Patent Grant
11491787
This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-215364, filed on Nov. 28, 2019, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
The present disclosure relates to a head chip, a liquid jet head and a liquid jet recording device.
Liquid jet recording devices equipped with liquid jet heads are used in a variety of fields, and a variety of types of liquid jet heads have been developed (see, e.g., JP-A-2004-174857).
Further, such a liquid jet head is provided with a head chip for jetting ink (liquid).
In such a head chip or the like, in general, it is required to improve print image quality. It is desirable to provide a head chip, a liquid jet head, and a liquid jet recording device capable of improving the print image quality.
The head chip according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is provided with an actuator plate having a plurality of ejection grooves, and a nozzle plate having a plurality of nozzle holes individually communicated with the plurality of ejection grooves. The plurality of ejection grooves is arranged side by side so as to at least partially overlap each other along a predetermined direction. Further, the nozzle holes adjacent to each other along the predetermined direction out of the plurality of nozzle holes are arranged so as to be shifted from each other along an extending direction of the ejection grooves in the nozzle plate.
The liquid jet head according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes the head chip according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.
The liquid jet recording device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes the liquid jet head according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.
According to the head chip, the liquid jet head, and the liquid jet recording device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, it becomes possible to improve the print image quality.
An embodiment of the present disclosure will hereinafter be described in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the description will be presented in the following order.
1. Embodiment (an example of a configuration in which nozzle holes are in a staggered arrangement, and ejection grooves are in an in-tine arrangement)
2. Modified Examples
Modified Example 1 (an example of a configuration in which a flow channel width of a common flow channel varies in accordance with an opening length of a through hole)
Modified Example 2((an example of a configuration in which both of nozzle holes and ejection grooves are in a staggered arrangement)
3. Other Modified Examples
[A. Overall Configuration of Printer 1]
As shown in
Here, the printer 1 corresponds to a specific example of the “liquid jet recording device” in the present disclosure, and the inkjet heads 4 (the inkjet heads 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K described later) each correspond to a specific example of a “liquid jet head” in the present disclosure. Further, the ink 9 corresponds to a specific example of the “liquid” in the present disclosure.
The carrying mechanisms 2a, 2b are each a mechanism for carrying the recording paper P along a carrying direction d (an X-axis direction) as shown in
(Ink Tanks 3)
The ink tanks 3 are each a tank for containing the ink 9 inside. As the ink tanks 3, there are provided four types of tanks for individually containing four colors of ink 9, namely yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), in this example as shown in
It should be noted that the ink tanks 3Y, 3M, 3C, and 3K have the same configuration except the color of the ink 9 contained, and are therefore collectively referred to as ink tanks 3 in the following description.
(Inkjet Heads 4)
The inkjet heads 4 are each a head for jetting (ejecting) the ink 9 having a droplet shape from a plurality of nozzles (nozzle holes H1, H2) described later to the recording paper P to thereby perform recording (printing) of images, characters, and so on. As the inkjet heads 4, there are also disposed four types of heads for individually jetting the four colors of ink 9 respectively contained in the ink tanks 3Y, 3M, 3C, and 3K described above in this example as shown in
It should be noted that the inkjet heads 4Y, 4M, 4C and 4K have the same configuration except the color of the ink 9 used therein, and are therefore collectively referred to as inkjet heads 4 in the following description. Further, the detailed configuration example of the inkjet heads 4 will be described later (
(Circulation Flow Channels 50)
As shown in
In such a manner, in the present embodiment, it is arranged that the ink 9 is circulated between the inside of the ink tank 3 and the inside of the inkjet head 4. It should be noted that these flow channels 50a, 50b (supply tubes of the ink 9) are each formed of, for example, a flexible hose having flexibility.
(Scanning Mechanism 6)
The scanning mechanism 6 is a mechanism for making the inkjet heads 4 perform a scanning operation along the width direction (the Y-axis direction) of the recording paper P. As shown in
The drive mechanism 63 has a pair of pulleys 631a, 631b disposed between the guide rails 61a, 61b, an endless belt 632 wound between these pulleys 631a, 631b, and a drive motor 633 for rotationally driving the pulley 631a. Further, on the carriage 62, there are arranged the four types of inkjet heads 4Y, 4M, 4C and 4K described above side by side along the Y-axis direction.
It is arranged that such a scanning mechanism 6 and the carrying mechanisms 2a, 2b described above constitute a moving mechanism for moving the inkjet heads 4 and the recording paper P relatively to each other. It should be noted that the moving mechanism of such a method is not a limitation, and it is also possible to adopt, for example, a method (a so-called “single-pass method”) of moving only the recording target medium (the recording paper P) while fixing the inkjet heads 4 to thereby move the inkjet heads 4 and the recording target medium relatively to each other.
[B. Detailed Configuration of Inkjet Heads 4]
Subsequently, the detailed configuration example of the inkjet heads 4 (head chips 41) will be described with reference to
It should be noted that in
The inkjet heads 4 according to the present embodiment are each an inkjet head of a so-called side-shoot type for ejecting the ink 9 from a central part in an extending direction (the Y-axis direction) of a plurality of channels (a plurality of channels C1 and a plurality of channels C2) in a head chip 41 described later. Further, the inkjet heads 4 are each an inkjet head of a circulation type which uses the circulation channel 50 described above to thereby use the ink 9 while circulating the ink 9 between the inkjet head 4 and the ink tank 3.
As shown in
The circuit board is a board for mounting a drive circuit (an electric circuit) for driving the head chip 41. The flexible printed circuit board is a board for electrically connecting the drive circuit on the circuit board and drive electrodes Ed described later in the head chip 41 to each other. It should be noted that it is arranged that such flexible printed circuit board is provided with a plurality of extraction electrodes as printed wiring.
As shown in
(Nozzle Plate 411)
The nozzle plate 411 is formed of a film member made of polyimide or the like having a thickness of, for example, about 50 μm, and is bonded to a lower surface of the actuator plate 412 as shown in
Further, as shown in
Although described later in detail, the nozzle array An1 has a plurality of nozzle holes H1 formed side by side along the X-axis direction at predetermined intervals. These nozzle holes H1 each penetrate the nozzle plate 411 along the thickness direction of the nozzle plate 411 (the Z-axis direction), and are individually communicated with the respective ejection channels C1e in the actuator plate 412. described later as shown in, for example,
Although described later in detail, the nozzle array An2 similarly has a plurality of nozzle holes H2 formed side by side along the X-axis direction at predetermined intervals. These nozzle holes H2 each penetrate the nozzle plate 411 along the thickness direction of the nozzle plate 411, and are individually communicated with the respective ejection channels C2e in the actuator plate 412 described later. Further, the formation pitch along the X-axis direction in the nozzle holes H2 is arranged to be the same as the formation pitch along the X-axis direction in the ejection channels C2e. Although described later in detail, it is arranged that the ink 9 supplied from the inside of the ejection channel C2e is also ejected from each of the nozzle holes H2 in such a nozzle array An2.
Further, as shown in
Here, as shown in
Similarly, as shown in
It should be noted that the details of the arrangement configuration of such nozzle holes H1 (H11, H12), H2 (H21, H22) will be described later.
(Actuator Plate 412)
The actuator plate 412 is a plate formed of a piezoelectric material such as PLT (lead zirconate titanate). As shown in
Further, as shown in
In such an actuator plate 412, as shown in
As shown in
As shown in
Here, as shown in
The plurality of ejection channels C1e is disposed side by side so that the ejection channels C1e at least partially overlap each other along a predetermined direction (the X-axis direction), and in particular in the example shown in
Further, as shown in
The plurality of ejection channels C2e is disposed side by side so that the ejection channels C2e at least partially overlap each other along a predetermined direction (the X-axis direction), and in particular in the example shown in
It should be noted that the ejection channels C1e, C2e described above each correspond to a specific example of an “ejection groove” in the present disclosure, and the dummy channels C1d, C2d each correspond to a specific example of a “non-ejection groove” in the present disclosure. Further, the X-axis direction corresponds to a specific example of a “predetermined direction” in the present disclosure, and the Y-axis direction corresponds to a specific example of an “extending direction of the ejection groove” in the present disclosure.
Here, as shown in
Further, as shown in, for example,
It should be noted that the detailed configuration in the vicinity of the ejection channel C1e (and the vicinity of the ejection channel C2e) shown in
Further, as shown in
The pair of common electrodes Edc opposed to each other in the same ejection channel C1e (or the same ejection channel C2e) are electrically connected to each other in a common terminal (a common interconnection) not shown. Further, the pair of individual electrodes Eda opposed to each other in the same dummy channel C1d (or the same dummy channel C2d) are electrically separated from each other. In contrast, the pair of individual electrodes Eda opposed to each other via the ejection channel C1e (or the ejection channel C2e) are electrically connected to each other in an individual terminal (an individual interconnection) not shown.
Here, in the tail part 420 (in the vicinity of an end part along the Y-axis direction in the actuator plate 412) described above, there is mounted the flexible printed circuit board described above for electrically connecting the drive electrodes Ed and the circuit board described above to each other. Interconnection patterns (not shown) provided to the flexible printed circuit board are electrically connected to the common interconnections and the individual interconnections described above. Thus, it is arranged that a drive voltage is applied to each of the drive electrodes Ed from the drive circuit on the circuit board described above via the flexible printed circuit board.
Further, in the tail parts 420 in the actuator plate 412, an end part along the extending direction (the Y-axis direction) of each of the dummy channels C1d, C2d has the following configuration.
That is, first, in each of the dummy channels C1d, C2d, one side along the extending direction thereof has an arc-like side surface with which the cross-sectional area of each of the dummy channels C1d, C2d gradually decreases in a direction toward the nozzle plate 411 (see
It should be noted that although described later in detail, working slits SL shown in
(Cover Plate 413)
As shown in
As shown in
The wall part W1 is disposed so as to cover above the ejection channels C1e and the dummy channels C1d, and the wall part W2 is disposed so as to cover above the ejection channels C2e and the dummy channels C2d (see
The entrance side common flow channels Rin1, Rin2 and the exit side common flow channels Rout1, Rout2 each extend along the X-axis direction, and are arranged side by side so as to be parallel to each other at predetermined distance along the X-axis direction as shown in, for example,
It should be noted that these entrance side common flow channels Rin1, Rin2 each correspond to a specific example of a “first common flow channel” in the present disclosure. Further, the exit side common flow channels Rout1, Rout2 each correspond to a specific example of a “second common flow channel” in the present disclosure.
The entrance side common flow channel Rin1 is formed in the vicinity of an inner end part along the Y-axis direction in each of the channels C1, and forms a groove section having a recessed shape (see
It should be noted that the first supply slits Sin1 and the second supply slits each correspond to a specific example of a “first through hole” in the present disclosure.
The exit side common flow channel Rout1 is formed in the vicinity of an outer end part along the Y-axis direction in each of the channels C1, and forms a groove section having a recessed shape (see
It should be noted that the first discharge slits Sout1 and the second discharge slits each correspond to a specific example of a “second through hole” in the present disclosure.
Here, as shown in, for example,
It should be noted that the first slit pair Sp1 and the second slit pair each correspond to a specific example of a “through hole pair” in the present disclosure.
In such a manner, it is arranged that the entrance side common flow channel Rin1 and the exit side common flow channel Rout1 are communicated with each of the ejection channels C1e via the first supply slit Sin1 and the first discharge slit Sout1, respectively (see
Similarly, it is arranged that the entrance side common flow channel Rin2 and the exit side common flow channel Rout2 are communicated with each of the ejection channels C2e via the second supply slit and the second discharge slit, respectively. In other words, the entrance side common flow channel Rin2 is a common flow channel communicated with each of the second supply slits of the respective second slit pairs described above, and the exit side common flow channel Rout2 forms a common flow channel communicated with each of the second discharge slits of the respective second slit pairs. Further, the second supply slit and the second discharge slit each form a through hole through which the ink 9 flows to and from the ejection channel C2e. In particular, the second supply slit is a through hole for making the ink 9 inflow into the ejection channel C2e, and the second discharge slit forms a through hole for making the ink 9 outflow from the inside of the ejection channel C2e. In contrast, neither the entrance side common flow channel Rin2 nor the exit side common flow channel Rout2 is communicated with the dummy channels C2d (see
[C. Detailed Configuration Around Ejection Channels C1e, C2e]
Then, a detailed configuration of the nozzle holes H1, H2 and the cover plate 413 in the vicinity of the ejection channels C1e, C2e will be described with reference to
First, in the head chip 41 according to the present embodiment, as described above, the plurality of nozzle holes H1 includes the two types of nozzle holes H11, H12, and at the same time, the plurality of nozzle holes 112 includes the two types of nozzle holes H21, H22 (see
Here, a central position Pn11 of each of the nozzle holes H11 is disposed so as to be shifted toward the positive side (on the first supply slit Sin1 side) in the Y-axis direction with reference to a central position Pc1 (i.e., a central position along the Y-axis direction of the wall part W1) along the extending direction (the Y-axis direction) of the ejection channels C1e (see
In contrast, the central position Pn12 of each of the nozzle holes H12 is disposed so as to be shifted toward the negative side (on the first discharge slit Sout1 side) in the Y-axis direction with reference to the central position Pc1 along the extending direction of the ejection channels C1e (see
Therefore, in each of the ejection channels C1e (C1e1) communicated with the respective nozzle holes H11, the cross-sectional area (the cross-sectional area Sfin1 of the first entrance side flow channel) of the flow channel of the ink 9 in a part communicated with the first supply slit Sin1 is made smaller than the cross-sectional area (the cross-sectional area Sfout1 of the first exit side flow channel) of the flow channel of the ink 9 in a part communicated with the first discharge slit Sout1 (Sfin1<Sfout1; see
In contrast, in each of the ejection channels C1e (C1e2) communicated with the respective nozzle holes H12, on the contrary, the cross-sectional area Sfout1 of the first exit side flow channel described above is made smaller than the cross-sectional area Sfin1 of the first entrance side flow channel described above (Sfout1<Sfin1; see
Further, in the head chip 41, the length (a first pump length Lw1; see
Further, in the head chip 41, the magnitude relationship between the length of the first supply slit Sin1 in the Y-axis direction (a first supply slit length Lin1) and the length of the first discharge slit Sout1 in the Y-axis direction (a first discharge slit length Lout1) is alternately flipped between the first slit pairs Sp1 adjacent to each other along the X-axis direction (see
Similarly, a magnitude relationship between the length of the second supply slit in the Y-axis direction (a second supply slit length) and the length of the second discharge slit in the Y-axis direction (a second discharge slit length) is also alternately flipped in such a manner as described above between the second slit pairs adjacent to each other along the X-axis direction.
Further, in the head chip 41, the length of the entrance side common flow channel Rin1 in the Y-axis direction (the first entrance side flow channel width Win1) is made constant along the extending direction (the X-axis direction) of the entrance side common flow channel Rin1 (see
Similarly, the length of the entrance side common flow channel Rin2 in the Y-axis direction (the second entrance side flow channel width) is also made constant along the extending direction (the X-axis direction) of the entrance side common flow channel Rin2. Further, the length of the exit side common flow channel Rout2 in the Y-axis direction (the second exit side flow channel width) is also made constant along the extending direction (the X-axis direction) of the exit side common flow channel Rout2.
It should be noted that the first pump length Lw1 and the second pump length described above each correspond to a specific example of a “length of a wall part” in the present disclosure. Further, the first supply slit length Lin1 and the second supply slit length described above each correspond to a specific example of a “first opening length” in the present disclosure, and the first discharge slit length Lout1 and the second discharge slit length described above each correspond to a specific example of a “second opening length” in the present disclosure. Further, the first entrance side flow channel width Win1 and the second entrance side flow channel width described above each correspond to a specific example of a “first flow channel width” in the present disclosure, and the first exit side flow channel width Wout1 and the second exit side flow channel width described above each correspond to a specific example of a “second flow channel width” in the present disclosure.
[Operations and Functions/Advantages]
(A. Basic Operation of Printer 1)
In the printer 1, a recording operation (a printing operation) of images, characters, and so on to the recording paper P is performed in the following manner. It should be noted that as an initial state, it is assumed that the four types of ink tanks 3 (3Y, 3M, 3C, and 3K) shown in
In such an initial state, when operating the printer 1, the grit rollers 21 in the carrying mechanisms 2a, 2b each rotate to thereby carry the recording paper P along the carrying direction d (the X-axis direction) between the grit rollers 21 and the pinch rollers 22. Further, at the same time as such a carrying operation, the drive motor 633 in the drive mechanism 63 rotates each of the pulleys 631a, 631b to thereby operate the endless belt 632. Thus, the carriage 62 reciprocates along the width direction (the Y-axis direction) of the recording paper P while being guided by the guide rails 61a, 61b. Then, on this occasion, the four colors of ink 9 are appropriately ejected on the recording paper P by the respective inkjet heads 4 (4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K) to thereby perform the recording operation of images, characters, and so on to the recording paper P.
(B. Detailed Operation in Inkjet Head 4)
Then, the detailed operation (a jet operation of the ink 9) in the inkjet head 4 will be described. Specifically, in this inkjet head 4 (side-shoot type), the jet operation of the ink 9 using the shear mode is performed in the following manner.
First, when the reciprocation of the carriage 62 (see
Here, since the configuration of the actuator plate 412 is made to be the chevron type described above, by applying the drive voltage using the drive circuit described above, it results that the drive wall Wd makes a flexion deformation to have a V shape centering on an intermediate position in the depth direction in the drive wall Wd. Further, due to such a flexion deformation of the drive wall Wd, the ejection channel C1e, C2e deforms as if the ejection channel C1e, C2e bulges.
Incidentally, when the configuration of the actuator plate 412 is not the chevron type but is the cantilever type described above, the drive wall Wd makes the flexion deformation to have the V shape in the following manner. That is, in the case of the cantilever type, since it results that the drive electrode Ed is attached by the oblique evaporation to an upper half in the depth direction, by the drive force being exerted only on the part provided with the drive electrode Ed, the drive wall Wd makes the flexion deformation (in the end part in the depth direction of the drive electrode Ed). As a result, even in this case, since the drive wall Wd makes the flexion deformation to have the V shape, it results that the ejection channel C1e, C2e deforms as if the ejection channel C1e, C2e bulges.
As described above, due to the flexion deformation caused by a piezoelectric thickness-shear effect in the pair of drive walls Wd, the volume of the ejection channel C1e, C2e increases. Further, due to the increase in the volume of the ejection channel C1e, C2e, it results that the ink 9 retained in the entrance side common flow channel Rin1, Rin2 is induced into the ejection channel C1e, C2e.
Subsequently, the ink 9 having been induced into the ejection channel C1e, C2e in such a manner turns to a pressure wave to propagate to the inside of the ejection channel C1e, C2e. Then, the drive voltage to be applied to the drive electrodes Ed becomes 0 (zero) V at the timing (or the timing in the vicinity of the timing) at which the pressure wave has reached the nozzle hole H1, H2 of the nozzle plate 411. Thus, the drive walls Wd are restored from the state of the flexion deformation described above, and as a result, the volume of the ejection channel C1e, C2e having once increased is restored again.
In the process in which the volume of the ejection channel C1e, C2e is restored in such a manner, the internal pressure of the ejection channel C1e, C2e increases, and the ink 9 in the ejection channel C1e, C2e is pressurized. As a result, the ink 9 having a droplet shape is ejected (see
(C. Circulation Operation of Ink 9)
Then, the circulation operation of the ink 9 via the circulation channel 50 will be described in detail with reference to
In the printer 1, the ink 9 is fed by the liquid feeding pump described above from the inside of the ink tank 3 to the inside of the flow channel 50a. Further, the ink 9 flowing through the flow channel 50b is fed by the liquid feeding pump described above to the inside of the ink tank 3.
On this occasion, in the inkjet head 1, the ink 9 flowing from the inside of the ink tank 3 via the flow channel 50a inflows into the entrance side common flow channels Rin1, Rin2. The ink 9 having been supplied to these entrance side common flow channels Rin1, Rin2 is supplied to the ejection channels C1e, C2e in the actuator plate 412 via the first supply slit Sin1 and the second supply slit, respectively (see
Further, the ink 9 in the ejection channels C1e, C2e flows into the exit side common flow channels Rout1 Rout2 via the first discharge slit Sout1 and the second discharge slit, respectively (see
Here, in the inkjet head of a type other than the circulation type, when using fast drying ink, there is a possibility that a local increase in viscosity or local solidification of the ink occurs due to drying of the ink in the vicinity of the nozzle hole, and as a result, a failure such as an ink ejection failure occurs. In contrast, in the inkjet heads 4 (the circulation type inkjet heads) according to the present embodiment, since the fresh ink 9 is always supplied to the vicinity of the nozzle holes H1, H2, the failure such as the ink ejection failure described above is avoided as a result.
(D. Functions/Advantages)
Then, functions and advantages in the inkjet head 4 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail in comparison with a comparative example.
(D-1. Comparative Example)
As shown in
Specifically, in the nozzle plate 101 according to the comparative example, unlike the nozzle plate 411 in the present embodiment, nozzle holes H1, H2 in respective nozzle arrays An101, An102 are each arranged in a row along the extending direction (the X-axis direction) of the nozzle arrays An101, An102 (see
In such a comparative example, as described above, since the nozzle holes H1, H2 are each arranged in a row along the X-axis direction, when the distance between the nozzle holes H1 adjacent to each other and the distance between the nozzle holes H2 adjacent to each other decrease due to, for example, an increase in resolution of the print pixels, there is a possibility described below, for example. That is, in such a case, since the distance between the droplets which are jetted around the same time and flying toward the recording target medium (e.g., the recording paper P) decreases, the droplets flying between the nozzle holes H1, H2 and the recording target medium are locally concentrated in some cases. Thus, the influence (generation of an air current) on each of the droplets thus flying increases, and as a result, there is a possibility that a wood-effect unevenness in concentration occurs on the recording target medium to degrade the print image quality.
(D-2. Present Embodiment)
In contrast, in the inkjet head 4 (the head chip 41) according to the present embodiment, out of the plurality of nozzle holes H1, H2, the nozzle holes H1 adjacent to each other along the X-axis direction (and the nozzle holes H2 adjacent to each other along the X-axis direction) are arranged so as to be shifted from each other along the extending direction (the Y-axis direction) of the ejection channels C1e, C2e.
Thus, in the present embodiment, the distance between the nozzle holes H1 adjacent to each other (and the distance between the nozzle holes H2 adjacent to each other) becomes longer compared to, for example, (the comparative example described above) when the nozzle holes H1, H2 are each arranged in a row along the X-axis direction. Therefore, since the distance between the droplets which are jetted around the same time and flying toward the recording target medium (e.g., the recording paper P) increases, it is possible to relax the local concentration of the droplets flying between the nozzle holes H1, H2 and the recording target medium. Thus, in the present embodiment, the influence (the generation of the air current) on each of the droplets thus flying can be suppressed, and as a result, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of the wood-effect unevenness in concentration on the recording target medium (e.g., the recording paper P) described above compared to the comparative example described above. For the reason described above, in the inkjet head 4 (the head chip 41) according to the present embodiment, it becomes possible to improve the print image quality compared to, for example, the inkjet head 104 (the head chip 100) according to the comparative example described above.
Further, in particular in the present embodiment, since the whole of the plurality of ejection channels C1e (and the whole of the plurality of ejection channels C2e) is arranged inside the actuator plate 412 in a row along the X-axis direction, the following results. That is, the existing structure is maintained in the whole of the plurality of ejection channels C1e (and the whole of the plurality of ejection channels C2e) as a result. Therefore, it becomes possible to improve the print image quality while keeping (without increasing) the overall size (chip size) of the head chip 41.
Further, in the present embodiment, in the structure in which the nozzle holes H1 adjacent to each other (and the nozzle holes H2 adjacent to each other) along the X-axis direction are arranged so as to be shifted from each other along the Y-axis direction while maintaining the existing structure in the whole of the plurality of ejection channels C1e (and the whole of the plurality of ejection channels C2e) in such a manner as described above, it is also possible to achieve the following in substantially the same manner as in the existing structure. In other words, it is possible to uniform (commonalize) each of the first pump length Lw1 and the second pump length in all of the first slit pairs Sp1 and all of the second slit pairs. Thus, in the present embodiment, a variation in the ejection characteristics between the nozzle holes H1 adjacent to each other (and the nozzle holes H2 adjacent to each other) can be suppressed, and as a result, it becomes possible to further improve the print image quality. Further, in the present embodiment, the following results compared to the case of Modified Example 2 (when arranging the first supply slits Sin1 and the second supply slits in a staggered manner along the X-axis direction, and arranging the first discharge slits Sout1 and the second discharge slits in a staggered manner along the X-axis direction; see
In addition, in the present embodiment, since the flow channel widths (the first entrance side flow channel width Win1 and the second entrance side flow channel width) in the entrance side common flow channels Rin1, Rin2, and the flow channel widths (the first exit side flow channel width Wout1 and the second exit side flow channel width) in the exit side common flow channels Rout1, Rout2 are each made constant along the extending direction (the X-axis direction) of each of the common flow channels, the following results. In other words, regarding the structure of each of the entrance side common flow channels Rin1, Rin2 and the exit side common flow channels Rout1, Rout2, it becomes possible to maintain the existing structure.
Further, in the present embodiment, since the one side along the extending direction (the Y-axis direction) in each of the dummy channels C1d, C2d forms the side surface described above, and at the same time, the other side along the extending direction thereof opens up to the end part along the Y-axis direction of the actuator plate 412, the following results. That is, as described above, in the structure in which the nozzle holes H1 adjacent to each other (and the nozzle holes H2 adjacent to each other) along the X-axis direction are arranged so as to be shifted from each other along the Y-axis direction, it becomes possible to arrange the nozzle holes H1, H2 in the nozzle plate 411 at high density without changing the overall size (the chip size) of the head chip 41. Further, since the other side described above in each of the dummy channels C1d, C2d opens up to the end part described above, it becomes possible to form the individual electrodes Eda to individually be disposed in the dummy channels C1d, C2d separately (in the state of being electrically isolated) from the common electrodes Ede to be disposed in the ejection channels C1e, C2e (see
Subsequently, some modified examples (Modified Example 1 and Modified Example 2) of the embodiment described above will be described. It should be noted that the same constituents as those in the embodiment are denoted by the same reference symbols, and the description thereof will arbitrarily be omitted.
(Configuration)
As shown in
As shown in, for example,
Similarly, in this cover plate 413a, it is arranged that the flow channel widths (the first exit side flow channel width Win1 and the second exit side flow channel width) in the exit side common flow channels Rout1, Rout2 change along the X-axis direction for each of the first slit pairs Sp1 and the second slit pairs (see
Due to such a configuration, as indicated by the dotted arrows in, for example,
(Functions/Advantages)
Also in the inkjet head chip 4a (the head chip 41a) according to Modified Example 1 having such a configuration, it is possible to obtain basically the same advantages due to substantially the same function as that of the inkjet head 4 (the head chip 41) according to the embodiment.
Further, in particular in Modified Example 1, as described above, each of the first entrance side flow channel width Win1 and the second entrance side flow channel width changes along the X-axis direction in accordance with the alternate change in the first supply slit length Lin1 and the second supply slit length, and at the same time, each of the first exit side flow channel width Wout1 and the second exit side flow channel width changes along the X-axis direction in accordance with the alternate change in the first discharge slit length Lout1 and the second discharge slit length. Thus, in Modified Example 1, the following results compared to when each of the first entrance side flow channel width Win1, the second entrance side flow channel width, the first exit side flow channel width Wout1, and the second exit side flow channel width are made constant along the X-axis direction as in, for example, the embodiment (see
(Configuration)
As shown in
As shown in, for example,
Further, in the cover plate 413b in Modified Example 2, the first pump length Lw1 and the second pump length described above are each made the same in all of the first slit pairs Sp1 and the second slit pairs (see
In contrast, unlike the cover plates 413, 413a, in the cover plate 413b, the first supply slit length Lin1 and the second supply slit length described above are made the same as the first discharge slit length Lout1 and the second discharge slit length described above, respectively (Lin1=Lout1, (second supply slit length)=(second discharge slit length)). Further, unlike the cover plates 413, 413a, in the cover plate 413b, the first supply slits Sin1, the second supply slits, the first discharge slits Sout1, and the second discharge slits are each arranged in a staggered manner along the extending directions (the X-axis direction) of the entrance side common flow channels Rin1, Ring, and the exit side common flow channels Rout1, Rout2, respectively (see
(Functions/Advantages)
Also in the inkjet head 4b (the head chip 41b) according to Modified Example 2 having such a configuration, it is possible to obtain basically the same advantages due to substantially the same function as that of the inkjet head 4 (the head chip 41) according to the embodiment.
Further, in particular in Modified Example 2, as described above, since the nozzle holes H1 adjacent to each other (the nozzle holes H2 adjacent to each other) along the X-axis direction are disposed so as to be shifted from each other along the Y-axis direction, and at the same time, the whole of the plurality of ejection channels C1e (and the whole of the plurality of ejection channels C2e) is also arranged in a staggered manner along the X-axis direction, the following results. That is, the shift in the relative position along the extending direction (the Y-axis direction) of each of the ejection channels C1e, C2e between the nozzle holes H1, H2 corresponding to each of the ejection channels C1e, C2e becomes smaller compared to when the whole of the plurality of ejection channels C1e (and the whole of the plurality of ejection channels C2e) is arranged in a row along the X-axis direction as in, for example, the embodiment and Modified Example 1. In other words, when presenting the description with the example of the ejection channels C1e (C1e1, C1e2) shown in
Further, in Modified Example 2, as described above, since the first supply slit length Lin1 and the second supply slit length are made the same as the first discharge slit length Lout1 and the second discharge slit length, respectively, the following results compared to the case of, for example, the embodiment and Modified Example 1. That is, first, in the case of the embodiment and Modified Example 1 (see
The present disclosure is described hereinabove citing the embodiment and the modified examples, but the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiment and so on, and a variety of modifications can be adopted.
For example, in the embodiment and so on described above, the description is presented specifically citing the configuration examples (the shapes, the arrangements, the number and so on) of each of the members in the printer and the inkjet head, but those described in the above embodiment and so on are not limitations, and it is possible to adopt other shapes, arrangements, numbers and so on. Further, the values or the ranges, the magnitude relation and so on of a variety of parameters described in the above embodiment and so on are not limited to those described in the above embodiment and so on, but can also be other values or ranges, other magnitude relation and so on.
Specifically, for example, in the embodiment and so on described above, the description is presented citing the inkjet head 4 of the two-row type (having the two nozzle arrays An1, An2), but the example is not a limitation. Specifically, for example, it is also possible to adopt an inkjet head of a single-row type (having a single nozzle array), or an inkjet head of a multi-row type (having three or more nozzle arrays) with three or more rows (e.g., three rows or four rows).
Further, although in the embodiment and so on described above, there are specifically described the example (the example of the staggered arrangement) of the shifted arrangement of the nozzle holes H1 (H11, H12), H2 (H21, H22), the configuration example of the cover plate (the configuration example of the supply slits, the discharge slits, the entrance side common flow channels, the exit side common flow channels, and so on), and so on, these examples are not a limitation. Specifically, other configuration examples can be adopted as the shifted arrangement of the nozzle holes and the configuration of the cover plate.
Further, in the embodiment and so on described above, the description is presented citing when the ejection channels (the ejection grooves) and the dummy channels (the non-ejection grooves) each extend along the Y-axis direction (a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the channels are arranged side by side) in the actuator plate 412 as an example, but this example is not a limitation. Specifically, it is also possible to arrange that, for example, the ejection channels and the dummy channels extend along an oblique direction (a direction forming an angle with each of the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction) in the actuator plate 412.
Further, for example, the cross-sectional shape of each of the nozzle holes H1, H2 is not limited to the circular shape as described in the above embodiment and so on, but can also be, for example, an elliptical shape, a polygonal shape such as a triangular shape, or a star shape. Further, the cross-sectional shape of each of the ejection channels C1e, C2e and the dummy channels C1d, C2d is described citing when being formed by the cutting work by the dicer to thereby have the side surface shaped like an arc (a curved surface) in the embodiment and so on described above as an example, but this example is not a limitation. Specifically, for example, it is possible to arrange that the cross-sectional shape of each of the ejection channels C1e, C2e and the dummy channels C1d, C2d becomes a variety of side surface shapes other than the arc-like shape by forming the channels using other processing method (e.g., etching or blast processing) than such cutting work with a dicer.
In addition, in the embodiment and so on described above, the description is presented citing the circulation type inkjet head for using the ink 9 while circulating the ink 9 between the ink tank and the inkjet head as an example, but the example is not a limitation. Specifically, in some cases, for example, it is also possible to apply the present disclosure to a non-circulation type inkjet head using the ink 9 without circulating the ink 9.
Further, as the structure of the inkjet head, it is possible to apply those of a variety of types. In other words, for example, in the embodiment and so on described above, the description is presented citing as an example a so-called side-shoot type inkjet head for ejecting the ink 9 from a central part in the extending direction of each of the ejection channels in the actuator plate. It should be noted that this example is not a limitation, but it is possible to apply the present disclosure to an inkjet head of another type.
Further, the type of the printer is not limited to the type described in the embodiment and so on described above, and it is possible to apply a variety of types such as an MEMS (Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems) type.
Further, the series of processes described in the above embodiment and so on can be arranged to be performed by hardware (a circuit), or can also be arranged to be performed by software (a program). When arranging that the series of processes is performed by the software, the software is constituted by a program group for making the computer perform the functions. The programs can be incorporated in advance in the computer described above and are then used, or can also be installed in the computer described above from a network or a recording medium and are then used.
Further, in the above embodiment and so on, the description is presented citing the printer 1 (the inkjet printer) as a specific example of the “liquid jet recording device” in the present disclosure, but this example is not a limitation, and it is also possible to apply the present disclosure to other devices than the inkjet printer. In other words, it is also possible to arrange that the “liquid jet head” (the inkjet head) of the present disclosure is applied to other devices than the inkjet printer. Specifically, it is also possible to arrange that the “liquid jet head” of the present disclosure is applied to a device such as a facsimile or an on-demand printer.
In addition, it is also possible to apply the variety of examples described hereinabove in arbitrary combination.
It should be noted that the advantages described in the specification are illustrative only but are not a limitation, and other advantages can also be provided.
Further, the present disclosure can also take the following configurations.
<1> A head chip configured to jet a liquid comprising: an actuator plate having a plurality of ejection grooves; and a nozzle plate having a plurality of nozzle holes individually communicated with the plurality of ejection grooves, wherein the plurality of ejection grooves is arranged side by side so as to at least partially overlap each other along a predetermined direction, and the nozzle holes adjacent to each other along the predetermined direction of the plurality of nozzle holes are arranged so as to be shifted from each other along an extending direction of the ejection grooves in the nozzle plate.
<2> The head chip according to <1>, wherein a whole of the plurality of ejection grooves is arranged so as to overlap each other along the predetermined direction, and the whole of the plurality of ejection grooves is arranged in a row along the predetermined direction.
<3> The head chip according to <2>, further comprising a cover plate having a first through hole configured to make the liquid inflow into the ejection groove, a second through hole configured to make the liquid outflow from the ejection groove, and a wall part configured to cover the ejection groove, wherein a through hole pair constituted by the first through hole and the second through hole for each of the ejection grooves is arranged along the extending direction of the ejection groove, a length of the wall part along the extending direction of the ejection groove corresponding to a distance between the first through hole and the second through hole in the through hole pair is made same in all of the through hole pairs, and a magnitude relationship between a first opening length as a length of the first through hole along the extending direction of the ejection groove and a second opening length as a length of the second through hole along the extending direction of the ejection groove is alternately flipped between the through hole pairs adjacent to each other along the predetermined direction.
<4> The head chip according to <3>, wherein the cover plate further includes a first common flow channel extending along the predetermined direction, and communicated with each of the first through holes of the respective through hole pairs, and a second common flow channel extending along the predetermined direction, and communicated with each of the second through holes of the respective through hole pairs, a first flow channel width as a length of the first common flow channel along a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction is made constant along the predetermined direction, and a second flow channel width as a length of the second common flow channel along a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction is made constant along the predetermined direction.
<5> The head chip according to <3>, wherein the cover plate further includes a first common flow channel extending along the predetermined direction, and communicated with each of the first through holes of the respective through hole pairs, and a second common flow channel extending along the predetermined direction, and communicated with each of the second through holes of the respective through hole pairs, a first flow channel width as a length of the first common flow channel along a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction changes along the predetermined direction in accordance with an alternate change in the first opening length in the through hole pairs adjacent to each other along the predetermined direction, and a second flow channel width as a length of the second common flow channel along a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction changes along the predetermined direction in accordance with an alternate change in the second opening length in the through hole pairs adjacent to each other along the predetermined direction.
<6> The head chip according to <1>, wherein the plurality of ejection grooves is arranged so as to partially overlap each other along the predetermined direction, and the whole of the plurality of ejection grooves is arranged in a staggered manner along the predetermined direction.
<7> The head chip according to <6>, further comprising a cover plate having a first through hole configured to make the liquid inflow into the ejection groove, a second through hole configured to make the liquid outflow from the ejection groove, and a wall part configured to cover the ejection groove, wherein a through hole pair constituted by the first through hole and the second through hole for each of the ejection grooves is arranged along the extending direction of the ejection groove, a length of the wall part along the extending direction of the ejection groove corresponding to a distance between the first through hole and the second through hole in the through hole pair is made same in all of the through hole pairs, a first opening length as a length of the first through hole along the extending direction of the ejection groove and a second opening length as a length of the second through hole along the extending direction of the ejection groove are made same as each other, and the first through holes and the second through holes are each arranged in a staggered manner along the predetermined direction.
<8> The head chip according to any one of <1> to <7>, wherein the actuator plate further has a plurality of non-ejection grooves disposed side by side along the predetermined direction, the ejection grooves and the non-ejection grooves are alternately arranged along the predetermined direction, one side along an extending direction of the non-ejection groove in the non-ejection groove is provided with a side surface shaped like a curved surface with which a cross-sectional area of the non-ejection groove gradually decreases in a direction toward the nozzle plate, and the other side along the extending direction of the non-ejection groove in the non-ejection groove opens up to an end part along the extending direction of the non-ejection groove in the actuator plate.
<9> A liquid jet head comprising the head chip according to any one of <1> to <8>.
<10> A liquid jet recording device comprising the liquid jet head according to <9>.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP2019-215364 | Nov 2019 | JP | national |
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20150029271 | Domae | Jan 2015 | A1 |
| 20150145927 | Murochi | May 2015 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 2363291 | Sep 2011 | EP |
| 2004-174857 | Jun 2004 | JP |
| Entry |
|---|
| Extended European Search Report in Europe Application No. 20210387.5, dated Mar. 26, 2021, 8 pages. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20210162754 A1 | Jun 2021 | US |
