Abstract:
An ink jet recording head comprises a recording element base plate having an ink heating portion for heating ink, and ink discharge ports for discharging ink heated by the ink heating portion; a main body portion having ink supply path for inducing ink from an ink retraining portion; and a connecting member having a first bonding surface bonded to the main body portion, and a second bonding surface bonded to the recording element base plate. For this head, the connecting member is formed by material having weaker stretching strength than that of the recording element base plate. With the structure thus arranged, it is possible to provide an ink jet recording head capable of printing high-quality images at all times without deforming the recording element base plate due to the difference in the bonding temperature of the recording element base plate and the room temperature or due to the temperature changes at the time of driving even if the number of nozzles increases and the recording element base plate is made longer.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to an ink jet recording head that obtains recorded images by discharging ink to the recording surface of a recording medium.  
           [0003]    2. Related Background Art  
           [0004]    There has been practically provided an ink jet recording apparatus that forms images by the adhesion of the ink on the recording surface of a recording medium, which is discharged selectively thereto from plural ink discharge ports in accordance with recording data. For the ink jet recording apparatus of the kind, the ink jet recording head, which is selectively mounted on a carriage, is provided and arranged to face the recording surface of the recording medium and scan in the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the recording medium.  
           [0005]    As shown in FIG. 8, an ink jet recording head  16  of the so-called side shooter type comprises, for example, the main body portion  18  formed by an ink supply portion  18 B having an ink tank IT installed thereon, and an input terminal portion  18 A electrically connected with a carriage portion (not shown) to receive driving control signal group form the carriage portion; a supporting member  20  put together with the joint face  18   b  of a recess  18 BG of the ink supply portion  18 B of the main body portion  18 ; a recording element base plate  24  bonded to the upper face that serves as a second bonding face of the supporting member  20 ; and a printed circuit board  22  electrically connected with the recording element base plate  24  to supply the driving control signal group from the input terminal portion  18 A.  
           [0006]    The input terminal portion  18 A and ink supply portion  18 B of the main body portion  18  are formed integrally by resin, for example. On the upper face of the ink supply portion  18 B of the main body portion  18  opposite to of the portion where the ink tank IT is installed, an almost rectangular recess  18 BG is arranged as shown in FIG. 8 and FIGS. 9A and 9B. The bottom face of the recess  18 BG is made to be the joint face  18   b  where the supporting member  20  is bonded. A part of the joint face  18   b  is formed by the surface of a block piece  26  of aluminum alloy, for example. The block piece  26  is arranged in a metallic die and surrounded by resin when the main body portion  18  is formed. Almost on the central portion of the joint face  18   b , there opens the think and long end portion of the ink supply path  18   a  that induces ink from the ink tank IT.  
           [0007]    As shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, the recording element base plate  24  comprises the base plate  10  having an ink supply port  10   c  communicated with the opening end portion of the ink supply path in the ink supply portion; partition wall members  12  that form plural ink branch supply paths  12   a  arranged corresponding to heaters  10   a  serving as the ink heating portion on the base plate  10 ; and an orifice plate  14  having plural ink discharge ports  14   a  arranged in two line formation corresponding to each of the heaters  10   a  on the base plate  10 .  
           [0008]    For the recording element base plate  24 , a silicon thin film is formed in a thickness of 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm, for example. Also, as shown in FIG. 9A, the surface of the of the recess  18  BG of the ink supply portion  18 B of the base plate, which is bonded to the joint face  18   b  by the application of bonding agent, is provided with the ink supply opening portion  24   c  facing the orifice plate, which is extended in the arrangement direction of the ink discharge ports  24   a . Further, on both sides of the base plate having the ink supply opening portion  24   c  between them, heaters (not shown) are arranged with designated gaps with each other, respectively. The ink supply opening portion  24   c  is communicated with one end portion of the ink branch supply paths provided for the partition wall members. Each of the ink branch supply paths induces to each heater the ink that is supplied through the ink supply opening portion  24   c.    
           [0009]    As shown in FIG. 8 and in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the printed circuit board  22  is electrically connected with each of the electrodes of the base plate for the recording element base plate  24 . The printed circuit board  22  is provided with the containing portion  24 B of the recording element base plate where the recording element base plate  24  is arranged, and a terminal portion  24 A, which is arranged for the input terminal portion  18 A of the main body portion  18 . For the bonding of the printed circuit board  22  and the recording element base plate  24 , the TAB (tape automated bonding) method is adopted, for example.  
           [0010]    The supporting member  20 , which is arranged between the recording element base plate  24  and the joint face  18   b  of the recess  18 BG of the ink supply portion  18 B, is formed to be flat rectangular as shown in FIG. 8 and FIGS. 9A and 9B. Here, the same silicon material used for the recording element base plate  24  forms the supporting member  20 , for example.  
           [0011]    As shown in FIG. 9A, the supporting member  20  is provided with the second joint face  20 Sa bonded to the surface arranged for the ink supply opening portion  24   c  of the recording element base plate  24 , and the first joint face  20 Sb bonded to the joint face  18   b  of the recess  18  BG of the ink supply portion  18 B. Also, the supporting member  20  is provided with the communication path  20   a , which is extended thin and long in the longitudinal direction, in a position facing the ink supply path  18   a  arranged for the ink supply opening portion  24   c  of the recording element base plate  24  and the joint face  18   b  of the recess  18 BG of the ink supply portion  18 B. Further, the length of the shorter side and longer side of the supporting member  20  are the same as that of the shorter side and longer side of the recording element base plate  24 , and the thickness of the supporting member  20  is substantially the same as that of the recording element base plate  24 .  
           [0012]    When arranging the recording element base plate  24  having the printed circuit board  22  connected therewith for the ink supply portion  18 B, the first joint face  20 Sb of the supporting member  20  is bonded, at first, to the designated position on the joint face  18   b  by use of bonding agent. Then, in continuation, as shown in FIG. 9B, the second joint face  20 Sa of the supporting member  20  is bonded to the surface having the ink supply opening portion  24   c  arranged for the recording element base plate  24  by use of bonding agent. Here, it is desirable to use a bonding agent having low viscosity and thin bonding layer to be formed on the contact face, and comparatively high hardness once cured.  
           [0013]    With the structure thus arranged, when each of the heaters is heated on the base plate of the recording element base plate  24  with the supply of heater driving control signal through the printed circuit board  22 , ink is induced by way of the ink supply path  18   a  through the ink branch supply paths of the partition member. Then, ink is heated by each of the heaters to generate bubble by means of film boiling phenomenon, and along with the expansion of the bubble, ink is discharged from each of the ink discharge ports  24   a  toward the recording surface. However, there are the following problems encountered by the conventional example described above.  
           [0014]    In other words, it is found that when the number of nozzles should increase and the length of the recording element base plate should be made larger still, the problems given below occurs sometimes irrespective of the case where the base plate is formed by the same silicon material used for the supporting member or formed by alumina or the like the linear expansion coefficient of which is similar to that of silicon. Now, hereunder, the problems will be discussed more specifically in accordance with the properties of bonding agents used for bonding the supporting member and the recording element base plate.  
           [0015]    (1) In a Case of Thermal Curing Bonding Agent:  
           [0016]    When the recording element base plate and the supporting member are bonded by use of thermal curing bonding agent, the curing temperature is higher than the room temperature. In other words, the aluminum blocks of the main body portion, as well as the supporting base plate and the recording element base plate, are all bonded in a state of being expanded at the room temperature. Then, after bonding, as the temperature of recording head is lowered, each of the members is contracted. Generally, the linear expansion coefficient of the aluminum blocks is greater than that of the recording element base plate and the supporting base plate. Thus, the ratio of contraction thereof is greater when the temperature of recording head is lowered. As a result, when the recording head returns to the room temperature after bonding, the dimensional changes of the aluminum blocks is greater than those of the recording element base plate and the supporting base plate, hence generating stresses among the recording element base plate, supporting base plate, and the aluminum blocks. When the number of nozzles is small, and the length of the recording element base plate is small, the dimensional changes are also small when the temperature changes. The exertion of stresses is small accordingly. Therefore, if silicon or alumina is used for the supporting base plate, it is possible to minimize the amount of deformation of the recording element base plate because the use of such material can resist the occurrence of stresses. However, with the increase of nozzle numbers, the recording element base plate should become longer. Then, as the difference between the dimensional changes of the recording element base plate, the supporting base plate, and the aluminum blocks becomes greater after curing, and the occurrence of stresses becomes greater accordingly. Consequently, even with the silicon or alumina used for the supporting base plate, it becomes difficult to resist the stresses thus exerted, and in some cases, the recording element base plate is deformed greatly. If such deformation takes place, the impact position of ink droplets from the recording head of an ink jet recording apparatus is caused to shift, resulting in the degradation of printed images or, further, the recording element base plate may be broken in some cases.  
           [0017]    (2) In a Case of Cold Curing Bonding Agent:  
           [0018]    When the cold curing bonding agent, which is cured at a temperature close to the room temperature, is used for bonding the recording element base plate and the supporting member, there is no such programs as described above. However, if the temperature of recording head rises during printing operation, the same problems take place. In other words, when the head temperature rises during the printing operation, the aluminum blocks, recording element base plate, the supporting base plate are expended, and the dimension of each of them becomes larger. Particularly, the linear expansion coefficient of the aluminum blocks is greater than that of the recording element base plate and supporting base plate, the dimensional changes are great. Thus, when the heat temperature rises, difference in dimensional changes occurs between the aluminum blocks, and the recording element base plate and supporting base plate. As a result, stresses occur among the recording element base plate, supporting base plate, and aluminum blocks. When the number of nozzles is small, and the length of the recording element base plate is small, the dimensional changes are also small when the temperature changes. The exertion of stresses is small accordingly. Therefore, if silicon or alumina is used for the supporting base plate, it is possible to minimize the amount of deformation of the recording element base plate because the use of such material can resist the occurrence of stresses. However, with the increase of nozzle numbers, the recording element base plate should become longer. Then, as the difference between the dimensional changes of the recording element base plate, the supporting base plate, and the aluminum blocks becomes greater after curing, and the occurrence of stresses becomes greater accordingly. Consequently, even with the silicon or alumina used for the supporting base plate, it becomes difficult to resist the stresses thus exerted, and in some cases, the recording element base plate is deformed greatly. If such deformation takes place, the impact position of ink droplets from the recording head of an ink jet recording apparatus is caused to shift, resulting in the degradation of printed images or, further, the recording element base plate may be broken in some cases. Now, therefore, the present invention is designed to solve the problems discussed above, and it aims at the provision of an ink jet recording head capable of printing high-quality images at all times without the deformation of the recording element base plate due to the difference in the temperature at which to bond the recording element base plate, and the room temperature or due to temperature changes at the time of driving even when the recording element base plate is made longer by the increase of the nozzles numbers.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0019]    In order to solve the aforesaid problems, the present invention provides an ink jet recording head structured as described in paragraphs (1) to (10) given below.  
           [0020]    (1) An ink jet recording head comprises:  
           [0021]    a recording element base plate having an ink heating portion for heating ink, and ink discharge ports for discharging ink heated by the ink heating portion;  
           [0022]    a main body portion having ink supply path for inducing ink from an ink retraining portion; and  
           [0023]    a connecting member having a first bonding surface bonded to the main body portion, and a second bonding surface bonded to the recording element base plate. For this head, the connecting member is formed by material having weaker stretching strength than that of the recording element base plate.  
           [0024]    (2) The ink jet recording head referred to in the paragraph (1) for which the relationship between the connecting member and the recording element base plate is arranged to satisfy the following formula (i):  
             Es·ts   3   ·ws&gt;Ea·ta   3   ·wa   (i)  
           [0025]    where  
           [0026]    Es: Young&#39;s modulus (dyn/cm 2 ) of the recording element base plate  
           [0027]    ts: thickness (cm) of the recording element base plate  
           [0028]    ws: width (cm) of the recording element base plate  
           [0029]    Ea: Young&#39;s modulus (dyn/cm 2 ) of the connecting member  
           [0030]    ta: thickness (cm) of the connecting member  
           [0031]    wa: width of the connecting member (cm)  
           [0032]    (3) The ink jet recording head referred to in the paragraph (1) or paragraph (2), for which the connecting member is formed by either resin or compound material of resin and metal.  
           [0033]    (4) The ink jet recording head referred to in the paragraph (1) or paragraph (2), for which the connecting member is formed by polyimide.  
           [0034]    (5) The ink jet recording referred to in either one of the paragraphs (1) to (4), for which the connecting member is provided with electrode wiring for use of driving heat generating element of the recording element base plate.  
           [0035]    (6) The ink jet recording head referred to in either one of the paragraphs (1) to (5), for which the connecting member is structured to laminate the electrode wiring with resin.  
           [0036]    (7) The ink jet recording head referred to in either one of the paragraphs (1) to (6), for which the recording element base plate and the main body portion are provided with a portion to be bonded directly.  
           [0037]    (8) The ink jet recording head referred to in the paragraph (7), for which the portion of direct bonding for the recording element base plate and the main body portion is arranged for plural locations.  
           [0038]    (9) The ink jet recording head referred to in either one of the paragraphs (1) to (10), for which the bonding center of the first bonding surface and the bonding center of the second bonding surface are arranged to shift in the horizontal direction.  
           [0039]    (10) The ink jet recording head referred to in the paragraph (9), for which the bonding portions are arranged from the central area of the main body portion to the outer side in order of the direct bonding portion between the recording element base plate and the main body portion, the second bonding portion, and the first bonding portion.  
           [0040]    With the adoption of the structure described above when embodying the present invention, the recording element base plate, which is arranged to obtain recorded images by discharging ink to a recording medium, is bonded and fixed to the main body, hence making it possible to provide the ink jet recording head capable of printing high-quality images at all times without deforming the recording element base plate due to the difference in the bonding temperature of the recording element base plate and the room temperature or due to the temperature changes at the time of driving even if the number of nozzles increases and the recording element base plate is made longer. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0041]    [0041]FIG. 1 is a view that shows the structure of an ink jet recording head in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIGS. 2A and 2B are views that illustrate the structure of the ink jet recording head in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 3 is a view that shows the structure of a second embodiment in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 4 is a view that shows the structure of the second embodiment in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 5 is a view that shows the structure of a third embodiment in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 6 is a view that shows the structure of the third embodiment in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 7 is a view that shows the structure of the third embodiment in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 8 is a view that shows the structure of the conventional ink jet recording head.  
         [0049]    [0049]FIGS. 9A and 9B are views that illustrate the structure of the conventional example.  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 10 is a view that shows the inner details of the convention recording element base plate.  
         [0051]    [0051]FIG. 11 is a view that shows&#39; the conventional recording element base plate and printed circuit board. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0052]    Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0053]    (First Embodiment)  
         [0054]    [0054]FIG. 1 and FIGS. 2A and 2B are views that illustrate the structure of an ink jet recording head  50  in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the ink jet head  50 . FIGS. 2A and 2B are cross-sectional views that schematically illustrating the ink jet head  50  represented in FIG. 1. In these figures, however, the flow paths provided for the recording element base plate, and the structure of the discharge port portion are omitted. Now, in conjunction with FIG. 1 and FIGS. 2A and 2B, the present embodiment will be described. Here, a reference numeral  1  designates the main body portion;  2 , the recording element base plate that discharges ink from the discharge ports; and  3 , the connecting member, which is bonded between the main body portion and the recording element base plate. These three constituents structure the ink jet recording head  50  of the present embodiment largely.  
         [0055]    In this respect, the main body portion  1  is provided with the ink supply portion  1   a  to which ink is supplied form an ink tank, and the input terminal portion  1   b  to which driving signal group is inputted from a carriage portion (not shown).  
         [0056]    To the recording element base plate  2 , driving control signal group is supplied through the input terminal portion  1   b  by means of a printed circuit board (not shown). The inner structure of the recording element base plate  2  is the same as that of the recording element base plate to be shown in FIG. 10. Therefore, the description thereof will be omitted. The recording element base plate  2  is formed by silicon material in a thickness of 0.5 to 1.0 mm. On the bonding surface A′ side, the connecting member  3  is bonded thereto, there is arranged the ink supply opening portion  52 , which extends in the arrangement direction of the ink discharge ports  51 . Here, a reference numeral  53  designates the discharge port array.  
         [0057]    For the ink supply portion  1   a  of the main body portion  1 , the liquid chamber id, which is recessed substantially in a rectangular form, is provided. Almost on the center of the liquid chamber id, the thin and long opening portion is arranged for inducing ink from an ink-retaining portion (not shown), and a filter  1   e  is arranged thereon to remove dust particles in ink. Further, for the liquid chamber  1   d , a recording element supporting portion  1   c  is provided to connect the main body portion  1  and the recording element base plate  2  directly. With the direct connection between the recording element supporting portion  1   c  and the connecting member  3 , it becomes possible to maintain the position of the recording element base plate  2  in high precision.  
         [0058]    The bonding surface B of the connecting member  3  is bonded to the bonding surface B′ of the main body portion  1 . Also, the bonding surface A of the connecting member  3  is bonded to the bonding surface A′ of the recording element base plate  2 . Each of the bonding areas  55 , which is actually bonded as shown in FIG. 2A, is part of bonding surfaces A, A′ and bonding surfaces B, B′, respectively, and each of them shifts horizontally. On the center of the connecting member  3 , there is open the ink supply port  52  as a communication port, through which ink is supplied from the liquid chamber  1   d  to the ink supply opening portion  54  of the recording head.  
         [0059]    The connecting member  3  is formed by resin, such as polyimide, in a thickness of as thin as approximately 0.5 mm, for example, having the stretching strength, which is weaker than that of the recording element base plate  2 . Polyimide is soft and has resistance to heat, but not easy to be affected by the ink component. Therefore, it is particularly suitable for the connecting member  3 . In this respect, however, the material of this member is not limited to resin. It may be possible to use thin metal, such as SUS or a compound material of metal and resin, such as a multiple layered laminate material of aluminum (Al) and resin. If metal is used, gas barrier capability is enhanced to make it possible to suppress the ink evaporation to an extremely low level. However, the range of selection of the kinds of metal, which is not easily affected by ink component, and, not dissolved to cause burning, either, is limited. In addition, the metal has comparatively strong starching capability even in a small thickness, thus presenting disadvantage that the recording element base plate tends to be deformed easily. In contrast, the compound material of resin and metal has a multiple layered structure having thin metal plate or a metal deposition film sandwiched with resin. Thus, metal is not directly in contact with ink component. It is not affected by ink or it does not cause burning, either. Furthermore, the sandwiched metallic film suppresses the ink evaporation. Therefore, this structure is particularly suitable for the purpose.  
         [0060]    Also, the connecting member is good enough if it has stretching strength weaker than that of the recording element base plate, and preferably, it satisfies the following relationship:  
         
       Es·ts 
       3 
       ·ws&gt;Ea·ta 
       3 
       ·wa  
     
         [0061]    where  
         [0062]    Es: Young&#39;s modulus (dyn/cm 2 ) of the recording element base plate  
         [0063]    ts: thickness (cm) of the recording element base plate  
         [0064]    Ws: width (cm) of the recording element base plate  
         [0065]    Ea: Young&#39;s modulus (dyn/cm 2 ) of the connecting member  
         [0066]    ta: thickness (cm) of the connecting member  
         [0067]    wa: width of the connecting member (cm)  
         [0068]    With the structure thus arranged, the recording element base plate, the connecting member, the supporting member, and the ink supply member are bonded by use of the thermal curing bonding agent. Then, since the curing temperature is higher than the room temperature, each of the members is bonded in a state of being expanded. After bonding, as the head temperature is being lowered, each of the members is contracted. Usually, the supporting member and the ink supply member are formed by resin, and the linear expansion coefficient thereof is larger than that of the recording element base plate. Also, if resin is used for the connecting member, too, the linear expansion coefficient thereof becomes larger than that of the recording element base plate. As a result, the ratio of contraction is different in the recording element base plate, and other members when the head temperature is lowered after bonding, and difference occurs in the dimensional changes. However, as described above, with the connecting member, the stretching strength of which is made weaker than that of the recording element base plate, the stresses exerted by the aforesaid thermal changes are absorbed by the deformation of the connecting member to make it possible to reduce the adverse effect on the recording element base plate. In this manner, it is possible to minimize the thermal influence to the recording head when using thermal curing bonding agent.  
         [0069]    Further, as has been described in the present embodiment, with the structure in which the bonding portion A A′ of the recording element base plate and the connecting member, and the bonding surface B B′ of the connecting member and the main body portion shift in the horizontal direction (the axes thereof shift), while the stretching strength of the connecting member is made weaker than that of the recording element base plate, the stresses exerted by the difference in the dimensional changes between the recording element base plate and other members are absorbed by the deformation of the connecting member inclusively existing between the bonding portion A A′ and the bonding portion B B′. Then, there is almost no influence exerted on the recording element base plate due to the aforesaid heat and stresses.  
         [0070]    The absorption of stresses by the deformation of the connecting member between the bonding portions that shift as described above makes the amount of deformation significantly larger than that of the structure in which a recording element base plate and a main body portion are bonded directly by use of the soft bonding agent or resin, and it is excellent in the aspect of stress absorption effect.  
         [0071]    As a result, by the adoption of the structure hereof, it is possible to execute the head assembling with almost no deformation of the recording element base plate even if the number of nozzles increases to make the length of the recording element base plate larger (particularly effective for the recording element base plate having a length of one inch or more, for example).  
         [0072]    Also, with the direct bonding of the recording element supporting portions  1   c  at the edges of the recording element base plate as shown in FIG. 1 and FIGS. 2A and 2B, the present embodiment provides the structure whereby to retain the positional precision on the central area near the discharge ports, while absorbing stresses on the circumference thereof. As a result, it is made possible to perform high-quality printing.  
         [0073]    Also, the structure hereof is able to produce the same effects against the generation of stresses due to difference in expansion coefficient of each member, which is brought about by the temperature rise of the head during printing operation in the case where the recording element base plate, the connecting member, the supporting member, and the ink supply member are bonded by use of cold (room temperature) curing bonding agent.  
         [0074]    In other words, each of the members expands when the head temperature rises during printing operation to make the dimension thereof larger. Usually, the supporting member and the ink supply member are formed by resin. Therefore, the linear expansion coefficients thereof are larger than that of the recording element base plate. Also, if the connecting member is formed by resin, the linear expansion coefficient thereof becomes larger than that of the recording element base plate. As a result, when the heat temperature rises during printing operation, difference in dimensional changes ensues due to the difference in the expansion coefficient of the recording element base plate and those of other members.  
         [0075]    However, as described above, with the connecting member the stretching strength of which is made weaker than that of the recording element base plate, it is possible to absorb the stresses exerted by the aforesaid thermal changes by the deformation of the connecting member so as to reduce any possible influence that may be given to the recording element base plate.  
         [0076]    Further, as the embodiment described above, the bonding portion A A′ between the recording element base plate and the connecting member, and the bonding surface B B′ between the connecting member and the main body portion are structured to shift in the horizontal direction (shift axes), and the stretching strength of the connecting member is made weaker than that of the recording element base plate. In this way, the stresses that should be exerted due to the difference in the dimensional change of the recording element base plate and those of other members are absorbed by the deformation of the connecting member inclusively existing between the bonding portion A A′ and the bonding portions B B′. As a result, there occurs almost no influence of heat and stresses given to the recording element base plate.  
         [0077]    Therefore, with the provision of the structure hereof, it is possible to execute the head assembling with almost no deformation of the recording element base plate even when the number of nozzles increases so that the length of the recording element base plate is made larger (particularly effective for the recording element base plate of one inch or more, for example).  
         [0078]    (Second Embodiment)  
         [0079]    [0079]FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are views that illustrate the structure of a second embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0080]    For the present embodiment, the structure is arranged so that the connecting member  3  functions dually as a printed circuit board that supplies driving control signal group to the recording element base plate.  
         [0081]    The structure is such that the electrodes of the connecting member  3  are laminated by resin, and that the carriage electrode-contacting portion  57 , which electrically connects the carriage with the electrode pads  56  electrically connected with the recording element base plate, is exposed on the resin layer. As shown in FIG. 4, the electrodes  58  of the connecting member  3  are wired to the electrode pads of the connecting member from the recording element base plate by means of the wire bonders or the like installed on the main body portion.  
         [0082]    The carriage electrode-contacting portion is installed on the sidewall of the main body portion by being folded in the direction indicated by an arrow.  
         [0083]    In accordance with the present embodiment, it becomes unnecessary to prepare the printed circuit board that supplies driving control signal group to the recording element base plate as a separate component, thus making the cost down possible, while providing the same advantages as the first embodiment.  
         [0084]    (Third Embodiment)  
         [0085]    [0085]FIG. 5, FIG. 6, and FIG. 7 are views that illustrate a third embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0086]    For the present embodiment, the structure is arranged so that the connecting member  3  has an area larger than the sectional area of the main body portion  1 , and that this member dually functions as a heat-radiating portion. As shown in FIG. 6, the connecting member that projects largely from the main body is bent in the directions indicated by arrows, and installed on the side faces as shown in FIG. 7.  
         [0087]    The connecting member is formed by metallic material, resin-laminated metal, or metal laminated with resin only on the area where ink is in contact, and the heat-radiating portion of which is metal exposed for the purpose.  
         [0088]    In accordance with the present embodiment, the temperature of the recording element base plate is not easy to rise, because heat generated by the recording element base plate during printing can be effectively radiated externally through the connecting member. Furthermore, the amount of deformation of the recording element base plate is made smaller.