JP7028229B2 - Liquid injection head and liquid injection device - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to a liquid injection head and a liquid injection device.

Conventionally, there is an ink head unit provided with an ink ejection port within a range surrounded by an upright wall of a flow path member forming a part of a liquid flow path (Patent Document 1). In this ink head unit, when ink leaks at the connection portion between the ink cartridge and the ink head unit, ink is discharged from the ink ejection port to the outside of the ink head unit.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-233722

However, in the technique of Patent Document 1, the positional relationship between the upright wall and the ink ejection port is not sufficiently considered. Therefore, when ink leakage occurs or after that, when the ink head unit tilts, ink is applied to the lower part of the corner where the upright wall of the flow path member and the bottom surface are connected. Is captured, and ink is not discharged from the ink ejection port provided on the bottom surface. After that, if the ink leaks further, the ink may leak to the outside beyond the upright wall and adhere to the circuit board, the connector, or the like to cause a short circuit.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a liquid injection head is provided. In this liquid injection head, a nozzle plate having a plurality of nozzles for injecting liquid in the first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction with respect to the nozzle plate are arranged in the nozzle. A first flow path member in which a flow path for supplying a liquid is provided inside, and a first flow path member, which is arranged in the second direction with respect to the first flow path member, allows liquid to flow from the outside of the liquid injection head into the flow path. The first flow path member includes a liquid introduction portion to be introduced, and the first flow path member is erected in the second direction from the surface of the first flow path member on the second direction side and surrounds the liquid introduction portion. And a discharge path for discharging the liquid from the surface to the outside of the first flow path member, and the surface is a part of the discharge path and opens in the second direction. One opening is provided, and the surrounding wall has a first wall portion arranged along a third direction orthogonal to the first direction, and an edge of the first opening and the first wall portion. The minimum distance to and from is ½ or less of the length of the maximum line segment that can be placed in the first opening.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the schematic structure of the liquid injection apparatus 100 which includes the liquid injection head 200 as one Embodiment of this disclosure. It is an exploded perspective view of the liquid injection head 200 which shows the component of a holder 210. It is an exploded perspective view of the liquid injection head 200 which shows the 1st seal member 220, the circuit board 230, the actuator unit 240, and the case 250. It is an exploded perspective view of the liquid injection head 200 which shows the diaphragm 260, the flow path forming member 270, the nozzle plate 280, and the cover 290. It is a top view when the main body part 215 of a holder 210 is seen along the 1st direction D1. It is a top view which shows the state which the filter 213 and the seal 211 are superposed on the main body part 215 of a holder 210. It is a top view which shows the state which the mounting part 214 is further overlapped with respect to the sub-assembly of FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a state in which a circuit board 230, an actuator unit 240, a case 250, a diaphragm 260, a flow path forming member 270, a nozzle plate 280, and a cover 290 are stacked. It is a top view which shows the state which the holder 210, the circuit board 230, the actuator unit 240, the case 250, the diaphragm 260, the flow path forming member 270, the nozzle plate 280, and the cover 290 are overlapped. .. It is a top view when the liquid injection head 200 attached to the carriage 116 is seen along the 2nd direction D2. It is explanatory drawing which shows the positional relationship between the 1st opening Op11 of the discharge path Ex1 in the main body part 215, and the 1st wall part W11. It is a figure which shows a part of the cavity Cv of the mold when the structure of the 1st opening Op11 of the discharge path Ex1 in the main body part 215 and the 1st wall part W11 is cast by the mold. It is explanatory drawing which shows the positional relationship between the 1st opening Op21 of the discharge path Ex2 in the main body part 215, and the 1st wall part W21. It is explanatory drawing which shows the positional relationship between the 1st opening Op31 of the discharge path Ex3 in the main body part 215, and the 1st wall part W31. It is explanatory drawing which shows the positional relationship between the 1st opening Op41 of the discharge path Ex4 in the main body part 215, and the 1st wall part W41. It is explanatory drawing which shows the positional relationship between the 1st opening Op51 of the discharge path Ex5 in the main body part 215, and the 1st wall part W51. It is explanatory drawing which shows the schematic structure of the liquid injection apparatus 100a provided with the liquid injection head 200a in 2nd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the detailed structure of a pressure control valve. It is sectional drawing which shows the detailed structure of a damper 170. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the tube 160, the ink supply needle 205 and the holder 210a in another Embodiment 2 of 2nd Embodiment.

A. First Embodiment:
A1. Liquid sprayer configuration:
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a liquid injection device 100 including a liquid injection head 200 as an embodiment of the present disclosure. The liquid injection device 100 is an inkjet printer that injects ink. The liquid injection device 100 receives image data from a computer as a liquid injection control device (not shown in FIG. 1). The liquid injection device 100 converts the image data into print data indicating on / off of dots in the print medium P. The liquid injection device 100 ejects ink onto the print medium P based on the print data and forms dots at various positions on the print medium P to print an image on the print medium P.

The liquid injection device 100 controls the liquid injection head 200, the carriage 116, 10 ink cartridges 117, the carriage motor 118, the transfer motor 119, the drive belt 114, the flexible flat cable 113, and the platen 115. A unit 110 and a housing 112 are provided.

The liquid injection head 200 is mounted on the carriage 116. The liquid injection head 200 is electrically connected to the control unit 110 via the flexible flat cable 113. The liquid injection head 200 includes a plurality of nozzles 282 for ejecting ink on the surface facing the print medium P. The plurality of nozzles 282 constitute a 10-row nozzle row 281. The ink supplied from the ink cartridge 117 to the liquid injection head 200 is ejected from the nozzle 282 to the print medium P in the form of droplets.

The ink cartridge 117 stores ink, which is a liquid to be supplied to the liquid injection head 200. The ten ink cartridges 117 each contain inks of different colors. These 10 ink cartridges 117 are mounted on the carriage 116.

The carriage 116 holds and moves the liquid injection head 200. The carriage 116 is attached to a carriage guide not shown in FIG. The carriage 116 can reciprocate in the main scanning direction X along the carriage guide. The carriage 116 is connected to the carriage motor 118 via a drive belt 114. The carriage 116 reciprocates along the main scanning direction X as the carriage motor 118 rotates.

FIG. 1 shows X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis that are orthogonal to each other. The Z-axis is the axis that coincides with the upper part in the vertical direction. The X-axis is an axis along the main scanning direction X. The Y-axis is an axis in a direction orthogonal to the X-axis and the Z-axis. The Y-axis direction is also referred to as "sub-scanning direction Y". In these directions, the direction indicated by the arrow is represented by "+", and the direction opposite to the direction indicated by the arrow is represented by "-". In the present specification, the −Z direction is also referred to as a first direction D1, the + Z direction is referred to as a second direction D2, the + X direction is referred to as a third direction D3, and the + Y direction is also referred to as a fourth direction D4. The X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis shown in FIGS. 2 and below coincide with the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis shown in FIG.

The transport motor 119 is a motor for transporting the print medium P on which the ink ejected from the nozzle 282 lands. The transfer motor 119 operates in response to a control signal from the control unit 110. By transmitting the power of the transfer motor 119 to the rollers of the platen 115, the print medium P is transferred along the sub-scanning direction Y.

The platen 115 supports the printed medium P to be conveyed. The platen 115 is provided with an ink absorbing portion Ab1 along the main scanning direction X. The ink absorbing portion Ab1 accommodates a porous member and is open in the Z direction. The ink absorbing portion Ab1 will be described later.

The housing 112 accommodates a liquid injection head 200, a carriage 116, 10 ink cartridges 117, a carriage motor 118, a transfer motor 119, a drive belt 114, a flexible flat cable 113, and a platen 115. do. FIG. 1 does not show a part of the housing 112 so that the internal configuration of the housing 112 can be seen. In FIG. 1, the control unit 110 is arranged outside the housing 112. However, it is also possible that the housing 112 accommodates the control unit 110.

The control unit 110 includes one or a plurality of CPUs (Central Processing Units), a processing circuit such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and a storage circuit such as a semiconductor memory, and controls the transfer motor 119 and the carriage 116. Specifically, when the generation of print data is completed, the control unit 110 drives the transfer motor 119 to transfer the print medium P to the print start position in the sub-scanning direction Y. The control unit 110 drives the carriage motor 118 and moves the carriage 116 to the print start position in the main scanning direction X. The control unit 110 controls the carriage 116 to move along the main scanning direction X and ejects ink from the liquid injection head 200 to the printing medium P, and conveys the printing medium P in the sub-scanning direction Y, which is the printing direction. The control of the transfer motor 119 is alternately repeated according to the print data. As a result, the image is printed on the print medium P.

A2. Liquid injection head configuration:
2, 3 and 4 are exploded perspective views showing a schematic configuration of the liquid injection head 200. The liquid injection head 200 includes a holder 210, a first seal member 220, a circuit board 230, an actuator unit 240, a case 250, a diaphragm 260, and a flow path forming member in order along the first direction D1. It includes a 270, a nozzle plate 280, and a cover 290. The liquid injection head 200 is configured by laminating each of these components and fastening them with four screws 293, 294, 295 and 296.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the liquid injection head 200 showing the components of the holder 210. The holder 210 holds the ink cartridge 117 together with the carriage 116 (see FIG. 1). The holder 210 causes the ink supplied from the ink cartridge 117 to flow into the case 250 (see FIG. 3). The holder 210 includes a mounting portion 214, a filter 213, a seal 211, and a main body portion 215.

The mounting portion 214 is a member on which the ink cartridge 117 is mounted. The mounting unit 214 includes 10 ink supply needles 205. One ink supply needle 205 is inserted into one ink cartridge 117 that supplies ink to the liquid injection head 200. The ink supply needle 205 includes a part of the second flow path 219 inside. The ink supply needle 205 functions as a liquid introduction unit that introduces ink from the ink cartridge 117 into the liquid injection head 200.

The mounting portion 214 is composed of a polymer alloy of polyphenylene ether and another resin. The contact angle of each ink contained in the ink cartridge 117 on the surface of the mounting portion 214 is 20 ° or less. That is, the surface of the mounting portion 214 has high wettability with respect to ink.

The filter 213 is a member that removes air bubbles and foreign substances contained in the ink supplied from the ink cartridge 117. The filter 213 is arranged between the mounting portion 214 and the seal 211 so as to block the second flow path 219. The filter 213 has a disk shape. The filter 213 may be a sheet-like filter in which a plurality of micropores are formed by finely knitting fibers such as metal or resin, or a plate-shaped member such as metal or resin in which a plurality of micropores are penetrated. Can be used.

The seal 211 is a plate-shaped member and includes 10 through holes penetrating in the Z direction. The seal 211 liquidally seals between the mounting portion 214 and the main body portion 215. Ink flows from the second flow path 219 in the ink supply needle 205 of the mounting portion 214 to the second flow path 219 in the main body portion 215 through the through hole provided in the seal 211.

Inside the main body 215, a part of the second flow path 219 for supplying ink to the nozzle 282 is provided. The second flow path 219 inside the main body portion 215 is composed of a groove portion extending in the horizontal direction and a through hole connected to the groove portion. When the main body portion 215 is viewed along the first direction D1, the main body portion 215 is a substantially rectangular shape with the third direction D3 as the longitudinal direction and the fourth direction D4 as the lateral direction. The main body 215 is composed of a polymer alloy of polyphenylene ether and another resin. The contact angle between the surface of the main body 215 and each ink contained in the ink cartridge 117 is 20 ° or less. That is, the surface of the main body 215 has high wettability with respect to ink.

The main body portion 215 includes a floor surface Ts and a surrounding wall W10. The floor surface Ts is the surface of the main body portion 215 on the second direction D2 side. The floor surface Ts is also referred to as "surface Ts". The floor surface Ts is a flat surface. The surrounding wall W10 is a wall portion erected from the floor surface Ts in the second direction D2. When the mounting portion 214, the filter 213, the seal 211, and the main body portion 215 are combined, the surrounding wall W10 surrounds the ink supply needle 205. The main body portion 215 further has a discharge path Ex1 for discharging ink from the floor surface Ts to the outside of the main body portion 215. The discharge path Ex1 is a through hole that linearly penetrates the main body portion 215 along the first direction D1. The discharge channel Ex1 is not shown in FIG. The detailed configuration of the main body 215 will be described later.

In the holder 210, the second flow path 219 in the ink supply needle 205 causes the ink supplied from the ink cartridge 117 to flow into the holder 210. The ink is filtered by the filter 213, passes through the through hole of the seal 211, and reaches the second flow path 219 in the main body 215. The second flow path 219 in the main body 215 delivers the ink to the ink introduction port 221 of the first seal member 220 (see FIG. 3).

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the liquid injection head 200 showing the first seal member 220, the circuit board 230, the actuator unit 240, and the case 250. The first sealing member 220 is arranged between the holder 210 (see FIG. 2) and the case 250, and tightly seals between the holder 210 and the case 250. The first seal member 220 is a substantially rectangular plate-shaped member that is long in the X direction. The first seal member 220 is made of an elastic member such as rubber or an elastomer.

The first seal member 220 is formed with 10 ink inlets 221. The ink introduction port 221 is a through hole that penetrates the first seal member 220 in the Z direction. Ink flows from the second flow path 219 (see FIG. 2) of the main body 215 of the holder 210 to the first flow path 253 in the case 250 through the ink introduction port 221 of the first seal member 220.

The case 250 is provided between the main body portion 215 of the holder 210, the diaphragm 260, and the flow path forming member 270 (see FIG. 4). The case 250 delivers the ink received from the holder 210 to the flow path forming member 270. Further, the case 250 holds the circuit board 230 and the actuator unit 240 between the holder 210 and the holder 210. The case 250 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin such as polypropylene.

The case 250 includes 5 accommodation spaces 255 and 10 flow path pipes FP. The accommodation space 255 is formed by recesses provided along the Y direction and opening in the second direction D2. The accommodation space 255 accommodates the actuator unit 240. The five accommodation spaces 255 are provided side by side in the X direction.

The flow path pipe FP is a cylindrical member that protrudes from the bottom surface of the case 250 in the second direction D2. Each of the 10 flow path pipes FPs is arranged at a position that does not overlap with the five accommodation spaces 255 when the case 250 is viewed along the first direction D1. The flow path pipe FP communicates the ink introduction port 221 of the first seal member 220 and the ink introduction port 261 provided in the diaphragm 260. The flow path pipe FP functions as a first flow path 253 for flowing the ink supplied from the ink cartridge 117 into the ink introduction port 261.

The circuit board 230 is a substantially rectangular plate-shaped member that is long in the X direction. More specifically, when the circuit board 230 is viewed along the first direction D1, the outer shape of the circuit board 230 is a substantially rectangular shape with the third direction D3 as the longitudinal direction and the fourth direction D4 as the lateral direction. be. The circuit board 230 is arranged between the holder 210 and the case 250. The circuit board 230 is adjacent to the first sealing member 220 on the first direction D1 side. The circuit board 230 is fixed to the surface of the case 250 on the second direction D2 side by an adhesive.

The circuit board 230 includes a circuit for driving the liquid injection head 200. More specifically, the circuit board 230 is an electronic board in which wiring, circuit elements, and the like for driving the piezoelectric body 243 included in the actuator unit 240 are integrated. The circuit board 230 includes 10 first through holes 231 and 10 sets of connection terminals Ct and 2 connector units Cn.

The first through hole 231 is a through hole that penetrates the circuit board 230 in the Z direction. The first through hole 231 is provided at a position overlapping the ink introduction port 221 of the first seal member 220 when the circuit board 230 is viewed along the second direction D2. The first through hole 231 is provided at a position overlapping with the flow path pipe FP of the case 250 when the circuit board 230 is viewed along the first direction D1. When the first seal member 220, the circuit board 230, the actuator unit 240, and the case 250 are combined, the flow path pipe FP of the case 250 penetrates the first through hole 231 of the circuit board 230. It is connected to the ink introduction port 221 of the first seal member 220.

The pair of connector units Cn and Cn are provided at both ends of the circuit board 230 in the third direction D3. With such a configuration, the distance from the connector unit Cn to each circuit on the circuit board 230 can be shortened as a whole. One connector unit Cn includes one connector on one surface and one connector on the other surface of the circuit board 230. That is, the circuit board 230 includes four connectors.

A flexible flat cable 113 is connected to the connector unit Cn. The circuit board 230 is electrically connected to the control unit 110 (see FIG. 1) via the flexible flat cable 113.

The actuator unit 240 includes a COF (Chip on Film) substrate 242, a fixing plate 241 and a piezoelectric body 243. The fixing plate 241 is fixed to the wall surface of the case 250 that defines the accommodation space 255. The COF substrate 242 is provided with a drive circuit for driving the piezoelectric body 243. The end of the COF substrate 242 in the first direction D1 is connected to the piezoelectric body 243. The end of the COF board 242 on the second direction D2 side is inserted into the opening 233 of the circuit board 230 and connected to the connection terminal Ct of the circuit board 230.

The piezoelectric body 243 constitutes a piezoelectric element which is a passive element utilizing the piezoelectric effect. The piezoelectric element is driven in response to a drive signal from the control unit 110. The piezoelectric body 243 is fixed to the support plate of the diaphragm 260 so that the end portion on the first direction D1 side becomes a free end. The piezoelectric body 243 is fixed to the end portion of the fixing plate 241 on the first direction D1 side so that the end portion on the second direction D2 side becomes the fixed end.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the liquid injection head 200 showing the diaphragm 260, the flow path forming member 270, the nozzle plate 280, and the cover 290. The diaphragm 260 is a substantially rectangular plate-shaped member that is long in the X direction. The diaphragm 260 is provided between the case 250 and the flow path forming member 270. The diaphragm 260 functions as a wall surface that closes the opening provided on the surface of the flow path forming member 270 on the second direction D2 side. The diaphragm 260 is elastically deformed by the piezoelectric body 243 of the actuator unit 240. As a result, ink is ejected from the pressure chamber of the flow path forming member 270 via the nozzle 282.

The vibrating plate 260 is formed by laminating, for example, an elastic film made of an elastic member such as a resin film and a support plate made of a metal material such as stainless steel (SUS) for supporting the elastic film. .. The elastic membrane is supported by being joined to the surface of the support plate on the −Z direction side.

The diaphragm 260 includes an ink inlet 261. The ink introduction port 261 is a through hole that penetrates the diaphragm 260 in the Z direction. The ink introduction port 261 communicates with the flow path pipe FP of the case 250 and the third flow path 273 of the flow path forming member 270, and causes the ink supplied from the ink cartridge 117 to flow into the third flow path 273.

The flow path forming member 270 is a plate-shaped member having an outer shape that matches the outer shape of the diaphragm 260. The flow path forming member 270 is provided between the case 250 (see FIG. 3) and the nozzle plate 280. The flow path forming member 270 includes a third flow path 273. Although not shown, the flow path forming member 270 includes a pressure chamber. In the present embodiment, the flow path forming member 270 is formed of, for example, silicon (Si). The flow path forming member 270 may have a configuration in which a plurality of substrates are laminated.

The nozzle plate 280 is a thin plate-shaped member having an outer shape that matches the outer shape of the diaphragm 260 and the flow path forming member 270. The nozzle plate 280 is provided on the first direction D1 side of the flow path forming member 270. The nozzle plate 280 includes a plurality of nozzles 282 for injecting a liquid into the first direction D1. More specifically, the nozzle plate 280 includes 10 nozzle rows 281 each consisting of a plurality of nozzles 282 arranged along the Y direction. The 10 nozzle rows 281 are arranged side by side in the X direction.

The nozzle 282 is a through hole that penetrates the nozzle plate 280 in the Z direction. Through the nozzle 282, the ink in the pressure chamber of the flow path forming member 270 is sprayed onto the print medium P. Each nozzle 282 is provided at a position corresponding to the pressure chamber of the flow path forming member 270. The nozzle plate 280 functions as a wall surface that closes the opening provided on the surface of the flow path forming member 270 in the first direction D1 in the portion where the nozzle 282 is not provided. The nozzle plate 280 is made of, for example, stainless steel (SUS), silicon (Si), or the like.

The case 250, the diaphragm 260, the flow path forming member 270, and the nozzle plate 280 are each fixed by an adhesive (see FIGS. 3 and 4). Specifically, the surface of the nozzle plate 280 on the second direction D2 side and the surface of the flow path forming member 270 on the first direction D1 side are bonded to each other by an adhesive. Further, the surface of the flow path forming member 270 on the second direction D2 side and the surface of the diaphragm 260 on the first direction D1 side are bonded to each other by an adhesive. The surface of the diaphragm 260 on the second direction D2 side and the surface of the case 250 on the first direction D1 side are bonded to each other by an adhesive. The adhesive may be applied to each component 250, 260, 270 and 280.

The cover 290 is a frame body that houses the diaphragm 260, the flow path forming member 270, and the nozzle plate 280. The cover 290 is provided with an opening that exposes the surface of the nozzle plate 280 on the first direction D1 side when the diaphragm 260, the flow path forming member 270, and the nozzle plate 280 are housed in the cover 290. The cover 290 is provided with four through holes 291 into which the screws 293, 294, 295 and 296 are inserted. The cover 290 is fixed to the holder 210 by screws 293, 294, 295 and 296 with the case 250 and the circuit board 230 in between.

Each component of the liquid injection head 200 described above (see FIGS. 2-4) is laminated and fastened by four screws 293, 294, 295 and 296. The four screws 293, 294, 295 and 296 are composed of, for example, all screws. In the present embodiment, the "all screws" means a screw that is threaded on the side surface of a portion excluding the head of the screw. The screws 293, 294, 295 and 296 are inserted into the screw holes formed in the case 250 in advance and screwed to form a screw groove in the main body 215 of the holder 210, and the holder 210, the case 250 and the cover. Conclude with 290. Specifically, the seating surfaces of the screws 293, 294, 295 and 296 that receive the load due to fastening abut around the through hole 291 of the cover 290, and the case 250 is sandwiched between the cover 290 and the holder 210. Fix the holder 210, the case 250, and the cover 290.

A3. Configuration of discharge channel in the main body:
FIG. 5 is a plan view when the main body portion 215 (see FIG. 2) of the holder 210 is viewed along the first direction D1. The surrounding wall W10 of the main body portion 215 includes a plurality of wall portions W11 to W18. More specifically, the surrounding wall W10 includes a first wall portion W11, a second wall portion W12, a third wall portion W13, a fourth wall portion W14, a fifth wall portion W15, a sixth wall portion W16, and a seventh wall. A portion W17 and an eighth wall portion W18 are provided.

The first wall portion W11 is arranged along the third direction D3. The second wall portion W12 faces the first wall portion W11 with the second flow path 219 interposed therebetween and is arranged along the third direction D3. The third wall portion W13 is arranged along the fourth direction D4. The fourth wall portion W14 faces the third wall portion W13 with the second flow path 219 interposed therebetween and is arranged along the fourth direction D4. These first wall portions W11 to fourth wall portions W14 form four sides of a substantially rectangular outer shape of the main body portion 215 when the main body portion 215 is viewed along the first direction D1.

The fifth wall portion W15 is a wall portion that connects the first wall portion W11 and the third wall portion W13. The fifth wall portion W15 is located on the −Y direction side with respect to the first wall portion W11. The fifth wall portion W15 is located on the −X direction side with respect to the third wall portion W13. The sixth wall portion W16 is a wall portion that connects the second wall portion W12 and the fourth wall portion W14. The sixth wall portion W16 is located on the + Y direction side with respect to the second wall portion W12. The sixth wall portion W16 is located on the + X direction side with respect to the fourth wall portion W14.

The seventh wall portion W17 is a wall portion that connects the second wall portion W12 and the third wall portion W13. The seventh wall portion W17 is located on the + Y direction side with respect to the second wall portion W12. The seventh wall portion W17 is located on the −X direction side with respect to the third wall portion W13. The eighth wall portion W18 is a wall portion that connects the first wall portion W11 and the fourth wall portion W14. The eighth wall portion W18 is located on the −Y direction side with respect to the first wall portion W11. The eighth wall portion W18 is located on the + X direction side with respect to the fourth wall portion W14.

As described above, the plurality of wall portions W11 to W18 constituting the surrounding wall W10 include wall portions provided at different positions in the fourth direction D4 from each other. The first wall portion W11 is the outermost wall portion among the plurality of wall portions W11 to W18 in the fourth direction D4, that is, the wall portion located on the fourth direction D4 side.

The surface Ts of the main body 215 is provided with a first opening Op11 which is a part of the discharge path Ex1 and opens toward the second direction D2 (see the lower central portion of FIG. 5). The first opening Op11 is provided in the vicinity of the first wall portion W11 when the main body portion 215 is viewed along the first direction D1. The inner surface of the first wall portion W11 is a flat surface in a predetermined range including the first opening Op11. Since the floor surface Ts is also flat, the connecting portion between the first wall portion W11 and the floor surface Ts is linear. In the cross section parallel to the ZZ plane, the connecting portion between the first wall portion W11 and the floor surface Ts constitutes a concave corner portion in which the two planes are connected at 90 °. The connection portion between the first wall portion W11 and the floor surface Ts is also referred to as a "boundary" between the first wall portion W11 and the floor surface Ts.

With such a configuration, the liquid existing at the connection portion between the surface Ts on the second direction D2 side of the main body portion 215 and the first wall portion W11 and the ink moving toward the connection portion can be collected by the capillary force. It can be held at the boundary between the surface Ts and the first wall portion W11, guided to the discharge path Ex1, and discharged to a predetermined portion outside the main body portion 215 via the discharge path Ex1. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the ink leaked from the connection portion between the ink cartridge 117 and the ink supply needle 205 of the holder 210 leaks to the outside beyond the surrounding wall W10 and causes a problem.

Further, the first wall portion W11 is a wall portion located on the outermost side of the plurality of wall portions W11 to W18 in the fourth direction D4, that is, on the fourth direction D4 side. Therefore, when the liquid injection head 200 is tilted in a direction including a rotation component centered on a direction parallel to the third direction D3, the liquid is a connection portion between the surface Ts of the main body portion 215 and the first wall portion W11. Flow toward. As a result, according to the main body portion 215 of the present embodiment, such ink can be introduced into the first opening Op11 and discharged to the outside of the main body portion 215.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a state in which the filter 213 and the seal 211 are superposed on the main body portion 215 of the holder 210 (see FIG. 2). The first opening Op11 is provided at a position where the main body portion 215, the filter 213, and the seal 211 do not overlap with the filter 213 and the seal 211 (see the lower central portion of FIG. 6).

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a state in which the mounting portion 214 is further overlapped with the sub-assembly shown in FIG. 6 (see FIG. 2). The first opening Op11 is provided at a position where the mounting portion 214, the main body portion 215, the filter 213, and the seal 211 do not overlap with the mounting portion 214 (see the lower center portion of FIG. 7). ).

When the main body portion 215 and the mounting portion 214 are viewed along the first direction D1, the minimum distance C12 between the second wall portion W12 and the mounting portion 214 of the main body portion 215, the third wall portion W13 and the mounting portion 214 The minimum distance C13 between them and the minimum distance C14 between the fourth wall portion W14 and the mounting portion 214 are both 0.5 mm. When the main body portion 215 and the mounting portion 214 are viewed along the first direction D1, the minimum distance C11 between the edge of the first opening Op11 and the mounting portion 214 is 10 mm. The minimum distance between the main body portion 215 and the mounting portion 214 in the second direction D2 is 0.5 mm.

With such a configuration, when the liquid injection head 200 is tilted so that the second wall portion W12 is lower than the first wall portion W11, the space between the second wall portion W12 and the mounting portion 214 ( Ink is held in (see C12 in FIG. 7). When the liquid injection head 200 is tilted so that the third wall portion W13 is below the fourth wall portion W14, ink is formed between the third wall portion W13 and the mounting portion 214 (see C13 in FIG. 7). Is retained. When the liquid injection head 200 is tilted so that the fourth wall portion W14 is lower than the third wall portion W13, ink is formed between the fourth wall portion W14 and the mounting portion 214 (see C14 in FIG. 7). Is retained. As a result, in those cases, the possibility that the ink adheres to other members can be reduced.

On the other hand, when the liquid injection head 200 is tilted so that the first wall portion W11 is lower than the second wall portion W12, the liquid is held between the first wall portion W11 and the mounting portion 214. It can be discharged from the first opening Op11 of the floor surface Ts to an external predetermined portion.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a state in which the circuit board 230, the actuator unit 240, the case 250, the diaphragm 260, the flow path forming member 270, the nozzle plate 280, and the cover 290 are overlapped with each other. (See FIGS. 3 and 4). In the state where these are combined, the flow path pipe FP of the case 250 penetrates the first through hole 231 of the circuit board 230.

In FIG. 9, the holder 210, the circuit board 230, the actuator unit 240, the case 250, the diaphragm 260, the flow path forming member 270, the nozzle plate 280, the cover 290, and the carriage 116 are stacked. It is a top view which shows the state (see FIGS. 2 to 4). In FIG. 9, the circuit board 230 is not shown because it is behind the mounting portion 214. On the other hand, the first wall portion W11 to the fourth wall portion W14 constituting the substantially rectangular outer shape of the main body portion 215 are shown around the mounting portion 214 in FIG. That is, the outer shape of the main body 215 is a substantially rectangular shape including the circuit board 230.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the liquid injection head 200 attached to the carriage 116 along the second direction D2. In FIG. 10, ten nozzle rows 281 are shown on the surface of the nozzle plate 280 on the first direction D1 side surrounded by the cover 290.

In FIG. 10, the opening Op12 at the end opposite to the first opening Op11 (see FIG. 5) in the discharge path Ex1 of the main body 215 of the holder 210 is shown. A second opening Opc communicating with the opening Op12 of the discharge path Ex1 is provided on the bottom surface of the carriage 116. With such a configuration, the ink can be discharged to the outside of the carriage 116 through the second opening Opc.

The opening Op12 is provided at a position in the main body 215 that does not overlap with the circuit board 230 when the main body 215 is viewed along the first direction D1 (see FIGS. 8 to 10). In FIG. 10, the approximate shape of the range occupied by the circuit board 230 is shown by a broken line. With such a configuration, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the ink discharged from the discharge path Ex1 in the first direction D1 adheres to the circuit board 230.

Further, the opening Op12 is a third direction, which is outside the range in which the circuit board 230 is located in the fourth direction D4 and is the longitudinal direction of the circuit board 230 when the main body portion 215 is viewed along the first direction D1. It is arranged between the pair of connector units Cn and Cn in the direction D3 (see FIGS. 8 to 10). With such a configuration, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the ink discharged from the discharge path Ex1 adheres to any of the connector units Cn and Cn.

The platen 115 of the liquid injection device 100 is located in the first direction D1 with respect to the second opening Opc when the carriage 116 is at least a part of the range of reciprocating motion in the main scanning direction, from the second opening Opc. An ink absorbing unit Ab1 that absorbs the discharged liquid is provided (see FIG. 1). With such a configuration, the ink discharged from the main body 215 and discharged to the outside of the carriage 116 can be collected without adhering to other configurations.

The second opening Opc in the present embodiment is a large opening that exposes the opening Op12 and the nozzle plate 280 when the carriage 116 is viewed along the second direction D2. However, the size of the second opening Opc may be a small opening that exposes the opening Op12 without exposing the nozzle plate 280. However, in that case, it is necessary to separately prepare a large opening for exposing the nozzle plate 280.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the positional relationship between the first opening Op11 of the discharge path Ex1 in the main body portion 215 and the first wall portion W11 (see the lower central portion of FIG. 5). FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for facilitating the understanding of the technique, and does not accurately represent the dimensions of each part of the main body part 215.

When the main body portion 215 of the holder 210 is viewed along the first direction D1, the outer shape of the first opening Op11 is a circle having a diameter of Ld. More specifically, Ld is 1.0 mm. The first wall portion W11 has a recess W11r in which the inner peripheral surface of the first wall portion W11 is recessed toward the outer peripheral surface of the first wall portion W11. In other words, the recess W11r is a portion of the first wall portion W11 in which the thickness is reduced in the fourth direction D4 (see the lower central portion of FIG. 5). When the main body portion 215 of the holder 210 is viewed along the first direction D1, the outer shape of the recess W11r is an arc. The main body portion 215 is configured such that the straight line SL1 connecting both ends of the recess W11r and the first opening Op11 overlap when the main body portion 215 is viewed along the first direction D1. In the embodiment in which the first wall portion is provided with straight portions on both sides of the concave portion as in the present embodiment, the end of the concave portion is a connecting portion between the concave portion and the straight portion. The length of the straight line SL1 connecting both ends of the recess W11r is shorter than the length of the straight portion of the first wall portion provided on both sides of the recess.

With such a configuration, the ink existing in the connection portion between the surface Ts of the main body portion 215 and the first wall portion W11 can be introduced into the first opening Op11 and discharged to the outside of the main body portion 215. The connection portion between the surface Ts and the first wall portion W11 is represented in FIG. 11 by an arc (see W11r) representing the outer edge of the first wall portion W11 and straight lines on both sides thereof.

The shortest distance Lop between the inner peripheral surface of the recess W11r and the edge of the first opening Op11 is 0.2 mm. With such a configuration, the ink existing in the connection portion between the surface Ts of the main body portion 215 and the first wall portion W11 can be introduced into the first opening Op11 and discharged to the outside of the main body portion 215.

The minimum distance Pop between the edge of the first opening Op11 and the first wall portion W11 is 1/5 of the length Ld of the diameter of the first opening Op11, which is the largest line segment that can be arranged in the first opening Op11. be. The shape and size of the first opening Op11 are determined in consideration of the viscosity of the ink and the wettability between the ink and the material of the main body 215. Therefore, by setting the minimum distance Lop between the edge of the first opening Op11 and the first wall portion W11 to such a dimension, it exists at the connection portion between the surface Ts of the main body portion 215 and the first wall portion W11. Ink and ink moving toward the connection portion can be discharged to a predetermined portion outside the main body portion 215 via the discharge path Ex1. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the ink leaked from the connection portion between the ink cartridge 117 and the ink supply needle 205 of the holder 210 leaks to the outside beyond the surrounding wall W10 and causes a problem.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a part of the cavity Cv of the mold when casting the configuration of the first opening Op11 of the discharge path Ex1 in the main body portion 215 and the first wall portion W11 with the mold. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram for facilitating the understanding of the technique, and does not accurately represent the dimensions of the first opening Op11 and the first wall portion W11.

In the cavity Cv of the mold, a pin Pn for forming a discharge path Ex1 which is a linear flow path penetrating the main body portion 215 along the first direction D1 is attached. The pin Pn position in the state of being attached to the mold is shown by a broken line. The pin Pn attached to the mold protrudes from the upper surface of the mold cavity Cv in FIG. 12, and the protruding portion has a role of forming the discharge path Ex1. Actually, on the right side of a part of the cavity Cv shown in FIG. 12 and on the upper side thereof, a cavity for forming the bottom portion of the main body portion 215 and the first wall portion W11 is arranged.

By configuring the first opening Op11 and the first wall portion W11 of the discharge path Ex1 as shown in FIG. 11, it is not necessary to attach the pin Pn to the mold so as to be in contact with the end of the mold. Therefore, when the pin Pn is attached to the mold, the pin Pn and the mold are less likely to be damaged. As a result, the main body portion 215 can be easily manufactured by casting using a mold.

The main body portion 215 in this embodiment is also referred to as a "first flow path member". The ink supply needle 205 is also referred to as a “supply needle” or a “liquid introduction unit”. The mounting portion 214 is also referred to as a "second flow path member". The ink cartridge 117 is also referred to as a "liquid reservoir". The conveyor motor 119 is also referred to as a "conveyor".

A4. Deformation example of the first opening and the first wall of the discharge channel:
Hereinafter, a modified example of the first opening Op11 of the discharge path Ex1 in the main body portion 215 and the first wall portion W11 in the main body portion 215 shown in FIG. 11 will be described. In the following modification, the points other than the configuration of the first opening of the discharge channel and the first wall portion are the same as those of the first embodiment.

(1) Modification 1: Modification 1:
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the positional relationship between the first opening Op21 of the discharge path Ex2 in the main body portion 215 and the first wall portion W21 in the modified example 1. The position of the first opening Op21 of the discharge path Ex2 in the main body 215 is substantially the same as the position of the first opening Op11 of the discharge path Ex1 in the main body 215 shown in the lower central portion of FIG. Note that FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for facilitating the understanding of the technique, and does not accurately represent the dimensions of each part of the main body part 215.

When the main body portion 215 of the holder 210 is viewed along the first direction D1, the outer shape of the first opening Op21 is a circle having a diameter of Ld. The first wall portion W21 is arranged linearly along the third direction D3. The first wall portion W21 does not have the recess W11r as shown in FIG. When the main body portion 215 is viewed along the first direction D1, the edge of the first opening Op21 and the first wall portion W21 are in contact with each other.

Even in such an embodiment, the ink existing in the connection portion between the surface Ts of the main body portion 215 and the first wall portion W21 can be introduced into the first opening Op21 and discharged to the outside of the main body portion 215. The connection portion between the surface Ts and the first wall portion W21 is represented by a straight line representing the outer edge of the first wall portion W21 in FIG.

(2) Modification 2:
FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing the positional relationship between the first opening Op31 of the discharge path Ex3 in the main body portion 215 and the first wall portion W31 in the second modification). The position of the first opening Op31 of the discharge path Ex3 in the main body 215 is substantially the same as the position of the first opening Op11 of the discharge path Ex1 in the main body 215 shown in the lower central portion of FIG. Note that FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram for facilitating the understanding of the technique, and does not accurately represent the dimensions of each part of the main body part 215.

When the main body portion 215 of the holder 210 is viewed along the first direction D1, the outer shape of the first opening Op31 is a semicircle having a diameter of Ld. The first wall portion W31 is arranged linearly along the third direction D3. The first wall portion W31 does not have the recess W11r shown in FIG. In the second modification, the boundary line between the surface Ts and the first wall portion W31 defines a part of the edge of the first opening Op31. More specifically, when the main body portion 215 of the holder 210 is viewed along the first direction D1, the straight portion of the first opening Op31 having a semicircular shape coincides with the inner surface of the first wall portion W31. ..

With such a configuration, the ink adhering to the connection portion between the surface Ts of the main body portion 215 and the first wall portion W31 can be introduced into the first opening Op31 and discharged to the outside of the main body portion 215. In the second modification, when the "connection portion between the surface Ts and the first wall portion W31" is referred to, the surface Ts is a virtual plane that is on the extension of the surface Ts accompanied by the substance and closes the first opening Op31. It shall include. As a result, the connection portion between the surface Ts and the first wall portion W31, that is, the boundary line is represented by a straight line representing the outer edge of the first wall portion W31 in FIG.

(3) Modification 3:
FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing the positional relationship between the first opening Op41 of the discharge path Ex4 in the main body portion 215 and the first wall portion W41 in the modified example 3. The position of the first opening Op41 of the discharge path Ex4 in the main body 215 is substantially the same as the position of the first opening Op11 of the discharge path Ex1 in the main body 215 shown in the lower central portion of FIG. Note that FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram for facilitating the understanding of the technique, and does not accurately represent the dimensions of each part of the main body part 215.

When the main body portion 215 of the holder 210 is viewed along the first direction D1, the outer shape of the first opening Op41 is a circle having a diameter of Ld. The first wall portion W41 is arranged along the third direction D3. The first wall portion W41 has a recess W41r in which the inner peripheral surface of the first wall portion W41 is recessed toward the outer peripheral surface of the first wall portion W41.

In the third modification, when the main body portion 215 is viewed along the first direction D1, the straight line SL4 connecting both ends of the recess W41r and the first opening Op41 are configured to overlap each other. The boundary line between the surface Ts of the main body portion 215 and the first wall portion W41 defines a part of the edge of the first opening Op41. More specifically, when the main body portion 215 of the holder 210 is viewed along the first direction D1, a part of the arc of the first opening Op41 having a circular shape is one with the inner surface of the concave portion W41r of the first wall portion W41. I am doing it.

Even with such a configuration, the ink adhering to the connection portion between the surface Ts of the main body portion 215 and the first wall portion W41 can be introduced into the first opening Op41 and discharged to the outside of the main body portion 215. In the third modification, when the "connection portion between the surface Ts and the first wall portion W41" is referred to, the surface Ts is a virtual plane that is on the extension of the surface Ts accompanied by the substance and closes the first opening Op41. It shall include. As a result, the connection portion between the surface Ts and the first wall portion W41, that is, the boundary line is represented in FIG. 15 by an arc (see W41r) representing the outer edge of the first wall portion W41 and straight lines on both sides thereof. ..

(4) Modification 4:
FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing the positional relationship between the first opening Op51 of the discharge path Ex5 in the main body portion 215 and the first wall portion W51 in the modified example 4. The position of the first opening Op51 of the discharge path Ex5 in the main body 215 is substantially the same as the position of the first opening Op11 of the discharge path Ex1 in the main body 215 shown in the lower central portion of FIG. Note that FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram for facilitating the understanding of the technique, and does not accurately represent the dimensions of each part of the main body part 215.

When the main body portion 215 of the holder 210 is viewed along the first direction D1, the outer shape of the first opening Op51 is a circle having a diameter of Ld. The first wall portion W51 is arranged along the third direction D3. The first wall portion W51 has a recess W51r in which the inner peripheral surface of the first wall portion W51 is recessed toward the outer peripheral surface of the first wall portion W51.

In the modified example 4, when the main body portion 215 is viewed along the first direction D1, the first opening Op51 does not exist inside the recess W51r beyond the straight line SL5 connecting both ends of the recess W51r. More specifically, when the main body portion 215 is viewed along the first direction D1, the edge of the first opening Op51 and the straight line SL5 connecting both ends of the recess W51r are in contact with each other.

Even with such a configuration, the main body portion 215 can be easily manufactured by casting using a mold (see FIG. 12).

In the modified example 4, the shortest distance Lop between the inner peripheral surface of the recess W51r and the edge of the first opening Op51 is 0.4 mm. The distance Lop is 40% of the length Ld of the diameter of the first opening Op51, which is the largest line segment that can be arranged in the first opening Op51. Even with such a configuration, the ink existing in the connection portion between the surface Ts of the main body portion 215 and the first wall portion W51 can be introduced into the first opening Op51 and discharged to the outside of the main body portion 215. The connection portion between the surface Ts and the first wall portion W51 is represented in FIG. 16 by an arc (see W51r) representing the outer edge of the first wall portion W51 and straight lines on both sides thereof.

A5. Deformation example of ink absorption part:
Hereinafter, a modified example of the ink absorbing portion Ab1 in the first embodiment will be described (see FIG. 1). In the following modification, the points other than the configuration of the ink absorbing portion are the same as those in the first embodiment.

(1) Modification 1: Modification 1:
In the first modification, the carriage 116 is provided with the ink absorbing portion Ab2 instead of the ink absorbing portion Ab1 provided on the platen 115 in the first embodiment. More specifically, in the carriage 116, the ink absorbing portion Ab2 provided with the porous member is attached to the portion shown by the broken line in FIG. The porous member of the ink absorbing portion Ab2 absorbs the ink discharged from the discharge path Ex1. Even with such a configuration, the gas discharged from the liquid injection head 200 can be recovered by the porous member.

(2) Modification 2:
In the second modification, the ink absorbing portion Ab1 provided on the platen 115 in the first embodiment is not provided. In the second modification, when the liquid injection device 100 is viewed along the first direction D1, the opening Op12 of the discharge path Ex1 and the second opening Opc of the carriage 116 are at least a part of the range of reciprocating motion in the main scanning direction. When the carriage 116 is located on the carriage 116, the carriage 116 is arranged at a position overlapping the locus of the print medium P conveyed by the transfer motor 119. The “trajectory of the printed medium P to be conveyed” means an area that the print medium P can occupy due to the transfer.

With such a configuration, the ink discharged from the second opening Opc adheres to the print medium P on the transport path. As a result, the user can be notified of the ink leak quickly.

The position of overlapping with the locus of the print medium P conveyed by the transfer motor 119 may be the position of overlapping with the roller of the platen 115 for conveying the print medium. In such an embodiment, the ink adhering to the rollers is transferred to the print medium so that the user can notice the ink leakage.

B. Second embodiment:
FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a liquid injection device 100a including the liquid injection head 200a according to the second embodiment. The liquid injection device 100a includes a housing 112a instead of the housing 112, an ink tank 150 and a pressure regulating valve 50 instead of the ink cartridge 117, and an additional tube 160. It is different from the liquid injection device 100 in the first embodiment. The liquid injection head 200a is different from the liquid injection head 200 in the first embodiment in that the holder 210a having the ink supply needle 205 is provided instead of the holder 210. Since other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, the same configurations are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. In FIG. 17, the internal configuration of the liquid injection device 100a is represented by a broken line. Further, FIG. 17 shows a state in which ink can be injected into the ink tank 150.

The housing 112a has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The housing 112a includes a front surface, a back surface, a left side surface, a right side surface, an upper surface surface, and a bottom surface, and the six surfaces constitute the housing 112a which is the outer shell of the liquid injection device 100a.

The ink tank 150 stores ink, which is a liquid to be supplied to the liquid injection head 200a. The ink tank 150 is housed in a storage mechanism 140 provided on the right side portion of the front surface of the liquid injection device 100a. The accommodating mechanism 140 has a plate-shaped case 142 that forms a part of the front surface of the housing 112a. The case 142 has a rectangular shape, and a hinge 141 for fixing the case 142 to the housing 112a and allowing rotation in the arrow YR direction with the lower portion as a fulcrum is provided at the lower portion. The ink tank 150 is detachably attached to the case 142. The accommodating mechanism 140 is accommodated inside the housing 112a in the state of use of the liquid injection device 100a, and the user rotates the upper part of the case 142 in the arrow YR direction when injecting ink into the ink tank 150. By doing so, the ink tank 150 is exposed to the outside of the liquid injection device 100a. The ink tank 150 may be configured not to be housed inside the housing 112a but to be provided outside the housing 112a.

The liquid injection device 100a of the second embodiment includes four ink tanks 150. Each ink tank 150 contains inks of different colors. The ink tanks 150 are arranged side by side along the X direction. The ink tank 150 is connected to a liquid injection port 153 for injecting ink into the inside, an atmosphere opening port 151 for introducing air into the inside as the ink is consumed, and ink toward the liquid injection head 200a connected to the tube 160. It is provided with a liquid lead-out unit 155 for deriving the above. It should be noted that the ink tank 150 may not be provided with the liquid injection port 153.

The tube 160 functions as a supply flow path for supplying the ink in the ink tank 150 to the liquid injection head 200a. The ink tank 150 is connected by a tube 160 to a pressure regulating valve 50 provided between the holder 210a and the ink tank 150. Four pressure regulating valves 50 are provided corresponding to each of the ink tanks 150 that accommodate the inks of each color. The detailed configuration of the pressure regulating valve 50 will be described later. The tube 160 is made of a flexible member such as synthetic rubber.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing a detailed configuration of the pressure regulating valve. FIG. 18 shows a cross section of the tube 160, the pressure regulating valve 50, and the holder 210a when cut in the XX plane. Note that FIG. 18 shows an enlarged portion of the holder 210a where the ink supply needle 205 is provided, and the illustration of the configuration other than the portion is omitted. In the present embodiment, since the configurations of the plurality of pressure regulating valves 50 are basically the same, an arbitrary one pressure regulating valve 50 will be described.

The pressure adjusting valve 50 is provided between the ink tank 150 and the ink supply needle 205, and adjusts the pressure of the ink supplied to the liquid injection head 200a. The pressure regulating valve 50 temporarily stores the ink supplied from the ink tank 150 via the tube 160, and the ink temporarily stored in the pressure regulating valve 50 is supplied to the liquid injection head 200a. The pressure regulating valve 50 is fixed by the holder 210a and the carriage 116. The pressure adjusting valve 50 may be fixed only by the holder 210a. Although not shown in FIG. 18, the ink of the ink tank 150 is pressure-fed toward the liquid injection head 200a in the middle of the ink tank 150 or the tube 160 arranged on the upstream side of the pressure regulating valve 50. A pumping means is provided. Examples of the pressure feeding means include a pressing means for pressing the ink tank 150 from the outside, a pressure pump, and the like. As the pressure feeding means, the head pressure difference generated by adjusting the relative positions of the liquid injection head 200a and the ink tank 150 in the gravity direction may be used.

In the holder 210a, an ink supply needle 205 is provided on the filter 213 (see FIG. 2). The ink supply needle 205 is inserted into the pressure adjusting valve 50. The ink supplied from the pressure regulating valve 50 passes through the inside of the ink supply needle 205, and after the foreign matter is removed by the filter 213, the ink is supplied to the nozzle 282.

The pressure regulating valve 50 is provided in the middle of the flow path through which ink flows, and is composed of a valve that opens and closes the flow path. The pressure regulating valve 50 includes a housing 51 and a valve body 55 provided in the housing 51.

Inside the housing 51, there are a primary chamber 511 that communicates with the ink tank 150 via the tube 160 and supplies ink from the ink tank 150, and a secondary chamber 512 that communicates with the second flow path 219 of the holder 210a. It is provided. The primary chamber 511 and the secondary chamber 512 are separated by a partition wall 513. The primary chamber 511 and the secondary chamber 512 communicate with each other via a communication flow path 514 provided through the partition wall 513.

The primary chamber 511 is formed by sealing a recess formed on one surface of the housing 51 with a lid member 515. The primary chamber 511 is connected to the tube 160 via an inflow path 516 provided in the housing 51. The secondary chamber 512 has a concave shape that opens on the side surface of the housing 51 opposite to the primary chamber 511. A flexible film 517 is attached to the surface through which the secondary chamber 512 opens, and the opening of the secondary chamber 512 is sealed by the film 517. Examples of the material of the film 517 include high-density polyethylene film and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). One end of the outflow passage 518 communicates with the secondary chamber 512, and a seal member 519 is provided at the other end of the outflow passage 518 on the opposite side to the one end communicating with the secondary chamber 512. The ink supply needle 205 described above is inserted into the seal member 519 and connected to the outflow path 518.

A portion of the film 517 that constitutes a part of the wall surface of the secondary chamber 512 is a diaphragm 517a. A pressure receiving plate 520 is provided on the surface of the diaphragm 517a on the secondary chamber 512 side. The pressure receiving plate 520 has a disk shape having an outer shape smaller than that of the diaphragm 517a. The pressure receiving plate 520 is provided to prevent the valve body 55 that opens and closes the communication flow path 514 from directly contacting the film 517. As the pressure receiving plate 520, for example, a material having a higher rigidity than the film 517 such as resin or metal can be used.

The housing 51 is formed, for example, by molding a resin material having a higher rigidity than the film 517. A valve seat 52 with which the valve body 55 abuts is provided around the opening on the primary chamber 511 side of the partition wall 513. A valve body 55 is inserted into the communication flow path 514. The valve body 55 includes a valve body main body 550 and a contact member 560. The valve body 550 includes a shaft portion 551 inserted into the communication flow path 514 and a flange portion 552 provided at the end of the shaft portion 551 in the primary chamber 511.

The shaft portion 551 has an outer diameter slightly smaller than that of the communication flow path 514. Of the end portions of the shaft portion 551, one end portion arranged in the secondary chamber 512 abuts on the central portion of the pressure receiving plate 520. The other end of the shaft portion 551 opposite to the one end portion in contact with the pressure receiving plate 520 is arranged in the primary chamber 511, and the flange portion 552 is integrally formed. The valve body 550 is movable in the + X direction and the −X direction.

The flange portion 552 is made of a circular plate-shaped member. The contact member 560 is fixed to the flange portion 552. The contact member 560 is made of an elastic material such as rubber or elastomer, and has a ring shape continuously provided around the shaft portion 551. A spring 56 is provided between the flange portion 552 and the lid member 515 defining the primary chamber 511, and the valve body 55 is urged in the + X direction by the urging force of the spring 56. That is, the flange portion 552 functions as a spring receiver to which one end of the spring 56 is abutted. When the flange portion 552 is urged by the spring 56, the contact member 560 is brought into contact with the valve seat 52, the communication flow path 514 is closed, that is, the pressure adjusting valve 50 is closed.

The ink in the secondary chamber 512 is flowed downstream and the pressure in the secondary chamber 512 is reduced to a negative pressure rather than the atmospheric pressure, so that the diaphragm 517a moves in the −X direction, and the pressure receiving plate 520 presses the valve body 55. By pressing against the urging force of the spring 56, a gap is created between the contact member 560 of the valve body 55 and the valve seat 52, and the communication flow path 514 is opened, that is, the pressure adjusting valve 50 is opened. To speak. By opening the pressure control valve 50 to supply ink from the primary chamber 511 into the secondary chamber 512, the decompression in the secondary chamber 512 is eliminated, and the diaphragm 517a is in its original position by the urging force of the spring 56. The communication flow path 514 is blocked by the valve body 55, and the pressure adjusting valve 50 is closed. In this way, the pressure adjusting valve 50 can adjust the pressure of the ink supplied from the ink tank 150 to the liquid injection head 200a.

According to the liquid injection head 200a of the second embodiment described above, the same effect as that of the first embodiment is obtained.

Further, since the pressure adjusting valve 50 for adjusting the pressure of the ink supplied to the liquid injection head 200a is provided between the ink tank 150 and the holder 210a, the supply of ink from the ink tank 150 to the liquid injection head 200a is stable. Can be made.

Even in such an embodiment, when the liquid injection head 200a is removed from the liquid injection device 100a, ink may leak between the tube 160 and the pressure adjusting valve 50 or between the pressure adjusting valve 50 and the ink supply needle 205. .. However, by applying the technique of the present disclosure, the leaked ink can be discharged to a predetermined portion outside the main body portion 215 via the discharge path Ex1.

The tube 160 in this embodiment is also referred to as a "supply flow path". The ink tank 150 is also referred to as a "liquid reservoir".

C. Other Embodiments of the second embodiment 1:
The liquid injection device according to the other embodiment 1 of the second embodiment is different from the liquid injection device 100a according to the second embodiment in that the damper 170 is provided instead of the pressure regulating valve 50. Since other configurations are the same as those of the second embodiment, the same configurations are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view showing a detailed configuration of the damper 170. FIG. 19 shows a cross section of the damper 170 when it is cut in the XZ plane. Note that FIG. 19 shows an enlarged portion of the holder 210a where the ink supply needle 205 is provided, and the illustration of the configuration other than the portion is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 19, the damper 170 is provided between the tube 160 and the holder 210a and is fixed to the holder 210a. It can also be expressed that the damper 170 is provided between the ink tank 150 and the ink supply needle 205. The damper 170 absorbs the pressure fluctuation of the ink caused by the movement of the carriage 116. The damper 170 includes a housing 171 and a flexible membrane 173. The housing 171 is formed of an elastic material such as rubber or elastomer. The membrane 173 is formed of a flexible film member made of, for example, a high-density polyethylene film or polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

The housing 171 is provided with an inlet 174, an outlet 175, and a damper chamber 172. The damper chamber 172 is defined by covering the recessed space provided inside the housing 171 with a film 173 from the + X direction side. That is, the damper chamber 172 is provided between the ink tank 150 and the ink supply needle 205. The inflow port 174 is a through hole that penetrates the outer surface of the housing 171 in the + X direction. The inflow port 174 communicates the tube 160 with the damper chamber 172. The outlet 175 is a through hole that penetrates the outer surface of the housing 171 in the −Z direction. The inner diameter of the outlet 175 and the outer diameter of the ink supply needle 205 are substantially the same, and by inserting the ink supply needle 205 into the outlet 175, the damper chamber 172 and the ink supply needle 205 communicate with each other.

As described above, the ink supplied from the ink tank 150 is supplied to the damper chamber 172 via the tube 160. The ink supplied to the damper chamber 172 is supplied to the second flow path 219 of the holder 210a via the ink supply needle 205. Since a part of the wall surface defining the damper chamber 172 is formed of the flexible film 173, the pressure of the ink supplied to the liquid injection head 200a can be absorbed by the displacement of the film 173.

According to another embodiment 1 of the second embodiment described above, the liquid injection head includes a damper chamber 172 having a flexible film 173 between the ink tank 150 and the holder 210a, so that the liquid injection head is provided. The pressure fluctuation in the flow path can be alleviated.

Even in such an embodiment, when the liquid injection head 200a is removed from the liquid injection device 100a, ink may leak between the tube 160 and the damper 170 or between the damper 170 and the ink supply needle 205. However, by applying the technique of the present disclosure, the leaked ink can be discharged to a predetermined portion outside the main body portion 215 via the discharge path Ex1.

D. Other Embodiment 2:
The liquid injection device according to the second embodiment of the second embodiment is different from the liquid injection device 100a according to the second embodiment in that the pressure regulating valve 50 is omitted. Since other configurations are the same as those of the second embodiment, the same configurations are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the tube 160, the ink supply needle 205, and the holder 210a in the other embodiment 2 of the second embodiment. FIG. 20 shows a cross section when the tube 160 and the holder 210a are cut in the XX plane. In addition, in FIG. 20, the portion of the holder 210a where the ink supply needle 205 is provided is shown in an enlarged manner, and the illustration of the configuration other than the portion is omitted.

In another embodiment 2 of the second embodiment, the tube 160 functions as a supply flow path for supplying the ink in the ink tank 150 to the ink supply needle 205 of the liquid injection head 200a. As shown in FIG. 20, the ink supply needle 205 is inserted into the tube 160, and the tube 160 and the ink supply needle 205 are fitted to each other. That is, the tube 160 and the ink supply needle 205 are directly connected. Therefore, the ink tank 150 and the second flow path 219 of the holder 210a are connected via the tube 160.

According to another embodiment 2 of the second embodiment described above, since the tube 160 as a supply flow path for supplying the ink in the ink tank 150 to the second flow path 219 of the holder 210a is provided, the ink tank is provided. The ink in 150 can be supplied to the holder 210a.

Further, since the holder 210a has an ink supply needle 205 for introducing the ink supplied from the tube 160 into the second flow path 219, the tube 160 and the second flow path 219 can be connected. Therefore, ink can be supplied from the ink tank 150 to the liquid injection head.

Even in such an embodiment, when the liquid injection head 200a is removed from the liquid injection device 100a, ink may leak between the tube 160 and the ink supply needle 205. However, by applying the technique of the present disclosure, the leaked ink can be discharged to a predetermined portion outside the main body portion 215 via the discharge path Ex1.

E. Other forms:
E1. Other form 1:
(1) In the above embodiment, the ink cartridge 117 and the ink tank 150 accommodate the ink in such a manner that the liquid ink and the air are in contact with each other mainly at one interface, that is, the liquid surface in the container. However, the liquid storage unit that stores the liquid supplied to the liquid injection head may hold the liquid in the porous member. In such an embodiment, the liquid is supplied from the liquid storage unit to the liquid injection head without using the ink supply needle 205 (see FIG. 2). For example, in the liquid injection head of the liquid injection device of such an embodiment, a filter (see 213 in FIG. 2) is provided at the tip of the tubular portion inserted into the liquid storage portion. The liquid held in the liquid reservoir is supplied to the liquid injection head through a filter. The liquid injection head of such an embodiment is referred to as a "chimney type".

(2) In the above embodiment, the discharge path Ex1 is a through hole that linearly penetrates the main body portion 215 along the first direction D1 (see FIGS. 5 to 7, 9, and 10). However, the discharge path for discharging the liquid from the surface Ts to the outside of the main body 215 may be a flow path that is bent in the middle.

(3) In the first embodiment, the platen 115 is provided with an ink absorbing portion Ab1 along the main scanning direction X (see FIG. 1). However, the porous member that absorbs the liquid discharged from the discharge path Ex1 has the opening Op12 of the discharge path Ex1 when the carriage 116 is in the standby position within the range of the main scanning direction X in which the carriage 116 can move. And may be provided at a position corresponding to the second opening Opc of the carriage 116. In such an embodiment, the ink absorbing portion may not be provided in another portion.

(4) In the first embodiment, the outer shape of the first opening Op11 is a circle having a diameter of Ld (see FIG. 11). However, the shape of the first opening is not limited to a circle, and as shown in FIG. 14, it can be any shape such as a semicircle, an ellipse, a polygon, or another shape. For example, when the shape of the first opening is rectangular, the maximum line segment that can be arranged in the first opening Op11 is the diagonal line of the rectangle. When the shape of the first opening is a triangle, the maximum line segment that can be arranged in the first opening Op11 is the longest side of the three sides of the triangle.

(5) In the above embodiment, one connector unit Cn includes one connector on one surface and one connector on the other surface of the circuit board 230 (see FIGS. 3 and 8). The circuit board 230 includes four connectors. However, one connector unit Cn may be one connector. However, it is preferable that the circuit board is provided with connectors at both ends of the circuit board 230 in the third direction D3.

(6) In the first embodiment, the minimum distance Lop between the edge of the first opening Op11 and the first wall portion W11 is the maximum line segment that can be arranged in the first opening Op11. It is 1/5 of the diameter length Ld (see FIG. 11). Further, in the modification 4 of the first embodiment, the shortest distance Lop between the inner peripheral surface of the recess W51r and the edge of the first opening Op51 is the maximum line segment that can be arranged in the first opening Op51. It is 40% of the length Ld of the diameter of a certain first opening Op51 (see FIG. 16). However, the minimum distance between the edge of the first opening and the first wall portion should be another value such as 1/3, 2/5 of the length of the maximum line segment that can be arranged in the first opening. You can also. For example, as shown in FIGS. 13 to 15, the edge of the first opening and the first wall portion may be in contact with each other. However, the minimum distance between the edge of the first opening and the first wall portion is preferably ½ or less of the length of the maximum line segment that can be arranged in the first opening.

(7) In each of the above embodiments, the liquid ejected from the nozzle 282 may be a liquid other than ink. for example,
(I) Color material used for manufacturing color filters for image display devices such as liquid crystal displays (ii) Used for forming electrodes such as organic EL (Electro Luminescence) displays and surface emission displays (Field Emission Display, FED). Electrode material (iii) Liquid containing bioorganic substances used for biochip production (iv) Sample as precision pipette (v) Lubricating oil (vi) Resin liquid (vii) Micro hemispherical lens (optical lens) used for optical communication elements and the like ) Etc., a transparent resin liquid such as an ultraviolet curable resin liquid (viii), a liquid that injects an acidic or alkaline etching liquid to etch a substrate, etc. (ix), or any other minute amount of droplets. You may.

The term "droplet" refers to the state of the liquid ejected from the liquid injection devices 100 and 100a, and includes those having a granular, tear-like, and thread-like tail. Further, the “liquid” referred to here may be any material that can be consumed by the liquid injection devices 100 and 100a. For example, the "liquid" may be a material in a liquid state when the substance is in a liquid phase, and may be a material in a liquid state with high or low viscosity, and a sol, gel water, other inorganic solvent, organic solvent, solution, etc. Liquid materials such as liquid resins and liquid metals (metal melts) are also included in "liquid". Further, not only a liquid as a state of a substance but also a liquid in which particles of a functional material made of a solid substance such as a pigment or a metal particle are dissolved, dispersed or mixed in a solvent are included in the "liquid". Typical examples of liquids include ink and liquid crystal. Here, the ink includes general water-based inks, oil-based inks, and various liquid compositions such as gel inks and hot melt inks. Even in these configurations, the same effect as in each embodiment is obtained.

(8) In the first embodiment, the surrounding wall W10 is composed of a plurality of wall portions W11 to W18. However, the surrounding wall W10 may be configured only by the wall portions W11 to W14 without providing the wall portions W15 to W18.

E2. Other form 2:
(1) In the first embodiment, the main body portion 215 as the first flow path member is configured such that the straight line SL1 connecting both ends of the recess W11r and the first opening Op11 overlap each other (see FIG. 11). .. However, the first flow path member may be configured so that the straight line connecting both ends of the recess and the first opening do not overlap. That is, the first opening may be provided at a position away from the straight line connecting both ends of the recess. In the present specification, the phrase "the straight line connecting both ends of the recess and the first opening overlap" includes an aspect in which the straight line connecting both ends of the recess and the outer edge of the first opening are in contact with each other (see FIG. 16).

(2) In the first embodiment, the outer shape of the recess W11r is an arc (see FIG. 11). However, the outer shape of the recess W11r can be any shape such as an ellipse, a polygon, and other shapes. However, the outer shape of the recess W11r is preferably a shape having a certain distance from the shape of the first opening. Specifically, it is preferable that the outer shape of the recess W11r is similar to a part of the shape of the first opening.

E3. Other form 3:
In the modified example 4 of the first embodiment, the first opening Op51 does not exist inside the recess W51r beyond the straight line SL5 connecting both ends of the recess W51r (see FIG. 16). However, the first opening Op51 may exist inside the recess W51r beyond the straight line SL5 connecting both ends of the recess W51r (see FIGS. 11 and 15).

E4. Other form 4:
In the first embodiment, the shortest distance Lop between the inner peripheral surface of the recess W11r and the edge of the first opening Op11 is 0.2 mm. In the modified example 4 of the first embodiment, the shortest distance Lop between the inner peripheral surface of the recess W51r and the edge of the first opening Op51 is 0.4 mm. However, the shortest distance between the inner peripheral surface of the recess and the edge of the first opening may have other dimensions such as 0.6 mm, 0.8 mm, 1.0 mm, 1.3 mm.

E5. Other form 5:
In the second modification of the first embodiment, the boundary line between the surface Ts and the first wall portion W31 defines a part of the edge of the first opening Op31 (see FIG. 14). However, it is also possible that the boundary line between the surface and the first wall portion does not define a part of the edge of the first opening (see FIGS. 11 and 16). In the present specification, when "the boundary line between the surface and the first wall portion defines a part of the edge of the first opening", the boundary line between the surface and the first wall portion is the first opening. (See FIG. 13).

E6. Other form 6:
In the first embodiment, the first wall portion W11 is the outermost wall portion among the plurality of wall portions W11 to W18 in the fourth direction D4, that is, the wall portion located on the fourth direction D4 side (see FIG. 5). ). However, the first wall portion may be a wall portion that is not the outermost wall portion among the plurality of wall portions in the directions orthogonal to the first direction and the third direction. For example, the first opening Op11 may be provided at a position closer to any of the second wall portion W12 to the fourth wall portion W14 than the first wall portion W11. However, it is preferable that the first opening Op11 is provided at a position closer to the first wall portion W11 than the second wall portion W12 to the fourth wall portion W14.

E7. Other form 7:
In the first embodiment, the opening Op12 is provided at a position in the main body 215 that does not overlap with the circuit board 230 when the main body 215 is viewed along the first direction D1 (FIGS. 8 to 10). reference). However, the opening at the end opposite to the first opening in the discharge path may be provided at a position overlapping with the circuit board.

E8. Other form 8:
In the first embodiment, the opening Op12 is outside the range in which the circuit board 230 is located in the fourth direction D4 when the main body portion 215 is viewed along the first direction D1, and is the length of the circuit board 230. In the third direction D3, which is the direction, the connectors are arranged between the pair of connector units Cn and Cn (see FIGS. 8 to 10). However, the opening Op12 may be arranged outside the pair of connectors in the third direction.

E9. Other form 9:
In the above embodiment, the mounting portion 214 provided with the ink supply needle 205 as the liquid introduction portion and the main body portion 215 as the first flow path member are configured as separate bodies (see FIG. 2). However, the liquid introduction portion and the first flow path member may be manufactured integrally.

E10. Other form 10:
(1) In the first embodiment, the minimum distance C12 between the second wall portion W12 and the mounting portion 214 of the main body portion 215, the minimum distance C13 between the third wall portion W13 and the mounting portion 214, and the first. The minimum distance C14 between the four wall portions W14 and the mounting portion 214 is 0.5 mm (see FIG. 7). However, these dimensions may be other dimensions such as 0.7 mm and 1.0 mm. Further, these dimensions may be different from each other. However, these dimensions are preferably 0.7 mm or less.

(2) In the first embodiment, the minimum distance C11 between the edge of the first opening Op11 and the mounting portion 214 is 10 mm (see FIG. 7). However, the minimum distance C11 between the edge of the first opening Op11 and the mounting portion 214 may have other dimensions such as 3 mm, 7 mm, and 12 mm. However, the minimum distance between the edge of the first opening and the second flow path member is preferably 5 mm or more.

E11. Other form 11:
In the first embodiment, the liquid injection device 100 has been described with a liquid injection head 200 and an ink cartridge 117 (see FIG. 1). However, the liquid injection device 100 can be manufactured and sold in a mode that does not include the ink cartridge 117. Further, in the second embodiment, the liquid injection device 100a has been described with the liquid injection head 200a and the ink tank 150 provided (see FIG. 17). However, the liquid injection device 100a can be manufactured and sold in a mode that does not include the ink tank 150.

E12. Other form 12:
In the second embodiment, the liquid injection device 100a including the tube 160 that functions as a supply flow path for supplying the ink in the ink tank 150 to the liquid injection head 200a has been described (see FIG. 17). However, the liquid injection device may not be provided with a supply flow path for supplying the liquid in the liquid storage portion to the liquid introduction portion of the liquid injection head as in the first embodiment (see FIG. 1).

E13. Other form 13:
In another embodiment 2 of the second embodiment, the supply flow path is composed of a tube 160 that fits with the ink supply needle 205 as a liquid introduction portion (see FIG. 20). However, the supply flow path may be partially composed of a rigid tube. Further, as in the second embodiment and the other first embodiment of the second embodiment, the supply flow path may be connected to a configuration other than the liquid introduction portion such as a pressure regulating valve and a damper (FIG. 18). And see Figure 19).

E14. Other form 14:
The liquid injection device 100a of the second embodiment is provided between the ink tank 150 as a liquid storage unit and the ink supply needle 205 as a liquid introduction unit, and adjusts the pressure of the liquid supplied to the liquid injection head 200a. The pressure regulating valve 50 is provided. However, the liquid injection device may not be provided with a pressure regulating valve as in the first embodiment and the other embodiments 1 and 2 of the second embodiment. For example, the liquid injection device 100a may include an intermediate tank for temporarily storing ink instead of the pressure regulating valve 50.

E15. Other form 15:
The liquid injection device 100a of the second embodiment is provided between the ink tank 150 as a liquid storage portion and the ink supply needle 205 as a liquid introduction portion, and is a damper on which a flexible film 173 is arranged. A room 172 is provided. However, the liquid injection device may not be provided with a damper chamber as in the first embodiment and the other embodiment 2 of the second embodiment.

E16. Other forms 16:
In the first modification of the first embodiment, the carriage 116 is provided with the ink absorbing portion Ab2 (see FIG. 10). However, as in the first embodiment, the carriage may not be provided with a porous member that absorbs the liquid discharged from the discharge path (see FIG. 1).

E17. Other form 17:
(1) In the first embodiment, a second opening Opc communicating with the opening Op12 of the discharge path Ex1 is provided on the bottom surface of the carriage 116 (see FIG. 10). However, for example, in the embodiment in which the carriage is provided with an ink absorbing portion for absorbing the liquid discharged from the main body portion 215 as the first flow path member, the carriage has a second opening communicating with the opening of the discharge path. It is not necessary to have.

(2) In the first embodiment, a second opening Opc communicating with the opening Op12 of the discharge path Ex1 is provided on the bottom surface of the carriage 116 (see FIG. 10). However, for example, instead of providing the second opening Opc on the bottom surface of the carriage 116 at a position overlapping the opening Op12 of the discharge path Ex1 when viewed from the second direction D2, the discharge path communicating with the opening Op12 of the discharge path Ex1 is provided. It may be provided in the carriage. According to such a configuration, the ink discharged from the opening Op12 of the discharge path Ex1 can be discharged to an arbitrary place by the discharge path provided in the carriage.

E18. Other forms 18:
In the first embodiment, the platen 115 of the liquid injection device 100 is arranged in the first direction D1 with respect to the second opening Opc reciprocating by the carriage 116, and absorbs the liquid discharged from the second opening Opc. An ink absorbing portion Ab1 is provided (see FIG. 1). However, for example, in the embodiment in which the carriage is provided with an ink absorbing portion for absorbing the liquid discharged from the main body portion 215 as the first flow path member, the carriage may not be provided with such a porous member. ..

E19. Other form 19:
In the second modification of the first embodiment, the opening Op12 of the discharge path Ex1 and the second opening Opc of the carriage 116 are arranged at positions overlapping with the locus of the printed medium P to be conveyed. However, for example, the porous member has an opening Op12 of the discharge path Ex1 and a second opening Opc of the carriage 116 when the carriage 116 is in a position where the carriage 116 stands by in the range of the main scanning direction X where the carriage 116 can move. In the embodiment provided at the corresponding position, the opening Op12 and the second opening Opc may not be arranged at a position overlapping with the locus of the printed medium P to be conveyed.

F. Yet another form:
The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be realized by various configurations within a range not deviating from the gist thereof. For example, the technical features in the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each embodiment described in the column of the outline of the invention may be used to solve some or all of the above-mentioned problems, or one of the above-mentioned effects. It is possible to replace or combine as appropriate to achieve the part or all. Further, if the technical feature is not described as essential in the present specification, it can be appropriately deleted.

(1) According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a liquid injection head is provided. In this liquid injection head, a nozzle plate having a plurality of nozzles for injecting liquid in the first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction with respect to the nozzle plate are arranged in the nozzle. A first flow path member in which a flow path for supplying a liquid is provided inside, and a first flow path member, which is arranged in the second direction with respect to the first flow path member, allows liquid to flow from the outside of the liquid injection head into the flow path. The first flow path member includes a liquid introduction portion to be introduced, and the first flow path member is erected in the second direction from the surface of the first flow path member on the second direction side and surrounds the liquid introduction portion. And a discharge path for discharging the liquid from the surface to the outside of the first flow path member, and the surface is a part of the discharge path and opens in the second direction. One opening is provided, and the surrounding wall has a first wall portion arranged along a third direction orthogonal to the first direction, and an edge of the first opening and the first wall portion. The minimum distance to and from is ½ or less of the length of the maximum line segment that can be placed in the first opening.
In such an embodiment, the first opening of the discharge channel is provided in a distance range of 1/2 or less of the length of the maximum line segment that can be arranged in the first opening with respect to the first wall portion. There is. Therefore, the liquid existing at the connection portion between the surface of the first flow path member on the second direction side and the first wall portion and the liquid moving toward the connection portion are transferred from the discharge path to the first flow path member. There is a high possibility that it can be discharged to an external predetermined site. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the liquid leaks to the outside beyond the surrounding wall and causes a problem.

(2) In the liquid injection head of the above embodiment, the first wall portion has a recess in which the inner peripheral surface of the first wall portion is recessed toward the outer peripheral surface of the first wall portion, and the first wall portion is described. The flow path member may be configured such that when the first flow path member is viewed along the first direction, a straight line connecting both ends of the recess and the first opening overlap each other. can.
In such an embodiment, the liquid existing at the connection portion between the surface of the first flow path member on the second direction side and the first wall portion is introduced into the first opening to the outside of the first flow path member. Can be discharged to.

(3) In the liquid injection head of the above embodiment, when the first flow path member is viewed along the first direction, the first opening extends inside the recess beyond the straight line connecting both ends of the recess. It can be an embodiment that does not exist in.
According to such an aspect, the first flow path member can be easily manufactured by casting using a mold.

(4) In the liquid injection head of the above embodiment, the shortest distance between the inner peripheral surface of the recess and the edge of the first opening can be 0.5 mm or less.
In such an embodiment, the liquid existing at the connection portion between the surface of the first flow path member on the second direction side and the first wall portion is introduced into the first opening to the outside of the first flow path member. Can be discharged to.

(5) In the liquid injection head of the above-described embodiment, the boundary line between the surface and the first wall portion may define a part of the edge of the first opening.
In such an embodiment, the liquid adhering to the connection portion between the surface of the first flow path member on the second direction side and the first wall portion is introduced into the first opening to the outside of the first flow path member. Can be discharged to.

(6) In the liquid injection head of the above embodiment, the surrounding wall is a plurality of wall portions including the first wall portion, and is provided at different positions in the directions orthogonal to the first direction and the third direction. The first wall portion is a wall portion located on the outermost side of the plurality of wall portions in the direction orthogonal to the first direction and the third direction. Can be.
In such an embodiment, when the liquid injection head is tilted in a direction including a rotation component centered on a direction parallel to the third direction, the liquid is transferred to the surface of the first flow path member on the second direction side. 1 Flow toward the connection part with the wall part. Therefore, such a liquid can be introduced into the first opening and discharged to the outside of the first flow path member.

(7) In the liquid injection head of the above embodiment, a circuit board for driving the liquid injection head is provided between the nozzle plate and the first flow path member, and the first opening in the discharge path is The opening at the opposite end may be an embodiment provided at a position where the first flow path member does not overlap with the circuit board when viewed along the first direction.
With such an embodiment, the possibility that the liquid discharged from the discharge path adheres to the circuit board can be reduced.

(8) In the liquid injection head of the above embodiment, when the circuit board is viewed along the first direction, the outer shape of the circuit board has the third direction as the longitudinal direction, and the first direction and the third direction. It is a substantially rectangular shape with the direction orthogonal to the direction as the lateral direction, and when the first flow path member is viewed along the first direction, the outer shape of the first flow path member is abbreviated including the circuit board. The circuit board is a substantially rectangular shape having the third direction as the longitudinal direction and the directions orthogonal to the first direction and the third direction as the lateral direction, and the circuit board has both ends in the third direction. When the first flow path member is viewed along the first direction, the opening at the opposite end is orthogonal to the first direction and the third direction. It can be an embodiment that is outside the range in which the circuit board is located in the above direction and is arranged between the pair of connectors in the third direction.
In such an embodiment, the circuit board has a pair of connectors at both ends in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the distance from the connector to each circuit on the circuit board can be shortened as a whole. The opening at the end opposite to the first opening in the discharge path is outside the range in which the circuit board is located in the directions orthogonal to the first direction and the third direction, and the pair of connectors in the third direction. Placed between and. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the liquid discharged from the discharge path adheres to any of the connectors.

(9) The liquid injection head of the above embodiment includes a second flow path member having a supply needle as the liquid introduction portion and having a supply needle inserted into a configuration for supplying the liquid to the liquid injection head. Can be.
In such an embodiment, the liquid can be supplied to the inside of the liquid injection head via the second flow path member having the supply needle.

(10) In the liquid injection head of the above embodiment, the plurality of wall portions face the first wall portion and are arranged along the third direction, and the first direction and the above. A third wall portion arranged along a direction orthogonal to the third direction, and a third wall portion facing the third wall portion and arranged along the first direction and the direction orthogonal to the third direction. It has a fourth wall portion, and when the first flow path member and the second flow path member are viewed along the first direction, between the second wall portion and the second flow path member. The minimum distance between the third wall portion and the second flow path member, and the minimum distance between the fourth wall portion and the second flow path member are 0.7 mm or less. The minimum distance between the edge of the first opening and the second flow path member may be 5 mm or more.
When the liquid injection head is tilted so that the second wall portion is lower than the first wall portion, the liquid is held between the second wall portion and the second flow path member. When the liquid injection head is tilted so that the third wall portion is lower than the fourth wall portion, the liquid is held between the third wall portion and the second flow path member. When the liquid injection head is tilted so that the fourth wall portion is lower than the third wall portion, the liquid is held between the fourth wall portion and the second flow path member. As a result, in those cases, the possibility of the liquid adhering to other members can be reduced. On the other hand, when the liquid injection head is tilted so that the first wall portion is lower than the second wall portion, the liquid is not held between the first wall portion and the second flow path member, and the liquid is not held between the first wall portion and the second flow path member. It can be discharged from the first opening to an external predetermined part.

(11) According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a liquid injection device including the liquid injection head of the above-described embodiment and a liquid storage unit for storing a liquid to be supplied to the liquid injection head.
In such an embodiment, the liquid can be supplied to the liquid injection head.

(12) The liquid injection device of the above embodiment may include a supply flow path for supplying the liquid in the liquid storage portion to the liquid introduction portion of the liquid injection head.
In such an embodiment, the liquid can be supplied to the liquid injection head.

(13) In the liquid injection device of the above embodiment, the supply flow path may be configured by a tube fitted with the liquid introduction portion.
In such an aspect, even if the liquid leaks when the tube and the liquid introduction portion are inserted and removed, the liquid can be discharged from the discharge path.

(14) The liquid injection device of the above embodiment is provided with a pressure adjusting valve provided between the liquid storage unit and the liquid introduction unit to adjust the pressure of the liquid supplied to the liquid injection head. Can be done.
With such an embodiment, the liquid can be stably supplied to the liquid injection head. Further, for example, in a configuration in which a pressure control valve for supplying liquid to a liquid injection head is inserted into and removed from a supply needle as a liquid storage unit, even if the liquid leaks during the insertion and removal, the liquid is discharged from the discharge path. Can be discharged.

(15) In the liquid injection device of the above-described embodiment, a damper chamber provided between the liquid storage portion and the liquid introduction portion and in which a flexible film is arranged can be provided.
According to such an embodiment, the pressure fluctuation to the liquid supplied to the liquid injection head can be alleviated by the damper chamber.

(16) The liquid injection device of the above embodiment may include a carriage that holds and moves the liquid injection head and includes a porous member that absorbs the liquid discharged from the discharge path. can.
In such an embodiment, the gas discharged from the liquid injection head can be recovered by the porous member.

(17) The liquid injection device of the above embodiment includes a carriage that holds and moves the liquid injection head, and the discharge path is a through hole that penetrates the first flow path member in the first direction, and the carriage. A second opening that communicates with the discharge path may be provided on the bottom surface of the.
In such an embodiment, the liquid can be discharged to the outside of the carriage through the second opening.

(18) The liquid injection device of the above-described embodiment may include a porous member arranged in the first direction with respect to the second opening and absorbing the liquid discharged from the second opening. ..
In such an embodiment, the liquid discharged to the outside of the carriage can be recovered.

(19) In the liquid injection device of the above embodiment, the liquid injection device is provided with a transport unit for transporting a medium on which the liquid ejected from the nozzle is landed, and the second opening is a view of the liquid injection device along the first direction. At the time, the locus of the medium conveyed by the conveying unit and the second opening may be arranged at an overlapping position.
The liquid discharged from the second opening adheres to the medium on the transport path, so that the liquid leakage can be promptly notified to the user.

The present disclosure can also be realized in various forms other than the liquid injection head and the liquid injection device. For example, it can be realized in the form of a manufacturing method of a liquid injection head and a liquid injection device, a control method, a computer program for realizing the control method, a non-temporary recording medium on which the computer program is recorded, and the like.

The plurality of components of each form of the disclosure described above are not all essential and may be used to solve some or all of the problems described above, or part or all of the effects described herein. In order to achieve the above, it is possible to change, delete, replace a part of the plurality of components with new other components, and partially delete the limited contents, as appropriate. Further, in order to solve a part or all of the above-mentioned problems, or to achieve a part or all of the effects described in the present specification, the technical features included in the above-mentioned embodiment of the present disclosure. It is also possible to combine some or all with some or all of the technical features contained in the other forms of the present disclosure described above to form an independent form of the present disclosure.

Ab1 ... Ink absorbing part, Ab2 ... Ink absorbing part, C11 ... Minimum distance, C12 ... Minimum distance, C13 ... Minimum distance, C14 ... Minimum distance, Cn ... Connector unit, Ct ... Connection terminal, Cv ... Cavity, D1 ... First Direction, D2 ... 2nd direction, D3 ... 3rd direction, D4 ... 4th direction, Ex1 ... discharge path, Ex2 ... discharge path, Ex3 ... discharge path, Ex4 ... discharge path, Ex5 ... discharge path, FP ... flow path pipe , Ld ... Diameter, Pop ... Shortest distance between the first wall and the edge of the first opening, Op11 ... First opening, Op12 ... Opening, Op21 ... First opening, Op31 ... First opening, Op41 ... First Opening, Op51 ... 1st opening, Opc ... 2nd opening, P ... Printing medium, Pn ... Pin, SL1 ... Straight line connecting both ends of recess W11r, SL4 ... Straight line connecting both ends of recess W41r, SL5 ... Both ends of recess W51r Straight line to connect, Ts ... floor surface (surface), W10 ... surrounding wall, W11 ... first wall part, W11r ... recess, W12 ... second wall part, W13 ... third wall part, W14 ... fourth wall part, W15 ... 5th wall, W16 ... 6th wall, W17 ... 7th wall, W18 ... 8th wall, W21 ... 1st wall, W31 ... 1st wall, W41 ... 1st wall, W41r ... recess , W51 ... 1st wall, W51r ... recess, X ... main scanning direction, Y ... sub-scanning direction, 50 ... pressure regulating valve, 51 ... housing, 52 ... valve seat, 55 ... valve body, 56 ... spring, 100 ... Liquid injection device, 100a ... Liquid injection device, 110 ... Control unit, 112 ... Housing, 112a ... Housing, 113 ... Flexible flat cable, 114 ... Drive belt, 115 ... Platen, 116 ... Carriage, 117 ... Ink cartridge, 118 ... Carriage motor, 119 ... Conveyor motor, 140 ... Containment mechanism, 141 ... Hinge, 142 ... Case, 150 ... Ink tank, 151 ... Air opening port, 153 ... Liquid inlet, 155 ... Liquid outlet, 160 ... Tube, 170 ... Damper, 171 ... Housing, 172 ... Damper chamber, 173 ... Membrane, 174 ... Inlet, 175 ... Outlet, 200 ... Liquid injection head, 200a ... Liquid injection head, 205 ... Ink supply needle, 210 ... Holder, 210a ... Holder, 211 ... Seal, 213 ... Filter, 214 ... Mounting part, 215 ... Main body part, 219 ... Second flow path, 220 ... First seal member, 221 ... Ink inlet, 230 ... Circuit board, 231 ... First penetration Holes, 233 ... openings, 240 ... actuator units, 241 ... fixing plates, 242 ... COF substrates, 243 ... piezoelectric materials, 250 ... cases, 253 ... 1 flow path, 255 ... accommodation space, 260 ... diaphragm, 261 ... ink inlet, 270 ... flow path forming member, 273 ... third flow path, 280 ... nozzle plate, 281 ... nozzle row, 282 ... nozzle, 290 ... Cover, 291 ... through hole, 293 ... screw, 511 ... primary chamber, 512 ... secondary chamber, 513 ... partition wall, 514 ... communication flow path, 515 ... lid member, 516 ... inflow path, 517 ... film, 517a ... diaphragm , 518 ... Outflow path, 519 ... Seal member, 520 ... Pressure receiving plate, 550 ... Valve body body, 551 ... Shaft part, 552 ... Flange part, 560 ... Contact member

Claims (18)

It ’s a liquid injection head.
A nozzle plate with multiple nozzles that inject liquid in the first direction,
A first flow path member which is arranged in a second direction opposite to the first direction with respect to the nozzle plate and is provided with a flow path for supplying a liquid to the nozzle inside.
A liquid introduction portion, which is arranged in the second direction with respect to the first flow path member and introduces a liquid into the flow path from the outside of the liquid injection head, is provided.
The first flow path member is
A surrounding wall that is erected in the second direction from the surface of the first flow path member on the second direction side and surrounds the liquid introduction portion.
It has a discharge path for discharging a liquid from the surface to the outside of the first flow path member.
The surface is provided with a first opening that is a part of the discharge path and opens in the second direction.
The surrounding wall has a first wall portion arranged along a third direction orthogonal to the first direction.
The minimum distance between the edge of the first opening and the first wall portion is ½ or less of the length of the maximum line segment that can be arranged in the first opening.
The first wall portion has a recess in which the inner peripheral surface of the first wall portion is recessed toward the outer peripheral surface of the first wall portion.
The first flow path member is configured such that a straight line connecting both ends of the recess and the first opening overlap when the first flow path member is viewed along the first direction. head. The liquid injection head according to claim 1.
When the first flow path member is viewed along the first direction, the first opening does not exist inside the recess beyond the straight line connecting both ends of the recess. The liquid injection head according to claim 1 or 2.
A liquid injection head having a minimum distance of 0.5 mm or less between the inner peripheral surface of the recess and the edge of the first opening. The liquid injection head according to any one of claims 1 to 3 .
A liquid injection head in which all of the plurality of wall portions constituting the surrounding wall are erected in the second direction from the surface. The liquid injection head according to any one of claims 1 to 4 .
The surrounding wall is a plurality of wall portions including the first wall portion, and has a plurality of wall portions provided at different positions in a direction orthogonal to the first direction and the third direction.
The first wall portion is a liquid injection head which is a wall portion located on the outermost side of the plurality of wall portions in the direction orthogonal to the first direction and the third direction. The liquid injection head according to any one of claims 1 to 5 .
A circuit board for driving the liquid injection head is provided between the nozzle plate and the first flow path member.
The opening at the end opposite to the first opening in the discharge path is provided at a position that does not overlap with the circuit board when the first flow path member is viewed along the first direction. head. The liquid injection head according to claim 6 .
When the circuit board is viewed along the first direction, the outer shape of the circuit board has the third direction as the longitudinal direction and the directions orthogonal to the first direction and the third direction as the lateral direction. It is almost rectangular
When the first flow path member is viewed along the first direction, the outer shape of the first flow path member is a substantially rectangular shape including the circuit board, and the third direction is the longitudinal direction. It is a substantially rectangular shape whose lateral direction is the direction orthogonal to the one direction and the third direction.
The circuit board has a pair of connectors provided at both ends in the third direction.
When the first flow path member is viewed along the first direction, the opening at the opposite end is a range in which the circuit board is located in the direction orthogonal to the first direction and the third direction. A liquid injection head arranged between the pair of connectors in the third direction. The liquid injection head according to any one of claims 1 to 7 .
A liquid injection head comprising a second flow path member having a supply needle as a liquid introduction portion and having a supply needle inserted into a configuration for supplying a liquid to the liquid injection head. The liquid injection head according to claim 8 , which is dependent on claim 5 .
The plurality of walls
A second wall portion facing the first wall portion and arranged along the third direction, and a second wall portion.
A third wall portion arranged along the first direction and the direction orthogonal to the third direction, and the third wall portion.
It has a fourth wall portion facing the third wall portion and arranged along the first direction and the direction orthogonal to the third direction.
When the first flow path member and the second flow path member are viewed along the first direction,
The minimum distance between the second wall portion and the second flow path member, the minimum distance between the third wall portion and the second flow path member, and the fourth wall portion and the second flow path. The minimum distance between the members is 0.7 mm or less.
A liquid injection head having a minimum distance of 5 mm or more between the edge of the first opening and the second flow path member. The liquid injection head according to any one of claims 1 to 9 ,
A liquid injection device including a liquid storage unit for storing a liquid to be supplied to the liquid injection head. The liquid injection device according to claim 10 .
A liquid injection device including a supply flow path for supplying the liquid in the liquid storage portion to the liquid introduction portion of the liquid injection head. The liquid injection device according to claim 11 .
The supply flow path is a liquid injection device composed of a tube that fits with the liquid introduction portion. The liquid injection device according to claim 10 .
A liquid injection device provided between the liquid storage unit and the liquid introduction unit and provided with a pressure adjusting valve for adjusting the pressure of the liquid supplied to the liquid injection head. The liquid injection device according to claim 10 .
A liquid injection device provided between the liquid storage section and the liquid introduction section and provided with a damper chamber in which a flexible film is arranged. The liquid injection device according to any one of claims 10 to 14 .
A liquid injection device comprising a carriage that holds and moves the liquid injection head and includes a porous member that absorbs the liquid discharged from the discharge path. The liquid injection device according to any one of claims 10 to 14 .
A carriage for holding and moving the liquid injection head is provided.
The discharge path is a through hole that penetrates the first flow path member in the first direction.
A liquid injection device provided with a second opening communicating with the discharge path on the bottom surface of the carriage. The liquid injection device according to claim 16 .
A liquid injection device provided with a porous member arranged in the first direction with respect to the second opening and absorbing the liquid discharged from the second opening. The liquid injection device according to claim 16 .
A transport unit for transporting a medium on which the liquid ejected from the nozzle lands is provided.
The second opening is arranged at a position where the locus of the medium conveyed by the transport unit and the second opening overlap when the liquid injection device is viewed along the first direction. Injection device.

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