Liquid ejection method, head and apparatus in which an amount of liquid ejected is controlled

Abstract

A liquid ejection method involves supplying liquid along a heat generating element disposed along a flow path from upstream of the heat generating element, applying heat generated by the heat generating element to the thus supplied liquid to generate a bubble, thus moving a free end of a movable member having the free end adjacent the ejection outlet side by pressure produced by the bubble, the movable member facing the heat generating element, supplying, to a heat generating element for applying thermal energy to the bubble generating region, a driving pulse divided into a first pulse and an adjacent second pulse with interval time therebetween, pre-heating the liquid by the first pulse to an extent insufficient to eject liquid through the ejection outlet, and generating a bubble by heating the liquid by the second pulse to eject the liquid through the ejection outlet. The method also includes ejecting liquid in an amount determined by controlling a degree of pre-heating of the liquid by changing at least one of a width of the first pulse or the interval time. The change rate of the ejection amount of the liquid increases non-linearly with an increase of the width of the first pulse or an increase of the interval time period. Recording heads and apparatuses control the ejection amount of liquid in like manner.