JP2000233508A - Ink-jet recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ink-jet recording apparatus capable of immediately executing a normal printing operation after resumption of the drive regardless of the length of a suspension period without burdening a user with trouble. SOLUTION: In the case an ending operation part 56 for designating a short suspension period is operated, the upper limit value of a wash time t0 is set at t1. In the case an ending operation part for designating a long pause period is operated, the upper limit value of a wash time t0 is set at t2 Longer than t1. A washing operation for a jetting nozzle and an ink collecting system is executed continuously until the washing time counting value t reaches the upper value t0 with the washing time prolonged or shortened according to the length of the pause period.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a continuous type ink jet recording in which ink particles ejected from an ejection nozzle are deflected by a required amount, sent out, and printed on an object to form a desired printing pattern. Related to the device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A continuous ink jet recording apparatus is used as a convenient recording apparatus for forming various printing patterns such as characters and figures on various industrial products. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a recording head provided in a continuous type inkjet recording apparatus. As shown in the figure, the recording head 2 is provided with an ejection nozzle 20, a gutter 21, a charging electrode 22, and a deflecting electrode 23 in a housing 24 having a rectangular box shape.

[0003] The injection nozzle 20, the liquid supply pipe 3a is connected to the liquid supply pipe 3a, and the ink tubes 30 and the solvent tube 31, by opening and closing of each another electromagnetic valve K _1, K ₂ It is switchably connected. And Thus, the electromagnetic on-off valve K ₁ is opened, connecting the ink tube 30 to the liquid supply pipe 3a, pressurized ink is introduced at a predetermined pressure in the interior of the injection nozzle 20, the ink injection nozzle Injection is performed at a predetermined speed through an injection hole formed through the peripheral wall on one side of 20.
The gutter 21 is provided with the injection nozzle 20 in the injection direction as described above.
The collecting tube 32 is connected to the gutter 21.

A piezoelectric vibrator 20a, such as a piezo vibrator, which vibrates by application of a high-frequency voltage is provided inside the injection nozzle 20.
However, when the piezoelectric vibrator 20a is vibrated during the above-described ink ejection, the ink ejected from the recording head 2 causes the ejection path of the oscillation piece to face the ejection hole. Are separated from each other on the way, and progress as ink particles arranged at predetermined intervals. The charging electrode 22
And the deflection electrode 23 is juxtaposed along such a traveling path of the ink particles, the former is disposed at a position where separation into the ink particles occurs, and the latter is disposed immediately after the position where the separation occurs. Are arranged.

A voltage controlled in synchronization with the separation of each ink particle is applied to the charging electrode 22, and each ink particle passing through the position where the charging electrode 22 is provided has a different charge. And is charged. The deflection electrode 23 has
A high DC voltage is applied, an electric field of a predetermined intensity is formed, and the ink particles charged by the action of the charging electrode 22 pass through the position where the deflecting electrode 23 is provided. It is deflected according to the respective electric charges, is sent out through an outlet 25 formed in the end wall of the housing 24, and is imprinted on an object A facing the outlet 25.

Some of the ink droplets ejected from the ejection nozzle 20 are not charged when passing through the charging electrode 22, travel straight without being deflected by the action of the electric field, and are captured by the gutter 21. Collected in the collection tube 32.
In this way, on the surface of the object A, a combination of the dots formed by the ink particles sent from the outlet 25 and the blanks formed at the corresponding positions of the ink particles captured by the gutter 21 is used. , Characters, figures, etc., can be formed.

On the other hand, when the electromagnetic on-off valve K ₂ is opened and the solvent tube 31 is connected to the liquid supply pipe 3 a, the solvent pressurized to a predetermined pressure is supplied into the injection nozzle 20. The injection nozzle
20 contains a solvent recovery tube 33 that is opened when the solvent is supplied.
Is connected, most of the solvent is recovered via the solvent recovery tube 33, a part of the solvent is ejected from the ejection hole on one side of the ejection nozzle 20, as in the case of the ink, It is collected in the collection tube 32 through the gutter 21.

[0008] Such a supply of the solvent is performed, for example, before the operation for forming the printing pattern is stopped as described above.
An operation necessary for cleaning the ink remaining in the ejection nozzle 20 and the ink recovery path (gutter 21 and the recovery tube 32) with a solvent, and preventing the remaining ink from coagulating and causing clogging in each part. Conventionally, when a predetermined operation is performed on an operation unit (not shown), the operation is automatically performed as a fall operation according to the operation.

[0009]

In order to surely remove the ink remaining in the ejection nozzle 20, the gutter 21 and the collection tube 32 by the above-mentioned falling operation, cleaning with a solvent for a long time is required. However, if this is done, the consumption of the solvent will increase, especially in applications where the operation is frequently suspended, and the solvent used for cleaning will be returned to the inside of the ink tank. There is a disadvantage that the density of the stored printing ink cannot be maintained properly.

[0010] Therefore, conventionally, the lowering operation according to a predetermined operation is completed by cleaning in a relatively short time, so that the above-mentioned inconvenience is solved. However, in this case, it is inevitable that a small amount of ink remains inside the ejection nozzle 20, the gutter 21, and the collection tube 32 after the cleaning.For example, when the operation is stopped for a long period, the ink remains. There is a risk that the ink component may be solidified inside the ejection nozzle 20, and particularly when this solidification occurs in the vicinity of the ink ejection hole formed as an extremely small diameter hole, the ejection may be restarted after the suspension. There has been a problem that the ink is not properly ejected from the nozzles 20 and a normal printing operation cannot be performed.

In order to solve this problem, conventionally, when the operation suspension period is long, the ink is manually extracted from the inside of the ink tank by a user,
In addition to the ejection nozzle 20 and the ink recovery system, the ink supply system from the ink tank to the ejection nozzle 20 is cleaned. However, there is a problem that a great deal of work is required for this cleaning work, and since the user is left to judge whether or not to perform this cleaning, the operation is suspended while performing a normal shutdown operation. However, there is a problem that the above-described problem that occurs when the operation is resumed after a long-term suspension cannot be effectively solved.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and a normal printing operation can be performed immediately after resumption of operation regardless of the length of the suspension period, and for this reason a great deal of work is required for the user. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ink jet recording apparatus without any problem.

[0013]

An ink jet recording apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention supplies a pressurized solvent to an ink ejection nozzle before pausing the operation according to a predetermined operation.
In an ink jet recording apparatus that performs a shutdown operation including an operation of cleaning the ejection nozzle, a unit that specifies the length of the pause period, and selectively performs a different type of shutdown operation based on the designation of the unit. And a fall control means.

According to the present invention, there are provided means for designating the length of the suspension period, and a plurality of types of shut-down operations to be performed when the operation is stopped are prepared, and each of the shutdown operations is specified according to the designation of the suspension period. By selecting and executing the shut-down operation, the clogging of the ink that occurs in each section during the suspension of the operation is eliminated, and the normal printing operation can be performed immediately after the restart of the operation.

Further, the ink jet recording apparatus according to the second invention is characterized in that the fall control means of the first invention changes the cleaning time to be longer or shorter according to the length of the designated pause period. And

In the present invention, a plurality of types of operations in which the cleaning time of each part including the ink jet nozzle and the ink recovery system is changed to be longer and shorter are prepared as the shut-down operation to be performed when the operation is stopped. If the downtime is long,
The cleaning is performed for a longer period of time than when the pause period is short, thereby preventing the occurrence of ink clogging during the pause period.

In the ink jet recording apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention, the shutdown control means of the first or second aspect changes the supply pressure of the solvent to a high or low level in accordance with the length of the designated pause period. There is a feature.

In the present invention, a plurality of types of cleaning operations, including ink jet nozzles and an ink recovery system, which are performed by a solvent supplied at different pressures, are performed as a shutdown operation performed when the operation is stopped. When the operation is prepared and the specified pause period is long, the ink ejection nozzle,
The cleaning of each part including the ink recovery system is performed more reliably by supplying a high-pressure solvent than in the case of a short rest period, the ink components remaining in each part are more reliably removed, and the ink during the rest period is removed. The occurrence of clogging is prevented.

Further, in the ink jet recording apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the ink jet recording apparatus according to the first to third aspects, wherein the falling control means changes the solvent in a shorter period according to the length of the designated pause period. It is characterized in that the supply and the stop are repeated to perform the cleaning.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the ink jet recording apparatus according to the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, wherein the fall control means supplies the solvent at a number of times that is changed to be larger or smaller according to the length of the designated pause period. And stopping is repeated to perform the cleaning.

In these inventions, when the operation is stopped,
Each part including the ink ejection nozzle and the ink recovery system is configured to be washed by repeatedly supplying and stopping the solvent, and in the fourth invention, a plurality of types of fall control operations in which the cycle of the repetition is made longer and shorter are performed. Prepare, if the specified pause period is long, the washing is performed by a solvent that repeatedly supplies and stops in a shorter cycle than when the pause period is short,
An ink component remaining in each section is reliably removed, and the occurrence of ink clogging during the idle period is prevented. Further, in the fifth invention, a plurality of types of fall control operations in which the number of times of the repetition is made large or small are prepared, and when the designated pause period is long, the cleaning is performed more times than when the pause period is short. The solvent is repeatedly supplied and stopped, so that the ink component remaining in each part is reliably removed, and the clogging of the ink during the idle period is prevented.

Further, in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the sixth invention, the fall control means of the first invention to the fifth invention opens a supply path of the ink to the ejection nozzle when a long pause is designated. The cleaning is performed including the supply path.

In the present invention, when the designated pause period is long, when the ink ejection nozzle and the ink recovery system are cleaned with the solvent, the ink supply path to the ejection nozzle is opened, and the supply path of the ink supply nozzle is opened. A shut-down operation for cleaning the inside and the inside with the solvent is performed to prevent a clogging of, for example, an electromagnetic on-off valve provided for switching to the supply path during operation suspension.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the ink jet recording apparatus, the shutdown control means according to the first invention to the sixth invention has a storage unit in which different types of shutdown operations are stored, and A control unit that selects a fall operation corresponding to the suspension period from the storage unit and executes the selected fall operation.

In the present invention, the fall control means for performing the above-described operation is provided by selecting a ROM as a storage unit storing different types of fall operations, and selecting a desired fall operation from the storage unit. C as control unit to execute
It is simply realized by a hardware configuration including a PU.

[0026]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings showing the embodiments. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention. As shown in the drawing, the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention is configured by connecting a main body case 1 and a recording head 2 with a connecting tube 3. Inside the body case 1, an ink tank T ₁ and replenisher tank T ₂ for storing ink for printing, solvent tank T ₃ for storing the solvent of the ink
If, recovering the solvent used for the cleaning of the recording head 2 in the fall operation performed as described before pause operation, a reserve tank T ₄ which allowed to reservoir are provided.

The ink tank T ₁ includes a supply pipe 10a of the ink or solvent, and feed pipe 11 for feeding the ink to the recording head 2 is connected. Wherein the supply pipe 10a, the second supply pipe 10b comprising a pump P ₁ in the middle, are connected via a solenoid valve K _3, an ink tank T ₁
Ink or the supply of solvent into the supply tube 10a to solenoid valve K ₃ is opened, 10b to communicate with each other, are then to be performed by operating the pump P _1.

In the middle of the feed pipe 11, a pump P ₂
The filter F ₁ is interposed, and the ink stored in the ink tank T ₁ is sent out by the operation of the pump P ₂ , foreign matter such as dust is removed by the filter F ₁ , and It is sent to.

[0029] replenishing the ink tank T ₂ are, replenishment pipe 13 for delivering the ink for replenishing the ink tank T ₁ is connected. The replenishing pipe 13 is connected to the supply pipe 10b through the electromagnetic on-off valve V _1, replenisher tank T
Ink for replenishment stored in the _2, as described above, in the state of operating the pump P ₁ and the electromagnetic on-off valve K ₃ is opened, by opening the electromagnetic on-off valve V _1, supplemented tube
13 and the supply pipe 10b, are to be supplied into the ink tank T ₁ through 10a. Incidentally, this supply, when the ink in the ink tank T ₁ is decreased by continuing the operation to be described later, supplemented with this decrease is performed to properly maintain the ink storage amount in the ink tank T _1.

A supply pipe 14 for the solvent stored in the solvent tank T ₃ is connected to the solvent tank T ₃ . This feed pipe 14
, The being connected to the supply pipe 10b through the electromagnetic on-off valve V ₂ which is arranged in the solenoid valve V _1, a solvent tank T
_The solvent stored in ₃ is, as described above, a solenoid on-off valve K ₃
In was opened while operating the pump P _1, by opening the electromagnetic on-off valve V _2, feed tube 14 and the supply pipe 1
0b, it is to be supplied into the ink tank T ₁ through 10a. Incidentally, this supply, when the solvent component contained in the ink in the ink tank T ₁ is lost by evaporation, to compensate the loss amount is performed to properly maintain the concentration of the ink.

[0031] The feed tube 14 is connected to the branch pipe 14a on the upstream side of the solenoid valve V _2, and more middle of the feed tube 14, the pump P ₃ and the filter F ₂ is interposed The solvent in the solvent tank T ₃ removes foreign matter such as dust by the filter F ₂ by operating the pump P ₂ in a state where the electromagnetic on-off valve V ₂ is closed.
And is introduced into the branch pipe 14a, and is supplied directly to the recording head 2 through the inside of the connecting tube 3 as described later. Such supply of the solvent is performed so as to clean the inside of the recording head 2 with the solvent before the operation of the ink jet recording apparatus is stopped, as described later.

Further to the reserve tank T ₄ is return pipe 17 for solvent recovery are connected. The return pipe 17, the is connected to the supply pipe 10b through the electromagnetic on-off valve K ₄ juxtaposed to the electromagnetic on-off valve K _3, when the solenoid valve K ₄ is opened, the supply tube 10b It is configured to communicate.

Further the supply tube 10b, the electromagnetic on-off valve V _1, the recovery pipe 15 on the downstream side of the V ₂ is connected, further solenoid valves V _1, V ₂ and juxtaposed solenoid valve solvent recovery pipe 16 is connected via a V _3. The collection tube 15 is
From the recording head 2 inside the injection nozzle 20 is provided with in order to recover the ink or solvent is injected as described later, the ink recovered in the recovery pipe 15, and the solenoid valve K ₃ is opened, the pump P by operating the _1, wherein the supply pipe 10b, are to return to the ink tank T ₁ through 10a. On the other hand, the solvent recovery pipe 16 is provided for recovering a solvent mixed with ink used for cleaning the recording head 2 at the time of a lowering operation to be described later.
Solvent recovered as described later in 15, the electromagnetic on-off valve V ₃
And the solenoid valve K ₄ is opened, by operating the pump P _1, is introduced into the return pipe 17 through the supply pipe 10b, it is to be recovered in the reserve tank T _4.

[0034] The in arrangement position of the electromagnetic valve K _3, K ₄ is the other one is off valve K ₅ are juxtaposed, the feed tube when the solenoid valve K ₅ is opened 10b is configured to communicate with the drain pipe 4 communicating with the outside of the main body case 1.

The configuration of the recording head 2 of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention is the same as that of the conventional recording head 2 shown in FIG. 10, and includes a jet nozzle for jetting the ink or solvent to be fed in one direction as described later. And a collecting gutter arranged so as to substantially face the path of the injection by the injection nozzle 20.
A housing 21 having a box-like shape includes a charging electrode 22 and a deflecting electrode 23 arranged in parallel along an injection path from the injection nozzle 20 to the gutter 21.

In the ejection nozzle 20, an ink tube 30 as an ink supply path and a solvent tube 31 as a solvent supply path are provided with a common supply pipe 3a for each of the electromagnetic on-off valves K ₁ and K _2. And a solvent recovery tube 33 for recovering the solvent used for the cleaning. The gutter 21 is a cylindrical member that captures ink or solvent ejected from the ejection nozzle 20, and a collection tube 32 for collecting the captured ink or solvent is connected to the gutter 21. .

The connecting tube 3 for connecting the recording head 2 and the main body case 1 as described above is a hollow tube made of a resin material having a high flexibility.
Solvent tube 31, recovery tube 32 and solvent recovery tube
33 is extended inside the main body case 1 through the inside of the connecting tube 3, the extended end of the ink tube 30 is connected to the ink supply pipe 11, and the extended end of the solvent tube 31 is connected to the solvent supply pipe 14. The collection tube 32 is connected to the branch pipe 14a branched from
Is connected to the recovery pipe 15, and the extension end of the solvent recovery tube 33 is connected to the solvent recovery pipe 16.

[0038] The operation of the above as constructed inkjet recording apparatus, the liquid supply pipe 3a to the solenoid valve K ₁ is opened
One for connecting to the ink tube 30, to drive the main body case 1 the interior of the pump P _1, P _2, and the solenoid valve K ₃ is opened, is performed by communicating the supply tube 10a, and 10b to each other. Ink stored in the ink tank T ₁ At this time, as described above, is delivered to feed tube 11 by the operation of the pump P _2, it is fed to the recording head 2 through the inside of the ink tube 30 of the connecting tube 3 Te, solenoid valve K ₁ and the liquid supply pipe
It is fed to the injection nozzle 20 via 3a, and is injected from the injection nozzle 20.

As shown in FIG. 10, a piezoelectric vibrator 20a vibrating by application of a high-frequency voltage is arranged inside the ejection nozzle 20, and ink ejected from the ejection nozzle 20 is ejected by the action of the vibration. Separated from each other along the route,
The ink particles fly at predetermined intervals and fly, and some of the ink particles are deflected by the action of the charging electrode 22 and the deflecting electrode 23 and sent out of the housing 24 to be used for pattern formation.

Further remaining ink particles are trapped in the gutter 21 and straight without being deflected, the ink is sucked into the collection tube 32 by the operation of the main body case 1 the interior of the pump P _1, recovery pipe 15 and the supply pipe 10b, is returned to the ink tank T ₁ through 10a. At this time, the pump P ₁
Air is sucked together with the ink captured by the gutter 21, and this air is discharged to the outside air in the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1 as follows.

An air tube 18 is connected to an upper portion of the ink tank T ₁ , and an air tube 18 is connected to an upper portion of the reserve tank T ₄ .
Air tubes 19 are connected, and these are connected to an air tube 34 disposed inside the connecting tube 3 so as to reciprocate between the main body case 1 and the recording head 2. Also the reserve tank T _4, Yes and connected to an exhaust pipe 12 to the exhaust port opened to the top, the reserve tank T ₄
Is discharged to the outside of the main body case 1 through the exhaust pipe 12.

With the above construction, the air collected in the ink tank T ₁ together with the ink during the operation described above is led out to the air tube 18 communicating with the ink tank T ₁ , and the air inside the air tubes 34 and 19 is further reduced. the flows through are introduced into the reserve tank T _4, and is discharged to the outside air through an exhaust pipe 12 communicating with the said reserve tank T _4. At this time, the solvent component included in the air, while flowing through the interior of the air tube 18,34,19, liquefied and condensed by heat exchange with the surroundings, and dropped into the reserve tank T ₄ recovered As a result, only the clean air from which the solvent component has been removed is discharged to the outside air via the exhaust pipe 12.

[0043] As mentioned above, although the storage amount of the ink in the ink tank T ₁ with the continuation of the running operation of forming a Shirushiutsushi pattern on an object by an ink sent from the recording head 2 is reduced, this case, the solenoid on-off valve V ₁ of the inner casing 1 is opened, connecting the replenishment pipe 13 to the supply pipe 10b. Thus, ink for replenishment stored in the replenisher tank T ₂ is, by the operation of the pump P _1, supplemented pipe 13 and the supply tube 10b, is supplied into the ink tank T ₁ through 10a,
It can maintain proper ink remaining amount of the ink tank T _1.

During the operation, the ink tank T
If the concentration of ink in ₁ (viscosity) is changed, the body case 1 the interior of the electromagnetic on-off valve V ₂ is opened to connect the feed pipe 14 of the solvent supply pipe 10b. Thus, the solvent stored in the solvent tank T ₃ is, by the operation of the pump P _1, feed tube 14 and the supply tube 10b, is supplied to the ink tank T ₁ through 10a, in the ink tank T ₁ The ink concentration can be kept at an appropriate level.

On the other hand, the solenoid on-off valve K ₂ inside the recording head ₂
The liquid supply pipe 3a connected to the solvent tube 31 and operating the pump P ₃ for solvent supply inside the main body case 1 is opened,
The solvent stored in the solvent tank T ₃ is supplied to the feed pipe 14 and the branch pipe.
It is supplied to the injection nozzle 20 via 14a and the solvent tube 31. At this time, the body case 1 the interior of the electromagnetic on-off valve V ₃ is opened, further when the solenoid valve K ₄ is opened, most of the solvent supplied to the injection nozzle 20, the main body case 1 through the solvent recovery tube 33 To the solvent recovery pipe 16, supply pipe 10b,
And it is collected in the reserve tank T ₄ via a return pipe 17.
A part of the solvent supplied to the ejection nozzle 20 is ejected to one side of the ejection nozzle 20 as in the case of the ink, is caught by the gutter 21 and returns to the inside of the main body case 1 through the collection pipe 32. , the recovery tube 15, is returned to the reserve tank T ₄ through a supply pipe 10b and return pipe 17.

In the supply of the solvent, the inside of the ejection nozzle 20 for stopping the ejection of the ink in the fall operation before pausing the above-described operation operation is changed to the collection tube 32 and the collection tube serving as the passage of the collected ink. 15, and the inside of the supply pipe 10b is cleaned with a solvent. This cleaning is indispensable to prevent clogging of each part due to solidification of the remaining ink. Ink jet recording apparatus illustrated ink solvent mingled generated by such cleaning, because it is constituted to be recovered in the reserve tank T ₄ provided separately from the ink tank T _1, the recovered solvent It is not the concentration of the ink in the tank T ₁ changes.

Further the bottom of the reserve tank T ₄ is connected to the solvent discharge pipe 40, the solvent discharge pipe 40, the electromagnetic on-off valve V _1, V _2, arranged in V ₃ electromagnetic on-off valve V It is connected to the supply pipe 10b through ₄ . Thus, when opening the electromagnetic on-off valve V ₄ during operation which is performed by opening the solenoid valve K _3, solvent mingled ink recovered in the reserve tank T ₄ according to operation of the pump P _1,
Supply pipe 10b, and is supplied to the ink tank T ₁ via the 10a. This supply, when the solvent component contained in the ink in the ink tank T ₁ is lost by evaporation, to compensate the loss amount is performed to properly maintain the concentration of the ink.

As described above, the waste gas is collected in the reserve tank T ₄ ,
The solvent of the storage ink mingled, because effectively utilized for the ink tank T ₁ inside the ink density adjustment, the consumption of solvent is reduced, it is possible to reduce the running cost. Note that if the inside of the reserve tank T ₄ is empty, connects the feed pipe 14 from the solvent tank T ₃ the solenoid valve V ₂ is opened as described above to the supply pipe 10a, the solvent tank T ₃ optimizing the ink concentration in the ink tank T ₁ by the supply of the solvent.

[0049] In addition to the solenoid valve K ₅ is opened, when the supply pipe 10b to the solenoid valve V ₄ and opens in a state of communicated with the drain pipe 4, the mingled ink in the reserve tank T ₄ solvents, by the operation of the pump P _1, the solvent discharge pipe 40, and is discharged to the outside the main body case 1 through the supply pipe 10a and drain pipe 4. To the bottom of the ink tank T ₁ is connected to an ink discharge tube 41, which is, solenoid valves V _1,
V _2, V _3, V ₄ is connected to the supply pipe 10b through the electromagnetic on-off valve V ₅ juxtaposed, when the electromagnetic on-off valve V ₅ is opened with the electromagnetic on-off valve K _5, the ink tank T ₁
The ink inside is discharged through the drain pipe 4 in the same manner.

[0050] Further, when the electromagnetic on-off valve V ₁ open when solenoid valve K ₅ is in the open state, can be discharged refill ink in the refilling ink tank T _2, likewise the solenoid valve V ₂ opening between Then, perform the discharge of the solvent in the solvent tank T _3. In the ink jet recording apparatus of the illustrated, since with a draining pipe 4 communicating with the supply tube 10b through the electromagnetic on-off valve K _5, selectively switch valve _{V 1, V 2, V 4} , V 5 by opening and closing the said ink stored in the interior of each tank T ₁ through T _4, the solvent, and the solvent mingled ink to each another, or can be drained appropriately combined, for example, outdated The ink, the solvent, and the solvent mixed with the ink can be selectively and easily exchanged.

When the above-described operations such as operation, washing, and drainage are performed, the pump P
₁ and the drive control of to P _3, requires a close control of the electromagnetic valve V ₁ ~V ₅ and solenoid valve K ₃ ~K _5, also inside the recording head 2, the solenoid valve K _1, K ₂ , opening and closing control, injection nozzle 20 (piezo oscillator 20a), charging electrode
An energization control of the electrode 22 and the deflection electrode 23 is required, and an operation control unit 5 is provided inside the main body case 1 in order to perform these controls.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control system of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention. The output of the operation control unit 5 is controlled by the pumps P _{1 to} P ₃ and the electromagnetic switching valves V ₁ to V ₁ to be controlled. V _5, solenoid valve K ₁ ~K _5, the injection nozzle 2
0, which is given to the charging electrode 22 and the deflecting electrode 23. An operation unit 50 used by a user for a driving operation is connected to an input side of the operation control unit 5. The operation unit 50 is configured to perform various operations including designation of a pattern to be formed, in addition to operations for starting and stopping the operation. It recognizes the user's operation by the input operation described above in accordance with this operation, in order to perform the cleaning and the operation of the drainage, the output side of the P ₁ to P _3, the solenoid valve V ₁ ~V _5, the electromagnetic On-off valves K _{1 to} K ₅ , injection nozzle
20, a control signal is issued to the charging electrode 22 and the deflecting electrode 23.

On the input side of the operation control unit 5, as shown in FIG. 1, an ink pressure sensor 6 attached to the inside of the solvent recovery pipe 16 inside the main body case 1 to detect the internal pressure, and a solvent In the middle of the branch pipe 14a branched from the feed pipe 14, outputs of various sensors for detecting the state of each part, such as a solvent pressure sensor 7 attached to detect the internal pressure, are provided.

The solvent recovery pipe 16 to which the ink pressure sensor 6 is attached is connected to the electromagnetic on-off valve V ₃ during the operation described above.
And the pressure detected by the ink pressure sensor 6 is the internal pressure of the injection nozzle 20 communicated via the solvent recovery tube 33, that is, the pressure detected by the injection nozzle 20 during the operation described above. Corresponding to the ink pressure. Operation control unit 5 uses the detected pressure of the ink pressure sensor 6 as a feedback signal to perform the pump P ₂ operation for feedback control of the order to maintain the ejection pressure of the ink from the ejection nozzle 20 during running operation constant.

Branch pipe 1 with solvent pressure sensor 7 attached
4a is a supply path of the solvent used for the aforementioned cleaning,
The detection pressure of the solvent pressure sensor 7 corresponds to the pressure of the solvent supplied to the injection nozzle 20 for the above-described cleaning operation.
In the operation control unit 5, such a solvent pressure sensor 7
Using the detection pressure as a feedback signal, so as to fixed or variably adjusting the supply pressure of the solvent into the injection nozzle 20 at the time of falling operation described later, it operates to feedback control of the pump P _3.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an example of the configuration of the operation unit 50. The operation unit 50 shown in the figure performs a switching display for various operations on the liquid crystal panel 51, and has a configuration in which a desired operation can be performed by pressing a corresponding display position. FIG. 3A shows basic display contents displayed on the liquid crystal panel 51 when the power is turned on, and a start-up / down operation unit which is operated at the time of start-up after operation stop or before operation stop. 52, a print operation unit 53 operated when designating a pattern to be printed, a drive operation unit 54 operated at the start of operation, and the like are displayed.

FIG. 3B shows the display contents which are switched and displayed on the liquid crystal panel 51 in accordance with the operation of the start-up / fall-down operation section 52. The start-up operation section 55 operated at the time of start-up. At the same time, two types of falling operation sections 56 and 57 operated at the time of falling are displayed. These shut-down operating units 56 and 57 are provided to specify the length of the subsequent operation suspension period.
Reference numeral 56 denotes a case where the suspension period is short, and the other shutdown operation unit 57 is operated when the operation suspension period is long (for example, 20 days or more). The lowering operation units 56 and 57 are configured to display different display characters together as shown in the drawing so that these operations are performed without error.
Also, a caution display is made on the screen of the liquid crystal panel 51 as shown in the figure.

The operation control unit 5 is configured to perform different types of shutdown operations as described below in accordance with the length of the operation suspension period specified by the operation of the shutdown operation units 56 and 57 in the operation unit 50. is there. 4, 5, 6, and 7
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of the fall control operation performed in the operation control unit 5.

In the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, the operation control unit 5 performs an operation for instructing a fall operation by an input from the operation unit 50 during the above-described operation operation, more specifically, the fall operation unit 56. , 57 are monitored (steps 1 and 2), and when the operation of the shut-down operation unit 56 is performed, that is, when the operation suspension period is designated as a short period Then, the upper limit value t ₀ of the cleaning timer for counting the cleaning time is set to a predetermined value t ₁ (step 3). Also, when the operation of the shut-down operation unit 57 is performed, that is, when the operation suspension period is specified to be long, the upper limit value t ₀ of the cleaning timer is set to the value t _1.
Set to a predetermined value t ₂ sufficiently larger than (Step 4).

Next, the operation control section 5 starts the time counting by the washing timer (step 5), and at the same time, the electromagnetic on-off valves K ₂ inside the recording head 2 and the electromagnetic on-off valves V ₃ and K ₄ inside the main body case 1. And a control signal is issued to each of them to open, and a control signal is issued to a pump P ₃ for supplying the solvent in the main body case 1 to operate the pump P ₃ , as described above, and stored in the solvent tank T _3. Nozzle spraying solvent
Then, the cleaning operation is performed to perform the above-described cleaning operation (step 6). At this time, the pump P ₃ is controlled by feedback control based on the pressure detected by the solvent pressure sensor 7.
It is controlled to supply the solvent maintained at a predetermined pressure.

During this time, the operation control unit 5 monitors the time value t of the washing timer, sequentially compares the measured time value t with the upper limit value t _0, and continues the washing operation until t ≧ t ₀ (step 7). Then, when t ≧ t ₀ , the fall control operation ends.

In the above-described fall control operation, the above-described cleaning operation is performed by measuring the time by the cleaning timer with the upper limit value t.
_{It is} performed until it reaches ₀ . At this time, the upper limit value t ₀
It is the t ₁ when a short shutdown period, from when the operation stop period is long are respectively set to t ₂ sufficiently larger than the t _1, the duration of the cleaning operation is designated The length is changed according to the length of the pause period.

Therefore, when the operation suspension period is long, elaborate cleaning is performed by continuing the operation for a long time,
During the long-term suspension, the risk of clogging of the ejection nozzle 20 and the ink recovery system is reduced, and when the operation is resumed after the suspension, the ink ejection is performed well, and the printing operation can be performed immediately. Become. Changing the cleaning time can be performed using the operation unit 50.
Is automatically performed in response to the operation of the user, so that the user does not have to do any trouble. In the case of performing long-time washing, many solvents are used, the solvent, because is collected in the reserve tank T ₄ which is provided separately from the ink tank T ₁ as described above, the ink tank T ₁ The density of the ink stored inside the printer does not change, and there is no risk that printing after restarting the operation will be hindered.

In the above-described embodiment, the operation suspension period is designated and the cleaning time is set in accordance with the designation in two stages, long and short. Is also possible.

In the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, the operation control unit 5 monitors whether or not one of the shut-down operation units 56 and 57 has been operated by an input from the operation unit 50 during the above-mentioned operation. Steps 11 and 12), shutdown operation section
When the operation in step 56 is performed and the downtime is specified as a short period, the upper limit value X of the supply pressure of the solvent at the time of cleaning is set.
Set to a predetermined value X ₁ in advance is set to ₀ (Step 1
3). The operation of the falling operation unit 57 is performed, if the shutdown period is specified as long-term, the upper limit value X ₀ of the supply pressure is set to a predetermined value X ₂ is sufficiently larger than the X ₁ ( Step 14).

[0066] Then the operation control unit 5, the recording head 2 inside the electromagnetic valve K _2, and they were the respective open issues a control signal to the main body case 1 the interior of the electromagnetic on-off valve V ₃ and K _4, the main body case (1) A control signal is issued to a pump P ₃ for supplying a solvent inside the pump P ₃ to operate the pump P ₃ , and the solvent stored in the solvent tank T ₃ is supplied to the injection nozzle 20 as described above to perform the above-described cleaning operation. Is started (step 15). Thereafter, the output of the solvent pressure sensor 7 is captured (step 1).
6), recognizes the supply pressure X of the solvent used in the actual washing, it was compared with the upper limit value X ₀ (Step 1
7), when the supply pressure X exceeds the upper limit value X _0,
Reducing the supply pressure by subtracting the rotational speed of the pump P ₃ (step 18), if the supply pressure X is below the upper limit value X _0, thereby increasing the supply pressure by increasing the rotational speed of the pump P ₃ (Step 19).

By the feedback control in accordance with steps 16 to 19, a predetermined time elapses for a cleaning operation for variably controlling the supply pressure of the solvent (step 16).
20), and the fall control operation ends when a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0068] In falling control operation described above, the cleaning operation described above is the pressure of the solvent used in the washing carried out while maintaining the upper limit value X _0, the upper limit value X ₀ is
To X ₁ when the operation stop period is short, because if a long outage periods are respectively set to a sufficiently large X ₂ than the X _1, the supply pressure of the solvent, the specified idle period It is changed to high or low according to the length of.

Therefore, when the operation suspension period is long, careful cleaning is performed by supplying the high-pressure solvent, and particularly, cleaning around the injection hole of the injection nozzle 20 for injecting the solvent is performed well. Thus, the risk of clogging of the ejection nozzle 20 and the ink recovery system during the long-term suspension is reduced, and when the operation is resumed after the suspension, the ink ejection is performed well, and the printing operation can be performed immediately. Become. Further, since the supply pressure is automatically changed in accordance with the operation of the operation unit 50, there is no need for the user to perform any trouble.

In the above-described embodiment, the operation suspension period is designated in two stages, ie, long and short, and the supply pressure is set in accordance with the designation in two stages, high and low. Each of them can have three or more stages. Also, In the above embodiment, although a configuration to change the supply pressure of the solvent by feedback control based on the pump P ₃ of solvent supplied to the detection result of the supply pressure, each in accordance with the operation pause period the open-loop control for driving the pump P ₃ at a rotational speed determined separately may be implemented to change the supply pressure.

In the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, the operation control unit 5 monitors whether any one of the shut-down operation units 56 and 57 has been operated by an input from the operation unit 50 during the above-described operation (FIG. 6). Steps 21 and 22), fall operation unit
56 operation is performed, if the shutdown period is designated as a short set to a predetermined values S ₁ to the feed period S ₀ is preset for the solvent during the washing (step 23). When the shut-down operation unit 57 is operated and it is specified that the operation suspension period is long, the supply cycle S _{0 is changed} to the S ₁
Predetermined value set to S ₂ sufficiently smaller than (Step 2
Four).

[0072] Then the operation control unit 5, the recording head 2 inside the electromagnetic valve K _2, and they were the respective open issues a control signal to the main body case 1 the interior of the electromagnetic on-off valve V ₃ and K _4, the main body case (1) A control signal is issued to a pump P ₃ for supplying a solvent inside the pump P ₃ to operate the pump P ₃ , and the solvent stored in the solvent tank T ₃ is supplied to the injection nozzle 20 as described above to perform the above-described cleaning operation. Is started (step 25). After the start of such cleaning operation, the operation control unit 5, the each feed period S _0, which is set previously issues a switching command to the solenoid valve K ₂ allowed closing the solenoid valve K ₂ (Step 2
6) This opening and closing is continued until a predetermined time elapses (step 27), and at the time when the predetermined time elapses, the fall control operation ends.

[0073] In the falling control operation described above, after starting the cleaning operation described above, the through opening and closing of the electromagnetic valve K _2, solvent recovery system of the cleaning of the injection nozzle 20 and the ink for each of the feed period S ₀ The supply cycle S ₀ is set to S ₁ when the operation suspension period is short, and to S ₂ which is sufficiently smaller than S ₁ when the operation suspension period is long, respectively. Therefore, the supply and stop cycle of the solvent used for cleaning is short when the designated pause period is long, and long when the designated pause period is short.

Therefore, when the operation suspension period is long, the above-described cleaning is performed by the solvent which repeatedly supplies and stops in a short cycle, and the intermittent inside the injection nozzle 20 where such supply is performed. Solvent flow occurs, corners,
The ink staying around the ejection holes or the like can be removed satisfactorily. This alleviates the risk of clogging of the ejection nozzle 20 and the ink recovery system during the long-term suspension, and at the time of resuming operation after the suspension, ink ejection is favorably performed.
Immediately, the printing operation can be performed. Further, since the supply cycle is changed automatically according to the operation on the operation unit 50, the user does not have to do any trouble.

In the above-described embodiment, the operation suspension period is designated in two stages, and the setting of the solvent supply cycle according to the designation is performed in two stages. However, it is also possible to make each of these three or more stages. Further, the supply cycle S ₁ set at the time of a short stop may be infinite. In this case, the electromagnetic on-off valve K ₂ is not opened and closed, and the above-described cleaning is performed by a continuously supplied solvent. Becomes

In the flowchart shown in FIG. 7, the operation control unit 5 monitors whether or not one of the shut-down operation units 56 and 57 has been operated by an input from the operation unit 50 during the above-described operation (FIG. 7). Steps 31 and 32), shutdown operation section
When the operation of 56 is performed and the operation suspension period is specified as a short period, the upper limit value C _{0 of the} number of repetitions of the supply and the stop of the solvent during the cleaning is set to a predetermined value C ₁ ( Step 33). When the operation of the shut-down operation unit 57 is performed and it is specified that the operation suspension period is long, the upper limit value C _{0 of the} number of repetitions is set to a predetermined value C ₂ that is sufficiently larger than C ₁ ( Step 34).

[0077] Then the operation control unit 5, the recording head 2 inside the electromagnetic valve K _2, and they were the respective open issues a control signal to the main body case 1 the interior of the electromagnetic on-off valve V ₃ and K _4, the main body case (1) A control signal is issued to a pump P ₃ for supplying a solvent inside the pump P ₃ to operate the pump P ₃ , and the solvent stored in the solvent tank T ₃ is supplied to the injection nozzle 20 as described above to perform the above-described cleaning operation. Is started (step 35), and a repetition counter for counting the number of repetitions of supply and stop of the solvent during cleaning is reset (step 3).
6).

Thereafter, the operation control unit 5 sets the electromagnetic on-off valve K
₂ issues a switching command, allowed opened and closed by a preset predetermined period the solenoid valve K ₂ (step 37), each of the opening and closing, and counts up the repeat counter (step 38), the count value the C compared to the upper limit value C ₀ (step 39), the count value C, that is, until said supply of the solvent by opening and closing of the solenoid valve K _2, the number of repetitions of stopping reaches the upper limit value C ₀ repeated opening and closing of the solenoid valve K _2, completing the falling control operation at the time the repetition of the upper limit value C ₀ is made.

[0079] In falling control operation described above, the recovery system of the cleaning of the injection nozzle 20 and the ink, the opening and closing of the electromagnetic valve K ₂ that is performed every predetermined period, performed by repeating supply and stop of the solvent the number of repetitions is, the C ₁ when a short shutdown period, from when the operation stop period is long are respectively set to C ₂ sufficiently larger than the C _1, is designated rest period If it is long, the number of repetitions increases, and if the pause period is short, the number of repetitions decreases.

Therefore, when the operation suspension period is long, the above-described cleaning is performed by the solvent which is repeatedly supplied and stopped many times, and stays at the corners inside the injection nozzle 20, around the injection hole, and the like. Is reliably removed. This alleviates the risk of clogging of the ejection nozzle 20 and the ink recovery system during the long-term suspension, and at the time of resuming operation after the suspension, ink ejection is favorably performed.
Immediately, the printing operation can be performed. In addition, even when the operation suspension period is short, the above-described cleaning is performed by repeatedly supplying and stopping the solvent, so that an intermittent flow of the solvent occurs inside the injection nozzle 20, and the corner, the vicinity of the injection hole, And the like.

In the above embodiment, the operation suspension period is designated in two stages, long and short, and the number of repetitions of supply and stop of the solvent according to the designation is performed in two stages. However, it is also possible to make each of these three or more stages.

In the flowchart shown in FIG. 8, the operation control unit 5 monitors whether any one of the shut-down operation units 56 and 57 has been operated by an input from the operation unit 50 during the above-described operation (FIG. 8). Steps 41 and 42), fall operation section
When the operation 56 is performed and the operation suspension period is specified to be a short period, the flag F for specifying the cleaning procedure is reset (step 43), the operation of the shutdown operation unit 57 is performed, and the operation suspension period Is set for a long time, the flag F is set (step 44).

[0083] Then the operation control unit 5, the recording head 2 inside the electromagnetic valve K _2, and they were the respective open issues a control signal to the main body case 1 the interior of the electromagnetic on-off valve V ₃ and K _4, the main body case (1) A control signal is issued to a pump P ₃ for supplying a solvent inside the pump P ₃ to operate the pump P ₃ , and the solvent stored in the solvent tank T ₃ is supplied to the injection nozzle 20 as described above to perform the above-described cleaning operation. Is started (step 45).

After starting the cleaning operation in this way, the operation control unit 5 checks the set state of the flag F (step S1).
46), if the flag F is in the set state, i.e., if the outage period is specified as long-term issues a control signal to the recording head 2 inside the electromagnetic valve K _1, it is opened (Step 47) The cleaning operation is continued, and the flag F
If There in the reset state, i.e., if the outage period is designated as a short period, said switch valve K ₁ continues cleaning operation while closed, predetermined prescribed time has elapsed (Step 48), and when the predetermined time has elapsed, the shutdown control operation is terminated.

[0085] In falling control operation described above, if the shutdown period is specified as long-term, the is a solenoid valve K ₁ is opened, whereby said injection nozzle 20, for feeding the solvent Along with the solvent tube 31, the ink tube 30 for ink supply is also connected,
The above-described cleaning is performed in this state. Therefore, a part of the solvent supplied for cleaning is supplied to the opened solenoid valve K.
After passing through ₁ , an appropriate amount of the ink enters the inside of the ink tube 30, and the solvent also cleans the ink supply system in the range of the penetration length by the solvent.

In the case where the operation suspension period is long, the injection nozzle
Injection nozzle as well as inside 20 and ink collection system
May solidification of ink occurs even in the ink supply system to 20, in particular, the interior of the electromagnetic valve K ₁ provided for connection to the ink tube 30, since the diameter of the flow path is present The clogging is likely to occur. According to deactivation operation according the flow chart shown in FIG. 8, if the shutdown period is prolonged, the supply system of the ink, including the interior of the electromagnetic valve K ₁ is cleaned by the solvent during subsequent outage, The supply system is filled with the solvent, and the risk of clogging of the supply system is reduced, and a normal printing operation can be immediately performed when the operation is resumed. Also, the opening of the electromagnetic valve K _1, since made automatically in response to operation on the operation unit 50, never impose any effort to the user.

The fall control operation according to the flowcharts of FIGS. 4 to 8 described above may be performed independently, but may be performed by appropriately combining them.
With this combination, it is possible to more effectively prevent the occurrence of ink clogging when the operation suspension period is long.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of hardware for performing the above-described fall control operation. As shown in the figure, the operation control unit 5 includes a CPU 5a, a ROM 5b, a RAM
5c and an input / output interface 5d. The operation unit 50 includes a display unit 50a and an input unit 50b, which are connected to the CPU 5a and the ROM by the shared bus B.
5b and the RAM 5c. Although the operation unit 50 shown in FIG. 3 is configured so that the display unit 50a and the input unit 50b are also used by the liquid crystal panel 51, the display unit 50a and the input unit 50b may be separately configured. .

[0089] The ROM 5b, the procedure of fall control operation performed as shown in FIGS. 4-8, various necessary settings in steps each _{(t 1, t 2, X} 1, X 2 , etc.) is stored Let me do it. Information of the shutdown operation performed by the operation unit 50 and including the designation of the operation suspension period is transmitted to the CP via the shared bus B.
Given to the U5a, the CPU 5a selects a necessary procedure from the ROM 5b based on the length of the designated pause period, and performs an input / output interface to perform the shutdown operation including the above-described cleaning operation in accordance with the selected procedure. A control output is generated via 5d. During this time, the RAM 5c is used to temporarily store information necessary for the operation of the CPU 5a, such as the set values.

[0090]

As described in detail above, in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, a plurality of types of shutdown operations performed when the operation is stopped are prepared, and the shutdown operations corresponding to the designation of the operation suspension period are performed. When the suspension period is long, since the configuration is selected and executed, for example, the ink jet nozzle and the recovery system are carefully cleaned including the ink ejection nozzle and the ink clogging that occurs in each part during the suspension of operation is effectively performed. The printing operation after restarting the operation is not hindered, and the user is not required to work much.

In the ink jet recording apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, the cleaning time is changed depending on the length of the designated pause period. It is possible to reliably remove the components, prevent the occurrence of ink clogging during the suspension period, and allow the printing operation after the restart of operation to be performed normally.

In the ink jet recording apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention, the pressure of the solvent used for cleaning is changed between high and low in accordance with the length of the designated pause period. In this way, it is possible to reliably remove the ink component remaining in each part, prevent the occurrence of ink clogging during the suspension period, and perform the printing operation after the restart of the operation normally.

Further, in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the supply and the stop of the solvent are repeated in a cycle that is changed to a shorter length according to the length of the designated pause period to wash each part. In the case of a long time, the cleaning is performed favorably by a solvent that repeatedly supplies and stops in a short cycle, the ink component remaining in each part is surely removed, and the occurrence of ink clogging during the idle period can be prevented beforehand,
The printing operation after the restart of the operation can be performed normally.

Further, in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the supply and the stop of the solvent are repeated by the number of times that the size is changed according to the length of the designated pause period to wash each part. In the case of a long time, the solvent is repeatedly supplied and stopped a number of times, whereby the cleaning is satisfactorily performed, the ink components remaining in each part are reliably removed, and the occurrence of ink clogging during the idle period can be prevented. Thus, it is possible to normally perform the printing operation after the restart of the operation.

In the ink jet recording apparatus according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when the designated pause period is long, the ink supply path to the ejection nozzle is opened, so that cleaning with the solvent is performed including the supply path. During the suspension of operation, clogging that occurs including the supply path can be prevented beforehand, and the printing operation after the restart of operation can be performed normally.

Further, in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the seventh aspect of the invention, the control means for performing the above-described falling operation includes a storage unit storing different types of falling operations, and a storage unit storing desired types of falling operations. The present invention has excellent effects, for example, it can be simply configured to include a control unit that selects and executes the falling operation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control system of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating a configuration example of an operation unit of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of a fall control operation.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of a fall control operation.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of a fall control operation.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of a fall control operation.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of a fall control operation.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration for performing the fall control operation shown in FIGS. 4 to 8;

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a recording head provided in a continuous type inkjet recording apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body case 2 Recording head 3 Connecting tube 5 Operation control part 6 Ink pressure sensor 7 Solvent pressure sensor 50 Operation part 51 Liquid crystal panel 56 Falling-down operation part 57 Falling-down operation part T ₁ ink tank T ₃ solvent tank

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Makoto Sakai 1-34 Higashinakajima, Higashiyodogawa-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka F-term in Keyence Corporation (reference) 2C056 EA20 EB59 EC06 EC18 EC28 EC32 EC36 EC39 FA05 KB04 KB08 KB21 KD01

Claims (7)

[Claims] An ink jet recording apparatus that performs a shutdown operation including an operation of supplying a pressurized solvent to an ink ejection nozzle and cleaning the ejection nozzle before suspending the operation according to a predetermined operation. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a designation unit for designating the length of the pause period; and a shutdown control unit for selectively performing different types of shutdown operations based on the designation of the designation unit. . 2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fall control unit changes the cleaning time to a longer or shorter time in accordance with the length of a designated pause period. 3. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fall control unit changes the supply pressure of the solvent to a high or low level in accordance with the length of the designated pause period. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fall control unit repeats the supply and the stop of the solvent in a cycle that is changed to a short period in accordance with the length of the designated pause period to perform the cleaning. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1. 5. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the fall control unit repeats the supply and the stop of the solvent at a number of times changed according to the length of the designated pause period to perform the cleaning. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 4. 6. The shutdown control means is configured to, when a long-term suspension is designated, open a supply path of the ink to the ejection nozzle and perform the cleaning including the supply path. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1. 7. The fall control unit selects a storage unit storing different types of fall operations and a fall operation corresponding to a suspension period designated by the designation unit from the storage unit, The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a controller configured to execute the selected shutdown operation.