Liquid ejecting head, liquid ejecting head unit, and liquid ejecting apparatus

A liquid ejecting head includes: a head main body for ejecting liquid from nozzle openings on a liquid ejecting surface provided with the plurality of nozzle openings; a maintaining member which is adhered to the head main body at a surface side opposite to the liquid ejecting surface side of the head main body in a direction perpendicular to the liquid ejecting surface; and a fixing board which is provided at a side opposite to the maintaining member with respect to the head main body. The fixing board includes a bending portion which is bent to the head main body side. The bending portion is adhered to a side surface of the maintaining member. The head main body is disposed in a space formed by adhering the maintaining member and the fixing board to each other.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-253530 filed on Dec. 6, 2013. The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-253530 is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a liquid ejecting head which ejects liquid from nozzle openings, liquid ejecting head unit which includes the liquid ejecting head, and a liquid ejecting apparatus, and particularly relates to an ink jet type recording head which ejects ink as the liquid, an ink jet type recording head unit, and an ink jet type recording apparatus.

2. Related Art

An ink jet type recording head which is an example of a liquid ejecting head has been proposed to include a head main body which ejects ink droplets from nozzle openings according to a pressure change of a pressure generation section, and a maintaining member which is adhered to a side opposite to a liquid ejecting surface on which the nozzle openings of the head main body are formed (for example, refer to JP-A-2006-62373).

However, there is a problem in that an adhesive which adheres the head main body and the maintaining member to each other allows permeation of moisture included in the ink and evaporation of the moisture included in the ink.

In addition, the problem exists not only in the ink jet type recording head, but also similarly in the liquid ejecting head unit which ejects liquid other than the ink.

SUMMARY

An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to provide a liquid ejecting head, a liquid ejecting head unit, and a liquid ejecting apparatus, which can suppress evaporation of moisture included in liquid from an adhering area of stacked members.

According to an aspect of the invention, a liquid ejecting head includes: a head main body which ejects liquid from a plurality of nozzle openings on a liquid ejecting surface provided with the plurality of nozzle openings; a maintaining member which is adhered to the head main body at a surface side opposite to the liquid ejecting surface side of the head main body in a direction perpendicular to the liquid ejecting surface; and a fixing board which is provided at a side opposite to the maintaining member with respect to the head main body. The fixing board includes a bending portion which is bent to the head main body side. The bending portion is adhered to a side surface of the maintaining member. The head main body, which is disposed in a space formed by adhering the maintaining member and the fixing board to each other, is provided in the liquid ejecting head.

According to the aspect, even when an adhesive which adheres the head main body and the maintaining body to each other is a material that allows permeation of moisture included in liquid, by disposing the head main body in the space formed by adhering the maintaining member and the fixing board to each other, it is possible to suppress evaporation of moisture.

In addition, since the fixing board is provided at the side opposite to the maintaining member with respect to the head main body and has the bending portion which is bent to the head main body side, the side surface of the maintaining member may be a surface which is adhered to the bending portion.

In the bending portion according to Aspect 1, it is preferable that the bending portion be adhered to the maintaining member in a concave portion provided on the side surface of the maintaining member. Accordingly, it is possible to simplify a process of adhering the bending portion and the maintaining member to each other, and to accommodate irregularity of a bending amount of the bending portion in the concave portion. In addition, it is possible to reduce a protruding amount of the bending portion from the concave portion in a direction in which the liquid ejecting heads are provided in parallel, by the concave portion. Therefore, for example, it is possible to further narrow an interval between the adjacent liquid ejecting heads.

In addition, in the maintaining member according to Aspect 1 or 2, it is preferable that the maintaining member have leg portions at both sides of the head main body and the leg portions be adhered to the fixing board at the liquid ejecting surface side of the leg portions. Accordingly, rigidity is improved in a direction in which the fixing board and the maintaining member are stacked.

In addition, according to Aspect 3, it is preferable that a plurality of head main bodies be provided and the leg portions be provided in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the plurality of head main bodies are provided among in-plane directions of the liquid ejecting surface. Accordingly, even when there is the plurality of head main bodies, it is possible to improve the rigidity in the direction in which the fixing board and the maintaining member are stacked. In addition, in the direction in which the plurality of head main bodies are provided in parallel among the in-plane directions of the liquid ejecting surface, even when a structure, such as the leg portion, is provided or not provided, it is possible to improve the rigidity in the direction in which the fixing board and the maintaining member are stacked.

In addition, in the maintaining member according to Aspects 1 to 4, it is preferable that the maintaining member have an opening which communicates with the space and the bending portion seal the opening. Accordingly, as the space communicates with the opening in a parallel direction, it is possible to reduce the number of structures in the space. For example, even when the liquid ejecting heads are provided in parallel, by shortening the interval between the adjacent liquid ejecting heads, it is possible to provide the nozzle openings to be close to each other. In addition, since the nozzle openings of the adjacent liquid ejecting heads can be provided to be close to each other, it is possible to provide the liquid ejecting heads in parallel on a straight line, and to narrow a width in the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the liquid ejecting heads of the liquid ejecting head unit are provided in parallel.

In addition, according to Aspect 5, it is preferable that the plurality of head main bodies be provided and the openings be provided at both sides of the maintaining member in the direction in which the plurality of head main bodies are provided among the in-plane directions of the liquid ejecting surface. Accordingly, even when there is the plurality of head main bodies, it is possible to reduce the number of structures in the space.

In addition, according to Aspects 1 to 6, it is preferable that the plurality of head main bodies be adhered to the maintaining member and the plurality of head main bodies be maintained in the space formed by adhering the maintaining member and the fixing board to each other. Accordingly, it is possible to accommodate the irregularity in height of the plurality of head main bodies by the adhesive for adhering the maintaining member.

In addition, according to Aspects 1 to 7, it is preferable that the plurality of head main bodies be provided, the fixing board have a base portion provided with an exposure opening portion for opening the nozzle openings, and the interval from the entire circumference of the base portion to the exposure opening portion be smaller in the direction in which the plurality of head main bodies are provided than that in the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the plurality of head main bodies are provided, among the in-plane directions of the liquid ejecting surface of the base portion. Accordingly, for example, even when the liquid ejecting heads are provided in parallel in the direction in which the head main bodies are provided in parallel, it is possible to shorten the interval of the adjacent liquid ejecting heads and to provide the nozzle openings to be close to each other.

In addition, according to another aspect of the invention, a liquid ejecting head unit includes: the plurality of liquid ejecting heads which are provided in parallel; and a head fixing substrate which maintains the plurality of liquid ejecting heads provided in parallel. Each of the liquid ejecting heads has: a head main body which ejects liquid from the nozzle openings of a liquid ejecting surface on which the plurality of nozzle openings are provided; a maintaining member which is adhered to the head main body in a direction perpendicular to the liquid ejecting surface at a side opposite to the liquid ejecting surface side of the head main body; and a fixing board which is provided at a side opposite to the maintaining member with respect to the head main body, and has a bending portion bent to the head main body side. The bending portion is adhered to a side surface of the maintaining member adjacent to each other in a direction in which the liquid ejecting heads are provided in parallel.

According to the aspect, even when the adhesive which adheres the head main body and the maintaining member to each other is a material which allows permeation of moisture included in the liquid, by adhering the bending portion of the fixing board and the side surface of the maintaining member to each other, it is possible to suppress evaporation of moisture.

Furthermore, by providing the bending portion adhered to the maintaining member in the direction the liquid ejecting heads are provided in parallel, even when the interval of the adjacent liquid ejecting heads is shortened, and the nozzle openings between the adjacent liquid ejecting heads are provided to be close to each other, it is possible to ensure an area which is necessary for adhering the fixing board on the side surface of the maintaining member. In addition, it is not required to provide a structure, such as a leg portion, in the maintaining member covered by the bending portion, and it is possible to provide the nozzle openings of the adjacent liquid ejecting heads to be close to each other. For this reason, it is possible to provide the liquid ejecting heads in parallel on the straight line, and to narrow the width in the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the liquid ejecting heads of the liquid ejecting head unit is provided in parallel.

In addition, in the maintaining member according to Aspect 9, it is preferable that the maintaining member have leg portions at both sides of the head main body and the leg portions be adhered to the fixing board at the liquid ejecting surface side of the leg portions. Accordingly, the rigidity is improved in the direction in which the fixing board and the maintaining member are stacked.

In addition, in the leg portions according to Aspect 10, it is preferable that the leg portions be provided in the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the liquid ejecting heads are provided among the in-plane directions of the liquid ejecting surface. Accordingly, even when the structure, such as the leg portions, is not provided in the direction in which the plurality of liquid ejecting heads is provided in parallel among the in-plane directions of the liquid ejecting surface, it is possible to improve the rigidity in the direction in which the fixing board and the maintaining member are stacked.

In addition, in the maintaining member according to Aspects 9 to 11, it is preferable that the maintaining member have an opening which communicates with the space and the bending portion seal the opening. Accordingly, as the space communicates with the opening in a parallel direction, it is possible to reduce the number of structures in the space. For this reason, it is possible to shorten the interval of the adjacent liquid ejecting heads and to provide the nozzle openings to be close to each other. In addition, since the nozzle openings of the adjacent liquid ejecting heads can be provided to be close to each other, it is possible to provide the liquid ejecting heads in parallel on the straight line, and to narrow the width in the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the liquid ejecting heads of the liquid ejecting head unit are provided in parallel.

In addition, according to Aspects 9 to 12, it is preferable that the plurality of head main bodies be adhered to the maintaining member and the plurality of head main bodies be maintained in the space formed by adhering the maintaining member and the fixing board to each other. Accordingly, it is possible to accommodate the irregularity in height of the plurality of head main bodies by the adhesive for adhering the maintaining member.

In addition, in the fixing board according to Aspects 9 to 13, it is preferable that the fixing board have a base portion provided with an exposure opening portion for opening the nozzle openings and the interval from the entire circumference of the base portion to the exposure opening portion be smaller in the direction in which the plurality of liquid ejecting heads are provided than that in the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the plurality of liquid ejecting heads are provided, among the in-plane directions of the liquid ejecting surface of the base portion. Accordingly, it is possible to shorten the interval of the adjacent liquid ejecting heads and to provide the nozzle openings to be close to each other.

Furthermore, according to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a liquid ejecting apparatus in which the plurality of liquid ejecting head units according to Aspects 9 to 14 is provided in parallel, and includes a transporting section which relatively transports an ejecting medium to the liquid ejecting head unit in a direction which intersects with the parallel direction among the in-plane directions of the liquid ejecting surface.

According to the aspect, since the width in a transporting direction of the liquid ejecting head unit can be narrowed, it is possible to shorten a transporting interval of the transporting section provided to interpose the liquid ejecting head unit. Therefore, it is possible to fix a posture of the ejecting medium well, and to suppress generation of a landing position shift or the like.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, the invention will be described in detail based on embodiments.

FIG. 1is a schematic perspective view of a configuration of an ink jet type recording apparatus which is an example of a liquid ejecting apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the invention.

The ink jet type recording apparatus which is an example of the liquid ejecting apparatus of the embodiment is a so-called line type recording apparatus in which an ink jet type recording head unit which is an example of a liquid ejecting head unit is fixed and printing is performed by transporting a recording sheet, such as a paper sheet, which is an ejecting medium.

In particular, as illustrated inFIG. 1, an ink jet type recording apparatus1includes: an apparatus main body2; an ink jet type recording head unit3(hereinafter, simply referred to as a head unit3) which has a plurality of ink jet type recording heads100and is fixed to the apparatus main body2; a transporting section4which transports a recording sheet S; and a supporting member7which supports the recording sheet S facing the head unit3. In addition, in the embodiment, a transporting direction of the recording sheet S is called a first direction X. In addition, in a in-plane direction in which nozzle openings of the head unit3are opened, a direction perpendicular to the first direction X is called a second direction Y. Furthermore, a direction perpendicular to the first direction X and the second direction Y is called a third direction Z. In addition, a liquid ejecting direction side (recording sheet S side with respect to the head unit3) on the surface including the third direction Z is called a Z1 side, and an opposite side is called a Z2 side.

The head unit3includes a plurality of ink jet type recording heads100and a head fixing substrate200which maintains the plurality of ink jet type recording heads100.

The plurality of ink jet type recording heads100is provided in parallel in a direction which intersects with the first direction X that is the transporting direction, in the embodiment, in the second direction Y which intersects with the first direction X, and is fixed to the head fixing substrate200. In addition, in the embodiment, the plurality of ink jet type recording heads100is provided in parallel on a straight line of the second direction Y. In other words, the plurality of ink jet type recording heads100is not disposed to be shifted to the first direction X. Accordingly, it is possible to narrow a width of the head unit3in the first direction X, and to make the head unit3small.

In addition, the head fixing substrate200maintains the plurality of ink jet type recording heads100so that nozzle openings21of the plurality of ink jet type recording heads100face the recording sheet S side, and is fixed to the apparatus main body2.

The transporting section4transports the recording sheet S in the first direction X with respect to the head unit3. The transporting section4includes, for example, a first transporting roller5and a second transporting roller6which are provided at both sides in the first direction X.

By the first transporting roller5and the second transporting roller6, the recording sheet S is transported. In addition, the transporting section4which transports the recording sheet S is not limited to a transporting roller, but may be a belt, a drum, or the like.

The supporting member7supports the recording sheet S transported by the transporting section4at a position facing the head unit3. The supporting member7is, for example, made of a metal or resin, in which a cross section provided facing the head unit3is rectangular between the first transporting roller5and the second transporting roller6.

In addition, in the supporting member7, an adsorbing section which adsorbs the transported recording sheet S onto the supporting member7is provided. Examples of the adsorbing section include a section which sucks and adsorbs by sucking the recording sheet S and a section which electrostatically adsorbs the recording sheet S by an electrostatic force. For example, when the transporting section4is a belt or a drum, the supporting member7supports the recording sheet S on the belt or the drum at the position facing the head unit3.

In addition, a liquid storage section (not illustrated), such as an ink tank or an ink cartridge in which the ink is stored, is connected to each of the ink jet type recording heads100of the head unit3to be able to supply the ink. The liquid storage section, for example, may be maintained on the head unit3, or may be maintained at a position different from the head unit3in the apparatus main body2. In addition, a flow path for supplying the ink supplied from the liquid storage section to the ink jet type recording head100, or the like, may be provided inside the head fixing substrate200, and a flow path member may be provided in addition to the head fixing substrate200and the ink from the liquid storage section may be supplied via the flow path member to the ink jet type recording head100. Obviously, the ink may be supplied directly to the ink jet type recording head100without using the head fixing substrate200or the flow path member fixed to the head fixing substrate200from the liquid storage section.

In the ink jet type recording apparatus1of the embodiment, the recording sheet S is transported by the first transporting roller5, and the printing is performed on the recording sheet S supported on the supporting member7by the head unit3. The printed recording sheet S is transported by the second transporting roller6.

Here, the head unit3which is mounted on the ink jet type recording apparatus1will be further described in detail with reference toFIGS. 2 to 5. In addition,FIG. 2is an exploded perspective view illustrating the ink jet type recording head unit which is an example of the liquid ejecting head unit according to Embodiment 1 of the invention.FIG. 3is a plan view of the liquid ejecting surface side of the ink jet type recording head unit.FIGS. 4A and 4Bare a cross-sectional view which cuts out a main part along line IV-IV inFIG. 3and an enlarged view of the main part, respectively.FIG. 5is a cross-sectional view which cuts out the main part along line V-V inFIG. 3.

As illustrated in the drawings, the head unit3of the embodiment includes the plurality of ink jet type recording heads100and the head fixing substrate200which maintains the plurality of ink jet type recording heads100.

The ink jet type recording head100has a liquid ejecting surface20aprovided with a nozzle opening21at the Z1 side of the third direction Z.

The ink jet type recording head100is fixed at the surface side facing the recording sheet S of the head fixing substrate200, that is, the Z1 side which is the recording sheet S side of the third direction Z.

As described above, the plurality of ink jet type recording heads100is fixed to the head fixing substrate200provided in parallel on the straight line in the second direction Y perpendicular to the first direction X which is the transporting direction. In other words, the plurality of ink jet type recording heads100is not disposed to be shifted in the first direction X. Accordingly, it is possible to narrow the width of the head unit3in the first direction X, and to make the head unit3small. Obviously, the ink jet type recording heads100provided in parallel in the second direction Y may be disposed to be shifted in the first direction X, but when the ink jet type recording head100is largely shifted in the first direction X, the width of the head fixing substrate200or the like in the first direction X increases. In this manner, when the size of the head unit3in the first direction X becomes large, a distance between the first transporting roller5and the second transporting roller6in the first direction X in the ink jet type recording apparatus1increases, and it is difficult to fix the posture of the recording sheet S. In addition, the size of the head unit3and the ink jet type recording apparatus1becomes large.

In addition, in the embodiment, the four ink jet type recording heads100are fixed to the head fixing substrate200. However, if the number of the ink jet type recording heads100is two or more, the number is not particularly limited.

Here, an example of the ink jet type recording head mounted on the head unit will be described in detail.

As illustrated in the drawings, the ink jet type recording head100includes: a plurality of head main bodies110; a holder120which is a maintaining member of the embodiment that maintains the plurality of head main bodies110; and a cover130provided at the liquid ejecting surface20aside of the head main body110.

The head main body110has the liquid ejecting surface20aprovided with the nozzle opening21at the Z1 side of the third direction Z. In addition, a Z2 side of the plurality of head main bodies110is adhered to a surface of the Z1 side of the holder120.

The holder120has a maintaining portion121which forms a space in a groove shape at the Z1 side. As the maintaining portion121is provided to be continued across the second direction Y on the surface of the Z1 side of the holder120, the maintaining portion121is provided to be opened on both side surfaces of the second direction Y. In addition, in the holder120, as the maintaining portion121is provided at a substantial center part of the first direction X, leg portions122are formed at both sides of the maintaining portion121in the first direction X. In other words, the leg portions122are provided only at both end portions in the first direction X on the surface of the Z1 side of the holder120, and are not provided at both end portions in the second direction Y.

The plurality of head main bodies110is adhered to the inside of the maintaining portion121by an adhesive140. In other words, the leg portions122are disposed at both sides in the first direction X with respect to the head main body110. In addition, a surface of the holder120and a surface of the head main body110which are facing each other in the third direction Z are adhered to each other by the adhesive140. In addition, in the inside (not illustrated) of the holder120, the flow path or the like which supplies the ink to the head main body110is provided, and a flow path of the holder120and a flow path of the head main body110communicate with each other to be sealed by the adhesive140. In addition, the holder120may have a configuration in which a plurality of members is stacked in the third direction Z.

Here, the head main body110, which will be described later in detail, has a configuration in which the plurality of members is stacked. In the plurality of head main bodies110, irregularity in height in the third direction Z occurs according to dimension tolerance of the plurality of members which constitutes each of the head main bodies110and irregularity in thickness of the adhesive or the like which stacks the plurality of members. In order to maintain the plurality of head main bodies110in which the irregularity in height in the third direction Z occurs by the common holder120and to arrange the liquid ejecting surface20aof the plurality of head main bodies110on a plane surface, that is, in order to arrange the height of the liquid ejecting surface20ain the third direction Z, it is required to accommodate the irregularity in height of the head main bodies110by the adhesive140which adheres the holder120and the head main bodies110to each other. In this manner, it is preferable that an adhesive having relatively high viscosity be used as the adhesive140which accommodates the irregularity in height of the head main bodies110. Even when the adhesive140is an adhesive having relatively high viscosity, there is a problem in that the moisture included in the ink evaporates from the adhesive140which adheres the holder120and the head main bodies110to each other. Even when only one head main body110is provided, there is a concern that the moisture included in the ink evaporates from the adhesive140which adheres the head main body110and the holder120to each other. In other words, even when the irregularity in height is not accommodated by the adhesive140which adheres the head main body110and the holder120to each other, there is a concern that the moisture evaporates from the adhesive140which adheres the head main body110and the holder120to each other.

It can be also considered to fix the holder120and the head main body110with a screw or the like. However, the size of the head main body110is small, and in the embodiment, since the plurality of the head main bodies110is required to be attached with respect to one holder120, it is difficult to fix the head main body110with a screw or the like via a seal member made of an elastic material. Therefore, by adhering the head main body110and the holder120to each other by the adhesive140, it is possible to reduce the cost by reducing the number of components and to seal the flow path which is connected to both of the head main body110and the holder120without providing the seal member or the like made of the elastic material therebetween.

In addition, the plurality of head main bodies110is adhered to the inside of the maintaining portion121of the holder120to be provided in parallel in the second direction Y. In the embodiment, six head main bodies110are adhered to one holder120. The number of the head main bodies110fixed to one holder120is not limited to the above-described number. The number of the head main body110with respect to one holder120may be one, or may be two or more. By providing the plurality of head main bodies110with respect to one ink jet type recording head100and making a plurality of nozzle rows, it is possible to improve yield, compared to a case where the plurality of nozzle rows is provided only to one head main body110with respect to one ink jet type recording head100. In other words, by making the plurality of nozzle rows in one head main body110, the yield of the head main body110decreases and the manufacturing cost increases. In contrast to this, by fixing the plurality of head main bodies110to the common holder120and making the plurality of nozzle rows by the plurality of head main bodies110, it is possible to improve the yield of the head main body110and to reduce the manufacturing cost.

In addition, the plurality of head main bodies110of the embodiment is fixed so that the nozzle rows are inclined with respect to the first direction X which is the transporting direction of the recording sheet S, in the in-plane direction of the liquid ejecting surface20a. In other words, with respect to the first direction X, a fourth direction Xa, which is a direction in which the nozzle openings21are provided in parallel that constitutes the nozzle row, is inclined. In the embodiment, in the ink jet type recording head100, the plurality of head main bodies110is provided in parallel in the second direction Y, and the ink jet type recording head100can be disposed at a position where at least parts of the nozzle openings21of the adjacent head main bodies110in the second direction Y are overlapped with each other in the first direction X. In addition, the plurality of ink jet type recording heads100is provided in parallel in the second direction Y, and can be disposed at a position where at least parts of the nozzle openings21of the adjacent ink jet type recording head100in the second direction Y are overlapped with each other in the first direction X. Accordingly, it is possible to form the nozzle openings21which are provided in parallel at a similar interval in the second direction Y of the head unit3.

The cover130corresponds to a fixing board of the embodiment, and is made of a board-shaped member, such as metal. The cover130is provided at the liquid ejecting surface20aside of the ink jet type recording head100, that is, at the Z1 side of the third direction Z of the ink jet type recording head100.

The cover130is formed by bending a member in a flat board shape, and includes a base portion131provided at the liquid ejecting surface20aside and a bending portion132in which both end portions of the base portion131in the second direction Y are provided to be curved to the Z2 side of the third direction Z.

As illustrated inFIG. 5, the base portion131is bonded to the surface of the Z1 side of the holder120in the third direction Z, that is, to an end surface of the Z1 side of the leg portions122via an adhesive141.

In addition, as illustrated inFIGS. 4A and 4B, an exposure opening portion133for opening the nozzle openings21of each of the head main bodies110is provided in the base portion131. In the embodiment, the exposure opening portion133is provided to be independently opened for every head main body110. In other words, since the ink jet type recording head100of the embodiment has six head main bodies110, six independent exposure opening portion133are provided in the base portion131. According to the configuration of the head main body110or the like, one common exposure opening portion133may be provided with respect to a head main body group which is configured to have the plurality of head main bodies110.

In addition, in the embodiment, since the leg portions122are not provided in the second direction Y of the maintaining portion121, the exposure opening portion133is provided to the vicinity of the bending portion132in the second direction Y. In other words, the interval from the entire circumference of the base portion131to the exposure opening portion133becomes smaller in the second direction Y than in the first direction X.

The Z1 side of the maintaining portion121of the holder120is covered by the base portion131.

In addition, the bending portion132is provided at both end portions of the base portion131in the second direction Y, and is formed at a size that can cover the area of the opening which is opened to the side surface of the maintaining portion121in the second direction Y. In other words, the bending portion132is an area from the end portion of the base portion131in the second direction Y to an edge portion of the cover130. The bending portion132is bonded to the side surface of the holder120in the second direction Y via the adhesive141. Accordingly, the opening to the side surface of the maintaining portion121in the second direction Y is sealed to be covered by the bending portion132.

In other words, between the holder120and the cover130, the end surface of the leg portions122in the third direction Z and the base portion131are adhered to each other by the adhesive141at both sides of the first direction X, and the opened side surface of the maintaining portion121and the bending portion132are adhered to each other at both sides of the second direction Y via the adhesive141. Accordingly, the head main body110is disposed in the maintaining portion121which is the space between the holder120and the cover130. In other words, the adhesive140which adheres the head main body110and the holder120to each other is included in the maintaining portion121which is the space formed by adhering the holder120and the cover130by the adhesive141. Therefore, even when the adhesive140which is likely to allow permeation of the moisture included in the ink as the adhesive140which adheres the holder120and the head main body110to each other is used, the inside of the maintaining portion121is sealed by the adhesive141which adheres the holder120and the cover130, and thus it is possible to suppress the evaporation of the moisture included in the ink. In addition, in order to seal the inside of the maintaining portion121, it is preferable to adhere the base portion131of the cover130and the liquid ejecting surface20aside of the head main body110to each other. In other words, it is appropriate that the vicinity of the exposure opening portion133is adhered to the head main body110so that the moisture does not evaporate to the outside via the exposure opening portion133. In addition, it is appropriate that the adhesive141, which adheres the holder120and the cover130to each other, adheres the holder120and the head main body110, and is unlikely to allow permeation of the moisture as opposed to the adhesive140which accommodates the irregularity in height of the head main body110.

In this manner, in the embodiment, at both sides of the holder120in the second direction Y, by providing the bending portion132in the cover130, the cover130and the holder120are adhered to each other. Accordingly, at both sides of the holder120in the second direction Y, the leg portions to be adhered to the base portion131of the cover130are not required. For this reason, when the ink jet type recording head100is provided in parallel in the second direction Y, the leg portions do not exist at a side between the adjacent ink jet type recording heads100. Therefore, it is possible to narrow the interval between the adjacent ink jet type recording heads100in the second direction Y. Accordingly, it is possible to provide the head main bodies110of the adjacent ink jet type recording heads100to be close to each other in the second direction Y, and to provide the nozzle openings21provided in each of the head main bodies110of the adjacent ink jet type recording heads to be close to each other in the second direction Y.

In order to suppress evaporation of the moisture included in the ink without providing the bending portion132which is adhered to the holder120at both sides of the cover130in the second direction Y, it is required to provide the leg portions at both sides of the holder120in the second direction Y, and to adhere the end surface of the Z1 side of the leg portions and the base portion131to each other. In other words, it is required to provide the maintaining portion121to be opened only to the Z1 side of the third direction Z. In this manner, when the leg portions are provided at both sides of the second direction Y, the interval between the maintaining portions121of the adjacent ink jet type recording heads100widens, and it is not possible to provide the head main bodies110of the adjacent ink jet type recording heads100to be close to each other, and thus, the nozzle openings21are disposed to be separated in the second direction Y. In other words, in order to provide the ink jet type recording heads100adjacent to each other and to provide the head main bodies110of the ink jet type recording heads100to be close to each other, the leg portions122may not be provided at both sides of the second direction Y which is the direction in which the ink jet type recording heads100are provided in parallel. Here, the maintaining portion121is provided with the opening, which communicates with the space where the head main bodies110are disposed, at both side surfaces of the second direction Y. In addition, in the configuration, when the cover130adheres only to the end surface of the Z1 side of the leg portions122of the holder120, the inside of the maintaining portion121is opened to the outside on both side surfaces of the second direction Y, and the moisture which permeates the adhesive140that adheres the holder120and the head main bodies110to each other evaporates to the outside.

In the embodiment, by sealing the maintaining portion121which is opened to both side surfaces of the second direction Y for providing the head main bodies110to be close to each other by the bending portion132of the cover130, without providing the leg portions at both sides of the second direction Y, it is possible to narrow the interval of the adjacent ink jet type recording heads100in the second direction Y, to provide the nozzle openings21of the adjacent ink jet type recording heads100to be close to each other, and to suppress evaporation of the moisture which permeates the adhesive140that adheres the head main bodies110and the holder120to each other.

In addition, in the embodiment, a concave portion123is provided on the side surface of the holder120in the second direction Y, and the bending portion132is adhered to the inside of the concave portion123. The concave portion123is provided to be opened to both side surfaces of the second direction Y and to be opened to the surface of the Z1 side in the third direction Z. As the concave portion123is provided in the holder120, the bending portion132is inserted and adhered to the inside of the concave portion123. For this reason, it is possible to easily adhere the holder120and the bending portion132of the cover130to each other. In other words, by providing the concave portion123in the holder120, a space between the holder120and the bending portion132of the cover130is filled with the adhesive141by a capillary force only by coating the adhesive141between the end portion of the bending portion132of the cover130which is inserted into the123and the concave portion123. For this reason, it is not required to perform a process in which the adhesive141is coated on a surface which does not have the concave portion123and faces a different direction along the end portion of the bending portion132with respect to a gap between the holder120and the bending portion132, and thus it is possible to simplify the adhesion process. In addition, in the embodiment, by providing the concave portion123in the holder120, a protrusion amount of the bending portion132of the cover130in the second direction Y can be small, the interval of the adjacent ink jet type recording heads100in the second direction Y can further narrow, and the interval of the nozzle openings21of the adjacent ink jet type recording heads100can further narrow. In addition, by providing the concave portion123in the holder120and inserting the bending portion132into the concave portion123, even when an irregularity in bending angle of the bending portion132occurs, it is possible to make the protrusion amount of the bending portion132in the second direction Y small. For this reason, it is possible to suppress interference of the bending portion132in the adjacent ink jet type recording heads100. Accordingly, it is possible to narrow the interval between the ink jet type recording heads100adjacent to each other.

In this manner, in the head unit3of the embodiment, when the plurality of ink jet type recording heads100which suppresses evaporation of the moisture of the ink is provided in parallel in the head fixing substrate200in the second direction Y, it is possible to narrow the interval between the ink jet type recording heads100adjacent to each other in the second direction Y. For this reason, it is possible to narrow the interval of the nozzle openings21of the adjacent ink jet type recording heads100. In addition, since the interval of the nozzle openings21of the adjacent ink jet type recording heads100can narrow, it is possible to provide the plurality of ink jet type recording heads100in parallel on the straight line which extends in the second direction Y, and to make the width of the head unit3in the first direction X small. In other words, when the ink jet type recording heads100cannot be provided to be close to each other in the second direction Y if the ink jet type recording heads100are provided in parallel on the straight line in the second direction Y, in order to provide the nozzle openings21of the adjacent ink jet type recording heads100in the second direction Y to be close to each other in the second direction Y, it is required to dispose each of the ink jet type recording heads100in zigzags in the second direction Y. Here, disposing the ink jet type recording heads100in zigzags in the second direction Y means disposing the ink jet type recording heads100provided in parallel in the second direction Y to be alternately shifted in the first direction X, and providing two rows of the ink jet type recording heads100provided in parallel in the second direction Y in parallel in the first direction X. In this manner, when the ink jet type recording heads100are disposed in zigzags, the width of the head unit3in the first direction X increases. In addition, when the width of the head unit3increases in the first direction X, the distance between the first transporting roller5and the second transporting roller6in the first direction X in the ink jet type recording apparatus1illustrated inFIG. 1increases, it is difficult to fix the posture of the recording sheet S, and the head unit3and the ink jet type recording apparatus1become large.

In the embodiment, since the width of the head unit3in the first direction X can be small, it is possible to shorten the distance between the first transporting roller5and the second transporting roller6in the first direction X, to make it easy to fix the posture of the recording sheet S, and to improve the printing quality. In addition, it is possible to make the head unit3and the ink jet type recording apparatus1small.

In addition, in the embodiment, both end portions of the base portion131in the first direction X are not curved toward the Z2 side, and the leg portions122are adhered to the base portion131at the liquid ejecting surface20aside. The embodiment is not limited thereto, and for example, both end portions of the base portion131in the first direction X may also be bent to the Z2 side similarly to the bending portion132. Accordingly, it is possible to improve strength of the base portion131. In addition, as a corner of the ink jet type recording head100in the first direction X at the liquid ejecting surface20aside is covered by the cover130, it is possible to suppress a defect, such as peeling of the cover130, due to the abutting of the recording sheet S.

In addition, in the embodiment, the leg portions122are provided at both sides of the holder120in the first direction X, but the leg portions122may not be provided. In other words, the head main body110may be adhered to the surface of the Z1 side of the holder120, and the bending portion132may be provided at both sides of the cover130in the first direction X and the second direction Y. In other words, in the cover130, the bending portion132may be provided across the entire circumference in the in-plane direction of the liquid ejecting surface20a, and the cover130may be adhered across the entire circumference of the side surface of the holder120. Accordingly, it is possible to make the width of the head unit3in the first direction X much smaller. In addition, by making the width of the head unit3in the first direction X small, it is possible to provide the plurality of head units3to be close to each other in the first direction X. However, the cover130which has the bending portion132across the entire circumference of the base portion131requires to be formed by a drawing process. However, in the drawing process, there is a case where the length of the bending portion132is not sufficiently ensured and the manufacturing is difficult. In addition, as illustrated in the embodiment, by adhering the end surface of the Z1 side of the leg portions122to the base portion131of the cover130, it is possible to improve strength of the ink jet type recording heads100in the third direction Z. In addition, by adhering the end surface of the Z1 side of the leg portions122to the base portion131of the cover130, it is possible to support the pressure at a time of adhering the cover130and the holder120to each other by the leg portions122, and to suppress a destruction of the head main body110or the like by suppressing the pressure directly applied to the head main body110.

In addition, in the embodiment, the leg portions122are not provided at both sides of the holder120in the second direction Y. However, by providing the leg portions122at both sides of the second direction Y, it is possible to improve strength of the ink jet type recording head100in the third direction Z. In this case, the length of the end surface of the Z1 side in the first direction X of the leg portions122provided at both sides of the first direction X is shorter than the length of the end surface of the Z1 side in the second direction Y of the leg portions122provided at both sides of the second direction Y. Accordingly, it is possible to narrow the interval of the ink jet type recording heads100adjacent to each other in the second direction Y. In addition, in this case, at both sides of the second direction Y, by adhering the bending portion132and the side surface of the holder120to each other by the adhesive141, it is possible to ensure an area which is required to adhere the cover130on the side surface of the holder120, and to effectively suppress evaporation of the moisture.

As illustrated inFIG. 3, when viewed from the liquid ejecting surface20aside in a planar view, the ink jet type recording head100of the embodiment has a shape which is a substantial parallelogram. As described above, this is because the fourth direction Xa, which is a direction in which the nozzle openings21that constitute the nozzle rows of each of the head main bodies110are provided in parallel, is provided to be inclined with respect to the first direction X which is the transporting direction of the recording sheet S, and an external shape of the ink jet type recording head100is formed to be a substantial parallelogram in the fourth direction Xa which is the direction in which the nozzle rows are inclined. The shape when viewed from the liquid ejecting surface20aside of the ink jet type recording head100in a planar view is not limited to the substantial parallelogram, and the shape may be rectangular, trapezoidal, or polygonal.

By disposing the plurality of ink jet type recording heads100and setting as the ink jet type recording head unit3, effects, such as improved yield in manufacturing, easy process, or easy flattening of the plane surface of the cover130which is the fixing board, can be achieved.

In addition, hereinafter, an example of the head main body110of the ink jet type recording head100will be described in detail, but the configuration of the head main body110is not limited to the configuration described below.FIG. 6is a perspective view of the head main body according to Embodiment 1 of the invention.FIG. 7is a cross-sectional view of the head main body in the second direction Y.

As illustrated in the drawings, the head main body110of the embodiment has the plurality of members, such as a flow path forming substrate10, a communication board15, a nozzle plate20, a protection substrate30, a compliance substrate45, or a case40, and the plurality of members are bonded by the adhesive or the like.

As illustrated in the drawings, by performing anisotropic etching from one surface side, on the flow path forming substrate10which constitutes the head main body110, a pressure generation chamber12defined by a plurality of partitions is provided in parallel along the direction in which the plurality of nozzle openings21is provided in parallel. In addition, in the embodiment, the direction in which the pressure generation chambers12are provided in parallel matches with the fourth direction Xa, and on the flow path forming substrate10, a plurality of rows, in the embodiment, two rows in which the pressure generation chambers12are provided in parallel in the fourth direction Xa are provided. The direction, in which the plurality of pressure generation chambers12rows formed by the pressure generation chambers12provided in the fourth direction Xa is provided, is called a fifth direction Ya, hereinafter. In addition, in the embodiment, the direction perpendicular to the fourth direction Xa and the fifth direction Ya matches with the third direction Z. In addition, the head main bodies110of the embodiment is mounted on the head unit3so that the fourth direction Xa in which the nozzle openings21are provided in parallel is a direction which is inclined with respect to the first direction X that is the transporting direction of the recording sheet S.

In addition, on the flow path forming substrate10, at one end portion side of the pressure generation chamber12in the fifth direction Ya, the opening area may be smaller than the pressure generation chamber12, and a supply path which imparts a flow path resistance of the ink which flows into the pressure generation chamber12or the like may be provided.

In addition, as illustrated inFIG. 6, the communication board15is bonded to one surface side of the flow path forming substrate10. In addition, the nozzle plate20, in which the plurality of nozzle openings21that communicates with each of the pressure generation chambers12is punched, is bonded to the communication board15. In the embodiment, the Z1 side, which is one surface of the third direction Z in which the nozzle openings21of the nozzle plate20are opened, is the liquid ejecting surface20a.

On the communication board15, a nozzle communication path16, which communicates with the pressure generation chambers12and the nozzle openings21, is provided. The communication board15has an area greater than the flow path forming substrate10, and the nozzle plate20has an area less than the flow path forming substrate10. In this manner, by making the area of the nozzle plate20relatively small, it is possible to reduce the cost.

In addition, as illustrated in the drawings, on the communication board15, a first manifold portion17and a second manifold portion18which constitute a part of a manifold95are provided.

The first manifold portion17is provided to penetrate the communication board15in the third direction Z.

In addition, the second manifold portion18does not penetrate the communication board15in the third direction Z, and is provided in the middle of the third direction Z to be opened to the nozzle plate20side of the communication board15.

Furthermore, on the communication board15, a supply communication path19, which communicates with one end portion of the pressure generation chamber12in the second direction Y, is independently provided for every pressure generation chamber12. The supply communication path19communicates with the second manifold portion18and the pressure generation chamber12.

On the nozzle plate20, the nozzle openings21which communicate with each of the pressure generation chambers12via the nozzle communication path16are formed. In other words, in the nozzle openings21, openings which eject the ink that is the same type of liquid are provided in parallel in the fourth direction Xa, and two rows in which the nozzle openings21are provided in parallel in the fourth direction Xa are formed in the fifth direction Ya.

Meanwhile, at a surface side opposite to the communication board15of the flow path forming substrate10, a diaphragm is formed. In addition, on the diaphragm, by sequentially stacking a first electrode, a piezoelectric layer, and a second electrode, a piezoelectric actuator300which is a pressure generation section of the embodiment is configured. In general, any one electrode of the piezoelectric actuator300is a common electrode, and the other electrode and the piezoelectric layer are patterned for every pressure generation chamber12.

In addition, the protection substrate30which has substantially the same size as the flow path forming substrate10is bonded to a surface of the piezoelectric actuator300side of the flow path forming substrate10. The protection substrate30has a maintaining portion31which is a space for protecting the piezoelectric actuator300. In addition, a through-hole32which penetrates in the third direction Z is provided on the protection substrate30. An end portion of a lead electrode90derived from the electrode of the piezoelectric actuator300extends to be exposed to the inside of the through-hole32, and the lead electrode and a wiring substrate98which has a driving circuit97, such as a driving IC, mounted thereon are electrically connected to each other inside the through-hole32.

In addition, the case40, which defines the manifold95that communicates with the plurality of pressure generation chambers12, is fixed to the protection substrate30and the communication board15. The case40has a shape which is substantially the same as the communication board15described above in a planar view, is bonded to the protection substrate30, and is bonded even to the communication board15described above. In particular, the case40has a concave portion41which has a depth to accommodate the flow path forming substrate10at the protection substrate30side and the protection substrate30. The concave portion41has an opening area which is wider than a surface which is bonded to the flow path forming substrate10of the protection substrate30. An opening surface of the nozzle plate20side of the concave portion41in a state where the flow path forming substrate10or the like is accommodated in the concave portion41, is sealed by the communication board15. Accordingly, in the outer circumferential portion of the flow path forming substrate10, a third manifold portion42is defined by the case40, the flow path forming substrate10, and the protection substrate30. The manifold95of the embodiment is configured by the third manifold portion42, and the first manifold portion17and the second manifold portion18which are provided on the communication board15.

In addition, the compliance substrate45is provided on a surface on which the first manifold portion17and the second manifold portion18of the communication board15are opened. The compliance substrate45seals the opening of the first manifold portion17and the second manifold portion18.

In the embodiment, the compliance substrate45has a sealing film46and a fixed substrate47. The sealing film46is formed of a thin film having flexibility, for example, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) or stainless steel (SUS). In addition, the fixed substrate47is formed of a hard material, such as metal including stainless steel (SUS). Since an area of the fixed substrate47facing the manifold95is made of an opening portion48which is completely removed in a thickness direction, one surface of the manifold95is a compliance portion49which is a flexible portion sealed only by the sealing film46having flexibility.

In addition, in the embodiment, the cover130which is a fixing board is adhered to a surface side opposite to the communication board15of the compliance substrate45. In other words, the exposure opening portion133provided in the base portion131of the cover130has the opening area which is wider than the area of the nozzle plate20, and exposes the liquid ejecting surface20aof the nozzle plate20inside the exposure opening portion133. The cover130is not limited thereto, and for example, the exposure opening portion133of the cover130may be the opening area which is smaller than an external shape of the nozzle plate20, and the cover130may abut against or be adhered to the liquid ejecting surface20aof the nozzle plate20. Even when the exposure opening portion133of the cover130is the opening area which is smaller than the external shape of the nozzle plate20, the cover130and the liquid ejecting surface20amay be provided to be in contact with each other. In other words, a case where the cover130is provided at the liquid ejecting surface20aside includes a case where the liquid ejecting surface20ais not in contact or a case where the liquid ejecting surface20ais in contact.

In addition, in the embodiment, the cover130is adhered to the fixed substrate47of the compliance substrate45. Accordingly, it is possible to seal the maintaining portion121between the cover130and the holder120as described above, and to suppress evaporation of the moisture of the ink.

In addition, in the case40, an introducing path44for supplying the ink to each of the manifolds95by communicating with the manifold95is provided. In addition, in the case40, a connection port43, which communicates with the through-hole32of the protection substrate30and in which the wiring substrate98is inserted, is provided.

In the head main body110having the configuration, when the ink is ejected, the ink is incorporated via the introducing path44from a storage section, and the inside of the flow path from the manifold95to the nozzle opening21is filled with the ink. After that, according to a signal from the driving circuit97, by applying a voltage to each piezoelectric actuator300corresponding to the pressure generation chamber12, the diaphragm together with the piezoelectric actuator300are flexurally deformed. Accordingly, the pressure inside the pressure generation chamber12increases, and the ink droplets are ejected from predetermined nozzle openings21.

Another Embodiment

Above, an embodiment of the invention is described, but a basic configuration of the invention is not limited to the description above.

For example, in the above-described Embodiment 1, the head main body110includes the plurality of members, such as the flow path forming substrate10, the communication board15, the nozzle plate20, the protection substrate30, the compliance substrate45, or the case40. However, in order to eject the liquid from the nozzle openings21provided on the liquid ejecting surface20a, at least the pressure generation section which generates pressure in the pressure generation chamber12that communicates with the nozzle openings21and the plurality of pressure generation chambers12which is provided with the pressure generation section and provided in parallel along a predetermined direction, may be provided. In other words, in the above-described Embodiment 1, the Z1 side of the holder120is adhered to the Z2 side of the head main body110, and the head main body110stacks the case40on the most Z2 side. However, the head main body110is not required to be adhered to the holder120via the case40, and the head main body110may be adhered to the holder120without using the case40.

In addition, in the above-described Embodiment 1, the cover130which is a fixing board provided at the liquid ejecting surface20aside of the ink jet type recording head100and the nozzle plate20provided with the nozzle openings21of the head main body110are separated, but configuration is not limited thereto. The nozzle plate20may be provided to extend to the outside of the head main body110, and the bending portion132may be provided by bending the extended end portion in a Z2 direction. In other words, in this case, the nozzle plate20corresponds to the fixing board, and the nozzle plate20is adhered to the head main body110. In other words, a case where the fixing board is provided at the liquid ejecting surface20aside with respect to the head main body110includes a case where one surface of the fixing board is the liquid ejecting surface20a. In addition, since the fixing board may be provided at the liquid ejecting surface20aside with respect to the head main body110, the most liquid ejecting surface20aside may be provided to be protruded. In other words, in above-described Embodiment 1, the liquid ejecting surface20aof the nozzle plate20rather than the cover130may be provided to be protruded to the Z1 side. Furthermore, another member which is different from the nozzle plate20may be provided at the Z1 side rather than the fixing board at the liquid ejecting surface20aside of the ink jet type recording head100. In addition, when the fixing board is provided at the side opposite to the maintaining member (holder120) with respect to the head main body110, the fixing board may be provided on the liquid ejecting surface20awith respect to the head main body110.

In addition, in the above-described Embodiment 1, the direction, in which the plurality of ink jet type recording heads100maintained in the head fixing substrate200is provided in parallel, is the second direction Y which is the direction perpendicular to the first direction X that is the transporting direction of the recording sheet S, but the invention is not limited thereto. The head unit, in which the ink jet type recording heads100are provided in parallel in a longitudinal direction of the head fixing substrate200, may be disposed so that an angle in which an alignment direction of the plurality of ink jet type recording heads100intersects with the first direction X which is the transporting direction of the recording sheet S, that is, an angle which is smaller than 90 degrees with respect to the first direction X. At that time, in the in-plane direction of the liquid ejecting surface20a, even when the nozzle rows are provided in a direction perpendicular the longitudinal direction of the head fixing substrate200, by inclining the entire head unit, it is possible to dispose the nozzle rows inclined with respect to the first direction X which is the transporting direction.

Furthermore, in the above-described Embodiment 1, the fourth direction Xa which is the direction in which the nozzle openings21of the head main body110are provided in parallel is disposed to be a direction which is inclined with respect to the second direction Y perpendicular to the first direction X which is the transporting direction. However, the fourth direction Xa in which the nozzle openings21are provided in parallel may be the same direction as the first direction X which is the transporting direction, and the fourth direction Xa in which the nozzle openings21are provided in parallel may be the same direction as the second direction Y. Furthermore, the nozzle openings21are not limited to the openings provided in a row form, and the nozzle openings21may be disposed in a matrix form. Furthermore, in the above-described Embodiment 1, when viewed in a planar view from the third direction Z perpendicular to the liquid ejecting surface20a, the shape of the holder120is a substantial parallelogram, but the shape is not limited thereto, and may be rectangular, trapezoidal, or polygonal. Here, an example is illustrated inFIG. 8.FIG. 8is a plan view from the liquid ejecting surface side of the ink jet recording head unit which is an example of the liquid ejecting head unit according to another embodiment of the invention.

As illustrated inFIG. 8, an ink jet type recording head100A has a trapezoidal shape when viewed from the liquid ejecting surface20aside in a planar view. In addition, the plurality of ink jet type recording heads100A is provided in parallel in the second direction Y and fixed to the head fixing substrate200, and every other ink jet type recording head100A provided in parallel in the second direction Y is disposed to be reversed by 180 degrees in the in-plane direction of the liquid ejecting surface20a.

In the ink jet type recording heads100A, the nozzle openings21are disposed in the matrix form on the liquid ejecting surface20a. Even in this configuration, similarly to the above-described Embodiment 1, the bending portion132of the cover130is adhered to the holder120at a side between the adjacent ink jet type recording heads100A in the second direction Y, and thus it is possible to suppress evaporation of the ink.

Furthermore, in the above-described Embodiment 1, the concave portion123is provided in the holder120, and the bending portion132is inserted into the concave portion123and adhered by the adhesive141, but the invention is not particularly limited thereto, and the concave portion123may not be provided. In other words, the bending portion132may be adhered to the side surface of the holder120.

In addition, in the above-described Embodiment 1, the leg portions122are provided at both sides of the holder120in the second direction Y, but the invention is not particularly limited thereto. For example, in the ink jet type recording heads100provided in parallel, the ink jet type recording heads100of both end portions of the second direction Y which is the parallel direction may not be provided with the leg portion122at a side where the adjacent ink jet type recording head100exists in the second direction Y, and may be provided with the leg portion122at a side where the adjacent ink jet type recording head100does not exist in the second direction Y.

Furthermore, in the above-described Embodiment 1, the so-called line type recording apparatus is described as an example of the ink jet type recording apparatus1in which the head unit3is fixed to the apparatus main body2and the printing is performed only by transporting the recording sheet S, but the invention is not particularly limited thereto. It is possible to employ the invention even in a so-called serial type recording apparatus in which the head unit3is mounted on a carriage which moves in the second direction Y, for example, the direction which intersects with the first direction X that is the transporting direction of the recording sheet S and the printing is performed while the head unit3moves in the direction which intersects with the transporting direction. In addition, the configuration is not limited to the configuration in which the recording sheet S is transported to the head unit3. The printing may be performed by a configuration in which the head unit3moves with respect to the recording sheet S, and the recording sheet S may be relatively transported with respect to the head unit3.

In addition, in the above-described Embodiment 1, the pressure generation section which causes a pressure change in the pressure generation chamber12is described by using the piezoelectric actuator300stacked in the third direction Z. However, the piezoelectric actuator300, for example, may be a thin film type formed by a film forming method or a lithography method, a thick film type formed by a method, such as sticking a green sheet, or the like. In addition, the piezoelectric actuator300can be alternately stacked with a piezoelectric material and an electrode forming material, and use a longitudinal vibration type which extends and contracts in an axial direction. In addition, as the pressure generation section, it is possible to use a section which disposes a heating element inside the pressure generation chamber and ejects the liquid droplets from the nozzle openings21by bubbles generated by heating the heating element, a so-called an electrostatic actuator which generates static electricity between the diaphragm and the electrode and ejects the liquid droplets from the nozzle openings21by deforming the diaphragm according to an electrostatic force, or the like.