LIQUID EJECTION HEAD, LIQUID EJECTION APPARATUS, AND LIQUID EJECTION HEAD MANUFACTURE METHOD

• US 20170341398A1
• Filed: 05/18/2017
• Published: 11/30/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Tamenaga, Zentaro, Iwanaga, Shuzo, Okushima, Shingo
• Granted Patent: US 10,479,087 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/14024 Assembling head parts
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/14072 Electrical connections, e.g. details on electrodes, connecting the chip to the outside...
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/162 Manufacturing of the nozzle plates
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1632 machining
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/16505 Caps, spittoons or covers for cleaning or preventing drying out
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/16508 connected with the printer frame
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1652 by driving a fluid through the nozzles to the outside thereof, e.g. by applying pressure to the inside or vacuum at the outside of the print head
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/16532 by applying vacuum only
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/16585 for paper-width or non-reciprocating print heads
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2002/14459 Matrix arrangement of the pressure chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2202/12 with ink circulating through the whole print head
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2202/20 Modules

Abstract

In order that the interior of a cap member, in a case where the cap member abuts to a cover member, is allowed to have improved airtightness so that the cap member can sufficiently function, a sealing member is used to seal between the cover member and first and second flow path members for retaining the cover member.

Claims

1. A liquid ejection head, comprising:

a plurality of element substrates configured to include an ejection opening face on which an ejection opening is formed and an element for ejecting ink through the ejection opening;

a plurality of first retention members configured to retain the element substrates;

a second retention member configured to retain the plurality of first retention members;

a cover member configured to be provide on an upper side of the first retention members so as to extend along a direction along which the plurality of first retention members are arranged, the cover member including a face on which a cap member covering the ejection opening face is abutted; and

a sealing member configured to seal a space surrounded by the plurality of first retention members, the second retention member, and the cover member.

2. The liquid ejection head of claim 1, wherein:

the plurality of first retention members are a plurality of first flow path members including therein liquid flow paths, respectively, and

the second retention member is a second flow path member including therein a liquid flow path.

3. The liquid ejection head of claim 1, wherein:

the sealing member seals between the first retention members adjacent to each other.

4. The liquid ejection head of claim 3, wherein:

the cover member includes an opening portion to expose the ejection opening faces of the plurality of element substrates; and

the sealing member seals between the first retention members adjacent to each other at a part positioned near the opening portion.

5. The liquid ejection head of claim 1, wherein:

the first retention members and the second retention member are joined by adhesive agent, and

the sealing member has an elastic modulus after curing that is lower than that of the adhesive agent.

6. The liquid ejection head of claim 1, wherein:

the sealing member cures at a normal temperature.

7. The liquid ejection head of claim 1, wherein:

the element substrate includes a pressure room including therein the element, and

liquid in the pressure room is circulated between the pressure room and the outer side of the pressure room.

8. The liquid ejection head of claim 3, wherein:

in a region in which the sealing member is provided, the first retention members adjacent to each other have therebetween an interval that is wider at an outer side of the liquid ejection head than at the element substrate side.

9. A liquid ejection apparatus for ejecting liquid through a liquid ejection head, wherein:

the liquid ejection head comprises;

an element substrate configured to include an element for ejecting liquid through an ejection opening;

a retention member configured to retain the element substrate;

a cover member configured to be provided on an upper side of the retention member, the cover member including a face on which a cap member covering the ejection opening face is abutted; and

a sealing member configured to seal between the retention member and the cover member,

wherein;

a plurality of the element substrates are provided, and

the retention member includes a plurality of first flow path members each of which has a liquid flow path and which retain the plurality of element substrates and a second flow path member which includes a liquid flow path and retains the plurality of first flow path members.

10. A method of manufacturing a liquid ejection head, comprising:

a step of retaining, on a retention member, an element substrate including an element for ejecting liquid through an ejection opening;

a step of attaching, on an upper side of the retention member, a cover member including a face on which a cap member covering the ejection opening is abutted; and

a step of sealing between the cover member and the retention member by a sealing member,

wherein;

a plurality of the element substrates are provided, and

the retention member includes a plurality of first flow path members each of which has a liquid flow path and which retain the plurality of element substrates and a second flow path member which includes a liquid flow path and retains the plurality of first flow path members.