JP2011177971A - Inkjet recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to prevent an adhering matter from adhering to an ink discharge port.
A recess 32Rai having an elongated rectangular cross section is positioned at a position adjacent to the left side of a discharge port array including discharge ports 32ai, and an elongated rectangular cross section is positioned adjacent to the right side of the discharge port array including discharge ports 32bi. In the wiping process for the recording head having the concave portion 32Rbi having the above, when the selected recording mode is the high-speed recording mode, the end portion adjacent to the row of the concave portions 32Rai on the ink discharge port forming surface slides on the tip portion of the wiper. After the contact, the recording head is moved until it reaches the end adjacent to the row of the recesses 32Rbi while the tip of the wiper is curved. On the other hand, if the selected recording mode is the high quality recording mode, the ink discharge After the end adjacent to the row of recesses 32Rbi on the exit forming surface is in sliding contact with the tip of the wiper, the tip of the wiper is curved Until it reaches the end adjacent to a row of recesses 32Rai in a state to move the recording head.
[Selection] Figure 6

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus including a recording head that performs a recording operation according to a plurality of recording modes.

  As a recovery processing unit in an ink jet recording apparatus, one that performs a suction operation, a wiping operation, a preliminary discharge, a heating operation, and the like is known. The recovery processing section ensures that the thickened ink and fine bubbles in the recording head are discharged to the outside, and the attached matter adhered to the ink discharge port forming surface on which the ink discharge port of the recording head is formed. Ink mist and the like are removed.

  When the wiping operation is performed on the entire surface of the ink discharge port forming surface that is smooth and has no irregularities, the surface can be efficiently wiped off, so that the entire surface is provided with an ink discharge port forming surface that is a smooth surface. The recording head is highly reliable as a recording head that performs high-quality recording.

  Further, on the ink discharge port forming surface which is generally flat as a whole, for example, as shown in Patent Document 1, a plurality of fine concave portions are adjacent to the ink discharge port array on the ink discharge port formation surface. What is formed is proposed. Such a recess is used, for example, for manufacturing the ink discharge port forming surface with an accuracy of a predetermined flatness in the manufacturing process of the recording head.

  For example, as shown partially enlarged in FIG. 16, the ink discharge port forming surface in the recording head described above is along the direction indicated by the arrow X, that is, the direction substantially orthogonal to the moving direction of the recording head. Thus, two rows of ink discharge ports are formed in parallel to each other. In the ink discharge port formation surface 2 in FIG. 16, each ink discharge port array is composed of ink discharge ports 2Ai and 2Bi formed with a predetermined interval (for example, 600 dpi). In FIG. 16, the diameters of the ink discharge ports 2Ai and 2Bi are set to be the same. Further, the ink discharge ports 2Ai and 2Bi facing each other with a predetermined interval are formed on a common central axis parallel to the direction indicated by the arrow X, respectively.

  Further, in FIG. 16, a recess row composed of a plurality of recesses 2 </ b> Ai is formed at a position adjacent to the left side with respect to the ejection port array composed of the ink ejection ports 2 </ b> Ai. Each recess 2Ai has a fine rectangular cross section and is formed at a predetermined interval (for example, 600 dpi). On the other hand, a recess row composed of a plurality of recesses 2Bi is formed at a position adjacent to the left side with respect to the discharge port array composed of the ink discharge ports 2Ai. Each recess 2Bi has a fine rectangular cross section, and is formed opposite to the recess 2Ai at a predetermined interval (for example, 600 dpi). The concave portion 2Ai and the concave portion 2Bi are formed opposite to each other on the common central axis line that is between the adjacent ink discharge ports 2Ai and separated from the common central axis line by a predetermined distance (for example, 1200 dpi). Yes.

JP 2009-126147 A

  For example, it is assumed that the ink discharge port forming surface 2 is wiped by the tip of a wiping member (not shown) along the direction indicated by the arrow X with respect to the ink discharge port forming surface 2 shown in FIG. In such a case, the adhering material 4 ′ such as fluff adhering to the peripheral edge of the recess 2A may extend between the adjacent ink discharge ports 2Ai without touching the ink discharge ports 2Ai. Although rare, one end of the deposit 4 attached to the peripheral edge of the recess 2A may cross the above-mentioned common central axis obliquely by the tip of the wiping member and enter the ink discharge port 2Ai. . In such a case, when the deposit 4 covers the ink discharge port 2Ai, the ink droplets are not discharged from the ink discharge port 2Ai in a desired state, so that the image formed on the recording surface of the recording medium can be deteriorated. There is sex.

  In consideration of the above-described problems, the present invention makes it possible to prevent deposits from adhering to the ink discharge port during the wiping process without depending on the position of the recess formed on the ink discharge port forming surface of the recording head. An object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus that can be avoided.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention includes a first discharge port array and a second discharge port array that are configured by a plurality of discharge ports that respectively discharge ink, and are opposed to each other. The first and second recesses formed in the vicinity of both end portions extending in the direction orthogonal to the moving direction adjacent to the discharge port array and the second discharge port array, respectively, are formed. An ink jet recording apparatus using a recording head that has a forming surface, is movably arranged, and can perform a recording operation on a recording surface of a recording medium, and cleans an ink discharge port forming surface of the recording head A first recording mode in which a recording operation is performed without using a member, a first discharge port array, and a second discharge port array; a first discharge mode; A second recording operation that does not use the exit line In the first recording mode, the wiper member is brought into contact with one end portion of the ink discharge port forming surface where the second concave portion is formed, and ink discharge is performed to the other end portion. While performing the operation of cleaning the outlet forming surface, in the second recording mode, the wiper member is brought into contact with the other end portion of the ink discharge port forming surface where the first concave portion is formed to reach one end portion. And a control unit that controls to perform an operation of cleaning the discharge port forming surface.

  According to the present invention, there is no possibility that deposits attached to the recesses reach the first ejection port array or the second ejection port array used in accordance with the recording mode in the recording operation. Further, it is possible to avoid adhering matter from adhering to the ink discharge port without being influenced by the position of the concave portion formed on the ink discharge port forming surface of the recording head.

In the first embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention, when the control unit is configured by a microcomputer, for example, it is a flowchart showing an example of a program executed in the recovery process. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a printer to which a first embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention is applied. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a recording head cartridge including a recording head used in the example shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating a recording element substrate included in the recording head illustrated in FIG. 3. It is sectional drawing shown along the VV line in FIG. It is a top view which expands and shows the B section in FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control block provided in the printer illustrated in FIG. 2. (A) and (B) are diagrams used for explaining the operation of the recording head in the wiping process. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the effect of a wiping process on an ink discharge port forming surface of a recording head. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the effect of a wiping process on an ink discharge port forming surface of a recording head. FIG. 4A is a schematic enlarged view of a main part of another example of the recording element substrate included in the recording head shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the effect of a wiping process on an ink discharge port forming surface. FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged view showing a recording element substrate included in an applied recording head in a second embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 13 is an enlarged plan view partially showing an A portion in the recording element substrate shown in FIG. 12. (A) and (B) are diagrams used to explain the effect of the wiping process on the ink discharge port forming surface of the recording head shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a main part of still another example of a recording element substrate included in the recording head shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows typically a part of ink discharge port arrangement | sequence of the recording element board | substrate with which the conventional inkjet recording device is equipped.

  FIG. 2 shows the appearance of a recording apparatus to which a first embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention and a second embodiment to be described later can be applied.

  In FIG. 2, a printer will be described as an example of a recording apparatus using an ink jet recording method.

[Device main unit]
The outer shell of the printer main body is composed of an outer member including a lower case, an upper case, an access cover, and a discharge tray (not shown), and a chassis SH (see FIG. 2) housed in the outer member. The

  The chassis SH is composed of a plurality of plate-shaped metal members having a predetermined rigidity, forms a skeleton of the recording apparatus, and holds each recording operation mechanism described later.

[Recording mechanism]
The recording operation mechanism includes an automatic feeding unit 12 that automatically feeds the recording sheet P into the apparatus main body, and a recording sheet P that is sent one by one from the automatic feeding unit 12 to a predetermined recording position. And a conveyance unit 16 that guides the printed recording sheet P from the recording position to the discharge unit 14. Further, the recording operation mechanism additionally includes a recording unit that performs desired recording on the recording sheet P conveyed to the recording position, and a recovery processing unit 20 that performs recovery processing on the recording head 34 of the recording unit described later. It is configured. The conveyance unit 16 is provided with a sheet interval adjusting lever 28 for adjusting the interval between the recording sheet P and the recording head.

(Recording part)
A recording unit that performs a recording operation on a recording surface of a recording sheet P as a recording medium includes a carriage 10 that is movably supported by a carriage shaft 22, and a recording head cartridge 36 that is detachably mounted on the carriage 10 (see FIG. 3).

Recording Head Cartridge The recording head cartridge 36 includes an ink tank (not shown) that stores ink, and a recording head 34 that ejects ink supplied from the ink tank from nozzles according to recording information. The recording head 34 adopts a so-called cartridge system that is detachably mounted on a carriage 10 described later.

  In the recording head cartridge 36 shown here, for example, black, light cyan, light magenta, cyan, magenta, and yellow ink tanks for each color are prepared as ink tanks in order to enable high-quality color recording with photographic tone. ing. Each ink tank is detachable from the recording head cartridge 36.

  The recording head 34 is, for example, a bubble jet side shooter type recording head that performs recording using an electrothermal transducer that generates thermal energy for causing film boiling to the ink in response to an electrical signal. It is.

  The recording head 34 includes a recording element unit 30.

(Recording element unit)
The recording element unit 30 includes a recording element substrate 32, an electric wiring substrate 38, a first plate 33, and a second plate (not shown).

  The recording element substrate 32 is, for example, a side shooter type, as shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 5, and is composed of a single substrate. Three recording element substrates 32 are arranged side by side on one substrate. In the substantially rectangular recording element substrate 32, a plurality of discharge ports 32ai and 32bi (i = 1 to n, n are positive integers) formed in two rows, which will be described later, have an interval of about 1200 dpi for each ink color, for example. The inks of different ink colors are ejected. A discharge port 32ai and a discharge port 32bi formed in an orifice plate, which will be described later, are formed opposite to each other on a common central axis LX orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the discharge ports. The diameter of the discharge port 32ai is set smaller than the diameter of the discharge port 32bi. The amount of ink discharged from each discharge port 32ai is, for example, about 2 pl, and the amount of ink discharged from each discharge port 32bi is, for example, about 5 pl. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, at a position adjacent to the left side with respect to the second ejection port array composed of the ejection ports 32ai, a recess 32Rai having a long and narrow rectangular cross section (i = 1 to n, n is a positive integer). ) Are formed in parallel to the rows of the discharge ports 32ai at predetermined intervals. Each recess 32Rai is opposed to the discharge port 32ai at a predetermined interval and is formed on a common central axis LX. In addition, a recess 32Rbi (i = 1 to n, n is a positive integer) having an elongated rectangular cross section is provided at a predetermined interval at the other position adjacent to the right side with respect to the first discharge port array including the discharge ports 32bi. And formed in parallel to the rows of the discharge ports 32bi. Each recess 32Rbi is opposed to the discharge port 32bi with a predetermined interval, and is formed on a common central axis LX. The first and second recesses 32Rai and 32Rbi as the second recesses formed in the vicinity of both end portions are manufactured, for example, in the manufacturing process of the recording head 34 with an ink discharge port forming surface with an accuracy of a predetermined flatness. To be used.

  The recording element substrate 32 is composed of, for example, a Si substrate having a thin film formed on the surface thereof, and an orifice plate formed on the substrate. The substrate has, for example, a thickness of 0.5 to 1 (mm), and six rows of ink supply ports 32G made of long groove-like through holes are integrally formed in parallel with each other as six-color ink channels. FIG. 5 shows an ink supply port for one of the six colors. The ink supply port is formed, for example, by performing anisotropic etching using the crystal orientation of the Si substrate.

  On both sides of each ink supply port, there are a plurality of electrothermal conversion elements 32Ei (i = 1 to n, n is a positive integer) as a recording element, for example, about 1200 dpi for each ink color. Are arranged at intervals of.

  A plurality of electrothermal conversion elements 32Ei formed on the substrate and electric wiring such as Al for supplying electric power to each electrothermal conversion element 32Ei are formed by a film forming technique. Further, an electrode portion (not shown) for supplying electric power to the electric wiring is formed along an end portion in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the electrothermal conversion elements 32Ei.

  In addition, the orifice plate formed on the substrate has an ink channel wall (not shown) for forming an ink channel corresponding to each electrothermal conversion element 32Ei and ejection ports 32ai and 32bi by photolithography technology. It is formed. Therefore, the ejection ports 32ai and 32bi adjacent in the same row are each partitioned by the ink flow path wall.

  Accordingly, six ejection port arrays corresponding to the six color inks supplied from the respective ink supply ports are integrally formed on one orifice plate. Similar to the arrangement of the electrothermal conversion elements 32Ei, the discharge ports are formed in a plurality, for example, at an interval of about 1200 dpi for each ink color. That is, the discharge port is provided to face the electrothermal conversion element 32Ei.

The first plate 33 is made of, for example, an alumina (Al ₂ O ₃ ) material having a thickness of 0.5 to 10 mm. Six ink supply ports 32 </ b> G for supplying six colors of ink to the recording element substrate 32 are formed in the first plate 33. The six ink supply ports of the recording element substrate 32 are positioned corresponding to the six ink supply ports 32G of the first plate 33, respectively, and the recording element substrate 32 is bonded to the first plate 33 with high positional accuracy. It is fixed. FIG. 5 shows one ink supply port 32G among the six ink supply ports 32G.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the electrical wiring substrate 38 applies an electrical signal for ejecting ink to each recording element substrate 32. The electrical wiring board 38 has an opening for incorporating the three recording element substrates 32, electrode terminals corresponding to the electrode parts of the recording element substrate 32 described above, and an electrical signal from the main body device located at the end of the wiring. Has an external signal input terminal.

  The openings of the electrical wiring board 38 correspond to the openings of the recording element substrate 32 and the second plate disposed on the first plate 33. The electrical wiring substrate 38 and each recording element substrate 32 are electrically connected.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the electrical connection portion between the recording element substrate 32 and the electrical wiring board 38 of the recording element unit configured as described above is composed of a first sealant (not shown) and a second sealant. It is sealed with a stopper 32S to protect the electrical connection portion from ink corrosion and external impact. The first sealing agent mainly seals the outer peripheral portion of the recording element substrate 32, and the second sealing agent 32 </ b> S seals the edge of the opening of the electric wiring substrate 38. In addition, the bent electric wiring board 38 is further formed in accordance with the back surface shape of the tank holder of the recording head cartridge 36.

  On the other hand, a flow path forming member (not shown) is fixed to the tank holder that detachably holds the ink tank (not shown) by, for example, ultrasonic welding, and the ink flow path extending from the ink tank to the first plate 33. Form a part of

(carriage)
As shown in FIG. 2, the carriage 10 is provided with a carriage cover 18 that engages with the carriage 10 and guides the recording head 34 to a predetermined mounting position on the carriage 10. Further, the carriage 10 is provided with a head set lever 24 that engages with a tank holder of the recording head 34 and presses the recording head 34 to be set at a predetermined mounting position.

  That is, the head set lever 24 is provided on the upper portion of the carriage 10 so as to be rotatable with respect to the head set lever shaft, and a spring-set head set plate (not shown) is engaged with the recording head 34. Is provided. Accordingly, the recording head 34 is pressed against the recording head 34 by the spring force and is mounted on the carriage 10.

  Further, a contact flexible printed cable FPC is provided at another engagement portion of the carriage 10 with the recording head 34. As a result, the contact portion (not shown) of the carriage 10 and the contact portion (external signal input terminal) provided on the recording head 34 are in electrical contact with each other to send and receive various information for recording and to the recording head 34. Electric power can be supplied. Here, the contact portion of the carriage 10 is connected to a carriage substrate (not shown) mounted on the back surface of the carriage 10. The carriage substrate detects a relative position between the encoder scale and the encoder sensor, and outputs a detection output signal to a control block which will be described later through a contact flexible printed cable FPC. The relative position between the encoder scale and the encoder sensor is detected based on a pulse signal output from the encoder sensor as the carriage 10 moves along the encoder scale (not shown). Both ends of the encoder scale are supported on both sides of the chassis SH.

  A timing belt TB is connected to the back surface of the carriage 24. The timing belt TB is wound around a pair of pulleys that are spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval and that are rotatably disposed on the chassis SH. One pulley is connected to the output shaft of the carriage motor 80. When a carriage motor 80 driven and controlled by a control block, which will be described later, is activated, the carriage 10 is positioned above the recording surface of the recording sheet P conveyed on a platen (not shown) in FIG. And reciprocating along the X coordinate axis shown in FIG.

  Further, the carriage 10 is separated from the conveyance path of the recording sheet P toward the side when the recording head 34 is not performing a recording operation or when the recovery processing unit 20 described below performs recovery processing of the recording head 34. Wait at home position H.

  Before the recording head 34 starts the recording operation, the carriage 10 waiting at the home position H with the recording head 34 receives a recording operation start command and image data from the host computer, which will be described later, when the image input unit inputs them. The movement is started in the direction of the X coordinate axis. At that time, the recording head 34 performs recording by discharging ink from the plurality of ink discharge ports toward the recording surface of the recording sheet P. When the recording operation of the recording head 34 based on the image data for one scan is completed, the carriage 10 returns to the above-mentioned home position H, and is moved again in the X coordinate axis direction, so that the image data for the next one scan is obtained. Based on this, the recording head 34 performs a recording operation.

(Recovery processing department)
The recovery processing unit 20 disposed to face the movement path of the carriage 10 includes, for example, a cleaning wiper unit, a wiper unit moving mechanism unit, and a cap 42. The cleaning wiper unit is arranged to be movable up and down along the Z coordinate axis within a predetermined distance in the above-described home position H. Although not shown, the wiper unit moving mechanism unit supports the cleaning wiper unit so as to be movable. The cap 42 is rotatably supported at the home position H. When the cleaning wiper unit is in the lower position, the cap 42 covers the entire ink discharge port forming surface of the recording head 34 positioned immediately above the cap 42. Further, the cap 42 is pulled into a predetermined standby position when the cleaning wiper unit is in the upper position.

  The cleaning wiper unit is configured to include a wiper 40 as a wiper member that contacts and cleans the ink discharge port forming surface, and a wiper holder (not shown) that holds the wiper 40.

  The wiper 40 is formed in a thin plate shape by an elastic material such as flexible rubber. The tip of the wiper 40 is disposed so as to be substantially parallel to the long side of the recording element substrate 32 described above. Further, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the position of the tip of the wiper 40 is such that the position of the ink discharge port forming surface 34F of the recording head 34 to be moved is more than the most advanced position of the wiper 40. The position is set to be lower by a predetermined value. Further, the width dimension of the wiper 40 that is substantially parallel to the long side of the recording element substrate 32 is set to be slightly larger than the long side dimension of the recording element substrate 32.

  The wiper holder is raised when the cap 42 is in the standby position. Accordingly, the tip of the wiper 40 is configured to wipe dust such as ink droplets and paper powder remaining on the ink discharge port forming surface while slidingly contacting the ink discharge port forming surface of the moving recording head 34. Yes.

  The cap 42 has a configuration capable of moving between an open position where the cap 42 is separated from the discharge port forming surface of the recording head and the sealed position by being rotated between the sealed position and the standby position by the rotating mechanism unit. It is said.

  After being rotated away from the standby position, at the sealed position, the cap 42 is in close contact with the ink discharge port forming surface of the recording head 34 disposed at a position directly above the home position H.

  The above-described rotation mechanism and lifting mechanism are driven by a driving force from an output shaft of a recovery system motor 44 (see FIG. 7), which will be described later, via a speed reduction mechanism. The recovery system motor 44 is controlled by a recovery system control circuit 68 (see FIG. 7) described later.

In addition to the above-described configuration, the control block inkjet printer includes a control block as shown in FIG. The control block performs the recording operation control of the recording head 34, the conveyance control of the recording sheet P, the movement control of the carriage 10, the wiping operation of the wiper 40 in the recovery processing unit 20, and the operation control of the cap 42.

  The control block includes a control unit 50 as a control unit. The control unit 50 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 52, a read only memory (ROM) 54, and a random access memory (RAM) 56 as main elements. A central processing unit (CPU) 52 performs operation control of the recording head 34, carriage motor 80, recovery system motor 44, drive motor 78, and the like via each control circuit. A read-only memory (ROM) 54 and a random access memory (RAM) 56 store program data or supplied control data, for example, data representing a recording mode, image data, and the like, respectively.

  In addition, an image input unit 62 and an image signal processing unit 64 are also connected to the control unit 50 via a main bus line 58. Further, an operation unit 66, a recovery system control circuit 68, a head temperature control circuit 70, a head drive control circuit 72, a carriage drive control circuit 74, a recording sheet P conveyance control circuit 76, which will be described later, are connected via the main bus line 58. Are connected to each other.

  The central processing unit (CPU) 52 controls the operation based on a data group DG that is provided separately from the inkjet printer, for example, via a bidirectional communication unit (not shown) from the host computer 60. That is, the control unit 50 performs the image input unit 62, the image signal processing unit 64, the head drive control circuit 72, and the recovery via the main bus line 58 in accordance with a program stored in a read only memory (ROM) 54. Each device such as the system control circuit 68 is controlled.

  The central processing arithmetic unit 52 is supplied with control data from the host computer 60 and a data group DG including image data representing an image to be printed, an encoder sensor (not shown), a paper edge detection sensor, and the like. Detection data group DS and the like are supplied. The central processing calculation unit 52 is supplied with work start command data representing power-on of the inkjet printer from the operation unit 66. Further, the central processing arithmetic unit 52 also stores other data such as data representing the recording mode to be selected according to the type of the recording sheet P and data DA representing the preliminary ejection and recovery processing commands. Is supplied through. The data representing the recording mode represents, for example, a high-speed recording mode as a first recording mode or a high-quality recording mode as a second recording mode having different recording speeds.

  For example, the above-described high-speed recording mode refers to a recording mode that performs high-speed recording, and the high-quality recording mode refers to a recording mode that performs high-quality recording.

  A read only memory (ROM) 54 stores a program for controlling each device such as the image input unit 62, the image signal processing unit 64, and the head drive control circuit 72.

  The random access memory (RAM) 56 has a recording area as a data buffer for recording corresponding to the data group DG and the detected data group DS. The random access memory (RAM) 56 has a storage area as each motor control data buffer.

  The central processing calculation unit 52 causes the image signal processing unit 64 to perform predetermined image processing based on the data group read from the RAM 56. Accordingly, the image signal processing unit 64 forms recording operation control data and supplies it to the head drive control circuit 72 that controls the recording head 34 via the main bus line 58. At this time, each data stored in the RAM 56 is read for each bandwidth in accordance with a read timing signal supplied from the central processing unit 52, and is used for various image processing signals and clocks for image processing. It is sequentially supplied to the image signal processing unit 64 together with the signal.

  In the image signal processing unit 64, the image processing includes, for example, masking data processing, palette conversion for obtaining color data by referring to the color conversion data table based on each data, and binarization for the obtained color data Includes multi-value / binary conversion processing for processing. The image processing also includes signal distribution processing for distributing the binarized signal, registration adjustment, and the like.

  The head drive control circuit 72 forms a recording drive control signal in accordance with a synchronization signal based on the recording operation control data from the image signal processing unit 64 and supplies it to the recording head 34. As shown in FIG. 5, the recording head 34 performs the recording operation by ejecting ink droplets IDa or IDb onto the recording surface of the recording sheet P that is intermittently conveyed based on the recording drive control signal. The recording head 34 ejects the ink droplet IDb from the ejection port 32bi without ejecting the ink droplet from the ejection port 32ai in the above-described high-speed recording mode. Further, in the above-described high image quality recording mode, the recording head 34 ejects the ink droplet IDa from the ejection port 32ai without ejecting the ink droplet from the ejection port 32bi.

  Further, as described above, the central processing calculation unit 52 causes the recording head 34 to perform a recording operation and supplies the control data CD to the carriage drive control circuit 74 based on the detection data group DS. Accordingly, the carriage 10 on which the recording head cartridge 36 is mounted is reciprocated along the X coordinate axis direction in FIG. 2 above the recording surface of the recording sheet P. The carriage drive control circuit 74 generates a drive control signal based on the control data CD and supplies it to the carriage motor 80. Thereby, when the carriage motor 80 is operated, the carriage 10 is moved each time the recording surface of the recording sheet P is conveyed by a predetermined amount, as will be described later.

  The central processing unit 52 conveys the recording surface of the recording sheet P in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the carriage 10, that is, in the direction indicated by the arrow F in FIG. 2 with a predetermined sheet feed amount, for example, a feed amount of 1200 dpi. Therefore, the control data FD is supplied to the transport control circuit 76. The transport control circuit 76 generates a drive control signal based on the control data FD and supplies it to the drive motor 78. Thereby, when the drive motor 78 is operated, the recording sheet P is fed at a predetermined feed amount every time the recording operation of the recording head 34 is completed.

  The central processing calculation unit 52 causes the recovery system control circuit 68 to operate the above-described recovery processing unit based on data representing a work start command representing power-on of the inkjet printer from the operation unit 66 in the inkjet printer and other data. . Other data includes data representing the high-speed recording mode or high-quality recording mode, and command data DA representing the commands for the preliminary ejection and recovery processing. Note that the command data DA from the operation unit 66 also includes data representing a command to replace the recording head cartridge 36.

  At that time, the central processing unit 52 forms control data DH so as to adjust and control the temperature of the recording head 34. The central processing calculation unit 52 supplies it to the head temperature control circuit 70 and controls the operation of the heating substrate having the heating elements. The head temperature control circuit 70 forms a control pulse signal to the heating element so as to perform feedback control so that the recording head 34 reaches a predetermined temperature based on the detection output signal ST from the diode sensor 82 and the control data DH. , Supplying it to the heating substrate.

  In the above example, the host computer 60 is connected to the image input unit 62. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, a digital camera may be connected to the image input unit 62. Good.

  In performing the recovery process for the recording head 34, the control unit 50 confirms such a situation by the user when, for example, ink ejection failure has occurred, and the user operates the operation unit 66 as a recording mode selection unit. Is operated. As a result, the data DA representing the recovery process command is supplied to the control unit 50. At the start of the wiping process program in the recovery process, the ink discharge port forming surface of the recording head 34 arranged at the home position H is covered with the cap 42.

  The control unit 50 determines whether or not the above recording mode is selected based on the data DA.

  When the selected recording mode is the high-speed recording mode, the control unit 50 forms the preliminary ejection control data DP based on the data DA. As a result, the cap 42 is separated from the ink discharge port forming surface and moved to the standby position, and the recording head 34 is caused to perform preliminary discharge by a predetermined discharge amount by the discharge port 32bi. The control unit 50 supplies it to the head drive control circuit 72. Thereby, the head drive control circuit 72 forms a drive pulse signal having a predetermined ejection frequency and supplies it to the recording head 34. In addition, as shown in FIG. 8A, the control unit 50 moves the ink discharge port forming surface of the recording head 34 in the direction indicated by the arrow A so as to be in sliding contact with the tip of the wiper 40 for a predetermined distance. The control data DR is formed so as to be moved along. The control unit 50 supplies it to the recovery system control circuit 68. Thus, the recovery system control circuit 68 generates a control signal to move the cap 42 to the standby position and move the carriage 10 with the recording head 34 along the X coordinate axis by a predetermined distance at a predetermined moving speed. It is supplied to the recovery system motor 18.

  Thereby, as shown in FIG. 8A, first, the carriage 10 with the recording head 34 is moved along the direction indicated by the arrow A. In the recording head 34, the end 32LS adjacent to the row of the recesses 32Rai on the ink discharge port forming surface 34F is in sliding contact with the tip of the wiper 40, and then the tip of the wiper 40 is curved to the row of the recess 32Rbi. It is moved until it reaches the adjacent end 32RS.

  Therefore, when the first discharge port array including the discharge ports 32bi is used and the second discharge port array including the discharge ports 32ai is not used, the wiping by the wiper 40 is performed in the recess 32Rai as shown in FIG. This is performed along the wiping direction A ′ indicated by the arrow from the side. When wiping is performed in this way, a plurality of deposits FLD, FLC, such as fluff, which are not removed by wiping, adhere to the ends of the recesses 32Rai and 32Rbi, respectively, and extend along the wiping direction A ′. There is a case.

  In such a case, the deposit FLD covers a part of the discharge ports 32ai of the second discharge port array including the discharge ports 32ai. However, the deposit FLC is forced to be directed away from the discharge port 32bi, that is, in the wiping direction A ′, to some of the discharge ports 32bi of the first discharge port array including the discharge ports 32bi. Not. When the inventor of the present application actually performed recording in this state, it was confirmed that normal ink ejection was performed from all the ejection ports 32bi of the first ejection port array.

  Note that the wiping by the wiper 40 is not limited to once as described above, and may be performed a plurality of times. In such a case, the wiper 40 is once lowered to return the carriage 10 to the initial position shown in FIG. 10A, and then the carriage 10 is moved again as described above.

  Next, a suction recovery process may be performed on the ink discharge port forming surface 34 </ b> F of the recording head 34. In the recording apparatus including the cleaning unit using the suction pump as in the example of the present invention, the dust caught in the concave portion by the recovery of suction can be collected.

  However, in order to reduce costs, there is a case in which dust or the like cannot be collected by such suction recovery in a recording apparatus that does not have a suction pump. Even in such a case, since there is no influence on the deterioration of the ink ejection state, it is particularly effective in an ink jet recording apparatus that does not include a cleaning unit using a suction pump.

  On the other hand, when the selected recording mode is the high image quality recording mode, the control unit 50 forms the preliminary ejection control data DP based on the data DA. As a result, the cap 42 is separated from the ink discharge port forming surface and moved to the standby position, and the recording head 34 is caused to perform preliminary discharge by a predetermined discharge amount by the discharge port 32ai. The control unit 50 supplies it to the head drive control circuit 72. Thereby, the head drive control circuit 72 forms a drive pulse signal having a predetermined ejection frequency and supplies it to the recording head 34. Further, as shown in FIG. 8B, the control unit 50 moves the ink discharge port forming surface of the recording head 34 in the direction indicated by the arrow B so as to be in sliding contact with the tip of the wiper 40 by a predetermined distance. The control data DR is formed so as to be moved along. The control unit 50 supplies it to the recovery system control circuit 68. Thus, the recovery system control circuit 68 generates a control signal to move the cap 42 to the standby position and move the carriage 10 with the recording head 34 along the X coordinate axis by a predetermined distance at a predetermined moving speed. It is supplied to the recovery system motor 18.

  Thereby, as shown in FIG. 8B, first, the carriage 10 with the recording head 34 is moved along the direction indicated by the arrow B. Accordingly, in the recording head 34, after the end 32RS adjacent to the row of the recesses 32Rbi on the ink discharge port forming surface 34F is in sliding contact with the tip of the wiper 40, the tip of the wiper 40 is curved and the recess 32Rai It is moved until it reaches the end 32LS adjacent to the row.

  Accordingly, when the first discharge port array including the discharge ports 32ai is used and the second discharge port array including the discharge ports 32bi is not used, the wiping by the wiper 40 is performed in the recess 32Rbi as shown in FIG. This is performed along the wiping direction B ′ indicated by the arrow from the side. When wiping is performed in this way, a plurality of deposits FLA, FLB, such as fluff, which are not removed by wiping, adhere to the ends of the recesses 32Rai and 32Rbi, respectively, and extend along the wiping direction B ′. There is a case.

  In such a case, the deposit FLB covers a part of the discharge ports 32bi of the first discharge port array including the discharge ports 32bi. However, since the deposit FLA is forcibly directed in the direction away from the discharge ports 32ai, that is, the wiping direction B ′, to some of the discharge ports 32ai of the first discharge port array including the discharge ports 32ai. Not. When the inventor of the present application actually performed recording in this state, it was confirmed that normal ink ejection was performed from all the ejection ports 32ai of the second ejection port array.

  Next, a suction recovery process may be performed on the ink discharge port forming surface 34 </ b> F of the recording head 34. In the recording apparatus including the cleaning unit using the suction pump as in the example of the present invention, the dust caught in the concave portion by the recovery of suction can be collected.

  Therefore, in one example of the present invention, by changing the wiping direction according to the recording mode, it is possible to reduce printing defects due to dust caught in the plurality of recesses.

  An example of a wiping process program to be executed when the control unit 50 described above is configured by a microcomputer will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 1, after starting, in step S1, each data is fetched, and the process proceeds to step S2. The control unit 50 determines whether or not the recording mode is selected. When the recording mode is selected, the control unit 50 determines whether or not it is the high-speed recording mode in the subsequent step S3. If it is determined in step S2 that the recording mode is not selected, the process returns to step S1.

  If it is determined in step S3 that the recording mode is the high speed recording mode, the process proceeds to step S4, and the control unit 50 determines whether or not creation of recording data is started. If it is determined that the creation of the recording data has been started, the preliminary ejection program is executed in the subsequent step S5, and the process proceeds to the subsequent step S6. In step S6, a control signal is generated for the wiper 40 to move the carriage 10 with the recording head 34 in the direction indicated by the arrow A shown in FIG.

  If the creation of recording data has not started in step S4, the process proceeds to step S7, the suction recovery process program is executed, the process proceeds to the subsequent step S6, step S6 is executed in the same manner as described above, and the program is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S3 that the high-speed recording mode is not selected, the process proceeds to step S8, and the control unit 50 determines whether or not the high-quality recording mode is selected. If it is determined in step S8 that the high image quality recording mode is not selected, the process returns to step S1.

  If it is determined in step S8 that the high-quality recording mode is selected, in the subsequent step S9, the control unit 50 determines whether or not creation of recording data has been started. If it is determined that the creation of recording data has been started, the preliminary ejection program is executed in the subsequent step S10, and the process proceeds to the subsequent step S11. In step S11, a control signal is generated for moving the carriage 10 with the recording head 34 in the direction indicated by the arrow B shown in FIG.

  If the creation of recording data has not started in step S9, the process proceeds to step S12, the suction recovery process program is executed, the process proceeds to the subsequent step S11, step S11 is executed in the same manner as described above, and the program is terminated.

11A and 11B show another example of the recording element substrate 32. FIG.
In the example shown in FIG. 6, as described above, in the recording element substrate 32, the recesses 32Rai (i = 1 to n, where n is a positive integer) having an elongated rectangular cross section are formed at predetermined intervals in the discharge ports 32ai. It is formed parallel to the row. Each recess 32Rai is opposed to the discharge port 32ai at a predetermined interval and is formed on a common central axis LX. Further, recesses 32Rbi (i = 1 to n, n are positive integers) having an elongated rectangular cross section are formed in parallel to the rows of ejection ports 32bi at a predetermined interval. Each recess 32Rbi is opposed to the discharge port 32bi with a predetermined interval, and is formed on a common central axis LX.

  On the other hand, in the example shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the recording element substrate 32 ′ has a concave portion 32′Rai (i = 1 to n, n is a positive integer) having an elongated rectangular cross section. Are formed in parallel to the second discharge port array including the discharge ports 32′ai. Each recessed part 32'Rai opposes between the discharge ports 32'ai which adjoin each other with a predetermined interval, and is formed on a central axis Lxa which is common to a later-described recessed part 32'Rbi. The central axis Lxa is a straight line substantially parallel to the short side of the recording element substrate 32 ′.

  In addition, recesses 32′Rbi (i = 1 to n, n are positive integers) having an elongated rectangular cross section are formed in parallel to the first discharge port array including the discharge ports 32′bi at predetermined intervals. Yes. Each of the recesses 32′Rbi is opposed to the adjacent discharge ports 32′bi with a predetermined interval, and is formed on the above-described common central axis Lxa.

  The discharge ports 32′ai and 32′bi are formed on straight lines Lxc and Lxb that are substantially parallel to the short side of the recording element substrate 32 ′, respectively. The straight line Lxc is deviated from the straight line Lxb by a predetermined distance Δd in one direction.

  With such a configuration, in the high-speed recording mode as described above, wiping is performed from the second ejection port array side in the direction indicated by the arrow A ′, and the ejection ports 32′bi in the first ejection port array are After being used, there are the following merits.

  Assume that the deposits FLF and FLE are attached to the peripheral edges of the recesses 32′Rai and the recesses 32′Rbi, respectively. In such a case, for example, when wiping or suction recovery is omitted for the purpose of increasing throughput, shortening time, and the like, and without performing wiping or the like, subsequently, the discharge ports 32 ′ of the second discharge port array. It is also conceivable to use ai.

Thereby, the deposit | attachment FLF caught on the peripheral edge of recessed part 32'Rai may extend between discharge ports 32'ai. As a result, the probability that the deposit FLF is applied to the peripheral edge of the discharge port 32'ai and causes a printing failure is lower than that in the example shown in FIG.
FIG. 12 shows a main part of a recording element unit used in the second embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention.

  The recording element unit includes a recording element substrate 82, the above-described electric wiring substrate 38, a first plate 33, and a second plate (not shown).

  In FIG. 12, the recording element substrate 82 is, for example, a side shooter type, and is constituted by a single substrate. Three recording element substrates 82 are arranged in parallel on one substrate.

  In the substantially rectangular recording element substrate 82, as shown in FIG. 13, a plurality of ejection openings 82ai and 82bi (i = 1 to n, n are positive integers) formed in two rows, which will be described later, Each ink color is formed at an interval of about 1200 dpi. Each recording element substrate 82 ejects ink of different ink colors. A discharge port 82ai and a discharge port 82bi formed in an orifice plate, which will be described later, are formed opposite to each other on a common central axis LX that is orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the discharge ports. The diameter of the discharge port 82ai is set smaller than the diameter of the discharge port 82bi. The amount of ink discharged from each discharge port 82ai is, for example, about 2 pl, and the amount of ink discharged from each discharge port 82bi is, for example, about 5 pl.

  Further, a recess 82Ra is formed in parallel to the row of discharge ports 82ai at a position adjacent to the left side of the second row of discharge ports composed of the discharge ports 82ai. The recesses 82Ra are opposed to the rows of the ejection ports 82ai at a predetermined interval and extend substantially parallel to the long side of the recording element substrate 82. The cross section of the recess 82Ra is formed in, for example, a sawtooth shape.

Further, at a position adjacent to the right side with respect to the first discharge port row formed of the discharge ports 82bi, recesses 82Rb are formed in parallel to the rows of the discharge ports 32bi at a predetermined interval. The recesses 32 </ b> Rb are opposed to the rows of ejection ports 82 bi with a predetermined interval and extend substantially parallel to the long side of the recording element substrate 82. The cross section of the recess 82Rb is formed in a sawtooth shape, for example. The recesses 82Ra and 82Rb are used, for example, in the manufacturing process of the recording head 34 to manufacture the ink discharge port forming surface with a predetermined flatness accuracy.
The recording element substrate 82 includes, for example, a Si substrate having a thin film formed on the surface thereof, and an orifice plate formed on the substrate. The substrate has, for example, a thickness of 0.5 to 1 (mm), and six rows of ink supply ports 32G made of long groove-like through holes are integrally formed in parallel with each other as six-color ink channels. FIG. 12 shows an ink supply port for one of the six colors. The ink supply port is formed, for example, by performing anisotropic etching using the crystal orientation of the Si substrate.

  On both sides of each ink supply port, a plurality of electrothermal conversion elements as recording elements are arranged in a row, for example, at an interval of about 1200 dpi for each ink color.

  In addition, on the orifice plate formed on the substrate, an ink flow path wall (not shown) for forming an ink flow path corresponding to each electrothermal conversion element and discharge ports 82ai and 82bi are formed by a photolithography technique. Is done. Accordingly, the adjacent ejection ports 82ai and 82bi in the same row are each partitioned by the ink flow path wall.

  Accordingly, six ejection port arrays corresponding to the six color inks supplied from the respective ink supply ports are integrally formed on one orifice plate. Similar to the arrangement of the electrothermal conversion elements, a plurality of discharge ports, for example, an array is formed at a mutual interval of about 1200 dpi for each ink color. That is, the discharge port is provided to face the electrothermal conversion element.

  In such a configuration, when the selected recording mode is the high-speed recording mode, first, the carriage 10 with the recording head 34 is moved along the direction indicated by the arrow A in FIG. As a result, the recording head 34 is configured such that the end of the ink discharge port forming surface 34F adjacent to the row of the recesses 82Ra is in sliding contact with the tip of the wiper 40 and then the tip of the wiper 40 is curved. It is moved until it reaches the end adjacent to the row.

  Accordingly, when the first discharge port array including the discharge ports 82bi is used and the second discharge port array including the discharge ports 82ai is not used, the wiping by the wiper 40 is performed as shown in FIG. This is performed along the wiping direction A ′ indicated by the arrow from the concave portion 82Ra side. When wiping is performed in this way, a plurality of deposits FLH and FLG that are not removed by wiping, for example, adhere to the ends of the recesses 82Ra and 82Rb, respectively, and extend along the wiping direction A ′. There is a case.

  In such a case, the deposit FLH covers a part of the discharge ports 82ai of the second discharge port array including the discharge ports 82ai. However, the deposit FLG is forced to be directed in the direction away from the discharge port 82bi, that is, the wiping direction A ′, to some of the discharge ports 82bi of the first discharge port array including the discharge ports 82bi. Absent.

  On the other hand, when the selected recording mode is the high image quality recording mode, first, the carriage 10 with the recording head 34 is moved along the direction indicated by the arrow B as shown in FIG. As a result, the recording head 34 is adjacent to the recess 82Ra in a state where the end of the wiper 40 is curved after the end of the ink discharge port forming surface 34F adjacent to the recess 82Rb is in sliding contact with the tip of the wiper 40. It is moved until it reaches the end.

  Accordingly, when the first discharge port array including the discharge ports 82ai is used and the second discharge port array including the discharge ports 82bi is not used, the wiping by the wiper 40 is performed as shown in FIG. This is performed along the wiping direction B ′ indicated by the arrow from the recess 82Rb side. When wiping is performed in this way, a plurality of deposits FLJ, FLI such as fluff, which are not removed by wiping, adhere to the ends of the recesses 82Ra and 82Rb, respectively, and extend along the wiping direction B ′. There is a case.

  In such a case, the adhering matter FLI covers a part of the discharge ports 82bi of the first discharge port array including the discharge ports 82bi. However, since the deposit FLJ is forced to be directed away from the discharge ports 82ai, that is, in the wiping direction B ′, to some of the discharge ports 82ai of the second discharge port array including the discharge ports 82ai. Not.

  Therefore, the example of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention can be applied to the case where the cross-sectional shape of the recesses 82Ra and 82Rb is different from the recesses in the example shown in FIG. Even if the shape of the concave portion is different, the printing failure due to dust caught in the concave portion can be avoided by changing the wiping direction according to the printing mode.

Note that the cross-sectional shapes of the recesses 82Ra and 82Rb are not limited to such an example. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, the recording element substrate 92 has, for example, an elongated linear recess 92Ra having no sawtooth, And 92Rb may be provided.
In FIG. 15, a plurality of ejection openings 92ai, 92bi (i = 1 to n, n are positive integers) formed in two rows on a substantially rectangular recording element substrate 92 are, for example, about 1200 dpi for each ink color. It is formed at intervals of a degree. Each recording element substrate 92 ejects ink of different ink colors. A discharge port 92ai and a discharge port 92bi formed in an orifice plate, which will be described later, are formed to face each other on a common central axis perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the discharge ports. The diameter of the discharge port 92ai is set smaller than the diameter of the discharge port 92bi. The amount of ink discharged from each discharge port 92ai is, for example, about 2 pl, and the amount of ink discharged from each discharge port 92bi is, for example, about 5 pl.

  Further, a recess 92Ra is formed in parallel with the row of the discharge ports 92ai at a position adjacent to the left side of the second row of discharge ports composed of the discharge ports 92ai. The recesses 92Ra are opposed to the rows of the discharge ports 92ai with a predetermined interval and extend substantially parallel to the long side of the recording element substrate 92. The cross section of the recess 82Ra is formed in a rectangular shape, for example.

  In addition, at a position adjacent to the right side with respect to the first ejection port array including the ejection ports 92bi, recesses 92Rb are formed in parallel to the rows of ejection ports 92bi at a predetermined interval. The recesses 92 </ b> Rb are opposed to the rows of the ejection ports 92 bi with a predetermined interval and extend substantially parallel to the long side of the recording element substrate 92. The cross section of the recess 92Rb is formed in a rectangular shape, for example.

  In the above example, the wiping process is performed by moving the recording head 34 with respect to the tip of the wiper member 40. However, this need not necessarily be done. For example, the wiper member can be reciprocated along the moving direction of the recording head, and the wiping process is performed by moving the wiper member with respect to the ink discharge port forming surface of the recording head stationary at a predetermined home position. Also good.

32, 82, 92 Recording element substrate 34 Recording head 34F Ink discharge port forming surface 40 Wiper 50 Control unit 68 Recovery system control circuit

Claims (3)

A first discharge port array and a second discharge port array that are composed of a plurality of discharge ports that discharge ink and face each other, and move adjacent to the first discharge port array and the second discharge port array, respectively. A recording surface of a recording medium having an ink discharge port forming surface on which a first concave portion and a second concave portion formed in the vicinity of both end portions extending in a direction orthogonal to the direction are formed and movably disposed An ink jet recording apparatus using a recording head capable of performing a recording operation with respect to
A wiper member for cleaning an ink discharge port forming surface of the recording head;
A first recording mode in which a printing operation is performed using the first ejection port array and not using the second ejection port array; and the first ejection port array using the second ejection port array and the first ejection port array Means for selecting a second recording mode in which a recording operation is performed without using;
In the first recording mode, the wiper member is brought into contact with one end portion of the ink discharge port forming surface where the second concave portion is formed to clean the ink discharge port forming surface up to the other end portion. As well as making actions
In the second recording mode, the wiper member is brought into contact with the other end portion of the ink discharge port forming surface where the first recess is formed to clean the discharge port forming surface up to the one end portion. A control unit for controlling to perform an operation to perform,
An ink jet recording apparatus comprising:   2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein ejection amounts of the first ejection port array and the second ejection port array are different from each other.   In the first recording mode, the ejection amount of the first ejection port array is larger than the ejection amount of the second ejection port array, and recording is performed at a high speed on the recording surface of the recording medium. The second recording mode is a high-quality recording mode in which high-quality recording is performed on the recording surface of the recording medium at a speed slower than the recording speed of the high-speed recording mode. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

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