Liquid jet head and liquid jet apparatus

Abstract

To provide a technique for preventing excessive attenuation of a pressure wave toward nozzles from each of a plurality of pressure chambers.SOLUTION: A liquid jet head includes: nozzles for jetting a liquid; first to fourth pressure chambers; a communication flow passage which communicates the nozzles with the first to fourth pressure chambers; first to fourth driving elements for changing the pressures of the first to fourth pressure chambers; a first common liquid chamber communicating with the first pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber; and a second common liquid chamber communicating with the third pressure chamber and the fourth pressure chamber. In plan view, a first confluent position to the nozzles from the first pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber is closer to the end on the nozzle side of the first pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber than the nozzles, and in plan view, a second confluent position to the nozzles from the third pressure chamber and the fourth pressure chamber is closer to the end on the nozzle side of the third pressure chamber and the fourth pressure chamber than the nozzles.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a liquid ejection head and a liquid ejection apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a liquid ejection head in which four pressure chambers are provided on both sides of a nozzle, and flow paths from each of the four pressure chambers to the nozzle join together near the nozzle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-155768 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the above-described conventional technology, the four flow paths leading from the four pressure chambers to the nozzle converge near the nozzle, which could result in excessive attenuation of the pressure waves traveling from the individual pressure chambers to the nozzle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] a first common liquid chamber communicating with the first pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber, and a second common liquid chamber communicating with the third pressure chamber and the fourth pressure chamber. In a plan view, a first joining position where a first pressure wave transmitted from the first pressure chamber to the nozzle by the first driving element and a second pressure wave transmitted from the second pressure chamber to the nozzle by the second driving element joins is closer to a first end of the first pressure chamber on the nozzle side and a second end of the second pressure chamber on the nozzle side than to the nozzle. In a planar view, a second confluence position where a third pressure wave transmitted from the third pressure chamber to the nozzle by the third driving element and a fourth pressure wave transmitted from the fourth pressure chamber to the nozzle by the fourth driving element confluence is closer to a third end of the third pressure chamber on the nozzle side and a fourth end of the fourth pressure chamber on the nozzle side than to the nozzle.

[0006] A liquid ejecting apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes the liquid ejecting head and a liquid storage unit that stores liquid to be supplied to the liquid ejecting head. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of a liquid ejecting apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the cross section III-III of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 4 is a diagram showing a part of a flow path for one nozzle as seen from the bottom of FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the flow path in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 5 . [Figure 7]FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a flow path according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the VIII-VIII cross section of FIG. 7. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an arrangement of a plurality of communication flow paths in a second embodiment. [Figure 10] 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the cross section XX in FIG. 9. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a flow path in a third embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a flow path in a fourth embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a flow path in a fifth embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a view showing a communication flow path in the sixth embodiment. [Figure 15] 15 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section taken along line IX-IX in FIG. 14. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a view showing a communication flow path in the seventh embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a communication flow path in the eighth embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram showing a flow path configuration in the ninth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] A. First embodiment FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a liquid ejection apparatus 400 according to an embodiment. The liquid ejection apparatus 400 is an inkjet printing apparatus that ejects ink, an example of a liquid, onto a medium PM. The composition of the ink is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, an aqueous ink in which a colorant such as a dye or pigment is dissolved in an aqueous solvent, a solvent-based ink in which a colorant is dissolved in an organic solvent, or an ultraviolet-curable ink. The liquid ejection apparatus 400 may also eject paint as a liquid instead of ink. The liquid ejection apparatus 400 may be equipped with a liquid storage unit 420 that stores ink. The liquid ejection apparatus 400 performs printing by ejecting the ink in the liquid storage unit 420 toward the medium PM. The liquid ejection apparatus 400 includes a liquid ejection head 100, a movement mechanism 430, a transport mechanism 440, a control unit 450, and a circulation mechanism 60.

[0009] The liquid jet head 100 includes a plurality of nozzles 200, and jets liquid ink supplied from a liquid storage unit 420 from the plurality of nozzles 200. Specific examples of the liquid storage unit 420 include a cartridge that is detachable from the liquid jet device 400, a bag-shaped ink pack made of flexible film, and a container such as an ink tank that can be refilled with ink. The ink jetted from the nozzles 200 lands on a medium PM, which is typically printing paper. Note that the medium M is not limited to printing paper, and may be a printing target made of any material, such as a resin film or fabric.

[0010] The movement mechanism 430 includes a loop-shaped belt 432 and a carriage 434 fixed to the belt 432. The carriage 434 holds the liquid jet head 100. The movement mechanism 430 rotates the loop-shaped belt 432 in both directions, thereby causing the liquid jet head 100 to reciprocate along the X direction.

[0011] The transport mechanism 440 transports the medium PM along the Y direction between movements of the liquid jet head 100 by the movement mechanism 430. The Y direction is a direction perpendicular to the X direction. In this embodiment, the X and Y directions are horizontal. The Z direction is a direction intersecting the X and Y directions. In this embodiment, the Z direction is a vertically downward direction. The liquid jet head 100 ejects ink along the Z direction while being transported along the X direction. The Z direction is also referred to as the "ejection direction Z." In the following description, the tip side of an arrow indicating the X direction in the figure is referred to as the +X side, and the base end side is referred to as the -X side. The tip side of an arrow indicating the Y direction in the figure is referred to as the +Y side and the base end side is referred to as the -Y side. The tip side of an arrow indicating the Z direction in the figure is referred to as the +Z side and the base end side is referred to as the -Z side.

[0012] The control unit 450 controls the ink ejection operation from the liquid ejection head 100. The control unit 450 controls the transport mechanism 440, the movement mechanism 430, and the liquid ejection head 100 to form an image on the medium PM.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the liquid jet head 100. The liquid jet head 100 has a plurality of nozzles 200. The plurality of nozzles 200 are formed to penetrate a nozzle plate 240 that is arranged parallel to the XY plane. The plurality of nozzles 200 are arranged linearly along the Y direction to form a nozzle row NL. The nozzle plate 240 is manufactured by processing a silicon single crystal substrate using, for example, semiconductor processing technology. As the silicon single crystal substrate, for example, a (100) silicon single crystal substrate is suitably used. The nozzle plate 240 may also be formed from a material such as stainless steel (SUS) or titanium.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a portion of the flow paths for one nozzle and the common liquid chambers 110 and 120 as viewed from the bottom in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the flow paths in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in FIG. 5. For ease of illustration, in FIGS. 4 and 5, the communicating flow path 350 is depicted with a solid line, the pressure chamber 330 with a dotted line, the drive element 300 with a dashed line, and the common liquid chambers 110 and 120 with a dashed-dotted line. In addition, in FIG. 6, the reference numerals of the components in the cross section at the positions of the pressure chambers 331 and 332 are followed by the reference numerals of the components in the cross section at the positions of the pressure chambers 333 and 334 in FIG. 5, in parentheses.

[0015] 3, the liquid jet head 100 has a first common liquid chamber 110 to which ink is supplied, a second common liquid chamber 120 from which ink is discharged, and individual nozzle flow paths 130 that connect the first common liquid chamber 110 and the second common liquid chamber 120. The first common liquid chamber 110 and the second common liquid chamber 120 are provided in common to a plurality of nozzles 200, and the individual nozzle flow paths 130 are provided individually for each nozzle 200. Each of the common liquid chambers 110, 120 extends in the Y direction, which is the direction along the nozzle row NL. In other words, the longitudinal direction of the common liquid chambers 110, 120 is parallel to the direction in which the plurality of nozzles 200 are arranged.

[0016] The liquid jet head 100 has a row L1 of a plurality of pressure chambers 330 that communicate with the first common liquid chamber 110, and a row L2 of a plurality of pressure chambers 330 that communicate with the second common liquid chamber 120. Row L1 is formed by a plurality of pressure chambers 330 lined up in the Y direction, and row L2 is formed by a plurality of pressure chambers 330 lined up in the Y direction. Row L1 is arranged on the −X side of the nozzle row NL, and row L2 is arranged on the +X side of the nozzle row NL. Hereinafter, the plurality of pressure chambers 330 that make up row L1 will be referred to as pressure chambers 330_L1, and the plurality of pressure chambers 330 that make up row L2 will be referred to as pressure chambers 330_L2. For the driving elements 300, connection flow paths 320, and communication holes 340 described in detail below, the driving elements 300 corresponding to row L1 will be referred to as driving elements 300_L1, the driving elements 300 corresponding to row L2 will be referred to as driving elements 300_L2, the connection flow paths 320 corresponding to row L1 will be referred to as connection flow paths 320_L1, the connection flow paths 320 corresponding to row L2 will be referred to as connection flow paths 320_L2, the communication holes 340 corresponding to row L1 will be referred to as communication holes 340_L1, and the communication holes 340 corresponding to row L2 will be referred to as communication holes 340_L2.

[0017] In this embodiment, the nozzle-specific flow path 130 corresponding to one nozzle 200 includes two pressure chambers 330_L1 in row L1, two pressure chambers 330_L2 in row L2, two connecting flow paths 320_L1 corresponding to each of the two pressure chambers 330_L1, two connecting flow paths 320_L2 corresponding to each of the two pressure chambers 330_L2, two communicating holes 340_L1 corresponding to each of the two pressure chambers 330_L1, two communicating holes 340_L2 corresponding to each of the two pressure chambers 330_L2, and a communicating flow path 350. Here, the two pressure chambers 330_L1 in this row L1 will be referred to as pressure chambers 331 and 332, the two pressure chambers 330_L2 in this row L2 will be referred to as pressure chambers 333 and 334, the two connection flow paths 320_L1 will be referred to as connection flow paths 321 and 322, the two connection flow paths 320_L2 will be referred to as connection flow paths 323 and 324, the two communication holes 340_L1 will be referred to as communication holes 341 and 342, and the two communication holes 340_L2 will be referred to as communication holes 343 and 344. Furthermore, the four drive elements 300 corresponding to the pressure chambers 331 to 334, respectively, will be referred to as drive elements 301 to 304.

[0018] Each of the common liquid chambers 110, 120 can be considered to extend in the Y direction or the direction in which the adjacent pressure chambers 331, 332 are aligned, in other words, the extension direction of the row L1 of the pressure chambers 330. In this embodiment, the direction in which the adjacent pressure chambers 331, 332 are aligned is an example of the "first direction." Furthermore, the multiple nozzle-specific flow paths 130 are aligned in the Y direction along the nozzle row NL.

[0019] The lower portions of the common liquid chambers 110, 120 and the multiple nozzle-specific flow paths 130 are mainly formed by the communication plate 140. The communication plate 140 may be configured by stacking multiple plate-shaped members. A housing unit 160 and a pressure chamber substrate 250 are installed on the upper surface of the communication plate 140, i.e., the surface facing the -Z side of the communication plate 140. The pressure chamber substrate 250 is located inside the housing unit 160 in a plan view seen in the Z direction. A vibration plate 310 is located on the upper surface of the pressure chamber substrate 250, i.e., the surface facing the -Z side of the pressure chamber substrate 250. A multiple pressure chambers 330 are provided in the pressure chamber substrate 250. Each pressure chamber 330 is a space defined by the communication plate 140, the vibration plate 310, and the pressure chamber substrate 250. The pressure chamber substrate 250 is manufactured, for example, by processing a silicon single crystal substrate using semiconductor processing technology. As the silicon single crystal substrate, for example, a (110) silicon single crystal substrate is preferably used.

[0020] The diaphragm 310 is a plate-like member that can elastically vibrate. The diaphragm 310 is a laminate including, for example, a first layer made of silicon dioxide (SiO2) and a second layer made of zirconium oxide (ZrO2). Here, another layer such as a metal oxide may be interposed between the first and second layers. Part or all of the diaphragm 310 may be integrally formed with the pressure chamber substrate 250 using the same material. For example, the diaphragm 310 and the pressure chamber substrate 250 can be integrally formed by selectively removing a portion of a plate-like member of a predetermined thickness in the thickness direction in an area corresponding to the pressure chamber 330 by etching or the like. The diaphragm 310 may also be formed from a layer of a single material.

[0021] A nozzle plate 240 is installed on the lower surface of the communicating plate 140, i.e., the surface of the communicating plate 140 facing the +Z side, and the lower ends of the first common liquid chamber 110 and the second common liquid chamber 120, i.e., the +Z side ends of the first common liquid chamber 110 and the second common liquid chamber 120, are sealed with a flexible sealing film 150 made of a resin film, a thin metal film, or the like.

[0022] A wiring board 59 is bonded to the surface of the vibration plate 310 facing the -Z side. The wiring board 59 is a mounting component on which a plurality of wires for electrically connecting the control unit 450 and the liquid jet head 100 are formed. The wiring board 59 is a flexible wiring board such as an FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit) or an FFC (Flexible Flat Cable). A drive circuit 70 for driving the drive elements 300 is mounted on the wiring board 59. The drive circuit 70 supplies drive signals to each drive element 300.

[0023] A plurality of drive elements 300 are provided on the upper surface of the vibration plate 310, i.e., the surface of the vibration plate 310 facing the -Z side, corresponding to each pressure chamber 330. These drive elements 300 are, for example, piezoelectric elements. The piezoelectric elements are, for example, composed of a piezoelectric layer and two electrodes arranged to sandwich the piezoelectric layer. For example, when the drive elements 301 to 304, which are piezoelectric elements, vibrate, the vibrations are transmitted to the pressure chambers 331 to 334, respectively, and pressure waves are generated in the pressure chambers 331 to 334. Ink is ejected from the nozzles 200 by the pressure generated by the drive elements 301 to 304. When ink is ejected from the nozzles 200, it is preferable that the four drive elements 301 to 304 corresponding to each nozzle 200 are driven simultaneously and in phase. Note that instead of piezoelectric elements, heat generating elements that heat the ink in the pressure chambers 330 may be used as the drive elements.

[0024] A circulation mechanism 60 is connected to the common liquid chambers 110, 120. The circulation mechanism 60 supplies ink to the first common liquid chamber 110 and recovers ink discharged from the second common liquid chamber 120 for re-supply to the first common liquid chamber 110. The circulation mechanism 60 has a first supply pump 61, a second supply pump 62, a storage container 63, a recovery flow path 64, and a supply flow path 65.

[0025] The first supply pump 61 is a pump that supplies ink stored in the liquid storage section 420 to the storage container 63. The storage container 63 is a sub-tank that temporarily stores ink supplied from the liquid storage section 420. The recovery flow path 64 is interposed between the second common liquid chamber 120 and the storage container 63, and is a flow path for recovering ink from the second common liquid chamber 120 to the storage container 63. The ink stored in the liquid storage section 420 is supplied to the storage container 63 from the first supply pump 61. Furthermore, ink that has been supplied from the first common liquid chamber 110 to the individual nozzle flow paths 130 but is not ejected from the nozzles 200 and is discharged from the individual nozzle flow paths 130 to the second common liquid chamber 120 is supplied to the storage container 63 via the recovery flow path 64. The second supply pump 62 is a pump that sends out ink stored in the storage container 63. The supply flow path 65 is interposed between the first common liquid chamber 110 and the storage container 63 , and is a flow path for supplying ink from the storage container 63 to the first common liquid chamber 110 .

[0026] An opening 161 at the upper end of the first common liquid chamber 110, i.e., at the end on the -Z side of the first common liquid chamber 110, is connected to a supply flow path 65 that is outside the liquid jet head 100. In other words, the opening 161 in this embodiment functions as an inlet for introducing liquid from the circulation mechanism 60. An opening 162 at the upper end of the second common liquid chamber 120, i.e., at the end on the -Z side of the second common liquid chamber 120, is connected to a recovery flow path 64 of the circulation mechanism 60 that is outside the liquid jet head 100. In other words, the opening 162 in this embodiment functions as an outlet for discharging liquid from the circulation mechanism 60.

[0027] The nozzle-specific flow path 130 has the following flow paths and spaces. In the following description, the term "connected" is used to mean directly connected. The term "communicating" is used in a broader sense to include not only direct connection but also indirect connection. <Connection channels 321 to 324> The first connection flow path 321 connects the first common liquid chamber 110 and the first pressure chamber 331 . The second connection flow path 322 connects the first common liquid chamber 110 and the second pressure chamber 332 . The third connection flow path 323 connects the second common liquid chamber 120 and the third pressure chamber 333 . The fourth connection flow path 324 connects the second common liquid chamber 120 and the fourth pressure chamber 334 . The connection flow paths 321-324 are all flow paths that extend in the Z direction and penetrate the communication plate 140. For convenience of illustration, the connection flow paths 321-324 are hatched in Figures 4 and 5. The intersection of the connection flow path 320 and the pressure chamber 330 can be considered to be part of the pressure chamber 330.

[0028] <Pressure Chambers 331-334> The first pressure chamber 331 to the fourth pressure chamber 334 are spaces that are subjected to pressure changes by the first drive element 301 to the fourth drive element 304, respectively. The first pressure chamber 331 and the second pressure chamber 332 are arranged side by side in a first direction Dr1, and the third pressure chamber 333 and the fourth pressure chamber 334 are also arranged side by side in the first direction Dr1. In this embodiment, the first direction Dr1 is parallel to the Y direction. The first pressure chamber 331 and the second pressure chamber 332, and the third pressure chamber 333 and the fourth pressure chamber 334 are arranged with a shift in a second direction Dr2 that is perpendicular to the first direction Dr1. In this embodiment, the second direction Dr2 is parallel to the X direction. Pressure waves generated in the first pressure chamber 331 to the fourth pressure chamber 334 reach the nozzle 200 and cause ink to be ejected from the nozzle 200. It is preferable that the pressure chambers 331 to 334 have the same shape. In this embodiment, the pressure chambers 331 to 334 are arranged in a staggered pattern, but they do not have to be arranged in a staggered pattern. Each pressure chamber 330 extends in the second direction Dr2.

[0029] <Communication holes 341~344> The first to fourth communication holes 341 to 344 each extend in the Z direction and are flow paths connecting the communication flow path 350 to the first to fourth pressure chambers 331 to 334, respectively. That is, one end of each pressure chamber 330 is connected to the connection flow path 320 and the other end is connected to the communication hole 340. The first to fourth communication holes 341 to 344 are examples of the "first flow path" to "fourth flow path," respectively. Note that in FIGS. 4 and 5, the communication holes 341 to 344 are hatched for ease of illustration. The first to second communication holes 341 and 342 are arranged side by side in the first direction Dr1, and the third to fourth communication holes 343 and 344 are also arranged side by side in the first direction Dr1. 6, the first communication hole 341 and the second communication hole 342 are separated by a communication hole partition wall 145. The communication holes 341 to 344 are flow paths that extend in the same direction as the connection flow paths 321 to 324, and penetrate the communication plate 140. It is preferable that the communication holes 341 to 344 have the same shape. The portion where the communication hole 340 and the pressure chamber 330 intersect can be considered to be part of the pressure chamber 330.

[0030] <Communicating flow path 350> As shown in FIG. 3, the communication flow path 350 is a flow path that is connected to the nozzle 200 and that communicates the nozzle 200 with the first pressure chamber 331 to the fourth pressure chamber 334. The communication flow path 350 is a flow path that extends along the nozzle surface of the nozzle plate 240 on which the plurality of nozzles 200 are formed, and the nozzle 200 is provided midway along the communication flow path 350. Specifically, the communication flow path 350 extends along the X direction and is defined by the communication plate 140 and the surface of the nozzle plate 240 facing the -Z side. As shown in FIG. 5, the communication flow path 350 includes a first portion 351, a second portion 352, and a third portion 353. The first portion 351 of the communication flow path 350 is disposed at one end of the communication flow path 350 and is connected to the first communication hole 341 and the second communication hole 342. The second portion 352 of the communicating flow path 350 is disposed at the other end of the communicating flow path 350 and is connected to the third communication hole 343 and the fourth communication hole 344. The third portion 353 of the communicating flow path 350 is connected between the first portion 351 and the second portion 352. The third portion 353 has a narrower width in the first direction Dr1 than the first portion 351 and the second portion 352. In this embodiment, the width W353 of the third portion 353 in the first direction Dr1 is constant. The portions where the first to fourth communication holes 341 to 344 and the communicating flow path 350 intersect can be considered to be part of the communicating flow path 350.

[0031] The pressure waves generated in the first pressure chamber 331 and the second pressure chamber 332 join at a first joining position Pj1 located near the lower ends of the first communication hole 341 and the second communication hole 342, i.e., the +Z side ends of the first communication hole 341 and the second communication hole 342. The pressure waves generated in the third pressure chamber 333 and the fourth pressure chamber 334 join at a second joining position Pj2 located near the lower ends of the third communication hole 343 and the fourth communication hole 344, i.e., the +Z side ends of the third communication hole 343 and the fourth communication hole 344. These pressure waves act as a driving force to eject ink from the nozzle 200.

[0032] For example, a liquid having pseudoplasticity can be used as the ink. More specifically, the ink is a liquid having a shear rate of 1000 s at 25°C. -1 The viscosity is 0.01 Pa s or more and 0.2 Pa s or less when the shear rate is 0.01 s-1 Preferably, the viscosity at this time is 0.5 Pa·s or more and 50 Pa·s or less. In this embodiment, by using four pressure chambers 331-334, the cross-sectional area of ​​each flow path is reduced, and the flow rate is increased to reduce the viscosity of the ink, making it possible to use pseudoplastic liquid ink. However, because it is desirable to efficiently utilize the energy of the drive elements 301-304 from the pressure chambers 331-334 to the nozzle 200, it is undesirable to make the flow path resistance excessively high. Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the individual flow paths leading from adjacent pressure chambers 330 to the nozzle 200 are merged early at merging positions Pj1 and Pj2, which are closer to the pressure chamber than the nozzle 200, to prevent the flow path resistance from becoming excessively high.

[0033] In this embodiment, four pressure chambers 331 to 334 are provided for one nozzle 200, but five or more pressure chambers may be provided. In either case, drive elements are provided so as to correspond to the individual pressure chambers.

[0034] The nozzle-specific flow path 130 in this embodiment can be considered to include four individual flow paths corresponding to the four drive elements 301 to 304. An "individual flow path" is a flow path that includes at least a pressure chamber 330, and one individual flow path corresponds to one drive element 300. In this embodiment, the first individual flow path can be considered to include the first connection flow path 321, the first pressure chamber 331, and the first communication hole 341. The second to fourth individual flow paths can be considered to include the first connection flow path 321, the first pressure chamber 331, and the first communication hole 341.

[0035] The liquid jet head 100 of the first embodiment has the following features related to the attenuation of pressure waves. <Feature F1> As shown in FIG. 5, the first merging position Pj1 is closer to the nozzle 200-side ends of the pressure chambers 331 and 332 than the nozzle 200 in a plan view in the Z direction. That is, the distance from the first merging position Pj1 to each end of the pressure chambers 331 and 332 on the nozzle 200 side is shorter than the distance from the first merging position Pj1 to the nozzle 200. Here, the "first end of the pressure chamber 331 on the nozzle 200 side" refers to the end opposite the first common liquid chamber 110, in the X direction, of both ends of the pressure chamber 331. In other words, the end on the +X side. The "second end of the pressure chamber 332 on the nozzle 200 side" refers to the end opposite the first common liquid chamber 110, in the X direction, of both ends of the pressure chamber 332. Similarly, the second merging position Pj2 is closer to the ends of the pressure chambers 333 and 334 than the nozzle 200 in a plan view in the Z direction. The "third end of the pressure chamber 333 on the nozzle 200 side" refers to the end of the pressure chamber 333 opposite the second common liquid chamber 120, in other words, the end on the -X side, of both ends of the pressure chamber 333 in the X direction. The "fourth end of the pressure chamber 334 on the nozzle 200 side" refers to the end of the pressure chamber 334 opposite the second common liquid chamber 120, in other words, the end on the -X side.

[0036] According to this feature F1, the pressure wave from the first pressure chamber 331 and the pressure wave from the second pressure chamber 332 combine near the pressure chambers 331, 332 rather than near the nozzle 200, so it is possible to prevent the pressure waves traveling from the individual pressure chambers 330 toward the nozzle 200 from being excessively attenuated, compared to the conventional example in which the pressure wave from the first pressure chamber 331 and the pressure wave from the second pressure chamber 332 combine near the nozzle 200. The same is true for the third pressure chamber 333 and the fourth pressure chamber 334.

[0037] Furthermore, according to feature F1, the proportion of the portion of the flow path from each end of the pressure chambers 331, 332 to the nozzle 200 that is common to both the pressure chambers 331, 332 can be increased compared to the conventional example. Therefore, the flow path resistance from the pressure chambers 331, 332 to the nozzle 200 can be reduced compared to the conventional example. The same is true for the third pressure chamber 333 and the fourth pressure chamber 334. As a result, pressure loss can be reduced and ejection efficiency can be improved. The effect of improving ejection efficiency is particularly significant when using high-viscosity ink such as pseudoplastic ink. On the other hand, in a configuration in which pressure waves merge near the nozzle 200, as in the conventional example, the pressure waves are significantly attenuated, reducing ejection efficiency. Furthermore, there is a risk that it may be difficult to refill the nozzle 200 with ink or that air bubbles may be trapped in the nozzle.

[0038] The first junction position Pj1 can also be considered to be the junction position of the flow path from the first pressure chamber 331 to the nozzle 200 and the flow path from the second pressure chamber 332 to the nozzle 200. Similarly, the second junction position Pj2 can also be considered to be the junction position of the flow path from the third pressure chamber 333 to the nozzle 200 and the flow path from the fourth pressure chamber 334 to the nozzle 200. As described above, in reality, liquid is supplied from the outside to the first common liquid chamber 110, is guided from the first common liquid chamber 110 to the first pressure chamber 331 and the second pressure chamber 332, and then, in the communication flow path 350, a portion of the liquid is ejected from the nozzle 200, is guided via the third pressure chamber 333 and the fourth pressure chamber 334 to the second common liquid chamber 120, and is discharged from the second common liquid chamber 120 to the outside. Therefore, the "flow path from the third pressure chamber 333 to the nozzle 200" and the "flow path from the fourth pressure chamber 334 to the nozzle 200" are both assumed to have a flow in the opposite direction to the actual flow of liquid, but it can be understood that these flow paths can be assumed regardless of the direction of the liquid.

[0039] <Feature F2> As shown in Figure 5, in a plan view in the Z direction, the first junction position Pj1 is located between the first pressure chamber 331 and the second pressure chamber 332, and the second junction position Pj2 is located between the third pressure chamber 333 and the fourth pressure chamber 334.

[0040] <Feature F3> 5, a first junction position Pj1 is located at one end of the communication flow path 350, and a second junction position Pj2 is located at the other end. According to feature F3, the pressure waves from the pressure chambers 331 and 332 join near their generation sources, and the pressure waves from the pressure chambers 333 and 334 join near their generation sources, so that attenuation of the pressure waves can be more efficiently suppressed.

[0041] <Feature F4> 5 and 6, the first junction position Pj1 is located in a first portion 351 of the communicating flow path 350, and the second junction position Pj2 is located in a second portion 352 of the communicating flow path 350. According to this feature F4, as shown in FIG. 6, the communicating hole partition walls 145 are present between adjacent communicating holes 341, 342 and between adjacent communicating holes 343, 344, so that crosstalk between the pressure chambers 331, 332 and between the pressure chambers 333, 334 can be reduced.

[0042] <Feature F5> 5, the dimension L353 of the third portion 353 of the communication flow path 350 measured along the second direction Dr2 is longer than the dimension L351 of the first portion 351. In addition, the dimension L353 of the third portion 353 is longer than the dimension L352 of the second portion 352.

[0043] <Feature F6> 5, the third portion 353 of the communication flow path 350 is connected to the nozzle 200. According to the feature F6, the pressure waves from the pressure chambers 331 to 334 join together near their sources, so that the attenuation of the pressure waves can be more efficiently suppressed.

[0044] <Feature F7> 5, the width W353 of the third portion 353 of the communicating flow path 350 measured along the first direction Dr1 is smaller than the width W351 of the first portion 351. The width W353 of the third portion 353 is also smaller than the width W352 of the second portion 352. According to this feature F7, when a pseudoplastic liquid is used, by reducing the width W353 of the third portion 353, it is possible to improve the flow rate near the nozzle 200 and reduce the viscosity of the ink near the nozzle 200.

[0045] <Feature F8> 3, each of the first communication hole 341 to the fourth communication hole 344 extends in a direction intersecting with the extension direction of the communication flow path 350. That is, the longitudinal direction of each of the first communication hole 341 to the fourth communication hole 344 is a direction intersecting with the longitudinal direction of the communication flow path 350. In this embodiment, the X direction is an example of the "extension direction of the communication flow path 350", and the Z direction is an example of the "direction intersecting with the extension direction of the communication flow path 350".

[0046] It is also possible to consider the first communication hole 341 to the fourth communication hole 344 as extending in a direction intersecting the direction in which adjacent pressure chambers 330 are aligned. As can be seen from Fig. 3, the first communication hole 341 to the fourth communication hole 344 can also be considered as extending along a direction perpendicular to the surface of the nozzle plate 240. Furthermore, it is also possible to consider the first communication hole 341 to the fourth communication hole 344 as extending along the ejection direction Z.

[0047] <Feature F9> 3, in a plan view seen in the Z direction, each of the communication holes 341-344 is closer to the nozzle 200 than the connecting flow paths 321-324. In other words, the distance from each of the communication holes 341-344 to the nozzle 200 is shorter than the distance from each of the communication holes 341-344 to the connecting flow paths 321-324. According to this feature F9, the communication flow path 350 can be shortened, and flow path resistance can be reduced.

[0048] As described above, according to the first embodiment, the liquid jet head 100 has at least some of the above-described features F1 to F9, and therefore it is possible to combine pressure waves on the pressure chambers 331 to 334 side, rather than on the nozzle 200 side, and it is possible to prevent excessive attenuation of pressure waves traveling from the individual pressure chambers 330 toward the nozzle 200. Note that some of the above-described features may be omitted.

[0049] B. Other Embodiments Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of the nozzle-specific flow path 130 of the second embodiment, and Fig. 8 is a view corresponding to Fig. 6 of the first embodiment, and is a cross-sectional view showing the VIII-VIII cross section of Fig. 7. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that connecting portions 361 and 362 are provided at one end of the communication flow path 350, a first partition wall portion 141 is provided between the first connecting portion 361 and the second connecting portion 362, connecting portions 363 and 364 are provided at the other end of the communication flow path 350, and a second partition wall portion 142 is provided between the third connecting portion 363 and the fourth connecting portion 364, but is otherwise substantially the same as the first embodiment.

[0050] 8, the first partition wall portion 141 is bonded to the -Z side surface of the nozzle plate 150, thereby dividing the communication flow passage 350 into first connection portions 361 individually connected to the first communication holes 341 and second connection portions 362 individually connected to the second communication holes 342. These connection portions 361, 362 are provided at one end of the communication flow passage 350 on the -X side. Similarly, the second partition wall portion 142 is bonded to the -Z side surface of the nozzle plate 150, thereby dividing the communication flow passage 350 into third connection portions 363 individually connected to the third communication holes 343 and fourth connection portions 364 individually connected to the fourth communication holes 344. These connection portions 363, 364 are provided at the other end of the communication flow passage 350 on the +X side.

[0051] In the second embodiment as well, four individual flow paths can be considered to correspond to the individual pressure chambers 331 to 334. For example, the first individual flow path can be considered to include the first connection flow path 321, the first pressure chamber 331, the first communication hole 341, and the first connection portion 361. The second to fourth individual flow paths can be considered to correspond to the same.

[0052] The liquid jet head 100 of the second embodiment has the following features in addition to the features described in the first embodiment. <Feature F10> The dimension L141 of the first partition wall portion 141 and the dimension L142 of the second partition wall portion 142, measured in the second direction Dr2, are each shorter than the dimension L350 of the communicating flow path 350 minus the dimensions L141 and L142. That is, L141<(L350-L141-L142) and L142<(L350-L141-L142). This feature F10 prevents pressure waves traveling from the first communicating hole 341 toward the nozzle 200 from traveling toward the second communicating hole 342, thereby reducing crosstalk. Furthermore, because the dimension L141 of the first partition wall portion 141 is short, an increase in the resistance of the communicating flow path 350 itself is suppressed, and a decrease in the circulation flow rate and attenuation of the pressure wave are suppressed. The second partition wall portion 142 has a similar effect. 7, the first partition wall portion 141 preferably extends over the entirety of both the first communication hole 341 and the second communication hole 342 in the second direction Dr2. Similarly, the second partition wall portion 142 preferably extends over the entirety of both the third communication hole 343 and the fourth communication hole 344 in the second direction Dr2. Furthermore, it is more preferable that the +X side end of the first partition wall portion 141 is the same as the +X side end of the communication holes 341, 342. Similarly, it is more preferable that the -X side end of the second partition wall portion 142 is the same as the -X side end of the communication holes 343, 344.

[0053] <Feature F11> Each of the dimension L141 of the first partition wall portion 141 and the dimension L142 of the second partition wall portion 142 is shorter than half the above dimension (L350-L141-L142). This feature F11 can further enhance the effect of the above feature F10. Note that the dimensions L141 and L142 are more preferably shorter than one-third of the above dimension (L350-L141-L142), and even more preferably shorter than one-quarter of the above dimension (L350-L141-L142).

[0054] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an arrangement of a plurality of communication channels 350 in the second embodiment, and FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the XX cross section of FIG. 9. Here, when the nozzle 200 is defined as the first nozzle 200, the nozzle 200a adjacent to the first nozzle 200 is defined as the second nozzle 200a. In FIG. 9, the communication channel 350 for the first nozzle 200 and the communication channel 350a for the second nozzle 200a are drawn side by side. The communication channel 350a is an example of a "second communication channel." In FIGS. 9 and 10, communication holes 345 and 346 for the second nozzle 200a are drawn. These communication holes 345 and 346 correspond to the communication holes 342 and 341 for the first nozzle 200, respectively. The communication hole 345 is an example of a "fifth communication hole." 10 also illustrates pressure chambers 335 and 336 for the second nozzle 200a and connection portions 365 and 366 of the communication flow path 350a. The pressure chambers 335 and 336 correspond to the pressure chambers 332 and 331 for the first nozzle 200, respectively, and the connection portions 365 and 366 correspond to the connection portions 362 and 361 of the communication flow path 350. The pressure chamber 335 is an example of a "fifth pressure chamber." The connection portion 361 for the first nozzle 200 and the connection portion 365 for the second nozzle 200a are partitioned by the third partition wall portion 143.

[0055] <Feature F12> 10, the thickness W141 of the first partition wall portion 141 measured along the first direction Dr1 is thinner than the thickness W143 of the third partition wall portion 143. Similarly, the thickness of the second partition wall portion 142 is thinner than the thickness W143 of the third partition wall portion 143. This feature F12 can reduce the flow path resistance of the communication flow path 350. However, the thickness W141 of the first partition wall portion 141 and the thickness W143 of the third partition wall portion 143 may be equal.

[0056] <Feature F13> Note that instead of the above-described feature F12, a feature F13 may be adopted in which "the thickness W141 of the first partition wall portion 141 measured along the first direction Dr1 is greater than the thickness W143 of the third partition wall portion 143." The same applies to the second partition wall portion 142. This feature F13 can further reduce the effects of crosstalk.

[0057] FIG. 11 corresponds to FIG. 6 of the first embodiment and is a cross-sectional view of a flow path in a third embodiment. In the third embodiment, the cross-section of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 6 is different from that of the first embodiment in that the dimension of the communication hole partition wall 145 in the Z direction is reduced and the space below the communication hole partition wall 145, i.e., on the +Z side of the communication hole partition wall 145, is expanded, thereby providing a first common flow path 371 between the two communication holes 341, 342 and one end of the communication flow path 350. Similarly, a second common flow path 372 is provided between the other two communication holes 343, 344 and the other end of the communication flow path 350. The first common flow path 371 in this embodiment is connected to the two communication holes 341, 342 at its -Z end and to one end of the communication flow path 350 at its +Z end. Similarly, second common flow path 372 of this embodiment is connected at its -Z end to two communication holes 343, 344, and at its +Z end to the other end of communication flow path 350. Other structures of the third embodiment are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0058] In the third embodiment as well, four individual flow paths can be considered to correspond to the individual pressure chambers 331 to 334. For example, the first individual flow path can be considered to include the first connection flow path 321, the first pressure chamber 331, and the first communication hole 341. The second to fourth individual flow paths can be considered to be similarly understood.

[0059] The liquid jet head 100 of the third embodiment has the following features in addition to the features described in the first embodiment. <Feature F14> 11, the first junction position Pj1 is located in the first common flow path 371, and the second junction position Pj2 is located in the second common flow path 372. According to this feature F14, it is possible to appropriately maintain a balance between suppressing crosstalk and suppressing attenuation of pressure waves.

[0060] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a flow path in the fourth embodiment. In the fourth embodiment, the first common flow path 371 and the second common flow path 372 are further widened by omitting the communication hole partition wall 145 from the cross-section of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 11 , but the other structures are substantially the same as those of the third embodiment. Specifically, the first common flow path 371 connects a first end portion of the first pressure chamber 331 on the nozzle 200 side and a second end portion of the second pressure chamber 332 on the nozzle 200 side to one end portion of the communication flow path 350. The second common flow path 372 connects a third end portion of the third pressure chamber 333 on the nozzle 200 side and a fourth end portion of the fourth pressure chamber 334 on the nozzle 200 side to the other end portion of the communication flow path 350. Like the third embodiment, the fourth embodiment also has the above-mentioned feature F14.

[0061] In the fourth embodiment as well, four individual flow paths can be considered corresponding to the individual pressure chambers 331 to 334. For example, the first individual flow path can be considered to include the first connection flow path 321 and the first pressure chamber 331. The second to fourth individual flow paths can be considered similarly.

[0062] 13 is a cross-sectional view of a flow path in the fifth embodiment. In the fifth embodiment, in the cross section of the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the dimension in the Z direction of the +X side end of the partition wall between adjacent pressure chambers 331 and 332 is reduced, thereby forming a first connection path 381 between the pressure chambers 331 and 332. Similarly, the dimension in the Z direction of the -X side end of the partition wall between adjacent pressure chambers 333 and 334 is also reduced, thereby forming a second connection path 382 between the pressure chambers 333 and 334. The first connection path 381 connects a first end portion of the first pressure chamber 331 on the nozzle 200 side to a second end portion of the second pressure chamber 332 on the nozzle 200 side, and extends from the first end portion to the second end portion along the first direction Dr1. The second connecting path 382 connects a third end of the third pressure chamber 333 on the nozzle 200 side to a fourth end of the fourth pressure chamber 334 on the nozzle 200 side, and extends from the third end to the fourth end along the first direction Dr1. These connecting paths 381, 382 are defined by the pressure chamber substrate 250. Other structures of the fifth embodiment are substantially the same as those of the third and fourth embodiments.

[0063] In the fifth embodiment as well, four individual flow paths can be considered corresponding to the individual pressure chambers 331 to 334. For example, the first individual flow path can be considered to include the first connection flow path 321 and the first pressure chamber 331. The second to fourth individual flow paths can be considered similarly.

[0064] The liquid jet head 100 according to the fifth embodiment has the following features. <Feature F15> The first merging position Pj1 is located in the first connecting path 381, and the second merging position Pj2 is located in the second connecting path 382. According to this feature F15, it is possible to suppress the attenuation of the pressure wave.

[0065] Fig. 14 is a diagram showing the shape of a communication flow path 350 in the sixth embodiment. Fig. 15 is a diagram corresponding to Fig. 6 of the first embodiment and is a cross-sectional view showing the IX-IX cross section of Fig. 14. Note that in Fig. 15, the reference numerals of the components in the cross section at the positions of the pressure chambers 331 and 332 are followed by the reference numerals of the components in the cross section XX of Fig. 14 at the positions of the other pressure chambers 333 and 334 in parentheses. Also in Fig. 15, the pressure waves from the pressure chambers 331 and 332 are indicated by dashed arrows, a first junction position Pj1, which is the junction position of the pressure waves from the pressure chambers 331 and 332, is indicated by a black circle, pressure waves from the other pressure chambers 333 and 334 are indicated by dotted arrows, and a second junction position Pj2, which is the junction position of the pressure waves from the other pressure chambers 333 and 334, is indicated by a white circle.

[0066] The main difference from the first embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is the shape of the third portion 353 located at the center of the communicating flow path 350; the other configurations are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment. That is, in the sixth embodiment, the third portion 353 is bent midway, unlike in the first embodiment. More specifically, both sides of the third portion 353 are parallel to the second direction Dr2, and the center portion of the third portion 353 is inclined with respect to the second direction Dr2. However, the sixth embodiment is similar to the first embodiment in that the entire communicating flow path 350 extends in the second direction Dr2, i.e., the entire longitudinal direction of the communicating flow path 350 is parallel to the second direction Dr2. It is preferable that the third portion 353 be located inside the smallest circumscribed convex polygon CF that encompasses the first portion 351 and the second portion 352. This prevents interference between the communicating flow paths 350 of adjacent nozzles, eliminating the need to separate the nozzles.

[0067] Furthermore, the first portion 351 of the communication flow path 350 is divided into a portion 391 that is directly connected to the first communication hole 341, a portion 392 that is directly connected to the second communication hole 342, and a relay flow path 411 that connects the portions 391 and 392. Because the third portion 353 of the communication flow path 350 is connected to the portion 391, the pressure wave from the first pressure chamber 331 and the pressure wave from the second pressure chamber 332 join at the portion 391. In other words, in a plan view seen in the Z direction, the first joining position Pj1 overlaps with the first pressure chamber 331.

[0068] Similarly, the second portion 352 of the communication flow path 350 is divided into a portion 393 that is directly connected to the third communication hole 343, a portion 394 that is directly connected to the fourth communication hole 344, and a relay flow path 412 that connects the portions 393 and 394. Because the third portion 353 of the communication flow path 350 is connected to the portion 394, the pressure wave from the third pressure chamber 333 and the pressure wave from the fourth pressure chamber 334 join at the portion 394. In other words, in a plan view seen in the Z direction, the second joining position Pj2 overlaps with the fourth pressure chamber 334.

[0069] The third portion 353 may be connected to the portion 392 and the portion 393, instead of the portion 391 and the portion 394. In other words, in a plan view seen in the Z direction, the first merging position Pj1 may overlap with the second pressure chamber 332, and the second merging position Pj2 may overlap with the third pressure chamber 333. From the above, in a plan view, the first merging position Pj1 needs to overlap with either the first pressure chamber 331 or the second pressure chamber 332, and the second merging position Pj2 needs to overlap with either the third pressure chamber 333 or the fourth pressure chamber 334.

[0070] The sixth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the first communication hole 341 and the third communication hole 343 are in the same position in the first direction Dr1, and the second communication hole 342 and the fourth communication hole 344 are in the same position in the first direction Dr1; however, as in the first embodiment, the first communication hole 341 and the third communication hole 343 may be offset in the first direction Dr1, and the second communication hole 342 and the fourth communication hole 344 may be offset in the first direction Dr1.

[0071] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the shape of the communicating flow path 350 in the seventh embodiment. The seventh embodiment differs from the first embodiment shown in FIG. 5 mainly in the shape of the third portion 353 located at the center of the communicating flow path 350; the other configurations are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment. That is, in the seventh embodiment, the third portion 353 is linear, as in the first embodiment, but extends in a direction inclined from the second direction Dr2. However, the seventh embodiment is similar to the first embodiment in that the entire communicating flow path 350 extends in the second direction Dr2. Furthermore, in the seventh embodiment, the third portion 353 is located inside the smallest circumscribed convex polygon CF that encompasses the first portion 351 and the second portion 352.

[0072] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the shape of the communicating flow path 350 in the eighth embodiment. The eighth embodiment differs from the first embodiment shown in FIG. 5 only in the shape of the third portion 353 located at the center of the communicating flow path 350; the other configurations are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment. That is, in the eighth embodiment, the third portion 353 has a shape in which three portions parallel to the second direction Dr2 are sequentially connected at an angle. However, the eighth embodiment is similar to the first embodiment in that the entire communicating flow path 350 extends in the second direction Dr2. Furthermore, in the eighth embodiment, the third portion 353 is located inside the smallest circumscribed convex polygon CF that encompasses the first portion 351 and the second portion 352.

[0073] The sixth to eighth embodiments described above also have substantially the same effects as the first embodiment. Furthermore, the shapes of the sixth to eighth embodiments may be applied to the second to fifth embodiments described above.

[0074] 18 is a conceptual diagram showing the flow path configuration in the ninth embodiment. The ninth embodiment differs from the first to eighth embodiments in that the two common liquid chambers 110, 120, the four pressure chambers 331 to 334, the four communication holes 341 to 344, and the communication flow path 350 are arranged at four different height positions. Another difference is that the pressure chambers 331 to 334 are aligned in a direction that is perpendicular to the Z direction and intersects with the Y direction in which the multiple nozzles 200 that make up the nozzle row NL are aligned. In this embodiment, the pressure chambers 331 to 334 are aligned in the X direction, which is perpendicular to the Y direction. That is, although not shown in detail, there are four rows of pressure chambers: a row in which a plurality of pressure chambers 330 including pressure chamber 331 are lined up in the Y direction; a row in which a plurality of pressure chambers 330 including pressure chamber 332 are lined up in the Y direction; a row in which a plurality of pressure chambers 330 including pressure chamber 333 are lined up in the Y direction; and a row in which a plurality of pressure chambers 330 including pressure chamber 334 are lined up in the Y direction.

[0075] 18, the first merging position Pj1 is a position overlapping with the second pressure chamber 332 in a plan view in the Z direction, and the second merging position Pj2 is a position overlapping with the third pressure chamber 333 in a plan view in the Z direction. Some of the above-described features F1 to F15 can be selectively applied to this ninth embodiment as well.

[0076] As described above, by having at least some of the above-described features F1 to F15, the liquid jet head 100 of the present disclosure can prevent the pressure waves traveling from the individual pressure chambers 330 toward the nozzles 200 from being excessively attenuated.

[0077] Variation 1 In each of the above-described embodiments, a serial-type liquid ejection device 400 is exemplified, in which the carriage 434 holding the liquid ejection head 100 is reciprocated, but the present disclosure can also be applied to a line-type liquid ejection device in which a plurality of nozzles 200 are distributed across the entire width of the medium PM. In other words, the carriage holding the liquid ejection head 100 is not limited to a serial-type carriage, and may be a structure that supports the liquid ejection head 100 in a line-type manner. In this case, for example, a plurality of liquid ejection heads 100 are arranged side by side in the width direction of the medium PM, and the plurality of liquid ejection heads 100 are collectively held by a single carriage.

[0078] Variation 2 In each of the above-described embodiments, the liquid ejecting device 400 is exemplified as being equipped with the circulation mechanism 60, but the liquid ejecting device 400 does not necessarily have to be equipped with the circulation mechanism 60. That is, both of the openings 161, 162 of the housing 160 may be inlets for introducing liquid from the liquid storage section 420, and both the first common liquid chamber 110 and the second common liquid chamber 120 may be used as flow paths for supplying the liquid supplied from the liquid storage section 420 to the nozzles 200.

[0079] Variation 3 In the above-described embodiments, four pressure chambers 330 are provided corresponding to one nozzle, but four or more pressure chambers 330 may be provided corresponding to one nozzle. For example, in a case where six pressure chambers 330 are provided corresponding to one nozzle, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiments can be obtained if the first merging position Pj1 of pressure waves from three of the six pressure chambers 330 is closer to the ends of those three pressure chambers 330 than the nozzle 200, and the second merging position Pj2 of pressure waves from the other three pressure chambers 330 is closer to the ends of those other three pressure chambers 330 than the nozzle 200.

[0080] Variation 4 In the above-described embodiments, one connection flow path 320 is connected to each of the pressure chambers 331 to 334, but a common connection flow path 320 may be provided for the pressure chambers 331 and 332 connected to the same first common liquid chamber 110. In other words, a configuration may be adopted in which one connection flow path 320 is provided corresponding to a plurality of pressure chambers 330. The same applies to the pressure chambers 333 and 334 connected to the same second common liquid chamber 120. When considering four individual flow paths corresponding to the individual pressure chambers 331 to 334 in Modification 4, for example, the first individual flow path does not include the connection flow path 320. The second to fourth individual flow paths can also be understood in a similar manner.

[0081] Variation 5 In each of the above-described embodiments, the connection flow path 320 is a flow path extending in the Z direction, but the connection flow path 320 may be a flow path extending in a direction intersecting the Z direction, or may be a flow path including both a portion extending in the Z direction and a portion extending in a direction intersecting the Z direction.

[0082] Variation 6 The liquid ejection apparatus exemplified in the above-described embodiment can be employed in various devices such as facsimile machines and copiers, as well as devices dedicated to printing. However, the uses of the liquid ejection apparatus are not limited to printing. For example, a liquid ejection apparatus that ejects a solution of a coloring material is used as a manufacturing apparatus for forming color filters for display devices such as liquid crystal display panels. Furthermore, a liquid ejection apparatus that ejects a solution of a conductive material is used as a manufacturing apparatus for forming wiring and electrodes on a wiring board. Furthermore, a liquid ejection apparatus that ejects a solution of an organic substance related to a living body is used as a manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing biochips, for example.

[0083] Other forms: The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be realized in various forms without departing from the spirit thereof. For example, the present disclosure can also be realized in the following aspects. The technical features in the above embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each aspect described below can be appropriately replaced or combined to solve some or all of the problems of the present disclosure or to achieve some or all of the effects of the present disclosure. Furthermore, if a technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it can be appropriately deleted.

[0084] (1) A liquid jet head according to a first aspect of the present disclosure includes a nozzle for ejecting liquid, first to fourth pressure chambers, a communication flow path connected to the nozzle and communicating the nozzle with the first to fourth pressure chambers, a first drive element for changing the pressure of the first pressure chamber, a second drive element for changing the pressure of the second pressure chamber, a third drive element for changing the pressure of the third pressure chamber, a fourth drive element for changing the pressure of the fourth pressure chamber, a first common liquid chamber communicating with the first pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber, and a second common liquid chamber communicating with the third pressure chamber and the fourth pressure chamber. In a plan view, a first joining position where a first pressure wave transmitted from the first pressure chamber to the nozzle by the first drive element and a second pressure wave transmitted from the second pressure chamber to the nozzle by the second drive element join is closer to a first end of the first pressure chamber on the nozzle side and a second end of the second pressure chamber on the nozzle side than to the nozzle. In a planar view, a second confluence position where a third pressure wave transmitted from the third pressure chamber to the nozzle by the third driving element and a fourth pressure wave transmitted from the fourth pressure chamber to the nozzle by the fourth driving element confluence is closer to a third end of the third pressure chamber on the nozzle side and a fourth end of the fourth pressure chamber on the nozzle side than to the nozzle. According to this liquid ejection head, the pressure waves combine on the pressure chamber side, not on the nozzle side, so that it is possible to prevent the pressure waves traveling from the individual pressure chambers toward the nozzle from being attenuated excessively.

[0085] (2) In the liquid jet head, the first junction position may be located between the first pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber in a plan view, and the second junction position may be located between the third pressure chamber and the fourth pressure chamber in a plan view.

[0086] (3) In the liquid jet head, the first junction position may overlap with either the first or second pressure chamber in a plan view, and the second junction position may overlap with either the third or fourth pressure chamber in a plan view.

[0087] (4) In the liquid jet head, the first junction position may be located at one end of the communication flow path, and the second junction position may be located at the other end.

[0088] (5) The liquid jet head may include a first flow path extending in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the communicating flow path and connecting the communicating flow path to the first pressure chamber, a second flow path extending in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the communicating flow path and connecting the communicating flow path to the second pressure chamber, a third flow path extending in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the communicating flow path and connecting the communicating flow path to the third pressure chamber, and a fourth flow path extending in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the communicating flow path and connecting the communicating flow path to the fourth pressure chamber. The communicating flow path may include a first portion located at one end of the communicating flow path and connected to the first flow path and the second flow path, a second portion located at the other end of the communicating flow path and connected to the third flow path and the fourth flow path, and a third portion connected to the first portion and the second portion. The first junction position may be located in the first portion, and the second junction position may be located in the second portion.

[0089] (6) In the above liquid jet head, the first pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber may be arranged side by side in a first direction, the third pressure chamber and the fourth pressure chamber may be arranged side by side in the first direction, the first pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber, and the third pressure chamber and the fourth pressure chamber may be arranged offset in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the dimension of the third portion in the second direction may be longer than the dimension of the first portion in the second direction.

[0090] (7) In the above liquid jet head, the first pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber may be arranged side by side in a first direction, the third pressure chamber and the fourth pressure chamber may be arranged side by side in the first direction, the first pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber, and the third pressure chamber and the fourth pressure chamber may be arranged offset in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the third portion may be connected to the nozzle.

[0091] (8) In the liquid jet head described above, the width of the third portion in the first direction may be smaller than the width of the first portion in the first direction.

[0092] (9) The liquid jet head may include: a first flow path extending in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the communication flow path and connecting the communication flow path to the first pressure chamber; a second flow path extending in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the communication flow path and connecting the communication flow path to the second pressure chamber; a third flow path extending in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the communication flow path and connecting the communication flow path to the third pressure chamber; and a fourth flow path extending in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the communication flow path and connecting the communication flow path to the fourth pressure chamber. The liquid jet head may also include a first partition wall that separates first connection portions individually connected to the first flow path and second connection portions individually connected to the second flow path of the communication flow path, and a second partition wall that separates third connection portions individually connected to the third flow path and fourth connection portions individually connected to the fourth flow path of the communication flow path. The first pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber may be arranged side by side in a first direction, the third pressure chamber and the fourth pressure chamber may be arranged side by side in the first direction, and the first pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber, and the third pressure chamber and the fourth pressure chamber may be arranged offset in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.A first dimension in the second direction of the first partition portion and a second dimension in the second direction of the second partition portion may each be shorter than a third dimension obtained by subtracting the first dimension and the second dimension from the dimension in the second direction of the communicating flow channel.

[0093] (10) In the liquid jet head described above, the first dimension may be shorter than half the third dimension.

[0094] (11) The liquid jet head may include a second nozzle adjacent to the nozzle, a fifth pressure chamber adjacent to the first pressure chamber, a second communication flow path connected to the second nozzle and communicating the second nozzle with the fifth pressure chamber, a fifth flow path connecting the second communication flow path with the fifth pressure chamber, and a third partition wall separating the first connection part from a fifth connection part individually connected to the fifth flow path of the second communication flow path. The thickness of the first partition wall in the first direction may be thinner than the thickness of the third partition wall.

[0095] (12) The liquid jet head may include a second nozzle adjacent to the nozzle, a fifth pressure chamber adjacent to the first pressure chamber, a second communication flow path connected to the second nozzle and communicating the second nozzle with the fifth pressure chamber, a fifth flow path connecting the second communication flow path with the fifth pressure chamber, and a third partition wall separating a fifth connection portion (365) of the second communication flow path individually connected to the fifth flow path from the first connection portion. The thickness of the first partition wall in the first direction may be greater than the thickness of the third partition wall.

[0096] (13) In the liquid jet head described above, each of the first to fourth flow paths may extend in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the communication flow path.

[0097] (14) The liquid jet head may include a first connection flow path connecting the first common liquid chamber and the first pressure chamber, a second connection flow path connecting the first common liquid chamber and the second pressure chamber, a third connection flow path connecting the second common liquid chamber and the third pressure chamber, and a fourth connection flow path connecting the second common liquid chamber and the fourth pressure chamber. The first flow path may be closer to the nozzle than the first connection flow path in a plan view, the second flow path may be closer to the nozzle than the second connection flow path in a plan view, the third flow path may be closer to the nozzle than the third connection flow path in a plan view, and the fourth flow path may be closer to the nozzle than the fourth connection flow path in a plan view.

[0098] (15) The liquid jet head may include: a first common flow path extending in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the communicating flow path, connected to both the first end and the second end, and connecting the first end and the second end with the communicating flow path; and a second common flow path extending in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the communicating flow path, connected to both the third end and the fourth end, and connecting the third end and the fourth end with the communicating flow path. The first junction position may be located in the first common flow path, and the second junction position may be located in the second common flow path.

[0099] (16) In the above liquid jet head, the first pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber may be arranged side by side in a first direction, the third pressure chamber and the fourth pressure chamber may be arranged side by side in the first direction, the first pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber may be arranged offset from the third pressure chamber and the fourth pressure chamber in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the liquid jet head may include a first connecting path connecting the first end and the second end and extending along the first direction from the first end to the second end, and a second connecting path connecting the third end and the fourth end and extending along the first direction from the third end to the fourth end. The first junction position may be located in the first connecting path, and the second junction position may be located in the second connecting path.

[0100] (17) In the above liquid jet head, the first common liquid chamber may be a flow path for supplying liquid to the first and second pressure chambers, and the second common liquid chamber may be a flow path for recovering liquid from the third and fourth pressure chambers.

[0101] (18) In the liquid jet head, the liquid may be ink having pseudoplasticity.

[0102] (19) In the liquid jet head, the pseudoplastic ink has a shear rate of 1000 s at 25°C. -1 The viscosity is 0.01 Pa s or more and 0.2 Pa s or less when the shear rate is 0.01 s -1 The viscosity at this time may be 0.5 Pa·s or more and 50 Pa·s or less.

[0103] (20) A second aspect of the present disclosure is a liquid ejection apparatus including the liquid ejection head described above and a liquid storage unit that stores liquid to be supplied to the liquid ejection head.

[0104] The present disclosure may be realized in various forms other than the liquid jet head and the liquid jet device, such as a method for manufacturing the liquid jet head and the liquid jet device, a method for controlling the liquid jet head and the liquid jet device, a computer program for realizing the control method, or a non-transitory recording medium on which the computer program is recorded. [Explanation of symbols]

[0105] 60...circulation mechanism, 100...liquid jet head, 110...first common liquid chamber, 120...second common liquid chamber, 130...flow path for each nozzle, 140...communication plate, 141...first partition wall portion, 142...second partition wall portion, 143...third partition wall portion, 145...communication hole partition wall, 150...sealing film, 160...casing portion, 200, 200a...nozzle, 240...nozzle plate, 301 to 304...driving element, 310...vibration plate, 321 to 324 ...connecting flow path, 331-336...pressure chambers, 341-346...communicating holes, 350, 350a...communicating flow path, 351-353...first part to third part of the communicating flow path, 361-366...connecting portion, 371-372...common flow path, 381-382...connecting path, 400...liquid ejection device, 420...liquid storage portion, 430...moving mechanism, 432...belt, 434...carriage, 440...conveying mechanism, 450...control unit

Claims

1. A nozzle for spraying a liquid; first to fourth pressure chambers; a communication flow path connected to the nozzle and communicating the nozzle with the first to fourth pressure chambers; a first driving element that changes the pressure in the first pressure chamber; a second driving element that changes the pressure in the second pressure chamber; a third driving element that changes the pressure in the third pressure chamber; a fourth driving element that changes the pressure in the fourth pressure chamber; a first common liquid chamber communicating with the first pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber; a second common liquid chamber communicating with the third pressure chamber and the fourth pressure chamber; Equipped with a first joining position where a first pressure wave transmitted from the first pressure chamber to the nozzle by the first driving element and a second pressure wave transmitted from the second pressure chamber to the nozzle by the second driving element join is closer to a first end of the first pressure chamber on the nozzle side and a second end of the second pressure chamber on the nozzle side than to the nozzle, in a plan view; a second joining position where a third pressure wave transmitted from the third pressure chamber by the third driving element to the nozzle and a fourth pressure wave transmitted from the fourth pressure chamber by the fourth driving element to the nozzle join together is closer to a third end of the third pressure chamber on the nozzle side and a fourth end of the fourth pressure chamber on the nozzle side than to the nozzle, in a plan view. A liquid jet head characterized by:

2. the first joining position is located between the first pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber in a plan view, In a plan view, the second joining position is located between the third pressure chamber and the fourth pressure chamber. The liquid jet head according to claim 1 .

3. In a plan view, the first joining position overlaps with either the first or second pressure chamber, In a plan view, the second joining position overlaps with either the third or fourth pressure chamber. The liquid jet head according to claim 1 .

4. the first junction position is located at one end of the communication flow path, and the second junction position is located at the other end of the communication flow path; The liquid jet head according to claim 1 .

5. a first flow path extending in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the communication flow path and connecting the communication flow path and the first pressure chamber; a second flow path extending in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the communication flow path and connecting the communication flow path and the second pressure chamber; a third flow path extending in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the communication flow path and connecting the communication flow path and the third pressure chamber; a fourth flow path extending in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the communication flow path and connecting the communication flow path and the fourth pressure chamber; Equipped with The communication flow path is a first portion disposed at one end of the communication flow path and connected to the first flow path and the second flow path; a second portion disposed at the other end of the communication flow path and connected to the third flow path and the fourth flow path; a third portion connected to the first portion and the second portion; the first joining position is located in the first portion; the second joining position is located in the second portion; The liquid jet head according to claim 1 .

6. the first pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber are arranged side by side in a first direction, the third pressure chamber and the fourth pressure chamber are arranged side by side in the first direction, the first pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber, and the third pressure chamber and the fourth pressure chamber are arranged to be shifted in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, The dimension of the third portion in the second direction is longer than the dimension of the first portion in the second direction. The liquid jet head according to claim 5 .

7. the first pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber are arranged side by side in a first direction, the third pressure chamber and the fourth pressure chamber are arranged side by side in the first direction, the first pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber, and the third pressure chamber and the fourth pressure chamber are arranged to be shifted in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the third portion is connected to the nozzle; The liquid jet head according to claim 5 or 6.

8. a width of the third portion in the first direction is smaller than a width of the first portion in the first direction; The liquid jet head according to claim 7 .

9. a first flow path extending in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the communication flow path and connecting the communication flow path and the first pressure chamber; a second flow path extending in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the communication flow path and connecting the communication flow path and the second pressure chamber; a third flow path extending in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the communication flow path and connecting the communication flow path and the third pressure chamber; a fourth flow path extending in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the communication flow path and connecting the communication flow path and the fourth pressure chamber; a first partition wall portion that separates the communication flow path into a first connection portion that is individually connected to the first flow path and a second connection portion that is individually connected to the second flow path; a second partition wall portion that separates the communication flow path into a third connection portion that is individually connected to the third flow path and a fourth connection portion that is individually connected to the fourth flow path; Equipped with the first pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber are arranged side by side in a first direction, the third pressure chamber and the fourth pressure chamber are arranged side by side in the first direction, the first pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber, and the third pressure chamber and the fourth pressure chamber are arranged to be shifted in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, a first dimension in the second direction of the first partition wall portion and a second dimension in the second direction of the second partition wall portion are each shorter than a third dimension obtained by subtracting the first dimension and the second dimension from the dimension in the second direction of the communication flow path; The liquid jet head according to claim 1 .

10. the first dimension is less than half the third dimension; The liquid jet head according to claim 9 .

11. a second nozzle adjacent to the nozzle; a fifth pressure chamber adjacent to the first pressure chamber; a second communication flow path connected to the second nozzle and communicating between the second nozzle and the fifth pressure chamber; a fifth flow path connecting the second communication flow path and the fifth pressure chamber; a third partition wall portion that separates a fifth connection portion of the second communication flow path that is individually connected to the fifth flow path from the first connection portion; Equipped with a thickness of the first partition wall portion in the first direction is smaller than a thickness of the third partition wall portion; The liquid jet head according to claim 9 or 10.

12. a second nozzle adjacent to the nozzle; a fifth pressure chamber adjacent to the first pressure chamber; a second communication flow path connected to the second nozzle and communicating between the second nozzle and the fifth pressure chamber; a fifth flow path connecting the second communication flow path and the fifth pressure chamber; a third partition wall portion that separates a fifth connection portion of the second communication flow path that is individually connected to the fifth flow path from the first connection portion; Equipped with a thickness of the first partition wall portion in the first direction is greater than a thickness of the third partition wall portion; The liquid jet head according to claim 9 or 10.

13. Each of the first to fourth flow paths extends in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the communication flow path. The liquid jet head according to claim 5 .

14. a first connection flow path that connects the first common liquid chamber and the first pressure chamber; a second connection flow path that connects the first common liquid chamber and the second pressure chamber; a third connection flow path that connects the second common liquid chamber and the third pressure chamber; a fourth connection flow path that connects the second common liquid chamber and the fourth pressure chamber; Equipped with the first flow path is closer to the nozzle than the first connection flow path in a plan view, the second flow path is closer to the nozzle than the second connection flow path in a plan view, the third flow path is closer to the nozzle than the third connection flow path in a plan view, the fourth flow path is closer to the nozzle than the fourth connection flow path in a plan view; The liquid jet head according to claim 5 .

15. a first common flow path extending in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the communication flow path, connected to both the first end and the second end, and connecting the first end and the second end to the communication flow path; a second common flow path extending in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the communication flow path, connected to both the third end and the fourth end, and connecting the third end and the fourth end with the communication flow path; Equipped with the first junction position is located in the first common flow path, the second junction position is located in the second common flow path; The liquid jet head according to claim 1 .

16. the first pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber are arranged side by side in a first direction, the third pressure chamber and the fourth pressure chamber are arranged side by side in the first direction, the first pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber, and the third pressure chamber and the fourth pressure chamber are arranged to be shifted in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, a first connecting path that connects the first end and the second end and extends from the first end to the second end along the first direction; a second connecting path connecting the third end and the fourth end and extending from the third end to the fourth end along the first direction; Equipped with the first junction position is located on the first connecting path, The second junction position is located on the second connecting path. The liquid jet head according to claim 1 .

17. the first common liquid chamber is a flow path for supplying liquid to the first and second pressure chambers, the second common liquid chamber is a flow path for recovering liquid from the third and fourth pressure chambers; The liquid jet head according to claim 1 .

18. the liquid is a pseudoplastic ink; The liquid jet head according to claim 1 .

19. The pseudoplastic ink was heated at 25° C. at a shear rate of 1000 s －１ The viscosity is 0.01 Pa s or more and 0.2 Pa s or less when the shear rate is 0.01 s －１ The viscosity is 0.5 Pa s or more and 50 Pa s or less. The liquid jet head according to claim 18.

20. A liquid jet head according to any one of claims 1 to 19; a liquid storage section that stores the liquid to be supplied to the liquid jet head; A liquid ejection device comprising:

Images