Liquid discharge head, head cartridge provided with such head, liquid discharge apparatus and method for discharging liquid

A head cartridge comprising:

• a liquid discharge head provided with
• a discharge liquid flow path communicating with a discharge port for discharging discharge liquid to enable the discharge liquid to flow,
• a bubbling liquid flow path to enable bubbling liquid to flow, said bubbling liquid flow path being provided with a bubble generating area for creating a bubble used for discharging the discharge liquid from said discharge port,
• a separation member for separating said discharge liquid flow path from said bubbling liquid flow path, said separation member being provided with an opening portion positioned to face said bubble generating area, and
• a displacement member provided for said separation member corresponding to said opening portion, having a free end which is displaced by the bubble created on said bubble generating area, said displacement member being bent for self-stress even when no bubble is created on said bubble generating area;
• and
• a liquid container for containing the discharge liquid and the bubbling liquid to be supplied to said liquid discharge head,
• wherein when no bubble is created on said bubble generating area, said displacement member shuts said opening portion by contacting a portion of said separation member peripheral to at least a portion of said opening portion, and when a bubble is created on said bubble generating area, the free end of said displacement member is displaced by the bubble to discharge the discharge liquid from said discharge port.

A liquid discharge apparatus comprising:

• a liquid discharge head provided with
• a discharge liquid flow path communicating with a discharge port for discharging discharge liquid to enable the discharge liquid to flow,
• a bubbling liquid flow path to enable bubbling liquid to flow, said bubbling liquid flow path being provided with a bubble generating area for creating a bubble used for discharging the discharge liquid from said discharge port,
• a separation member for separating said discharge liquid flow path from said bubbling liquid flow path, said separation member being provided with an opening portion positioned to face said bubble generating area, and
• a displacement member provided for said separation member corresponding to said opening portion, having a free end which is displaced by the bubble created on said bubble generating area, said displacement member being bent for self-stress even when no bubble is created on said bubble generating area;
• and
• a carriage for mounting said liquid discharge head thereon,
• wherein when no bubble is created on said bubble generating area, said displacement member shuts said opening portion by contacting a portion of said separation member peripheral to at least a portion of said opening portion, and when a bubble is created on said bubble generating area, the free end of said displacement member is displaced by the bubble to discharge the discharge liquid from said discharge port.