JP2000211144A - Recording head and manufacturing method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] By reliably positioning the first and second members,
Provided is a recording head capable of forming a recording element with high precision and capable of recording a high-definition image, and a method for manufacturing the same. SOLUTION: A top plate 1 and a heater board 2 which are combined to constitute a recording element of a recording head are provided with opposing portions facing each other on an inner side and an outer side, and the opposing portions on the outer side are provided. An opening 4 is formed, and the positional relationship between the inner facing portion and the outer facing portion can be confirmed from the outside through the opening 4.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording head having a recording element formed by joining first and second members, and a method of manufacturing the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a recording head of this type, for example,
There is an ink jet recording head having an ink jet recording element capable of discharging ink. The ink jet recording method using such a recording head is a method in which the ink is ejected from an ink ejection port by applying ejection energy from an ejection energy generating means to the ink. As such a recording method, for example,
An ink jet recording head provided with a heater (electrothermal converter) as ejection energy generating means is used in an ink flow path communicating with an ink ejection port. The film of this ink is boiled, and the ink is ejected from the ink ejection port by the foaming energy. This printing method has advantages such as good response to a print signal and easy increase in the density of ejection ports. Therefore, it is expected to be much higher than other printing methods.

[0003] Such an ink jet recording head is
A top plate (first member) on which an ink flow path is formed and a substrate (second member) provided with ejection energy generating means such as a heater.
(Member). In the recording head having such a coupling structure, it is necessary to precisely position the top plate and the substrate.

Conventionally, as a method of positioning the top plate of the recording head and the substrate, a position of an ink flow path on the top plate and a position of a discharge energy generating means such as a heater on the substrate side are observed by image processing or the like. While detecting the position of the ink ejection port and the end face of the substrate,
There are methods for aligning them.

In recent years, as the density of recorded images has been increased, the cost of ink jet recording heads has been required to be reduced. As a structure to meet the demand, positioning of a top plate and a substrate as shown in FIGS. There is a structure.

In these figures, reference numeral 21 denotes a top plate (first member) for forming a plurality of ink flow paths 26,
In the case of this example, it is configured integrally with an orifice plate that forms a plurality of ink ejection ports 25. Each ink ejection port 25 communicates with the tip of each corresponding ink flow path 26. Reference numeral 22 denotes a substrate (second member; provided with a heater (electrothermal converter) 27 as discharge energy generating means).
Hereinafter, this is also referred to as a “heater board”. By combining the top plate 21 and the heater board 22, a plurality of inkjet recording elements in the inkjet recording head 20 are configured. An abutment portion 23 is provided at a fixed position of the top plate 21, and the top surface 21 and the heater board 22 are positioned by abutting the cut surface 22 </ b> A of the heater board 22 against the abutment portion 23. Has become. FIG. 8 shows a state where the cut surface 22 </ b> A does not abut against the abutting portion 23. After the positioning of the top plate 21 and the heater board 22, they are securely brought into close contact with each other and fixed by a biasing means such as a spring.

[0007] Such a top plate 21 and a heater board 22
Inkjet recording head 20 formed by coupling with
In this method, the thermal energy generated by the heater 27 causes the ink in the ink flow path 26 to boil, and the bubbling energy causes the ink to be discharged from the ink discharge port 25. The ink is supplied into the ink flow path 26 from the base end side of the ink flow path 26.

[0008]

However, as in the prior art described above, the positioning between the top plate 21 as the first and second members and the heater board 22 is performed by abutment between the abutment portion 23 and the cut surface 22A. In the method shown in FIG.
As described above, there is a possibility that the top plate 21 and the heater board 22 may be connected without the abutting portion 23 and the cut surface 22A abutting. The cause is the top plate 21
And warpage of the heater board 22 and variations in dimensional accuracy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording head capable of recording a high-definition image by accurately configuring a recording element by reliable alignment of first and second members, and a method of manufacturing the same. Is to provide.

[0010]

According to the present invention, there is provided a recording head comprising:
In a recording head in which a recording element is formed by coupling a first member and a second member, opposed portions opposed to each other on an inner side and an outer side are provided on the first member and the second member. An opening capable of aligning the first and second members based on a positional relationship with the inner facing portion, exposing the inner facing portion to the outside at a side facing portion. It is characterized by being formed.

[0011] The method of manufacturing a recording head according to the present invention comprises:
A recording element is formed by coupling the second member, and the first and second members are provided with opposing portions facing each other on an inner side and an outer side. Manufacture of a recording head in which an inner facing portion is exposed to the outside and an opening is formed in which the first and second members can be positioned based on a positional relationship with the inner facing portion. A method, from the outside of the opening, a first step of detecting a positional relationship between the outer facing portion and the inner facing portion in the opening, based on the detected positional relationship,
And a second step of aligning the first and second members.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIGS. 1 to 3 are views for explaining a first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a top plate (first member) for forming a plurality of ink flow paths 6;
In the case of this example, it is configured integrally with an orifice plate that forms a plurality of ink discharge ports 5. Each ink ejection port 5 communicates with the tip of each corresponding ink flow path 6. 2
Is a substrate (second member; hereinafter, also referred to as a "heater board") provided with a heater (electrothermal converter) 7 as a discharge energy generating means. The combination forms a plurality of inkjet recording elements in the inkjet recording head 10.

The heater board 2 is formed by, for example, a semiconductor process, and includes therein a functional element (a driver or the like) for individually driving the heaters 7 and a logic circuit unit. An abutting portion 3 is provided at a fixed position of the top plate 1, and the top surface 1 and the heater board 2 are positioned by abutting the cut surface 2 </ b> A of the heater board 2 against the abutting portion 3. Has become. After the positioning of the top plate 1 and the heater board 2, they are securely brought into close contact with each other and fixed by a biasing means such as a spring, as described later.

Further, the top plate 1 is formed with an opening 4 for confirming the abutting state of the abutting portion 3 and the cut surface 2A from outside. The opening 4 can be formed simultaneously with the adjacent ink ejection port 5. For example, the opening 4 is formed by a laser processing technique for forming the ink ejection port 5.
Can be formed. In this case, the openings 4 can be formed at the same time using the mask for forming the ink discharge ports 5, and the processing steps are not complicated. When the top plate 1 is injection-molded, the opening 4 can be formed simultaneously with the injection molding. That is, the opening 4 can be formed simultaneously with the ink ejection port 5 and / or the ink flow path 6.

In the manufacturing process of the recording head 10, when the cut surface 2 A of the heater board 2 is abutted against the abutting portion 3 and the top plate 1 and the heater board 2 are positioned, the positioning state thereof is determined by the opening. 4 can be easily confirmed, so that they can be reliably positioned.

The ink jet recording head 10 formed by such a combination of the top plate 1 and the heater board 2 is provided with an ink flow path 6 by heat energy generated by the heater 7.
The ink inside the film is boiled, and the foaming energy causes the ink to be ejected from the ink ejection port 5. The ink is supplied from the base end side of the ink flow path 6 into the ink flow path 6.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a manufacturing process of such an ink jet recording head 10.

The recording head 10 shown in FIG. 3 has a structure in which the heater board 1 is connected to each of the two sets of top plates 1. The orifice plate in which the opening 4 is formed is connected.
The top plate 1 is fixed on a stage of a manufacturing apparatus with the opening 4 and the ink discharge port 5 facing upward. The electrical connection between the heater board 2 and the main body of the recording apparatus is made flexibly by the tape-shaped substrate 11, and the positioning of the heater board 2 with respect to the top plate 1 can be adjusted by fingers (not shown) of the manufacturing apparatus. It has become.

Reference numeral 13 denotes a CCD camera, which takes an image of the opening 4 as shown in FIG. Image data of the opening 4 by the camera 13 is input to a feedback control unit of a manufacturing apparatus (not shown). The feedback control unit is shown in FIG.
Based on the image data of the opening 4 as described above, the finger of the manufacturing apparatus is feedback-controlled to position the heater board 2 so that the cut surface 2A of the heater board 2 accurately hits the butting section 3 of the top plate 1. adjust. By such feedback control, the cut surface 2A is
Is surely hit. Then, the top plate 1 and the heater board 2 are connected by attaching the pressing spring 12.

(Second Embodiment) FIGS. 4 to 6 are views for explaining a second embodiment of the present invention.

In the present embodiment, a plurality of openings 4 are formed for one row of the ink discharge ports 5. In the case of this example, one opening 4 is formed on each side on the extension line in the arrangement direction of the ink discharge ports 5, and the abutting part 3 exposed from the opening 4 on the left side in FIG. The heater board 2 is positioned by abutting the left cut surface 2A of the board 2. That is, by causing the cut surface 2 </ b> A to abut on the abutting portion 3 without any gap, the misalignment between the top plate 1 and the heater board 2 in the arrangement direction of the ink discharge ports 5 is eliminated. On the other hand, the right cut surface of the heater board 2 is exposed from the opening 4 on the right side in FIG. The opening 4 can be formed at the same time as the adjacent ink ejection port 5 as in the above-described embodiment.
For example, the opening 4 can be formed by a laser processing technique for forming the ink ejection port 5. In this case, the openings 4 can be formed at the same time using the mask for forming the ink discharge ports 5, and the processing steps are not complicated. When the top plate 1 is injection-molded, the opening 4 can be formed simultaneously with the injection molding. That is, the opening 4 can be formed simultaneously with the ink ejection port 5 and / or the ink flow path 6.

In the manufacturing process of the recording head 10, when the cut surface 2 A of the heater board 2 is abutted against the abutting portion 3 to position the top plate 1 and the heater board 2, the positioning state is shown in FIG. It can be easily confirmed through the opening 4 on the middle left side. At the same time, by confirming the position of the cut surface on the right side of the heater board 2 through the opening 4 on the right side in FIG. 4, it is possible to reliably position them.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of a manufacturing process of such an ink jet recording head 10.

The recording head 10 shown in FIG. 6 has a configuration in which a heater board 2 is coupled to each of two sets of top plates 1. The top plate 1 has a plurality of ink discharge ports 5 and openings 4. The orifice plate formed with is formed.
The top plate 1 is fixed on a stage of a manufacturing apparatus with the opening 4 and the ink discharge port 5 facing upward. The electrical connection between the heater board 2 and the main body of the recording apparatus is made flexibly by the tape-shaped substrate 11, and the positioning of the heater board 2 with respect to the top plate 1 can be adjusted by fingers (not shown) of the manufacturing apparatus. It has become.

Reference numeral 13 'denotes a laser length measuring device,
Are measured one by one or at the same time. The length measurement data of the length measuring device 13 'is input to a feedback control unit of a manufacturing apparatus (not shown). The feedback control unit performs feedback control of the finger of the manufacturing apparatus and adjusts the position of the heater board 2 based on the length measurement data between the abutting unit 3 and the cut surface 2A so as to accurately abut them. . Further, the feedback control section measures the length measurement position of the left cut surface 2A of the heater board 2 in the left opening 4 in FIG. 4 and the right cut of the heater board 2 in the right opening 4 in FIG. The position of the heater board 2 is adjusted by feedback-controlling the fingers of the manufacturing apparatus so that the length measurement positions of the surfaces have the same value. By such feedback control, the cut surface 2
A is reliably abutted against the abutting portion 3, so that the top plate 1 and the heater board 2 are reliably positioned.
Then, the top plate 1 and the heater board 2 are connected by attaching the pressing spring 12.

(Others) It should be noted that the present invention includes a means (for example, an electrothermal converter or a laser beam) for generating thermal energy as energy used for performing ink ejection, particularly in an ink jet recording system. An excellent effect is obtained in a recording head and a recording apparatus of a type in which the state of ink is changed by the thermal energy. This is because according to such a method, it is possible to achieve higher density and higher definition of recording.

The typical configuration and principle are described in, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740.
It is preferable to use the basic principle disclosed in the specification of Japanese Patent No. 796. This method is a so-called on-demand type,
Although it can be applied to any type of continuous type, in particular, in the case of the on-demand type, it can be applied to a sheet holding liquid (ink) or an electrothermal converter arranged corresponding to the liquid path. By applying at least one drive signal corresponding to the recorded information and giving a rapid temperature rise exceeding the nucleate boiling, heat energy is generated in the electrothermal transducer, and film boiling occurs on the heat acting surface of the recording head. Liquid (ink) corresponding to this drive signal on a one-to-one basis.
This is effective because air bubbles inside can be formed. The liquid (ink) is ejected through the ejection opening by the growth and contraction of the bubble to form at least one droplet. When the drive signal is formed into a pulse shape, the growth and shrinkage of the bubble are performed immediately and appropriately, so that the ejection of liquid (ink) having particularly excellent responsiveness can be achieved, which is more preferable. As this pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable. Further, if the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 relating to the temperature rise rate of the heat acting surface are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As the configuration of the recording head, in addition to the combination of the ejection port, the liquid path, and the electrothermal converter (linear liquid flow path or right-angled liquid flow path) as disclosed in the above-mentioned respective specifications, U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 and U.S. Pat. No. 44,558 which disclose a configuration in which a heat acting portion is arranged in a bending region.
A configuration using the specification of Japanese Patent No. 59600 is also included in the present invention. In addition, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 59-123670 discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of an electrothermal converter for a plurality of electrothermal converters, and an aperture for absorbing a pressure wave of thermal energy is provided. The effect of the present invention is effective even if the configuration is based on JP-A-59-138461, which discloses a configuration corresponding to a discharge unit. That is, according to the present invention, recording can be reliably and efficiently performed regardless of the form of the recording head.

Further, the present invention can be effectively applied to a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the maximum width of a recording medium on which a recording apparatus can record. Such a recording head may have a configuration that satisfies the length by a combination of a plurality of recording heads, or a configuration as one integrally formed recording head.

In addition, even in the case of the serial type as described above, a recording head fixed to the apparatus main body or an electric connection with the apparatus main body or ink from the apparatus main body by being attached to the apparatus main body. The present invention is also effective when a replaceable chip-type recording head that can be supplied or a cartridge-type recording head in which an ink tank is provided integrally with the recording head itself is used.

It is preferable to add a discharge recovery means for the print head, a preliminary auxiliary means, and the like as the structure of the printing apparatus of the present invention since the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. If these are specifically mentioned, the recording head is heated using capping means, cleaning means, pressurizing or suction means, an electrothermal transducer, another heating element or a combination thereof. Pre-heating means for performing the pre-heating and pre-discharging means for performing the discharging other than the recording can be used.

Regarding the type and number of recording heads to be mounted, for example, in addition to the recording head having only one recording head corresponding to a single color ink, the recording head also corresponds to a plurality of recording heads having different recording colors and densities. A plurality may be provided. That is, for example, the printing mode of the printing apparatus is not limited to a printing mode of only a mainstream color such as black, but may be any of integrally forming a printing head or a combination of a plurality of printing heads. The present invention is also very effective for an apparatus provided with at least one of the recording modes of full color by color mixture.

In addition, in the embodiments of the present invention described above, the ink is described as a liquid. However, an ink which solidifies at room temperature or lower and which softens or liquefies at room temperature may be used. In general, the ink jet method generally controls the temperature of the ink itself within a range of 30 ° C. or more and 70 ° C. or less to control the temperature so that the viscosity of the ink is in a stable ejection range. Sometimes, the ink may be in a liquid state. In addition, in order to positively prevent the temperature rise due to thermal energy by using the energy of the state change from the solid state of the ink to the liquid state, or to prevent the ink from evaporating, the ink is solidified in a standing state and heated. May be used. In any case, the application of heat energy causes the ink to be liquefied by the application of the heat energy according to the recording signal and the liquid ink to be ejected, or to start to solidify when reaching the recording medium. The present invention is also applicable to a case where an ink having a property of liquefying for the first time is used. In such a case, the ink
JP-A-54-56847 or JP-A-60-7
As described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 1260, it is also possible to adopt a form in which the sheet is opposed to the electrothermal converter in a state where it is held as a liquid or solid substance in the concave portion or through hole of the porous sheet. In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

In addition to the above, the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention may be used not only as an image output terminal of an information processing apparatus such as a computer, but also as a copying apparatus combined with a reader or the like, or a facsimile apparatus having a transmission / reception function. It may take a form.

[0037]

As described above, according to the present invention, the first and second members which are combined to constitute the recording element of the recording head are provided with opposing portions opposing each other on the inner side and the outer side. The opening portion is formed in the outer facing portion, and the positional relationship between the inner facing portion and the outer facing portion is confirmed from the outside through the opening portion, whereby the first , Second
The members can be reliably positioned, and as a result, a recording head capable of recording a high-definition image can be provided.

Further, in a recording head in which an ink jet recording element is formed as a recording element, the first or second recording head may be used.
By forming the opening simultaneously with the molding of the member, the recording head can be manufactured simply and inexpensively without complicating the manufacturing process of the recording head or changing the manufacturing process.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a main part of a recording head according to a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a main part for describing a first embodiment of a method for manufacturing a recording head according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a recording head according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a left opening in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a main part for describing a second embodiment of the method of manufacturing a recording head according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a main part of a conventional recording head.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Top plate (1st member) 2 Base | substrate (2nd member; heater board) 2A cut surface 3 Butting part 4 Opening 5 Ink ejection opening 6 Ink channel 7 Heater (electrothermal converter) 10 Recording head 11 Tape-like substrate 12 Holding spring 13 CCD camera

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Hiroyuki Kigami 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Hisashi Fukai 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Within Non Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Takayuki Ono 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Masayoshi Okawa 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. F term (for reference) 2C057 AF24 AF93 AG12 AG46 AP02 AP26 AP77 AP82 BA03 BA13

Claims (18)

[Claims] 1. A recording head in which a recording element is formed by coupling a first member and a second member, wherein the first member and the second member are provided with opposing portions opposing each other on an inner side and an outer side. The inner facing portion is exposed to the outside at the outer facing portion, and the positioning of the first and second members is performed based on the positional relationship with the inner facing portion. A recording head, wherein a possible opening is formed. 2. A pair of abutting portions provided on the first and second members so as to abut against each other and be positioned, and exposed outward from the opening. A recording head according to claim 1. 3. A pair wherein a plurality of the openings are formed, and the plurality of openings are aligned with the first and second members in contact with each other, and are exposed outward from at least one of the plurality of openings. 2. The recording head according to claim 1, wherein a contact portion is provided. 4. The recording head according to claim 1, wherein the first and second members constitute an ink jet recording element capable of discharging ink. 5. An ink discharge port is provided on one of the first and second members, and the other of the first and second members generates energy for discharging ink from the ink discharge port. The recording head according to claim 4, further comprising an ejection energy generating unit. 6. The recording head according to claim 5, wherein said ejection energy generating means is an electrothermal converter for generating thermal energy. 7. The ink jet printer according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of ink ejection ports are formed in a row, and the opening is formed on at least one side of an extension of the row of the ink ejection ports. The recording head as described. 8. The recording head according to claim 5, wherein said ink discharge port and said opening are formed simultaneously on one of said first and second members. 9. The ink jet printer according to claim 5, wherein an ink flow path communicating with the ink ejection port and the opening are formed on one of the first and second members at the same time. The recording head as described. 10. A recording element is formed by coupling the first and second members, and the first and second members are provided with opposing portions facing each other on an inner side and an outer side. The inner facing portion is exposed to the outside at an opposite facing portion, and the first and second facing portions are exposed from the positional relationship with the inner facing portion.
A method of manufacturing a recording head in which an opening capable of aligning a second member is formed, wherein an outer facing portion and an inner facing portion within the opening are formed from outside the opening. A method for manufacturing a recording head, comprising: a first step of detecting a positional relationship; and a second step of aligning the first and second members based on the detected positional relationship. 11. A pair of abutting portions, which are positioned in abutment with each other and are exposed to the outside from the opening, are provided on the first and second members, and in the first step, The method according to claim 10, wherein a contact position of the pair of contact portions is detected from outside the opening. 12. A pair in which a plurality of said openings are formed, said first and second members are aligned in contact with each other, and are exposed outward from at least one of said plurality of openings. 11. The manufacturing method according to claim 10, wherein a contact position of the pair of contact portions is detected from outside of the opening in the first step. Method. 13. The method according to claim 10, wherein the first and second members constitute an ink jet recording element capable of discharging ink. 14. An ink discharge port is provided on one of the first and second members, and the other of the first and second members generates energy for discharging ink from the ink discharge port. 14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising an ejection energy generating unit. 15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the discharge energy generating means is an electrothermal converter that generates thermal energy. 16. The ink jet printer according to claim 14, wherein the plurality of ink ejection ports are formed in a row, and the opening is formed on at least one side of an extension of the row of the ink ejection ports. The manufacturing method of the recording head described in the above. 17. The method according to claim 14, wherein the ink discharge port and the opening are formed on one of the first and second members at the same time. . 18. The ink jet printer according to claim 14, wherein an ink flow path communicating with the ink discharge port and the opening are formed simultaneously on one of the first and second members. Manufacturing method of a recording head.