JP2001253091A - Apparatus for maintaining and recovering print mechanism and ink jet recorder comprising it - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus for maintaining and recovering a print mechanism in which ejection of ink can be stabilized while suppressing waste of ink without increasing the body size or the cost of parts. SOLUTION: The apparatus for maintaining and recovering a print mechanism comprises first enclosing means (9a, 9b) covering the nozzle face of an ink jet head entirely, a second enclosing means (8a, 8b) covering the nozzle disposed in the first enclosing means, means for controlling interconnection of the first and second enclosing means to open or close depending on the ink suction operation, and suction pipes (10a, 10b) provided for the first enclosing means in order to interconnect the first enclosing means and a common suction pump.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing mechanism maintenance / recovery apparatus and an ink jet recording apparatus using the same.
In particular, the present invention relates to an improvement in a printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device for maintaining and recovering the ejection state of an ink head of an inkjet recording apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an ink jet recording apparatus, when the apparatus is in a rest state, a carriage including a head is waiting at a home position. Clogging may occur due to adhesion of foreign matter. In addition, a normal ink jetting cannot be performed due to an air damper phenomenon due to the generation of air bubbles inside the nozzle, so that a cap for sealing the nozzle surface is covered. Further, the ink jet recording apparatus performs an operation of sucking out the ink filled in the head from the nozzle by a negative pressure generating means communicating with the inside of the cap as appropriate, so that bubbles in the liquid chamber, thickened ink, attached debris, etc. And a maintenance / recovery device is provided to make the ink jetting state stable.

[0003]

However, in the case of a color ink jet printer having a plurality of heads,
Since each head has a cap and suctions with a common pump connected to them, for example, in a color printer having four color heads of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow, even if it is intended to recover only black, cyan, magenta In addition, there is a first problem that the ink is wasted because the ink for three colors of yellow is sucked. Also, in order to accumulate the sucked waste ink in the waste liquid tank in the printer,
There is a second problem that a large waste liquid tank is inevitably required and the size of the main body becomes large. Furthermore, a large-sized pump is required to constantly suck ink for four colors, a large drive source motor is required, and a large-sized driver is required. There was a third problem that the cost was high.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve these problems, and it is intended to suppress the waste of ink, and to maintain and recover a printing mechanism for stabilizing ink ejection without increasing the size of the main body or the cost of parts. It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and an ink jet recording apparatus using the same.

[0005]

In order to solve the above problems, an ink jet recording apparatus which scans a print surface of a recording medium and discharges ink from a plurality of nozzles of an ink jet head to a desired position for recording is provided. According to the printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device of the present invention, the residual ink in the nozzle is suctioned and collected by one common suction pump to secure the flow path of each inkjet head, and the ejection of the inkjet head is stabilized. A first sealing unit that covers and seals the entire nozzle surface of the inkjet head; a second sealing unit that is provided inside the first sealing unit and covers and seals the nozzle; Communication control means for controlling the opening and closing of the communication with the sealing means according to the ink suction operation, and a suction pipe provided in the first sealing means and communicating with the common suction pump. In particular there is a feature. Therefore, it is not necessary to suction the ink for the head which does not require the maintenance and recovery operation, so that it is possible to prevent the waste of the ink, and accordingly, the waste liquid tank for storing the waste ink can be reduced, and the size of the entire apparatus can be reduced. Can be achieved.

Further, by providing an air release valve mechanism for releasing the inside of the first sealing means to the atmosphere, waste of ink due to unnecessary suction due to the remaining negative pressure state after ink suction, which is a maintenance and recovery operation, is completed. It can be prevented beforehand.

Further, by forming the first sealing means and the second sealing means in an integrated structure and further by using a cap-shaped elastic member, the cost of parts can be reduced.

The first sealing means and the second sealing means are arranged so that the cap opening end of the second sealing means does not contact the nozzle face when the cap opening end of the first sealing means contacts the nozzle face. It is desirable to provide a difference in the height of each cap opening end.

Further, it is desirable to provide a communication valve for controlling the opening and closing of the communication between the first sealing means and the second sealing means, and to open and close the communication valve in accordance with the suction operation.

In the suction operation, each operation is performed in such a manner that a first sealing operation for bringing the first sealing means into contact with the nozzle surface and a second sealing operation for bringing the second sealing means into contact with the nozzle surface are performed in this order. The first closed operation is completed and the predetermined amount of ink is sucked from the nozzle after the completion of the first closed operation, and only the predetermined amount of ink is discharged after the second closed operation is completed. It is desirable.

Further, at the end of the suction operation, the first separating operation for separating the second sealing means from the nozzle surface and the second separating operation for separating the first sealing means from the nozzle surface are performed in this order. A sealing operation control mechanism for controlling the operation, the sealing operation control mechanism includes a first moving mechanism for reciprocating the first sealing means with respect to the nozzle surface, and a second sealing means for the nozzle surface with respect to the nozzle surface It is desirable to have a second moving mechanism for reciprocating.

The first and second moving mechanisms move with a difference in height of the cam surface. The first and second moving mechanisms move with the elastic force of the elastic member. The elastic member is a compression spring. Therefore, it can be realized with a simple structure.

[0013] The ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention comprises:
It is characterized by having the above-mentioned printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A printing mechanism maintenance / recovery apparatus of the present invention is provided with first sealing means for covering and sealing the entire nozzle surface of an ink jet head, and provided inside the first sealing means for covering the nozzle. A second sealing means for sealing, a communication opening / closing control means for controlling opening / closing of communication between the first sealing means and the second sealing means in accordance with the ink suction operation, and a common sealing means provided for the first sealing means. A suction pipe communicating with the suction pump. Therefore, the operation of the head that sucks and the head that does not suck can be individually controlled even if they are communicated with the common suction pump, so that ink waste can be suppressed, the size can be reduced, and the cost of parts can be suppressed.

[0015]

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing the structure of an ink jet recording apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, an ink jet recording apparatus 31 for recording a color image has four ink cartridges 32 respectively containing inks of cyan C, magenta M, yellow Y and black BK, and a plurality of nozzles. Four recording heads 33 to which ink is supplied from each cartridge 32;
A carriage 34 on which the ink cartridge 32 and the ink jet head 33 are mounted, a transport roller 38 for transporting the recording paper from the paper feed trays 35a and 35b or the manual feed table 36 containing the recording paper to the printing unit 37, and a discharge of the printed recording paper It has a discharge roller 40 for discharging to the paper tray 39.
When printing the image data sent from the host device on the recording paper, the carriage 34 scans along the carriage roller 41 and prints the recording head 33 onto the recording paper sent to the printing unit 37 by the transport roller 38. A character or an image is recorded by ejecting ink from the nozzles according to the image data. At the home position of the carriage 34 that scans the recording head 33, a printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device shown in FIGS.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are sectional views showing the construction of a printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device according to a first embodiment of another invention.
The printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device of the first embodiment shown in both figures has a carriage 3 in which a main scanning rod 1 is fixed to a side plate 2 and travels in a main scanning direction.
Heads 4a, 4b and ink cartridges 5a, 5
b. Each of the heads 4a, 4b has a nozzle 6a, 6b (row) at the center of the nozzle surface 7a, 7b, and as shown in FIG. 9b from below by the outer cap lifts 13a, 13b.
b to seal the entire nozzle surface. Further, inside the outer caps 9a and 9b, there are provided inner caps 8a and 8b which are movable so as to come into contact with the nozzle surfaces 7a and 7b to seal the nozzles 6a and 6b. It is individually moved by the cap lifts 14a and 14b. The outer caps 9a and 9b are provided with suction tubes 10a and 1 in the cap which communicate with one pump 11.
0b are attached, and a negative pressure is generated in the outer caps 9a and 9b at the time of suction in the maintenance and recovery operation (negative pressure generation state). In the case of the head 4a in which the inner cap 8a is in close contact with the nozzle surface 7a in advance (see FIG. 3), no ink is sucked because no negative pressure is generated in the nozzle 6a.
On the other hand, in a state where the inner cap 8b is not in contact with the nozzle surface 7b, that is, in a state where the inner cap lift 14b is lowered, a negative pressure is applied to the nozzle 6b, so that the ink in the head 4b is sucked and ejected. Then, bubbles in the head liquid chamber (not shown), thickened ink, attached dust near the nozzles, and the like flow out together with the ink. The waste ink that has flowed out reaches the pump 11 through the suction tube 10b in the cap, and is stored in the appropriate waste liquid tank (not shown) from the waste liquid tube 12 as waste ink. In addition,
Since the plurality of outer caps 9a, 9b may be raised and lowered at the same time, the outer cap lifts 13a, 1
3b is desirably integrated for each color. However, the inner caps 8a and 8b can operate independently and freely for each color.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are sectional views showing the configuration of a printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
In the printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device of the second embodiment shown in both figures, the atmosphere opening tubes 15a, 15b provided for each of the outer caps 9a, 9b and the inside of the outer caps 9a, 9b are in a negative pressure state. Also have atmosphere release valves 16a and 16b that can be opened to the atmosphere. Atmospheric release valves 16a, 16
b, the interior of the outer caps 9a and 9b can be opened to the atmosphere even when the interior is in a negative pressure state. Therefore, as shown in FIG. It is possible to prevent a sudden pressure fluctuation and a turbulent flow in the outer caps 9a and 9b generated when the nozzle is removed from causing printing defects due to a phenomenon such as a breakage of the meniscus of the nozzle.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are sectional views showing the configuration of a printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
The printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device of the third embodiment shown in both figures comprises a cap 17a in which an inner cap 8'a and an outer cap 9'a are integrated, an inner cap 8'b and an outer cap 9 '. b and cap 1 having an integral structure
7b. In addition, the suction tube 10 in the cap
a and 10b are outer caps 9'a and 9'b, respectively.
And inside each of the inner caps 8'a and 8'b. Further, the inner cap 8'a and the outer cap 9'a are communicated by a tube having the inner and outer communication valve 18a interposed therebetween, and the inner cap 8'b and the outer cap 9'b are interposed by the inner and outer communication valve 18b. In the tube placed in Internal / external communication valve 18 for each head
a and 18b can operate independently for each color. In addition, each of the cap lifts 19a and 19b replaces each of the caps 17a and 17b with the head 4
This is a lift for pushing up on the sides a and 4b. In the printing mechanism maintenance / recovery apparatus of the third embodiment having such a structure, as shown in FIG. 7, each cap lift 19a, 19b pushes each cap 17a, 17b toward the heads 4a, 4b, and the cap 17a , 17b
Are in close contact with the respective nozzle surfaces 7a and 7b. Then, in order to generate a negative pressure in the suction head, for example, the nozzle 6a of the head 4a, the inner / outer communication valve 18a is opened, and the ink suction is performed in a state where the inner cap 8'a and the outer cap 9'a communicate with each other. I do. Then, the inside of the inner cap 8'a and the inside of the outer cap 9'a are in a negative pressure state, and the ink in the head 4a is sucked and the inner cap 8'a
Air is discharged through the inside and outside communication valves 18a and the inside of the outside cap 9'a, and bubbles and thickened ink in the head liquid chamber (not shown), attached dust near the nozzles, and the like flow out together with the ink. On the other hand, in order to prevent a negative pressure from being generated in the head that is not sucked, for example, the nozzle 6b of the head 4b, the internal / external communication valve 1
8b, close the inner cap 8'b and the outer cap 9 '
b is not in communication, and even if ink suction is performed, at least the inside of the inner cap 8'b does not enter a negative pressure state, so that ink is not sucked.

FIGS. 8 to 10 are sectional views showing the structure of a printing mechanism maintenance / recovery apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
The inner cap 8a (8b) and the outer cap 9a (9) of the printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device of the fourth embodiment shown in FIGS.
b) means that the same structure as that of the first embodiment is added with an air release tube 15 communicating with the air release valve 16 of the second embodiment, and a cap lift is further provided below the outer cap 9a. And is integrated with the outer cap actuator 19a. The inner cap 8a has an inner cap actuator 20a integrated with the bottom. Further, the outer cap actuator 19a and the inner cap actuator 20a come into contact with the disc-shaped cam 21a and operate in the vertical direction while following the cam surface. In the state shown in FIG. 8, both the outer cap actuator 19a and the inner cap actuator 20a are in contact with the lower surface of the cam 21a, and both the inner cap 8a and the outer cap 9a are separated from the nozzle surface 7a. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, when the cam 21a moves in the direction of the arrow, as shown in FIG.
Since the outer cap 9a is in contact with the surface having a higher a, only the outer cap 9a contacts the nozzle surface 7a, and the entire nozzle surface is sealed. Then, as shown in FIG. 9, when the cam 21a further moves in the direction of the arrow, the outer cap actuator 19a
Since both the inner cap actuator 20a and the inner cap actuator 20a are in contact with the high surface of the cam 21a, both the inner cap 8a and the outer cap 9a are in contact with the nozzle surface 7a to make a sealed state. Therefore, the vertical movement of the inner and outer caps is caused by the cam 21a.
This can cause a time lag. 9 and FIG. 10 for each head, a common pump (not shown) is operated to perform a suction operation, whereby ink can be sucked from the nozzle 6a in the state of FIG. Can not be sucked.

FIGS. 11 to 14 are sectional views showing the configuration of a printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. According to the printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device of the fifth embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 to 14, the outer cap 9a has the outer cap holder 22a below, and the inner cap 8a has the inner cap plunger 23a below. There is a compression spring 24a at the middle between the two to repel each other. In the state of FIG. 11, the inner cap 8a and the outer cap 9a are both separated from the nozzle surface 7a with the inner cap plunger 23a lowered. In the state shown in FIG. 12, the inner cap plunger 23a has been raised halfway through the stroke, and the vertical position of the inner cap 8a and the outer cap 9a is raised as it is, so that only the outer cap 9a still contacts the nozzle surface 7a. Is in a state where ink can be sucked. In the state of FIG. 13, the compression spring 24a is compressed while the inner cap plunger 23a is raised to the uppermost position of the stroke,
Both the inner cap 8a and the outer cap 9a are in contact with the nozzle surface 7a, and the ink cannot be sucked. In this way, the inner contacting means and the outer contacting means moving in the same direction open and close the communication according to the position during the movable stroke. As shown in FIG. 14, in order to change from the state of FIG. 13 in which suction is impossible to the state of FIG. 11 or FIG. 12, first open the atmosphere release valve 15a and change the negative pressure state in the outer cap 9a. After the air state is reached, the inner cap 8a is lowered to prevent unnecessary ink from being ejected from a nozzle that does not perform ink suction. In addition, although the configuration per head is shown, if a plurality of this configuration is provided and only the outer cap holder 22a is formed as an integral structure, a plurality of outer caps simultaneously come into close contact with the nozzle surface, and then the individual inner cap plungers 23a Independently rises to the uppermost position, so that the nozzle face 7a can be selectively sealed. If a pump (not shown) is operated,
Only the ink of the head 4a of the unsealed inner cap 8a is sucked.

FIGS. 15 to 17 are sectional views showing the structure of a printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. According to the printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device of the sixth embodiment shown in FIGS. 15 to 17, the inner cap 8a and the outer cap 9
a has a cap 25a which is an integral structure made of an elastic body. A cap holder 26a is provided on the bottom surface of the cap 25a, and a cap plunger 27 is further provided below the cap holder 26a.
a with the cap holder 26a and the cap 2
Move 5a up and down. Further, the upper end of the inner cap 8a is lower than the upper end of the outer cap 9a. The cross-sectional shape of the outer cap 9a is tapered on the outside in this embodiment, but may be on the inside. In the state shown in FIG. 15, the cap 25a is in a lowered state, and the inner and outer caps of the cap 25a have not yet contacted the nozzle surface 7a. FIG. 16 shows a state in which the cap plunger 27a is raised halfway through the stroke, only the tip of the outer cap 9a is in contact with the nozzle surface 7a, and the ink can be sucked. The state of FIG. 17 is a state in which the cap plunger 27a is raised to the uppermost position of the stroke, the tips of the inner cap 8a and the outer cap 9a are both in contact with the nozzle surface 7a, and the tip of the outer cap 9a is further pressed. And is in a state where ink suction is impossible.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that various modifications and substitutions can be made within the scope of the claims.

[0023]

As described above, the present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus which scans a print surface of a recording medium and discharges ink from a plurality of ink jet head nozzles to desired positions for recording. According to the printing mechanism maintenance / recovery apparatus of the present invention, in which the ink remaining in the nozzles is suctioned and collected by one common suction pump to secure the ink jet head, the entire ink jet head nozzle surface can be secured. A first sealing means for covering and sealing; a second sealing means provided inside the first sealing means for covering and sealing the nozzle; and a communication between the first sealing means and the second sealing means. It is characterized in that it has a communication opening / closing control means for controlling opening / closing in accordance with the ink suction operation, and a suction pipe provided in the first sealing means and communicating with the common suction pump. Therefore, it is not necessary to suction the ink for the head which does not require the maintenance and recovery operation, so that it is possible to prevent the waste of the ink, and accordingly, the waste liquid tank for storing the waste ink can be reduced, and the size of the entire apparatus can be reduced. Can be achieved.

Further, by providing an atmosphere opening valve mechanism for opening the inside of the first sealing means to the atmosphere, waste of ink due to unnecessary suction due to the remaining negative pressure state after completion of ink suction, which is a maintenance recovery operation, is further reduced. It can be prevented beforehand.

Further, by forming the first sealing means and the second sealing means in an integral structure and further by using a cap-shaped elastic member, the cost of parts can be reduced.

The first sealing means and the second sealing means are arranged so that the cap opening end of the second sealing means does not contact the nozzle surface when the cap opening end of the first sealing means contacts the nozzle surface. It is desirable to provide a difference in the height of each cap opening end.

Furthermore, it is desirable to provide a communication valve for controlling the opening and closing of the communication between the first sealing means and the second sealing means, and to open and close the communication valve in response to the suction operation.

At the time of the suction operation, each operation is performed in such a manner that a first sealing operation for bringing the first sealing means into contact with the nozzle surface and a second sealing operation for bringing the second sealing means into contact with the nozzle surface are performed in this order. The first closed operation is completed and the predetermined amount of ink is sucked from the nozzle after the completion of the first closed operation, and only the predetermined amount of ink is discharged after the second closed operation is completed. It is desirable.

Further, at the end of the suction operation, the first separating operation for separating the second sealing means from the nozzle surface and the second separating operation for separating the first sealing means from the nozzle surface are performed in this order. A sealing operation control mechanism for controlling the operation, the sealing operation control mechanism includes a first moving mechanism for reciprocating the first sealing means with respect to the nozzle surface, and a second sealing means for the nozzle surface with respect to the nozzle surface It is desirable to have a second moving mechanism for reciprocating.

The first and second moving mechanisms move with a difference in height between the cam surfaces. The first and second moving mechanisms move with the elastic force of the elastic member. The elastic member is a compression spring. Therefore, it can be realized with a simple structure.

The ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention comprises:
It is characterized by having the above-mentioned printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view illustrating a configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device according to a first embodiment of another invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device according to a first embodiment of another invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a configuration of a printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device according to a second embodiment of another invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device according to a second embodiment of another invention.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a configuration of a printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device according to a third embodiment of another invention.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a configuration of a printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device according to a third embodiment of another invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device according to a fourth embodiment of another invention.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing a configuration of a printing mechanism maintenance / recovery apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of another invention.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device according to a fourth embodiment of another invention.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing a configuration of a printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device according to a fifth embodiment of another invention.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device according to a fifth embodiment of another invention.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view showing a configuration of a printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device according to a sixth embodiment of another invention.

FIG. 16 is a sectional view showing a configuration of a printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device according to a sixth embodiment of another invention.

FIG. 17 is a sectional view showing a configuration of a printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device according to a sixth embodiment of another invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1: Main scanning rod, 2: Side plate, 3: Carriage, 4a,
4b: head, 5a, 5b: ink cartridge, 6
a, 6b: nozzle, 7a, 7b: nozzle surface, 8a, 8
b, 8'a, 8'b: inner cap, 9a, 9b, 9 '
a, 9'b: outer cap, 10a, 10b: suction tube inside cap, 11: pump, 12: waste liquid tube,
13a, 13b: outer cap lift, 14a, 14
b: inside cap lift, 15a, 15b: open tube, 16a, 16b: open valve, 17a, 17
b: cap, 18a, 18b: inside and outside communication valve, 19a:
Outer cap actuator, 20a: inner cap actuator, 21a: cam, 22a: outer cap holder, 2
3a: inner cap plunger, 24a: compression spring, 25
a: Cap, 26a: Cap holder, 27a: Cap plunger.

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. An ink jet recording apparatus which scans a print surface of a recording medium and discharges ink from a plurality of nozzles of an ink jet head to a desired position for recording, wherein a nozzle inside the nozzle for securing a flow path of each ink jet head is provided. A printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device that stabilizes the ejection of the inkjet head by sucking and collecting the residual ink of the inkjet head with a single common suction pump, comprising: a first sealing unit that covers and seals the entire nozzle surface of the inkjet head; A second sealing means provided inside the first sealing means to cover and seal the nozzle; and controlling opening and closing of communication between the first sealing means and the second sealing means in accordance with an ink suction operation. Communication opening and closing control means, and a suction pipe provided in the first sealing means and communicating with the common suction pump. Apparatus. 2. The printing mechanism maintenance / recovery apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an atmosphere opening valve mechanism for opening the inside of said first sealing means to the atmosphere. 3. The printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device according to claim 1, wherein said first sealing means and said second sealing means are formed in an integral structure. 4. The first sealing means and the second sealing means are formed of cap-shaped elastic members.
The printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device according to any one of the above. 5. The first sealing means and the first sealing means so that the cap opening end of the second sealing means does not contact the nozzle surface when the cap opening end of the first sealing means contacts the nozzle surface. 5. The printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device according to claim 4, wherein a difference is provided in the height of each cap opening end of the second sealing means. 6. The printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device according to claim 1, further comprising a communication valve for controlling opening and closing of communication between the first sealing means and the second sealing means. 7. At the time of a suction operation, a first sealing operation of bringing the first sealing means into contact with the nozzle surface and a second sealing operation of bringing the second sealing means into contact with the nozzle surface are performed in this order. The printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device according to claim 1, further comprising a sealing operation control mechanism for controlling each operation. 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein after the first sealing operation is completed, a predetermined amount of ink is suctioned from the nozzles, and after the second sealing operation is completed, only the sucked ink is discharged. Printing mechanism maintenance and recovery device. 9. At the end of the suction operation, a first separating operation for separating the second sealing unit from the nozzle surface and a second separating operation for separating the first sealing unit from the nozzle surface are performed in this order. The printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a sealing operation control mechanism for controlling each operation. 10. The sealing operation control mechanism includes a first moving mechanism for reciprocating the first sealing means with respect to the nozzle surface and a second moving mechanism for reciprocating the second sealing means with respect to the nozzle surface. The printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device according to claim 7 or 9, further comprising two moving mechanisms. 11. The printing mechanism maintenance / recovery apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said first and second moving mechanisms move with a difference in height of a cam surface. 12. The printing mechanism maintenance / recovery apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said first and second moving mechanisms move with the elastic force of an elastic member. 13. The printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device according to claim 10, wherein said elastic member is a compression spring. 14. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising the printing mechanism maintenance / recovery apparatus according to claim 1. Description: