JP2001260368A - Apparatus and method for forming image using ink-jet type recording head - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image-forming apparatus using an ink-jet type recording head including a cleaning means which enables stable cleaning. SOLUTION: In this image-forming apparatus using the ink-jet type recording head which employs a cloth tape as the cleaning means for a nozzle face of the recording head, the cloth tape is pressed against the nozzle face of the recording head after the recording head is positioned to the outside of an image formation region, and then taken up by a predetermined amount after being released from the pressing.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method using an ink jet recording head.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Ink droplets are ejected (discharged) while a recording head having a plurality of nozzles is reciprocated right and left, and combined with the movement of a support such as plain paper or special coated paper.
Ink jet printers configured to form an image (pattern) according to image data on the support are known.

[0003] Further, the image formation using an ink jet type recording head has a wide range of applications such as being used for label printing, textile printing (cloth printing), color filter printing for liquid crystal panels, etc. due to the characteristic that the recording medium is not limited. have.

[0004] However, the fate of the ink jet recording head is that the nozzles are clogged with ink or the ink attached to the nozzle surface dries, which causes a problem that the ink droplets cannot be ejected normally.

As a countermeasure for this, a conventional ink jet printer is provided with a cap means (cap part) for preventing the ink in the nozzle from drying, and a wiper means (cleaning part) for cleaning the nozzle surface. In addition, a configuration is adopted in which ink is forcibly ejected from the nozzles as needed.

[0006] Of these, the remaining ink (drops) on the nozzle surface causes ink landing misalignment or solidification, which causes clogging of the nozzles as described above, thus maintaining normal ink droplet flight. For this purpose, a nozzle surface cleaning (wiping) technique occupies a very important position.

[0007] Further, with the diversification of recording media, the types of inks used have increased, and the physical properties and chemical characteristics of the inks are different. The conventional configuration is no longer sufficient.

As a conventional wiping method, a method in which a nozzle surface is hardened with a rubber blade, a method in which the nozzle surface is sucked with a felt or a sponge, a combination blade in which a rubber blade and a felt are combined, and the like have been put to practical use.

[0009]

However, in the rubber blade system, the nozzle surface is moved so as to scrape off the adhered ink at the edge of the blade, so that ink or foreign matter adhering to the blade or the nozzle surface is conversely injected into the nozzle. There was a danger of pushing it.

Further, in an image forming apparatus capable of performing color printing, if a plurality of heads are wiped with a single blade, color mixing occurs. Therefore, after wiping the nozzle surface with the edge of the blade, the ink attached to the blade is removed. Wiping the nozzle surface of the next print head after wiping the ink, and still preventing the color mixture from being completely suppressed. Therefore, an operation of idly discharging the ink was required prior to printing.

A nonwoven fabric such as a felt has good ink absorbency, but it is difficult to eliminate the loss of fibers. In addition, since the absorbed ink solidifies during use, it must be replaced frequently. there were.

Further, a printing machine using a dispersion ink is used
Although there is a proposal to use an A sponge roller, a sponge made of urethane or PVA is often melted with an oil-based (organic solvent-based) ink or hardened conversely and cannot be used by the ink. A double cleaning mechanism was required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned inconveniences, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus using an ink jet recording head provided with a cleaning means for enabling stable cleaning. is there.

[0014]

The object of the present invention can be achieved by the following constitution.

(1) An image forming apparatus using an ink jet recording head, wherein a cloth tape is used as a means for cleaning the nozzle surface of the recording head.

(2) After the recording head is positioned outside the image forming area, the cloth tape is pressed against the nozzle surface of the recording head, and after the pressing is released, the cloth tape is wound up by a predetermined amount. An image forming apparatus using an ink jet recording head.

(3) After the recording head is positioned outside the image forming area, the cloth tape is pressed against the nozzle surface of the recording head. In this state, the cloth tape is wound up by a predetermined amount, and the pressing is released. An image forming apparatus using an ink jet recording head, wherein the cloth tape is further wound up by a predetermined amount.

(4) After the recording head is positioned outside the image forming area, the cloth tape is pressed against the nozzle surface of the recording head, ink is ejected from all the nozzles in this state, and the cloth tape is wound by a predetermined amount. An image forming apparatus using an ink jet recording head, wherein the cloth tape is further wound up by a predetermined amount after taking and releasing the pressure.

(5) Two pulleys are fixedly mounted on one motor shaft via mutually opposite one-way clutches, and the driving force of the motor during forward rotation is applied to the nozzle surface of the recording head. Cloth tape configured to transmit the driving force when the motor rotates in the reverse direction to winding means for winding the cloth tape. An image forming apparatus using an ink jet recording head, comprising a driving mechanism.

(6) An image forming method wherein an image is formed by an image forming apparatus using the ink jet recording head according to any one of (1) to (5).

[0021]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Although an example in which the recording medium is a cloth will be described, the present invention is not limited to this.

Incidentally, since the basic control is known, this point will be briefly described. 1 to 3 are views showing an external configuration of an image forming apparatus using an ink jet recording head. FIG. 1 is a front view, FIG. 2 is a plan view, and FIG. 3 is a right side view.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an image forming apparatus using an ink jet recording head (hereinafter referred to as an ink jet printer or simply a printer for convenience), 3 a frame, 5 a cover, and 7 a nozzle surface of a recording head to be described later. Cleaning means for cleaning (for convenience of explanation,
The cleaning unit housing portion (which may be referred to as a wiping unit) is provided outside the image forming area.

Reference numeral 10 denotes an original roll of the fabric (for convenience of explanation, also referred to as a fabric 10), and 11 denotes the original roll 10
, A shaft for horizontally supporting the roll, 20 is a former roll loading portion, 30
Is a platen roller provided in parallel above the original roll 10.

Reference numeral 31 denotes a platen roller shaft, reference numeral 32 denotes a supporting portion of the platen roller shaft 31, reference numeral 40 denotes a nip roller, which has a function of rotating in contact with the platen roller 30 to convey the cloth.

In other words, the leading end of the cloth 10 is sandwiched between the platen roller 30 and the nip roller 40 prior to the image forming process.

Reference numeral 50 denotes a recording head, which has a recording head corresponding to four colors (yellow, magenta, cyan, and black) for color printing integrally formed with a carriage (see FIG. 4), and has a driving circuit mounted thereon. ing.

The recording head 50 is guided by a rail (not shown) at the time of image forming processing, and reciprocates in the left-right direction in FIG. 1. The operation of ejecting ink droplets from the recording head operated according to the above is repeated.

The nozzle surface (ink ejection surface) of the recording head 50 is disposed to face the platen roller 30.

An ink cartridge 60 supplies ink to the corresponding recording head 50 via an ink supply pipe.

The ink cartridge 60 is detachably mounted on the cover 5.

Reference numeral 70 denotes a guide for guiding and hanging the cloth 10 sent out from the inside of the apparatus in accordance with the image forming process.

Reference numeral 80 denotes a control unit comprising a microprocessor, which controls a series of operations of the printer, for example, rotation of a platen roller, movement of a recording head, ejection of ink droplets, cleaning operation by cleaning means, and the like.

An operation unit 90 is provided with appropriate operation keys, display means, etc., and an operator gives various commands to the control unit 80 via the operation keys.

The operation of the printer having the above configuration will be briefly described. When the leading end of the fabric is pulled out from the original roll 10 and the platen roller 30 and the nip roller 40 are sandwiched between the platen roller 30 and the front side of the printer, the operation unit 9
Pressing the 0 start button starts the image forming process.

That is, when the recording head 50 starts reciprocating movement and an electric signal based on image data is given to the predetermined recording head 50 via the control unit 80, the predetermined color ink is supplied from the recording head. Drops are ejected and dropped on the cloth supported by the platen roller 30.

The cloth is sequentially sent out in accordance with the movement of the recording head 50, and the above-described operation is repeated until the processing associated with the image data is completed.

When the printing of one picture is completed, the hanging fabric guided by the guide 70 is cut from the original roll 10 by the operator.

Although the description is omitted, the printer 1
During non-image processing, the recording head 50 is positioned at a home position provided at a position outside the image forming area, where the cap member closes the nozzle surface and prevents drying of the ink. ing.

In the vicinity of the home position, a sucking section for forcibly ejecting ink through nozzles is provided.

Next, a cleaning mechanism for cleaning the nozzle surface of the recording head 50 will be described.

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view for explaining the outline of the cleaning mechanism provided in the cleaning means housing section.

In the figure, reference numeral 50 denotes one of the recording heads. In practice, four recording heads are linearly arranged in the front and back directions on the paper.

Reference numeral 500 denotes a nozzle (not shown) provided at the lower end of the center, and reference numeral 503 denotes a nozzle surface.

C is a carriage that can reciprocate while integrally supporting the four recording heads.
Reciprocate in the direction of the front and back of the paper via appropriate guide means,
When the predetermined image forming process is completed, the image forming apparatus is controlled to move to the illustrated position of the cleaning unit storage unit 7 and to stand still.

Reference numeral 6 denotes an original winding formed by winding a cloth tape T on a winding core 600; 630, a winding core formed by engaging one end of the cloth tape; R1, a nozzle of the recording head 50 at the stationary position; A rotatable back roller R2 is provided opposite to the recording head 50 and the winding core 6.
30, a pair of rollers provided between the feed roller R21
And a tension roller R22, which rotates while being pressed against each other, and conveys the cloth tape T to the winding side by a fixed amount without causing slippage.

The rotation of the roller R2 may be controlled through the control unit 80 described above, or may be controlled through a control system provided separately.

In the above, the cloth tape T is made of a polyester fiber or nylon fiber having a diameter of 5 μm or less, or a cloth woven by combining both. For example, Klausen (trade name: manufactured by Kanebo Co., Ltd.), Toraysee (trade name:
Toray Co., Ltd.), Microstar (trade name: Teijin Limited) and the like can be suitably used.

Various materials can be considered as the material of the fiber, but it is preferable to use polyester or nylon which has been found to have excellent chemical resistance and to be usable regardless of the solvent of the ink.

The fiber diameter is preferably 5 μm or less,
It is more preferably at most μm. Since the cloth tape T is a woven cloth, the ink adhering and remaining on the nozzle surface is quickly absorbed, and the absorbed ink is confined in the gap between the fibers. Therefore, there is no fear of re-adhesion to the nozzle surface. Since stable fibers are not dropped, stable cleaning is enabled.

In the embodiment, the wide cloth tape is cut to have a width slightly larger than the width of the four recording heads (substantially, the outer width of the nozzles at both ends).

The back roller R1 is provided so as to be movable in the vertical direction in the embodiment, and has a function of pressing the cloth tape T against the nozzle surface 503 when ascending.

The back roller R1 is formed by molding an elastic porous resin on a metal shaft.

In the construction in which the cloth tape T is simply pressed against the nozzle surface 503 of the recording head to absorb and remove the ink adhering to the surface, the back roller R
The hardness of 1 (Asker C hardness) is suitably about 20 to 30 degrees, but is not limited depending on the wiping method.

At least one of the pair of rollers R2
The surface of one of the rollers has a ceramic coating.

In the embodiment, the feed roller R21
A ceramic coat on the cloth tape T, and
It is configured so that it can be sent stably.

The operation of this configuration will be briefly described. In accordance with the wiping instruction, the back roller R1 is moved upward from a predetermined position, and the cloth tape T with respect to the nozzle surface 503 is moved.
Is pressed.

After a predetermined time after the ink remaining on the nozzle surface 503 is absorbed on the cloth tape T via the pressing, the back roll R1 is moved toward a predetermined lower position, and the nozzle surface 503 is moved downward. And the cloth tape T is released from the pressed state, and the cloth tape T is separated from the nozzle surface.

After the wiping is completed, the recording head 50
The nozzle 50 is moved to a capping position (not shown),
Reference numeral 0 is covered with a cap member to protect it from dust.

On the other hand, after the pressure is released, the cloth tape T is wound up by a predetermined amount by the rotation of the winding core 630, so that the next time the cloth tape T is pressed, the cloth tape of the portion that has absorbed the ink is reapplied to the nozzle surface 503. There is no contact.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a specific structure of the cleaning mechanism. In the drawings, the same members as those described above (means) are denoted by the same reference symbols, and description thereof will be omitted.

In the figure, S1 and S2 are side plates provided in parallel with each other, and the hollow core 600 of the cloth tape T is provided with a fixed shaft 603 and a side plate S which protrude inside the side plate S1.
2 on both sides by a movable shaft (always urged to the inside of the side plate S2 by a spring, but can be moved outward in opposition to the spring by pulling an integrally provided knob outward). Exchangeably mounted between the boards.

Reference numeral 605 denotes a take-up shaft,
Reference numeral 30 designates that one side thereof can be mechanically engaged to transmit rotational power.

The other end of the take-up core 630 is supported by a movable shaft having the same configuration as that of the support of the take-up core 600 of the original roll 6, so that the take-up core is also replaceable.

The mechanical engagement is performed by the winding shaft 605
The coupling 640 provided integrally with the coupling 640 has a rectangular concave portion, while the winding core 630 made of resin is engaged with the concave portion and is fitted with a winding shaft projecting into the concave portion. This can be achieved by forming holes.

The winding shaft 605 has a pulley P1 incorporating a torque limiter. A belt B1 suspended on the pulley P1 is connected to a pulley P2 provided on the shaft of the feed roller R21 and a shaft of a motor M. Is wound around the motor pulley P3. Another motor pulley P4 is provided on the shaft of the motor M, and a belt B2 is wound around a pulley P5 provided on the cam shaft 650.

The torque limiter functions to absorb an increase in the winding amount per fixed rotation angle of the motor M due to an increase in the winding diameter.

The motor M is a reversible motor capable of rotating forward and reverse, and rotates the back roller R1 in the vertical direction via the cam shaft 650 by rotating clockwise (forward direction). ) The rotation serves to provide power for winding the cloth tape T via the winding shaft 605.

For this purpose, one-way clutches of opposite directions are arranged between the motor pulleys P3 and P4 and the motor shaft.

A slide plate 660 rotatably supports the back roller R1 and has a substantially U-shape. Grooves 661 and 663 are formed in the rising portion in the vertical direction.

The side plates S1 are provided in the grooves 661 and 663.
And pins (not shown) provided in S2 are inserted.
The slide plate 660 is moved up and down by being guided by the pins.

The slide plate 660 is constantly urged downward by a coil spring (not shown).

The vertical movement (synonymous with the vertical movement of the back roller) of the slide plate 660 is performed by the unidirectional rotation (rotation) of the cam 680 on the cam shaft 650 to which rotational power is applied via the pulley P5. Will be

The cam 680 has a substantially fan-shaped outer shape, and is fixed to the cam shaft 650 near the key.

As described above, the means for moving the back roller R1 is directly the cam 680. The recording head 50
The cleaning (wiping) of the nozzle surface 503 is performed as follows, including the control.

The carriage C is located at a predetermined position outside the image forming area.
When the motor M starts rotating clockwise in the state where the motor is stopped, power is transmitted to the camshaft 650 via the pulley P5.

At this time, the power is not transmitted to the motor pulley P1 and the like constituting the winding system by the one-way clutch incorporated in the motor pulley P3.

When the cam 680 starts rotating clockwise against the urging force of the coil spring, the slide plate 66
The slide plate 660 starts ascending sequentially from the lowered position through the bottom of the zero.

When the long diameter portion of the cam 680 reaches the bottom of the slide plate 660, the power supplied to the motor M is cut off.

At this point, the cloth tape T is pushed up by the back roller R1 and is brought into contact with (pressed on) the nozzle surface of the recording head with a predetermined pressure. The undried ink is absorbed by the cloth tape T.

After a given time, power is supplied to the motor M, and when the clock M starts to rotate again, the pressing of the cloth tape T against the nozzle surface is released. On the other hand, the back roller R1 is lowered integrally with the lowering of the slide plate 660, and eventually returns to the position before the upward movement, and the power to the motor is turned off.

Next, when the motor M is rotated counterclockwise, the motor pulley P3, the pulleys P1, P2
The rotation power is transmitted to the pair of rollers R2 and the take-up core 630 also rotate counterclockwise to take up the cloth tape T, and the portion where the ink adhered to the nozzle surface has been cleaned is pressed at the next press. The power supply to the motor M is turned off in response to the predetermined amount of transfer that does not make contact with the nozzle surface again.

When transferring the cloth tape T, the motor pulley P
No power is transmitted to the moving means for the back roller 660 by means of the one-way clutch incorporated in 4.

After the cleaning is completed, the carriage C is capped with a cap member at the home position.
This is to prepare for the next image formation.

By covering the nozzle with the cap member, it is possible to prevent the ink in the nozzle from drying.
It is considered difficult to completely prevent the viscosity of the ink in the nozzle from being increased, and therefore, when the ink is not used for a long time, the recording head 50 is positioned at a place where the ink is forcibly ejected, that is, a sucking portion, Prior to the image forming command, the ink is forcibly ejected.

As described above, the first wiping mode is a mode in which only the cloth tape T is pressed against the nozzle surface, but the following wiping mode may be provided.

In the second wiping mode, the motor M is rotated clockwise to bring the cloth tape T into press contact with the nozzle surface of the recording head via the back roller R1. After rotating the cloth tape T by a predetermined amount by rotating clockwise, the motor M is rotated again clockwise to release the pressing contact state of the cloth tape T, and then the motor M is again rotated. Is rotated in a counterclockwise direction to transfer the cloth tape T by a predetermined amount (winding up), and to bring a portion where ink is not attached onto the back roller.

This mode is characterized in that the first mode is characterized by absorbing the ink, whereas the residual ink that has been semi-dried or dried on the nozzle surface is scraped off with extra fine fibers and cleaned. There is an effect that can be done.

In the third wiping mode, the motor M is rotated clockwise, and the ink is forcibly ejected from all the nozzles while the cloth tape T is pressed against the nozzle surface.
In this state, the motor M is rotated counterclockwise to transfer the cloth tape T by a predetermined amount, and the ink adhered on the nozzle surface is wiped. Then, the motor M is rotated clockwise again to rotate the cloth tape T. Is released, and the motor M
Is rotated in a counterclockwise direction to transfer the cloth tape T by a predetermined amount, and a portion on which ink is not adhered is brought to the back roller.

In this mode, there is no need to separately install a place where ink is forcibly ejected, so that the size can be reduced.
There is also an effect in the second wiping mode.

In other words, the first wiping mode is
The third wiping mode is suitable when the normal cleaning is sufficient, when the second wiping mode has not been used for a long time, and when the third wiping mode does not recover.

In the embodiment, all modes are taken in, and the second and third wiping modes are configured to be operated by operating dedicated buttons provided on the operation unit.

The cloth tape according to the present invention hardly loses the fibers (indicates that the adhesion of the fibers does not hinder the ink ejection operation), and impregnates the ink composition or the organic solvent. Good adhesion, it is possible to write dry ink through relative contact movement, furthermore, if it has the property that the ink attached to the fiber does not adhere to the nozzle surface again, from the other fibers Needless to say, a woven cloth may be used.

[0095]

According to the present invention, the nozzle surface can be stably cleaned with a simple structure.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an external configuration of an image forming apparatus using an ink jet recording head.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an external configuration of an image forming apparatus using an ink jet recording head.

FIG. 3 is a right side view illustrating an external configuration of an image forming apparatus using an inkjet recording head.

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view for explaining an outline of a cleaning mechanism.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a specific configuration of a cleaning mechanism.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 10 Primary winding roll 20 Primary winding roll loading part 30 Platen roller 40 Nip roller 50 Recording head 500 Nozzle 503 Nozzle surface 600 Core 605 Winding shaft 630 Core 660 Slide plate B1, B2 Belt P1, P2, P5 Pulley P3, P4 Motor pulley

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus using an ink jet recording head, wherein a cloth tape is used as cleaning means for a nozzle surface of the recording head. 2. After the recording head is positioned outside the image forming area, the cloth tape is pressed against the nozzle surface of the recording head, and after the pressing is released, the cloth tape is wound up by a predetermined amount. An image forming apparatus using an ink jet recording head. 3. After the recording head is positioned outside the image forming area, the cloth tape is pressed against the nozzle surface of the recording head, the cloth tape is wound up by a predetermined amount in this state, and the pressure is released. An image forming apparatus using an ink jet recording head, wherein the tape is further wound up by a predetermined amount. 4. After the recording head is positioned outside the image forming area, the cloth tape is pressed against the nozzle surface of the recording head, ink is ejected from all the nozzles in this state, and the cloth tape is wound up by a predetermined amount. An image forming apparatus using an ink jet recording head, wherein the cloth tape is further wound up by a predetermined amount after the pressing is released. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cloth tape is a woven cloth made of fibers having a diameter of about 5 μm or less. apparatus. 6. The ink jet recording head according to claim 1, wherein the cloth tape is a woven cloth made of polyester fiber, nylon fiber or a combination of both. Image forming apparatus to be used. 7. One motor shaft is mounted on one motor shaft.
Two pulleys are fixedly provided via a direction clutch, and a driving force at the time of forward rotation of the motor is transmitted to a back roller moving means for pressing and releasing the cloth tape against the nozzle surface of the recording head, An image forming apparatus using an ink jet recording head, comprising: a cloth tape driving mechanism configured to transmit a driving force when the motor rotates in a reverse direction to a winding unit that winds the cloth tape. apparatus. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the back roller is formed by molding an elastic porous resin on a metal shaft. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the moving unit includes a cam for moving the back roller up and down via a support member of the back roller. 10. The ink jet recording head according to claim 7, wherein the winding means includes a winding shaft and a pair of rollers provided between the winding shaft and a stop position of the recording head. Image forming apparatus using the same. 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein at least one of the rollers has a ceramic-coated surface. 12. An image forming method, wherein an image is formed by an image forming apparatus using the ink jet recording head according to claim 1.