JP2001121718A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve problems found in the conventional device, such as stagnation of ink mists on an image forming part scale surface, adhesion thereof to a lock laver to foul a finger of hand of a user, or adherence thereof onto a paper to foul it due to generation of the ink mists when ejecting an ink from a recording head of an ink-jet printer. SOLUTION: In an image forming device comprising a carriage for serial movement of a recording head having an ink ejection opening, and a carriage moving member for moving the carriage along a recording medium, a hollow flexible member being extended along a moving are of the carriage moving member, an opening part interlocked with the hollow flexible member, and a pressuring member capable of pressuring the hollow flexible member are provided so that a negative pressure is generated in the opening part by pressuring the hollow flexible member by the pressuring member so as to collect ink mists suspending in the image forming device.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as an ink jet printer and, more particularly, to an ink jet image having a recording head for recording by discharging ink onto a recording medium such as recording paper. The present invention relates to a forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional image forming apparatus, a plurality of recording sheets stacked on an auto sheet feeder 101 are generally separated from the auto sheet feeder 101 one by one as shown in FIGS. The paper is then fed onto a platen 103 by a paper feed roller 102. Here, the recording is performed by discharging the ink from the recording head 104. In order to control the timing of discharging the ink with higher accuracy, a linear encoder or the like is provided.

A linear encoder has an elongated plate-like scale 11 in which N and S poles are alternately magnetized at predetermined intervals.
1 and a slider 116 for reading the polarity of the scale 111
The scale 111 is supported by the frame 113 of the printer main body 112 via a support member, and the slider 116 is fixed to the carriage 105. Here, when the carriage 105 scans, the slider 116 moves with respect to the scale 111, and both the scale 111 and the slider 116 have an N pole and an S pole.
An induced current is generated because the poles are alternately magnetized.
Therefore, the ejection timing of the ink is determined by detecting the displacement of the induced current. Note that the recording head 104
Since the recording head 104 is fixed on the carriage 105 by the lock lever 120, the recording head 104 can be easily exchanged by releasing the lock lever 120.

On the other hand, when recording is performed on a certain sheet width, mist adheres to the platen 103 outside both ends of the sheet. Thus, the paper recorded by the image forming unit is
The paper is discharged to the paper discharge stacker 119 by the paper discharge roller 118.

[0005]

However, in the above-described conventional ink jet printer, when ink is ejected from the recording head 104, an ink mist is generated and fine mist-like ink drifts on the image forming portion. It will be like a state.

[0006] Since such ink mist gradually descends under the influence of gravity, the ink mist easily accumulates on the surface of the scale 111, and the accumulated ink mist is collected together with paper dust and dust. And adhere to the surface of the scale 111. In the magnetic encoder, the gap between the scale 111 and the slider 116 is very narrow in order to secure a constant output. When printing is performed in such a state, the slider 116 moves smoothly on the scale 111. The scale 111 cannot move
16 may be caught. For this reason, in the worst case or when the recording timing cannot be obtained, the slider 116 and the scale 111 are locked and do not move.

Further, when the recording head 104 is replaced, the lock lever 120 is operated. However, ink adheres to the lock lever 120 due to ink mist, and the user's finger or hand gets dirty. Further, when recording is performed on narrow paper after recording on narrow paper, ink mist adheres to the platens 103 at both ends of the paper when recording on narrow paper. When a wide sheet is passed, ink adheres to the back side of the wide sheet and loses its value as a printed matter.

There are two types of factors for such ink mist.

One is that, when a droplet is ejected onto the paper surface during printing, the droplet bounces off from the paper surface, and the satellite, which is a small droplet that is generated around the main droplet when the droplet is generated, becomes ink. It is a mist factor.

Second, since the nozzles of the print head during printing are exposed to the wind at a certain speed, the ink in the nozzles having a diameter of several tens of microns thickens, and the ink is ejected. Even if a signal is given, ejection becomes impossible, so-called ejection failure occurs, dot missing occurs in the image, and the image quality deteriorates significantly.

In order to prevent such a situation, the ink in the unused nozzles is discharged to a predetermined place other than the recording area and refreshed after a certain period of time before the ink in the unused nozzles thickens and adheres. This operation is called preliminary ejection. In such preliminary ejection, the carriage stops at a predetermined location, and the recording head ejects ink (stop preliminary ejection), or ejects ink (running preliminary ejection) while operating the carriage.

In the case of a stop preliminary discharge, the preliminary discharge is often set at a return position (home position) of a ramp-up / down of motor control. On the other hand, in the case of the preliminary discharge, the preliminary discharge position is set between the end recording start position and the home position in order to prevent a decrease in the throughput, and the preliminary discharge position is set to a width that allows the preliminary discharge. Must be secured. At the time of such preliminary ejection, as in the previous recording ejection, ink rebound and satellites are generated, which is a factor of ink mist.

An object of the present invention is to remove ink mist generated during preliminary ejection from such ink mist,
An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that solves the above-described problems.

[0014]

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising: a carriage for serially moving a recording head having an ink discharge port; An image forming apparatus having a carriage moving member for moving along a medium, wherein the hollow flexible member extends along a moving region of the carriage moving member, and is connected to the hollow flexible member. Opening, and a pressing member capable of pressing the hollow flexible member, wherein the pressing member presses the hollow flexible member, thereby generating a negative pressure in the opening, It is characterized in that ink mist floating in the image forming apparatus is collected.

[0015] The opening also serves as a preliminary ejection receiver for the recording head.

A cap means capable of opening and closing the ink ejection port of the recording head; an ejection recovery means for performing a specific ejection recovery process on the recording head to recover ink ejection from the ejection port; , Wherein the opening is provided near the cap means.

Further, the negative pressure is generated as the carriage moves away from the opening.

Further, the negative pressure is generated as the carriage approaches the opening.

Further, the hollow flexible member is arranged in a U-turn.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the openings are provided on both sides of the recording medium.

Further, the hollow flexible member is a tube.

Further, the material of the tube is silicon or vinyl chloride.

Further, the recording head has an electrothermal transducer for generating thermal energy for discharging ink.

Further, the recording head generates bubbles in the ink by using thermal energy, and discharges the ink in accordance with the generation of the bubbles.

According to the above construction, the hollow flexible member extending along the moving area of the carriage moving member, the opening connected to the hollow flexible member, and the hollow flexible member And a pressing member that can press the hollow flexible member, thereby generating a negative pressure in the opening and collecting ink mist floating in the image forming apparatus. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a recording failure phenomenon due to a lock phenomenon between the linear encoder and the carriage, which is caused by the adhesion of the ink, a failure to detect the encoder, and a contamination due to the adhesion of the ink mist on the recording medium or the operation unit. .

Further, since the opening also serves as a preliminary ejection receiver for the recording head, ink mist generated during the preliminary ejection can be collected.

Further, since the opening is provided near the cap means, the ink mist is collected at a position where ink mist is easily generated, so that the ink mist can be effectively collected.

Further, since the negative pressure is generated as the carriage moves away from the opening, a required negative pressure can be generated by a simple operation.

Since the negative pressure is generated as the carriage approaches the opening, a required negative pressure can be generated by a simple operation.

Since the hollow flexible member is arranged in a U-turn, a required negative pressure can be generated regardless of the moving direction of the carriage.

Further, since the openings are provided on both sides of the recording medium, the ink mist can be collected efficiently without impairing the throughput.

Further, since the hollow flexible member is a tube, a negative pressure can be generated with a simple member.

Since the tube is made of silicon or vinyl chloride, it can be manufactured at low cost.

Further, since the recording head has an electrothermal transducer for generating thermal energy for discharging ink, the recording medium can be discharged by using the thermal energy to achieve higher density and higher recording density. It can be achieved and recorded cleanly.

Further, since the recording head generates bubbles in the ink using thermal energy and discharges the ink in accordance with the generation of the bubbles, the recording head discharges the ink using the thermal energy to achieve high density. And fine and clear records can be obtained.

[0036]

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

(Embodiment 1) FIGS. 1 to 5 show a first embodiment of an ink-jet image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an ink-jet image forming apparatus according to the present invention with a casing removed. FIG. 2 is a schematic side sectional view of the inkjet image forming apparatus of FIG. 1, and FIG.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a carriage on which the recording head according to the first embodiment is mounted in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a tube handling configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a tube lever having a tube handling configuration according to the first embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. It is a front view.

First, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,
The inkjet image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied includes an auto sheet feeder 1 on which a plurality of recording sheets as recording media are stacked, and a sheet feeding apparatus for separating and feeding recording sheets one by one from the auto sheet feeder 1. A paper roller 2, a recording head 4 for ejecting ink onto recording paper to perform recording, a carriage 5 on which the recording head 4 is mounted and movable along a carriage shaft 6 and a guide shaft 7, And an elongated plate-like scale 11 of a magnetic linear encoder in which N poles and S poles are alternately magnetized at a pitch of.

In such an image forming apparatus of the present invention, the recording paper loaded on the auto sheet feeder 1 is
The sheet is separated and fed one by one from the auto sheet feeder 1, and is conveyed onto a platen 3 by a sheet feeding roller 2.
Here, recording is performed by discharging ink from the recording head 4 based on data sent from a host computer (not shown). In this manner, the image forming unit having the recording head 4 performs recording. The recorded recording paper is discharged by a discharge roller 18 to a discharge stacker 19.
Is discharged to Further, a linear encoder is provided to control the timing at which ink is ejected with higher accuracy. The scale 11 and the slider 16 of the linear encoder are shown in the figure.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the linear encoder is an elongated plate-like scale 11 having N poles and S poles alternately magnetized at predetermined intervals, and a slider for reading the polarity of the scale 11. The scale 11 is supported on the frame 13 of the printer body 12 via a suitable support member, and the slider 16 is fixed to the carriage 5. The surface of the scale 11 is in a horizontal plane and parallel to the carriage shaft 6 and the guide shaft 7 via a scale hook (not shown) and a scale spring (not shown) on the frame 13 of the printer body 12. It is supported.

The scale reading slider 16 attached to the carriage 5 is provided with a slit 17 through which the scale 11 passes, and the interval between the slits 17 is 0.03 mm larger than the thickness of the scale 11. This is only about 0.1 mm, which is preferable. This is to stabilize the output of the induced current that determines the ink ejection timing.

Therefore, when the carriage 5 scans by driving the motor 10, the slider 16 mounted on the carriage 5 moves with respect to the scale 11, and the N pole and the S pole are alternately attached to both the scale 11 and the slider 16. An induced current is generated due to the magnetism. Therefore, the displacement of the induced current is detected, the ejection timing of the ink is determined, and printing is performed. Further, the recording head 4 is fixed on the carriage 5 by a lock lever 20, and the recording head 4 can be easily replaced by releasing the lock lever 20.

If the scale 11 is mounted so that its surface is substantially parallel to the horizontal plane, ink mist and paper dust accumulate on the surface of the scale 11 over time. Further, as described above, since the gap between the scale 11 and the slit 17 of the slider 16 is very narrow, the scale 11 is pulled in the moving direction of the slider 16 with the movement of the slider 16 and causes vibration. There is fear. This is because the scale 11, which is a reference for determining the ink ejection timing, moves, which is also a cause of a disturbance in printing accuracy.

Therefore, if the ink mist and paper dust, which are the causes of these factors, can be removed, such a phenomenon does not occur. Therefore, according to the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the recording head 4 is mounted on the carriage 5, and the recording head 4 is fixed to the carriage 5 by the lock lever 20. The carriage shaft 6 and the guide shaft 7 opposed to the carriage shaft 6 are configured to be able to operate in a direction orthogonal to the recording paper conveyance direction.

On the other hand, a recovery system unit 21 is provided at a position facing the nozzle surface of the recording head 4. The recovery system unit 21 includes a cap 22 for sucking nozzles of the recording head 4 to eliminate clogging, and a recording head 4.
And a blade 23 for removing dust such as ink droplets and paper dust attached to the face, which is the nozzle surface of the nozzle 5.
However, the recording head 4 can be moved in and out of the face of the recording head 4 in a vertical direction. When the face of the recording head 4 is wiped, the recording head 4 moves along the carriage shaft 6 with the blade 23 protruding. Move. Further, an opening 24 is provided beside the blade 23, and the preliminary ejection of the recording head 4 described above is performed into the opening 24.

A tube 25 is connected to the opening 24. The tube 25 is sandwiched between two guide projections 26a, 26a on a tube guide plate 26 below the guide shaft 7, and is parallel to the carriage shaft 6. Extends to. At the rear of the carriage 5, a tube lever 27 is rotatably installed. At the tip of the tube lever 27, a tube roller 28 is rotatably provided.
One end of a tube spring 29 is hooked to the other end of the tube lever 27. Therefore, since the tube lever 27 is elastically urged by the tube spring 29, the tube 25 is pressed through the tube roller 28, and has a handling structure capable of generating a negative pressure.

Therefore, the tube 25 is pressed and handled by the tube roller 28, and when the carriage 5 moves in the direction A, the tube roller 28 handles the tube 25, and the tube roller 28 is accordingly placed in the opening 24. Since the pressure is generated, the ink mist generated by preliminary ejection into the opening 24 is suitably sucked into the opening 24. The movement of the carriage 5 generates a negative pressure, and the carriage 5
Is stopped at a position facing the opening 24, no negative pressure is generated. Further, since the opening 24 is disposed near the cap 22 and the blade 23 where ink mist is likely to be generated, the opening 24 is used for sucking the nozzles of the recording head (capping) or wiping the face of the recording head (wiping). Can also be collected. Therefore, the ink mist generated during the preliminary ejection is
It does not float in the device body. Also, ink mist generated during capping or wiping does not float in the apparatus main body. In this case, when the carriage 5 approaches the opening 24, the opening 24 is pressurized, so that the ink mist is scattered. In order to prevent this, at this operation, a magnetic projection 27a is provided at the end of the tube lever 27 on the opposite side of the tube roller 28 so that the tube roller 28 is disengaged from the tube 25. The solenoid 31 is installed in the, and the tube lever 27 is operated so that the tube roller 28 is separated from the tube 25 by operating the solenoid 31.

It is preferable that the opening 24 has a sealed structure as much as possible so as to increase the operation efficiency of the negative pressure. The material of the opening 24 is a mold excellent in ink resistance, ethylene or propylene which is a metal or rubber.・ Diene terpolymer (EPDM), hydrogen nitride butadiene rubber (HNB)
R), chlorinated butyl rubber and the like are preferred. The material of the tube 25 is preferably silicon or vinyl chloride (commercially available under the trade name "Tygon") having excellent ink resistance and excellent durability of the restoring force.

The ink mist after the preliminary ejection is sucked by the opening 24 of the recovery system unit 21 of the image forming apparatus of the present invention having the above-described structure, which is configured to handle the ink mist. It is configured so that diffusion can be suitably prevented.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

As shown, a recording head 4 is mounted on the carriage 5 and is fixed to the carriage 5 by a lock lever 20. The carriage shaft 6 and the guide shaft 7
, The carriage 5 can reciprocate in a direction perpendicular to the recording paper conveyance direction.

Further, a recovery system unit 21 is provided at a position facing the nozzle surface of the recording head 4, and the recovery system unit 21 is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment. The nozzle 22 sucks the nozzle 22 to eliminate clogging, the blade 23 for removing ink droplets and paper dust and the like adhering to the nozzle surface of the recording head 4, and the preliminary ejection of the recording head 4. An opening 24 is provided so that the blade 23 wipes the face of the recording head 4 according to the operation of the carriage 5. A tube 25 is connected to the opening 24, and the tube 25 is sandwiched by a guide protrusion 26 a on a tube guide plate 26 below the guide shaft 7 and extends in parallel with the carriage shaft 6. . Further, a tube lever 27 is rotatably provided at a rear portion of the carriage 5, and a tube roller 28 is rotatably attached to a tip of the tube lever 27. Tube 2
5 can be pressed.

In the first embodiment, the negative pressure is generated in the opening 24 as the carriage 5 moves away from the opening 24. In the second embodiment, the carriage 5 moves in the direction of the arrow. Thus, a negative pressure is generated in the opening 24 as it approaches the opening 24. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, in this example, the tube 25 connected to the opening 24 is U-turned from the middle, and the U-turned portion is connected to the tube guide plate 26.
It is arranged so as to extend upward, fixed by being sandwiched by guide protrusions 26a and extending parallel to the guide shaft 7, and by using the same tube 25 configuration as in the first embodiment, by handling the tube 25 with the tube roller 28 Opening 24
To generate a negative pressure.

Therefore, at the time of the preliminary ejection, since a negative pressure is generated in the opening 24, the ink mist is immediately sucked by the opening 24 to prevent the ink mist from floating in the apparatus main body. Can be.

(Embodiment 3) FIGS. 7 and 8 show a third embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a perspective view and FIG. 8 is a side view.

In the first and second embodiments, the opening 24 is used.
Is connected to only one tube 25, but in the third embodiment, as shown in FIG.
a and 25b are connected to the opening 24, extend on the tube guide plate 26 in a direction facing each other, are arranged in parallel, and are sandwiched by the guide projections 26a. It has a configuration with both. Therefore, in this embodiment, even if the carriage 5 approaches or moves away from the opening 24, a negative pressure is generated in the opening 24 before and after the preliminary ejection, and the effect of removing the ink mist is further improved. At this time, the tube lever 32 is
As shown in the figure, the shape is an inverted Y shape, and two arm rollers 28a and 28b are provided at the tip of the arm.
And the tube roller 28b is placed in the tube 2
5b. Accordingly, the tube rollers 28a and 28b are positioned such that the rotation surfaces around their axes are parallel to each other, and the tubes 25a and
25b.

The other end of the tube lever 32 is provided with a tube spring 29 and a projection 32a made of a magnetic material for the solenoid 31, so that when the solenoid 31 is actuated against the tube spring 29. When the carriage 5 moves in the direction of arrow B, the tube 25a arranged in the U-turn is handled by the tube roller 28a and the opening 2 is moved.
When a negative pressure is generated in the tube 4 and the tube spring 29 is actuated without operating the solenoid 31, when the carriage 5 moves in the C direction, the tube 25b
8b, and a negative pressure is generated in the opening 24.

With the above-described configuration, a negative pressure is generated in the opening 24 before and after the preliminary ejection, and the effect of removing ink mist is further improved, and the ink mist floats in the apparatus body. Can be prevented.

(Embodiment 4) FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a fourth embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

In the first to third embodiments, the opening 24
Is arranged only on one side of the recording paper, but it is more advantageous to arrange it on both sides of the recording paper from the viewpoint of improving the throughput.

Therefore, in the fourth embodiment, as shown, the two recovery system units 21a and 21b having the openings 24a and 24b are substantially the same as the recovery system unit 21 in the first embodiment. In this case, the openings 24a and 24b can be selected efficiently according to the print pattern, and a high-throughput image forming apparatus can be realized.

That is, as shown in FIG. 9, the image forming apparatus of the present invention uses the recording head 4 for the recording paper P separated and fed one by one from the auto sheet feeder.
The recording is performed by ejecting ink from the. The carriage 5 on which the recording head 4 is mounted is provided so as to be movable along a carriage shaft 6 and a guide shaft 7, and ink is supplied from the recording head 4 based on data sent from a host computer (not shown). The recording is performed on the recording paper P by being ejected.

The two preliminary ejection units 21a and 21b having openings 24a and 24b are arranged on both sides of the recording paper P, and the tube 25 is connected from one opening 24a to the other opening 24b by a tube guide plate 26. And the tube roller 28 at the tip of the tube lever 32
a, 28b handle the tube 25 and
a or the opening 24b is formed so as to generate a negative pressure.

The configuration of the recording head 4 and the carriage 5 and the operating means thereof, and the configuration in which the tube lever 32 has an inverted Y-shape, provided with the tube rollers 28a and 28b, and operated by a solenoid, etc. Substantially the same as in Example 3.

With the above-described configuration, a negative pressure is generated in the openings 24a and 24b on both sides of the recording paper P before and after the preliminary ejection, and the effect of removing ink mist is further improved. It is possible to prevent the ink mist from floating in the main body.

Although the four embodiments of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention have been described above, the same effects can be obtained even if the structures of the second and third embodiments are provided on both sides of the recording paper. Of course.

(Others) It should be noted that, in the present invention, a means (for example, an electrothermal converter, a laser beam, or the like) for generating thermal energy as energy used for performing ink ejection, particularly in an ink jet recording system, is used. The present invention provides an excellent effect in a recording head and an image forming apparatus of a type in which a change in the state of ink is caused by the thermal energy. This is because according to such a method, it is possible to achieve higher density and higher definition of recording.

The typical structure and principle are described in, for example, US Pat. No. 4,723,129 and US Pat.
It is preferable to use the basic principle disclosed in the specification of US Pat. No. 740,796. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and the continuous type. In particular, in the case of the on-demand type, it is arranged corresponding to the sheet or the liquid path holding the liquid (ink). Applying at least one drive signal corresponding to the recording information and providing a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling to the electrothermal transducer, thereby causing the electrothermal transducer to generate thermal energy, thereby causing the recording head to emit heat energy. This is effective because a film in the liquid (ink) corresponding to the driving signal can be formed one by one by causing film boiling on the heat acting surface. By discharging the liquid (ink) through the discharge opening by the growth and contraction of the bubble, at least one droplet is formed. When the drive signal is formed into a pulse shape, the growth and shrinkage of the bubble are performed immediately and appropriately, so that the ejection of a liquid (ink) having particularly excellent responsiveness can be achieved, which is more preferable. As the pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable. In addition, U.S. Pat.
If the conditions described in the specification are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As the configuration of the recording head, in addition to the combination of a discharge port, a liquid path, and an electrothermal converter (a linear liquid flow path or a right-angled liquid flow path) as disclosed in the above-mentioned respective specifications, The present invention also includes a configuration using U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,459,600 which disclose a configuration in which a heat acting portion is arranged in a bending region. It is. In addition, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Sho 59-123670 discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of an electrothermal converter for a plurality of electrothermal converters, and an opening for absorbing a pressure wave of thermal energy is provided. The effect of the present invention is effective even if the configuration is based on JP-A-59-138461, which discloses a configuration corresponding to a discharge unit. That is, according to the present invention, recording can be reliably and efficiently performed regardless of the form of the recording head.

In addition, a replaceable chip that can be electrically connected to the apparatus main body or supplied with ink from the apparatus main body by being attached to the apparatus main body even if it is a serial type as described above. The present invention is also effective when a recording head of a type or a cartridge type recording head in which an ink tank is provided integrally with the recording head itself is used.

Further, it is preferable to add a recording head ejection recovery unit, a preliminary auxiliary unit, and the like as the configuration of the image forming apparatus of the present invention since the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. If these are specifically mentioned, capping means for the recording head, cleaning means,
Pressurization or suction means, preheating means for heating using an electrothermal transducer or another heating element or a combination thereof, and preliminary ejection means for performing ejection other than recording it can.

The type and number of recording heads to be mounted are, for example, different from those provided with only one corresponding to a single color ink, and those corresponding to a plurality of inks having different recording colors and densities. A plurality may be provided. That is, for example, the recording mode of the image forming apparatus is not limited to a recording mode of only a mainstream color such as black, and may be either a single recording head or a combination of a plurality of recording heads. The present invention is also very effective for an apparatus provided with at least one of the recording modes of full-color recording or full-color recording.

In addition, in the embodiments of the present invention described above, the ink is described as a liquid. However, an ink which solidifies at room temperature or lower and which softens or liquefies at room temperature may be used. In general, the ink jet method generally controls the temperature of the ink itself within a range of 30 ° C. or more and 70 ° C. or less to control the temperature so that the viscosity of the ink is in a stable ejection range. Sometimes, the ink may be in a liquid state. In addition, in order to positively prevent temperature rise due to thermal energy by using it as energy for changing the state of the ink from a solid state to a liquid state, or to prevent evaporation of the ink, the ink is solidified in a standing state and heated. May be used. In any case, the application of heat energy causes the ink to be liquefied by the application of the heat energy according to the recording signal and the liquid ink to be ejected, or to start to solidify when reaching the recording medium. The present invention is also applicable to a case where an ink having a property of liquefying for the first time is used. In such a case, the ink
JP-A-54-56847 or JP-A-60-7
As described in Japanese Patent No. 1260, it is also possible to adopt a form in which the sheet is opposed to the electrothermal converter while being held as a liquid or solid substance in the multi-opening sheet concave portion or through opening. In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

In addition, the form of the image forming apparatus of the present invention is not only used as an image output terminal of an information processing apparatus such as a computer, but also a copying apparatus combined with a reader or the like, and further, a facsimile apparatus having a transmission / reception function. And the like.

[0075]

As described above, the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention configured as described above has a hollow flexible member extending along the moving area of the carriage moving member. Having an opening connected to the hollow flexible member, and a pressing member capable of pressing the hollow flexible member, wherein the pressing member presses the hollow flexible member,
In order to generate a negative pressure in the opening and collect ink mist floating in the image forming apparatus, a recording failure phenomenon due to a locking phenomenon between the linear encoder and the carriage caused by the adhesion of ink, and detection of the encoder. It is possible to prevent impossibility or contamination due to adhesion of ink mist on a recording medium or an operation unit.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention,
Since the opening also serves as a preliminary ejection receiver for the recording head, ink mist generated during preliminary ejection can be collected.

An image forming apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention comprises:
Since the opening is provided in the vicinity of the cap means, the ink mist is collected at a position where the ink mist is likely to be generated, so that the ink mist can be effectively collected.

The image forming apparatus according to claim 4 of the present invention
Since the negative pressure is generated as the carriage moves away from the opening, the required negative pressure can be generated by a simple operation.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising:
Since the negative pressure is generated as the carriage approaches the opening, a required negative pressure can be generated by a simple operation.

The image forming apparatus according to claim 6 of the present invention
Since the hollow flexible member is arranged in a U-turn, a required negative pressure can be generated regardless of the moving direction of the carriage.

An image forming apparatus according to a seventh aspect of the present invention
Since the openings are provided on both sides of the recording medium, the ink mist can be collected efficiently without impairing the throughput.

An image forming apparatus according to claim 8 of the present invention
Since the hollow flexible member is a tube, a simple member can generate a negative pressure.

An image forming apparatus according to a ninth aspect of the present invention
Since the tube is made of silicon or vinyl chloride, it can be manufactured at low cost.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, since the recording head has an electrothermal converter for generating thermal energy for discharging ink, it discharges ink using thermal energy. As a result, high density and high definition of the recording can be achieved, and the recording can be performed clearly.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the recording head generates bubbles in the ink by using the thermal energy and discharges the ink with the generation of the bubbles. By discharging ink using the ink, high-density, fine, and clear recording can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the image forming apparatus of the present invention in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a recording head portion of the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a tube handling configuration according to the first embodiment in the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a first embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention in FIG. 4;
It is a front view which shows the tube lever of a tube handling structure.

FIG. 6 is a detailed view of a tube handling configuration according to a second embodiment in the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a detailed view of a tube handling configuration according to a third embodiment in the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

8 is a third embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention shown in FIG. 7;
It is a front view of the tube handling structure of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a detailed view of a handling configuration according to a fourth embodiment in the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus in a conventional example.

11 is a side sectional view of the image forming apparatus in the conventional example of FIG.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective view of a recording head portion of the image forming apparatus in the conventional example of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Auto sheet feeder 2 Feed roller 3 Platen 4 Recording head 5 Carriage 6 Carriage shaft 7 Guide shaft 10 Motor 11 Scale 12 Printer main body 13 Frame 16 Slider 17 Slit 18 Discharge roller 19 Discharge stacker 20 Lock lever 21 Recovery unit 22 Cap 23 Blade 24 Opening 25 Tube 26 Tube guide plate 27 Tube lever 28 Tube roller 29 Tube spring 31 Solenoid 32 Tube lever

Claims (11)

[Claims] A carriage for serially moving a recording head having ink discharge ports; a carriage moving member for moving the carriage along a recording medium;
A hollow flexible member extending along a moving area of the carriage moving member, an opening connected to the hollow flexible member, and pressing the hollow flexible member. A pressing member capable of generating a negative pressure in the opening by the pressing member pressing the hollow flexible member, and collecting ink mist floating in the image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus comprising: 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the opening also serves as a preliminary ejection receiver for the recording head. 3. A cap means capable of opening and closing an ink ejection port of the recording head, and an ejection recovery means for performing a specific ejection recovery process on the recording head to recover ink ejection from the ejection port. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the opening is provided near the cap unit. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the negative pressure is generated as the carriage moves away from the opening.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the negative pressure is generated as the carriage approaches the opening. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the hollow flexible member is arranged in a U-turn. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the openings are arranged on both sides of the recording medium. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the hollow flexible member is a tube. 9. An image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said tube is made of silicon or vinyl chloride. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording head has an electrothermal converter that generates thermal energy for discharging ink. 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the recording head generates bubbles in the ink using thermal energy, and discharges the ink as the bubbles are generated.