Flow path member, liquid discharge device, and recording device

Abstract

In this flow path member, one or more nozzle groups each include a plurality of nozzles that are open to a discharge surface. When viewed in a second direction, the plurality of nozzles are arranged at an interval corresponding to a predetermined resolution in at least a central region of each nozzle group. On both sides of each nozzle group in a first direction, the other nozzle groups are not positioned, or the other nozzle groups are positioned apart from each other in the first direction at a distance longer than the interval. In a planar perspective view of the discharge surface, the smallest quadrangle including each nozzle group is referred to as a nozzle region. The smallest rectangle having a pair of first sides parallel to the first direction and a pair of second sides parallel to the second direction, and including all the nozzle groups is referred to as a virtual region. At least a part of at least one of one or more outlets is contained between the outer edge of all the nozzle regions and the outer edge of the virtual region.

Description

Flow path member, liquid ejection device and recording device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a flow path member having a plurality of nozzles that eject liquid, a liquid ejection device having the flow path member, and a recording device having the liquid ejection device.

[0002] There is known a recording device that records (e.g., prints) by ejecting a liquid (e.g., ink) toward a recording medium (e.g., paper) (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 listed below). The liquid is ejected from a plurality of nozzles. The plurality of nozzles is formed in a flow path member. In addition to the plurality of nozzles, the flow path member has, for example, inlets that open on an outer surface of the flow path member and through which the liquid supplied to the plurality of nozzles flows.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-103663 discloses a recording device that circulates ink. Specifically, a flow path member has an outlet that opens on the outer surface of the flow path member and allows ink that has not been ejected from the multiple nozzles to flow out. The liquid that flows out from the outlet is supplied to the inlet by a pump. By circulating the ink, for example, the likelihood of the ink solidifying within the flow path member is reduced.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-124499 discloses a flow path member having multiple nozzle groups. Each nozzle group has multiple nozzles. The multiple nozzle groups are arranged at intervals longer than the intervals between the multiple nozzles within each nozzle group. This allows, for example, a relatively wide flow path for supplying liquid to the multiple nozzles to be positioned between adjacent nozzle groups.

[0005] International Publication No. 2021 / 199451 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-311959

[0006] A flow path member according to one aspect of the present disclosure has an ejection surface, a rear surface, one or more nozzle groups, and one or more outlets. The ejection surface extends in a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The rear surface faces the opposite side of the ejection surface. The one or more nozzle groups each include a plurality of nozzles opening onto the ejection surface. The one or more outlets open onto the rear surface and allow liquid not ejected from the plurality of nozzles to flow out. When viewed in the second direction, the plurality of nozzles are arranged at an interval corresponding to a predetermined resolution in at least a central region of each nozzle group. On either side of each nozzle group in the first direction, other nozzle groups are not located, or the other nozzle groups are located a distance apart in the first direction that is longer than the interval. In a planar perspective view of the ejection surface, the smallest rectangle encompassing each nozzle group is referred to as a nozzle region. In a planar perspective view of the ejection surface, the smallest rectangle that encompasses all of the nozzle groups and has a pair of first sides parallel to the first direction and a pair of second sides parallel to the second direction is referred to as a virtual area, in which at least one of the one or more outlets is located between the outer edges of all of the nozzle areas and the outer edge of the virtual area.

[0007] A flow path member according to one aspect of the present disclosure has an ejection surface, a rear surface, one or more nozzle groups, and one or more outlets. The ejection surface extends in a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The rear surface faces the opposite side of the ejection surface. The one or more nozzle groups each include a plurality of nozzles opening onto the ejection surface. The one or more inlets open onto the rear surface and receive liquid supplied to the plurality of nozzles. When viewed in the second direction, the plurality of nozzles are arranged at an interval corresponding to a predetermined resolution in at least a central region of each nozzle group. On either side of each nozzle group in the first direction, other nozzle groups are not located, or the other nozzle groups are located a distance apart in the first direction that is longer than the interval. In a planar perspective view of the ejection surface, the smallest rectangle encompassing each nozzle group is referred to as a nozzle region. In a planar perspective view of the ejection surface, the smallest rectangle that encompasses all of the nozzle groups and has a pair of first sides parallel to the first direction and a pair of second sides parallel to the second direction is referred to as a virtual region. In this case, at least a portion of at least one of the one or more inlets is contained between the outer edge of all of the nozzle regions and the outer edge of the virtual region. Each of the nozzle regions has a pair of second opposite sides that face each other in the first direction. None of the inlets is located at a position on the first side of the second opposite sides of all of the nozzle regions that is closest to the first side in the first direction, nor at a position on the second side of the second opposite sides of all of the nozzle regions that is closest to the second side in the first direction.

[0008] A liquid ejection device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes the flow path member, and an actuator that applies pressure to the liquid in the flow path member to eject the liquid from the nozzle.

[0009] A recording apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes the liquid ejection device and a transport device that moves the liquid ejection device and the recording medium relative to each other in the second direction.

[0010] 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a recording apparatus according to an embodiment. It is a top view of a plurality of flow path members included in the recording apparatus of FIG. 1. It is a planar perspective view of one of the plurality of flow path members of FIG. 2. It is an enlarged planar perspective view of region IV of FIG. 3. It is a cross-sectional view of a head taken along line V-V of FIG. 4. It is a cross-sectional view of a flow path member taken along line VI-VI of FIG. 3. It is a schematic view showing the positional relationship between an inlet, an outlet, and a nozzle group. It is another schematic view showing the positional relationship between an inlet and a nozzle group. It is a planar perspective view of a flow path member according to another example (first example). It is a planar perspective view of a flow path member according to yet another example (second example). It is a planar perspective view of a flow path member according to yet another example (third example).

[0011] For aspects that are described relatively later among multiple aspects relating to various devices or components, only differences from the previously described aspects will be described. Matters not specifically mentioned may be considered to be the same as or inferred from the previously described aspects. Furthermore, for the sake of convenience, the same reference numerals may be used to refer to corresponding configurations in multiple aspects, even if there are differences.

[0012] The drawings used in the following description are schematic. Therefore, for example, certain shapes and / or dimensions may be exaggerated or details may be omitted. Furthermore, the dimensional proportions of the same components in the drawings do not necessarily match. However, this does not deny that shape and / or dimensional features may be extracted from the drawings.

[0013] For convenience, the drawings may be illustrated with a Cartesian coordinate system D1D2D3, and terms such as D1 direction, D2 direction, and D3 direction may be used. The recording device according to the embodiment may be used in any orientation. However, for convenience, an example in which the +D3 side is upward may be used without any particular specification, and expressions based on this example may be used.

[0014] 1 is a schematic perspective view of a printer 1 (an example of a recording device) according to an embodiment. The printer 1 is configured as an inkjet printer that prints on a medium 101 (an example of a recording medium) such as paper. More specifically, in the illustrated example, the medium 101 is roll paper, and is transported in the direction indicated by the outline arrow (or the opposite direction). Ink is then ejected from an ejection system 3 toward the medium 101, thereby performing printing.

[0015] The ejection system 3 has, for example, a plurality of (four in the illustrated example) ejection units 5. The plurality of ejection units 5 eject, for example, ink of different colors (for example, four colors). Each ejection unit 5 has, for example, a plurality of (three in the illustrated example) heads 7 arranged in a direction (direction D1) that intersects (for example, is perpendicular to) the transport direction of the medium 101. The ejection system 3, ejection units 5, and heads 7 are each an example of a liquid ejection device.

[0016] 2 is a top view showing the portion of one ejection unit 5 on the media 101 side (more specifically, the flow path member 9 described below). In this figure, however, the nozzle region NA located on the lower surface of the flow path member 9 (ejection surface 9a shown in FIG. 5) is also shown by a two-dot chain line. The nozzle region NA is the region where the nozzles 11 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) that eject ink are arranged.

[0017] One or more (four in the illustrated example) inlets 15S and one or more (four in the illustrated example) outlets 15C are opened on the back surface 9b of each flow path member 9. The inlets 15S receive liquid to be supplied to the nozzles 11 from outside the flow path member 9. The outlets 15C allow liquid that is not ejected from the nozzles 11 to flow out of the flow path member 9.

[0018] Fig. 3 is a plan perspective view of one flow path member 9. Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of region IV in Fig. 3. However, in Figs. 3 and 4, for convenience of illustration, selected components are shown in perspective. More specifically, Fig. 3 shows, for example, the inlet 15S and outlet 15C already described. Fig. 4 shows, for example, the nozzle 11 in addition to the above components.

[0019] 2, 3, and 4, the multiple nozzles 11 are arranged in a matrix within a parallelogram-shaped nozzle region NA. The multiple nozzles 11 included in each nozzle region NA are sometimes collectively referred to as a nozzle group 27. As shown in Fig. 4, in each nozzle group 27, the multiple nozzles 11 are arranged in a direction intersecting direction D2 (direction D4 in the illustrated example) to form multiple (n) nozzle rows 29.

[0020] When viewed in the D2 direction (the transport direction of the medium 101), the nozzles 11 in the multiple (n) nozzle rows 29 are positioned in different directions in the D1 direction. In other words, when viewed in the D2 direction, between adjacent nozzles 11 in one nozzle row 29, nozzles 11 in one or more other nozzle rows 29 are located. This makes it possible to form dots on the medium 101 that are aligned in the D1 direction at a distance (d1 / n) that is shorter than the distance d1 ( FIG. 4 ) between adjacent nozzles 11 in one nozzle row 29 in the D1 direction. In other words, higher resolution is achieved compared to an embodiment in which only one nozzle row 29 is provided.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2 , each nozzle region NA has a main region NAm that does not overlap with adjacent nozzle regions NA when viewed in the D2 direction, and a sub-region NAs that does overlap. In the main region NAm, a desired resolution (resolution corresponding to d1 / n) is achieved by only one nozzle region NA (one nozzle group 27). In the sub-region NAs, a desired resolution is achieved by two nozzle regions NA (two sub-regions NAs, two nozzle groups 27) that overlap with each other. From another perspective, the separation of the two nozzle regions NA ensures, for example, space between them that can be used for appropriate purposes (e.g., the arrangement of the main common supply flow path 17S shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 ). The distance L1 ( FIG. 4 ) between adjacent nozzle regions NA is longer than the distance d1.

[0022] 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining the positional relationship between the nozzle area NA and the outlet 15C. In this diagram, the nozzle area NA is shown in place of a part of the flow path (a supply sub-common flow path 19S, which will be described later) in FIG.

[0023] Here, one nozzle area NA is the smallest rectangle that encompasses one nozzle group 27. In the illustrated example, as already described, the nozzle area NA is a parallelogram. Furthermore, the smallest rectangle that encompasses all of the nozzle groups 27 is referred to as a virtual area VA. In the illustrated example, the shape of the virtual area VA is a rectangle having a pair of long sides (opposite sides S11, an example of first sides) parallel to the D1 direction and a pair of short sides (opposite sides S12, an example of second sides) parallel to the D2 direction.

[0024] When viewed from a plane perspective, at least a portion (in the illustrated example, the entirety) of at least one (in the illustrated example, all) of the one or more outlets 15C is contained between the outer edges of all nozzle areas NA and the outer edge of the virtual area VA. Just to be clear, the outer edge of the nozzle area NA refers to the outline of the nozzle area NA consisting of the four sides (S1, S1, S2, and S2) of a rectangle (parallelogram in the illustrated example). If there are multiple nozzle areas NA, the outer edges of all nozzle areas NA refer to the outlines of the multiple nozzle areas NA. The outer edge of the virtual area VA refers to the outline of the virtual area VA consisting of the four sides (S21, S21, S22, and S22) of the rectangle.

[0025] In the illustrated example, the outer edge of the flow path member 9 (more specifically, the rear surface 9b on which the outlet 15C opens) is smaller than the virtual area VA. Taking this aspect into consideration, more accurately, the outlet 15C is contained between the outer edge of the multiple nozzle areas NA and the outer edge of the area where the virtual area VA and the flow path member 9 overlap. However, since it is natural that the outlet 15C opening on the rear surface 9b is located inside the outer edge of the flow path member 9, in the description of the embodiment, reference to the outer edge of the flow path member 9 may be omitted, as in the first sentence of this paragraph.

[0026] Because the outlet 15C is located outside the nozzle region NA, there is less need to make the positions of the individual flow paths 20 (described below) including the nozzles 11 and the outlet 15C different in the direction D3, compared to other embodiments. As a result, for example, it is easier to make the flow path member 9 thinner. Because the outlet 15C is located within the virtual region VA, it is easier to make the flow path member 9 smaller in size in a plan view, compared to other embodiments. In addition, because the outlet 15C and the nozzle region NA are closer, the flow path for recovering the liquid is shorter. From another perspective, the flow path through which the liquid with a lowered temperature flows is shorter. As a result, the fluidity of the liquid can be improved.

[0027] As will be described later, the virtual area VA can also be defined in an embodiment in which the flow path member 9 has only one nozzle group 27. In other words, the technical matter that the outlet 15C is located between the outer edge of the nozzle area NA and the outer edge of the virtual area VA does not need to be based on the premise of multiple nozzle groups 27. Furthermore, technical matters from a different perspective than the above technical matters may be extracted from this disclosure. In this case, for example, the outlet 15C may not be provided, or there may not be a gap between the outer edge of the nozzle area NA and the outer edge of the virtual area VA.

[0028] The above is an overview of the printer 1 according to the embodiment. The following will be explained in the following order: 1. Printer 1 in general (Fig. 1) 2. Discharge system 3 (Fig. 1) 3. Discharge unit 5 (Figs. 1 and 2) 4. Head 7 (Figs. 3 to 6) 4.1. Head 7 in general 4.2. Flow path member 9 4.2.1. Flow path member in general 4.2.2. Flow path shape in general 4.2.3. Common flow path 4.2.3.1. Inlet and outlet 4.2.3.2. Manifold stack structure 4.2.3.3. Main common flow path and sub-common flow path 4.2.4. Individual flow paths 4.2.5. Nozzle arrangement 4.3. Actuator 5. Inlet and outlet positions (Figs. 7 and 8) 6. Other examples of flow path member 6.1. Flow path member according to the first example (Fig. 9) 6.2. Flow path member according to the second example (FIG. 10) 6.3. Flow path member according to the third example (FIG. 11) 6.4. Combination of various examples 7. Summary of embodiments

[0029] 1 includes, for example, the above-described ejection system 3 and a transport device 31 that transports the medium 101. Although not specifically shown, the printer 1 may also include, for example, a drying device that dries ink that has landed on the medium 101, or a controller that controls each part of the printer 1 (such as the ejection system 3 and the transport device 31).

[0030] The printer 1 prints on, for example, roll paper as the medium 101. However, the medium 101 may also be sheet paper. The size of the medium 101 is also arbitrary. For example, the size of the medium 101 may be small, like a receipt, the size of paper commonly used in offices, or large, like a poster. From another perspective, the size of the printer 1 is arbitrary.

[0031] The transport device 31 may have any configuration. FIG. 1 illustrates a configuration in which a roller in contact with the media 101 is rotated. Other configurations include a configuration in which a belt that adsorbs the media 101 is transported, or a configuration in which a drum around which the media 101 is wound is rotated. The transport path for the media 101 may also be any configuration. For example, the transport path may extend generally straight (including a path that curves gradually so that part or all of the path does not make a U-turn) (as in the illustrated example), or it may extend in a U-turn.

[0032] 1 is configured for use in a so-called line printer. That is, the ejection system 3 (or, from another perspective, the ejection unit 5) spans almost the entire width (direction D1) of the medium 101. Then, as the medium 101 is transported, printing is performed in a band-shaped area extending in the direction D1, thereby forming a two-dimensional image.

[0033] Unlike the illustrated example, one head 7 may span substantially the entire width of the medium 101. The ejection system 3 may also be for a serial printer. In this case, the operation of printing while moving the head 7 (or the ejection unit 5 or the ejection system 3) in the direction D1 and the transport of the medium 101 are performed alternately. For convenience, in explaining the embodiments, a line printer in which two or more heads 7 (three in FIG. 1) span the width of the medium 101 may be used as an example unless otherwise specified.

[0034] The ejection system 3 has at least one head 7 (12 in the illustrated example). In the example of FIG. 1, as described above, four ejection units 5 are arranged in the D2 direction (the transport direction of the medium 101) corresponding to four colors. In other words, the multiple (three) heads 7 in each ejection unit 5 correspond to ink of the same color. The four colors are, for example, magenta (M), yellow (Y), cyan (C), and black (K). This allows the printer 1 to function as a color printer.

[0035] Contrary to the above description, the printer 1 may be one that prints in a single color, or conversely, one that prints in more than four colors. In other words, the number of colors is arbitrary. Also, contrary to the above description, two or more ejection units 5 may correspond to one color. This may more than double the resolution of one color. Conversely, one head 7 may correspond to two or more colors. As can be understood from the above, the number of ejection units 5 (heads 7) that the ejection system 3 has is arbitrary.

[0036] The discharge system 3 may hold the discharge unit 5 using an appropriate member. In FIG. 1 , a plate-shaped (frame-shaped) unit holding member 33 is shown as an example. The unit holding member 33 has an opening (not shown) that exposes the discharge surface 9 a ( FIG. 5 ) of the head 7 where the nozzles 11 are open. The discharge unit 5 (for example, a head holding member 35 described later) abuts against the periphery of the opening of the unit holding member 33 from the +D3 side, and is fixed to the unit holding member 33 with screws (not shown) or the like.

[0037] (3. Discharge Unit) Each discharge unit 5 has multiple heads 7 (three in the illustrated example) that are positioned at different positions in the D1 direction. The multiple heads 7 may, for example, have the same configuration as each other, or may have different configurations as each other. In the description of the embodiment, the former form may be taken as an example unless otherwise specified.

[0038] The number of heads 7 included in the discharge unit 5 is arbitrary. For example, unlike the illustrated example, the number of heads 7 may be two, or may be four or more. Also, unlike the description of the embodiment, only one head 7 may be provided. In other words, the discharge unit 5 may not be conceptualized.

[0039] In each ejection unit 5, the multiple heads 7 are arranged, for example, linearly in the D1 direction (or, from another perspective, in a row). That is, the positions of the multiple heads 7 in the D2 direction are the same. In this regard, the multiple heads 7 may be arranged so that each of them has a configuration that is rotationally symmetrical by 180 degrees with respect to an axis of symmetry parallel to the D3 axis, or the multiple heads 7 may be arranged so that each of them has a configuration that is rotationally asymmetrical by 180 degrees with respect to an axis of symmetry parallel to the D3 axis, in the same direction or in opposite directions. Whether the positions in the D2 direction are the same or different may be determined, for example, based on the position of the nozzle 11.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 2 , the sub-regions NAs of adjacent heads 7 are adjacent to each other. As with two adjacent sub-regions NAs within a single head 7, the desired resolution is achieved by both nozzles 11. In the explanation of the outline of the embodiment, it was stated that the sub-regions NAs contribute to ensuring an area for arranging the main common supply flow channel 17S. In addition to or instead of ensuring such an area, the sub-regions NAs can contribute to ensuring the distance between adjacent heads 7 (however, in the example of FIG. 2 , the distance between the two is zero) and / or ensuring the distance from the sub-regions NAs of each head 7 to the outer edge of the head 7 in the portion where the heads 7 are adjacent to each other.

[0041] Unlike the illustrated example, the positions of adjacent heads 7 in the D2 direction may be offset from each other by a distance shorter than the length of the heads 7 in the D2 direction. In other words, in such a positional relationship, the shapes of the sub-regions NAs and the positions of the sub-regions NAs relative to the heads 7 may be set so that the desired resolution is achieved by the adjacent sub-regions NAs of the adjacent heads 7. Furthermore, the multiple heads 7 may be arranged in a staggered pattern. In other words, the multiple heads 7 may be arranged in the D1 direction with their positions in the D2 direction alternately differing, so that the ends of the heads 7 overlap each other when viewed in the D2 direction.

[0042] In each ejection unit 5, the multiple heads 7 may be fixed to one another by an appropriate member. FIG. 1 illustrates a plate-shaped (frame-shaped) head holding member 35. The head holding member 35 has, for example, an opening (not shown) that exposes the ejection surface 9a (FIG. 5) of the head 7 on which the nozzles 11 are open. The head 7 abuts against the periphery of the opening of the head holding member 35 from the +D3 side and is fixed to the head holding member 35 by screws (not shown) or the like. Note that, unlike the illustrated example, the multiple heads 7 may be fixed directly to the unit holding member 33 (the head holding member 35 may not be provided).

[0043] (4. Head) (4.1. Head in General) Any driving method may be used for ejecting ink from the head 7. For example, the head 7 may be a piezoelectric type that applies pressure to the ink by deforming a piezoelectric body, or a thermal type that applies pressure to the ink by heating the ink to generate bubbles. In the description of the embodiments, the piezoelectric type may be used as an example unless otherwise specified.

[0044] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the head 7 (at least the portion on the -D3 side) taken along line VV in Figure 4. As shown in this figure, the head 7 has, for example, the flow path member 9 described above and an actuator substrate 37 that applies pressure to the ink in the flow path member 9 to eject ink droplets. The actuator substrate 37 has a plurality of actuators 39 that respectively correspond to the plurality of nozzles 11.

[0045] Although not specifically shown, the head 7 may have other components than those described above. For example, although not specifically shown, the head 7 may have the following components. Examples of the components include a plate-like or tubular member that supplies (and / or recovers) ink to the flow path member 9, a flexible substrate that inputs a drive signal to the actuator 39, a rigid circuit board connected to the flexible substrate, and a housing that houses these components. Regardless of the presence or absence of these components, only the flow path member 9, or only the combination of the flow path member 9 and the actuator substrate 37, may be considered to be the head.

[0046] One head 7 (one flow path member 9 from another perspective) has, for example, multiple (four in the example of FIG. 2) nozzle regions NA (nozzle groups 27). However, one head 7 may only have one nozzle group 27. In other words, the sub-regions NAs may contribute solely to achieving the desired resolution between adjacent heads 7. However, in the description of the embodiment, unless otherwise specified, the description may be made on the premise that one head 7 has multiple nozzle regions NA.

[0047] The head 7 is supplied with ink from a tank (not shown) and the ink is collected in the tank. In other words, the ejection system 3 circulates ink. However, in cases where technical matters are extracted from the embodiment from a perspective other than the perspective of the position of the outlet 15C, the ejection system 3 may not circulate ink. In the description of the embodiment, a configuration in which ink circulates will basically be taken as an example.

[0048] (4.2. Flow Path Member) (4.2.1. Flow Path Member in General) The flow path member 9 is, for example, a substantially flat member. However, the ejection surface 9a and / or the back surface 9b do not have to be flat. The planar shape of the flow path member 9 is, for example, a parallelogram, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 . Note that, in this case, corners may be chamfered with straight or curved lines, and sides may have relatively small recesses or protrusions. The same applies to other members and / or other shapes. For example, as indicated by the reference numerals in FIG. 7 , this parallelogram has an opposite side S21 parallel to the D1 direction and an opposite side S22 inclined with respect to the D2 direction. The opposite side S22 is, for example, along the opposite side S2 of the nozzle region NA (for example, parallel). In other words, the inclination angles of the two are approximately the same (for example, the difference between the two is 3° or less or 1° or less).

[0049] Unlike the illustrated example, the shape of the flow path member 9 does not have to be a parallelogram. For example, it is clear that the shape and orientation, etc., of the opposite side S21 are arbitrary. It is also clear that the shape and orientation, etc., of the opposite side S22 are arbitrary as long as it is not adjacent to another head 7. As will be understood from the above explanation that the multiple heads 7 do not have to be arranged in a straight line and the later explanation that the nozzle area NA does not have to be a parallelogram, the shape and orientation, etc., of the opposite side S22 located between two heads 7 are also arbitrary. The opposite side S22 located between the two heads 7 may be formed with a shape for aligning the two heads 7. Only a portion of the flow path member 9 on the ejection surface 9a side may be parallelogram-shaped.

[0050] The dimensions of the flow path member 9 are arbitrary. Take an example where the printer 1 is a line printer that prints on a relatively wide medium 101. The maximum length of the flow path member 9 in the D1 direction (the length parallel to the D1 direction from the lower left corner to the upper right corner in FIG. 3 ) may be, for example, 50 mm or more and 300 mm or less. The maximum length of the flow path member 9 in the D2 direction may be, for example, 20 mm or more and 100 mm or less. The maximum length in the D1 direction may be longer than the maximum length in the D2 direction. For example, the former may be 1.5 times or more and 5 times or less than the latter. The thickness of the flow path member 9 may be 0.5 mm or more and 2 mm or less.

[0051] 5, the flow path member 9 is configured, for example, by stacking a plurality of flow path parts 41 in the D3 direction. The flow path parts 41 are generally flat plate-shaped members, and overlapping parts are fixed together with an adhesive (not shown) interposed between them. Holes formed in the plurality of flow path parts 41 are connected to each other to form the flow path 13. The holes that form the flow path 13 are, for example, through-holes that penetrate the flow path part 41 in the thickness direction (D3 direction), or recesses formed on the surface of the flow path part 41 on the +D3 side or the −D3 side.

[0052] The shape, dimensions, number of layers, material, etc. of the flow path parts 41 are arbitrary. For example, the shape and size of the outer edge of each flow path part 41 may be the same as the shape and size (as described above) of the outer edge of the flow path member 9. The thickness of the flow path part 41 may be, for example, 10 μm or more and 300 μm or less. The material of the flow path parts 41 may be, for example, metal, resin, or ceramic.

[0053] The flow path member 9 may be realized in a manner different from the illustrated example. For example, all or a part (e.g., the part on the +D3 side) of the flow path member 9 (flow path 13) may be configured by stacking flow path parts 41 in a direction perpendicular to the D3 direction, rather than by stacking flow path parts 41 in the D3 direction. Furthermore, at least a part of the flow path parts may have a shape that cannot be considered as a plate shape.

[0054] The flow path member 9 may have components other than the flow path, such as a damper (not shown) that attenuates pressure fluctuations of the ink.

[0055] (4.2.2. General Flow Path Shape) The flow paths 13 included in the flow path member 9 may have various configurations. In the illustrated example, the flow paths 13 are configured to be able to circulate ink. More specifically, for example, the flow paths 13 have a supply flow path that leads from the outside of the flow path member 9 to the nozzles 11, and a recovery flow path that leads from any position in the supply flow path to the outside of the flow path member 9. The supply flow path, for example, gradually branches from the outside side of the flow path member 9 and reaches the multiple nozzles 11. The recovery flow path, for example, gradually merges from the side of the multiple nozzles 11 and reaches the outside of the flow path member 9.

[0056] More specifically, for example, the supply flow path has the following portions in the order of ink flow. Note that some of the individual flow paths 20 described below also constitute recovery flow paths. The number of flow paths is the number in one flow path member 9. Inlet 15S (FIGS. 2 to 4): At least one (four in the illustrated example) is provided, and receives ink from outside the flow path member 9. Supply main common flow path 17S (FIGS. 3 and 4): At least one (two in the illustrated example) is provided, and extends from the inlet 15S. Supply sub-common flow path 19S (FIGS. 3 to 5): At least one (multiple (many) in the illustrated example) is provided, and extends from (for example, branches off from) the supply main common flow path 17S. Individual flow paths 20 (FIGS. 4 and 5): Multiple (multiple in the illustrated example) are provided, and branch off from the supply sub-common flow path 19S, and each individual flow path includes a nozzle 11.

[0057] The recovery flow path has the following parts in order of ink flow, for example: - Common recovery sub-path 19C (Fig. 5): At least one (multiple (large number) in the illustrated example) is provided, where multiple individual paths 20 converge. - Common recovery main path 17C (Figs. 3 and 4): At least one (two in the illustrated example) is provided, and extends from the common recovery sub-path 19C (where, for example, multiple common recovery sub-paths 19C converge). - Outlet 15C (Figs. 2 to 4): At least one (four in the illustrated example) is provided, where the common recovery main path 17C is connected, and where ink flows out of the flow path member 9.

[0058] As described above, ink is supplied from outside the flow path member 9 to the individual flow paths 20 including the nozzles 11, via the inlet 15S, the main common supply flow path 17S, and the sub-common supply flow path 19S in this order. Ink that has not been ejected from the nozzles 11 is discharged from the individual flow paths 20 to outside the flow path member 9, via the sub-common recovery flow path 19C, the main common recovery flow path 17C, and the outlet 15C in this order.

[0059] One inlet 15S, one supply main common flow path 17S, and one supply sub-common flow path 19S are each connected to multiple nozzles 11 (common to multiple nozzles 11). A combination of two or more of these may be considered as one type of common flow path. The same can be said for one outlet 15C, one recovery main common flow path 17C, and one recovery sub-common flow path 19C. Each of the multiple individual flow paths 20 includes a nozzle 11, and basically, the number of the individual flow paths 20 is the same as the number of the nozzles 11.

[0060] In the following description, a combination of one supply main common channel 17S and multiple supply sub-common channels 19S extending from the single supply main common channel 17S may be referred to as a supply manifold 16S (reference numeral in FIG. 3). Similarly, a combination of one recovery main common channel 17C and multiple recovery sub-common channels 19C extending from the single recovery main common channel 17C may be referred to as a recovery manifold 16C (reference numeral in FIG. 3).

[0061] In addition to the above, the flow path 13 may have a bypass flow path 26 (see FIG. 6 described later) that connects the supply sub-common flow path 19S and the recovery sub-common flow path 19C. The bypass flow path 26 bypasses the individual flow paths 20. The bypass flow path 26 contributes to, for example, circulation of the liquid. Of course, the bypass flow path 26 does not have to be provided.

[0062] In the illustrated example, the flow paths including two nozzle groups 27 on the -D1 side (15S, 17S, 19S, and 20, etc.) and the flow paths including two nozzle groups 27 on the +D1 side are separated from each other (not connected to each other) within the flow path member 9. In other words, a plurality of flow paths (two in the illustrated example) that are independent from each other are arranged in the D1 direction. The configurations of the plurality of independent flow paths are, for example, identical to each other. Each of the independent flow paths is configured, for example, with 180° rotational symmetry with respect to an axis of symmetry parallel to the D3 axis.

[0063] (4.2.3. Common Flow Path) (4.2.3.1. Inlets and Outlets) The number of inlets 15S is arbitrary. In the examples of FIGS. 2 to 4, the number of inlets 15S (in one flow path member 9) is four. Unlike the illustrated example, for example, the number of inlets 15S may be one or more and three or less, or five or more. Also, in the illustrated example, as will be understood from the description below, the two inlets 15S correspond to two nozzle groups 27 together, rather than separately. Unlike the illustrated example, for example, one inlet 15S may correspond to a nozzle group 27 separately from the other inlet 15S, and / or may correspond to only one nozzle group 27, or may correspond to three or more nozzle groups 27.

[0064] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the flow path member 9 taken along line VI-VI in Fig. 3. However, the laminated structure of the flow path parts 41 is not shown.

[0065] The shape and dimensions of the inlet 15S are also arbitrary. In the examples shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, the inlet 15S has a generally circular cross section, extends in the D3 direction, and reaches the upper surface of the supply main common flow path 17S. Its diameter is, for example, generally the same as the width of the supply main common flow path 17S. Note that, unlike the above description, only the opening located on the back surface 9b of the flow path member 9 may be considered as the inlet 15S, and the portion extending in the D3 direction may be considered as part of the supply main common flow path 17S.

[0066] The number, shape (in plan view), and dimensions (in plan view) of the outlets 15C may be the same as those of the inlets 15S (as in the illustrated example), or may be different. In either case, the above description of the number, shape, dimensions, etc. of the inlets 15S may be applied to the outlets 15C. The positions of the inlets 15S and the outlets 15C will be described in detail later.

[0067] (4.2.3.2. Stacked Structure of Manifolds) In the illustrated example, the supply manifold 16S and the recovery manifold 16C are configured to generally overlap in a plan view. That is, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, they are arranged one above the other. More specifically, for example, in a plan view, the recovery manifold 16C has a configuration similar to that of the supply manifold 16S, in which the supply main common flow path 17S is extended outward from the position of the inlet 15S. The portions (most portions) other than the extended portion are basically the same, except for, for example, manufacturing errors. Therefore, in FIGS. 3 and 4, the shape of the supply manifold 16S may be considered to represent the shape (most portions) of the recovery manifold 16C.

[0068] Unlike the illustrated example, the supply manifold 16S and the recovery manifold 16C may have different shapes apart from the above-described extension portions. Furthermore, regardless of whether they are manifold-shaped or not, the common supply flow path (17S and / or 19S) and the common recovery flow path (17C and / or 19C) may have portions that are located at different positions in a plan view and may have different shapes. For example, they may extend partially or entirely parallel to each other in a plan view.

[0069] In the illustrated example, the common supply flow path (17S and / or 19S) is located above (on the +D3 side of) the common recovery flow path (17C and / or 19C). This allows, for example, the supply sub-common flow path 19S to be closer to the pressure chamber 23 described below, and the recovery sub-common flow path 19C to be closer to the nozzle 11, thereby improving space efficiency. However, the up-down relationship can also be reversed from the illustrated example.

[0070] In the illustrated example, the height (size in the D3 direction) of each of the common supply flow paths (17S and / or 19S) and the common recovery flow paths (17C and / or 19C) is less than half the thickness (in the D3 direction) of the flow path member 9. However, even in a configuration in which the two overlap, it is possible for one of them to be more than half the thickness of the flow path member 9. Furthermore, in an embodiment in which the two do not overlap, or in an embodiment in which a recovery flow path is not provided, it is clear that the height of the common supply flow path may be more than half the thickness of the flow path member 9 (of course, it may also be less than half). The specific height of each common flow path is arbitrary.

[0071] (4.2.3.3. Main common flow path and sub-common flow path) The number and position (in plan view) of the supply main common flow paths 17S are arbitrary. In the example of Fig. 3, one supply main common flow path 17S is provided to connect two inlets 15S, and a total of two supply main common flow paths 17S are provided corresponding to the four inlets 15S. Ink flows from both sides of each supply main common flow path 17S toward the center.

[0072] In the illustrated example, each main common supply channel 17S extends between two adjacent nozzle regions NA (nozzle groups 27) and generally along the opposing ends (sides of a parallelogram) of the two nozzle groups 27. Each main common supply channel 17S supplies ink to the two nozzle groups 27 located on either side of it via sub-common supply channels 19S.

[0073] Furthermore, in the illustrated example, of the three regions located between the four nozzle groups 27, the central region does not have a supply main common channel 17S. In other words, the supply main common channel 17S is provided in every other region located between the multiple nozzle groups 27. From another perspective, the supply main common channel 17S is provided on only one side of each nozzle group 27. Each nozzle group 27 is supplied with ink from only one side.

[0074] Unlike the illustrated example, for example, one supply main common channel 17S may be provided for one inlet 15S. Ink may flow from one end of the supply main common channel 17S to the other. A supply main common channel 17S may be provided between the central nozzle groups 27. Depending on how the heads 7 are arranged, a supply main common channel 17S may be provided on the -D1 side and / or +D1 side of all of the multiple nozzle groups 27 of each head 7. The number of supply main common channels 17S may be the same as the number of spaces between the multiple nozzle groups 27, or it may be greater than that.

[0075] In various aspects different from the illustrated example as described above, each supply main common channel 17S may supply ink only to the nozzle group 27 located on one side thereof, or may supply ink to the nozzle groups 27 located on both sides thereof. From another perspective, one nozzle group 27 may be supplied with ink only from the supply main common channel 17S located on one side thereof, or may be supplied with ink from the supply main common channel 17S located on both sides thereof.

[0076] The shape of the supply main common flow path 17S is also arbitrary. In the illustrated example, the supply main common flow path 17S has a main portion 17a extending along (e.g., parallel to) opposite sides S2 (reference numerals are shown in FIG. 7) of the nozzle group 27 in the D1 direction, and a connection portion 17b extending from the main portion 17a to the inlet 15S (the same reference numerals may be used for the recovery main common flow path 17C). The direction in which the connection portion 17b extends is arbitrary. In the illustrated example, the connection portion 17b extends along (e.g., parallel to) opposite sides S1 (reference numerals are shown in FIG. 7) of the nozzle group 27 in the D2 direction. The supply main common flow path 17S (main portion 17a and / or connection portion 17b) extends with, for example, a constant cross section (constant shape and dimensions). The cross-sectional shape is, for example, rectangular.

[0077] Each supply sub-common channel 19S extends, for example, between two adjacent nozzle rows 29 and along (for example, parallel to) those two nozzle rows 29. Each supply sub-common channel 19S supplies ink to the nozzles 11 included in the two nozzle rows 29 on either side. Therefore, one channel member 9 has a total of half the number of nozzle rows 29 (24 × 4 ÷ 2 = 48 in the illustrated example). Unlike the illustrated example, for example, one supply sub-common channel 19S may be provided for one nozzle row 29, or one supply sub-common channel 19S may be provided for four nozzle rows 29. The shape and dimensions of the supply sub-common channel 19S are arbitrary. For example, the supply sub-common channel 19S extends linearly with a constant cross section (constant shape and dimensions). The cross-sectional shape is, for example, rectangular (see FIG. 5 ).

[0078] The above-mentioned explanations regarding the number, position, shape, dimensions, etc. of the common supply flow paths (17S and 19S) may be applied to the common recovery flow paths (17C and 19C) unless there is a contradiction, etc. This applies not only to the case where the common recovery flow path overlaps the common supply flow path as in the illustrated example, but also to the case where the two do not overlap.

[0079] (4.2.4. Individual Flow Paths) As shown in Fig. 4, the multiple individual flow paths 20 are arranged, for example, along each common supply sub-flow path 19S. From another perspective, the multiple nozzles 11 are arranged along the common supply sub-flow path 19S. In the example shown, this arrangement constitutes a nozzle row 29. In addition, in the examples shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the multiple nozzles 11 connected to each common supply sub-flow path 19S are arranged in two rows, one row on each side of each common supply sub-flow path 19S. The two individual flow paths 20 leading to the nozzles 11 on both sides are, for example, oriented opposite to each other in a direction intersecting the common supply sub-flow path 19S (direction D2 in the example shown).

[0080] 5, each individual flow path 20 has, for example, a supply connection portion 21S, a pressure chamber 23, and a descender 25, in that order from the supply sub-common flow path 19S to the nozzle 11. Furthermore, each individual flow path 20 has a recovery connection portion 21C that connects the descender 25 to the recovery sub-common flow path 19C. Note that in FIG. 4, with regard to the individual flow path 20, only the portion of the supply connection portion 21S that extends from the supply sub-common flow path 19S to the +D3 side, the pressure chamber 23, the descender 25, and the nozzle 11 are shown.

[0081] When the volume of the pressure chamber 23 changes and pressure is applied to the ink, liquid is sent from the pressure chamber 23 to the descender 25, and eventually ink droplets (droplets) are ejected from the nozzle 11. Furthermore, liquid is replenished into the pressure chamber 23 from the supply sub-common flow path 19S via the supply connection portion 21S. Ink that is not ejected from the nozzle 11 is recovered into the recovery sub-common flow path 19C via the recovery connection portion 21C.

[0082] The shapes and dimensions of each part of the individual flow paths 20 are arbitrary. In the illustrated example, they are as follows: The supply connection portion 21S extends upward from the upper surface of the supply sub-common flow path 19S, then extends horizontally, then extends upward again, and is connected to one end of the lower surface of the pressure chamber 23. The pressure chamber 23 opens, for example, to the upper surface of the flow path member 9 and is closed by an actuator substrate 37. The descender 25 extends from one end of the lower surface of the pressure chamber 23 (the side opposite the supply connection portion 21S) toward the ejection surface 9a. The nozzle 11 opens to a part of the bottom surface of the descender 25 (the surface opposite the pressure chamber 23). One end of the recovery connection portion 21C opens, for example, to a region of the side surface of the descender 25 that is closest to the ejection surface 9a. The other end opens, for example, to the lower surface of the recovery sub-common flow path 19C.

[0083] The configuration of the individual flow paths 20 may be different from the illustrated example. For example, the pressure chamber 23 may be blocked by a relatively thin flow path part 41. Depending on the type of actuator 39 (whether it is piezoelectric or not, and the specific structure if it is piezoelectric, etc.), the pressure chamber 23 may be located to the side or below the other flow paths (for example, a common flow path). Also, for example, the descender 25 may not be provided, and the nozzle 11 may open directly to the bottom surface of the pressure chamber 23. However, the pressure chamber 23 and the descender 25 as a whole may be considered to be the pressure chamber, and even in the illustrated example, the nozzle 11 may be considered to open to the bottom surface of the pressure chamber.

[0084] (4.2.5. Nozzle Arrangement) The correspondence between the arrangement pattern of the nozzles 11 in the nozzle group 27 (or, from another perspective, the orientation of the parallelogram presented by the nozzle area NA) and the transport direction of the medium 101 is arbitrary. From another perspective, assuming that the Cartesian coordinate system D1D2D3 is defined fixedly with respect to the transport device 31, in the description of the embodiment, the terms -D1 and +D1 may be interchangeable, and / or the terms -D2 and +D2 may be interchangeable. Furthermore, the arrangement pattern of the nozzles 11 in the nozzle group 27 may or may not be 180° rotationally symmetric with respect to an axis of symmetry parallel to the D3 direction.

[0085] In the main region NAm, the desired resolution is achieved by only one nozzle group 27. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 4 , a plurality of nozzles 11 are arranged at regular intervals in each nozzle row 29. The distance of this interval in the direction D1 is defined as d1. Considering a band-shaped region BA extending parallel to the direction D2 with a width d1, in the main region NAm of one nozzle group 27, n nozzles 11 included in different nozzle rows 29 and positioned at different positions in the direction D1 are located in the band-shaped region BA. This achieves a resolution that allows dots arranged in the direction D1 at intervals of d1 / n on the medium 101.

[0086] In the sub-region NAs, the desired resolution is achieved by two adjacent nozzle groups 27. Specifically, in the sub-region NAs of each nozzle group 27, for example, less than n nozzles 11 included in different nozzle rows 29 are located in the band-shaped region BA. However, in two sub-regions NAs where the positions in the D1 direction of two adjacent nozzle groups 27 overlap, a total of n nozzles 11 are located in the band-shaped region BA. The n nozzles 11 are located at different positions in the D1 direction. This achieves a resolution of d1 / n.

[0087] In each nozzle group 27, the positions of the multiple nozzle rows 29 are shifted in the D1 direction by a distance d1 or more, so that, for example, the nozzles on the +D2 side are positioned closer to the +D1 side. This ensures that the number of nozzles 11 (or, from another perspective, nozzle rows 29) included in the strip-shaped area BA in each sub-area NAs is less than n. Furthermore, the inclination angle of opposing sides S2 ( FIG. 7 ) of the nozzle group 27 facing each other in the D1 direction is adjusted by, for example, determining the number of strip-shaped areas BA to be shifted for each row, or the number of rows to be shifted for each strip-shaped area BA. The amount of shift does not have to be constant across the entire side.

[0088] In each nozzle group 27, for example, multiple nozzle rows 29 extend in the D4 direction, which is inclined at an angle θ with respect to the D1 direction. That is, each nozzle row 29 has multiple nozzles 11 arranged in the D4 direction. By inclining the nozzle rows 29, for example, the spacing between the nozzles 11 when each nozzle row 29 is viewed in the D2 direction (spacing in the D1 direction) can be made shorter than the spacing in the D4 direction, thereby improving resolution. The magnitude of the inclination angle θ is arbitrary and may be, for example, between 10° and 50°. However, the nozzle rows 29 may also be parallel to the D1 direction (see FIG. 10 , described later).

[0089] When the multiple nozzle rows 29 are numbered from the -D2 side to the +D2 side, such as first row, second row, third row, ..., nth row, in each band-shaped region BA, the relationship between the row number of the nozzle row 29 to which each nozzle 11 belongs and the relative positions in the D1 direction of the n nozzles 11 (i.e., the arrangement pattern of the nozzles 11 within the band-shaped region BA) is arbitrary. For example, in each band-shaped region BA, the n nozzles 11 may be arranged so that the nozzles 11 on the +D2 side are located closer to the +D1 side, but they do not have to be arranged in this manner.

[0090] In the above description, the nozzles 11 in each nozzle row 29 are arranged at regular intervals. From another perspective, the arrangement pattern of the n nozzles 11 within a strip area BA is the same across multiple strip areas BA. However, the arrangement pattern does not have to be regular. Alternatively, an integer multiple of n nozzles 11 may be arranged in a regular pattern, and this pattern may be repeated. The nozzles 11 may be intentionally positioned slightly offset from their original positions as long as the principle of achieving a resolution of d1 / n is not violated. Of course, unintentional offsets due to manufacturing errors may also exist.

[0091] (4.3. Actuator) The actuator substrate 37 is, for example, generally plate-shaped and has an area that covers the plurality of pressure chambers 23. Its planar shape is arbitrary, and it may be provided for each nozzle group 27, or may be provided in common for the plurality of nozzle groups 27. The actuator 39 exemplified in Fig. 5 is configured by a so-called unimorph type piezoelectric actuator. However, the actuator 39 may also be configured by another type of piezoelectric actuator, such as a bimorph type.

[0092] The actuator 39 (actuator substrate 37) has, for example, in this order from the flow path member 9 side, a vibration plate 43, a common electrode 45, a piezoelectric layer 47, and an individual electrode 49. The vibration plate 43, the common electrode 45, and the piezoelectric layer 47 extend across the multiple pressure chambers 23 in a plan view, for example. That is, these are provided in common to the multiple pressure chambers 23. The individual electrode 49 is provided for each pressure chamber 23 and faces the pressure chamber 23.

[0093] The portion of the piezoelectric layer 47 sandwiched between the individual electrode 49 and the common electrode 45 is polarized in the thickness direction. Therefore, for example, when an electric field (voltage) is applied in the polarization direction of the piezoelectric layer 47 by the individual electrode 49 and the common electrode 45, the piezoelectric layer 47 contracts in a direction along the layer. This contraction is regulated by the vibration plate 43. As a result, the actuator 39 is flexibly deformed so as to become convex toward the pressure chamber 23. Consequently, the volume of the pressure chamber 23 is reduced, and pressure is applied to the liquid in the pressure chamber 23. Conversely, when an electric field (voltage) is applied in the opposite direction to the polarization direction, the actuator 39 is flexibly deformed so as to become concave relative to the pressure chamber 23. Using this convex and / or concave deformation, the actuator 39 applies pressure to the pressure chamber 23.

[0094] (5. Positions of Inlet and Outlet) The inlet 15S and the outlet 15C may be adjacent to each other (examples in FIGS. 2 to 4 and 7), or may be spaced apart (example in FIG. 11, described later). Here, the former is taken as an example. In this case, most of the description of one of the inlet 15S and the outlet 15C may be applied to the other. Below, the position of the inlet 15S will be described as a representative of both, and then the differences between the position of the outlet 15C and the position of the inlet 15S will be described.

[0095] 2 to 4 and 7, at least a portion (all in the illustrated example) of at least one (all in the illustrated example) of one or more (four in the illustrated example) inlets 15S is contained between the outer edge of the multiple nozzle areas NA and the outer edge of the virtual area VA. Specifically, this is as follows.

[0096] The nozzle row 29 is inclined at an angle θ with respect to the D1 direction. Consequently, the opposite side S1 of the nozzle area NA is inclined at an angle θ with respect to the opposite side S11 of the imaginary area VA. This forms a gap area GA (GA1 and GA2) sandwiched between the opposite sides S1 and S11. A gap area GA is formed on each of the −D2 and +D2 sides of each nozzle area NA, and in the illustrated example, a total of eight gap areas GA are formed. At least a portion (all in the illustrated example) of at least one (all in the illustrated example) of one or more inlets 15S is contained within one of the gap areas GA.

[0097] As in the illustrated example, the inlets 15S may be selectively disposed in some (four in the illustrated example) of the plurality of gap areas GA, or, unlike the illustrated example, may be disposed in all of the gap areas GA. In the former case, the gap area GA in which the inlets 15S are disposed may be located in any one of the gap areas GA. For example, one inlet 15S is located in one gap area GA.

[0098] The multiple gap regions GA can be classified into first gap regions GA1 and second gap regions GA2. The first gap regions GA1 are gap regions GA sandwiched between adjacent nozzle regions NA in the D1 direction. The remaining gap regions GA are second gap regions GA2. In the illustrated example, the second gap regions GA2 are located at obtuse angles of the parallelogram-shaped flow path member 9, and two second gap regions GA2 are provided in total. Additionally, six first gap regions GA1 are provided in total.

[0099] More specifically, the first gap region GA1 is configured such that, in adjacent nozzle regions NA, the opposite side S1 (an example of the first opposite side) of one nozzle region NA is inclined in a direction that positions it more inward in the direction D2 of the imaginary region VA as it approaches the other nozzle region NA. On the other hand, the second gap region GA2 is configured such that the opposite side S1 of the nozzle region NA located at an end of the multiple nozzle regions NA is inclined in a direction that positions it more inward in the direction D2 of the imaginary region VA as it approaches the side where no other nozzle regions NA exist.

[0100] In the illustrated example, the multiple nozzle regions NA have the same shape and orientation. Therefore, more specifically, the first gap region GA1 is located between the opposite side S2 (an example of the second opposite side) of one of the adjacent nozzle regions NA and the opposite side S1 of the other nozzle region NA. However, the first gap region GA1 located between the opposite sides S1 of adjacent nozzle regions NA may also be formed by having the two opposite sides S1 located on the same side in the D2 direction inclined in opposite directions. Note that, in this case, the opposite sides S2 of adjacent nozzle regions NA are parallel to each other, so the shapes of the two nozzle regions NA are different from each other.

[0101] In the illustrated example, at least a portion (in the illustrated example, all) of at least one of the one or more inlets 15S (in the illustrated example, all) is contained in any one of the first gap areas GA1. The inlets 15S may be selectively disposed in some (in the illustrated example, four) of the multiple first gap areas GA1, as in the illustrated example, or may be disposed in all of the first gap areas GA1, as in the illustrated example.

[0102] There are various patterns for distributing a smaller number of inlets 15S to the gap areas GA than the total number of gap areas GA. In the illustrated example, the first gap areas GA1 in which the inlets 15S are arranged are spaced apart from each other on the -D2 side and the +D2 side. In other words, the inlets 15S are arranged every other one in the multiple first gap areas GA1 (or gap areas GA). The multiple inlets 15S are positioned in a 180° rotationally symmetrical relationship. The number of inlets 15S is half the total number of gap areas GA.

[0103] 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a distribution pattern for the gap area GA of the inlet 15S, etc. This diagram is an extracted portion of FIG.

[0104] A virtual circle C1 is assumed to be centered on each inlet 15S (its centroid in a plan view). The radii of the multiple virtual circles C1 are assumed to be the same. The shape obtained by adding up all of the virtual circles C1 (a shape that shows the union of a Venn diagram) overlaps all of the nozzle regions NA and also overlaps each nozzle region NA entirely. The smallest virtual circle C1 that satisfies these conditions is assumed. Note that a condition may be added to the above conditions that each nozzle 11 must overlap with a virtual circle C1 that can supply liquid to that nozzle 11.

[0105] Assuming a virtual circle C1 as described above and a predetermined number (four in this example) of inlets 15S, a distribution pattern of the inlets 15S may be selected so that the radius of the virtual circle C1 is relatively small. For example, the pattern shown in the illustrated example has a smaller radius than a pattern (see FIG. 9 ) in which the inlets 15S are distributed to each of the four gap regions GA to which no inlets 15S are distributed. In the illustrated example, the radius of the virtual circle C1 is shorter than the distance between the inlets 15S or three-quarters of that distance. Furthermore, the radius is less than the length of the nozzle region NA in the direction D2 or three-quarters of that length.

[0106] The position of the inlet 15S will be described from another perspective. Focusing on the adjacent nozzle groups 27 and the main portion 17a of the supply main common channel 17S located between them, as shown in Figure 3, the main portion 17a can be considered to have, in the longitudinal direction thereof, an end region RE (first region), a central region RC (second region), and an end region RE (third region) (the same reference numerals may be used for the recovery main common channel 17C).

[0107] From the end area RE on the +D2 side, a supply sub-common flow path 19S extends toward the nozzle group 27 on the -D1 side (an example of a first nozzle group), but a supply sub-common flow path 19S does not extend toward the nozzle group 27 on the +D1 side (an example of a second nozzle group). The opposite is true for the end area on the -D2 side. From the central area RC, both the supply sub-common flow path 19S extends toward the nozzle group 27 on the -D1 side and the supply sub-common flow path 19S extends toward the nozzle group 27 on the +D1 side.

[0108] The inlet 15S may be located on the opposite side of the end area RE in the D1 direction from the side to which the supply sub-common flow path 19S is connected, and may be connected to the end area RE. In other words, the inlet 15S may be located between the end area RE on the +D2 side and the nozzle group 27 on the +D1 side, or between the end area RE on the -D2 side and the nozzle group 27 on the -D1 side.

[0109] In other words, the inlets 15S may be distributed to the first gap regions GA1 that exist in the above-described positions among the multiple first gap regions GA1. Note that the inlets 15S may be distributed to all (in the illustrated example) of the multiple first gap regions GA1 that exist in the above-described positions (four in the illustrated example), or may be distributed to some of them.

[0110] The recovery sub-common flow path 19C and / or the individual flow paths 20 associated with the end range RE are more likely to approach the opposing sides S21 of the flow path member 9 that face each other in the D2 direction than the recovery sub-common flow path 19C and / or the individual flow paths 20 associated with the central range RC. Consequently, the former are more likely to cause a drop in liquid temperature than the latter. By connecting the outlet 15C to the end range RE, it is possible to preferentially recover liquid that is more likely to cause a drop in temperature.

[0111] In the illustrated example, which is the opposite of the explanation so far, none of the inlets 15S is located in each of the second gap regions GA2 in a planar perspective view. Furthermore, none of the inlets 15S is located at positions that are on the outer side in the D1 direction relative to the opposite sides S2 at both ends in the D1 direction across all of the multiple nozzle regions NA (on the −D1 side of the opposite side S2 closest to the −D1 side and the second gap region GA2 closest to the −D1 side, and on the +D1 side of the opposite side S2 closest to the +D1 side and the second gap region GA2 closest to the +D1 side).

[0112] The specific position of the inlet 15S within the gap area GA is arbitrary. For example, consider the median line between the opposite side S1 of the nozzle area NA and the opposite side S11 of the imaginary area VA in the triangle formed by the gap area GA. In this case, the inlet 15S may or may not overlap the median line. Furthermore, for example, the distance from the center of the inlet 15S to the opposite side S1 (shortest distance) and the distance from the center to the opposite side S11 (shortest distance) divided by the other may be 0.5 to 2 times, or may be smaller or larger than the above range.

[0113] The size of the inlet 15S relative to the gap region GA is also arbitrary. For example, the maximum diameter of the inlet 15S (or the diameter in the case of a circle) may be less than or greater than one-third of the length of a side parallel to the direction D2 of the triangle formed by the gap region GA. The term "side length" above may be replaced with the term "length of a side passing through the center of the inlet 15S and parallel to the side, or the term "total length of the shortest distance from the center to the opposite side S1 and the shortest distance from the center to the opposite side S11." Note that in the previous paragraph and this paragraph, the term "opposite side S11" may be replaced with the term "opposite side S21."

[0114] 7, the gap area GA is defined as the area through which the opposite side S1 of the nozzle area NA passes when the opposite side S1 is projected parallel to the opposite side S11 of the imaginary area VA in the direction D2. Unlike the illustrated example, the area through which the opposite side S1 passes when the opposite side S1 is projected parallel to the opposite side S2 onto the opposite side S11 may be defined as a more limited gap area (reference numeral omitted). The description of the arrangement of the inlet 15S relative to the gap area GA may also apply to this limited gap area.

[0115] The outlet 15C is disposed, for example, at a position offset from the inlet 15S in a direction away from the supply main common flow path 17S (e.g., the main portion 17a). From another perspective, it is located on the apex side of the triangle formed by the gap area GA relative to the inlet 15S. From yet another perspective, in a planar perspective, the recovery main common flow path 17C extends from the portion (main portion 17a) to which the recovery sub-common flow path 19C is connected toward the inlet 15S while overlapping with the supply main common flow path 17S, and further extends beyond the inlet 15S to the outlet 15C. Unlike the illustrated example, the outlet 15C may be closer to the main portion 17a of the supply main common flow path 17S than the inlet 15S. The line connecting the inlet 15S and the outlet 15C is, for example, parallel to the opposite side S1. However, it may be inclined relative to the opposite side S1.

[0116] The above description of the imaginary circle C1 may be applied to the outlet 15C as is. However, since the position of the outlet 15C is shifted from the position of the inlet 15S, some of the description may be modified. For example, with respect to the outlet 15C, the radius of the imaginary circle C1 may be less than 1 or 9 / 10 of the length of the nozzle area NA in the direction D2.

[0117] The above-described description of the position of the inlet 15S within the gap area GA and the relative size of the inlet 15S with respect to the gap area GA may also be applied to the outlet 15C. However, in the illustrated example, the outlet 15C is located closer to the apex of the gap area GA than the inlet 15S, and therefore its distance to the opposite side S1 and / or the opposite side S11 is shorter than that of the inlet 15S. Therefore, some of the description may be modified. For example, the maximum diameter of the outlet 15C may be less than or greater than half the length of a line segment passing through the center of the outlet 15C and extending parallel to the direction D2 from the opposite side S1 to the opposite side S11. The above-described term "length of the line segment" may be replaced with the term "total length of the shortest distance from the center of the outlet 15C to the opposite sides S1 and S11." Note that in this paragraph, the term "opposite side S11" may be replaced with the term "opposite side S21."

[0118] (6. Other Examples of Flow Path Members) (6.1. Flow Path Member According to First Example) Fig. 9 is a planar perspective view showing a flow path member 9A according to a first example. This figure corresponds to Fig. 3. In short, the flow path member 9A is the opposite of the flow path member 9 of Fig. 3 in the arrangement / non-arrangement of the inlets 15S (and outlets 15C) relative to the plurality of gap regions GA. The flow path member 9A also represents an example in which one supply main common flow path 17S (and one recovery main common flow path 17C) corresponds to one nozzle group 27, and an example in which liquid flows from one end to the other in the supply main common flow path 17S.

[0119] (6.2. Flow Path Member According to the Second Example) Figure 10 is a plan perspective view showing a flow path member 9B according to the second example. This figure corresponds to Figure 3 and shows common supply flow paths (15S, 17S, and 19S) and common recovery flow paths (15C and 17C; 19C coincides with 19S). This figure also shows the nozzle area NA and the virtual area VA.

[0120] Although not specifically shown, in the flow path member 9B, the multiple nozzles 11 are arranged in a trapezoidal shape. Specifically, the nozzle rows 29 are parallel to the D1 direction, and the nozzle rows 29 closer to the +D2 side have shorter lengths in the D1 direction (the number of nozzles 11 is reduced on both sides in the D1 direction). Consequently, the nozzle region NA has a trapezoidal shape. The multiple nozzle regions NA are arranged in the D1 direction with their orientations in the D2 direction alternately reversed. This ensures that the multiple nozzle groups 27 are spaced apart in the D1 direction at intervals longer than the distance d1, while achieving a resolution corresponding to d1 / n.

[0121] The multiple nozzle regions NA are arranged in the D1 direction, with their positions in the D2 direction differing from one another. This leaves a gap between the outer edge (shorter base) of the nozzle region NA and the outer edge of the imaginary region VA. The inlet 15S and the outlet 15C are arranged in this gap. In the illustrated example, a gap is also formed between opposite sides S2 located at both ends of the entire multiple nozzle regions NA and opposite side S12 of the imaginary region VA. The inlet 15S and the outlet 15C do not have to be arranged in this gap (as in the illustrated example), but they may be arranged therein.

[0122] In the supply main common channel 17S, liquid flows from one end to the other. Specifically, the supply main common channel 17S of the channel member 9B is configured by dividing the supply main common channel 17S of the channel member 9 illustrated in Fig. 3 in the longitudinal direction. Each supply main common channel 17S supplies ink to either the +D2 side or the -D2 side half of the two nozzle groups 27 on either side.

[0123] In the illustrated example, the outer edge of the flow path member 9B is rectangular. However, unlike the illustrated example, the flow path member 9B may be formed into a parallelogram shape (when the number of nozzle regions NA is even) or a trapezoid shape (when the number of nozzle regions NA is odd) by making the opposite sides S21 facing each other in the D2 direction parallel to the opposite sides S2 of the nozzle regions NA.

[0124] (6.3. Flow path member according to a third example) Fig. 11 is a plan perspective view showing a flow path member 9C according to yet another example. However, the individual flow paths 20 are shown schematically. Also, the number of nozzles 11 is shown as being small for the sake of convenience. The relative relationship between the spacing between nozzle rows 29 and the distance d1, etc., is also set from the viewpoint of ease of illustration.

[0125] The flow path member 9C has only one nozzle group 27. The nozzle group 27 is arranged in a parallelogram shape. Consequently, the nozzle area NA is also a parallelogram shape. However, in the examples described above, the positions of the multiple nozzle rows 29 in the D1 direction are (basically) shifted from one another by a distance of at least d1, thereby inclining the opposite side S2. In the flow path member 9C, the arrangement pattern of the n nozzles 11 (four in the illustrated example) in the band-shaped area BA is set so that the nozzles 11 are positioned closer to the +D2 side as they approach the +D1 side, thereby inclining the opposite side S2. Note that the opposite side S2 does not have to be inclined with respect to the D2 direction. Such a flow path member 9C (head) may be used alone, or multiple nozzles may be used in a staggered arrangement.

[0126] The supply sub-common flow path 19S and the recovery sub-common flow path 19C extend in a direction intersecting the nozzle row 29. In addition, the two extend parallel to each other in a planar perspective view. The individual flow paths 20 connect adjacent supply sub-common flow paths 19S and recovery sub-common flow paths 19C.

[0127] One end of the +D2 side of the common supply sub-channel 19S is connected to the inlet 15S. In other words, the common supply main channel 17S is not provided. As indicated by the arrows in the common supply sub-channel 19S located in the center, liquid flows from the +D2 side to the -D2 side in this channel.

[0128] One end of the recovery sub-common channel 19C on the -D2 side is connected to the outlet 15C. In other words, the recovery main common channel 17C is not provided. As indicated by the arrows on the recovery sub-common channel 19C located in the center, liquid flows from the +D2 side to the -D2 side in this channel. In other words, the liquid flows in the same direction as the flow direction in the supply sub-common channel 19S.

[0129] Unlike the illustrated example, inlets 15S may be provided at both ends of the supply sub-common channel 19S, and outlets 15C may be provided at both ends of the recovery sub-common channel 19C. That is, liquid may flow from both ends to the center in the supply sub-common channel 19S. Liquid may also flow from the center to both ends in the recovery sub-common channel 19C.

[0130] At least a portion of at least one of the one or more inlets 15S (three of four in the illustrated example) is located between the outer edge of the nozzle area NA and the outer edge of the virtual area VA. More specifically, at least a portion of at least one of the one or more inlets 15S (two of four in the illustrated example) is located within the gap area GA defined by the inclined opposite side S1. The same applies to the outlet 15C.

[0131] (6.4. Combinations of Various Examples) The configurations of the flow path members 9 and 9A to 9C may be combined as appropriate. For example, a configuration in which the main common flow path (17S and 17C) is divided in the longitudinal direction, as in the flow path member 9B, may be applied to a flow path member 9 having a parallelogram-shaped nozzle region NA. Conversely, an undivided main common flow path may be applied to a flow path member 9B having a trapezoidal nozzle region NA.

[0132] Furthermore, for example, a configuration in which a main common flow path (17S and 17C) is not provided, such as flow path member 9C, may be applied to a configuration in which a sub-common flow path (19S and 19C) extends along nozzle row 29, or may be applied to a configuration in which supply sub-common flow path 19S and recovery sub-common flow path 19C are stacked, or may be applied to a configuration in which inlet 15S and outlet 15C are adjacent to each other (a configuration in which the flow directions are opposite between supply sub-common flow path 19S and recovery sub-common flow path 19C).

[0133] (7. Summary of the embodiment) In the following, the reference numeral of the flow path member 9 may be used to represent the flow path members 9 and 9A to 9C. However, unless a contradiction arises, the same may be true for the flow path members 9B to 9C. Various configurations and their effects will be described below. However, the effects are merely examples, and various configurations may not necessarily achieve the effects corresponding to the various configurations.

[0134] The flow path member 9 according to the embodiment has an ejection surface 9a, a back surface 9b, one or more nozzle groups 27, and one or more outlets 15C. The ejection surface 9a extends in a first direction (D1 direction) and a second direction (D2 direction) perpendicular to the D1 direction. The back surface 9b faces the opposite side of the ejection surface 9a. Each of the one or more nozzle groups 27 includes a plurality of nozzles 11 opening to the ejection surface 9a. The outlets 15C open to the back surface 9b and allow liquid not ejected from the plurality of nozzles 11 to flow out. When viewed in the D2 direction, the plurality of nozzles 11 are arranged at an interval (d1 / n) corresponding to a predetermined resolution in at least the central region (main region NAm) of each nozzle group 27 (i.e., the D1 direction is the resolution direction). On either side of each nozzle group 27 in the D1 direction, there is no other nozzle group 27, or the other nozzle group 27 is located a distance L1 longer than the interval d1 / n in the D1 direction. In a planar perspective view of the ejection surface 9a, the smallest rectangle that encompasses each nozzle group 27 will be referred to as the nozzle area NA. The smallest rectangle that encompasses all nozzle groups 27 will be referred to as the virtual area VA, and has a pair of first sides (opposite sides S11) parallel to the D1 direction and a pair of second sides (opposite sides S12) parallel to the D2 direction. In this case, at least a portion of at least one of the one or more outlets 15C falls between the outer edges of all nozzle areas NA and the outer edge of the virtual area VA.

[0135] Therefore, as described in the description of the outline of the embodiment, for example, it is expected that the flow path member 9 can be made thinner, the flow path member 9 can be made smaller in size in a plan view, and the fluidity of the liquid can be improved.

[0136] The nozzle region NA may have a pair of second opposite sides (opposite sides S2) facing each other in the direction D1. None of the outlets 15C may be located at a position on one side (the −D1 side) of the opposite sides S2 of all the nozzle regions NA that are located closest to one side in the direction D1 (the first side, for example, the −D1 side), nor at a position on the other side (the +D1 side) of the opposite sides S2 of all the nozzle regions NA that are located closest to the other side in the direction D1 (the second side, for example, the +D1 side).

[0137] In this case, for example, miniaturization in the D1 direction is expected. Furthermore, for example, the opposite side S2 of the nozzle region NA and the opposite side S22 of the flow path member 9 can be brought closer together, so that the resolution (corresponding to d1 / n) between adjacent flow path members 9 can be achieved while arranging multiple flow path members 9 linearly in the D1 direction. In other words, the need to arrange multiple flow path members 9 in a staggered pattern is reduced.

[0138] The nozzle region NA may have a pair of first opposite sides (opposite sides S1) that face each other in the direction D2 and are inclined with respect to the direction D1. The ejection surface 9a may have a gap region GA sandwiched in the direction D2 between opposite sides S1 and S11 that are located on the same side in the direction D2 with respect to each nozzle region NA. In a planar perspective view of the ejection surface 9a, at least a portion of at least one of the one or more outlets 15C may be contained within one of the gap regions GA.

[0139] In this case, for example, the dead space created by tilting the nozzle row 29 to improve the resolution can be used for arranging the outlet 15C. In other words, the flow path member 9 can be made smaller while improving the resolution.

[0140] The multiple gap regions GA may include a first gap region GA1 and a second gap region GA2. The first gap region GA1 is sandwiched between adjacent nozzle regions NA in the D1 direction. The second gap region GA2 may be a gap region GA other than the first gap region GA1. At least a portion of at least one of the one or more outlets 15C may be contained within any of the first gap regions GA1.

[0141] In this case, for example, the individual flow paths 20 including the nozzles 11 and the common flow path including the outlet 15C can be easily arranged close together. As a result, for example, the probability of the temperature of the liquid decreasing can be reduced, and the fluidity of the liquid can be improved.

[0142] In a planar perspective view of the ejection surface 9a, none of the outlets 15C may be located in any of the second gap areas GA2.

[0143] In this case, for example, the effect of concentrating the individual flow paths 20 and the common flow path described above is improved. Also, for example, since no flow paths are located at the corners (second gap areas GA2) of the flow path member 9, the strength of the corners can be improved. The outer edge portion of the flow path member 9 is highly likely to come into contact with other flow path members 9 and / or the head holding member 35. Therefore, the strength of the flow path member 9 can be effectively improved.

[0144] On one side in the D2 direction (a third side, for example, the +D2 side), multiple first gap areas GA1 may be arranged in the D1 direction. On the +D2 side, at least a portion of at least one of the one or more outlets 15C may be accommodated in any of the first gap areas GA1. On the +D2 side, no outlet may be located in any of the other first gap areas GA1.

[0145] That is, the outlets 15C may be selectively positioned rather than being positioned in all of the first gap areas GA1 aligned in the D1 direction. In this case, for example, by not forming the outlets 15C in any of the first gap areas GA1, the strength of the flow path member 9 can be ensured.

[0146] The number of gap areas GA may be an even number equal to or greater than four. The number of outlets 15C may be half the number of gap areas GA. A plurality of imaginary circles C1 are assumed to have the same radius and centered on each of the outlets 15C. Furthermore, the radius of the imaginary circle C1 is assumed so that all nozzle areas NA fit within the shape obtained by adding up all the imaginary circles C1, and the radius of the imaginary circle C1 is minimized. In this case, the radius may be shorter than the shortest distance between the outlets 15C (the positions of the outlets 15C and the shape of the nozzle areas NA may be set accordingly).

[0147] In this case, for example, the individual flow paths 20 including the nozzles 11 and the common flow path including the outlet 15C are densely packed together, which makes it easier to obtain the effect of improving the fluidity described above.

[0148] The flow path member 9 may further have one or more inlets 15S that are open to the back surface 9b and supply liquid to the multiple nozzles 11. In a planar perspective view of the ejection surface 9a, at least one of the one or more inlets 15S may be located between the outer edges of all of the nozzle regions NA and the outer edge of the virtual region VA. Furthermore, in a planar perspective view, none of the inlets 15S may be located on one side (the −D1 side) of the opposite sides S2 of all of the nozzle regions NA that are located closest to one side in the D1 direction (for example, the −D1 side), nor on the other side (the +D1 side) of the opposite sides S2 of all of the nozzle regions NA that are located closest to the other side in the D1 direction (the +D1 side).

[0149] In this case, for example, the same effect as that achieved by not providing the outlet 15C at the end of the flow path member 9 in the D1 direction can be achieved. For example, miniaturization in the D1 direction can be facilitated. Furthermore, when neither the inlet 15S nor the outlet 15C is provided at the end of the flow path member 9 in the D1 direction, the above effect is enhanced.

[0150] At least a portion of at least one of the one or more outlets 15C and at least a portion of at least one of the one or more inlets 15S may be contained within the same gap area GA.

[0151] In this case, for example, the length of the common flow path including the inlet 15S and the length of the common flow path including the outlet 15C tend to become similar. As a result, for example, the flow path resistances of both become similar, stabilizing the flow of liquid. Furthermore, for example, when another flow path member (not shown) that supplies liquid to the inlet 15S and recovers liquid from the outlet 15C is joined to the back surface 9b of the flow path member 9, the bonding strength and / or adhesion around the inlet 15S and the outlet 15C is often improved. In this case, the bonding strength and / or adhesion can be efficiently improved.

[0152] Each nozzle region NA may have a pair of second opposite sides (opposite sides S2) that connect both ends of the pair of opposite sides S1 and are inclined in the direction D2. The outer edges of the ejection surface 9a may have a pair of opposite sides S22 that face each other in the direction D1 and are parallel to the opposite sides S2.

[0153] In this case, for example, the distance between the opposite side S2 and the opposite side S22 can be shortened over the entire length of the opposite side S2. Consequently, by arranging a plurality of flow path members 9 linearly in the direction D1, it is possible to achieve a resolution (corresponding to d1 / n) between adjacent flow path members 9. In other words, the need to arrange a plurality of flow path members 9 in a staggered pattern is reduced.

[0154] The flow path member 9 may have multiple individual flow paths 20, one or more inlets 15S, a supply main common flow path 17S, multiple supply sub-common flow paths 19S, a recovery main common flow path 17C, and multiple recovery sub-common flow paths 19C. The multiple individual flow paths 20 may have multiple nozzles 11. The one or more inlets 15S may open to the back surface 9b of the flow path member 9, through which liquid flows. The supply main common flow path 17S may include a portion extending from any of the inlets 15S along the ejection surface 9a. The multiple supply sub-common flow paths 19S may branch from the supply main common flow path 17S, and multiple individual flow paths 20 may branch from each of them. The recovery main common flow path 17C may include a portion extending from any of the outlets 15C along the ejection surface 9a. The recovery sub-common flow path 19C may branch from the recovery main common flow path 17C, and multiple individual flow paths 20 may branch from each of them. In a planar perspective view of the ejection surface 9a, the recovery main common flow path 17C may extend from the portion (main portion 17a) connected to multiple recovery sub-common flow paths 19C to the inlet 15S while overlapping with the supply main common flow path 17S, and may extend further to the outlet 15C.

[0155] In this case, for example, it can be said that the inlet 15S is prioritized over the outlet 15C and is brought closer to the individual flow path 20. This makes it possible to reduce the temperature drop of the liquid flowing toward the individual flow path 20 compared to the opposite case (this case is also included in the technology according to the present disclosure), thereby reducing the likelihood of the discharge characteristics of the liquid being degraded.

[0156] The technology according to the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and may be implemented in various forms.

[0157] For example, the recording device is not limited to those generally classified as printers. For example, the recording device may be a plotter. Furthermore, for example, the recording device may be a device in which a liquid ejection device is moved by a robot to print on a stationary recording medium, or a handheld printer in which a liquid ejection device is moved by hand to print on a stationary recording medium. As can be understood from the above, the transport device is not limited to one that moves the recording medium, but may also be one that moves the liquid ejection device, or one that moves both the liquid ejection device and the recording medium.

[0158] Furthermore, for example, the liquid is not limited to ink, but may be paint or a conductive material for patterning a circuit board (however, either can be considered as a type of ink). Furthermore, for example, the liquid may be one that exhibits the properties of a Newtonian fluid, or one that exhibits the properties of a non-Newtonian fluid (e.g., pseudoplasticity).

[0159] Furthermore, for example, the media is not limited to paper, but may be, for example, resin, cloth, wood, metal, or ceramic. Furthermore, the media is not limited to paper (film)-like objects, but may be, for example, plate-like objects, car bodies, or buildings.

[0160] The nozzle plate and the liquid ejection device may be used for purposes other than recording. For example, the nozzle plate may be used for ejecting a chemical substance from a nozzle toward another chemical substance to cause a chemical reaction.

[0161] 1...printer (recording device), 3...ejection system (liquid ejection device), 5...ejection unit (liquid ejection device), 7...head (liquid ejection device), 9...flow path member, 9a...ejection surface, 9b...rear surface (of flow path member), 11...nozzle, 27...nozzle group, 15S...inlet, 15C...outlet, NA...nozzle area, VA...virtual area, S11...opposite side (first side) (of virtual area), S12...opposite side (second side) (of virtual area).

Claims

1. A flow path member having: an ejection surface extending in a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; a back surface facing the opposite side to the ejection surface; one or more nozzle groups each including a plurality of nozzles opening on the ejection surface; and one or more outlets opening on the back surface and through which liquid not ejected from the plurality of nozzles flows out; wherein when viewed in the second direction, the plurality of nozzles are lined up at an interval corresponding to a predetermined resolution in at least a central region of each nozzle group; and on each side of each nozzle group in the first direction, other nozzle groups are not located, or other nozzle groups are located apart in the first direction by a distance longer than the interval; and when, in a planar perspective of the ejection surface, the smallest rectangle that includes each of the nozzle groups is referred to as a nozzle region, and the smallest rectangle that includes all of the nozzle groups, having a pair of first sides parallel to the first direction and a pair of second sides parallel to the second direction, is referred to as a virtual region, at least one of the one or more outlets is located between the outer edges of all of the nozzle regions and the outer edge of the virtual region.

2. A flow path member as described in claim 1, wherein each of the nozzle regions has a pair of second opposite sides that face each other in the first direction, and when viewed from above on the ejection surface, none of the outlets is located at a position on the first side of the second opposite sides of all of the nozzle regions that is closest to the first side in the first direction, nor at a position on the second side of the second opposite sides of all of the nozzle regions that is closest to the second side in the first direction.

3. A flow path member as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the nozzle regions has a pair of first opposite sides that are opposed to each other in the second direction and are inclined with respect to the first direction, and the ejection surface has a gap region sandwiched in the second direction between the first opposite sides and the first side that are located on the same side in the second direction with respect to each of the nozzle regions, and in a planar perspective view of the ejection surface, at least a portion of at least one of the one or more outlets is contained within one of the gap regions.

4. A flow path member as described in claim 3, wherein the plurality of gap regions include a first gap region sandwiched in the first direction by adjacent nozzle regions, and a second gap region other than the first gap region, and when viewed from a plan view of the ejection surface, at least a portion of at least one of the one or more outlets is contained within any of the first gap regions.

5. The flow path member according to claim 4, wherein none of the outlets are located in any of the second gap regions when viewed from above on the ejection surface.

6. A flow path member as described in claim 4 or 5, wherein on a third side of the second direction, a plurality of the first gap regions are arranged in the first direction, and at least a portion of at least one of the one or more outlets is accommodated in any of the first gap regions, and none of the outlets are located in any of the other first gap regions.

7. A flow path member according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the number of said gap regions is an even number equal to or greater than 4, the number of said outlets is half the number of said gap regions, and when a plurality of imaginary circles having the same radius and centered at each of said outlets are assumed, and all of said nozzle regions fit into the shape obtained by adding up all of said imaginary circles and said radius is assumed to be the smallest, said radius is shorter than the shortest distance between said outlets.

8. A flow path member according to any one of claims 2 to 7, further comprising one or more inlets that open to the rear surface and supply the liquid to the plurality of nozzles, wherein in a planar perspective view of the ejection surface, at least a portion of at least one of the one or more inlets is contained between the outer edge of all of the nozzle regions and the outer edge of the imaginary region, and none of the inlets is located at a position on the first side of the second opposite sides of all of the nozzle regions that is located closest to the first side in the first direction, nor at a position on the second side of the second opposite sides of all of the nozzle regions that is located closest to the second side in the first direction.

9. A nozzle device having an ejection surface extending in a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, a back surface facing the opposite side to the ejection surface, one or more nozzle groups each including a plurality of nozzles opening on the ejection surface, and one or more inlets opening on the back surface and into which liquid to be supplied to the plurality of nozzles flows, wherein when viewed in the second direction, the plurality of nozzles are arranged at an interval corresponding to a predetermined resolution in at least a central region of each nozzle group, and on each side of each nozzle group in the first direction, other nozzle groups are not located, or other nozzle groups are located apart in the first direction by a distance longer than the interval, and when, in a planar perspective view of the ejection surface, the smallest rectangle that includes each nozzle group is called a nozzle region, and the smallest rectangle that includes all of the nozzle groups and has a pair of first sides parallel to the first direction and a pair of second sides parallel to the second direction is called a virtual region, at least a portion of at least one of the one or more inlets is contained between the outer edges of all of the nozzle regions and the outer edge of the virtual region, a flow path member in which each of the nozzle regions has a pair of second opposite sides facing each other in the first direction, and none of the inlets is located at a position on the first side of the second opposite sides of all of the nozzle regions that is located closest to the first side in the first direction, and at a position on the second side of the second opposite sides of all of the nozzle regions that is located closest to the second side in the first direction.

10. A flow path member according to claim 3 and any one of claims 4 to 8 which directly or indirectly cite claim 3, further comprising one or more inlets which open to the rear surface and supply the liquid to a plurality of the nozzles, wherein at least a portion of at least one of the one or more outlets and at least a portion of at least one of the one or more inlets are contained within the same gap region.

11. A flow path member as set forth in claim 3 and any one of claims 4 to 8 and 10 which directly or indirectly cite claim 3, wherein each of the nozzle regions has a pair of second opposite sides which respectively connect both ends of the pair of first opposite sides and are inclined in the second direction, and the outer edge of the ejection surface has a pair of opposite sides which face each other in the first direction and are parallel to the second opposite sides.

12. A flow path member according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising: a plurality of individual flow paths each having a plurality of nozzles; one or more inlets opening on the rear surface and into which the liquid flows; a main supply common flow path including a portion extending from any of the inlets along the discharge surface; a plurality of sub-common supply flow paths branching from the main supply common flow path and from each of which a plurality of the individual flow paths branch off; a main recovery common flow path including a portion extending from any of the outlets along the discharge surface; and a plurality of sub-common recovery flow paths branching from the main recovery common flow path and from each of which a plurality of the individual flow paths branch off; wherein, in a planar perspective view of the discharge surface, the main recovery common flow path extends from a portion connected to the plurality of sub-common recovery flow paths to the inlet while overlapping with the main supply common flow path, and further extends to the outlet.

13. A liquid ejection device comprising: a flow path member according to any one of claims 1 to 12; and an actuator that applies pressure to the liquid in the flow path member to eject the liquid from the nozzle.

14. A recording apparatus comprising: the liquid ejection device according to claim 13; and a transport device that moves the liquid ejection device and the recording medium relatively in the second direction.

Images