JPH0359830B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an ink jet device that records on a recording medium by discharging ink from an ink discharge port.

Among the various recording methods currently known, the non-ink pact recording method generates almost no noise during recording, is capable of high-speed recording, and does not require special fixing treatment on plain paper. The so-called inkjet recording method, which can perform recording on images, is an extremely useful method for realizing printing devices such as various printers, word processors, and copying machines.

This inkjet recording method uses various operating principles to fly small droplets of recording liquid (referred to as ink in the following explanation).
Recording is performed by attaching it to a recording material such as paper. An ink droplet generating device used in such an inkjet recording system, that is, an inkjet device, mainly consists of an inkjet head section for forming ink droplets and an ink supply system for supplying the ink to the inkjet head section.

By the way, the first type of ink jet head is generally called a single type or semi-multi type, which has about 1 to 10 ink ejection ports. These heads have a relatively simple structure, and even if they break down or are damaged, they can be easily replaced and the costs are not too high.

However, when using a so-called full-line multi-array type head, which is used to print one line of paper almost simultaneously,
When a part of the head breaks down or is damaged, it is not easy to replace the head. In particular, when installing the head in the main body of the device, it is difficult to set the distance between the ink ejection ports of the plurality of ink jet head units and the recording medium to a predetermined distance.

The present invention solves these problems and makes it possible to easily and accurately set the distance between the ejection ports of the inkjet head unit and the recording medium to a predetermined distance when the head is attached to the main body of the device. The present invention provides an inkjet device.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on examples using drawings.

In the embodiment described below, a plurality of structural units each including an inkjet head section, its own drive control section, and wiring section are disposed on a common support,
The recording apparatus is characterized in that each of the units is fixed in pressure contact with the support, and is equipped with an inkjet system generally called a full-line multi-array type.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the recording apparatus of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 101 is a recording head unit, and this recording head unit 101 includes an inkjet head section 103 having a plurality of orifices 102 arranged in a line, and a drive control section 1.
04, and a wiring section 105, including a head section 103, a drive control section 104, and a wiring section 105.
are connected to each other by bonding wires, flexible printed boards, etc. (not shown), and the wiring portion 10
The head unit 101 is set to be able to perform printing operations individually by inputting a recording signal to the head unit 5. Reference numeral 106 denotes a support plate for the head unit 101, and a plurality of the head units 101 are arranged side by side on both sides of the plate as shown in the figure, and one orifice is placed in the width of a predetermined printing paper (that is, one line).
02 are arranged in a so-called full line arrangement.
Each head unit 101 has a support plate 106.
The fixing position in the left and right direction is adjusted by a head positioning plate 107 attached to the head holding plate 1.
At 08, its fixed position in the vertical direction is adjusted, and it is arranged to be detachable from the support plate 106.

109 is a matrix flexible printed board for transmitting an output signal from a signal output section (not shown) to the wiring section 105 of each head unit 101 via a cable 110 and a connector 111; , are pressed into contact with individual wiring portions 105 of each head unit 101 and are electrically connected to each wiring portion 105. In this way, the printed board 109 and each wiring section 105 are not bonded to each other and can be freely attached and detached.

113 is a lead terminal mounting plate for head unit 1.
Another signal line 114 from a signal output section (not shown) for driving the head unit 101 and a signal line (not shown) directly connected to the head section 103 of each head unit 101 are removably connected by screws or the like. has been done.

115 and 115' are both ink tanks 11
This is an ink supply pipe for supplying ink from 6 to each head section 103.

Ink supply pipes 115 and 115' are connected to each head section 1.
When ink is ejected, ink is supplied to the head section 103 through the two supply pipes 115 and 115'.
A valve mechanism (not shown) provided in the ink tank 116 allows ink to be circulated under pressure between the ink tank 116 and the head section 103, with one side used for pressurized feeding and the other used for ink recovery. It's getting old.

The ink tank 116 is equipped with a cylinder block 117 containing a pressure pump for operating the valve mechanism, and an air filter block 118 having a ventilation hole. A removable cap 119 is attached to prevent the water from scattering.

Further, the ink tank 116 is provided with an ink replenishment port (not shown), through which the ink tank 1
Ink is replenished from the replenishment tank 120 so that the ink level within the replenishment tank 120 is maintained approximately constant. This replenishment tank 120 is the ink tank 1
The ink tank 116 is removably locked to the ink tank 116 by fixing claws 121, 121' provided on the 16 side, making it possible to replace the old and new tanks as necessary.

The ink tank 116 is fixed on an ink tank base (not shown), and the ink tank 116 is fixed on an ink tank base (not shown).
2' is also fixed to the support plate 106.

Reference numeral 123 designates a cover for the head unit 101, which is provided with grooves for fixing the ink supply tubes 115, 115'. It is something.

Reference numerals 124 and 124' indicate positioning pins, which are fitted into pin holders attached to a paper conveyance system (not shown) to maintain a predetermined distance and positional relationship between the orifice 102 of each head section 103 and the recording paper. It is now set. Also, the positioning pin 124
and 124' are the respective brackets 125 and 12
5' is fixed to the support plate 106.

Reference numeral 126 denotes a board for mounting the illustrated inkjet recording apparatus on the main body of the device (not shown) with the support plate 106 placed thereon. A mechanism, a capping mechanism for the orifice 102, etc. are attached.

Further, the support plate 106 has its front part supported by support plate guides 127, 127', and its rear part supported by hinge stands 128, 12 attached to the support plate 106.
8' and supported by hinge holders 129, 129'. This hinge holder 12
9 and 129' are guide shaft collars 130 and 129', respectively.
Two guide shafts 131, 13 via 130'
1'. The guide shaft 131 is attached to the guide shaft bracket 13 on the board 126.
2 (the guide shaft 131' side is not shown).

By moving the guide shaft collars 130, 130' forward or backward along the respective guide shafts 131, 131', the support plate 106 also slides on the guides 127, 127' in the direction of the arrow in the figure. The front end surface of the head can be set at a predetermined position such as a recording position, a capping position, a maintenance position, etc.

133 is a head for capping and cleaning the orifice 102, and the side facing the orifice has an ejection hole for ejecting air and cleaning liquid toward the orifice and a suction hole for suctioning it (both (not shown). The ejection hole and the suction hole are connected to pressure side tubes 134, 134' and suction side tubes 135, 135', respectively, at locations not shown, and are connected to joints 136 and 1.
37, the pressure side joint 136 communicates with a replicator (not shown), and the suction side joint 137 communicates with a filter (not shown), respectively.
It is connected to the pressure side and suction side of a pump (not shown). The cleaner head 133, which also serves as a cap, is also set so that it can assume a recording position, a capping position, and a maintenance position in response to the movement of the support plate 106.

The support plate 106 also has hinge bases 128 and 12
Hinge pins 138 and 13 attached to 8'
Orifice 10 of support plate 106 with 8' as the pivot
The two sides can rotate in an arc,
This support plate 106 is constructed by crimping a stay 141, one end of which is pivotally attached to a stay angle 140 fixed to the substrate 126, to a stay angle 139 joined to the support plate 106 with a screw 142, so that the surface of the substrate 126 is fixed. It can be fixed at a desired angle.

Furthermore, the fixing screw 142 is the stay angle 139.
By removing the support plate 106 from the substrate 12
It can also be easily removed from 6.

Incidentally, 143 is tube 134, 134', 1
35, 135' on the board 126, and 144 is a tube guide for fixing the cable 11
0, a protective case for the signal line 114. This prevents the cable 110 and the signal line 114 from being damaged or cut due to unexpected application of external pressure when the illustrated inkjet recording device is installed in a device body (not illustrated).

Next, the recording head unit 101 shown in FIG. 1 will be explained in detail with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 2, 202 is a head unit board, on one of its short sides, an inkjet head part 201 is fixedly installed, and in the rear end area of this head part 201, a wiring part support stand 203 is mounted on the board. 202
placed on the surface. This support stand 203 is the substrate 2
02, but the support stand 203 and the substrate 202 are not bonded, and the support stand 203 can be slid on the substrate 202, or The two can also be separated by removing the screws 211. Furthermore, a wiring board 205 and a multilayer wiring board 208 are placed in series on the upper surface of this support stand 203, and are connected by bonding 206. Incidentally, 2
Reference numeral 07 denotes a cover of the bonding section 206, which can be removed from the wiring board 205 and the multilayer wiring board 208 as necessary. Further, the back surfaces of the wiring board 205 and the multilayer wiring board 208 are provided with a support stand 20.
3 and can be easily glued together and separated if necessary.

204 is a drive control unit, which is connected to the wiring board 20
5, and an electrical connection is made.

210 is a flexible printed board including lead wires related to the inkjet head section 201;
One end of the wiring board 2 is held by a holding jig 209.
05 to establish an electrical connection between the two. Then, the upper plate 209a of the presser jig 209
By loosening the setscrews 209b, the flexible printed board 210 and the wiring board 205 can be separated.

As mentioned above, the recording head unit 101
Main parts consisting of the head part 201, flexible printed board 210, wiring board 205, drive control part 204, and multilayer wiring board 208, which have been separated in advance, are assembled on a common board 202, and if necessary, , each part is easy to replace.

FIG. 3 is a partial external perspective view of the recording apparatus of the present invention, illustrating in detail how the recording head unit 101 shown in the example shown in FIG. 1 is mounted on the support plate 106.

In FIG. 3, a head positioning plate 302 attached to a support plate 301 has a horizontal installation reference plane 304 of an orifice 303 and an orifice surface 3.
An installation reference plane 306 in the front-rear direction of 05 is provided.

The reference planes 304 are all provided in the same direction with respect to one side end surface of the head positioning plate 302, corresponding to the number and position of the recording head units 307 disposed on the support plate 301. On the other hand, the reference plane 3 of the head portion 308 of the head unit 307
The side surface facing 04 is machined with high surface precision, and by abutting the side surface of the head section 308 against the reference surface 304, the horizontal positional misalignment of the orifice 303 between each head section 308 can be adjusted according to the orifice 30.
It is now possible to stop within 1/2 of the pitch of 3.

Further, the reference plane 306 in the front and back direction of the orifice surface 305 in the head positioning plate 302 is the support plate 3.
This is common to all of the head units 308 disposed on the head unit 01, and by aligning the orifice surface 305 of each head unit 307 with the reference plane 306 of the head positioning plate 302, each head unit 308 can be adjusted.
The office surfaces 305 of can be arranged on the same plane.

As a method for aligning each orifice surface 305 with the reference surface 306, for example, a removable flat plate is brought into contact with the reference surface 306 and each head portion 308 is brought into contact with the reference surface 306.
There is a method of butting the orifice surfaces 305 of
This method allows each orifice surface 305 to match the reference surface 306 accurately.

After each head unit 307 is arranged at a predetermined position on the support plate 301 as described above, the rear portion of the unit board 309 of each head unit 307 is fixed to the support plate 301 with a fixing claw (not shown). The unit board 309 is relatively thin, and if its flatness is not sufficient, the unit board 309 can be fixed by fixing its rear part to the support plate 301 with a fixing claw.
In particular, the front part of the head part 308 of the head part 308 is lifted off the support plate 301. Therefore, the head parts 308 are pressed by the head holding plates 310 and 310' so that the orifices 303 of each head part 308 are arranged on the same line with the head unit installation surface of the support plate 301 as a reference. While defining the position, the back surface of the unit board 309 is brought into close contact with the support plate 301 and fixed.

As mentioned above, the head holding plates 310, 310' are
In addition to defining the vertical position of the head section 308, for example, if the head section 308 is fixed to the unit substrate 309 by adhesive or other means, the adhesive may be dissolved by the ink oozing from the orifice 303. It is also possible to prevent the head portion 308 from peeling off from the unit substrate 309 due to insufficient adhesive force, thereby preventing the head portion 308 from becoming misaligned.

In this way, a predetermined number of head units 30
7 is placed at a predetermined position on the support plate 301, first signal lines (not shown) that are directly connected to each head portion 308 are connected to the lead terminal attachment plate 311 by screwing or the like.

Next, a second signal line 312 from a signal output section (not shown) is connected to the wiring section 315 of each head unit 307 via a connector 313 and a matrix flexible printed board 314. At this time,
Each head unit 3 is provided on the surface of the matrix flexible printed board 314 facing the wiring section 315.
A conductor exposed portion 316 is provided at a position corresponding to the wiring portion 315 of 07, and one end is connected to the connector 31.
Connected to 3.

Flexible printed board 314 and wiring section 315
In order to connect the wiring section 315 and the exposed conductor section 316, first, the wiring section 315 and the exposed conductor section 316 are aligned. The wiring section 315 and the exposed conductor section 316 are aligned in the head unit 30.
7 is a unit board 309 fixed to the support plate 301, and the wiring part support stand 317 on which the wiring part 315 is placed is movable on the unit board 309 within the degree of freedom of the flexible printed board 318. Furthermore, since the widths of the conductors of the wiring portion 315 and the flexible printed board 314 are wide enough to allow visual alignment, this can be done relatively easily.

After aligning the wiring portion 315 and the exposed conductor portion 316, the crimp rod 320 is inserted through the rubber sheet 319.
Connect the flexible printed board 314 to the wiring section 315.
Crimp them sequentially.

The crimp rod 320 is rotatably locked to the crimp lever 322 via a spindle 321, and the crimp lever 322 is fixed to the support plate 301 via a spindle 323. It is rotatably locked around a support shaft 323 to a lever fixing base 324 located therein.

A crimp screw 325 is attached to the crimp lever 322, and when this crimp screw is screwed in, the crimp rod 32
0 brings the flexible printed board 314 into pressure contact with the wiring part 315 via the rubber sheet 319, and the wiring part 315 and the flexible printed board 314 are electrically connected, and at the same time, the support base 317 is fixed on the unit board 309. .

In this manner, when it becomes necessary to replace the head unit 307 fixed on the support plate 301, first loosen the crimp screw 325, remove the crimp lever 322 and crimp rod 320 from the flexible printed board 314, and then replace the unit. Board 30
Each head unit 307 can be removed from the support plate 301 by removing the head unit 9 from a fixing claw (not shown) and the head holding plates 310, 310'. After replacing the head unit 307, the replacement work for each head unit is completed by fixing it in a predetermined position by reversing the procedure described above.

In the main part of the description, detailed explanations of the ink supply system related to the ink jet head section, the drive system of the head, etc. are omitted for convenience.

As explained above, in this embodiment, a recording device is completed by assembling and arranging a plurality of recording head units that have been separated in advance, and at this time, the placement position of each unit can be set with extremely high precision. . Moreover, at this time, the ink ejection ports in all units can be accurately arranged in line. Furthermore, in the present invention, even at the time of assembling each recording head unit, its constituent parts are carefully examined.
It is possible to assemble only materials with good performance. Furthermore, as mentioned above, even if it becomes necessary to replace a unit due to damage, etc., the replacement work can be done by simply removing and attaching the relevant part of the unit, making maintenance and management of the entire recording device extremely efficient and economical. It can be done accurately.

As explained above, according to the present invention, an inkjet head is provided that allows the distance between the ejection opening of the inkjet head unit and the recording medium to be easily and accurately set to a predetermined distance when the head is attached to the main body of the device. equipment can be provided.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the recording device of the present invention, and FIG.
The figure is a perspective view of the appearance of a head unit according to the invention, and FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the appearance of the recording apparatus of the invention, illustrating the main parts of the invention. In the figure, 101 and 307 are recording head units, 102 and 303 are ink ejection orifices, and 1
03, 201, 308 are inkjet head parts, 104, 204 are drive control parts, 105 are wiring parts, 106, 301 are support plates, 107, 302 are head positioning plates, 108, 310, 310' are head holding plates, 109,210,314,318
is a printed board, 110, 312 is a cable, 11
1,313 is a connector, 112 is a pressing jig, 1
13, 311 is a lead terminal mounting plate, 114 is a signal line, 202, 309 is a unit board, 315 is a wiring part, 203, 317 is a wiring part support stand, 320 is a crimping rod, 322 is a crimping lever, 325 is a crimping screw. be.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. In an inkjet device for recording on a recording medium, a base body, a plurality of inkjet head units having a plurality of ink ejection ports, and the ejection port side of the plurality of inkjet head units are integrally positioned. a common positioning member for moving the support along the base; a support provided on the support and slidable with a guide member provided on the base for moving the support along the base; sliding means; rotation means for rotating the support relative to the base body about an axis on the slide means; and rotation means for fixing the support body at a desired angle with respect to the base body. , a rotating member whose one end is rotatable with respect to the base body and whose other end is capable of being fastened to the support body, and a rotating member that comes into contact with a member on the device main body side to set a distance from the discharge port. a tip positioning member provided on the support body on the side of the ejection port so as to protrude from the support body, the distance between the ejection port of the ink jet head unit and the recording medium being set at a predetermined distance. An inkjet device that can be used as an inkjet device. 2. The inkjet device according to claim 1, wherein the tip positioning members are provided at two locations on both ends of the support body. 3. The inkjet device according to claim 1, wherein the base body is removable from the device body. 4. The inkjet device according to claim 1, wherein the inkjet head unit includes a drive control section and a wiring section. 5. An ink tank is provided behind the ink jet head unit, and the ink jet head unit and the ink tank are connected by an ink supply pipe.
The inkjet device described in . 6. The inkjet device according to claim 1, wherein the support is removable from the base. 7. The inkjet device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of said head units are arranged side by side on both the front and back surfaces of said support.