Patent ID: 12202268

The accompanying drawings are intended to depict embodiments of the present disclosure and should not be interpreted to limit the scope thereof. The accompanying drawings are not to be considered as drawn to scale unless explicitly noted. Also, identical or similar reference numerals designate identical or similar components throughout the several views.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In describing embodiments illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. However, the disclosure of this specification is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that have a similar function, operate in a similar manner, and achieve a similar result.

Referring now to the drawings, embodiments of the present disclosure are described below. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

Embodiments will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each of the drawings for describing the embodiments, components such as members and elements having the same function or shape will be denoted by the same reference numeral as long as the components are distinguishable, and thus the description thereof will be omitted after the components are described once.

First, a configuration of an inkjet image forming apparatus, which is a liquid discharge apparatus according to an embodiment, will be described with reference toFIGS.1and2.FIG.1is a diagram illustrating a general arrangement of the inkjet image forming apparatus, andFIG.2is a block diagram illustrating a control system of the inkjet image forming apparatus.

As illustrated inFIG.1, an image forming apparatus100according to the present embodiment includes a sheet supplier1that supplies a sheet S for image formation, an image former2that forms an image on the sheet S, a conveyer3that conveys the sheet S to the image former2, a dryer4that dries the sheet S, and a sheet collector5that collects the sheet S having an image formed thereon. The image forming apparatus100according to the present embodiment further includes a controller6(seeFIG.2) that controls the sheet supplier1, the image former2, the conveyer3, the dryer4, and the sheet collector5.

The sheet supplier1includes a supply roller11having the elongated sheet S wound in roll form and a tension adjustment mechanism12that adjusts the tension applied to the sheet S. The supply roller11is configured to rotate in the direction of an arrow illustrated inFIG.1so that, as the supply roller11rotates, the sheet S is delivered. The tension adjustment mechanism12includes a plurality of rollers that has the sheet S placed therebetween to apply the tension. A part of these rollers is moved to adjust the tension of the sheet S. and the sheet S is delivered from the supply roller11at a constant tension.

The image former2includes a head unit13, which includes a liquid discharge unit that ejects a liquid ink onto the sheet S. and a platen14, which includes a sheet support member that supports the conveyed sheet S. The head unit13includes a plurality of liquid discharge heads. The ink is ejected from each of the liquid discharge heads onto the sheet S based on the image data generated by the controller6so that the image is formed on the sheet S. Here, the ink includes a liquid containing a color material, a solvent, and crystalline resin particles dispersed in the solvent. The crystalline resin includes a resin that undergoes a phase change and melts from a crystalline state to a liquid when heated above a predetermined melting point. The platen14is positioned so as to face the head unit13and support the lower surface of the sheet S supplied from the sheet supplier1. The platen14is configured to be close to or away from the head unit13so that the distance between the head unit13and the sheet S may be kept constant.

The conveyer3includes a plurality of conveyance rollers15. Each of the conveyance rollers15rotates while the sheet S is placed between the conveyance rollers15, and thus the sheet S is conveyed to the image former2. The conveyer3may also include other conveyers such as a conveyance belt.

The dryer4includes a heating drum16that heats the sheet S to promote drying of the ink on the sheet S. The heating drum16includes a cylindrical member that rotates while the sheet S is wound around the outer circumference thereof and has a heating source such as a halogen heater located inside. In addition to a contact heater such as the heating drum16, a non-contact heater such as a warm air generation device that blows warm air to the sheet S may also be used as a heater that heats the sheet S.

The sheet collector5includes a collection roller17that winds and collects the sheet S and a tension adjustment mechanism18that adjusts the tension applied to the sheet S. The collection roller17is configured to rotate in the direction of an arrow illustrated inFIG.1so that, as the collection roller17rotates, the sheet S is wound and collected in roll form. The tension adjustment mechanism18includes a plurality of rollers, as in the tension adjustment mechanism12in the sheet supplier1. A part of these rollers is moved to adjust the tension of the sheet S, and the sheet S is wound by the collection roller17at a constant tension.

The controller6includes an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer (PC). The controller6generates image data to be formed on the sheet S and controls various operations of the sheet supplier1, the image former2, the conveyer3, the dryer4, and the sheet collector5. For example, the controller6controls the rotation speeds of the supply roller11, the collection roller17, and each of the conveyance rollers15, and the temperature of the heating source that heats the heating drum16.

Next, an example of the configuration of the liquid discharge head will be described with reference toFIGS.3and4.

FIG.3is an exploded perspective view of the liquid discharge head.FIG.4is a cross-sectional view of the liquid discharge head illustrated inFIG.3in the lateral direction (the direction of an arrow Y inFIG.3).

As illustrated inFIG.3, a liquid discharge head20includes a plurality of head main bodies21, a base22, a cover23, a heat dissipation member24, a manifold25, a printed circuit board26(PCB), and a module case27.

The head main bodies21are held by the base22as a holder. To attach the head main body21to the base22, the head main body21is first inserted into an opening22c(seeFIG.4) included in the base22. Then, the head main body21is bonded to the cover23that is bonded to the base22. The cover23includes a hole23a(seeFIG.3) corresponding to each of the head main bodies21so that a peripheral portion of the head main body21is bonded to an edge of the hole23a. Then, the head main body21is fastened and secured to the base22with a screw.

Specifically, a flange portion of a common channel member35(seeFIG.4) is provided on the front side and the back side of the head main body21in the longitudinal direction (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface ofFIG.4), and the flange portion is fastened to the base22with a screw.

Accordingly, the common channel member35is held by the base22, and the head main body21is secured. The attachment structure of the head main body21and the base22is not limited thereto, and the head main body21may also be attached by bonding, swage, etc.

As illustrated inFIG.4, the head main body21includes a nozzle plate31having a nozzle30, a channel32including an individual chamber41, or the like, communicating with the nozzle30, a diaphragm33including a piezoelectric element40, a holding34laminated on the diaphragm33, the common channel member35stacked on the holding34, etc. The common channel member35serves as a frame (nozzle protector holder) to hold the nozzle protector (cover23). The individual chamber41is an example of a channel in the channel32.

The channel32includes, in addition to the individual chamber41, a supply-side individual channel42communicating with the individual chamber41and a collection-side individual channel43communicating with the individual chamber41. The holding34includes a supply-side intermediate individual channel44communicating with the supply-side individual channel42through an opening33aof the diaphragm33and a collection-side intermediate individual channel45communicating with the collection-side individual channel43via an opening33bof the diaphragm33.

The common channel member35(frame) includes a supply-side common channel46communicating with the supply-side intermediate individual channel44and a collection-side common channel47communicating with the collection-side intermediate individual channel45. The supply-side common channel46communicates with a supply port48through a channel51in the manifold25.

The collection-side common channel47communicates with a collection port49through another channel52in the manifold25.

The PCB26is coupled to the piezoelectric element40of the head main body21through a flexible wiring member50. The flexible wiring member50has a driver integrated circuit (IC) (drive circuit)53mounted thereon.

The base22preferably has a material having a low coefficient of linear expansion. Examples of the material having a low coefficient of linear expansion include 42 alloy, which is iron with nickel added, or Invar® materials. When the base22has such a material, an increase in the temperature of the base22due to the heat generated by the liquid discharge head20causes a small amount of expansion of the base22, which is unlikely to cause a misalignment of the nozzle, and the misalignment of the ink discharge position may be suppressed. When the nozzle plate31and the diaphragm33include a silicon single-crystal and have the coefficient of linear expansion substantially the same as that of the base22, the misalignment of the nozzle due to thermal expansion may be further reduced.

FIG.5is a plan view of an example of the configuration of the head unit.

In the example illustrated inFIG.5, the head unit13includes the two liquid discharge heads20. Each of the liquid discharge heads20is arranged such that the lateral direction thereof (the direction of the arrow Y) is in a sheet conveyance direction A and the longitudinal direction thereof (the direction of an arrow X) is in the direction perpendicular to the sheet conveyance direction A. Here, the “longitudinal direction” of the liquid discharge head20means, as illustrated inFIG.5, the longitudinal direction (the direction of the arrow X) of the liquid discharge head20extending in one direction when the liquid discharge head20is viewed in a direction perpendicular to a nozzle surface31awhere the nozzle30(seeFIG.4) is exposed. The “lateral direction” of the liquid discharge head20means the direction (the direction of the arrow Y) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the liquid discharge head20when the liquid discharge head20is viewed in the direction perpendicular to the nozzle surface31a. The “longitudinal direction” and “lateral direction” of the liquid discharge head20described in the description below also have the same meanings.

The head unit13illustrated inFIG.5includes what is called a line head unit. When the sheet S is conveyed to a position facing the head unit13, the ink is ejected through the nozzle of each of the head main bodies21to form an image on the sheet S without moving the head unit13with respect to the conveyed sheet S.

In addition to the above-described line head unit, the head unit also includes what is called a serial head unit that ejects the ink while moving the liquid discharge head in the main scanning direction (sheet width direction).

FIG.6is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a serial head unit60. As illustrated inFIG.6, the serial head unit60includes a carriage62including a liquid discharge head61, a guide member63(guide rod) that guides the carriage62in the main scanning direction, which is a sheet width direction B, and a drive device64that moves the carriage62.

The drive device64includes, for example, a motor65, which includes a drive source, and a timing belt68that extends between a drive pulley66and a driven pulley67. When the motor65is driven and the drive pulley66is rotated, the timing belt68moves circumferentially, and thus the carriage62moves in the main scanning direction along the guide member63. The rotation direction of the motor65is switched between one direction and the opposite direction so that the carriage62may move back and forth in the main scanning direction.

In the above-described serial head unit60, the liquid discharge head61ejects the ink in accordance with the image signal while the carriage62moves in the main scanning direction, and thus the image corresponding to one line is formed on the stopped sheet S. Then, while the sheet S moves by a predetermined amount in the direction of the arrow A inFIG.6, the back-and-forth movement of the carriage62and the ink discharge are repeatedly performed to sequentially form images on the sheet S.

In the above-described head unit (liquid discharge head), as illustrated inFIG.3, the cover23is provided around the head main body21, and therefore, even when the sheet is conveyed close to the nozzle surface of the head main body21, the contact of the sheet with the cover23may prevent the contact of the sheet with the nozzle surface. This may prevent damages to the nozzle and maintain stable ink discharge.

However, when the conveyed sheet hits an outer edge face230of the cover23, the impact received by the cover23at that moment may cause the cover23to separate from the nozzle plate31, the base22(seeFIG.4), or the like. In particular, when a fibrous conveyance object such as cloth is conveyed, the fuzzy fiber of the conveyance object gets stuck with the corner or burr of the cover23, which easily separate the cover23. When the cover23is separated, a foreign substance such as ink entering the head main body21through the separated area of the cover23may cause a failure or malfunction.

For example, when the ink enters inside through the separated area of the cover23and adheres to a current-carrying portion such as the flexible wiring member50(seeFIG.4) inside the head main body21, a failure may occur due to current leakage. When the ink enters inside and adheres to the piezoelectric element40(seeFIG.4) inside the head main body21, the subsequently solidified ink may avoid desirable driving of the piezoelectric element40and cause an ink discharge failure.

As described above, the separation of the cover23causes various disadvantages such as malfunction and failure. Therefore, the following measures are taken according to the present embodiment.

FIG.7is a schematic cross-sectional view of the liquid discharge head according to a first embodiment. As the basic structure of the liquid discharge head according to the present embodiment is substantially the same as the liquid discharge head illustrated inFIGS.3and4above, the description will be omitted as appropriate for the already described part.

As illustrated inFIG.7, the liquid discharge head20according to the present embodiment includes the nozzle plate31having the nozzle30(seeFIG.4), the cover23serving as a nozzle protector that protects the nozzle30, the channel32including a channel including the supply-side individual channel42(seeFIG.4), the collection-side individual channel43(seeFIG.4), and the like, the common channel member35serving as a frame, the base22serving as a holder that holds the common channel member35, and the like. InFIG.7, the base22also serves as a nozzle protector holder that holds the nozzle protector (cover23).

InFIG.7, the direction of an arrow Z indicates the liquid discharge direction in which the liquid (ink) is ejected through the nozzle of the nozzle plate31. Specifically, inFIG.7, the nozzle surface31a, where the nozzle of the nozzle plate31is exposed, faces upward.

The cover23covers at least part of the nozzle surface31aother than the nozzle. According to the present embodiment, the cover23covers the edge portion and its nearby portion of the nozzle surface31a.

Here, when the center side (the right side inFIG.7) of the nozzle surface31ais “inner side” and the opposite side (the left side inFIG.7) is “outer side”, as illustrated inFIG.7, a portion on the outer side of the cover23is bonded to the base22through an adhesive54. The base22is provided around the nozzle plate31, the channel32, and the common channel member35, and the portion on the outer side of the cover23is bonded to an end surface220of the base22facing in the liquid discharge direction Z.

As illustrated inFIG.7, an upper portion of the base22includes a peripheral wall22barranged around the nozzle plate31and the channel32, and the base22serves as a nozzle protector holder that holds the cover23(nozzle protector).

The portion on the inner side of the cover23is bonded to the nozzle plate31and the channel32through an adhesive55. The channel32is bonded to the surface of the nozzle plate31(the lower surface of the nozzle plate31inFIG.7) on the opposite side of the nozzle surface31a, part of the channel32protrudes to the outer side from the edge portion of the nozzle plate31, and the cover23is bonded to the outwardly protruding portion of the channel32and the edge portion periphery of the nozzle plate31.

As described above, the portions on both sides, the inner side and outer side, of the cover23are bonded to the respective members through the adhesives54and55, and the space between each member and the cover23is sealed by the adhesives54and55to prevent the ink and other foreign matter from entering inside through the space. The cover23is bonded to the respective members through the adhesives54and55, and therefore even when the conveyed sheet hits the cover23, the cover23basically does not separate or fall off.

However, when the sheet repeatedly hits the outer edge face230of the cover23facing the outer side (the opposite side of the center side of the nozzle surface) or the fibrous sheet gets stuck with the edge (corner), burr formed on the edge of the outer edge face230, or the like, while the sheet is conveyed from the left side inFIG.7, the cover23may separate.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment illustrated inFIG.7, a highly rigid resin member70is provided to cover the outwardly facing the outer edge face230of the cover23, in other words, the outer edge face230(side surface) of the cover23on the side bonded to the base22. Hereinafter, the side surface may be also simply referred to as the “edge face230” or “side surface” for convenience.

The resin member70is provided between the outer edge face230of the cover23and the end surface220of the base22facing in the liquid discharge direction Z. As illustrated inFIG.8, the resin member70is provided over the entire outer edge face230(hatched area inFIG.8) of the cover23.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, as the highly rigid resin member70is provided over the entire outer edge face230of the cover23, the resin member70may prevent the sheet from coming into contact with and getting stuck with the outer edge face230of the cover23. As the direct contact of the sheet with the outer edge face230of the cover23may be prevented, the impact on the cover23may also be reduced. Accordingly, the separation of the cover23is unlikely to occur, and therefore the entry of a foreign matter such as ink through the separated area may be suppressed. As a result, the possibility of malfunction and failure is reduced, and the reliability is improved.

As illustrated inFIG.7, according to the present embodiment, the resin member70does not protrude in the liquid discharge direction Z beyond the outer edge face230of the cover23and does not protrude to the outer side (the opposite side of the center side of the nozzle surface) from the end surface220of the base22facing in the liquid discharge direction Z. This may also prevent the sheet from getting stuck with the resin member70. The resin member70has an inclined surface70athat is inclined toward the inner side (the center side of the nozzle surface or the side of the outer edge face230of the cover23) so as to gradually protrude in the liquid discharge direction Z.

Therefore, when the sheet comes into contact with the resin member70, the sheet is guided along the inclined surface70a. As described above, according to the present embodiment, even when the sheet comes into contact with the resin member70, the sheet is guided without getting stuck, which may ensure stable and smooth sheet conveyance. As the resin member70has the inclined surface70a, the impact when the sheet hits the resin member70(the inclined surface70a) is also reduced. Thus, the effect of impact on the cover23may also be reduced, and the separation of the cover23may be further prevented.

According to the present embodiment, the base22also has an inclined surface22a, as illustrated inFIG.7. The inclined surface22ais provided on a portion (an upper portion inFIG.7) of the base22adjacent to the resin member70and is formed to be continuous with the inclined surface70aof the resin member70. The inclined surface22aof the base22is inclined toward the inner side so as to gradually protrude in the liquid discharge direction Z, in the same manner as the inclined surface70aof the resin member70.

According to the present embodiment, the inclined surfaces22aand70aof the base22and the resin member70have different inclination angles θ1and02with respect to the liquid discharge direction Z. Specifically, the inclination angle θ1of the inclined surface70aof the resin member70is set to be larger than the inclination angle θ2of the inclined surface22aof the base22. Accordingly, when the sheet comes into contact with the inclined surface22aof the base22, the sheet is smoothly guided from the inclined surface22aof the base22to the inclined surface70aof the resin member70, which enables stable and smooth sheet conveyance.

A height t (seeFIG.7) of the resin member70in the liquid discharge direction Z is preferably on the same level as the upper surface of the cover23inFIG.7, but the height t may be lower than the upper surface of the cover23as long as the height t is higher than the lower surface of the cover23. That is, the resin member70may cover at least part of the outer edge face230of the cover23. Even when the resin member70covers part of the outer edge face230of the cover23, the contact of the sheet with the outer edge face230may be suppressed, and the possibility of separation of the cover23may be reduced.

The highly rigid resin member70preferably has a Young's modulus of 1 GPa or more in terms of adhesion and strength. Furthermore, the resin member70preferably has a Young's modulus of 3 GPa or more. The Young's modulus, also called the modulus of longitudinal elasticity, is the slope with respect to the stress during tensile test obtained using the following Equation (1). In Equation (1), are presents tensile stress, E represents the Young's modulus (modulus of longitudinal elasticity), and c represents strain.
(Equation 1)
σ=E×ε(1)

According to the present embodiment, as illustrated inFIG.8, the resin member70is provided over the entire outer edge face230of the cover23, but when the contact area of the sheet with the outer edge face230is limited, the resin member70may also be provided at the contact area of the sheet (part of the outer edge face230). For example, the resin member70may be provided, in the entire outer edge face230of the cover23, on a portion extending in the longitudinal direction (the direction of the arrow X inFIG.8) of the liquid discharge head20or a portion extending in the lateral direction (the direction of the arrow Y inFIG.8) of the liquid discharge head20.

In order to confirm the effect of the present embodiment, a comparative example illustrated inFIG.12was created, and an evaluation test for the comparative example and the present embodiment was conducted. The comparative example has the same configuration as that of the present embodiment except that the highly rigid resin member70and the inclined surface22aof the base22are not included. In this test, the liquid discharge head according to the comparative example or the present embodiment was mounted on the image forming apparatus and the sheet was conveyed, and it was checked whether the cover23was separated.

As a result, in the comparative example, the cover23of some of the liquid discharge heads was separated and failed, and part of the cover23of the other liquid discharge heads was not failed but separated. Conversely, according to the present embodiment, the cover23was not separated at all. Thus, with the configuration according to the present embodiment, it was confirmed that the separation of the cover23was effectively suppressed.

Next, an embodiment different from the above-described embodiment (the first embodiment) will be described. In the description below, the parts different from the above embodiment will be primarily described, and the description of the other parts will be omitted as appropriate as the other parts have basically the same configuration.

FIG.9is a schematic cross-sectional view of the liquid discharge head according to a second embodiment.

According to the second embodiment illustrated inFIG.9, the base22(seeFIG.7) is not included. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the cover23is bonded to the common channel member35(frame) instead of the base22. Specifically, the common channel member35according to the present embodiment functions as a nozzle protector holder that is bonded to the cover23to hold the cover23(nozzle protector).

As illustrated inFIG.9, a surface (upper surface inFIG.9) of the common channel member35is bonded to a surface (lower surface inFIG.9) of the channel32that is opposite to the surface (upper surface inFIG.9) of the channel32bonded to the nozzle plate31. Apart of the common channel member35includes a peripheral wall35bdisposed exterior of the nozzle plate31and the channel32. The cover23is bonded to a surface350of the peripheral wall35bfacing in the liquid discharge direction Z through an adhesive56.

According to the embodiment (the first embodiment) illustrated inFIG.7above, an upper portion of the base22inFIG.7in particular corresponds to a peripheral wall22barranged around the nozzle plate31and the channel32, and the base22corresponds to the nozzle protector holder that holds the cover23.

As described above, the second embodiment is different from the above-described embodiment in that the base22is not included and the cover23is bonded to the peripheral wall35bof the common channel member35, but even with this configuration, the cover23may separate when the sheet comes into contact with the outer edge face230of the cover23.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, as in the above-described embodiment, the highly rigid resin member70is provided to suppress the separation of the cover23. Specifically, according to the present embodiment, the resin member70is provided between the outer edge face230of the cover23and the surface350of the peripheral wall35bfacing in the liquid discharge direction Z.

Thus, according to the present embodiment, too, the contact of the sheet with the outer edge face230of the cover23may be prevented, and the separation of the cover23may be suppressed. The range where the resin member70is provided may be the entire outer edge face230of the cover23or part of the outer edge face230.

According to the present embodiment, too, the resin member70and the common channel member35(the peripheral wall35b) have the inclined surface70aand an inclined surface35a, respectively. The inclined surfaces70aand35aare inclined toward the inner side so as to gradually protrude in the liquid discharge direction Z, and the inclination angle θ1and an inclination angle θ3with respect to the liquid discharge direction Z are set to have the same relation as that between the inclination angles θ1and02of the resin member70and the base22according to the above-described embodiment.

That is, the inclination angle θ1of the inclined surface70aof the resin member70is set to be larger than the inclination angle θ3of the inclined surface35aof the common channel member35. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, too, the sheet may be smoothly guided from the inclined surface35aof the common channel member35to the inclined surface70aof the resin member70, and a reduction of the impact due to the contact of the sheet and stable and smooth sheet conveyance may be achieved.

FIG.10is a schematic cross-sectional view of the liquid discharge head according to a third embodiment.

According to the third embodiment illustrated inFIG.10, the resin member70covering the outer edge face230of the cover23includes the adhesive54that bonds the cover23and the base22. When the rigidity of the adhesive54is high (the Young's modulus is 1 GPa or more), the adhesive54may be spread to the outer side beyond the cover23, and the spread portion may include the resin member70covering the outer edge face230of the cover23. The amount of the adhesive54to spread may be adjusted by changing at least one of the following: the adhesive application position, the amount of applied adhesive, and the pressure applied to bond the cover23. The inclined surface70a, which is the same as the one described above, may be formed in the resin member70by using methods such as forming the spread portion in a mold when the adhesive54is spread or cutting after the adhesive54is hardened.

The configuration according to the present embodiment is also applicable to the configuration without the base22as illustrated inFIG.9as well as the configuration including the base22as illustrated inFIG.10.

That is, part of the adhesive56bonding the common channel member35and the cover23illustrated inFIG.9may include the resin member70covering the outer edge face230of the cover23.

FIG.11is a schematic cross-sectional view of the liquid discharge head according to a fourth embodiment.

According to the fourth embodiment illustrated inFIG.11, the resin member70covering the outer edge face230of the cover23is integrally formed with the base22. When the base22is made of a resin material having high rigidity (Young's modulus of 1 GPa or more), part of the base22(at least part of the peripheral wall22billustrated inFIG.11) may cover the outer edge face230of the cover23. According to the present embodiment, too, as in each of the above embodiments, the contact of the sheet with the outer edge face230of the cover23may be suppressed, and thus the separation of the cover23is unlikely to occur.

The configuration according to the present embodiment is also applicable to the configuration without the base22as illustrated inFIG.9as well as the configuration including the base22as illustrated inFIG.11.

That is, part of the common channel member35(the peripheral wall35b) illustrated inFIG.9may include the resin member70covering the outer edge face230of the cover23.

The present embodiment has been described above, but the present embodiment is not limited to the above-described embodiment and may be modified in design as appropriate without departing from the content of the present embodiment.

According to the present embodiment, the “liquid discharge head” includes a functional component that discharges or ejects the liquid through the nozzle. The discharged liquid is not limited in particular and may be any liquid as long as the liquid has a viscosity or surface tension that allows discharge from the head, but the viscosity is preferably 30 mPa-s or less under the normal temperature and pressure or due to heating or cooling. More specifically, the liquid includes a solution, suspension, emulsion, or the like, containing a solvent such as water or organic solvent, colorant such as dye or pigment, function-adding material such as polymerizable compound, resin, and surfactant, biocompatible material such as DNA, amino acid, protein, or calcium, and edible material such as natural colorant, and the liquid may be used for application such as inkjet ink, surface treatment liquid, component such as an electronic device or light emitting device, liquid for forming an electronic circuit resist pattern, material liquid for three-dimensional modeling, etc.

The liquid discharge head may include one head main body as well as a plurality of head main bodies as in the above-described embodiments.

An energy generation source that discharges the liquid may include the one using a piezoelectric actuator (laminated piezoelectric element and thin-film piezoelectric element), a thermal actuator using an electricity-heat conversion element such as a heating resistor, an electrostatic actuator including a diaphragm and a counter electrode, etc.

According to the present embodiment, the “liquid discharge unit” includes the integration of a liquid discharge head and a functional part or mechanism and includes an assembly of pans related to liquid discharge. For example, the “liquid discharge unit” includes the one combining the liquid discharge head and at least one of the configurations of the following: a head tank, a carriage, a supply mechanism, a maintenance mechanism, a main scanning movement mechanism, and a liquid circulation device.

Here, the integration includes, for example, securing the liquid discharge head and the functional part or mechanism by fastening, bonding, engagement, etc., or holding the liquid discharge head and the functional part or mechanism such that either one moves relative to the other one. The liquid discharge head and the functional pan or mechanism may also be configured to be attachable to or detachable from each other.

For example, the liquid discharge head and the head tank may be integrated as a liquid discharge unit. Furthermore, the liquid discharge head and the head tank may be coupled to each other via a tube, or the like, to be integrated. Here, a unit including a filter may also be added between the head tank and the liquid discharge head of the liquid discharge unit.

The liquid discharge head and the carriage may be integrated as a liquid discharge unit.

The liquid discharge head is movably held by a guide member included in part of a scanning movement mechanism so that the liquid discharge head and the scanning movement mechanism may be integrated as a liquid discharge unit. The liquid discharge head, the carriage, and the main scanning movement mechanism may be integrated.

A cap member, which is a part of the maintenance mechanism, is secured to the carriage to which the liquid discharge head is attached, so that the liquid discharge head, the carriage, and the maintenance mechanism may be integrated as a liquid discharge unit.

A tube is coupled to the liquid discharge head to which the head tank or channel component is attached so that the liquid discharge head and the supply mechanism may be integrated as a liquid discharge unit. The liquid in a liquid storage source is supplied to the liquid discharge head via the tube.

The main scanning movement mechanism also includes a guide member alone. The supply mechanism also includes a tube alone or a loader alone.

The “liquid discharge apparatus” includes an apparatus that includes a liquid discharge head or a liquid discharge unit and drives the liquid discharge head to discharge the liquid. The liquid discharge apparatus also includes an apparatus that discharges the liquid into air or liquid as well as an apparatus that may discharge the liquid to an object to which the liquid may adhere.

The “liquid discharge apparatus” may also include units regarding feeding, conveyance, and sheet ejection of an object to which the liquid may adhere and also a pre-processing apparatus, a post-processing apparatus, etc.

Examples of the “liquid discharge apparatus” include an image forming apparatus that discharges the ink to form an image on a sheet and a stereoscopic modeling apparatus (three-dimensional modeling apparatus) that discharges a modeling liquid onto a powder layer, which is obtained by forming powers in a layer form, so as to produce a stereoscopic model (three-dimensional model).

The “liquid discharge apparatus” is not limited to an apparatus to discharge liquid to visualize meaningful images, such as letters or figures. For example, the liquid discharge apparatus may be an apparatus to form arbitrarily images, such as arbitrarily patterns, or fabricate three-dimensional images.

The above-described “object to which the liquid may adhere” refers to a discharge object to which the liquid may adhere at least temporarily, such as the object to which the liquid is firmly fixed after adherence or the object which the liquid permeates after adherence. Specific examples include media such as sheets such as paper, recording paper, recording sheets, film, and cloth, electronic components such as electronic s and piezoelectric elements, powder layers (powdered layers), organ models, and inspection cells, and any object to which the liquid adheres unless otherwise specified.

The material of the above-described “object to which the liquid may adhere” may be any material as long as the liquid may adhere even temporarily, such as paper, yarns, fibers, woven fabrics, leathers, metals, plastics, glass, wood, and ceramics.

The “sheet” may also be a continuous sheet (e.g., roll paper) formed to be elongated or a sheet (e.g., cut paper) previously cut into a predetermined size. The present embodiment is also applicable to apparatuses that discharge the liquid to discharge objects other than sheets.

The “liquid discharge apparatus” includes an apparatus in which the liquid discharge head and the object to which the liquid may adhere are moved relative to each other, but is not limited thereto. Specific examples include a serial apparatus (seeFIG.6) that moves the liquid discharge head and a line apparatus (seeFIG.5) that does not move the liquid discharge head.

The “liquid discharge apparatus” further includes, for example, a treatment liquid application apparatus that discharges a treatment liquid onto paper to apply the treatment liquid to a surface of the paper for the purpose of modifying the surface of the paper, an ejection granulation apparatus that ejects a composition liquid, in which a raw material is dispersed in a solution, through a nozzle to granulate fine particles of the raw material.

[Aspect 1]

A liquid discharge head (20) includes: a nozzle plate (31) having: a nozzle surface (31a); and a nozzle (30) in the nozzle plate (31), a liquid being discharged from the nozzle (30) of the nozzle surface (31a) side in a liquid discharge direction; a nozzle protector (23) covering at least a part of the nozzle surface (31a) of the nozzle plate (31) other than the nozzle (30); a nozzle protector holder (22,35) including a peripheral wall (22b,35b) bonded to a peripheral end portion of the nozzle protector (23); and a resin member (70) between an edge face of the peripheral end portion of the nozzle protector (23) and an end surface (220) of the peripheral wall (35b) facing the nozzle protector (23).

[Aspect 2]

In the liquid discharge head according to Aspect 1, the resin member (70) includes an adhesive to bond the nozzle protector (23) and the nozzle protector holder (22,35).

[Aspect 3]

The liquid discharge head according to any one of Aspect 1 to 2, further includes: a channel (32) having a first surface bonded to a bonding surface of the nozzle plate (31) opposite to the nozzle surface (31a), the channel (32) including a channel (41) communicating1) with the nozzle (30). The nozzle protector holder (22,35) includes a frame (35) bonded to a second surface of the channel (32) opposite to the first surface,

[Aspect 4]

The liquid discharge head according to any one of Aspect 1 to 2, further includes: a channel (32) having a first surface bonded to a bonding surface of the nozzle plate (31) opposite to the nozzle surface (31a), the channel (32) including a channel (41) communicating with the nozzle (30), and a frame (35) bonded to a second surface of the channel (32) opposite to the first surface. The nozzle protector holder (22,35) includes a base (22) holding the frame (35).

[Aspect 5]

In the liquid discharge head according to any one of Aspect 1 to 5, the resin member (70) has a first inclined surface (70a) inclined toward the edge face of the peripheral end portion of the nozzle protector (23)

[Aspect 6]

In the liquid discharge head according to Aspect 5, the peripheral wall (35b) has a second inclined surface (22a) that is inclined toward the edge face of the peripheral end portion of the nozzle protector (23).

[Aspect 7]

In the liquid discharge head according to Aspect 6, a first inclination angle (θ1) of the first inclined surface (70a) of the resin member (70) with respect to the liquid discharge direction is larger than a second inclination angle (θ2) of the second inclined surface (22a) of the end surface (220) of the peripheral wall (22b) with respect to the liquid discharge direction.

[Aspect 8]

In the liquid discharge head according to any one of Aspect 1 to 7, the resin member (70) has a Young's modulus of 3 GPa or more.

[Aspect 9]

A liquid discharge apparatus includes the liquid discharge head according to any one of Aspect 1 to 8.

[Aspect 10]

A liquid discharge head (20) includes: a nozzle plate (31) having: a nozzle surface (31a); and a nozzle (30) in the nozzle plate (31), a liquid being discharged from the nozzle (30) of the nozzle surface (31a) side in a liquid discharge direction; a nozzle protector (23) covering at least a part of the nozzle surface (31a) of the nozzle plate (31) other than the nozzle (30); and a nozzle protector holder (22,35) including a peripheral wall (35b) bonded to a peripheral end portion of the nozzle protector (23). At least apart of the peripheral wall (35b) is made of a resin member (70), and the peripheral wall (35b) covers the edge face of the peripheral end portion of the nozzle protector (23).

The above-described embodiments are illustrative and do not limit the present invention. Thus, numerous additional modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. For example, elements and/or features of different illustrative embodiments may be combined with each other and/or substituted for each other within the scope of the present invention.