Recording head and method for manufacturing recording head

Abstract

To provide a recording head and a method for manufacturing a recording head that are able to reduce the number of components and simplify manufacturing steps.SOLUTION: A method for manufacturing a recording head, comprises the steps of: preparing, as lid members, a first lid member having a supply port through which a storage chamber can be replenished with a liquid and a second lid member not having the supply port; joining the first lid member to a housing to manufacture a first recording head capable of ejecting the liquid from ejection ports while replenishing the storage chamber with the liquid through the supply port; joining the second lid member to the housing to manufacture a second recording head detachably attachable to a recording device and capable of ejecting the liquid from the ejection ports without replenishing the storage chamber with the liquid.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a recording head and a method for manufacturing a recording head. [Background technology]

[0002] A recording head mounted on a serial type inkjet device includes a storage chamber capable of storing liquid, a discharge portion for discharging the liquid, and a flow path member for guiding the liquid from the storage chamber to the discharge portion. In such a recording head, air bubbles are generated in the flow path depending on the use, but it is necessary to prevent such air bubbles from moving to the discharge portion and affecting the image.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a disposable type recording head that is replaceable for a recording device, and that has a relatively large space in the middle of the flow path that can collectively contain bubbles generated in the flow path by utilizing buoyancy. With a disposable type recording head, by providing a bubble storage section in the flow path, it is possible to prevent the generated bubbles from affecting the ejection operation until the ink in the storage chamber is consumed and the recording head is replaced. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-183230 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] On the other hand, there is a continuous ink supply type of recording head, which supplies ink through a tube or the like as the ink stored inside is consumed. In a continuous ink supply type recording head, it is common to remove ink containing air bubbles from the ejection port by performing a suction operation. In this case, in consideration of efficient suction, it is preferable to make the flow path width in the flow path member as narrow as possible so that the suction pressure is high.

[0006] In this way, the disposable type, which can be replaced when the ink is consumed, and the continuous ink supply type, which allows recording while refilling ink via a tube, etc., have different appropriate flow path configurations, so they cannot be used interchangeably. Therefore, in the manufacturing process of the recording head, it is difficult to standardize the manufacturing process between the disposable type and the continuous ink supply type, and there are problems such as an increase in the number of parts and a complicated manufacturing process.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention provides a printhead and a method for manufacturing a printhead that can reduce the number of parts and simplify the manufacturing process. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] Therefore, the manufacturing method of the recording head of the present invention is a manufacturing method of a recording head including a recording element substrate having an ejection port array in which a plurality of ejection ports for ejecting liquid are arranged, a housing including a box portion in which a storage chamber for storing liquid is formed, and a flow path forming portion in which a flow path capable of supplying the liquid in the storage chamber to the ejection port array, and a lid member that partitions the storage chamber by covering an opening of the box portion, and is characterized by having the following steps: preparing, as the lid members, a first lid member provided with a supply port capable of refilling the storage chamber with the liquid, and a second lid member not provided with the supply port; manufacturing a first recording head capable of ejecting the liquid from the ejection port while refilling the storage chamber with the liquid through the supply port by joining the first lid member to the housing; and manufacturing a second recording head that is detachable from a recording device and capable of ejecting the liquid from the ejection port without refilling the storage chamber with the liquid by joining the second lid member to the housing. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, a recording head and a method for manufacturing a recording head are provided that can reduce the number of parts and simplify the manufacturing process. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an inkjet recording apparatus. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing the cartridge. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a top view showing the cartridge case. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a flow path portion modeled by extracting a space that becomes a flow path. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 shows a conventional cartridge. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an inkjet recording device (hereinafter also referred to as a liquid ejection device) 10 to which the present embodiment can be applied. In the figure, the X direction indicates the scanning direction of the carriage, the Y direction indicates the transport direction of the recording medium, and the Z direction indicates the vertical upward direction. Note that the following figures for explaining the recording head (hereinafter also referred to as a cartridge) alone also show the same XYZ axes as in this figure, based on the case where the cartridge is mounted on the recording device. The liquid ejection device 10 is configured so that a cartridge 100 can be mounted on a carriage 11. The cartridge 100 mounted on the carriage 11 ejects liquid (hereinafter also referred to as ink) while moving relative to a recording medium 103, thereby performing recording. In other words, the liquid ejection device 10 is a serial type recording device. In ejection, the carriage 11 ejects liquid from the cartridge 100 while moving back and forth in the X direction. In accordance with the ejection of liquid from the cartridge 100, the recording medium 12 is transported by a predetermined amount in a direction (Y direction) perpendicular to the direction in which the carriage 11 moves back and forth, thereby forming an image on the recording medium 12.

[0013] 1, the cartridge 100 is shown as a disposable type that can be attached to and detached from the carriage 11, but the cartridge 100 may be of a continuous ink supply type. In this case, the inkjet recording device 10 is provided with a relatively large-capacity ink tank that stores ink that can be supplied to the cartridge 100, and a tube that can supply ink from the ink tank to the recording head while following the movement of the cartridge 100.

[0014] FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing the cartridge 100, and FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the cartridge 100. The cartridge 100 includes a recording element substrate 150 for ejecting liquid, a case (housing) 110 in which a storage chamber 140 for storing liquid is formed, and a lid (cover member) 120. A filter 210 and an absorbent 130 for storing the stored liquid are stored in the storage chamber 140. The liquid stored in the absorbent 130 is supplied to a plurality of ejection ports of the recording element substrate 150 through a flow path portion (not shown in FIGS. 2 and 3) communicating with the storage chamber 140. In this embodiment, the absorbent 130 is inserted into the storage chamber 140 as a negative pressure generating means for holding the liquid, but the liquid can be similarly held in a configuration that employs a negative pressure generating unit such as a pressure control unit or a circulation unit. The disposable type cartridge 100 is configured to be detachable from the carriage 11 of the liquid ejection device 10.

[0015] The liquid contained in the storage chambers 140 is generally color ink, with cyan, magenta, and yellow inks contained in each storage chamber. Note that, in this embodiment, the cartridge 100 is described as having three storage chambers 140, but this is not limited thereto, and this embodiment can also be applied to a cartridge having three or more colors. For example, the concept is the same for a four-color cartridge including black.

[0016] Furthermore, in the liquid ejection device 10, a maintenance operation is performed in which liquid is sucked from the ejection port by applying a negative pressure to the ejection port. This maintenance operation allows air bubbles and the like generated by ejection of the liquid to be discharged from the ejection port together with the liquid.

[0017] In FIG. 3, three absorbers 130A, 130B, and 130C are shown for cyan, magenta, and yellow. The absorber 130 is preferably shaped like a cube in terms of liquid supply. However, when changing the size of the absorber 130 in consideration of the amount of liquid to be contained, it is preferable to stretch it in the direction of gravity (Z direction). If the size of the absorber 130 is increased in the scanning direction (X direction), the width of the cartridge 100 increases, leading to an increase in the size of the entire device. Furthermore, if the size of the absorber 130 is increased in the arrangement direction of the ejection ports (Y direction), the flow path from the absorber 130 to the recording element substrate 150 becomes longer, which is undesirable because it increases the flow resistance when supplying liquid.

[0018] The absorber 130 is made of a fibrous or porous material, and is capable of retaining ink inside by exerting capillary force. The absorber 130 is housed in the housing chamber 140 of the case 110 in contact with a dust trap filter 210, and the liquid in the absorber 130 is supplied to the recording element substrate 150 via the filter 210 and the flow path portion.

[0019] The recording element substrate 150 is an ejection section that ejects ink, and is disposed (attached) on the bottom surface of the case 110 below the direction of gravity. The recording element substrate 150 includes a heat generating resistor element (not shown), and the heat of the heat generating resistor element causes the liquid to bubble, and the liquid is ejected from the ejection port by the foaming energy. The recording element substrate 150 is disposed near the lower portion of the absorber 130A and the absorber 130B, and is located away from the absorber 130C. The case 110 includes a box portion 240 in which the storage chamber 140 is formed, and a flow path forming portion 250 that protrudes from the box portion 240 in the -Z direction, and the recording element substrate 150 is attached to the -Z direction side of the flow path forming portion 250. That is, the recording element substrate 150 is disposed on the bottom surface of the entire cartridge 100, and ejects the liquid in a state close to the recording medium 12 during liquid ejection. The heating resistor element included in the recording element substrate 150 may be configured to have different sizes between the disposable type and the continuous ink supply type.

[0020] The lid 120 is disposed so as to close the opening of the case 110, and defines a storage chamber 140 in which the absorber 130 is stored. The lid 120 has a different configuration between the disposable type and the continuous ink supply type. FIG. 3 shows the lid 120 for the continuous ink supply type. The disposable type is provided with an air communication port (not shown), and air can be taken in from the outside to the inside in proportion to the amount of liquid consumed by the absorber 130 due to ejection. The continuous ink supply type is provided with a supply port 121 that can replenish the storage chamber with liquid. The disposable type is not provided with a supply port. In the manufacturing process, the disposable type lid 120 and the continuous ink supply type lid 120 are prepared.

[0021] Fig. 4 is a top view showing the case 110 of the cartridge 100, and Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV of Fig. 4. Note that the absorber 130 is omitted in Fig. 5.

[0022] In the cartridge 100 of this embodiment, the inside of the case 110 is divided into three storage chambers 140 so that the absorbers 130A, 130B, and 130C are arranged in the Y direction. When the cartridge 100 is mounted on the carriage 11 and scanned, it moves in the +X direction or the -X direction. The recording element substrate 150 is provided with an ejection port array 1101 in which ejection ports are arranged in the Y direction. That is, the absorbers 130A, 130B, and 130C are arranged along the same direction as the ejection port array direction, and along a direction intersecting (orthogonal in this embodiment) the scanning direction.

[0023] The case 110 is formed by molding resin. In forming the case 110, the flow path forming portion 250 and the box portion 240 are molded separately (primary molding), and then the flow path forming portion 250 and the box portion 240 are joined together by secondary molding. In the secondary molding, a method of creating a space between the box portion 240 and the flow path forming portion 250 by abutting them and pouring resin into the space may be adopted, or other connection methods such as adhesion may be adopted. In this way, the flow path forming portion 250 and the box portion 240 are molded separately, and then the flow path forming portion 250 and the box portion 240 are joined together to form a flow path in the case 110. In this embodiment, the storage chambers 140 are arranged at equal intervals, but they do not need to be at equal intervals.

[0024] 6(a) is a top view of the flow path section 160, FIG. 6(b) is a front view of the flow path section 160, and FIG. 6(c) is a side view of the flow path section 160. The flow path section 160 is a model of an ink flow path formed by the box section 240 and the flow path forming section 250, and includes flow paths (160A, 160B, 400C) for three colors. Each flow path is independent, and specifically, as shown in FIG. 6(a), the flow path 160A, the flow path 160B, and the flow path 160C are arranged in this order in the Y direction. Such a flow path section 160 is configured to be able to supply the liquid in the storage chamber 140 to the recording element substrate 150.

[0025] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a model of a space inside case 110 that serves as a liquid flow path, as flow path section 160. In FIG.

[0026] Fig. 8(a) is a top view of flow path 160A, Fig. 8(b) is a side view of flow path 160A, and Fig. 8(c) is a front view of flow path 160A. Fig. 9(a) is a top view of flow path 160B, Fig. 9(b) is a side view of flow path 160B, and Fig. 9(c) is a front view of flow path 160B. Fig. 10(a) is a top view of flow path 160C, Fig. 10(b) is a side view of flow path 160C, and Fig. 10(c) is a front view of flow path 160C.

[0027] 8, the flow path 160A includes an opening 260A in which the filter 210A is provided, a first storage section (air buffer) 270A, a second storage section 230A, and a narrow flow path 280A connecting the first storage section 270A and the second storage section 230A. The flow path 160A further includes a connection flow path 290A connecting to the recording element substrate 150. The first storage section 270A and the second storage section 230A have a larger volume than other regions, and can store (hold) air bubbles generated by ejection or the like.

[0028] The opening 260A is an opening that receives the liquid that has passed through the filter 210A, and is located on the bottom surface of the storage chamber 140 that stores the absorber 130A. The first storage section 270A and the second storage section 230A are configured so that the space becomes wider as it goes vertically upward. Specifically, the first storage section 270A is provided with a tapered section 271A to make the space wider as it goes vertically upward, and the second storage section 230A is also provided with a tapered section 231A. With this configuration, air bubbles generated in the flow path can be collected by utilizing buoyancy and prevented from approaching the discharge port.

[0029] Moreover, the first storage section 270A has an optimal cross-sectional area as viewed from the suction direction so that the air bubbles in the first storage section 270A can be discharged from the discharge port by the suction operation performed by the liquid discharger 10. Moreover, the thin channel 280A connected upstream of the first storage section 270A has a smaller cross-sectional area as viewed from the suction direction than the first storage section 270A so that a sufficient flow rate of liquid can be provided to discharge the air bubbles in the first storage section 270A during the suction operation. That is, in FIG. 8(a), the cross-sectional area (area of ​​the dashed rectangle) of the first storage section 270A is sufficiently large. Also, in FIG. 8(c), the cross-sectional area (area of ​​the rectangle) of the thin channel 280A is sufficiently smaller than the cross-sectional area (area of ​​the trapezoid) of the first storage section 270A.

[0030] In order to move the air bubbles to the filter side in a narrow space, the second storage section 230A has a two-stage taper of the first taper section 232A and the second taper section 233A. In the first taper section 232A, the angle is preferably 10 degrees or more and 80 degrees or less, more preferably 20 degrees or more and 60 degrees or less, and even more preferably 30 degrees or more and 50 degrees or less, relative to the horizontal direction so as to move the air bubbles upward while preventing the meniscus from stretching. In addition, in the second storage section 230A, it is necessary to shorten the distance from the space of the second storage section 230A to the filter 210A to increase the flow rate of the ink flowing during a recovery operation such as suction. Therefore, the angle of the second taper section 233A is preferably 45 degrees or less, more preferably 30 degrees or less, and even more preferably 20 degrees or less, relative to the horizontal direction.

[0031] The first reservoir 270A is connected to a connection flow path 290A, and the connection flow path 290A is connected to the ejection port array in the recording element substrate 150.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 9, flow path 160B includes an opening 260B in which filter 210B is provided, a first storage section (air buffer) 270B, a second storage section 230B, a narrow flow path 280B connecting first storage section 701 and second storage section 702, and a connecting flow path 290B.

[0033] The opening 260B is an opening that receives the liquid that has passed through the filter 210B, and is located on the bottom surface of the storage chamber 140 that stores the absorber 130B. The narrow flow path 280B that connects the first storage section 270A provided near the nozzle row and the second storage section 230B provided near the storage chamber includes a horizontal portion 2801B extending in the Y direction. The first storage section 270B and the second storage section 230B are configured so that the space becomes wider as it goes vertically upward. The first storage section 270B is provided with a tapered portion 271B to make the space wider as it goes vertically upward, and the second storage section 230B is formed with two tapers, a first tapered portion 232B and a second tapered portion 233B. With this configuration, air bubbles generated in the flow path can be collected by utilizing buoyancy and prevented from approaching the discharge port.

[0034] Moreover, the first storage section 270B has an optimal cross-sectional area so that air bubbles in the first storage section 270B can be discharged from the discharge port by the maintenance operation performed by the liquid discharger 10. Moreover, the thin channel 280B connected upstream of the first storage section 270B has a cross-sectional area smaller than that of the first storage section 270B, which can provide a sufficient flow rate of liquid to discharge air bubbles in the first storage section 270B during the maintenance operation. That is, in FIG. 9(a), the cross-sectional area of ​​the first storage section 270B (area of ​​the dashed rectangle) is sufficiently large. Also, in FIG. 9(c), the cross-sectional area of ​​the thin channel 280B (cross-sectional area of ​​the horizontal section 2801B) is sufficiently smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the first storage section 270B (area of ​​the trapezoid).

[0035] In first tapered portion 232B, the angle is preferably 10 degrees or more and 80 degrees or less, more preferably 20 degrees or more and 60 degrees or less, and even more preferably 30 degrees or more and 50 degrees or less, relative to the horizontal direction so as to move the air bubble upward while preventing the meniscus from stretching. In second storage portion 230B, it is necessary to shorten the distance from the space of second storage portion 230B to filter 210B to increase the flow rate of ink flowing during recovery operations such as suction. Therefore, the angle of second tapered portion 233B is preferably 45 degrees or less, more preferably 30 degrees or less, and even more preferably 20 degrees or less, relative to the horizontal direction.

[0036] The first reservoir 270B is connected to a connection flow path 290B, and the connection flow path 290B is connected to the ejection port array in the recording element substrate 150.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 10, flow path 160C includes an opening 260C in which filter 210C is provided, a first storage portion (air buffer) 270C, a second storage portion 230C, a narrow flow path 280C connecting first storage portion 270C and second storage portion 230C, and a connecting flow path 290C.

[0038] The opening 261C is an opening that receives the liquid that has passed through the filter 210C, and is located on the bottom surface of the storage chamber 140 that stores the absorber 130C. The narrow flow path 280B that connects the first storage section 270C provided near the nozzle row and the second storage section 230C provided near the storage chamber includes a horizontal portion 2801C extending in the Y direction. The first storage section 270C and the second storage section 230C are configured so that the space becomes wider as it goes vertically upward. The first storage section 270C is provided with a tapered portion 271C to make the space wider as it goes vertically upward, and the second storage section 230C is formed with two tapers, a first tapered portion 232C and a second tapered portion 233C. With this configuration, air bubbles generated in the flow path can be collected by utilizing buoyancy and prevented from approaching the discharge port.

[0039] Moreover, the first storage section 270C has an optimal cross-sectional area so that air bubbles in the first storage section 270C can be discharged from the discharge port by the maintenance operation performed by the liquid discharger 10. Moreover, the thin channel 280C connected upstream of the first storage section 270C has a cross-sectional area smaller than that of the first storage section 270C, which can provide a sufficient flow rate of liquid to discharge air bubbles in the first storage section 270C during the maintenance operation. That is, in FIG. 10(a), the cross-sectional area of ​​the first storage section 270C (area of ​​the dashed rectangle) is sufficiently large. Also, in FIG. 10(c), the cross-sectional area of ​​the thin channel 280C (cross-sectional area of ​​the horizontal section 2801C) is sufficiently smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the first storage section 270C (area of ​​the trapezoid).

[0040] In the first tapered portion 232C, the angle is preferably 10 degrees or more and 80 degrees or less, more preferably 20 degrees or more and 60 degrees or less, and even more preferably 30 degrees or more and 50 degrees or less, relative to the horizontal direction so as to move the air bubble upward while preventing the meniscus from stretching. In the second storage portion 230C, the distance from the space of the second storage portion 230C to the filter 210C must be shortened to increase the flow rate of the ink flowing during a recovery operation such as suction. Therefore, the angle of the second tapered portion 233C is preferably 45 degrees or less, more preferably 30 degrees or less, and even more preferably 20 degrees or less, relative to the horizontal direction.

[0041] The first reservoir 270C is connected to a connection flow path 290C, and the connection flow path 290C is connected to the ejection port array in the recording element substrate 150.

[0042] Thus, the flow path 160 in the cartridge 100 in this embodiment includes a first storage section capable of retaining air bubbles. The first storage section has a cross-sectional area that allows air bubbles to be removed by the flow rate of the liquid generated by the maintenance operation, extends vertically, and has a flow path with a small cross-sectional area on the upstream side connected to the first storage section. With this structure, in a disposable type cartridge, the generated bubbles are stored in the first storage section, and the influence of the bubbles on the ejection operation can be suppressed until the cartridge is replaced. On the other hand, in a continuous ink supply type cartridge, the bubbles stored in the first storage section can be efficiently removed during the suction operation. That is, the flow path forming section 250 of this embodiment described above can be used for both the disposable type and the continuous ink supply type, and part of the manufacturing process of these recording heads can be made common. This makes it possible to provide a recording head and a method for manufacturing a recording head that can reduce the number of parts and simplify the manufacturing process.

[0043] 11(a) to (c) are diagrams showing a conventional cartridge 300 for explaining a comparative example of this embodiment. FIG. 11(a) shows a top view of the case 320 (350) of the cartridge 300 with the lid removed. Three absorbers 310 are arranged inside the case 320 (350) of the cartridge 300, and liquid is held in the absorbers 310. The cartridge 300 is mounted on a carriage (not shown) and ejects liquid while moving in the X direction. The liquid is supplied from the absorbers 310 containing the liquid to the recording element substrate 330 (shown by a broken line) through a flow path. The inside of the cartridge 300 is divided into a T-shape, and an absorber 310 is provided in each divided section. In the cartridge 300, the absorbers 310B and 310C are arranged side by side in the X direction, which is the scanning direction. The liquid held in the absorber 310B is discharged from the outlet array 340B, and the liquid held in the absorber 310C is discharged from the outlet array 340C.

[0044] Fig. 11(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIb-XIb in Fig. 11(a). Note that the absorber 310 is omitted in Fig. 11(b). The cartridge 300 is a disposable cartridge, and is replaced with another cartridge when the ink held therein is used up.

[0045] The case 320 of the cartridge 300 includes a flow path 360 for supplying liquid from the absorber 310 to the recording element substrate 330. The flow paths 360 are provided corresponding to the three absorbers 310, respectively, and supply liquid from each absorber 310 to the ejection port array 340 of the recording element substrate 330. Since the cartridge 300 is a disposable type cartridge, the flow path 360 also serves as a bubble storage section, and the flow path 360 has a sufficient volume to store the air bubbles therein. This allows air bubbles generated during replacement to be stored without affecting the ejection of the liquid.

[0046] 11(c) is a cross-sectional view showing a case 350 in a conventional continuous ink supply type cartridge. The case 350 has flow paths 370 for supplying liquid from the absorbers 310 to the recording element substrate 330. The flow paths 370 are provided corresponding to the three absorbers 310, respectively, and supply liquid from each absorber 310 to the ejection port array 340 of the recording element substrate 330.

[0047] In a continuous ink supply type cartridge, the ink containing air bubbles can be removed from the ejection port by performing a suction operation. Therefore, the flow path 370 has a small area perpendicular to the direction in which the liquid is sucked, i.e., the flow path cross-sectional area, and a narrow flow path width. This allows the suction pressure to be increased to efficiently expel air bubbles.

[0048] As described above, in the conventional configuration, the shapes of the flow paths were different between the disposable type and the continuous ink supply type, which meant that a disposable type cartridge could not be used as a continuous ink supply type print head, and two types of housings were required, one for the disposable type and one for the continuous ink supply type, which increased the number of parts and made the manufacturing process more complicated.

[0049] However, by using the configuration of this embodiment, it is possible to provide a print head and a method for manufacturing a print head that can reduce the number of parts and simplify the manufacturing process.

[0050] The disclosure of the present embodiment includes the following methods and configurations.

[0051] (Method 1) a recording element substrate having an ejection port array in which a plurality of ejection ports for ejecting liquid are arranged; a housing including a box portion in which a storage chamber for storing liquid is formed, and a flow path forming portion in which a flow path capable of supplying the liquid in the storage chamber to the ejection port array is formed; a cover member that covers an opening of the box portion to partition the storage chamber; A method for manufacturing a recording head comprising: preparing, as the lid members, a first lid member provided with a supply port capable of refilling the liquid into the storage chamber, and a second lid member not provided with the supply port; a step of manufacturing a first recording head capable of ejecting the liquid from the ejection port while refilling the liquid into the storage chamber through the supply port by joining the first cover member to the housing; a step of manufacturing a second print head that is detachable from the recording device and capable of ejecting the liquid from the ejection port without refilling the liquid into the storage chamber by joining the second cover member to the housing; 2. A method for manufacturing a recording head comprising the steps of:

[0052] (Method 2) The flow path is a first air buffer capable of holding air bubbles generated in the flow path and discharging the air bubbles when a suction operation of sucking liquid from the discharge port is performed; a thin flow passage connected upstream of the first air buffer and having a cross-sectional area smaller than that of the first air buffer when viewed from a direction in which the liquid flows when the suction operation is performed; 2. A method for producing a recording head according to method 1, comprising the steps of:

[0053] (Method 3) 3. The method for manufacturing a recording head according to Method 1 or 2, wherein the second cover member is formed with an air vent opening that communicates with the atmosphere.

[0054] (Method 4) The method for manufacturing a recording head according to method 2, wherein the first air buffer has a tapered portion that becomes wider vertically upward when the recording head is attached to a recording apparatus.

[0055] (Method 5) The method for manufacturing a recording head according to method 2, wherein the flow path further includes a second air buffer that is connected to the upstream side of the narrow flow path and is capable of holding air bubbles generated in the flow path.

[0056] (Method 6) The method for manufacturing a recording head described in Method 5, wherein the second air buffer has a tapered portion that becomes wider vertically upward when the recording head is attached to a recording apparatus.

[0057] (Method 7) a step of molding the box portion and the flow path forming portion, 3. The method for manufacturing a recording head according to Method 1 or 2, further comprising the step of forming the housing by joining the molded box portion and the flow path forming portion.

[0058] (Method 8) 3. The method for manufacturing a recording head according to method 1 or 2, further comprising a mounting step of mounting the recording element substrate to the housing so that the flow path and the plurality of ejection ports are continuous with each other.

[0059] (Method 9) The method for manufacturing a recording head described in Method 8, in which, in the mounting process, the recording element substrate, on which heating resistor elements of different sizes are arranged for the first recording head and the second recording head, is mounted to the housing.

[0060] (Configuration 1) a recording element substrate having an ejection port array in which a plurality of ejection ports for ejecting liquid are arranged; a housing including a box portion in which a storage chamber for storing the liquid is formed, and a flow path forming portion in which a flow path capable of supplying the liquid in the storage chamber to the ejection port array is formed; a cover member that covers an opening of the housing to partition the storage chamber; A recording head comprising: The flow path is A recording head comprising: an air buffer capable of retaining air bubbles generated in the flow path and discharging the air bubbles when a suction operation is performed to suck liquid from the discharge port; and a narrow flow path connected upstream of the air buffer and having a cross-sectional area smaller than that of the air buffer when viewed from the direction in which the liquid flows when the suction operation is performed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 10 Liquid dispensing device 100 cartridges 110 cases 140 Containment Room 150 Recording element board 160 Flow Path 210 Filter

Claims

1. a recording element substrate having an ejection port array in which a plurality of ejection ports for ejecting liquid are arranged; a housing including a box portion in which a storage chamber for storing liquid is formed, and a flow path forming portion in which a flow path capable of supplying the liquid in the storage chamber to the ejection port array is formed; a cover member that covers an opening of the box portion to partition the storage chamber; A method for manufacturing a recording head comprising: preparing, as the lid members, a first lid member provided with a supply port capable of refilling the liquid into the storage chamber, and a second lid member not provided with the supply port; a step of manufacturing a first recording head capable of ejecting the liquid from the ejection port while refilling the liquid into the storage chamber through the supply port by joining the first cover member to the housing; a step of manufacturing a second print head that is detachable from a recording device and capable of ejecting the liquid from the ejection port without refilling the liquid into the storage chamber by joining the second cover member to the housing; 2. A method for manufacturing a recording head comprising the steps of:

2. The flow path is a first air buffer capable of holding air bubbles generated in the flow path and discharging the air bubbles when a suction operation of sucking liquid from the discharge port is performed; a thin flow passage connected upstream of the first air buffer and having a cross-sectional area smaller than that of the first air buffer when viewed from a direction in which the liquid flows when the suction operation is performed; 2. The method for manufacturing a recording head according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

3. 3. The method of manufacturing a recording head according to claim 1, wherein the second cover member is formed with an air vent opening that communicates with the atmosphere.

4. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first air buffer has a tapered portion that becomes wider vertically upward when the recording head is attached to a recording apparatus.

5. 3. The method for manufacturing a recording head according to claim 2, wherein the flow passage further includes a second air buffer connected to the upstream side of the fine flow passage and capable of holding air bubbles generated in the flow passage.

6. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the second air buffer has a tapered portion that becomes wider vertically upward when the recording head is attached to a recording apparatus.

7. a step of molding the box portion and the flow path forming portion, forming the housing by joining the molded box portion and the flow path forming portion; 3. The method for manufacturing a recording head according to claim 1, further comprising:

8. 3. The method for manufacturing a printhead according to claim 1, further comprising a step of attaching the print element substrate to the housing so that the flow path and the plurality of ejection ports are continuous with each other.

9. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein in the mounting step, the recording element substrate, on which heat generating resistor elements of different sizes are arranged, is mounted to the housing for the first recording head and the second recording head.

10. a recording element substrate having an ejection port array in which a plurality of ejection ports for ejecting liquid are arranged; a housing including a box portion in which a storage chamber for storing the liquid is formed, and a flow path forming portion in which a flow path capable of supplying the liquid in the storage chamber to the ejection port array is formed; a cover member that covers an opening of the housing to partition the storage chamber; A recording head comprising: The flow path is A recording head comprising: an air buffer capable of retaining air bubbles generated in the flow path and discharging the air bubbles when a suction operation is performed to suck liquid from the discharge port; and a narrow flow path connected upstream of the air buffer and having a cross-sectional area smaller than that of the air buffer when viewed from the direction in which the liquid flows when the suction operation is performed.

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