EP1002648A1 - Commande de position de rinçage incorporé dans un appareil d'enregistrement à jet d'encre et méthode de rinçage utilisé à cet effet - Google Patents

Commande de position de rinçage incorporé dans un appareil d'enregistrement à jet d'encre et méthode de rinçage utilisé à cet effet Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1002648A1
EP1002648A1 EP99123128A EP99123128A EP1002648A1 EP 1002648 A1 EP1002648 A1 EP 1002648A1 EP 99123128 A EP99123128 A EP 99123128A EP 99123128 A EP99123128 A EP 99123128A EP 1002648 A1 EP1002648 A1 EP 1002648A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
ink
flushing
jet recording
recording apparatus
set forth
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP99123128A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Munehide Kanaya
Kazuhiko Hara
Shigenori Fukasawa
Atsushi Kobayashi
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Seiko Epson Corp
Original Assignee
Seiko Epson Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from JP33102698A external-priority patent/JP3707274B2/ja
Priority claimed from JP10338015A external-priority patent/JP2000158677A/ja
Priority claimed from JP34307998A external-priority patent/JP3598513B2/ja
Priority claimed from JP35906898A external-priority patent/JP3543316B2/ja
Priority claimed from JP8692199A external-priority patent/JP3669197B2/ja
Application filed by Seiko Epson Corp filed Critical Seiko Epson Corp
Priority to EP08161992A priority Critical patent/EP1982836A3/fr
Publication of EP1002648A1 publication Critical patent/EP1002648A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/1721—Collecting waste ink; Collectors therefor
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/135—Nozzles
    • B41J2/165—Prevention or detection of nozzle clogging, e.g. cleaning, capping or moistening for nozzles
    • B41J2/16505—Caps, spittoons or covers for cleaning or preventing drying out
    • B41J2/16508—Caps, spittoons or covers for cleaning or preventing drying out connected with the printer frame
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/1721—Collecting waste ink; Collectors therefor
    • B41J2/1728—Closed waste ink collectors
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/1721—Collecting waste ink; Collectors therefor
    • B41J2/1742—Open waste ink collectors, e.g. ink receiving from a print head above the collector during borderless printing

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a flushing position controller incorporated in an ink-jet recording apparatus and a flushing method used for the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to an ink-jet recording apparatus comprising an ink-jet recording head which is mounted on a carriage so as to travel in the widthwise direction of recording paper and which forms an image on a recording medium by ejecting jets of ink droplets via nozzle orifices, and a flushing region provided on the path along which the recording head travels for receiving ink droplets to be jetted when a flushing drive signal is supplied to the recording head; a flushing method for use with such an ink-jet recording apparatus; and a flushing position controller for use with the ink-jet recording apparatus.
  • Ink-jet recording apparatus can print small dots at a comparatively low noise level at high density, and hence they have recently been used in many printing applications, including color printing.
  • Such an ink-jet recording apparatus comprises an ink-jet recording head which receives ink supplied from an ink cartridge, and a paper feeder for feeding recording paper relative to the recording head. Text or an image is recorded on the recording paper by causing the recording head to eject ink droplets toward the recording paper while the recording head travels together with a carriage in the widthwise direction of the recording paper.
  • a black recording head for ejecting black ink and a color recording head capable of ejecting various colors of ink, such as yellow, cyan, and magenta, are mounted on a single recording head.
  • the ink-jet recording apparatus enables full-color printing through use of black ink and other colors of ink, as well as printing of text, by means of changing the proportions of color inks to be ejected.
  • Such an ink-jet recording head performs a printing operation by ejecting ink, which is pressurized in a pressure generating chamber, in the form of ink droplets by way of nozzles.
  • the ink-jet recording head suffers problems such as printing failures, which are caused by an increase in the viscosity of ink due to evaporation of a solvent by way of nozzle orifices, solidification of ink, adhesion of dirt or dust to the nozzles, or mixing of air bubbles into ink.
  • the ink-jet recording apparatus is equipped with a capping member for sealing the nozzle orifices of the recording head while the recording apparatus is in a non-printing mode, and a cleaning device for cleaning a nozzle plate, as required.
  • the capping member acts as a cap for preventing ink from being dried by way of the nozzle orifices while the recording apparatus is in a non-printing mode. Further, in the event that the nozzle orifices become clogged, the capping member seals the nozzle plate and eliminates clogging in the nozzle orifices caused by solidification of ink or an ink ejecting failure caused by mixing of air bubbles into the ink flow channel, by suctioning ink by way of the nozzle orifices and by means of negative pressure imparted by a suction pump.
  • the cleaning operation is performed when a printing operation is resumed after the recording apparatus has remained in an idle mode for a long period of time or when the user actuates a cleaning switch for eliminating degradation in the quality of a recorded image.
  • the cleaning operation involves removal of ink droplets from the recording head by means of negative pressure applied through suction, and wiping of the surface of the recording head by means of a wiping blade formed from rubber or an elastic plate.
  • the capping member also has a capability of ejecting ink droplets by application to the recording head of a drive signal that is irrelevant to printing. This function is usually called flushing operation.
  • the flushing operation is performed at predetermined cycles for the purposes of: recovering meniscuses, which are formed irregularly in the vicinity of nozzle orifices of the recording head as a result of wiping action of the wiping blade during the cleaning operation; discharging mixed ink which has flowed back from the nozzles as a result of wiping operation; and preventing clogging in the nozzle orifices from which a small amount of ink droplets is ejected during a printing operation, which would otherwise be caused by an increase in the viscosity of ink.
  • reference numeral 1 designates a carriage.
  • the carriage 1 is configured so as to travel back and forth along a carriage shaft 4 which is horizontally supported by side frames 2 and 3, by way of movement of a timing belt driven by an unillustrated carriage motor.
  • An ink-jet recording head 5 is mounted on the carriage 1 so as to face downward, and a black ink cartridge 6 for supplying black ink to the recording head 5 and a color ink cartridge 7 are removably mounted on the top of the carriage 1.
  • a paper guide member 8 is situated below the recording head 5 and extends in the same direction as that in which the recording head 5 scans, and recording paper 9 serving as a recording medium is placed on the paper guide member 8.
  • the recording paper 9 is fed in the direction orthogonal to the scanning direction of the recording head 5, by means of an unillustrated paper feeder.
  • Reference numeral 10 designates a capping member disposed in a non-print region (i.e.) the home position).
  • the capping member 10 can seal a nozzle plate serving as a nozzle forming surface of the recording head 5.
  • a suction pump 11 is disposed below the capping member 10 so as to impart negative pressure to the interior space of the capping member 10.
  • the capping member 10 acts as a cap for preventing drying of the nozzle orifices of the recording head 5 while the ink-jet recording apparatus is in a non-print mode, and as a member for sucking ink by imparting negative pressure supplied from the suction pump 11 to the recording head 5.
  • a wiping member 12 formed from rubber or an elastic plate is provided in the vicinity of the capping member 10. When the carriage 1 travels back and forth toward the capping member 10, the wiping member 12 wipes a nozzle forming surface of the recording head 5.
  • a flushing region 13A is provided in another non-print region which is located opposite the non-print region where the capping member 10 is provided, with a center print region located therebetween.
  • the flushing region 13A is defined by an aperture 13a formed in the paper guide member 8.
  • An ink-absorbing member 14 is disposed behind the aperture 13a (or on the inner bottom of the recording apparatus) and doubles as a member for absorbing and retaining the ink discharged by the suction pump 11 from the interior space of the capping member 10.
  • the ink-absorbing member 14 is housed in an ink-absorbing material housing case disposed along the paper guide member 8; i.e., a waste-ink tank 15.
  • nozzles are periodically flushed in order to prevent ejecting failures, which would otherwise be caused by an increase in the viscosity of ink remaining in the nozzles which are not used during the printing operation.
  • a recent large-scale model of the ink-jet recording apparatus performs flushing of ink at an average rate of several tens of droplets per nozzle every several seconds.
  • the recording head may be flushed within the capping member 10 or in the flushing region 13A constituted of the aperture formed in the paper guide member 8.
  • the recording head is flushed within the flushing region in order to prevent an overflow of ink, which would otherwise be caused when ink droplets are continuously ejected after the capping member 10 has already been filled with ink.
  • the related ink-jet recording apparatus is required to temporarily suspend a printing operation in order to flush the recording head, move the carriage to the capping member or the flushing region, return the carriage to the position where the printing operation was interrupted, after flushing of the recording head is completed, and resume the printing operation.
  • the related recording apparatus encounters technological problems; i.e., a deterioration in throughput associated with the flushing operation; and an increase in print time.
  • the carriage must temporarily travel to the capping member, thus considerably deteriorating throughput.
  • the ink-absorbing member Since the ink-absorbing member receives ink ejected by the recording head, the ink-absorbing member must be placed in a position opposite the flushing region. However, in some cases the ink-absorbing member cannot be disposed opposite the flushing region, because of a limitation imposed by the layout of other components.
  • a sequence for flushing a recording head in a flushing region other than the capping member is employed in a case where a time interval between required periodic flushing operations is short, where considerable time is required to move the carriage across paper of large size, or where the direction of printing is out of synchronism with the timing at which flushing is effected.
  • the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 5 is spaced several centimeters away from the ink-absorbing member 14, thus inevitably involving an increase in the distance over which ink is to be ejected.
  • ink droplets ejected from the nozzle orifices of the recording head turn into mist as a result of air resistance and are suspended in air before arrival at the ink-absorbing member 14, thus staining the surroundings.
  • Ink droplets ejected from the nozzle orifices are electrically charged to a considerably degree.
  • the ink droplets are affected by the electrostatic charge developed in a drive section of the recording apparatus and are accelerated by an air flow induced by an exhaust fan disposed for preventing an increase in the internal temperature of the recording apparatus or an air flow resulting from movement of the carriage, thus staining as well the (external) area surrounding the recording apparatus.
  • waste-fluid absorbing material is placed in proximity to the recording head.
  • a mechanism such as a paper feed roller, is usually disposed in an area within a range of carriage travel facing the head, thus making it difficult to ensure a sufficient capacity for the mechanism.
  • the waste-fluid absorbing material is selected so as to have higher capability of absorbing a waste-fluid (i.e., ink). Therefore, if ink droplets are sprayed directly onto the waste-fluid absorbing material during flushing operation, the waste-fluid absorbing material is susceptible to clogging. Further, such a waste-fluid absorbing material is slow to absorb ink.
  • the present inventors of the invention proposed that a slant member for guiding the ejected ink into the ink-absorbing member 14 be interposed between the aperture 13a formed in the paper guide member 8 and the ink-absorbing member 14.
  • black ink is given a high solid content in order to increase the thickness of a character and has a property of being susceptible to an increase in viscosity and is likely to solidify when solvent contained in the ink has evaporated.
  • the black ink solidified on the slant surface hinders flow of black ink ejected subsequent to the solidified black ink, or flow of ink of another color.
  • black ink solidified within the ink-absorbing member hinders absorption of black ink ejected subsequent to the solidified black ink, or absorption of ink of another color.
  • an ink-jet recording apparatus has been required to have capability of producing a large volume of printed matter at high speed.
  • a processing routine employed for the flushing operation comprises a step of deactivating a carriage motor within a predetermined flushing region and flushing a recording head, and a step of performing a print operation. As mentioned above, such a processing routine encounters a difficulty in increasing throughput.
  • an ink-jet recording apparatus comprising a plurality of recording heads provided on a carriage, wherein the respective recording heads perform printing operation while traveling in the direction of their arrangement in a row, there must be ensured a flushing region whose width is equal to or greater than the width of the plurality of recording heads in the traveling direction of the carriage.
  • the ink-jet recording apparatus cannot elude a further increase in size.
  • a first object of the present invention is to provide an ink-jet recording apparatus capable of preventing a decrease in throughput, which would otherwise be caused by a flushing operation.
  • a second object of the present invention is to provide an ink-jet recording apparatus which can solve the previously-described problem and receive the ink ejected by a recording head without requiring placement of an ink-absorbing member at a position opposite the flushing region.
  • a third object of the present invention is to provide an ink-jet recording apparatus capable of effectively preventing generation of mist, which would otherwise be suspended in the form of minute droplets particularly during flushing operation; in other words, an ink-jet recording apparatus which has great commercial value and prevents staining of the inside or outside of the recording apparatus.
  • a fourth object of the present invention is to provide an ink-jet recording apparatus which prevents solidification of the ink ejected from a recording head, which would otherwise hinder the absorption of ink by an ink-absorbing member.
  • a fifth object of the present invention is to provide an ink-jet recording apparatus which solves the above-described problem by flushing recording heads within a flushing region at timings corresponding to the respective recording heads while the carriage is traveling.
  • a sixth object of the present invention is to provide a recording apparatus which comprises means by way of which a adjusting value for controlling the flushing timings is input and which can accurately flush the recording heads within the flushing region.
  • an ink-jet recording apparatus comprising:
  • the carriage is moved to the closer of the two flushing regions, where the recording head then ejects ink.
  • the flushing region is provided also in the area opposite the capping member, a necessity for flushing the recording head by returning the carriage to the capping member can be eliminated as well.
  • the ink-jet recording apparatus further comprises: a plate member provided with apertures situated in the respective flushing regions; and an ink absorbing member for receiving the ink droplets which have been passed through the apertures. More preferably, the respective apertures are larger than a size of surface on which the nozzle orifices are formed.
  • the aperture prevents splashing of ink ejected from the nozzle orifices of the recording head, and the thus-ejected ink is absorbed by the ink-absorbing material.
  • the ink-jet recording apparatus further comprises: a guide member disposed in at least one of the flushing regions so as to be situated between the aperture and the ink absorbing member, the guide member having a slant surface on which the ink droplets land and flow toward the ink absorbing member. More preferably, an extending direction of the slant surface is arbitrarily selected with respect to the traveling direction of the carriage. More preferably, a slant angle of the slant surface is set within a domain of 30° ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ 60°.
  • a water-repellent layer is formed on the slant surface.
  • the ink adhering to the slant surface is likely to drop toward the ink-absorbing member in the form of an ink droplet, thus preventing solidification of the ink adhering to the slant surface.
  • the slant member can be made more compact.
  • the recording head ejects a plurality colors of ink such that ink having higher viscosity lands on a lower position of the slant surface.
  • a landing position of black ink is higher than landing positions of any other colors of ink.
  • an ink-jet recording apparatus comprising:
  • the ink is guided to the ink-absorbing member.
  • the ink-jet recording apparatus can be made more compact.
  • the flushing region includes a plate member provided with an aperture though which the ink droplets pass.
  • the aperture is situated between the recording head and the guide member.
  • the aperture prevents splashing of ink ejected from the nozzle orifices of the recording head.
  • the respective apertures are larger than a size of surface on which the nozzle orifices are formed.
  • the ink ejected from the nozzle orifices of the recording head can be completely absorbed by the ink-absorbing material by way of the aperture without splashing.
  • an extending direction of the slant surface is arbitrarily selected with respect to the traveling direction of the carriage.
  • the slant angle ⁇ of the slant surface is desirably set to an angle of more than 0°.
  • the slant angle ⁇ of the slant surface approaches 90°, the ink-absorbing material cannot be made compact. Hence, the ink-absorbing material must be disposed opposite the flushing region. For this reason, the slant angle ⁇ of the slant surface is desirably set to an angle of less than 60°
  • a slant angle of the slant surface is set within a domain of 30° ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ 60°.
  • a water-repellent layer is formed on the slant surface
  • the ink adhering to the slant surface is likely to drop toward the ink-absorbing member in the form of an ink droplet, thus preventing solidification of the ink adhering to the slant surface.
  • the slant member can be made more compact.
  • the recording head ejects a plurality colors of ink such that ink having higher viscosity lands on a lower position of the slant surface.
  • a landing position of black ink is higher than landing positions of any other colors of ink.
  • an ink-jet recording apparatus comprising:
  • a distance between the porous sheet member and a surface on which the nozzle orifices are formed is set within a domain of 1 to 5 mm when the flushing operation is performed.
  • the porous sheet member is hydrophilic.
  • a mean pore size of the porous sheet is set within a domain of 100 to 500 ⁇ m.
  • the periphery of the porous sheet member is enclosed by a case.
  • the ink ejected during flushing operation flows along the interior of the case and is absorbed by the ink absorbing member.
  • a portion of the porous sheet member facing the nozzle forming surface is arranged so as to be parallel therewith.
  • a lower end portion of the porous sheet member extends vertically independent from the angle of the portion facing the nozzle forming surface.
  • a lower end of the porous sheet member contacts with an inner face of the casing.
  • the lower end of the porous sheet member is partially notched such that an opening is defined by the notch and the inner face of the casing.
  • the opening is situated so as not to face the nozzle forming surface when the flushing operation is performed.
  • the porous sheet member is secured to the casing by a fixing member.
  • the fixing member is situated so as not to face the nozzle forming surface when the flushing operation is performed.
  • ink droplets ejected from the recording head within the flushing region during flushing operation are received by the porous sheet member disposed in proximity to and so as to face the recording head.
  • porous sheet Since the porous sheet is disposed in close proximity to the recording head, substantially all the ink droplets or minute droplets ejected from the nozzle orifices fly to the porous sheet member, thus minimizing the chance of a portion of the ink droplets or minute droplets being suspended in the air in the form of a mist.
  • the ink droplets received by the porous sheet member are transferred to and absorbed by the waste-liquid absorbing material by way of the case retaining the porous sheet member.
  • the present invention enables solving of a problem; i.e., staining of the interior or exterior of the ink-jet recording apparatus, which would otherwise be caused by the mist.
  • an ink-jet recording apparatus comprising:
  • the ink receiver unit includes a cylindrical casing.
  • the plural plate members are arranged with in the casing at substantially equal intervals and at the predetermined angle.
  • the ink receiver unit includes a cylindrical guide body extending from the cylindrical casing continuously and vertically for leading the received ink to a waste-ink tank.
  • the predetermined angle is set within a domain of 40 to 80 degrees.
  • the ink droplets ejected from the recording head within the flushing region are captured by any one of the plurality of plate members disposed at a predetermined angle with respect to the direction of flight of the ink droplets.
  • the waste ink captured by the plate members is guided to the waste-ink tank disposed below the plate members (i.e., in the downward direction).
  • the distance over which the ink droplets are to fly can be reduced by setting to a small value the angle formed between the direction of flight of ink droplets and the orientation of the plate members, thus diminishing the extent to which a mist is produced.
  • the angle at which ink droplets impinge on the surface of the plate members becomes close to a normal, thus generating a mist when the plate members cause the ink droplets to splash.
  • the angle formed between the direction of flight of ink droplets and the orientation of the plate members is desirably set to an angle of about 60°. Consequently, the extent to which the mist is generated can be diminished, thus preventing contamination of interior or exterior of the ink-jet recording apparatus.
  • an ink-jet recording apparatus comprising:
  • the first flushing and the second flushing is performed in order.
  • the second flushing is performed without stopping the carriage.
  • the first flushing is performed before the carriage starts to travel.
  • the first flushing is performed without stopping the carriage.
  • the first position and the second position are fixed.
  • one of the first and second positions is fixed and the other is variable.
  • the recording head includes three pairs of nozzle orifice arrays.
  • a distance X between the first and second positions satisfies one of the following relationships: L1-L2 ⁇ X ⁇ L1+L2, and 2(L1-L2) ⁇ X ⁇ 2(L1+L2) where L1 denotes a distance between the respective pairs of nozzle orifice arrays, and L2 denotes a distance between the respective nozzle orifice arrays.
  • the flushing method is particularly desirable because it can prevent cumulative deposition of ink by changing the first and second positions.
  • the first position is situated at an outer traveling limit of the carriage, and a second position is situated where is closer to the print region than the first position.
  • the first ink is black ink
  • the second ink is at least one of cyan ink, magenta ink and yellow ink.
  • the ink-jet recording apparatus further comprises: a plate member provided with an aperture situated in the flushing region; and an ink absorbing member for receiving the ink droplets which have been passed through the aperture.
  • the ink-jet recording apparatus further comprises: a guide member disposed in at least one of the flushing regions so as to be situated between the aperture and the ink absorbing member, the guide member having a slant surface on which the ink droplets land and flow toward the ink absorbing member.
  • the respective apertures are larger than a size of surface on which the nozzle orifices are formed.
  • the ink-jet recording apparatus further comprises a ventilation fan.
  • the ventilation fan is halted during the flushing operation.
  • the black ink is susceptible to an increase in viscosity or solidification when the solvent of black ink evaporates. Even when the slant member is not provided, the flushing method of the present invention can prevent solidification of black ink within the ink-absorbing material, which would otherwise prevent absorption of black ink or ink of another color ejected later
  • an ink-jet recording apparatus comprising:
  • the adjusting value is inputted as a first value for correcting a preset flushing position of one of the plural recording heads.
  • the first correcting value is managed by counting reference pulses.
  • a second correcting value for a preset flushing position of the other recording head inputted as the adjusting value is managed by a delay time period from a flushing drive signal based on the first correcting value.
  • the first correcting value is managed by counting reference pulses.
  • a second correcting value for a preset flushing position of the other recording head inputted as the adjusting value is also managed by counting the reference pulses.
  • the reference pulses is an encoder signal generated according to the traveling of the carriage.
  • the ink-jet recording apparatus further comprises a non-volatile memory for storing the correcting values.
  • the output timing of the flushing drive signal is determined with reference to the correcting values in the non-volatile memory and the encoder signal.
  • the respective apertures are smaller than a size of surface on which the nozzle orifices are formed.
  • the throughput pertaining to flushing can be improved, and the width of the flushing region can be set to a smaller value, thus rendering the recording apparatus compact.
  • the accuracy of timing at which each of the recording heads ejects ink for flushing can be improved, and the ink droplets can be ejected within a narrower specified area, thus enabling a further reduction in the size of the flushing region.
  • Fig. 1 shows configuration of a main unit of an ink-jet recording apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 2 shows an example of a control circuit provided in the recording apparatus.
  • the ink-jet recording apparatus is characterized in that flushing regions 13A and 13B for receiving ink droplets to be ejected when a flushing drive signal is supplied to a recording head 5 are disposed in non-print regions such that the flushing region 13A is provided in the non-print region where capping member 10 for sealing the recording head is disposed and the flushing region 13B is provided in the remaining non-print region which is opposite the capping member 10, with a center print region provided therebetween.
  • the flushing region 13A provided in the non-print region opposite the capping member 10 is provided in the ink-jet recording apparatus shown in Fig. 19, as well.
  • the flushing region 13A is defined by an aperture 13a formed in a paper guide member 8.
  • An ink-absorbing member 14 which serves as a member not only for absorbing the ink discharged from the capping member 10 by a suction pump 11 but also for retaining the same is disposed below the aperture 13a (i.e., at the inner bottom of the ink-jet recording apparatus).
  • the ink-absorbing member 14 is housed in an ink-absorbing member housing case disposed along the paper guide member 8; i.e., a waste-ink tank 15.
  • the flushing region 13B is newly provided in the non-print region ensured in the vicinity of the capping member 10 for seating the recording head 5.
  • the flushing region 13B is identical in configuration with the flushing region 13A and is defined by an aperture 13b formed in the paper guide member 8.
  • the ink-absorbing member 14 housed in the waste-ink tank 15 is disposed below the aperture 13b (i.e., at the inner bottom of the recording apparatus).
  • the ink ejected from the recording head 5 for flushing purpose within the flushing region 13A or 13B is absorbed by the ink-absorbing member 14 housed in the waste-ink tank 15.
  • reference numeral 30 designates a print controller
  • the print controller 30 produces bit-mapped data on the basis of print data output from a host computer of the recording apparatus.
  • a head driver 31 On the basis of the thus-produced bit-mapped data, a head driver 31 generates a drive signal, thus causing the recording head 5 to eject ink.
  • the head driver 31 is also configured so as to output a flushing drive signal to the recording head 5 upon receipt of a flushing instruction signal from a flushing controller 32, thus effecting ejecting of ink irrelevant to the printing operation.
  • Reference numeral 33 designates a cleaning controller Upon receipt of an instruction signal output from the cleaning controller 33, a pump driver 34 is activated to drive the suction pump 11.
  • the cleaning controller 33 receives an instruction signal from the print controller 30 and cleaning instruction detector 35.
  • An instruction switch 36 is connected to the cleaning instruction detector 35. In response to the user depressing the instruction switch 36, the instruction detector 35 is activated, thus enabling manually-instructed cleaning operation.
  • a carriage position controller 37 is connected to the flushing controller 32.
  • the flushing controller 32 sends a control signal to the carriage position controller 32, thus activating a carriage motor 38.
  • the recording head 5 mounted on the carriage 1 is moved to either the flushing region 13A or the flushing region 13B.
  • the flushing controller 32 sends a control signal to the carriage position controller 37, thus determining whether the recording head 5 mounted on the carriage 1 is to be moved to the flushing region 13A or to the flushing region 13B, whichever results in a smaller decrease in throughput, in consideration of the direction of printing or the distances between the recording head 5 situated in the print region and the respective flushing regions.
  • the flushing controller 32 is connected to a fan drive controller 39. At the time of flushing operation, the flushing controller 32 sends a control signal to the fan drive controller 39, to thereby temporarily stop a fan motor 40 which drives a ventilation fan (not shown) for preventing an increase in the internal temperature of the recording apparatus.
  • the ink-jet recording apparatus of the first embodiment comprises the flushing regions 13A and 13B for receiving ink droplets to be ejected when a flushing drive signal is supplied to the recording head 5; more specifically, the flushing region 13B is provided in the non-print region where the capping member 10 for sealing the recording head 5 is to be disposed, and the flushing region 13A is provided in the remaining non-print region which is opposite the capping member 10, with the center print region located therebetween.
  • the present invention prevents a problem of much print time being required in association with the flushing operation.
  • the recording head 5 is to be moved to the flushing region 13A or to the flushing region 13B, whichever results in a smaller decrease in throughput.
  • the first embodiment can eliminate a problem of considerable print time being required as a result of flushing operation.
  • Fig. 3 shows the configuration of a main unit of the recording apparatus according to the second embodiment
  • Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of the flushing region shown in Fig. 3.
  • the ink-jet recording apparatus of the second embodiment is characterized in that slant members 20, each having a slant surface 20a tilted toward the print region, are interposed such the one slant member 20 is interposed between the aperture 13a formed in the paper guide member 8 provided in the flushing region 13A and the ink-absorbing member 14 disposed below the aperture 13a (i.e., at the inner bottom of the recording apparatus), and the other slant member 20 is interposed between the aperture 13b formed in the paper guide member 8 provided in the flushing region 13B and the ink-absorbing member 14 disposed below the aperture 13b (i.e., at the inner bottom of the recording apparatus).
  • the ink ejected from the recording head 5 passes through the aperture 13a and adheres to the slant surface 20a of the slant member 20.
  • the ink ejected from the recording head 5 passes through the aperture 13b and adheres to the slant surface 20a of the slant member 20.
  • ink When ink adheres to the slant surface 20a to a certain extent, ink drops toward the ink-absorbing member 14 in the form of droplets and is absorbed by the ink-absorbing member 14.
  • the slant members 20 tapered toward the print region are interposed between the apertures 13a and 13b and the ink-absorbing member 14 disposed below the apertures 13a and 13b, to thereby guide to the ink-absorbing member 14 the ink ejected from the recording head 5.
  • the present invention eliminates a necessity for placing the ink-absorbing member 14 at a position where it faces the flushing regions 13A and 13B.
  • the recording apparatus is subjected to a less stringent limitation imposed by the layout of other components, thus increasing the degree of freedom in designing a recording apparatus.
  • the ink-absorbing member 14 can be made compact and placed at the center of the recording apparatus, thus rendering the ink-jet recording apparatus compact.
  • slant members 20 are not necessarily required to be placed in both flushing regions 13A and 13B; the slant member 20 may be disposed in either the flushing region 13A or the flushing region 13B.
  • the slant surfaces 20a may be integrally formed with the respective apertures 13a and 13b.
  • the slant angle ⁇ of the slant surface 20a of the slant member 20 falls within the domain of 0° ⁇ 90°.
  • the slant angle ⁇ of the slant surface 20a is desirably set to an angle of 30° or more.
  • the ink-absorbing member 14 In contrast, if the slant angle ⁇ of the slant surface 20a approximates 90°, the ink-absorbing member 14 cannot be made compact. Therefore, the ink-absorbing member 14 must be disposed at a position where it faces the flushing regions 13A and 13B.
  • the slant angle ⁇ of the slant surface 20a of the slant member 20 preferably falls within the domain of 30° ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ 60°.
  • the slant surface 20a is coated with a water-repellent agent such as silicon, fluorine, TEFLON, or a like chemical.
  • a water-repellent agent such as silicon, fluorine, TEFLON, or a like chemical.
  • the ink adhering to the slant surface 20a becomes ink droplets and becomes likely to fall to the ink-absorbing member 14, thus preventing solidification of the ink on the slant surface 20a.
  • the ink adhering to the slant surface 20a becomes ink droplets as a result of the water-repellent layer formed on the slant surface 20a and falls to the ink-absorbing member 14. Accordingly, the ink-absorbing member 14 can be made compact.
  • the slant surface 20a of the slant member 20 is tapered with respect to the traveling direction of the carriage 1.
  • the slant surface 20a may alternatively be tapered with respect to a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the carriage 1 (i.e., the direction normal to the drawing sheet of Fig. 5) or at a predetermined angle with respect to the traveling direction of the carriage 1.
  • the degree of freedom in laying out the ink-absorbing member 14 can be increased by changing the direction of tapering of the slant surface 20a.
  • the size "l" of the apertures 13a and 13b is preferably made greater than the size "L” of a nozzle plate 5e of the recording head 5.
  • the ink ejected from nozzle orifices of the recording head 5 passes through the apertures 13a and 13b without splashing and is absorbed by the ink-absorbing member 14.
  • nozzle orifices for ejecting ink which are likely to dry and solidify are formed in the area of the recording head 5 corresponding to a lower portion of the slant surface 20a.
  • a nozzle orifice 5d is desirably used for ejecting black ink.
  • At least a nozzle orifice 5a is desirably used for ejecting ink of another color, such as yellow, cyan, or magenta.
  • the illustrated black ink has a higher content of a dye component than do inks of other colors: i.e., yellow, cyan, and magenta.
  • a dye component i.e., yellow, cyan, and magenta.
  • the black ink may solidify thereon.
  • the black ink flows down over the slant surface 20a without solidification in association with falling of ink adhering to a position higher than the position to which the black ink adheres and is finally absorbed by the ink-absorbing member 14.
  • the black ink is illustrative, and ink of another color which is likely to dry and solidify (i.e., ink of another color and having high viscosity) may also be employed.
  • the ink-jet recording apparatus of the second embodiment comprises the slant members 20 provided in the respective flushing regions 13A and 13B, and the ink ejected from the recording head 5 is guided to the ink-absorbing member 14 by way of the slant member 20.
  • the present invention eliminates a necessity for placing the ink-absorbing member 14 at a position where it faces the flushing regions 13A and 13B.
  • the recording apparatus is subjected to a less stringent limitation imposed by the layout of other components, thus increasing the degree of freedom in design of a recording apparatus.
  • the ink-absorbing member 14 can be made more compact, thus rendering the ink-jet recording apparatus compact.
  • Figs. 6 and 7 show the configuration of a large-sized ink-jet recording apparatus (hereinafter also called "printer") installed directly on the floor
  • Fig. 6 is a perspective outline of the printer
  • Fig. 7 is a front view showing the internal configuration of the printer.
  • Fig. 8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the printer shown in Fig. 7 taken through a flushing region to be described later.
  • a paper feed section 101 In this printer are arranged a paper feed section 101, a print section 102, and a paper output section 103, in this order from top to bottom.
  • a paper transport channel is formed into a substantially linear path which is tilted relative to the vertical line and extends from the paper feed section 101 to the paper output section 103 by way of the print section 102.
  • long roll paper 104 having a width of, for example, up to 40 inches can be loaded on the paper feed section 101 as a recording medium. At the time of replacement, the roll paper 104 can be removed.
  • the position where the paper supply section 101 is set is optimal for the operator replacing the roll paper 104 with new roll paper while remaining in a standing position.
  • the front surface of the roll paper 104 loaded on the paper feed section 101 can be covered with a reclosable roll paper cover 105.
  • the roll paper cover 105 When the roll paper cover 105 is in a closed position, the upper surface of the roll paper cover 105, the print section 102, and a paper delivery guide 106 to be described later are substantially brought into alignment, thus enabling supply or discharge of paper, such as a rigid cardboard, of a type other than the roll paper 104.
  • a pair of spindle receivers 108a, 108b are disposed below another pair of spindle receivers 107a, 107b.
  • the spindle receiver pairs 107 and 108 are mounted on a pair of frames 109, 109 of the printer main unit.
  • a spindle 107 having the long roll paper 104 fitted thereon is supported by the spindle receivers 107a and 107b, and another spindle 108 having the long roll paper 104 fitted thereon is supported by the spindle receivers 108a and 108b.
  • the upper spindle 107 and the lower spindle 108 are aligned so as to be parallel and to assume a diagonal relationship; specifically, the lower spindle 108 is located closer to the operator than the upper spindle 107.
  • the respective sheets of roll paper 104 are transported along the paper transport path, which is formed substantially linearly and inclined toward the entrance of the paper output section 103 by way of the print section 102.
  • a guide rod 110 is provided in the print section 102 and is horizontally attached to the frames 109, 109.
  • a carriage 111 is provided on the guide rod 110 so as to travel back and forth along the same, and a recording head 112 is mounted on the carriage 111.
  • the paper delivery guide 106 is formed below the area scanned by the recording head 112, so as to constitute a portion of the paper transport path.
  • the paper output section 103 receives printed paper and comprises a catch cloth 113 whose paper-receiving surface is formed from a collapsible canvas sheet.
  • the paper output section 103 is switched by a paper delivery changeover lever 114 so as to guide printed paper to a first receiving section 115 located substantially immediately below the print section 102 or so as to guide printed paper to an unillustrated second receiving section which is temporarily formed in the vicinity of the front side of the printer by expansion of the catch cloth 113 over the floor in front of the printer main unit.
  • an opening 116 is formed between a rear edge 106a of the paper delivery guide 106 situated at a position lower than the print section 102 and an upper edge 113a of the catch cloth 113 protruding into the paper transport path, by means of the paper delivery changeover lever 114.
  • the upper edge 113a of the catch cloth 113 is retracted backward relative to the paper transport path, by means of the paper delivery changeover lever 114.
  • a catch cloth fixing lever 117 is withdrawn from the front side of the printer, and a hook 118 on which the front end of the catch cloth 113 is fixed is engaged with the front end of the fixing lever 117, whereby the catch cloth 113 can be spread to extend forward of the front side of the printer main unit.
  • one end of the area over which the recording head 112 mounted on the carriage 111 travels corresponds to a non-print region (the home position), where a capping member 121 is disposed.
  • the recording head 112 is mounted on the carriage 111 such that a nozzle forming surface of the recording head 112 is slightly tilted relative to the perpendicular, as will be described later.
  • the capping member 121 is arranged so as to seal the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 112 when the recording head 112 moves to the non-print region.
  • a suction pump 122 for imparting negative pressure to the interior space of the capping member 121 is provided below the capping member 121.
  • the capping member 121 acts as a cap member for preventing drying of the nozzle orifices of the recording head 112 while the printer is in an idle mode. Further, the capping member 121 acts as head cleaning means for sucking ink by imparting negative pressure generated by the suction pump 122 to the recording head 112.
  • the waste ink discharged by the suction pump 122 is delivered to a first waste ink tank 123 and is absorbed by a waste-fluid absorbing material 123a housed in the tank 123.
  • a first flushing region 125 is formed on the path over which the recording head 112 travels, so as to become adjacent to the capping member 121.
  • An ink receiver unit 127 which will be described in detail by reference to Fig. 9, is disposed in the first flushing region 125.
  • the waste ink collected by the ink receiver unit 127 is delivered to the first waste ink tank 123 and is absorbed by the waste-fluid absorbing material 123a housed in the tank 123.
  • a second flushing region 126 is formed in the remaining end opposite the capping member 121, with the center print area placed therebetween.
  • the ink receiver unit 127 is provided even in this second flushing region 126, and the waste ink collected by the ink receiver unit 127 is delivered to a second waste-fluid tank 128, where the waste ink is absorbed by a waste-fluid absorbing material 128a housed in the tank 128.
  • the ink-jet recording apparatus is pre-installed with a flushing sequence for selectively using either the first or second flushing region, according to the width of paper to be subjected to printing, as required. As a result, the reliability of printing can be ensured by flushing without involvement of a decrease in throughput.
  • cartridge holders 141 for retaining ink cartridges are provided at opposite ends of and behind the print section 102 of the recording apparatus.
  • Each cartridge holder 141 is configured so as to be pivotable through about 45 degrees between a cartridge exchange mode and an ink supply mode.
  • the cartridge exchange mode the cartridge holder 141 is tilted from its longitudinal direction at an angle of 45 degrees, to thereby enable the operator to exchange ink cartridges.
  • the ink supply mode the cartridge holder 141 is in a horizontal position, and ink is supplied to the recording heads.
  • Fig. 9 shows the configuration of the ink receiver units 127 disposed in the respective first and second flushing regions.
  • Fig. 9A is a front view of the ink-receiver unit
  • Fig. 9B is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the ink-receiver unit taken along substantially the center thereof.
  • the ink receiver unit 127 comprises a case member 131 and a porous sheet 132.
  • the case member 131 is divided, along its center, into a first cylindrical body 131a and a second cylindrical body 131b.
  • the first cylindrical body 131a forms an angle of about 130° with the second cylindrical body 131b.
  • An opening is formed in the first cylindrical body 131 a of the case member 131, and the substantially-square porous sheet 132 is attached to the opening.
  • the ink receiver unit 127 is attached to the recording apparatus such that an axial line 131c of the second cylindrical body 131b is aligned substantially normal to the recording apparatus.
  • the porous sheet 132 is attached to the square opening formed in the first cylindrical body 131a, by means of four strip-shaped attachment members 133.
  • the four strip-shaped attachment members 133 are secured on a rib formed within the first cylindrical body 131a, by means of screws 134.
  • the periphery of the porous sheet 132 is surrounded by the opening of the case member 131.
  • the ink ejected for flushing purpose flows over the interior of the case member 131 via the porous sheet 132 and is absorbed by the waste-fluid absorbing material 123a (128a).
  • the porous sheet 132 is arranged such that the distance "t" between the nozzle forming surface 112a of the recording head 112 and the porous sheet 132 preferably assumes a value of about 1 to 5 mm when the recording head 112 is situated in the flushing region.
  • the distance "t” the smaller the chance of a mist being caused by flushing.
  • the distance "t" is set to a value of less than 1 mm, the nozzle forming surface 112a of the recording head 112 is prone to being damaged by movement of the recording head 112 for reasons of an error in the attachment of a drive mechanism or unit, thus deteriorating the reliability of operation.
  • the distance "t" exceeds a value of 5 mm, the ink droplets ejected from the nozzle orifices during flushing are suspended in the air to an unacceptably great extent.
  • the mean pore size of the porous sheet 132 falls within the domain of about 100 to 500 ⁇ m.
  • a comparatively large mean pore size is desirable. If the mean pore size exceeds 500 ⁇ m, the ink-retention capability of the porous sheet 132 is deteriorated.
  • the mean pore size assumes a value of less than 100 ⁇ m, the ink-retention capability of the porous sheet 132 is increased. For instance, in a case where the recording apparatus remains in a non-print mode over a comparatively long period of time and the porous sheet becomes dried, the porous sheet is susceptible to clogging, thus deteriorating the function of the recording apparatus.
  • porous sheet material subjected to hydrophilic processing is used as the porous sheet.
  • ink encounters difficulty in remaining on the surface of the porous sheet, thus preventing splashing of ink during flushing.
  • a lower edge 132a of the porous sheet 132 is slightly bent toward the inside of the first cylindrical body 131a and is brought into contact with the interior wall of the first cylindrical body 131a.
  • the amount of ink exceeding the ink-retention capability of the porous sheet 132 can efficiently travel to the interior wall surface of the cylindrical body 131a.
  • the superfluous ink can flow to the waste-fluid absorbing material 123a by way of the second cylindrical body 131b whose axial core is aligned substantially to the recording apparatus.
  • two rectangular notches 132b are formed in the lower edge 132a of the porous sheet 132 which remains in contact with the interior wall surface of the cylindrical body 131a.
  • the notches 132b constitute openings 132c communicating with the interior wall surface of the first cylindrical body 131a.
  • the ink ejected for flushing is temporarily received by the porous sheet 132 and is guided to the inside of the first cylindrical body 131a by way of the openings 132c.
  • the operational reliability of the ink receiver unit 127 can be ensured over a long period of time.
  • the openings 132c are desirably formed so as not to extend to a position where they face the row of nozzle orifices 112b of the recording head 112.
  • the ink ejected from the nozzle orifices 112b flies directly to the surface of the porous sheet 132 without fail, thus preventing occurrence of a mist, which would otherwise be caused when the ink flies to the openings 132c.
  • attachment members 133 are provided at positions where they face the row of nozzle orifices 112b, ink droplets remain on the surface of the attachment members 133 and are splashed, thus staining the nozzle forming surface 112a and the surroundings thereof.
  • Staining of the nozzle forming surface 112a and the surroundings thereof can be prevented, by selection of positions where the attachment members 133 are to be mounted, in the manner as mentioned previously.
  • the present invention is not limited to such a specific type of recording apparatus. Needless to say, the same working-effect can be yielded even when the present invention is applied to another type of ink-jet recording apparatus.
  • the porous sheet 132 is provided so as to become close to and face the recording head 112 when the recording head 112 is situated in the flushing region 125 or 126.
  • the majority of ink droplets ejected from the recording head for flushing can be captured and absorbed by the porous sheet 132.
  • the ink droplets received by the porous sheet 132 are transferred to and absorbed by the waste-fluid absorbing material 123a by way of the case member 131 retaining the porous sheet 132.
  • the third embodiment can provide an ink-jet recording apparatus whose commercial value is improved to a great extent and which solves the problem of occurrence of a mist, which would otherwise stain the inside and outside of the recording apparatus.
  • Figs. 6 through 8 used in connection with the description of the ink-jet recording apparatus of the third embodiment are referred to, exactly as they are, for describing the ink-jet recording apparatus according to the fourth embodiment.
  • FIG. 10 shows the configuration of an ink receiver unit characterizing the fourth embodiment
  • explanations of the configuration, elements, and reference numerals provided in Figs. 6 through 8 are omitted here for brevity.
  • Fig. 10 shows configuration of an ink receiver units 127 to be disposed in the respective first and second flushing regions 125 and 126 in the ink-jet recording apparatus shown in Figs. 6 through 8.
  • Fig. 10A is a front view of the ink receiver unit
  • Fig. 10B is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the ink receiver unit taken substantially along its center.
  • the ink receiver unit 127 comprises a cylindrical section 231 whose opening is directed toward the direction of flight of the ink droplets ejected from the recording head 112, and a cylindrical guide section 232 for guiding ink toward the waste-fluid tank 123 or 128.
  • the cylindrical section 231 and the cylindrical guide section 232 are integrally formed from synthetic resin.
  • the ink receiver unit 127 is attached to the recording apparatus such that an axial line 232c of the guide section 232 is aligned substantially normal to the recording apparatus.
  • a plurality of plate members 233 for receiving ink droplets are provided within the cylindrical section 231 at a predetermined angle with respect to the direction of flight of the ink droplets ejected from the recording head 112.
  • the plate members 233 are provided in the cylindrical section 231.
  • the plate members 233 are arranged at substantially a uniform interval within the cylindrical section 231 and in parallel with the axis of the cylindrical section 231, because of a limitation imposed by rapping operation.
  • the plate members 233 are set such that the direction of the plate forms an angle of about 60° with the direction of flight of the ink droplets ejected from the recording head 122.
  • the angle ⁇ which is formed by an extension of the nozzle forming surface 112a of the recording head 112 and the axial core of the cylindrical section 231 is 60°.
  • the ink droplets ejected from the recording head impinge on and are captured by the surface of each of the plate members 233 at an angle of about 30°.
  • the waste ink captured by the respective plate members 233 is guided to the waste-fluid tank 123 or 128 located below the plate members 233, or in the direction in which gravity acts, by way of the interior of the guide section 232.
  • the angle formed by the direction of flight of the ink droplets ejected from the recording head 112 and the orientation of the plate members is 60°.
  • the angle is set so as to fall within the domain of 40° to 80°.
  • the angle is less than 40°, the distance over which ink droplets are to fly can be reduced. However, the angle at which the ink droplets impinge on the surface of the plate members 233 becomes too close to the perpendicular, and the ink droplets are splashed by the surface of the plate members 233, resulting in generation of a mist.
  • the recording head 112 is attached to the carriage 111 such that ink droplets are ejected in substantially a horizontal direction
  • the angle formed between the direction of flight of ink droplets and the orientation of the plate members 233 exceeds 80°, the axis of the cylindrical section 231 becomes close to the horizontal direction, thus deteriorating flow of waste ink within the cylindrical section 231.
  • the angle is desirably set so as to fall within the domain of 40° to 80°.
  • the number of plate members 233 can be changed to an appropriate value according to the size of the cylindrical section 231 constituting the plate members 233, as required.
  • the present invention is not limited to such a specific type of recording apparatus. Needless to say, the same working-effect can be yielded even when the present invention is applied to another type of ink-jet recording apparatus.
  • the ink-jet recording apparatus of the fourth embodiment is equipped with the ink receiver units 127 for receiving ink droplets ejected from the recording head 112 which are located within the respective flushing regions 125 and 126.
  • the plurality of plate members 233 are disposed within each of the ink receiver units 127 such that the angle formed by the direction of flight of ink droplets ejected from the recording head 112 and the orientation of the plate members 233 is set to about 60°.
  • Ink droplets ejected for flushing are captured by any one of the plate members 233 within a comparatively short distance over which the ink droplets fly.
  • Figs. 2 through 4 used in connection with the description of the ink-jet recording apparatus of the second embodiment are referred to, exactly as they are, for describing the ink-jet recording apparatus according to the fourth embodiment.
  • Figs. 11 and 12 are schematic representations for describing the flushing operation to be performed in this embodiment.
  • Figs. 13A and 13B are schematic representations for describing the position of the recording head where the recording head is to be flushed.
  • Fig. 13A shows the position of the recording head within the flushing region 13B
  • Fig. 13B shows the position of the recording head within the flushing region 13A.
  • Fig. 14 is a conceptual rendering for describing the sizes of the nozzle plate and the aperture.
  • the recording head 5 comprises three sets of nozzle orifices, each set including two rows of nozzle orifices. As shown in Fig. 11, three rows of nozzle orifices arranged at the left side (i.e., the leftmost set of nozzle orifices and a single row of nozzle orifices of the middle set) 5a eject black ink. The remaining row of nozzle orifices of the middle set 5b adjacent to the nozzle orifices 5a eject yellow ink.
  • a row of nozzle orifices 5c of the right-side set adjacent to the row of nozzle orifices 5b eject cyan ink
  • the remaining, rightmost row of nozzle orifices 5d of the right-side set adjacent to the row of nozzle orifices 5c eject magenta ink.
  • Flushing operations performed within the respective flushing regions 13A and 13B are based on the same principle. First, the flushing operation performed within the flushing region 13B will be described.
  • the carriage position controller 37 Upon receipt of a control signal from the flushing controller 32 shown in Fig. 2, the carriage position controller 37 sends a control signal, thus activating a pulse motor for moving the carriage 1 and moving the recording head 5 of the carriage 1 to position A (called a first position) within the flushing region 13B, where the carriage 1 is stopped.
  • the carriage position controller 37 sends a control signal to the flushing controller 32, whereupon black ink is ejected from the nozzle orifices 5a assigned to black ink.
  • the black ink adhering to the slant surface 20a flows downward over the slant surface 20a and is absorbed by the ink-absorbing member 14.
  • black ink has a higher solid concentration than do yellow ink, cyan ink, and magenta ink, the black ink is susceptible to an increase in viscosity and is likely to solidify when solvent contained in the black ink evaporates.
  • the flushing controller 32 sends a control signal to the carriage position controller 37, which in turn sends a control signal, thus activating the pulse motor for moving the carriage 1.
  • the carriage 1 is moved to position B shown in Fig. 12 (called a second position), where the carriage 1 is stopped.
  • Position A i.e., the first position
  • position B i.e., the second position
  • a positional relationship between position A (the first position) and position B (the second position) is determined such that an overlap exists between the nozzle orifices for ejecting black ink when the recording head 5 is located at position A and the nozzle orifices for ejecting yellow ink, cyan ink, and magenta ink when the recording head 5 is located at position B.
  • the carriage position controller 37 sends a control signal to the flushing controller 32, whereupon the nozzle orifices 5b, 5c, and 5d, which are assigned to yellow ink, cyan ink, and magenta ink, respectively, eject these colors of ink.
  • black ink is not ejected from the nozzle orifices 5a assigned to black ink.
  • the yellow ink, cyan ink, and magenta ink adhering to the slant surface 20a flows downward over the slant surface 20a and are absorbed by the ink-absorbing member 14.
  • the black ink ejected at position A (the first position) does not flow downward over and instead adheres to the slant surface 20a
  • the yellow ink, cyan ink, and magenta ink ejected at position B (the second position) will be mixed with the black ink adhering to the slant surface 20a, thus preventing solidification of the black ink. Accordingly, the black ink flows downward over the slant surface 20 and is absorbed by the ink-absorbing member 14.
  • an overlap exists between the nozzle orifices for ejecting black ink when the recording head is located at position A (the first position) and the nozzle orifices for ejecting yellow ink, cyan ink, and magenta ink when the recording head is located at position B (the second position).
  • the present invention is not limited to such a configuration.
  • the recording head comprises three sets of nozzle orifices, each set including two rows of nozzle orifices.
  • L1 represents the distance between the row of nozzle orifices "a” and the row of nozzle orifices "c” and the distance between the row of nozzle orifices "b” and the row of nozzle orifices "e”
  • L2 represents the distance between the row of nozzle orifices "a” and the row of nozzle orifices "b”
  • distance "X” between position A (the first position) and position B (the second position) is defined as L1-L2 ⁇ X ⁇ L1+L2.
  • the yellow ink, cyan ink, and magenta ink ejected at position B are sufficiently mixed with the black ink adhering to the slant surface 20a, thus preventing solidification of the black ink.
  • the distance X between position A (the first position) and position B (the second position) falls within the domain of L1-L2 ⁇ X ⁇ L1+L2 or 2(L1-L2) ⁇ X ⁇ 2(L1+L2) .
  • the yellow ink, cyan ink, and magenta ink which are ejected at position B (the second position), may be ejected while the carriage is in motion.
  • yellow ink, cyan ink, and magenta ink may be ejected without stoppage of the carriage; namely, while the carriage is in motion.
  • black ink is ejected at position A (the first position) while the carriage is stopped, in order to prevent splashing of black ink over a wide range.
  • position A (the first position) and position B (the second position) are set in pre-determined locations.
  • Position B (the second position) may be set to a fixed position, and position A (the first position) may be changed whenever necessary, such that the distance X between position A (the first position) and position B (the second position) is limited within the domain of L1-L2 ⁇ X ⁇ L1+L2 or 2(L1-L2) ⁇ X ⁇ 2(L1+L2) .
  • position B (the second position) may be changed, whenever necessary.
  • position A (the first position) can be changed whenever necessary
  • position A (the first position) is desirably prevented from being set in the same location, by changing the location every time ink is ejected at position A (the first position).
  • the black ink is prevented from being deposited on a single location on the slant surface 20a as a result of shifting of position A (the first position).
  • the first ink is to be ejected when the carriage is stopped at the first position of the recording head.
  • the first ink may be ejected at the instant at which the carriage begins to accelerate.
  • black ink may be ejected when the carriage has arrived at position A (the first position), without the carriage being stopped. Further, the first ink may be ejected at the instant the carriage begins to accelerate, and other colors of ink; i.e., yellow ink, cyan ink, and magenta ink, may be ejected when the carriage has arrived and is stopped at position B (the second position).
  • black ink Since black ink is ejected while the carriage is in motion, black ink is prevented from being deposited on a single location on the slant surface 20.
  • the carriage position controller 37 Upon receipt of a control signal from the flushing controller 32, the carriage position controller 37 sends a control signal, thus activating a pulse motor for moving the carriage 1 and moving the recording head 5 of the carriage 1 to position A (called a first position) shown in Fig. 11, where the carriage 1 is stopped.
  • the carriage position controller 37 sends a control signal to the flushing controller 32, whereupon yellow ink, cyan ink, and magenta ink are ejected from the nozzle orifices 5b, 5c, and 5d assigned to yellow, cyan, and magenta.
  • black ink is not ejected from the nozzle orifices 5a assigned to black ink.
  • the flushing controller 32 After ejecting of yellow ink, cyan ink, and magenta ink is completed, the flushing controller 32 sends a control signal to the carriage position controller 37, which in turn sends a control signal, thus activating the pulse motor for moving the carriage 1. As a result, the carriage 1 is moved to position B shown in Fig. 11 (called a second position), where the carriage 1 is stopped.
  • Position A i.e., the first position
  • position B i.e., the second position
  • a positional relationship between position A (the first position) and position B (the second position) is determined such that an overlap exists between the nozzle orifices for ejecting yellow ink, cyan ink, and magenta ink when the recording head 5 is located at position A (the first position) and the nozzle orifices for ejecting black ink when the recording head 5 is located at position B (the second position).
  • the carriage position controller 37 sends a control signal to the flushing controller 32, whereupon the nozzle orifices 5a assigned to black ink eject black ink.
  • the remaining colors of ink are not ejected from the nozzle orifices 5b, 5c, and 5d assigned to yellow ink, cyan ink, and magenta ink, respectively.
  • the yellow ink, cyan ink, and magenta ink which are ejected at position A (the first position) and partially remain on the slant surface 20a are mixed with the black ink, flow downward over the slant surface 20a, and are absorbed by the ink-absorbing member 14.
  • the other colors of ink i.e., yellow ink, cyan ink, and magenta ink
  • the black ink flows over the slant surface 20a and is absorbed by the ink-absorbing member 14.
  • position A (the first position) and position B (the second position) are set in pre-determined locations.
  • position B (the second position) may be set to a fixed position, and position A (the first position) may be changed whenever necessary, such that the distance X between position A (the first position) and position B (the second position) is limited within the domain of L1-L2 ⁇ X ⁇ L1+L2 or 2(L1-L2) ⁇ X ⁇ 2(L1-L2) .
  • position B (the second position) may be changed, whenever necessary.
  • position A (the first position) can be changed whenever necessary
  • position A (the first position) is desirably prevented from being set in the same location, by changing the location every time ink is ejected at position A (the first position).
  • yellow ink, cyan ink, and magenta ink are ejected over a wide range and are mixed with black ink to be subsequently ejected over a wide range, thus preventing solidification of black ink.
  • the thus-mixed colors of ink flow down over the slant surface 20a and are absorbed by the ink-absorbing member 14.
  • position A (the first position) may be set to a fixed position, and position B (the second position) may be changed whenever necessary, such that the distance X between position A (the first position) and position B (the second position) is limited within the domain of L1-L2 ⁇ X ⁇ L1+L2 or 2(L1- L2) ⁇ X ⁇ 2(L1+L2) .
  • the first ink is to be ejected when the carriage is stopped at position A (the first position) of the recording head.
  • position A the first position
  • the present invention is not limited to such a configuration.
  • the first ink may be ejected at the instant at which the carriage begins to accelerate.
  • black ink is ejected when the carriage arrives at position B (the second position) and while the carriage is stopped.
  • the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. Black ink may be ejected at the instant when the carriage being to accelerate from a stationary state.
  • black ink may be ejected when the carriage has arrived at position B (the second position) without the carriage being stopped.
  • black ink is ejected while the carriage is in motion, the black ink is prevented from being deposited on the same location on the slant surface 20.
  • flushing method to be performed within the flushing region 13B may be identical with or differ from that to be performed in the flushing region 13A.
  • the ink to be ejected at position A (the first position) and the ink to be ejected at position B (the second position) may be the reverse of those ejected in the previous embodiments. More specifically, when the carriage arrives at position A (the first position), black ink is ejected without the carriage being stopped. When the carriage arrives at position B (second position), the carriage may be stopped and the yellow, cyan, and magenta colors of ink may be ejected.
  • Flushing operations other than the foregoing flushing methods, such as those previously, described may also be applied to the flushing operation.
  • the ink-jet recording apparatus of the firth embodiment yields the advantage of preventing solidification of the ink ejected from the recording head and ensuring absorption of ink by the ink-absorbing member.
  • the ink-jet recording apparatus of the present invention yields the advantage of receiving the ink ejected from the recording head without a necessity for placing the ink-absorbing member at positions where it faces the flushing regions and guiding the thus-ejected ink to the ink-absorbing member without solidification of the ink on the slant member.
  • the apertures 13a and 13b are formed in the paper guide member 8 so as to become larger than the nozzle orifices with respect to the traveling direction of the carriage.
  • the ink passes through the apertures 13a and 13b without splashing onto the surroundings even if the length Z of the apertures 13a and 13b formed in the paper guide member 8 within the respective flushing regions 13A and 13B with respect to the traveling direction of the carriage is smaller than the length Y of the nozzle plate as shown in Fig. 14.
  • Figs. 6 and 8 used in connection with the description of the ink-jet recording apparatus of the third embodiment are referred to, exactly as they are, for describing the ink-jet recording apparatus according to the sixth embodiment.
  • FIG. 15 shows the configuration of an ink receiver unit characterizing the sixth embodiment
  • explanations of the configuration, elements, and reference numerals provided in Figs. 6 and 8 are omitted here for brevity.
  • Fig. 15 is different from Fig. 7 in connection with the following points.
  • a plurality of recording heads 112a and 112b are mounted side-by-side on the carriage 111 with respect to the traveling direction of the carriage 111.
  • One end of the area over which the recording heads 112a and 112b mounted on the carriage 111 travel corresponds to a non-print region (the home position), where capping member 121 is disposed.
  • the recording heads 112a and 112b are mounted on the carriage 111 such that nozzle forming surfaces of the recording heads 112a and 112b are slightly tilted relative to the perpendicular.
  • the capping member 121 comprises two cap members which are arranged so as to correspond to and be able to seal the respective nozzle forming surfaces of the recording heads 112a and 112b when the recording heads 112a and 112b move to the non-print position.
  • a suction pump 122 for imparting negative pressure to the interior space of the capping member 121 is provided below the capping member 121.
  • the capping member 121 acts as a cap member for preventing drying of the nozzle orifices of the recording heads 112a and 112b while the printer is in an idle mode. Further, the capping member 121 acts as head cleaning means for sucking ink by imparting negative pressure generated by the suction pump 122 to the recording heads 112a and 112b.
  • Ink receiver units 127 disposed in the respective flushing regions 125 and 126 are formed so as to become substantially identical in configuration.
  • the width W1 of the ink receiver unit 127 in the traveling direction of the carriage is set so as to become smaller than the total width W2 of the first and second recording heads 112a and 112b in the traveling direction of the carriage.
  • the ink receiver unit 127 is formed such that the width W1 of the ink receiver unit 127 becomes slightly larger than the width of each of the first and second recording heads 112a and 112b.
  • Figs. 16 through 18 show the operation and configuration of the flushing position controller incorporated in the ink-jet recording apparatus of this embodiment.
  • the ink receiver units 127 disposed in the respective first and second flushing regions 125 and 126 are formed such that the width W1 of the ink receiver unit 127 in the traveling direction of the carriage becomes smaller than the total width W2 of the first and second recording heads 112a and 112b in the traveling direction of the carriage.
  • the recording heads 112a and 112b are controlled so as to be flushed at respective predetermined timings while the carriage is in motion. Even in the case of the foregoing relationship existing between the width W1 of the ink receiver unit 127 and the total width W2 of the first and second recording heads 112a and 112b, the ink droplets ejected for flushing purpose can be captured by the corresponding ink receiver units 127 without fail.
  • the timings at which flushing control signals are output to the first and second recording heads 112a and 112b must be controlled.
  • Fig. 16 is a timing chart relating to a control method for use with the flushing position controller.
  • a linear encoder signal is utilized as a reference position which is set beforehand and corresponds to the flushing region.
  • the linear encoder signal is produced when a sensor disposed on the carriage reads a mark or a magnetic scale provided in a strip pattern in the traveling direction of the carriage.
  • the linear encoder signal shown in Fig. 16 is assigned reference symbols, such as N-1, N, N+1, and N+2.
  • NCHG nozzle charge
  • the N-th encoder signal counted from the home position is utilized as a reference position.
  • An NCHG signal for the first recording head is temporarily become high at the N-th encoder signal.
  • the N-th encoder signal counted from the home position is utilized as a reference signal, as in the case of the first recording head.
  • An NCHG signal for the second recording head is temporarily set to become high at a timing which lags T ( ⁇ sec) from the reference position.
  • Fig. 17 shows operation procedures relating to a sequence for inputting an adjusting value for accurately determining flushing positions where ink droplets are reliably ejected to the opening of each of the ink receiver units 127 while the recording heads are in motion, by addition of correction values to the temporal flushing positions described in connection with Fig. 16.
  • the adjusting value is input at the time of, for example, shipping products from the factory, or may be performed by the end user.
  • n designates a correction value to be used for correcting the reference position N of the encoder signal and is managed by the number of pulses.
  • t designates a correction value to be used for correcting the timing which lags delay time T behind the reference position N of the encoder signal. Therefore, "t” is managed as a delay time.
  • step S12 processing proceeds to step S12.
  • Flushing is effected in step S13, and a determination is made as to whether or not the flushing position for the first recording head is appropriate.
  • step S13 if the flushing position for the first recording head is determined to be appropriate (YES is selected), processing proceed to step S15. In contrast, if the flushing position is determined to be inappropriate (NO is selected), a numerical value is input to "n" in step S14.
  • step S13 On the basis of a result of flushing performed in step S13, the operator inputs an appropriate value for "n" determined on the basis of a certain degree of experience and instinct. Processing then returns to step S12, where the NCHG signal for the first recording head is set so as to become high at the (N+n)-th encoder signal.
  • n may assume a positive or negative value.
  • step S13 flushing is again effected in step S13, and a determination is made as to whether or not the flushing position for the first recording head is appropriate.
  • step S13 If in step S13 the flushing position for the first recording head is determined to be appropriate (YES is selected), processing then returns to step S15, where the flushing position for the second recording head is adjusted.
  • step S15 the NCHG signal for the second recording head is set so as to become high at a timing which lags T ⁇ sec behind the reference position (i.e., design reference).
  • step S16 flushing is effected, and a determination is made as to whether or not the flushing position for the second recording head is appropriate.
  • step S16 if the flushing position is determined to be appropriate (YES is selected), processing proceeds to step S18. In contrast, if the flushing position is determined to be inappropriate (NO is selected), a value is input to "t" in step S17.
  • step S16 Even in the case of "t,” on the basis of a result of flushing performed in step S16, the operator inputs an appropriate value for "t” determined on the basis of a certain degree of experience and instinct. Processing then returns to step S15, where the NCHG signal for the second recording head is set so as to become high at a position which lags (T+t) ⁇ sec behind the reference position.
  • t may also assume a positive or negative value.
  • step S16 flushing is again effected in step S16, and a determination is made as to whether or not the flushing position for the second recording head is appropriate.
  • step S16 If in step S16 the flushing position for the second recording head is determined to be appropriate (YES is selected), processing then returns to step S18, where the value of "n" set in step S14 and the value of "t” set in step S17 are written into non-volatile memory. The operations for inputting adjusting values are now completed.
  • the values of "n" and "t" written in the non-volatile memory correspond to reference values plus the time of flight of ink droplets ejected for flushing. Flushing positions can be accurately determined through use of a control system, which will be described below.
  • Fig. 18 is a block diagram showing a control system for effecting appropriate flushing operation on the basis of the correction value input by way of the previously-described adjusting value input sequence.
  • reference numeral 331 designates an adjusting value input section for executing the adjusting value input sequence described in connection with Fig. 17.
  • Reference numeral 332 designates a non-volatile memory in which the correction values of "n” and "t” input by way of the adjusting value input section 331 are stored.
  • An encoder signal which is produced in association with the carriage being moved by a carriage controller 333, is input to a flushing controller 334.
  • the corrected values relating to "n” and "t” are supplied to the flushing controller 334 from the non-volatile memory 332.
  • the flushing controller 334 produces a flushing control signal for the first recording head at a timing corresponding to the value of N+n, and a flushing control signal for the second recording head at a timing corresponding to the value of T+t.
  • the flushing control signal corresponding to the value of N+n is supplied to a head driver 335, and a drive signal for flushing a first recording head 112a is produced.
  • the flushing control signal corresponding to the value of T+t is also supplied to the head driver 335, and a drive signal for flushing a second recording head 112b is produced.
  • the respective recording heads 112a and 112b are flushed at the positions opposite the openings of the ink receiver units 127 while the carriage is in motion.
  • the ink receiver units 127 capture ink droplets ejected from the recording heads for flushing without fail when the carriage passes very closely by the ink receiver units 127, and the thus-captured waste ink can be discharged to the waste-ink tanks.
  • Adjustment of flushing positions within the second flushing region can be effected by taking, as a reference position, the position pertaining to an encoder signal which is a design reference position for the second flushing region 126; i.e, N+xxxx, and by performing operations similar to those mentioned previously.
  • the correction value to be used for correcting the reference flushing position of the first recording head is managed by means of the number of pulses
  • the correction value to be used for correcting the reference flushing position of the second recording head is managed by means of the delay time.
  • the correction values to be used for correcting the reference flushing positions of the first and second recording heads may be managed by means of the number of pulses.
  • the flushing positions of recording heads may be determined by means similar to those mentioned previously, even in the case of a recording apparatus equipped with three or more recording heads.
  • the present invention is not limited to such a specific type of recording apparatus.
  • the present invention can be applied to another type of ink-jet recording apparatus and yield the same working-effect.
  • the flushing controller in the ink-jet recording apparatus of the sixth embodiment comprises the adjusting value input section for controlling the timings at which flushing control signals are to be output to the respective recording heads.
  • the timings at which the flushing control signals are to be output to the respective recording heads are determined by utilization of the adjusting values input by way of the adjusting value input section. Therefore, ink droplets can be accurately ejected within the flushing regions while the recording heads are in motion, thus enabling an improvement in flushing throughput. Further, since the area where ink droplets are to be shot can be specified to a narrower area within the flushing regions, the width of the flushing regions can also be reduced, thus contributing to rendering the recording apparatus compact.

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EP99123128A 1998-11-20 1999-11-19 Commande de position de rinçage incorporé dans un appareil d'enregistrement à jet d'encre et méthode de rinçage utilisé à cet effet Withdrawn EP1002648A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP08161992A EP1982836A3 (fr) 1998-11-20 1999-11-19 Commande de position de rinçage incorporé dans un appareil d'enregistrement à jet d'encre et méthode de rinçage utilisé à cet effet

Applications Claiming Priority (10)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP33102698A JP3707274B2 (ja) 1998-11-20 1998-11-20 インクジェット式記録装置
JP33102698 1998-11-20
JP33801598 1998-11-27
JP10338015A JP2000158677A (ja) 1998-11-27 1998-11-27 インクジェット式記録装置におけるフラッシング位置調整装置
JP34307998 1998-12-02
JP34307998A JP3598513B2 (ja) 1998-12-02 1998-12-02 インクジェット式記録装置
JP35906898 1998-12-17
JP35906898A JP3543316B2 (ja) 1998-12-17 1998-12-17 インクジェット式記録装置
JP8692199A JP3669197B2 (ja) 1999-03-29 1999-03-29 インクジェット式記録装置のフラッシング方法及びインクジェット式記録装置
JP8692199 1999-03-29

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EP08161992A Division EP1982836A3 (fr) 1998-11-20 1999-11-19 Commande de position de rinçage incorporé dans un appareil d'enregistrement à jet d'encre et méthode de rinçage utilisé à cet effet

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EP08161992A Withdrawn EP1982836A3 (fr) 1998-11-20 1999-11-19 Commande de position de rinçage incorporé dans un appareil d'enregistrement à jet d'encre et méthode de rinçage utilisé à cet effet

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EP1195252A1 (fr) * 2000-10-04 2002-04-10 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Dispositif de remise en état pour une tête, procédé de restauration d'une tête et un appareil à jet d'encre
US6663219B2 (en) 2000-06-01 2003-12-16 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Inkjet recording apparatus
CN115610103A (zh) * 2022-12-06 2023-01-17 苏州优备精密智能装备股份有限公司 防止墨滴打印时发生漂移的装置及其方法

Families Citing this family (3)

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JP5621319B2 (ja) * 2010-05-18 2014-11-12 セイコーエプソン株式会社 流体噴射装置
JP5573521B2 (ja) * 2010-09-09 2014-08-20 セイコーエプソン株式会社 液体吐出装置及び液体吐出方法
JP2012061614A (ja) * 2010-09-14 2012-03-29 Seiko Epson Corp 液体吐出装置及び液体吐出方法

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EP0724965A2 (fr) * 1995-01-31 1996-08-07 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Dispositif d'enregistrement de type navette
EP0744294A1 (fr) * 1995-05-25 1996-11-27 Seiko Epson Corporation Dispositif de recouvrement pour une tête d'impression à jet d'encre
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EP0585923A2 (fr) * 1992-09-03 1994-03-09 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Appareil d'enregistrement par jet d'encre
EP0724965A2 (fr) * 1995-01-31 1996-08-07 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Dispositif d'enregistrement de type navette
EP0744294A1 (fr) * 1995-05-25 1996-11-27 Seiko Epson Corporation Dispositif de recouvrement pour une tête d'impression à jet d'encre
JPH09323428A (ja) * 1996-06-07 1997-12-16 Citizen Watch Co Ltd メンテキャップ
EP0822086A2 (fr) * 1996-07-30 1998-02-04 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Appareil d'enregistrement et procédé d'enregistrement gradué dans des régions divisées ou chevauchantes
EP0842779A2 (fr) * 1996-11-18 1998-05-20 Seiko Epson Corporation Appareil d'enregistrement à jet d'encre

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Cited By (4)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6663219B2 (en) 2000-06-01 2003-12-16 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Inkjet recording apparatus
EP1195252A1 (fr) * 2000-10-04 2002-04-10 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Dispositif de remise en état pour une tête, procédé de restauration d'une tête et un appareil à jet d'encre
US6913339B2 (en) 2000-10-04 2005-07-05 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Head recovery device, head recovery method and ink jet recording apparatus
CN115610103A (zh) * 2022-12-06 2023-01-17 苏州优备精密智能装备股份有限公司 防止墨滴打印时发生漂移的装置及其方法

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