LIQUID DISCHARGE UNIT AND DEVICE FOR DISCHARGING LIQUID

Abstract

To enhance the position adjustment accuracy of a head.SOLUTION: A liquid discharge unit comprises: a liquid discharge head (head 100) for discharging liquid: a first pressing member 108a for pressing the liquid discharge head in a main scanning direction; a second pressing member 108b for pressing the liquid discharge head in a sub-scanning direction; and at least one adjustment part 101 for adjusting a position of the liquid discharge head. The adjustment part 101 has: cams (inclination adjustment eccentric cam 102, sub-scanning adjustment eccentric cam 103) rotating around a rotation shaft; a coarse-movement mechanism (large gear 105) for rotating the rotation shaft; a fine-movement mechanism (small gear) for rotating the rotation shaft by decreasing the speed than that of the coarse-movement mechanism; a coarse-movement operation part (large gear operation knob 107) for operating the coarse-movement mechanism; and a fine-movement operation part (small gear operation knob 106) for operating the fine-movement mechanism.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art In inkjet image forming apparatuses, there is a technique for adjusting the mounting position of a liquid ejection head using an adjuster such as a cam or link. However, the resolution of the adjuster's component accuracy is low compared to the mounting position accuracy required of the head, which makes adjustment difficult. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration for adjusting the mounting position of the head, and Patent Document 2 discloses a configuration for finely adjusting the tilt of the head with high precision, but there is room for improvement. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] An object of the present invention is to improve the accuracy of head position adjustment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the liquid discharge unit of the present invention comprises: a liquid ejection head that ejects liquid; provided at one end side of the liquid ejection head, a first pressing member that presses the liquid ejection head in a main scanning direction; provided on the other end side opposite to the one end side of the liquid ejection head, a second pressing member that presses the liquid ejection head in a sub-scanning direction; a third pressing member provided at the other end of the liquid ejection head opposite to the one end of the liquid ejection head, and pressing the liquid ejection head in a main scanning direction; a rib provided on the other end of the liquid ejection head opposite to the one end, the rib being provided at a position facing the third pressing member; provided at one end side of the liquid ejection head, at least one adjustment unit that adjusts the position of the liquid ejection head; The adjustment unit A cam that rotates around a rotation axis; a coarse movement mechanism that rotates the rotation shaft; a fine movement mechanism that rotates the rotary shaft at a speed slower than that of the coarse movement mechanism; a coarse movement operating unit for operating the coarse movement mechanism; and a fine movement operating unit that operates the fine movement mechanism. [Effects of the Invention]

[0005] According to the present invention, the accuracy of head position adjustment can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating an example of a head position adjustment mechanism according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] 2 is a side view of the range indicated by the symbol A in FIG. 1 as viewed from the direction of the arrow S. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a head position adjustment mechanism of a comparative example. [Figure 4] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating position adjustment by the head position adjustment mechanism of the first embodiment, where FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating an example of the arrangement of two heads, and FIG. 1B is a diagram illustrating an adjustment pattern for head position adjustment. [Figure 5] 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating head position adjustment when the amount of misalignment is smaller than in FIG. 4, where (A) is a diagram illustrating an example of the arrangement of two heads, and (B) is a diagram illustrating an adjustment pattern for head position adjustment. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of a head position adjustment mechanism according to a second embodiment. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of a head position adjustment mechanism according to a third embodiment, in which (A) is a plan view of an adjustment unit, and (B) is a side view of the same. [Figure 8] 1 is an explanatory cross-sectional view taken along a direction (longitudinal direction of pressure chambers) perpendicular to the nozzle arrangement direction of a liquid ejection head according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional explanatory view taken along the nozzle arrangement direction. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the appearance of another example of a liquid ejection head according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11]11 is an explanatory cross-sectional view taken along a direction (longitudinal direction of pressure chambers) perpendicular to the nozzle arrangement direction of the liquid ejection head of FIG. 10. FIG. [Figure 12] 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram of an apparatus for discharging liquid according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating an example of a head unit of the device. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is an explanatory plan view of a main part of another example of a printing apparatus as a liquid ejecting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrating a main part of another example of a liquid ejection unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a front view illustrating still another example of a liquid ejection unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each of the drawings for explaining the embodiments of the present invention, components such as members and components having the same function or shape are designated by the same reference numerals as far as they can be distinguished, and descriptions thereof will be omitted once they have been described.

[0008] A liquid ejection unit according to an embodiment of the present invention increases the resolution of adjustment by providing a speed reduction mechanism in a head position adjustment mechanism that adjusts the position of a liquid ejection head (hereinafter referred to as a "head" as appropriate) that ejects liquid. Below, an example of a mechanism that uses an eccentric cam to finely adjust the tilt and sub-scanning position of the head will be described as a head position adjustment mechanism that the liquid ejection unit has.

[0009] Embodiment 1. In this embodiment, an embodiment in which gears are used as a reduction mechanism will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a head position adjustment mechanism according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side view of the range indicated by the symbol A in FIG. 1 as viewed from the direction of the arrow S.

[0010] The head position adjustment mechanism of this embodiment includes a first pressing member 108 a, a second pressing member 108 b, and at least one adjustment unit 101. The first pressing member 108a is a member that presses the head 100 in the main scanning direction. The second pressing member 108b is a member that presses the head 100 in the sub-scanning direction. The first pressing member 108a and the second pressing member 108b are made of elastic members such as springs.

[0011] The adjustment unit 101 adjusts the position of the head 100 together with the first pressing member 108a and the second pressing member 108b. The adjustment unit 101 may have, for example, a first adjustment unit in which the cam is arranged in parallel with the contact portion pressed by the first pressing member 108a and pressed together with the contact portion, and is provided so as to be movable in the pressing direction, and a second adjustment unit in which the cam abuts when pressed by the second pressing member 108b, and is provided so as to be movable.

[0012] FIG. 1 shows an example of a configuration in which the adjusting unit 101 includes an adjusting unit 101a as a first adjusting unit and an adjusting unit 101b as a second adjusting unit. The adjustment unit 101 has a cam that rotates around a rotation axis, a coarse movement mechanism, a fine movement mechanism, a coarse movement operation unit, and a fine movement operation unit. The adjustment unit 101a has an inclination adjustment eccentric cam 102 as a cam, and the adjustment unit 101b has a sub-scanning adjustment eccentric cam 103 as a cam. The adjustment units 101a and 101b similarly have a coarse movement mechanism, a fine movement mechanism, a coarse movement operation unit, and a fine movement operation unit.

[0013] The coarse adjustment mechanism is a mechanism for rotating a rotary shaft, and large gear 105 is shown as an example. The fine movement mechanism is a mechanism for rotating the rotary shaft at a reduced speed compared to the coarse movement mechanism, and is exemplified by a small gear 104 that is smaller than the large gear 105 . The coarse movement operating section operates the coarse movement mechanism, and a large gear operating knob 107 is shown as an example. The fine movement operation unit operates the fine movement mechanism, and a small gear operation knob 106 is shown as an example. The coarse movement mechanism and the fine movement mechanism act as a speed reduction mechanism that reduces the rotation speed of the rotary shaft of the cam.

[0014] The head 100 has a rib 119, an inclination adjustment eccentric cam 102, and a sub-scanning adjustment eccentric cam 103 abutting against its end face, and is pressed by a first pressing member 108a and a second pressing member 108b from opposite sides of the head 100. The tilt adjusting eccentric cam 102 and the sub-scan adjusting eccentric cam 103 are provided with a small gear 104, a large gear 105, a small gear operating knob 106, and a large gear operating knob 107 around them.

[0015] The tool grooves 109 formed on the top surfaces of the small gear operating knob 106 and the large gear operating knob 107 will be described in the third embodiment.

[0016] Here, a head position adjustment mechanism of a comparative example will be described. Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating a head position adjustment mechanism of a comparative example. The head position adjustment mechanism shown in Fig. 3 adjusts the tilt of the head 100 in the main scanning direction and the position in the sub-scanning direction by rotating an inclination adjustment eccentric cam 102 and a sub-scanning adjustment eccentric cam 103, which serve as eccentric cams. At this time, the resolution of the cam component accuracy is rough compared to the mounting position accuracy required for the head 100, making adjustment difficult, and there was a problem that if an attempt was made to solve this by adjusting the component accuracy, it would result in high costs.

[0017] In inkjet machines, which eject liquid, images are formed by overlapping ink ejected from multiple heads. However, if the mounting position of the head is misaligned in either the main scanning direction or the sub-scanning direction, the color overlapping accuracy deteriorates, resulting in abnormal images such as banding. Therefore, the higher the image quality required for a model, the more accurate the positioning of the head mounting position is required. In this embodiment, by using the above-described adjustment unit 101, the resolution of component precision is increased and the precision of head position adjustment is improved.

[0018] Next, a method for adjusting the head mounting position will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating position adjustment by the head position adjustment mechanism according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining head position adjustment when the amount of deviation is smaller than that in FIG. Figures 4 and 5 explain an example in which two liquid ejection heads are arranged, where (A) is a diagram explaining an example of the arrangement of two heads, and (B) is a diagram explaining an adjustment pattern for adjusting the head position. 4A and 5A show an example in which two heads 100A and 100B each having the head position adjustment mechanism described above are arranged. The two heads are mounted on a carriage (not shown) that is movable in the main scanning direction.

[0019] FIG. 4(A) shows an example of a state in which the two heads 100A and 100B are separated, and FIG. 4(B) shows the ruled lines drawn by the two heads 100A and 100B. If head 100B is spaced apart from head 100A in the sub-scanning direction, when each head draws a ruled line as an adjustment pattern, the ruled line drawn by head 100A and the ruled line drawn by head 100B will be spaced apart, resulting in a misalignment (gap) of length L1, as shown in Figure 4(B). Therefore, adjustment unit 101b adjusts head 100B to move closer to head 100A, so that the ruled lines that land from the nozzles overlap without being spaced apart. In this case, the following procedure may be performed based on the amount of deviation.

[0020] <If the amount of misalignment is large> If the amount of deviation is large (for example, FIG. 4B), it is advisable to perform coarse adjustment of the head position. Specifically, the large gear operating knob 107 is operated to rotate the sub-scanning adjustment eccentric cam 103, thereby moving the head 100B closer to the head 100A. In this state, an adjustment pattern is drawn, and it is confirmed that the adjustment pattern drawn by the head 100A and the adjustment pattern drawn by the head 100B have come closer to each other. For example, the adjustment pattern of Fig. 4(B) can be improved to the state of the adjustment pattern of Fig. 5(B). Fig. 5(B) shows an example improved from the state shown in Fig. 4, where the deviation of length L1 has been reduced to length L2.

[0021] <When the amount of misalignment is small> If the amount of deviation is small (for example, FIG. 5B), it is advisable to make fine adjustments to the head position. For fine adjustment, the small gear operating knob 106 is operated to rotate the small gear 104 and move the head 100B closer in the sub-scanning direction. The small gear operating knob 106 is coaxial with the small gear 104, which is one stage slower than the large gear 105 on the eccentric cam shaft. At this time, the small gear 104 and the large gear 105 are engaged with each other, and the rotation is reduced by the gear ratio between the small gear 104 and the large gear 105, so that the head 100B can be moved slightly. By repeatedly making fine adjustments using the small gear operating knob 106, the head positions can be adjusted and misalignment between the heads can be eliminated.

[0022] Here, whether the amount of deviation is large or small may be determined based on, for example, empirical measurements of the amount of deviation, or a threshold value for the length L1 may be set in advance. 4 and 5, an example in which ruled lines are drawn as the adjustment pattern has been described, but this is not limiting, and other patterns may be used as long as they are images that can detect misalignment between multiple heads. 4 and 5, the case where head 100B is spaced apart from head 100A in the sub-scanning direction has been described, but if the head is accustomed to the main scanning direction, the head position is adjusted by adjustment unit 101a.

[0023] In this way, by using a means for performing coarse adjustment by rotating large gear operating knob 107 arranged on the eccentric cam shaft to rotate the eccentric cam, and a means for performing fine adjustment by rotating small gear operating knob 106 arranged on the same axis as small gear 104, which is one stage reduced from large gear 105 on the eccentric cam shaft, to rotate the eccentric cam, precise adjustment of the head position is possible.

[0024] According to this embodiment, it is possible to improve the accuracy of adjusting the position of the head 100. In addition, because the adjustment unit described above is used, it is possible to realize a head position adjustment mechanism that is low-cost and capable of adjustment with high resolution.

[0025] Embodiment 2. In this embodiment, a mode in which a timing pulley and a timing belt are used as the speed reduction mechanism will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a head position adjustment mechanism according to the second embodiment. FIG. 6 shows an example of a configuration in which the adjusting unit 101 includes an adjusting unit 101c as a first adjusting unit and an adjusting unit 101d as a second adjusting unit. In the adjustment units 101c and 101d of this embodiment, the small gear 104 is replaced with a small pulley 111 and the large gear 105 is replaced with a large pulley 112 in the adjustment units 101a and 101b of embodiment 1, and a timing belt 110 is stretched between the small pulley 111 and the large pulley 112. The small pulley 111 is provided with a small pulley operation knob 113 as a fine adjustment operation part, and the large pulley 112 is provided with a large pulley operation knob 114 as a coarse adjustment operation part. This improves workability by allowing the small diameter small pulley 111 to be disposed in front of the head 100. The method for adjusting the head position is the same as in the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0026] According to this embodiment, it is possible to achieve the same effects as in embodiment 1. Furthermore, by using a timing pulley and a timing belt, it is possible to provide the coarse adjustment operation unit and the fine adjustment operation unit in positions that are easier to operate than in embodiment 1.

[0027] Embodiment 3. In the third embodiment, the features of the operation knob will be described. 7A and 7B are diagrams illustrating an example of a head position adjustment mechanism according to embodiment 3, with (A) being a plan view of the adjustment unit and (B) being a side view of the same. In the above embodiments, the eccentric cam 115 shown in FIG. 7 is, for example, the inclination adjustment eccentric cam 102 or the sub-scanning adjustment eccentric cam 103.

[0028] In the adjustment unit 101, the small gear 104 and the large gear 105 mesh together to reduce speed, and an eccentric cam 115 is attached to the large gear 105, which rotates following the gear. A small gear operation knob 106 or a large gear operation knob 107 is attached above each gear. The small gear operating knob 106 and the large gear operating knob 107 have an uneven surface that allows them to be operated (rotated) by hand, and a tool groove 109 having a groove shape that can be operated with a tool is formed on the upper part (top surface). The rotation of the eccentric cam 115 can be controlled by fastening it to the mounting surface with a bolt 116, which is fastened and fixed after adjustment is complete.

[0029] In this way, the large gear 105 can be operated via the large gear operation knob 107, and the small gear 104 can be operated via the small gear operation knob 106, forming a reduction gear mechanism in which both the drive side and the driven side can be rotated by external force. This makes it easier to operate the operation knobs. Furthermore, by operating the large gear operation knob 107 and the small gear operation knob 106 in combination, fine adjustment of the head position can be easily performed.

[0030] Other embodiments. In each of the above embodiments, the coarse movement mechanism and the fine movement mechanism may be retracted in the height direction from the head 100. Similarly, the coarse movement operating unit and the fine movement operating unit may be retracted in the height direction from the head 100. When the head 100 is mounted on the carriage and performs a printing operation, it is possible to avoid contact with other components.

[0031] In addition, it is preferable that the rotation direction of the cams of the coarse and fine adjustment mechanisms is perpendicular to the input rotation direction, where the input rotation direction is the direction of the force applied from the outside via the large gear operating knob 107 and the small gear operating knob 106.

[0032] In the above embodiment, the head position adjustment mechanism has been described as having two adjustment units 101a and 101b, or adjustment units 101c and 101d, as the adjustment unit 101, but it may also be configured to have either one of the two adjustment units.

[0033] Next, configuration examples of a liquid ejection unit and a liquid ejection device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, the liquid ejection head provided in the liquid ejection unit will be described with reference to Figs. 8 to 11. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional explanatory view taken along a direction (longitudinal direction of pressure chambers) perpendicular to the nozzle arrangement direction of the liquid ejection head according to the embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional explanatory view taken along the nozzle arrangement direction.

[0034] The liquid ejection head 100 of this embodiment is formed by laminating and joining a nozzle plate 1, a flow path plate 2 which is an individual flow path member, and a vibration plate member 3 which serves as a wall member. It also includes a piezoelectric actuator 11 which displaces a vibration region (vibration plate) 30 of the vibration plate member 3, and a common flow path member 20 which also serves as a frame member of the head.

[0035] The nozzle plate 1 has a plurality of nozzles 4 that eject liquid.

[0036] The flow path plate 2 has a plurality of pressure chambers 6 that communicate with a plurality of nozzles 4, individual supply flow paths 7 that are individual flow paths that communicate with each pressure chamber 6, and an intermediate supply flow path 8 that serves as a liquid introduction section that communicates with one or more (one in this embodiment) individual supply flow paths 7.

[0037] The vibration plate member 3 has a plurality of displaceable vibration plates (vibration regions) 30 that form the wall surfaces of the pressure chambers 6 of the flow path plate 2. Here, the vibration plate member 3 has a two-layer structure (not limited to this) and is composed of a first layer 3A that forms a thin portion from the flow path plate 2 side and a second layer 3B that forms a thick portion.

[0038] The first layer 3A, which is a thin portion, forms a deformable vibration region 30 in a portion corresponding to the pressure chamber 6. Within the vibration region 30, the second layer 3B forms a convex portion 30a, which is a thick portion that is bonded to the piezoelectric actuator 11.

[0039] On the opposite side of the diaphragm member 3 to the pressure chamber 6, a piezoelectric actuator 11 including an electromechanical conversion element is arranged as a driving means (actuator means, pressure generating means) for deforming the vibration region 30 of the diaphragm member 3.

[0040] This piezoelectric actuator 11 is formed by forming grooves by half-cut dicing in a piezoelectric member bonded to a base member 13, and forming a required number of columnar piezoelectric elements 12 in a comb-like shape at specified intervals in the nozzle arrangement direction. The piezoelectric elements 12 are then bonded to protrusions 30a, which are thick portions formed in the vibration region 30 of the vibration plate member 3.

[0041] This piezoelectric element 12 is formed by alternately laminating piezoelectric layers and internal electrodes, and the internal electrodes are drawn out to the end surfaces and connected to external electrodes (end surface electrodes), and flexible wiring member 15 is connected to the external electrodes.

[0042] The common flow path member 20 forms a common supply flow path 10 that communicates with the multiple pressure chambers 6. The common supply flow path 10 communicates with an intermediate supply flow path 8, which serves as a liquid introduction section, via an opening 9 provided in the vibration plate member 3, and communicates with the individual supply flow paths 7 via the intermediate supply flow path 8.

[0043] In this liquid ejection head 100, for example, by lowering the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element 12 from a reference potential (intermediate potential), the piezoelectric element 12 contracts, the vibration area 30 of the vibration plate member 3 is pulled, and the volume of the pressure chamber 6 expands, causing liquid to flow into the pressure chamber 6.

[0044] Thereafter, the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element 12 is increased to expand the piezoelectric element 12 in the stacking direction, and the vibration region 30 of the vibration plate member 3 is deformed in the direction toward the nozzle 4, thereby contracting the volume of the pressure chamber 6, thereby pressurizing the liquid in the pressure chamber 6 and ejecting the liquid from the nozzle 4.

[0045] Another example of the liquid ejection head will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the appearance of another example of a liquid ejection head. FIG. 11 is an explanatory cross-sectional view taken along a direction (longitudinal direction of the pressure chambers) perpendicular to the nozzle arrangement direction of the liquid ejection head of FIG.

[0046] 10 and 11 is a circulation type liquid ejection head, and is made by laminating and bonding a nozzle plate 1, a flow path plate 2, and a vibration plate member 3 as a wall member. It also includes a piezoelectric actuator 11 that displaces the vibration region (vibration plate) 30 of the vibration plate member 3, and a common flow path member 20 that also serves as a frame member of the head.

[0047] The flow path plate 2 has formed therein a plurality of pressure chambers 6 each connected to a plurality of nozzles 4 via a nozzle connecting passage 5, a plurality of individual supply flow paths 7 each connected to the plurality of pressure chambers 6 and also serving as fluid resistance sections, and one or more intermediate supply flow paths 8 serving as liquid introduction sections connected to two or more individual supply flow paths 7.

[0048] As in the above embodiment, the individual supply flow path 7 includes two flow path sections, a first flow path section 7A and a second flow path section 7B, which have higher fluid resistance than the pressure chamber 6, and a third flow path section 7C, which is arranged between the first flow path section 7A and the second flow path section 7B and has lower fluid resistance than the first flow path section 7A and the second flow path section 7B.

[0049] The flow path plate 2 is formed by stacking a plurality of plate-like members 2A to 2E, but is not limited to this.

[0050] In addition, the flow path plate 2 forms a plurality of individual recovery flow paths 57 along the surface direction of the flow path plate 2, each of which is connected to a plurality of pressure chambers 6 via a nozzle connecting passage 5, and an intermediate recovery flow path 58 which serves as one or more liquid discharge sections connected to two or more individual recovery flow paths 57.

[0051] The individual recovery flow path 57 includes two flow path sections, a first flow path section 57A and a second flow path section 57B, which have higher fluid resistance than the pressure chamber 6, and a third flow path section 57C, which is disposed between the first flow path section 57A and the second flow path section 57B and has lower fluid resistance than the first flow path section 57A and the second flow path section 57B. The individual recovery flow path 57 has a flow path section 57D, which is downstream of the second flow path section 57B in the circulation direction, and which has the same flow path width as the third flow path section 57C.

[0052] The common flow path member 20 forms a common supply flow path 10 and a common recovery flow path 50. In this embodiment, the common supply flow path 10 is made up of a flow path portion 10A that is aligned with the common recovery flow path 50 in the nozzle arrangement direction, and a flow path portion 10B that is not aligned with the common recovery flow path 50.

[0053] The common supply flow path 10 communicates with an intermediate supply flow path 8, which serves as a liquid introduction portion, via an opening 9 provided in the vibration plate member 3, and communicates with the individual supply flow paths 7 via the intermediate supply flow path 8. The common recovery flow path 50 communicates with an intermediate recovery flow path 58, which serves as a liquid discharge portion, via an opening 59 provided in the vibration plate member 3, and communicates with the individual recovery flow paths 57 via the intermediate recovery flow path 58.

[0054] In addition, the common supply flow path 10 communicates with a supply port 71 , and the common recovery flow path 50 communicates with a recovery port 72 .

[0055] The other layer configurations of the vibration plate member 3 and the configuration of the piezoelectric actuator 11 are the same as those of the liquid ejection head shown in FIGS.

[0056] In this liquid ejection head 100, as in the liquid ejection heads of Figures 8 and 9, the piezoelectric element 12 is stretched in the stacking direction, and the vibration area 30 of the vibration plate member 3 is deformed in the direction toward the nozzle 4, thereby contracting the volume of the pressure chamber 6, thereby pressurizing the liquid in the pressure chamber 6 and ejecting the liquid from the nozzle 4.

[0057] Furthermore, liquid that is not ejected from the nozzles 4 passes through the nozzles 4 and is recovered from the individual recovery flow path 57 to the common recovery flow path 50, and is then supplied again from the common recovery flow path 50 to the common supply flow path 10 via an external circulation path. Furthermore, even when liquid is not being ejected from the nozzles 4, the liquid circulates from the common supply flow path 10 to the common recovery flow path 50 via the pressure chamber 6, and is then supplied again to the common supply flow path 10 via an external circulation path.

[0058] In this way, with a simple configuration, it is possible to attenuate pressure fluctuations caused by liquid ejection and suppress propagation of the pressure fluctuations to the common supply channel 10 and the common recovery channel 50.

[0059] Next, an example of a liquid ejecting device according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 12 and 13. Figure 12 is a schematic explanatory diagram of the device, and Figure 13 is a plan explanatory diagram of an example of a head unit of the device.

[0060] The printing device 500, which is a device for ejecting this liquid, includes an input means 501 for feeding a continuous body 510, a guide and conveying means 503 for guiding and conveying the continuous body 510, such as continuous paper or sheet material, fed from the input means 501 to a printing means 505, the printing means 505 for ejecting liquid onto the continuous body 510 to print and form an image, a drying means 507 for drying the continuous body 510, and an ejection means 509 for ejecting the continuous body 510.

[0061] The continuous body 510 is fed from the original winding roller 511 of the carrying-in means 501 , guided and conveyed by the rollers of the carrying-in means 501 , the guide and conveying means 503 , the drying means 507 and the carrying-out means 509 , and wound up by the winding roller 591 of the carrying-out means 509 .

[0062] In the printing means 505, this continuum 510 is transported on a transport guide member 559 opposite the head unit 550 and head unit 555, an image is formed by liquid ejected from the head unit 550, and post-processing is performed by processing liquid ejected from the head unit 555.

[0063] Here, in the head unit 550, for example, full line type head arrays 551A, 551B, 551C, and 551D (hereinafter referred to as "head array 551" when no distinction is made between colors) for four colors are arranged from the upstream side in the transport direction.

[0064] Each head array 551 is a liquid ejection means, and ejects liquid of black K, cyan C, magenta M, or yellow Y onto the conveyed continuum 510. Note that the types and numbers of colors are not limited to these.

[0065] The head array 551 is, for example, a configuration in which the above-described liquid ejection heads (also simply referred to as "heads") 100 are arranged in a staggered pattern on a base member 552, but is not limited to this.

[0066] Next, another example of a printing device as a device for ejecting liquid according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 14 and 15. Figure 14 is an explanatory plan view of the main parts of the device, and Figure 15 is an explanatory side view of the main parts of the device.

[0067] This printing device 500 is a serial type device, and a carriage 403 is moved back and forth in the main scanning direction by a 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 hung between left and right side plates 491A and 491B, and movably holds the carriage 403. The main scanning motor 405 then moves the carriage 403 back and forth in the main scanning direction via a timing belt 408 hung between a drive pulley 406 and a driven pulley 407.

[0068] This carriage 403 is equipped with a liquid ejection unit 440 that integrates the above-mentioned liquid ejection head 100 and head tank 441. The liquid ejection head 100 of the liquid ejection unit 440 ejects liquid of each color, for example, yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), and black (K). The liquid ejection head 100 is mounted with a nozzle row consisting of multiple nozzles arranged in a sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction, and the ejection direction facing downward.

[0069] The liquid ejection head 100 is connected to the liquid circulation device 600 described above, and liquid of a desired color is circulated and supplied.

[0070] This printing apparatus 500 is equipped with a transport mechanism 495 for transporting paper 410. The transport mechanism 495 includes a transport belt 412, which is a transport means, and a sub-scanning motor 416 for driving the transport belt 412.

[0071] The conveyor belt 412 attracts the paper 410 and conveys it at a position facing the liquid ejection head 100. The conveyor belt 412 is an endless belt that is stretched between a conveyor roller 413 and a tension roller 414. The paper can be attracted by electrostatic attraction or air suction.

[0072] The conveyor belt 412 moves in a circular motion in the sub-scanning direction when the conveyor roller 413 is rotationally driven by a sub-scanning motor 416 via a timing belt 417 and a timing pulley 418 .

[0073] Furthermore, a maintenance and recovery mechanism 420 for performing maintenance and recovery of the liquid ejection head 100 is disposed on one side of the conveyor belt 412 on one side of the carriage 403 in the main scanning direction.

[0074] The maintenance and recovery mechanism 420 is made up of, for example, a cap member 421 that caps the nozzle surface (the surface on which the nozzles are formed) of the liquid ejection head 100, a wiper member 422 that wipes the nozzle surface, and the like.

[0075] The main scanning movement mechanism 493, the maintenance and recovery mechanism 420, and the transport mechanism 495 are attached to a housing including side plates 491A and 491B and a back plate 491C.

[0076] In the printing device 500 configured in this manner, the paper 410 is fed onto the conveyor belt 412 and adsorbed thereon, and the paper 410 is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction by the circular movement of the conveyor belt 412.

[0077] Therefore, by driving the liquid ejection head 100 in accordance with an image signal while moving the carriage 403 in the main scanning direction, liquid is ejected onto the stationary paper 410 to form an image.

[0078] Next, another example of a liquid discharge unit according to the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 16. Fig. 16 is an explanatory plan view of the main part of the unit.

[0079] This liquid ejection unit 440 is composed of the components that make up the device for ejecting the liquid, including a housing portion consisting of side plates 491A, 491B and a back plate 491C, a main scanning movement mechanism 493, a carriage 403, and a liquid ejection head 100.

[0080] It is also possible to configure a liquid discharge unit in which the above-described maintenance and recovery mechanism 420 is further attached to, for example, the side plate 491B of this liquid discharge unit 440.

[0081] Next, still another example of a liquid discharge unit according to the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 17. Fig. 17 is an explanatory front view of the unit.

[0082] This liquid ejection unit 440 is composed of a liquid ejection head 100 to which a flow path part 444 is attached, and a tube 456 connected to the flow path part 444 .

[0083] The flow path part 444 is disposed inside the cover 442. A head tank 441 may be included instead of the flow path part 444. A connector 443 for electrically connecting with the liquid ejection head 100 is provided on the upper part of the flow path part 444.

[0084] A "liquid ejection head" is a functional component that ejects and sprays liquid from a nozzle. The liquid to be ejected may have any viscosity and surface tension that allows it to be ejected from the head, but is not particularly limited thereto. Preferably, the viscosity of the ejected liquid is 30 mPa·s or less at room temperature and pressure, or upon heating or cooling. More specifically, the liquid may be a solution, suspension, emulsion, or the like containing a solvent such as water or an organic solvent, a colorant such as a dye or pigment, a polymerizable compound, a resin, a surfactant, or the like, a biocompatible material such as DNA, amino acids, proteins, or calcium, or an edible material such as a natural colorant. These liquids can be used, for example, as inkjet inks, surface treatment liquids, liquids for forming components of electronic devices or light-emitting elements, or resist patterns for electronic circuits, and liquid materials for 3D modeling.

[0085] Energy sources for ejecting liquid include piezoelectric actuators (laminated piezoelectric elements and thin-film piezoelectric elements), thermal actuators that use electrothermal conversion elements such as heating resistors, and electrostatic actuators consisting of a vibration plate and an opposing electrode.

[0086] A "liquid ejection unit" is a liquid ejection head integrated with functional parts and mechanisms, and includes a collection of parts related to ejecting liquid. For example, a "liquid ejection unit" includes a liquid ejection head combined with at least one of the following components: a head tank, a carriage, a supply mechanism, a maintenance and recovery mechanism, a main scanning movement mechanism, and a liquid circulation device.

[0087] Here, "integrated" includes, for example, a liquid ejection head and a functional part or mechanism that are fixed to each other by fastening, bonding, engaging, etc., or one that is held movably relative to the other. The liquid ejection head, functional part, or mechanism may also be configured to be detachable from each other.

[0088] For example, some liquid ejection units have a liquid ejection head and a head tank integrated together, while others have a liquid ejection head and a head tank integrated together by being connected to each other by a tube, etc. Here, a unit including a filter can be added between the head tank and the liquid ejection head of these liquid ejection units.

[0089] Furthermore, there is a liquid ejection unit in which the liquid ejection head and the carriage are integrated.

[0090] In some liquid ejection units, the liquid ejection head is movably held by a guide member that constitutes part of the scanning movement mechanism, and the liquid ejection head and the scanning movement mechanism are integrated together. In other liquid ejection units, the liquid ejection head, the carriage, and the main scanning movement mechanism are integrated together.

[0091] Furthermore, there is a liquid ejection unit in which a cap member, which is part of the maintenance and recovery mechanism, is fixed to a carriage on which a liquid ejection head is attached, thereby integrating the liquid ejection head, carriage, and maintenance and recovery mechanism.

[0092] In some liquid ejection units, a tube is connected to a liquid ejection head equipped with a head tank or flow path components, integrating the liquid ejection head with a supply mechanism. Liquid is supplied from a liquid storage source to the liquid ejection head via this tube.

[0093] The main scanning movement mechanism includes the guide member alone, and the supply mechanism includes the tube alone and the loading unit alone.

[0094] "Liquid ejection devices" include devices that have a liquid ejection head or a liquid ejection unit and eject liquid by driving the liquid ejection head. Liquid ejection devices include not only devices that can eject liquid onto objects to which the liquid can adhere, but also devices that eject liquid into air or liquid.

[0095] This "liquid ejecting device" can also include means for feeding, transporting, and discharging items onto which liquid can be attached, as well as pre-processing devices and post-processing devices.

[0096] For example, examples of "liquid ejecting devices" include image forming devices that eject ink to form images on paper, and three-dimensional modeling devices (three-dimensional modeling devices) that eject modeling liquid onto a powder layer formed from layers of powder in order to create a three-dimensional object (a three-dimensional model).

[0097] Furthermore, the term "liquid ejection device" is not limited to devices that use ejected liquid to visualize meaningful images such as letters and figures. For example, it also includes devices that form patterns that have no meaning in themselves, and devices that create three-dimensional images.

[0098] The above-mentioned "object onto which a liquid can adhere" means an object onto which a liquid can adhere at least temporarily, an object onto which the liquid can adhere and stick, an object onto which the liquid can penetrate, etc. Specific examples include media such as paper, recording paper, film, and cloth, electronic circuit boards, electronic components such as piezoelectric elements, powder layers, organ models, and test cells, and unless otherwise specified, includes all objects onto which a liquid can adhere.

[0099] The material of the "substance to which a liquid can adhere" may be any material to which a liquid can adhere, even temporarily, such as paper, thread, fiber, fabric, leather, metal, plastic, glass, wood, or ceramics.

[0100] Furthermore, the "liquid ejection device" may be a device in which a liquid ejection head and an object onto which liquid can be attached move relatively, but is not limited to this. Specific examples include a serial type device in which a liquid ejection head moves, and a line type device in which a liquid ejection head does not move.

[0101] Other examples of "liquid ejecting devices" include a treatment liquid application device that ejects a treatment liquid onto paper to apply the treatment liquid to the surface of the paper for purposes such as modifying the surface of the paper, and an injection granulation device that ejects a composition liquid in which raw materials are dispersed through a nozzle to granulate fine particles of the raw materials.

[0102] In the present application, the terms image formation, recording, printing, copying, printing, modeling, etc. are all synonymous.

[0103] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Within the scope of the present invention, the elements of the above-described embodiments can be modified, added, or converted into contents that would be easily conceivable by a person skilled in the art. Furthermore, two or more of the above-described embodiments can be combined. [Explanation of symbols]

[0104] 100 heads (liquid ejection heads) 101, 101a~101d adjustment section 102 Tilt adjustment eccentric cam 103 Sub-scanning adjustment eccentric cam 104 Small gear 105 Large Gear 106 Small gear operation knob 107 Large gear operating knob 108a first pressing member 108b second pressing member 109 Tool groove 110 Timing belt 111 Small pulley 112 Large pulley 113 Small pulley operation knob 114 Large pulley operating knob 115 Cam [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0105] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-136555 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-30221

Claims

1. a liquid ejection head that ejects liquid; a first pressing member provided on one end side of the liquid ejection head and pressing the liquid ejection head in a main scanning direction; a second pressing member provided at the other end of the liquid ejection head opposite to the one end of the liquid ejection head, and pressing the liquid ejection head in a sub-scanning direction; a third pressing member provided at the other end of the liquid ejection head opposite to the one end of the liquid ejection head, and pressing the liquid ejection head in a main scanning direction; a rib provided on the other end of the liquid ejection head opposite to the one end, the rib being provided at a position facing the third pressing member; at least one adjustment unit provided on one end side of the liquid ejection head to adjust the position of the liquid ejection head, The adjustment unit A cam that rotates around a rotation axis; a coarse movement mechanism that rotates the rotation shaft; a fine movement mechanism that rotates the rotary shaft at a speed slower than that of the coarse movement mechanism; a coarse movement operating unit for operating the coarse movement mechanism; a fine movement operating unit for operating the fine movement mechanism; A liquid ejection unit characterized by:

2. The at least one adjustment unit is a first adjustment portion disposed in parallel with a contact portion pressed by the first pressing member, the cam being pressed together with the contact portion, and being movable in a pressing direction; a second adjustment portion that is movably provided and that the cam abuts against when pressed by the second pressing member; The liquid ejection unit according to claim 1 .

3. The coarse movement mechanism and the fine movement mechanism use gears.

3. The liquid ejection unit according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The coarse movement mechanism and the fine movement mechanism use pulleys and timing belts.

3. The liquid ejection unit according to claim 1 or 2.

5. the coarse movement mechanism can be rotated by an external force via the coarse movement operating unit, The fine movement mechanism can be rotated by an external force via the fine movement operation unit. The liquid ejection unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The coarse movement operating unit and the fine movement operating unit have grooves on the top surface that can be rotated by a tool. The liquid ejection unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The coarse movement mechanism and the fine movement mechanism are retracted in the height direction from the liquid ejection head. The liquid ejection unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

8. A liquid ejection device comprising the liquid ejection unit according to claim 1 .

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