Patent ID: 8132888

Claim:
An inkjet recording apparatus comprising: an inkjet head; a tank in which liquid to be supplied to the inkjet head is retained; and a flow path for connecting the inkjet head and the tank to each other, wherein the inkjet head includes a head main body; liquid chambers which are built in the head main body, and in which liquid is kept under negative pressure; a nozzle plate bonded to the head main body in such a manner that the plate constitutes one wall part of each of the liquid chambers; nozzles formed in the nozzle plate in such a manner that the nozzles communicate with the liquid chambers; drive elements for causing the nozzles to eject liquid droplets; first suction holes formed in the nozzle plate in such a manner that the holes communicate with the liquid chambers; wherein the diameter of the first suction hole is less than or equal to that of the nozzle; wherein the flow path includes a first part for supplying liquid from the tank to the inkjet head; and a second part for collecting liquid from the inkjet head toward the tank, and the inkjet head includes: a feed section built in the head main body, and connecting the liquid chambers and the first part to each other; and a discharge section built in the head main body, and connecting the liquid chambers and the second part to each other; wherein the first suction hole communicates with the liquid chamber near the discharge section; and wherein the inkjet head includes a second suction hole, and the second suction hole is formed in the nozzle plate independently of the liquid chamber, and draws extraneous matter adhering to the nozzle plate.