Discharge head, discharge device

Abstract

To provide a discharge head and a discharge device which can improve filling performance of objects to be discharged.SOLUTION: The discharge head comprises: a plurality of nozzles 111 that discharge objects to be discharged; a plurality of pressure chambers 121 communicating with the plurality of nozzles 111 respectively; a plurality of supply branch passages 152 leading to two or more pressure chambers 121; a plurality of branch recovery passages 153 leading to the two or more pressure chambers 121; a main supply passage 156 leading to the plurality of branch supply passages 152; a main recovery passage 157 leading to the plurality of branch recovery passages 153; a first bypass passage 251 leading to the branch supply passages 152 and the main recovery passage 157; a second bypass passage 252 leading to the branch recovery passages 153 and the main supply passage 156; a third bypass passage 253 leading to the main supply passages 156 and the main recovery passage 157; first opening / closing means 255 that opens and closes the first bypass passage 251; second opening / closing means 256 that opens and closes the second bypass passage 252; and third opening / closing means 257 that opens and closes the third bypass passage 253.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a discharge head and a discharge device.

Background Art

[0002] For example, as a discharge head for discharging a liquid, a plurality of nozzles are arranged in a two-dimensional matrix, and the liquid is supplied from the main supply flow path to the pressure chamber through the branch supply flow path, and the liquid is recovered from the pressure chamber to the main recovery flow path through the branch recovery flow path.

[0003] Conventionally, there is known a bypass flow path that connects a common liquid chamber on the supply side and a circulating common liquid chamber on the recovery side without passing through individual liquid chambers, and a flow rate control means that controls the flow rate of the liquid flowing through the bypass flow path and whose opening / closing and opening amount change depending on the pressure difference (Patent Document 1). In addition, there is known one that includes a first main flow path (main supply flow path), a first branch flow path (branch supply flow path), a second main flow path (main recovery flow path), and a second branch flow path (branch recovery flow path) (Patent Document 2).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, in a discharge head having a complicated flow path structure such as the main supply flow path, the branch supply flow path, the main recovery flow path, and the branch recovery flow path as described above, it is required to improve the filling property when filling the discharge head with the discharge object (the object to be discharged).

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to improve the filling property of the object to be discharged. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above problems, the present invention Claim 1 The discharge head relating to this is Multiple nozzles for discharging the material to be discharged, A plurality of pressure chambers, each communicating with the plurality of nozzles, Multiple supply channel branches leading to two or more pressure chambers, Multiple recovery channel branches leading to two or more pressure chambers, The main supply channel leading to the aforementioned multiple supply channel branches, The system comprises a main recovery channel leading to the aforementioned multiple recovery channel branches, The aforementioned supply channel branch is a channel that supplies the discharged material to the two or more pressure chambers, The aforementioned recovery channel branch is a channel for recovering the discharged material from the two or more pressure chambers. The main supply channel is a channel that supplies the discharged material to the plurality of supply channel branches. The main recovery channel is a channel for recovering the discharged material from the multiple recovery channel branches. A first bypass channel passing through the supply channel tributary and the recovery channel main channel, A second bypass channel passing through the aforementioned recovery channel tributary and the aforementioned supply channel main channel, A third bypass channel passing through the main supply channel and the main recovery channel, The first opening / closing means for opening and closing the first bypass channel, A second opening / closing means for opening and closing the second bypass channel, The system comprises a third opening / closing means for opening and closing the third bypass channel. 、 The first opening / closing means, the second opening / closing means, and the third opening / closing means open and close by pressure difference, The first and second opening / closing means can be opened with a smaller pressure difference than the third opening / closing means. This was the structure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, the filling performance of the material to be discharged is improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a cross-sectional explanatory view of a discharge head according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a plan explanatory view for explaining the flow path arrangement configuration of the discharge head. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional explanatory view taken along line A-A of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional explanatory view for use in explaining an example of a first opening / closing means. [Figure 5] This is a cross-sectional explanatory view of a discharge head according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This is a plan explanatory view for explaining the flow path configuration of a discharge head according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This is a schematic explanatory view of an example of a printing apparatus as a discharge apparatus according to the present invention. [Figure 8] This is a plan explanatory view of a discharge unit of the printing apparatus.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of a discharge head according to the embodiment, (a) is a cross-sectional explanatory view corresponding to line B-B of FIG. 2, and (b) is a cross-sectional explanatory view corresponding to line C-C of FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a plan explanatory view for explaining the flow path arrangement configuration of the discharge head, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional explanatory view taken along line A-A of FIG. 2.

[0011] This discharge head 100 includes a nozzle plate 110, an actuator member 101, and a common flow path member 170 that also serves as a frame member. The actuator member 101 includes an individual flow path member (flow path plate) 120, a diaphragm member 130, a piezoelectric element 140, and a common flow path member 150.

[0012] The nozzle plate 110 has a plurality of nozzles 111 for discharging a liquid as the discharged material. The plurality of nozzles 111 are arranged in a two-dimensional matrix.

[0013] The individual flow path member 120 comprises a plurality of pressure chambers (individual liquid chambers) 121, each communicating with a plurality of nozzles 111; a plurality of individual supply flow paths 122, each leading to a plurality of pressure chambers 121; and a plurality of individual recovery flow paths 123, each leading to a plurality of pressure chambers 121. The individual supply flow paths 122 include a supply-side fluid resistance section 126, and the individual recovery flow paths 123 include a recovery-side fluid resistance section 127.

[0014] The diaphragm member 130 forms a diaphragm 131, which is a deformable wall surface of the pressure chamber 121, and a piezoelectric element 140 is integrally provided on the diaphragm 131. The diaphragm member 130 also has a supply-side opening 132 leading to an individual supply channel 122 and a recovery-side opening 133 leading to an individual recovery channel 123. The piezoelectric element 140 is a pressure generating means that deforms the diaphragm 131 to pressurize the liquid in the pressure chamber 121.

[0015] The common flow channel member 150 is a common flow channel branch member, and alternately forms multiple common supply channel branches 152 leading to two or more individual supply channels 122 and multiple common recovery channel branches 153 leading to two or more individual recovery channels 123. The supply channel branches 152 are channels that supply the liquid to be discharged to two or more pressure chambers 121, and the recovery channel branches 153 are channels that recover the liquid to be discharged from the two or more pressure chambers 121.

[0016] The common flow channel member 150 has a supply port 154 that passes through the supply-side opening 132 of the individual supply channel 122 and the supply channel branch 152, and a recovery port 155 that passes through the recovery-side opening 133 of the individual recovery channel 123 and the recovery channel branch 153.

[0017] Furthermore, the common flow channel member 150, together with the common flow channel member 170, forms a part 156a of one or more common main supply channel 156 leading to multiple supply channel branches 152, and a part 157a of one or more common main recovery channel 157 leading to multiple recovery channel branches 153.

[0018] The common channel member 170 is the main common channel member and, together with the common channel member 150, forms a part 156b of the main supply channel 156 that leads to a plurality of supply channel branches 152, and a part 157b of the main recovery channel 157 that leads to a plurality of recovery channel branches 153. The part 156b of the main supply channel 156 leads to the supply port 171, and the part 157b of the main recovery channel 157 leads to the recovery port 172.

[0019] The main supply channel 156 is a channel that supplies the liquid to be discharged to multiple supply channel branches 152, and the main recovery channel 157 is a channel that recovers the liquid to be discharged from multiple recovery channel branches 153.

[0020] Outside the common flow channel member 170 are a supply-side tank section 181 that supplies liquid to the main supply channel 156 via a supply port 171, and a recovery-side tank section 182 from which liquid is discharged from the main recovery channel 157 via a recovery port 172. The supply-side tank section 181 is provided with a supply port 183 for supplying liquid from the outside. The recovery-side tank section 182 is provided with a recovery port 184 for discharging liquid to the outside.

[0021] Furthermore, a first bypass channel 251 is provided, which passes through the supply channel branch 152 and the recovery channel main channel 157. The first bypass channel 251 passes through the end (downstream side) of the supply channel branch 152 and the recovery channel main channel 157. This prevents air bubbles from remaining at the end of the supply channel branch 152 during filling.

[0022] Furthermore, a second bypass channel 252 is provided, which connects the recovery channel branch 153 and the supply channel main channel 156. The second bypass channel 252 connects the end (upstream side) of the recovery channel branch 153 and the supply channel main channel 156. This prevents air bubbles from remaining at the end of the recovery channel branch 153 during filling.

[0023] Furthermore, a third bypass channel 253 is provided, which connects the main supply channel 156 and the main recovery channel 157. Here, it is preferable that the third bypass channel 253 is a channel that connects the downstream end of the main supply channel 156 and the upstream end of the main recovery channel 157. In Figure 2, the supply port is located on the left side of the main supply channel 156, and the recovery port is located on the left side of the main recovery channel 157.

[0024] In other words, bubbles tend to accumulate at the downstream end (farthest downstream side) of the main supply channel 156 and the upstream end (farthest upstream side) of the main recovery channel 157, where the pressure is weaker and the flow rate is lower. Therefore, by connecting the downstream end of the main supply channel 156 and the upstream end of the main recovery channel 157 with the third bypass channel 253, the bubble discharge performance can be improved.

[0025] The first bypass channel 251 is provided with a first opening / closing means 255 for opening and closing the first bypass channel 251. The second bypass channel 252 is provided with a second opening / closing means 256 for opening and closing the second bypass channel 252. Furthermore, the third bypass channel 253 is provided with a third opening / closing means 257 for opening and closing the third bypass channel 253.

[0026] The first opening / closing means 255, the second opening / closing means 256, and the third opening / closing means 257 are all composed of flow control valves 260 that open and close the flow path by a pressure difference (differential pressure), as shown in Figure 4 which will be described later, and the amount of opening changes according to the pressure difference (depending on the magnitude of the differential pressure).

[0027] The pressure difference referred to here is the pressure difference between the inlet and outlet of the first opening / closing means 255, the second opening / closing means 256, and the third opening / closing means 257.

[0028] In this embodiment, the first opening / closing means 255 opens when the pressure difference between the inlet and outlet is greater than or equal to a first predetermined value, the second opening / closing means 256 opens when the pressure difference between the inlet and outlet is greater than or equal to a second predetermined value, and the third opening / closing means 257 opens when the pressure difference between the inlet and outlet is greater than or equal to a third predetermined value. The first predetermined value at which the first opening / closing means 255 opens, and the second predetermined value at which the second opening / closing means 256 opens, are set to be smaller (lower) pressure differences than the third predetermined value at which the third opening / closing means 257 opens. Note that the first predetermined value and the second predetermined value may be the same pressure difference, or they may be different pressure differences.

[0029] Furthermore, the first predetermined value of the first opening / closing means 255 and the second predetermined value of the second opening / closing means 256 are set to be greater than the pressure required to circulate within the ejection head 100 during printing. Therefore, when printing is performed after filling, the first opening / closing means 255 and the second opening / closing means 256 are closed, and the first bypass passage 251 and the second bypass passage 252 are not opened. This prevents liquid from flowing to areas other than the nozzle during printing, ensuring a reliable supply of liquid to the pressure chamber 121.

[0030] Here, an example of a flow control valve comprising the first opening / closing means 255, the second opening / closing means 256, and the third opening / closing means 257 will be described with reference to Figure 4. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional explanatory diagram illustrating the flow control valve along with its open and closed states, using the first opening / closing means as an example.

[0031] The flow control valve 260 of the first opening / closing means 255 is displaceably positioned in the middle of the first bypass flow path 251 and opens and closes according to the pressure difference between the upstream pressure and the downstream pressure, and the amount of opening changes according to the magnitude of the pressure difference.

[0032] For example, when there is no pressure difference, or when the pressure difference is less than a predetermined value, the flow control valve 260 closes the first bypass passage 255, as shown in Figure 4(a). Then, when the pressure difference exceeds a predetermined value, the flow control valve 260 opens the first bypass passage 251, as shown in Figure 4(b), and the amount of opening increases as the pressure difference increases, as shown in Figure 4(c).

[0033] In this embodiment, as described above, both the first opening / closing means 255 and the second opening / closing means 256 are capable of opening the flow path with a smaller pressure difference (lower pressure) than the third opening / closing means 257. To make the pressure difference at which the flow control valve 260 opens the flow path different, for example, the rigidity of the flow control valve 260 can be made different, and to make the rigidity different, for example, the thickness can be made different.

[0034] Next, we will describe the liquid filling process for the discharge head 100 configured in this way. When initially filling the discharge head 100 with liquid, it is necessary to discharge any air bubbles present in the flow paths, such as the main supply flow 156, the branch supply flow 152, the main recovery flow 157, the branch recovery flow 153, the pressure chamber 121, the individual supply flow paths 122, and the individual recovery flow paths 123, to the recovery side tank section 182 or the recovery port 184.

[0035] Therefore, in this embodiment, when filling the flow path of the discharge head 100 with liquid, first, liquid is supplied from the supply-side tank section 181 to the main flow of the supply channel 156 through the supply port 171 at a pressure that results in a pressure difference smaller than the pressure difference that opens the first opening / closing means 255 and the second opening / closing means 256. Consequently, at this time, the first opening / closing means 255, the second opening / closing means 256 and the third opening / closing means 257 are all in a closed state, and the first bypass channel 251, the second bypass channel 252 and the third bypass channel 253 are closed.

[0036] As a result, the liquid supplied to the main supply channel 156 flows from the supply channel tributary 152 through the individual supply channel 122, pressure chamber 121, and individual recovery channel 123 to the recovery channel tributary 153, and from the recovery channel tributary 153 to the main recovery channel 157.

[0037] Next, by increasing the pressure of the liquid supplied from the supply tank section 181 to the main supply channel 156 through the supply port 171, when the pressure difference (differential pressure) between the supply channel tributary 152 and the recovery channel main flow 157 exceeds a first predetermined value, the first opening / closing means 255 opens. When the first opening / closing means 255 opens, the first bypass channel 251 is opened, and the supply channel tributary 152 and the recovery channel main flow 157 communicate through the first bypass channel 251.

[0038] As a result, the liquid that enters the supply channel branch 152 from the main supply channel 156 flows through the first bypass channel 251 to the main recovery channel 157. At this time, any air bubbles remaining in the supply channel branch 152 are discharged into the main recovery channel 157, and the supply channel branch 152 is reliably filled with liquid.

[0039] Furthermore, by increasing the pressure of the liquid supplied from the supply-side tank section 181 to the main supply channel 156 through the supply port 71, when the pressure difference (differential pressure) between the main supply channel 156 and the recovery channel branch 153 exceeds a second predetermined value, the second opening / closing means 256 opens. When the second opening / closing means 255 opens, the second bypass channel 252 is opened, and the main supply channel 156 and the recovery channel branch 153 communicate through the second bypass channel 252.

[0040] As a result, liquid flows from the main supply channel 156 through the second bypass channel 252 to the recovery channel branch 153. At this time, any air bubbles remaining in the recovery channel branch 153 are discharged into the main recovery channel 157 by the liquid flowing in from the second bypass channel 252, ensuring that the recovery channel branch 153 is reliably filled with liquid.

[0041] Next, by further increasing the pressure of the liquid supplied from the supply tank section 181 to the main supply channel 156 through the supply port 171, when the pressure difference (differential pressure) between the main supply channel 156 and the main recovery channel 157 exceeds a third predetermined value, the third opening / closing means 257 opens. When the third opening / closing means 257 opens, the third bypass channel 253 is opened, and the main supply channel 156 and the main recovery channel 157 communicate through the third bypass channel 253.

[0042] As a result, the liquid supplied to the main supply channel 156 flows through the third bypass channel 253 to the main recovery channel 157. At this time, any air bubbles remaining in the main supply channel 156 are discharged into the main recovery channel 157, and the main supply channel 156 is reliably filled with liquid.

[0043] The bubbles transferred to the main recovery channel 157 are then sent to the recovery-side tank section 182 through the recovery port 172, ensuring that the main recovery channel 157 is also reliably filled with liquid.

[0044] As described above, in this embodiment, a first bypass channel 251, a second bypass channel 252, and a third bypass channel 153 are provided between the main supply channel 156 and the branch recovery channel 153, between the branch supply channel 152 and the main recovery channel 157, and between the main supply channel 156 and the main recovery channel 157, respectively.

[0045] Furthermore, the first bypass channel 251, the second bypass channel 252, and the third bypass channel 153 are configured to open and close according to the pressure difference, and the third bypass channel 153 is opened after the first bypass channel 251 and the second bypass channel 252 have been opened.

[0046] This allows the pressure chamber 121 to be filled first with low-pressure circulation, and then the circulation pressure to be gradually increased. This opens the bypass channels in the order of the common channel main flow and common channel tributaries, and then between the common channel main flows, allowing the common channel tributaries to be filled first, and then the common channel main flow.

[0047] This makes it possible to secure circulation flow rate with a smaller pressure difference, dramatically improving initial filling performance and bubble discharge.

[0048] In contrast, if the configuration is reversed from that of this embodiment, specifically if the third bypass channel 153 is configured to open and close simultaneously with or before the first bypass channel 251 and the second bypass channel 252, the liquid filling capacity into the supply channel branches and recovery channel branches, which have greater fluid resistance than the supply channel main flow and recovery channel main flow, may become insufficient.

[0049] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 5. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional diagram of the discharge head according to the same embodiment, where (a) is a cross-sectional diagram along the main flow of the supply channel and (b) is a cross-sectional diagram along the main flow of the recovery channel.

[0050] The discharge head 100 of this embodiment has a fourth bypass passage 254 that passes through the supply-side tank section 181 and the recovery-side tank section 182. The fourth bypass passage 254 is provided with a fourth opening / closing means 258 that opens and closes the fourth bypass passage 254. The fourth opening / closing means 258 is also composed of a flow control valve 260 whose opening and closing and opening amounts change depending on the pressure difference.

[0051] The pressure difference that causes the fourth opening / closing means 258 to open is set to be greater than the pressure difference that causes the first opening / closing means 255, the second opening / closing means 256, and the third opening / closing means 257 to open. Furthermore, the pressure difference that causes the third opening / closing means 257 to open is set to be greater than the pressure difference that causes the first opening / closing means 255 and the second opening / closing means 256 to open, similar to the first embodiment.

[0052] In this embodiment, when initial filling is performed, the third bypass channel 253 between the supply channel main flow 156 and the recovery channel main flow 157 opens, as in the first embodiment, and then the pressure difference increases further, causing the fourth opening / closing means 258 to open. When the fourth opening / closing means 258 opens, the supply-side tank section 181 and the recovery-side tank section 182 are connected via the fourth bypass channel 254.

[0053] This allows liquid to flow from the supply tank section 181 to the recovery tank section 182, ensuring that the recovery tank section 182 is reliably filled.

[0054] Therefore, by first filling the pressure chamber 121 with low-pressure circulation and then gradually increasing the circulation pressure, bypass passages open in the order of between the common main flow and the common branch flow, between the common main flow channels, and between the tank section, allowing for filling in the order of common branch flow → common main flow → recovery side tank section.

[0055] Here, if the fourth bypass channel 254, which passes through the supply-side tank section 181 and the recovery-side tank section 182, is made an open channel at all times, then when initial filling is performed, liquid will flow from the supply-side tank section 181 to the recovery-side tank section 182 from the beginning.

[0056] Therefore, in order to discharge the bubbles present in the flow channels such as the main supply channel 156, the branch supply channel 152, the main recovery channel 157, the branch recovery channel 153, the pressure chamber 121, the individual supply channels 122, and the individual recovery channels 123, it becomes necessary to supply liquid at a high pressure.

[0057] In contrast, in this embodiment, the first bypass passage 251 and the second bypass passage 252, the third bypass passage 253, and the fourth bypass passage 254 open in that order. After filling the pressure chamber 121 with low-pressure circulation, the circulating differential pressure is gradually increased, causing the bypass passages to open in the order of between the common main flow and the common branch flow, between the common main flow flows, and between the tank section. This allows for filling in the order of common branch flow → common main flow → tank section.

[0058] Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 6. Figure 6 is a plan view illustrating the flow path configuration of the discharge head according to the said embodiment.

[0059] In the discharge head 100 of this embodiment, a third bypass channel 253 is provided that passes through the main supply channel 156 and the main recovery channel 157, similar to the first embodiment. The third bypass channel 253 is provided with a third opening / closing means 257 for opening and closing the third bypass channel 253.

[0060] Furthermore, unlike the first embodiment, a fifth bypass channel 261a on the supply side and a fifth bypass channel 261b on the recovery side are provided, passing through adjacent supply channel branches 152 and recovery channel branches 153.

[0061] Therefore, for example, two fifth bypass channels 261a are provided, each leading to two supply channel branches 152 located on either side of one recovery channel branch 153. Similarly, two fifth bypass channels 261b are provided, each leading to two recovery channel branches 153 located on either side of one supply channel branch 152.

[0062] The fifth bypass channel 261a is located on the inlet side from the main supply channel 156 to the supply channel tributary 152, and is on the side of the main supply channel 156 that is closer to the supply port 54 and the recovery port 55, and passes through the supply channel tributary 152 and the recovery channel tributary 153.

[0063] The fifth bypass channel 261b is located on the inlet side from the recovery channel tributary 153 to the recovery channel main channel 157, and is on the side of the recovery channel main channel 157 that is closer to the supply port 54 and the recovery port 55, and passes through the supply channel tributary 152 and the recovery channel tributary 153.

[0064] The fifth bypass channel 261a is provided with a fifth opening / closing means 262a for opening and closing the fifth bypass channel 261a. Furthermore, the fifth bypass channel 261a is provided with a fifth opening / closing means 262b for opening and closing the fifth bypass channel 261b.

[0065] The fifth opening / closing means 262a and 262b are both composed of flow control valves 260 that open and close the flow path based on a pressure difference, similar to the first opening / closing means 151, and the amount of opening changes depending on the magnitude of the pressure difference.

[0066] In this embodiment, both the fifth opening / closing means 262a and 262b are designed to open with a smaller pressure difference than the third opening / closing means 257, and the fifth bypass passages 261a and 261b are designed to open with a smaller pressure difference than the third bypass passage 253.

[0067] Next, we will describe the liquid filling process for the discharge head 100 configured in this way. When initially filling the discharge head 100 with liquid, as described above, it is necessary to discharge any air bubbles present in the flow paths, such as the main supply flow 156, the branch supply flow 152, the main recovery flow 157, the branch recovery flow 153, the pressure chamber 121, the individual supply flow paths 122, and the individual recovery flow paths 123, to the recovery side tank section 182 or the recovery port 184.

[0068] Therefore, in this embodiment, when filling the flow path of the discharge head 100 with liquid, first, liquid is supplied from the supply-side tank section 181 to the main flow of the supply channel 156 through the supply port 171 at a pressure that creates a pressure difference that closes the fifth opening / closing means 262a and 262b. At this time, the third opening / closing means 257 and the fifth opening / closing means 262a and 262b are both in a closed state, and the third bypass channel 253 and the fifth bypass channels 261a and 261b are closed.

[0069] As a result, the liquid supplied to the main supply channel 156 flows from the supply channel tributary 152 through the individual supply channel 122, pressure chamber 121, and individual recovery channel 123 to the recovery channel tributary 153, and from the recovery channel tributary 153 to the main recovery channel 157.

[0070] Next, when the pressure of the liquid supplied from the supply-side tank section 181 to the main supply channel 156 through the supply port 171 is increased, the pressure difference between the supply channel tributary 152 and the recovery channel tributary 153 becomes greater than or equal to the fifth predetermined value (fifth predetermined value < third predetermined value), and the fifth opening / closing means 261a and 261b open. When the fifth opening / closing means 262a and 262b open, the fifth bypass channels 261a and 261b are opened, and the supply channel tributary 152 and the recovery channel tributary 153 communicate through the fifth bypass channels 261a and 261b.

[0071] As a result, the liquid that enters the supply channel branch 152 from the supply channel branch 156 flows upstream of the recovery channel branch 153 via the fifth bypass channel 261a, and then flows downstream of the recovery channel branch 153 via the fifth bypass channel 261b.

[0072] At this time, bubbles remaining on the downstream side of the supply channel branch 152 are discharged to the downstream side of the recovery channel branch 153 through the fifth bypass channel 261a. Bubbles remaining on the upstream side of the recovery channel branch 153 are sent to the upstream side of the recovery channel branch 153 by the liquid flowing in from the fifth bypass channel 261b. This ensures that the supply channel branch 152 and the recovery channel branch 153 are reliably filled with liquid.

[0073] Then, by increasing the pressure of the liquid supplied from the supply-side tank section 181 to the main supply channel 156 through the supply port 71, the pressure difference between the main supply channel 156 and the recovery channel branch 153 becomes greater than or equal to a third predetermined value, and the third opening / closing means 257 opens. When the third opening / closing means 257 opens, the third bypass channel 253 is opened, and the main supply channel 156 and the main recovery channel 157 communicate through the third bypass channel 253.

[0074] As a result, the liquid supplied to the main supply channel 156 flows through the third bypass channel 253 to the main recovery channel 157. At this time, any air bubbles remaining in the main supply channel 156 are discharged into the main recovery channel 157, and the main supply channel 156 is reliably filled with liquid.

[0075] The bubbles transferred to the main recovery channel 157 are then sent to the recovery-side tank section 182 through the recovery port 172, ensuring that the main recovery channel 157 is also reliably filled with liquid.

[0076] In this embodiment as well, by applying the second embodiment, a fourth bypass channel 254 passing through the supply-side tank section 181 and the recovery-side tank section 182, and a fourth opening / closing means 258 for opening and closing the fourth bypass channel 254 can be provided.

[0077] Furthermore, if the configuration is reversed from that of this embodiment, specifically if the third bypass channel 253 is configured to open and close simultaneously with or before the fifth bypass channels 261a and 261b, the liquid filling capacity into the supply channel branches and recovery channel branches, which have greater fluid resistance than the supply channel main flow and recovery channel main flow, may become insufficient.

[0078] Next, an example of a printing apparatus as an ejection device according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8. Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the printing apparatus, and Figure 8 is a plan view of the ejection unit of the printing apparatus.

[0079] The printing apparatus 1 is a liquid dispensing device and includes a loading section 10 for loading sheet material P, a pre-processing section 20, a printing section 30, a drying section 40, and an unloading section 50.

[0080] The printing apparatus 1 applies a pretreatment liquid to the sheet material P supplied from the loading section 10 as needed in the pretreatment section 20, applies the liquid in the printing section 30 to perform the required printing, dries the liquid adhering to the sheet material P in the drying section 40, and then discharges the sheet material P to the discharge section 50.

[0081] The loading section 10 includes loading trays 11 (lower loading tray 11A, upper loading tray 11B) that accommodate multiple sheet materials P, and a feeding device 12 (12A, 12B) that separates and sends out the sheet materials P one by one from the loading trays 11, supplying the sheet materials P to the pre-processing section 20.

[0082] The pre-processing unit 20 includes, for example, a coating unit 21 which is a means for applying a processing liquid that has the effect of coagulating ink and preventing show-through to the back of the sheet material P to the printed surface.

[0083] The printing unit 30 includes a drum 31, which is a support member (rotating member) that supports a sheet material P on its circumferential surface and rotates, and a liquid discharge unit 32 that discharges liquid toward the sheet material P supported on the drum 31.

[0084] Furthermore, the printing unit 30 includes a transfer cylinder 34 that receives the sheet material P fed from the pre-processing unit 20 and transfers the sheet material P to the drum 31, and a transfer cylinder 35 that receives the sheet material P conveyed by the drum 31 and transfers it to the drying unit 40.

[0085] The sheet material P, which has been transported from the pre-processing unit 20 to the printing unit 30, is gripped at the tip by a gripping means (sheet gripper) provided on the transfer cylinder 34 and transported as the transfer cylinder 34 rotates. The sheet material P transported by the transfer cylinder 34 is then transferred to the drum 31 at a position opposite to the drum 31.

[0086] A gripping means (sheet gripper) is also provided on the surface of the drum 31, and the tip of the sheet material P is gripped by the gripping means (sheet gripper). Multiple suction holes are formed dispersed on the surface of the drum 31, and the suction means generates a suction airflow directed inward from the required suction holes of the drum 31.

[0087] The sheet material P, which has been transferred from the transfer drum 34 to the drum 31, is then gripped at the tip by the sheet gripper and attached to the drum 31 by the suction airflow from the suction means, and is conveyed as the drum 31 rotates.

[0088] The liquid dispensing unit 32 is equipped with dispensing units 33 (33A to 33D), which are dispensing means. For example, dispensing unit 33A dispenses cyan (C) liquid, dispensing unit 33B dispenses magenta (M) liquid, dispensing unit 33C dispenses yellow (Y) liquid, and dispensing unit 33D dispenses black (K) liquid. In addition, dispensing units that dispense special liquids such as white and gold (silver) can also be used.

[0089] The discharge unit 33 is a full-line type head in which multiple discharge heads 100, each having multiple nozzles 111 arranged in a two-dimensional matrix, are arranged in a staggered pattern on a base member 331, as shown in Figure 8, for example.

[0090] Each discharge unit 33 of the liquid discharge unit 32 is controlled by a drive signal corresponding to the print information. When the sheet material P supported on the drum 31 passes through the area opposite the liquid discharge unit 32, liquid of each color is discharged from the discharge unit 33, and an image corresponding to the print information is printed.

[0091] The drying unit 40 dries the liquid that has adhered to the sheet material P in the printing unit 30. This causes the water and other liquid components in the liquid to evaporate, fixing the colorant contained in the liquid onto the sheet material P, and also suppressing curling of the sheet material P.

[0092] The reversal mechanism 60 is a mechanism that reverses the sheet material P in a switchback manner when performing double-sided printing on the sheet material P that has passed through the drying section 40, and the reversed sheet material P is sent back upstream of the transfer cylinder 34 through the transport path 61 of the printing section 30.

[0093] The discharge unit 50 is equipped with a discharge tray 51 on which multiple sheet materials P are loaded. The sheet materials P, which are transported from the drying unit 40 via the reversing mechanism unit 60, are sequentially stacked and held on the discharge tray 51.

[0094] The material to be discharged by the discharge head 100 described above is not particularly limited, as long as it has a viscosity and surface tension that can be discharged from the head, but it is preferable that its viscosity becomes 30 mPa·s or less at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, or when heated or cooled. More specifically, it is a solution, suspension, emulsion containing a solvent such as water or an organic solvent, a colorant such as a dye or pigment, a polymerizable compound, a resin, a functional material such as a surfactant, a biocompatible material such as DNA, amino acids or proteins, calcium, or an edible material such as a natural pigment, and these can be used, for example, as inkjet inks, surface treatment liquids, components for electronic elements and light-emitting elements, liquids for forming electronic circuit resist patterns, and material liquids for three-dimensional molding.

[0095] Here, an example of a liquid used to form a three-dimensional object (a liquid material for three-dimensional molding) is a hydrogel forming material used to form three-dimensional structures for training in therapeutic techniques.

[0096] The hydrogel-forming material contains water and polymerizable monomers, preferably minerals and organic solvents, and optionally polymerizing initiators and other components. The polymerizable monomer is a compound having one or more unsaturated carbon-carbon bonds, and polymerizable monomers that polymerize by active energy rays such as ultraviolet light or electron beams are preferred.

[0097] Examples of polymerizable monomers include monofunctional monomers and polyfunctional monomers. These may be used individually or in combination of two or more. Examples of the polyfunctional monomers include difunctional monomers, trifunctional monomers, and monomers with four or more functions.

[0098] There are no particular restrictions on the minerals used, and they can be selected as appropriate depending on the purpose. However, since hydrogels are mainly composed of water, clay minerals are preferred, and more preferably, layered clay minerals that can be uniformly dispersed at the primary crystal level in water are preferred, and water-swellable layered clay minerals are even more preferred.

[0099] Examples of organic solvents include water-soluble organic solvents. The water-soluble nature of the water-soluble organic solvent means that it is soluble in water at a concentration of 30% by mass or more.

[0100] The aforementioned water-soluble organic solvent is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. Examples include alkyl alcohols having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, such as methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, n-propyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, n-butyl alcohol, sec-butyl alcohol, and tert-butyl alcohol; amides, such as dimethylformamide and dimethylacetamide; ketones or ketone alcohols, such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, and diacetone alcohol; ethers, such as tetrahydrofuran and dioxane; ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, 1,2-propanediol, 1,2-butanediol, 1,3-butanediol, and 1,4-butanediol. Examples include polyhydric alcohols such as diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1,2,6-hexanetriol, thioglycol, hexylene glycol, and glycerin; polyalkylene glycols such as polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol; lower alcohol ethers of polyhydric alcohols such as ethylene glycol monomethyl (or ethyl) ether, diethylene glycol methyl (or ethyl) ether, and triethylene glycol monomethyl (or ethyl) ether; alkanolamines such as monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, and triethanolamine; and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, 2-pyrrolidone, and 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone. These may be used individually or in combination of two or more. Among these, polyhydric alcohols, glycerin, and propylene glycol are preferred from the viewpoint of moisturizing properties, and glycerin and propylene glycol are more preferred.

[0101] There are no particular restrictions on the polymerization initiator, and it can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. Examples include photopolymerization initiators and thermal polymerization initiators. As the photopolymerization initiator, any substance that generates radicals upon irradiation with light (particularly ultraviolet light with a wavelength of 220 nm to 400 nm) can be used.

[0102] Furthermore, when creating three-dimensional objects using hydrogel forming materials, a UV irradiation mechanism is provided, and the extruded hydrogel forming material is cured and formed by irradiating it with UV light.

[0103] (Specific examples of hydrogel-forming materials) While stirring 120.0 parts by mass of ion-exchanged water that has been subjected to vacuum degassing for 30 minutes, [Mg 5.34 Li 0.66 Nut8O 20 (OH)4]Na - 0.66 12.0 parts by mass of synthetic hectorite (Laponite XLG, manufactured by RockWood) having the following composition was added little by little and stirred. Furthermore, 0.6 parts by mass of etidronic acid (manufactured by Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) was added and stirred to prepare a dispersion.

[0104] To the resulting dispersion, 44.0 parts by mass of acryloylmorpholine (manufactured by KJ Chemicals Co., Ltd.), which had been passed through an activated alumina column to remove the polymerization inhibitor, and 0.4 parts by mass of methylenebisacrylamide (manufactured by Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) were added as polymerizable monomers. Furthermore, 20.0 parts by mass of glycerin (manufactured by Sakamoto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.) and 0.8 parts by mass of N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine (manufactured by Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) were mixed to obtain a hydrogel-forming material.

[0105] As described above, the ejection head 100 according to the present invention can also be used in inkjet methods for arbitrarily arranging cells to artificially form tissues composed of cells, and is capable of ejecting cell suspensions (cell inks).

[0106] The cell suspension (cell ink) contains at least cells and a cell drying inhibitor. Furthermore, the cell suspension (cell ink) contains a dispersion medium for dispersing the cells, and may optionally contain other additives such as dispersants and pH adjusters.

[0107] There are no particular restrictions on the type of cells used; they can be selected as appropriate for the purpose. Taxonomically, they can be used with all types of cells, including eukaryotic cells, prokaryotic cells, multicellular organism cells, and unicellular organism cells. These can be used individually or in combination of two or more types.

[0108] Examples of eukaryotic cells include animal cells, insect cells, plant cells, and fungi. These may be used individually or in combination of two or more. Among these, animal cells are preferred, and if the cells form a cell aggregate, adherent cells that adhere to each other and have sufficient cell adhesion to not require isolation without physicochemical treatment are more preferred.

[0109] Cell drying inhibitors are substances that cover the cell surface and inhibit cell drying. Examples include polyhydric alcohols, gel-like polysaccharides, and proteins selected from the extracellular matrix.

[0110] For dispersed culture, cell culture media or buffer solutions are preferred. A culture medium is a solution containing components necessary for the formation and maintenance of cell tissues, preventing drying and regulating the external environment such as osmotic pressure. Any known culture medium can be appropriately selected and used. If it is not necessary to keep the cells constantly immersed in the culture medium solution, the medium can be removed from the cell suspension as appropriate. Buffers are used to adjust the pH according to the cells and purpose, and known buffers can be selected and used as appropriate.

[0111] (Specific examples of cell suspensions (cell inks)) A green fluorescent dye (product name: Cell Tracker Green, Life Technologies) was dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide (hereinafter referred to as "DMSO") at a concentration of 10 mmol / L (mM), and this was mixed with serum-free Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium (Life Technologies) to prepare a serum-free medium containing the green fluorescent dye at a concentration of 10 μmol / L (μM).

[0112] Next, 5 mL of serum-free medium containing green fluorescent dye was added to a dish of cultured NIH / 3T3 cells (Clone 5611, JCRB Cell Bank), and the cells were cultured for 30 minutes in an incubator (KM-CC17RU2, manufactured by Panasonic Corporation, 37°C, 5 volume % CO2 environment).

[0113] Subsequently, the supernatant was removed using an aspirator. 5 mL of phosphate-buffered saline (Life Technologies, hereafter also referred to as PBS(-)) was added to the dish, and the PBS(-) was removed by aspirating with an aspirator to wash the surface. After repeating the washing process with PBS(-) twice, 2 mL of 0.05% trypsin-0.05% EDTA solution (Life Technologies) was added to each dish.

[0114] Next, the cells were heated in an incubator for 5 minutes, detached from the dish, and then 4 mL of D-MEM containing 10% by mass fetal bovine serum (hereinafter also referred to as "FBS") and 1% by mass antibiotic (Antibiotic-Antimycotic Mixed Stock Solution (100x), manufactured by Nacalai Tesque Co., Ltd.) was added.

[0115] Next, the cell suspension with inactivated trypsin was transferred to a 50 mL centrifuge tube and centrifuged (product name: H-19FM, manufactured by KOKUSAN, 1,200 rpm, 5 minutes, 5°C). The supernatant was removed using an aspirator. After removal, 2 mL of D-MEM containing 10% by mass FBS and 1% by mass antibiotic was added to the centrifuge tube, and the cells were gently pipetted to disperse and obtain a cell suspension.

[0116] Ten μL of the cell suspension was taken out into an Eppendorf tube, 70 μL of culture medium was added, and then another 10 μL was taken out into a separate Eppendorf tube. 10 μL of 0.4% by mass trypan blue staining solution was added and pipetting was performed. Ten μL of the stained cell suspension was taken out and placed on a PMMA plastic slide. The number of cells was measured using a Countess Automated Cell Counter (Invitrogen), thereby obtaining a cell suspension with a measured cell count.

[0117] PBS(-) was used as the culture medium. Glycerin (molecular biology grade, manufactured by Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.) was dissolved in PBS(-) as a cell drying inhibitor to a mass ratio of 0.5% by mass, and the NIH / 3T3 cell suspension was dispersed in the culture medium at a concentration of 6 × 10⁶ cells / mL to obtain cell ink. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0118] 1 Printing device 10. Loading area 20 Pre-processing section 30 Printing Department 40 Drying section 50 Loading section 21 Coating area 33 Discharge Unit 100 Discharge Heads 110 Nozzle Plate 111 Nozzles 120 Individual flow path members 121 Pressure Chamber 122 Individual supply channels 123 Individual recovery channels 130 Diaphragm component 140 Piezoelectric elements 150 Common flow channel member 152 Supply channel tributary 153 Recovery channel tributary 154 Supply port 155 Collection port 156 Main flow of the supply channel 157 Main channel for recovery 251 First Bypass Channel 252 Second Bypass Channel 253 Third Bypass Channel 254 Fourth Bypass Channel 255 First opening / closing means 256 Second opening / closing means 257 Third opening / closing means 258 Fourth opening / closing means 260 Flow control valve 261a, 261b Fifth Bypass Channel 262a, 262b Fifth opening / closing means

Claims

1. Multiple nozzles for discharging the material to be discharged, A plurality of pressure chambers, each communicating with the plurality of nozzles, Multiple supply channel branches leading to two or more pressure chambers, Multiple recovery channel branches leading to two or more pressure chambers, The main supply channel leading to the aforementioned multiple supply channel branches, The system comprises a main recovery channel leading to the aforementioned multiple recovery channel branches, The aforementioned supply channel branch is a channel that supplies the discharged material to the two or more pressure chambers, The aforementioned recovery channel branch is a channel for recovering the discharged material from the two or more pressure chambers. The main supply channel is a channel that supplies the discharged material to the plurality of supply channel branches. The main recovery channel is a channel for recovering the discharged material from the multiple recovery channel branches. A first bypass channel passing through the supply channel tributary and the recovery channel main channel, A second bypass channel passing through the aforementioned recovery channel tributary and the aforementioned supply channel main channel, A third bypass channel passing through the main supply channel and the main recovery channel, A first opening / closing means for opening and closing the first bypass channel, A second opening / closing means for opening and closing the second bypass channel, The system comprises a third opening / closing means for opening and closing the third bypass channel, The first opening / closing means, the second opening / closing means, and the third opening / closing means open and close by pressure difference. The first and second opening / closing means can be opened with a smaller pressure difference than the third opening / closing means. A discharge head characterized by the following features.

2. A supply-side tank connected to the main flow of the supply channel, A recovery-side tank connected to the main flow of the aforementioned recovery channel, A fourth bypass channel passing through the supply tank and the recovery tank, The system includes a fourth opening / closing means for opening and closing the fourth bypass channel. The discharge head according to feature 1.

3. The fourth opening / closing means opens and closes due to a pressure difference. The discharge head according to feature 2.

4. The third opening / closing means can be opened with a smaller pressure difference than the fourth opening / closing means. The discharge head according to claim 2 or 3.

5. The connection between the first bypass channel and the supply channel branch is provided at the end of the supply channel branch. A discharge head according to any one of features 1 to 4.

6. The connection between the second bypass channel and the recovery channel branch is provided at the end of the recovery channel branch. A discharge head according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. Multiple nozzles for discharging the material to be discharged, A plurality of pressure chambers, each communicating with the plurality of nozzles, Multiple supply channel branches leading to two or more pressure chambers, Multiple recovery channel branches leading to two or more pressure chambers, The main supply channel leading to the aforementioned multiple supply channel branches, The system comprises a main recovery channel leading to the aforementioned multiple recovery channel branches, The aforementioned supply channel branch is a channel that supplies the discharged material to the two or more pressure chambers, The aforementioned recovery channel branch is a channel for recovering the discharged material from the two or more pressure chambers. The main supply channel is a channel that supplies the discharged material to the plurality of supply channel branches. The main recovery channel is a channel for recovering the discharged material from the multiple recovery channel branches. A fifth bypass channel passing through the supply channel branch and the recovery channel branch, A third bypass channel passing through the main supply channel and the main recovery channel, A fifth opening / closing means for opening and closing the fifth bypass channel, The system includes a third opening / closing means for opening and closing the third bypass channel. A discharge head characterized by the following features.

8. The fifth opening / closing means and the third opening / closing means open and close by pressure difference, The fifth opening / closing means can be opened and closed with a smaller pressure difference than the third opening / closing means. The discharge head according to feature 7.

9. The fifth bypass channel is provided on the uppermost and lowermost sides of the supply channel branch and the recovery channel branch, respectively. The discharge head according to feature 7 or 8.

10. A plurality of nozzles for discharging the material to be discharged, A plurality of pressure chambers, each communicating with the plurality of nozzles, Multiple supply channel branches leading to two or more pressure chambers, Multiple recovery channel branches leading to two or more pressure chambers, The main supply channel leading to the aforementioned multiple supply channel branches, The system comprises a main recovery channel leading to the aforementioned multiple recovery channel branches, The aforementioned supply channel branch is a channel that supplies the discharged material to the two or more pressure chambers, The aforementioned recovery channel branch is a channel for recovering the discharged material from the two or more pressure chambers. The main supply channel is a channel that supplies the discharged material to the plurality of supply channel branches. The main recovery channel is a channel for recovering the discharged material from the multiple recovery channel branches. A first bypass channel passing through the supply channel tributary and the recovery channel main channel, A third bypass channel passing through the main supply channel and the main recovery channel, A first opening / closing means for opening and closing the first bypass channel, The system comprises a third opening / closing means for opening and closing the third bypass channel, The first opening / closing means and the third opening / closing means open and close by pressure difference, The first opening / closing means can be opened with a smaller pressure difference than the third opening / closing means. A discharge head characterized by the following features.

11. A plurality of nozzles for discharging the material to be discharged, A plurality of pressure chambers, each communicating with the plurality of nozzles, Multiple supply channel branches leading to two or more pressure chambers, Multiple recovery channel branches leading to two or more pressure chambers, The main supply channel leading to the aforementioned multiple supply channel branches, The system comprises a main recovery channel leading to the aforementioned multiple recovery channel branches, The aforementioned supply channel branch is a channel that supplies the discharged material to the two or more pressure chambers, The aforementioned recovery channel branch is a channel for recovering the discharged material from the two or more pressure chambers. The main supply channel is a channel that supplies the discharged material to the plurality of supply channel branches. The main recovery channel is a channel for recovering the discharged material from the multiple recovery channel branches. A second bypass channel passing through the aforementioned recovery channel tributary and the aforementioned supply channel main channel, A third bypass channel passing through the main supply channel and the main recovery channel, A second opening / closing means for opening and closing the second bypass channel, The system comprises a third opening / closing means for opening and closing the third bypass channel, The second opening / closing means and the third opening / closing means open and close by pressure difference, The second opening / closing means can be opened with a smaller pressure difference than the third opening / closing means. A discharge head characterized by the following features.

12. The discharge head is provided as described in any one of claims 1 to 11. A dispensing device characterized by the following features.

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