Ink jet recording apparatus and method using ink jet head having u-shaped wiring

Abstract

An ink jet recording method includes the steps of providing an ink jet recording head having a plurality of discharge openings for discharging ink, a plurality of liquid passageways for holding ink and a plurality of heat generating members. Each of the heat generating members corresponds to a liquid passageway and each heat generating member has a pair of electrodes for driving the heat generating member individually and the electrodes and corresponding heat generating member form a U-shaped wiring portion. The recording head may be manufactured using a cutting process. A voltage is applied to selected pairs of electrodes for driving selected heat generating members individually for providing thermal energy to the ink in the liquid passageway for abruptly forming a bubble and discharging ink from the discharge opening and recording on a recording medium.

1. A process for producing a substrate for an ink jet recording head comprising a plurality of discharge openings for discharging a liquid and a plurality of liquid passageways each communicating with one of the plurality of discharge openings, the process comprising the steps of:
 forming in a predetermined pattern on a base plate a plurality of heat generating resistance members arranged generally along a line and a plurality of pairs of electrodes each connected to one of the plurality of heat generating resistance members, wherein each said pair of electrodes and each corresponding heat generating resistance member integrally form a U-shaped wiring member with a bent portion arranged with all of said bent portions facing in the same direction; and  
 cutting the base plate along a line substantially parallel to said line along which the plurality of heat generating resistance members are arranged at a location remote by a predetermined distance from each of the plurality of heat generating resistance members to form the substrate, the location for cutting determining a relative location between the plurality of heat generating resistance members and the plurality of discharge openings of the ink jet recording head to be produced using the substrate.  
 
     
     
       2. A process for producing an ink jet recording head comprising a plurality of discharge openings for discharging a liquid and a plurality of liquid passageways each communicating with one of the plurality of discharge openings, the process comprising the steps of:
 forming in a predetermined pattern on a base plate a plurality of heat generating resistance members arranged generally along a line and a plurality of pairs of electrodes each connected to one of the plurality of heat generating resistance members, wherein each said pair of electrodes and each corresponding heat generating resistance member integrally form a U-shaped wiring member with a bent portion arranged with all of said bent portions facing in the same direction;  
 cutting the base plate along a line substantially parallel to said line along which the plurality of heat generating resistance members are arranged at a location remote by a predetermined distance from each of the plurality of heat generating resistance members to form a substrate for the ink jet recording head, the location for cutting determining a relative location between the plurality of heat generating resistance members and the plurality of discharge openings of the ink jet recording head to be produced using the substrate; and  
 attaching a liquid passageway forming member onto the substrate, whereby a plurality of liquid passageways are formed each corresponding to one of the U-shaped wiring members.  
 
     
     
       3. The process according to  claim 2 , wherein the end portions of the plurality of liquid passageways are formed corresponding to the end portion of the base plate. 
     
     
       4. An ink jet recording head comprising a plurality of discharge openings for discharging a liquid and a plurality of liquid passageways each communicating with one of the plurality of discharge openings, the ink jet recording head being produced by a production process comprising the steps of:
 forming in a predetermined pattern on a base plate a plurality of heat generating resistance members arranged generally along a line and a plurality of pairs of electrodes each connected to one of the plurality of heat generating resistance members, wherein each said pair of electrodes and each corresponding heat generating resistance member integrally form a U-shaped wiring member with a bent portion arranged with all of said bent portions facing in the same direction;  
 cutting the base plate along a line substantially parallel to said line along which the plurality of heat generating resistance members are arranged at a location remote by a predetermined distance from each of the plurality of heat generating resistance members to form a substrate for the ink jet recording head having a cut end portion, the location for cutting determining a relative location between the plurality of heat generating resistance members and the plurality of discharge openings of the ink jet recording head to be produced using the substrate; and  
 attaching a liquid passageway forming member onto the substrate, whereby a plurality of liquid passageways are formed each corresponding to one of the U-shaped wiring members,  
 wherein the end portions of the plurality of liquid passageways are formed corresponding to the cut end portion of the substrate.  
 
     
     
       5. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising an ink jet recording head comprising a plurality of discharge openings for discharging a liquid and a plurality of liquid passageways each communicating with one of the plurality of discharge openings, and means for supplying electric power to the ink jet recording head, the ink jet recording head being produced by a production process comprising the steps of:
 forming in a predetermined pattern on a base plate a plurality of heat generating resistance members arranged generally along a line and a plurality of pairs of electrodes each connected to one of the plurality of heat generating resistance members, wherein each said pair of electrodes and each corresponding heat generating resistance member integrally form a U-shaped wiring member with a bent portion arranged with all of said bent portions facing in the same direction;  
 cutting the base plate along a line substantially parallel to said line along which the plurality of heat generating resistance members are arranged at a location remote by a predetermined distance from each of the plurality of heat generating resistance members to form a substrate for the ink jet recording head having a cut end portion, the location for cutting determining a relative location between the plurality of heat generating resistance members and the plurality of discharge openings of the ink jet recording head to be produced using the substrate; and  
 attaching a liquid passageway forming member onto the substrate, whereby a plurality of liquid passageways are formed each corresponding to one of the U-shaped wiring members,  
 wherein the end portions of the plurality of liquid passageways are formed corresponding to the cut end portion of the substrate.  
 
     
     
       6. A process according to  claim 1 , wherein each heat generating resistance member is a planar member having a longer side extending along the liquid passageway and a shorter side orthogonal to the liquid passageway, with the longer side having a length at least two times as long as the length of the shorter side. 
     
     
       7. A process according to  claim 1 , wherein each said pair of electrodes and each corresponding heat generating resistance member are laminated in layers. 
     
     
       8. A process according to  claim 2 , wherein each heat generating resistance member is a planar member having a longer side extending along the liquid passageway and a shorter side orthogonal to the liquid passageway, with the longer side having a length at least two times as long as the length of said shorter side. 
     
     
       9. A process according to  claim 2 , wherein each said pair of electrodes and each corresponding heat generating resistance member are laminated in layers. 
     
     
       10. An ink jet recording head according to  claim 4 , wherein each heat generating resistance member is a planar member having a longer side extending along the liquid passageway and a shorter side orthogonal to the liquid passageway, with the longer side having a length at least two times as long as the length of the shorter side. 
     
     
       11. An ink jet recording head according to  claim 4 , wherein each said pair of electrodes and each corresponding heat generating resistance member are laminated in layers. 
     
     
       12. An ink jet recording apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein each heat generating resistance member is a planar member having a longer side extending along the liquid passageway and a shorter side orthogonal to the liquid passageway, with the longer side having a length at least two times as long as the length of the shorter side. 
     
     
       13. An ink jet recording apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein each said pair of electrodes and each corresponding heat generating resistance member are laminated in layers. 
     
     
       14. A process for producing a substrate for an ink jet recording head comprising a plurality of discharge openings for discharging a liquid and a plurality of liquid passageways, each communicating with one of the plurality of discharge openings, the process comprising the steps of:
   forming in a predetermined pattern on a base plate a plurality of heat generating resistance members arranged generally along a line and a plurality of electrodes, including at least one selective electrode and at least one ground electrode, with each of the plurality of heat generating resistance members being connected to a selective electrode and a ground electrode, wherein each heat generating resistance member and corresponding selective and ground electrodes integrally form a U - shaped conductive path with each U - shaped conductive path facing in the same direction, and each heat generating resistance member being a planar member having a longer side extending along the liquid passageway and a shorter side orthogonal to the liquid passageway, with the longer side having a length at least two times as long as the length of the shorter side; and        cutting the base plate along a line substantially parallel to the line along which the plurality of heat generating resistance members are arranged at a location remote by a predetermined distance from each of the plurality of heat generating resistance members to form the substrate, the location for cutting determining a relative location between the plurality of heat generating resistance members and the plurality of discharge openings of the ink jet recording head to be produced using the substrate.     
     
     
       15. A process for producing an ink jet recording head comprising a plurality of discharge openings for discharging a liquid and a plurality of liquid passageways each communicating with one of the plurality of discharge openings, the process comprising the steps of:
   forming in a predetermined pattern on a base plate a plurality of heat generating resistance members arranged generally along a line and a plurality of electrodes including at least one selective electrode and at least one ground electrode, with each of the plurality of heat generating resistance members being connected to a selective electrode and a ground electrode, wherein each heat generating resistance member and corresponding selective and ground electrodes integrally form a U - shaped conductive path with each U - shaped conductive path facing in the same direction, and each heat generating resistance member being a planar member having a longer side extending along the liquid passageway and a shorter side orthogonal to the liquid passageway, with the longer side having a length at least two times as long as the length of the shorter side;        cutting the base plate along a line substantially parallel to said line along which the plurality of heat generating resistance members are arranged at a location remote by a predetermined distance from each of the plurality of heat generating resistance members to form a substrate for the ink jet recording head, the location for cutting determining a relative location between the plurality of heat generating resistance members and the plurality of discharge openings of the ink jet recording head to be produced using the substrate; and        attaching a liquid passageway forming member onto the substrate, whereby a plurality of liquid passageways are formed corresponding to the U - shaped conductive paths.     
     
     
       16. An ink jet recording head comprising a plurality of discharge openings for discharging a liquid and a plurality of liquid passageways each communicating with one of the plurality of discharge openings, the ink jet recording head being produced by a production process comprising the steps of:
   forming in a predetermined pattern on a base plate a plurality of heat generating resistance members arranged generally along a line and a plurality of electrodes including at least one selective electrode and at least one ground electrode, with each of the plurality of heat generating resistance members being connected to a selective electrode and a ground electrode, wherein each heat generating resistance member and corresponding selective and ground electrodes integrally form a U - shaped conductive path with each U - shaped conductive path facing in the same direction, and each heat generating resistance member being a planar member having a longer side extending along the liquid passageway and a shorter side orthogonal to the liquid passageway, with the longer side having a length at least two times as long as the length of the shorter side;        cutting the base plate along a line substantially parallel to said line along which the plurality of heat generating resistance members are arranged at a location remote by a predetermined distance from each of the plurality of heat generating resistance members to form a substrate for the ink jet recording head having a cut end portion, the location for cutting determining a relative location between the plurality of heat generating resistance members and the plurality of discharge openings of the ink jet recording head to be produced using the substrate; and        attaching a liquid passageway forming member onto the substrate, whereby a plurality of liquid passageways are formed each corresponding to one of the U - shaped conductive portions,        wherein the end portions of the plurality of liquid passageways are formed corresponding to the cut end portion of the substrate.     
     
     
       17. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising an ink jet recording head comprising a plurality of discharge openings for discharging a liquid and a plurality of liquid passageways each communicating with one of the plurality of discharge openings, and a controller for supplying electric power to the ink jet recording head, the ink jet recording head being produced by a production process comprising the steps of:
   forming in a predetermined pattern on a base plate a plurality of heat generating resistance members arranged generally along a line and a plurality of electrodes including at least one selective electrode and at least one ground electrode, with each of the plurality of heat generating resistance members being connected to a selective electrode and a ground electrode, wherein each heat generating resistance member and corresponding selective and ground electrodes integrally form a U - shaped conductive path with each U - shaped conductive path facing in the same direction, and each heat generating resistance member being a planar member having a longer side extending along the liquid passageway and a shorter side orthogonal to the liquid passageway, with the longer side having a length at least two times as long as the length of the shorter side;        cutting the base plate along a line substantially parallel to said line along which the plurality of heat generating resistance members are arranged at a location remote by a predetermined distance from each of the plurality of heat generating resistance members to form a substrate for the ink jet recording head having a cut end portion, the location for cutting determining a relative location between the plurality of heat generating resistance members and the plurality of discharge openings of the ink jet recording head to be produced using the substrate; and        attaching a liquid passageway forming member onto the substrate, whereby a plurality of liquid passageways are formed corresponding to the U - shaped conductive paths,        wherein the end portions of the plurality of liquid passageways are formed corresponding to the cut end portion of the substrate.     
     
     
       18. A process for producing a substrate for an ink jet recording head comprising a plurality of discharge openings for discharging a liquid and a plurality of liquid passageways, each communicating with one of the plurality of discharge openings, the process comprising the steps of:
   forming in a predetermined pattern on a base plate a plurality of heat generating resistance members arranged generally along a line and a plurality of electrodes, including at least one selective electrode and at least one ground electrode, with each of the plurality of heat generating resistance members being connected to a selective electrode and a ground electrode, wherein each heat generating resistance member and corresponding selective and ground electrodes integrally form a U - shaped conductive path with each U - shaped conductive path facing in the same direction, and each selective electrode, ground electrode and corresponding heat generating resistance member are laminated in at least two layers; and        cutting the base plate along a line substantially parallel to the line along which the plurality of heat generating resistance members are arranged at a location remote by a predetermined distance from each of the plurality of heat generating resistance members to form the substrate, the location for cutting determining a relative location between the plurality of heat generating resistance members and the plurality of discharge openings of the ink jet recording head to be produced using the substrate.     
     
     
       19. A process for producing an ink jet recording head comprising a plurality of discharge openings for discharging a liquid and a plurality of liquid passageways each communicating with one of the plurality of discharge openings, the process comprising the steps of:
   forming in a predetermined pattern on a base plate a plurality of heat generating resistance members arranged generally along a line and a plurality of electrodes including at least one selective electrode and at least one ground electrode, with each of the plurality of heat generating resistance members being connected to a selective electrode and a ground electrode, wherein each heat generating resistance member and corresponding selective and ground electrodes integrally form a U - shaped conductive path with each U - shaped conductive path facing in the same direction, and each selective electrode, ground electrode and corresponding heat generating resistance member are laminated in at least two layers;        cutting the base plate along a line substantially parallel to said line along which the plurality of heat generating resistance members are arranged at a location remote by a predetermined distance from each of the plurality of heat generating resistance members to form a substrate for the ink jet recording head, the location for cutting determining a relative location between the plurality of heat generating resistance members and the plurality of discharge openings of the ink jet recording head to be produced using the substrate; and        attaching a liquid passageway forming member onto the substrate, whereby a plurality of liquid passageways are formed corresponding to the U - shaped conductive paths.     
     
     
       20. An ink jet recording head comprising a plurality of discharge openings for discharging a liquid and a plurality of liquid passageways each communicating with one of the plurality of discharge openings, the ink jet recording head being produced by a production process comprising the steps of:
   forming in a predetermined pattern on a base plate a plurality of heat generating resistance members arranged generally along a line and a plurality of electrodes including at least one selective electrode and at least one ground electrode, with each of the plurality of heat generating resistance members being connected to a selective electrode and a ground electrode, wherein each heat generating resistance member and corresponding selective and ground electrodes integrally form a U - shaped conductive path with each U - shaped conductive path facing in the same direction, and each selective electrode, ground electrode and corresponding heat generating resistance member are laminated in at least two layers;        cutting the base plate along a line substantially parallel to said line along which the plurality of heat generating resistance members are arranged at a location remote by a predetermined distance from each of the plurality of heat generating resistance members to form a substrate for the ink jet recording head having a cut end portion, the location for cutting determining a relative location between the plurality of heat generating resistance members and the plurality of discharge openings of the ink jet recording head to be produced using the substrate; and        attaching a liquid passageway forming member onto the substrate, whereby a plurality of liquid passageways are formed corresponding to the U - shaped conductive portions,        wherein the end portions of the plurality of liquid passageways are formed corresponding to the cut end portion of the substrate.     
     
     
       21. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising an ink jet recording head comprising a plurality of discharge openings for discharging a liquid and a plurality of liquid passageways each communicating with one of the plurality of discharge openings, and a controller for supplying electric power to the ink jet recording head, the ink jet recording head being produced by a production process comprising the steps of:
   forming in a predetermined pattern on a base plate a plurality of heat generating resistance members arranged generally along a line and a plurality of electrodes including at least one selective electrode and at least one ground electrode, with each of the plurality of heat generating resistance members being connected to a selective electrode and a ground electrode, wherein each heat generating resistance member and corresponding selective and ground electrodes integrally form a U - shaped conductive path with each U - shaped conductive path facing in the same direction, and each selective electrode, ground electrode and corresponding heat generating resistance member are laminated in at least two layers;        cutting the base plate along a line substantially parallel to said line along which the plurality of heat generating resistance members are arranged at a location remote by a predetermined distance from each of the plurality of heat generating resistance members to form a substrate for the ink jet recording head having a cut end portion, the location for cutting determining a relative location between the plurality of heat generating resistance members and the plurality of discharge openings of the ink jet recording head to be produced using the substrate; and        attaching a liquid passageway forming member onto the substrate, whereby a plurality of liquid passageways are formed corresponding to the U - shaped conductive paths,        wherein the end portions of the plurality of liquid passageways are formed corresponding to the cut end portion of the substrate.     
     
     
       22. A process for producing a substrate for an ink jet recording head comprising a plurality of discharge openings for discharging a liquid and a plurality of liquid passageways each communicating with one of the plurality of discharge openings, the process comprising the steps of:
   forming in a predetermined pattern on a base plate a plurality of heat generating resistance members arranged generally along a line and a plurality of pairs of electrodes each connected to one of the plurality of heat generating resistance members, wherein each said pair of electrodes and each corresponding heat generating resistance member integrally form a U - shaped conductive path with a bent portion arranged with all of said bent portions facing in the same direction, wherein each said pair of electrodes and each corresponding heat generating resistance member are laminated in layers; and        cutting the base plate along a line substantially parallel to said line along which the plurality of heat generating resistance members are arranged at a location remote by a predetermined distance from each of the plurality of heat generating resistance members to form the substrate, the location for cutting determining a relative location between the plurality of heat generating resistance members and the plurality of discharge openings of the ink jet recording head to be produced using the substrate.     
     
     
       23. A process for producing an ink jet recording head comprising a plurality of discharge openings for discharging a liquid and a plurality of liquid passageways each communicating with one of the plurality of discharge openings, the process comprising the steps of:
   forming in a predetermined pattern on a base plate a plurality of heat generating resistance members arranged generally along a line and a plurality of pairs of electrodes each connected to one of the plurality of heat generating resistance members, wherein each said pair of electrodes and each corresponding heat generating resistance member integrally form a U - shaped conductive path with a bent portion arranged with all of said bent portions facing in the same direction, wherein each said pair of electrodes and each corresponding heat generating resistance member are laminated in layers;        cutting the base plate along a line substantially parallel to said line along which the plurality of heat generating resistance members are arranged at a location remote by a predetermined distance from each of the plurality of heat generating resistance members to form a substrate for the ink jet recording head, the location for cutting determining a relative location between the plurality of heat generating resistance members and the plurality of discharge openings of the ink jet recording head to be produced using the substrate; and        attaching a liquid passageway forming member onto the substrate, whereby a plurality of liquid passageways are formed corresponding to the U - shaped conductive paths.     
     
     
       24. An ink jet recording head comprising a plurality of discharge openings for discharging a liquid and a plurality of liquid passageways each communicating with one of the plurality of discharge openings, the ink jet recording head being produced by a production process comprising the steps of:
   forming in a predetermined pattern on a base plate a plurality of heat generating resistance members arranged generally along a line and a plurality of pairs of electrodes each connected to one of the plurality of heat generating resistance members, wherein each said pair of electrodes and each corresponding heat generating resistance member integrally form a U - shaped conductive path with a bent portion arranged with all of said bent portions facing in the same direction, wherein each said pair of electrodes and each corresponding heat generating resistance member are laminated in layers;        cutting the base plate along a line substantially parallel to said line along which the plurality of heat generating resistance members are arranged at a location remote by a predetermined distance from each of the plurality of heat generating resistance members to form a substrate for the ink jet recording head having a cut end portion, the location for cutting determining a relative location between the plurality of heat generating resistance members and the plurality of discharge openings of the ink jet recording head to be produced using the substrate; and        attaching a liquid passageway forming member onto the substrate, whereby a plurality of liquid passageways are formed corresponding to the U - shaped conductive paths,        wherein the end portions of the plurality of liquid passageways are formed corresponding to the cut end portion of the substrate.     
     
     
       25. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising an ink jet recording head comprising a plurality of discharge openings for discharging a liquid and a plurality of liquid passageways each communicating with one of the plurality of discharge openings, and a controller for supplying electric power to the ink jet recording head, the ink jet recording head being produced by a production process comprising the steps of:
   forming in a predetermined pattern on a base plate a plurality of heat generating resistance members arranged generally along a line and a plurality of pairs of electrodes each connected to one of the plurality of heat generating resistance members, wherein each said pair of electrodes and each corresponding heat generating resistance member integrally form a U - shaped conductive path with a bent portion arranged with all of said bent portions facing in the same direction, wherein each said pair of electrodes and each corresponding heat generating resistance member are laminated in layers;        cutting the base plate along a line substantially parallel to said line along which the plurality of heat generating resistance members are arranged at a location remote by a predetermined distance from each of the plurality of heat generating resistance members to form a substrate for the ink jet recording head having a cut end portion, the location for cutting determining a relative location between the plurality of heat generating resistance members and the plurality of discharge openings of the ink jet recording head to be produced using the substrate; and        attaching a liquid passageway forming member onto the substrate, whereby a plurality of liquid passageways are formed corresponding to the U - shaped conductive paths,        wherein the end portions of the plurality of liquid passageways are formed corresponding to the cut end portion of the substrate.