Ink jet recording head and process for preparing a substrate for a recording head

Description

[0001] This invention relates to a substrate for ink jet recording head, ink jet recording head having the same and methods for preparing them.

[0002] Ink jet recording method is a recording method which performs recording by discharging an ink (liquid for recording) through discharging opening provided on a recording head and attaching this onto a recording medium such as paper, etc., having many advantages such that generation of noise is very small, and also high speed recording is possible and yet no paper for recording of special constitution is required, etc. and various types of recording heads have been developed.

[0003] Among them, the recording head of the type which permits heat energy to act on ink, thereby discharging the ink through discharging opening has advantages such as good response to recording signals, easy arrangement of multiple discharging openings at high density.

[0004] According to the document US-A-4 429 321 there is disclosed a process for preparing an electricity-heat convertor for a generic ink jet recording head according to the preamble of claim 1, which has typically a constitution as shown in schematic perspective view of Fig. 1. Specifically, it is provided with a discharging opening 101 provided for forming flying droplets by discharging ink, a liquid channel 102 for supplying ink communicated to said discharging opening, an electricity-heat converting element having a heat generating resistor which is a heat energy generator 104A and provided internally of the liquid channel 102 and electrodes for supplying current to the heat-generating resistor and a liquid chamber 103 for storing ink to be supplied into the liquid channel provided upstream side of the liquid channel, and is also provided with, if necessary, a protective film having the action of enhancing ink resistance of the electricity heat converting element.

[0005] Such head is generally prepared as shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 2 shows schematic sectional views of the preparation steps at the position when the recording head is cut at the A - A'portion shown in Fig. 1. First, the layer 251 a part of which becomes finally the heat generating resistor (hereinafter called heat-generating resistance layer) and the layer 252 a part of which becomes electrodes (hereinafter called electrode layer) are formed on a support 253 (steps (a), (b)). Then, the electrode layer 252 is subjected to patterning utilizing photolithographic technique by use of photoresist 254 and etching technique, and subsequently, the heat-generating resistance layer 251 is similarly subjected to patterning to form heat-generating resistor and electrodes (steps (c) to (k)). Specifically, on the product (b) after completion of the step (b) is laminated a photoresist 254 such as photosensitive resin, etc. (step (c)), the photoresist 254 of the product (c) is subjected to pattern exposure (step (d)), followed by developing of the photoresist 254 of the product (d) (step (e)). By the step (e), the photoresist 254 has only unnecessary portions removed in a desired pattern shape. Next, the electrode layer 252 exposed on the product (e) is removed by etching (step (f)), and the remaining resist portion 254′ of the product (f) thus prepared is removed (step (g)). Thus, a desired pattern of the electrode layer 252 is formed.

[0006] The pattern of the heat-generating resistance layer 251 is also formed according to the same steps as in the case of forming the pattern of the electrode layer 252. That is, the pattern of the heat generating resistance layer 251 is formed by lamination of the photoresist 254˝ (step (h)), pattern exposure on the photoresist of the product (h) by use of a photomask (step (i)), developing of the photoresist 254˝ subjected to pattern exposure of the product (i) for removal of unnecessary portions (step (j)) and etching of the exposed heat-generating resistance layer 251 of the product (j) (step (k)). Then, the resist 254 is peeled off (step (ℓ)). Next, after a protective film 255 having the purposes of ink resistance, etc. is formed (step (m)), a photosensitive resin 256 is laminated (step (n)), followed by exposure (step (o)) and developed (step (p)), to form a wall 256' with the hardened film of the photosensitive resin subjected to patterning ((m) to (p)). This wall constitutes the liquid channel wall which can be filled with a liquid. Next, on the wall 256' is plastered a ceiling 257, and thereafter discharging opening is formed by cutting (not shown) to complete an ink jet recording head (step (q)).

[0007] Thus, the preparation method which has been used in the prior art comprises many steps, and in addition, it will take long time for a part of the steps, particularly the etching step, and there has been the point to be improved in that much preparation time is required. Also, there has been left room to be improved also from the point that the positional precisions of the individual members are worsened, because the number of patterning is many.

[0008] The present invention has been accomplished in order to solve the above problems, and its object is to provide an ink jet recording head which can effect shortening of the preparation time and has good positional precisions of the respective members. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for preparing them.

[0009] Still another object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording head comprising a discharging opening for liquid discharge and an electricity-heat convertor, said electricity-heat convertor having a region formed by oxidation of at least part of an electroconductive material, said region being adapted to generate heat.

[0010] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a process for preparing a substrate for a recording head having on a support an electricity-heat convertor utilized for liquid discharge, which comprises forming a layer of electroconductive material on said support and oxidizing at least part of the surface region of said layer to form the electrodes and heat-generating resistor portion of said electricity-heat convertor.

[0011] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a process for preparing a substrate for a recording head having on a support an electricity-heat convertor utilized for liquid discharge, which comprises forming a layer of electroconductive material on said support, oxidizing part of said layer to make it an oxide, and oxidizing at least part of the surface region of residual electroconductive portion to form the electrodes and heat-generating resistor portion of said electricity-heat convertor.

[0012] Still another object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording head comprising a discharging opening provided for forming flying droplets by liquid discharge and an electricity-heat convertor having a heat-generating resistor and a pair of electrodes electrically connected to said heat-generating resistor, said electrodes and said heat-generating resistor being formed of the same material.

[0013] These objects are achieved by the features defined in claims 1 and 10. Preferable embodiments of the invention are defined in the claims 2 to 9 and 11 to 19.

[0014] In the following the invention is further illustrated by embodiments with reference to the enclosed figures.

[0015] Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a typical constitution of a recording head for ink jet recording.

[0016] Fig. 2 shows schematic sectional views of the preparation steps at the position when the recording head is cut at the A - A' portion shown in Fig. 1.

[0017] Fig. 3 shows schematic sectional views of the preparation steps of a recording head of the present invention.

[0018] Fig. 4(a) to 4(d) are schematic plan views of the prepared products corresponding to Fig. 3(d), (e), (f) and (i), respectively.

[0019] Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the completed product corresponding to A - A'in Fig. 7.

[0020] Fig. 6 is a schematic plan view showing the shape of electrode region and resistance heating region.

[0021] Fig. 7 is a schematic plan view, partially enlarged, of Fig. 4(d).

[0022] A preferable example of the present invention is described below by referring to the drawings.

[0023] First, the present invention is briefly described by referring to Fig. 1 showing an embodiment of an ink jet recording head in an assembly diagram. That is, the ink jet recording head to which the present invention is suitably applied is an ink jet recording head having a discharging opening 101 serving as discharging opening means provided for forming flying droplets by discharging a liquid as represented by ink, a liquid path a liquid channel 102 for supplying the liquid to the discharging opening 101, a liquid chamber 103 for storing the liquid to be supplied to the liquid channel 102 provided upstream thereof, a heat-generating resistor which is a heat energy source for forming flying dorplets by discharging the liquid and is provided corresponding to the liquid channel 102, and at least a pair of electrodes electrically connected to the heat-generating resistor on a substrate 5 (Fig.3), forming an electricity-heat converter 104A with a pair of electrodes and the heat-generating resistor, the substrate comprising one material selected for the above heat-generating resistor and electrodes and the same material which has been oxidized. Also, the methods for preparing such substrate and recording head are proposed here.

[0024] Such ink jet recording head can be prepared according to, for example, the steps of:

(a) forming a film which exhibits electro-conductivity and heat resistance, and can be anodically oxidized on a substrate;

(b) anodically oxidizing the above film except for the portions which become electrodes and heat-generating resistor to convert it into an insulating material;

(c) laminating a photosensitive composition wholly thereon;

(d) removing partially the photosensitive composition to form at least the discharging opening and the liquid channel side face simultaneously with exposing the above film at the portion which becomes the heat-generating resistor;

(e) plastering the ceiling plate; and

(f) introducing an electrolyte into the liquid chamber and the channel formed in the step (e), oxidizing the exposed surface of the above film by anodic oxidation to form the heat-generating resistor. The details are described by referring to Fig. 3(a) to (k).

[0025] Fig. 4(a) to (d) show schematic plan views of the prepared products corresponding to Fig. 3(d), (e), (f) and (i), respectively. That is, Fig. 4(a) shows the state when the step shown in Fig. 3(d) is practiced, Fig. 4(b) that shown in Fig. 3(e), Fig. 4(c) that shown in Fig. 3(f) and Fig. 4(d) that shown in Fig. 3(i).

[0026] It should be noted that the schematic sectional view of the recording head shown in Fig. 1 as described above does not coincide with the shape of the recording head shown below in the preparation procedure as described below.

[0027] First, on a support 5 such as glass, etc., a material which can become both the heat generating resistor and electrodes is formed into a film ((a)). As the material, those which exhibit heat resistance and electroconductivity after film formation, and can be anodically oxidized can be utilized. For example, Ta, V, Nb, Zr, Mg, Zn, Ni, Gd, Co, etc. may be employed. The thickness of the film formed (film of the starting material) 4 should be preferably made about 500 to 20000 Å. The film forming method may be determined depending on the material and, for example, the vacuum deposition method generally known in the art such as sputtering, vacuum vapor deposition, etc. may be preferably utilized.

[0028] Subsequently, in the completed product, the film 4 except for the portions which become the heat-generating resistor and electrodes are covered with a resist 7. For this purpose, the lithographic technique known in the art may be utilized ((b) to (d)).

[0029] Next, the film at the portion not covered with the resist 7 is converted to an insulating material by the anodic oxidation method (e), and thereafter, the resist 7 is peeled off. As the treating solution to be used in this case, there may be included aqueous solutions of boric acid, tartaric acid, malonic acid, phosphoric acid, etc. These aqueous solutions may be preferably used particularly for anodic oxidation of Ta film.

[0030] Subsequently, the photosensitive resin 8 of dry film, etc. is wholly laminated (g). Thereafter, partial exposure and developing are practiced to effect patterning of the photosensitive resin 8 to form a pattern of the cured layer of the photosensitive regin ((h) - (i)). The cured layer defines the liquid channel and the discharging opening. For this step, a material which can be finely patterned after lamination can be utilized, including photosensitive resins. A schematic plan view of the product completed up to this step is shown in Fig. 4(d), and a sectional view (sectional view corresponding to A - A′ in Fig. 7) of the completed product for reference in Fig. 5. The dashed portion in Fig. 4 shows the portion converted to insulating material by anodic oxidation, and the dotted portion the portion where the photosensitive composition is provided.

[0031] As shown in Fig. 4(d), care is taken so that the film at the portion which becomes the heat-generating resistor may not be covered with the photosensitive resin 8 at least after patterning, and the film at the portion which becomes electrodes may be covered with the photosensitive resin 8. However, since this is the point which should be considered for practicing the later step (Fig. (k)) within the range having no trouble, even the film at the portion which becomes electrodes may be the portion where no such point should be taken into consideration as a matter of course in view of the operation of that step.

[0032] Next, on the cured layer 8′ of the photosensitive resin defining the liquid channel and the discharging opening, etc., a ceiling 6 of glass, etc. is plastered (adhered) to form the liquid channel, etc. Finally, an electrolyte solution (treating solution) containing an electrolyte is introduced into the liquid chamber and the liquid channel and again anodic oxidation is practiced ((k) the portion to be anodically oxidized is not shown). By doing so, the film surface at the portion which is not covered with the cured layer of the photosensitive resin is converted into an oxide to form a heat-generating resistor, and resistance at this portion is increased by using the oxide as the protective film, thus completing the ink jet recording head as shown in Fig. 1.

[0033] In the case as described above, the first anodic oxidation should preferably convert the portion to be anodically oxidized completely to an insulating material, while the second anodic oxidation should be effected so that adequate electroconductivity may remain at the portion to be anodically oxidized. Thus, the respective anodic oxidations are required to be practiced corresponding to these requirements.

[0034] The ink jet recording head completed as described above is formed of the heat-generating resistor and electrodes by use of the same material as the starting material, but the heat-generating resistor is essentially thinner than the portion other than that, namely electrodes, to be greater in resistance value.

[0035] The anodic oxidation of the film 4 which is the starting material in the above step is to be described in more detail.

[0036] The case of forming tantalum (Ta) as the starting material film on the support is to be specifically described below.

[0037] Based on the steps (a) to (d) in Fig. 3, the support having the cured film of photosensitive resin provided on Ta film with a thickness of 1000 Å was subjected to anodic oxidation treatment by use of 1% by weight of an aqueous phosphoric acid solution as the treating solution at a current density of 10mA/cm² for a treatment time of 120 sec. By this treatment, the Ta film in contact with the treating solution was oxidized substantially completely in its thickness direction to be converted into an insulating material (Fig. 3, step (e)).

[0038] Next, after the ceiling plate of the recording head was bonded based on the steps (f) to (k) in Fig. 3, 1% by weight of an aqueous phosphoric acid solution was supplied into the recording head, and by oxidizing anodically the surface portion of the Ta film so that a desired resistance value may be obtained at a current density of 5 mA/cm² to form the portion which becomes the heat-generating resistor (Fig. 3, step (k)).

[0039] When recording was performed practically by supplying ink to the ink jet recording head thus prepared, recording could be done with extremely stable discharging characteristics.

[0040] In the foregoing examples, when the width of electrodes can be taken greater than that of the heater, the second anodic oxidation only of the heater region (by which heater resistance can be made sufficiently greater than electrode resistance) becomes unnecessary.

[0041] The shapes of the electrode region and the heat-generating resistor region may be any desired ones as shown in the schematic plan view in Fig. 6. In Fig. 6, 601 is the electrode region and 602 the heat-generating resistor region.

[0042] As shown in Fig. 4(d), the pattern formed of the cured film of the photosensitive resin may have the liquid channel formed corresponding to the heat-generating resistor portion. Therefore, the cured film of the photosensitive resin may be also provided in the region 401 in Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a schematic plan view, partially enlarged, of Fig. 4(d).

[0043] In the above description, the substrate under the state where the electrode region and the heat-generating resistor portion region are formed by anodic oxidation may be previously formed, and the liquid channel, etc. may be formed thereof to prepare a recording head.

[0044] The gaps between the respective heat-generating resistance elements are not necessarily required to be anodically oxidized, but unnecessary portions may be removed by etching, and the electrode region and the heat-generating portion forming the heat-generating resistance elements can be also anodically oxidized, if desired, to form heat-generating resistance elements.

(Effect of the Invention)

[0045] As described in detail above, in the present invention, since the ink jet recording head can be prepared by two patterning steps and one film forming step, the number of steps can be shortened to a great extent. Also, according to the present invention, patterning is possible only by anodic oxidation without utilizing etching step, and in addition to the above reason, preparation time can be also effected in this respect. Further, according to the present invention, the location positional precisions of the respective members can be improved.

[0046] In addition, according to the present invention, since the upper surface of the heat-generating-resistance element (substrate upper surface) has little unevenness, peeling of the respective members, etc. will occur with difficulty, whereby a recording head enriched in durability can be provided.

[0047] Also, within the scope of the present invention, the preparation order of the recording head, the constitution of the recording head can be changed as desired as a matter of course.

Claims

1. An ink jet recording head comprising:

- discharging opening means (101) for providing an ink discharge; and

- an electricity-heat converter comprising a heat-generating resistor (602) for generating heat and electrodes (601) for supplying electrical energy to said heat-generating resistor,
characterized in that

- said electrodes (601) and said heat-generating resistor (602) are formed from the same layer (4) of an electroconductive material and constitute a residual electroconductive region other than a portion (301) of said layer (4) converted into an insulating material.

2. An ink jet recording head according to claim 1, characterized in that said ink jet recording head has a plurality of heat-generating resistors for generating heat utilized for discharging ink, wherein each of plural pairs of said electrodes (601) corresponds to each of said plurality of heat-generating resistors.

3. An ink jet recording head according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said heat-generating resistor(s) (602) is (are) formed by oxidizing a part of said residual electroconductive region of said layer (4).

4. An ink jet recording head according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said portion (301) of insulating material is formed by anodic oxidation of said electroconductive material.

5. An ink jet recording head according to claim 1, characterized in that the resistance value of said heat-generating resistor is larger than that of said electrodes.

6. An ink jet recording head according to claim 5, characterized in that said resistance value of said heat-generating resistor is a resistance value per unit length in a direction from one electrode (601) electrically connected to said heat-generating resistor (602) to the other electrode (601).

7. An ink jet recording head according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said electroconductive material is selected from a group consisting of Ta, V, Nb, Zr, Mg, Zn, Ni, Gd and Co.

8. An ink jet recording head according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a protective layer (255) is further provided on at least part of said electricity-heat converter.

9. An ink jet recording head according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that a liquid path and a discharging opening are further provided corresponding to said electricity-heat converter.

10. A process for preparing a substrate for a recording head having on a support (5) an electricity-heat converter utilized for ink discharge, comprising the steps of

- forming a layer (4) of electroconductive material on said support (5); and

- oxidizing a portion (301) of said layer (4) to convert it into an insulating material, wherein a residual electroconductive region of said layer other than said portion (301) forms a heat-generating resistor portion (602) and an electrode portion (601) of said electricity-heat converter.

11. A process according to claim 10, characterized in that said process further comprises the step of

- oxidizing at least part of said residual electroconductive region of said layer (4) to form said heat-generating resistor portion (602) of said electricity-heat converter, wherein said electrode portion (601) of said electricity-heat converter is formed from an unoxidized part of said residual electroconductive region.

12. A process according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that said oxidation is an anodic oxidation.

13. A process according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that said electroconductive material is selected from a group consisting of Ta, V, Nb, Zr, Mg, Zn, Ni, Gd and Co.

14. A process according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that said electroconductive material is formed by vacuum deposition.

15. A process according to claim 14, characterized in that said vacuum deposition is a sputtering or vapor deposition.

16. A process according to claim 10, characterized in that said insulating material is formed utilizing photolithographic technique.

17. A process according to claim 11, characterized in that said least part of said residual electroconductive region of said layer (4) is formed utilizing photolithographic technique.

18. A process according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that a protective layer is further provided on at least part of said electricity-heat converter.

19. A process according to claim 11, characterized in that after oxidising said portion (301) of said layer (4) and before oxidizing at least part of said residual electroconductive region of said layer (4) the following steps are performed

- laminating a photosensitive composition (8);

- partially removing said photosensitive composition (8) to form at least a portion (8') constituting a discharging opening (101) and wall members and exposing said least part of said residual electroconductive region of said layer (4) becoming said heat-generating resistor (602); and

- plastering a top plate (6) to form a liquid path (102).

Ansprüche

1. Tintenstrahlaufzeichnungskopf, mit:

- einer Ausstoßöffnungseinrichtung (101) zum Erzeugen eines Tintenausstoßes; und

- einem Strom-Wärme-Wandler, mit einem Wärmeerzeugungswiderstand (602) für die Wärmeerzeugung und Elektroden (601) für die Zufuhr elektrischer Energie zum Wärmeerzeugungswiderstand,
   dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß

- die Elektroden (601) und der Wärmeerzeugungswiderstand (602) aus der gleichen Schicht (4) eines stromleitenden Materials gebildet sind und einen übrigbleibenden stromleitenden Bereich außerhalb eines Abschnittes (301) der Schicht (4) aufbauen, der in ein Isoliermaterial umgewandelt ist.

2. Tintenstrahlaufzeichnungskopf nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Tintenstrahlaufzeichnungskopf eine Vielzahl von Wärmeerzeugungswiderständen für die für den Tintenausstoß angewendete Wärmeerzeugung aufweist, wobei jedes der zahlreichen Paare der Elektroden (601) jedem aus der Vielzahl von Wärmeerzeugungswiderständen entspricht.

3. Tintenstrahlaufzeichnungskopf nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der/die Wärmeerzeugungswiderstand/Wärmeerzeugungswiderstände (602) durch Oxidieren eines Teils des verbleibenden stromleitenden Bereichs der Schicht (4) ausgebildet ist/sind.

4. Tintenstrahlaufzeichnungskopf nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Abschnitt (301) des Isoliermaterials durch anodische Oxidation des stromleitenden Materials gebildet ist.

5. Tintenstrahlaufzeichnungskopf nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Widerstandswert des Wärmeerzeugungswiderstands größer als der der Elektroden ist.

6. Tintenstrahlaufzeichnungskopf nach Anspruch 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Widerstandswert des Wärmeerzeugungswiderstandes ein Widerstandswert pro Längeneinheit ist, und zwar von einer mit dem Wärmeerzeugungswiderstand (602) elektrisch verbundenen Elektrode (601) in Richtung zur anderen Elektrode (601).

7. Tintenstrahlaufzeichnungskopf nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das stromleitende Material aus je einer Gruppe ausgewählt ist, die aus Ta, V, Nb, Zr, Mg, Zn, Ni, Gd und Co besteht.

8. Tintenstrahlaufzeichnungskopf nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß eine Schutzschicht (255) ferner auf zumindest einen Teil des Strom-Wärme-Wandlers vorgesehen ist.

9. Tintenstrahlaufzeichnungskopf nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß ferner ein Flüssigkeitspfad und eine Ausstoßöffnung entsprechend dem Strom-Wärme-Wandler vorgesehen sind.

10. Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Substrates für einen Aufzeichnungskopf, der auf einer Unterlage (5) einen für den Tintenausstoß verwendeten Strom-Wärme-Wandler aufweist, mit den folgenden Schritten:
Bildung einer Schicht (4) aus stromleitendem Material auf der Unterlage (5); und
Oxidieren eines Abschnittes (301) der Schicht (4), um ihn in Isoliermaterial umzuwandeln, wobei ein übrigbleibender stromleitender Bereich der Schicht außerhalb des Abschnitts (301) einen Wärmeerzeugungswiderstandsabschnitt (602) und einen Elektrodenabschnitt (601) des Strom-Wärme-Wandlers bildet.

11. Verfahren nach Anspruch 10, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Verfahren ferner folgenden Schritt aufweist:

- Oxidieren von zumindest einem Teil des übrigbleibenden stromleitenden Bereichs der Schicht (4), um den Wärmeerzeugungswiderstandsabschnitt (602) des Strom-Wärme-Wandlers zu bilden, wobei der Elektrodenabschnitt (601) des Strom-Wärme-Wandlers aus einem nicht oxidierten Teil des übrigbleibenden stromleitenden Bereichs gebildet wird.

12. Verfahren nach Anspruch 10 oder 11, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Oxidation eine anodische Oxidation ist.

13. Verfahren nach Anspruch 10 oder 11, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das stromleitende Material aus einer Gruppe ausgewählt ist, die aus Ta, V, Nb, Zr, Mg, Zn, Ni, Gd und Co besteht.

14. Verfahren nach Anspruch 10 oder 11, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das stromleitende Material durch Vakuumablagerung gebildet wird.

15. Verfahren nach Anspruch 14, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Vakuumablagerung Sputtern oder Dampfablagerung ist.

16. Verfahren nach Anspruch 10, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Isoliermaterial unter Anwendung von photolithographischer Technik gebildet wird.

17. Verfahren nach Anspruch 11, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß zumindest ein Teil des übrigbleibenden stromleitenden Bereichs der Schicht (4) unter Anwendung photolithographischer Technik gebildet wird.

18. Verfahren nach Anspruch 10 oder 11, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß auf zumindest einem Teil des Strom-Wärme-Wandlers ferner eine Schutzschicht vorgesehen ist.

19. Verfahren nach Anspruch 10, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß nach dem Oxidieren des Abschnittes (301) der Schicht (4) und vor dem Oxidieren von zumindest einem Teil des übrigbleibenden stromleitenden Bereichs der Schicht (4) die folgenden Schritte durchgeführt werden:

- Laminieren einer lichtempfindlichen Verbindung (8);

- Teilweises Entfernen der lichtempfindlichen Verbindung (8), um zumindest einen Abschnitt (8') zu bilden, der eine Ausstoßöffnung (101) und Wandelemente bildet, und Belichten von zumindest einem Teil des übriggebliebenen stromleitenden Bereichs der Schicht (4), woraus der Wärmeerzeugungswiderstand (602) entsteht; und

- Abdrucken einer Oberplatte (6), um einen Flüssigkeitspfad (102) zu bilden.

Revendications

1. Tête d'enregistrement à jets d'encre comportant :

- des moyens (101) à ouvertures de décharge destinés à produire une décharge d'encre ; et

- un convertisseur électricité-chaleur comprenant une résistance (102) de génération de chaleur destinée à générer de la chaleur et des électrodes (601) destinées à fournir de l'énergie électrique à ladite résistance de génération de chaleur,
   caractérisée en ce que

- lesdites électrodes (601) et ladite résistance (602) de génération de chaleur sont formées à partir de la même couche (4) d'une matère électroconductrice et constituent une région électroconductrice résiduelle autre qu'une partie (301) de ladite couche (4) transformée en une matière isolante.

2. Tête d'enregistrement à jets d'encre selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que ladite tête d'enregistrement à jets d'encre comporte plusieurs résistances de génération de chaleur destinées à générer de la chaleur utilisée pour décharger de l'encre, dans laquelle chacune de plusieurs paires desdites électrodes (601) correspond à chacune desdites résistances de génération de chaleur.

3. Tête d'enregistrement à jets d'encre selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisée en ce que ladite ou lesdites résistances (602) de génération de chaleur est ou sont formées par oxydation d'une partie de ladite région électroconductrice résiduelle de ladite couche (4).

4. Tête d'enregistrement à jets d'encre selon l'une des revendications 1 à 3, caractérisée en ce que ladite partie (301) en matière isolante est formée par oxydation anodique de ladite matière électroconductrice.

5. Tête d'enregistrement à jets d'encre selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que la valeur de résistance de ladite résistance de génération de chaleur est supérieure à celle desdites électrodes.

6. Tête d'enregitrement à jets d'encre selon la revendication 5, caractérisée en ce que ladite valeur de résistance de ladite résistance de génération de chaleur est une valeur de résistance par unité de longueur dans une direction allant d'une électrode (601) connectée électriquement à ladite résistance (602) de génération de chaleur jusqu'à l'autre électrode (601).

7. Tête d'enregistrement à jets d'encre selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisée en ce que ladite matière électroconductrice est choisie dans un groupe constitué de Ta, V, Nb, Zr, Mg, Zn, Ni, Gd et Co.

8. Tête d'enregistrement à jets d'encre selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisée en ce qu'une couche protectrice (255) est en outre prévue sur au moins une partie dudit convertisseur électricité-chaleur.

9. Tête d'enregistrement à jets d'encre selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 8, caractérisée en ce qu'un passage de liquide et une ouverture de décharge sont en outre prévus en correspondance avec ledit convertisseur électricité-chaleur.

10. Procédé de préparation d'un substrat pour une tête d'enregistrement comportant, sur un support (5), un convertisseur électricité-chaleur utilisé pour décharger de l'encre, comprenant les étapes qui consistent :

- à former une couche (4) de matière électroconductrice sur ledit support (5) ; et

- à oxyder une partie (301) de ladite couche (4) pour la transformer en une matière isolante, dans laquelle une région électroconductrice résiduelle de ladite couche autre que ladite partie (301) forme une partie (602) à résistance de génération de chaleur et une partie (601) à électrodes dudit convertisseur électricité-chaleur.

11. Procédé selon la revendication 10, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend en outre l'étape qui consiste

- à oxyder une partie au moins de ladite région électroconductrice résiduelle de ladite couche (4) pour former ladite partie (602) à résistance de génération de chaleur dudit convertisseur électricité-chaleur, ladite partie (601) à électrodes dudit convertisseur électricité-chaleur étant formée à partir d'une partie non oxydée de ladite région électroconductrice résiduelle.

12. Procédé selon la revendication 10 ou 11, caractérisé en ce que ladite oxydation est une oxydation anodique.

13. Procédé selon la revendication 10 ou 11, caractérisé en ce que ladite matière électroconductrice est choisie dans un groupe constitué de Ta, V, Nb, Zr, Mg, Zn, Ni, Gd et Co.

14. Procédé selon la revendication 10 ou 11, caractérisé en ce que ladite matière électroconductrice est formée par dépôt sous vide.

15. Procédé selon la revendication 14, caractérisé en ce que ledit dépôt sous vide est un dépôt par pulvérisation ou en phase vapeur.

16. Procédé selon la revendication 10, caractérisé en ce que ladite matière isolante est formée par l'utilisation d'une technique photolithographique.

17. Procédé selon la revendication 11, caractérisé en ce que ladite partie au moins de ladite région électroconductrice résiduelle de ladite couche (4) est formée par l'utilisation d'une technique photolithographique.

18. Procédé selon la revendication 10 ou 11, caractérisé en ce qu'une couche protectrice est en outre prévue sur une partie au moins dudit convertisseur électricité-chaleur.

19. Procédé selon la revendication 11, caractérisé en ce que, après l'oxydation de ladite partie (301) de ladite couche (4) et avant l'oxydation d'une partie au moins de ladite région électroconductrice résiduelle de ladite couche (4), on procède aux étapes suivantes qui consistent

- à appliquer par stratification une composition photosensible (8) ;

- à enlever partiellement ladite composition photosensible (8) pour former au moins une partie (8') constituant une ouverture (101) de décharge et des éléments de paroi et mettant à découvert ladite partie au moins de ladite région électroconductrice résiduelle de ladite couche (4) devenant ladite résistance (602) de génération de chaleur ; et

- à recouvrir au moyen d'une plaque supérieure (6) pour former un passage (102) de liquide.

Drawing