Liquid discharge head and method for manufacturing same

A liquid discharge head includes an element substrate, a liquid supply substrate, a photosensitive resin layer with which the element substrate and the liquid supply substrate are adhered, and a liquid inflow through-hole penetrating the element substrate, the photosensitive resin layer, and the liquid supply substrate. The element substrate includes a pressure chamber including a discharge opening that discharges liquid, a liquid supply passage, in which one end is connected to the pressure chamber and another end is connected to the liquid inflow through-hole, the liquid supply passage supplying the liquid supplied from the liquid inflow through-hole to the pressure chamber, a diaphragm that forms a surface that opposes the discharge opening of the pressure chamber, a piezoelectric transducer that applies vibration to the diaphragm, and a partition portion, in which one surface opposes the liquid supply passage and another surface opposes the photosensitive resin layer through the diaphragm.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to a liquid discharge head that discharges liquid.

Description of the Related Art

A liquid discharge head that discharges liquid is typically mounted in a liquid discharge apparatus that records an image on a record medium by discharging liquid such as ink. As a mechanism that discharges liquid from the liquid discharge head, a liquid discharge head that employs a pressure chamber that is capable being contracted by a piezoelectric transducer is known. According to the mechanism, the pressure chamber can be contracted and expanded by bending, with a deformed piezoelectric transducer to which a voltage has been applied, a diaphragm that forms a wall of the pressure chamber. With the pressure generated with the above, the liquid inside the pressure chamber is discharged through a discharge opening that is formed at one end of the pressure chamber. A liquid supply passage that supplies liquid is connected to the pressure chamber. A plurality of liquid supply passages are connected to a common liquid chamber, and liquid is supplied from the common liquid chamber.

In recent years, a liquid discharge apparatus that is capable of high-speed plotting is in need. One of such liquid discharge apparatuses achieves high-speed plotting and includes a line head in which discharge openings are arranged in a two-dimensional manner at a high density. In order to perform high-speed plotting, the discharge period of each pressure chamber needs to be short. By reducing the volume of the liquid related to the discharge, the compliance of the fluid can be reduced and the natural frequency of the pressure chamber can be increased.

PCT Japanese Translation Patent Publication No. 2012-532772 discloses a liquid discharge head in which liquid is supplied from a side that is opposite the discharge openings with respect to the diaphragms. The liquid discharge head includes an element substrate, a liquid supply substrate that is stacked on the element substrate, and a photosensitive resin layer with which the element substrate and the liquid supply substrate are adhered to each other. Liquid inflow through-holes penetrate the element substrate, the photosensitive resin layer, and the liquid supply substrate. The element substrate includes pressure chambers that include discharge openings that discharge liquid, liquid supply passages, one end of which is connected to the corresponding pressure chamber and the other end of which is connected to the corresponding liquid inflow through-hole, diaphragms that form surfaces that opposes the discharge openings of the pressure chambers, and piezoelectric transducers that applies vibration to the diaphragms. The liquid that has been supplied through the liquid inflow through-holes passes through the liquid supply passages and is supplied to the pressure chambers. Since the liquid inflow through-holes are provided on the opposite side of the discharge opening with respect to the diaphragm, the distance between the diaphragm and the discharge opening can be made short. Accordingly, the volume of the fluid can be reduced and the response frequency can be increased. The photosensitive resin layer is formed of a photosensitive photoresist SU-8 (MicroChem Corp.). Accordingly, the liquid inflow through-holes can be formed in the photosensitive resin layer by patterning.

Since the photosensitive resin layer includes the liquid inflow through-holes into which liquid flows; accordingly, by being in contact with the liquid, the photosensitive resin layer may swell. The back surface of the surface on the photosensitive resin layer side of the diaphragm is the liquid supply passage and the diaphragm is not restricted on the liquid supply passage side. Accordingly, due to swelling of the photosensitive resin layer, the diaphragm may be pushed by the photosensitive resin layer and may deform towards the liquid supply passage. The diaphragm is formed thin so that the diaphragm greatly deforms the pressure chamber, and has a thickness of 2 μm or under, for example. Due to swelling of the photosensitive resin layer, the diaphragm that has been pressed may be deformed so as to reduce the width of the liquid supply passage and, further, may be damaged.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A liquid discharge head of the present disclosure includes an element substrate, a liquid supply substrate that is stacked on the element substrate, a photosensitive resin layer that adheres the element substrate and the liquid supply substrate to each other, and a liquid inflow through-hole that penetrates the element substrate, the photosensitive resin layer, and the liquid supply substrate. The element substrate includes a pressure chamber that includes a discharge opening that discharges liquid, a liquid supply passage, one end of which is connected to the pressure chamber and another end of which is connected to the liquid inflow through-hole, the liquid supply passage supplying the liquid supplied from the liquid inflow through-hole to the pressure chamber, a diaphragm that forms a surface that opposes the discharge opening of the pressure chamber, a piezoelectric transducer that applies vibration to the diaphragm, and a partition portion, one surface of which opposes the liquid supply passage and another surface of which opposes the photosensitive resin layer through the diaphragm.

One surface of the partition portion of the element substrate opposes the liquid supply passage and another surface opposes the photosensitive resin layer through the diaphragm. In other words, the partition portion functions as a support member that supports the diaphragm from the liquid supply passage side. Even if the diaphragm is pressed towards the liquid supply passage due to swelling of the photosensitive resin layer, the pressing force is supported by the partition portion. Accordingly, large deformation of the diaphragm is prevented.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

First Exemplary Embodiment

FIG. 1is a cross-sectional view of an essential portion of a liquid discharge portion152of a liquid discharge head1according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure that discharges liquid such as ink or the like. The liquid discharge head1is mounted in a liquid discharge apparatus, a representative example of which is an inkjet recording apparatus.FIG. 2is an exploded perspective view of the liquid discharge head1. The liquid discharge head1includes an element substrate151, a liquid supply substrate134, and a photosensitive resin layer119with which the element substrate151and the liquid supply substrate134are adhered to each other. The element substrate151includes a number of liquid discharge portions152that each includes a discharge opening101. Each liquid discharge portion152includes a pressure chamber102that retains liquid, the discharge opening101that is provided so as to correspond to a pressure chamber102and that discharges the liquid, a diaphragm109, and a piezoelectric transducer111to which the diaphragm109is adhered. The diaphragm109forms a surface102athat opposes the discharge opening101of the pressure chamber102. Upon application of a voltage, the piezoelectric transducer111deforms in an out-of-plane direction and bends the diaphragm109. Each of the liquid discharge portions152further includes a liquid supply passage103that is in communication with the corresponding pressure chamber102and that supplies the liquid to the corresponding pressure chamber102, and a liquid collection passage105that is in communication with the corresponding pressure chamber102and that collects the liquid from the corresponding pressure chamber102. The liquid supply passage103and the liquid collection passage105have inertia that is greater than that of the discharge opening101so that the pressure generated inside the pressure chamber102is oriented towards the discharge opening101.

A discrete electrode112is connected to one surface111aof the piezoelectric transducer111and a common electrode110is connected to the other surface111bthereof. The discrete electrode112is electrically drawn out with a lead-out electrode114and is connected to a conductive bump116through a bump pad115. An Au bump, for example, may be used as the conductive bump116. An electric wiring117is provided on the liquid supply substrate134and is connected to the bump116. Accordingly, the discrete electrode112of the element substrate151and the electric wiring117of the liquid supply substrate134are electrically connected to each other with the bump116. The drive voltage of the piezoelectric transducer111is supplied to the discrete electrode112from a control circuit outside of the liquid discharge head1through the electric wiring117, the bump116, and the lead-out electrode114. The common electrode110extends under each of the piezoelectric transducers111, each corresponding to a respective one of the pressure chambers102, and is collectively connected to a control circuit outside the liquid discharge head1through a bump (not shown) at an end portion of the liquid discharge head1. By using the bump116, electrical connection between each electric wiring117and the corresponding piezoelectric transducer111is facilitated. However, the electrical connection between each electric wiring117and the corresponding piezoelectric transducer111is not limited to a connection through a bump and, for example, penetrating wiring may be used.

The liquid supply substrate134is stacked on the element substrate151. The liquid supply substrate134has functions of supplying liquid to each of the liquid discharge portions152and collecting liquid from each of the liquid discharge portions152. The liquid supply substrate134is adhered to the plurality of liquid discharge portions152that are arranged two-dimensionally and has a function of supporting the liquid discharge portions152while maintaining rigidity. Specifically, the liquid supply substrate134includes liquid inflow through-holes104that are in communication with the liquid supply passages103and liquid outflow through-holes106that are in communication with the liquid collection passages105. One end of each liquid supply passage103is connected to the corresponding pressure chamber102and the other end of each liquid supply passage103is connected to the corresponding liquid inflow through-hole104. Similarity, one end of each liquid collection passage105is connected to the corresponding pressure chamber102and the other end of each liquid collection passage105is connected to the corresponding liquid outflow through-hole106. Liquid is supplied through the liquid inflow through-holes104of the liquid supply substrate134, passes through the liquid supply passages103of the element substrate151, and is supplied to the pressure chambers102. The liquid passes through the liquid collection passages105of the element substrate151and is collected through the liquid outflow through-holes106of the liquid supply substrate134. As above, the liquid discharge portions152form circulatory flows of the liquid. The liquid supply substrate134also has a function of applying electric signals to the liquid discharge portions152. When a drive voltage from the control circuit is applied to the piezoelectric transducers111through the electric wiring117of the liquid supply substrate134, the diaphragms109are deformed and the pressure chambers102contract and expand. With the above, the pressure of the liquid inside the pressure chamber102increases/decreases and upon increase/decrease of the pressure, the liquid is discharged from the discharge openings101.

Referring toFIG. 2, the element substrate151includes a pressure chamber forming layer132, a discharge opening forming member131, and a drive layer133that is provided with the diaphragms109. The pressure chamber forming layer132and the discharge opening forming member131according to the present exemplary embodiment are both formed of silicon (Si). Together with the diaphragms109, the pressure chamber forming layer132and the discharge opening forming member131form the pressure chambers102. The discharge openings101that discharge liquid are formed in the discharge opening forming member131. Water repellent finishing is performed on a surface of the discharge opening forming member131opposite to the pressure chamber102. Portions of each of the pressure chambers102, the liquid supply passages103, the liquid collection passages105, the liquid inflow through-holes104, and the liquid outflow through-holes106are formed in the pressure chamber forming layer132. The diaphragms109, the common electrode110, the piezoelectric transducers111, the discrete electrodes112, protective films113that perform insulation protection on the above, and lead-out electrodes114are formed in the drive layer133. As will be described later, the pressure chamber forming layer132and the drive layer133are formed integrally. Openings that configure portions of the liquid inflow through-holes104and openings that configure portions of the liquid outflow through-holes106are formed in the liquid supply substrate134. The electric wiring117that applies a drive voltage to the piezoelectric transducer111through the bump116, and a protective film118for performing insulation protection on the electric wiring117are further formed on the liquid supply substrate134.

The photosensitive resin layer119is disposed between the element substrate151and the liquid supply substrate134. The photosensitive resin layer119adheres the drive layer133and the liquid supply substrate134to each other and also has a function of a spacer that secures spaces in which the common electrode110, the piezoelectric transducers111, and the discrete electrodes112are disposed. A photosensitive dry film such as, for example, DF470 (Hitachi Chemical Co., Ltd.) may be used for the photosensitive resin layer119. It is only sufficient that the photosensitive resin layer119is formed of a resin material on which photopatterning can be performed and may be formed of a photosensitive liquid resist or may be formed of a photosensitive film. By using the photosensitive resin layer119, the drive layer133and the liquid supply substrate134can be adhered to each other and the photosensitive resin layer119can be cured at the same time when heating and pressing are performed to connect the bumps116.

The liquid inflow through-holes104and the liquid outflow through-holes106extend so as it penetrate through the pressure chamber forming layer132, the drive layer133, the photosensitive resin layer119, and the liquid supply substrate134. Accordingly, openings that configure the liquid inflow through-holes104and the liquid outflow through-holes106are formed by patterning in the diaphragms109, the protective films113, and the photosensitive resin layer119.

The element substrate151includes a partition portion121a, one surface1211of the element substrate151in a thickness direction Z opposes the liquid supply passages103and another surface1212of the element substrate151in the thickness direction Z opposes the photosensitive resin layer119through the diaphragms109. Similarly, the element substrate151includes a second partition portion121b, one surface1213of the element substrate151in the thickness direction Z opposes the liquid collection passage105and another surface1214of the element substrate151in the thickness direction Z opposes the photosensitive resin layer119through the diaphragms109. The partition portions121aand121beach have a rectangular cross-sectional shape when cut along a plane (a Y-Z plane) including the thickness direction Z of the element substrate151and direction Y in which the liquid supply passages103or the liquid collection passages105extends. In other words, sidewalls of the liquid supply passages103, the liquid collection passages105, and the pressure chambers102vertically stand from the Y-Z plane of the element substrate151and extend in the thickness direction Z of the element substrate151so as to be parallel to the thickness direction Z of the element substrate151. The partition portions121aand121bformed of silicon are disposed on the diaphragm109side of the liquid supply passages103and the liquid collection passages105and have functions of throttling the flow paths of the liquid supply passages103and the liquid collection passages105and suppressing deformation of the diaphragms109. Since the photosensitive resin layer119contains resin, the photosensitive resin layer119being in contact with liquid becomes swollen and applies pressing force to the diaphragms109towards the liquid supply passages103and the liquid collection passages105(downwards inFIG. 1). The partition portions121aand121bare portions of the pressure chamber forming layer132and are formed of Si. Accordingly, the rigidity thereof is high compared with the rigidity of the diaphragm109such that the partition portions121aand121beffectively suppress deformations of the diaphragms109. With the above, change in the sectional areas of the liquid supply passages103and the liquid collection passages105and damage in the diaphragms109due to deformation of the diaphragms109can be prevented.

FIG. 3illustrates a top view of the liquid discharge head1of the present exemplary embodiment. The discharge openings101are disposed so as to be offset with respect each other by, for example, 1200 dpi (21.17 μm) in direction Y. By discharging the liquid while, at the same time, an object to be drawn is relatively moved with respect to the liquid discharge head1in direction X, an image of 1200 dpi is formed. The lead-out electrodes114are drawn out in direction Y, in other words, is drawn out along the liquid collection passages105, and the bump pads115are formed on the end portions of the lead-out electrodes114. The shape of each lead-out electrode114is not limited to the above shape and as illustrated inFIG. 4, each lead-out electrode114may be formed at a position avoiding the corresponding liquid collection passage105, and each bump pad115may be provided at a position that does not overlap the corresponding liquid collection passage105. In other words, each bump116may be positioned so as not to overlap the corresponding liquid collection passage105when viewed in the thickness direction Z of the element substrate151. With the above, a load or a pressing force applied to the liquid collection passages105from the bumps116caused by heat expansion and the like can be prevented. Note that the lead-out electrodes114and the bump pads115may be provided not on the liquid collection passages105side but on the liquid supply passages103side. In such a case as well, each bump116may be positioned so as not to overlap the corresponding liquid supply passage103when viewed in the thickness direction Z of the element substrate151.

FIG. 5illustrates a state in which the discharge openings101are arranged two-dimensionally. The liquid inflow through-hole104and the liquid outflow through-hole106are disposed alternatively and common liquid inflow passages122and common liquid outflow passages123are formed so as to extend along discharge opening arrays L. With the above, a larger number of discharge openings101can be efficiently disposed in the liquid discharge head1. The lead-out electrodes114are drawn out in the same direction within a single discharge opening array L and are drawn out in the opposite direction with respect to the lead-out electrodes114of the adjacent discharge opening array L. Furthermore, the adjacent lead-out electrodes114of the adjacent discharge opening arrays L are in a point symmetrical relationship with each other and the positional relationship between each discharge opening101and the corresponding lead-out electrode114can be the same.

A method for fabricating the liquid discharge head1of the present exemplary embodiment will be described usingFIGS. 6A to 8I.

FIGS. 6A to 6Dare diagrams illustrating a flow of a fabrication process of the pressure chamber forming layer132and the drive layer133. An Si substrate108is prepared (FIG. 6A), and a nitride film that is to be the diaphragms109is deposited on a first surface108aof the Si substrate108and an oxidized layer162is deposited on a second surface108b(FIG. 6B). Subsequently, a common electrode110, a piezoelectric transducer111, and a discrete electrode112are deposited (FIG. 6C). Subsequently, by etching processes, the discrete electrodes112are patterned (FIG. 6D), the piezoelectric transducers111are patterned (FIG. 6E), and the common electrode110is patterned (FIG. 6F). Then, a protective film113is formed (FIG. 6G). Subsequently, the protective films113are patterned (FIG. 6H), the diaphragms109that are each formed of a nitride film are patterned (FIG. 6I), and portions of the liquid inflow through-holes104and the liquid outflow through-holes106are formed. Subsequently, the lead-out electrodes114and the bump pads115are formed (FIG. 6J). Subsequently, the photosensitive resin layer119is patterned and portions of the liquid inflow through-holes104and the liquid outflow through-holes106are formed (FIG. 6K). As described above, the pressure chamber forming layer132and the drive layer133are formed. Note that the pressure chamber forming layer132and the drive layer133are collectively referred to as an actuator substrate153.

FIGS. 7A to 7Jare diagrams illustrating a flow of a fabrication process of the liquid supply substrate134. First, a substrate120formed of Si is prepared (FIG. 7A). Subsequently, an oxide film160is deposited on the Si substrate120(FIG. 7B), the electric wiring117is patterned (FIG. 7C), and a protective film118is formed (FIG. 7D). Subsequently, the oxide film160is patterned (FIG. 7E), and the liquid inflow through-holes104and the liquid outflow through-holes106are formed by deep etching to a portion midway of the substrate120from the side of the substrate120opposite the drive layer133(FIG. 7F). Subsequently, the protective film118is patterned (FIG. 7G) and the protective film118is covered by a resist mask161(FIG. 7H). Subsequently, the liquid inflow through-holes104and the liquid outflow through-holes106are formed by deep etching from the drive layer133side such that the liquid inflow through-holes104and the liquid outflow through-holes106penetrate through, and the resist mask161is removed (FIG. 7I). Last of all, the bumps116are disposed (FIG. 7J).

FIGS. 8A to 8Iare diagrams illustrating a flow of an adhesion process between the liquid supply substrate134and the element substrate151and a flow of a formation process of the pressure chambers102. First, the liquid supply substrate134and the actuator substrate153that have been fabricated by the fabrication process described above are prepared (FIG. 8A), the liquid supply substrate134and the actuator substrate153are adhered to each other with the photosensitive resin layer119and are connected to the bumps116(FIG. 8B). Subsequently, the oxidized layer162of the actuator substrate153is removed (FIG. 8C) and the SiO2mask126and the resist mask127are sequentially formed (FIGS. 8D and 8E). After that, etching is performed from the second surface108bthat is the back surface of the first surface108aand portions of the pressure chambers102are formed (a first etching process) (FIG. 8F). The areas in which etching are performed are first areas154where the pressure chambers102, the liquid inflow through-holes104, and the liquid outflow through-holes106are formed. After that, the resist mask127is removed, etching is further performed on the second surface108b, and the remaining portion of the pressure chambers102, the liquid supply passages103, and the liquid collection passages105are formed (a second etching process) (FIG. 8G). At the same time, the liquid inflow through-holes104and the liquid outflow through-holes106penetrate the element substrate151, the photosensitive resin layer119, and the liquid supply substrate134. The areas in which the element substrate151is etched are second areas155from the liquid inflow through-holes104to the liquid outflow through-holes106. Finally, the discharge opening forming member131in which the discharge openings101are formed is adhered to the second surface108bof the Si substrate108(FIG. 8H) and the fabrication of the liquid discharge head1of the present exemplary embodiment is completed.

As illustrated inFIG. 8I, a depth d1of the deep etching of the first etching process is equivalent to the thickness of the partition portions121aand121b, and a depth d2of the deep etching of the second etching process is equivalent to the depth of the liquid supply passages103and the liquid collection passages105. Accordingly, by adjusting the depths d1and d2of the deep etching, the thicknesses of the partition portions121aand121band the depths of the liquid supply passages103and the liquid collection passages105can be adjusted. By forming the diaphragms109with nitride films, the partition portions121aand121band the diaphragms109becomes integrated; accordingly, the rigidity is further increased and deformation of the diaphragms109can be suppressed.

In the present exemplary embodiment, deep etching (Deep-RIE) is used to form the pressure chambers102, the liquid supply passages103, the liquid collection passages105, the liquid inflow through-holes104, and the liquid outflow through-holes106, and flow paths in which the side surfaces are substantially perpendicular (extending along direction Z) are formed. Unlike anisotropic etching, since oblique surfaces are not exposed, the discharge openings can be disposed efficiently with high-density.

The area that is etched in the first etching process is defined by the resist mask127, and the area that is etched in the second etching process is defined by the SiO2mask126. Accordingly, the sizes of the pressure chambers102can be changed by adjusting the positions and sizes of the masks. As described above, portions of the pressure chambers102are formed in the first etching process and the remaining portions of the pressure chambers102is formed in the second etching process. As illustrated inFIG. 9, the lengths of the pressure chambers102from walls124on the liquid supply passage103side to walls128on the liquid collection passage105side are defined by the first etching process that uses the resist mask127. The lengths of the pressure chambers102from walls125on the liquid supply passage103side to walls129on the liquid collection passage105side are defined by the second etching process that uses the SiO2mask126. In such a case, by setting the resist mask127smaller than the SiO2mask126, a step is formed in the pressure chamber102. With the above, the length of the partition portions121aand121bon the diaphragms109side in the liquid supply direction and collection direction Y can be made longer than the length of the liquid supply passages103and the liquid collection passages105in the liquid supply direction and collection direction Y. In other words, the lengths of the remaining portions of the pressure chambers102described above in the supply direction Y can be made shorter than the lengths of the portions of the pressure chambers102described above in the liquid supply direction Y. Accordingly, the rigidity of the partition portions121aand121bcan be increased further and the effect caused by swelling of the photosensitive resin layer119described above can be further reduced.

Second Exemplary Embodiment

FIG. 10is a cross-sectional view of a liquid discharge portion152of a liquid discharge head according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIG. 11is an exploded perspective view of the liquid discharge head. In the present exemplary embodiment, the pressure chamber forming layer is divided in the thickness direction Z of the element substrate151into a first pressure chamber forming layer135and a second pressure chamber forming layer136at a boundary between the liquid supply passage103and the partition portion121aand at a boundary between the liquid collection passage105and the partition portion121b. Portions of the pressure chambers102in the height direction, the liquid supply passages103, the liquid collection passages105, and the discharge openings101are formed in the first pressure chamber forming layer135. In other words, the pressure chamber forming layer135is integrally formed with the discharge opening forming member131. The remaining portions of the pressure chamber102in the height direction, the liquid inflow through-holes104, the liquid outflow through-holes106, and the partition portions121aand121bare formed in the second pressure chamber forming layer136. The first pressure chamber forming layer135and the second pressure chamber forming layer136are both formed of a Si substrate. Since there is no need to form the pressure chamber102by etching processes of two stages, as is the case of the pressure chamber forming layer132of the first exemplary embodiment, the dimensional accuracy of the pressure chamber102can be increased and the number of processes can be reduced. In the first pressure chamber forming layer135, the pressure chambers102and the like and the discharge openings101can be formed by both-sided etching, and by using a substrate with an etching stop layer (an SOI substrate, for example), the accuracy in thickness can be increased. Note that the drive layer133, the photosensitive resin layer119, and the liquid supply substrate134are similar to those of the first exemplary embodiment.

Third Exemplary Embodiment

FIG. 12is a cross-sectional view of a liquid discharge portion152of a liquid discharge head according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIG. 13is an exploded perspective view of the liquid discharge head. In the present exemplary embodiment, the first pressure chamber forming layer135of the second exemplary embodiment is divided into the discharge opening forming member131and a pressure chamber sidewall forming layer140in which sidewalls of the pressure chambers102are formed. The pressure chamber sidewall forming layer140is formed of photosensitive resin and adheres the discharge opening forming member131and the second pressure chamber forming layer136to each other. Portions of the pressure chambers102, the liquid supply passages103, and the liquid collection passages105are formed in the pressure chamber sidewall forming layer140. Similar to the second exemplary embodiment, the remaining portions of the pressure chambers102in the height direction, the liquid inflow through-holes104, the liquid outflow through-holes106, and the partition portions121aand121bare formed in the second pressure chamber forming layer136. By forming the pressure chamber sidewall forming layer140with photosensitive resin, accurate patterning through exposure can be performed and, further, the discharge opening forming member131and the second pressure chamber forming layer136can be adhered to each other. While accurately forming the discharge opening forming member131and the second pressure chamber forming layer136, by forming the pressure chamber sidewall forming layer140with photosensitive resin, cost can be reduced. Note that the discharge opening forming member131, the drive layer133, the photosensitive resin layer119, and the liquid supply substrate134are similar to those of the first exemplary embodiment.

As described above, the present disclosure is capable of providing a liquid discharge head that can suppress deformation of the diaphragms caused by swelling of the photosensitive resin coming in contact with liquid.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-175515, filed Aug. 29, 2014, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.