Liquid discharge head
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2022210351
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2022-12-27
- Publication Date
- 2026-01-08
AI Technical Summary
Liquid ejection heads exhibit variations in recovery performance and nozzle clogging during maintenance operations due to differences in the likelihood of occurrence among ejection ports, particularly at the ends of the ejection port arrays.
The liquid ejection head incorporates a configuration with a common liquid chamber connected to individual pressure chambers, featuring additional supply and recovery ports outside the ejection port array ends, ensuring uniform liquid distribution and improved maintenance performance.
This configuration enhances uniform behavior among ejection ports, reduces nozzle clogging, and improves printing quality by maintaining consistent liquid supply and recovery, even in the presence of manufacturing variations or debris.
Smart Images
Figure 00000000_0000_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid ejection head. [Background technology]
[0002] Conventionally, as a liquid ejection head used in a liquid ejection device such as an inkjet printer, there is known one that drives a driving element (energy generating element) such as a piezoelectric element or an electrothermal conversion element to eject liquid based on pressure or the generation of bubbles. In such a liquid ejection head, in Patent Document 1, the nozzle strength and density are increased by a configuration including a dummy recording element. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-159614 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] The liquid ejection head is configured such that a plurality of ejection ports are each individually connected to a common liquid chamber via a pressure chamber in which an energy generating element is arranged. In such a configuration, among the ejection port rows arranged in a predetermined arrangement direction, differences and variations may occur in the recovery ability and the susceptibility to nozzle clogging during suction recovery using a cap during maintenance or preliminary ejection by driving the energy generating element.
[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of achieving uniform behavior among a plurality of ejection ports arranged in a liquid ejection head. [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the liquid ejection head of the present invention comprises: an ejection port array in which a plurality of ejection ports for ejecting a liquid and a plurality of individual liquid chambers in which energy generating elements for generating energy for ejecting the liquid are disposed and which are connected to the plurality of ejection ports respectively are arranged in a predetermined arrangement direction; a common liquid chamber communicating with the plurality of individual liquid chambers; a first liquid supply port connected to the common liquid chamber; a first liquid recovery port connected to the common liquid chamber; In a liquid ejection head comprising: a second liquid supply port disposed outside an end of the ejection port array in the arrangement direction; and a second liquid recovery port that is disposed outside the end of the ejection port row in the arrangement direction. Effect of the Invention
[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to make the behavior of a plurality of ejection ports arranged in a liquid ejection head uniform. [Brief description of the drawings]
[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a recording apparatus; [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a recording head; [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of a first embodiment. [Figure 4] Schematic diagram showing recording overview [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overview of a comparative example; [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of the effects of the first embodiment; [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of the effects of the first embodiment; [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of the effects of the first embodiment; [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of the effects of the first embodiment; [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an overview of a second embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0009] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, the mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail by way of example. The dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative positions of the components described in the embodiments should be appropriately changed depending on the configuration of the device to which the invention is applied and various conditions. Furthermore, not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the present invention. The components described in the embodiments are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention to only those.
[0010] 1 shows a liquid ejection device 2 equipped with a liquid ejection head unit 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The liquid ejection head unit 1 described below is configured as an inkjet recording head used in an inkjet printer or the like as a recording device to eject ink as a recording liquid onto a recording medium, thereby recording a desired image on the recording medium. However, the present invention can also be suitably applied to applications other than inkjet recording heads.
[0011] As the recording method of the recording device according to this embodiment, a piezoelectric method or a thermal method is preferably adopted. The piezoelectric method is a method in which a voltage is applied to a piezoelectric element (piezo element) as a recording element to change its volume, and the energy generated at that time is used to eject ink. The thermal method is a method in which ink is heated by a heater as a recording element to generate bubbles, and the energy generated at that time is used to eject ink. Note that methods other than these may also be used.
[0012] The liquid ejection device 2 of this embodiment is a serial scan type recording device, and a carriage 4 is guided by a guide shaft 3 so as to be movable in the main scanning direction (X direction). The liquid ejection head unit 1 is mounted on the carriage 4 and is mounted on the liquid ejection device 2 so as to be movable relative to the recording medium. The carriage 4 is reciprocated in the main scanning direction by a carriage motor (not shown) and a driving force transmission mechanism (not shown), such as a belt that transmits the driving force. The liquid ejection device 2 repeats a recording operation of ejecting liquid such as ink toward the recording medium and a transport operation of transporting the recording medium in the sub-scanning direction (Y direction) by a distance corresponding to the recording width while moving the liquid ejection head unit 1 in the main scanning direction. In this way, a desired image or the like is recorded on the recording medium. At this time, the liquid ejection device 2 transports the recording medium in a transport direction (Y direction) that intersects with the main scanning direction of the liquid ejection head unit 1 by a transport mechanism (not shown), such as a feed roller.
[0013] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the liquid ejection head unit 1 shown in Fig. 1. The liquid ejection head unit 1 has a support member 5, a recording element substrate 6, and an ejection port forming member 7. The ejection port forming member 7 has a plurality of ejection port rows 9 in which a plurality of ejection ports 8 for ejecting liquid are arranged at approximately equal intervals. Liquid stored in a tank (not shown) is supplied to the liquid ejection head unit 1 and supplied to the ejection ports 8 via a flow path provided in the support member 5.
[0014] This embodiment relates to an inkjet recording apparatus in which liquid such as ink is circulated between a tank and a liquid ejection head, but other configurations are also possible. Alternatively, instead of circulating the ink, two tanks may be provided on the upstream and downstream sides of the liquid ejection head, and the ink may be caused to flow from one tank to the other tank, thereby causing the ink to flow within the pressure chamber.
[0015] The liquid ejection head according to the present embodiment is a so-called serial type liquid ejection head that performs printing while scanning the recording medium, but the present embodiment can also be applied to a so-called line type head that has a length corresponding to the width of the recording medium. An example of a serial type liquid ejection head is a configuration in which one black ink recording element board and one color ink recording element board are mounted, but the present embodiment is not limited to this. Specifically, a short line head shorter than the width of the recording medium may be created by arranging several recording element boards so that the ejection port nozzle rows overlap in the ejection port nozzle row direction, and the form in which the line head is scanned over the recording medium may be used.
[0016] [First embodiment] FIG. 3 shows an overview of the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view (cross-section seen in the Z direction) of a liquid ejection head unit 1 according to this embodiment, which is parallel to each of the main scanning direction (X direction) and the sub-scanning direction (Y direction), near the end of an ejection port array 9. In the liquid ejection head unit 1, a main recording element 20 involved in recording, a main ejection port 10 corresponding to the main recording element 20, and a pressure chamber 51 as an individual liquid chamber corresponding to the main recording element 20 and the main ejection port 10 are arranged at equal intervals along a predetermined arrangement direction. The predetermined arrangement direction is, for example, the longitudinal direction of the recording element substrate 6, and a direction parallel to the conveying direction of the recording medium (direction along the main scanning direction). Along these arrangement directions, a plurality of supply ports (liquid supply ports) 30 and a plurality of recovery ports (liquid recovery ports) 31 are arranged on both sides of the main recording element 20 and the main ejection port 10 in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction (width direction of the recording medium, sub-scanning direction). For the row of main recording elements 20 and main ejection orifices 10, a plurality of supply ports (liquid supply ports) 30 are arranged on one side in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction, and a plurality of recovery ports (liquid recovery ports) 31 are arranged on the other side in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction.
[0017] The pressure chambers 51, the supply ports 30, and the recovery ports 31 are in communication with one another via a common liquid chamber 42 extending in the longitudinal direction of the recording element substrate 6. The pressure chambers 51 each connect the common liquid chamber to one of the main ejection ports 10. The main ejection ports 10, the supply ports 30, the recovery ports 31, the pressure chambers 51, the common liquid chamber 42, etc. are formed in a frame 50 formed by joining the recording element substrate 6 and the ejection port forming member 7. Liquid such as ink is supplied from the supply ports 30 to the inside of the frame 50, i.e., to the common liquid chamber 42, flows into each pressure chamber 51, and is discharged and recovered from the recovery port 31.
[0018] Here, in the liquid ejection head unit 1 of this embodiment, sub-recording elements 21 and sub-ejection ports 11 that are not involved in recording are provided closer to the end of the recording element substrate 6 in the longitudinal direction than the main recording elements 20 and the main ejection ports 10. Furthermore, a sub-supply port 40 and a sub-recovery port 41 are provided closer to the end of the recording element substrate 6 in the longitudinal direction than the main ejection ports 10 and the main recording elements 20.
[0019] Using FIG. 4, the difference between the main ejection port 10 and main recording element 20 involved in recording and the sub-recording element 21 and sub-ejection port 11 not involved in recording will be described. FIG. 4(a) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the liquid ejection head unit 1 according to this embodiment similar to FIG. 3, and FIG. 4(b) is a schematic view showing the state of ink droplets dropped onto a recording medium corresponding to the arrangement of the main ejection port 10 in FIG. 4. The arrow in FIG. 4(b) indicates the printing direction 310 (the conveying direction of the recording medium). FIG. 4(b) shows a record (print dot) 300, which is a print droplet that has landed on a print target after printing. The main ejection port 10 and main recording element 20 involved in recording are ejection ports and recording elements provided for this record (print dot) 300, and the sub-recording element 21 and sub-ejection port 11 not involved in recording are ejection ports and recording elements provided for this record (print dot) 300. The print element 21 and the sub-orifices 11 do not form a print 300 .
[0020] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view similar to Fig. 3, showing a liquid ejection head according to a comparative example, in which the sub-recording elements 21, the sub-ejection ports 11, the sub-supply ports 40 and the sub-recovery ports 41 are not provided on the end side of the main ejection ports 10 and the main ejection elements 20.
[0021] Fig. 6 shows an image of a liquid flow 60 during a recovery operation. Fig. 6(a) is a schematic diagram showing an image of the liquid flow 60 in the comparative example shown in Fig. 5, and is a cross-sectional view corresponding to Fig. 5. Fig. 6(b) is a schematic diagram showing an image of the liquid flow 60 in the present embodiment shown in Fig. 3, and is a cross-sectional view corresponding to Fig. 3.
[0022] In order to expel the ink inside the liquid ejection head from the head when the ink becomes viscous, and to expel any air bubbles that have formed in the ink, recovery is performed by suction using a cap, or recovery by preliminary ejection that drives the drive elements. These maintenance operations are performed as appropriate between printing operations (recording operations). In particular, preliminary ejection, also known as idling, is an ink ejection operation that is performed regardless of print signals and does not record on a recording medium.
[0023] When performing these operations, for the nozzles 10 that are not at the ends in the arrangement, liquid is supplied from both the ends of the nozzle array and the center of the nozzle array in the direction of the nozzle array. On the other hand, in the configuration of the comparative example in FIG. 6(a), the end main nozzles 10E arranged at the ends in the arrangement direction have a supply port 30 (end supply port 30E) only on one side, the center side in the direction of the nozzle array, so that the amount of liquid supplied is small and recovery is low. In addition, thickened ink and bubbles are likely to occur at the ends of the nozzle array, but are discharged from the end main nozzles 10E, so in the configuration of the comparative example in FIG. 6(a), clogging of the end main nozzles 10E is likely to occur, which is a factor of many print defects at the end main nozzles 10E.
[0024] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6B, in this embodiment, the sub-supply port 40 and the sub-recovery port 41 are provided on the end side of the end main ejection port 10E. That is, the sub-supply port 40 as the second liquid supply port and the sub-recovery port 41 as the second liquid recovery port are arranged outside the end of the ejection port array in the arrangement direction of the ejection port array in which a plurality of nozzle sets of the recording element 20, the ejection port 10, and the pressure chamber 51 are arranged. The sub-supply port 40 and the sub-recovery port 41 are arranged in a position outside the recording area of the liquid ejection head unit 1 as shown in FIG. 4. Also, the sub-supply port 40 and the sub-recovery port 41 are arranged in a position aligned with the sub-recording element 21 and the sub-ejection port 11 in the arrangement direction of the ejection port array, and are arranged closer to the sub-recording element 21 and the sub-ejection port 11 than the main supply port 30 and the main recovery port 31. Also, a plurality of sub-supply ports 40 are provided, and are arranged in a line with the arrangement of the plurality of main supply ports 30. Similarly, a plurality of auxiliary recovery ports 41 are provided, and are arranged in a row with respect to the arrangement of the plurality of main recovery ports 31. Also, the auxiliary supply port 40 and the auxiliary recovery port 41 are configured to have the same shape as the main supply port 30 and the main recovery port 31, respectively, i.e., to have approximately the same opening area.
[0025] The sub-supply port 40 and sub-recovery port 41 act to increase the amount of liquid supplied to the end main outlet 10E compared to the comparative example, improving recovery. Also, thickened ink and bubbles generated at the end of the outlet row are discharged from the sub-outlets 11, preventing the main outlet 10 from clogging and reducing printing defects. Also, the sub-outlets 11 are combined with the sub-recording elements 21 that are not involved in recording, but can also discharge during a preliminary discharge operation to promote the discharge of thickened ink. This improves print quality.
[0026] Here, the main recording element 20 and the sub recording element 21 are configured so that their operations can be controlled independently and individually. During a recording operation, unless the sub recording element 21 is operated, ink is not discharged. Due to the tension of this film, ink does not leak out from the sub-orifices 11. The main recording element 20 as the first energy generating element is used not only during recording operation but also during various operations during maintenance, while the sub recording element 21 as the second energy generating element is used only during maintenance.
[0027] Fig. 7 shows an image of the flow of liquid during recovery operation when debris 80 is present near the end supply port 30E and the end recovery port 31E. Fig. 7(a) shows an image of a comparative example, in which the end main outlet 10E has a reduced amount of liquid supplied, resulting in lower recovery than when debris 80 is not present. On the other hand, in the present embodiment shown in Fig. 7(b), the reduction in the amount of liquid supplied to the end main outlet 10E is small, so the reduction in recovery is suppressed.
[0028] 8 and 9 show an image of the ink circulation flow 70 during printing when an air bubble 90 is present near the end recovery port 31E. Fig. 8(a) and Fig. 8(b) are images of a comparative example, and when an air bubble 90 is present near the end recovery port 31E, the ink circulation is hindered, and as shown in Fig. 8(b), ink may not be normally discharged from the main recording element 20 and main discharge port 10 involved in recording. On the other hand, in this embodiment, even when an air bubble is present at the end recovery port 31E as shown in Fig. 9(a), ink can be normally discharged from the main recording element 20 and main discharge port 10 involved in recording as shown in Fig. 9(b).
[0029] In addition, for example, if the recording element and the ejection port are manufactured shifted to one side due to manufacturing variations, the sub recording element and the sub ejection port can be treated as the main recording element and the main ejection port. In that case, the sub recording element and the sub ejection port adjacent to the main recording element and the main ejection port at the other end are treated as the main recording element and the main ejection port, and the set of the main recording element and the end main ejection port at one end are treated as the sub recording element and the sub ejection port. This makes it possible to correct the printing position shift due to manufacturing variations without changing the printing area in one printing.
[0030] Furthermore, the width of the recording area may be designed so that some nozzle sets of the recording elements 20, ejection ports 10, and pressure chambers 51 are left over, and the left over nozzle sets are used as the sub-recording elements 21, the sub-ejection ports 11, and the sub-pressure chambers 52. By using the left over nozzle sets, cost benefits such as reduced design costs and reduced manufacturing costs (improved yield) can be expected.
[0031] In this embodiment, the sub-orifices 11 are configured as openings having the same shape as the main orifices 10, but they may be openings having a different shape from the main orifices 10, or may simply be in the shape of a ventilation hole. In other words, any configuration may be used as long as it has the effect of spreading the liquid (ink) throughout the common liquid chamber 42. In this case, the sub-recording elements 21 may not be provided.
[0032] [Second embodiment] Fig. 10 shows an outline of the second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view similar to Fig. 3 in the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the same configurations as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and detailed explanations are omitted. Matters in the second embodiment that are not particularly explained here are the same as those in the first embodiment.
[0033] In this embodiment, the opening area of the end enlarged supply port 30DX and end enlarged recovery port 31DX, which are provided closer to the end than the main recording element 20 and the main ejection port 10, is larger than the other supply ports 30 and recovery ports 31. More specifically, as an example, the end enlarged supply port 30DX is formed longer in the arrangement direction of the ejection port row than the main supply port 30. Similarly, the end enlarged recovery port 31DX is formed longer in the arrangement direction of the ejection port row than the main recovery port 31. By increasing the flow rate in the end region during the recovery operation, the thickening of the liquid in the end region and the generation of gas are prevented. It is possible to suppress the retention of bubbles and foreign matter.
[0034] The configurations of each of the above embodiments can be combined with each other.
[0035] The disclosure of the embodiments of the present invention includes the following configurations. (Configuration 1) an ejection port array in which a plurality of ejection ports for ejecting a liquid and a plurality of individual liquid chambers in which energy generating elements for generating energy for ejecting the liquid are disposed and which are connected to the plurality of ejection ports respectively are arranged in a predetermined arrangement direction; a common liquid chamber communicating with the plurality of individual liquid chambers; a first liquid supply port connected to the common liquid chamber; a first liquid recovery port connected to the common liquid chamber; In a liquid ejection head comprising: a second liquid supply port disposed outside an end of the ejection port array in the arrangement direction; a second liquid recovery port that is disposed outside an end of the ejection port row in the arrangement direction. (Configuration 2) The liquid ejection head according to configuration 1, wherein the second liquid supply port and the second liquid recovery port are arranged in a position outside a recording area of the ejection port array with respect to a recording medium in the arrangement direction. (Configuration 3) the first liquid supply port and the second liquid supply port are arranged in a line parallel to the ejection port row, 3. The liquid ejection head according to configuration 1 or 2, wherein the first liquid recovery port and the second liquid recovery port are arranged in a line parallel to the ejection port row. (Configuration 4) the first liquid supply ports are arranged parallel to the ejection port array on one side of the ejection port array in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction, The liquid ejection head according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, wherein the first liquid recovery ports are arranged parallel to the ejection port array on the other side of the ejection port array in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction. (Configuration 5) the second liquid supply ports are arranged parallel to the ejection port array on one side of the ejection port array in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction, The liquid ejection head according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, wherein the second liquid recovery ports are arranged parallel to the ejection port array on the other side of the ejection port array in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction. (Configuration 6) an opening area of the second liquid supply port is substantially the same as an opening area of the first liquid supply port; The liquid ejection head according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, wherein an opening area of the second liquid recovery port is substantially the same as an opening area of the first liquid recovery port. (Configuration 7) an opening area of the second liquid supply port is larger than an opening area of the first liquid supply port; The liquid ejection head according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, wherein an opening area of the second liquid recovery port is larger than an opening area of the first liquid recovery port. (Configuration 8) the second liquid supply port is longer than the first liquid supply port in the arrangement direction; The second liquid recovery port is longer than the first liquid recovery port in the arrangement direction. 8. The liquid ejection head according to claim 7. (Configuration 9) When the discharge port is a first discharge port and the energy generating element is a first energy generating element, The liquid ejection head according to any one of configurations 1 to 8, further comprising: a second ejection port for ejecting liquid, the second ejection port being positioned outside the end of the ejection port row in the arrangement direction; and a second individual liquid chamber in which a second energy generating element is disposed, connecting the second ejection port to the common liquid chamber. (Configuration 10) the first energy generating element is used to eject liquid onto a recording medium; 10. The liquid ejection head according to configuration 9, wherein the second energy generating element is not used for ejecting liquid onto a recording medium. (Configuration 11) 11. The liquid ejection head according to configuration 9 or 10, wherein the first energy generating element and the second energy generating element are used for ejecting liquid during maintenance. (Configuration 12) 12. The liquid ejection head according to any one of configurations 9 to 11, wherein the second liquid supply port and the second liquid recovery port are disposed in the vicinity of the second energy generating element. (Configuration 13) A liquid ejection head according to any one of configurations 9 to 12, wherein the second liquid supply port and the second liquid recovery port are arranged in a position aligned with the second energy generating element in the arrangement direction. [Explanation of symbols]
[0036] 10: main discharge port, 11: sub-discharge port, 30: main supply port, 31: recovery port
Claims
1. an ejection port array in which a plurality of ejection ports for ejecting liquid are aligned along a predetermined arrangement direction; a plurality of individual liquid chambers each communicating with the plurality of ejection ports and each including an element for generating energy for ejecting liquid; a common liquid chamber communicating with the plurality of individual liquid chambers; a first liquid supply port connected to the common liquid chamber; a first liquid recovery port connected to the common liquid chamber; In a liquid ejection head comprising: a second liquid supply port that is disposed outside the end of the ejection port array in the arrangement direction and that is connected to the common liquid chamber; a second liquid recovery port that is disposed outside an end of the ejection port array in the arrangement direction and that is connected to the common liquid chamber, A liquid ejection head, characterized in that the first liquid supply port, the common liquid chamber, and the individual liquid chambers are arranged in this order along a liquid path.
2. The liquid ejection head according to claim 1 , wherein the second liquid supply port and the second liquid recovery port are arranged at positions outside an area where ejection onto the medium is possible by the ejection port array in the arrangement direction.
3. the first liquid supply port and the second liquid supply port are arranged in a line parallel to the ejection port array, 2. The liquid ejection head according to claim 1, wherein the first liquid recovery port and the second liquid recovery port are arranged in a line parallel to the ejection port array.
4. the first liquid supply ports are arranged parallel to the ejection port array on one side of the ejection port array in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction, 4. The liquid ejection head according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of first liquid recovery ports are arranged parallel to the ejection port array on the other side of the ejection port array in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction.
5. the second liquid supply ports are arranged parallel to the ejection port array on one side of the ejection port array in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction, 5. The liquid ejection head according to claim 4, wherein the second liquid recovery ports are arranged parallel to the ejection port array on the other side of the ejection port array in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction.
6. an opening area of the second liquid supply port is substantially the same as an opening area of the first liquid supply port; 4. The liquid ejection head according to claim 3, wherein the opening area of the second liquid recovery port is substantially the same as the opening area of the first liquid recovery port.
7. an opening area of the second liquid supply port is larger than an opening area of the first liquid supply port; 4. The liquid ejection head according to claim 3, wherein the opening area of the second liquid recovery port is larger than the opening area of the first liquid recovery port.
8. the second liquid supply port is longer than the first liquid supply port in the arrangement direction; The liquid ejection head according to claim 7 , wherein the second liquid recovery port is longer than the first liquid recovery port in the arrangement direction.
9. When the discharge port is a first discharge port and the element is a first element, 2. The liquid ejection head according to claim 1, further comprising: a second ejection port for ejecting liquid, the second ejection port being positioned outside the end of the ejection port array in the arrangement direction; and a second individual liquid chamber in which a second element is disposed, connecting the second ejection port to the common liquid chamber.
10. the first element is used to eject a liquid onto a medium; The liquid ejection head according to claim 9 , wherein the second element is not used for ejecting liquid onto a medium.
11. The liquid ejection head according to claim 10 , wherein the first element and the second element are used to eject liquid during maintenance.
12. 10. The liquid ejection head according to claim 9, wherein the second liquid supply port and the second liquid recovery port are disposed in the vicinity of the second element.
13. The liquid ejection head according to claim 9 , wherein the second liquid supply port and the second liquid recovery port are arranged at positions aligned with the second elements in the arrangement direction.
14. A liquid ejection head as described in claim 1, wherein the second liquid supply port, the common liquid chamber, and the individual liquid chamber are arranged in this order along the liquid path.
15. A liquid ejection head as described in claim 1, wherein the individual liquid chamber, the common liquid chamber, and the first liquid recovery port are arranged in this order along the liquid path.
16. A liquid ejection head as described in claim 1, wherein the individual liquid chamber, the common liquid chamber, and the second liquid recovery port are arranged in this order along the liquid path.
17. A liquid ejection head as described in claim 1, further having a common supply flow path for supplying liquid to the common liquid chamber, wherein the first liquid supply port and the second liquid supply port connect the common liquid chamber and the common supply flow path.
18. A liquid ejection head as described in claim 1, further having a common recovery flow path for recovering liquid from the common liquid chamber, wherein the first liquid recovery port and the second liquid recovery port connect the common liquid chamber and the common recovery flow path.