US 12,391,039 B2
Liquid discharge apparatus
Masahiko Tsuyuki, Chino (JP); and Makoto Takamuku, Matsumoto (JP)
Assigned to SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION, (JP)
Filed by SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION, Tokyo (JP)
Filed on Sep. 29, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/478,404.
Claims priority of application No. 2022-158889 (JP), filed on Sep. 30, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0109313 A1, Apr. 4, 2024
Int. Cl. B41J 2/045 (2006.01); D06P 5/30 (2006.01)
CPC B41J 2/04581 (2013.01) [B41J 2/04541 (2013.01); D06P 5/30 (2013.01)] 3 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A liquid discharge apparatus comprising:
a print head that discharges a liquid;
a substrate unit electrically coupled to the print head;
a compressor that sends out compressed air; and
a tube that couples the substrate unit and the compressor, wherein
the print head includes
a first discharge section that has a first piezoelectric element that is displaced by receiving a first driving signal and discharges a liquid by displacement of the first piezoelectric element,
a second discharge section that has a second piezoelectric element that is displaced by receiving a second driving signal and discharges a liquid by displacement of the second piezoelectric element, and
a first connector electrically coupled to the substrate unit,
the substrate unit includes
a second connector that is electrically coupled to the print head by being fitted to the first connector,
a first drive circuit that outputs the first driving signal,
a second drive circuit that outputs the second driving signal, and
a wiring substrate provided with the second connector, the first drive circuit, and the second drive circuit,
the wiring substrate is a rigid flexible substrate including a plurality of rigid members provided with the second connector, the first drive circuit, and the second drive circuit, and a flexible member more flexible than the plurality of rigid members,
the flexible member includes a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, a first region, a second region, and a third region,
the third region is positioned between the first region and the second region,
the plurality of rigid members include a first rigid member and a second rigid member,
the first rigid member includes a first front surface, and is laminated on the first surface of the first region such that the first front surface extends along the first surface,
the second rigid member includes a second front surface, and is laminated on the first surface of the second region such that the second front surface extends along the first surface,
the first drive circuit is provided on the first rigid member,
the second drive circuit is provided on the second rigid member,
the first rigid member and the second rigid member are positioned such that the first front surface and the second front surface face each other when the flexible member is bent in the third region, and
the compressor supplies the compressed air via the tube to a region where the first front surface and the second front surface face each other.