Liquid dispensing device, head, and assembly method of the liquid dispensing device

Abstract

To provide a liquid discharge device and an assembly method of the liquid discharge device which can improve reliability in assembly.SOLUTION: A liquid discharge device includes a head, a holding portion, a first fixing member and a second fixing member. The head includes a first surface configured to discharge liquid. The holding portion holds the head. The first fixing member fixes a cap that covers the first surface in a removable manner. The second fixing member fixes the head and the holding portion. The first fixing member and the second fixing member are provided so as to face the opposite sides of each other along the thickness direction of the head.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The disclosed embodiments relate to a liquid ejection apparatus ,head and a method of assembling the liquid ejection apparatus. BACKGROUND ART

[0002] As liquid ejection apparatuses, inkjet printers and inkjet plotters using an inkjet recording system are known. Such an inkjet-type liquid ejection apparatus is equipped with a liquid ejection head for ejecting liquid.

[0003] As such a liquid ejection head, one that protects the liquid ejection surface with a cap for transportation and conveyance is known (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS PATENT DOCUMENTS

[0004] PATENT DOCUMENT 1 Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2008-74038 PATENT DOCUMENT 2 Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2009-184210 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] A liquid ejection apparatus according to one aspect of the embodiment includes a head, and Robot arm and , solid a fixing member. The head ejects liquid The robot arm has a holding portion for holding the head. The fixing member fixes the head and the holding portion. the head It comprises a flow channel member in which a liquid flows and a base plate that supports the flow channel member. performs. The base plate has an extended portion that extends outward from the area where the flow channel member is arranged. performs. The aforementioned The fixing member fixes the In the extended portion, the base plate and the holding portion to fix doing performs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram (Part 1) of the liquid ejection apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 2]Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram (part 2) of a liquid dispensing device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3A] Figure 3A is a perspective view showing the configuration of the main parts of the liquid dispensing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3B] Figure 3B is a perspective view of the liquid dispensing device shown in Figure 3A, viewed from a different direction. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the liquid dispensing device according to the first embodiment with the cap removed. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the liquid dispensing device according to Modification 1 of the First Embodiment with the cap removed. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing an example of a liquid dispensing device according to a modified example 2 of the first embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the liquid dispensing device shown in Figure 6 with the cap removed. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a plan view showing the vicinity of the second fixing member. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the second fixing member. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the first fixing member. [Figure 11] Figure 11 shows the configuration of the main parts of a liquid dispensing device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 12] Figure 12 shows the configuration of the main parts of a liquid dispensing device according to a modified example of the second embodiment. [Figure 13] Figure 13 shows an example of an assembly method for a liquid dispensing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 14] Figure 14 shows an example of an assembly method for a liquid dispensing device according to a modified version of the first embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] The liquid dispensing apparatus disclosed in this application is described below with reference to the attached drawings. ,headand the embodiment of the assembly method of the liquid ejection apparatus will be described in detail. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below.

[0008] <Printer Configuration> First, an overview of a printer that is an example of the liquid ejection apparatus 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are explanatory diagrams of the printer according to the embodiment. Specifically, FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of the printer, and FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the printer. The printer according to the embodiment is, for example, a color inkjet printer.

[0009] As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid ejection apparatus 1 includes a paper feed roller 2, a guide roller 3, a coater 4, a head case 5, a plurality of transport rollers 6, a plurality of frames 7, a plurality of heads 8, a transport roller 9, a dryer 10, a transport roller 11, a sensor unit 12, and a collection roller 13. The transport roller 6 is an example of a transport unit.

[0010] Further, the liquid ejection apparatus 1 includes a control unit 14 that controls the paper feed roller 2, the guide roller 3, the coater 4, the head case 5, the plurality of transport rollers 6, the plurality of frames 7, the plurality of heads 8, the transport roller 9, the dryer 10, the transport roller 11, the sensor unit 12, and the collection roller 13.

[0011] The liquid ejection apparatus 1 records images and characters on the printing paper P by causing liquid droplets to land on the printing paper P. The printing paper P is an example of a recording medium. The printing paper P is wound around the paper feed roller 2 before use. Then, the liquid ejection apparatus 1 conveys the printing paper P from the paper feed roller 2 to the inside of the head case 5 via the guide roller 3 and the coater 4.

[0012] The coater 4 uniformly applies a coating agent to the printing paper P. Thereby, surface treatment can be performed on the printing paper P, so that the print quality of the liquid ejection apparatus 1 can be improved.

[0013] The head case 5 houses multiple transport rollers 6, multiple frames 7, and multiple heads 8. Inside the head case 5, a space is formed that is isolated from the outside, except for some parts such as the area where the printing paper P enters and exits.

[0014] The internal space of the head case 5 is controlled by the control unit 14, as needed, by at least one of the control factors such as temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure. The transport rollers 6 transport the printing paper P to the vicinity of the head 8 inside the head case 5.

[0015] The frame 7 is a rectangular flat plate positioned close above the printing paper P being transported by the transport rollers 6. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, the frame 7 is positioned so that its longitudinal direction is perpendicular to the transport direction of the printing paper P. Inside the head case 5, multiple (for example, four) frames 7 are positioned along the transport direction of the printing paper P.

[0016] The print head 8 is supplied with a liquid, such as ink, from a liquid tank (not shown). The print head 8 is a liquid ejection head that ejects the liquid supplied from the liquid tank.

[0017] The control unit 14 controls the head 8 based on data such as images and characters, and ejects liquid toward the printing paper P. The distance between the head 8 and the printing paper P is, for example, about 0.5 to 20 mm.

[0018] The print head 8 is fixed to the frame 7. The print head 8 is positioned so that its longitudinal direction is perpendicular to the direction in which the printing paper P is transported.

[0019] In other words, the liquid dispensing device 1 according to this embodiment is a so-called line printer in which a head 8 is fixed inside the liquid dispensing device 1. However, the liquid dispensing device 1 according to this embodiment is not limited to a line printer, but may also be a so-called serial printer.

[0020] A serial printer is a type of printer that alternates between recording data while moving the print head 8 in a direction intersecting the direction of transport of the printing paper P, for example, in a direction approximately perpendicular to the direction of transport of the printing paper P, and transporting the printing paper P.

[0021] As shown in Figure 2, multiple (for example, five) heads 8 are fixed to a single frame 7. Figure 2 shows an example where three heads 8 are located in front of the paper P in the transport direction and two are located behind it, and the heads 8 are positioned so that the centers of each head 8 do not overlap in the transport direction of the paper P.

[0022] A head group 8A is formed by multiple heads 8 located on a single frame 7. The four head groups 8A are positioned along the transport direction of the printing paper P. Heads 8 belonging to the same head group 8A are supplied with ink of the same color. As a result, the liquid ejection device 1 can perform printing with four colors of ink using the four head groups 8A.

[0023] The ink colors ejected from each head group 8A are, for example, magenta (M), yellow (Y), cyan (C), and black (K). The control unit 14 controls each head group 8A to eject multiple colors of ink onto the printing paper P, thereby enabling the printing of a color image on the paper P.

[0024] Furthermore, in order to treat the surface of the printing paper P, a coating agent may be ejected from the head 8 onto the printing paper P.

[0025] Furthermore, the number of heads 8 included in one head group 8A, and the number of head groups 8A mounted on the liquid ejection device 1, can be appropriately changed depending on the object to be printed and the printing conditions. For example, if the color to be printed on the printing paper P is a single color and the printing is limited to the area that can be printed with one head 8, then the number of heads 8 mounted on the liquid ejection device 1 may be as small as one.

[0026] The printed paper P, which has been processed inside the head case 5, is transported to the outside of the head case 5 by the transport roller 9 and passes through the inside of the dryer 10. The dryer 10 dries the printed paper P. The dried printed paper P is transported by the transport roller 11 and collected by the recovery roller 13.

[0027] In the liquid dispensing device 1, drying the printing paper P in the dryer 10 prevents the overlapping printing paper P P from sticking together and prevents undried liquid from rubbing against each other in the recovery roller 13.

[0028] The sensor unit 12 is composed of position sensors, speed sensors, temperature sensors, and the like. The control unit 14 can determine the state of each part of the liquid dispensing device 1 based on the information from the sensor unit 12 and control each part of the liquid dispensing device 1.

[0029] The liquid dispensing device 1 described so far has shown the case where printing paper P is used as the printing target (i.e., recording medium), but the printing target in the liquid dispensing device 1 is not limited to printing paper P, and a roll of cloth or the like may also be used as the printing target.

[0030] Furthermore, the liquid dispensing device 1 may transport the printing paper P on a conveyor belt instead of directly transporting it. By using a conveyor belt, the liquid dispensing device 1 can print on sheets of paper, cut cloth, wood, tiles, etc.

[0031] Furthermore, the liquid dispensing device 1 may be configured to dispense a liquid containing conductive particles from the head 8 to print wiring patterns for electronic equipment. Alternatively, the liquid dispensing device 1 may dispense a predetermined amount of liquid chemical agent or a liquid containing a chemical agent from the head 8 towards a reaction vessel or the like to produce chemical products.

[0032] Furthermore, the liquid dispensing device 1 may include a cleaning unit for cleaning the head 8. The cleaning unit cleans the head 8, for example, by wiping or capping.

[0033] Wiping is a process that removes liquid adhering to the head 8 by wiping the surface of the area where the liquid is discharged with a flexible wiper, for example.

[0034] Furthermore, the capping process is carried out, for example, as follows: First, a cap is placed over the part from which the liquid is discharged, for example, the first surface 23a of the nozzle plate 23 where the discharge hole is located (see Figure 3B) (this is called capping). This creates a substantially sealed space between the first surface 23a and the cap. Next, the liquid is repeatedly discharged in this sealed space. This removes liquids with a viscosity higher than the standard or foreign matter that were clogging the discharge hole on the first surface 23a.

[0035] Furthermore, the liquid dispensing device 1 is not limited to the device that transports the printing target (recording medium) as described above; it may also be a device in which the coating machine (liquid dispensing device) is moved while the printing target remains fixed. Such a liquid dispensing device 1 may be, for example, a device equipped with a robotic arm.

[0036] [First Embodiment] <Configuration of the liquid dispensing head> Next, the configuration of the liquid dispensing device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 3A and 3B. Figure 3A is a perspective view showing the configuration of the main parts of the liquid dispensing device according to the first embodiment. Figure 3B is a perspective view of the liquid dispensing device shown in Figure 3A, viewed from a different direction.

[0037] The liquid dispensing device 1 comprises a head 8, a first fixing member 31, a second fixing member 32, a frame 40, and a cap 50. The head 8 has a first surface 23a from which liquid is dispensed. The cap 50 is attached to the head 8 using the first fixing member 31. The head 8 is also fixed to the frame 40 using the second fixing member 32.

[0038] The material of the frame 40 is, for example, stainless steel or aluminum. The frame 40 is a retaining part that holds the head 8. The frame 40 may be part of the frame 7 shown in Figures 1 and 2, or it may be a member fixed to the frame 7.

[0039] The cap 50 is fixed to the head 8 using the first fixing member 31. The cap 50 protects the first surface 23a, which is a discharge surface having a discharge hole from which liquid is discharged. The material of the cap 50 may be, for example, metal or resin. If it is made of metal, the material of the cap 50 may be, for example, stainless steel or aluminum. If it is made of resin, the material of the cap 50 may be, for example, a thermoplastic resin or thermosetting resin that has resistance to the liquid discharged from the first surface 23a.

[0040] The first fixing member 31 and the second fixing member 32 are, for example, screw members. The first fixing member 31 and the second fixing member 32 shown in Figure 3 are both provided facing the same side along the thickness direction of the head 8. Specifically, when the head 8 is fixed from above the frame 40, the first fixing member 31 is provided from the frame 40 toward the side of the cap 50 (from top to bottom), and the second fixing member 32 is provided in the same orientation toward the side of the head 8 toward the side of the frame 40 (from top to bottom). With this configuration, the first fixing member 31 and the second fixing member 32 are attached in the direction of gravity, which makes it easier to assemble the liquid dispensing device 1 and improves workability during assembly.

[0041] Furthermore, the first fixing member 31 is provided in a removable manner. Therefore, the cap 50 can be removed from the head 8 by removing the first fixing member 31.

[0042] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the liquid dispensing device according to the first embodiment with the cap removed. As shown in Figure 4, the first fixing member 31 is detachably provided in the hole 21 that penetrates the head 8 and the hole 51 provided in the cap 50. The first fixing member 31 can be removed in a direction away from the cap 50. By removing the first fixing member 31 in this way, the liquid dispensing device 1 can remove the cap 50 while the head 8 is fixed to the frame 40. This improves workability and enhances reliability in assembly by protecting the first surface 23a with the cap 50 until use.

[0043] Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the state in which the cap has been removed from the liquid dispensing device according to Modification 1 of the First Embodiment. As shown in Figure 5, the first fixing member 31 and the second fixing member 32 are provided facing opposite directions along the thickness direction of the head 8. The first fixing member 31 is detachably provided in the hole 21 provided in the head 8 and the hole 51 that penetrates the cap 50. In this liquid dispensing device 1 as well, by removing the first fixing member 31, the liquid dispensing device 1 can remove the cap 50 from the head 8 while the head 8 is fixed to the frame 40. Specifically, when the head 8 is fixed from below the frame 40, the first fixing member 31 is provided facing the side of the cap 50 (from top to bottom) from the frame 40, and the second fixing member 32 is provided facing the side of the frame 40 (from bottom to top) from the head 8 in the opposite direction to the first fixing member 31. This configuration also allows the first fixing member 31 and the second fixing member 32 to be inserted from the heavier object to the lighter object, improving work efficiency, and the first surface 23a is protected by the cap 50 until use, improving reliability during assembly.

[0044] Furthermore, in the liquid dispensing device 1 according to this modified example, the first fixing member 31 can be removed in the same direction as the cap 50, but away from the first surface 23a. Therefore, there is no need to secure a separate path for removing the first fixing member 31 from the path for removing the cap 50, which increases design flexibility, for example.

[0045] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing an example of a liquid dispensing device according to Modification 2 of the first embodiment. Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the liquid dispensing device shown in Figure 6 with the cap removed.

[0046] The liquid dispensing device 1 according to this modified example has a housing 40A instead of a frame 40. The housing 40A is a holding part that holds the head 8. The housing 40A has a space inside that accommodates a part of the head 8. The housing 40A may be, for example, a structure that separates the internal space from the external space. Such a liquid dispensing device 1 is applied, for example, to painting applications where a volatile liquid is to be dispensed.

[0047] As shown in Figure 6, the housing 40A has a hole 42 for fixing the head 8 using a second fixing member 32. The cap 50 also has a through-hole 52 at a position corresponding to the hole 42. The through-hole 52 is a through-hole that penetrates the cap 50 in the thickness direction of the head 8. The through-hole 52 is not used to fix the cap 50, but rather to insert the second fixing member 32 and fix the head 8 to the housing 40A. The through-hole 52 may be, for example, located at the end of the cap 50 and having a shape that penetrates the cap 50 in the thickness direction of the head 8, i.e., a notch.

[0048] Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the liquid dispensing device shown in Figure 6 with the cap removed. The cap 50 can be removed from the head 8 by removing the first fixing member 31, which is located on the outer side in the longitudinal direction of the first surface 23a. The head 8 also has a through-hole 26 located on the outer side in the short direction of the first surface 23a. The through-hole 26 is used to fix the head 8 to the housing 40A using the second fixing member 32.

[0049] Here, an example of the shape of the through-hole 26 and its vicinity where the second fixing member 32 is located will be described. Figure 8 is a plan view showing the vicinity of the second fixing member. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the second fixing member. Note that the cap 50 is not shown in Figure 8.

[0050] As shown in Figure 9, the head 8 comprises a nozzle plate 23, a flow path member 24, and a base plate 25. The nozzle plate 23 has a first surface 23a for discharging liquid and a second surface 23b opposite the first surface 23a. The flow path member 24 is located on the second surface 23b and has a plurality of reservoir plates stacked in the thickness direction of the head 8. The base plate 25 is located on the opposite side of the nozzle plate 23, with the flow path member 24 in between. The base plate 25 is a member with a greater thickness than each of the reservoir plates of the flow path member 24. For example, the base plate 25 may be a machined metal part or a resin molded product with high rigidity and strength.

[0051] Furthermore, the flow channel member 24 has a through-hole 26 that penetrates in the thickness direction. As shown in Figure 8, the through-hole 26 has a notch shape that faces the end face 27 of the flow channel member 24. The through-hole 26 is located away from the second fixing member 32, which is indicated by a dashed line. The second fixing member 32 fastens the head 8 to the housing 40A by fastening the base plate 25 to the housing 40A. Note that the fact that the through-hole 26 is located away from the second fixing member 32 means that the inner wall of the through-hole 26 is not in contact with the second fixing member 32.

[0052] Since the through-hole 26 is located away from the second fixing member 32, the flow path member 24 is not subjected to shear stress associated with the installation of the second fixing member 32. Each reservoir plate constituting the flow path member 24 is thinner than the base plate 25, so if it is subjected to stress when the second fixing member 32 is fastened, deformation may occur, for example, causing a malfunction in the discharge performance. On the other hand, according to the head 8 of this modified example, the shear stress associated with the installation of the second fixing member 32 is borne by the base plate 25. Since the base plate 25 is thicker than each reservoir plate of the flow path member 24, it is less likely to deform when the second fixing member 32 is installed. For this reason, the liquid discharge device 1 equipped with a flow path member 24 having such a through-hole 26 has increased durability of the head 8, for example. Furthermore, it does not need to make the head 8 larger than necessary, and it can also contribute to miniaturization of the head 8.

[0053] Next, an example of the shape of the cap 50 and its vicinity where the first fixing member 31 is located will be described. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the first fixing member.

[0054] As shown in Figure 10, the cap 50 has a hole 51. The base plate 25 also has a hole 21 at a position corresponding to the hole 51. The first fixing member 31 is positioned, for example, inside the holes 21 and 51, thereby removably fixing the base plate 25 and the cap 50. In Figure 10, an example is shown where the first fixing member 31 is provided from the base plate 25 side, but the shape of the holes 21 and 51 may be changed so that it is provided from the cap 50 side.

[0055] [Second Embodiment] Figure 11 shows the configuration of the main parts of a liquid dispensing device according to the second embodiment. The liquid dispensing device 1A shown in Figure 11 includes a robot arm 100 that can be controlled by a control unit 140. A holding unit 101 is located at the tip of the robot arm 100.

[0056] In the liquid dispensing device 1A, the robot arm 100 may be positioned so that the holding part 101 faces downward, and the head 8 held by the holding part 101 may be fixed to the holding part 101 using a second fixing member 32 that extends upward from the bottom of the head 8. By positioning the robot arm 100 in this way and fixing the head 8, even in the liquid dispensing device 1A equipped with the robot arm 100, the first surface 23a of the head 8 can be protected by the cap 50 until use, thereby improving reliability during assembly.

[0057] Figure 12 shows the configuration of the main part of a liquid dispensing device according to a modified example of the second embodiment. In the liquid dispensing device 1A shown in Figure 12, the control unit 140 positions the robot arm 100 so that the holding part 101 faces upward, and the head 8 held by the holding part 101 is fixed to the holding part 101 using a second fixing member 32 that extends downward from the upper side of the head 8. By positioning the robot arm 100 in this way and fixing the head 8, for example, the load due to the mass of the head 8 and the second fixing member 32 is more easily transmitted to the holding part 101, which improves workability, for example.

[0058] [How to assemble a liquid dispensing device] Figure 13 shows an example of an assembly method for a liquid dispensing device according to the first embodiment. First, a cap 50 covering the first surface 23a of the head 8 is attached using a removable first fixing member 31 (step S11). The first fixing member 31 is provided along the thickness direction of the head 8. The first fixing member 31 may be provided from above to below the head 8 as shown in the figure, or from below to above the cap 50.

[0059] Next, the frame 40 is positioned below the head 8 with the cap 50 attached (step S12), and the head 8 and frame 40 are fixed together using the second fixing member 32 (step S13). The second fixing member 32 may be provided from above to below the head 8 as shown in the figure, or from below to above the cap 50. This completes the liquid dispensing device 1 with the removable cap 50 attached (step S14).

[0060] Figure 14 shows an example of an assembly method for a liquid dispensing device according to a modification of the first embodiment. First, a cap 50 covering the first surface 23a of the head 8 is attached using a removable first fixing member 31 (step S21). Step S21 is the same as step S11 described above.

[0061] Next, the frame 40 is positioned above the head 8 to which the cap 50 is attached (step S22), and the head 8 and frame 40 are fixed together using the second fixing member 32 (step S23). The second fixing member 32 may be provided from below to above the cap 50 as shown in the figure, or from above to below the head 8. This completes the liquid dispensing device 1 with the removable cap 50 attached (step S24).

[0062] Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. For example, a frame 40 or housing 40A may be positioned as the holding portion 101 located at the tip of the robot arm 100 shown in Figure 11 and / or Figure 12.

[0063] As described above, the liquid dispensing device 1 according to this embodiment comprises a head 8, a holding part, a cap 50, and a second fixing member 32. The head 8 has a first surface 23a from which liquid is dispensed. The holding part holds the head 8. The cap 50 is fixed to the head 8 using a removable first fixing member 31 and covers the first surface 23a. The second fixing member 32 fixes the head 8 and the holding part. This makes it possible to protect the first surface 23a of the head 8 with the cap 50 until use, thereby improving the reliability of the assembly of the liquid dispensing device 1.

[0064] Furthermore, the first fixing member 31 and the second fixing member 32 in this embodiment are both provided facing the same side along the thickness direction of the head 8. This improves workability and enhances reliability in the assembly of the liquid dispensing device 1 by protecting the first surface 23a of the head 8 with the cap 50 until use.

[0065] Furthermore, the first fixing member 31 and the second fixing member 32 in this embodiment are provided facing opposite directions along the thickness direction of the head 8. This improves workability and enhances reliability in the assembly of the liquid dispensing device 1 by protecting the first surface 23a of the head 8 with the cap 50 until use.

[0066] Furthermore, the first fixing member 31 according to the embodiment is provided to be removable from the holding portion in the direction in which the cap 50 is located. This improves workability and also improves reliability in the assembly of the liquid dispensing device 1 by protecting the first surface 23a with the cap 50 until the head 8 is used.

[0067] Furthermore, the liquid dispensing device 1A according to this embodiment includes a robot arm 100 with a holding portion 101 located at its tip. This allows the liquid dispensing device 1A equipped with the robot arm 100 to protect the first surface 23a of the head 8 with the cap 50 until use, thereby improving the reliability of the assembly of the liquid dispensing device 1.

[0068] Furthermore, the head 8 according to this embodiment includes a nozzle plate 23 having a first surface 23a and a second surface 23b facing the first surface 23a, a flow path member 24 located on the second surface 23b and having a plurality of reservoir plates stacked in the thickness direction of the head 8, and a base plate 25 located on the opposite side of the flow path member 24 from the nozzle plate 23 and having a greater thickness than each reservoir plate. The base plate 25 has a first hole for attaching the first fixing member 31 and a second hole for attaching the second fixing member 32. This increases the durability of the head 8.

[0069] Furthermore, the flow channel member 24 according to this embodiment has a first through-hole located away from the second fixing member 32 at a position corresponding to the second hole. This increases the durability of the head 8 and also contributes to miniaturizing the head 8.

[0070] Furthermore, the cap 50 according to this embodiment has a second through-hole located away from the second fixing member 32 at a position corresponding to the second hole. This improves workability.

[0071] Further effects and modifications can be readily derived by those skilled in the art. Therefore, broader aspects of this disclosure are not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments expressed and described above. Accordingly, various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit or scope of the overall concept of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 1,1A liquid discharge device 4. Coating machine 6. Conveyor rollers (an example of a conveying section) 8 heads 10 Dryer 14 Control Unit 23 Nozzle Plate 23a 1st page 24 Flow channel members 25 Base Plate 31 First fixing member 32 Second fixing member 40 frames 50 caps

Claims

1. A head that dispenses liquid, A robot arm having a holding portion for holding the head, A fixing member that fixes the head and the holding portion. Equipped with, The head has a flow channel member in which a liquid flows, and a base plate that supports the flow channel member. The base plate has an extended portion that extends outward from the area where the flow channel member is arranged. The fixing member fixes the base plate and the holding portion in the extended portion. Liquid discharge device.

2. The thickness of the base plate is greater than the thickness of the flow channel member. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 1.

3. The head is elongated in the first direction, The fixing members are located at both ends of the head in the first direction. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The head further comprises a nozzle plate having a first surface for discharging liquid and a second surface opposite to the first surface, The flow channel member is located on the second surface, The base plate is located on the opposite side of the nozzle plate from the flow path member. A liquid dispensing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The flow path member has a plurality of reservoir plates stacked in the thickness direction of the head, Each of the multiple reservoir plates has a thickness smaller than the thickness of the base plate. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 4.

6. The head further comprises a cap fixing member that removably fixes a cap covering the surface from which the liquid is discharged, The fixing member and the cap fixing member are provided facing opposite directions along the thickness direction of the head. A liquid dispensing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The holding portion is configured such that the fixing member can be removed from the direction in which the surface from which the liquid is discharged is located. A liquid dispensing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A base plate fixed to the holding part of the robot arm, A flow channel member supported by the base plate, having a flow channel formed therein through which liquid flows, It is a head equipped with, The base plate has an extended portion for fixing to the holding portion, located outside the area where the flow channel member is positioned. head.

9. The thickness of the base plate is greater than the thickness of the flow channel member. The head according to claim 8.

10. The head is elongated in the first direction, Fixing portions for securing the base plate to the holding portion are provided at both ends in the first direction. The head according to claim 8 or 9.

11. The invention further comprises a nozzle plate having a first surface for discharging liquid and a second surface opposite to the first surface, The flow channel member is located on the second surface, The base plate is located on the opposite side of the nozzle plate from the flow path member. The head according to any one of claims 8 to 10.

12. The flow path member has a plurality of reservoir plates stacked in the thickness direction of the head, Each of the multiple reservoir plates has a thickness smaller than the thickness of the base plate. The head according to claim 11.

13. A flow channel member having a flow channel formed in which a liquid flows, A base plate that supports the flow channel member and has an extended portion that extends outward from the area where the flow channel member is placed. A process of preparing a head equipped with, The process involves fixing the base plate to the holding portion located at the tip of the robot arm using a fixing member in the extended portion, and A method for assembling a liquid dispensing device, including the liquid dispensing device.

14. The process further includes fixing a cap that covers the liquid-discharging surface of the head to the head using a cap fixing member that faces in the opposite direction to the fixing member. A method for assembling a liquid dispensing device according to claim 13.

15. The head is fixed to the holding part by the fixing member from the direction in which the surface from which the liquid is discharged is located. A method for assembling a liquid dispensing device according to claim 13 or 14.

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