this, the air around each nozzle surface of multiple liquid discharge heads, which is flowed downstream in the direction of conveying the discharged medium by the conveying airflow W2 generated by the conveying of the discharged medium, can be exhausted from each exhaust port that opens at a position downstream in the direction of conveying the discharged medium relative to each nozzle surface.

[0099] [8th aspect] The eighth aspect is characterized in that, in the sixth aspect, the exhaust ports 53-1B and 53-2B open to the nozzle surface of at least one of the plurality of liquid discharge heads (for example, the downstream head 100-2) at both an upstream position in the direction of transport of the discharged medium and a downstream position in the direction of transport of the discharged medium, and the flow rate of the airflow flowing into the exhaust port 53-2B opening at the downstream position in the direction of transport of the discharged medium is greater than the flow rate of the airflow flowing into the exhaust port 53-1B opening at the upstream position in the direction of transport of the discharged medium. In this configuration, the transport airflow W2 that directs the air around the nozzle surface of at least one liquid discharge head downstream in the direction of transport of the discharged medium is disturbed by the suction airflow of the exhaust port 53-1B, which opens upstream of the nozzle surface in the direction of transport of the discharged medium. This disturbance of the transport airflow W2 reduces the exhaust efficiency of the air around the nozzle surface by the exhaust port 53-2B, which opens downstream of the nozzle surface in the direction of transport of the discharged medium. According to this embodiment, it is possible to suppress the reduction in exhaust efficiency of the air surrounding the nozzle surface due to the exhaust port 53-2B opening at a position downstream of the nozzle surface in the direction of transport of the discharged medium.

[0100] [Ninth aspect] The ninth embodiment is a liquid dispensing unit characterized by including a liquid dispensing head device according to any of the first to eighth embodiments. According to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a liquid dispensing unit that can suppress the adhesion of liquids such as water droplets or ink droplets to the nozzle surface due to condensation, without hindering proper liquid dispensing.

[0101] [Tenth aspect] The tenth embodiment is a liquid dispensing device characterized by comprising a liquid dispensing head device according to any of the first to eighth embodiments, or a liquid dispensing head according to the ninth embodiment. According to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a liquid dispensing device that can prevent liquids such as water droplets or ink droplets from adhering to the nozzle surface due to condensation, without hindering proper liquid dispensing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0102] 1: Unwinding device 3: Conveyor Unit 5: Image forming apparatus 7:Drying section 9: Winding device 10: Continuous Sheet 11: Sheet Roll 50: Head Unit 51: Head Array 52: Base component 52A: Upper plate 52B: Lower plate 52C: Spacer component 53-1A, 53-1B, 53-2A, 53-2B: Exhaust port 54: Exhaust passage 55A, 55B: Exhaust duct 56A, 56B: Suction fan 91: Print Roll 100, 100-1, 100-2: Liquid dispensing head 101: Nozzle plate 101a: Nozzle surface 102: Flow channel plate 103: Diaphragm component 104a: Nozzle 105: Nozzle connection passage 106: Individual liquid chambers 110: Supply side common liquid chamber 111: Piezoelectric Actuator 112: Piezoelectric element 120: Common liquid chamber component 130: Vibration area 140: Flow channel member 150: Common liquid chamber on discharge side A: Sheet transport direction W0: Airflow W1: Intake airflow W2: Conveyor airflow [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0103] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2019-181765

Claims

1. A liquid dispensing head device comprising a liquid dispensing head that dispenses liquid from a nozzle formed on the nozzle surface to a conveyed dispensing medium, The head holding member is provided to hold the liquid dispensing head while the nozzle surface faces the medium to be dispensed, The liquid dispensing head device is characterized in that the head holding member has an exhaust port on the part facing the dispensing medium.

2. In the liquid dispensing head device according to claim 1, The liquid discharge head device is characterized in that the head holding member has an exhaust channel that guides the airflow flowing in from the exhaust port to the discharge section.

3. In the liquid discharge head device according to claim 2, The opposing portion is composed of two plate-like members that are spaced apart from each other and facing each other. The exhaust port is opened in the plate-shaped member located on the side of the two plate-shaped members that faces the discharged medium. The liquid discharge head device is characterized in that the exhaust passage is formed by a space created between the two plate-shaped members.

4. In the liquid dispensing head device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The liquid discharge head device is characterized in that the exhaust port is open to at least one of the following positions relative to the nozzle surface: an upstream position in the direction of transport of the discharged medium and a downstream position in the direction of transport of the discharged medium.

5. In the liquid discharge head device according to claim 4, The liquid discharge head device is characterized in that the exhaust port does not open on the upstream side in the direction of transport of the discharged medium with respect to the nozzle surface, but opens on the downstream side in the direction of transport of the discharged medium.

6. In the liquid dispensing head device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The head holding member holds a plurality of liquid discharge heads at different positions in the direction of transport of the discharged medium, The liquid discharge head device is characterized in that the exhaust port is opened at a position downstream of the liquid discharge head located at least to the nozzle surface of the liquid discharge head located at the furthest downstream in the direction of transport of the discharged medium.

7. In the liquid dispensing head device according to claim 6, The liquid discharge head device is characterized in that the exhaust port is opened at a position downstream of each nozzle surface of the plurality of liquid discharge heads in the direction of transport of the discharged medium.

8. In the liquid dispensing head device according to claim 6, The exhaust port is open to the nozzle surface of at least one of the plurality of liquid discharge heads at both an upstream position in the direction of transport of the discharged medium and a downstream position in the direction of transport of the discharged medium. A liquid discharge head device characterized in that the flow rate of air flowing into an exhaust port opening at a position downstream in the direction of transport of the discharged medium is greater than the flow rate of air flowing into an exhaust port opening at a position upstream in the direction of transport of the discharged medium.

9. A liquid dispensing unit characterized by including a liquid dispensing head device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

10. A liquid dispensing device characterized by comprising a liquid dispensing head device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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