Liquid discharge head and liquid discharge device having the same

Abstract

To provide a liquid discharge head which can inhibit deterioration of recovery performance by recovery means and inhibit clogging of nozzles while enabling reduction of risks of damage of the liquid discharge head caused by contact of a recorded medium.SOLUTION: A liquid discharge head includes: discharge modules each including a recording element substrate having a discharge surface on which discharge port rows which discharge a liquid are formed, and a protection member having openings each corresponding to the discharge port row; and a cover member. In the discharge module, the opening has a longer direction and a shorter direction when viewed from the discharge surface. The opening has: a first side surface arranged parallel to the longer direction; and a second side surface arranged parallel to the shorter direction. The protection member is fixed to the discharge surface so that the first side surface has a first inclination angle relative to the discharge surface. The cover member has the opening. The recording element substrates are exposed from the opening of the cover member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a liquid ejection head and a liquid ejection apparatus having the same. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, high-speed recording is required for liquid ejection devices used for business purposes such as business, commerce, and industry. To achieve high-speed recording, a line-type head in which multiple recording element substrates are arranged and corresponds to the width of the recording medium is used, and continuous recording is performed while the multiple recording media are transported continuously or intermittently without moving the liquid ejection head. In this case, there is a possibility that the recording media may float up during transport and come into contact with the recording element substrate, causing damage to the liquid ejection head.

[0003] As a method for solving the above problem, Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose a configuration in which a protective member made of resin or metal is adhered to the surface on which the ejection ports are formed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2006-334910 A [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 3108771 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] It is also known that in liquid ejection devices, in order to maintain print quality, nozzles are treated with a recovery means to remove ink clogging and debris from the nozzles. In this case, the recovery means, which is intended to fill the nozzles with ink and remove debris, scans the head nozzle surface to which the protective member is attached. However, there is a possibility that the recovery performance will be reduced by the protective member, that debris accumulated on the edge of the protective member will clog the nozzles, and that the adhesive of the protective member will creep up the opening and come off during the scan by the recovery means, clogging the nozzles.

[0006] In view of the above problems, the present disclosure aims to provide a liquid ejection head that can reduce the risk of damage to the liquid ejection head due to contact with the recording medium, while suppressing a decrease in the recovery performance of the recovery means and suppressing nozzle clogging. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A liquid ejection head including a recording element substrate having an ejection surface on which a plurality of ejection port arrays for ejecting liquid are formed, and a protective member having openings corresponding to the ejection port arrays, characterized in that the openings have long and short sides on a plane parallel to the ejection port surface, and the long side direction substantially coincides with the scanning direction of an ink recovery means for the ejection port relative to the head. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a liquid ejection head that can reduce the risk of damage to the liquid ejection head due to contact with the recording medium, while suppressing a decrease in the recovery performance of the recovery means and suppressing nozzle clogging. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an inkjet recording apparatus. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a liquid circulation path. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a liquid ejection head. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the liquid ejection head. [Diagram 5] 3 is a schematic diagram of a flow path member of the liquid ejection head. [Figure 6] 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between a common supply flow path, a common recovery flow path, individual supply flow paths, and individual recovery flow paths; FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid ejection head. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a liquid ejection module according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a recording element substrate. [Figure 10] 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. 9. [Figure 11] 4 is a diagram illustrating adjacent portions of adjacent recording element substrates. FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a liquid ejection head and a maintenance mechanism. [Figure 14] 11 is a cross-sectional view of a longitudinal end portion of an opening of a liquid ejection head when a maintenance mechanism is scanning the longitudinal end portion of the opening of the liquid ejection head. [Figure 15] 4A to 4C are simplified diagrams showing a manufacturing process of the protective member. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example in which the maintenance mechanism is made of nonwoven fabric. [Figure 17] 13 is a schematic diagram showing how dirt is removed from the longitudinal end of the opening when the maintenance mechanism is made of nonwoven fabric. FIG. [Figure 18] 13 is a simplified diagram of a protective member according to a second embodiment, as viewed from a face surface. [Figure 19] 13 is a partial cross-sectional view of the vicinity of an opening in a protection member as viewed from a maintenance mechanism scanning direction in a third embodiment. FIG. [Figure 20] FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the following description does not limit the scope of the present disclosure. As an example, the present embodiment employs a thermal method of discharging liquid by generating bubbles using a heating element, but the present disclosure can also be applied to liquid discharge heads employing a piezo method or various other liquid discharge methods.

[0011] In this embodiment, the liquid ejection device is an inkjet recording device (recording device) that circulates liquid such as ink between a tank and a liquid ejection head, but other configurations are also possible. For example, instead of circulating the ink, two tanks are provided on the upstream and downstream sides of the liquid ejection head, and the ink flows from one tank to the other tank to cause the ink to flow in the pressure chamber.

[0012] In addition, although the present embodiment is a so-called line type head having a length corresponding to the width of the recording medium, the present disclosure can also be applied to a so-called serial type liquid ejection head that performs printing while scanning the recording medium. An example of a serial type liquid ejection head is a configuration in which one recording element substrate for black ink and one for color ink are mounted, but this is not limited to this. For example, a short line head shorter than the width of the recording medium may be created by arranging several recording element substrates so that the ejection openings overlap in the ejection opening row direction, and the recording medium may be scanned with the line head.

[0013] <Description of Basic Configuration of the Present Disclosure> (Description of Inkjet Recording Apparatus) FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a liquid ejecting device, particularly an inkjet recording device 1000 (hereinafter also referred to as a recording device) that performs recording by ejecting ink, according to the present disclosure. The recording device 1000 is a line-type recording device that includes a transport section 1 that transports a recording medium 2, and a line-type liquid ejection head 3 that is arranged substantially perpendicular to the transport direction of the recording medium, and performs continuous recording while transporting a plurality of recording media 2 continuously or intermittently, without moving the liquid ejection head. The recording media 2 are not limited to cut media, and may be continuous rolls. For example, paper or cloth can be used as the recording media 2.

[0014] The liquid ejection head 3 is capable of full-color printing using CMYK inks (cyan, magenta, yellow, black). As will be described later, the liquid ejection head 3 is fluidly connected to a liquid supply means, which is a supply path that supplies liquid to the liquid ejection head, a main tank, and a buffer tank (see FIG. 2). In addition, an electrical control unit that transmits power and ejection control signals to the liquid ejection head 3 is electrically connected to the liquid ejection head 3. The liquid paths and electrical signal paths within the liquid ejection head 3 will be described later.

[0015] (Explanation of the circulation route) 2 is a schematic diagram showing a circulation path applied to the recording apparatus of this embodiment, in which the liquid ejection head 3 is fluidly connected to a first circulation pump 1002, a buffer tank 1003, and the like. The buffer tank 1003, which serves as a sub-tank and is connected to the main tank 1006, has an air communication port (not shown) that communicates the inside of the tank with the outside, and is capable of discharging air bubbles in the ink to the outside. The buffer tank 1003 is also connected to a refill pump 1005. When liquid is consumed by the liquid ejection head 3 by discharging (discharging) ink from the ejection port of the liquid ejection head for recording by ejecting ink, suction recovery, and the like, the refill pump 1005 transfers the amount of consumed ink from the main tank 1006 to the buffer tank 1003.

[0016] The first circulation pump 1002 has a role of drawing liquid from the liquid connection part 111 of the liquid ejection head 3 and flowing it to the buffer tank 1003. A positive displacement pump having a quantitative liquid delivery capacity is preferable as the first circulation pump 1002. Specific examples include a tube pump, a gear pump, a diaphragm pump, a syringe pump, etc., but it is also possible to use a configuration in which a general constant flow valve or a relief valve is disposed at the pump outlet to ensure a constant flow rate.

[0017] When the liquid ejection head 3 is driven, the first circulation pump 1002 causes a certain amount of ink to flow through the common recovery flow path 212. It is preferable to set this flow rate at a level at which the temperature difference between each recording element substrate 10 in the liquid ejection head 3 does not affect the recorded image quality. However, if too large a flow rate is set, the negative pressure difference between each recording element substrate 10 may become too large due to the influence of pressure loss in the flow path in the liquid ejection unit 300, resulting in uneven density of the image. For this reason, it is preferable to set the flow rate while taking into consideration the temperature difference and negative pressure difference between each recording element substrate 10.

[0018] The negative pressure control unit 230 is provided between the second circulation pump 1004 and the liquid ejection unit 300. The negative pressure control unit 230 has a function of operating to maintain the pressure downstream of the negative pressure control unit 230 (i.e., the liquid ejection unit 300 side) at a preset constant pressure even when the flow rate of the circulation system fluctuates due to a difference in the duty for performing printing. As the two pressure adjustment mechanisms constituting the negative pressure control unit 230, any mechanism may be used as long as it can control the pressure downstream of itself to fluctuate within a certain range centered on a desired set pressure. As an example, a mechanism similar to a so-called "pressure reducing regulator" can be adopted. When a pressure reducing regulator is used, it is preferable to pressurize the upstream side of the negative pressure control unit 230 via the liquid supply unit 220 by the second circulation pump 1004, as shown in FIG. 2. In this way, the effect of the head pressure of the buffer tank 1003 on the liquid ejection head 3 can be suppressed, so that the degree of freedom of layout of the buffer tank 1003 in the recording apparatus 1000 can be increased. The second circulation pump 1004 may be any pump having a head pressure equal to or greater than a certain pressure within the range of the ink circulation flow rate used when driving the liquid ejection head 3, and may be a turbo pump, a positive displacement pump, or the like. Specifically, a diaphragm pump or the like may be used. Also, instead of the second circulation pump 1004, for example, a head tank disposed with a certain head difference relative to the negative pressure control unit 230 may be used.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, the negative pressure control unit 230 includes two pressure adjustment mechanisms, each of which is set with a different control pressure. Of the two negative pressure adjustment mechanisms, the relatively high pressure setting side (indicated as H in FIG. 2) and the relatively low pressure setting side (indicated as L in FIG. 2) are connected to the common supply flow path 211 and the common recovery flow path 212 in the liquid ejection unit 300, respectively, via the liquid supply unit 220. The liquid ejection unit 300 is provided with the common supply flow path 211, the common recovery flow path 212, and individual supply flow paths 213 and individual recovery flow paths 214 that communicate with each recording element substrate. Since the individual flow paths 213 and 214 communicate with the common supply flow path 211 and the common recovery flow path 212, a part of the liquid flown by the first circulation pump 1002 flows from the common supply flow path 211 through the internal flow path of the recording element substrate 10 to the common recovery flow path 212 (arrow in FIG. 2). This is because a pressure difference is provided between the pressure adjustment mechanism H connected to the common supply flow path 211 and the pressure adjustment mechanism L connected to the common recovery flow path 212, and the first circulation pump 1002 is connected only to the common recovery flow path 212.

[0020] In this way, in the liquid ejection unit 300, a liquid flow that passes through the common recovery flow path 212 and a flow that passes through each recording element substrate 10 from the common supply flow path 211 to the common recovery flow path 212 are generated. Therefore, heat generated in each recording element substrate 10 can be discharged to the outside of the recording element substrate 10 by the flow from the common supply flow path 211 to the common recovery flow path 212. In addition, with this configuration, when recording is being performed by the liquid ejection head 3, an ink flow can be generated even in ejection ports and pressure chambers that are not performing recording, so that thickening of the ink in those areas can be suppressed. Also, thickened ink and foreign matter in the ink can be discharged to the common recovery flow path 212. Therefore, the liquid ejection head 3 of this embodiment is capable of high-speed, high-quality recording.

[0021] (Explanation of liquid ejection head) The configuration of the liquid ejection head 3 according to this embodiment will be described. Figures 3(a) and 3(b) are perspective views of the liquid ejection head 3 according to this embodiment. The liquid ejection head 3 is a line-type liquid ejection head in which 17 recording element substrates 10 capable of ejecting ink are arranged in a straight line (arranged in-line). As shown in Figure 3(a), the liquid ejection head 3 includes each recording element substrate 10, a signal input terminal 91 electrically connected via a flexible wiring substrate 40 and an electric wiring substrate 90, and a power supply terminal 92. The signal input terminal 91 and the power supply terminal 92 are electrically connected to a control unit of the recording apparatus 1000, and supply an ejection drive signal and power required for ejection, respectively, to the recording element substrate 10.

[0022] By consolidating the wiring using the electric circuit in the electric wiring board 90, the number of signal input terminals 91 and power supply terminals 92 can be made smaller than the number of recording element boards 10. This reduces the number of electrical connections that need to be removed when assembling the liquid ejection head 3 to the recording apparatus 1000 or when replacing the liquid ejection head.

[0023] 3(b), a liquid connection part 111 provided on one side of the liquid ejection head 3 is connected to a liquid supply system of the recording apparatus 1000. This allows ink to be supplied from the supply system of the recording apparatus 1000 to the liquid ejection head 3, and ink that has passed through the liquid ejection head 3 is collected into the supply system of the recording apparatus 1000. In this way, ink of each color can be circulated via the paths of the recording apparatus 1000 and the paths of the liquid ejection head 3.

[0024] 4 shows an exploded perspective view of each part or unit that constitutes the liquid ejection head 3. A liquid ejection unit 300, a liquid supply unit 220, and an electric wiring board 90 are attached to a housing 80. A liquid connection part 111 (FIG. 3) is provided in the liquid supply unit 220, and a filter 221 (FIG. 2) that communicates with the liquid connection part 111 is provided inside the liquid supply unit 220 to remove foreign matter from the ink being supplied. The liquid that passes through the filter 221 is supplied to a negative pressure control unit 230 arranged on the supply unit 220.

[0025] The negative pressure control unit 230 is a unit consisting of a pressure adjustment valve. The negative pressure control unit 230 can greatly attenuate the change in pressure loss in the supply system of the recording device 1000 (the supply system upstream of the liquid ejection head 3) caused by the fluctuation in the flow rate of the liquid by the action of valves and spring members provided inside. As a result, the negative pressure control unit 230 can stabilize the negative pressure change downstream of the pressure control unit (the liquid ejection unit 300 side) within a certain range. As described in FIG. 2, two pressure adjustment valves are built in the negative pressure control unit 230, each set to a different control pressure, and the high pressure side is connected to the common supply flow path 211 in the liquid ejection unit 300 and the low pressure side is connected to the common recovery flow path 212 via the liquid supply unit 220.

[0026] The housing 80 is composed of a liquid discharge unit support part 81 and an electric wiring board support part 82, and supports the liquid discharge unit 300 and the electric wiring board 90 while ensuring the rigidity of the liquid discharge head 3. The electric wiring board support part 82 is for supporting the electric wiring board 90, and is fixed to the liquid discharge unit support part 81 by screwing. The liquid discharge unit support part 81 has a role of correcting warping and deformation of the liquid discharge unit 300 and ensuring the relative position accuracy of the multiple recording element boards 10, thereby suppressing streaks and unevenness in the recorded matter. For this reason, the liquid discharge unit support part 81 preferably has sufficient rigidity, and is preferably made of a metal material such as SUS or aluminum, or a ceramic such as alumina. The liquid discharge unit support part 81 is provided with openings 83, 84, 85, and 86 into which the joint rubber 100 is inserted. The liquid supplied from the liquid supply unit 220 is led to the flow path member 210 constituting the liquid discharge unit 300 via the joint rubber.

[0027] The liquid ejection unit 300 is composed of a plurality of ejection modules 200 and a flow path member 210, and a cover member 130 is attached to the surface of the liquid ejection unit 300 facing the recording medium. Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the cover member 130 is a member having a frame-shaped surface with a long opening 131, and the recording element substrate 10 and the sealing portion 110 (FIG. 8) included in the ejection module 200 are exposed from the opening 131. The frame portion around the opening 131 functions as a contact surface of a cap member that caps the liquid ejection head 3 during standby for recording. For this reason, it is preferable to apply an adhesive, a sealant, a filler, or the like along the periphery of the opening 131 to fill in unevenness and gaps on the ejection port surface of the liquid ejection unit 300, so that a closed space is formed when capped.

[0028] Next, the configuration of the flow path member 210 included in the liquid discharge unit 300 will be described. As shown in Fig. 4, the flow path member 210 is formed by laminating a first flow path member 50, a second flow path member 60, and a third flow path member 70. The flow path member 210 is a flow path member for distributing the liquid supplied from the liquid supply unit 220 to each discharge module 200, and for returning the liquid returning from the discharge module 200 to the liquid supply unit 220. The flow path member 210 is fixed to the liquid discharge unit support part 81 with screws, which suppresses warping and deformation of the flow path member 210.

[0029] 5(a) to 5(f) are diagrams showing the front and back surfaces of each of the first to third flow path members. FIG. 5(a) shows the surface of the first flow path member 50 on which the ejection module 200 is mounted, and FIG. 5(f) shows the surface of the third flow path member 70 on which the liquid ejection unit support part 81 is abutted. The first flow path member 50 and the second flow path member 60 are joined so that the abutment surfaces of the respective flow path members shown in FIG. 5(b) and FIG. 5(c) face each other, and the second flow path member and the third flow path member are joined so that the abutment surfaces of the respective flow path members shown in FIG. 5(d) and FIG. 5(e) face each other. The second flow path member 60 and the third flow path member 70 are joined so that the common flow path grooves 62 and 71 formed in the respective flow path members face each other, thereby forming eight common flow paths extending in the longitudinal direction of the flow path members. As a result, a set of a common supply flow path 211 and a common recovery flow path 212 for each color is formed in the flow path member 210. The communication ports 72 of the third flow path member 70 communicate with each hole of the joint rubber 100, and are fluidly connected to the liquid supply unit 220. A plurality of communication ports 61 are formed in the bottom surface of the common flow path groove 62 of the second flow path member 60, and are fluidly connected to one end of the individual flow path groove 52 of the first flow path member 50. A communication port 51 is formed in the other end of the individual flow path groove 52 of the first flow path member 50, and is fluidly connected to a plurality of discharge modules 200 via the communication port 51. The individual flow path groove 52 makes it possible to aggregate the flow paths toward the center side of the flow path member.

[0030] The first to third flow path members are preferably made of a material that is resistant to corrosion by liquids and has a low linear expansion coefficient. Suitable materials include alumina, LCP (liquid crystal polymer), PPS (polyphenyl sulfide), PSF (polysulfone), and modified PPE (polyphenylene ether) as a base material, and a composite material (resin material) with inorganic fillers such as silica particles and fibers added thereto. The flow path member 210 may be formed by laminating three flow path members and bonding them together, or, when a resin composite resin material is selected as the material, a joining method by welding may be used.

[0031] Next, the connection relationship of each flow path in the flow path member 210 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a flow path in the flow path member 210 formed by joining the first to third flow path members, partially enlarged from the surface side of the first flow path member 50 on which the ejection module 200 is mounted. The flow path member 210 is provided with common supply flow paths 211 (211a, 211b, 211c, 211d) and common recovery flow paths 212 (212a, 212b, 212c, 212d) that extend in the longitudinal direction of the liquid ejection head 3 for each color. A plurality of individual supply flow paths (213a, 213b, 213c, 213d) formed by individual flow path grooves 52 are connected to the common supply flow path 211 for each color via a communication port 61. Furthermore, a plurality of individual recovery flow paths (214a, 214b, 214c, 214d) formed by the individual flow path grooves 52 are connected to the common recovery flow path 212 of each color via the communication port 61. With this flow path configuration, ink can be collected from each common supply flow path 211 via the individual supply flow paths 213 to the recording element substrate 10 located at the center of the flow path member. Also, ink can be recovered from the recording element substrate 10 via the individual recovery flow paths 214 to each common recovery flow path 212.

[0032] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a cross section taken along line VII-VII in Fig. 6. As shown in this figure, each individual recovery flow path (214a, 214c) communicates with the ejection module 200 via a communication port 51. Although only the individual supply flow path 213c and the individual recovery flow path 214a are shown in Fig. 7, in another cross section, the individual supply flow path 213 communicates with the ejection module 200 as shown in Fig. 7. The support member 30 and the recording element substrate 10 included in each ejection module 200 are formed with a flow path for supplying ink from the first flow path member 50 to the recording element 15 (Fig. 9) provided on the recording element substrate 10, and a flow path for recovering (circulating) a part or all of the liquid supplied to the recording element 15 to the first flow path member 50. Here, the common supply flow path 211 of each color is connected to the negative pressure control unit 230 (high pressure side) of the corresponding color via the liquid supply unit 220, and the common recovery flow path 212 is connected to the negative pressure control unit 230 (low pressure side) via the liquid supply unit 220. This negative pressure control unit 230 generates a pressure difference between the common supply flow path 211 and the common recovery flow path 212. For this reason, in the liquid ejection head of this embodiment in which the flow paths are connected as shown in Figures 6 and 7, a flow is generated for each color that flows in the order of the common supply flow path 211 -> the individual supply flow path 213a -> the recording element substrate 10 -> the individual recovery flow path 214a -> the common recovery flow path 212.

[0033] (Explanation of the discharge module) FIG. 8(a) shows a perspective view of one discharge module 200, and FIG. 8(b) shows an exploded view thereof. FIG. 8(c) shows a cross section taken along line VIIIc-VIIIc in FIG. 8(a). In the manufacturing method of the discharge module 200, first, the recording element substrate 10 and the flexible wiring substrate 40 are bonded onto a support member 30 in which a liquid communication port 31 is provided in advance. Then, the terminal 16 on the recording element substrate 10 and the terminal 41 on the flexible wiring substrate 40 are electrically connected by wire bonding, and then the wire bonding portion (electrical connection portion) is covered with a sealant to form a sealing portion 110. The terminal 42 on the opposite side of the flexible wiring substrate 40 from the recording element substrate 10 is electrically connected to the connection terminal 93 (see FIG. 4) of the electrical wiring substrate 90. The support member 30 is a support body that supports the recording element substrate 10 and also a flow path member that fluidly connects the recording element substrate 10 and the flow path member 210, and therefore, it is preferable that the support member 30 has a high degree of flatness and can be joined to the recording element substrate with sufficiently high reliability. As the material, for example, alumina or a resin material is preferable.

[0034] (Description of the recording element substrate) The configuration of the recording element substrate 10 in this embodiment will be described. Fig. 9(a) shows a plan view of the surface of the recording element substrate 10 on which the ejection ports 13 are formed, Fig. 9(b) shows an enlarged view of the portion indicated by IXb in Fig. 9(a), and Fig. 9(c) shows a plan view of the back surface of Fig. 9(a). As shown in Fig. 9(a), four ejection port arrays corresponding to the respective ink colors are formed in the ejection port forming member 12 of the recording element substrate 10. Hereinafter, the direction in which the ejection port arrays in which the multiple ejection ports 13 are arranged extend will be referred to as the "ejection port array direction".

[0035] As shown in FIG. 9B, a recording element 15, which is a heating element for foaming the liquid with thermal energy, is disposed at a position corresponding to each ejection port 13. A pressure chamber 23 in which the recording element 15 is disposed is partitioned by a partition wall 22. The recording element 15 is electrically connected to the terminal 16 in FIG. 9A by an electric wiring (not shown) provided on the recording element substrate 10. The recording element 15 generates heat based on a pulse signal input from a control circuit of the recording device 1000 via an electric wiring substrate 90 (FIG. 4) and a flexible wiring substrate 40 (FIG. 8) to boil the liquid. The liquid is ejected from the ejection port 13 by the force of foaming caused by this boiling. As shown in FIG. 9B, a liquid supply path 18 extends on one side along each ejection port row, and a liquid recovery path 19 extends on the other side. The liquid supply path 18 and the liquid recovery path 19 are flow paths extending in the direction of the ejection port array provided on the recording element substrate 10, and communicate with the ejection ports 13 via the supply ports 17a and the recovery ports 17b, respectively.

[0036] 9(c) and 10, a sheet-like cover member 20 is laminated on the back surface of the recording element substrate 10 opposite to the surface on which the ejection ports 13 are formed, and the cover member 20 is provided with a plurality of openings 21 that communicate with the liquid supply paths 18 and the liquid recovery paths 19 described below. In this embodiment, the cover member 20 is provided with three openings 21 for each liquid supply path 18 and two openings 21 for each liquid recovery path 19. As shown in FIG. 9(b), each opening 21 of the cover member 20 communicates with a plurality of communication ports 51 shown in FIG. 5(a).

[0037] As shown in Fig. 10, the cover member 20 functions as a cover that forms part of the walls of the liquid supply path 18 and the liquid recovery path 19 formed in the substrate 11 of the recording element substrate 10. The cover member 20 is preferably made of a material that has sufficient corrosion resistance against the liquid, and from the viewpoint of preventing color mixing, high accuracy is required for the shape and position of the opening 21. For this reason, it is preferable to use a photosensitive resin material or a silicon plate as the material for the cover member 20, and to provide the opening 21 by a photolithography process. In this way, the cover member changes the pitch of the flow path by the opening 21, and it is preferable that the cover member is thin in thickness in consideration of pressure loss, and is preferably made of a film-like material.

[0038] Next, the flow of liquid in the recording element substrate 10 will be described. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a cross section of the recording element substrate 10 and the cover member 20 on the XX plane in FIG. 9(a). The recording element substrate 10 is formed by laminating a substrate 11 made of Si and an ejection port forming member 12 made of a photosensitive resin, and a cover member 20 is bonded to the back surface of the substrate 11. A recording element 15 is formed on one surface of the substrate 11 (FIG. 9(b)), and a groove that constitutes a liquid supply path 18 and a liquid recovery path 19 that extend along the ejection port row is formed on the back surface. The liquid supply path 18 and the liquid recovery path 19 formed by the substrate 11 and the cover member 20 are respectively connected to a common supply flow path 211 and a common recovery flow path 212 in a flow path member 210, and a pressure difference is generated between the liquid supply path 18 and the liquid recovery path 19. It is also possible to perform recording by ejecting liquid from a plurality of ejection ports 13 of the liquid ejection head 3. At this time, in the ejection ports not performing the ejection operation, the liquid in the liquid supply path 18 provided in the substrate 11 flows to the liquid recovery path 19 via the supply port 17a, the pressure chamber 23, and the recovery port 17b due to this pressure difference (flow indicated by arrow C in FIG. 10). This flow allows the ink with increased viscosity caused by evaporation from the ejection port 13, bubbles, foreign matter, etc., to be recovered to the liquid recovery path 19 in the ejection port 13 and the pressure chamber 23 where recording is paused. It is also possible to suppress the increase in viscosity of the ink in the ejection port 13 and the pressure chamber 23. The liquid recovered to the liquid recovery path 19 is recovered in the order of the communication port 51 in the flow path member 210, the individual recovery flow path 214, and the common recovery flow path 212 through the opening 21 of the cover member 20 and the liquid communication port 31 of the support member 30 (see FIG. 8b), and is finally recovered to the supply flow path of the recording device 1000.

[0039] That is, the liquid supplied from the recording apparatus body to the liquid ejection head 3 flows, is supplied, and is recovered in the following order. The liquid first flows into the liquid ejection head 3 from the liquid connection portion 111 of the liquid supply unit 220. Next, the liquid is supplied to the joint rubber 100, the communication port 72 and the common flow channel 71 provided in the third flow channel member, the common flow channel 62 and the communication port 61 provided in the second flow channel member, and the individual flow channel 52 and the communication port 51 provided in the first flow channel member, in that order. Thereafter, the liquid is supplied to the pressure chamber 23 via the liquid communication port 31 provided in the support member 30, the opening 21 provided in the cover member, the liquid supply path 18 and the supply port 17a provided in the substrate 11, in that order. Of the liquid supplied to the pressure chamber 23, the liquid that is not ejected from the ejection port 13 flows in the order of the recovery port 17b and the liquid recovery path 19 provided in the substrate 11, the opening 21 provided in the cover member, and the liquid communication port 31 provided in the support member 30. Then, the liquid flows in this order through the communication port 51 and the individual flow path grooves 52 provided in the first flow path member, the communication port 61 and the common flow path groove 62 provided in the second flow path member, the common flow path groove 71 and the communication port 72 provided in the third flow path member 70, and the joint rubber 100. Then, the liquid flows from the liquid connection part 111 provided in the liquid supply unit to the outside of the liquid ejection head 3.

[0040] 2, not all of the liquid flowing in from one end of the common supply flow path 211 of the liquid ejection unit 300 is supplied to the pressure chamber 23 via the individual supply flow path 213a. For example, some liquid flows from the other end of the common supply flow path 211 to the liquid supply unit 220 without flowing into the individual supply flow path 213a. In this way, by providing a path that does not pass through the recording element substrate 10, even in the case of the recording element substrate 10 having a fine flow path with a large flow resistance as in this embodiment, it is possible to suppress the backflow of the circulating flow of the liquid. In this way, in the liquid ejection head of this embodiment, the viscosity of the liquid in the pressure chamber or in the vicinity of the ejection port can be suppressed, so that the distorted ejection or non-ejection can be suppressed, and as a result, high-quality printing can be performed.

[0041] (Description of the positional relationship between the recording element substrates) FIG. 11 is a partially enlarged plan view showing adjacent portions of the recording element substrates in two adjacent ejection modules. As shown in FIG. 9, in this embodiment, a recording element substrate having a shape of a parallelogram is used. As shown in FIG. 11, each ejection port array (14a to 14d) in which the ejection ports 13 are arranged in each recording element substrate 10 is arranged so as to be inclined at a certain angle with respect to the conveying direction of the recording medium. As a result, the ejection ports in the adjacent portions of the recording element substrates 10 overlap with at least one ejection port in the conveying direction of the recording medium. In FIG. 11, two ejection ports on line D are in an overlapping relationship with each other. With this arrangement, even if the position of the recording element substrate 10 is slightly deviated from the predetermined position, black stripes and white spots in the recorded image can be made less noticeable by driving control of the overlapping ejection ports. Even when multiple recording element substrates 10 are arranged in a straight line (in-line) instead of in a staggered arrangement, this configuration can prevent black streaks and white spots at the joints between the recording element substrates 10 while suppressing an increase in the length of the liquid ejection head 3 in the conveying direction of the recording medium. Note that, although the main plane of the recording element substrate is a parallelogram in this embodiment, the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the configuration of the present disclosure can be preferably applied even when a recording element substrate having a rectangular, trapezoidal, or other shape is used.

[0042] <Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure> (First embodiment) A first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Descriptions of functions and configurations similar to those of the basic configuration of the present disclosure will be omitted, and differences will be described.

[0043] The first embodiment differs from the basic configuration in that a protective member 140 is laminated on the surface (discharge surface 120) of the discharge port forming member 12 of the discharge module 200. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8(b) and FIG. 8(c), the protective member 140 having rectangular openings 141 corresponding to the discharge port arrays 14 is adhered to the discharge surface 120 by an adhesive 150. With this configuration, when the recording medium 2 floats up during transportation, the protective member 140 plays a role in suppressing contact between the recording medium 2 and the recording element substrate 10, and damage to the liquid discharge head 3 can be suppressed. For this reason, it is preferable that the protective member 140 has sufficient mechanical strength, and for example, metal materials such as stainless steel and aluminum, silicon, and alumina can be suitably used as the material.

[0044] The protective member 140 has rectangular openings 141 formed therein corresponding to the ejection port arrays 14. The openings 141 can be formed to correspond to any number of ejection port arrays 14, but it is preferable that one protective member is provided with a plurality of openings 141. Preferably, one opening 141 is formed for one ejection port array 14.

[0045] The opening 141 has a first side surface parallel to the longitudinal direction and a second side surface parallel to the lateral direction. The protective member 140 is bonded to the ejection surface 120 by an adhesive 150 such that the first side surface has a first inclination angle with respect to the ejection surface 120.

[0046] The cross-sectional shape of the protective member 140 is preferably provided with an arbitrary inclined shape depending on the purpose. For example, in the first embodiment, the cross-section of the opening 141 is formed in a tapered shape in which the opening becomes larger from the ejection surface 120 side toward the surface 144 side (FIG. 8(c)). This allows the tip of the maintenance mechanism 155 to penetrate further into the opening when it comes into contact with the protective member 140, compared to when the first side is vertical. This makes it possible to reduce leakage during suction recovery, and maintain favorable recovery performance. Even if there is dirt on the ejection surface, it is easy to remove without it getting caught in the opening.

[0047] It is also preferable that the length of the opening 141 of the protective member 140 in the direction substantially intersecting with the ejection port array direction is 250 μm or more and less than the interval between adjacent ejection port arrays 14, and the thickness of the protective member 140 is less than 50 μm. This allows the maintenance mechanism (155) of the recording device to more suitably recover the liquid inside the liquid ejection head 3 when the maintenance mechanism (155) comes into contact with the liquid ejection head 3 during maintenance.

[0048] The maintenance mechanism in this embodiment is shown in Fig. 12. A through opening is provided in the contact surface 156 with the liquid ejection head, and when the mechanism is attached to a printer mechanism (not shown), it is possible to suck out dust and ink by suction.

[0049] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the liquid ejection head and the maintenance mechanism 155 when they are in contact with each other. As shown in FIG. 13, the maintenance mechanism 155 scans along the longitudinal direction of the liquid ejection head. By scanning the multiple ejection modules 200 mounted, ink recovery to the nozzles and removal of dust can be performed sequentially over the entire liquid ejection head. In addition, the scanning direction of the maintenance mechanism and the longitudinal direction of the opening 141 of the protective member 140 on the ejection surface 120 are substantially aligned. As a result, the number of nozzles that the maintenance mechanism recovers at one time can be reduced compared to when scanning in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and the force acting on each ejection port 13 during one suction is large, so that the nozzles can be recovered stably.

[0050] FIG. 13(b) shows a partial cross-sectional view of the maintenance mechanism 155 in contact with the liquid ejection head, as viewed from the scanning direction of the maintenance mechanism 155. The maintenance mechanism 155 is made of an elastic material such as rubber, and improves adhesion to the liquid ejection head while deforming to the unevenness of the sealing portion 110 and the opening 141. FIG. 13(c) shows an enlarged contact portion between the maintenance mechanism 155 and the liquid ejection head. When a slope is provided as in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13(c), the elastic maintenance mechanism adheres to the ejection surface while following the slope of the opening, so that the gap between the contact surface 156 of the liquid ejection head and the liquid ejection head is small. Therefore, the pressure during suction is less likely to escape, and recovery performance does not decrease even if a protective member is provided.

[0051] On the other hand, FIG. 13(d) shows an example in which the cross section of the opening of the protective member is not inclined. In this case, the maintenance mechanism 155 enters the opening 141, but since the gap is large, the suction pressure easily escapes.

[0052] The contact portion of the maintenance mechanism 155 may protrude from the recording element substrate. In this case, by filling the periphery of the discharge module 200 with the peripheral sealant 115, the maintenance mechanism 155 can be sucked while in contact with the peripheral sealant 115, and a drop in pressure can be suppressed.

[0053] Furthermore, in order to ensure that the maintenance mechanism 155 can be inserted into the opening 141, it is preferable to apply a stronger pressure to the liquid ejection head with the maintenance mechanism 155 compared to the case where the protective member 140 is not present. In this case, the protective member 140 protects the ejection module 200 from the pressure and plays a role in suppressing damage to the ejection ports 13. In this embodiment, since a plurality of openings 141 are provided according to the ejection port rows 14, the portions of the protective member 140 between the openings 141 become beams. As a result, it is possible to suppress damage to the ejection ports 13 caused by the concentrated pressing force of the maintenance mechanism 155 compared to the case where one opening is provided over the entire ejection module 200.

[0054] In a variation of this embodiment, a second side surface parallel to the short side direction of the opening 141 may be fixed at a second inclination angle with respect to the ejection surface. The second inclination angle is preferably less than 90° and is tapered from the ejection surface 120 toward the opening.

[0055] The effect of the inclination of the second side surface is as follows. Figures 14(a) and (b) are cross-sectional views focusing on the second side surface of the opening in this embodiment. When dust 400 collected by the scanning of the maintenance mechanism 155 reaches the second side surface of the opening 141, the dust is discharged along the inclined surface as shown in Figure 14(b) with the movement of the maintenance mechanism 155. On the other hand, if the cross section of the opening 141 is formed vertically, the dust 400 gets caught on the second side surface as shown in Figure 14(c), and the dust 400 is left in the opening even after the maintenance mechanism 155 passes by (Figure 14(d)). In this way, the inclination of the second side surface of the opening 141 also produces an effect on dust removal.

[0056] In another modified example of this embodiment, the outer periphery of the protective member 140 is fixed at a third inclination angle with respect to the ejection surface 120. The third inclination angle is preferably greater than 90°, and is preferably formed in an inverted tapered shape with an edge protruding from the ejection surface 120 side toward the surface 144 side. This makes it possible to prevent the peripheral sealant 115 and the sealing portion 110 applied to the outer periphery of the ejection module from seeping out onto the surface 144 of the protective member 140.

[0057] The outer shape and opening 141 of protective member 140 are preferably processed with high precision, and etching, laser processing, press processing, and the like can be suitably used as a processing method. For example, the tapered shape of the protective member can be selected depending on the direction from which etching is performed when opening 141 and outer periphery 145 are formed by etching.

[0058] An example of a manufacturing process for the protective member 140 is shown in Fig. 15(a). In Fig. 15(a), resist 520 is formed on both sides of a plate member 510, which is the material for the protective member 140. Next, as shown in Fig. 15(b), the resist 520 is removed by photolithography from the positions where the openings are to be formed and the positions where the periphery is to be formed. Next, as shown in Fig. 15(c), the plate member 510 is etched to remove the plate member 510 from the openings and the periphery. Finally, as shown in Fig. 15(d), the resist 520 is removed and the protective member 140 is formed.

[0059] Furthermore, the outer periphery 145 may be tapered such that the edge recedes inward from the ejection surface side toward the front surface 144 side. In this case, there is an effect of maintaining wiping ability when the maintenance mechanism 155 comes into contact with the outer periphery 145 and reducing damage to the maintenance mechanism 155. Whether the outer periphery 145 is made to have the aforementioned inverse tapered shape or a tapered shape can be determined on a case-by-case basis by balancing the effect of suppressing exudation of the peripheral sealant 115 with the wiping ability and the effect of reducing damage to the maintenance mechanism.

[0060] The cross-sectional taper angle of the opening 141 and the outer peripheral portion 145 is preferably 5° or more from the direction perpendicular to the ejection surface, from the viewpoints of wiping property and adhesion when a maintenance mechanism is brought into contact, and suppression of creeping up of the peripheral sealant of the outer peripheral portion. For example, when the first side surface forms a tapered shape with respect to the ejection surface 120, the inclination angle of the first side surface is less than 90°, and preferably less than 85°. Furthermore, when the outer peripheral portion of the protective member 140 has an inverse tapered shape with respect to the ejection surface 120, the third inclination angle is 90° or more, and preferably 95° or more.

[0061] In this embodiment, the maintenance mechanism 155 is a suction member made of an elastic member, but is not limited to this. For example, it may be a wipe member that scrapes off dirt with a blade-like member, or a method in which something like nonwoven fabric is pressed with a roller-like member.

[0062] FIG. 16(a) shows an example of a maintenance mechanism 155 that presses nonwoven fabric with a roller. FIG. 16(b) shows a contact cross section between the nonwoven fabric type maintenance mechanism 155 and the liquid ejection head 3. Even if the maintenance mechanism 155 is nonwoven fabric, when it is pressed against the opening 141 of the protective member 140, the nonwoven fabric enters the opening following the shape of the opening. If a slope is formed on the first side surface of the opening, the ejection surface and the nonwoven fabric of the maintenance mechanism 155 come into contact over a wider area as shown in FIG. 16(b), and the recovery performance for the ejection surface can be maintained. On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 17(a) and 17(b), the second side surface of the opening can also be scanned by the maintenance mechanism 155 to discharge dust 400 along the slope of the second side surface.

[0063] Second embodiment A second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Descriptions of functions and configurations similar to those of the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be omitted, and differences will be described.

[0064] 18 is a simplified diagram showing a discharge module 200 of the second embodiment having a recording element substrate 10 and a protective member 140. The discharge module 200 differs from the first embodiment in that the shape of the opening 141 at the longitudinal end of the discharge port array 14 has a larger opening area than the surroundings of the other discharge ports. This can further improve the maintainability of the nozzles at the outermost end, compared to a rectangular opening shape that does not have a larger opening area.

[0065] With a rectangular opening shape, dirt and the like may easily accumulate on the nozzle at the end in the longitudinal direction during wiping, and the presence of a protective member nearby may make it difficult for the maintenance mechanism to come into contact with the ejection port. In contrast, by making the opening area of ​​the nozzle at the end wide as in this embodiment, it is possible to maintain the ejection port without being affected by dirt even if it accumulates.

[0066] In addition, in the present embodiment where a plurality of ejection modules are arranged to form a single nozzle row, the space around the nozzle at the end is limited because adjacent modules need to overlap. Therefore, the present embodiment is preferable in that the area is secured by expanding the nozzle on the short side as well, rather than extending the nozzle in the longitudinal direction as it is. This embodiment can provide a space-saving effect compared to a rectangular opening shape with an edge at a distance from the nozzle at the end.

[0067] Furthermore, in this embodiment, even though the opening area is wider, the protective performance against media collisions, which is the original purpose of the protective member, is not reduced because the endmost nozzle is protected from three directions: the upper and lower directions of paper feed and the longitudinal end.

[0068] (Third embodiment) A third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Descriptions of functions and calibrations similar to those of the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be omitted, and differences will be described.

[0069] FIG. 19 is a simplified diagram showing a cross section of the discharge module 200 of the third embodiment around the opening 141 as viewed from the scanning direction of the maintenance mechanism 155. In the third embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the opening 141 of the protective member 140 is an inverted taper shape that is wider on the discharge surface 120 side and narrower on the front surface 144 side. This shape forms a slope that suppresses the seepage of the adhesive 150 to the front surface 144 side even if the adhesive 150 overflows into the opening when attaching the protective member 140 to the discharge surface 120. The greater the angle of the slope, the greater the effect that can be expected, but for the opening size of the present disclosure, it is more preferable that the angle of the slope is 5° or more. In the third embodiment, the inclination angle of the first side surface is greater than 90°, preferably greater than 95°.

[0070] The third embodiment can suppress discharge defects by suppressing the seepage of the adhesive 150. For example, if the adhesive 150 seeps onto the surface 144, it may be scraped off and fall off during operation of the maintenance mechanism 155, causing clogging of the discharge port. Therefore, suppressing the seepage of the adhesive 150 is effective in suppressing nozzle clogging.

[0071] FIG. 20 shows a modified example of this embodiment. In this modified example, the first side has a bent line parallel to the ejection surface 120, and the angle changes midway along the first side, forming a tapered shape toward the opening surface. That is, a cross-sectional shape that is narrowest between the ejection surface 120 and the surface 144 is formed. This makes it possible to suppress the adhesive 150 on the ejection surface 120 side from seeping out to the surface 144 when the adhesive 150 overflows into the opening 141, while maintaining good recovery performance by the maintenance mechanism 155. Such a shape can be formed in the above-mentioned manufacturing process by providing resist-removed portions corresponding to the positions of the openings 141 on both sides of the plate member and etching the plate member from both sides.

[0072] <<Other embodiments>> The present disclosure includes configurations typified by the following recording apparatus example and recording apparatus control method example.

[0073] <Configuration 1> a recording element substrate having an ejection surface on which an array of ejection ports for ejecting liquid is formed; a protective member having openings corresponding to the ejection port array, The opening has a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction as viewed from the ejection surface, The opening has a first side surface parallel to the longitudinal direction and a second side surface parallel to the lateral direction, The liquid ejection head, wherein the protective member is fixed to the ejection surface such that the first side surface has a first inclination angle with respect to the ejection surface.

[0074] <Configuration 2> The liquid ejection head according to configuration 1, further comprising an ejection module including the recording element substrate and the protective member, the ejection module being arranged in a plurality of parts along a longitudinal direction of the liquid ejection head.

[0075] <Configuration 3> 3. The liquid ejection head according to configuration 1 or 2, wherein a longitudinal direction of the opening of the protective member substantially coincides with a longitudinal direction of the liquid ejection head.

[0076] <Configuration 4> 4. The liquid ejection head according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, wherein the first tilt angle is less than 90°.

[0077] <Component 5> 4. The liquid ejection head according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, wherein the first tilt angle is greater than 90°.

[0078] <Component 6> The liquid ejection head according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, wherein the second side surface is fixed at a second inclination angle with respect to the ejection surface.

[0079] <Component 7> 7. The liquid ejection head according to claim 6, wherein the second inclination angle is less than 90 degrees.

[0080] <Component 8> A liquid ejection head described in any one of configurations 1 to 7, wherein, when the opening of the protective member is viewed from the ejection surface, the opening shape around the ejection port located at at least one end of the longitudinal direction is wider than the surroundings of the other ejection ports.

[0081] <Component 9> 9. The liquid ejection head according to any one of configurations 1 to 8, wherein an outer periphery of the protection member is fixed to the ejection surface at a third inclination angle.

[0082] <Component 10> 10. The liquid ejection head of claim 9, wherein the third tilt angle is greater than 90°.

[0083] <Component 11> 11. The liquid ejection head according to any one of configurations 1 to 10, wherein the protective member is fixed to the recording element substrate using an adhesive.

[0084] <Component 12> 12. The liquid ejection head according to any one of configurations 1 to 11, wherein the first side surface has a bent line parallel to the ejection surface.

[0085] <Component 13> 13. The liquid ejection head according to any one of configurations 1 to 12, wherein the recording element substrate is surrounded by a resin material.

[0086] <Component 14> It is detachable from the liquid ejection device, 14. The liquid ejection head according to any one of configurations 1 to 13, wherein the longitudinal direction of the opening of the protective member substantially coincides with a scanning direction of a maintenance unit of the liquid ejection device with respect to the liquid ejection head.

[0087] <Component 15> It is detachable from the liquid ejection device, the longitudinal direction of the opening of the protective member substantially coincides with a scanning direction of a maintenance unit of the liquid ejection device with respect to the liquid ejection head, 14. The liquid ejection head according to Configuration 13, wherein the maintenance means is in contact with a resin member filled around the recording element substrate.

[0088] <Component 16> 16. A liquid ejection device to which the liquid ejection head according to any one of configurations 1 to 15 can be detachably attached.

[0089] <Component 17> A liquid ejection head to be mounted on a liquid ejection device, a recording element substrate having an ejection surface on which an array of ejection ports for ejecting liquid is formed; a protective member having an opening corresponding to the ejection port array, The opening has a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction as viewed from the ejection surface, A liquid ejection head, wherein the longitudinal direction of the opening of the protective member substantially coincides with a scanning direction of a maintenance means of the liquid ejection head.

[0090] <Component 18> a liquid ejection head including a recording element substrate having an ejection surface on which an ejection port array for ejecting liquid is formed, and a protective member having openings corresponding to the ejection port array; A maintenance means for scanning the ejection surface; A liquid ejection device comprising: The opening has a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction as viewed from the ejection surface, 2. A liquid ejection apparatus, comprising: a protection member having an opening, the protection member having a longitudinal direction that substantially coincides with a scanning direction of the maintenance means relative to the liquid ejection head. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 3 Liquid ejection head 10. Recording element board 14 Discharge port row 130 Cover member 131 Cover member opening 140 Protective materials 141 Opening of protective material 200 Dispensing Module

Claims

1. a recording element substrate having an ejection surface on which an array of ejection ports for ejecting a liquid is formed, the recording element substrate having recording elements which are heat generating elements for foaming the liquid by thermal energy; a protective member having openings corresponding to the ejection port array, the opening has a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction when viewed from the ejection surface, the opening has a first side surface parallel to the longitudinal direction and a second side surface parallel to the lateral direction, The liquid ejection head is characterized in that the protective member is fixed to the ejection surface so that the first side surface has a first inclination angle with respect to the ejection surface.

2. The recording element substrate is surrounded by a resin material, It is detachable from the liquid ejection device, the longitudinal direction of the opening of the protective member substantially coincides with a scanning direction of a maintenance unit of the liquid ejection device with respect to the liquid ejection head, 2. A liquid ejection head according to claim 1, wherein the maintenance means contacts a resin member filled around the recording element substrate.

3. 2. The liquid ejection head according to claim 1, further comprising an ejection module including the recording element substrate and the protective member, the ejection modules being arranged in a plurality along the longitudinal direction of the liquid ejection head.

4. 2. The liquid ejection head according to claim 1, wherein the longitudinal direction of the opening of the protection member substantially coincides with the longitudinal direction of the liquid ejection head.

5. 2. The liquid ejection head according to claim 1, wherein the first tilt angle is less than 90 degrees.

6. 2. The liquid ejection head according to claim 1, wherein the first tilt angle is greater than 90 degrees.

7. 2. The liquid ejection head according to claim 1, wherein the second side surface is fixed at a second inclination angle relative to the ejection surface.

8. 8. The liquid ejection head according to claim 7, wherein the second tilt angle is less than 90 degrees.

9. 2. A liquid ejection head according to claim 1, wherein, when the opening of the protective member is viewed from the ejection surface, the opening shape around the ejection port located at at least one end in the longitudinal direction is wider than the opening shape around the other ejection ports.

10. 2. The liquid ejection head according to claim 1, wherein the outer periphery of the protection member is fixed at a third inclination angle relative to the ejection surface.

11. The liquid ejection head according to claim 10, wherein the third tilt angle is greater than 90°.

12. 2. The liquid ejection head according to claim 1, wherein the protective member is fixed to the recording element substrate using an adhesive.

13. The liquid ejection head according to claim 1 , wherein the first side surface has a curved line parallel to the ejection surface.

14. A liquid ejection device to which the liquid ejection head according to any one of claims 1 to 13 can be detachably attached.

15. A liquid ejection head to be attached to a liquid ejection device, a recording element substrate having an ejection surface on which an array of ejection ports for ejecting a liquid is formed, the recording element substrate having recording elements which are heat generating elements for foaming the liquid by thermal energy; a protective member having openings corresponding to the ejection port array, the opening has a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction as viewed from the ejection surface, A liquid ejection head, wherein the longitudinal direction of the opening of the protective member substantially coincides with a scanning direction of a maintenance unit of the liquid ejection device with respect to the liquid ejection head.

16. a liquid ejection head including: a recording element substrate having an ejection surface on which an array of ejection ports for ejecting liquid is formed, the recording element substrate having recording elements which are heat generating elements for foaming the liquid with thermal energy; and a protective member having openings corresponding to the array of ejection ports; a maintenance means for scanning the ejection surface; A liquid ejection device comprising: the opening has a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction as viewed from the ejection surface, A liquid ejection apparatus, wherein the longitudinal direction of the opening of the protective member substantially coincides with the scanning direction of the maintenance means relative to the liquid ejection head.

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