JP2001246759A - Ink-jet recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a suction recovery means which can simplify a constitution for bringing a cap close to and apart from a discharge opening face, and at the same time can both prevent a wiping means from cohering and sticking because of mixture of a color ink when a processing solution is used and simplify a constitution of the wiping means, thereby exerting a superior reliability. SOLUTION: There are provided a capping means for covering a recording head, the wiping means for wiping the recording head and a suction pump connected to the capping means for acting a negative pressure to discharge openings. The capping means moves with the recording head in the same direction thereby capping the recording head, and the wiping means moves in an arrangement direction of the discharge openings thereby wiping the recording head.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

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

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A recording apparatus having functions such as a printer, a copying machine, a facsimile or the like, or a recording apparatus used as an output apparatus such as a composite electronic apparatus including a computer or a word processor, or a workstation is provided with image information (recording information). The image (including characters, symbols, etc.) is recorded on a recording material (recording medium) such as paper, cloth, plastic sheet, OHP sheet, etc. The recording apparatus can be classified into an ink jet type, a wire dot type, a thermal type, a laser beam type and the like according to a recording method.

In a serial type recording apparatus that performs recording while performing main scanning in a direction intersecting the transport direction (paper feeding direction and sub-scanning direction) of the recording material, a carriage that moves in the main scanning direction along the recording material. An image is formed (recorded) by the recording means (recording head) mounted thereon, and after one line of image formation is completed, a predetermined amount of paper feed (pitch conveyance as sub-scanning) is performed, and then the operation is stopped again. By repeating the operation of recording (main scanning) the image of the next row on the recording material, the recording of the entire recording material is performed.
On the other hand, in a line type recording apparatus that performs recording only in the sub-scanning direction of a recording material (recording paper or the like) in the transport direction, the recording material is set at a predetermined recording position, and recording for one line is performed collectively. After that, a predetermined amount of paper feed (pitch feed) is performed, and further, the operation of collectively recording the next line is repeated, thereby recording the entire recording material.

Among them, an ink jet type recording apparatus (ink jet recording apparatus) performs recording by discharging ink from a recording head (recording means) to a recording material, and it is easy to make the recording head compact. It can record high-definition images at high speed, can record on plain paper without requiring special processing, has low running costs, is non-impact, has low noise, and has many types of It has the advantage that it is easy to form a color image using ink (for example, color ink).

As an energy generating element for generating energy used for discharging ink from a discharge port of an ink jet recording head, an element using an electromechanical transducer such as a piezo element, or heating by irradiating an electromagnetic wave such as a laser. Then, an ink droplet is ejected by the heat generation function, or a liquid is heated by an electrothermal converter having a heat generating resistor. Among them, an ink jet type recording head that discharges ink as droplets by using thermal energy can perform high-resolution recording because discharge ports can be arranged at high density. In particular, among them, a recording head using an electrothermal transducer element as an energy generating element can be easily miniaturized, and IC technology and micro-machining technology, which are remarkable in recent advances in technology in the field of semiconductors and remarkable improvement in reliability. This is advantageous because the advantages of the above can be fully utilized, high-density mounting is easy, and the manufacturing cost is low.

There are various requirements for the material of the recording material. In recent years, developments have been made to meet these requirements, and paper (including thin paper and processed paper) which is a general recording material has been developed.
In addition to paper and resin thin plates (OHP, etc.), recording devices using cloth, leather, nonwoven fabric, metal, or the like as a recording material have come to be used.

In the recording means (recording head) of the ink jet recording apparatus, the ink discharge section is generally constituted by a plurality of fine discharge ports, and the recording means having such a plurality of discharge ports has the following causes. May cause ink ejection failure. That is, first, the viscosity of the ink in the ejection port is increased or fixed due to the evaporation of the ink from the ejection port that has not been used for a long time. Second, thickening (increase in viscosity) of the ink in the ejection port in a low-temperature environment. Third, air bubbles generated in the ink inside the print head that have not been used for a long time. Fourthly, in a recording head utilizing foaming in the ink due to heat, bubbles in the ink generated due to a decrease in the gas solubility in the ink accompanying an increase in the temperature of the ink. Fifth, in an ink jet recording apparatus of a replaceable ink tank type, bubbles in the ink flow path caused by air entering the print head when the ink tank is replaced.

As means for avoiding ink ejection failure due to these causes, a cap is brought into close contact with the recording means (recording head) to seal the ejection port portion, and suction force generating means (negative pressure generating means) connected to the cap is used. There is known suction recovery means for performing a process for forcibly sucking (discharging) ink from the ejection port by operating the means) and filling the ejection port with ink in the ink storage unit. In addition, the suction recovery means is provided with a wiping means for wiping the discharge port surface of the recording means, in addition to the capping means and the suction force generating means (suction pump or the like).

In an ink jet recording apparatus using a plurality of kinds of inks and a plurality of recording means for colorization and high image quality, a capping means is generally provided for each recording means. Further, as one configuration of the capping unit, the recording unit is moved in the main scanning direction while a part of the recording unit or the carriage is in contact with a part of the capping unit so that the predetermined recording unit is capped. There is something. According to such a configuration, since a driving mechanism for capping is not required,
There is an advantage that the capping means can be provided by a simple mechanism.

On the other hand, as a recording technique for preventing water bleeding of plain paper in an ink jet recording apparatus, preventing bleeding between colors in a color image, or improving the robustness of a recorded image, a recording method in which ink and a processing liquid are applied in a superposed manner. There is a method. Documents disclosing an ink jet recording apparatus using such a treatment liquid include, for example, JP-A-53-24.
486, JP-A-54-43733, JP-A-55-150396, and JP-A-58-128862.
No. Gazette. In addition, as a capping unit, a suction pump, a wiping unit, and a preliminary ejection mechanism in an ink jet recording apparatus that ejects ink and a processing liquid, those having a configuration in which ink and a processing liquid are used independently and dedicated are used. As a document showing such a configuration, for example, there is JP-A-8-281968.

[0011]

In particular, with respect to wiping means for wiping (wiping and cleaning) the ejection surface of the recording head, aggregation in the mechanism caused by mixing of the ink and the processing liquid after wiping is performed. In order to prevent sticking, there have been proposed a first wiping method in which wiping is performed in the main scanning direction of a carriage (recording head) and a second wiping method in which the wiping directions are different between ink and processing liquid. However, in the related art, it is difficult to achieve both a measure for preventing cohesion and sticking in the wiping mechanism and a measure for simplifying the configuration of the wiping mechanism, and it is still insufficient in terms of achieving both.

Further, in a configuration in which a plurality of ejection port arrays (ejection port groups) are provided for a plurality of inks in one recording head (inkjet head) with the improvement in image quality, the configuration of the wiping means is further complicated. It was likely to be. Therefore, even in the case of using an ink jet recording head provided with a plurality of ejection port arrays in accordance with high image quality, a wiping means capable of achieving both prevention of aggregation and fixation of the wiping means and simplicity of the wiping mechanism is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-21749.
No. 4 proposes this. In this conventional wiping means, a method is employed in which a wiping member is moved in a direction of an ejection port array of a recording head (an arrangement direction of ejection ports). However, in the conventional recovery mechanism (recovery means), when wiping the discharge port surface of the print head with the wiping member, the wiping member is moved by the wiping member in order to avoid interference with the capping means. I need to go further back. Therefore, a driving mechanism for the capping means is required, and there is a technical problem to be solved in that the structure of the recovery mechanism is complicated and large.

The present invention has been made in view of such technical problems, and an object of the present invention is to simplify the structure of the capping means, prevent the wiping means from coagulating and sticking due to the incorporation of the processing solution, and prevent the capping means from adhering. An object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus which can achieve both simplification of the configuration of the wiping means and further improvement in reliability.

[0014]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink jet recording apparatus for performing recording by discharging ink from a reciprocating recording means to a recording material in order to achieve the above object. Capping means for capping the exit surface, and wiping means for wiping the ejection port surface of the recording means when the recording means is stopped, wherein the capping means is in the moving direction of the recording means. By moving in the same direction, capping of the discharge port surface of the recording means is performed, and the wiping means performs wiping of the discharge port surface by moving in the arrangement direction of the discharge ports of the recording means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink jet recording apparatus for performing recording by ejecting ink from a reciprocating recording means to a recording material in order to achieve the above object, wherein a negative pressure is applied to an ejection port of the recording means. A suction recovery means for maintaining and recovering the ink discharge performance by sucking the ink to act, the suction recovery means comprising a capping means for capping the discharge port surface of the recording means, and the recording means being stopped. Wiping means for wiping the discharge port surface of the recording means when the recording means is in operation, and suction negative pressure generating means connected to the capping means for applying a negative pressure to the discharge ports, The capping unit performs capping of the discharge port surface of the recording unit by moving in the same direction as the moving direction of the recording unit, and the wiping unit performs And performing wiping of the discharge port surface by moving in the arrangement direction of the discharge ports of the recording means.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts. FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing a schematic configuration of one embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 3 is a carriage in the ink jet recording apparatus of FIG. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a configuration of a tank. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a recording head 8 as recording means can be mounted on the carriage 6. The carriage 6 further includes a discharge port array of the processing liquid S, a discharge port array of the black ink Bk, and a color from the side closer to the recording area (the right side in FIGS. 2 and 3) when located at the home position (HP). A color recording head 8 in which ejection ports of inks Y, M, and C are arranged side by side;
An ink tank 9 composed of an ink tank 9S for the processing liquid S, an ink tank 9Bk for the black ink, and ink tanks 9C, 9M and 9Y for the color ink, which are arranged corresponding to these ejection port arrays, can be mounted.

The recording means (recording head) 8 is a normal recording head. As shown in FIG. 7 described later, the recording head 8 has a discharge port array of the processing liquid S and a discharge port array of the black ink Bk. And three ejection port arrays of color inks Y, M, and C are arranged side by side, and among these, the ejection port arrays of the color inks Y, M, and C are arranged substantially vertically on one straight line. And the respective ejection port arrays of yellow, magenta, and cyan inks. The recording head 8 is connected to the carriage 6 via a connector 6022.
The recording head 8 has an ink tank 9 for a processing liquid.
S and black ink tanks 9Bk and color ink tanks 9C, 9M, and 9Y.
030S, black 8030Bk, cyan 8030C,
Magenta 8030M, yellow 8030Y), from which the recording head 8 passes through the ink flow path in the recording head 8.
The ink is supplied to the common liquid chamber and each of the ejection ports.

The recording means (recording head) 8 is an ink jet recording head which selectively discharges ink from a plurality of discharge ports to record by applying energy according to a recording signal. The recording head 8 is an ink jet recording means for discharging ink using thermal energy, and includes an electrothermal converter for generating thermal energy. Further, the recording head 8 performs recording by ejecting ink from an ejection port by utilizing a pressure change caused by growth and shrinkage of bubbles caused by film boiling caused by thermal energy applied by the electrothermal transducer. It is. The electrothermal transducer is provided corresponding to each of the ejection ports, and discharges ink from the corresponding ejection port by applying a pulse voltage to the corresponding electrothermal transducer in accordance with a recording signal.

FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view schematically showing the structure of an ink ejection section (one ejection port array) of the recording means (recording head) 8. In FIG. 8, an ink discharge surface (discharge port surface) 8 facing a recording material (a recording medium such as recording paper) with a predetermined gap (for example, about 0.3 to 2.0 mm).
1, a plurality of discharge ports 82 are formed at a predetermined pitch,
An electrothermal converter (heating resistor, etc.) 85 for generating energy for ink discharge is provided along the wall surface of each liquid path 84 that communicates the common liquid chamber 83 and each discharge port 82.

In this embodiment, the recording head 8 is mounted on the carriage 6 in such a manner that the ejection openings 82 are arranged in a direction crossing the main scanning movement direction (the movement direction of the carriage 2). . In this manner, the corresponding electrothermal transducer 85 is driven (pulse voltage is applied) based on the image signal or the ejection signal to cause the ink in the liquid path 84 to boil, and the pressure generated at that time causes the ink from the ejection port 82 to pass through the ejection port 82. A recording means (recording head) 8 for discharging droplets is configured.

In FIG. 2, a guide shaft 4 and a support shaft 103 for slidably guiding and supporting the carriage 6 are provided on both side walls of the substantially U-shaped chassis 1. The driving force of the carriage 6 that reciprocates on these shafts in the main scanning direction is given from the carriage motor 104 via the driving belt 10. The recording material is nipped and conveyed by a conveyance roller (platen roller) 2 and a pinch roller 3 using an LF motor as a drive source, as shown in FIG. 2, and the recording material is conveyed onto a platen 16. At this time, the recording head 8 mounted on the carriage 6
The recording portion protrudes downward from the carriage 6, and the discharge port surface 81 of the recording head 8 faces the recording material (recording paper or the like) on the platen 16 in parallel to perform recording. A recovery unit (suction recovery means) 15 is provided at a home position on the left side of the recording apparatus.

FIG. 1 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing the structure of a suction recovery means (recovery system unit) 15 of an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied. In FIG. 1, the suction recovery means 15 includes a processing liquid cap 113, a black ink cap 112, and a color ink cap 11 corresponding to the configuration of the recording head 8 from the right in FIG.
4 and 115 are provided. These caps 11
Capping means is constituted by 3, 112, 114 and 115. Here, the cap 11 for the processing liquid is used.
The cap 3 for black ink and the cap 112 for black ink are caps that serve both as a suction cap and a leaving cap, and the caps 114 and 115 for color ink are dedicated to leaving caps. Therefore, the suction of the color ink from the recording head 8 is performed using the cap 112 for the black ink. The capping means is provided for the ejection port 8 of the recording head 8.
2. Capping around the discharge port in order to generate a negative pressure in the discharge port 2 and to protect the discharge port 82 from drying out and foreign matter from adhering near the discharge port. .

Each cap 113, 112, 114, 11
5 is a cap holder 123, 122, 124, 12
5 is attached to the cap base 131. In addition, the cap holders 123, 122, 12
4 and 125 are urged upward by an elastic force by cap springs 133, 132, 134 and 135 mounted between the cap base 131 and the cap base 131.
Each cap is pressed against a corresponding recording head 8. The cap base 131 is engaged with guide portions (guide grooves or guide rails) 132A, 132B formed on the recovery system base 130 via the support pin portions 131A, 131B. On the other hand, it is guided and supported so as to be movable in the same direction as the moving direction of the recording head 8 (carriage 6) and to be movable in the direction (up and down direction in the figure) approaching and separating from the recording head 8.

The cap base 131 is urged by the cap slide spring 136 toward the recording area (to the left in the drawing) with respect to the recovery system base 130. The cap base 131 has a contact rib 131C that can contact the recording head 8 or the carriage 6.
Is provided. Then, when the recording head 8 (carriage 6) moves and the carriage (or recording head) comes into contact with the contact rib 131C, the cap base 131 is moved to the guide portion 13 of the recovery system base 130.
The print head 8 moves in the same direction as the carriage movement direction along 2A and 132B, and the recording head 8 naturally moves in the same direction. In this case, when the recording head 8 moves to the capping position, the cap base 131 moves in the direction (upward) toward the recording head 8, and the cap holders 122 to 125 are moved.
, The caps 112 to 115 move upward and come into close contact with the ejection port surfaces 81 of the recording heads 8 to perform capping. Note that the above movement of the cap base 131 is as follows.
The driving may be performed using a driving source independent of a driving source for moving the recording head 8 (or the carriage 6).
By using the drive source for moving the carriage, the structure can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

In the recovery system unit 15, the cap 113 for the processing liquid and the cap 112 for the black ink are provided with the cap holders 123 and 12 respectively.
2, a pump unit (suction force generating means) 119
Tubes 145 and 146. The pump unit 119 sucks ink from the ejection openings 82 of the recording head 8 by bonding (adhering) the cap unit (capping means) and the recording head 8 when an ejection failure occurs in the recording head 8. This is for generating a negative pressure (suction force) at the time of suction recovery processing or the like. In the present embodiment, suction force generating means (pump unit)
As 119, a tube pump is used.

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of the suction force generation means 119, and FIG. 5 is a plan sectional view of the suction force generation means 119 of FIG. 1, 4 and 5, a pump unit 119 as a suction negative pressure generating means includes elastic tubes 145 and 146, a pressing member supporting member (roller holder).
144, a pressure member (roller) 147 and the like. The roller holder 144 is rotatably supported by a recovery system base 130 as a base member of suction recovery means. The elastic tubes 145 and 146 are guided in parallel by the roller holder 144 in the direction of arrow 144A (FIG. 4), and are supported in a U-shape along the guide (first pressure guide) 130A of the recovery system base 130. Have been.

Then, when the roller holder (pressing member supporting member) 144 is rotated, the elastic tubes 145 and 146 are rotated.
Guide of recovery system base 130 (first pressure guide) 1
While crushing between the support surface of 30A and the roller (pressing member) 147 supported by the roller holder 144, a negative pressure is generated in the cap by squeezing these tubes 145 and 146. Here, the arrow 144B indicates the rotation direction (roller 1) of the pressure member support member (roller holder) 144.
47 ironing direction). L1 indicates a region to be crushed by the roller 147 to generate a negative pressure, and L2 indicates a region from the capping unit to the crush. The ends 145A and 146A of the elastic tubes 145 and 146 are connected to the cap holders 123 and 122. The other ends 145B of the elastic tubes 145 and 146
And 146B are on the waste ink absorber 401 and are connected to guide the waste ink.

A pump unit 119 serving as a suction negative pressure generating means is provided with a tube 145 dedicated to the processing liquid and a tube 146 for the ink independently of each other.
The waste liquid sucked in is sent to a waste liquid tank (for example, the waste ink absorber 401) through independent paths. This is to prevent insolubilization due to contact between the processing liquid and the color ink in the caps 112 and 113 and the pump unit 119. Here, the case where the pump unit 119 has two systems, one for the processing liquid and the other for the color ink, is shown.
An independent pump unit may be provided for 113, 114, and 115.

FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view showing the structure of the wiping mechanism of the recovery system unit 15, and FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the wiping operation. 1, 6 and 7, a recovery system unit 15 as a suction recovery unit further includes a processing liquid blade (wiping member) 117 for wiping an ejection port of the processing liquid recording head, and a color ink recording head. A color ink blade (wiping member) 118 for wiping the discharge port is provided. The processing liquid blade (first blade) 117 is separately provided downstream of the processing liquid ejection port row in the paper transport direction, and the color ink blade (second blade) 118 is separately provided downstream of the black ink ejection port row in the paper transport direction. It is arranged. Here, the color ink blade 118 moves in the direction in which the ejection port arrays are arranged, and as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the dark ink (Bk, C, M) of the normal recording head 8 is moved. , Y, etc.).

Reference numeral 1119 denotes an optional recording head 8
8 is a blade (third blade) for wiping the ejection port array of 8 light inks (light C, light M, light Y), and is disposed on the left side of the color ink blade 118 with a displacement of the ejection port array pitch. I have. These blades 117, 118, 11
Reference numeral 19 denotes a blade for wiping the color ink and the processing liquid adhered to the discharge port surface of the recording head, and is a blade formed of an elastic member such as rubber. The wiping means including the wiping members 117, 118, and 1119 described above wipes (wipes) the corresponding ejection port array (around the ejection ports) of the recording head 8 (carriage 6) when the recording head 8 is stopped. Cleaning).

1 and 6, the blade 117,
118, 1119 are guide portions 1 of the recovery system base 130.
30G is attached to a blade arm 142 which is attached to the recording head 8 so as to be movable in parallel. Further, the blades 117, 118, 1
The amount of intrusion, the contact angle, and the contact pressure of 119 are normally and constantly controlled by the guide portion 130G. A rack gear 142G is provided on a part of the blade arm 142, and the blade arm 142 is connected to the drive gear 153 in a state where the blade arm 142 is urged leftward by a coil spring (wiper spring) 152 in FIG. .

Each wiping member (wiper blade) 1
When the coil springs (wiper springs) 152 are urged in the leftward direction in FIG. 6 (the coil springs 152 are not yet tightly wound) by the coil springs (wiper springs) 152, they are not in contact with the recording head 8 ( It is located at the first retreat position A). The recovery system base 130 includes
A stopper 130S for regulating the retreat position (first retreat position A) of the blade arm 142 is provided.

The rotation of the drive gear 153 driven by the drive source causes the blade arm 142 to move in parallel with the recording head 8 on the recovery system base 130 (toward the right in FIG. 6). The blade arm 142 moves a sufficient stroke with respect to the ejection port array, and the wiping members (blades) 117, 118, and 1119 move
Is further moved to the right side position from the non-contact position (second retreat position B) on the opposite side of the drive gear 153, the toothless portion 1 of the drive gear 153
When 53K faces the rack gear 142G, the drive is cut off, and the blade arm 142 (therefore, the wiping members 117, 118, and 1119) is urged leftward in FIG. It returns to the retreat position A (return movement).

In FIG. 7 showing the wiping operation, when the recording head 8 is moved to a predetermined position when the blade arm 142 (FIG. 6) is at the first retreat position A or the second retreat position B, the wiping member 117, 118, 1119
Is selected, and the wiping member is moved in the direction of the discharge port array, whereby a predetermined discharge port surface can be wiped. When the number of wiping members (blades) corresponding to the number of the ejection port arrays is provided, all the ejection port surfaces can be wiped at the same time without moving the position of the recording head 8.

FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view showing the drive switching means between the suction negative pressure generating means (pump unit) 119 and the wiping means, and FIG. 10 is a schematic sectional view of the drive switching means in FIG. 9 and 10, the recovery system base 130 includes idle gears 201 and 20.
2, 205, a sun gear 203, and a switching arm 206 are rotatably supported. The switching arm 206
The planetary gear 204 has a friction spring 20
7 and rotatably supported in a state of being urged.
The bush nut 208 is press-fitted and fixed to the shaft of the switching arm 206 to prevent the planetary gear 204 from falling out.

When the idle gear 205 rotates in the direction of the arrow 205A under the drive of a drive motor (not shown), the switching arm 206 rotates in the direction of the arrow 206A, and the rotation of the planetary gear 204 is driven by the idle gear 201.
Is transmitted to The rotational drive of the idle gear 201 is transmitted to the suction negative pressure generating means (pump unit) 119 via a gear train (not shown). Conversely, by rotating the drive motor in the reverse direction, the idle gear 205
Is turned in the direction of arrow 205B, the switching arm 20
6 rotates in the direction of the arrow 206 </ b> B, and the rotational drive of the planetary gear 204 is transmitted to the idle gear 202. The rotational drive of the idle gear 202 is transmitted to the above-described wiping means via a gear train (not shown).

According to the above-described embodiment, in an ink jet recording apparatus which performs recording by discharging ink from a recording means 8 mounted on a reciprocating carriage 6 to a recording material, a discharge port 82 of the recording means 8 is used. A suction recovery means 15 for maintaining and recovering the ink discharge performance by applying a negative pressure to the ink to maintain the ink discharge performance, and the suction recovery means 15 for capping the discharge port surface 81 of the recording means 8. Means 112, 113, 114, 1
15 and a wiping unit 1 for wiping the discharge port surface 81 of the recording unit when the recording unit 8 is stopped.
17, 118, and 1119, and suction negative pressure generating means 119 connected to the capping means for applying a negative pressure to the discharge port 82, wherein the capping means has a direction in which the recording means 8 moves. By moving in the same direction, the ejection port surface 81 of the recording unit is capped, and the wiping unit is connected to the ejection port 82 of the recording unit 8.
The wiping of the discharge port surface 81 is performed by moving the discharge port surface 81 in the arrangement direction, so that the configuration of the capping unit is simplified, and at the same time, the wiping unit is prevented from coagulating and sticking due to the mixing of the processing liquid, and the configuration of the wiping unit is simplified. The present invention provides an ink jet recording apparatus provided with suction recovery means capable of achieving both compatibility and improvement in reliability.

According to the embodiment described above, in addition to the above configuration, the recording means 8 is mounted on the reciprocating carriage 6 and moves with the movement of the carriage. A configuration in which the ejection port surface 81 is capped by moving in the same direction as the recording means by the movement of the means 8, and the recording means 8 is appropriately combined with one or a plurality of recording means using ink or processing liquid. Since the recording means 8 has a plurality of ejection orifices for ejecting different inks or processing liquids, the recording means 8 can more efficiently simplify the structure of the capping means and at the same time mix the processing liquid. To prevent cohesion and sticking of the wiping means and simplify the configuration of the wiping means, thereby further improving the reliability. An ink jet recording apparatus having a suction recovery means can is provided.

FIG. 11 shows a second example of the suction recovery means (recovery unit) 15 of the ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the example. In the configuration of FIG. 11, the blades 117, 1
Reference numerals 18 and 1119 are attached to a recovery system base 130, and a rack gear 142 is attached to a part of the recovery system base 130.
G is provided, and the drive gear 153 (FIG. 6) meshes with the rack gear 142G. Therefore, by driving the drive gear 153 by a drive source (not shown), the blades 117, 118, and 1119 of the wiping unit are moved in the direction of the respective ejection port arrays of the recording head 8 in the same manner as described with reference to FIG. Can be moved. By moving the wiping means, it is possible to wipe each ejection port surface of the recording head.

The second embodiment shown in FIG. 11 is similar to FIGS.
Although it differs from the first embodiment of FIG. 10, it has substantially the same configuration in other respects, and the corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. According to the second embodiment of FIG. 11, a member corresponding to the blade arm 142 in the first embodiment can be omitted, and therefore,
In addition to obtaining the same effects as those of the first embodiment, there is an effect that the structure can be further simplified.

FIG. 12 shows a third example of the suction recovery means (recovery unit) 15 of the ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 13 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the embodiment, and FIG. 13 shows wiping members (blades) 117 and 11 in FIG.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which cleaning is performed on Nos. 8, 1119. In the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, each wiping member 117, 118, 1119 has a cap base 131.
And a rack gear 142G is provided on a part of the recovery system base 130.
The drive gear 153 (FIG. 6) meshes with 2G. Therefore, the drive gear 153 is driven by a drive source (not shown).
By driving the respective blades 11 of the wiping means in accordance with the movement of the capping means described with reference to FIG.
7, 118 and 1119 can be moved in the direction of each ejection port array of the recording head 8. By moving the wiping means, it is possible to wipe each ejection port surface of the recording head.

On the other hand, at the time of capping, that is, the moving recording head 8 (carriage 6) is brought into contact with the contact rib 131.
C, the blades 117, 118, and 119 serving as the wiping means are attached to the caps 113 and 118, respectively.
As in the case of 112, 114, and 115, the recording head 8 (carriage 6) moves in the same direction as the recording head 8 and moves toward the recording head 8 (in the illustrated example, moves upward). Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, each of the blades 117,
Cleaners 217, 218, and 2119 for cleaning (cleaning) 118 and 1119 are provided, and each of the blades is attached to the cleaner using the above-described movement of each blade (see the arrow in FIG. 13). By contacting (rubbing), it is configured to remove (clean) ink or other foreign matter attached to each blade.

The third embodiment shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 is different from the above-described embodiment in the above-described points, but has substantially the same configuration in other respects. The same reference numerals are used, and their detailed description is omitted. According to the third embodiment of FIGS. 12 and 13, the wiping means 117, 118, and 1119 move the recording means 8 to move the capping means 112, 113, 114, and 1.
In conjunction with the movement of the cap 15 toward the discharge port surface 81 and capping, each of the discharge port surfaces is wiped, and at the same time, contacts the cleaner 217, 218, or 2119 provided on the recording means 8 or the carriage 6. Since it is configured to be cleaned, in addition to the effects of the above-described embodiment,
The wiping means can be cleaned with a simple structure, and the wiping performance of the wiping means with respect to the discharge port surface 81 (the performance of wiping and cleaning) can always be kept good.

FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view showing the main structure of the suction recovery means (recovery system unit) 15 of the ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied. In the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 14, each of the wiping members 11
7, 118 and 1119 are caps 112, 113 and 1 respectively.
14, 115 cap holders 122, 123, 12
4, 125 attached to the recovery base 130
Is provided with a rack gear 142G (FIGS. 11 and 12), and the drive gear 153 (FIG. 6) meshes with the rack gear 142G. Therefore, by driving the drive gear 153 by a drive source (not shown),
Each blade 117, 118, 1119 of the wiping means
Together with the caps 112, 113, 114, and 115 can be moved toward the respective ejection port surfaces of the recording head 8 to rub against the ejection port surfaces. By moving the wiping means, it is possible to wipe each ejection port surface of the recording head.

On the other hand, at the time of capping, that is, the moving recording head 8 (carriage 6) is brought into contact with the contact rib 131.
C, the blades 117, 118, and 1119 serving as the wiping means are attached to the caps 11 at the time of the capping described above, in which the cap base 131 is moved in the same direction with respect to the recovery system base 130 by contact with the recovery system base 130.
Similarly to 2, 113, 114, and 115, the print head 8 (carriage 6) moves in the same direction as the print head 8 and moves toward the print head 8 (ascends in the illustrated example). Therefore, in this embodiment, the blades 117, 118, and 1119 are attached to the recording head 8 or the carriage 6.
Cleaner 21 for cleaning (cleaning)
7, 218, and 2119 are provided, and accordingly, each blade is brought into contact with the cleaner portion (sliding) using the movement of each blade (similar to the movement shown by the arrow in FIG. 13).
By doing so, it is possible to remove (clean) foreign substances such as ink adhered to the respective blades.

Further, each of the caps 112, 113, 11
4 and 115 and the blades 117, 118 and 1119 are made of the same thermoplastic elastomer, so that each cap and each blade can be attached to each cap holder 122, 12
3, 124, 125, it is possible to improve the assemblability and reduce the cost. Also, by integrating (integrally molding) the cap and the blade, it is possible to improve the incorporation and reduce the cost.

The fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 14 is different from the above-described embodiment in the points described above, but has substantially the same configuration in other respects, and the corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. And a detailed description thereof will be omitted. And FIG.
According to the fourth embodiment, the wiping means 117, 1
18 and 1119, the capping means 112, 113, 114, and 115 are moved by the movement of the recording
In conjunction with the movement that moves toward and caps,
While wiping each discharge port surface, the cleaner units 217 and 21 provided on the recording unit 8 or the carriage 6 are provided.
8 and 2119, the wiping means can be cleaned with a simple structure in addition to the effects of the above-described embodiment, and the wiping performance of the wiping means against the discharge port surface 81 (wiping performance) An advantage is obtained that the cleaning performance can always be maintained satisfactorily.

In the above embodiment, the case where the recording means 8 is mounted on the reciprocating carriage 6 has mainly been described. However, the present invention is similarly applied to a configuration in which the recording means (recording head) itself is reciprocated. The same operation and effect can be obtained. Also, the present invention provides
When using multiple recording units, when using a plurality of recording units for color recording that records with inks of different colors, or when using a plurality of recording units that perform gradation recording with the same color and different densities, Can be similarly applied to a case where a plurality of recording means combining these are used, and the same effect can be achieved. Further, the present invention can be applied to a recording unit that discharges one or a plurality of processing liquids in the same manner as in the case of a normal recording ink, and has the same effect.

Further, the present invention provides a recording head (recording means)
The use of a replaceable inkjet cartridge type recording means integrating the ink tank and the ink tank, the recording head and the ink tank are separated, and the connection between them by a tube for ink supply, etc. The present invention can be similarly applied to any arrangement configuration, and the same effect can be obtained. The present invention can be applied to a case where the ink jet recording apparatus uses a recording unit using an electromechanical transducer such as a piezo element, and the same effects can be obtained.

[0050]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention (claim 1), in an ink jet recording apparatus for recording by discharging ink from a reciprocating recording means to a recording material, Capping means for capping the discharge port surface, and wiping means for wiping the discharge port surface of the recording means when the recording means is stopped, wherein the capping means is a moving direction of the recording means. Since the capping of the ejection port surface of the recording means is performed by moving in the same direction as the above, and the wiping means is configured to perform wiping of the ejection port face by moving in the arrangement direction of the ejection ports of the recording means. At the same time as simplifying the configuration of the capping means, it is also possible to prevent the wiping means from coagulating and sticking due to the mixing of the processing liquid and to simplify the configuration of the wiping means. It is possible to achieve both reduction, an ink jet recording apparatus is provided which can be improved further reliability.

According to another aspect of the present invention (claim 2), in an ink jet recording apparatus for performing recording by discharging ink from a reciprocating recording means to a recording material, a negative pressure is applied to a discharge port of the recording means. Suction recovery means for maintaining and recovering the ink discharge performance by suctioning the ink, the suction recovery means being provided with capping means for capping the discharge port surface of the recording means, and the recording means being stopped. Wiping means for wiping the discharge port surface of the recording means when the recording means is in operation, and suction negative pressure generating means connected to the capping means for applying a negative pressure to the discharge port, wherein the capping is performed. The means performs capping of the discharge port surface of the recording means by moving in the same direction as the moving direction of the recording means, and the wiping means performs the recording means. Since the configuration is such that wiping of the discharge port surface is performed by moving in the arrangement direction of the discharge ports, the configuration of the capping means is simplified, and at the same time, the aggregation of the wiping means due to the mixing of the processing liquid is prevented and the configuration of the wiping means is reduced. There is provided an ink jet recording apparatus provided with suction recovery means capable of achieving both simplification and further improving reliability.

According to the invention of claims 3 to 7, in addition to the constitution of claim 1 or 2, the recording means is mounted on a reciprocating carriage and moves with the movement of the carriage. The means is configured to move the recording means in the same direction as the recording means to perform capping of the discharge port surface, and the wiping means moves the recording means so that the capping means moves toward the discharge port surface. A configuration in which the cleaning unit contacts the cleaner unit provided on the recording unit or the carriage and is cleaned in conjunction with a movement of moving and capping; the recording unit is one or more of a recording unit using ink or a processing liquid; Or the recording means may include a plurality of ejection port groups for ejecting different inks or processing liquids. Since the configuration and the to, ink jet recording apparatus is provided which can achieve the above effects more efficiently.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing the configuration of a first embodiment of suction recovery means of an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing a configuration of a carriage, a recording head mountable on the carriage, and an ink tank in the inkjet recording apparatus of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view showing a structure of a pump unit as a suction negative pressure generating unit in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a schematic plan sectional view of the pump unit of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a configuration of a wiping mechanism of the suction recovery unit (recovery system unit) of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a wiping operation of a wiping unit of the suction recovery unit (recovery system unit) of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view schematically showing a structure of an ink ejection unit of the recording unit in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view showing drive switching means between suction negative pressure generating means and wiping means.

FIG. 10 is a schematic sectional view of the drive switching means of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing a configuration of a second embodiment of the suction recovery means of the ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 12 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing a configuration of a third embodiment of a suction recovery unit of an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the wiping member (blade) in FIG. 12 is cleaned.

FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view showing a main configuration of a suction recovery unit of the ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 1 chassis 2 conveyance roller 4 guide shaft 6 carriage 8 recording means (recording head) 9 ink tank 10 drive belt 15 suction recovery means (recovery system unit) 16 platen 81 discharge port surface 82 discharge port 85 electrothermal converter 103 support shaft 104 Carriage motor 112, 113 Suction cap 113, 115 Leaving cap 117, 118, 1119 Wiping member (blade) 119 Suction negative pressure generating means (pump unit) 122, 123, 124, 125 Cap holder 130 Recovery system base 130A Pressure guide 130G Guide portion 130S Stopper portion 131 Cap base 131A, 131B Support pin 131C Contact rib 132A, 132B Guide portion (guide groove) 132, 133, 134, 135 Cap bar F 142 blade arm 142G rack gear 144 pressing member support member (roller holder) 145, 146 tube 147 pressing member (roller) 152 wiper spring 153 drive gear 153K missing tooth portions 201, 202, 205 idle gear 203 sun gear 204 planetary gear 206 Switching arm 217, 218, 2119 Cleaner unit 401 Waste ink tank

Claims (9)

[Claims] In an ink jet recording apparatus for performing recording by discharging ink from a reciprocating recording means to a recording material, a capping means for capping an ejection port surface of the recording means and the recording means are stopped. A wiping unit for wiping an ejection port surface of the recording unit, wherein the capping unit caps the ejection port surface of the recording unit by moving in the same direction as the moving direction of the recording unit. An ink jet recording apparatus, wherein the wiping unit performs wiping of a discharge port surface by moving in a direction in which the discharge ports of the recording unit are arranged. 2. An ink jet recording apparatus for performing recording by discharging ink from a reciprocating recording means to a recording material, wherein a negative pressure is applied to a discharge port of the recording means to suck the ink to thereby achieve ink discharge performance. Suction recovery means for maintaining and recovering, the suction recovery means, the capping means for capping the discharge port surface of the recording means, and the discharge port surface of the recording means when the recording means is stopped Wiping means for wiping, and suction negative pressure generating means connected to the capping means for applying a negative pressure to the discharge port, wherein the capping means is in the same direction as the moving direction of the recording means. The wiping means moves in the direction of arrangement of the discharge ports of the recording means. And an wiping of the discharge port surface. 3. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording unit is mounted on a reciprocating carriage and moves with the movement of the carriage. 4. The capping device according to claim 1, wherein the capping means moves the recording means in the same direction as the recording means to cap the discharge port surface. Ink jet recording device. 5. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the wiping unit moves the capping unit toward a discharge port surface by the movement of the recording unit and caps the cleaning unit provided in the recording unit or the carriage. The cleaning is performed by abutting.
5. The ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of 4. 6. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said recording means is constituted by appropriately combining one or more of recording means using ink or processing liquid. . 7. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said recording means has a plurality of ejection port groups for ejecting different inks or processing liquids. 8. The ink-jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said recording means is an ink-jet recording means having an electrothermal converter for generating thermal energy used for discharging ink. Recording device. 9. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said recording means discharges the ink from a discharge port using film boiling generated in the ink by thermal energy generated by the electrothermal transducer. .