JP3278259B2 - Ink jet recording head, ink jet recording apparatus using the same, and recording method - 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 head for performing recording by flying a liquid by the action of thermal energy, an ink jet recording apparatus using the ink jet recording head, and a recording method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An ink jet recording method is a recording method in which flying droplets are formed with ink by various methods, and the droplets are attached to a recording material such as paper to perform recording.

An ink jet recording apparatus employing this type of recording method can perform high-speed printing and high-density recording with low noise. Moreover, since processing such as development and fixing is not required for plain paper, the size of the apparatus itself can be reduced.
In addition, it has attracted particular attention as having good productivity at the time of mass production and being capable of reducing manufacturing costs.

In particular, the on-demand type ink jet recording apparatus does not require a high voltage generator and an unnecessary ink recovery apparatus required for a continuous type ink jet recording apparatus, and can be downsized, so that its application is expected to be promising. I have.

[0005] Above all, by heating a part of a liquid passage filled with a liquid described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 61-59914 to give the liquid a pressure displacement accompanying a sudden increase in volume due to foaming. An ink jet recording apparatus using an ink jet recording head for forming a flying droplet of a liquid ejected from an outlet communicating with the liquid path and adhering the droplet to a recording material for recording is provided by the above-described ink jet recording apparatus. Since the recording head has the feature that the nozzles can be densely and easily multiplied, there is an advantage that the printing speed can be improved by increasing the length of the head, and a high-quality image can be obtained. ing.

In an ink jet recording head utilizing thermal energy for forming flying droplets, generally, the means for heating ink can generate heat by applying an electric signal to heat the ink. A heating resistor and such a heating resistor (hereinafter referred to as a heater)
And an electrode for applying an electric signal to the electrothermal transducer.

The heater and the electrodes are formed by using a semiconductor process.
On a heat-generating resistor (for example, a heat-resistant material such as HfB2, ZrB2, TaN2, TaSi, etc.) provided on a Si, glass, ceramics, etc.), a wiring portion (electrode, for example, , Al, Au, Ag, Cu, etc.) so that the intermediate layer is exposed. That is,
The portion where the intermediate layer is exposed serves as a heater. Furthermore, if necessary, to prevent electrolytic corrosion and oxidation from the ink, heat resistance,
At least a heater and an electrode are provided with a protective film or the like having excellent ink blocking properties.

[0008] In ink-jet recording in which the heater is repeatedly heated to a high temperature by an electric signal corresponding to a recording signal to heat ink to discharge droplets, even under the following conditions (for example, high-frequency driving, etc.) How to make the volume and speed of the droplets discharged according to the signal uniform, that is, to stabilize the recording characteristics of the discharged droplets, leads to stabilization of the recorded image quality at a high level. Conventionally, development has focused on whether the recording characteristics of droplets ejected in response to each recording signal can be constantly stabilized under any conditions and the quality of the recorded image can be maintained at a high level. I have been.

In order to constantly stabilize the recording characteristics of droplets ejected in response to each recording signal and maintain the quality of the recorded image at a high level for a long period of time, it is necessary to respond to each recording signal. The bubbles generated on the heater must always be of a uniform size and of a uniform shape.

[0010] However, it is very difficult to make bubbles generated in a heater shape in accordance with each print signal always uniform under any conditions, and it is almost impossible with a conventional print head.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of these problems, and an object of the present invention is to always stabilize the recording characteristics of droplets ejected in response to a recording signal every time under any conditions and to perform recording. An object of the present invention is to provide a recording head capable of maintaining a high image quality at a high level, an inkjet recording apparatus using the recording head, and a recording method.

The above object is achieved by the present invention described below. That is, the present invention has at least a heater for ejecting ink, an ink ejection port, and an ink flow path for supplying ink to the ink ejection port, and forms ink bubbles by the action of thermal energy. in the ink jet recording head for discharging the ink discharge port, said heating
The ink ejection port is arranged above the ink jetting surface, and an ultrasonic wave generating element for applying ultrasonic energy to the ink to equalize the molecular bonding state of the liquid medium contained in the ink is the same as the heater. An ink jet recording head provided on the substrate upstream of the ink flow path, and an ink jet recording apparatus for performing recording using the recording head.

Further, the present invention has at least a heater for discharging ink, an ink discharge port, and an ink flow path for supplying ink to the ink discharge port, and forms bubbles by the action of thermal energy. an ink droplet in the ink-jet recording method to eject from the ink ejection port Te, the
The ink discharge port is disposed above the heater surface, the heating
The ultrasonic energy is applied to the ink by an ultrasonic wave generating element provided on the same substrate as the substrate and on the upstream side of the ink flow path, and the molecular bonding state of the liquid medium contained in the ink is made uniform. This is an ink jet recording method characterized by the following.

The present inventor has proposed an ink jet recording head that ejects ink as ink droplets by the action of thermal energy. The ink held in the recording head can be microscopically changed in a molecular bonding state of a liquid medium contained in the ink. By providing a means for maintaining the characteristics of the ink as an ink which has been made uniform and dispersed in any of the ink holding portions of the recording head, molecules in the ink are always diffused with each other, and a liquid which has been made microscopically uniform. It has been found that by maintaining the composition, the recording characteristics of the droplets ejected in response to each recording signal can be constantly stabilized, and the quality of the recorded image can be maintained at a high level for a long time. Invented the invention.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail.

The ink used in the present invention is an ink in which molecules such as water in a liquid medium are diffused with each other to homogenize and disperse the molecular bonding state microscopically.

The ink used in the ink jet recording of the present invention contains a coloring material such as a dye or a pigment and a liquid medium in which the coloring material is dissolved or dispersed.

The coloring material may be a known one, for example, a direct dye, an acid dye, a basic dye, a reactive dye, a water-soluble dye of food coloring matter, a pigment, or an insoluble coloring matter of a disperse dye. However, in the case of an insoluble dye, it is necessary that the dye is uniformly dispersed in the aqueous ink.

For example, water-soluble dyes include C.I. I. Direct Black -17, -19,-
22, -32, -38, -51, -62, -71, -1
08, -146, -154 C.I. I. Direct yellow -12, -24,
-26, -44, -86, -87, -98, -100,
-130, -142 C.I. I. Direct Red -1, -4, -1
3, -17, -23, -28, -31, -62, -7
9, -81, -83, -89, -227, -240,-
242, -243 C.I. I. Direct Blue -6, -22, -2
5, -71, -78, -86, -90, -106, -1
99 C.I. I. Direct orange -34, -39,-
44, -46, -60 C.I. I. Direct violet -47, -48 C.I. I. Direct Brown -109 C.I. I. Direct dyes such as Direct Green -59; I. Acid Black -2, -7, -2
4, -26, -31, -52, -63, -112, -1
18, -168, -172, -208 C.I. I. Acid Yellow -11, -17,-
23, -25, -29, -42, -49, -61, -7
1 C. I. Acid tread -1, -6, -8,
-32, -37, -51, -52, -80, -85,-
87, -92, -94, -115, -180, -25
4, -256, -289, -315, -317 C.I. I. Acid Blue -9, -22, -4
0, -59, -93, -102, -104, -113,
-117, -120, -167, -229, -234,
-254 C.I. I. Acid Orange -7, -19 C.I. I. Acid violet -49 and the like; C.I. I. Reactive Black -1, -5, -8,
-13, -14, -23, -31, -34, -39 C.I. I. Reactive Yellow -2, -3, -1
3, -15, -17, -18, -23, -24, -3
7, -42, -57, -58, -64, -75, -76
-, -77, -79, -81, -84, -85, -8
7, -88, -91, -92, -93, -95, -10
2, -111, -115, -116, -130, -13
1, -132, -133, -135, -137, -13
9, -140, -142, -143, -144, -14
5, -146, -147, -148, -151, -16
2, -163 C.I. I. Reactive Red -3, -13, -1
6, -21, -22, -23, -24, -29, -3
1, -33, -35, -45, -49, -55, -6
3, -85, -106, -109, -111, -11
2, -113, -114, -118, -126, -12
8, -130, -131, -141, -151, -17
0, -171, -174, -176, -177, -18
3, -184, -186, -187, -188, -19
0, -193, -194, -195, -196, -20
0, -201, -202, -204, -206, -21
8, -221 C.I. I. Reactive Blue -2, -3, -5,
-8, -10, -13, -14, -15, -18, -1
9, -21, -25, -27, -28, -38, -3
9, -40, -41, -49, -52, -63, -7
1, -72, -74, -75, -77, -78, -7
9, -89, -100, -101, -104, -10
5, -119, -122, -147, -158, -16
0, -162, -166, -169, -170, -17
1, -172, -173, -174, -176, -17
9, -184, -190, -191, -194, -19
5, -198, -204, -211, -216, -21
7 C. I. Reactive Orange -5, -7, -1
1, -12, -13, -15, -16, -35, -4
5, -46, -56, -62, -70, -72, -7
4, -82, -84, -87, -91, -92, -9
3, -95, -97, -99 C.I. I. Reactive Violet -1, -4,-
5, -6, -22, -24, -33, -36, -38 C.I. I. Reactive Blue -2, -3, -5,
-8, -10, -13, -14, -15, -18, -1
9, -21, -25, -27, -28, -38, -3
9, -40, -41, -49, -52, -63, -7
1, -72, -74, -75, -77, -78, -7
9, -89, -100, -101, -104, -10
5, -119, -122, -147, -153, -16
0, -162, -166, -169, -170, -17
1, -172, -173, -174, -176, -17
9, -184, -190, -191, -194, -19
5, -198, -204, -211, -216, -21
7 C. I. Reactive Green -5, -8, -1
2, -15, -19, -23 C.I. I. Reactive Brown -2, -7, -8,
-9, -11, -16, -17, -18, -21, -2
4, reactive dyes such as -26, -31, -32 and -33; I. Basic Black-2 C.I. I. Basic Red -1, -2, -9,
-12, -13, -14, -27 C.I. I. Basic Blue -1, -3, -5,-
7, -9, -24, -25, -26, -28, -29 C.I. I. Basic violet -7, -14, -2
7 C. I. Food black-1, -2 and the like. These examples of the coloring material are particularly preferable for the ink used in the ink jet recording of the present invention, but are not particularly limited thereto.

Such a coloring material is generally used in the ink at a ratio of about 0.1 to 25% by weight based on the total amount of the ink.

As a liquid medium, water and, if necessary, a water-soluble solvent are used. Examples of the water-soluble solvent include amides such as dimethylformamide and dimethylacetamide, ketones such as acetone, ethers such as tetrahydrofuran and dioxane, polyalkylene glycols such as polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol, ethylene glycol and propylene glycol. Butylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1, 2, 6
-Alkylene glycols such as hexanetriol, thiodiglycol, hexylene glycol, diethylene glycol, etc .; lower alkyl ethers of polyhydric alcohols such as ethylene glycol methyl ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, triethylene glycol monomethyl ether; other, glycerin, N- Methyl-
2-pyrrolidone, 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone, monoethanolamine, triethanolamine,
Sulfolane, dimethyl sulfoxide and the like are used.

The proportion of these water-soluble solvents in the ink is not particularly limited, but is preferably in the range of 1 to 80% by weight based on the total amount of the ink.

The content of the water in the ink is determined in a wide range depending on the type and composition of the solvent, but is preferably 10 to 99% by weight, more preferably 10 to 99% by weight based on the total amount of the ink.
A preferred range is 15 to 80% by weight.

The ink used in the present invention can be obtained by using water in which the molecular bonding state is microscopically uniform and dispersed. For example, the molecular bonding state is microscopically homogenized and dispersed by using means such as electric energy, magnetic energy, or ultrasonic energy to water. The method is not limited to these as long as it is a method of micronizing and dispersing the molecular bonding state, and other methods include far infrared energy, shock wave energy, chemical energy, physical energy, and the like. .

Alternatively, another ink used for ink-jet recording of the present invention contains the above-mentioned coloring materials such as dyes and pigments, a monohydric alcohol, and the above-mentioned liquid medium, and can be obtained by applying ultrasonic energy. The water in the liquid medium used for this ink does not need to be subjected to any special treatment, but is preferably ion-exchanged water.

The alcohol used is primary alcohol, secondary alcohol
Any of alcohols and tertiary alcohols can be used. For example, methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, 1-butanol, 2-butanol, isobutyl alcohol, tert-butyl alcohol, 1-pentanol, -Pentanol, 3-pentanol, 2-methyl-1-butanol, isobentyl alcohol, tert-bentyl alcohol, 3-methyl-
Examples include, but are not limited to, 2-butanol and neopentyl alcohol.

The content of the monohydric alcohol in the ink is preferably 0.1 to 20.0% by weight, more preferably 0.1 to 10.0% by weight, and still more preferably 0.1 to 20.0% by weight, based on the total amount of the ink. 1 to 5.0% by weight. If the amount of alcohol is higher or lower than this, depending on the type of alcohol and the type of liquid medium in the ink and the amount of water, ultrasonic energy is applied to diffuse molecules such as water in the liquid medium. ,
The ability to microscopically homogenize and disperse the molecular bonding state is reduced.

In addition to these inks used in the ink jet recording of the present invention, if necessary, a dispersant,
Additives such as a viscosity modifier, a pH regulator, a preservative, a surfactant, an antioxidant, and an evaporation accelerator may be blended. For example, polyvinyl alcohol, celluloses, viscosity modifiers such as water-soluble resins, cations, anions, or various nonionic surfactants, diethanolamine,
Examples include surface tension regulators such as triethanolamines, pH regulators with buffer solutions, and fungicides.

The ink jet recording head of the present invention used for the ink jet recording of the present invention will be described by way of an example (FIG. 1).

The recording head 1 is mounted on a head substrate 2
Common ink chamber 7, ink flow path 4 communicating therewith, ink flow path wall 6 forming ink flow path 4, discharge port 3 for discharging ink in ink flow path 4, provided in each liquid flow path 4. A heater 5, an ultrasonic wave generating element 9 as a means for maintaining characteristics of ink provided in the common ink chamber 7, and a heater 5
And an electric wiring (not shown) for supplying power to the ultrasonic wave generating element 9, and a top plate 8 is further provided thereon.
Are superimposed on each other. To perform recording using the recording head 1, first, the ink is filled into the ink flow path 4 from the common ink chamber 7. Next, a print recording electric signal is applied to the heater 5 via electric wiring. As a result, the heater 5 generates heat, and thermal energy is applied to the ink existing in the ink flow path 4 near the heater 5. When the thermal energy is applied to the ink from the heater 5 in this manner, bubbles (not shown) are generated in the ink flow path 4 with an instantaneous increase in the volume of the ink in that portion. As a result, the ink existing downstream of the heater 5 (on the side of the ejection port 3) is ejected from the ejection port 3, and a flying droplet of ink (not shown) is formed. The ink droplets are attached to a recording material (not shown) such as paper sent in front of the recording head 1 to perform desired image recording.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view taken along the line AA ′ of the recording head 1 shown in FIG. 1, and the ink 20 fills the common ink chamber 7 and the ink flow path 4.

The means for maintaining the characteristics of the ink of the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it can maintain the characteristics of the ink, but the ultrasonic wave generating element is suitable from the viewpoint of handling.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the ink jet recording head of the present invention. This recording head 31
Are provided on a head substrate 32, a common ink chamber 37, an ink flow path 34 communicating therewith, an ink flow path wall 36 forming the ink flow path 34, and a heater 3 provided in each liquid flow path 34.
5, an ink supply port 40 provided in the common ink chamber 37;
An electric wiring (not shown) for supplying power to the heater 35 is provided, and an orifice plate 38 is superimposed on the electric wiring, and a discharge port 33 for discharging ink in the ink flow path 34 is provided. It is composed of Recording using the recording head 31 may be performed in substantially the same manner as the recording method using the recording head 1.

FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line AA ′ of the recording head 31 shown in FIG. 7, in which the ink 20 fills the common ink chamber 37 and the ink flow path 34, Communicates with an ink tank (not shown). In this recording head, the ultrasonic wave generating element 39
The heater 35 is provided on the opposite side of the head substrate 32 from the heater 35.

The recording head according to the present invention is characterized in that an ultrasonic wave generating element is provided in any of the ink holding portions, and is not limited to the above-described configuration.

The recording head of the present invention is particularly suitably used in an ink jet recording system in which recording is performed by discharging ink by the action of thermal energy.

The typical configuration and principle are described in, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740.
It is desirable to use the basic principle disclosed in the '796 specification. This method can be applied to any of a so-called on-demand type and a continuous type. In particular, in the case of the on-demand type, an electric device arranged corresponding to a sheet or a liquid path holding ink is used. By applying at least one drive signal, which is arranged corresponding to the recording information and gives a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling, to the heat transducer, heat energy is generated in the electrothermal transducer, and the heat energy of the recording head is reduced. This is effective because film boiling occurs on the heat acting surface, and as a result, bubbles corresponding to this drive signal one-to-one can be formed in the ink. The ink is ejected through the ejection opening by the growth and contraction of the bubble to form at least a uniform droplet. When the drive signal is formed into a pulse shape, the growth and shrinkage of the bubbles are performed immediately and appropriately, so that ink ejection with particularly excellent responsiveness can be achieved, which is more preferable.
The driving signal in the form of a pulse is disclosed in US Pat.
Those described in JP-A Nos. 3359 and 4345262 are suitable. In addition, US Pat. No. 4,313,12 of the invention relating to the rate of temperature rise of the heat acting surface.
If the conditions described in the specification of JP-A No. 4 are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

The configuration of the recording head of the present invention includes a combination of a discharge port, a liquid flow path, and an electrothermal converter (a linear liquid flow path or a right-angled liquid flow path) as disclosed in the above-mentioned specifications. In addition, JP-A-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, or an open-circuit that absorbs pressure waves of thermal energy. The effect of the present invention is effective even if the configuration is based on JP-A-59-138461 which discloses a configuration in which the holes correspond to the discharge portions. That is, if the ultrasonic wave generating element, which is a feature of the present invention, is provided in any of the ink holding sections, it is possible to reliably and efficiently perform recording regardless of the other forms of the recording head. Because you can do it.

Further, even in the case of the serial type having the ink flow path described above, the recording head fixed to the apparatus main body or the electric connection with the apparatus main body or the connection from the apparatus main body by being attached to the apparatus main body. The present invention is also effective when a replaceable chip-type print head capable of supplying ink or a cartridge-type print head in which an ink tank is provided integrally with the print head itself is used.

It is preferable to add a recording head ejection recovery unit, a preliminary auxiliary unit, and the like as the configuration of the recording apparatus of the present invention since the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. More specifically, capping means for the recording head, cleaning means, pressure or suction means, an electrothermal transducer, or another heating element or a combination thereof may be used. And preliminary ejection means for performing ejection other than recording.

The type and number of recording heads to be mounted are, for example, not only one provided for a single color ink but also a plurality corresponding to a plurality of inks having different recording colors and densities. The number 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, and may be any of a printing head integrally formed or a combination of a plurality of printing heads. The present invention is also very effective for an apparatus provided with at least one of the recording modes such as full color by color mixture.

In addition, the form of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention is not only used as an image output terminal of an information processing apparatus such as a computer, but also a copying apparatus combined with a reader and the like, and a facsimile having a transmission / reception function. It may be in the form of an apparatus.

[0043]

The embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail and concretely. In the following description, “parts” are based on weight unless otherwise specified.

Ink-1 C.I. I. Direct Black 154 2.5 parts Diethylene glycol 10.0 parts Ethylene glycol 15.5 parts 1-butyl alcohol 3.0 parts Water 69.0 parts Total 100.0 parts Ink-1 obtained by mixing and stirring the above components was added. By applying sonic energy, an ink was prepared in which the molecular bonding state of water or the like was microscopically uniformed.

(Comparative Example 1)
, The recording signal is applied to the heater 5, and the recording characteristics when the ink droplets are continuously discharged from the discharge port 3, specifically, the discharge speed and the discharge volume of the discharge ink droplets at regular intervals. As a result, the standard deviation of the ink droplet ejection speed shown in FIG. 3A and the standard deviation of the ink droplet ejection volume shown in FIG.

Example 1 Immediately after the preparation of Ink-1, FIG.
, The ultrasonic wave generating element 9 on the head substrate 2 is driven, and the ink 2 in the common ink chamber 7 is moved.
The recording characteristics when ink droplets are continuously ejected from the ejection port 3 by applying the recording energy to the heater 5 by applying ultrasonic energy to 0, specifically, the ejection ink droplet ejection speed and the ink droplet ejection volume at regular intervals. As a result, the standard deviation of the ink droplet ejection speed shown in FIG. 3B and the standard deviation of the ink droplet ejection volume shown in FIG.

From the results of Comparative Example 1 and Example 1, the ink
The recording characteristics of No. 1 have almost the same standard deviation immediately after the ink production. However, when the ultrasonic generating element 9 is driven as the measurement time elapses, the recording characteristic is smaller than when the ultrasonic generating element 9 is not driven.
It can be seen that the standard deviation keeps almost the initial value. This indicates that the characteristics of the ink-1 can be maintained from the initial level by driving the ultrasonic wave generating element 9 and applying ultrasonic energy. From these facts, it was confirmed that by applying ultrasonic energy to the ink-1 from the ultrasonic wave generating element 9, the recording characteristics were maintained, that is, the quality of the recorded image was stably maintained at a high level.

[0048] Electric energy was applied to the ink-2 obtained by mixing and stirring the above components to prepare an ink in which the molecular bonding state of water and the like was microscopically uniform.

(Comparative Example 2) Immediately after the preparation of Ink-2, FIG.
, The recording signal is applied to the heater 5, and the recording characteristics when the ink droplets are continuously discharged from the discharge port 3, specifically, the discharge speed and the discharge volume of the discharge ink droplets at regular intervals. As a result, the standard deviation of the ink droplet ejection speed shown in FIG. 5A and the standard deviation of the ink droplet ejection volume shown in FIG.

Example 2 Immediately after the preparation of Ink-2, FIG.
, The ultrasonic wave generating element 9 on the head substrate 2 is driven, and the ink 2 in the common ink chamber 7 is moved.
The recording characteristics when ink droplets are continuously ejected from the ejection port 3 by applying the recording energy to the heater 5 by applying ultrasonic energy to 0, specifically, the ejection ink droplet ejection speed and the ink droplet ejection volume at regular intervals. As a result, the measurement results based on the time variation of the standard deviation value of the ink droplet ejection speed shown in FIG. 5B and the standard deviation value of the ink droplet ejection volume shown in FIG. 6B were obtained.

From the results of Comparative Example 2 and Example 2, the ink
The recording characteristics of No. 2 have almost the same standard deviation immediately after the ink preparation, but when the ultrasonic wave generating element 9 is driven as the measurement time elapses, compared to when the ultrasonic generating element 9 is not driven.
It can be seen that the standard deviation keeps almost the initial value. This indicates that the characteristics of the ink-2 can be maintained from the initial level by applying the ultrasonic energy by driving the ultrasonic generating element 9. From these facts, it was confirmed that by applying ultrasonic energy to the ink-2 from the ultrasonic generating element 9, the recording characteristics were maintained, that is, the quality of the recorded image was stably maintained at a high level.

[0052] Ultrasonic energy was applied to the ink-3 obtained by mixing and stirring the above components to prepare an ink in which the molecular bonding state of water and the like was microscopically uniform.

(Comparative Example 3) Immediately after preparing Ink-3, FIG.
, The recording signal is applied to the heater 35, and the recording characteristics when the ink droplets are continuously ejected from the ejection port 33, more specifically, the ink droplet ejection speed and the ink droplet ejection volume at regular intervals. Fig. 9
1A and the standard deviation value of the ink droplet ejection speed shown in FIG.
A measurement result based on a time change of the standard deviation value of the ink droplet ejection volume shown in FIG.

Example 3 Immediately after the preparation of Ink-3, FIG.
, The ultrasonic generating element 39 on the head substrate 32 is driven, ultrasonic energy is applied to the ink 20 in the common ink chamber 7, a recording signal is applied to the heater 35, and ejection is performed. The recording characteristics when ink droplets were continuously ejected from the outlet 33, specifically, the ejection ink droplet ejection speed and the ink droplet ejection volume were measured at regular intervals, and the standard ink droplet ejection speed shown in FIG. Measurement results were obtained based on the change over time of the deviation value and the standard deviation value of the ink droplet ejection volume shown in FIG.

From the results of Comparative Example 3 and Example 3, the ink
The recording characteristics of No. 3 are almost the same standard deviation immediately after the ink production, but the standard deviation is almost the same when the ultrasonic generating element 39 is driven as the measurement time elapses compared to when the ultrasonic generating element 39 is not driven. It can be seen that the initial value is kept. This indicates that the characteristics of the ink-3 can be maintained from the initial level by driving the ultrasonic wave generating element 39 and applying ultrasonic energy. From these facts, it was confirmed that by applying ultrasonic energy to the ink-3 from the ultrasonic wave generating element 39, the recording characteristics were maintained, that is, the quality of the recorded image was stably maintained at a high level.

[0056]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Provided is a recording head capable of constantly stabilizing the recording characteristics of droplets ejected in response to a recording signal and maintaining a high quality of a recorded image for a long period of time, and a recording apparatus using the head. can do.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an inkjet recording head according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the recording head shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a measurement result value of a temporal change of a standard deviation value of an ink droplet ejection speed by a recording head according to Comparative Example 1 and Experimental Example 1.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing measurement results of a temporal change in a standard deviation value of an ink droplet ejection volume by the recording heads of Comparative Example 1 and Experimental Example 1.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a measurement result value of a time change of a standard deviation value of an ink droplet ejection speed by a recording head according to Comparative Example 2 and Experimental Example 2.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a measurement result value of a temporal change of a standard deviation value of an ink droplet ejection volume by the recording heads of Comparative Example 2 and Experimental Example 2.

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of an inkjet recording head according to one embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a schematic sectional view of the recording head shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a measurement result value of a time change of a standard deviation value of an ink droplet ejection speed by a recording head of Comparative Example 3 and Experimental Example 3.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing measurement results of a change over time of a standard deviation value of an ink droplet ejection volume by the recording heads of Comparative Example 3 and Experimental Example 3.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ink jet recording head 2 Head substrate 3 Discharge port 4 Ink flow path 5 Heating resistor 6 Ink flow path wall 7 Common ink chamber 8 Top plate 9 Ultrasonic wave generating element 20 Ink 21 Bubbles generated by print recording signal 31 Ink jet recording Head 32 Head substrate 33 Discharge port 34 Ink flow path 35 Heating resistor 36 Ink flow path wall 37 Common ink chamber 38 Orifice plate 39 Ultrasonic generation element 40 Ink supply port

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Fields surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B41J 2/175 B41J 2/01 B41J 2/05 B41M 5/00

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A least, heat for discharging ink
Over data, the ink discharge port, and has an ink flow path for supplying ink to said ink discharge ports, the ink jet recording head for discharging the ink discharge ports of the ink droplets by forming a bubble by the action of heat energy, the Above the heater surface
The ink discharge port is disposed toward, in order to equalize the molecule bonding state of the liquid medium contained in the ink, the ultrasound generating element for applying ultrasonic energy to the ink, the heat
Over data of the same substrate and the ink jet recording head, characterized in that provided on the upstream side of the ink flow path. 2. The ink jet recording head according to claim 1, wherein the ink is a liquid containing a coloring material and a liquid medium containing at least a monohydric alcohol, and is an ink to which ultrasonic energy is applied. 3. The ink jet recording head according to claim 1, wherein the magnitude of the ultrasonic energy generated by said ultrasonic generating element is such that said ink is not discharged from said ink discharge port. 4. An ink jet recording apparatus which performs recording using an ink jet recording head which discharges ink as ink droplets by the action of thermal energy, wherein the recording head is any one of claims 1 to 3. An ink jet recording apparatus, characterized in that: 5. At least, heat for discharging ink
An ink ejection port, and an ink flow path for supplying ink to the ink ejection port, wherein the ink jet recording method for forming bubbles by the action of thermal energy and ejecting ink droplets from the ink ejection port. Above the heater surface
The ink ejection ports are disposed on the same substrate as the heater, and ultrasonic energy is applied to the ink by an ultrasonic wave generating element provided on the upstream side of the ink flow path, and the ink is contained in the ink. An ink jet recording method characterized by making the molecular bonding state of a liquid medium uniform.