JP2001310487A - Apparatus for sustaining function of recording head and ink jet recorder comprising it - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the size of a waste ink tank and to treat waste ink appropriately without consuming energy uselessly at the time of print operation. SOLUTION: Waste ink stored temporarily in a waste ink tank 20 fills a removable waste ink cartridge 24 so that the size of the waste ink tank 20 is reduced thus reducing the size of a print mechanism section.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a recording head function maintenance device mounted on a carriage and ejecting ink droplets for recording, and an ink jet recording device using the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an ink supply mechanism of a recording apparatus such as an ink jet ejection type printer, facsimile, or copier has an ink cartridge and a recording head mounted on a carriage, and scans the carriage to supply ink supplied from the ink cartridge. 2. Description of the Related Art In many cases, printing is performed by ejecting ink droplets from recording head nozzles onto recording paper. In order for the ink ejected from the recording head to stably and appropriately print on the recording paper in this inkjet recording apparatus,
When printing is not being performed, the recording head is closed at the home position by covering the nozzle portion with a cap to prevent the ink from drying or dust being attached, thereby causing clogging of the nozzle. Also, in order to prevent missing dots etc. when printing with the nozzle always in a normal state, connect a suction pump to the cap and start the printing operation or at regular intervals during printing. The suction pump sucks ink from the nozzles to maintain the nozzles in a normal state. Waste ink sucked by the suction pump is stored in a waste ink tank. The waste ink stored in the waste ink tank hardly evaporates by natural drying, and since it is a liquid, it overflows when the printer or the like of the main body is transported or tilted. In order to prevent this, the capacity of the waste ink tank needs to be larger than the estimated value of the amount of waste ink sucked by the suction pump, so that an extremely large capacity of the waste ink tank is required. Etc. become large.

In order to prevent the waste ink tank from having such a large capacity, an ink jet recording apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 6-39168, for example, collects waste ink sucked by a suction pump into a waste ink reservoir. The waste ink once collected in the waste ink reservoir is distributed to the waste ink tanks provided in the ink cartridges and collected, and the ink consumption of the plurality of ink cartridges and the amount of waste ink stored are balanced, and each ink cartridge is replaced. When doing so, the waste ink tank is collected and replaced.

[0004]

However, if the ink cartridge mounted on the carriage is provided with a waste ink tank, the waste ink tank must be moved each time the carriage is scanned, and the waste ink tank must be moved within the scanning range of the carriage. Extra space is required for the ink tank to move, and when scanning the carriage, it is necessary to control acceleration and deceleration including the weight of the collected waste ink that is not necessary for the printing operation. It is wasted.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned disadvantages, and has an apparatus for maintaining the function of a recording head capable of appropriately processing waste ink without wasting energy during printing operation while reducing the size of the waste ink tank. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ink jet recording apparatus using the same.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for maintaining the function of a recording head, comprising: a protective suction portion for covering a nozzle surface of the recording head for ejecting ink; A suction pump for sucking, a waste ink tank for temporarily storing waste ink sucked by the suction pump, and a waste ink filling means having a waste ink pump connected to the waste ink tank and discharging the waste ink stored in the waste ink tank; A waste ink cartridge detachably connected to the waste ink filling means and filling waste ink discharged by the waste ink filling means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a second function maintaining apparatus for a recording head, which comprises a protective suction unit for covering a nozzle surface of the recording head for ejecting ink, and a suction unit connected to the protective suction unit for sucking ink from nozzles of the recording head. A waste ink tank that temporarily stores the sucked waste ink, a waste ink cartridge that is detachably provided and fills the waste ink stored in the waste ink tank, an ink flow path between the protection suction unit and the waste ink tank, It has a flow path switching means for switching the flow rate of ink between the waste ink tank and the waste ink cartridge, and a forward / reverse pump connected to the flow path switching means.

[0008] The waste ink amount detecting means provided in the waste ink cartridge for detecting the filling amount of waste ink, and the filling amount of the waste ink cartridge detected by the waste ink amount detecting means has reached a predetermined filling limit value. It is preferable to have a warning means for instructing replacement of the waste ink cartridge at times.

Further, it is desirable to have history display means for indicating that the waste ink cartridge has been filled with waste ink.

Further, it is preferable that the history display means displays a history indicating that the waste ink cartridge has been filled with the waste ink by the detection terminal of the waste ink amount detecting means.

The waste ink tank has waste ink storage amount detection means for indicating the limit of the amount of waste ink stored, and when the waste ink storage amount detection means detects the limit of the waste ink storage amount, the waste ink is charged. Preferably, the waste ink pump of the means is driven.

An ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention includes any one of the recording head function maintaining devices described above.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An ink jet printer according to the present invention has four ink cartridges containing inks of cyan, magenta M, yellow Y, and black Bk, respectively, and a plurality of nozzles. And a carriage on which an ink cartridge and a recording head are mounted. When image data is sent from a host device, the carriage is scanned while following a carriage guide roller to perform printing. A character or an image is recorded by ejecting ink from a nozzle of a recording head to a recording sheet sent to the unit in accordance with image data.

A head function maintaining device is provided at a home position of a carriage for scanning the recording head. The head function maintaining device has a protective suction unit connected to the recording head and a suction pump. The protective suction unit has a cap that covers each nozzle of each recording head, and a cap holder that holds the cap. The cap is provided with a sealing member such as rubber at the opening end of the upper surface. The protection suction unit can be moved up and down by a lifting mechanism such as a spring or a solenoid. The suction pump of the head function maintaining device is connected to each cap and the waste ink tank. The waste ink tank is connected to a waste ink cartridge via a waste ink pump. The waste ink cartridge is provided detachably on the waste ink cartridge installation base,
It can be easily replaced. The waste ink cartridge has an ink absorber inside, and absorbs and stores waste ink by the capillary action of the ink absorber. A pair of conductive ink detection pins are provided through the upper surface of the waste ink cartridge, one of the ink detection pins is connected to a waste ink filling amount detection circuit, and the other ink detection pin is grounded. I have. The waste ink filling amount detection circuit detects the amount of waste ink stored in the waste ink cartridge from a change in the electric resistance value between the pair of ink detection pins that changes according to the amount of waste ink absorbed by the ink absorber.

After confirming that the ink cartridge has been replaced with a new ink cartridge, the carriage is moved to the home position, the protective suction section of the head function maintaining device is raised, and each cap is moved to the recording head 3. The suction pump is driven while sequentially switching the connection between each cap and the suction pump, suctioning a certain amount of ink from the nozzles of each recording head, removing bubbles contained in the ink, and waiting. to go into.

When printing is started in this standby state, the inside of each cap of the protective suction unit is set to atmospheric pressure, the protective suction unit is lowered, and the close contact between the cap and the recording head is released to perform a printing operation. At regular intervals during this printing operation or when dot missing occurs, the nozzle surface of each recording head is covered with the cap of the head function maintaining device, and the connection between each cap and the suction pump is switched so that the nozzles of the recording head can be connected. The ink is sucked to eliminate clogging of the nozzle due to drying of the ink and adhesion of dust, and the nozzle is restored to a normal state.
As described above, by repeating the printing operation by ejecting the ink from the recording head and the suction operation by the head function maintaining device, the ink can be ejected stably from the nozzles of the recording head.

The waste ink sucked by the suction pump is temporarily stored in a waste ink tank. The waste ink stored in the waste ink tank is sent to the waste ink cartridge by driving the waste ink pump, for example, when the power is turned on or at a predetermined printing time. At this time, the waste ink filling amount detecting circuit detects the waste ink stored in the waste ink cartridge from a change in the electric resistance value between the pair of ink detection pins, which changes according to the amount of waste ink absorbed by the ink absorber of the waste ink cartridge. Detect the amount. The detected waste ink amount is compared with a filling limit value previously determined according to the filling amount of the waste ink cartridge, and when the waste ink amount reaches the filling limit value, the operation of the waste ink pump is interrupted, and an alarm is issued. The warning is displayed on the display, and the warning display shows the replacement of the waste ink cartridge.

[0018]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in the figure, an ink jet printer 1 includes four ink cartridges 2 each containing ink of each color of cyan C, magenta M, yellow Y, and black Bk,
Four recording heads 3 each having a plurality of nozzles and supplied with ink from each ink cartridge 2, a carriage 4 on which the ink cartridge 2 and the recording head 3 are mounted, and paper feed trays 5a, 5b containing recording paper, It has a transport roller 8 for transporting recording paper from the manual feed table 6 to the printing unit 7, and a discharge roller 10 for discharging the printed recording paper to a discharge tray 9. When printing the image data sent from the host device on the recording paper, the carriage 4 scans along the carriage guide roller 11 while the nozzles of the recording head 3 print on the recording paper sent to the printing unit 7 by the transport rollers 8. And ejects ink according to the image data to record characters and images.

A carriage 4 for scanning the recording head 3
In the home position, as shown in the perspective view of FIG.
A head function maintaining device 12 is provided. The head function maintaining device 12 has a protective suction unit 13 and a suction pump 14 connected to the recording heads 3a to 3d. The protective suction unit 13 includes a wiper blade 15 for wiping the nozzle surfaces of the recording heads 3a to 3d, caps 16a to 16d respectively covering the nozzles of the recording heads 3a to 3d, and caps 16a to 1d.
It has a cap holder 17 for holding 6d. Each of the caps 16a to 16d is provided with a sealing member such as rubber at an opening end on the upper surface. The protection suction unit 13 can be moved up and down by a lifting mechanism such as a spring or a solenoid.

Suction pump 14 of head function maintaining device 12
As shown in the configuration diagram of FIG.
6 and a cap tube 18, and the discharge side is connected to a waste ink tank 20 by a tank introduction tube 19. The waste ink tank 20 is a tank discharge tube 21
And a waste ink cartridge 24 via a waste ink pump 22 and a waste ink filling tube 23. The waste ink cartridge 24 is provided detachably on the waste ink cartridge installation base 25, and can be easily replaced.

The ink cartridge 2 has an ink absorber 26 inside, an air opening hole 27 is provided on the top surface, and an ink supply port 28 is provided on the bottom surface. The ink is absorbed by the capillary action of the ink absorber 26. Absorbing. The ink introduction portion of each recording head 3 is in close contact with the ink supply port 28 of the ink cartridge 2. Conductive ink detection pins 29, 30 are provided through the bottom surface of the ink cartridge 2, and one of the ink detection pins 29 is connected to the remaining amount detection circuit 31, and the other ink detection pin 30 is grounded. I have. The remaining amount detection circuit 31 detects the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 2 from a change in the electric resistance between the ink detection pins 29 and 30 that changes according to the amount of ink contained in the ink absorber 26.

The waste ink cartridge 24 has an ink absorber 32 therein, and absorbs and stores the waste ink sent by the capillary action of the ink absorber 32. Conductive ink detection pins 33 and 34 are provided through the upper surface of the waste ink cartridge 24. One of the ink detection pins 33 is connected to a waste ink filling amount detection circuit 35, and the other ink detection pin 34 is provided. Is grounded. The waste ink filling amount detection circuit 35 detects the amount of waste ink stored in the waste ink cartridge 24 from a change in the electrical resistance value between the ink detection pins 33 and 34 that changes according to the amount of waste ink absorbed by the ink absorber 32. I do.

The remaining amount detecting circuit 31 and the waste ink filling amount detecting circuit 35 are connected to a control circuit 36, and the control circuit 36 is connected to an alarm device 37 and a warning display device 38. Control circuit 3
In 6, a prescribed value determined in advance so that the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 2 does not interfere with printing and a filling limit value determined according to the filling amount of the waste ink cartridge 24 are set.

When the ink cartridge 2 is replaced by the ink jet printer 1 having the above-described structure, the remaining amount detecting circuit 31 detects the ink absorber 2 of the ink cartridge 2.
6 is detected from the electrical resistance between the ink detection pins 29 and 30 and sent to the control circuit 36. The control circuit 35 checks whether or not the sent ink amount is equal to or larger than a predetermined value which does not hinder printing, and if the ink amount of the ink cartridge 2 is equal to or smaller than the specified value, the ink cartridge 2 The absence of the warning is warned by the alarm 37 and displayed on the warning display 38. Thus, setting of the used ink cartridge 2 is prevented.

After confirming that the ink cartridge 2 has been replaced with a new one, the carriage 4 is moved to the home position, and the protective suction section 13 of the head function maintaining device 12 is raised to record each cap 16. The heads 3 are brought into close contact with each other. Then, the suction pump 14 is driven while sequentially switching the connection between each cap 16 and the suction pump 14, and a predetermined amount of ink is sucked from the nozzle of each recording head 3 to remove bubbles contained in the ink. After a predetermined amount of ink is suctioned from the nozzles of each recording head 3 to remove air bubbles contained in the ink, the driving of the suction pump 14 is stopped to enter a standby state.

When printing is started in this standby state, the pressure inside each cap 16 of the protective suction unit 13 is set to atmospheric pressure, the protective suction unit 13 is lowered to release the close contact between the cap 16 and the recording head 3, and the printing operation is started. Do. During this printing, the remaining amount detection circuit 31 detects the amount of ink contained in the ink absorber 26 of the ink cartridge 2 from the electric resistance value between the ink detection pins 29 and 30 and sends it to the control circuit 36. . The control circuit 35 compares the sent ink amount with the set specified value, and interrupts the printing operation when the ink remaining amount reaches a specified value so as not to hinder printing. A warning is displayed on the warning display 38. In this manner, printing defects when the ink in the ink cartridge 2 runs out are prevented, and the recording head 3 itself is prevented from being damaged by the empty space of the recording head 3.

Further, at regular intervals during the printing operation or when dot missing occurs, the nozzle surface of each recording head 3 is covered with the cap 16 of the head function maintaining device 12 and the cap 16 and the suction pump 14 are connected. The connection is switched to suck ink from the nozzles of the recording head 3 to eliminate clogging of the nozzles due to drying of the ink and adhesion of dust, thereby restoring the nozzles to a normal state. By repeating the printing operation by the ejection of the ink from the recording head 3 and the suction operation by the head function maintaining device 12 in this manner, the recording head 3
Ink can be ejected stably from the nozzles.

The waste ink sucked by the suction pump 14 is temporarily stored in a waste ink tank 20. Waste ink tank 20
The waste ink stored in the printer is sent to the waste ink cartridge 24 by, for example, driving the waste ink pump 22 when the power is turned on or at a predetermined printing time. At this time, the waste ink filling amount detection circuit 35 stores the waste ink in the waste ink cartridge 24 based on a change in the electrical resistance between the ink detection pins 33 and 34 that varies with the amount of waste ink absorbed by the ink absorber 32 of the waste ink cartridge 24. The detected waste ink amount is detected and sent to the control circuit 36. The control circuit 36 compares the sent waste ink amount with a filling limit value previously determined according to the filling amount of the waste ink cartridge 24, and operates the waste ink pump 22 when the waste ink amount reaches the filling limit value. Interrupt
A warning is issued by an alarm 37, and the replacement of the waste ink cartridge 24 is displayed on a warning display 38.

Since the waste ink sucked by the suction pump 14 and temporarily stored in the waste ink tank 20 is sent to the waste ink cartridge 24 when the power is turned on or at a predetermined printing time, the waste ink is stored. The ink tank 20 can be downsized, and the printing mechanism can be downsized. Further, when the waste ink stored in the waste ink cartridge 24 reaches the filling limit value of the waste ink cartridge 24, the storage of the waste ink in the waste ink cartridge 24 is stopped and an alarm for instructing replacement of the waste ink cartridge 24 is output. Therefore, the user can use the waste ink cartridge 2
It is possible to reliably know that No. 4 has reached the filling limit value. Further, since the waste ink cartridge 24 can be easily replaced, the printing can be stably performed by replacing the waste ink cartridge 24 with a new waste ink cartridge 24 when it reaches the filling limit value or when replacing the ink cartridge 2. Can do it. When the waste ink cartridge 24 is replaced at the same time when the ink cartridge 2 is replaced, the used ink cartridge 2 can be used as the waste ink cartridge 24.

In the above embodiment, the case where the two ink detecting pins 33 and 34 are fixed to the waste ink cartridge 24 has been described. However, as shown in FIG. 4, one of the two ink detecting pins 33 and 34 is used. For example, the ink detection pin 3
The pressing mechanism 39 may be provided on the third ink cartridge 3, and the ink detecting pin 33 may be pressed into the waste ink cartridge 24 by the pressing mechanism 39 when the waste ink cartridge 24 is replaced. This pressing mechanism 39 is, for example,
A conductive plunger 42 urged upward by a conductive compression spring 41, and a cam for pressing the upper surface of the plunger 42. The ink detection pin 33 can be easily pushed into the waste ink cartridge 24 by rotating the rotation lever 44 in a counterclockwise direction. When the ink detecting pin 33 is pressed into the waste ink cartridge 24 and the conductive plunger 42 and the compression spring 41 that are in contact with the ink detecting pin 33 are in contact with the detecting terminal 40, the ink detecting pin 33, The electric resistance value between 34 can be sent to the waste ink filling amount detection circuit 35. When the waste ink stored in the waste ink cartridge 24 reaches the filling limit value and the waste ink cartridge 24 is replaced, the rotation lever 44 is rotated clockwise to raise the plunger 42 and separate from the ink detection pin 33. Thus, the waste ink cartridge 24 can be easily replaced. Further, when the waste ink cartridge 24 is replaced, it is possible to distinguish between the used waste ink cartridge 24 and the new waste ink cartridge 24 by confirming whether or not the ink detection pin 33 is pushed into the waste ink cartridge 24. Thus, it is possible to prevent the used waste ink cartridge 24 from being set again by mistake.

In the above embodiment, the waste ink stored in the waste ink tank 20 is sent to the waste ink cartridge 24 by driving the waste ink pump 22 when the power is turned on or at a predetermined printing time, for example. But,
As shown in the configuration diagram of FIG. 5, a liquid level detection terminal 51 and a ground terminal 52 are connected to the waste ink tank 20.
A liquid level detection circuit 53 is provided at a predetermined position higher than the discharge port of the tank discharge tube 21 to detect that the liquid level of the waste ink has reached the positions of the liquid level detection terminal 51 and the ground terminal 52.
When the detection is made, the waste ink pump 22 may be driven to send the waste ink stored in the waste ink tank 20 to the waste ink cartridge 24. By sending the waste ink in the waste ink tank 20 to the waste ink cartridge 24 when the liquid level of the waste ink in the waste ink tank 20 reaches a predetermined level, the waste ink cartridge 2
The waste ink can be stored in the waste ink tank 20 even when the filling limit value determined in accordance with the filling amount of No. 4 is reached or when the waste ink cartridge 24 is removed for replacement, and printing can be continued. it can.

In each of the above embodiments, the suction pump 14 for sending waste ink from each cap 16 to the waste ink tank 20 and the waste ink cartridge 24
Although the case where the waste ink pump 22 for feeding the ink is provided has been described, as shown in the configuration diagram of FIG. 6, one supply / discharge pump 54 and three-way valve 55 that can switch between the suction operation and the discharge operation depending on the rotation direction are provided. The waste ink may be sent from each cap 16 to the waste ink tank 20, and the waste ink may be sent from the waste ink tank 20 to the waste ink cartridge 24. In this case, the supply / discharge pump 5 is connected to the three-way valve 55.
4 was connected to the cap tube 18 connected to the cap 16 and the waste ink filling tube 23 connected to the waste ink cartridge 24, and the other port of the supply / discharge pump 54 was connected to the waste ink tank 20. Connect to supply / discharge tube 56. By switching the three-way valve 55 in synchronization with the switching of the rotation direction of the suction pump 54, the storage of the waste ink in the waste ink tank 20 and the filling of the waste ink cartridge 24 with the waste ink are switched. By storing the waste ink in the waste ink tank 20 and filling the waste ink cartridge 24 with the waste ink by one supply / discharge pump 54 in this manner, the cost and the installation space can be reduced.

As shown in FIG. 7, a control valve 57 such as a solenoid valve or a check valve is provided between the cap tube 18 and the supply / discharge pump 54 instead of the three-way valve 55. A control valve 58 such as an electromagnetic valve or a check valve may be provided between the waste ink filling tube 23 and 54.

In each of the above embodiments, the waste ink cartridge 2
When the ink cartridge 2 reaches the filling limit value or when the ink cartridge 2 is replaced, the new waste ink cartridge 24
Although the description has been given of the case where the waste ink is exchanged, there is a possibility that the waste ink leaks to the outside from the waste ink cartridge 24 which is filled and exchanged as described above. Therefore, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 8, the filling port 60 of the waste ink cartridge 24 is provided with a detachable lid 61 formed of a flexible molding material, for example, a polypropylene resin, and is filled with the waste ink and replaced. The filling port 60 of the cartridge 24 is
It is good to seal with. Further, when the lid 61 is connected to the waste ink cartridge 24 with the connecting member 62, the lid 61 is prevented from being lost, and the filling port 60 of the replaced waste ink cartridge 24 with the lid 61 is sealed to the user. Can be encouraged.

Although the above embodiment has been described with reference to the ink jet printer 1, the present invention can be similarly applied to an ink jet type copying machine or facsimile machine.

[0036]

As described above, according to the present invention, the waste ink temporarily stored in the waste ink tank is filled in the detachable waste ink cartridge. Therefore, the size of the waste ink tank is reduced and the size of the printing mechanism is reduced. Can be

In addition, an ink flow path between a protective suction unit that covers the nozzle surface of the recording head that ejects ink and a waste ink tank that temporarily stores the suctioned waste ink, and a flow path between the waste ink tank and the waste ink cartridge. By switching the ink flow rate, it is possible to store the waste ink in the waste ink tank and fill the waste ink cartridge with the waste ink using one forward / reverse pump, thereby reducing cost and installation space. it can.

Further, when the waste ink stored in the waste ink cartridge reaches the filling limit value of the waste ink cartridge, the storage of the waste ink in the waste ink cartridge is stopped and an alarm for instructing replacement of the waste ink cartridge is output. Thus, the user can reliably know that the waste ink cartridge has reached the filling limit value. Further, since the waste ink cartridge can be easily replaced, the printing can be stably performed by replacing the waste ink cartridge with a new waste ink cartridge when the waste ink cartridge reaches the filling limit value or when replacing the ink cartridge. . Further, when the waste ink cartridge and the ink cartridge are simultaneously replaced, the used ink cartridge can be used as the waste ink cartridge.

Further, by displaying a history indicating that the waste ink cartridge is filled with waste ink, it is possible to prevent a used waste ink cartridge from being set again by mistake.

By displaying this history using the detection terminal of the waste ink amount detecting means, the waste ink cartridge can be easily replaced, and it is easy to determine whether the used waste ink cartridge is a new waste ink cartridge. Can be distinguished.

Further, when the amount of waste ink stored in the waste ink tank reaches a limit, the waste ink in the waste ink tank is filled into the waste ink cartridge, so that the waste ink cartridge is filled with waste ink. The waste ink can be stored in the waste ink tank even when the filling amount of the waste ink cartridge reaches the filling limit value or when the waste ink cartridge is removed for replacement, and printing can be continued. can do.

Further, by using the apparatus for maintaining the function of the recording head in an ink jet ejection type printer, facsimile or copier, a waste ink cartridge can be provided in addition to the carriage having the ink cartridge and the recording head. , And control of acceleration and deceleration when scanning the carriage can be easily performed. Further, since the ink ejection characteristics of the recording head are favorably maintained by the function maintaining device, a high quality image can be formed by ejecting ink droplets with stable ink ejection characteristics.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a layout diagram of a head function maintaining device.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a head function maintaining device.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a waste ink cartridge section according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a head function maintaining device according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a head function maintaining device according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 7 is another configuration diagram of the head function maintaining device of the third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating another configuration of the waste ink cartridge.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1; Ink jet printer, 2; Ink cartridge, 3; Recording head, 4; Carriage, 11; Carriage guide roller, 12; Head function maintenance device, 13; Protective suction part, 14; Suction pump, 16;
Cap holder, 20; waste ink tank, 22; waste ink pump, 24; waste ink cartridge, 25;

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A protection suction unit that covers a nozzle surface of a recording head that ejects ink, a suction pump that is connected to the protection suction unit and suctions ink from a nozzle of the recording head, and temporarily stores waste ink sucked by the suction pump. A waste ink tank, a waste ink filling means having a waste ink pump connected to the waste ink tank and discharging waste ink stored in the waste ink tank, and detachably connected to the waste ink filling means,
And a waste ink cartridge for filling waste ink discharged by waste ink filling means. 2. A protection suction unit that covers a nozzle surface of the recording head that ejects ink, a waste ink tank that is connected to the protection suction unit, suctions ink from a nozzle of the recording head, and temporarily stores the suctioned waste ink. A waste ink cartridge that is detachably provided and fills the waste ink stored in the waste ink tank; an ink flow path between the protection suction unit and the waste ink tank; and an ink flow rate between the waste ink tank and the waste ink cartridge. And a forward / reverse pump connected to the flow path switching means. 3. A waste ink amount detecting means for detecting a filling amount of waste ink provided in the waste ink cartridge, and a filling amount of the waste ink cartridge detected by the waste ink amount detecting means is set to a predetermined filling limit value. 3. The recording head function maintaining device according to claim 1, further comprising a warning unit for instructing replacement of the waste ink cartridge when the recording time has reached. 4. A history display means for indicating that the waste ink cartridge is filled with waste ink.
4. The recording head function maintaining device according to 2 or 3. 5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said history display means displays a history indicating that the waste ink cartridge has been filled with waste ink by a detection terminal of the waste ink amount detection means. 6. The waste ink tank has waste ink storage amount detection means for indicating the limit of the amount of waste ink stored, and when the waste ink storage amount detection means detects the limit of the amount of waste ink stored, waste ink is detected. 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the waste ink pump of the filling means is driven. 7. An ink jet recording apparatus, comprising the recording head function maintaining device according to claim 1.