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

Abstract

To provide a liquid discharge head which can be reduced in a size.SOLUTION: There is provided a liquid discharge head comprising: a nozzle plate on which, on a plane formed of a first direction and a second direction, a plurality of nozzles is formed; and a nozzle plate holding member for holding the nozzle plate. The second direction is defined as a direction where the plurality of nozzles is arranged at an equal interval at a prescribed pitch corresponding to recording resolution, a plurality of nozzle rows formed of the plurality of nozzles is inclined to the second direction and is formed on the nozzle plate, and the nozzle plate comprises: a nozzle plate short side which is inclined to the second direction; and a nozzle plate long side crossing the nozzle plate short side. When a sharp angle formed by the nozzle plate short side and the nozzle plate long side is an angle θ1, and an interior angle which is adjacent to the angle θ1, and is formed by a nozzle plate holding member long side along the nozzle plate long side of the nozzle plate holding member and the nozzle plate holding member short side crossing the nozzle plate holding member long side, is θ2, a total sum of the angle θ1 and the angle θ2 is less than 180 degrees.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a droplet ejection head configured by connecting a plurality of head modules each having a plurality of nozzles for ejecting a liquid.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In Patent Document 1, in order to ensure the nozzle density at the connection portion of a plurality of head modules, the nozzle plate is formed in a parallelogram shape. As a result, there is a problem that the length in the arrangement direction of a plurality of head modules becomes long, and a large installation space is required in the mounting of the liquid ejection head.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The present invention relates to a liquid discharge head comprising: a nozzle plate having a plurality of nozzles formed on a plane formed by a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; and a nozzle plate holding member located in the first direction of the nozzle plate and holding the nozzle plate, wherein when the second direction is defined as the direction in which the plurality of nozzles are arranged at equal intervals at a predetermined pitch corresponding to the recording resolution, the plurality of nozzle rows formed by the plurality of nozzles are formed on the nozzle plate at an inclination with respect to the second direction, the nozzle plate has a short side of the nozzle plate that is inclined with respect to the second direction and a long side of the nozzle plate that intersects the short side of the nozzle plate, and when the acute angle formed by the short side of the nozzle plate holding member adjacent to the angle θ1 and along the long side of the nozzle plate holding member, and the short side of the nozzle plate holding member that intersects the long side of the nozzle plate holding member, the sum of the angles θ1 and θ2 is less than 180 degrees. Furthermore, the nozzle plate has a nozzle row consisting of N nozzles arranged in a region closer to the center of the nozzle plate in the second direction, a nozzle row consisting of M nozzles (fewer than N) arranged at the first end of the nozzle plate, which is on the first end side of the region closer to the center in the second direction, and a nozzle row consisting of (NM) nozzles arranged at the second end of the nozzle plate, which is on the second end side of the nozzle plate, opposite to the first end side of the region closer to the center in the second direction. It is characterized by the following: [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, a liquid dispensing head that can be miniaturized can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] A schematic diagram showing an example of a liquid dispensing device. [Figure 2] An explanatory diagram showing an example of a head unit. [Figure 3] A schematic exploded view showing an example of a print head. [Figure 4] An explanatory diagram showing an example of the flow path section of the head. [Figure 5] A cross-sectional perspective view showing an example of the flow path section of the head. [Figure 6] An explanatory diagram showing a head unit of a comparative example. [Figure 7] An explanatory diagram of a head according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] An explanatory diagram of a head unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9]An explanatory diagram of a head unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] An explanatory diagram of a head unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] An explanatory diagram of a head unit according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] An explanatory diagram of a head unit according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] The embodiments for carrying out the invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements will be denoted by the same reference numeral, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0009] <Overview of Liquid Dispensing Device> First, we will explain the general layout of the liquid dispensing device using Figure 1. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a liquid dispensing device. The liquid dispensing device shown is a printing device that uses an inkjet method to dispense ink onto paper and form an image on the paper.

[0010] The printing apparatus 500 comprises a paper feeding unit 501, a transport unit 503, a printing unit 505, a drying unit 507, and a paper discharge unit 509. The paper feeding unit 501 is equipped with a holding roller 511 that holds the rolled paper 510 and supplies a long, continuous length of paper 510 to the printing unit 505. The transport unit 503 adjusts the tension and transport position of the paper 510 supplied from the paper feeding unit 501, for example by performing tension control and meandering correction, and then transports the paper 510 to the printing unit 505.

[0011] The printing unit 505 comprises an inkjet recording unit 550 equipped with a head unit 555 and a transport guide member 559 facing the inkjet recording unit 550. The printing unit 505 forms an image on the paper 510 by ejecting ink from the head unit 555 onto the paper 510 as it moves along the transport guide member 559.

[0012] Note that the number of head units 555 mounted on the inkjet recording unit 550 may be appropriately increased or decreased according to the types and numbers of ink colors used in the printing apparatus 500. Further, the liquid used in the head unit 555 is not limited to ink, and may be configured to include a treatment liquid for modifying the surface of the paper 510 or a coating agent for protecting the image formed on the paper 510.

[0013] The drying unit 507 heats the paper 510 with an image thereon to dry the paper 510 and the image formed on the paper 510. The paper discharging unit 509 includes a winding roller 591 for winding up the paper 510, and winds up the paper 510 sent out from the drying unit 507.

[0014] Hereinafter, the description will be based on the configuration of the printing apparatus 500 described above, but the liquid ejection apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to a printing apparatus. For example, it can also be applied to a three-dimensional shaping apparatus (three-dimensional modeling apparatus) that ejects a shaping liquid onto a powder layer in which powder is formed in layers in order to shape a three-dimensional object (three-dimensional modeling object). Further, it can also be applied to an electronic element production apparatus that ejects a resist pattern forming liquid in order to form a resist pattern of an electronic circuit.

[0015] Further, the medium is not limited to the paper 510. In addition to paper, for example, it can be applied to various materials such as fibers, fabrics, leather, metals, plastics, glass, wood, and ceramics. The form of the medium is not limited to a long object, and a medium cut to a predetermined size may also be used.

[0016] Further, the printing apparatus 500 has been exemplified with a so-called line-type apparatus configuration in which the paper 510 is moved relative to the inkjet recording unit 550 at a fixed position to perform image formation on the paper 510, but it is not limited to the line type. It is only necessary that the inkjet recording unit 550 and the paper 510 are configured to move relative to each other. Therefore, for example, a so-called serial-type apparatus configuration in which the inkjet recording unit is moved in a direction orthogonal to the paper feed direction with respect to intermittently fed paper to perform image formation on the paper 510 may be used. Alternatively, a so-called flatbed-type apparatus configuration in which the inkjet recording unit is moved in the XY directions with respect to the paper held on the paper placement table to perform image formation on the paper 510 may be used.

[0017] In addition, the ejecta used in the apparatus for ejecting a liquid includes solutions, suspensions, emulsions, etc. containing solvents such as water and organic solvents, colorants such as dyes and pigments, functional imparting materials such as polymerizable compounds, resins, and surfactants, biocompatible materials such as DNA, amino acids, proteins, and calcium, and edible materials such as natural pigments. Further, the liquid may contain fine powders such as metal powders. These can be used, for example, in applications such as inkjet inks, coating paints, surface treatment liquids, liquids for forming components of electronic elements and light-emitting elements and resist patterns of electronic circuits, and material liquids for three-dimensional modeling.

[0018] <Configuration of the head unit> Next, the configuration of the head unit will be described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the head unit, and is a view of one of the eight head units 555 shown in the inkjet recording unit 550 of FIG. 1 as seen from the conveyance guide member 559 side.

[0019] The head unit 555 includes a plurality of heads 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d arranged adjacent to each other in a direction perpendicular to the media feeding direction. Hereafter, these heads 1a to 1d will be collectively referred to as "head 1". In this embodiment, the "direction perpendicular to the media feeding direction" roughly coincides with the "second direction" described later (a direction in which a plurality of nozzles are arranged at equal intervals with a predetermined pitch corresponding to the recording resolution). Also, the "media feeding direction" roughly coincides with the "first direction" described later (a direction perpendicular to the second direction).

[0020] Heads 1a to 1d include liquid discharge sections 101a to 101d, nozzle plate holding members 102a to 102d, and mounting members 103a to 103d. Hereafter, the liquid discharge sections 101a to 101d will be collectively referred to as "liquid discharge section 101", the nozzle plate holding members 102a to 102d will be collectively referred to as "nozzle plate holding member 102", and the mounting members 103a to 103d will be collectively referred to as "mounting member 103".

[0021] The liquid ejection section 101 of the head 1 includes a nozzle plate 10 with an outer shape roughly shaped like a parallelogram, and the nozzle plate 10 has a nozzle surface 12 on which nozzles 11 for ejecting liquid are formed. In Figure 2, the nozzles 11 are partially omitted from the illustration, but in reality, nozzles 11 are also formed in the blank areas of the nozzle surface 12. The nozzle plate 10 is held by a nozzle plate holding member 102. The nozzle plate holding member 102 has a mounting member 103 on a part thereof, and the head unit 555 is fixed to the inkjet recording section 550 by attaching the mounting member 103 to a support member 550a provided on the inkjet recording section 550.

[0022] <Head configuration> Next, the configuration of the head will be explained using Figures 3 to 5. Figure 3 is a schematic exploded view showing an example of a head, and shows only the liquid discharge section 101 that constitutes head 1 in Figure 2. Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the flow path portion of the head, and Figure 5 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing an example of the flow path portion of the head. Although the nozzle plate 10 has a roughly parallelogram shape as shown in Figure 2, a simplified rectangular diagram will be used here for explanation.

[0023] The liquid discharge section 101 of the head 1 includes a nozzle plate 10, a flow path plate (individual flow path member) 20, a diaphragm member 30, a common flow path member 50, a damper member 60, a frame member 80, and a circuit board (flexible wiring board) 105 on which a drive circuit 104 is mounted.

[0024] The nozzle plate 10 is equipped with a plurality of nozzles 11 for dispensing liquid (ink in this embodiment), and the plurality of nozzles 11 are arranged in a two-dimensional manner in the short direction of the nozzle plate 10 (short direction of the nozzle plate) and the longitudinal direction of the nozzle plate perpendicular thereto.

[0025] The individual flow path member 20 comprises a plurality of pressure chambers (individual liquid chambers) 21, each communicating with a plurality of nozzles 11; a plurality of individual supply flow paths 22, each leading to a plurality of pressure chambers 21; and a plurality of individual recovery flow paths 23, each leading to a plurality of pressure chambers 21. One pressure chamber 21 and the individual supply flow path 22 and individual recovery flow path 23 connected to it are collectively referred to as an individual flow path 25.

[0026] The diaphragm member 30 forms a diaphragm 31, which is a deformable wall surface of the pressure chamber 21, and a piezoelectric element 40 is integrally provided on the diaphragm 31. The diaphragm member 30 also has a supply-side opening 32 that leads to an individual supply channel 22 and a recovery-side opening 33 that leads to an individual recovery channel 23.

[0027] The piezoelectric element 40 is a pressure generating means that deforms the diaphragm 31 to pressurize the liquid in the pressure chamber 21.

[0028] It should be noted that the individual channel members 20 and the diaphragm member 30 are not limited to being separate components. For example, it is possible to form the individual channel members 20 and the diaphragm member 30 as a single unit using an SOI (Silicon on Insulator) substrate. In other words, an SOI substrate in which silicon oxide film, silicon layer, and silicon oxide film are deposited in that order can be used, with the silicon substrate as the individual channel member 20 and the silicon oxide film, silicon layer, and silicon oxide film forming the diaphragm 31. In this configuration, the layer configuration of silicon oxide film, silicon layer, and silicon oxide film on the SOI substrate becomes the diaphragm member 30. Thus, the diaphragm member 30 includes those composed of materials deposited on the surface of the individual channel member 20.

[0029] The common flow channel member 50 has multiple common supply channel branches 52 leading to two or more individual supply channels 22, and multiple common recovery channel branches 53 leading to two or more individual recovery channels 23, which are formed alternately adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of the nozzle plate. The common flow channel member 50 has through holes that serve as supply ports 54 through which the supply-side openings 32 of the individual supply channels 22 and the common supply channel branches 52 pass, and through holes that serve as recovery ports 55 through which the recovery-side openings 33 of the individual recovery channels 23 and the common recovery channel branches 53 pass. The common flow channel member 50 also forms one or more common supply channel main channels 56 leading to the multiple common supply channel branches 52, and one or more common recovery channel main channels 57 leading to the multiple common recovery channel branches 53.

[0030] The damper member 60 has a supply-side damper 62 facing the supply port 54 of the common supply channel branch 52, and a recovery-side damper 63 facing the recovery port 55 of the common recovery channel branch 53. Here, the common supply channel branch 52 and the common recovery channel branch 53 are constructed by sealing grooves arranged alternately on the common channel member 50, which is the same member, with the supply-side damper 62 or the recovery-side damper 63 of the damper member 60. It is preferable to use a thin metal film or an inorganic film that is resistant to organic solvents as the damper material of the damper member 60. The thickness of the supply-side damper 62 and the recovery-side damper 63 portions of the damper member 60 is preferably 10 μm or less.

[0031] A protective film (also called a wetted film) is formed on the inner wall surfaces of the common supply channel tributary 52 and the common recovery channel tributary 53, and on the inner wall surfaces of the common supply channel main channel 56 and the common recovery channel main channel 57, to protect the inner wall surfaces from the liquid flowing through the channels. For example, on the inner wall surfaces of the common supply channel tributary 52 and the common recovery channel tributary 53, and on the inner wall surfaces of the common supply channel main channel 56 and the common recovery channel main channel 57, a silicon oxide film is formed on the surface by heat treatment of the Si substrate. On top of the silicon oxide film, a tantalum silicon oxide film is formed to protect the surface of the Si substrate from ink.

[0032] The frame member 80 is equipped with a supply port 81 and a discharge port 82 at its upper part. The supply port 81 supplies liquid to the common supply channel main flow 56, and the discharge port 82 discharges liquid discharged from the common recovery channel main flow 57.

[0033] <Comparative Example> Next, the configuration of the comparative example will be explained using Figure 6. Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the head unit of the comparative example.

[0034] The head unit 555Y shown in Figure 6(a) and the head unit 555Z shown in Figure 6(b) are both configured in an array by arranging multiple heads 1Ya~1Yc and 1Za~1Zc adjacent to each other. In the head unit 555Y of Figure 6(a), each head 1Ya~1Yc has an outer shape (ridge) inclined at an angle θY with respect to the short side direction of the nozzle plate, and the liquid discharge section 101Y and nozzle plate 10Y are also formed in a shape that follows this ridge. In other words, head 1Y has a nozzle plate 10Y with a parallelogram outer shape, and multiple nozzles are arranged regularly in a two-dimensional manner on the nozzle surface 12Y (nozzle region) of the nozzle plate 10Y as described above. The nozzle plate 10Y is held by a nozzle plate holding member 102Y. Note that the nozzles are not shown in Figure 6. In the configuration of head unit 555Y, the nozzles are arranged close to the edge of the nozzle surface 12Y (both ends in the longitudinal direction of the nozzle plate).

[0035] In the head unit 555Z shown in Figure 6(b), the inclination of the outer shape of heads 1Za to 1Zc is set to a larger angle θZ than that of head unit 555Y, and a space S is provided at the connection point between heads 1Za, 1Zb, and 1Zc. By providing space S, it becomes possible to position both ends of the nozzle surface 12Z of heads 1Za to 1Zc away from the edge of the nozzle plate 10Z. As a result, external impacts are less likely to be transmitted to the nozzle, pressure chamber, and flow path, reducing damage to the head.

[0036] However, as shown in Figure 6, when the nozzle plates 10Y and 10Z are configured in a parallelogram shape, both ends of the nozzle plate holding members 102Y and 102Z protrude outward. As a result, the length of the nozzle plate in the longitudinal direction increases, leading to the problem of an enlarged head size or head unit size.

[0037] Here, the nozzle plate's short side direction is an example of the "first direction," and the nozzle plate's longitudinal side direction is an example of the "second direction." Note that the nozzle plate's short side direction does not refer to the direction of the short side of a parallelogram-shaped nozzle plate 10 (10Y, 10Z), but rather, assuming the nozzle plate is a rectangle, the direction of the short side of that rectangle is defined as the nozzle plate's short side direction. Similarly, the nozzle plate's longitudinal side direction does not refer to the direction of the long side of a parallelogram-shaped nozzle plate 10 (10Y, 10Z), but rather, assuming the nozzle plate is a rectangle, the direction of the long side of that rectangle is defined as the nozzle plate's longitudinal side direction.

[0038] <First Embodiment> The configuration of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 7 and 8. Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram of the head according to the first embodiment, and Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram of the head unit according to the first embodiment, where Figure 8(a) is a schematic configuration diagram of the head unit, and Figure 8(b) is an enlarged view of the cross-sectional area of ​​Figure 8(a) as seen by the CC line arrow.

[0039] In FIG. 7, the head 1A includes a liquid ejection unit 101A and a nozzle plate holding member 102A. The illustration of the mounting member 103 shown in FIG. 2 is omitted. The liquid ejection unit 101A further includes a nozzle plate 10A. The nozzle plate 10A includes a plurality of nozzles 11 on a plane (nozzle surface 12A) formed by the short side direction of the nozzle plate, which is the first direction, and the long side direction of the nozzle plate, which is the second direction and orthogonal to the short side direction of the nozzle plate.

[0040] Also, the nozzle plate holding member 102A is positioned in the short side direction of the nozzle plate 10A, and the nozzle plate holding member 102A holds the nozzle plate 10A. The second direction is the long side direction of the nozzle plate and is also the direction in which "a plurality of nozzles are arranged at equal intervals at a predetermined pitch corresponding to the recording resolution" shown in FIG. 7. The nozzles 11 provided on the nozzle surface 12A form nozzle rows 11N (11M, 11L) by one or more nozzles 11, and each nozzle row 11N (11M, 11L) is arranged at an inclination with respect to the long side direction of the nozzle plate (the second direction). That is, each nozzle row 11N (11M, 11L) is arranged on the nozzle plate 10A parallel to a straight line L1 inclined at an angle θ4 with respect to the long side direction of the nozzle plate.

[0041] The arrangement of the nozzles 11 on the nozzle plate 10A is such that a nozzle row 11N having N nozzles 11 in a single row is arranged closer to the center in the long side direction of the nozzle plate. In contrast, a nozzle row 11M having M (<N) nozzles 11 in a single row is arranged at one end (the left end in FIG. 7) of the nozzle plate 10A, and a nozzle row 11L having N - M nozzles 11 in a single row is arranged at the other end (the right end in FIG. 7) of the nozzle plate 10A.

[0042] Furthermore, as you move from the central region of the nozzle plate 10A towards one end (the left end in Figure 7), the number of nozzles 11 included in a single nozzle row decreases sequentially. Similarly, at the other end of the nozzle plate 10A (the right end in Figure 7), as you move from the central region of the nozzle plate 10A towards the other end, the number of nozzles 11 included in a single nozzle row decreases sequentially. Here, one end of the nozzle plate 10A (the left end in Figure 7) is an example of a "first end," and the other end of the nozzle plate 10A (the right end in Figure 7) is an example of a "second end."

[0043] The nozzle plate 10A has a parallelogram shape with a short side e1 that is inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction of the nozzle plate and a long side f1 that intersects with the short side e1. The nozzle plate holding member 102A that holds the nozzle plate 10A has a long side f2 formed along the long side f1 of the nozzle plate and a short side e2 that intersects with the long side f2.

[0044] The external shapes of both are configured such that the sum of the acute angle θ1 formed by the short side e1 and long side f1 of the nozzle plate 10A and the interior angle θ2 formed by the long side f2 and short side e2 of the nozzle plate holding member 102A, which is adjacent to this acute angle θ1 (θ1 + θ2), is less than 180 degrees.

[0045] As shown in Figure 8, the head 1 with the above configuration can be formed into a head unit 555A by arranging multiple heads 1A (1Aa, 1Ab, 1Ac) in a line along the longitudinal direction of the nozzle plate. In this case, the nozzle row 11M consisting of M nozzles 11 shown in Figure 7 is aligned with the nozzle row 11L consisting of NM nozzles 11 of the adjacent head with a gap in the vertical direction (short direction of the nozzle plate). As a result, a nozzle row consisting of N nozzles 11, equivalent to nozzle row 11N, is formed.

[0046] With the above configuration, in the first embodiment, the protrusion of region A shown in Figure 6(b) is eliminated, and the length of the nozzle plate in the longitudinal direction of the head 1A (1Aa, 1Ab, 1Ac) or head unit 555A can be shortened. In addition, in the first embodiment, the portion of region A' in Figure 6(b) remains as region A' in the adjacent head as shown in Figure 8(a), so the strength of the nozzle plate in the longitudinal direction of the head unit 555A can be ensured to be the same as that of the comparative example.

[0047] Furthermore, a space S is provided at the connection point between heads 1Aa and 1Ac, making it possible to position the nozzle surface 12A away from the edge (short side of the nozzle plate) e1 of the nozzle plate 10A. As a result, even if an external impact is applied to the edge e1 of the nozzle plate 10A, the impact is less likely to be transmitted to the nozzle or the pressure chamber or flow path connected to the nozzle, thus reducing damage to the head.

[0048] Furthermore, even without positioning the nozzle 11 right up to the edge of the head 1A (nozzle plate 10A) and without significantly offsetting the entire head vertically (in the short direction of the nozzle plate) relative to other heads, the heads 1A can be connected so that the nozzles 11 included in multiple heads 1A are aligned at a predetermined pitch corresponding to the recording resolution (d). This makes it possible to arrange the heads 1A in a line along the longitudinal direction of the nozzle plate and manufacture a linear head unit of any length.

[0049] In this embodiment, the nozzle rows 11N (11M, 11L) are arranged parallel to a straight line L1 that is inclined at an angle θ4 with respect to the longitudinal direction of the nozzle plate (second direction). However, the inclination of the nozzle rows is not limited to this. For example, the nozzle rows may be perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the nozzle plate (second direction) and inclined with respect to the short direction of the nozzle plate (first direction).

[0050] As described above, this embodiment is a head 1A comprising a nozzle plate 10A on which a plurality of nozzles 11 are formed on a nozzle surface 12A formed by the nozzle plate's short direction and the nozzle plate's longitudinal direction perpendicular thereto, and a nozzle plate holding member 103A located in the nozzle plate's short direction and holding the nozzle plate 10A, wherein when the nozzle plate's longitudinal direction is defined as the direction in which the plurality of nozzles 11 are arranged at equal intervals with a predetermined pitch corresponding to the recording resolution d, the plurality of nozzle rows 11N (11M, 11L) composed of the plurality of nozzles 11 are formed on the nozzle plate 10A at an angle θ4 with respect to the nozzle plate's longitudinal direction. Furthermore, the nozzle plate 10A has a short side e1 that is inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction of the nozzle plate, and a long side f1 that intersects with the short side e1. The acute angle between the short side e1 and the long side f1 of the nozzle plate is defined as angle θ1. The interior angle between the long side f2 of the nozzle plate holding member 102A, which is adjacent to this angle θ1 and runs along the long side f1 of the nozzle plate, and the short side e2 of the nozzle plate holding member, which intersects with the long side f2 of the nozzle plate holding member, is defined as angle θ2. The sum of angles θ1 and θ2 (θ1 + θ2) is set to be less than 180 degrees.

[0051] Furthermore, as described above, the nozzle row 11N (11M, 11L) is formed on the nozzle plate 10A at an inclination with respect to the short side direction (first direction) of the nozzle plate.

[0052] Furthermore, as described above, the nozzle plate 10A has a nozzle row 11N consisting of N nozzles arranged in a region closer to the center of the nozzle plate 10A in the longitudinal direction of the nozzle plate (second direction), a nozzle row 11M consisting of M nozzles (fewer than N) arranged at the first end of the nozzle plate 10A, further from the region closer to the center in the longitudinal direction of the nozzle plate, and a nozzle row 11L consisting of (NM) nozzles arranged at the second end of the nozzle plate 10A, further from the region closer to the center in the longitudinal direction of the nozzle plate.

[0053] These features allow for a smaller head 1A (1Aa, 1Ab, 1Ac) or head unit 555A.

[0054] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8(b), the nozzle plate 10A is held by the nozzle plate holding member 102A such that its surface is located inward from the surface of the nozzle plate holding member 102A in the liquid discharge direction. In other words, the surface of the nozzle plate 10A is recessed by a thickness D2 toward the opposite side of the liquid discharge direction from the surface of the nozzle plate holding member 102A. This protects the ends of the head 1A and the nozzle plate 10A from the outside.

[0055] <Second Embodiment> Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram of a head unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0056] In the first embodiment, the nozzle plate holding member 102A is shaped such that the straight line in the longitudinal direction of the nozzle plate and the short side e2 of the nozzle plate holding member 102A are at a right angle. In contrast, the second embodiment differs in that the internal angle θ2 between the long side f2 and the short side e2 of the nozzle plate holding member 102B is less than 90 degrees, and the short side e2 of the nozzle plate holding member 102B is inclined at an angle θ5 with respect to the straight line in the longitudinal direction of the nozzle plate.

[0057] In the second embodiment, when the heads 1Ba, 1Bb, and 1Bc are arranged adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of the nozzle plate, the shapes of the nozzle plates in the short direction of each head 1Ba to 1Bc are configured such that the connecting portions (boundaries) of each head 1Ba to 1Bc fit together perfectly.

[0058] Specifically, at the connection point between each head 1Ba to 1Bc, the obtuse angle between the short side e1 and the long side f1 of the nozzle plate is defined as angle θ6, and a virtual extension line L2 is drawn by extending the short side e1 of the nozzle plate that forms this angle θ6. Then, the angle between the virtual extension line L2 and the short side e2 of the nozzle plate holding member that intersects this virtual extension line L2 is defined as angle θ3. In this case, the shape of the nozzle plate in the short side direction of the head is configured such that the sum of angle θ1 (the acute angle between the short side e1 and the long side f1 of the nozzle plate), angle θ2 (the interior angle between the short side e2 and the long side f2 of the nozzle plate holding member), and angle θ3 is 180 degrees.

[0059] With the above configuration, even in the case of the second embodiment, the protrusion of region A shown in Figure 6(b) is eliminated, and the length of the nozzle plate in the longitudinal direction of the head 1B (1Ba, 1Bb, 1Bc) or head unit 555B can be reduced.

[0060] Furthermore, by setting the angles θ1, θ2, and θ3 to the above relationship, the heads can be placed side by side in close proximity, ensuring the strength (robustness) of the nozzle plate in the longitudinal direction of the head unit 555B. In addition, because the heads are placed side by side in close proximity, when the heads are mounted on the printing device 500, it is possible to prevent problems such as paper or other media, or cleaning members such as wipers used to clean the nozzle surface 12B, getting caught at the joints of the heads 1B.

[0061] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, although the position of region A changes compared to the comparative example in Figure 6(b), the size (area) of the nozzle plate holding member 102B can be secured to be the same as that of the comparative example. Therefore, even if electrical components such as a control board and wiring are provided inside or on the back surface of the nozzle plate holding member 102B, the head can be configured without significantly changing the conventional component arrangement.

[0062] Furthermore, in the second embodiment as well, a space S is provided at the connecting portion of the heads 1Ba to 1Bc, thus achieving the same effects as in the first embodiment. As a result, even if an external impact is applied to the edge (short side e1) of the nozzle plate 10B, for example, the impact is less likely to be transmitted to the nozzle or the pressure chamber or flow path connected to the nozzle, thereby reducing damage to the head module.

[0063] As described above, in this embodiment, when the obtuse angle between the short side e1 of the nozzle plate and the long side f1 of the nozzle plate is defined as angle θ6, and the angle between the virtual extension line L2 of the short side e1 of the nozzle plate that forms angle θ6 and the short side e2 of the nozzle plate holding member that intersects the virtual extension line L2 is defined as angle θ3, the sum of angles θ1, θ2, and θ3 is 180 degrees.

[0064] This allows the heads to be placed side by side in close proximity, ensuring the strength (robustness) of the nozzle plate of the head unit in the longitudinal direction.

[0065] <Third Embodiment> Figure 10 is an explanatory diagram of a head unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0066] The head 1C(1Ca,1Cb,1Cc) shown as the third embodiment has the portion indicated by region A' in the head unit 555A of Figure 8(a) removed.

[0067] In other words, the short side e2 of the nozzle plate holding member is formed along a virtual extension line L2, which is an extension of the short side e1 of the nozzle plate from the side where the angle between the short side e1 and the long side f1 of the nozzle plate is obtuse. To put it another way, if we let angle θ6 be the obtuse angle between the short side e1 and the long side f1 of the nozzle plate, and let θ7 be the angle between the short side e2 and the long side f2 of the nozzle plate holding member, which is adjacent to angle θ6, then the sum of angles θ6 and θ7 is 180 degrees. The relationship between angles θ1 and θ2 is the same as in the first and second embodiments.

[0068] In the third embodiment, not only can the length of the nozzle plate of the head 1C or head unit 555C be shortened, but the head 1C can also be attached and detached from a direction parallel to the short side e1 of the nozzle plate 10C (direction of arrow F1). This improves accessibility when assembling the head unit 555C or when replacing the head 1C.

[0069] <Fourth Embodiment> Figure 11 is an explanatory diagram of a head unit according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0070] In the first embodiment, as shown in Figure 8(a), there are two portions where the straight line in the longitudinal direction of the nozzle plate of the nozzle plate holding member 102A and the short side e2 of the nozzle plate holding member 102A are at a right angle. In other words, in the first embodiment, these right-angle portions are provided adjacent to the two acute angles that the parallelogram has diagonally in the nozzle plate 10A, which has an outer shape of a parallelogram.

[0071] In contrast, the fourth embodiment differs in that it has one location (the upper left portion of each head 1D in Figure 11) where the straight line in the longitudinal direction of the nozzle plate of the nozzle plate holding member 102D and the short side e2 of the nozzle plate holding member 102D are at a right angle. That is, in this embodiment, the sum of the acute angle θ1 formed by the short side e1 and the long side f1 of the nozzle plate 10D and the interior angle θ2 formed by the long side f2 and the short side e2 of the nozzle plate holding member 102D, θ1+θ2, is less than 180 degrees, and this is provided in only one location as described above.

[0072] In the fourth embodiment, as shown in the figure, the lower right portion of each head 1D has a similar area to region A shown in Figure 6(b), so the length of the nozzle plate longitudinally of the head 1D is longer compared to the first to third embodiments described above. However, because region A in the upper left portion of the head 1D is eliminated, the external dimensions of the head 1D are smaller than those of the comparative example.

[0073] Furthermore, in the fourth embodiment, the head 1D can be attached and detached from a direction parallel to the short side e1 of the nozzle plate 10D (direction of arrow F2). This improves accessibility when assembling the head unit 555D or when replacing the head 1D.

[0074] In the third and fourth embodiments, examples were given where the straight line in the longitudinal direction of the nozzle plate of the nozzle plate holding members 102C and 102D is at a right angle to the short side e2 of the nozzle plate holding members 102C and 102D, but it is not limited to a right angle. For example, the short side e2 may be inclined at an angle less than 90 degrees, resulting in a shape like that of the second embodiment.

[0075] <Fifth Embodiment> Figure 12 is an explanatory diagram of a head unit according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0076] The head 1E (1Ea, 1Eb, 1Ec) shown as the fifth embodiment has the portion indicated by area A removed from the head unit 555Y in Figure 6(a) (comparative example).

[0077] In the fifth embodiment, when a head unit is formed by arranging multiple heads, the nozzle plates come into direct contact with adjacent heads. Although this makes the nozzle plates of the heads less robust against physical impacts, it achieves the same effect as the first to fourth embodiments in that the length of the nozzle plates of head 1E or head unit 555E in the longitudinal direction can be shortened. The relationship between angles θ1 and θ2 is the same as in the first to third embodiments.

[0078] <Examples of application> <<Application Example 1>> The liquid dispensing head of the present invention is also capable of dispensing liquids used to form three-dimensional objects. Examples of liquids used to form three-dimensional objects include hydrogel forming materials for forming three-dimensional structures used in therapeutic technique training. 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.

[0079] Examples of polymerizable monomers include monofunctional monomers and polyfunctional monomers. These may be used individually or in combination of two or more. Examples of polyfunctional monomers include difunctional monomers, trifunctional monomers, and monomers with four or more functions.

[0080] There are no particular restrictions on the minerals used, and they can be appropriately selected 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.

[0081] Examples of organic solvents include water-soluble organic solvents. Water solubility in water-soluble organic solvents means that the organic solvent can dissolve in water at a concentration of 30% by mass or more. There are no particular restrictions on water-soluble organic solvents, and they can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. Examples include alkyl alcohols with 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, 1,4-butanediol, and di Examples include polyhydric alcohols such as ethylene 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.

[0082] 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, with glycerin and propylene glycol being more preferred.

[0083] 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 a photopolymerization initiator, any substance that generates radicals when irradiated with light (especially ultraviolet light with a wavelength of 220 nm to 400 nm) can be used. When creating three-dimensional shapes using hydrogel forming material, a UV (Ultra Violet) irradiation mechanism is provided, and the extruded hydrogel forming material is cured and formed by irradiating it with UV light.

[0084] (Specific examples of hydrogel-forming materials) While stirring 120.0 parts by mass of ion-exchanged water that had been degassed under reduced pressure for 30 minutes, 12.0 parts by mass of synthetic hectorite (Laponite XLG, manufactured by RockWood), having the composition [Mg5.34Li0.66Si8O20(OH)4]Na-0.66 as a layered clay mineral, was gradually added 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. To the obtained dispersion, 44.0 parts by mass of acryloylmorpholine (manufactured by KJ Chemicals Co., Ltd.), which had had polymerization inhibitors removed by passing it through an activated alumina column, 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.

[0085] <<Application Example 2>> The liquid dispensing head of 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 dispensing cell suspensions (cell inks). 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.

[0086] 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.

[0087] 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.

[0088] 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.

[0089] For dispersed culture, cell culture media and buffer solutions are preferred. The medium contains components necessary for the formation and maintenance of cell tissues, prevents drying, and regulates 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 medium solution, the medium can be appropriately removed from the cell suspension. The buffer solution is used to adjust the pH according to the cells and purpose, and any known buffer solution can be appropriately selected and used.

[0090] (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 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). Next, 5 mL of the serum-free medium containing the green fluorescent dye was added to a dish of cultured NIH / 3T3 cells (Clone 5611, JCRB Cell Bank), and the cells were cultured in an incubator (KM-CC17RU2, Panasonic Corporation, 37°C, 5 vol. % CO2 environment) for 30 minutes. After that, the supernatant was removed using an aspirator. 5 mL of phosphate-buffered saline (Life Technologies, hereinafter also referred to as PBS(-)) was added to the dish, and the PBS(-) was removed by aspirating with an aspirator, and the surface was washed. After washing with PBS(-) twice, 2 mL of 0.05% trypsin-0.05% EDTA solution (Life Technologies) was added to each dish.

[0091] 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. Then, the cell suspension with inactivated trypsin was transferred to one 50 mL centrifuge tube and centrifuged (product name: H-19FM, manufactured by KOKUSAN, 1,200 rpm, 5 minutes, 5°C), and the supernatant was removed using an aspirator.

[0092] After removal, 2 mL of D-MEM containing 10% FBS and 1% antibiotic was added to the centrifuge tube, and the cells were gently pipetted to disperse and obtain a cell suspension. 10 μL of this cell suspension was taken into an Eppendorf tube, 70 μL of culture medium was added, and then 10 μL was taken into another Eppendorf tube. 10 μL of 0.4% trypan blue staining solution was added and pipetted. 10 μL of the stained cell suspension was taken and placed on a PMMA plastic slide.

[0093] Cell counts were determined by measuring the number of cells using a Countess Automated Cell Counter (manufactured by Invitrogen), thereby obtaining a cell suspension with measured cell counts. PBS(-) was used as the dispersion medium. Glycerin (molecular biology grade, manufactured by Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.) was dissolved in PBS(-) as a cell drying inhibitor at a mass ratio of 0.5% by mass, and the NIH / 3T3 cell suspension was dispersed in the dispersion medium at a concentration of 6 × 10⁶ cells / mL to obtain cell ink.

[0094] The embodiments of the present invention described above can be modified, added to, or deleted as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the invention. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and many modifications are possible within the technical concept of the present invention by those with ordinary skill in the art. [Explanation of symbols]

[0095] 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E Head 101A, 101B, 101C, 101D, 1E Liquid discharge part 102A, 102B, 102C, 102D Nozzle plate holding member 103a, 103b, 103c, 103d Mounting members 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E Nozzle Plate 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, 12E Nozzle surface 555A, 555B, 555C, 555D, 555E Head Unit 11 nozzles 11N, 11M, 11L nozzle row e1 Nozzle plate short side f1 Nozzle plate long side e2 Nozzle plate holding member short side f2 Nozzle plate holding member long side

Claims

1. A nozzle plate having a plurality of nozzles formed on a plane formed by a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, A nozzle plate holding member is located in the first direction of the nozzle plate and holds the nozzle plate, A liquid dispensing head equipped with, When the second direction is defined as the direction in which the plurality of nozzles are arranged at equal intervals with a predetermined pitch corresponding to the recording resolution, The plurality of nozzle rows, which are composed of the plurality of nozzles, are formed on the nozzle plate at an inclination with respect to the second direction, The nozzle plate has a short side that is inclined with respect to the second direction and a long side that intersects with the short side of the nozzle plate. The acute angle formed by the short side and the long side of the nozzle plate is defined as angle θ1. When angle θ2 is defined as the interior angle formed by the long side of the nozzle plate holding member adjacent to the long side of the nozzle plate holding member and the short side of the nozzle plate holding member intersecting the long side of the nozzle plate holding member, the sum of angle θ1 and angle θ2 is less than 180 degrees, The nozzle plate has, In the second direction, a nozzle row consisting of N nozzles is arranged in a region near the center of the nozzle plate. In the second direction, a nozzle row consisting of M nozzles (fewer than N nozzles) is arranged at the first end of the nozzle plate, which is closer to the first end than the central region. A liquid dispensing head characterized in that a nozzle row consisting of (N-M) nozzles is arranged at the second end of the nozzle plate, which is on the second end side opposite to the first end side than the central region in the second direction.

2. The liquid discharge head according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle row is formed on the nozzle plate at an inclination with respect to the first direction.

3. The liquid discharge head according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the surface of the nozzle plate is located inward from the surface of the nozzle plate holding member in the liquid discharge direction.

4. A liquid discharge head according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the nozzle plate has an outer shape of a parallelogram, and the angle θ1 is at least one of the two acute angles that the parallelogram has diagonally.

5. A liquid discharge head according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the obtuse angle between the short side of the nozzle plate and the long side of the nozzle plate is defined as angle θ6, and the angle between the virtual extension line of the short side of the nozzle plate forming angle θ6 and the short side of the nozzle plate holding member intersecting the virtual extension line is defined as angle θ3, such that the sum of angles θ1, θ2, and θ3 is 180 degrees.

6. A liquid discharge head according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when the obtuse angle between the short side of the nozzle plate and the long side of the nozzle plate is defined as angle θ6, and the angle between the short side of the nozzle plate holding member and the long side of the nozzle plate holding member adjacent to angle θ6 is defined as angle θ7, the sum of angle θ6 and angle θ7 is 180 degrees.

7. A liquid dispensing unit comprising a plurality of liquid dispensing heads according to any one of claims 1 to 6, arranged adjacent to each other in the second direction.

8. A liquid dispensing device comprising a liquid dispensing head according to any one of claims 1 to 6, or a liquid dispensing unit according to claim 7.

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