JPH05201012A - Inkjet recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] When the recording head is wiped with a wiper or the wiper is wiped with a wiper cleaner, it is possible to prevent ink droplets from scattering and prevent the recording paper or the recording apparatus from being contaminated. In a configuration in which a wiper made of a rubber-like elastic material is brought into sliding contact with a discharge port forming surface of a recording head or a wiper and a wiper cleaner are brought into sliding contact with a rotary drive mechanism, the wiper on the discharge port forming surface is brought into contact with or separated from the wiper. A curved surface or a chamfer that forms an inclined surface in the sliding contact direction is provided at the portion to be contacted with or the portion of the wiper cleaner that comes into contact with or separates from the wiper.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus for recording by ejecting ink from a recording means onto a recording material.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A recording device having functions such as a printer, a copying machine, and a facsimile, or a recording device used as an output device of a composite type electronic device including a computer, a word processor, etc. An image (including characters and symbols) is recorded on a recording material (recording medium) such as a plastic thin plate. The recording device is an inkjet type, a wire dot type, a thermal type, or a recording type.
It can be divided into laser beam type and the like.

In a serial type recording apparatus which employs a serial scan system in which main scanning is performed in a direction intersecting a conveying direction (sub-scanning direction) of a recording material, the recording material is set at a predetermined recording position and then the recording material is recorded. An image is recorded (main scanning) by a recording device mounted on a carriage that moves along the material, and a predetermined amount of paper is fed (conveyed material to be recorded) after the recording for one line is completed, and then again. The recording of the entire recording material is performed by repeating the operation of recording (main scanning) the image of the next row on the recording material that has stopped. On the other hand, in a line type recording apparatus that records only by sub-scanning in the conveying direction of the recording material, the recording material is set at a predetermined recording position, and one line of recording is collectively performed, and then a predetermined amount is recorded. The paper is fed (pitch feed), and the recording of the next line is collectively performed, whereby the entire recording material is recorded.

Among the above recording apparatuses, an ink jet type recording apparatus (ink jet recording apparatus) performs recording by ejecting ink from a recording means (recording head) onto a recording material, and the recording means can be made compact. Easy, high-definition images can be recorded at high speed, plain paper can be recorded without special processing, running cost is low, and non-impact method reduces noise. In addition, it is easy to record a color image using multicolor inks. Above all, the line type apparatus using the line type recording means in which a large number of ejection openings are arranged in the paper width direction can further speed up the recording.

In particular, an ink jet type recording means (recording head) for ejecting ink by utilizing heat energy,
Through the semiconductor manufacturing process such as etching, vapor deposition, and sputtering, the electrothermal converter formed on the substrate, the electrode,
By forming the liquid passage wall, the top plate and the like, it is possible to easily manufacture a liquid discharge device having a high-density liquid passage arrangement (discharging port arrangement), and to further reduce the size. On the other hand, there are various requirements for the material of the recording material,
In recent years, ordinary recording materials such as paper and resin thin plate (OHP)
Etc.), thin paper or processed paper (paper with bunch holes for filing, perforated paper, paper of any shape, etc.) has been required to be used.

The recording means (recording head) of the ink jet recording apparatus is provided with a discharge port forming surface on which a plurality of fine ink discharge ports are formed in a predetermined arrangement state. If dust or the like is deposited, it may cause defective ejection of ink. Therefore, conventionally, in this type of ink jet recording apparatus, in order to obtain a stable recorded image (including characters) by removing ink droplets and dust adhering to the ejection port forming surface of the recording head, In many cases, a wiper formed of an elastic material is provided, and for example, the discharge port forming surface is wiped and cleaned before and after the discharge recovery operation as needed.

In particular, in a serial type recording apparatus for performing recording by main scanning the recording head in a direction intersecting the recording material conveying direction, it is inexpensive and highly reliable as a wiping means for the ejection port forming surface. , A wiper disposed near the end of the platen holding the recording material is projected toward the ejection port forming surface of the moving recording head, and the ejection port is used by utilizing the moving speed of the recording head (or carriage). A structure in which the formation surface is wiped is widely used.

[0008]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional wiping means, when the ejection port forming surface is wiped off,
The contact state between the wiper and the ejection port forming surface does not change, and when the wiper comes off the ejection port forming surface in the final stage of the wiping operation, the ink wiped from the tip of the wiper is splashed and splashed around, There is a problem that the recording material and the recording device are contaminated by the droplets. A wiper cleaner is also provided to wipe and clean the ink that has been wiped from the ejection port forming surface and adhered to the wiper.However, when cleaning the wiper with the wiper cleaner in such a recording device, However, there is the same problem as described above that the ink droplets are splashed around.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to prevent ink droplets from scattering during cleaning of a recording head with a wiper or cleaning of the wiper with a wiper cleaner. By doing so, it is an object of the present invention to provide an inkjet recording apparatus capable of preventing the recording material and the recording apparatus from being contaminated.

[0010]

According to the present invention, in an ink jet recording apparatus for recording by ejecting ink from a recording means to a recording material, an elastic wiper for cleaning the ejection port forming surface of the recording means and recording. Means or rotating means for rotating the wiper, the wiper and the discharge opening forming surface are brought into sliding contact with each other by driving the rotating means, and the discharge opening forming surface is cleaned, and the wiper on the discharge opening forming surface is provided. By providing an inclined surface in the part that comes in contact with or separates from
The above object is achieved.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in an ink jet recording apparatus for recording by ejecting ink from a recording means to a recording material, an elastic wiper for cleaning a discharge port forming surface of the recording means and a wiper are slid. The above object is achieved by providing a wiper cleaner for contact cleaning and providing an inclined surface at a portion of the wiper cleaner that comes into contact with or separates from the wiper.

[0012]

The impact at the time of contact of the wiper is made by changing the shape of the portion of the ejection port forming surface of the recording head where at least the tip of the wiper comes into contact with or separates from the conventional plane to an arcuate curved surface or an inclined surface. It is possible to suppress the sudden separation of the wiper and the wiper, and to prevent splashing of the ink attached to the wiper. Also, by changing the shape of the part where at least the tip of the wiper comes into contact with or separates from the conventional flat surface to an inclined surface such as an arcuate curved surface or slope, the impact at the time of contact of the wiper and the rapid removal of the wiper Can be suppressed, and splashing of the ink attached to the wiper can be prevented.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view showing an embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied, taking a case of a facsimile machine as an example. In the illustrated facsimile machine, as shown by enclosing each of them by a chain double-dashed line, a document transport system A, an optical system B, a power source section C, an electric circuit board D, a recording material transport system E, a decal system F, an ink supply system. G and the discharge recovery system H. Here, the document feeding system A and the optical system B constitute a document reading unit for reading a document image from the document 1. Therefore, during transmission or copying as the basic operation of the facsimile apparatus, when the original 1 is set on the original feed table 2 of the original conveying system A, the original 1 is driven by a roller array driven by a driving means (not shown). (Rollers R1, R2, R3,
It is conveyed in the arrow direction by R4).

At the position of the document reading line (main scanning line) set at a predetermined position during conveyance, the document information of the document 1 is obtained by the optical system B (lamp L1, mirrors M1, M).
The light is transmitted to the line CCD 3 by the condenser lens Le through the reflection optical path 2), converted into an electric signal by the line CCD 3, and read. When receiving or copying, in the recording material conveying system E, the recording material 4 wound in a roll is successively conveyed along a path indicated by a thick line by a roller row driven by a driving means (not shown), Recording is performed by ejecting ink from the ejection port of the recording head (recording unit) on the recording line set in the middle of the conveyance path based on the document information.

The recording head 5 is a full line type having a length that covers the entire width of the recording area, and the ink is ejected from the recording head 5 by the heat generated by an electrothermal converter (not shown). Bubbles are generated in the ink by utilizing it, and the ink is ejected by the pressure change of the bubbles. That is, the recording head 5 is an inkjet recording unit that ejects ink by using thermal energy, and includes an electrothermal converter for generating thermal energy. Further, the recording head 5 uses the pressure change caused by the growth and contraction of bubbles due to film boiling caused by the thermal energy applied by the electrothermal converter to eject ink from the ejection port for recording. Is.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view schematically showing the structure of the ink ejection portion of the recording head 5. In FIG. 2, a plurality of electrothermal converters 82 and a plurality of electrothermal converters 82 are formed on a substrate 81 of a recording head (recording means) 5 with a layer of a thin film 83 interposed by the same manufacturing process (thin film molding method, etc.) as a semiconductor. Wiring corresponding to is formed. As shown in the drawing, each electrothermal converter 82 is arranged at a position corresponding to each discharge port 89 and liquid passage 86. The substrate 81
On the upper side (on the thin film 83 on the substrate 81), a liquid path forming member 84 having a plurality of liquid path walls 84A formed in parallel on the lower surface at predetermined intervals is joined. Further, a top plate 85 is joined to the upper surface of the liquid path forming member 84. The liquid passage 86 is formed between the respective liquid passage walls 84A, and the liquid passage forming member 84 is positioned such that the respective electrothermal converters 82 are arranged at predetermined positions inside each liquid passage 86. Positioned and joined in a relationship.

Each of the liquid passage walls 84A has a predetermined length,
The rear end of each liquid passage 86 has a common liquid chamber 8 formed between the liquid passage forming member 84 and the substrate 81 (or the thin film 83).
It communicates with 7. On the other hand, the other end (tip) of each liquid path 86 is opened at the ejection port forming surface (face surface) 88 of the recording head 5, and the ejection port 89 is formed by each opening. In this way, the electrothermal converter 82 such as a heating resistor is energized (a pulse voltage is applied) to generate heat, thereby causing the ink in the liquid path 86 to film-boil, and the pressure change at that time causes ink to be ejected from the ejection port 89. An inkjet full-line recording head 5 that ejects droplets is configured. The recording head 5 has a plurality of ejection ports 8
The arrangement is such that the arrangement direction of 9 intersects with the conveying direction of the recording material 4. Thus, the recording means (recording head) 5 is configured to perform image recording by ejecting ink according to the image signal when the recording material 4 is conveyed to a predetermined position.

In FIG. 1, the power supply unit C is an AC power source from the outside.
It gets power input and supplies power to the necessary places. The electric circuit board D is provided with circuits, which will be described later, for controlling the functions and operations of the respective units of the printing apparatus, mainly the microcomputer system. Further, the electric circuit board D is provided with an input / output circuit for connecting / disconnecting a transmission line and transmitting / receiving an image information signal. The ink supply system G is equipped with an ink cassette 6 for supplying ink to the recording head (head unit) 5. The ejection recovery system H is provided with cleaning means and capping means necessary for maintaining stable and good ink ejection of the recording head 5.

FIG. 3 is a partial side view showing the wiping operation of the discharge recovery system H and the decal system F. Next, with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, a configuration relating to the ejection recovery operation of the ejection recovery system H and the decal system F will be described. A full line type recording head 5 in which ejection openings 89 are formed over the entire width of the recording area of the recording material 4.
Is also formed to be long in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of the recording material 4, and the whole is supported so as to be rotatable around the rear head shaft 5B. Further, in FIG. 1, the recording head 5 is driven to rotate about the head shaft 5B by a stepping motor 7 via a driving belt 8.

1 and 3, the ejection recovery system H includes a cap unit 10 for capping (sealing the ejection port 89) and wiping (wiping cleaning) the ejection port forming surface 88 of the recording head 5. Is provided. The cap unit 10 has a length sufficient to cover the ejection port forming surface 88.
1, the wiper 12 having a length sufficient to wipe the entire area of 1 and the discharge port forming surface 88 is provided in the arrangement as illustrated. The cap unit 10 is supported swingably around the frame shaft 13. The swinging operation of the cap unit 10 is performed by a stepping motor connected to the frame shaft 13. Then, the stepping motor for driving the cap unit and the stepping motor 7 for rotating the recording head
The drive timing and speed are controlled by the control means described later.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic structure of a control system of an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.
In FIG. 4, the central processing unit (CPU) of the recording device
21 controls various operations of the ejection recovery system H, as well as the original reading operation and the recording operation of the recording head 5. The central processing unit (CPU) 21 has a ROM 2 in which a control means for each mode of the recording device is stored.
2 and a RAM 23 used for reading from the original 1 and storing recorded data. So CP
In U21, based on an instruction input from an operation panel (not shown) or the like, the document conveyance system A and the recording material conveyance system E are driven, and the document reading unit (optical system) B reads the document 1. The head driver 24 is driven based on the read information, and ink is ejected from the recording head 5 to perform recording.

When the recording head (head unit) 5 is capped after the recording is completed, or when the ejection recovery operation of the recording head 5 is performed, the head axis drive motor 7 is driven through the driver 25 by a procedure described later. Drive control of the frame shaft drive motor 27 via the driver 26. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation procedure of the rotation control of the recording unit (head unit) 5 and the rotation control of the cap unit 10.

Next, the rotation control of the recording means (head unit) 5 and the rotation control of the cap unit 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 5. It should be noted that in the non-recording capping state in which the recording unit (head unit) 5 is not used, the recording unit (recording head) 5 is at the position shown in FIG. 11 is abutted to seal all the discharge ports 89. In this capping state, for example, when an ejection recovery operation of forcibly ejecting ink together with bubbles from each ejection port 89 is performed, it is necessary to wipe off the ink remaining on the ejection port forming surface 88. Therefore, the ejection port forming surface 88 is wiped and cleaned (wiping) by the wiper 12 as follows.

FIG. 3A shows the retracting operation of the cap unit 10, and its rotation in the direction of the arrow is performed by a motor (stepping motor) 27 for driving the frame shaft. In that case, when a series of commands for the ejection recovery operation or the wiping operation is input to the CPU 21, in step S1 of FIG. 5, the cap unit 10 is driven to separate the cap 11 from the ejection port forming surface 88 of the head unit 5, The state shown in FIG. Next, in step S2, the driver 25 is instructed of the speed to drive the stepping motor 7 to move the head unit 5 to the wiping position by the wiper 12, as shown in FIG. Then, the cap unit 10 is rotated in the direction of the arrow in FIG. Then, in step S4 of FIG. 5, the wiper 1
2 and the ejection port forming surface 88 are awaited until they come into contact with each other as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3C, the recording means 5
While being rotated in the direction of the arrow, the contact state is established, and the ejection port forming surface 88 is wiped by the wiper 12 (wiping cleaning) (step S5 in FIG. 5).

When the wiping of the discharge port forming surface 88 is completed, as shown in FIG.
Is rotated to the retracted position (step S6 in FIG. 5) so that the recording head 5 can be set to the recording position as quickly as possible. Then, the recording head (head unit) 5 is rotated toward the recording position of FIG.
In step S7 of FIG. 5, it is determined whether or not the recording head 5 has reached the recording position by a sensor or the like (not shown), and when the recording position is reached, rotation of the recording head (head unit) 5 is stopped (see FIG. 5). In step S8), a series of head wiping operation is completed.

In the above embodiment, the wiping operation performed following the ejection recovery operation for forcibly ejecting the ink from the ejection port 89 has been described. However, such a wiping operation is performed immediately before or during the recording. This is also for removing the ink, dust, and the like when the ejection port forming surface 88 gets wet with ink mist or dust is accidentally attached. The procedure of the wiping operation in that case is substantially the same as that described above. Therefore,
According to the present invention, an inclined surface is provided at a portion of the ejection port forming surface 88 of the recording head (head unit) 5 that comes into contact with or separates from the wiper 12.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged side view showing the shape of the ejection port forming surface 88 of the recording head 5 to which the present invention is applied and the wiping state thereof. In FIG. 6, a plurality of ejection ports 89 arranged in a direction (normally perpendicular direction) intersecting the conveyance direction of the recording material 4 are formed on the ejection port formation surface 88 of the recording head (head unit) 5. There is. The ink, dust and the like adhering to the ejection port forming surface 88 can be removed by sliding contact with the tip end portion of the wiper 12 made of a rubber-like elastic material, as described above. Therefore, in this embodiment, the ejection port forming surface 88 is formed by a curved surface having a convex arcuate cross section in the wiping direction.

In FIG. 6, the recording head 5 is used for recording.
Although the ink is ejected from the ink, excess ink adheres to the ejection port forming surface 88 at that time. Therefore, the wiping operation of the ink by the wiper 12 is performed.
The wiper 12 is made of a rubber-like elastic material,
The ink is wiped by using the relative movement of the recording head 5 which is arranged substantially parallel to the ejection openings 89.
FIG. 6A shows the moment (the beginning of contact) when the wiper 12 and the ejection port forming surface 88 contact each other. During the wiping by the relative motion after the contact, the tip portion of the wiper 12 is bent as shown in FIG. 6 (B). In addition, (B) of FIG.
Indicates a state in which the amount of plunge of the wiper 12 gradually increases from the start of contact and the wiper 12 flexes to the maximum.

FIG. 6C shows a state in which the wiper 12 and the discharge port forming surface 88 have further slidably contacted with each other, and the amount of bending of the wiper 12 has become small, and FIG. 6D shows the wiper. 12 shows a state at the moment when the sliding contact between the nozzle 12 and the ejection port forming surface 88 is completed and the two are separated. In such an operation, in the conventional example, there is a disadvantage that the recording material and the recording apparatus are contaminated due to ink splashing at the moment when the wiper leaves the ejection port forming surface, but in the embodiment of FIG. Surface 8
Since 8 is formed as a convex arcuate curved surface in the wiping direction, the contact start portion and the disengagement portion are inclined surfaces, and the maximum deflection of the wiper 12 [(B) of FIG. 6] is returned to the original state (free state). It is possible to slow down the operation until returning. Therefore, the elastic repulsion force of the wiper 12 at the moment of detachment can be greatly reduced, and the scattering of the ink adhering to the wiper 12 can be prevented or greatly reduced. Further, in the present embodiment, even when the wiper 12 comes into contact with the wiper 12, it enters from the inclined surface (convex curved surface) as shown in FIG.
Sliding contact operation with can be made smooth.

FIG. 7 shows a discharge port forming surface 88 to which the present invention is applied.
It is a partial side view showing another example of the shape structure. In the recording head (head unit) 5 of FIG. 6, the ejection port forming surface 88 is formed by a curved surface. The shape structure of the ejection port forming surface 88 is
As shown in FIG. 7, relatively large chamfers 18 and 19 may be provided on both shoulders in the wiping direction, or the cross section in the wiping direction may be entirely polygonal. With such a shape as well, as in the case of FIG. 6, it is possible to sufficiently suppress splashing of ink or dust during wiping.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged side view showing the shape structure of another wiper cleaner 31 to which the present invention is applied and the state of the wiping and cleaning operation of the wiper 12 by the wiper cleaner 31. In FIG. 8, a wiper cleaner 31 that is parallel to the wiper 12 (direction perpendicular to the recording material conveyance direction) and has substantially the same length is disposed so as to be capable of sliding contact with the tip of the wiper 12. Discharge port forming surface 8
Ink, dust or the like transferred from the ejection port forming surface 88 adheres to the tip of the wiper 12 after the wiper 8 has been wiped.
By making sliding contact with the wiper 12, cleaning of the wiper 12 (wiping of adhering matter) can be performed. By cleaning the wiper 12 in this manner, the effect of wiping (wiping cleaning) the ejection port forming surface 88 can be maintained high.

Therefore, according to another aspect of the present invention, the sliding contact surface of the wiper cleaner 31 with the wiper 12 is formed by the inclined surface 32. That is, in the embodiment of FIG. 8, this inclined surface 32 is formed by a curved surface curved in the sliding contact direction.
The wiper cleaner 31 can be formed of a rubber-like elastic material or plastic, and in addition to this, it is preferably formed of a material having excellent ink absorbability such as porous. In the illustrated example, the wiper 12 is slidably contacted with the fixed wiper cleaner 31, but the wiper cleaner may be slidably contacted with the wiper stationary at a predetermined position. Good.

FIG. 8A shows the moment when the wiper 12 comes into contact with the wiper cleaner 31. During wiping by relative movement after contact, the tip of the wiper 12 is shown in FIG.
As shown in (B) and (C) of FIG. In addition,
FIG. 8C shows a state in which the wiper 12 is maximally bent during the wiping operation. FIG. 8D shows a state at the moment when the sliding contact between the wiper 12 and the wiper cleaner 31 is completed and the two are separated. In such an operation, in the conventional example, there is an inconvenience that the recording material and the recording apparatus are contaminated by the splash of ink at the moment when the wiper leaves the wiper cleaner, but in the embodiment of FIG. Since the contact surface is formed by the inclined surface (curved surface in the illustrated example) 32 in the cleaning direction, from the state of maximum deflection of the wiper 12 shown in FIG. 8C to the original state shown in FIG. 8D. The operation until returning to the (free state) can be slowed down. Therefore, the elastic repulsion force of the wiper 12 at the moment of detachment can be greatly reduced, and the scattering of the ink adhering to the wiper 12 can be prevented or greatly reduced. The inclined surface 32 of the wiper cleaner 31 may be formed by a polygonal curved surface in addition to the curved surface shown in the figure.

According to the above-described embodiments, the wiper 12 is rotated by the rotating means for individually rotating at least one of the recording head 5 and the wiper 12, or at least one of the wiper 12 and the wiper cleaner 31.
In an ink jet recording apparatus configured to wipe and clean the discharge port forming surface 88 or the wiper cleaner 31 by sliding, a region in which the discharge port forming surface 88 or the slide contact surface of the wiper cleaner 31 comes into contact with and leaves Since the wiper 12 is formed by the inclined surface (curved surface or the like), the momentary disengagement is suppressed and the disengagement is gently performed to reduce the repulsive force of the wiper 12 at the time of disengagement.
It has become possible to prevent the ink from splashing. Therefore, the electrical wiring of the recording apparatus and the reading optical system can be maintained, and the recording material 4 and the paper feeding system can be prevented from being contaminated, and the reliability of the recording apparatus can be significantly improved. ..

Further, since the drive speed of the wiping operation of the ejection port forming surface 88 or the cleaning operation of the wiper 12 can be maintained at a constant high speed, the throughput of the recording apparatus is not decreased by the wiping cleaning, and the control is further performed. The effect of simplifying the system configuration was also obtained. This is a great advantage especially when the time required for the wiping operation is restricted by the standardization of the communication system such as a facsimile machine.

In the above-described embodiment, the line type ink jet recording apparatus using the full line type recording means 5 in which the ejection port 89 is formed over the entire width of the recording area of the recording material 4 is taken as an example. I explained,
The present invention, by mounting the recording means on the carriage,
It can be similarly applied to a serial type ink jet recording apparatus that moves (main scanning) along a recording material, and the same effect can be achieved.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the case of recording by one recording means 5 is illustrated, but the present invention is a color ink jet recording apparatus provided with a plurality of recording means for recording in different colors, or a color ink jet recording apparatus. The same application can be made regardless of the number of recording means (recording heads) such as an inkjet recording apparatus for gradation recording using a plurality of recording means that record with the same ink but different densities. Can be achieved. Furthermore, the present invention uses a cartridge type recording means (head cartridge) in which a recording head and an ink tank are integrated, or a configuration in which the recording head and the ink tank are separately provided and are connected by an ink supply pipe or the like. The same can be applied to various inkjet recording apparatuses regardless of the configuration of the recording head and the ink tank, and similar effects can be obtained.

The present invention can be applied to an ink jet recording apparatus using a recording means (recording head) using an electromechanical transducer such as a piezo element, but among them, thermal energy is used. Then, an excellent effect is brought about in an ink jet recording apparatus which uses a recording means of a method of ejecting ink. This is because such a system can achieve high density recording and high definition recording.

Regarding the typical structure and principle thereof, see, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4740.
This is preferably done using the basic principles disclosed in US Pat. No. 7,967. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and the continuous type, but particularly in the case of the on-demand type, a liquid (ink) is used.
By applying at least one drive signal to the electrothermal converter arranged corresponding to the sheet or liquid path holding the Since the electrothermal converter generates heat energy to cause film boiling on the heat acting surface of the recording means (recording head), as a result, bubbles can be formed in the liquid (ink) in a one-to-one correspondence with this drive signal. It is valid.

The liquid (ink) is ejected through the ejection openings by the growth and contraction of the bubbles to form at least one droplet. It is more preferable to make this drive signal into a pulse shape, because the bubble growth and contraction are immediately and appropriately performed, so that the ejection of the liquid (ink) with excellent responsiveness can be achieved. As this pulse-shaped drive signal, US Pat.
Those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,633,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable. Incidentally, US Pat. No. 43131 of the invention relating to the rate of temperature rise of the heat acting surface.
If the conditions described in No. 24 are adopted, even more excellent recording can be performed.

As the constitution of the recording head, in addition to the combination constitution of the ejection port, the liquid passage, and the electrothermal converter (the linear liquid passage or the right-angled liquid passage) as disclosed in the above-mentioned respective specifications. US Pat. No. 4,558,333, US Pat. No. 4,558,333, which discloses a configuration in which a heat acting portion is arranged in a bending region.
The structure using the specification of 459600 is also included in the present invention. In addition, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 123670/1984 discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of a plurality of electrothermal converters, and an opening for absorbing a pressure wave of thermal energy. The present invention is also effective as a configuration based on Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 138461/1984, which discloses a configuration in which the above is associated with the discharge portion. That is, according to the present invention, recording can be reliably and efficiently performed regardless of the form of the recording head.

Further, the present invention can be effectively applied to a full line type recording head having a length corresponding to the maximum width of a recording medium which can be recorded by the recording apparatus. Such a recording head may have a configuration that fills the length by combining a plurality of recording heads or a configuration as one recording head integrally formed. In addition, even with the serial type as in the above example, it is possible to electrically connect to the device body or supply ink from the device body by mounting it on the recording head fixed to the device body or on the device body. The present invention is also effective when a replaceable chip type recording head or a cartridge type recording head in which an ink tank is integrally provided in the recording head itself is used.

Further, it is preferable to add recovery means for the recording head, preliminary auxiliary means, and the like, which are provided in the present invention as a configuration of the recording apparatus, because the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. If these are specifically mentioned,
Capping means, cleaning means, pressurizing or suctioning means, electrothermal converter or other heating element or preheating means by a combination thereof, and ejection different from recording are applied to the recording head. Performing the preliminary ejection mode is also effective for stable recording.

Regarding the type or number of recording heads to be mounted, for example, only one is provided corresponding to a single color ink, or a plurality of inks having different recording colors and densities are supported. And a plurality of them may be provided. That is, for example, the recording mode of the recording apparatus is not limited to the recording mode only for mainstream colors such as black,
The recording head may be integrally configured or a combination of a plurality of recording heads may be used. However, the present invention is extremely effective for an apparatus having at least one of a mixed color of different colors or a full color of mixed colors.

In addition, in the embodiments of the present invention described above, the ink is described as a liquid, but it is an ink that solidifies at room temperature or lower and that softens or liquefies at room temperature, or an ink jet. In the method, the temperature of the ink itself is generally adjusted within a range of 30 ° C. or higher and 70 ° C. or lower to control the temperature of the ink so that the viscosity of the ink is within a stable ejection range. Any liquid may be used. in addition,
Whether the temperature rise due to thermal energy is positively used as the energy for changing the state of the ink from the solid state to the liquid state, or the ink that solidifies when left standing for the purpose of preventing ink evaporation is used. In any case, the ink is liquefied by applying the thermal energy according to the recording signal and the liquid ink is ejected,
The present invention is also applicable to the case of using an ink which has a property of being liquefied only by thermal energy, such as one which has already started to solidify when it reaches the recording medium.

The ink in such a case is described in JP-A-54-
As described in JP-A-56847 or JP-A-60-71260, a mode in which it is held as a liquid or a solid in a concave portion or a through hole of a porous sheet and faces the electrothermal converter. May be In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

In addition, as a form of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention, in addition to the one used as an image output terminal of an information processing apparatus such as a computer, a copying apparatus combined with a reader or the like, and a facsimile apparatus having a transmitting / receiving function. It may be in the form of the above.

[0048]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, in an ink jet recording apparatus for recording by ejecting ink from a recording means to a recording material, the ejection port forming surface of the recording means is cleaned. A wiper of elastic body and a rotating means for rotating the recording means or the wiper are provided, and the wiper and the discharge port forming surface are brought into sliding contact with each other by driving the rotating means to clean the discharge port forming surface, Since the inclined surface is provided at the portion of the ejection port forming surface that comes into contact with or separates from the wiper, it is possible to prevent ink droplets from splashing when the recording head is cleaned by the wiper and thus stain the recording material or the recording device. An inkjet recording apparatus that can prevent the above is provided.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in an ink jet recording apparatus for recording by ejecting ink from a recording means to a recording material, an elastic wiper for cleaning a discharge port forming surface of the recording means. Since a wiper cleaner for slidingly cleaning the wiper is provided and an inclined surface is provided at a portion of the wiper cleaner that comes into contact with or separates from the wiper, ink splashes are scattered when the wiper is cleaned by the wiper cleaner. By suppressing this, an inkjet recording apparatus capable of preventing the recording material and the recording apparatus from being contaminated is provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view showing the configuration of an embodiment of an inkjet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view schematically showing the structure of an ink ejection portion of the recording means in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic partial side view showing the configuration and operation of the wiping unit of the recording unit in the inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a control system of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a control operation when the recording unit is wiped and cleaned in the inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a partial side view illustrating a shape structure of a discharge port forming surface of a recording unit of an inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention and a state of wiping and cleaning.

FIG. 7 is a partial side view illustrating another shape structure of the ejection port forming surface of the recording unit of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a partial side view illustrating the shape structure of the wiper cleaner of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention and a state of wiping and cleaning the wiper.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Document 4 Recording Material 5 Recording Means (Head Unit) 5b Head Axis 6 Ink Cassette 7 Stepping Motor 8 Driving Belt 10 Cap Unit 11 Cap 12 Wiper 13 Frame Axis 18 Chamfer 19 Chamfer 21 Central Processing Unit (CPU) 22 ROM 23 RAM 27 Frame axis drive motor 31 Wiper cleaner 32 Inclined surface (curved surface) 82 Electrothermal converter 88 Ejection port formation surface 89 Ejection port A Document transport system B Optical system (Document scanning unit) C Power supply unit D Electric circuit board E Recording material transport system F Decal system G Ink supply system H Ejection recovery system

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. In an ink jet recording apparatus for recording by ejecting ink from a recording means to a recording material, an elastic wiper for cleaning a discharge port forming surface of the recording means and a recording means or a wiper are rotated. Is provided for cleaning the discharge port forming surface by sliding contact between the wiper and the discharge port forming surface by driving of the rotating unit, and at a portion of the discharge port forming surface that comes into contact with or separates from the wiper. Inkjet recording apparatus characterized by providing an inclined surface 2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording means is an ink jet recording means including an electrothermal converter that generates thermal energy used for ejecting ink. 3. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the recording unit ejects the ink from the ejection port by utilizing film boiling generated in the ink by the thermal energy generated by the electrothermal converter. .. 4. In an ink jet recording apparatus for recording by ejecting ink from a recording means to a recording material, an elastic wiper for cleaning a discharge port forming surface of the recording means and a sliding contact cleaning of the wiper. Inkjet recording apparatus, wherein a wiper cleaner is provided, and an inclined surface is provided at a portion of the wiper cleaner where the wiper slides and separates. 5. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the recording means is an ink jet recording means provided with an electrothermal converter that generates thermal energy used for ejecting ink. 6. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the recording means ejects the ink from the ejection port by utilizing film boiling generated in the ink by the thermal energy generated by the electrothermal converter. ..