JPH04182142A - Ink-jet recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent a back flow of waste ink remaining in the cylinder of a pump through a waste-ink transfer path and the leakage of waste ink to the outside even when an ink-jet recording device is moved by installing an ink absorber having resiliency into the cylinder of the pump sucking waste ink discharged to a cap and discharging waste ink to a storage member. CONSTITUTION:A piston 525 partitioning the inside of a cylinder 53a in a pump 53 into two chambers is inserted slidably into the cylinder 53a in the C direction and the D direction, a columnar type ink absorber 528, at a center of which a hole, into which a piston shaft 527 is penetrated, is formed, is inserted into a chamber on the right side in two chambers partitioned by the piston 525, and the ink absorber 528 has resiliency as the quality of material and can absorb waste ink. An urethane foam, etc., are cited. A discharge opening 53d is formed to the support section 53b of the cylinder 53a, and the discharge opening 53d is communicated with a waste-ink transfer path communicated with a first waste ink tank.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Field of Application 1] The present invention relates to an inkjet recording apparatus that performs recording by ejecting ink from an ejection port of a recording head.

[Prior Art] In a conventional inkjet recording device, a recording head is formed with a plurality of fine ejection ports through which ink is ejected and an ejection port forming surface that is a surface where the respective ejection ports are arranged and opened. has been done. If dust or thickened ink adheres to each of the ejection ports, or if air bubbles are mixed into the ink within the recording head, ink ejection failure will occur. If this ink ejection failure occurs, apply pressure to the ink inside the print head to force the ink to be ejected from each ejection port, or cover the ejection port formation surface of the print head with a cap and remove the inside of the cap. The dust, thickened ink, and air bubbles are removed by applying negative pressure to the ink and forcibly discharging the ink from each ejection port, or by ejecting ink from each ejection port of the print head in the same way as during printing. Ejection recovery processing is performed to remove the causes of ejection failure such as.

The ink (hereinafter referred to as "waste ink") discharged from each ejection port of the recording head along with the cause of the ejection failure by the ejection recovery process is transferred to and stored in a storage member such as a waste ink tank.

The transfer means for transferring the waste ink to the storage member includes a waste ink transfer path that communicates the storage member with a cap that covers the ejection port forming surface of the recording head, and a cylinder and a piston that are interposed in the waste ink transfer path. It consists of a pump with a

An example of the pump is shown in FIG. 25 (A+ and (B)). A piston J3 that divides the inside of the cylinder J2 of the pump J1 into two chambers is fitted into the cylinder J2 so as to be slidable in the direction of the arrow X and the direction of the arrow Y. The piston J3 is formed with a plurality of communication holes (not shown) for communicating the two chambers and a shaft hole into which the piston shaft j4 is loosely fitted. It sequentially passes through the end wall on the left side of the cylinder J2 in the drawing and the shaft hole of the piston J3, and its tip is slidably supported by the support part on the right side end wall of the cylinder J2 in the drawing. A valve port J2a is formed, and the valve port J2a communicates with a cap that covers the ejection port forming surface of the recording head via a waste ink transfer path J5.A discharge port J2b is formed in the support portion of the cylinder J2. is formed, and the discharge port J2b communicates with the storage member via a waste ink transfer path (not shown).

The piston shaft J4 reciprocates with respect to the cylinder J2 by having its left end in the drawing moved in the arrow X direction and the arrow Y direction by a driving means (not shown). When the piston shaft J4 moves in the direction of the arrow X, the flange portion J4a provided on the piston shaft J4 moves toward the piston J3.
Press and move in the direction of arrow X, and also move the piston shaft J
4 moves in the direction of the arrow Y, the large diameter portion J4b provided on the piston shaft J4 engages with the piston J3 and moves the piston J3 in the direction of the arrow Y.

When the piston J3 is moved in the direction of arrow X from the top dead center shown in FIG. 25(B) to the bottom dead center shown in FIG. Since the hole and the shaft hole are sealed, the pressure in the left chamber of the cylinder J2 becomes negative, and the waste ink discharged into the cap passes through the waste ink transfer path J5 and the valve port J2a, and enters the left chamber of the cylinder J2 as shown. It gets sucked in. Further, when the piston J3 is moved in the direction of the arrow Y, the flange portion J
4a and the piston J3, the waste ink sucked into the left chamber shown in the figure passes through each communication hole or shaft hole of the piston J3 and moves to the right chamber shown in the cylinder J2. The waste ink that has moved to the illustrated right chamber is discharged toward the storage member from the discharge port J2b of the cylinder J2 when the piston J3 moves in the direction of the arrow X.

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention 1] In the conventional inkjet recording apparatus described above, the waste ink discharged from each ejection port of the recording head by the ejection recovery process is transferred to the storage member by the transfer means, but the pump of the transfer means Waste ink remains in the sill after the pump stops.

If the inkjet recording device is moved with waste ink remaining in the pump cylinder, if the inkjet recording device is tilted, the waste ink will flow backward from the cylinder through the waste ink transfer path and reach the cap, and will be removed from the cap. There is a problem that it may leak outside.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the conventional technology, and even when an inkjet recording device is moved, waste ink remaining in the pump cylinder flows backward through the waste ink transfer path and from the cap. The object is to provide an inkjet recording device that does not leak to the outside.

[Means for Solving the Problems 1] An inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention for achieving the above object comprises: a recording head that performs recording by ejecting ink onto a recording medium from an ejection port; a waste ink transfer path that communicates between a cap for receiving waste ink discharged from an ejection port of the head and a storage member for storing the waste ink, and a waste ink transfer path that is interposed in the waste ink transfer path; The present invention is characterized by comprising a pump having a cylinder and a piston for sucking discharged waste ink and discharging it to the storage member, and an ink absorber having elasticity is provided in the cylinder of the pump. It is something.

In addition, there is also a device characterized by forming a passage for air and waste ink to pass through the ink absorber having elasticity.

Furthermore, there are cases in which an elastic ink absorber is provided in one of the two chambers partitioned by the piston in the cylinder, and ink absorbers with elasticity in both chambers partitioned by the piston in the cylinder. Some have bodies.

The recording head may be a full-line type in which ejection ports are formed over the entire width of the recording area of the recording medium, or it may be a type that ejects ink using thermal energy, which generates the thermal energy. Some are equipped with an electrothermal converter.

[Operation 1] In the inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention configured as described above, a part of the waste ink that reaches the cylinder of the pump from the cap via the waste ink transfer path due to the suction force of the pump is disposed in the cylinder. The ink is absorbed by the ink absorber, which has elasticity.

Since the ink absorber has elasticity, even if the volume inside the cylinder changes due to movement of the piston, the shape of the ink absorber is deformed in accordance with the change in the volume inside the cylinder.

[Embodiment 1] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, a first example will be described.

FIG. 1 shows a document creation device (hereinafter referred to as a "word processor") having an inkjet recording device of this embodiment.
An example of the external configuration is shown below.

The keyboard section 1 is an input device for manually inputting documents, etc., and the display section 2 is a section for displaying documents, etc. input using the keyboard section 1. The display section 2 is rotatably held in the main body of the word processor, and can be folded over the keyboard section 1 when not in use.

The protective cover 3 is transparent or semi-transparent and is openable and closable at a viewing opening for checking the operating state of the printer section of the word processor. spur cover 4
are for holding the spurs, and will be described later with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

The paper supporter 5 supports the recording paper as a recording medium when the recording paper is fed and discharged, and the knob 6 is used to manually feed and discharge the recording paper.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of the inkjet recording apparatus (hereinafter referred to as "recording apparatus") of this embodiment, which serves as the printer section.

The head cartridge 9 shown by the two-dot chain line in the figure is a unit that includes a recording head, which will be described later, and an ink tank that stores ink to be supplied to the recording head. C)
is fitted into a support plate 19 erected on the carriage 11, and is removably attached to the carriage 11. The head cartridge 9 mounted on the carriage 11 is fixed by a hook 13, and the fixation by the hook 13 and its release are performed by operating an operating lever 15.

The support plate 19 is provided with an electrical connection part (not shown) for electrical connection with the head cartridge 9,
The electrical connection section is electrically connected to a main body control section (not shown) via an FPC (flexible printed cable) 21. Thereby, the head cartridge 9 mounted on the carriage 11 is electrically connected to the main body control section. The configuration related to the FPC 21 will be described later with reference to FIG. 9.

The carriage 11 is slidably fitted to a guide shaft 23 disposed in the recording device via a bearing 25, and is fitted on two pulleys 29 disposed at both ends of the recording device.
- of the timing belt 27 wrapped around A and 29B
, is combined with tun. The two pulleys 29A, 29B
The driving force of the carriage motor 31 is transmitted to one of the pulleys 29B via a transmission mechanism such as a gear, so that the pulley 29B rotates forward and reverse. As a result, the timing belt 27 rotates normally and reversely, and the carriage 11 is guided by the guide shaft 23 and reciprocates in the direction of the arrow SR and the direction of the arrow SL.

A conveyance roller 33 disposed parallel to the guide shaft 23 is used to convey recording paper during recording, etc., and is driven by a conveyance motor 35. The conveyance roller 3
The paper pan 37, which has a curved shape and is arranged along the circumferential surface of the paper pan 3, has two elongated holes extending in a direction parallel to the axial direction of the conveyance roller 33. Inside, two feed rollers 39A and 39B are rotatably supported. Each of the feed rollers 39A and 39B presses the recording sheet inserted between the conveyance roller 33 and the paper pan 37 from the paper supporter 5 (see FIG. 1) side toward the conveyance roller 33 by a pressing means (not shown). do. As a result, the recording paper becomes
As the conveyance roller 33 rotates, the paper is conveyed toward the front surface 45 of the paper pan 37 .

Both ends of the platen 34 located above the front part 45 of the paper pan 37 are connected to the plates 7 at both ends of the recording device.
A paper ejection roller shaft 41 rotatably supported by 5A and 75B
A, and the platen 34 is always urged by a spring (not shown) toward the front surface 45 of the paper pan 37 from the conveyance roller 33. Furthermore, scoop portions 34A are formed on the platen 34 in correspondence with the small diameter portions 33A provided at a plurality of locations on the conveyance roller 33.

The paper ejection roller shaft 41A is configured to be rotated by the transport motor 35 via a transmission mechanism such as a gear, and a plurality of paper ejection rollers 41 are fixed at appropriate positions on the paper ejection roller shaft 41A. ing. A spur 42 rotatably supported by a spur cover 4 (see FIG. 1) is pressed against each of the paper discharge rollers 41, respectively.

The recording paper conveyed by the conveyance roller 33 is
After passing between the front part 45 of the paper pan 37 and the platen 34 while being sandwiched between the front part 45 and the platen 34 and rising along the platen 34, each paper ejection roller 41 and each spur 42 sandwiched between each paper ejection roller 4
1, the paper is discharged toward the paper discharge port of the spur cover 4. Also, when setting recording paper, etc., each feed roller 39A, 39BJ and each spur 42
A release lever 43 is provided for moving the feed rollers 39A, 39B and the spurs 42 at the same time to release the biasing forces against the recording paper.

A discharge recovery device for performing discharge recovery processing is provided on the left side of the conveyance roller 33 in the drawing. The cap 51 of the ejection recovery device is made of an elastic material such as rubber, and faces the ejection opening forming surface of the recording head of the head cartridge 9 mounted on the carriage 11 that is stopped at the home position at the left end of the kite shaft 23 in the figure. It is placed in a position where Further, the cap 51 is configured to be able to come into contact with and separate from the ejection port forming surface of the recording head.

The cap 51 is connected to a motor 61 via a cam device 63.
The pump 53 is connected via a waste ink transfer path (not shown) to a pump 53 driven by the driving force of
It communicates with a first waste ink tank 55, which is a storage member for storing waste ink, through a tube 57, which serves as a waste ink transfer path. The first waste ink tank 55
Furthermore, a second waste ink tank 70 is connected to the tube 71.
It is communicated with.

The ejection recovery process is performed as follows.

After the cap 51 contacts and seals the discharge port forming surface of the recording head located at the home position, the pump 53 is driven and the suction force of the pump 53 creates a negative pressure inside the recap 51, causing the recording head to completely discharge. Waste ink is forcibly discharged from the outlet.

In addition, ink is ejected from all ejection ports of the print head toward the cap 51 located away from the ejection port forming surface of the print head located at the home position in the same manner as during printing (hereinafter referred to as "preparation"). It is also done by "discharge"). These waste inks discharged into the cap 51 reach the pump 53 via the waste ink transfer path due to the suction force of the pump 53, and the waste ink that has reached the pump 53 passes through the tube 57 due to the discharge force of the pump 53 and is transferred to the first pump.
The waste ink is transferred to the waste ink tank 55.

A blade 59 disposed adjacent to the cap 51 is for wiping the ejection orifice forming surface of the recording head, and is located at a wiping position protruding onto the movement path of the ejection orifice forming surface of the recording head. It is configured to be able to reciprocate between a retracted position and a retracted position from the movement path of the discharge port forming surface.

The reciprocating movement of the blade 59 is performed by the driving force of the motor 61 via the cam device 63.

At this point, details of the above-mentioned head cartridge 9 will be explained.

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the head cartridge 9, in which the recording head 9a and the ink tank 9b are integrated, as viewed obliquely from below. In the figure, the pawl 906e is hooked by a hook 13 provided on the carriage 11 when the head cartridge 9 is installed, and a support plate 19 erected on the carriage 11 is attached to the head opening 906f. inserted. Further, near the recording head 9a of the head cartridge 9, a positioning abutting portion is provided, although not shown in this figure.

FIG. 4fA+ is an exploded perspective view of the head cartridge 9 seen from a different direction from that shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 4fBl is an external perspective view of FIG. 4IA) after assembly.

Here, the recording head 9a will be explained.

In FIG. 4 (A+), the heater board 911 is formed by forming an electrothermal converter and wiring such as A1 for supplying power to the electrothermal converter on a substrate 81 using a film-forming technology. Corresponding wiring lines to the substrate 921 are connected, for example, by wire bonding.

The top plate 940 bonded to the heater board 911 is made of a resin material, and the top plate 940 has a plurality of fine ejection ports through which ink is ejected, and each of the ejection ports is arranged and opened. A discharge port forming surface is formed. Further, inside the top plate 940 (not visible in the figure), there are a plurality of flow path walls for configuring liquid flow paths that communicate with each of the discharge ports, and a common liquid chamber that communicates with each of the liquid flow paths. is formed.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the head cartridge 9 is mounted on the carriage 11, the ejection port forming surface 940b
It has an inclined surface that is inclined by an angle θ with respect to a plane parallel to the recording surface of the recording paper, and also has a plurality of ejection ports 94.
A step 940a is formed at a portion where 0Cs are parallel.

This slope avoids the wall (not shown) behind the top plate 940,
Then, move the beam from the rear of the top plate 940 to the discharge port forming surface 94.
This is due to the method of processing the discharge ports 940C in which each discharge port 9400 is bored by diagonally irradiating the back surface of the discharge port 9400.

On the other hand, a support 930 made of metal or the like (see Fig. 4 iA))
, a pressing spring 950 is engaged with the heater board 911 and the top plate 940 being sandwiched between the support body 930 and the pressing spring 7″11950.
The heater board 911 and the top plate 940 are crimped and fixed by a biasing force of 0.

A wiring board 921 is attached to the support 930, and the wiring board 921 has a head opening 906f (see FIG. 3).
It forms one side of the inner wall. Further, the support body 930 also functions as a member that radiates and cools the heat of the heater board 911 that is generated as the ink is ejected.

On the other hand, the sub-tank 960 temporarily stores ink supplied from the ink tank 9b serving as an ink supply source, and supplies the ink to a common liquid chamber formed by joining the heater board 911 and the top plate 940. , the outer wall 8 of the head cartridge 9 and the inner wall of the head opening 906f are sealed by a cover member 980. The ink in the sub-tank 960 is filtered through a filter 970 and an ink introduction port 9.
42 and is supplied to the common liquid chamber.

The ink tank 9b is filled with an absorber 900 for impregnating the inside with ink, and is sealed with a lid member 1100. Further, the inside of the ink tank 9b is communicated with the atmosphere through an atmosphere communication port 1300. In the absorber 900, the recording head 9a is attached to the mounting surface 101 of the ink tank 9b.
0, ink is filled from a supply port 1200 drilled in the mounting surface 1010.

Positioning and fixing when attaching the recording spatula '9a to the mounting surface 1010 are performed using two protrusions 1012a and 1012b protruding from the mounting surface 1010, and two corresponding holes drilled in the support body 930. holes 931a, 93
This is done by fitting the parts 1b into each other.

Ink is supplied from inside the ink tank 9b to a supply port 1200,
The ink is supplied into the sub-tank 960 by sequentially passing through the holes 932 bored in the support body 930, and the ink that reaches the sub-tank 960 is supplied to the common liquid chamber as described above.

A gasket made of, for example, silicone rubber or butyl rubber is provided at each connection part of the ink path, thereby ensuring the ink supply without ink leakage.

FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view of FIG. 2, and the structure and operation of the platen 34 and the front section 45 of the paper pan 37 will be explained in more detail here.

The ejection port forming surface 940b of the recording end 9a and the platen 3
The distance ρ(
The head gap) is adjusted optimally for printing.

The recording paper inserted from the direction of the arrow is pressed toward the conveyance roller 33 by each feed roller 39A, 39B, and is conveyed by the frictional force with the conveyance roller 33. The leading edge of the recording paper is placed between the scoop part 34A of the platen 34 and the front part 45 of the paper pan 37 against the elastic force of springs 82 (provided at both ends of the platen 34). Insert it while rotating it in the direction of arrow B.

Note that the front portion 45 is fixed with a gap between it and the discharge port forming surface 940b being appropriately adjusted.

Therefore, regardless of the thickness of the recording paper along the front surface of the platen 34, the platen 34 moves away in the direction of the arrow B, so that the recording paper is kept at an optimal distance from the ejection port forming surface 940b.

When the recording paper is conveyed upward in the figure along the front surface of the platen 34, there is a contact point between the paper ejection roller 41 and the spur 42 on the extension line of the front surface of the platen 34, so that the leading edge of the recording paper easily passes through the paper ejection roller. 41 and the spur 42.

Further, the difference in the head gap between the upper and lower ends of the recording area due to the tilt of the platen 34 can be ignored because the distance HH between the center of rotation of the platen 34 and the center of printing is large.

Note that the platen 34 does not necessarily have to be coaxial with the paper ejection roller 41. Moreover, the front part 45 is the paper pan 3
It does not have to be formed integrally with 7, and may be fixed by adhesive or screws. Alternatively, it may be configured as a separate body and fixed by a portion of the recording device.

FIG. 7 shows the head cartridge 9 installed, the spur 42,
FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the printer section of the word processor when equipped with a spur cover 4 and a protective cover 3 provided over a viewing opening. As can be seen from this figure, the spur cover 4 protrudes above the head cartridge 9 to form a spur mounting portion.

Therefore, although the operation of the head cartridge 9 can be visually observed through the transparent or translucent protective cover 3, it is not possible to visually confirm the state of the ejection recovery process of the recording head 9a at the home position. is strongly desired.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, the visual recognition opening 3A of the word processor shown in this embodiment is opened along the moving path of the head cartridge 9 from one end of the main body of the word processor to the other end, and in addition, the opening 3A for visual recognition of the word processor shown in this embodiment is opened along the movement path of the head cartridge 9. The upper portion of the head cartridge 9 (indicated by a broken line in the figure) also has an open, abbreviated shape. The protective cover 3 has a shape that fits into the viewing opening 3A. The protective cover 3 is transparent or semi-transparent, but it does not necessarily have to be transparent or semi-transparent as long as it can be opened and closed or easily attached and detached, and the viewing opening 3A can be opened immediately if necessary. Good too.

Next, the configuration related to the FPC 21 will be explained.

FIG. 9 is a schematic front view showing only the main parts of the recording apparatus according to this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 9, both ends of the FPC 21 are fixed to a frame 91 and a carriage 11 of the recording apparatus, respectively. The FPC 21 extends along the frame 91 in the direction of the arrow SL from the point where it is fixed to the frame 91, and also extends in the direction of the arrow SR to reach the carriage 11 by bending and reversing the direction (curved portion 21A). There is.

The position where the curved portion 2LA of the FPC 21 is formed is as follows:
As the carriage 11 moves, the curved portion 21A of the frame 91 moves in the direction of the arrow SR or the direction of the arrow SL.
A friction sheet 97 is attached with adhesive to the area where the friction sheet 97 is formed.

The carriage 11 is at the home position (guide shaft 23
If the friction sheet 97 is not provided, the portion of the FPC 21 along the frame 91 will slide on the frame 91 and move in the direction of the arrow SR, causing the above movement. A new curved portion may be formed in front of the carriage 11 and the object may be caught in the carriage 11. The friction sheet 97 prevents this from happening, and cleans the portion of the FPC 21 along the frame 91 in the direction of arrow SR due to the frictional force with the friction sheet 97 (and prevents the FPC 21 from getting caught up in the carriage 11). do.

As an example of the friction sheet 97, a sheet material made of, for example, silicon can be used.

Moreover, it goes without saying that the friction sheet 97 can also be applied when an electrical connection member such as a flat cable or an east line is used instead of the FPC 21.

Next, it is shown in FIG. cap 51, pump 53,
A discharge recovery device including a blade 59, a motor 61, a cam device 63, etc. will be explained. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the main parts of the discharge recovery device.

In FIG. 10, the protrusion formed on the back surface of the cap 51 is inserted into the hole of the cap holder 503.
It is fixed to the cap holder 503 by being fitted using its elasticity.

The cap holder 503 to which the cap 51 is fixed is fixed to the tip of the cap lever 505 by a snap means, and the action part 517 protruding from the tip and the cap 51
and the protrusion are in close contact with each other. Further, an absorber 501 that absorbs waste ink is fitted inside the carrier rib 51.

Here, the cap 51 and the cap holder 503
I will explain about it. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing details of the cap 51 and cap holder 503.

As shown in FIG. 11, the cap 51 has an opening-shaped rib 5 that comes into contact with the ejection port forming surface 940b of the recording head 9a.
1a is formed, and the cross-sectional shape of the rib 51a is as follows.
Step 940a on discharge port forming surface 940b (see Fig. 5)
In order to follow the curve, it has a trapezoidal shape that is thin at the tip and thickens at the base. Further, the discharge port forming surface 940b of the rib 51a
The opening-shaped tip that comes into contact with the opening-shaped tip is formed so that the plane formed by the opening-shaped tip is parallel to the discharge port forming surface 940b that is inclined by the angle θ described above.

On the other hand, two stop ribs 503C are formed on the surface of the cap holder 503 to which the cap 51 is attached, and each of the stop ribs 503C allows the cap 51 to be pressed against the discharge port forming surface 940b with a pressing force of 60 g to 80 g. This prevents the cap 51 from sagging sideways and from being deformed due to the inclination of the angle O. Also, one stop plate 503b is formed on each side of the cap boulder 503, and each stop plate 503b is configured to prevent the cap lever 50 from moving when the cap 51 is pressed against the discharge port forming surface 940b.
05 (see Figure 1O).

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the cap 51, and fA
1 is a front view, FB+ is a plan view, and FC+ is a sectional view taken along line MM at fAl.

As shown in FIG. 12, a waste ink flow path 563 is formed in the cap 51, and one opening end (suction port 561) of the waste ink flow path 563 is connected to the ejection port forming surface 940b of the recording head 9a. The other open end is located at the lower part of the four parts covering the cap lever 505, and the other open end is a waste ink inlet 51 which is bored in the action part 517 of the cap lever 505 and communicates with the pump 53.
It communicates with 7a. Further, the upper half of the suction port 561 is covered by the absorbent body 501.

In order for the cap 51 to follow the shape of the discharge port forming surface 940b, it is preferable that the tip of the rib 51a is thin and the hardness is low, but at the same time, it is preferable that the tip of the rib 51a is thin and has low hardness. It is necessary that the rib 51a has a certain degree of strength. Further, it is necessary that the discharge port forming surface 940b not be permanently deformed when left in a sealed state for a long period of time.

Taking these into consideration, the cross-sectional shape of the rib 51a was selected as follows. That is, in FIG. 12 fcl, W 1
=0.3mm, W2 =0.5mm, H=
The diameter was 0.4 mm, and the rubber hardness was 60°. At the same time, the peripheral part 51b around the rib 51a is sufficiently large compared to the shape of the rib 51a, for example, the rib 51b of the peripheral part 51b
The width from the root to the outer edge of a is 2 to 3 mm or more, and the thickness is 2
By setting the thickness to 3 mm or more, the above function becomes more reliable.

Note that the rubber used for the cap 51 may be butyl rubber, chlorinated butyl rubber, silicone rubber, or the like.

By the way, the discharge port forming surface 940b and the plane formed by the opening-shaped tip of the rib 51a do not necessarily have to be parallel. If they are parallel, when the cap 51 contacts and separates, the entire mouth-shaped tip simultaneously touches the discharge port forming surface 94.
This is because the ink meniscus of each ejection port 940c may not be properly maintained due to the momentary large pressure fluctuation occurring in the space sealed by the cap 51 due to contact with and separation from the cap 51. be. That is, by making the ribs 51 non-parallel, when the cap 51 comes into contact with the cap 51, the mouth-shaped tips of the ribs 51a gradually come into contact with the discharge port forming surface 940b until the cap 51 is in a completely closed state. Furthermore, when the cap 51 is separated, the mouth-shaped tips of the ribs 51a gradually separate from each other until they are completely separated.

From this point of view, the configuration of the cap 51 shown in FIG. 1113 and FIG. 12 is not necessarily applied only to the discharge port forming surface 940b as shown in FIG. That is, the configuration of the cap 5 can be applied to a discharge port forming surface formed parallel to the recording paper, for example.

Also, from the above point of view, the plane formed by the mouth-shaped tip of the rib 5]a is not necessarily the same as that shown in FIGS. 11 and 1.
The ribs 51a do not need to be inclined as shown in FIG. 2, and may have a configuration in which the ribs 51a are provided with unevenness at the mouth-shaped tips to prevent the pressure fluctuations.

Next, returning to FIG. 10, the explanation of the discharge recovery device will be continued.

A jig 513 having a hole is fitted into a supporting part 515 provided upright on the pump 53, and the cap lever 505 has bottles 507a and 507b protruding from both sides thereof, which are connected to the hole of the jig 513 and a fastening member 516. The support portion 515 and the fastening member 516 sandwich the support portion 515 and the fastening member 516 while being rotatably fitted into the respective holes. The fastening member 516 is fixed to the support portion 515 by snap means.

- A hole is bored in the inside of the cap lever 505 that passes from the waste ink inlet 517a of the action part 517 to the circumferential surface of the bottle 507a, and a hole that communicates with the hole extends from the inner circumferential surface of the hole of the jig 513. A hole is drilled through the inside to the lower end surface, and
A hole communicating with the hole of this jig 513 passes through the inside of the support part 515 from the surface that contacts the lower end surface of the jig 513 to the pump 5.
These three holes constitute a waste ink transfer path from the cap 51 to the pump 53.

Regarding the internal configuration of the pump 53, FIG. 17fBl
Explain with reference to.

A piston 525 that divides the inside of the cylinder 53a inside the pump 53 into two chambers is fitted into the cylinder 53a so as to be slidable in the direction of arrow C and the direction of the arrow. A plurality of communication holes (not shown) for the piston shaft 527 and a shaft hole for loosely fitting the piston shaft 527 are formed.

Of the two chambers partitioned by the piston 525, the right-hand chamber in the figure is fitted with an ink absorber 528 that is cylindrical and has a hole in the center through which the piston shaft 527 passes (see FIG. 24). A) Sansho), the ink absorber 528
The material is elastic and can absorb waste ink, such as foamed urethane.

The piston shaft 527 is connected to the cylinder 53 from the left side in the figure.
a cylinder cap 531 that seals the air via two gaskets 529a and 529b, and the two gaskets 529
a, 529b, piston 525 and ink absorber 52
8 successively, and the distal end thereof is slidably supported by a support portion 53b of the right end wall of the cylinder 53a in the drawing. A flange portion 527ag and a large diameter portion 527b are provided on both sides of the piston 525 of the piston shaft 527, and the flange portion 527a allows the piston 525 to move in the direction of arrow C when the piston shaft 527 moves in the direction of arrow C.
It is moved by pressing in the direction, and the large diameter portion 527b
When the piston shaft 527 moves in the direction of the arrow,
It engages with the piston 525 and moves the piston 525 in the direction of the arrow. In addition, the piston shaft 527
At the end projecting outward from the cylinder 53a, there is a pin 5 which is slidably fitted into the cam groove of the cam 549 of the cam device 63.
33 is attached, and the bin 533 is attached to the cam 5.
The piston shaft 527 is reciprocated by being guided by a cam groove 49 (see FIG. 10) and reciprocating in the direction of arrow C and the direction indicated by the arrow.

A valve port 53c is formed in the peripheral wall of the cylinder 53a, and the valve port 53c communicates with the waste ink transfer path 500 passing through the cap 51.

The support portion 53b of the cylinder 53a has a discharge port 53d.
is formed, and the discharge port 53d communicates with a waste ink transfer path (not shown) leading to the first waste ink tank 55.

When the piston 525 is moved in the direction of arrow C, the flange portion 527a seals each communication hole and shaft hole of the piston 525, so that the left chamber of the cylinder 53a in the figure becomes negative pressure, and the waste ink discharged into the cap 51 is removed. passes through the waste ink transfer path 500 and the valve port 53c in order to the cylinder 53a.
The left ventricle is aspirated. When the piston 525 is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow, a gap is created between the flange portion 527a and the piston 525, so the waste ink sucked into the left chamber in the figure passes through each communication hole or shaft hole of the piston 525 and flows into the cylinder 53a. Move to the right ventricle shown in the figure and insert the ink absorber 5.
Absorbed by 28. The waste ink absorbed by the ink absorber 528 is pushed out from the ink absorber 528 when the piston 525 moves in the direction of arrow C and the ink absorber 528 is compressed by the piston 525, and is discharged from the discharge port of the cylinder 53a. The ink is discharged from the waste ink tank 53d to the first waste ink tank 55. Further, since the ink absorber 528 has elasticity, when the piston 525 moves in the direction indicated by the arrow, it returns to its original shape by its own elastic force.

Returning again to FIG. 10, the description of other parts of the discharge recovery device will proceed.

A shaft portion 519a protrudes from the right end face of the pump 53 in the drawing, and a blade support member 535 to which a blade 59 is attached is rotatably supported on the shaft portion 519a.

The pump 53 equipped with the blade support member 535 has a small diameter shaft portion 5 further protruding from the end surface of the shaft portion 519a.
19b is fitted into the hole of the side plate 520b, and a shaft portion (not shown) protruding from the end surface of the cylinder cap 531 is fitted into the hole of the cam device mounting member 520a, thereby connecting the cam device mounting member 520a and the side plate 520b. It is configured to be rotatably supported by.

On the other hand, the shaft portion of the cam 549 of the cam device 63 is sequentially inserted into the hole of the cam device mounting member 520a, the shaft hole of the camshaft 63a, and the hole of the side plate 520b.
20a and the side plate 520b, it is rotatably supported (forward rotation, reverse rotation).

The camshaft 63a includes a switch cam 557 for opening and closing a home position switch (hereinafter referred to as rH, P, sWJ) 555, and a switch cam 557 for supporting the pump 53 by coming into contact with a pump lever 545 protruding from the pump 53. Part 5
15 and a blade lever 551 protruding from the blade support member 535.
A blade cam 553 is formed to rotate the blade support member 535 in contact with the blade support member 535, and the cam shaft 63a is fixed to the shaft portion of the cam 549.

The other end of a spring 539, one end of which is locked to the cam device mounting member 520a, is locked to the locking portion formed at the lower part of the pump 53, and the tension of the spring 539 causes the pump 5 to
3 is always urged in the direction of arrow E, and the pump lever 545 and cap cam 547 come into contact with each other. The pump lever 5
45 rotates while being guided by the cap cam 547, the support portion 515 rotates, and the cap lever 505 moves forward and backward relative to the discharge port forming surface 940b of the recording head 9a.

Also, the fork-shaped end 5 of the cap lever 505
09 is a bottle 5 protruding from the cam device mounting member 520a.
11 is slidably fitted into the cap lever 511, and the fork-shaped end 509 is regulated by the bin 511, thereby maintaining the posture of the cap lever 505 when moving forward and backward (Fig. 16). reference).

The other end of a spring 537, one end of which is locked to the cam device mounting member 520a, is locked to the locking portion formed at the lower part of the blade support member 535, and the tension of the spring 537 causes the blade support member 535 to lock. is always urged in the direction of arrow E, and the blade lever 551 and blade cam 553 come into contact with each other.

When the blade lever 551 rotates while being guided by the blade cam 553, the blade support member 535 rotates, and the blade 59 reciprocates between the wiping position and the retracted position (16th (see figure).

The rotational driving force of the motor 61 attached to the cam device mounting member 520a is transmitted to the cam 549 via two gears 541a and 541b, causing the cam 549 to rotate (forward rotation,
Reverse). A part of the rotational driving force of the cam 549 is transmitted to the piston shaft 527 via the bottle 533 and the pump 5
3, and the other parts rotate the camshaft 63a to drive the cap lever 5058 and the blade support member 5.
It is used to drive 35.

The discharge port 53d is open in the end face of the shaft portion 519b of the pump 53, and the discharge port 53d is sealed by a lid member 521 supported by a tube attachment member 523. However, the lid member 521 and the tube attachment member 5
Holes that communicate with each other are bored inside each of the tubes 23, and the discharge port 53d and the tube 57 communicate with each other through the holes. The hole and tube 57 constitute a waste ink transfer path from the pump 53 to the first waste ink tank 55.

Next, the first waste ink tank 55 and the second waste ink tank 70 will be explained.

As shown in FIG. 2, in addition to providing the first waste ink tank 55, a second waste ink tank 70 is provided by effectively utilizing the space inside the recording device, and these first and second waste ink tanks are provided. The waste ink transferred by the ejection recovery device, which connects the ink tanks 55 and 70 with the tube 71, first passes through the tube 57 and is transferred to the first waste ink tank 5.
5 will be introduced. While there is room to accommodate waste ink in the first waste ink tank 55, the second waste ink tank 55
After that, when the first waste ink tank 55 cannot store the waste ink, the waste ink collected from the first waste ink tank 55 is stored in the tube 71. The waste ink is then introduced into the second waste ink tank 70.

Note that each of the waste ink tanks 55 and 70 is provided with an absorber for absorbing waste ink.

The first waste ink tank 55 and the second waste ink tank 70 shown in FIG. 2 are connected in series, but as a modification, FIG. This figure shows two waste ink tanks 70a connected in parallel.

A three-way joint 57a is provided at the other end of the tube 57, one end of which is connected to the discharge recovery device.
a, the flow of waste ink is branched to the first waste ink tank 55 via tube 57a and tube 71a.
Waste ink is introduced into aP and a second waste ink tank 70a, respectively. Further, each waste ink tank 55a, 70a is provided with an opening, and each opening is provided with a ventilation cloth 183a, 183b.
are attached to each. Each of the ventilation cloths 183a, 18
3b is a material that allows the solvent vapor of the waste ink to pass through but not the liquid waste ink, and specifically, for example, Paper Load (manufactured by Tishin) can be used. By arranging such ventilation cloths 183a and 183b, it is possible to prevent waste ink from leaking from each waste ink tank 55a and 70a.

From the viewpoint of installing waste ink tanks by effectively utilizing the empty spaces of distributed recording devices, it is necessary to install not only the second waste ink tank but also more waste ink tanks in appropriate empty spaces. Of course, it is possible to do so.

FIG. 14 shows a configuration example in which two waste ink tanks are provided in addition to the first waste ink tank 55b. t:i and the third waste ink tank 70c are provided in parallel. First waste ink tank 5
5b), this waste ink is branched by a joint 71b and sent to a second waste ink tank 70bj:i via a tube 71c and a tube 71d.
and third waste ink tank 70c, respectively.

According to such a configuration, the amount of waste ink that can be accommodated can be further increased.

It goes without saying that any suitable configuration can be used for the connections between these waste ink tanks, or for the connections between more waste ink tanks.

Next, the H, P, and SW 555, the cap 51, and the pump 5 which are operated by the rotation of the cam 549 of the discharge recovery device
Regarding each operating state of blade 38 and blade 59, state ■~
I will explain it separately.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operating states of H, P, 5W 555, cap 51, pump 53, and blade 59 with respect to the rotation angle of cam 549 (hereinafter referred to as "cam rotation angle"). Figure 16 shows the state ■
H, P, SW555, cap 5 in each state of ~■
1 and a blade 59 in a schematic diagram. FIG. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the pump 53, showing five piston positions fA) to (E), respectively. Note that the numerical values in FIG. 15 indicate the cam rotation angle.

[Condition 1] The position of the cam 549 at this time is used as a reference with the cam rotation angle being 0°. This is the standby state of the ejection recovery device when the recording device is performing a recording operation.

The H, P, and SW 555 are closed, the cap 51 is in a separated position that is a position retreated from the movement path of the ejection port forming surface 940b of the recording head 9a, and the piston 525 of the pump 53 is in the upper position shown in FIG. 17fA+. It is located at the dead center,
Further, the blade 59 is located at the retracted position.

[Condition ■1 The cam rotation angle is 45°. When the recording apparatus is not in use, the ejection opening forming surface 940b of the recording head 9a that is stopped at the home position is sealed by the cap 51 that has been moved to the contact position. H,P,
SW555 is open and piston 525 of pump 53
is located at the top dead center, and the blade 59 is located at the retracted position.

[State @1 The cam rotation angle is 135°. Move the piston 525 of the pump 53 to the position shown in FIG.
The suction force of the pump 53 is generated and the discharge port forming surface 940 is sealed by the cap 51.
Waste ink is forcibly discharged from each ejection port 940C (hereinafter referred to as "pumping"). Further, in this state, each communication hole of the piston 525 and the shaft hole are sealed by the flange portion 527a of the piston shaft 527, and the illustrated left chamber of the cylinder 53a is maintained at negative pressure. H,
The P and SW 555 are closed, the cap 51 is in the contact position, and the blade 59 is in the retracted position.

[Status ■] The cam rotation angle is 1698°. The piston 525 of the pump 53 is moved from the position shown in FIG. 17 (B+ to the position shown in FIG. 17 fc).
) has completed further movement to the bottom dead center. A small suction force is generated again in the pump 53, and the piston 525
During the movement, the cap 51 is moved from the contact position to the separation position, the seal by the cap 51 is broken, and the waste ink remaining in the middle of the waste ink transfer path 500 is further transferred to the left chamber of the cylinder 53a as shown in the figure. imported (hereinafter referred to as “
It is called ``small air suction''. ). H, P, and SW 555 are closed, and blade 59 is located in the retracted position.

[Status ■] State ■ will be explained first. Cam rotation angle is 261°
It is. ``This is a preparation state for starting hollow suction and large hollow suction, which will be described later, for discharging the waste ink filled in the cylinder 5''3a of the pump 53 from the discharge port 53d due to the above-mentioned pumping.The piston 525 of the pump 53 is It is stopped at the position shown in Fig. 17 fD), and the valve port 53c
is closed. H, P, SW555 are closed, the cap 5] is located in the separated position, and the blade 5
9 is located almost at the retracted position.

[Status @] The cam rotation angle is 180°. This is a state in which the piston 525 of the pump 53 has been moved from the position shown in FIG. 17(D) in the direction of arrow El]C to the bottom dead center (FIG. 17(C)), and the large air suction has been completed. This large air suction causes the waste ink (ink absorber 52
8) is discharged from the discharge port 53d. The H, P, and SW 555 are closed, the cap 51 is almost at the separated position and the seal by the cap 51 is broken, and the blade 59 is at the retracted position.

[Condition ■1 The cam rotation angle is 210°. The piston 525 of the pump 53 is located at the position shown in Figure 7fD+ and in Figure 17 (El
This is the state in which hollow suction has been completed by reciprocating between the positions shown in and an appropriate number of times. By this hollow suction, the waste ink remaining in the waste ink transfer path 500 is sucked, the waste ink is moved from the left chamber in the illustration to the right chamber in the illustration of the cylinder 53a, and the waste ink is discharged from the waste ink discharge port 53d in the right chamber in the illustration. Exhaust to the outside takes place at the same time. The position of the piston 525 shown in FIG. 17 fEl has not reached the bottom dead center. H, P, and SW 555 are closed, the cap 51 is located at the separated position, and the blade 59 is located at the retracted position.

[Status ■] The cam rotation angle is 300°. This is a state in which the blade 59 is located at the wiping position, and the blade 59 and the ejection port forming surface 940b of the recording head 9a rub together to clean the ejection port forming surface 940b. H, P, S■
555 is closed, the cap 51 is located at the separated position, and the piston 525 of the pump 53 is located at the top dead center.

Next, the configuration of the control system of the recording apparatus will be explained. FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system.

The MPU 100O controls each part to execute the control procedures explained in FIGS. 18 to 20, and the R
The OM 100L stores programs corresponding to the control procedure, and the RAM 1002 is used as a work area when executing the control procedure. A timer 1003 measures time during execution of the control procedure. When executing the control procedure, the position of the carriage 11 is detected by the carriage home sensor 67, and the position of the cap 51 is detected by the recovery system home sensor 65.

The head cleaning procedure, which is one of the ejection recovery processes executed by the ejection recovery device under the control of the MPU 100O, will be described (see FIG. 19).

The head cleaning starts from a state (2) in which the discharge port forming surface 940b is sealed by the cap 51 and the piston 525 of the pump 53 is located at the top dead center (step Sl). Pumping is performed by changing the state from the state ■ to the state @ (step S3), and the state @ is maintained for 3 seconds so that the waste ink is sufficiently suctioned (step S5). The state @ is changed to the state (2) and small air suction is performed (step S7), and the state (2) is maintained for one second so that the waste ink is further taken into the pump 53 (step S9). Next, the state (2) is changed to the state (2) to prepare for hollow suction (step 511), and the change from the state (2) to the state (3) is executed three times. That is, the piston 525 of the pump 53 is repeatedly moved three times from the position shown in FIG.

After the above-mentioned hollow suction is completed, the state is changed from state ① to state @, and large hollow suction is performed (step 521), and the state is returned to state ① (step 523). Then, the recording head 9a performs preliminary ejection toward the cap 51 in the separation position (step 525), changes the state ① to the state ①, and moves the plate 59 to the wiping position (step 52).
7), move the carriage 1 and perform wiping (step 529), and finally return to state ■ (step 5).
31).

The head cleaning can be performed as appropriate in the main control routine of the recording apparatus, or can be performed in response to instructions from an operator.

Next, an explanation will be given of a procedure for empty suction when waste ink discharged into the cap 51 is transferred to the first waste ink tank 55 by preliminary ejection performed appropriately during recording (see FIG. 20).

The above-mentioned idle suction is performed by interrupting recording in the middle of recording, and the cap 51 is applied to the ejection port forming surface 940b of the recording head 9a that has moved to the home position.
The process starts from the state ■ where is located at the separation position (step 54).
1). Reverse the cam 549 from the state (2) to change the state (2) to prepare for hollow suction (Step 543);
The state (2) is changed to the state (2) and hollow suction is executed (step 545). Next, change the state from the state ■ to the state ■ to prepare for the air suction (step 547).
, the state ① is changed to the state ＠, and the empty suction is executed (step 549), and the state  is returned to the state ①, and the empty suction is completed (step 551). Thereafter, the recording head 9a moves from the home position to the recording paper side and resumes recording.

Next, an example of the recording processing procedure is shown in Fig. 21 fA1.
~(Explained with reference to Di.

In FIG. 21(A), when the power is turned on, the ejection recovery device is put into state (3), the cap 51 is set to the separation position (step 561), and the carriage 11
is set to the home position (step 563).

Next, the number of preliminary ejections is set to a predetermined number (7 in this example).
or 15 times), reset the counter value n1 of the counter used to execute the empty suction procedure (Step 565), change the discharge recovery device from state ■ to state ■, and return to the home state. The ejection port forming surface 940b of the recording head 9a located in the position is covered with the cap 51.
(Step 567), and waits until a recording signal is input (Step 569). Note that sealing the discharge port forming surface 940b with the cap 51,
Hereinafter, this will be referred to as "capping."

When the input of the recording signal is received, the feeding of the recording paper is started (step 571), and the ejection recovery device is changed from the state ■ to the state ■
Step 573)
Then, preliminary ejection is performed and the counter value nl is incremented by +1 (step 575). Next, the time 1+ of the timer T, which is used to perform preliminary ejection at predetermined intervals (for example, every 30 seconds) during the recording operation, is reset and the timer T1 is started (step 577), and one line is printed on the recording paper. (step 579). Thereafter, it is determined whether the time t1 of the timer T1 exceeds 30 seconds (step 581), and if the determination is affirmative, step S83 similar to step S75 and step S85 similar to step S77 are sequentially executed, and step S87 is performed. If the determination is negative, the process immediately advances to step S87.

In step S87, it is determined whether the value of the counter value n1 has reached 15 or not, and if the determination is affirmative, the empty suction procedure (
Step 589), reset the counter value n1 (Step 591), and Step 39
Move to 3. Further, if a negative determination is made in step S87, the process immediately proceeds to step 393.

In step 393, it is determined whether recording for one page has been completed and a page break has been instructed, and if the determination is negative, the process advances to step S95 to determine the presence or absence of a recording signal. Step S
If an affirmative determination is made in step S95, it is determined in step S97 whether or not there is an END signal indicating the end of recording, and if the determination is negative, the process moves to step S79 to record the next line.

On the other hand, if the recording signal is not input in step S95, the process proceeds to step 599 (see IBI-9 in FIG. 21), which is used to perform capping when the recording signal is not manually input for a predetermined period of time (for example, 5 seconds). Timer T
The time t2 of step 2 is reset and started. Next, in step 5101, the presence or absence of a recording signal is determined, and if the determination is affirmative, the process returns to step S79 to execute recording of the next line.

On the other hand, if the determination is negative, the timer T
It is determined whether the time t2 of 2 exceeds 5 seconds, and if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 5104, and if the END signal is not input, the process returns to step 5101.

If the time t2 of the timer T2 has exceeded 5 seconds, capping is performed in step 5105, and step 51
At step 07, the timer T1 is stopped, and the timer T3 is reset and started for performing preliminary ejection after the capping state continues for a predetermined period of time (for example, 60 seconds).

Then, in step 5109, it is determined whether or not there is an input of the END signal, and if there is no input, the process proceeds to step 5il.
If there is a recording signal in step 5111, the capping is canceled in step 5113, and the process proceeds to step Sl.
At step 15, it is determined whether the time t3 of the timer T3 exceeds 60 seconds. If affirmative here, step S75
On the other hand, if the determination is negative, the timer T1 is started in step 8117, and then the process returns to step S79.

By the way, if a page break command is input in step S93, the process proceeds to step Sl19 (FIG. 21 (C1 reference)), and it is determined whether or not the counter value n1 is above '7'' fl. If the determination is affirmative, empty suction is performed at step 5121, and the counter value n is set at step 5123.
After resetting +, proceed to step 5125,
On the other hand, if the determination is negative, the process immediately proceeds to step 8125 and a wiping operation using the blade 59 is performed. Then, capping is performed in step 5127, and after the recording paper on which recording has been completed is discharged in step 5129, the process advances to step 569 to wait for the next recording signal.

Note that step S97, step 5104 or 510
END at 9 (If No. 8 is detected, step S
13] (FIG. 21 fA) valley) is executed. As shown in FIG. 21 (Dl), the termination operation includes empty suction (step 51.41), resetting of the counter value n1 (step 51.43), and wiping (step
45), capping (step 5147), and ejection of the recording paper (step 5149).

To summarize the above main operations, first is preliminary ejection. In this embodiment, preliminary ejection is performed immediately before recording, and thereafter, preliminary ejection is performed at 30 second intervals. Also, these 3
A timer T1 is used for integration at 0 second intervals. Timer T1 determines when capping is entered (step 510
5) (step 5107), the time during capping is not integrated into this 30 second interval.

If capping lasts for 60 seconds or more (steps 8105-5115), the control procedure returns to preliminary ejection (step 575).

In this embodiment, preliminary ejection is performed within the cap 51. Therefore, when repeatedly performing preliminary ejection, the waste ink that accumulates in the cap 51 due to the preliminary ejection is removed from the first
In order to transfer the waste ink to the waste ink tank 55, it is necessary to perform empty suction.

Basically, at the time of page break without recording, if the counter value n of the preliminary ejection counter is 7 or more, the idle suction in step 5121 is performed. However, if the counter value n+ becomes 15 or more during a line feed other than a page feed, that is, in a text that requires a long recording time, the empty suction in step S89 is performed. Additionally, empty suction is always performed when recording ends.

Wiping by the blade 59 is performed after -page and all recordings are completed.

Next, the effects of this embodiment will be explained (see FIG. 17).

A part of the waste ink taken into the cylinder 53a of the pump 53 from the cap 51 via the waste ink transfer path 500 by the suction force of the pump 53 is transferred from the discharge port 53d to the first waste ink tank 55 after the pump 53 is stopped. It remains in the cylinder 53a without being discharged toward the cylinder 53a. Of the remaining waste ink, the one remaining in the right chamber of the cylinder 53a is absorbed by the ink absorber 528, and the waste ink remaining in the left chamber of the cylinder 53a is absorbed by the pump 53. Flange portion 527a and piston 525 when stopped
Since there is a gap between the two, the ink passes through each communication hole or shaft hole of the piston 525 and is absorbed by the ink absorber 528. Since the ink absorber 528 has elasticity, it does not hinder the movement of the piston 525.

As a result, even if the recording device (word processor) is tilted when being moved to another location, the waste ink remaining in the cylinder 53a of the pump 53 flows backward through the waste ink transfer path 500 from the valve port 53c, and No more leaking outside.

Next, a second embodiment will be explained.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG.
An ink absorber A328 having the same material and shape as in the first embodiment is fitted into the illustrated left chamber of the cylinder A33a of No. 53. From valve port A33c of pump A53 to cylinder A33a
The waste ink taken into the illustrated left chamber is immediately absorbed by the ink absorber A328. The other points are the same as those in the first embodiment, so the explanation thereof will be omitted.

Next, a third embodiment will be described.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG.
Ink absorbers B528 of the same material and shape as in the first embodiment are installed in both the right and left chambers of cylinder B53a shown in the figure.
a and B528b are fitted respectively. The other points are the same as those in the first embodiment, so the explanation thereof will be omitted.

Next, modifications of the ink absorber shown in each of the above embodiments will be explained.

The ink absorber D528 shown in FIG. 24 (El) has a plurality of circumferential grooves D528a (8 in this example) formed in the circumferential surface parallel to the axial direction, and the plurality of circumferential grooves D528a are formed in one end surface. An end groove D528b is formed that connects one of the circumferential grooves D528a and the central hole through which the piston shaft passes. The end groove D528b is the ink absorber D52.
They may be formed on both end faces of 8, respectively. The other points are the same as the ink absorber 528 of the first embodiment, so the explanation thereof will be omitted.

The circumferential grooves D528a and the end grooves D528b become passages through which air and waste ink pass when the pump is driven. It can be reduced compared to the absorber 528.

The ink absorber E528 shown in FIG. 24 (C1) has an annular protrusion E52 protruding in the axial direction on at least one end surface
8a is formed, and the peripheral surface is knurled. The other parts (1) are the same as those of the ink absorber 528 of the first embodiment, so a description thereof will be omitted.

The present invention brings about excellent effects particularly in recording heads and recording apparatuses of the bubble sheet method proposed by Canon Co., Ltd. among inkjet recording methods.

As for typical configurations and principles thereof, it is preferable to use the basic principles disclosed in, for example, US Pat. No. 4,723,129 and US Pat. No. 4,740,796. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and continuous type, but especially in the case of the on-demand type, it is necessary to arrange the liquid (ink) in accordance with the sheet and liquid path that hold it. The electrothermal transducer that is being used is able to correspond to the recorded information and exceed nucleate boiling. generating thermal energy in the electrothermal transducer by applying at least one drive signal that provides a rapid temperature increase;
This is effective because film boiling is caused on the heat-active surface of the recording head, resulting in the formation of bubbles in the liquid (ink) in one-to-one correspondence with this drive signal. The growth and contraction of the bubble causes liquid (ink) to be ejected through the ejection opening to form at least one drop. It is more preferable to use this drive signal in a pulse form, since the growth and contraction of bubbles can be carried out immediately and appropriately, so that ejection of liquid (ink) with particularly excellent responsiveness can be achieved. As this pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US Pat. No. 4,463,359 and US Pat. No. 4,345,262 are suitable. still,
U.S. Patent No. 4 for the invention relating to the rate of temperature rise of the heat acting surface.
If the conditions described in No. 313] No. 24 are adopted, even more excellent recording can be achieved.

The configuration of the recording head includes, in addition to the combined configuration of ejection ports, liquid paths, and electrothermal converters (straight liquid flow path or right-angled liquid flow path) as disclosed in the above-mentioned specifications, a heat acting section. U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,459,960 disclose a configuration in which a bending region is located in a bending area.
A configuration using the specification of No. 0 is also included in the present invention. In addition, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 123670 of 1982 discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge part for a plurality of electrothermal converters, and a hole that absorbs pressure waves of thermal energy is disclosed. The present invention is also effective as a configuration based on Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 138461 of 1982, which discloses a configuration in which the discharge portion corresponds to the discharge portion.

Furthermore, as a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the width of the maximum recording medium that can be recorded by the recording apparatus, the length can be increased by combining multiple recording heads as disclosed in the above-mentioned specification. Either a configuration that satisfies the above requirements or a configuration as a single recording head formed integrally may be used, but the present invention can more effectively exhibit the above-mentioned effects.

In addition, a replaceable chip-type recording hat that is attached to the device body enables electrical connection to the device body and ink supply from the device body, or is integrated into the recording head itself. The present invention is also effective when a cartridge type recording head is used.

Further, it is preferable to add recovery means, preliminary auxiliary means, etc. for the recording head, which are provided in the configuration of the recording apparatus of the present invention, because the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. Specifically, stable recording can be achieved by applying pressure to the recording head, preheating means using an electrothermal transducer, a separate heating element, or a combination of these. It is effective for carrying out.

Furthermore, the recording mode of the recording device is not limited to only a mainstream color such as black, the recording head may be configured integrally or by a combination of multiple sets, but it may also be possible to record multiple colors of different colors or mixed colors. Full color (by
The present invention is also extremely effective for devices equipped with both.

In each of the embodiments of the present invention described above, the ink is explained as a liquid, but it is an ink that solidifies at room temperature or lower, and is softened or liquid at room temperature, or in the above-mentioned inkjet, the ink itself is heated at 30°C. Generally, the temperature is adjusted within the above range of 70°C or less so that the viscosity of the ink is within the stable ejection range, so if the ink is in a liquid state when the recording signal is applied, then good. In addition, it is possible to actively prevent temperature rise due to thermal energy by using it as energy to transform the ink from a solid state to a liquid state, or to use ink that solidifies when left in order to prevent ink evaporation. However, in any case, the ink may be liquefied by applying thermal energy in response to the recording signal and ejected as liquid ink, or the ink may already begin to solidify by the time it reaches the recording medium. The use of ink that is liquefied only by energy is also applicable to the present invention. In such a case, the ink is held in a liquid or solid state in the recesses or through holes of the porous sheet, as described in JP-A-54-56847 or JP-A-60-71260. It may also be in a form that faces the electrothermal converter. In the present invention, the most effective method for each of the above-mentioned inks is to implement the above-mentioned film boiling method.

[Effects of the Invention] Since the present invention is configured as described above, it produces the following effects.

A part of the waste ink that reaches the cylinder of the pump from the cap through the waste ink transfer path due to the suction force of the pump remains in the cylinder after the pump is stopped, but some of the waste ink that has elasticity provided in the cylinder Absorbed by absorbent material. Furthermore, since the ink absorber has elasticity, it does not hinder the movement of the piston within the cylinder.

As a result, even if the inkjet recording apparatus is tilted during movement, the waste ink remaining in the cylinder of the pump will not flow backward through the waste ink transfer path and leak out from the cap.

In the invention as set forth in claim 2, since a passage through which air and waste ink pass is not formed in the ink absorber having elasticity, in addition to the above-mentioned effect, the air and waste ink pass through the pump. It can reduce the resistance when

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a document creation device having an inkjet recording device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the same embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a head cartridge of the same embodiment. FIG. 4 shows the head cartridge, FA] is an exploded perspective view, fBl is an assembled perspective view of (A+), and FIG. 5 is a record of the same embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view of the top plate of the head, FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view of FIG. 2, FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view of the printer section of the document creation device shown in FIG. 9 is a schematic front view showing only the main parts of the same embodiment, FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the main parts of the discharge recovery device of the same embodiment, and FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the main parts of the discharge recovery device of the same embodiment. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the cap and cap holder, and FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the cap of the same embodiment, where fAl is a front view, fBl is a plan view, fci is a cross-sectional view of fAl along line M-M, and FIG. FIG. 14 shows a modification of the connection between the first waste ink tank and the second waste ink tank of the embodiment. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a modification of the connection of each waste ink tank with tanks connected, and FIG. 15 is for explaining the operating states of the discharge recovery device H, L], SW, cap, pump, and blade of the same embodiment. 16 is an explanatory diagram of H, P, and SW of the discharge recovery device of the same embodiment.
, an explanatory diagram schematically showing the operating states of the cap and the blade, and FIG. FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control system of the same embodiment, FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an example of the head cleaning procedure of the same embodiment, and FIG.
The figure is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of empty suction in the same embodiment, FIGS. 21(A) to fD+ are a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of recording processing in the same embodiment, and FIG. 23 is a sectional view of the pump according to the third embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 24 is a sectional view of the ink absorber of the present invention, and fA) is the ink absorber of the first embodiment. (old and fc) are perspective views showing modified examples of the ink absorbers of the respective embodiments, and FIG. 2 points, fBl is a diagram showing the piston at the top dead center. 9... Head cartridge, 9a... Recording head, 9b... Ink tank,
11... Carriage, 21... FPC123
... Guide shaft, 27 ... Timing belt, 29A, 29B ... Pulley, 31 ... Carriage motor, 33 ... Conveyance roller, 34 ... Platen, 35 ... Conveyance motor, 37. ...Paper pan, 39A, 39B...Feed roller, 41
... Paper discharge roller, 42 ... Spur, 51 ... Cap, 53, A53, B53 - ... Pump,
53a, A33a, B53a-cylinder, 53b,
A33b, B53b--Support part, 53c, A33c
, B53c - valve port, 53d, A33d, B53
d...Discharge port, 55...First waste ink tank, 577I...Tube, 59...Blade, 61...Motor, 63...Cam device, 63a...Camshaft, -70...Second waste ink tank, 500, A300, B500...Waste ink transfer path,
505, A305, B505... Cap lever, 5
13, A313, B513... Jig, 515, A31
5, B515...-Support part, 516, A316. B5
16... Fastening member, 519a, 519b, A319
a, A319b, B519a, B519b-=Shaft portion, 521... Lid member, 523... Tube mounting member, 525, A325, B525-... Piston, 527,
A327, B527--Piston shaft, 527a, A
327a, B527a-flange part, 527b, A
327b, B527b...large diameter part, 528, A32
8, B528a, B528b, D528, E528-
Ink absorber, D528a - peripheral groove, D528b one end groove,
E528a... protrusion, 529a, 529b, A329a, A329b,
B529a, B529b-=Patsukin, 531, A331. B531...Cylinder cap,
535...Plate support member, 547...Cap cam, 549-...Cam, 553
...Blade cam, 555...H, P, SW, 5
57... Switch cam, 940... Top plate, 940a
-...Step, 940b...Discharge port forming surface.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A recording head that performs recording by ejecting ink from an ejection port onto a recording medium, and a cap for receiving waste ink ejected from the ejection port of the print head during ejection recovery processing. a waste ink transfer path communicating with the storage member for storing the waste ink; and a waste ink transfer path interposed in the waste ink transfer path for suctioning the waste ink discharged into the cap and discharging it to the storage member. An inkjet recording apparatus comprising: a pump having a cylinder and a piston; an ink absorber having elasticity is provided in the cylinder of the pump. 2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ink absorbing body having elasticity is provided with a passage through which air and waste ink pass. 3. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein one of the two chambers partitioned by the piston in the cylinder is provided with an elastic ink absorber. 4. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein elastic ink suction bodies are provided in both of the two chambers partitioned by the piston in the cylinder. 5. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the recording head is a full-line type in which ejection ports are formed over the entire width of the recording area of the recording medium. 6. The recording head according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the recording head discharges ink using thermal energy, and is equipped with an electrothermal converter for generating the thermal energy. The inkjet recording device described above.