JP2846082B2 - Ink jet recording device - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus that performs recording by applying ejection energy to ink in an ink nozzle to eject and fly ink droplets.

[Conventional technology]

The inkjet recording device has low noise during recording,
This is an extremely useful recording device that can directly record electronic image information such as characters and images on a recording material such as a direct recording paper.
In this process, thermal energy is applied to the ink in accordance with a recording signal to generate a phase change in the ink, and the ink droplets are ejected and fly by the acting force generated at that time, thereby performing recording on recording paper. The bubble ink jet recording apparatus has a feature that the structure is simple, high-density multi-noise is easy, and high resolution and high recording speed can be achieved.

Generally, when performing high-resolution printing by performing high-density multi-nozzle printing with an ink jet printing apparatus, a printing head in which a large number of ink discharge ports are integrally formed is used, and the inside of each discharge port, The nozzle is provided with a discharge unit for discharging and flying the ink droplet from the discharge port.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

In the recording head of the above-described conventional ink jet recording apparatus, a large number of ejection ports are formed in order to increase the density, and the ink ejection is likely to be affected by the attached matter near the ejection ports on the ejection surface. If there is a deposit near the discharge port on the discharge surface, the ejected ink will contact this deposit and fly in a bent direction, or will be dragged by the deposit and will not fly, causing ink dripping near the discharge port. Sometimes. In this case, the ink droplets ejected and flying are separated into a main droplet having a predetermined ejection volume and an ejection speed, and a satellite (secondary droplet) having an ejection volume and an ejection speed smaller than the main droplet, There is a problem that the satellite floats in the vicinity of the recording head and adheres to the vicinity of the ejection port on the ejection surface, thereby causing the above-described ejection failure.
In particular, when an electrostatic force is used for holding and transporting the recording paper, the polarization causes the satellite to be charged to the same polarity as the surface potential of the recording paper. Cause.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus which prevents satellites and other foreign substances from adhering to the vicinity of a discharge port on a discharge surface and does not cause discharge failure.

[Means for solving the problem]

An inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention is an inkjet recording apparatus that performs recording on a recording material by using an inkjet recording head that ejects ink droplets from an ink ejection port, for holding and transporting the recording material by electrostatic force. Conveying means, provided near the inkjet recording head,
An electrode for collecting satellite droplets that are separated from the ink droplets by discharging the ink droplets from the ink discharge ports and float in a space near the inkjet recording head; and that collect the satellite droplets. Means for applying a voltage having a polarity opposite to the surface potential of the recording material to the electrodes, and removing means for removing the satellite droplets collected on the electrodes. I do. As a removing unit for removing the satellite droplets, a unit for generating an air flow near an electrode for collecting the satellite droplets, or a unit for applying vibration to the electrodes may be used. Further, a tube connected to the waste ink tank may be connected to the removing unit.

[Action]

Since an electrode is provided near the ink jet recording head and a voltage is applied to this electrode, satellites and other foreign matters floating near the ink jet recording head are attracted to and adhere to the electrodes, and the satellites and other foreign substances are removed from the recording head. Is not attached to the vicinity of the discharge port on the discharge surface. In particular, in the present invention, the recording material is held and conveyed by electrostatic force, and the potential of the electrode is made to have the opposite polarity to the surface potential of the recording material. Therefore, the recording material is charged to the same polarity as the surface potential of the recording material. Satellites can be more efficiently collected on the electrodes, and the satellites can be prevented from adhering to the vicinity of the discharge port on the discharge surface. Further, in the present invention, since there is provided a removing means for removing the satellite droplet attached to the electrode, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the electric field due to the presence of the attached matter on the electrode. It is possible to prevent satellites and other foreign substances from adhering to the vicinity of the discharge port on the discharge surface. At that time, by collecting the satellite droplets on the electrodes removed by the removing means in the waste ink tank, it is possible to prevent the removed satellite droplets from floating again and adhering to the vicinity of the discharge port of the discharge surface or on the electrode. .

The absolute value of the voltage applied to the electrode is desirably about 300 V or more and about 3 kV or less.

〔Example〕

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing the configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of a recording head 1 used in the apparatus shown in FIG. 3 (a) to 3 (d) are explanatory diagrams of the operation of the present embodiment.

In FIG. 1, four recording heads 1Bk, 1y, 1m, and 1c respectively correspond to ink colors of black, yellow, magenta, and cyan, and are collectively attached to the block 2. These recording heads 1Bk, 1y, 1m, and 1c are of a bubble jet type, as described later, incorporate an electrothermal transducer as a discharge energy generator, and generate heat when the electrothermal transducer is energized. Ink droplets are ejected from ejection ports by bubbles generated in ink by energy. Each of the recording heads 1Bk, 1y, 1m, and 1c has 4,736 ejection openings arranged at a density of 400 dpi (400 per inch) perpendicular to the plane of the drawing, that is, perpendicular to the moving direction of the recording sheet 7. Have been.

During standby and during non-recording, the block 2 can be pulled up to the position indicated by the alternate long and short dash line A in the figure. At this time, the capping unit 3 moves sideways to face the block 2 and cover the recording heads 1Bk, 1y, 1m, 1c. It is supposed to. Further, at the time of circulation recovery, the capping unit 3 also serves as a tray for waste ink which is fed in by a recovery pump and an ink supply system (not shown) and is pushed out from the discharge port. The waste ink is guided to a waste ink tank (not shown).

In the vicinity of each of the recording heads 1Bk, 1y, 1m, and 1c, there is provided an elongated electrode 20 [see FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b)] extending in the longitudinal direction of the recording head (perpendicular to the drawing). By applying a voltage to this electrode, satellites (sub-droplets) and other foreign substances are collected.

An endless electrification / adsorption belt 4, which is a conveying means for holding and conveying the recording sheet 7 by electrostatic force, is disposed to face each of the recording heads 1Bk, 1y, 1m, 1c at a predetermined interval, and a driving source (not shown) Driven by As will be described later, the electrostatic attraction belt 4 is charged by a charging roller 31, and is charged and discharged by an electrode 32 connected to a brush-like ground or a minus power source. Further, a back platen 5 is provided to face the recording heads 1Bk, 1y, 1m, 1c via the charging and attracting belt 4.

A paper feed cassette 6 in which a recording sheet 7 such as plain paper as a recording material is stored is detachably attached to the main body of the apparatus. Further, a pickup roller 8 for taking out the uppermost recording sheet 7 of the sheet cassette 6, a pair of conveyance rollers 9 for conveying the recording sheet 7 sent out from the pickup roller 8 to a conveyance path 10, and an exit side of the conveyance path 10. A pair of transport rollers for transporting the recording sheet 7 onto the charging suction belt 4
11 are provided.

Discharge rollers 15 for discharging the recording sheet 7 on which recording has been performed to the outside of the apparatus, and a tray 16 for sequentially storing the discharged recording sheet 7 are provided on the opposite side of the pair of transport rollers 11 of the electrostatic adsorption belt 4. Have been. Further, a heater 13 and a fan 14 for drying and fixing the ink droplets attached to the recording sheet 7 by hot air are provided.

 Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

 First, the recording operation will be described.

When a recording start operation is performed, a recording sheet 7 of a designated size is sent out of the sheet cassette 6 by the pickup roller 8. The sent recording sheet 7
Is rotated by the transport rollers 9 and 11 while being charged by the charging roller 31 in advance, and is placed on the upper surface of the charging suction belt 4 which has a planar shape by the back platen 5. The recording sheet 7 is neutralized by the electrode 32 connected to ground or a negative power source, and its surface potential is reduced to some extent. In conjunction with the predetermined position of the recording sheet 7 reaching below each of the recording heads 1c, 1m, 1y, and 1Bk, each recording head 1c, 1m,
The ejection energy generators 1y and 1Bk are driven according to the image data. By this driving, ink droplets corresponding to the image data are ejected from the ejection ports onto the surface of the recording sheet 7 to perform recording.

If the recording sheet 7 has poor hygroscopicity, the ink droplets adhering to the surface do not dry and are rubbed to cause printing stains.
Forcible drying is performed and fixed by the heater 13 and the fan 14. The recording sheet 7 on which fixing has been completed is discharged by a discharge roller.
It is discharged to the tray 16 by 15.

As described above, a color image is formed by applying recording signals corresponding to the respective recording heads 1c, 1m, 1y, and 1Bk corresponding to cyan, magenta, yellow, and black inks.

Next, the ejection principle of the ink jet recording head used in the apparatus of this embodiment will be described.

The recording head applied to the ink jet recording apparatus includes:
In general, there are provided a fine liquid discharge port (orifice), a liquid flow path, an energy action section provided in a part of the liquid flow path, and energy generation means for generating droplet forming energy to act on the liquid in the action section. I have. As this energy generating means, one using an electromechanical transducer such as a piezo element or the like, irradiating an electromagnetic wave such as a laser to absorb the liquid there, and discharging the droplet by the action of heat generated by the absorption Or a device that flies, or a device that heats a liquid with an electrothermal converter to discharge droplets.

Among them, a recording head by an ink jet recording method for discharging a liquid by thermal energy has a high density of liquid discharge ports (orifices) for discharging a recording droplet to form a flying droplet. Therefore, high-resolution recording can be performed. Also,
A recording head that uses an electrothermal transducer as an energy generating means can easily be made compact as a whole, and its IC technology and micromachining technology, whose reliability has been remarkably improved by recent technological advances in the semiconductor field. Can be fully utilized, and it is easy to lengthen and planarize (two-dimensionally). Therefore, this recording head is easy to form a multi-ejection port and high-density mounting, and has good mass productivity and low production cost.

In this manner, an ink jet recording head manufactured through a semiconductor manufacturing process using an electrothermal transducer as an energy generating means is generally provided with a liquid flow path corresponding to each discharge port, and the liquid flow path is provided for each of the liquid flow paths. An electrothermal converter is provided as means for applying a thermal energy to the liquid filling the liquid flow path to discharge the liquid from the corresponding orifice to form a flying droplet, and each liquid flow path has a liquid flow path. The liquid is supplied from a common liquid chamber communicating with the liquid.

 Next, details of the recording head will be described.

As shown in FIG. 2, the recording head 1 is manufactured by a semiconductor manufacturing process such as etching, evaporation, and sputtering, and energizes the electrothermal converter 103 and the electrothermal converter 103 formed on the substrate 102. Liquid passage wall 105 separating adjacent liquid passages (liquid flow passages) 110, a top plate
106, a common liquid chamber 108 communicating with each liquid path 110, a liquid supply pipe 107 for supplying the recording liquid 112 to the common liquid chamber 108, and a connector 109 for connecting the liquid supply pipe 107 and the common liquid chamber 108. ing. The electrothermal converter 103 is provided for each liquid channel 110.

The recording liquid 112 is supplied from a liquid storage chamber (not shown) into the common liquid chamber 108 through the liquid supply pipe 107. Common liquid chamber
The liquid 112 supplied to the inside of the pipe 108 is turned into a liquid path 110 by capillary action.
And is stably held by forming a meniscus at the discharge port 111 at the tip of the liquid path 110. Here, when electricity is supplied to the electrothermal converter 103, the liquid 112 on the surface of the electrothermal converter 103 is heated and foams, and the droplets are discharged from the discharge port 111 by the energy of the foaming.

With the configuration described above, a multi-ejection port ink jet recording head is formed with a high-density ejection port arrangement such as an ejection port density of 400 dpi.

Next, the collection of satellites and other foreign substances in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 (a) to 3 (d).

In the vicinity of the recording head 1, an elongated electrode 20 is provided in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the recording head 1 (perpendicular to the plane of the drawing). The electrode 20 is connected to the negative electrode of the power supply 21 whose positive electrode is grounded, and a voltage of about -1 kV is applied. Electrode 20
The gutter 22 is provided so as to surround the recording head 1, and the opening of the gutter 22 faces the discharge port 111 of the recording head 1. A tube 23 is connected to the gutter 22, and the other end of the tube 23 is drawn into the waste ink tank 24. In addition, electrodes
A fan 25 that blows airflow 26 toward the electrode 20 is provided above the electrode 20. The charging and suction belt 4 that faces and conveys the recording sheet 7 facing the recording head 1 is positively charged by a conductive rubber charging roller 31 to which a voltage of about +2 kV is applied by a power supply 33.

When the recording sheet 7 is brought into close contact with the charging suction belt 4, a negative charge is induced on the belt 4 side of the recording sheet 7, and the recording sheet 7 is suction-held by the charging suction belt 4. The recording sheet 7 reaches a position below the recording head 1 by driving the charging adsorption belt 4. Recording sheet 7 and recording head 1
Is, for example, about 0.1 to 1 mm. At this time, as described above, the positive charge on the surface of the recording sheet 7 is eliminated by the brush-like electrode 32 (see FIG. 1), but a considerable positive charge still exists on the surface of the recording sheet 7. ,
Its surface potential is about + 700V. As a result, an electric field from the recording sheet 7 toward the recording head 1 is formed. When the electrothermal transducer 102 of the recording head 1 is driven, bubbles 55 are generated in the recording liquid 112, and the ejection ports 1 of the recording head 1 are discharged.
A liquid column 51 protrudes from 11. At the end of the liquid column 51, a negative charge is induced by the electric field [FIG. 3 (a)].

At the next moment, the liquid column 51 separates from the recording head 1 and becomes an elongated liquid droplet 52, which flies toward the recording sheet 7. At this time, the droplet is polarized by the action of the electric field, the side near the recording sheet 7 is negatively charged, and the side near the recording head 1 is positively charged. Further, a negative charge is induced on the surface of the recording head 1 (FIG. 3B).

At the next moment, the polarized droplet 52 has a negatively charged main droplet 53 because the speed of the leading edge and the trailing edge of the elongated droplet are different.
And a positively charged satellite (subdrop) 54. The ejection volume and ejection speed of the satellite 54 are smaller than those of the main droplet 53 (FIG. 3C).

The negatively charged main droplet 53 lands on the recording sheet 7. On the other hand, the positively charged satellite 54 is attracted to the electrode 20 to which the negative voltage is applied by the power supply 21 and collected on the electrode 20. The droplets collected on the electrode 20 are collected by the airflow 26 from the fan 25 from the gutter 22 through the tube 23 to the waste ink tank 24 [FIG. 3 (d)].

In the above description, it is assumed that the satellites 54 are collected on the electrode 20, but the electrode 20 also has droplets that rebound from the recording sheet 7 when the main droplet 53 lands on the recording sheet 7. The mist or the like into which the electric charge has been injected is also collected.

The present invention is not limited to the case where the charge adsorption belt 4 is positively charged, but is also applicable to the case where the charge adsorption belt 4 is negatively charged. In this case, a positive voltage may be applied to the electrode 20. In addition, the gutter 22,
Although the airflow 26 from the fan 25 is used to send the ink to the tube 23 and the waste ink tank 24, the present invention is not limited to this, and other means is used to remove the droplet from the electrode 20. You may.

Second Embodiment In the first embodiment, airflow is used to move the droplets on the electrodes, but in this embodiment, vibration means such as an electrostrictive element is used to remove the droplets on the electrodes. Things. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a main part of an ink jet recording apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

An elongated electrode 20 ′ provided in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the recording head 1 (perpendicular to the plane of the drawing) has its upper surface inclined toward the tube 23. electrode
The lower surface of 20 'is fixed to a vibration means 27 such as an electrostrictive element held by a support (not shown). Also, the electrode 20 ′
The positive electrode is connected to the negative electrode of the grounded power supply 21, and a voltage of about -1 kV is applied. When droplets such as satellites 54 adhere to the electrode 20 'by the same process as in the first embodiment,
When the vibration means 27 is vibrated, since the upper surface of the electrode 20 'is inclined, the droplet is removed from the electrode 20' by the action of gravity and moves to the tube 23. Thereafter, the droplets are guided to the waste ink tank 24.

In each of the above embodiments, the fan for removing the droplets on the electrodes 20 and 20 ', the removing means such as the vibrating means may always be operated, or a predetermined timing may be determined in advance. The operation may be performed at this timing, or a sensor such as an optical sensor for detecting the amount of liquid droplets on the electrode may be provided, and the operation may be performed according to the detection value of the sensor.

The present invention particularly provides an excellent effect in a bubble jet type recording head and recording apparatus proposed by Canon Inc. among the inkjet recording methods.

Regarding the representative configuration and principle, it is preferable to use the basic principle disclosed in, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740,796. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and the continuous type. In particular, in the case of the on-demand type, it is arranged corresponding to the sheet or the liquid path holding the liquid (ink). By applying at least one drive signal corresponding to the recording information and giving a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling to the electrothermal transducer, heat energy is generated in the electrothermal transducer, and the recording head This is effective because it is possible to form a film in the liquid (ink) by one-to-one correspondence with the drive signal as a result of film boiling on the heat-acting surface. By discharging the liquid (ink) through the discharge opening by the growth and contraction of the bubble, at least one droplet is formed. When the drive signal is formed into a pulse shape, the growth and shrinkage of the bubble are performed immediately and appropriately, so that the ejection of a liquid (ink) having particularly excellent responsiveness can be achieved, which is more preferable. This pulse-shaped drive signal is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,463,359.
No. 4,434,262 are suitable. Further, if the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 relating to the temperature rise rate of the heat acting surface are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As a configuration of the recording head, in addition to a combination configuration (a linear liquid flow path or a right-angle liquid flow path) of a discharge port, a liquid path, and an electrothermal converter as disclosed in each of the above-described specifications, a heat acting section A configuration using U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,459,600, which disclose a configuration in which the is bent, is also included in the present invention. In addition, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-23659 discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of an electrothermal converter for a plurality of electrothermal converters.
The present invention is also effective as a configuration based on Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 138461/1984, which discloses a configuration in which a hole for absorbing a pressure wave of thermal energy is made to correspond to a discharge portion.

Further, as a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the width of the maximum recording medium that can be recorded by the recording apparatus, the length can be reduced by a combination of a plurality of recording heads as disclosed in the above specification. Either a configuration that satisfies the above or a configuration as one integrally formed recording head may be used, but the present invention can more effectively exert the above-described effects.

In addition, a replaceable chip-type recording head that can be electrically connected to the apparatus main body and supplied with ink from the apparatus main body by being attached to the apparatus main body, or provided integrally with the recording head itself The present invention is also effective when a cartridge type recording head is used.

It is preferable to add recovery means for the printhead, preliminary auxiliary means, and the like, which are provided as components of the printing apparatus of the present invention, since the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. If these are specifically mentioned, a capping unit, a cleaning unit, a pressurizing or suctioning unit, a preheating unit using an electrothermal converter or another heating element or a combination thereof, a recording and It is also effective to perform a preliminary ejection mode for performing another ejection in order to perform stable printing.

Furthermore, the recording mode of the recording apparatus is not limited to the recording mead of only the mainstream color such as black, but the recording head may be integrally configured or a combination of a plurality of recording heads.
The present invention is also very effective for an apparatus provided with at least one of a multicolor of different colors or a full color by mixing colors.

In the embodiments of the present invention described above, the ink is described as a liquid, but it is an ink that solidifies at room temperature or below, and is softened or liquid at room temperature, or the ink itself is 30 ° C. Generally, the temperature is controlled within the range of not more than ° C. and the temperature is controlled so that the viscosity of the ink is in the stable ejection range. Therefore, it is sufficient that the ink is in a liquid state when the use recording signal is applied. In addition, positively prevent the temperature rise due to thermal energy by using the energy of the state change of the ink from the solid state to the liquid state, or use ink that solidifies in a standing state to prevent evaporation of the ink. In any case, heat energy is applied by heat energy, such as one in which ink is liquefied and ejected as an ink liquid by application of heat energy according to a recording signal, or one which already starts to solidify when reaching a recording medium. The use of an ink that liquefies for the first time is also applicable to the present invention. In such a case, as described in JP-A-54-56847 or JP-A-60-71260, the ink is held as a liquid or solid in a porous sheet concave portion or through hole, It is good also as a form which opposes an electrothermal conversion state. In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

〔The invention's effect〕

As described above, the present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus, comprising: a conveying unit for holding and conveying a recording material by electrostatic force; an electrode for collecting satellite droplets close to the ink jet recording head; By providing means for applying a voltage having a polarity opposite to the surface potential of the recording material to the electrodes to collect the droplets, and removing means for removing the satellite droplets collected on the electrodes, Satellites and other foreign substances charged to the same potential as the surface potential of the recording material can be efficiently collected, and these satellites and other foreign substances adhere to the ejection surface of the inkjet recording head near the ejection ports. And the discharge failure can be prevented.
By connecting the tube connected to the waste ink tank to the removing unit, there is an effect that the satellite droplets removed by the removing unit can be prevented from floating again and adhering to the vicinity of the discharge port on the discharge surface. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing a configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a configuration of a recording head used in the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. a) to (d) are explanatory diagrams of the operation of the first embodiment, respectively.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a main part of an ink jet recording apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 1, 1Bk, 1y, 1m, 1c: Recording head, 2: Block, 3: Capping unit, 4: Charging and adsorption belt, 4 ': Belt, 5: Back platen, 6: Paper cassette 7, recording sheet, 8 pickup roller, 9,11 transport roller, 10 transport path, 13 heater, 14 fan, 15 discharge roller, 16 tray, 20, 20 ': Electrode, 21: Power supply, 22: Gutter, 23: Tube, 24: Waste ink tank, 25: Fan, 26: Air flow, 27: Vibration means, 32: Electrode, 29 , 33… power supply, 31… charging roller, 51… liquid column, 52… droplet, 53… main droplet, 54… satellite, 55… bubbles, 102… substrate, 103… electric heat Transformer, 104: Electrode, 105: Flow path wall, 106: Top plate, 107: Liquid supply pipe, 108: Common liquid chamber, 109: Connector, 110: Liquid path, 111: Discharge Exit, 112 ... recording liquid.

Continuation of the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B41J 2/01 B41J 2/18 B41J 2/185

Claims (7)

(57) [Claims] 1. An ink jet recording apparatus for recording on a recording material using an ink jet recording head for discharging ink droplets from an ink discharge port, comprising: conveying means for holding and conveying the recording material by electrostatic force; The ink jet recording head is provided close to the ink jet recording head, and separates the ink droplets from the ink droplets by discharging the ink droplets from the ink discharge ports to collect satellite liquid droplets floating in a space near the ink jet recording head. An electrode for applying a voltage having a polarity opposite to a surface potential of the recording material to the electrode in order to collect the satellite droplets, and applying the satellite droplets collected on the electrode to the electrode. An ink jet recording apparatus, comprising: a removing unit for removing. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said removing means includes a detecting means for detecting an amount of said satellite droplets collected on said electrode, and said satellite means is configured to detect the amount of satellite droplets detected by said detecting means. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the droplet is removed. 3. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said removing means is means for generating an air flow near said electrode. 4. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said removing means is means for applying vibration to said electrode. 5. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a tube connected to a waste ink tank is connected to said removing means. 6. The ink jet recording head according to claim 1, wherein the ink discharge ports are formed over the entire width of a recording area of the recording material. The inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims. 7. An ink jet recording head for discharging ink using thermal energy, and comprising an electrothermal converter for generating said thermal energy. 7. The ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 6.