Liquid carrying method, a liquid carrying apparatus, and a liquid discharging method and a liquid discharge head utilizing such liquid carrying method and apparatus

A liquid carrying method for carrying liquid by pressure exerted by the creation of air bubble, comprising the following steps of:

• using an apparatus provided with a first liquid flow path for enabling the carrying liquid to flow;
• a second liquid flow path provided with an air bubble generating area for creating said air bubble;
• a heat generating device arranged for said air bubble generating area to generate heat for the creation of said air bubble;
• and a movable separation film for separating said first liquid flow path and said second liquid flow path essentially or more preferably, separating them completely, said movable separation film being provided with a pressure direction control member having a free end thereof on one end and a fulcrum point thereof on another end on said air bubble generating area;
• and
• carrying liquid in said first liquid flow path from the fulcrum point side to the tree end side of said pressure direction control member by displacing said free end to said first liquid flow path side by enabling pressure exerted by the creation of said air bubble to act upon said pressure direction control member through said movable separation film in order to guide said pressure to said first liquid flow side,
• wherein a plurality of pressure direction control members and heat generating devices are arranged to carry liquid by driving them sequentially.

A liquid carrying apparatus, comprising:

• a first liquid flow path through which a liquid flows;
• a second liquid flow path having an air bubble generating area at which air bubbles are generated;
• a plurality of heat generating devices arranged at said air bubble generating area and which generate heat to create the air bubbles;
• a movable separation film separating the first liquid flow path from the second liquid flow path;
• and
• direction regulating means for regulating a displacement direction of said movable separation film toward said first liquid flow as a consequence of pressure exerted by the air bubbles,
• wherein the heat generating devices are sequentially driven to carry the liquid.

A liquid carrying apparatus for carrying a liquid, comprising:

• a first liquid flow path through which the liquid flows;
• a second liquid flow path having an air bubble generating area at which air bubbles are generated;
• a plurality of heat generating devices arranged at said air bubble generating area and which generate heat to create the air bubbles;
• a movable separation film separating the first liquid flow path from the second liquid flow path, said movable separation film having a pressure direction control member having a free end at one end and a fulcrum point at another end of said air bubble generating area;
• and
• direction regulating means for regulating a displacement direction of said movable separation film toward said first liquid flow as a consequence of pressure exerted by the air bubbles,
• wherein the heat generating devices are sequentially driven to carry the liquid in said first liquid flow path from the fulcrum point side to the free end side of said pressure direction control member through displacement of said free end toward said first liquid flow path side as a consequence of pressure caused by creation of said air bubbles and which acts upon said pressure direction control member through said movable separation film to guide said pressure toward said first liquid flow side.

A liquid discharging method comprising the steps of:

• providing a liquid discharge head having a discharge opening for discharging liquid;
• an air bubble generating area for creating an air bubble in said liquid;
• a first liquid flow path conductively connected with said discharge opening;
• a second liquid flow path provided with said air bubble generating area;
• a plurality of heat generating devices arranged at said air bubble generating area and which generate head to create the air bubbles;
• and a movable separation film for separating said first liquid flow path and said second liquid flow path;
• and
• discharging the liquid in said first liquid flow path from said discharge opening as a result of pressure exerted by said air bubble created in said air bubble generating area,
• wherein an undulation of said movable separation film progresses in a direction toward said discharge opening.

A liquid discharge head provided with a discharge opening for discharging liquid;

• an air bubble generating areas for creating air bubble in said liquid;
• a first liquid flow path conductively connected with said discharge opening;
• a second liquid flow path provided with said air bubble generating area;
• a plurality of heat generating devices arranged at said air bubble generating areas which generate head to create the air bubbles;
• and a movable separation film for separating said first liquid flow path and said second liquid flow path, and
• the liquid in said first liquid flow path being discharged from said discharge opening by the pressure exerted by said air bubble created in said air bubble generating area,
• the undulation of said movable separation film being in progress in the direction toward said discharge opening.