Ink-jet head, and ink-jet-head cartridge, an ink-jet apparatus and an ink-jet recording method used in gradation recording

An ink-jet-head cartridge for discharging ink from discharging ports by the generation of bubbles, said cartridge comprising:

• an ink-jet head comprising a plurality of ink channels for guiding the ink to the corresponding discharging ports, and discharging units, each comprising a discharging port, and a heating element, provided for the discharging port, for generating a bubble for discharging the ink by providing the ink within the corresponding ink channel with thermal energy, a plurality of discharging units having different amounts of ink discharge being provided at each of the ink channels;
• and
• an ink receptable for holding the ink to be supplied to said ink-jet head.

An ink-jet apparatus for discharging ink from discharging ports by the generation of bubbles, said apparatus comprising:

• an ink-jet head comprising a plurality of ink channels for guiding the ink to the corresponding discharging ports, and discharging units, each comprising a discharging port, and a heating element, provided for the discharging port, for generating a bubble for discharging the ink by providing the ink within the corresponding ink channel with thermal energy, a plurality of discharging units having different amounts of ink discharge being provided at each of the ink channels;
• and
• recording-medium conveying means for conveying a recording medium for receiving the discharged ink.

An ink-jet recording method for performing recording by discharging different amounts of ink from discharging ports, said method comprising the steps of:

• using a head in which a plurality of discharging units, each including a heating element for generating heat for discharging the ink, and a discharging port for discharging the ink, are provided at each ink channel;
• and
• performing recording by discharging different amounts of ink from the discharging ports by selectively driving the plurality of discharging units.