JPH11170562A - Ink jet recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] It is an object of the present invention to provide an ink suction device which has a simple configuration, is low in cost, and can reliably close a tube. A plurality of cap means and a suction drive motor are connected via a plurality of ink tubes to generate a negative pressure in a plurality of cap means each covering a plurality of nozzle portions. Bending means comprising a projecting member capable of selectively bending the ink tube member is provided. Prior to driving the suction drive motor, of the plurality of cap means which do not want to generate a negative pressure, The corresponding ink tube member is folded and closed by using a bending means, and then the suction drive mode is set.
The negative pressure is generated only in the desired cap means by driving the heater.

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 on a recording medium by discharging ink from a discharge port provided in a nozzle portion, wherein a suction means for sucking a liquid from the nozzle portion is provided. The present invention relates to an ink-jet recording apparatus provided.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an ink jet recording apparatus, as a means for preventing clogging of a nozzle portion, and for eliminating and recovering from clogging even if clogging occurs. As a means for filling a nozzle with a liquid when a new ink cartridge is attached to the apparatus, a nozzle portion is covered with a cap means, and then the inside of the cap means is made to have a negative pressure. A mechanism for sucking ink from a unit is known.

A known mechanism for sucking ink from a desired nozzle portion when a plurality of nozzle portions (nozzle rows) exist is described in, for example, JP-A-63-224957 and JP-A-6-328700. Such mechanisms are known.

In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-224957, a plurality of (4) cap means are provided for each nozzle (4 colors).
), Each cap means (4 pieces) and the switching valve (4 pieces)
Are connected using ink suction tubes, and all the switching valves are connected to one negative pressure source via one tube. An electromagnetic valve is used as a configuration for switching the generation of a negative pressure in each cap means.

In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-328700, a nozzle portion corresponding to each color is provided, and an ink cartridge for storing ink for supplying ink of a specific color is provided for each nozzle. The ink cartridge is connected to the ink cartridge via an ink supply tube provided for each color. Further, all the nozzle portions are covered with one cap means, and the cap means and the ink suction pump are connected by using an ink suction tube. When ink is to be sucked from the nozzle portion, the ink supply tube corresponding to the color that does not cause ink to be sucked from the nozzle portion is closed by crushing the ink supply tube using a cam, and the inside of the cap means covering the nozzle portion is closed. By making the pressure
Switching is performed so that suction can be performed only for ink of a desired color.

[0006]

However, as described in JP-A-63-224957, using an electromagnetic valve to switch the generation of negative pressure in each cap means increases the cost of the apparatus. Or an increase in the size of the device. In particular, in order to perform color recording, for example, a nozzle unit and a cap unit are provided for each color.
In the case where four are provided, four electromagnetic valves are also required, which leads to a further increase in cost and an increase in the size of the device.

Further, in the configuration described in JP-A-6-328700, in which the tube is closed by crushing the ink supply tube, the following problems (1) and (2) occur. Dots arise. (1) Since the ink supply tube is always filled with the ink, if the ink supply tube is forcibly crushed, the ink in the ink supply tube leaks from the nozzle, and the nozzle surface becomes dirty. On the other hand, when the cam in the state where the ink supply tube is crushed is released to eliminate the crushed portion, a negative pressure is generated in the direction in which the meniscus of the nozzle is broken. (2) In order to crush a tube filled with ink, a structure that generates a very large force is required, and it is difficult to reliably close the tube. Further, the friction generated by the friction between the cam portion and the tube is large, and a problem of abrasion also occurs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has an ink suction device which has a simple structure, is low in cost, and can securely close a tube. It is intended to provide.

[0009]

According to the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, in the liquid recording apparatus according to the first aspect, a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink and the plurality of nozzles are covered as necessary. In an ink jet recording apparatus comprising a plurality of cap means and an ink suction means for suctioning ink from the nozzle portion by generating a negative pressure in the covered cap means, a negative pressure is applied in the plurality of cap means. Suction driving force generating means for generating, a plurality of ink tube members connecting the plurality of cap means and the suction driving force generating means, and a bending means capable of selectively bending the ink tube member. Prior to driving the suction driving force generating means, the cap means which does not want to generate a negative pressure among the plurality of cap means corresponds. The tube member is bent and closed using the bending means, and then the suction driving force generating means is driven to generate a negative pressure only in the desired cap means. Is proposed.

[0010] In the liquid recording apparatus according to the second aspect, the bending means may be provided on a rotating shaft and a plurality of protrusions provided at positions facing the plurality of ink tube members, respectively. The present invention proposes a configuration including members.

In the liquid recording apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention, a rotation driving force generating means for rotating the rotation shaft is provided at one end of the rotation shaft, and a plurality of switches O are provided at the other end.
A plurality of switch projection members capable of switching between N and OFF in accordance with the rotation of the rotation shaft are provided, and when a specific switch is turned on by the switch projection member, the bending means corresponding to the specific switch is identified. Is proposed to bend the above ink tube member.

In the liquid recording apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a rotation driving force generating means for rotating the rotation shaft is provided at one end of the rotation shaft, and a plurality of slits or marks are provided at the other end. A rotating member and a detecting member for detecting the slit or the mark, and the corresponding bending means causes the specific ink tube member to correspond to the specific ink tube member based on the result of the detection of the specific slit or the mark by the detecting member. This is to propose a bending configuration.

In the liquid recording apparatus according to the present invention, when a predetermined switch among a plurality of switches provided on the other end side of the rotary shaft is turned on by the switch projecting member, the bending means is provided. Proposes a configuration in which none of the ink tube members is bent.

In the liquid recording apparatus according to the present invention, when a predetermined slit or mark is detected by the detecting member among a plurality of slits or marks provided at the other end of the rotating shaft, Means that the bending means is the ink tube
The present invention proposes a configuration in which none of the loop members is bent.

In the liquid recording apparatus according to the present invention, the bending means may further include a guide shaft fixedly provided on the main body, an arm member rotatably supported by the guide shaft, and the arm. The present invention proposes a configuration including a holding roller fixedly provided on a member, and a connecting member having one end connected to the holding roller and the other end connected to the movable portion of the solenoid.

[0016]

According to the present invention, of the plurality of ink tube members connected to the cap means for covering the nozzle, only the selected ink tube member is bent easily and securely.
It can be in a closed state.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic structural view (perspective view) showing an embodiment of the present invention, in which 1 is a cap (1-1 is a black cap, 1-2 is a yellow cap, 1).
-3 is a magenta cap, 1-4 is a cyan cap), 2 is an ink supply tube which communicates with an ink tank and can be opened to the atmosphere, 3 is an ink suction tube, 4 is a switch, 5 is a pump, 6 is an ink suction tube on the pump side, 7
Is a tube relay member, 8 is a tube holding member, 9 is a tube fixing member, 10 is a rotating shaft, 11 is a closing pin, 12 is a driving motor, and 13 is a reduction gear.

In FIG. 1, black (B), yellow
(Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) are provided with four heads (not shown) corresponding to the four color inks, and the four heads each correspond to a cap made of an elastic material. 1 is provided. The cap 1 is composed of a B-cap 1-1, a Y-cap 1-2, an M-cap 1-3, and a C-cap 1-4 for each color.

The cap 1 is connected to an ink cartridge (not shown) for storing ink via an ink supply tube 2 for each color. As with the cap 1, the ink supply tube 2 also has a B tube for each color.
2-1 tube for Y, 2-2 tube for M, 2-3 tube for M,
The ink cartridge is composed of a tube 2-4 for C, and the ink cartridge has a part open to the atmosphere.

The cap 1 and the pump (suction driving force generating means) 5 are connected to the ink suction tube 3 and the pump side ink suction tube 6 so as to generate a negative pressure for sucking ink from the nozzle portion. And a negative pressure is generated in the cap 1 using the driving force of the pump 5.
A tube relay member 7 is provided between the plurality of caps 1 and the single pump 5, and a pump-side ink suction tube 6 connects between the pump 5 and the tube relay member 7. The cap 1 and the tube relay member 7 are connected to each other by a cap side ink suction tube 3. Similarly to the cap 1, the ink suction tube 3 on the cap side also has a B tube 3-1; a Y tube 3-2; an M tube 3-3; -B3-
4.

Cap side ink suction tube 3-1, 3
-2, 3-3, and 3-4 at positions orthogonal to each other,
A rotating shaft 10 is provided rotatably. A reduction gear 13 is provided at one end of the rotating shaft 10 so that the drive motor 1
2 is transmitted to the rotary shaft 10 at a reduced speed.

Ink suction tubes 3-1, 3-2, 3-
Blocking pins 11-1, 11-2, 11-3, and 11-4 are located at positions on the rotating shaft 10 that face the third and third and fourth, respectively.
Are respectively provided, and the closing pins 11 are fixed at four positions on the shaft at intervals of 5 equal parts (360 degrees ÷ 5 = 72 degrees) on the circumference of the shaft. (Only one place is not provided)

A switch opening / closing pin 1 is provided on one end of the rotating shaft 10 opposite to the end on which the reduction gear 13 is provided.
4-1, 14-2, 14-3, 14-4, and 14-5 are provided, and the switches 4-1, 4-2, 4-3, and 4-4 are provided when the switch opening / closing pin 14 comes to a predetermined position. It is provided so that any one of switches 4 and 4-5 is turned on.

The switch opening / closing pin 14 is
Similarly, each is divided into five equal parts (360 degrees の 5
= 72 degrees) and are fixed at five locations on the shaft.

For example, if it is desired not to suction the B-cap 1-1, but to suction the other Y-cap 1-2, M-cap 1-3 and C-cap 1-4. Drives the drive motor 12 shown in FIG. 1 to rotate the rotary shaft 10, and the switch opening / closing pin 14-1
Turns on the switch 4-1, the tube 3-1 for B
Is closed by the closing pin 11-1.

At this time, another switch opening / closing pin 14-
Reference numerals 2, 14-3, 14-4, and 14-5 are OFF, and the Y ink suction tube 3-2, the M ink suction tube 3-3, and the C ink suction tube 3 are provided. 4 is not occluded.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged schematic view showing the state of the closing pin and the ink suction tube in FIG. 1, and FIGS. 2 (a) to 2 (d) are diagrams respectively. It is sectional drawing in AA, BB, CC, DD of No. 1.

FIG. 2A shows a tube fixing member 9-1.
The tube 3-1 for B partially fixed on the holding member 8 is bent (bent) by the tip of the closing pin 11-1 so that the inside becomes an acute angle. I have. As a result, the outside of the tube 3-1 extends, and the inside thereof is slightly compressed, so that the communication hole formed in the tube 3-1 can be closed.

FIG. 2B shows a state in which the Y tube 3-2 is bent by the closing pin 11-2, and FIG. 3 is slightly bent by the rotating shaft 10 in FIG.
(D) shows a state in which the tube for C 3-4 is slightly bent by the rotating shaft 10.

FIGS. 2- (b), (c) and (d) are each bent by a closing pin or a rotating shaft 10, but unlike FIG. 2- (a), the inside is bent at an obtuse angle. The communication hole formed in the tube 3 is not closed.

Similarly, when it is not desired to perform suction only on the Y cap 1-2, for example, the rotating shaft 10 is rotated, and the switch opening / closing pin 14-2 is turned on by the switch 4-2.
Is turned on, the Y tube 3-2 is closed.
The positions of the related switches and pins are set so as to be closed by the switch 2. Cap 1-3 for M, C
Similarly, the positional relation of the related switches and pins is set for the caps 1-4.

On the rotating shaft 10, the closing pins 1 are provided at intervals of 72 degrees.
1 are provided at four places, and only one of the
Is not provided. When it is desired to simultaneously suction all the caps 1 for B, Y, M, and C, the closing pin 11 is not provided when the switch opening / closing pin 14-5 turns on the switch 4-5. Part is all tubes 3
Is configured to come to a position opposing to. Such a case where all four caps 1 are simultaneously sucked is, for example, a case where a large amount of ink remains in the cap 1 due to repeated purging.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment relating to the switch and the switch opening / closing pin in FIG.
5 is a slit plate and 16 is a photo sensor.

In FIG. 3, the switch opening / closing pin 14 and the switch 4 in FIG.
5) and a photosensor-16. Five types of slits (for example, 1 to 5 rows of slits) are formed at an outer peripheral portion of the side surface of the slit plate 15 at intervals of 72 degrees. With such a configuration, the cost can be further reduced and the space can be used efficiently.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show another embodiment in which the ink tube member in FIG. 1 is closed by bending (bending), 17 is a guide shaft, 18 is an arm member, and 19 is an arm member. A holding roller, 20 is a solenoid, 21 is a connecting member, and 22 is a tension coil spring.

In FIG. 1, four ink suction tubes 3 are provided by using four closing pins 11 provided on one rotating shaft 10.
In FIG. 4, the ink suction tube 3 is bent using four independent bending mechanisms corresponding to the four ink suction tubes 3.

The bending mechanism of the ink suction tube shown in FIG. 4 has one guide shaft 17 fixedly provided on the main body side and an arm member 18 rotatably supported by the guide shaft 17. A pressing roller 19 fixedly provided on an arm member 18;
And a connecting member 21 whose other end is rotatably connected to the movable portion of the solenoid 20. In FIG. 4, a plurality of (two) connecting members 21 are provided, and the ink suction tube 3 is surrounded by the guide shaft 17, the arm member 18, the holding roller 19, and the connecting member 21. It is arranged to come to the part.

FIG. 5A shows a state in which the ink suction tube is not bent, and at this time, the solenoid 20 is turned off.
FF, the ink suction tube is almost straight, and the ink suction tube is not closed.

FIG. 5B shows a state in which the ink suction tube is bent. At this time, the solenoid 20 is turned on, and the ink suction tube is bent while receiving the urging force from the tension coil spring 22. And the ink suction tube is closed.

With the configuration of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, since it is possible to close each ink suction tube independently, a plurality of ink suction tubes can be closed simultaneously.

In the above, the case where the suction switching mechanism is applied to the reliability maintenance / recovery mechanism of the ink jet recording apparatus has been described as an embodiment, but the switching mechanism of the present invention has a plurality of tubes. It can be widely applied to the switching mechanism of the filling device. For example, the present invention can be applied not only to ink but also to a switching mechanism of a liquid filling device, paper feeding by air, selection of a suction position when a paper width of a transport device is changed, and the like.

[0043]

According to the ink jet recording apparatus of the first aspect, it is possible to securely close the ink tube with a simple structure at a low cost.

According to the ink jet recording apparatus of the second aspect, in the ink jet recording apparatus of the first aspect, it is possible to reliably close the ink tube with a small force.

According to the ink jet recording apparatus of the third aspect, in the ink jet recording apparatus of the second aspect, it is possible to select an ink tube to be closed with a simple configuration.

According to the ink jet recording apparatus of the fourth aspect, it is possible to provide an ink jet recording apparatus of the second aspect, in which an ink tube to be closed can be selected with a simple structure, and the apparatus has good durability. Become.

According to the ink jet recording apparatus of the fifth aspect, in the ink jet recording apparatus of the third aspect, it is possible to switch all the ink tubes to the open state with a simple configuration.

According to the ink jet recording apparatus of the sixth aspect, in the ink jet recording apparatus of the fourth aspect, it is possible to provide an apparatus which can switch all the ink tubes to the open state with a simple structure and is excellent in cost. It becomes possible.

According to the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention, in the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention, two or more ink tubes can be closed at the same time, and the variation of the recovery operation can be increased. It becomes possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram (perspective view) showing a configuration for generating a negative pressure only in a desired cap means in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged schematic diagram showing a state of a closing pin, an ink suction tube, and the like in FIG. 1;
(A) to FIG. 2 (d) respectively show AA, BB,
It is sectional drawing in CC and DD.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram (perspective view) showing another embodiment of the switch and the switch opening / closing pin in FIG. 1;
It is.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram (perspective view) showing another embodiment relating to a configuration in which the ink tube member in FIG. 1 is folded and closed.

5A is a schematic configuration diagram showing a state where the ink suction tube of FIG. 4 is not bent, and FIG. 5B is a schematic configuration diagram showing a state where the ink suction tube is bent.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cap 2 Ink supply tube 3 Ink suction tube 4 Switch 5 Pump 6 Pump side ink suction tube 7 Tube relay member 8 Tube holding member 9 Tube fixing member 10 Rotating shaft 11 Closing pin REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 12 drive motor 13 reduction gear 14 switch opening / closing pin 15 slit plate 16 photosensor 17 guide shaft 18 arm member 19 holding roller 20 solenoid 21 connecting member 22 tension coil spring

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of nozzles for discharging ink,
An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a plurality of cap means for covering the plurality of nozzle parts as necessary; and an ink suction means for suctioning ink from the nozzle parts by generating a negative pressure in the covered cap means. A suction driving force generating means for generating a negative pressure in the plurality of cap means, a plurality of ink tube members connecting the plurality of cap means and the suction driving force generating means, and the ink tube. Bending means capable of selectively bending the member is provided, and prior to driving the suction driving force generating means, a corresponding ink tube among the plurality of cap means which does not want to generate a negative pressure is provided.
The suction member is bent and closed using the bending means, and then the suction driving force generating means is driven to generate a negative pressure only in the desired cap means. Ink jet recording device. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said bending means comprises a plurality of projecting members provided on a rotary shaft and provided at positions facing each of said plurality of ink tube members. Item 2. An ink jet recording apparatus according to item 1. 3. A rotating drive force generating means for rotating the rotating shaft is provided at one end of the rotating shaft, and ON / OFF of a plurality of switches is switched at the other end according to the rotation of the rotating shaft. A plurality of switch protruding members are provided, and when a specific switch is turned on by the switch protruding member, the bending means corresponding to the specific switch bends the specific ink tube member. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: 4. A rotary driving force generating means for rotating the rotary shaft is provided at one end of the rotary shaft, and a rotary member provided with a plurality of slits or marks is provided at the other end thereof; And a detecting member for detecting the mark, wherein the corresponding bending means bends the specific ink tube member based on a specific slit or mark detection result by the detecting member. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein 5. When a predetermined switch out of a plurality of switches provided on the other end side of the rotary shaft is turned on by the switch projection member, the bending means selects one of the ink tube members. 4. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said ink jet recording apparatus is not bent. 6. When a predetermined slit or mark is detected by the detecting member among a plurality of slits or marks provided on the other end side of the rotating shaft, the bending means is configured to control the ink tube. 5. The liquid recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein none of the loop members is bent. 7. The bending means comprises: a guide shaft fixedly provided on the main body side; an arm member rotatably supported by the guide shaft; and a presser fixedly provided on the arm member. 2. The liquid recording apparatus according to claim 1, comprising: a roller; and a connecting member having one end connected to the holding roller and the other end connected to the movable portion of the solenoid.