JPH05193150A - Ink jet recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent inclination of a cap occurring due to tube bending reaction and 5d seal a discharge outlet assuredly in a stable state without leakage by allowing a connector member or a tube to move forward and backward, preventing rocking and deformation in other direction than these. CONSTITUTION:A cap holder 41 is moved by a driving means in the direction of an arrow C. A cap 2 made of elastic body abuts against an outlet forming face 51 so as to seal up a discharge outlet 52. A sealed part 49 of the cap 2 comes into contact with the outlet forming face 51. A specified pressure is exerted on the sealed part 49 by the elasticity of the cap 2 itself. The cap is stopped at a position where a sealing system for sealing the discharge outlet 52 is to be formed. At this time, thin parts 61 of the cap 2 are deformed in the direction of an arrow E. By its reaction, the sealed part 49 adheres by equalizing with the specified pressure.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

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

[0002]

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

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

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

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

In the above ink jet recording apparatus,
The ejection port is blocked from the outside air for the purpose of preventing clogging caused by thickening or sticking of ink due to ink drying at the ejection port portion of the recording unit (recording head),
Alternatively, recovers (eliminates) clogging caused by thickening or sticking of ink or bubbles or dust generated in the liquid path.
In order to achieve this, a closed system is formed at the ejection port portion in order to perform a suction recovery operation in which a predetermined pressure (including negative pressure) is applied to the ejection port to forcibly eject ink from the ejection port. A capping means is used to seal the outlet.

The capping means is arranged so as to contact the recording head at a position outside the recording area (for example, the recording head or the home position of the carriage) to seal the ejection port. As the operation mechanism of the capping means, for example, a mechanism in which a cap attached to a cap holder that can move forward and backward with respect to the recording head is brought into contact with the recording head stopped at a predetermined position,
Or the cap attached to the cap holder,
For example, there is a mechanism that uses the movement of the carriage to move the carriage forward toward the recording head so as to contact the recording head.

At least the contact portion of the cap with the recording head is formed of a rubber-like elastic material (elastic body) in order to ensure hermeticity. Further, a tube is connected to the cap via a tube connector, the other end of the tube is connected to a suction pump, and the suction pump is a waste ink processing member (ink absorber or the like) via the tube or the like.
It is connected to the. Therefore, if ejection failure occurs due to clogging of the ejection port, etc., the cap is brought into close contact with the ejection port formation surface, and then a predetermined pressure (negative pressure) is applied to the ejection port by the suction pump to force ink from the ejection port. A suction recovery operation is performed to eject the ink. Further, when the suction recovery operation is completed and printing is performed, the cap holder is moved in the direction of retracting (separating) from the print head, and in the case of the serial method, the carriage is moved to the print area to print.

[0009]

However, in the conventional ink jet recording apparatus, when the recording head is capped, the cap formed of the elastic body causes the bending reaction force of the tube (based on the bent tube). It is deformed or tilted by the elastic restoring force that tries to return,
The contact portion of the cap with the discharge port forming surface was also deformed, which sometimes caused a leak. In particular, a gap is likely to occur and a leak is likely to occur on the side displaced by the inclination of the cap in the direction away from the ejection port forming surface.

When a leak occurs in the cap, the ejection port is not completely shielded from the outside air during capping, so that thickening or sticking of the ink occurs and the ejection port is apt to be clogged. Further, during the suction recovery operation, a predetermined suction force (negative pressure) cannot be generated at the discharge port due to the leak phenomenon, and the suction recovery cannot be performed. As a countermeasure against this, it is conceivable to extend the length of the tube to increase the bending radius (R) and not to apply the bending reaction force of the tube to the cap. However, in such a configuration, there is a space for arranging the tube. There is a problem that the recording device becomes large and the recording device becomes large. In addition, since the volume inside the tube from the suction pump to the cap increases, there is the problem that the suction pressure (the strength of the negative pressure) decreases when using the same pump, and the same suction pressure acts on the discharge port. In order to do so, there is a problem that the pump becomes large and the cost increases.

The present invention has been made in view of the above technical problems, and an object of the present invention is to prevent the inclination of the cap due to the bending reaction force of the tube with a simple and compact structure and to prevent the discharge port. Can be reliably sealed in a leak-free and stable state, to prevent clogging due to thickening or sticking of ink at the discharge port, and to provide a stable, predetermined pressure (negative pressure) to the discharge port during suction recovery operation. An object of the present invention is to provide an inkjet recording device that can be operated.

[0012]

According to the present invention, in an ink jet recording apparatus for recording by ejecting ink from a recording means onto a recording material, an elastic body cap for sealing the ejection port and the ejection port are discharged. A tube for guiding the ink to the pump or the waste ink processing member is connected directly or via a connector member, and the cap, the connector member or the tube is allowed to move in the forward and backward directions with respect to the recording means, and The above-mentioned object is achieved by adopting a structure in which the guide means for preventing the swing or deformation in directions other than the forward and backward directions is used for guiding.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding portions. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the essential parts of an embodiment of an inkjet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied. In the inkjet recording apparatus of FIG. 1, the recording material 12 is intermittently fed in a predetermined direction by a conveying (sub-scanning) mechanism, and the recording means (recording head) 1 is moved (main scanning) in a direction intersecting with the direction. It is configured to record.

In FIG. 1, a recording material 12 made of paper or a plastic thin plate is conveyed in the direction of arrow A by a paper feeding device (not shown) and fixed to a bottom plate 13 by an upper guide 14.
And is guided between the lower guide 15. Further, the recording material 12
Is guided in the traveling direction by both guides 14 and 15, and enters between a pair of conveying rollers composed of a conveying roller (sub-scanning roller) 16 and a conveying driven roller (sub-scanning driven roller) 17. The pair of conveying rollers 16 and 17 are rotationally driven by a conveying motor 18. The recording material 12 is carried out onto the platen 19 fixed to the bottom plate 13 by drivingly controlling the pair of conveying rollers 16 and 17, and the platen 19 is conveyed.
While being supported by the paper ejection roller 20 and the paper ejection driven roller 21
The sheet reaches the space between the pair of paper discharge rollers, and the conveyance is temporarily stopped there. The paper discharge roller pairs 20 and 21 are driven by the carry motor 18 in synchronization with the carry roller pairs 16 and 17.

A paper discharge guide 22 is supported on the bottom plate 13, and the pair of paper discharge rollers 20 and 21 are used to form an arrow A.
The recording material 12 conveyed in the direction is ejected from the paper ejection guide 22.
It is discharged to the outside of the device body while being guided by. Aluminum particles having a grain size of 1000 to 2000 are adhered to the surfaces of the transport roller 16 and the paper discharge roller 20, and the driven rollers 17 and 21 are baked with chloroprene rubber. Therefore, it is possible to convey the recording material 12 with a high conveying force and with high accuracy.

A main scanning rail (guide rail) 2 is provided on the upper back side of the platen 19 in parallel with the axial direction of the conveying roller 16.
3 are installed. The recording means 1 is a carriage 24
The carriage 24 is mounted on the bearing portion 2 of the carriage 24.
The guide rail 23 is inserted through the guide rail 5, and is movable along the guide rail 23. Further, the recording head 1 of the present embodiment is of a cartridge type in which an ink tank and a recording portion (ink ejection portion) are integrated, and is replaceably positioned and mounted on the carriage 24.

An ink ejecting portion (ejection opening forming surface) is provided below the recording means 1, and the ink ejecting portion is formed with a plurality of ejection openings arranged in a direction intersecting with the moving direction of the carriage 24. ing. The ink ejection unit is the carriage 24
The ink is disposed so as to be ejected toward the platen 19 side through the lower opening.

The recording means (each recording head) 1 is an ink jet recording means for ejecting ink by utilizing heat energy, and is provided with an electrothermal converter for generating heat energy. In addition, the recording head 1
Is to perform recording by ejecting ink from an ejection port by utilizing a pressure change caused by growth and contraction of bubbles due to film boiling caused by thermal energy applied by the electrothermal converter.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view schematically showing the structure of the ink ejection portion of the recording means 1. In FIG. 2, a plurality of ejection openings 52 are formed at a predetermined pitch on the ejection opening formation surface 51 that faces the recording material 12 with a predetermined gap (for example, about 0.5 to 2.0 mm). Further, an electrothermal converter (heat generating resistor, etc.) 55 for generating energy for ejecting ink is arranged along the wall surface of each liquid passage 54 that connects the common liquid chamber 53 and each ejection port 52. There is. In this example, in the recording head 1, the ejection port 52 has the carriage 2
The carriages 24 are mounted in such a positional relationship that they are arranged in a direction intersecting with the moving direction of 4 (main scanning direction). In this way, the corresponding electrothermal converter 55 is driven (energized) based on the image signal or the ejection signal to cause the ink in the liquid path 54 to film-boil, and the pressure generated at that time causes the ink to be ejected from the ejection port 52. Recording means (recording head) 1
Is configured.

In FIG. 1, a carriage motor (main scanning motor) 26 as a drive source for reciprocating the carriage 24 is fixed to the apparatus main body (side plate thereof, etc.). A motor pulley 27 is fixed to the rotation shaft of the carriage motor 26 and can rotate integrally with the rotation shaft. An idler pulley 28 is axially supported on the opposite side of the motor pulley 27, and a main scanning belt (carriage drive belt) 29 is stretched between the motor pulley 27 and the idler pulley 28. The carriage 24 uses the carriage drive belt 29.
The carriage motor 26 is reciprocally driven by forward and reverse rotations of the carriage motor 26.

The home position HP of the carriage 24 is set at a position outside the recording area (or platen 19) within the movement range of the carriage 24. Capping provided with a rubber-like elastic material cap 2 capable of abutting (contacting) the ejection port forming surface 51 of the recording head 1 and sealing (capping) the ejection port 52 near the home position HP Means 40 are provided. In the vicinity of the capping means 40, in cooperation with the capping means 40, a recovery device 3 for eliminating ejection failure due to clogging of the ejection port 52 of the recording head 1 or the like.
0 is set. In this recovery device 30, the discharge port 52 is sealed by the cap 2 (capping state).
Then, a negative pressure is generated inside the cap 2 through a tube by a suction pump or the like, and the negative pressure is used to suck out foreign matters such as bubbles, adhered ink, and dust from the discharge port 52 together with the ink.

A roller (not shown) is rotatably supported on the lower portion of the carriage 24, and the roller rolls on the upper surface of the recording material 12 on the platen 19 to cause the recording head 1 to move. The distance between the ejection port forming surface 51 and the recording surface of the recording material 12 is always regulated to be constant. Further, since the capping means 40 is disposed near the home position HP of the carriage 24, the platen 19 cannot be extended to the home position HP. Therefore, when the carriage 24 moves toward the home position HP, the rollers of the carriage 24 move to the platen 19
Get out of. So, at the position off the platen 19,
The carriage 24 rides on a guide plate (not shown) provided on the recovery device 30 via the rollers.

During the recording operation, the carriage motor 26 moves the carriage 24 and the recording head 1 is driven in response to an image signal, whereby the platen 19 is moved.
Ink is ejected onto the recording material 12 stopped above to form an image for one line (main scanning). When the recording for one line is completed, the pair of conveying rollers 16 and 17 are rotated by a predetermined amount to convey the recording material 12 by a predetermined amount (for example, an amount corresponding to the height of one line) (sub scanning), and the carriage 24 again. And the recording head 1 is driven to perform recording (main scanning) of the next row. Thereafter, by repeating these main scanning and sub scanning alternately, an image is recorded on the entire recording material 12.
Then, when the rear end of the recording material 12 is detected by a sensor (not shown) arranged at a predetermined position, the recording operation is ended, and the recording material 1 is rotated by rotating the pair of discharge rollers 20 and 21.
2 is discharged to the outside of the apparatus main body along the paper discharge guide 22.

The recording means 1 is composed of a replaceable head cartridge in which an ink tank portion storing ink and a recording head portion (ink ejection portion) connected to the ink tank portion are integrated, and based on image information. By driving the recording head 1, ink is ejected from a predetermined ejection port 52 to record an image on the recording material 12. The recording material 12
Is not only fed from the paper feeding device, but also the operator advances the recording material into the abutting portion of the pair of paper ejection rollers 20 and 21, and reversely rotates the transport motor 18, so that the paper is once fed from the paper ejection side. A method (manual feeding) in which the paper is fed into the paper apparatus and is again fed from the paper feeding apparatus is also adopted.

The capping means 40 is a cap 2
This is to keep the inside of the ejection port 52 of the recording head 1 in a wet state by preventing the ejection port 52 from being clogged due to ink drying or ink sticking. A suction pump (not shown) is provided inside the recovery device 30, and the inside of the cap 2 is connected to the suction pump via a tube or the like. Then, the suction pump is driven in a state where the cap 2 is brought into close contact with the ejection port forming surface 51 of the recording head 1 and the ejection port 52 is sealed (capping state), thereby applying a negative pressure to the ejection port 52, Impurities such as bubbles, adhered ink, and dust generated inside the ejection port 52 are sucked and removed together with the ink to eliminate ejection failure.

Between the recording area (area of the platen 19) and the capping means 40, foreign matter (adhered matter) such as ink droplets and dust adhering to the ejection port forming surface 51 of the recording head 1 is wiped off. A cleaning member 33 including a blade made of a rubber-like elastic material is provided. The cleaning member 33 is held by a holder 34 and is configured to be driven by a drive source (not shown) between a projecting position where the ejection port forming surface 51 can be slid and a retracted position which is separated from the ejection port forming surface 51. There is.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view in a capping state schematically showing a first embodiment of the capping means 40 of the ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied. Figure 3
In FIG. 3, the capping means 40 is a cap holder 41 that can be moved in the vertical direction in the figure by a drive source (not shown).
And the cap 2 attached to the cap holder 41
It has and. A tube 43 is connected to the back of the cap 2 (on the side opposite to the portion in contact with the recording head 1) via a tube connector 42, and the other end of the tube 43 is connected to a suction pump 44. .. Further, a waste ink processing member 46 is connected to the suction pump 44 via a tube 45. The tube 4
3, the suction pump 44 and the waste ink processing member 4
Reference numeral 6 constitutes the recovery device 30 in FIG. The cap 2 is formed of a rubber-like elastic material (elastic body) such as butyl rubber or silicon rubber, and is configured so that the ejection port 52 can be easily sealed when the cap 2 is attached to the ejection port forming surface 51 of the recording head 1. ing.

In FIG. 3, the cap holder 41 is
A guide portion 47 formed of a cylindrical hole is formed in the tube connector 42, and a positioning portion 48 formed of a circular projecting portion (flange portion) is formed in the tube connector 42. As shown, the guide portion 47 is formed in a direction perpendicular to the ejection port forming surface 51 of the recording head 1. Then, the positioning portion 48 is configured to move the guide portion 47.
On the other hand, it is movable in the axial direction (direction perpendicular to the ejection port forming surface 51), but does not swing or deform in any other direction (direction different from the direction in which the recording head 1 is abutted). It is fitted in the state. That is, the tube connector 42 is guided and supported by fitting the positioning portion 48 and the guide portion 47 so as to move without tilting while maintaining a vertical posture with respect to the recording head 1.

Further, a thin portion (thin portion) 61 is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the sealed portion (portion closely contacting the discharge port forming surface 51) 49 of the cap 2, and the cap 2
Is attached to the cap holder 41 by press-fitting or adhering a thick portion (thick portion) 62 formed on the outer peripheral portion of the thin portion 61 into the fitting hole 63 of the cap holder 41. There is. That is, when the cap 2 is in capping contact with the discharge port forming surface 51,
The thin portion 61 is deformed in the direction of the arrow E, and by the reaction force thereof, the entire circumference of the sealed portion 49 is in close contact with the discharge port forming surface 51 in a uniform contact state (equalized state). ing.

Next, the operation of the capping means 40 having the structure shown in FIG. 3 will be described. A carriage 24 on which the recording head 1 is mounted is guided and supported along a guide rail (main scanning rail) 23 so as to be capable of reciprocating in the directions of arrows A and B. When the recording is completed, the carriage 24 moves from the recording area in the direction of the arrow A, moves to the capping means 40 arranged in the non-recording area, stops at the position X, and the recording head 1 is capped.

During the capping operation, the cap holder 41 is moved in the direction of arrow C by a driving means (not shown), and the cap 2 made of an elastic body contacts the discharge port forming surface 51 as shown in FIG. 3 ( (Close contact) and discharge port 52
Seal. That is, the sealed portion 49 of the cap 2 comes into contact with the discharge port forming surface 51, and the elasticity of the cap 2 itself applies a predetermined pressure (pressure contact force) to the sealed portion 49 to form a sealed system that seals the discharge port 52. Stop at position. At this time, the thin portion 61 of the cap 2 is deformed in the direction of the arrow E, and due to its reaction force, the sealing portion 49 is closely contacted while being equalized (a state in which the entire circumference is in uniform contact) with a predetermined pressure.

Further, in the capped state, the discharge port 52
If a clogging occurs in the sheet or it is necessary to prevent the clogging from occurring, a suction recovery operation is performed. This suction recovery operation is performed by operating the suction pump 44 to exert a negative pressure on the ejection port 52 and forcibly discharging the ink from the ejection port 52. When the suction recovery of the ejection port 52 is completed and recording is performed, the cap holder 41 is moved in the direction of arrow D by a drive source (not shown) to retract (separate) the cap 2 from the ejection port formation surface 51. . Then, the carriage 24 is moved to the recording area side (in the direction of arrow B) to perform recording.

According to the structure of the capping means 40 of FIG. 3 (first embodiment of the present invention), the cap holder 41 is provided with the guide portion 47, and the tube connector 4 is provided.
Since the positioning portion 48 which is slidably fitted to the guide portion 47 is provided in 2, the cap 2 and the tube connector 42 are prevented from inclining (swinging) or deforming due to the bending reaction force of the tube 43 during capping. That is, since the guide portion 47 provided on the cap holder 41 guides the movement of the cap 2 in the arrow E direction during the capping operation and regulates the bending reaction force of the tube 43, the bending reaction force of the tube 43 is applied to the cap 2. It can be reliably prevented from being transmitted. Therefore, the bending radius of the tube 43 can be set small,
As a result, the distance between the cap 2 and the suction pump 44 can be made short, and an ink jet recording apparatus can be obtained which can save space and can be reduced in size and weight.

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view in a capping state schematically showing a second embodiment of the capping means 40 of the ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied. As a means for preventing the deformation or inclination of the cap 2 due to the bending reaction force of the tube 43, the tube connector 42 is guided by the guide portion 47 of the cap holder 41 in the first embodiment described above. In the second embodiment, the cap 2 is directly guided by the guide portion 47 of the cap holder 41. In this case, it is preferable to guide the outer peripheral surface of the fitting portion of the cap 2 with the tube connector 42 by the guide portion 47 as shown in the figure.

The other parts of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 4 are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3. Corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. As in the case of the first embodiment of FIG. 3, the capping means 40 of FIG. 4 also guides the movement of the cap 2 in the arrow E direction during the capping operation by the guide portion 47 provided on the cap holder 41, and the tube 43. Since the bending reaction force of the tube 43 is regulated, the inclination and deformation of the cap 2 due to the bending reaction force of the tube 43 can be eliminated, and thus the bending radius of the tube 43 can be set small, and the cap 2 and the suction pump. 44
By shortening the distance from the recording device, it is possible to save space and reduce the size and weight of the recording device.

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view in a capping state schematically showing a third embodiment of the capping means 40 of the ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied. As a means for preventing the deformation or inclination of the cap 2 due to the bending reaction force of the tube 43, the tube connector 42 is guided by the guide portion 47 of the cap holder 41 in the first embodiment shown in FIG. In the third embodiment, the tube 43 is guided by the guide portion 47 of the cap holder 41. In this case, as shown in the figure, it is preferable to guide the outer peripheral surface of the fitting portion of the tube 43 with the tube connector 42 by the guide portion 47.

The other parts of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 5 are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3. Corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. As in the case of the first embodiment of FIG. 3, the capping means 40 of FIG. 5 also guides the movement of the cap 2 in the arrow E direction during the capping operation by the guide portion 47 provided on the cap holder 41, and the tube 43. Since the bending reaction force of the tube 43 is regulated, the inclination and deformation of the cap 2 due to the bending reaction force of the tube 43 can be eliminated, and thus the bending radius of the tube 43 can be set small, and the cap 2 and the suction pump. 44
By shortening the distance from the recording device, it is possible to save space and reduce the size and weight of the recording device.

Although the cap 2 and the tube 43 are connected via the tube connector 42 in the embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5, the tube connector 42 is omitted and the cap 2 is used as the fourth embodiment. And the tube 43 may be directly connected, and the cap 2 or the tube 43 may be guided by the guide portion 47 of the cap holder 41. The same effect can be achieved by such a configuration.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, the guide portion 4 is used.
7 is provided on the cap holder 41, but the guide portion 4
7 may be provided in a member (for example, a guide member) different from the cap holder 41. FIG. 6 shows the cap holder 4
1 and the guide member 70 are formed separately, and the guide member 7
It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows typically the capping state of the 5th Example of the structure which provides the said guide part 47 in 0. The guide member 70 is positioned and fixed to a member such as the cap holder 41 by a mounting means (not shown).

The fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 6 is the cap holder 4
3 is different from the first embodiment in FIG. 3 in that the cap member 70 provided separately from the first embodiment is provided with the guide portion 47, and other portions have substantially the same configuration, and the corresponding portions have the same reference numerals. , And detailed description thereof will be omitted. Also according to the configuration of FIG. 6, the guide portion 47 provided on the guide member 70 guides the movement of the cap 2 in the arrow E direction during the capping operation and the tube 4
Since the bending reaction force of No. 3 is regulated, similar to the above-mentioned embodiments,
It is possible to eliminate the inclination and deformation of the cap 2 due to the bending reaction force of the tube 43, which makes it possible to set the bending radius of the tube 43 to a small value.
By shortening the distance between the suction pump 44 and the suction pump 44, it is possible to save space and reduce the size and weight of the recording apparatus.

Further, as another embodiment, the second of FIG.
In the embodiment and the third embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the guide portion 47 may be provided on a guide member (for example, the guide member 70 in FIG. 6) separate from the cap holder 41. The guide member in this case is also positioned and fixed to a member such as the cap holder 41 by a mounting means (not shown). Even with such a configuration, it is possible to obtain the same operational effect as in the case of each of the embodiments of FIGS.

According to the embodiment described above, the cap 2 made of a rubber-like elastic material for forming a closed system in the ejection port 52 portion of the recording head 1 and the ink discharged from the ejection port 52 are pumped or removed. In the structure in which the tube 43 leading to the ink processing member 46 is connected directly or via the connector member 42, the cap 2, the tube 43 or the connector member 42 is guided by the guide portion 47 so that the cap 2 is attached to the recording head 1. The guide 2 is movable in the forward / backward direction and is guided in a state in which it is prevented from rocking (tilting) or deforming in a direction other than the forward / backward direction. It is possible to cap the recording head 1 in a stable state with no leak by preventing the deformation and the deformation, and the ejection port 52 portion. Thereby preventing clogging due thickening and fixing of ink, at the time of suction recovery operation has become possible to provide a stable predetermined pressure to the portion of the discharge port 52 (negative pressure).

In each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the ink jet recording apparatus using one recording means (recording head) 1 has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to a plurality of recording apparatuses using different color inks. An ink jet recording device using a recording device, or an inkjet recording device for gradation recording using a plurality of recording devices that record with inks of the same color but different densities can be similarly applied regardless of the number of recording devices. The same effect can be achieved.

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the serial type recording apparatus in which the recording means 1 is mounted on the carriage 24 has been described as an example. The present invention can be similarly applied to a line-type recording apparatus that uses a line-type recording unit having a length that covers a portion and performs recording only by sub-scanning, and similar effects can be obtained. Further, as the recording means 1,
In addition to the cartridge type that integrates the ink ejection unit (recording head) and the ink tank unit, the one that has an ink ejection unit (recording head unit) and the ink tank unit that are connected separately by an ink supply tube, etc. It is possible to apply the same effect regardless of the structure of the recording means and achieve the same effect.

The present invention can be applied to an ink jet recording apparatus using a recording means (recording head) using an electromechanical transducer such as a piezo element, but among others, thermal energy is used. In this way, an excellent effect can be obtained in an ink jet recording apparatus of the type that ejects ink. This is because such a system can achieve high density recording and high definition recording.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0055]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, in the ink jet recording apparatus for recording by ejecting ink from the recording means to the recording material, the elastic cap for sealing the ejection port. And a tube for guiding the ink discharged from the discharge port to a pump or a waste ink processing member are connected directly or via a connector member, and the cap, the connector member or the tube is advanced with respect to the recording means. The guide means that allows movement in the backward direction and prevents rocking or deformation in directions other than the forward and backward directions is used to prevent tilting of the cap due to the bending reaction force of the tube with a simple and compact structure. The discharge port can be reliably sealed in a leak-free and stable state, preventing clogging due to thickening or sticking of ink at the discharge port. Or a stable predetermined ink jet recording apparatus capable of applying a pressure is provided to the discharge port during the suction recovery operation.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a main part configuration of an embodiment of an inkjet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

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

FIG. 3 is a schematic vertical sectional view showing a first embodiment of the capping means of the inkjet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 4 is a schematic vertical sectional view showing a second embodiment of the capping means of the inkjet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 5 is a schematic vertical sectional view showing a third embodiment of the capping means of the inkjet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 6 is a schematic vertical sectional view showing a fifth embodiment of the capping means of the inkjet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Recording Means (Recording Heads) 2 Caps 12 Recording Materials 16 Conveying Rollers 18 Conveying Motors 19 Platens 20 Paper Ejecting Rollers 23 Guide Rails (Main Scanning Rails) 24 Carriage 26 Carriage Motors 30 Recovery Devices 33 Cleaning Members 40 Capping Means 41 Cap Holders 42 tube connector 43 tube 44 suction pump 46 waste ink processing member 47 guide part 48 positioning part 49 sealing part (cap) 51 discharge port forming surface 52 discharge port 55 electrothermal converter 61 thin part (cap) 62 thick part (cap) ) 70 Guide member A Moving direction of carriage B Moving direction of carriage C Moving direction of cap holder D Moving direction of cap holder E Moving (guide) direction of cap

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. In an inkjet recording apparatus for recording by ejecting ink from a recording means to a recording material, a cap of an elastic body for sealing an ejection port and a pump or a waste ink treatment for the ink discharged from the ejection port. A tube for guiding to the member is connected directly or via a connector member, and the cap, the connector member or the tube is allowed to move in the forward / backward direction with respect to the recording means and in a direction other than the forward / backward direction. An ink jet recording apparatus, characterized in that it is guided by guide means for preventing rocking or deformation. 2. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording unit is an inkjet recording unit including an electrothermal converter that generates thermal energy used for ejecting ink. 3. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the recording unit ejects the ink from the ejection port by utilizing film boiling generated in the ink by the thermal energy generated by the electrothermal converter. ..