JPH03218838A - Ink jet recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an inkjet recording apparatus, and is applied to, for example, printers, plotters, copying machines, and the like.

Prior art related to the present invention includes Japanese Patent Publication No. 60-8953 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-94347. Tokuko Showa 6
No. 0-8953 discloses a method in which a piezoelectric transducer supported on one side or both sides is disposed in a liquid, and droplets are ejected from a nozzle by bending vibration of the piezoelectric transducer.
No. 2-94347 uses kinetic energy due to bending of a cantilever beam (two-layer structure) heater and generation of bubbles due to heating of the heater to cause droplets to be ejected from a nozzle due to the synergistic effect of the volume displacement. However, the method disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 60-8953 has the following drawbacks. That is, (1) it is necessary to use non-conductive ink. Generally, non-conductive ink (oil-based ink) uses a solvent, which tends to cause deterioration of the adhesive and cause bleeding and blurring of images on recording paper. ■Using conductive ink requires insulation treatment, which impairs assembly and increases costs. ■A two-layer structure (combination of piezoelectric transducer and metal) requires an adhesion process, which impairs assembly and at the same time causes variation in vibration displacement. ■A cutting process between the piezoelectric transducer and the metal is required, and variations in the assembly process are likely to occur, making it difficult to expect an improvement in the degree of integration.

Furthermore, the method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-94347 has the following drawbacks. In other words, ■ To act in a liquid (
(There is also a part of the heater in the liquid) A protective film is required. ■Special consideration is required in ink design because the ink heats up. ■Since the beam is heated, it requires a cavitation-resistant layer, which is known from so-called bubble jets, etc.
The manufacturing process is complicated. ■At least 2 metals and oxide films, etc.
It has a layered structure, which complicates the manufacturing process.

Furthermore, the previously proposed inkjet recording device uses a beam member that is divided into hydrophobic and parent regions, and forms recording droplets in the hydrophilic region of the beam member by bending the beam member into the recording liquid. However, these droplets are recorded on recording paper, but there are some problems such as: ■ The material forming the hydrophobic area is not durable; ■ It is difficult to express halftones (the size of the droplets cannot be controlled). There are drawbacks.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks, and it is possible to selectively form droplets from the grooves of the beam member into the liquid pool by moving the beam member into the recording liquid. The purpose of this invention is to provide an inkjet recording apparatus that does the following.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a beam member provided with a groove, a liquid reservoir communicating with the groove, a recording liquid used for recording, and a liquid chamber for storing the recording liquid. and a deforming means for deforming at least a portion of the beam member into the recording liquid, the beam member being moved into the recording liquid selectively from the groove of the beam member to the liquid reservoir portion. The method is characterized in that droplets are formed on the paper and the droplets are recorded on recording paper. Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained based on examples.

1 and 2 are configuration diagrams for explaining an embodiment of an inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG.
The plan view, FIG. 2, is a sectional view taken along line 81A' in FIG. In the figure, 1 is a liquid reservoir, 2 is a beam member, 3 is a groove, 4 is a recording liquid,
5 is a liquid chamber, and 6 is a substrate.

A beam member 2 is provided so as to extend into the recording liquid 4 in the liquid chamber 5. A groove 3 is provided in the beam member 2, and this groove 3 communicates with a liquid reservoir 1 in which recording liquid droplets are formed.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the process of recording on recording paper, in which 7 is a recording voltage generator, 8 is a counter electrode, 9 is recording paper, 10 is a droplet, and 11 is a voltage pulse generator for beam deformation. Other parts having the same functions as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 are given the same reference numerals.

The beam member 2 is provided with beam deformation means. As this beam deformation means, the following can be used.

■Those that use electrostatic force Deform the beam by electrostatic force by applying a voltage between the beam and the board ■Those that have a bimetal structure The beam has a bimetal structure and deforms the beam using heating means (heater) ■Piezoelectric element The beam member is deformed by using a bimorph type piezoelectric element structure.

Regarding the beam forming method mentioned above, high-density beams are formed by micromachining using Si etching or the like.

When a voltage pulse for beam deformation is applied by the beam deforming means 11, the beam member 2 is deformed into the recording liquid, and the recording liquid 4 is guided to the liquid reservoir 1 through the groove 3. The recording liquid in this liquid pool flies and adheres to the recording paper due to the electrostatic force generated by the recording voltage generating section 7 between the counter electrode 8 provided on the back surface of the recording paper 9 and records. At this time, the beam deformation voltage pulse generator 11
By increasing the pulse width, the beam member 2 is held in the recording liquid, and recording continues during this time, making it possible to express halftones.

As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, by moving the beam member into the recording liquid, a selective and arbitrary amount of liquid is transferred to the liquid pool communicating with the groove provided in the beam member. Liquid can be supplied, making it possible to record halftones.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line AA' in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the process of recording on recording paper. It is. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...Liquid reservoir part, 2...Beam member, 3...Groove, 4...
...Recording liquid, 5...Liquid chamber, 6...Substrate.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A beam member provided with a groove, a liquid reservoir communicating with the groove, a recording liquid used for recording, a substrate constituting a liquid chamber for storing the recording liquid, and at least a part of the beam member. and a deforming means for deforming the beam into the recording liquid, selectively forming a droplet from the groove of the beam member into the liquid reservoir by moving the beam member into the recording liquid, and directing the droplet onto the recording paper. An inkjet recording device characterized by recording.