Patent Abstract:
A substrate for a recording head includes a circuit through which current flows upon impression of a source voltage, irrespective of the operating state of an energy converting element, and a current cutoff means for cutting off current to the circuit in response to an entered control signal. A reset signal for achieving a standby state of the printing operation serves as the control signal. The current cutoff circuit is operated when the reset signal is active in an H state, and it cuts off the constant current. By cutting off the constant current, the leak current of a heater power source VH may be accurately measured, permitting determination of whether the source voltage wiring is properly insulated from other circuit elements of the substrate. The constant current may also be cut off in the standby state, in which printing is not performed, so as to reduce power consumption.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a recording head used as a recording head for conducting printing onto a recording medium, the recording head having an energy converting element for converting electric energy into printing energy, and a manufacturing method thereof. More particularly, the invention relates to a substrate for a recording head, which is a semiconductor substrate having a printing energy generating element for generating printing energy and a manufacturing method thereof. 
     In this specification, printing onto a recording medium shall include not only operations of printing of characters, but also printing operations of images other than characters such as symbols and graphics. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     There is conventionally known an ink-jet recording method called the bubble-jet recording method comprising the steps of causing a change in state in ink leading to a steep change in volume (occurrence of bubbles) by imparting energy such as heat to a liquid such as ink, discharging the ink from a discharge port under the effect of a working force resulting from the change in state, and forming an image by depositing the discharged ink onto a recording medium. A recording apparatus based on this bubble-jet recording method usually comprises, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,723,129, a discharge port for discharging ink, an ink channel communicating with the discharge port, and a heating resistor serving as an energy converting element for discharging the ink, arranged in the ink channel. 
     According to such a recording method, it is possible to record a high-quality image at a high speed with low noise, and in a head carrying out this recording method, it is possible to arrange discharge ports for discharging ink at a high density. This recording method therefore provides many advantages including a recorded image of a high resolution available with a compact apparatus, and the possibility to easily obtain a color image. The bubble-jet recording method has therefore been popularly used in recent years in many office machines such as a printer, a copying machine and a facsimile machine, and the uses thereof now cover industrial systems including a textile printing apparatus. 
     A heating resistor for producing energy for discharging ink is manufacturable by means of a semiconductor manufacturing process. A conventional head based on the bubble-jet technology therefore has a configuration in which a covering plate made of a resin such as polysulfone or glass having a groove for forming an ink channel formed thereon is bonded onto an element substrate (a substrate for a recording head) comprising a silicon substrate having a heating resistor formed thereon. 
     In some such conventional heads, by use of the fact that the element substrate comprises a silicon substrate, in addition to the heating resistor formed on the element substrate, a driver for driving the heating resistor, a temperature sensor used when controlling the heating resistor in response to the head temperature, or a driving controller is arranged on the element substrate (Japanese Patent. Application Laid-Open No. 7-52387, etc.). A bead thus having a driver, a temperature sensor and a drive controller thereof has already been industrialized, contributing to improvement of reliability of recording heads and downsizing of apparatuses. 
     A configuration in which an element substrate  101  serving as a substrate for a recording head is arranged on a supporting plate  102  of the recording head is illustrated in FIG.  10 . The element substrate  101  and a wiring substrate  105  are arranged on the recording head supporting plate  102 , and the element substrate  101  and the wiring substrate  105  are bonded by wire bonding. A contact pad  106  for connecting to a printer main body is provided on the wiring substrate  105 . 
     A configuration of the circuit element formed on the element substrate  101  is illustrated in a block diagram of FIG.  11 . As shown in FIG. 11, a beater section  201 , a driving circuit section  202 , a retaining circuit section  203 , a transfer circuit section  204 , a voltage drop circuit section  905 , a rank resistance measuring circuit section  906 , and a temperature measuring circuit section  907  are formed on the element substrate  101 . 
     The heater section  201  is composed of a plurality of heating resistors. The transfer circuit section  204  is composed of a shift register and the like, and converts serial data for printing into parallel data by sequentially transferring the same. The retaining circuit section  203  is a circuit for latching and retaining the parallel data converted by the transfer circuit section  204 . The driving circuit section  202  individually drives the heating resistors of the heater section  201  on the basis of the data latched by the retaining circuit section  204 . A reset signal  210  for achieving a standby state of a printing operation is entered in the retaining circuit section  203 , and the retaining circuit section  203  outputs a data for prohibiting the driving circuit section  202  from operating when the reset signal  210  is active on a high level (hereinafter denoted as “H”). 
     The voltage drop circuit section  905  is a circuit that outputs a voltage value of a beater driving power source VH by reducing the same by a certain value. The rank resistance measuring circuit section  906  is a circuit for measuring a resistance value of the rank resistance formed on the element substrate  101 . The rank resistance as herein used is a resistance provided for measuring dispersion in manufacturing of the resistance values of the heating resistors formed in the heater section  201 , provided separately from the other circuits, only for measuring resistance values. The temperature measuring circuit section  907  is for measuring temperature of an ink-jet head, being a sensor for measuring the ink temperature. Measurement of the ink temperature is based on the fact that the positive-direction voltage of a diode varies with temperature. 
     Typical circuit configurations of the voltage drop circuit section  905 , the driving circuit section  202 , and the heater section  201  are illustrated in FIG.  12 . 
     The voltage drop circuit section  905  comprises resistances  21 ,  22  and  24 , and an N-channel MOS transistor  23 . The heater section  201  is composed of a plurality of heating resistors  50 . In the driving circuit section  202 , a resistance  25 , N-channel MOS transistors  26  to  28  and a P-channel MOS transistor  29  are provided for one heating resistor  50  of the heater section  201 . 
     The voltage drop circuit section  905  divides the entered heater power source VH by the resistances  21  and  22  into a certain voltage, and outputs a voltage lower than the thus divided voltage by a threshold value voltage of the N-channel MOS transistor  23 . Because the heater power source VH has been divided by the resistances  21  and  22 , a constant current to flows in the voltage drop circuit section  905 , irrespective of the operating state of the recording head, i.e., the operating state of the heater serving as an energy converting element for converting electric energy into printing energy. 
     The driving circuit section  202  on/off-controls the N-channel MOS transistor  28  on the basis of data held in the retaining circuit section  203  and drives the heating resistors  50 . The term “constant current” as herein used means a constant current flowing into circuits without being affected by the output state or the like, upon impression of the source voltage in a normal operating state. The constant current is used as a reference current in the above-mentioned circuits. 
     The voltage drop circuit section  905  for outputting the heater power source VH after reducing it by a prescribed value is provided for the following reasons. 
     Since the heater power source VH impressed onto the heating resistors  50  has a higher voltage than a logic power source VDD, the N-channel MOS transistor  28  is required to have a high driving capability for driving the heating resistors  50 . It is, however, difficult to achieve a sufficient driving capability by directly impressing a logic signal of only the same voltage as the logic power source VDD for a gate of the N-channel MOS transistor  28 . It is therefore necessary to impress a voltage higher than the logic power source VDD to the gate of the N-channel MOS transistor  28 . For the purpose of controlling the N-channel MOS transistor  28  with the heater voltage VH, therefore, circuits such as a resistance  25 , the N-channel MOS transistors  26  and  27  and a P-channel MOS transistor  29  are provided in the driving circuit section  202 . 
     However, when the source withstanding voltage of all stages of P-channel MOS transistors of this N-channel MOS transistor  28  is lower than the voltage value of the heater power source VH, direct connection of the heater power source VH to the P-channel MOS transistor  29  would result in breakage of the P-channel MOS transistor  29 . This is why the heater power source VH is reduced by a prescribed value by means of the voltage drop circuit section  905  and then impressed onto the source of the P-channel MOS transistor  29 . 
     An example of the rank resistance measuring circuit section  906  is illustrated in FIG.  13 . As shown in FIG. 13, the rank resistance measuring circuit section  906  comprises resistances  31  to  33 , a rank resistance  34 , and an operational amplifier  35 . The logic power source VDD entered into the rank resistance measuring circuit section  906  is divided into the resistances  31  and  32 , and entered into a non-reverse input terminal of the operational amplifier  35 . The voltage value thereof is amplified by a gain based on the resistance values of the resistance  33  and the rank resistance  34  and output as an output voltage (RANK). If the resistance values of the resistances  31  to  33  are known, therefore, it is possible to determine a resistance value of the rank resistance  34  from this output voltage. The rank resistance measuring circuit section  906  also has a configuration in which constant current I 0  flows, irrespective of the operating state of the recording head, since the logic power source VDD is divided by the resistances  31  and  32 . 
     A typical temperature measuring circuit section  907  is illustrated in FIG.  14 . As shown in FIG. 14, the temperature measuring circuit section  907  comprises resistances  41  to  43 , a diode temperature sensor  44 , and an operational amplifier  45 . The temperature measuring circuit section  907  has a circuit configuration in which the rank resistance  34  in the rank resistance measuring circuit section  906  shown in FIG. 13 is replaced by the diode temperature sensor  44 . Temperature is measured by use of the fact that the positive-direction voltage of the diode temperature sensor varies with temperature. In the temperature measuring circuit section  907  also, in which the logic power source VDD is divided by the resistances  41  and  42 , constant current I 0  flows, irrespective of the operating state of the recording head (that is, current flows even during non-operation of the heater which is the energy converting element for converting electric energy into printing energy). 
     In general, when manufacturing a substrate for a recording head comprising a semiconductor substrate as described above, an inspection is carried out to see whether or not insulation is ensured between the wiring for impressing the source voltage, including the logic power source VDD and the heater power source VH, and the other circuit elements. This inspection is carried out by confirming whether or not a leak current is produced through impression of a voltage to such source voltages as the logic power source VDD and the heater power source VH. 
     However, constant current as a reference current flows through the voltage drop circuit section  905 , the rank resistance measuring circuit section  906 , and the temperature measuring circuit section  907  described above immediately upon impressing source voltages such as the logic power source VDD and the heater power source VH. 
     As a result, along with the tendency toward forming not only the heating resistors but also various circuits on the element substrate, with improvement of functions of the ink-jet recording apparatus, it is impossible to accurately measure the leak current with the conventional recording head substrate when a circuit permitting flow of constant current is formed on the element substrate  101 . 
     The aforementioned conventional substrate for a recording head therefore has a problem in that, when forming a circuit through which current flows, together with heating resistors, current is produced immediately upon impression of a source voltage such as a logic power source and a heater power source, and inspection of the operating state of the energy converting element is carried out along with impression of a voltage onto the head. It is therefore impossible to accurately measure the leak current. 
     An object of the present invention is therefore to provide a substrate for a recording head that, even during non-operation of the energy converting element, and even when a circuit allowing flow of constant current upon impression of voltage of the head is formed together with the heating resistors, permits accurate measurement of leak current. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     To achieve the aforementioned object, the present invention provides a substrate for a recording head used as a recording head for conducting printing on a recording medium, having an energy converting element for converting electric energy into printing energy, and a circuit through which current flows upon impression of a source voltage, irrespective of the operating state of the energy converting element, wherein there is provided a current cutoff means for cutting off current to the circuit in response to an entered control signal. 
     According to the invention, when the control signal becomes active, the current cutoff circuit cuts off current in the circuit through which constant current flows upon impressing the source voltage. When measuring the leak current to see whether or not insulation is ensured between the wiring for the source voltage and the other circuit elements of the substrate for a recording head, the constant current is cut off by making the control signal active. In a normal operating state, the leak current can be accurately measured even when a circuit through which a constant current flows is formed, together with heating resistors, on the element substrate. 
     The above-mentioned control signal may be a reset signal for achieving a standby state of a printing operation. 
     According to the present invention, in a standby state of a recording apparatus in which a printing operation is not carried out, the reset signal becoming active causes the current cutoff circuit to operate, thereby permitting cutting off a part of the standby current (current consumed in standby state). It is thus possible to curtail the power consumption. In the invention, furthermore, the reset signal is used as a control signal for controlling the current cutoff circuit. It is therefore not necessary to increase the number of terminals for connecting the substrate for the recording head and the wiring substrate, and the current cutoff circuit can be provided without an increase in cost. 
     The reset signal may be pulled down or pulled up so that the reset signal becomes active when cut off from outside. 
     According to the invention, the reset signal is pulled up or pulled down so that the reset signal becomes active when the recording head is cut off from the recording apparatus. Therefore, even when connection between the recording head and the recording apparatus becomes defective or cut off, the reset signal becomes active, thus making it possible to prevent wrong printing. 
     According to another substrate for a recording head of the invention, the circuit through which current flows upon impression of a source voltage, irrespective of the operating state of the energy converting element, may be a voltage drop circuit for reducing the source voltage to a prescribed value, a rank resistance measuring circuit for measuring a resistance value of a rank resistance provided for measuring a dispersion of resistance values of heating resistors resulting from manufacture, or a temperature measuring circuit. The current cutoff means may be provided in the circuit through which current flows upon impression of a source voltage, irrespective of the operating state of the energy converting element. 
     The energy converting element for converting electric energy into printing energy may be an energy converting element for converting electric energy into discharge energy for discharging a liquid. 
     The recording head of the invention comprises any of the above-mentioned substrates for a recording head, and a wiring substrate connected to the substrate for the recording head via a bonding wire. 
     Furthermore, the recording head of the invention may comprise a plurality of discharge ports discharging a liquid, and members forming a plurality of liquid channels communicating with the discharge ports. 
     The recording apparatus of the invention comprises the above-mentioned recording head, driving signal supplying means which supplies to the recording head a driving signal for driving the recording head, and recording medium conveying means for conveying a recording medium onto which printing is performed by the recording head. 
     The invention provides an inspecting method of a substrate for a recording head for inspecting whether or not insulation is ensured between wiring of a source voltage and other circuit elements by use of the above-mentioned substrate for a recording head, comprising: 
     a step of impressing a source voltage, making a control signal active and making a signal for controlling other logical circuits inactive; 
     a step of measuring a current value of the current produced upon impressing a source voltage, irrespective of the state of operation of the energy converting element; and 
     a step of, when the current value is a certain value or higher, determining that insulation is not ensured between wiring for impressing the source voltage and a circuit element which should normally not be connected thereto, and when the current value is lower than the certain value, determining that insulation is ensured between the wiring for impressing the source voltage and a circuit element which should normally not be connected thereto. 
     In the inspecting method of a substrate for a recording head of the invention, the control signal may be a reset signal for achieving a standby state of a printing operation. 
     Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the substrate for the recording head of an embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram illustrating the configuration of the voltage drop circuit section  205 , the driving circuit section  202  and the heater section  201  shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram illustrating the configuration of the rank resistance measuring circuit section  206  shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram illustrating the configuration of the temperature measuring circuit section  207  shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 is a typical detailed circuit diagram of the current cutoff circuit in a case where the reset signal  210  is in an active H state; 
     FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the inspection method; 
     FIG. 7 is a typical detailed circuit diagram of the current cutoff circuit in a case where the reset signal  210  is in an active L state; 
     FIG. 8 illustrates a typical configuration of the ink-jet recording head using the substrate for the recording head of the invention; 
     FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of the ink-jet recording apparatus applicable by attaching thereto the recording head of the invention; 
     FIG. 10 illustrates the configuration in which an element substrate is arranged on the supporting plate  102  of the recording head; 
     FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a conventional substrate for a recording head; 
     FIG. 12 illustrates a typical detailed circuit configuration of the voltage drop circuit section  905 , the driving circuit section  202 , and the heater section  201  shown in FIG. 11; 
     FIG. 13 is a circuit diagram illustrating the configuration of the rank resistance measuring circuit section  906  shown in FIG. 11; and 
     FIG. 14 is a circuit diagram illustrating the configuration of the temperature measuring circuit section  907  shown in FIG.  11 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the substrate for a recording head of an embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 1, the same component elements as those in FIG. 11 are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. 
     In the element substrate  107 , which is the substrate for a recording head of this embodiment, the voltage drop circuit section  905 , the rank resistance measuring circuit section  906  and the temperature measuring circuit section  907  in the element substrate  101 , which is the conventional substrate for a recording head shown in FIG. 11, are replaced by a voltage drop circuit section  205 , a rank resistance measuring circuit section  206 , and a temperature measuring circuit section  207 . 
     In the voltage drop circuit section  205 , as shown in FIG. 2, a current cutoff circuit  20  is additionally provided between a heater power source VH and a resistance  21 , as compared with the voltage drop circuit section  905  in the conventional substrate for a recording head shown in FIG.  12 . The current cutoff circuit  20  is turned off when the reset signal  210  is inactive, i.e., L, and turned on when the reset signal  210  is active, i.e., H. 
     In the rank resistance measuring circuit section  206 , as shown in FIG. 3, a current cutoff circuit  30  is additionally provided between the logic power source VDD and the resistance  31  as compared with the rank resistance measuring circuit section  906  in the conventional substrate for a recording head shown in FIG.  13 . The current cutoff circuit  30  is turned off when the reset signal  210  is inactive, i.e., L, and is turned on when the reset signal  210  is active, i.e., H. 
     In the temperature measuring circuit section  207 , as shown in FIG. 4, a current cutoff circuit  40  is additionally provided between the logic power source VDD and the resistance  41  as compared with the temperature measuring circuit section  907  in the conventional substrate for a recording head shown in FIG.  14 . The current cutoff circuit  40  is turned off when the reset signal  210  is inactive, i.e., L, and is turned on when the reset signal  210  is active, i.e., H. 
     A typical detailed circuit of the current cutoff circuits  20 ,  30  and  40 , as represented by the current cutoff circuit  20 , is illustrated in FIG.  5 . The current cutoff circuit  20  ( 30 ,  40 ) shown in FIG. 5 comprises an N-channel MOS transistor  51 , a resistance  52 , and a P-channel MOS transistor  53 . The reset signal  210  is pulled up to the logic power source VDD by the pullup resistance  54  within the element substrate  107 . 
     In the N-channel MOS transistor  51 , the reset signal is impressed onto the gate. The source is connected to the ground potential, and the drain is connected to an end of the resistance  52 . The other end of the resistance  52  is connected to the logic power source VDD (or the heater power source VH). In the P-channel MOS transistor  53 , the gate is connected to the drain of the N-channel MOS transistor  51 , and the source is connected to the logic power source VDD (or the heater power source VH). The drain is connected to the resistance  21  ( 31 ,  41 ). 
     In the current cutoff circuit  20  ( 30 ,  40 ), the N-channel MOS transistor  51  is turned on when the reset signal  210  becomes H, and the gate of the P-channel MOS transistor  53  becomes L. Accordingly, the P-channel MOS transistor  53  is turned off. The logic power source VDD (or the heater power source) is cut off from the resistance  21  ( 31 ,  41 ), and the flow of constant current is discontinued. 
     When the reset signal  210  becomes L, the N-channel MOS transistor  51  is turned off, and the gate of the P-channel MOS transistor  53  becomes H. As a result, the P-channel MOS transistor  53  is turned on. The logic power source VDD (or the heater power source) and the resistance  21  ( 31 ,  41 ) are connected, and constant current flows. 
     In the substrate for a recording head of this embodiment, when the reset signal  210  for achieving a standby state of a printing operation is active, i.e., H, the current cutoff circuits  20 ,  30  and  40  provided in the voltage drop circuit section  205 , the rank resistance measuring circuit section  206  and the temperature measuring circuit section  207 , respectively, are operated and the constant current is cut off. When measuring the leak current for carrying out an inspection to see whether or not insulation is ensured between the source voltage wiring and the other circuit elements, therefore, switching over the reset signal to H cuts off the constant current. Even when a circuit through which constant current flows in a usual operating state is formed, together with heating resistors, on the element substrate, it is possible to accurately measure the leak current. 
     In the standby state in which a printing operation is not performed in the recording apparatus, the reset signal  210  becomes active, and the constant current is cut off through operation of the current cutoff circuits  20 ,  30  and  40 , thereby permitting reduction of the power consumption. 
     In this embodiment, furthermore, the reset signal  210  is employed as a control signal for controlling the current cutoff circuits  20 ,  30 ,  40  and  70 . The current cutoff circuits  20 ,  30 ,  40  and  70  can therefore be provided without the need to increase the number of terminals for connecting the element substrate and the wiring substrate and without causing a cost increase. As a control signal for controlling the current cutoff circuits  20 ,  30 ,  40  and  70 , however, a signal other than the reset signal  210  or a special signal may be used. 
     An inspecting method to see whether or not insulation is ensured between the source voltage wiring and the other circuit elements by means of the substrate for the recording head of this embodiment will now be described with reference to FIG.  6 . 
     First, a circuit or an apparatus for inspection is connected to a terminal of an element substrate carrying out the inspection (step  61 ). Then, the logic power source VDD and the heater power source VH are turned on (step  62 ). At this moment when the reset signal  210  is still L, constant current flows. 
     The reset terminal is set to H, and the reset signal  210  is switched over to H, the other logic terminals being turned to L (step  63 ). These steps cut off the constant current. If insulation is ensured between the source voltage wiring and the other circuit elements which should not normally be connected, no leak current will be detected. 
     In this state, the leak current of the logic power source VDD is measured (step  64 ). If the measured current value is a certain value or higher, it is determined that insulation is not ensured between the logic power source VDD wiring and the circuit elements which should not normally be connected, and that the element substrate is unacceptable (step  65 ). 
     When no leak current is observed at all, or a measured value of leak current is lower than a certain value, the element substrate is determined to be acceptable, and leak current of the heater power source VH is measured (step  66 ). If the measured current value is a certain value or higher, it is determined that insulation is not ensured between the heater power source VH wiring and the circuit elements which should not normally be connected, and it is determined that the element substrate is unaccepable (step  67 ). 
     When no leak current is observed at all or when the measured leak current is lower than a certain value in step  67 , it is determined that the element substrate is finally an acceptable product. 
     The above description has covered a case where the reset signal  210  is active in the H state. The present invention is not, however, limited to such a case, but is similarly applicable also in a case where the reset signal  210  is active in the L state. In this case, it suffices to use a current cutoff circuit  70  as shown in FIG. 7, which cuts off the constant current when the reset signal is active in the L state, in place of the current cutoff circuits  20 ,  30  and  40 . 
     The current cutoff circuit  70  comprises a P-channel MOS transistor  71 , as shown in FIG. 7, in which the signal  210  is impressed onto the gate, the source being connected to the logic power source VDD, and the drain is connected to the resistance  21  ( 31 ,  41 ). In such a case, the reset signal  210  is pulled down to the ground potential by a pulldown resistance  72  within the element substrate. 
     The current cutoff circuits  20 ,  30 ,  40  and  70  are not limited to circuits shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, but may have any other circuit configuration in which constant current is cut off in a logical state in which the reset signal  210  is active. 
     In this embodiment, furthermore, the reset signal  210  is pulled up or pulled down when the recording head is removed from the recording apparatus so that the reset signal becomes active. Even when the connection between the ink-jet recording head and the ink-jet recording apparatus becomes defective or cut off for some reason, therefore, the reset signal  210  still becomes active, thereby preventing wrong printing. 
     A typical ink-jet recording head, which is a recording head using a substrate for a recording head having the configuration as described above, is illustrated in FIG.  8 . As shown in FIG. 8, channel wall members  404  for forming liquid channels  403  communicating with a plurality of discharge ports  402  and a ceiling plate  406  having an ink feeding port  405  are attached to the substrate  401  for the recording head. The liquid channels  403  and the ink feeding port  405  communicate with each other via a common liquid chamber  407 . A heating section  408  near the discharge port  402  provided on the substrate  401  and wiring  409  to the heating section  408  are arranged in each liquid channel  403 . In the recording head  410  of the ink-jet recording type having the above-mentioned configuration, the ink injected from the ink feeding port  405  is stored in the common liquid chamber  407  in the interior, and supplied to the individual liquid channels  403 . Ink discharge is performed from the discharge port  402  by driving the heating sections  408  of the substrate  401  in this state. 
     The above description has covered a case where the ceiling plate  406  and the channel wall members  404  are made of different members. However, the ceiling plate  406  and the channel wall members  404  may be an integrally formed single member. 
     An ink-jet recording apparatus permitting high-speed recording and high-image-quality recording is available by attaching the above-mentioned recording head  410  to the recording apparatus main body and giving a signal from the apparatus main body to the recording head  410 . 
     An outline of the recording apparatus mounting the above-mentioned recording head will now be described. 
     FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of an ink-jet recording apparatus, which is a recording apparatus to which the recording head of the present invention is applicable by attaching the same thereto. 
     In FIG. 9, an ink-jet head cartridge  601  is composed of the above-mentioned recording head and an ink tank holding ink to be fed to this recording head integrally combined. This ink-jet head cartridge  601  is mounted on a carriage  607  engaging with a spiral groove  606  of a lead screw  605  rotating, via driving force transmitting gears  603  and  604 , in linkage with positive and negative rotation of a driving motor  602 , and is reciprocally driven in the direction of the arrows a-b along a guide  608 , together with the carriage, by the driving force of the driving motor  602 . The recording medium P is conveyed on a platen roller  609  by recording medium conveying means not shown, and pressed against the platen roller  609  opposite the carriage  607  in the conveying direction of the carriage  607  by a paper pressing plate  610 . 
     Photocouplers  611  and  612  are arranged near an end of the lead screw  605 . These photocouplers  611  and  612  are home position detecting means for switching over the rotating direction of the driving motor  602  by confirming the presence of a lever  607   a  of the carriage  607  within this area. 
     A supporting member  613  supports a cap member  614  which covers the front side containing the discharge port (discharge port side) of the above-mentioned ink-jet head cartridge  601 . Ink sucking means  615  sucks the ink accumulated in the interior of the cap member  614  as a result of blank discharge from the ink-jet head cartridge  601 . Suction-recovery of the ink-jet head cartridge  601  by the ink sucking means  615  occurs via a cap inner opening. A cleaning blade  617  for wiping off the discharge port side of the ink-jet head cartridge  601  is provided movably in the front-back direction (a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the carriage  607 ) by a moving member  618 . The cleaning blade  617  and the moving member  618  are supported by a main body support  619 . The cleaning blade  617  is not limited to this shape, but may be any other known cleaning blade. 
     A lever  620  for causing start of suction when performing a suction recovering operation of the recording head moves with the movement of a cam  621  engaging with the carriage  607 . The driving force from the driving motor  602  is movement-controlled by known transmission means such as clutch change-over. An ink-jet recording controller, not shown, which issues a signal to the heating member provided on the recording head of the ink-jet head cartridge  601 , and governs driving control of the aforementioned mechanism, is provided on the apparatus main body side. 
     In the ink-jet recording apparatus  600  having the above-mentioned configuration, the ink-jet head cartridge  601  performs recording by depositing the ink onto the recording medium P while reciprocating over the entire width of the recording medium P conveyed on the platen roller  609  by use of the recording medium conveying means not shown. The ink-jet recording apparatus  600  has driving signal supplying means not shown supplying a driving signal for causing the recording head to discharge the ink. 
     The above description has covered a case where a heating resistor imparting energy such as heat to the ink is used to serve as an energy converting element for converting electric energy into discharge energy for discharging the ink. The present invention is similarly applicable when a piezoelectric element is used as an energy converting element for converting electric energy into discharge energy for discharging the ink. 
     The above description has covered a case where an element substrate which is a semiconductor substrate is adopted for an ink-jet type recovery head. The present invention is applicable also, for example, to a substrate for a thermal head. 
     While the present invention has been described with reference to what are presently considered to be the preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1