JP2004098408A - Inkjet recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inkjet recorder in which a nozzle or an atmosphere inlet is prevented from being clogged through solidification of ink or adhesion of dust to cause deterioration of print reliability of a recording head. <P>SOLUTION: A level difference part 3a is formed on the bottom face part of a recording head 3 such that a nozzle plate 15 is projected and the lip part 19 of a suction cap 16 abuts against the upper surface of the level difference part 3a at a specified interval from the side face thereof. Furthermore, an atmosphere inlet 50 is made in the side wall of the suction cap 16 at a position facing the level difference part 3a and an atmosphere communication valve 52 is provided at the atmosphere inlet 50 through an atmosphere introduction pipe 51. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus that performs recording on a recording medium by discharging ink from nozzles formed in a recording head, and in particular, sucks / discharges ink from the nozzles while the operation of the recording head is stopped. The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus capable of appropriately preventing nozzle clogging by performing processing.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Among conventional ink jet recording apparatuses, there is an ink jet recording apparatus having a function of sucking and discharging ink by closing a suction cap with respect to an ink ejection surface on which a nozzle of a recording head is formed.
[0003]
The operation of sucking ink in such an ink jet recording apparatus is roughly as follows. First, a suction cap is brought into contact with a nozzle plate in which a nozzle opening for discharging ink of a recording head is formed, and the nozzle opening is sealed. A negative pressure is applied to the inside of the suction cap by a suction pump to form the suction cap on the bottom of the suction cap. The ink is sucked and discharged from the ink suction port. Next, by opening the air communication valve connected to the air inlet formed in the nozzle plate of the recording head of the suction cap, the inside of the suction cap communicates with the atmosphere and is opened to the atmosphere, and the suction cap remains inside the suction cap. The suction ink is sucked by the suction pump. The sucked ink is discharged to a discharge ink tank provided on the discharge side of the suction pump.
[0004]
However, in such an ink suction operation, since the air introduction port is formed at the position of the suction cap facing the nozzle plate of the recording head and on the bottom surface, the inside of the suction cap is opened when the air communication valve is opened. Ink is blown up by the inflow of the atmosphere, and the ink is foamed and blown up, so it adheres to the nozzle plate and penetrates into the nozzle, destroying the ink meniscus formed at the nozzle opening. As a result, normal ejection of ink droplets is hindered, and an image formed on recording paper is disturbed, resulting in a decrease in printing reliability of the apparatus. The ink meniscus referred to here is a convex ink protruding portion formed at the nozzle opening. By forming this ink meniscus at the nozzle opening, air, dust, etc. may enter the inside of the nozzle. It is a mechanism to prevent.
[0005]
Returning to the description, in order to solve such a problem, some conventional ink jet recording apparatuses are provided with an air inlet in a nozzle plate of a print head, and this air inlet is connected to the outside atmosphere. There is a configuration in which a communicating pipe is formed inside the print head, and an end of the pipe is provided on a side wall of the print head (see Patent Document 1). In the ink jet recording apparatus, since the air inlet is not located at the position facing the nozzle plate of the recording head and at the bottom of the suction cap, the ink remaining at the bottom of the suction cap blows up when the air communication valve is opened. To prevent ink from adhering to the nozzle plate and penetrating into the inside of the nozzle opening, that is, avoiding the ink meniscus formed at the nozzle opening from being destroyed without causing ink ejection defects. Can be.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2000-43279 A
(Paragraphs [0038]-[0052], FIGS. 3 and 4)
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in such an ink jet type recording apparatus, the nozzle plate is wiped and cleaned by a cleaning member (blade) made of an elastic plate such as rubber during a maintenance operation of the recording head, so that the nozzle opening of the nozzle plate and the air introduction port are removed. A wiping process for wiping the ink adhered to is performed. However, in the above-mentioned ink jet recording apparatus in which the air introduction port is provided in the nozzle plate, even at the time of this wiping process, even the air introduction port is wiped and cleaned by the blade. The ink may penetrate and cause clogging, preventing normal ink suction operation. When the air inlet is clogged in this way, it is necessary to replace the entire recording head, and the burden on the user for this operation increases, which is economically disadvantageous. In addition, since a conduit communicating with the air inlet is formed in the recording head, there is also a problem that it takes time and effort to process the recording head, thereby increasing the manufacturing cost.
[0008]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide an air communication valve in a portion of a capping member that does not face a nozzle plate of a recording head, thereby allowing air to flow from an air inlet. Prevents the adhesion of ink to the nozzle plate and the destruction of the ink meniscus formed at the nozzle openings due to the ink splatter caused by the ink jetting, avoids clogging of the nozzles of the recording head, and reduces the printing reliability of the recording head It is an object of the present invention to provide an ink jet recording apparatus which can prevent the occurrence of the ink jet recording.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 has a recording head having an ink ejection surface for ejecting ink from nozzles, and the ink ejection surface having a predetermined space when the operation of the recording head is stopped. A capping means for sealing so as to surround, and communicating with the capping means, and when the ink ejection surface is sealed by the capping means, suctioning ink to the nozzles by setting the predetermined space to a negative pressure. An ink jet recording apparatus including a suction unit, wherein the capping unit includes an air inlet for taking air into the space, and a valve for opening and closing the air inlet, and the air inlet. Is a wall of the recording head of the capping unit, which is substantially orthogonal to the ink ejection surface when the ink ejection surface is sealed. And the opposite or substantially perpendicular position, and which are located at a predetermined distance apart from the wall surface of the recording head.
[0010]
In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 2 includes a recording head having an ink ejection surface for ejecting ink from a nozzle, and a method in which the ink ejection surface of the recording head is set at a predetermined time when the operation of the recording head is stopped. A capping means for sealing so as to surround at least a part of a wall surface substantially orthogonal to the ink ejection face of the recording head with a space portion of the recording head, and the capping means being in communication with the capping means, and sealing the ink ejection face with the capping means. And a suction means for suctioning ink to the nozzles by applying a negative pressure to the predetermined space when the predetermined space has been removed, wherein the capping means introduces air into the space. And a valve means for opening and closing the air inlet, and the air inlet is provided with the capping means. When the ink ejection surface of the recording head is sealed, the recording head is provided at a predetermined distance from the wall surface of the recording head at a position facing or substantially perpendicular to a wall surface substantially perpendicular to the ink ejection surface. It is characterized by being able to.
[0011]
In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 3 provides a recording head having a substantially convex shape in which an ink ejection surface for ejecting ink from a nozzle projects, and the operation of the recording head when the operation of the recording head is stopped. A capping means for sealing the ink ejection surface so as to surround at least a part of a wall surface substantially parallel to the ink ejection surface of the recording head with a predetermined space portion, and a capping means for communicating with the capping means; A suction unit that performs suction on the nozzles by applying a negative pressure to the space when the ink ejection surface of the head is sealed, wherein the capping unit is provided in the space. An air inlet for taking in the air, and a valve for opening and closing the air inlet are provided, and the air inlet is The capping means is provided at a predetermined distance from the wall surface of the recording head at a position facing a wall surface substantially orthogonal to the ink ejection surface of the recording head when the ink ejection surface of the recording head is sealed. It is characterized by being able to.
[0012]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein an ink ejection surface of the recording head is arranged in a vertical direction. The air introduction port of the capping unit is provided on an upper surface of the capping unit, and a communication portion of the capping unit with the suction unit is provided in a lower half of the capping unit.
[0013]
In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 5 includes a recording head having an ink ejection surface for ejecting ink from a nozzle, and an ink ejection surface of the nozzle being provided in a predetermined space when the operation of the recording head is stopped. A capping means for sealing so as to surround at least a part of a wall surface substantially orthogonal to the ink ejection face of the recording head, and a capping means for communicating with the capping means, and sealing the ink ejection face of the nozzle by the capping means. A suction unit that performs ink suction on the nozzles by applying a negative pressure to the space in the case of the above, wherein the capping unit is an air introduction port for taking air into the space, And a valve means for opening and closing the air introduction port, and when the ink ejection surface of the recording head is sealed. The recording head has an edge that abuts substantially perpendicularly to a wall surface that is substantially perpendicular to the ink ejection surface, and the air introduction port is provided at the edge so as to be parallel to the wall surface of the recording head. It is provided at a predetermined distance from the wall surface of the head.
[0014]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the fifth aspect, when the ink ejection surface of the nozzle of the recording head is arranged in a vertical direction, the air introduction of the capping unit is performed. The mouth is provided at the edge located at the upper half of the capping means, and the communicating part of the capping means with the suction means is provided at the lower half of the capping means. .
[0015]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of an inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a mechanical configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a control configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG.
[0016]
As shown in FIG. 1, the ink jet recording apparatus 1 mainly receives a supply of ink such as yellow, magenta, cyan, and black from an ink cartridge W and discharges ink onto a recording sheet 2. 3, a carriage 4 and a carriage driving unit 400 (see FIG. 2) for removably loading the recording head 3 and scanning the same, and a guide for guiding the carriage 4 in the main scanning direction (the direction of arrow A). A rail 6, a carriage sensor 410 (see FIG. 2) for detecting the scanning position of the carriage 4, and a conveyance for conveying the recording paper 2 in synchronization with the ink ejection operation of the recording head 3 and the scanning of the recording head 3 by the carriage 4. When the print head 3 is not printing, the non-printing area of the print head 3 (home position) Similarly, the non-printing area (ink suction position) of the recording head 3 in order to perform the ink suction process on the ink nozzles of the recording head 3 when the recording head 3 is not printing, similarly to the moisturizing cap 8 provided in A suction cap 16 and a suction pump 20 (see FIG. 2), a blade 17 for wiping and cleaning the ink ejection surface of the recording head 3 after the ink suction process by the suction cap 16 and the suction pump 20, And a control unit 100 (see FIG. 2) for controlling the operation of FIG. Incidentally, the suction cap 16 corresponds to the "capping means" of the present invention. Further, the suction pump 20 corresponds to the “suction unit” of the present invention.
[0017]
In such a configuration, a plurality of ink cartridges W corresponding to respective colors such as yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are provided, and ink is supplied to the sub-tank T by opening the supply valve V. The supplied ink is temporarily stored in the sub tank T, and then supplied to the recording head 3 via the ink supply path P. Under the control of the control unit 100, the recording head 3 performs recording by discharging ink onto the recording paper 2 in synchronization with the movement operation of the carriage 4. Similarly, under the control of the control unit 100, the transport unit 7 transports the recording paper 2 onto the printing area in synchronization with the movement operation of the carriage 4, and further, in response to the end of the printing operation of the recording head 3, Then, the recording paper 2 is conveyed downward (in the direction of arrow B) from the printing area.
[0018]
FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a main configuration of the recording head 3. As shown in FIG. 1, the recording head 3 includes an ink ejection main body 11 that ejects ink, a temperature sensor 12 that is provided near the ink ejection main body 11, and measures the temperature of the ink ejection main body 11. A flexible cable 13 for inputting / outputting a control signal and the like to / from the ink ejection main body 11 and the temperature sensor 12 and a head substrate 10 serving as a base thereof are provided.
[0019]
The ink ejection unit main body 11 includes a nozzle plate 15 on which a plurality of nozzles 14 for ejecting ink to the recording paper 2 are formed. Each of the nozzles 14 has an ink channel (not shown) formed inside the ink ejection main body 11 so as to communicate with the ink supply path P on the carriage 4 when the recording head 3 is mounted on the carriage 4. . The flexible cable 13 is electrically connected to the control unit 100 (see FIG. 2) via the flexible cable 13, and the measured value from the temperature sensor 12 is transmitted to the control unit 100 via the flexible cable 13. Can be The controller 100 manages the temperature of the ink ejection main body 11 by temperature control means (not shown) based on the measurement value from the temperature sensor 12, thereby controlling the ejection state of the ink satisfactorily.
[0020]
4A to 4C are side views for explaining the positional relationship between the recording head 3 and the suction cap 16 and the suction pump 20, and the capping operation and the separating operation of the suction cap 16 with respect to the recording head 3. FIG. Show. As shown in the drawing, the suction cap 16 contacts the peripheral portion of the nozzle plate 15 of the recording head 3 to cover the entire nozzle plate 15 and to form a lip portion formed of an elastic member for moisturizing the nozzle plate 15. In addition, an ink suction port (not shown) is formed on the bottom surface of the suction cap 16, and the ink suction port is formed between the nozzle plate 15 of the recording head 3 and the suction cap 16. A suction pump 20 for sucking air in the internal space is connected through a tube 28. Further, an air inlet (not shown) is formed in the side surface portion or the lip portion 19 of the suction cap 16, and an air communication valve (not shown) for controlling communication with the air is provided in the air inlet. Have been. Incidentally, in the present embodiment, two suction caps 16 are provided side by side as shown in FIG. It is possible to perform suction.
[0021]
In such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 4A, the lip 19 of the suction cap 16 is brought into contact with the peripheral portion of the nozzle plate 15 of the recording head 3, and then the suction pump 20 is operated. The internal space formed between the nozzle plate 15 and the suction cap 16 of the recording head 3 is set to a negative pressure, and ink is suctioned from the nozzles 14 of the recording head 3. Further, by opening the atmosphere communication valve, the ink accumulated in the suction cap 16 is sucked idle. The sucked ink is discharged to the discharge ink tank 22 via the tube 28. Incidentally, in the present embodiment, the suction pump 20 is illustrated as the negative pressure generating means, but any device can be used as long as it can suck ink from the nozzles 14, such as a piston or a cylinder. good.
[0022]
Further, after the ink suction / discharge operation is completed, the suction cap 16 is separated from the nozzle plate 15 of the recording head 3 as shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C. At this time, the contact portion of the lip portion 19 is gradually separated from one end side so that ink does not remain on the surface of the nozzle plate 15 as much as possible. In order to enable such an operation, the bottom of the suction cap 16 is supported by a rotatable support piece 18 having a substantially L-shape, and the suction cap 16 and the nozzle plate 15 are opposed to each other on the support piece 18. The position specified. More specifically, the support piece 18 is composed of a main body 23 that supports the suction cap 16 and an extension 24 that extends substantially at a right angle from the lower end of the main body 23. It is rotatably supported at the joint of the part 24. A substantially elliptical cam 26 is in contact with the extending portion 24, and the cam 26 is rotated by a cam driving portion 27 such as a motor to rotate the support piece 18 and thereby to attract the suction. The cap 16 is attached to and detached from the recording head 3. The cam driving unit 27 rotates the cam 26 under the control of the control unit 100 to move the suction cap 16 at a predetermined position where the suction cap 16 contacts the nozzle plate 15 of the recording head 3 (FIG. 3A). It is moved to and away from a predetermined position (FIG. 3C).
[0023]
The configuration of the suction cap 16 and the lip portion 19 and the air communication valve described above, and the process of sucking ink from the nozzles 14 of the recording head 3 by these components will be described later.
[0024]
FIGS. 5A to 5C are side views showing details of the peripheral portion of the blade 17. As shown in the figure, the blade 17 is made of an elastic material such as rubber, for example. When the ink suction operation of the recording head 3 by the suction cap 16 and the suction pump 20 is completed, the blade 17 is placed on the surface of the nozzle plate 15. It comprises a blade body 35 for wiping residual ink, dust, paper dust, and the like, and a blade drive unit 36 for supporting the blade body 35 and moving it up and down. Further, at a position facing the blade body 35, an ink absorber 38 for absorbing and wiping the ink of the blade body 35, and an absorber holder 39 for supporting the ink absorber 38 are provided.
[0025]
In such a configuration, the blade body 35 of the blade 17 after wiping and cleaning the nozzle plate 15 of the recording head 3 is moved in the direction of arrow E in FIG. By contacting the absorber 38, the ink attached to the blade main body 35 is removed. The details of wiping and cleaning the nozzle plate 15 of the recording head 3 by the blade body 35 will be described later.
[0026]
Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the same number of moisturizing caps 8 for moisturizing the nozzle plate 15 of the recording head 3 as the number of recording heads 3 (this example) In the case of non-printing, the moisturizing cap 8 covers the nozzle plate 15 of the recording head 3 and adheres to the inside of the nozzle 14 of the recording head 3 or to the surface of the nozzle plate 15 during non-printing. The configuration is such that the ink is prevented from solidifying. The moisturizing cap 8 is configured to abut on the peripheral portion of the nozzle plate 15 according to various forms of the recording head 3.
[0027]
Hereinafter, various embodiments of the suction cap 16 that is a feature of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9. 6 to 9 show states during the ink suction operation.
[0028]
(First example)
In the example shown in FIG. 6, a step 3a is formed on the bottom surface of the recording head 3 so that the nozzle plate 15 has a protruding shape, and the lip 19 of the suction cap 16 is attached to the step 3a. The upper surface is configured to be in contact with the side surface of the step portion 3a at a predetermined interval. Further, an air inlet 50 is formed at the side wall of the suction cap 16 and at a position facing the step 3a, and an air communication valve 52 is provided at the air inlet 50 via an air inlet pipe 51. ing. The atmosphere communication valve 52 corresponds to the “valve means” of the present invention.
[0029]
By adopting such a configuration, when performing the ink suction operation on the nozzles 14 of the recording head 3, even if the air communication valve 52 is opened to perform idle suction, the air introduction pipe 51 is connected. The air that has flowed through immediately collides with the side wall of the recording head 3 and is dispersed. Therefore, as in the conventional case, the air inflow occurs inside the suction cap 16 due to the flow of air, and the nozzle plate Ink does not adhere to the nozzle 15, does not penetrate into the interior of the nozzle 14, does not destroy the ink meniscus formed in the nozzle 14, and furthermore, does not affect the surface of the nozzle plate 15. When the air is wiped, the air introduction port 50 is not wiped by the blade 17, so that the nozzle 14 and the air introduction It can be 50 to prevent clogged. As a result, normal ejection of ink droplets is ensured, and the printing reliability of the apparatus can be maintained.
[0030]
(Second example)
In the example shown in FIG. 7, the lip 19 of the suction cap 16 abuts on the side of the recording head 3, and the protrusion of the lip 19 causes the side of the recording head 3 and the suction cap 16 to be in predetermined positions. It is comprised so that it may oppose at intervals. Further, an air inlet 50 is formed at a position on the side wall of the suction cap 16 facing the side surface of the recording head 3, and an air communication valve 52 is connected to the air inlet 50 via an air inlet pipe 51. Is provided. Note that the protruding portion of the lip portion 19 corresponds to the “edge” of the present invention. The atmosphere communication valve 52 corresponds to the “valve means” of the present invention.
[0031]
By adopting such a configuration, when performing the ink suction operation on the nozzles 14 of the recording head 3, even if the air communication valve 52 is opened to perform idle suction, the air introduction pipe 51 is connected. The air that has flowed through immediately collides with the side wall of the recording head 3 and is dispersed. Therefore, as in the conventional case, the air inflow occurs inside the suction cap 16 due to the flow of air, and the nozzle plate Ink does not adhere to the nozzle 15, does not penetrate into the interior of the nozzle 14, does not destroy the ink meniscus formed in the nozzle 14, and furthermore, does not affect the surface of the nozzle plate 15. When the air is wiped, the air introduction port 50 is not wiped by the blade 17, so that the nozzle 14 and the air introduction It can be 50 to prevent clogged. As a result, normal ejection of ink droplets is ensured, and the printing reliability of the apparatus can be maintained. Further, unlike the example shown in FIG. 6, there is no need to form the step portion 3a in the recording head 3, and the conventional recording head can be used as it is, so that the cost can be reduced.
[0032]
(Third example)
In the example shown in FIG. 8, the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 3 shown in FIG. 6, that is, the nozzle plate 15 is provided in the vertical direction. The stepped portion 3a is formed so that the nozzle plate 15 protrudes into a convex shape, and the lip portion 19 of the suction cap 16 is brought into contact with the vertical surface of the stepped portion 3a at a predetermined distance from the horizontal plane of the stepped portion 3a. It is configured to touch. Further, an air inlet 50 is formed on the upper surface of the suction cap 16 and at a position facing the step 3a, and an air communication valve 52 is provided at the air inlet 50 via an air inlet pipe 51. ing. In this example, the ink suction port 56 and the tube 28 connected to the ink suction port 56 are provided below the suction cap 16 in order to satisfactorily suck the ink accumulated inside the suction cap 16. The atmosphere communication valve 52 corresponds to the “valve means” of the present invention.
[0033]
By adopting such a configuration, when performing the ink suction operation on the nozzles 14 of the recording head 3, even if the air communication valve 52 is opened to perform idle suction, the air introduction pipe 51 is connected. The air that has flowed through immediately collides with the side wall of the recording head 3 and is dispersed. Therefore, as in the conventional case, the air inflow occurs inside the suction cap 16 due to the flow of air, and the nozzle plate Ink does not adhere to the nozzle 15, does not penetrate into the interior of the nozzle 14, does not destroy the ink meniscus formed in the nozzle 14, and furthermore, does not affect the surface of the nozzle plate 15. When the air is wiped, the air introduction port 50 is not wiped by the blade 17, so that the nozzle 14 and the air introduction It can be 50 to prevent clogged. As a result, normal ejection of ink droplets is ensured, and the printing reliability of the apparatus can be maintained. Further, even in the case where the nozzle plate 15 of the recording head 3 is provided in the vertical direction, this can be dealt with.
[0034]
(4th example)
In the example shown in FIG. 9, the lip 19 of the suction cap 16 abuts on the side of the recording head 3, and the projection of the lip 19 causes the side of the recording head 3 and the suction cap 16 to be in predetermined positions. It is comprised so that it may oppose at intervals. Further, an air inlet 50 is formed in the lip portion 19 so as to be parallel to the side surface of the recording head 3, and the air inlet 50 is provided with an air communication valve 52 via an air inlet pipe 51. . The atmosphere communication valve 52 corresponds to the “valve means” of the present invention.
[0035]
By adopting such a configuration, when performing the ink suction operation on the nozzles 14 of the recording head 3, even if the air communication valve 52 is opened to perform idle suction, the air introduction pipe 51 is connected. The air that has flowed through is immediately dispersed along the side wall of the recording head 3, and thus, as in the related art, an ink bleeding phenomenon occurs due to the flow of the air inside the suction cap 16, and the ink flows into the nozzle plate 15. No ink adheres, no ink penetrates into the inside of the nozzle 14, no ink meniscus formed in the nozzle 14 is destroyed, and further, the surface of the nozzle plate 15 is wiped. At this time, the air inlet 50 is not wiped by the blade 17, so that the nozzle 14 or the air inlet 5 is hardened due to solidification of ink and adhesion of dust. But it is possible to prevent the clogging. As a result, normal ejection of ink droplets is ensured, and the printing reliability of the apparatus can be maintained. Further, unlike the examples shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, there is no need to form the step 3a in the recording head 3, and the conventional recording head can be used as it is, so that the cost can be reduced.
[0036]
Next, a series of ink suction operations of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 described above will be described with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG. 2 and the flowcharts shown in FIGS. Note that a series of operations described below are performed consistently under the control of the control unit 100.
[0037]
When the recording head 3 moves to the home position after completing the printing operation, this is detected by the carriage sensor 410 (S01), and time counting is started by the timer 30 (S02). When the timer 30 detects that a predetermined time, for example, four weeks, has elapsed (S03), the carriage driving unit 400 moves the recording head 3 to a position facing the suction cap 16, that is, a suction position (S04). ). At this time, when the carriage sensor 410 detects that the recording head 3 has been moved to the suction position (S05), the drive of the carriage driving unit 400 is stopped, and the suction cap 16 is moved by the rotation of the cam driving unit 27. It moves to a position where it comes into contact with the nozzle plate 15 of No. 3 (S06). Further, in a state where the nozzle plate 15 is sealed by the lip portion 19, the operation of the suction pump 20 is started (S07), and the pressure inside the suction cap 16 is reduced to suction ink from the nozzles 14. At this time, time counting is started by the timer 30 (S08), and when it is detected by the timer 30 that a predetermined time, for example, several minutes has elapsed (S09), the suction by the suction pump 20 is stopped (S10). Then, the atmospheric communication valve 52 is opened (S11). Further, the operation of the suction pump 20 is started again (S12), and the inside of the suction cap 16 is set to a negative pressure, so that the air flows in from the air communication valve 52 and the ink is sucked idle. At this time, time counting is started by the timer 30 (S13), and when it is detected by the timer 30 that a predetermined time, for example, several minutes has elapsed (S14), the suction by the suction pump 20 is stopped (S15). The suction operation in S07 is performed by repeating the intermittent suction operation a predetermined number of times until a predetermined time elapses. Thereby, the ink in the suction cap 16 can be satisfactorily sucked. Further, as in the case of the idle suction operation in S12, by performing the ink suction operation by the suction pump 20 while introducing the atmosphere into the suction cap 16, the ink accumulated in the suction cap 16 can be satisfactorily transferred to the drain ink tank 22. Can be discharged. At this time, since the air inlet 50 is formed at a position other than the surface of the recording head 3 facing the nozzle plate 15, the air flowing from the outside does not blow directly to the nozzle plate 15, but Is not disturbed and does not destroy the ink meniscus formed in the nozzle 14. Further, since the air introduction port 50 is formed at a portion other than the bottom surface of the suction cap 16, the phenomenon that the ink accumulated inside the suction cap 16 is blown up does not occur.
[0038]
When the ink suction and discharge operations in S12 to S15 described above are completed, the suction cap 16 is moved to a position separated from the nozzle plate 15 of the recording head 3 by rotation of the cam drive unit 27 (S16). Then, the air communication valve 52 is closed (S17). Further, the recording head 3 is moved to the home position by the carriage driving section 400 (S18). At this time, as the carriage 4 moves, the nozzle plate 15 of the recording head 3 is wiped and cleaned by the blade 17.
[0039]
More specifically, when the carriage sensor 410 detects that the carriage 4 has moved to a predetermined position (wiping position), the carriage driving unit 400 stops the carriage 4, and the blade driving unit 36 moves to the position shown in FIG. The blade 17 at the standby position as shown is moved upward, and the blade body 35 is moved to a position beyond the path F through which the nozzle plate 15 passes during the wiping operation, as shown in FIG. Let it. Subsequently, the carriage 4 is moved along the movement path F of the nozzle plate 15 by the carriage driving unit, so that the nozzle plate 15 is wiped and cleaned, that is, wiping is performed. At this time, as the carriage 4 moves at a constant speed, the blade plate 35 of the recording head 3 sweeps the nozzle plate 15 with an appropriate pressure to perform wiping. This pressing is adjusted by changing the excess amount of the blade body 35 upward from the path F, that is, changing the degree of overlap between the nozzle plate 15 and the tip of the blade body 35. In this manner, ink, dust, paper dust, and the like attached to the nozzle plate 15 are wiped off. At the same time as the end of the wiping operation, the blade 17 is moved downward. At this time, the lower surface of the blade body 35 comes into contact with the ink absorber 38 of the blade cleaner portion 37, so that the blade body 35 The attached ink and the like are absorbed by the ink absorber 38, and the blade body 35 is cleaned. When the blade 17 descends and stops at a predetermined lower position (for example, a position shown in FIG. 5A), the carriage driving unit 400 moves the recording head 3 to a home position which is a standby position.
[0040]
Incidentally, when the ink jet recording apparatus 1 is in a standby state or during printing, that is, when the above-described wiping operation is not performed, as shown in FIG. It is waiting at a position below the body 38. When the wiping operation of the nozzle plate 15 is required, the blade 17 moves upward. At this time, the upper surface of the blade main body 35 and the ink absorber 38 move as shown in FIG. By the contact as shown, the ink or the like adhering to the blade body 35 is absorbed by the ink absorber 38, and the upper surface of the blade body 35 is cleaned. As described above, since the blade body 35 is cleaned every time the ink suction operation of the recording head 3 is performed, the blade body 35 is prevented from being deteriorated by the residual ink or the like.
[0041]
By the way, in the present embodiment, the atmosphere communication valve 52 is configured such that the atmosphere introduction pipe 51 is connected to the atmosphere introduction port 50 and is attached to the atmosphere introduction pipe 51. As shown in FIG. 12, the valve portion 40 may be directly inserted into and removed from the air inlet 50 provided on the wall surface of the suction cap 16. As a driving mechanism for moving the valve section 40, as shown in the figure, a mechanism including a support column 41, a spring member 42, support members 43a to 43c, and a solenoid 44 can be exemplified. In this mechanism, when the solenoid 44 moves in and out of the shaft center 44a, the support members 43a to 43c are moved, and the valve unit 40 supported by the support members 43a to 43c is inserted into and removed from the atmosphere inlet 50.
[0042]
As described above, according to the ink jet recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the position where the air inlet port 50 does not face the nozzle plate 15 of the recording head 3 of the suction cap 16 or the lip portion 19, and Since the ink is formed at a portion other than the bottom surface of the cap 16, the ink does not blow up to the nozzle plate 15 when the air flows from the air inlet 50 of the suction cap 16, and the air inlet The air flowing through the nozzle 50 directly blows the nozzle 14 to prevent the ink meniscus formed on the nozzle 14 from being destroyed. Further, when the surface of the nozzle plate 15 is wiped, the air inlet 50 is Since the ink is not wiped by the blade 17, the nozzle 14 or the air Can be the inlet 50 can be prevented from clogging. Therefore, the printing reliability of the recording head 3 can be maintained. Accordingly, the durability of the recording head 3 is increased and the processing of the recording head 3 is facilitated, which is economically advantageous.
[0043]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention, the air introduction port is formed at a position not facing the nozzle plate of the recording head of the capping unit, and at a portion other than the bottom surface of the capping unit. Therefore, when the air flows in from the air introduction port of the capping means, the ink does not blow up to the ink ejection surface of the recording head, that is, the nozzle plate, and the air flowing through the air introduction port does not flow. Does not destroy the ink meniscus formed on the nozzle by directly spraying it onto the nozzle, and furthermore, when wiping the surface of the nozzle plate, the air introduction port is not wiped by the blade. To prevent nozzles and air inlets from clogging due to solidification and dust adhesion. Kill. Therefore, the printing reliability of the recording head can be maintained. Further, with this, the durability of the recording head is increased, and the processing of the recording head becomes easy, which is economically advantageous.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a mechanical configuration of an embodiment of an inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of the inkjet recording apparatus illustrated in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a detailed configuration of a recording head of the inkjet recording apparatus illustrated in FIG.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory view for explaining an operation performed by the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1 to detach and attach a suction cap to a recording head.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a cleaning operation by a blade accompanying a movement of a recording head, which is performed in the inkjet recording apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;
6 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration example of a recording head and a suction cap of the inkjet recording apparatus illustrated in FIG.
FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating another example of the configuration example of the recording head and the suction cap illustrated in FIG.
8 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating another example of the configuration example of the recording head and the suction cap illustrated in FIG.
9 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating another example of the configuration example of the recording head and the suction cap illustrated in FIG.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of an ink suction operation from a nozzle of a print head, which is performed in the inkjet printing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;
11 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of an operation of sucking ink from nozzles of a recording head, which is performed in the inkjet recording apparatus illustrated in FIG.
FIG. 12 is a side view illustrating another configuration example of the atmosphere communication valve of the inkjet recording apparatus illustrated in FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Inkjet recording device
2 Recording paper
3 Recording head
3a Step
4 carriage
6 Guide rail
7 Transport section
8 Moisturizing cap
10 Head substrate
11 Ink ejection main body
12 Temperature sensor
13 Flexible cable
14 nozzles
15 Nozzle plate
16 Suction cap
17 blade
18 Supporting pieces
19 Lip part
20 Suction pump
21 Atmospheric communication valve
22 Drain ink tank
23 Main unit
24 Extension
26 cams
27 Cam drive
28 tubes
35 Blade body
36 Blade drive unit
37 Blade cleaner part
38 Ink absorber
39 Absorber holder
40 valve
41 props
42 spring material
43a-13c support member
44 Solenoid
44a shaft center
50 Atmospheric inlet
51 Air introduction pipe
52 Atmospheric communication valve
56 Ink suction port

Claims (6)

A recording head having an ink ejection surface for ejecting ink from nozzles,
When the operation of the recording head is stopped, capping means for sealing so as to surround the ink ejection surface with a predetermined space portion,
An ink-jet recording apparatus comprising: a suction unit communicating with the capping unit, and suctioning ink to the nozzle by applying a negative pressure to the predetermined space when the ink ejection surface is sealed by the capping unit. hand,
The capping unit includes an air inlet for taking in air into the space, and a valve unit that opens and closes the air inlet.The air inlet is connected to the ink ejection surface of the capping unit. An ink jet recording apparatus, which is provided at a position facing or substantially perpendicular to a wall surface of the recording head, which is substantially perpendicular to the ink ejection surface when sealed, with a predetermined distance from the wall surface of the recording head. A recording head having an ink ejection surface for ejecting ink from nozzles,
Capping means for sealing the ink ejection surface of the recording head so as to surround at least a part of a wall surface substantially orthogonal to the ink ejection surface of the recording head with a predetermined space portion when the operation of the recording head is stopped. ,
An ink-jet recording apparatus comprising: a suction unit communicating with the capping unit, and suctioning ink to the nozzle by applying a negative pressure to the predetermined space when the ink ejection surface is sealed by the capping unit. hand,
The capping unit includes an air inlet for taking in air into the space, and a valve unit that opens and closes the air inlet, and the air inlet is the capping unit of the recording head. When the ink ejection surface is sealed, the recording head is provided at a predetermined distance from the wall surface of the recording head at a position facing or substantially perpendicular to a wall surface substantially perpendicular to the ink ejection surface. Ink jet recording device. A recording head having a substantially convex shape in which an ink ejection surface for ejecting ink from a nozzle projects,
When the operation of the recording head is stopped, capping means for sealing the ink ejection surface of the recording head so as to surround at least a part of a wall surface substantially parallel to the ink ejection surface of the recording head with a predetermined space portion,
An ink-jet recording apparatus comprising: a suction unit that communicates with the capping unit, and suctions ink to the nozzles by applying a negative pressure to the space when the ink ejection surface of the recording head is sealed by the capping unit. And
The capping means includes an air inlet for taking in air into the space, and a valve means for opening and closing the air inlet. The air inlet is an ink for the recording head of the capping means. An ink jet recording apparatus, wherein the recording head is provided at a position facing a wall surface substantially orthogonal to the ink discharge surface of the recording head at a predetermined distance from the wall surface of the recording head when the discharge surface is sealed. . When the ink ejection surface of the recording head is arranged in the vertical direction, the air introduction port of the capping unit is provided on an upper surface of the capping unit, and a communication portion of the capping unit with the suction unit is provided. 4. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said ink jet recording apparatus is provided in a lower half portion of said capping means. A recording head having an ink ejection surface for ejecting ink from nozzles,
Capping means for sealing the ink ejection surface of the nozzle so as to surround at least a part of a wall surface substantially orthogonal to the ink ejection surface of the recording head with a predetermined space portion when the operation of the recording head is stopped,
An ink-jet recording apparatus comprising: a suction unit communicating with the capping unit, the suction unit performing suction of the ink to the nozzle by applying a negative pressure to the space when the ink ejection surface of the nozzle is sealed by the capping unit. hand,
The capping means includes an air inlet for taking in air into the space, and a valve for opening and closing the air inlet, and the recording head when the ink ejection surface of the recording head is sealed. The ink introduction surface of the recording head has an edge that is in contact with a wall surface that is substantially perpendicular to the ink ejection surface, and the air inlet is parallel to the wall surface of the recording head. An ink jet recording apparatus provided at a predetermined distance from a wall surface. When the ink ejection surfaces of the nozzles of the recording head are arranged in a vertical direction, the air introduction port of the capping means is provided at the edge located at the upper half of the capping means, and 6. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a portion of the device communicating with the suction device is provided in a lower half of the capping device.

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