JP2801424B2 - Ink jet recording apparatus and ejection recovery method in the apparatus - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet recording system used for outputting information such as characters and images in information processing equipment such as a copying machine, a facsimile, a printer, a word processor, and a personal computer. The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for recovering ink ejection of a recording head in the above.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Among various ejection systems used in an ink jet recording apparatus, there is a system that generates some heat with ejection. As a mode of such heat generation, a case where heat is generated for ink discharge according to the discharge method, that is, a case where ink is discharged by using the thermal energy, and a case where ink is discharged Thus, it can be distinguished from the case where heat is generated incidentally. Among these, a typical example of an ink jet recording apparatus of a method of discharging ink using thermal energy is a method in which a film boiling occurs in ink by heat energy generated by an electrothermal conversion element as a discharge energy generating element. An ink jet recording apparatus that discharges ink based on the rapid generation of bubbles due to the film boiling can be given. This device has advantages such as easy arrangement of a large number of ink discharge ports and electrothermal conversion elements corresponding to the ink discharge ports, and the like, and has been becoming popular in recent years. This method also has the advantage that the ejection response to the driving of the electrothermal transducer is good and high-speed printing is possible. As a discharge method that generates heat incidentally, for example, there is a method using a well-known piezoelectric element as a discharge energy generating element. In this method, when the piezoelectric element vibrates due to ink ejection, heat is slightly generated.

[0003] In an ink jet recording apparatus, it is known that the following problems are caused by heat generated by the above-described ink ejection.

[0004] In the above-described ink jet recording apparatus, when recording is performed with a relatively high recording duty, such as a visual image or an image including a solid portion, the driving cycle of the ejection energy generating element is shortened. Therefore, the next ejection is performed before the excess heat generated due to the ink ejection is not sufficiently discharged. This allows
Heat is generated in the ink in the ink path in which the ejection energy generating element is disposed, and the temperature of the ink rises. At this time, the fine bubbles staying in the ink path grow due to the high temperature environment of the ink due to the above-mentioned heat generated by the progress of recording, and
It also grows by uniting with each other. The stagnant bubbles grown to a certain size in this way affect the behavior of the ink involved in the ejection in the ink path, and make the ejection of the ink unstable, such as changing the ejection direction and the ejection amount. In addition, such staying bubbles may further grow and block the ink path. In such a case, the ink is not discharged. In addition, the phenomenon that the microbubbles grow to such a size as to affect the ejection is caused not only by the above-mentioned heat generation but also when the ink jet recording apparatus is not used for a long period of time or when the ejection data of a plurality of ejection ports is determined by recording data or the like. This can occur even when the discharge is not performed for a long time at the outlet.

[0005] The fine air bubbles that stay in the ink path are:
Generally, this occurs when the temperature of the ink becomes relatively high due to the above-mentioned heat generated. Further, in a method of performing ink ejection based on rapid generation of bubbles using thermal energy, a plurality of fine bubbles not involved in the ejection may be generated with the generation of the bubbles related to the ejection, and these may be used. May stay in the ink path. Furthermore, air enters the tube via an ink tube or the like for supplying ink from the ink tank or the like storing the ink to the recording head, and these air bubbles move as fine bubbles into the ink path and stay there. There is also. In this way, the relatively fine air bubbles that have stayed in the ink path can be discharged by idle discharge performed as one of the ink discharge and discharge recovery processing accompanying the recording.
A part thereof is discharged from the discharge port together with the ink. However, as described above, due to the heat of the animal or the device being left for a long period of time, some of the staying bubbles grow to a predetermined size,
This may adversely affect ink ejection.

In order to prevent the adverse effects caused by the stagnant bubbles as described above, the ink in the ink path is forcibly sucked and discharged through a discharge port by a predetermined suction mechanism, or the ink is discharged by a predetermined pressure mechanism. 2. Description of the Related Art It has been conventionally performed to discharge ink by pressurizing the inside of a passage and to remove the stagnant air bubbles from the inside of the ink passage along with the discharge of the ink.

However, when the above suction or pressurization is performed, the amount of ink discharged by the suction or pressurization is relatively large, so that unnecessary ink other than recording is increased, and as a result, this recording apparatus is used. Running costs will increase. Further, to perform operations such as suction and pressurization, relatively many operations are required, for example, movement of the recording head to a capping position, capping, and further suction and pressurization operations. Therefore, for example, if suction and pressurization are performed during printing, the printing speed of the entire apparatus may be reduced.

[0008] In addition to the problems to be solved by the present invention described above, a characteristic configuration of a recording head considered in one aspect of the present invention will be described below.

This configuration is particularly common in a recording head of the type in which ink is ejected by bubbles generated by the above-described thermal energy, and generates heat by applying an electric pulse (hereinafter, also referred to as a driving pulse). A substrate on which an electrothermal conversion element and an electrode wiring for supplying electric power are formed by manufacturing IC technology; a groove for forming an ink path for disposing the electrothermal conversion element; and ink supplied to the ink path And a top plate formed by, for example, etching. Then, the common liquid chamber, the ink path, and the discharge port are formed by bonding the substrate and the top plate to each other with an adhesive.

However, the above-described configuration of the recording head has several problems with adhesive fixing. First, there is a possibility that the adhesive used for bonding protrudes into the ink path or the discharge port, and the shape of the ink path or the discharge port may not be a predetermined shape or the ink path or the discharge port may be blocked. Secondly, depending on the material used for the substrate or the top plate, deformation or warpage may occur, and the adhesion in bonding may be reduced. Third, by using an adhesive for bonding, strict alignment and the like must be performed, which causes a problem that the manufacturing process of the recording head becomes complicated.

On the other hand, the present applicant has disclosed in, for example,
As disclosed in JP-A-192954, a recording head having a configuration in which a joining force between a substrate and a top plate is obtained by an urging member such as a leaf spring has been proposed. According to this configuration, an adhesive is not used when joining the substrate and the top plate, or the amount thereof can be minimized. Therefore, the shape of the ink path or the ejection port is inappropriate due to the protrusion of the adhesive. It is possible to prevent a recording head failure leading to a discharge failure without any risk of failure. In addition, by not using the above-mentioned adhesive, the alignment process at the time of joining becomes relatively easy, and the manufacturing process of the recording head is simplified.

On the other hand, in the method of ejecting ink using thermal energy, as described above, the driving of the electrothermal transducer at the time of ejection causes rapid generation of bubbles in the ink, ie, generation of bubbles. The pressure wave propagates through the ink path and the common liquid chamber in accordance with the expansion and contraction of the bubble. The driving of the electrothermal transducer for such ejection is performed based on driving data corresponding to characters, images, and the like to be recorded. In a normal recording, the driving frequency is several KH.
z.

As described above, when a pressure wave of a certain frequency propagates in the ink path or the common liquid chamber along with the driving of the electrothermal transducer for discharging the ink, the substrate forming the ink path or the common liquid chamber is formed. Periodic force due to this pressure wave acts on the top plate.

In this case, it has been confirmed by the present inventors that the following phenomenon occurs in the recording head. That is, in the configuration of the recording head in which the joining force between the top plate and the substrate is obtained by the urging member such as the leaf spring as described above, the joining force by the urging member and the force by the pressure wave are generated by the top plate and the substrate. Act non-uniformly at, causing them to vibrate at certain frequencies. In the case where such vibrations occur, particularly, the portion behind the ink path where the joining force by the urging member is relatively small, that is, from the portion where the electrothermal conversion element is disposed in the partition wall separating each ink path. Also, a steady gap is generated behind the vibration.

Further, the substrate on which the electrothermal transducer elements are provided has a certain degree of unevenness because a plurality of layers such as layers for forming them and a protective layer thereof are laminated.
Further, there are portions where the substrate and the top plate have warpage and the like.
For this reason, when the partition between the ink paths is formed by joining the substrate and the top plate, a minute gap may be formed in the partition due to the unevenness or warpage. Also,
This gap is further enlarged by the vibration.

As described above, the ink paths communicate with each other by the gaps generated or formed.

[0017]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to eliminate the above-described bubble by continuously ejecting the ink path including at least the ink path adjacent to the ink path except for the ink path from which the bubble is to be discharged. An object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus and an ink jet recording apparatus which can discharge air bubbles in an ink path to be ejected and thereby perform ejection recovery.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a structure for discharging accumulated bubbles by positively utilizing a gap generated in a partition wall between ink passages. In the recording head to which the top plate is joined and fixed, a discharge port including at least a discharge port adjacent to the discharge port is continuously discharged a plurality of times, except for a discharge port from which air bubbles are to be discharged, and the discharge is performed through the gap. It is an object of the present invention to provide a discharge recovery method in which bubbles are drawn into the liquid path and discharged along with the discharge, and an ink jet recording apparatus capable of performing the method.

[0019]

According to the present invention, there is provided:
A plurality of ejection openings for ejecting ink, and a plurality of inks provided corresponding to each of the plurality of ejection openings, each of which includes an ejection energy generating element for communicating with the corresponding ejection opening for ink ejection. A recording head having a common liquid chamber communicating with the plurality of ink paths, and wherein the ink is ejected to a recording medium to perform recording by an ink jet recording apparatus. In the arrangement of the ejection ports, a process of ejecting ink from the ejection ports by continuously driving the ejection energy generating elements of at least the ejection ports adjacent to the ejection ports a plurality of times, except for the ejection ports that perform ejection recovery. It is characterized by having.

In an ink jet recording apparatus for performing recording by discharging ink onto a recording medium, a plurality of discharge ports for discharging ink and a plurality of discharge ports corresponding to each of the plurality of discharge ports are provided. A print head provided with a plurality of ink paths each including a discharge energy generating element for discharging ink, the plurality of ink paths communicating with the corresponding discharge ports, and a common liquid chamber communicating with the plurality of ink paths. In the arrangement of the ejection ports, the ejection energy generating element of at least the ejection port adjacent to the ejection port is continuously driven a plurality of times except for the ejection port performing ejection recovery, so that ink is ejected from the ejection port. And recording head driving means.

Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, a plurality of ejection openings for ejecting ink, and a plurality of ejection openings are provided corresponding to each of the plurality of ejection openings. Head having a plurality of ink paths provided with ejection energy generating elements for forming a plurality of ink paths by joining the first and second bases together. A recording head including a pressing member for generating a linear pressure on the first substrate and / or the second substrate so that the first substrate and the second substrate press each other; In an ejection recovery method of an ink jet recording apparatus for performing recording by ejecting ink to a medium, in the arrangement of the plurality of ejection ports, a small number of ejection ports are used, except for ejection ports performing ejection recovery. By driving the discharge energy generating elements of the ejection port adjacent to the discharge port more times consecutively with, characterized by having a process of performing the ink discharge from the discharge port.

In an ink jet recording apparatus for performing recording by discharging ink onto a recording medium, a plurality of discharge ports for discharging ink and a plurality of discharge ports corresponding to each of the plurality of discharge ports are provided. A recording head provided with a plurality of ink paths each including an ejection energy generating element for discharging ink by communicating with the corresponding ejection port, and forming the plurality of ink paths by joining together. Generating a linear pressure on the first substrate and / or the second substrate in order to mutually press the first substrate and the second substrate during the joining. And a recording head provided with a pressing member for discharging, and in the arrangement of the plurality of ejection ports, the ejection energy of at least the ejection ports adjacent to the ejection ports except for the ejection port performing ejection recovery. By driving the generating element several times in succession, characterized in that comprises a recording head drive means for performing ink ejection from the ejection port.

[0023]

According to the above construction, continuous discharge is performed a plurality of times for a discharge port including at least a discharge port adjacent to the discharge port except for a discharge port for discharging air bubbles to perform discharge recovery. Thus, the bubbles staying in the ink path of the ejection port in the ejection recovery process are discharged from the ejection port.

Further, according to the above configuration, a plurality of continuous discharges are performed for the discharge port including at least the discharge port adjacent to the discharge port except for the discharge port for discharging the bubble to perform the discharge recovery. By doing so, the ink that is generated along with this discharge, or that is generated through the gap in the liquid path partition originally possessed, or through the gap formed by both of them, forms the liquid path and the gap with the discharge. Bubbles are drawn into the ink path by the ink flow accompanying the refill, and are discharged with the discharge in the ink path.

[0025]

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

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a recording head for explaining a bubble discharging process as an ejection recovery process according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a recording head to which a bubble discharging process is applied, and showing a state of staying bubbles.

In FIG. 2, the electrothermal transducers 1 ₁ to 1 _n
Each is provided to the corresponding ink passage 2 ₁ to 2 _n, generates heat energy by the application of electrical pulses. Resulting in expansion and subsequent contraction of the abrupt bubbles in the vicinity of the electrothermal converting element 2 ₁ to 2 _n, respectively in each of the ink paths 2 ₁ to 2 _n by the thermal energy. Thus, the ejection ports N _{1 to} N _n corresponding to the respective ink paths
Is ejected from the printer. Ink is supplied from the common liquid chamber 3 to the respective ink passages 2 ₁ to 2 _n is accompanied to the ink ejection.

[0028] Figure 2, two recording paper continuously shows the status of the retention of air bubbles in the ink passage 2 ₁ to 2 _n after the solid printing, each liquid passage, a certain size Air bubbles that have grown remain. Bubbles that grow and stay in the ink path in this way are cooled by the ink around them and their size is reduced.However, when they grow to a certain size, it takes a relatively long time for the bubbles to disappear. In some cases, defoaming does not occur until the next recording. If printing is performed in this state, ejection instability as described above may be caused and the quality of a printed image may be impaired. Also, if the recording apparatus is left in a relatively high temperature environment in a state where the staying bubbles have grown to some extent, or if the recording apparatus is left for a long time without recording, the bubble will be generated at the next recording. May further grow and block the ink path, leading to non-ejection.

The following is a description of the process of discharging bubbles that adversely affect ink ejection.

[0030] As referred to FIG. 1, a bubble in the center of the ink passage 2 _K is retained, in this case, the ink passage 2 _K-1 adjacent, 2 K _{+ 1} of the electrothermal converting element 1 _K- By applying the same electric pulse as that for recording to ₁ , 1 _{K + 1} at a predetermined frequency, ink is ejected from the ejection ports N _K-1 and N _{K + 1} , respectively. At this time, first, the discharge ports N _K-1
The discharge is performed once, and then the same number of discharges is performed from the discharge port _{NK + 1} . Thus, air bubbles staying in the ink passage 2 in _K is discharged from the discharge port N _K.

Further, similarly to the above, the discharge ports N _{K -1} and N _{K +1}
After a predetermined number of discharges are sequentially performed, the same number of consecutive discharges may be performed again at the discharge port _NK-1 , thereby more effectively discharging bubbles. In addition, the process of sequentially performing discharge for the discharge ports N _K−1 and N _{K + 1 in the same} manner as described above may be regarded as one cycle, and may be performed several cycles.

Further, in order to more reliably discharge the bubbles, after the ink is discharged from the adjacent discharge port as described above, the ink is finally discharged from the target discharge port from which the bubble is to be discharged. Good. According to this, first, bubbles that stay in the target ink path due to ink discharge from the adjacent discharge ports are discharged from the discharge ports in a normal case, but in the case where the bubbles are relatively large, the vicinity of the target discharge ports is detected. As a result, a meniscus with air bubbles is formed, and it becomes difficult to discharge the air bubbles. Therefore, by finally driving the electrothermal conversion element in the target ink path, ink can be discharged from the target discharge port, and bubbles can be discharged with this discharge.

The electrothermal transducers in adjacent ink paths, 1 _{K -1} ,
When 1K _{+ 1 is} also driven, if the driving frequency is made the same as during recording, the temperature of the ink in the corresponding ink paths 2K _-1 and 2K _{+ 1} rises due to heat storage, thereby causing bubbles. It is not preferable because it grows. For this reason, it is generally preferable that the ejection from the adjacent ejection ports N _K-1 and N _{K + 1 be performed} at a lower driving frequency than during printing.

In addition, the driving frequency can be changed. For example, as described above, the discharge ports N _K−1 , N
_{In the} case of performing several cycles in which a plurality of ejections are sequentially performed from _{K + 1} , the drive frequency can be gradually reduced as the number of cycles increases. According to the ejection driving method, the staying bubbles can be efficiently discharged according to various sizes. This is because, for example, it is considered that relatively large stagnant bubbles are efficiently discharged by discharge at a relatively high driving frequency, and relatively small stagnant bubbles are easily discharged by discharge at a low driving frequency. Further, by gradually reducing the drive frequency in this manner, it is possible to suppress an increase in the print head temperature due to the ink ejection in the ejection recovery processing.

It should be noted that such a change in the driving frequency can be performed according to an index indicating the size of the bubble, such as the non-recording time or the recording duty. The ejection drive for changing the drive frequency described above is effective in any ink ejection for ejection recovery according to the present embodiment.

In order to discharge air bubbles, in the above-described example, ink was ejected back and forth from the adjacent discharge ports on both sides. However, air bubbles can be discharged by discharging only one side. In addition, the discharge may be performed simultaneously from the discharge ports on both sides adjacent to each other. According to this, the discharge of the bubbles is effectively performed, and the time and the like for the discharge are reduced.

Regarding the phenomenon in which the bubbles are discharged as described above, what can be considered as the principle thereof is as follows.
This will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a case where ink is simultaneously ejected from the ejection ports N _K-1 and N _{K + 1 of} ink paths 2 _K-1 and 2 _{K + 1} adjacent to a target ink path 2 _K for discharging bubbles. Is shown. In this case, the principle is considered as follows. That is, the continuous ink ejection in the ink paths on both sides allows the common
_K-1, 2 apparently toward _K-1, the ink flow as shown in FIG arrow is formed. This ink flow increases the ink pressure near the boundary between the ink path _2K and the common liquid chamber 3, thereby generating a pressure gradient in the liquid path _2K that is higher on the common liquid chamber 3 side and lower on the ejection side. This pressure gradient produces a force directed to the discharge port side by the pressure distribution around the bubbles staying in the liquid passage 2 in _K (buoyancy in a broad sense), the bubble by the force is considered to move to the discharge port side.

Further, as another principle, it can be considered that bubble discharge occurs as follows. That is, a pressure wave is applied to the ink in each of the ink paths _2K-1 and _{2K + 1} due to the rapid expansion of the bubble for causing ink to be ejected in the adjacent ink paths _2K-1 and _{2K + 1.} The pressure wave is generated, and the pressure wave is generated at each of the discharge ports N _K-1 and N _{K + 1} and the common liquid chamber 3.
Propagate to the side. The pressure wave propagated to the common liquid chamber 3 propagates to other ink paths via reflection, interference, and the like in the common liquid chamber 3. In such pressure propagation, the intensity of the pressure wave hardly attenuates in the ink path that generates the pressure wave,
When the light propagates through the common liquid chamber, it attenuates substantially in proportion to the square of the distance from the ink path. Thus, in Figure 1, a relatively strong pressure wave propagating in the ink passage 2 _K adjacent to the ink passage _{2 K-1, 2 K +} 1 that ejects ink, the pressure wave of the ink passage 2 _K It can be considered to discharge the staying bubbles when propagating to the discharge port N _K side. Alternatively, by the propagation of the pressure wave, the ink path 2
It can also be considered that a predetermined pressure gradient is created in _K , which causes stagnant bubbles to be discharged. In addition, it can be considered that the staying bubbles are discharged by a synergistic effect of the bubble discharging operation by the propagation of the pressure wave and the bubble discharging operation by the above-described pressure gradient.

Further, as a third presumed principle, the pressure gradient generated in the ink path 2 _K causes
Cause ink flow toward the discharge port N _K side _K, can be considered as staying bubbles are discharged by the ink flow.

[0040] In the above-mentioned discharge recovery process is set to exclude air bubbles by ejecting ink from only the discharge ports adjacent to eliminate air bubbles in the ink passage 2 ₃ shown for example in FIG. 2, The ink ejection from the ejection ports N ₁ and N ₂ and the ejection ports N ₄ and N ₅ may be performed simultaneously or alternately. As described above, if the discharge is performed not only from the adjacent discharge ports but also from a plurality of discharge ports including the discharge ports, the effect of discharging the bubbles is further enhanced.

Further, the following ejection recovery processing can be performed by utilizing the above-described bubble discharge processing of the present invention.
If the recording apparatus is left unused for a long time, the stagnant bubbles grow as described above, and the ink evaporates from the ejection ports to increase the viscosity of the ink in the ink path. For this reason, it becomes difficult to perform a normal ejection particularly after being left for a long time,
In some cases, non-ejection may occur. In this case, a high-duty, that is, high-frequency ejection drive is performed first, the viscosity of the ink is reduced by raising the temperature inside the ink path, and the ink having a high density in the ink path due to the ejection is discharged. Thereafter, ejection is performed at a lower driving frequency. According to the present invention, high-concentration ink is removed from the ink path by performing continuous continuous ink discharge from odd-numbered discharge ports and even-numbered discharge ports in the discharge port arrangement. Is discharged, and normal ejection is possible. As a result, even if the recording device is left unused for a while,
A stable, high-quality image can be obtained.

Further, a modified example of the ejection recovery processing utilizing the bubble discharge processing of the present invention will be described below.

[0043] In FIG. 2, continuously from the ejection port N ₁ 1
Ejecting 0-100 times, followed by similarly discharged from the discharge port N _2, thereafter, performs a sequential N _3, N ₄ ......, a discharge for all the ejection openings in the head. This process has an advantage that the process of discharging the staying bubbles and the process of checking whether or not the discharge is normally performed for each discharge port can be performed at the same time. For example, in the case of a print head having 64 ejection ports, air bubbles are ejected from each ejection port by performing this series of ejections, in which ejection from ejection port 1 to ejection port 64 is repeated several times. be able to. At this time, the continuous discharge time for one discharge port can be changed so as to be longer in the first cycle and slightly shorter in the next cycle.

The ejection recovery processing shown in each of the above embodiments is
This is effective as an idle discharge method performed when high-duty printing is continuously performed and heat is generated in the ink path. In addition, when this process is used in a printer or a facsimile recording device, the process can be performed while waiting for a recording command or during data transfer, thereby lowering the recording speed of the entire device. Nor.

Further, when used for a copying machine, for example, when high-duty recording is performed or every time one recording sheet is recorded, this processing can be performed. Continuously, high-quality images can be obtained.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus capable of performing the ejection recovery method shown in each of the above embodiments.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 14 denotes a head cartridge, which is a recording head chip having an ink discharge port and an electrothermal conversion element as a discharge energy generating element provided in correspondence thereto, and an ink tank serving as an ink supply source. And are integrated. This head cartridge 14
It is fixed on the carriage 15 by a pressing member (fixing lever) 41, which can reciprocate in the longitudinal direction along the shaft 21. The ink ejected from the ejection port of the recording head chip reaches a recording sheet 18 as a recording medium whose recording surface is regulated by a platen 19 disposed at a very small distance from the ejection port, and on the recording sheet 18. To form an image.

An ejection signal corresponding to image data is supplied to an electrothermal transducer disposed on the recording head chip from a suitable data supply source via a cable 16 and a terminal connected thereto. One head cartridge 14 is provided.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 17 denotes a carriage motor for operating the carriage 15 along the shaft 21, and reference numeral 22 denotes a wire for transmitting the driving force of the motor 17 to the carriage 15. Reference numeral 20 denotes a feed motor that is coupled to the platen roller 19 to convey the recording paper 18.

Reference numeral 25 denotes a cap member which is disposed, for example, at a position corresponding to the home position of the carriage 15 and is capable of covering the ejection port forming surface of the head chip. The cap member 25 dries and solidifies the ink near the ejection ports. Has the function of preventing A pump 30 is connected to the cap member 25 via the tube 4. When the pump 30 is driven to remove a discharge defect, ink is sucked from the discharge port by the suction force. That is, there may be an ejection port where ejection is not performed for a long time during non-printing for a long time or depending on image data. In this case, in order to remove the thickened ink and the fixed ink generated near the discharge port, a discharge recovery process by suction is performed separately from the bubble discharge according to the present invention. The cap member 25 is also provided with a member for receiving ink ejected during the ejection recovery process.

Reference numeral 5 denotes a blade which is provided so as to be able to protrude into the moving range of the recording head, and wipes the discharge port forming surface after the discharge recovery processing or the like to prevent wetting on the discharge port formation surface and dust such as paper dust. Perform removal.

FIG. 4 shows the details of the recording head cartridge 14 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, in which the ink tank 10 serving as an ink supply source and the recording head chip 101 are integrated as described above, The head chip is replaced with a new one at the time of disappearance.

The recording head chip 101 has a plurality of adjacent ejection ports N formed on the surface facing the recording paper, a plurality of ink paths (not shown) adjacent to each other extending inward, and each of these ink paths. , And a common liquid chamber (not shown) communicating with each ink path. The supply tank unit 104 includes an ink tank 110
It functions as a sub-tank that receives supply of ink from the side and guides the ink to a common liquid chamber in the print head chip 101.

Reference numeral 112 denotes an ink absorber provided in the ink tank 110 and impregnated with ink, and can be formed by using a porous body or a fiber. Reference numeral 114 denotes a cover member of the ink tank 110.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the apparatus shown in FIG. With this control configuration, control of each embodiment of the above-described ejection recovery processing can be performed.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral 200 denotes a CPU for executing signal processing for various controls in the apparatus, and 200A denotes a CPU.
The RAM 200B used as a work area or the like in the processing of the PU 200 is a ROM for storing drive data, processing procedures, and the like when performing ejection as described in the ejection recovery processing of each of the above embodiments. At the time of the above-described ejection recovery process, the CPU uses the processing procedure stored in the ROM 200 </ b> B to select the ejection port to be ejected, the pulse width data of the electric pulse, and the driving frequency data.
A.

Further, the CPU 200 supplies necessary data to the carriage motor driver 17A and the paper feed motor driver 20A as necessary at the time of recording, etc.
The carriage motor 17 and the paper feed motor 20 are driven to control the movement of the carriage 15 and the paper feed of the recording paper.

FIG. 6 shows an example of an ink jet recording apparatus capable of performing full color recording.
In an apparatus having such a plurality of recording heads, by performing the ejection recovery process by discharging bubbles according to the embodiment of the present invention, the number of ink suction processes for ejection recovery can be reduced. In addition, the effect of saving the amount of ink consumed by the suction process is great.

(Second Embodiment) The second embodiment of the present invention relates to a process for discharging the staying bubbles by positively utilizing the gap generated in the ink path spacing wall of the recording head as described above. That is, normally, when a recording head is formed, no gap is formed in the ink path interval wall. For this reason, when joining a board | substrate and a top plate, sufficient attention is paid to the structure for application | coating of an adhesive agent and producing a joining force. However, in a recording head in which the substrate and the top plate are joined by a leaf spring or the like as described above and the configuration for joining is simplified, a gap may be generated in a partition wall between ink paths. This example uses this positively. Hereinafter, this processing will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 7 is a view for explaining the bubble discharging process according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and shows a part of the recording head.

[0061] In FIG 7, air bubbles adversely affects the discharge in the center of the ink passage 2 _K are retained. In this case, the electrothermal conversion elements 1 of the adjacent discharge ports N _K-1 and N _{K +} 1
By applying the same electric palace at the predetermined frequency to _K-1 and 1 _{K + 1} at the time of recording, the respective discharge ports N _K-1 and N
Ink is ejected from _{K + 1} . At this time, first, the discharge port N
Discharge is performed 10 to 100 times from _K−1 , and thereafter, similar discharge is performed from the discharge port _{NK + 1} . Thus, air bubbles staying in the ink passage 2 in _K, unlike the first embodiment, and is discharged from the discharge port N _K-1 or N _{K + 1.}

Further, for example, the same discharge as described above may be performed for the discharge ports N _K−1 and N _{K + 1} , and then the same number of continuous discharges may be performed again for the discharge port N _K−1. Thus, more effective discharge of air bubbles can be performed.

At this time, the electrothermal conversion elements, 1 _K−1 , 1
The driving frequency of _{K + 1} can be the same as that described in the first embodiment.

In order to discharge air bubbles, in the above-described example, ink was discharged back and forth from adjacent discharge ports on both sides. However, air bubbles can be discharged by discharging only one side.

With respect to the phenomenon in which bubbles are discharged as described above, one of the possible principles will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 shows a case where ink is simultaneously ejected from the respective ejection ports N _K-1 and N _{K + 1} adjacent to the ink path 2 _K for ejecting bubbles. In this case, the principle is as follows. Conceivable. That is, by continuous ink ejection from the ejection ports N _K-1 and N _{K + 1} on both sides, the ink path 2 _K-1 and the ink path 2 _K-1 are fed from the common liquid chamber 3 to the ink path 2 _K-1 by ink refill. The ink flows as shown by the arrows. Due to this ink flow, an ink flow as shown by an arrow S in the drawing also occurs through a gap generated in the partition walls W _K-1 and W _K by a pressure wave or the like at the time of ink discharge. By the ink flow S through this gap,
Together with the bubbles staying in the ink passage 2 _K is drawn into the ink passage 2 _K-1 or 2 _{K + 1} through the partition wall W _K-1, W _K, the discharge port N is accompanied with the ink discharge in the ink passage
_{Emitted from K-1} or NK _{+ 1} .

At this time, the bubbles are rarely drawn in by one ejection in the adjacent ink path, and are gradually drawn in through the gap by continuous plural times of ejection. Also, when the ink is ejected simultaneously in the adjacent ink paths, which ink path is drawn into
It is considered that it is determined by the position where the bubble originally existed and the size of the gap.

Also in the bubble discharging process according to the present embodiment, the number of discharge ports for performing discharge, the time during which discharge is continued, and the like are the first.
The setting can be made in the same manner as in the embodiment. Further, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

A description will now be given of an example of a recording head and an ink jet recording apparatus using the recording head according to the second embodiment of the present invention capable of suitably performing the bubble discharging process.

The recording head of this embodiment is relatively inexpensive and has a simple structure, and moreover, efficiently and reliably records stagnant bubbles by utilizing the interference between adjacent ink paths, which is generally considered inconvenient. It can be discharged from the ink path of the head. Specifically, two members, a top plate in which a groove for forming an ink path common liquid chamber is formed and a substrate in which an electrothermal conversion element is formed, are pressurized (partially using an adhesive). The groove for forming the ink path and the like, and the electrothermal transducer may be formed on any of the top plate and the substrate.)

The structure described in the following embodiment is a structure in which the above-mentioned force is applied uniformly in the region corresponding to the discharge port from the electrothermal transducer of the recording head, and particularly in the vicinity of the discharge port. Has been disclosed. Linear pressure is used to achieve this uniform force bonding. Examples of the recording head having such a configuration include the following several examples.

As a first embodiment, an ink ejection port from which ink is ejected, an ink path communicating with the ink ejection port,
A recording head including, for example, an electrothermal conversion element as an ejection energy generating element that is provided at a predetermined portion of the ink path and generates energy used for ejecting ink; An example is a recording head in which a first base and a second base for forming an outlet are pressed and joined by a linear pressure pressing member that generates a linear pressure.

As a second example, the first base having an ejection energy generating element for generating energy used for discharging ink from the ink discharge port, and being joined to the first base, A second substrate provided with an uneven portion for forming an ink path communicating with the ink ejection port; and a leaf spring member used for mechanically joining the first substrate and the second substrate. Recording head,
A recording head in which the first base and the second base are pressed against each other by generating a linear pressure by the end of the protruding part of the leaf spring member having the protruding side bent.

Further, as a third example, a first base having a discharge energy generating element for generating energy used for discharging ink from an ink discharge port, and the ink discharge port were formed. An orifice plate, a front plate member integrally provided with the orifice plate, a part of which protrudes to the outside, and an ink passage communicating with the ink discharge port by being joined to the first base. A second base integrally provided with the uneven portion;
A recording head comprising: a leaf spring member used for mechanically joining the first substrate and the second substrate; a side portion of the leaf spring member having a protruding side bent. A linear pressure is generated by the end of the protruding portion of the leaf spring member in a state where the first base member and the second base member are in contact with the surface of the front plate member on the side opposite to the ink ejection direction.
An example is a recording head in which the substrate is pressed against the substrate.

According to these head configurations, in joining the first base and the second base, the joining force is obtained by making the contact surface between the leaf spring member and the second base linear. And a region corresponding to the ink path near the ink discharge port on the top plate can be pressed with a substantially uniform pressing force. As a result, the above-described ink ejection for discharging the bubbles can generate a vibrational gap in the ink path interval wall.

FIGS. 8 to 12 show an embodiment of the recording head having the above-described structure and an ink jet recording apparatus using the same.

As shown in FIG. 9, the recording head cartridge IJC of this embodiment is provided with an ink tank IT and a recording head unit IJU which have a relatively large ink storage ratio. The recording head unit IJU has a shape with its tip protruding from the ink tank IT.
The recording head cartridge IJC is detachably mounted on a carriage HC (see FIG. 11) of the main body IJRA of the ink jet recording apparatus by positioning means and electric contacts, which will be described later. Thereby, the recording head cartridge I
When the ink in the ink tank IT runs out, the JC can be replaced with a new one together with the recording head IJU.

(I) Recording Head Unit IJU The ink jet unit IJU is a recording method of discharging ink using an electrothermal conversion element that generates thermal energy for causing film boiling to occur in ink in response to an electric signal. This is a unit using a head.

In FIG. 8, reference numeral 100 denotes an electrothermal transducer (discharge heater) arranged in a plurality of rows on an Si substrate, and electrical wiring such as Al for supplying electric power to the heater, formed by a film forming technique. It is a heater board composed of: Reference numeral 1200 denotes a wiring board for the heater board 100, a wiring corresponding to the wiring of the heater board 100 (for example, connected by wire bonding), and a pad 1201 located at an end of the wiring and receiving an electric signal from the main body device. have.

Reference numeral 1300 denotes a top plate on which a groove for forming a partition for dividing a plurality of ink paths, a common liquid chamber for storing ink for supplying ink to each ink path, and the like are formed. The ink receiving port 1500 for receiving the ink supplied from the top plate 1300 ink tank IT and introducing the ink into the above-described common liquid chamber, and the orifice plate 400 having a plurality of ejection ports corresponding to each ink path are integrally formed. is there. Polysulfone is preferred as these integral molding materials, but other molding resin materials can also be used.

Reference numeral 300 denotes a support made of, for example, metal which supports the back surface of the wiring board 1200 in a plane, and serves as a bottom plate of the recording head unit. Reference numeral 500 denotes a pressing spring, which has an M-shape, presses a portion corresponding to the common liquid chamber of the top plate 1300 at a center of the M-shape with light pressure, and has a front drooping portion 501 formed to protrude from the side thereof. At the end, a top plate in a part of the ink path, preferably in a region corresponding to the vicinity of the ejection port, is intensively pressed by linear pressure. The pressing force of the presser spring 500 is obtained by engaging the foot of the presser spring 500 with the back surface of the support 300 through the hole 3121 of the support 300, and the presser spring 500 sandwiching the heater board 100 and the top plate 1300. Occurs. The heater board 100 and the top plate 1300 can be crimped and fixed by the pressing force of the pressing spring 500 and the front sag 501 as described below. Further, the support 300 is provided with the ink tank I.
Two positioning protrusions 1012 and 1012 provided on T
And projections 1800, 1801 for positioning and heat fusion holding
In addition to the positioning holes 312, 1900, and 2000 for engaging with the carriage HC of the apparatus main body IJRA, projections 2500 and 2600 for positioning with respect to the carriage HC are provided on the back surface side. In addition, the support 300 also has a hole 320 that can penetrate an ink supply pipe 2200 (described later) that allows ink to be supplied from the ink tank. The attachment of the wiring board 200 to the support 300 is performed by sticking with an adhesive or the like. The concave portions 2400, 2400 of the support 300 are
They are provided near the positioning projections 2500 and 2600, respectively. In the recording head unit IJU (see FIG. 9) assembled, the three sides around the recessed portions 2400, 2400 are formed in parallel grooves 3000,
At the extension point of the head tip region formed by a plurality of heads 3001, unnecessary objects such as dust and ink are projected 2500 and 260.
It is provided at a position where it does not reach zero. Parallel groove 3
000 is formed on the outer wall of the recording head cartridge IJC, as shown in FIG.
IT and recording head unit IJU with ink tank
To store. The ink supply member 600 in which the parallel groove 3001 is formed includes an ink conduit 1600 communicating with the above-described ink supply tube 2200 in a cantilever form in which the supply tube 2200 side is fixed. A sealing pin 602 for securing a capillary phenomenon between the fixed side and the ink supply pipe 2200 is inserted. The free end of the ink conduit 1600 is in pressure contact with an ink receiving port 1500 provided in a top plate 1300 of the recording head. 60
1 is a packing for sealing the connection between the ink tank IT and the supply pipe 2200, and 700 is a filter provided at the tank side end of the supply pipe.

Since the ink supply member 600 is molded, the ink supply member 600 is inexpensive, has a high positional accuracy and eliminates a decrease in manufacturing accuracy. In addition, since the conduit 1600 or the cantilever is used, mass production is possible. Conduit 1600
Can be stably pressed against the ink receiving port 1500. In the present embodiment, the communication state in which the sealing state is maintained can be reliably obtained only by pouring the sealing adhesive from the ink supply member side under the pressure contact state. Ink supply member 600
Is fixed to the support 300 by the holes 19 in the support 300.
01, 1902, the back side pins (not shown) of the ink supply member 600 are
This is easily performed by projecting through the through hole and heat-sealing the portion of the support body 300 projecting to the rear surface side. The slightly protruding area of the heat-fused back surface is the ink tank I
Since the recording head unit T is accommodated in a recess (not shown) in the side wall surface of the mounting surface of the IJU, the positioning surface of the unit IJU can be obtained accurately.

(Ii) Ink Tank IT The ink tank IT is formed by inserting the cartridge body 1000, the ink absorber 900, and the ink absorber 900 from the side of the cartridge body 1000 opposite to the unit IJU mounting surface. And a lid member 1100 that seals the lid.

Reference numeral 900 denotes an absorber for impregnating the ink, which is arranged in the cartridge main body 1000. 1
220 is a unit IJ comprising the above parts 100 to 600
A supply port for supplying ink to U, and a note for performing ink impregnation of the absorber 900 by injecting ink from the supply port 1220 in a process before the unit is mounted on the cartridge body 1000. It is also the entrance.

In this example, the portions where ink can be injected into the ink tank IT are the air communication port and this supply port. However, in the ink tank IT of this example, when the ink is supplied to the recording head IJU, the rib 2 in the main body 1000 is provided in order to improve the ink supply from the ink absorber.
300 and partial ribs 2500 and 2400 of the lid member 1100
Is formed continuously from the air communication port 1401 side, and the ink supply port 1220 is formed.
At the corner farthest from Therefore, in order to perform relatively good and uniform ink injection into the absorber, it is preferable that ink injection be performed through the supply port 1220. The main body 1000 includes a rib 230 on the rear surface of the ink tank, the rib 230 being parallel to the moving direction of the carriage.
It has four zeros to prevent the absorber from sticking to the rear surface. Also, the partial ribs 2400, 2500 are likewise located on the corresponding extension on the
Although it is provided on the inner surface of the “0”, it is in a divided state unlike the rib 2300. As a result, the space where air is present is increased more than the former. Also, the partial rib 250
Reference numeral 0,2400 is a shape dispersed on a surface that is less than half of the total area of the cover member 1000. With these ribs, the ink in the corner region farthest from the tank supply port 1220 can be more stably guided to the supply port 1220 side by capillary force. Reference numeral 1401 denotes an atmosphere communication port provided in the lid member for communicating the inside of the cartridge with the atmosphere. 1400
Is a liquid-repellent material disposed inside the air communication port 1401, thereby preventing ink from leaking from the air communication port 1400.

The above-described arrangement of the ribs is particularly effective because the above-described ink storage space of the ink tank IT has a rectangular shape and has long sides on the side surfaces. In the case of having a side or a cube, by providing a rib on the entire lid member 1100, the ink supply from the ink absorber 900 can be stabilized. A rectangular parallelepiped shape is suitable for storing ink in a limited space as much as possible, but in order to use this stored ink for recording without waste, as described above, It is effective to provide a rib that can perform the above-described operation in two adjacent areas. Further, the inner surface ribs of the ink tank IT in this embodiment are arranged with a substantially uniform distribution in the thickness direction of the rectangular parallelepiped ink absorber. This configuration is important because it can make the atmospheric pressure distribution uniform and almost eliminate the remaining amount of ink with respect to the ink consumption of the entire absorber. Furthermore,
The technical idea of the arrangement of the ribs will be described in detail. The arrangement of the ribs is defined by drawing an arc with the long side of the ink tank IT as a center around the position where the ink supply port 1220 of the ink tank is projected. In addition, the rib is provided on a surface outside the circular arc so that the atmospheric pressure state is given to the absorber located outside the circular arc at an early stage. In this case, the air communication port 140 of the ink tank IT is used.
1 is not limited to this example as long as it is a position where air can be introduced into the rib arrangement region.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the rear surface of the recording head cartridge IJC with respect to the head is flattened to minimize the required space when incorporated in the apparatus, and to maximize the ink storage amount. Has taken. As a result, not only can the device be miniaturized, but also the frequency of cartridge replacement can be reduced. Utilizing the rear portion of the space for integrating the recording head unit IJU of the recording head cartridge IJC, a projecting portion for the air communication port 1401 is formed there, and the inside of this projecting portion is hollowed out. A space 1402 for supplying the atmospheric pressure corresponding to the thickness direction of the absorber 900 described above.
Is formed. The atmospheric pressure supply space 1402 is a relatively large space, and since the air communication port 1401 is located above, even if the ink leaks from the absorber due to some abnormality, the atmospheric pressure supply space 1402 does not The ink can be temporarily held, and can be reliably collected by the absorber.

FIG. 10 shows the configuration of the mounting surface of the recording unit IJU in the ink tank IT. Through approximately the center of the discharge port formed in the orifice plate 400 and a straight line parallel to the mounting reference plane of the surface of the bottom or the carriage HC of the tank IT and L _1, the support 300
The two positioning protrusions 1012 that engage with the holes 312 of
It is on the straight line L _1. The height of the protrusion 1012 is slightly lower than the thickness of the support 300, and the support 300 is positioned. _On the extension of the straight line L1 in the drawing of FIG.
Positioning hook 4001 provided on carriage HC
Claw 2100 for engaging with the right-angled engagement surface 4002 is provided. As a result, the force for positioning the recording head cartridge IJC with respect to the carriage HC is applied in a plane parallel area to the reference surface including the straight line L _1. As will be described later with reference to FIG. 11, these relationships are effective because the positioning accuracy of the print head cartridge IJC with respect to the carriage HC is equivalent to the positioning accuracy of the ejection port of the print head IJH.

The protrusions 1800 and 1801 of the ink tank corresponding to the fixing holes 1900 and 2000 on the side of the ink tank of the support 300 are longer than the protrusions 1012 described above. I do.
As a result, the projecting portion can be thermally fused to the support 300 to fix the support 300 to the side surface of the ink tank IT. Assuming that a straight line perpendicular to the above-described line L ₁ and passing through the projection 1800 is L ₃ and a straight line passing through the projection 1801 is L ₂ ,
On the straight line L ₃ is approximately the center of the supply opening 1220 is located. Thereby, the connection state between the supply port 1220 and the supply pipe 2200 can be stabilized, and the load on these connection states can be reduced even by a drop or an impact. The straight line L ₂ ,
L ₃ do not overlap, also by the protrusions 1800 and 1801 around the protrusion 1012 of the discharge port of the recording head IJH are present, further cause the reinforcing effect of the positioning with respect to the ink tank IT in the recording head unit IJU Let me. Curve indicated by reference numeral L ₄ are, the ink supply member 600 indicates the position of the outer shape when mounted. Since the projections 1800 and 1801 are provided along the curve L _4, stable relative to the weight of the recording head unit IJU can be supported them, also has a position accuracy and sufficient strength for its be able to.
Reference numeral 2700 denotes a leading edge of the ink tank IT, which is inserted into a hole of the front plate 4000 of the carriage when the recording head cartridge IJC is mounted on the carriage HC, and prevents an abnormal change that extremely deteriorates the displacement of the recording head cartridge IJC. I do. Reference numeral 2101 denotes a stopper for the carriage HC, which is provided for a bar (not shown) of the carriage HC. According to this configuration, when the cartridge IJC is pivotally mounted as described later with reference to FIG. 11, the stopper 2101 penetrates below the bar, and a force is applied upward to the mounting so as to unnecessarily separate from the positioning position. Even if it acts, the mounted state can be maintained.

After the recording head unit IJU is fixed, the recording head cartridge IJC covers the lid 800. As a result, the cartridge IJC surrounds the recording head unit IJU except for a portion below the recording head unit IJU. However, when the cartridge IJC is mounted on the carriage HC, the lower opening is close to the mounting surface of the carriage HC, so that the entire surrounding space is formed. Therefore, the heat generated by the ink ejection from the print head IJH in the surrounding space is used as a heat retaining space, and this heat is effective by keeping the temperature of the print head constant. For example, when the ejection is performed continuously for a period, a slight temperature rise occurs. For this reason, in this example, a slit 1700 having a width smaller than this space is provided on the upper surface of the recording head cartridge IJC as shown in FIGS. Thereby, the recording head unit IJ can be prevented while preventing the temperature in the surrounding space from rising.
The temperature distribution of the entire U can be made uniform without being affected by the environment.

When the recording head cartridge IJC is assembled as shown in FIG. 9, ink is supplied from the inside of the cartridge to the supply port 1220 and the holes 3 formed in the support 300.
After being supplied into the supply tank 600 through an inlet provided on the back side of the supply tank 20 and the supply tank 600, and passing through the inside thereof, it is shared from an outlet through an appropriate supply pipe and an ink receiving port 1500 of the top plate 1300. It flows into the liquid chamber.
A packing made of, for example, silicone rubber or butyl rubber is provided at the connection portion for ink communication as described above, whereby sealing is performed to secure an ink supply path.

In this embodiment, the top plate 1300 is made of a resin such as polysulfone, polyethersulfone, polyphenylene oxide, or polypropylene having excellent ink resistance, and is integrally molded with the orifice plate 400 by a mold. be able to.

As described above, since the integrally molded parts are the ink supply member 600, the top plate / orifice plate, and the ink tank body 1000, not only the assembling accuracy becomes high, but also the quality of mass production is extremely effective. It is. Also, the number of parts can be reduced as compared with the conventional case.

Further, in this embodiment, in the shape after the assembly, the upper end portion 603 of the ink supply member 600 and the end portion 40 of the roof provided with the slit 1700 of the ink tank IT.
08, and a slit S shown in FIG. 9 is formed between the lower surface 604 and the head-side end 4011 of the thin plate member to which the lid 800 of the ink tank IT is bonded. A slit (not shown) is formed. These ink tank IT and ink supply member 600
And the slit between the slits 1700 substantially enhances the heat radiation of the slits 1700, and the tank IT
Even if there is unnecessary force applied to the recording head unit IJT, it is prevented from directly applying unnecessary force to the recording head unit IJT.

(Iii) Attachment of Recording Head Cartridge IJC to Carriage HC In FIG. 11, reference numeral 5000 denotes a platen roller, which guides a recording medium P such as recording paper from below to above in FIG. The carriage HC is a platen roller 5000
Can move along. In the carriage HC,
On the front platen side, a print head cartridge IJC
A front plate 4000 (thickness: 2 mm) is provided on the front surface of the carriage HC, and a support plate 4003 is provided on the left side of the center in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface of the carriage HC. This support plate 40
03, a flexible sheet 4005 having pads 2011 corresponding to the pads 1201 of the wiring board 200 of the cartridge IJC, and
11 holds a rubber pad sheet 4006 having an elastic force to press against. Further, the carriage HC is provided with a positioning hook 4001 for fixing the recording head cartridge IJC to a regular position. Front plate 4
000 has two positioning projections 4010 corresponding to the positioning projections 2500 and 2600 of the support 300 of the cartridge, and when the cartridge IJC is mounted, a force perpendicular to the projections 4010 is applied to the projections 4010. Works. For this reason, the front plate 4000 has a plurality of ribs (not shown) facing the direction of the vertical force on the platen roller 5000 side. This rib is slightly larger than the front position L ₅ when the cartridge IJC mounted (about 0.
The projection protrudes toward the platen roller 5000, thereby protecting the recording head from recording paper or the like. The support plate 4003 has a plurality of reinforcing ribs 4004 in a direction perpendicular to the ribs, and the proportion of protrusion from the platen side to the hook 4001 side is reduced. This also fulfills the function of inclining the position when the cartridge is mounted as shown in the figure. Also, support plate 4003
Exerts an acting force on the wiring board 1200 to the cartridge IJC in a direction opposite to the direction of the force exerted on the cartridge by the two positioning projecting surfaces 4010 in order to stabilize the electrical contact state. That is, two positioning surfaces 4007 are provided on the support plate 4003. A pad contact area is formed between them, and a positioning surface 400 is formed.
Reference numerals 74007 uniquely define the amount of deformation of the notch of the notched rubber sheet 4006 corresponding to the pad 2011.
The positioning surface thus configured is the cartridge IJ
When C is mounted at the regular position, it comes into contact with the surface of the wiring board 1200. In this example, the wiring board 12
Since the 00 pads 1201 are are distributed so as to be symmetrical with respect to a line L ₁ described above, by equalizing the amount of deformation of each Bocci of the rubber sheet 4006 pad 2011,120
1 can further stabilize the contact pressure. The distribution of the pads 1201 in this example is two rows above and two rows below and two rows vertically.

The hook 4001 has a long hole which engages with the fixed shaft 4009 of the carriage HC. After the hook 4001 rotates counterclockwise from the position shown in FIG. Move to the left side in parallel. Thus, the ink jet cartridge IJC is mounted on the carriage HC. The hook 4001 can be moved in any manner, but a configuration that can be performed by a lever or the like is preferable. The mounting of the cartridge IJC on the carriage HC will be described in detail. The rotation of the hook 4001 causes the cartridge IJC to move toward the platen roller 5000 while the positioning protrusions 2500 and 2600 are positioned on the positioning surface 40 of the front plate.
10, the hook 4001 moves to the left, and the right-angled hook surface 4002 comes into close contact with the right-angled surface of the claw 2100 of the cartridge IJC, whereby the cartridge IJC is moved to the positioning surfaces 2500, 4010. It turns in the horizontal plane around the contact area of the comrades, and finally the contact of the pads 201 and 2011 starts. And hook 4
When 001 is held at a predetermined position, that is, a fixed position, the pads 201 and 2011 are in perfect contact with each other, the positioning surfaces 2500 and 4010 are in perfect contact with each other, and the right angle surface 40
02 and the right-angled surface of the claw, and the surface contact between the wiring board 1200 and the positioning 4007 are simultaneously made, and the mounting of the cartridge IJC on the carriage HC is completed.

(Iv) Apparatus Main Body FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view of an ink jet recording apparatus IJRA using the above-described cartridge IJC. The lead screw 5005 is provided with a transmission gear train 5009, 5010,
By the forward / reverse rotation of the drive motor 5013 transmitted via the motor 5011, the drive motor 5013 rotates in a direction corresponding to the forward or reverse rotation.
Then, a pin (not shown) of the carriage HC engages with the wire groove 5005 of the lead screw 5004. Thus, the recording head cartridge HC can move in the direction of the arrow a or b. 5002 is a paper presser plate,
The recording paper P is applied to the platen 50 in the carriage movement direction.
Press against 00. Photocouplers 5007 and 5008 are levers 500 provided on the carriage HC.
6 in this area is confirmed, whereby the home position used for switching the rotation direction of the motor 5013 and the like can be detected. A support member 5016 supports a cap 5022 for capping the front surface of the recording head. Reference numeral 5015 denotes a suction device for generating a negative pressure in the cap and sucking ink from the ejection openings of the recording head. With this suction means, ink is sucked from the recording head through the opening 5023 in the cap. Reference numeral 5017 denotes a cleaning blade.
Reference numeral 019 is a member which enables the blade to move in the front-rear direction, and these members are supported by the main body support plate 5018. As the blade 5017, a well-known cleaning blade may be applied instead of this embodiment. Reference numeral 5021 denotes a lever for starting suction by the suction device 5015, which moves with the movement of the cam 5020 which engages with the movement of the carriage HC. As a result, the driving force from the driving motor 5013 is transmitted to the suction device 5015 via a known transmission mechanism such as clutch switching.

The capping, cleaning, and suction recovery are performed as the carriage HC moves toward the home position. That is, the lead screw 50
It is configured such that desired processing can be performed at those corresponding positions in accordance with the rotation of 04. However, as long as each of the above-described processes can be performed at each well-known timing, any of such configurations can be applied to the present embodiment.

The leaf spring 500 shown in FIG. 8 is provided for mechanically pressing the substrate and the grooved top plate to form the ink path and the common liquid chamber as described above. For example, phosphor bronze, stainless steel for spring, FRP
It is made of etc. Here, an adhesive for temporarily fixing the substrate and the grooved top plate is used, and specifically, a photo-curing adhesive is used.

The leaf spring 500 has a substantially M-shape having a spring portion substantially parallel to the upper surface of the grooved top plate and side portions along the side surfaces of the substrate and the grooved top plate. The part is further provided with a claw part for generating a pressing force on the leaf spring 500 by engaging with the support plate. Further, the leaf spring 500 is provided with a protruding portion 501 which protrudes from the side of the spring portion and is bent on the upper surface side of the grooved top plate. The substrate and the top plate with the groove are pressed and joined by linear pressure by the protruding line portion 501, whereby stress at the time of pressing is concentrated, and a uniform pressing force is obtained.

It is preferable that such a joining member has a projection 501, but in order to obtain the bubble moving effect through the gap between the adjacent ink paths as described above, the projection 501 is required. Is not necessary. Since such a leaf spring presses the grooved top plate from above using a surface, the pressing force is dispersed near the ejection port or the entire ink path area where reliable joining is required, and the joining is uniform. Although a force is applied, a weak joining force is applied to the periphery thereof, which is preferable as a condition for generating the gap.

In this embodiment, phosphor bronze is used as the material of the leaf spring, and a force of 1 kg is generated at a plate thickness of 0.15 mm. Moreover, the protruding portion 5 as a linear pressure generating portion is provided on the leaf spring.
01 is provided. The ink path forming area or the vicinity of the ejection port can be pressed uniformly over substantially the entire area corresponding to the area where the ejection ports are arranged, and the joining at the adjacent ink path spacing wall can be ensured. As a result, the difference in the relative pressing force in the direction in which the ink path extends becomes large, so that the vibration of the top plate and the like due to the pressure wave in the ink accompanying the ejection causes the common liquid behind the electrothermal conversion element to move. It is possible to concentrate on the room side area. Therefore, it is possible to more efficiently exert the effect of detaching the hard-to-remove bubbles from the inner wall and removing the bubbles through the gap.

As described above, the ejection recovery processing according to the two embodiments of the present invention is effective for a recording head having a common liquid chamber and a plurality of ink paths communicating with the common liquid chamber. The arrangement of the ink paths for the common liquid chamber is not limited to the above example. For example, the present invention can be applied to a configuration in which a predetermined number of ink path arrangements form a plurality of layers and these ink paths have a common liquid chamber.
By performing ink ejection in the lower, left, and right ink paths, bubbles in the ink paths can be discharged. The present invention is effective in any case where the ink ejection direction of the recording head is upward, downward, lateral, or the like.

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the description has been given of the processing of discharging the staying bubbles in the recording head of the system in which the bubbles are generated in the ink by the thermal energy and the ink is discharged based on the generation of the bubbles. However, the present invention can also be applied to a print head of an ejection method using an ejection energy element that generates a pressure wave in ink, such as a piezo element.

Further, in the present specification, ink is discharged from discharge ports including at least discharge ports adjacent thereto except for discharge ports whose ink discharge is affected by stagnation of air bubbles. The present invention discloses a process of discharging bubbles by utilizing a pressure fluctuation and an ink flow generated in the process. Therefore, as long as such processing can be performed, the recording head does not necessarily need to have the structure shown in each of the above embodiments.

As is apparent from the above description, in the present invention, when discharging the staying air bubbles in the ink path or the like in the recording head, the discharge is not performed from the discharge port to be discharged, but at least the discharge port is used. By discharging ink from other discharge ports including the discharge port adjacent to the nozzle, bubbles remaining in the ink path corresponding to the discharge port are discharged. In this point, it is different from the discharge recovery processing based on the so-called idle discharge, which is well known in the related art. Such an ejection recovery process is described in, for example,
It is disclosed in 194967. Here, ink is ejected from an ejection port for which ejection is to be recovered, whereby thickened ink and relatively small stagnant bubbles can be discharged. However, it is difficult to discharge the relatively large stagnant bubbles by such idle discharge.

(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 providing a rapid temperature rise exceeding 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 a liquid (ink) having particularly excellent responsiveness can be achieved, which is more preferable. As the pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US 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 discharge port, the liquid path, and the electrothermal converter (linear liquid flow path or right-angled liquid flow path) as disclosed in the above-mentioned specifications, U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 and U.S. Pat.
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. 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.

Furthermore, 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, the recording head fixed to the apparatus main body or the electric connection with the apparatus main body or the ink from the apparatus main body is attached to 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 recovery means for the printhead, preliminary auxiliary means, and the like provided as a configuration of the printing apparatus in the present invention since the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. . If these are specifically mentioned, capping means for the recording head, cleaning means, pressurizing or suction means, preheating means using an electrothermal transducer or another heating element or a combination thereof, Performing a preliminary ejection mode in which ejection is performed separately from printing is also effective for performing stable printing.

The type and number of recording heads to be mounted are not limited to those provided only for one color ink, for example, and for a plurality of inks 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 extremely effective for an apparatus provided with at least one of full colors 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, or an ink jet system In general, the temperature of the ink itself is controlled 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. Anything can be used. In addition, the temperature rise due to thermal energy can be positively prevented by using it as energy for changing the state of the ink from a solid state to a liquid state, or ink that solidifies in a standing state to prevent evaporation of the ink can be used. In any case, the ink is liquefied by the application of the thermal energy according to the recording signal, and the ink is liquefied, and the liquid ink is discharged. The present invention is also applicable to a case where an ink that liquefies for the first time by energy is used. In such a case, the ink is disclosed in JP-A-54-56847 or JP-A-60
As described in JP-A-71260, a configuration may be adopted in which a liquid or solid substance is held in a concave portion or through hole of a porous sheet and opposed to an electrothermal converter. 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, a recording apparatus provided with a recording mechanism using the liquid jet recording head of the present invention can be used as an image output terminal for information processing equipment such as a workstation, a personal or host computer, a word processor, and the like. A copying machine combined with a reader or the like, a facsimile machine having a transmission / reception function, or an information output unit of an optical disc device may be used.

FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram of a utilization apparatus provided with the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention as information output means.

In FIG. 13, reference numeral 10000 denotes a utilization device, which can be, for example, a workstation, a personal or host computer, a word processor, a copying machine, a facsimile, or an optical disk device. Reference numeral 11000 denotes an ink jet recording apparatus as shown in FIG. 3, 6 or 12. Recording device 1
1000 receives processing information from the usage device 10000 based on the control of the usage device 10000 and performs recording and output in a hard copy form.

FIG. 14 is a schematic block diagram showing another embodiment of the portable printer according to the present invention. This can be combined with a utilization device such as a workstation, a personal computer, a host computer, a word processor, a copying device, a facsimile device or an optical disk device.

In FIG. 14, reference numeral 10001 denotes such a utilization device. Reference numeral 12
Reference numeral 000 denotes a portable printer schematically shown, which incorporates an ink jet recording apparatus (IJRA) 11000 as shown in FIG. 3, 6 or 12, and has interface circuits 13000 and 14000.
These interface circuits store information processed by the utilization device 11001 and the inkjet recording device 11.
000 are received.
The control data includes a handshake control signal and an interrupt control signal from the use device. Such control signals are those implemented in conventional printer control technology.

[0119]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, except for the discharge port which discharges air bubbles and performs discharge recovery, the discharge port including at least the discharge port adjacent thereto is excluded. By performing a plurality of continuous discharges, the air bubbles that remain in the liquid path of the discharge port in the discharge recovery process are discharged from the discharge port.

Further, according to the above configuration, a plurality of continuous discharges are performed for the discharge port including at least the discharge port adjacent to the discharge port except for the discharge port for discharging the bubble to perform the discharge recovery. By doing so, the ink that is generated along with this discharge, or that is generated through the gap in the liquid path partition originally possessed, or through the gap formed by both of them, forms the liquid path and the gap with the discharge. Bubbles are drawn into the liquid path by the refill, and are discharged with the discharge in the liquid path.

As a result, the ejection recovery process for discharging bubbles can be performed with a simple configuration, and the time required for the bubble discharging process can be reduced as compared with the conventional case.

Further, since it is no longer necessary to perform ink suction, which has been conventionally performed for discharging bubbles, or the number of times of ink suction can be reduced, ink consumption by this processing can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a part of a recording head for explaining an ejection recovery process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view showing an example of a recording head to which the ejection recovery processing of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of an ink jet recording apparatus capable of performing an ejection recovery process according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing details of a recording head cartridge shown in FIG. 3;

5 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the device shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing another example of an ink jet recording apparatus capable of performing the ejection recovery processing according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a part of a recording head shown for describing an ejection recovery process according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a recording head cartridge including a recording head that can suitably implement another embodiment of the present invention.

9 is an assembled perspective view of the recording head cartridge shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing details of an ink tank unit shown in FIG. 8;

11 is a recording head cartridge IJC shown in FIG.
It is an explanatory view for explaining attachment to an apparatus.

12 is a schematic perspective view of an ink jet recording apparatus to which the recording head cartridge shown in FIG. 8 is applied.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an apparatus using the inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a schematic view showing a portable printer according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

_{1 1 ~1 n, 1 K-} 1, 1 K, 1 K + 1 electrothermal converting element _{2 1 ~2 n, 2 K-} 1, 2 K, 2 K + 1 fluid channel 3 common liquid chamber N ₁ to N _{n, n K-1, n} K, n K + 1 discharge port W _K-1, W _K ink path partition walls 101, IJH recording head 101A head driver 200 CPU 500 leaf spring member

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Masami Ikeda 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (56) References JP-A-63-94855 (JP, A) (58) Survey Field (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B41J 2/175

Claims (41)

(57) [Claims] A recording head having a plurality of ejection ports for ejecting ink and ejection energy generating elements provided corresponding to each of the plurality of ejection ports. In the ejection recovery method of the ink jet recording apparatus for performing recording by ejecting ink, in the arrangement of the plurality of ejection ports, except for the ejection port performing ejection recovery, at least the ejection energy generation of the ejection port adjacent to the ejection port. An ejection recovery method for an ink jet recording apparatus, comprising a process of ejecting ink from the ejection port by driving an element. A plurality of discharge ports for discharging ink, and a discharge energy generating element provided for each of the plurality of discharge ports and communicating with the corresponding discharge port to discharge ink. A print head having a plurality of ink paths provided and a common liquid chamber communicating with the plurality of ink paths, and a discharge recovery of an ink jet recording apparatus for performing recording by discharging ink to a recording medium. In the method, in the arrangement of the plurality of discharge ports, except for the discharge port that performs discharge recovery, at least the discharge energy generation element of the discharge port adjacent to the discharge port is continuously driven a plurality of times, so that the discharge port is discharged. An ejection recovery method for an ink jet recording apparatus, comprising a process of performing ink ejection. 3. The ejection recovery method for an ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein after the ink is ejected from at least the adjacent ejection port, the ink is ejected from the ejection port performing the ejection recovery. 4. The discharge port for performing the ink discharge is a plurality of discharge ports including the adjacent discharge ports, and performs ink discharge on the plurality of discharge ports at the same time. 3. The ejection recovery method for an ink jet recording apparatus according to item 1. 5. In the arrangement of the plurality of discharge ports, the discharge energy generating elements of the odd-numbered discharge ports and the even-numbered discharge ports are alternately and continuously driven a plurality of times, respectively. The ejection recovery method for an ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the ejection recovery is performed for (c). 6. In the arrangement of the plurality of ejection ports, ink is ejected from each ejection port by sequentially driving the ejection energy generating elements of the respective ejection ports in the arrangement order sequentially multiple times. 4. The discharge recovery is performed for all of the discharge ports of (1) and (2).
3. The ejection recovery method for an ink jet recording apparatus according to item 1. 7. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a driving frequency of a plurality of continuous driving of the ejection energy generating element is lower than a driving frequency for printing. Discharge recovery method. 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the drive frequency can be changed in accordance with the state of bubbles staying in the ink path. 9. The discharge energy generating element according to claim 2, wherein the discharge energy generating element is an electrothermal conversion element driven by application of an electric pulse to generate heat as discharge energy. An ejection recovery method for an ink jet recording apparatus. 10. A discharge energy generating element provided for each of a plurality of discharge ports for discharging ink and each of the plurality of discharge ports and communicating with the corresponding discharge port. A printhead having a plurality of ink paths, the first base and the second base for forming the plurality of ink paths by bonding to each other, and the first base and the second base for the bonding. A recording head provided with a pressing member for generating a linear pressure on the first substrate and / or the second substrate for mutually pressing the two substrates, and ejecting ink to a recording medium; In the ejection recovery method of the inkjet recording apparatus for performing printing, in the arrangement of the plurality of ejection ports, at least the ejection port adjacent to the ejection port except for the ejection port performing the ejection recovery. An ejection recovery method for an ink jet recording apparatus, comprising a process of ejecting ink from an ejection port by successively driving an ejection energy generating element of the port a plurality of times. 11. The discharge port for performing the ink discharge is a plurality of discharge ports including the adjacent discharge ports, and performs the ink discharge for the plurality of discharge ports at the same time. Ejection recovery method for an inkjet recording apparatus. 12. In the arrangement of the plurality of ejection ports, the ejection energy generating elements of the odd-numbered ejection ports and the even-numbered ejection ports are alternately and continuously driven a plurality of times, respectively. The ejection recovery method for an ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the ejection recovery is performed for (c). 13. In the arrangement of the plurality of ejection openings, ink is ejected from each ejection opening by sequentially driving the ejection energy generating element of each ejection opening a plurality of times in the arrangement order. 11. The ejection recovery method for an ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the ejection recovery is performed for all the ejection ports. 14. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 10, wherein a driving frequency of a plurality of continuous driving of the ejection energy generating element is lower than a driving frequency for printing. Discharge recovery method. 15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the drive frequency can be changed according to the state of the bubbles staying in the ink path. 16. The discharge energy generating element according to claim 10, wherein the discharge energy generating element is an electrothermal conversion element driven by application of an electric pulse to generate heat as discharge energy. An ejection recovery method for an ink jet recording apparatus. 17. An ink jet recording apparatus for performing recording by discharging ink on a recording medium, wherein a plurality of discharge ports for discharging ink and a plurality of discharge ports are provided corresponding to each of the plurality of discharge ports. A recording head having the provided ejection energy generating element, and in the arrangement of the plurality of ejection ports, driving the ejection energy generating element of at least the ejection port adjacent to the ejection port except for the ejection port performing ejection recovery. And a recording head driving means for discharging ink from the discharge port. 18. An ink jet recording apparatus for performing recording by discharging ink on a recording medium, wherein a plurality of discharge ports for discharging ink and a plurality of discharge ports are provided for each of the plurality of discharge ports. A print head provided with a plurality of ink paths each including a discharge energy generating element for discharging ink, the plurality of ink paths communicating with the corresponding discharge ports, and a common liquid chamber communicating with the plurality of ink paths. In the arrangement of the ejection ports, except for the ejection port performing ejection recovery, at least by continuously driving the ejection energy generating element of the ejection port adjacent to the ejection port a plurality of times,
An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a recording head driving unit for discharging ink from the discharge port. 19. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 18, wherein, after the ink is ejected from at least the adjacent ejection port, the ink is ejected from the ejection port performing the ejection recovery. 20. The discharge port for performing the ink discharge is a plurality of discharge ports including the adjacent discharge ports, and the ink discharge is performed simultaneously for the plurality of discharge ports. 3. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1. 21. In the arrangement of the plurality of discharge ports, the discharge energy generating elements of the odd-numbered discharge ports and the even-numbered discharge ports are alternately and continuously driven a plurality of times, respectively. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the ejection recovery is performed for (c). 22. In the arrangement of the plurality of ejection openings, ink is ejected from each ejection opening by sequentially driving the ejection energy generating elements of each ejection opening a plurality of times in the arrangement order. 20. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the ejection recovery is performed for all of the ejection ports. 23. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 18, wherein a driving frequency of a plurality of continuous driving of the ejection energy generating element is lower than a driving frequency for printing. 24. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the driving frequency can be changed according to a state of a bubble staying in the ink path. 25. The discharge energy generating element according to claim 18, wherein the discharge energy generating element is an electrothermal conversion element driven by application of an electric pulse to generate heat as discharge energy. Ink jet recording device. 26. An ink jet recording apparatus for performing recording by discharging ink to a recording medium, wherein a plurality of discharge ports for discharging ink and a plurality of discharge ports are provided corresponding to each of the plurality of discharge ports. A print head provided with a plurality of ink paths each including a discharge energy generating element for discharging ink by communicating with the corresponding discharge port, wherein the plurality of ink paths are formed by joining together. Generating a linear pressure on the first substrate and / or the second substrate because the first substrate and the second substrate are pressed against each other at the time of the joining. A recording head provided with a pressing member for discharging, and in the arrangement of the plurality of discharge ports, at least the discharge energy of the discharge port adjacent to the discharge port except for the discharge port for performing recovery of discharge. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a recording head driving means for discharging ink from the discharge port by continuously driving the raw element a plurality of times. 27. The discharge port according to claim 26, wherein the discharge ports for performing the ink discharge are a plurality of discharge ports including the adjacent discharge ports, and the plurality of discharge ports perform the ink discharge simultaneously. Inkjet recording device. 28. In the arrangement of the plurality of discharge ports, the discharge energy generating elements of the odd-numbered discharge ports and the even-numbered discharge ports are alternately and continuously driven a plurality of times, respectively. 27. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the ejection recovery is performed for. 29. In the arrangement of the plurality of ejection ports, ink is ejected from each of the ejection ports by sequentially driving the ejection energy generating elements of the respective ejection ports a plurality of times in the arrangement order. 27. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the ejection recovery is performed for all the ejection ports. 30. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 26, wherein a driving frequency of a plurality of continuous driving of the ejection energy generating element is lower than a driving frequency for recording. 31. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the drive frequency can be changed according to a state of a bubble staying in the ink path. 32. The discharge energy generating element according to claim 26, wherein the discharge energy generating element is an electrothermal conversion element driven by application of an electric pulse to generate heat as discharge energy. Ink jet recording device. 33. In an ink jet recording apparatus for performing recording by discharging ink on a recording medium, a plurality of discharge ports for discharging ink and a plurality of discharge ports corresponding to each of the plurality of discharge ports are provided. A recording head having a plurality of ink paths each of which is provided with a discharge energy generating element for discharging ink by communicating with the corresponding discharge port. A base, a second base having irregularities for forming the plurality of ink paths by being joined to the first base, and a second base for mechanically joining the first base and the second base. A recording plate comprising a leaf spring, a projection extending from a side portion of the leaf spring being bent, and a linear pressure being generated by the bent projection to join the first base and the second base together. Head and front In the arrangement of the plurality of ejection ports, ink ejection from the ejection ports is performed by continuously driving the ejection energy generating elements of at least the ejection ports adjacent to the ejection ports a plurality of times, excluding the ejection ports that perform ejection recovery. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a recording head drive control unit for performing the operation. 34. In an ink jet recording apparatus for performing recording by discharging ink onto a recording medium, a plurality of discharge ports for discharging ink and a plurality of discharge ports corresponding to each of the plurality of discharge ports are provided. And a plurality of ink paths each including a discharge energy generating element for discharging ink which communicates with the corresponding discharge port.
A base plate, an orifice plate having the plurality of discharge ports formed thereon, a front plate member integrally provided on the outer periphery of the orifice plate, and the first base to form the plurality of ink paths. And a plate spring for mechanically joining the first base and the second base together, and a projection extending from a side of the plate spring. The first base and the first base member are bent by bending a portion and causing the projecting portion to generate a linear pressure in a state where one surface of the projecting portion and the surface of the front plate member opposite to the ink ejection direction are in contact with each other. In the recording head joined to the second base and the arrangement of the plurality of ejection ports,
Except for the ejection port performing ejection recovery, at least by continuously driving the ejection energy generating element of the ejection port adjacent to the ejection port a plurality of times, a recording head driving unit for performing ink ejection from the ejection port, An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: 35. An ink jet recording apparatus for performing recording by ejecting ink to a recording medium, comprising a plurality of ejection ports for ejecting ink, and a plurality of ejection ports corresponding to each of the plurality of ejection ports. A recording head having ejection energy generating elements provided as described above, and in the arrangement of the plurality of ejection ports, driving the ejection energy generating elements of at least the ejection ports adjacent to the ejection ports, except for the ejection port performing ejection recovery. Printhead driving means for discharging ink from the discharge port by performing the above operation, ink supply means for supplying ink to the printhead, and conveyance for conveying a recording medium to a recording position of the recording head. Means for driving the ejection energy generating element of the recording head according to processing information to be recorded, and controlling the transporting means. And a means for outputting the information as an information output means. 36. An ink jet recording apparatus for performing recording by ejecting ink to a recording medium, comprising a plurality of ejection ports for ejecting ink, and a plurality of ejection ports corresponding to each of the plurality of ejection ports. A recording head having ejection energy generating elements provided as described above, and in the arrangement of the plurality of ejection ports, driving the ejection energy generating elements of at least the ejection ports adjacent to the ejection ports, except for the ejection port performing ejection recovery. Printhead driving means for discharging ink from the discharge port by performing the above operation, ink supply means for supplying ink to the printhead, and conveyance for conveying a recording medium to a recording position of the recording head. Means for driving the ejection energy generating element of the recording head according to processing information to be recorded, and controlling the transporting means. A facsimile apparatus comprising, as information output means, an ink jet recording apparatus comprising: 37. An ink jet recording apparatus for performing recording by discharging ink on a recording medium, wherein the plurality of discharge ports for discharging ink and each of the plurality of discharge ports are provided. A recording head having ejection energy generating elements provided as described above, and in the arrangement of the plurality of ejection ports, driving the ejection energy generating elements of at least the ejection ports adjacent to the ejection ports, except for the ejection port performing ejection recovery. Printhead driving means for discharging ink from the discharge port by performing the above operation, ink supply means for supplying ink to the printhead, and conveyance for conveying a recording medium to a recording position of the recording head. Means for driving the ejection energy generating element of the recording head according to processing information to be recorded, and controlling the transporting means. A word processor comprising, as information output means, an ink jet recording apparatus comprising: 38. An ink jet recording apparatus for performing recording by ejecting ink to a recording medium, comprising a plurality of ejection ports for ejecting ink, and a plurality of ejection ports corresponding to each of the plurality of ejection ports. A recording head having ejection energy generating elements provided as described above, and in the arrangement of the plurality of ejection ports, driving the ejection energy generating elements of at least the ejection ports adjacent to the ejection ports, except for the ejection port performing ejection recovery. Printhead driving means for discharging ink from the discharge port by performing the above operation, ink supply means for supplying ink to the printhead, and conveyance for conveying a recording medium to a recording position of the recording head. Means for driving the ejection energy generating element of the recording head according to processing information to be recorded, and controlling the transporting means. An optical disc device comprising an ink jet recording device having means for outputting the information as information output means. 39. An ink jet recording apparatus for performing recording by ejecting ink to a recording medium, comprising a plurality of ejection ports for ejecting ink, and a plurality of ejection ports corresponding to each of the plurality of ejection ports. A recording head having ejection energy generating elements provided as described above, and in the arrangement of the plurality of ejection ports, driving the ejection energy generating elements of at least the ejection ports adjacent to the ejection ports, except for the ejection port performing ejection recovery. Printhead driving means for discharging ink from the discharge port by performing the above operation, ink supply means for supplying ink to the printhead, and conveyance for conveying a recording medium to a recording position of the recording head. Means for driving the ejection energy generating element of the recording head according to processing information to be recorded, and controlling the transporting means. And a means for outputting the information as an information output means. 40. An ink jet recording apparatus for performing recording by ejecting ink to a recording medium, comprising a plurality of ejection openings for ejecting ink, and a plurality of ejection openings corresponding to each of the plurality of ejection openings. A recording head having ejection energy generating elements provided as described above, and in the arrangement of the plurality of ejection ports, driving the ejection energy generating elements of at least the ejection ports adjacent to the ejection ports, except for the ejection port performing ejection recovery. Printhead driving means for discharging ink from the discharge port by performing the above operation, ink supply means for supplying ink to the printhead, and conveyance for conveying a recording medium to a recording position of the recording head. Means for driving the ejection energy generating element of the recording head according to processing information to be recorded, and controlling the transporting means. And a means for outputting the information as an information output means. 41. An ink jet recording apparatus for performing recording by ejecting ink to a recording medium, comprising a plurality of ejection ports for ejecting ink and a plurality of ejection ports corresponding to each of the plurality of ejection ports. A recording head having ejection energy generating elements provided as described above, and in the arrangement of the plurality of ejection ports, driving the ejection energy generating elements of at least the ejection ports adjacent to the ejection ports, except for the ejection port performing ejection recovery. Printhead driving means for discharging ink from the discharge port by performing the above operation, ink supply means for supplying ink to the printhead, and conveyance for conveying a recording medium to a recording position of the recording head. Means for driving the ejection energy generating element of the recording head according to processing information to be recorded, and controlling the transporting means. A portable printer comprising: an ink jet recording apparatus comprising: