JP2002052743A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of suppressing staining of a recording medium due to mist by preventing ink drops from flying by becoming the mist in a flushing region. SOLUTION: An ink receiving piece 29b is brought into close proximity to a part of a nozzle face 20a to be opposed thereto when a recording head 20 is positioned above an ink receiving recessed section 28a. Four rows of nozzles are formed on the nozzle face 20a in a main scanning direction (direction of arrow Y). For example, two rows of nozzles which are on the nozzle face 20a at the side of a conveyance passage 27 are opposed to the ink receiving piece 29b. In the case where ink drops are ejected from all the nozzle of the recording head 20 by the flushing in this condition, the ink drops ejected from the two rows of nozzles on the nozzle face 20a are received by the ink receiving piece 29b. As a result, it is possible to prevent ink drops ejected from the two rows of nozzles from flying by becoming the mist.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for recovering an ink ejection state by ejecting ink droplets from a nozzle opening of a print head in a flushing area, and more particularly, to an image forming apparatus in which the ink drops become mist in the flushing area. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of suppressing floating and suppressing contamination of a recording medium by the mist.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An ink jet printer has been put to practical use in which ink is ejected from a print head having a plurality of nozzle openings to print on recording paper. In this ink jet printer, printing is performed on recording paper by ejecting ink from nozzle openings of the print head while reciprocating the print head in a direction orthogonal to the recording paper conveyance direction. In this ink jet printer, since the print head is moved during the printing operation, the ink in the nozzle openings is dried and solidified in accordance with the movement, and ink clogging occurs in the nozzle openings, resulting in ejection failure. If printing is performed in a state where there is a discharge failure, a print failure occurs. In such a case, flushing is performed to restore a good discharge state.

[0003] Flushing is to apply a drive signal irrelevant to printing on a recording medium to a print head to cause ink to be ejected idly from all nozzle openings of the print head. This is performed in a flushing foam provided outside the road. By executing such flushing during the printing operation, the ink ejection state can be recovered.

[0004]

However, in the above-described ink jet printer, an interval is provided between the flushing foam and the nozzle head forming surface of the print head in order to prevent contact between the flushing foam and the surface. Due to the flushing operation, some of the ink droplets ejected from the nozzle openings of the print head are decelerated by air resistance before reaching the flushing foam, become mist (fog ink), and float in the flushing foam. Resulting in. When the print head in the flushing form is moved to the recording paper transport path in such a state, the mist of the ink droplets is wound up by the air current accompanying the movement of the print head, and the inside of the printer and the printing surface of the recording paper are stained. There was a problem that it would.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and suppresses the floating of ink droplets as mist in a flushing area, thereby contaminating the inside of the apparatus and the recording medium due to the mist. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of suppressing the image formation.

[0006]

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising: a conveying path for conveying a recording medium; and a nozzle for discharging ink droplets onto the recording medium passing through the conveying path. A print head having a plurality of openings, a driving unit for reciprocating the print head in a direction orthogonal to a conveying direction of the recording medium in the conveying path, and one end of the driving direction of the print head by the driving unit. A flushing area provided outside the one end of the transport path and ejecting ink droplets from the nozzle opening; and a waste ink outlet provided in the flushing area and discharging waste ink ejected in the flushing area When the print head is located in the flushing area, between the nozzle forming surface of the print head and the waste ink discharge port It, and includes an ink receiving member disposed to face each other in proximity to a portion of the conveying path in the nozzle opening forming surface.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the print head is moved by the driving means in a direction orthogonal to the recording medium conveyance direction, and the ink droplets are moved from the plurality of nozzle openings by the movement. Printing is performed by being discharged onto a recording medium passing through the transport path. When recovering the ink ejection state of the print head during printing, when the drive unit moves the print head further than one end of the transport path, the print head reaches the flushing area, and the nozzle port of the print head is opened. A part of the forming surface is disposed close to and opposed to the ink receiving member.

When a portion of the print head on the side of the transport path on the nozzle port forming surface is disposed in close proximity to the ink receiving member, ink droplets are ejected from the plurality of nozzle ports. The ejected ink droplet is received by the ink receiving member,
The ink flows down from the ink receiving member and is discharged from the waste ink discharge port to the outside of the flushing area. On the other hand, after the ejection of the ink droplets, the print head is moved from the flushing area toward the transport path by the driving unit, and the ink droplets are ejected from the plurality of nozzle openings to the recording medium, and printing is performed again.

[0009] The image forming apparatus according to the second aspect is the first aspect.
In the image forming apparatus described above, an ink guide portion is formed in the flushing area, the ink guide portion being open at a portion facing a nozzle forming surface of the print head, and a bottom portion reaching the waste ink discharge port. The member covers a part of the waste ink discharge port and the ink guide portion.

[0010] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image forming apparatus.
In the image forming apparatus described in Item 2 or 2, a surface of the ink receiving member facing the nozzle port forming surface is inclined downward toward the waste ink discharge port.

[0011] The image forming apparatus according to the fourth aspect is the first aspect.
4. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 1 to 3, wherein a support surface provided on the conveyance path for supporting a recording medium, and one end of the conveyance path for pressing one end of the recording medium supported by the support surface. And a pressing member protruding from the supporting surface at a distance from the supporting surface and integrally formed with the ink receiving member.

According to the image forming apparatus of the fourth aspect, the image forming apparatus operates in the same manner as the image forming apparatus of any one of the first to third aspects. Conveyed. The transported recording medium includes
Printing is performed by ejecting ink droplets from the plurality of nozzle openings of the print head. Here, when the ejected ink droplet lands on the recording medium, the ink penetrates into the recording medium, and the end of the recording medium warps and rises from the support surface,
The raised portion may be caught in the transport path and the recording medium may be jammed. However, since one end of the recording medium is pressed by a pressing member projecting at a distance from the support surface, the lifting of the recording medium from the support surface due to warpage is suppressed, and the clogging of the recording medium in the transport path is suppressed. Because

[0013] The image forming apparatus according to the fifth aspect is the first aspect.
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ink receiving member is configured to receive an ink droplet ejected from a nozzle port of the print head when the print head is located in the flushing area. A first receiving surface and a second receiving surface are provided, and the second receiving surface is provided closer to the waste ink discharge port than the first receiving surface.

According to the image forming apparatus of the fifth aspect, it operates in the same manner as the image forming apparatus of any one of the first to fourth aspects. In the first aspect, a part of the nozzle forming surface of the print head is opposed to the first receiving surface, and the ink droplet ejected from the nozzle port is received by the first receiving surface. On the other hand, when the ink discharge amount from the nozzle port is large, the nozzle forming surface of the print head is opposed to the second receiving surface, and the ink droplet discharged from the nozzle port is received by the second receiving surface. Since the second receiving surface is provided closer to the waste ink discharge port than the first receiving surface, the distance from the second receiving surface to the nozzle opening forming surface of the print head depends on the distance from the first receiving surface to the nozzle opening forming of the print head. It is made larger than the distance to the surface. For this reason,
When a large amount of ink droplets are ejected from the nozzle openings to the second receiving surface, the ink droplets are prevented from splashing on the second receiving surface and adhering to the nozzle forming surface of the print head.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image forming apparatus according to the fifth aspect.
In the image forming apparatus described in the above, the ink receiving member,
An opening communicating with the waste ink discharge port is provided at a boundary between the first receiving surface and the second receiving surface.

According to the image forming apparatus of the sixth aspect, it operates in the same manner as the image forming apparatus of the fifth aspect,
The ink received by the first receiving surface and the second receiving surface drops from the opening provided at the boundary between the first receiving surface and the second receiving surface to the waste ink outlet, and flushes from the waste ink outlet. Exhausted out of the area.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image forming apparatus according to the fifth aspect.
Or the first resolution or the first resolution of the recording medium by the print head.
Printing means for performing printing at a second resolution higher than the resolution, resolution determining means for determining whether the resolution used for printing by the printing means is the first or second resolution, and determining the resolution When the resolution is determined to be the first resolution by the resolution determining means to a position where the nozzle opening forming surface and the second receiving surface face each other. The print head is moved by the driving unit to a position where the nozzle port forming surface and the first receiving surface face each other,
Flushing means for discharging ink from the nozzle openings.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the image forming apparatus operates in the same manner as the image forming apparatus of the present invention, and the printing means uses the print head to adjust the first resolution or the second resolution. Printing is performed on a recording medium at any resolution. The resolution of printing by such printing means is as follows:
The resolution determination means determines whether the resolution is the first resolution or the second resolution. Since the first resolution has a larger amount of ink ejected from the nozzle orifice than the second resolution, the flushing means moves the print head by the driving means, and moves a part of the nozzle forming surface of the print head to the second receiving surface. And discharges ink droplets from the nozzle openings.
On the other hand, since the second resolution has a smaller amount of ink ejected from the nozzle opening than the first resolution, the flushing means moves the print head by the drive means to receive a part of the nozzle formation surface of the print head in the first receiving portion. The ink droplets are ejected from the nozzle openings so as to face the surface.

[0019]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a multifunction peripheral device 1 equipped with an inkjet printer 10 (see FIG. 2) according to one embodiment of the present invention.
The multi-function peripheral device 1 has various functions such as a facsimile function, a printer function, a scanner function, a copy function, and a video function.

As shown in FIG. 1, the multifunctional peripheral device 1 comprises:
The apparatus main body 2 is formed in a substantially box-like body, and an operation panel 3 is disposed on an upper surface of the apparatus main body 2.
The operation panel 3 has numeric buttons 3a of “0” to “9”.
Also, various buttons such as a start button 3b are provided, and various operations are performed by pressing these buttons. A liquid crystal display (LCD) 4 is provided at the rear of the operation panel 3, and the setting state of the multi-function peripheral device 1 and various operation messages are displayed as necessary.

At the rear of the LCD 4, there is provided an original placing portion 5 on which a facsimile original transmitted to a facsimile machine at the time of the facsimile function and a copy original copied at the time of the copy function can be stacked. The various originals placed on the original placing section 5 are conveyed into the apparatus main body 2 and an image drawn on the surface of the original is read by a scanner (not shown). The document from which the image has been read is further transported and discharged to a document discharge unit 6 provided below the operation panel 3.

At the rear of the document placing section 5, there is provided a recording paper insertion section 7, which is a space for inserting a plurality of recording papers P (see FIG. 2) in a stacked state. The recording paper P inserted into the recording paper insertion section 7 is conveyed into the apparatus main body 2, and is provided below the document discharge section 6 after an image is printed by the inkjet printer 10 (see FIG. 2). The recording paper is discharged from the recording paper discharge unit 8.

FIG. 2 is a side view schematically showing the internal structure of the multifunctional peripheral device 1 on which the inkjet printer 10 is mounted, and the arrow X in the figure indicates the direction in which the recording paper P is transported. The ink jet printer 10 is a serial printer that performs printing by reciprocating the print head 20 in the paper width direction of the recording paper P (the front-rear direction in FIG. 2), and performs printing at two resolutions, for example, 300 dpi and 1200 dpi. It is possible.

As shown in FIG. 2, an ink jet printer 10 for printing (printing) on the recording paper P inserted into the recording paper insertion portion 7 is mounted inside the apparatus main body 2. A recording paper insertion portion 7 for inserting unused recording paper P in a stacked state is provided at a rear portion (right side in FIG. 2) of the apparatus main body 2. The recording paper insertion portion 7 is provided with a mounting plate 7a on which a plurality of recording papers P are mounted in a stacked state, and a recording paper insertion portion 7 is provided at a position facing the mounting plate 7a. Feed roller 1 that transports recording paper P from printer to inkjet printer 10
1 is provided.

The paper feed roller 11 is supported by a drive shaft 13 via a holder member 12. This paper feed roller 1
The drive shaft 1 is connected to a drive shaft 13 via a clutch mechanism (not shown) mounted on the holder member 12.
Reference numeral 3 is connected to an LF motor (not shown) via a gear mechanism (not shown). When the LF motor is driven,
The drive shaft 13 is rotated via a gear mechanism, and this rotation is transmitted to the paper feed roller 11 via a clutch mechanism. When the rotation of the drive shaft 13 is transmitted to the paper feed roller 11, the paper feed roller 11 is rotated clockwise, and the recording paper P of the recording paper insertion portion 7 is moved downstream (in the direction of arrow X in FIG. 2). ).

A transport roller 14 and a press roller 15 are provided downstream of the paper feed roller 11, and both cooperate to press and hold the recording paper P while transporting it. On the downstream side of the conveying roller 14 and the pressing roller 15, the recording paper P discharged from the conveying roller
Roller 16 and holding roller 1 for discharging paper
The recording paper P is conveyed to the recording paper discharge unit 8 while pressing and holding the recording paper P in cooperation with each other. Further, the recording paper P located between the transport roller 14 and the paper discharge roller 16
Below the platen, a flat platen 18 and its platen 1
8 and a transport path 27 for the recording paper P (see FIG. 3).
Is provided. Furthermore,
Above the support plate 19, a print head 20 is disposed so as to face the platen 18.

The print head 20 is mounted on a carriage 23 which can move in the front-rear direction in FIG. 2 along a guide bar 21 and a guide member 22 which are laid on the frame of the apparatus main body 2. A belt 24 is fixed to the carriage 23, and a drive pulley 25 a attached to a rotation shaft of a CR motor 25 is connected via the belt 24.

When the CR motor 25 is driven, the driving pulley 25a is rotated.
Is moved back and forth. The carriage 23 is moved along the guide bar 21 and the guide member 22 by the movement of the belt 24, and the movement of the carriage 23 causes the print head 20 to move in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the recording paper P (the front-back direction in FIG. 2). It is reciprocated to.

On the platen 18 side of the print head 20, a nozzle surface 20a facing the recording paper P supported by the platen 18 is formed. On the nozzle surface 20a, ink is ejected onto the recording paper P. Are formed (not shown). The carriage 23 has
In addition to the print head 20, an ink tank 26 for storing ink supplied to a plurality of nozzle openings of the print head 20 is mounted.

FIG. 3 shows the support plate 1 supporting the platen 18.
9 is a plan view, and an arrow X in the figure indicates a conveying direction of the recording paper P. 3, the illustration of the carriage 23 on which the print head 20 is mounted is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 3, the support plate 19 forms a transport path 27 for the recording paper P, and is formed in the paper width direction of the recording paper P (left-right direction in FIG. It is provided in a long shape along the main scanning direction (the reciprocating movement direction of the carriage 23). The support plate 19 forming the transport path 27 has a nozzle surface 20a of the print head 20 described above.
A platen 18 is attached to a position opposite to. The width of the support plate 19 in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction in FIG. 3) is slightly larger than the sheet width of the recording sheet P, and the recording sheet P can be supported over the entire sheet width.

A flushing foam 28 is provided further outward than one end in the width direction (left side in FIG. 3) of the transport path 27, and the flushing foam 28 is formed integrally with the support plate 19 by resin or the like. Flushing foam 2
8, a substantially rectangular ink receiving recess 2 is provided on the longitudinal extension of the platen 18, that is, on the main scanning direction of the print head 20.
8a is recessed. An ink outlet 28b which is elongated in the main scanning direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 3) of the print head 20 is formed at the bottom of the ink receiving concave portion 28a (the back side in FIG. 3).

Thereafter, the print head 20 is moved from each nozzle opening to the ink receiving recess 28a of the flushing foam 28.
The operation of causing the ink droplets (ink droplets) to be ejected inside is referred to as flushing or flushing operation. By causing the nozzles of the print head 20 to idle discharge ink by this flushing, the ink discharge state of the nozzle openings of the print head 20 can be recovered.

A flushing plate 29 of a substantially rectangular frame shape formed of a metal flat plate is attached to the periphery of the ink receiving concave portion 28a by caulking 30. The flushing plate 29 is provided with an opening 29a corresponding to the ink receiving recess 28a. At one edge of the opening 29a on the side of the transport path 27, an ink receiving piece 29b having a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view is integrally formed.
b extends from one edge of the opening 29a to the side opposite to the conveyance path 27 (the left side in FIG. 3).

A guide plate 31 is formed integrally with the flushing plate 29 on the transport path 27 side, and a guide plate 32 is attached to an end of the transport path 27 on the side opposite to the flushing foam 28. I have. The pair of guide plates 31 and 32 form a conveyance path 27 for the recording paper P together with the support plate 19, and both ends in the sheet width direction of the recording paper P supported by the support plate 19 are on the support plate 19 side (FIG. 3).

FIG. 4A is a sectional view taken along the line IVa-IVa in FIG. 3, and FIG. 4B is a sectional view taken along the line IVb-I in FIG.
It is sectional drawing in the Vb line. An arrow Y in FIG. 4A indicates a moving direction when the carriage 23 on which the print head 20 is mounted moves to the transport path 27 side of the recording paper P.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the flushing foam 28 is provided further outside one end of the conveyance path 27 for the recording paper P, and the ink receiving recess 28a is provided on the nozzle surface 20a of the print head 20. Is formed in a substantially concave shape with an open surface. The above-described ink discharge port 28b is formed in a lower portion (bottom portion) of the ink receiving concave portion 28a, and the ink discharge port 28b is formed to penetrate the lower surface of the flushing foam 28 (the lower side in FIG. 4A). . Although not shown in FIG. 4, a waste ink tank containing a waste ink absorbing material capable of absorbing ink is provided below the ink outlet 28b. Therefore, the ink dropped from the ink discharge port 28b falls into the waste ink tank, and is absorbed and stored by the waste ink absorbing material.

The inner surface of the ink receiving recess 28a is provided with an inclined surface 28c which is inclined downward toward the ink discharge port 28b. The inclined surface 28c allows the ink droplet ejected to the ink receiving recess 28a to be discharged to the ink discharge port 28b.
Therefore, it is possible to prevent ink droplets from remaining in the ink receiving recess 28a. The ink receiving piece 29b of the flushing plate 29 is inclined downward toward the ink outlet 28b. Therefore, ink droplets ejected from each nozzle opening of the print head 20 toward the ink receiving piece 29b can flow down to the ink discharge port 28b along the inclination of the ink receiving piece 29b. Therefore, it is possible to prevent ink droplets from remaining on the ink receiving piece 29b. As a result, in the next flushing operation, the ink droplets ejected toward the ink receiving piece 29b may collide with the residual ink on the ink receiving piece 29b, bounce toward the nozzle face 20a, and stain the nozzle face 20a. Absent.

When the print head 20 is located above the ink receiving recess 28a, the ink receiving piece 29b is located between the nozzle face 20a of the print head 20 and the ink discharge port 28b, and is located on one side of the nozzle face 20a. It is arranged in close proximity to the part. Here, on the nozzle surface 20a, four rows of nozzle openings are formed in the main scanning direction of the print head 20 (the direction of the arrow Y in FIG. 4A).
b shows the side of the transport path 27 on the nozzle surface 20a (FIG. 4).
(A) The nozzle openings for two rows formed in the (right) portion are opposed to each other. In this state, if the ink droplets are ejected from all the nozzle openings of the print head 20 by the flushing, the ink droplets ejected from the nozzle openings of the two rows of the nozzle surface 20a are received by the ink receiving piece 29b. It is possible to prevent the ink droplets ejected from the nozzle openings of the row from becoming mist and floating in the air.

On the other hand, since the nozzle surface 20a has two rows of nozzle openings formed in a portion not facing the ink receiving piece 29b, the ink droplets ejected from the nozzle openings are:
A part of the ink droplet may not be received by the ink receiving piece 29b and may become mist and float in the ink receiving concave portion 28a. In such a case, when the print head 20 is moved toward the transport path 27 by the carriage 23, ink droplets (ink mist) mist formed by the airflow accompanying the movement flow into the transport path 27, and the inside of the apparatus main body 2 and the recording medium are recorded. There is a possibility that the surface of the paper P is stained.

Therefore, the ink receiving piece 29b is attached to the recording paper P
Is extended (extended) from the side of the transport path 27 into the ink receiving recess 28a, and is provided above the ink discharge port 28b at a distance from the ink discharge port 28b. For this reason, the mist-formed ink droplets are transferred from the flushing form 28 by the carriage 23 to the transport path 2 by the carriage 23.
In the case where the ink droplet is moved to the side 7, it sinks below the ink receiving piece 29 b, so that the ink droplet is prevented from flowing to the transport path 27 side.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, the ink receiving piece 29b is extended so as to cover the ink receiving recess 28a and the ink discharge port 28b. Ink outlet 2
Even if the ink mist rises from 8b, it is possible to prevent the ink mist from colliding with the lower surface of the ink receiving piece 29b and flowing into the transport path 27. In addition, an ink outlet 2 is provided on the inner surface of the ink receiving recess 28a.
Since the inclined surfaces 28d and 28e which are inclined downward toward 8b are formed, ink droplets can flow down to the ink discharge ports 28b along the inclined surfaces 28d and 28e.

Further, the ink receiving piece 29b is
Since the ink receiving piece 29b is opposed to only a part of the nozzle opening face 20a of the nozzle face 20a, it is not necessary to make the ink receiving piece 29b face the entire area of the nozzle face 20a, and the ink receiving piece 29b can be made smaller accordingly. . Therefore, the ink receiving piece 2
9b can be reduced, and the surface area of the ink receiving piece 29b facing the nozzle surface 20a can be reduced.
The ink received by 9b is an ink receiving piece 29b.
A large amount of ink does not accumulate on the surface of the nozzle, and it is possible to prevent the ink droplets ejected from the nozzle orifices from colliding with the accumulated ink and rebounding to the nozzle surface 20a to prevent the nozzle surface 20a from being stained.

The guide plate 31 extends from the end (left side in FIG. 4A) of the recording paper P transport path 27 to the support plate 19 (platen 1).
8) projecting from the upper surface of the recording paper P at a distance from the guide plate 31 and the support plate 19 (platen 18).
End can pass through. When printing is performed by the print head 20, when ink droplets ejected from the nozzle orifices penetrate the recording paper P, the end of the recording paper P warps and rises from the platen 18 or the support plate 19, and the floating portion is conveyed. There is a possibility that the recording paper P is jammed in the path 27 and jammed.

However, since the end of the recording paper P passes between the support plate 19 and the guide plate 31, such an end does not rise above the guide plate 31. Further, the end of the warped recording paper P is supported by the support plate 1 by the guide plate 31.
Therefore, paper jam in the transport path 27 can be suppressed. Also, the guide plate 31
Is formed integrally with the flushing plate 29, so that the number of parts to be assembled as the whole ink jet printer 10 can be reduced. The guide plate 32
Like the guide plate 31, it also serves to suppress the lifting of the end of the recording paper P, and is protruded from the upper surface of the support plate 19 (platen 18) at an interval.

When printing at a low resolution, for example, 300 dpi by the ink jet printer 10,
The particle size of the ink droplet ejected from the nozzle port of the print head 20 is larger than that of high resolution printing of 1200 dpi,
In addition, since the ink ejection amount is increased, the ink droplets are less likely to be mist. Therefore, when flushing is performed during low-resolution printing, the nozzle surface 20 of the print head 20 is not used.
The ink droplet may be ejected directly to the ink receiving recess 28a without facing the ink receiving piece 29b.

Next, a modification of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Hereinafter, the same portions as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. Only different portions will be described.

FIG. 5A is a plan view partially showing the internal structure of the apparatus main body 2 in the multifunctional peripheral device 40 of the second embodiment, and FIG. 5B is a plan view of FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG.
FIG. 5C shows a state where the nozzle face 20a of the print head 20 faces the lower ink receiving portion 41b of the ink receiving piece 41. FIG. FIG. FIG.
An arrow X in the middle indicates a conveying direction of the recording paper P, and an arrow Y indicates a moving direction when the carriage 23 on which the print head 20 is mounted moves to the conveying path 27 side. The multi-function peripheral device 40 of the second embodiment is different from the multi-function peripheral device 1 of the first embodiment described above.
In contrast, the shape of the ink receiving piece in the flushing plate 29 is changed.

As shown in FIG. 5A, an opening 29a is formed in the flushing plate 29.
An ink receiving piece 41 having a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view is formed integrally with one edge of the transport path 27 on the side of. FIG. 5 (b)
As shown in FIG. 5, the ink receiving piece 41 is inclined downward from the transport path 27 side (the right side in FIG. 5) of the flushing plate 29 toward the ink discharge port 31, and is opposed to the nozzle surface 20 a of the print head 20. Is provided with an upper ink receiving portion 41a and a lower ink receiving portion 41b. One end (the right side in FIG. 5) of the upper ink receiving portion 41a is connected to one edge of the opening 29a of the flushing plate 29, and is inclined downward from the connecting portion toward the ink discharge port 28b.

The other end of the upper ink receiving portion 41a (left side in FIG. 5) is connected to one end of a lower ink receiving portion 41b located further below the other end of the upper ink receiving portion 41a. The lower ink receiving portion 41a is formed closer to the ink outlet 28b (lower side) than the upper ink receiving portion 41a, and is inclined downward toward the ink outlet 28b. For this reason, the upper ink receiving portion 41a is provided on the transport path 27 side (the right side in FIG. 5) from the lower ink receiving portion 41b, and the distance from the nozzle surface 20a of the print head 20 to the lower ink receiving portion 41b is
Is larger than the distance from the nozzle surface 20a to the upper ink receiving portion 41a.

According to the ink jet printer 10, when printing is performed at a low resolution (for example, 300 dpi), the particle size of the ink droplet ejected from the nozzle opening of the print head 20 is determined when printing is performed at a high resolution (for example, 1200 dpi). And the ink ejection amount also increases. For this reason, when an ink droplet is ejected to the upper ink receiving portion 41a close to the nozzle surface 20a, the ink droplet may rebound to the nozzle surface 20a and stain the nozzle surface 20a. Therefore, in such a case, the print head 20 is moved from the position shown in FIG. 5B to the position shown in FIG. Facing the portion 41b,
By ejecting the ink droplets to the lower ink receiving portion 41b, the rebound of the ink droplets can be suppressed.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the multi-function peripheral device 40. The multifunction peripheral device 40 is formed by connecting two units of a facsimile unit FU and a printer unit PU to each other by an interface 70. Facsimile unit FU
Are CPU 51, ROM 52, RAM 53, EEPROM
M54, network control unit (hereinafter, referred to as “NCU”) 55, modem 56, encoder 5
7, decoder 58, scanner 59, operation panel 3, LCD
4 which are interconnected via a facsimile control circuit 60.

The CPU 51 controls the facsimile control circuit 6 based on various signals transmitted and received through the NCU 55.
It controls each unit connected to 0 and executes a facsimile operation and the like. The ROM 52 is a non-rewritable memory for storing various control programs executed by the multi-function peripheral device 40, and the RAM 53 is a rewritable memory for storing various data. EEPROM5
Reference numeral 4 denotes a rewritable non-volatile memory.
The data stored in the OM 54 is retained even after the power of the multi-function peripheral device 40 is turned off.

The NCU 55 performs operations such as sending a dial signal to the telephone network (telephone line 72) and responding to a call signal from the telephone network (telephone line 72). The modem 56 modulates and demodulates the image data via the NCU 55, transmits the modulated data to the facsimile apparatus 71, and transmits and receives various procedure signals for transmission control. The encoder 57 encodes image data or the like of a document read by the scanner 59 for compression, and the decoder 58 decodes encoded data such as received facsimile data. It is. The scanner 59 is for reading an image of a document inserted from the document placing section 5 into the apparatus main body 2. The facsimile unit FU of the multi-function peripheral 40 is
The NCU 55 is connected to a partner facsimile machine 71 via a telephone line 72.

The printer unit PU includes a CPU 61 as an arithmetic unit and a control program 62a for the CPU 61.
A ROM 62 that stores a print resolution memory 63a that is referenced and updated during execution of the CPU 61, a print memory that stores print data, and the like.
A personal computer (hereinafter, referred to as "PC") 73 connected to a personal computer interface 64; a character generator (hereinafter, referred to as "CG") 65 for storing a vector font such as characters for printing;
0, a CR motor 25, and an LF motor 66 that supplies a rotational force to the drive shaft 13 that rotates the paper feed roller 11. These are interconnected via a printer control circuit 67.

As described above, the RAM 63 is provided with a print resolution memory 63a as a work memory.
The print resolution memory 63a is a memory for storing the resolution actually used for printing, and is 300 dpi or 120 dpi.
A value of 0 dpi is set. Inkjet printer 1
A value of 0 refers to the value of the print resolution memory 63a, and performs printing at the resolution stored therein. The actual printing resolution is determined by the type of the recording paper P and the printing resolution. If the print resolution is set to "high resolution",
The actual print resolution is 1200 dpi, and if set to “low resolution”, the actual print resolution is 300 dpi.
It is. The print resolution is set based on button operations on the operation panel 3 and data input from the PC 53.

The personal computer interface 64 is, for example, a parallel interface conforming to the Centronics standard. The multifunction peripheral device 40 is connected to the PC 7 via a cable 74 connected to the interface 64.
3 is enabled to transmit and receive data.

Next, the printing process executed by the multifunctional peripheral device 40 configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This printing process is executed by the printer unit PU of the multi-function peripheral device 40.

In the printing process, first, it is checked whether any of the nozzle openings of the print head 20 has not ejected any ink droplet for a predetermined time or more (S1).
If there is at least one nozzle opening that has not ejected an ink droplet for a predetermined time or more (S1: Yes), the print resolution memory 63a
Is checked (S2), and a flushing process is executed before the one-line printing (S10) by the print head 20 in order to recover the ink ejection state of all the nozzle openings of the print head 20 (S3). ~ S5, S6 ~ S
8).

The value stored in the print resolution memory 63a is checked (S2), and the value of the print resolution memory 63a is set to 12
If it is 00 dpi (S2: Yes), the print head 20
Since the diameter of the ink droplets ejected from each nozzle opening is small and the ink ejection amount is small, the carriage 23 is moved to the ink receiving concave portion 28a side in order to suppress the formation of mist of the ink droplets, 20 nozzle surfaces 20a
Is made to face the upper ink receiving portion 41a of the ink receiving piece 41 (S3), and ink droplets are ejected from all the nozzle openings of the print head 20 (S4). Since the discharged ink droplet is received by the upper ink receiving portion 41a,
Such ink droplets can be prevented from becoming mist and floating in the ink receiving concave portion 28a. After the process of S4, the ink droplets ejected from the nozzle orifices are transferred to the upper
Until the landing, the drive of the CR motor 25 is stopped for a time t1 to stop the movement of the carriage 23 (S5).

As described above, the ink droplets are
By stopping the drive of the CR motor 25 until the ink droplets land, the ink droplets before landing on the ink receiving piece 41 can be suppressed from flowing into the transport path 27 due to the airflow accompanying the movement of the carriage 23. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the recording paper P passing through the transport path 27 from being stained by the ink mist.

On the other hand, if the value of the print resolution memory 63a is 30
If the resolution is 0 dpi (S2: No), the ink droplets ejected from each nozzle of the print head 20 have a large particle diameter and a large amount of ink ejection. Carriage 2
3 is moved to the ink receiving recess 28a side, and the print head 2 is moved.
No. 0 nozzle surface 20a is made to face the lower ink receiving portion 41b of the ink receiving piece 41 (S6), and the print head 2
Ink droplets are ejected from all the nozzle openings of No. 0 (S7).

The ejected ink droplets are received by the lower ink receiving portion 41b provided at a distance from the nozzle surface 20a as compared with the upper ink receiving portion 41a, and the ink droplets collide with the lower ink receiving portion 41b and rebound. In addition, it is possible to suppress adhesion to the nozzle surface 20a. After the processing in S7, the drive of the CR motor 25 is stopped for a time t2 to stop the movement of the carriage 23 until the ink droplets ejected from the nozzle orifices land on the lower ink receiving portion 41b (S8). ).

Here, in the process of S8, the CR motor 2
The time t2 for stopping the CR motor 25 is longer than the time t1 for stopping the CR motor 25 in the process of S5 (t
1 <t2). The stop times t1 and t2 of the CR motor 25
Is set based on the landing time required for the ink droplet ejected from the nozzle opening of the print head 20 to land on the ink receiving piece 41.

The ejection speed of ink droplets ejected from the nozzle openings of the print head 20 is constant irrespective of the print resolution value. That is, since the ejection speed of the ink droplet is constant even if the particle diameter and the ink ejection amount of the ink droplet are different, it is necessary for the ink droplet ejected from the nozzle opening of the print head 20 to land on the ink receiving piece 41. The required landing time is determined by the magnitude of the distance from the nozzle surface 20a to the upper ink receiving portion 41a or the lower ink receiving portion 41b.

Here, since the distance from the nozzle surface 20a to the upper ink receiving portion 41a is smaller than the distance from the nozzle surface 20a to the lower ink receiving portion 41b, the landing time of the ink droplet when the printing resolution is 1200 dpi. Is shorter than the landing time in the case of 300 dpi.
Therefore, when the print resolution is 1200 dpi (S2:
The stop time t1 of the CR motor 25 in Yes) is 3
CR motor 2 in the case of 00 dpi (S2: No)
5 can be shorter than the stop time t2.

As described above, the CR associated with the flushing process
The stopping time of the motor 25 is 1200 dp which requires a long time.
Since the printing of i is shorter than the printing of 300 dpi performed in a shorter time (t1 <t2), it is possible to suppress the prolongation of the printing of high resolution by that much.

After the CR motor 25 is stopped, (S5, S
8) Drive the CR motor 25 again to
Is moved to the conveyance path 27 side (S9), and one line is printed on the recording paper P (S10). After one line printing (S1
0), it is checked whether printing of all print data is completed (S
11) If not completed (S11: No), the process proceeds to S1, and the processing from S1 to S11 is continued until printing of all print data is completed (S11: Yes). Thereafter, when printing of all print data is completed (S1
1: Yes), this printing process ends.

FIG. 8A is a plan view partially showing the internal structure of the device main body 2 in the multifunctional peripheral device 80 of the third embodiment, and FIG. 8B is a plan view of FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG.
Indicates a state facing the upper ink receiving portion 82,
FIG. 8C is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state where the nozzle surface 20 a of the print head 20 faces the lower ink receiving unit 83.
An arrow X in FIG. 8 indicates a transport direction of the recording paper P, and an arrow Y
Is a carriage 23 on which the print head 20 is mounted.
The moving direction when moving to the side 7 is shown.

The multi-function peripheral device 80 of the third embodiment is different from the multi-function peripheral device 40 of the second embodiment in that an upper-stage ink receiving portion for receiving ink droplets discharged from the nozzle openings of the print head 20 and The lower ink receiving portion is formed integrally with the flushing foam 28. Hereinafter, the same portions as those in the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. Only different portions will be described.

As shown in FIG. 8A, the transport path 27 in the ink receiving recess 28a of the flushing foam 81
The upper ink receiving portion 82 and the lower ink receiving portion 83
Are arranged side by side at a predetermined interval, and the ink receiving portions 82 and 83 are formed integrally with the flushing foam 28 with resin or the like. The flushing plate 29 includes the flushing plate 29 having the ink receiving piece 41 and the guide plate 31 and the flushing foam 28.
Was formed separately, but this flushing foam 8
1, the upper ink receiving section 82 and the lower ink receiving section 83
Since the guide plate 86 and the guide plate 86 are integrally formed, the number of parts can be reduced accordingly. In addition, since the flushing plate 29 needs to be attached to the flushing foam 28 by the caulking 30, the assembling work is complicated. However, the flushing foam 81 eliminates the caulking work by the caulking 30. The assembly work of the multi-function peripheral device 80 can be simplified.

As shown in FIG. 8B, the upper ink receiving portion 82 is provided on the side of the conveyance path 27 (right side in FIG. 8) of the ink receiving concave portion 28a with respect to the lower ink receiving portion 83. The ink receiving section 83 has a lower ink receiving section 8.
3 to the nozzle surface 20a of the print head 20
The distance is larger than the distance from the nozzle surface 20a of the print head 20 to the upper ink receiving portion 41a.

According to the multi-function peripheral device 80, 300 dp
When printing is performed at a low resolution of i, flushing is performed by discharging ink droplets from nozzle openings of the print head 20 to the lower ink receiving section 83 as shown in FIG. 8C, and a high resolution of 1200 dpi When printing is performed, flushing is performed by ejecting ink droplets from the nozzle openings of the print head 20 to the upper ink receiving section 82 as shown in FIG. 8B. Therefore, ink mist generated by flushing performed during high-resolution printing can be suppressed, and splash of ink droplets generated by flushing performed during low-resolution printing can be suppressed.

Further, a communication hole 84 communicating with the ink discharge port 28b is provided at a portion between the upper end ink receiving portion 82 and the lower ink receiving portion 83, and the upper ink receiving portion 82 has a communication hole 27 on the side of the conveying path 27. A communication hole 85 communicating with the ink discharge port 28b is provided. Therefore, ink accumulated on the upper surface of the upper ink receiving portion 82 or the lower ink receiving portion 83 can be dropped from each of the communication holes 84 and 85 to the ink discharge port 28b and discharged below the ink receiving concave portion 28a. Therefore, ink is accumulated in each of the ink receiving portions 82 and 83, and the ink droplets discharged by the next flushing collide with the accumulated ink, and the nozzle surface 20a
Can be suppressed, and the bounced ink can be suppressed from adhering to the nozzle surface 20a and contaminating the nozzle surface 20a.

In each of the above embodiments, the processing of S11 is performed as the printing means, the processing of S2 is performed as the resolution determining means, and the processing of S3 is performed as the flushing means.
To S5 or S6 to S8, respectively.

The present invention has been described based on the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Can easily be inferred.

In each of the above embodiments, the print resolution that can be printed by the inkjet printer 10 is 300 dpi and 12 dpi.
Although the description has been made with reference to 00 dpi, the types of printing resolution of the inkjet printer 10 are not necessarily limited to two types. For example, the printing resolution is set to 180 dpi.
To 1200 dpi.

In the second and third embodiments, the ink receiving portion for receiving ink droplets during flushing is changed in accordance with the printing resolution. For example, the ink receiving portion is ejected from the nozzle opening of the print head 20. It may be changed according to the gradation of the ink droplet.

In the second embodiment, while the driving of the CR motor 25 is stopped for the time t1 in the process of S5 in FIG.
Although the drive of the CR motor 25 is stopped for the time t2 longer than the time t1 in the process of S8 in FIG. 7, the stop time of the CR motor 25 in the processes of S5 and S8 is not necessarily limited to this. S5 and S
The stop time of the CR motor 25 in the processing of step 8 may be set as the time t2.

In the case of printing at a high resolution (1200 dpi), compared with the case of a low resolution (300 dpi), the diameter of the ink droplets is small and the amount of the ink droplets is small. Dropped ink droplets are easily affected by air resistance. For this reason, in the case of printing with high resolution (when the amount of ink droplets is small), the landing time required for the ink droplets to land on the ink receiving piece 41 is reduced in the case of printing with low resolution (in the case of ink droplets). (When the droplet volume is large). Therefore,
In such a case, in the printing process of FIG. 7, the time t1 for stopping the CR motor 25 in the process of S5 may be longer than the time t2 for stopping the CR motor 25 in the process of S8 (t1> t2). If the stop time t1 is longer than the stop time t2 (t1> t2), the carriage 23 conveys the ink droplets ejected from the nozzle orifices to the upper ink receiving portion 41a when printing with high resolution is performed. It is possible to land before moving to the road 27 side.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the upper ink receiving portion 41a from which ink droplets are ejected when high-resolution printing is performed is provided by the lower ink receiving portion 41a from which ink droplets are ejected when low-resolution printing is performed. Since the recording paper P is provided on the transport path 27 side (right side in FIG. 5) from the ink receiving portion 41b, the time required for the carriage 23 to move from the position shown in FIG. The time required to move from the position shown in FIG. 5C to the transport path 27 can be shortened. Therefore, S in FIG.
In the process of 5, the stop time t1 of the CR motor 25 is set to S
Even if the stop time t2 of the CR motor 25 in the process 8 is made longer (t1> t2), it is possible to suppress the prolongation of high-resolution printing.

[0082]

According to the image forming apparatus of the first aspect,
When the print head is located in the flushing area, the ink receiving member is located between the nozzle forming surface of the print head and the waste ink discharge port, and is close to a portion of the print head nozzle forming surface on the conveyance path side. Because they are arranged facing each other,
It is possible to receive ink droplets ejected from the nozzle opening facing the ink receiving member. By receiving the ink droplets, there is an effect that the ink droplets discharged in the flushing region can be prevented from becoming mist and floating in the flushing region.

Further, since the ink receiving member is opposed to only a part of the nozzle port forming surface of the print head, it is not necessary to make the ink receiving member face the entire nozzle port forming surface of the print head. In addition, the ink receiving member can be formed small. Therefore, the material cost of the ink receiving member can be reduced, and the surface area of the ink receiving member facing the nozzle opening forming surface can be reduced, so that the ink received by the ink receiving member can be used as the ink receiving member. An effect that ink droplets discharged from the nozzle orifices do not collect on the surface of the receiving member in a large amount and can be prevented from colliding with the ink droplets ejected from the nozzle orifices and repelling to the nozzle orifice forming surface to contaminate the nozzle forming surface. There is.

Further, since the ink receiving member is opposed to a portion of the print head nozzle forming surface on the side of the transport path, the ink droplets are prevented from floating as mist on the transport path side in the flushing area. can do. For this reason, when the print head is moved to the recording medium conveyance path side again by the driving means, mist of ink droplets flow into the conveyance path from the conveyance path side of the flushing area due to the airflow accompanying the movement, and the inside of the apparatus and the recording medium are printed. There is an effect that the medium can be prevented from being stained.

By the way, when the print head is located in the flushing area, the above-mentioned ink receiving member is disposed so as to be opposed to a part of the nozzle opening forming surface of the print head on the side of the transport path. For this reason, a part of the ink droplet ejected from the nozzle port at a portion not facing the ink receiving member is
It may float as a mist in the flushing area. For this reason, when the print head is moved again to the transport path side of the recording medium by the driving means, mist-like ink droplets flow into the transport path from the transport path side of the flushing area due to the airflow accompanying the movement, and the inside of the apparatus and The recording medium may be soiled.

However, according to the image forming apparatus of the second aspect, in addition to the effect of the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, in the flushing area, the portion facing the nozzle forming surface of the print head is opened and the bottom portion is opened. An ink guide portion is formed to reach the waste ink discharge port, and a part of the ink guide portion and a part of the waste ink discharge port are covered with an ink receiving member. Therefore, when the print head is moved again to the conveyance path side of the recording medium by the driving means, mist-like ink droplets which are about to flow from the flushing area toward the conveyance path due to the airflow accompanying the movement are transferred to the ink receiving member. There is an effect that such mist-like ink droplets can be prevented from flowing toward the transport path by sneaking into a space provided between the lower surface of the ink jet head and the ink guide portion. In addition, since the ink guide formed in the flushing area reaches the waste ink discharge port, the mist-shaped ink droplet sunk between the lower surface of the ink receiving member and the ink guide is guided to the waste ink discharge port. There is an effect that it can be discharged.

According to the image forming apparatus of the third aspect, in addition to the effects of the image forming apparatus of the first or second aspect, the surface of the ink receiving member facing the nozzle port forming surface is provided with a waste ink discharge port. As a result, the ink received by the ink receiving member can flow down to the waste ink discharge port. Therefore, the ink received by the ink receiving member does not stay, and the ink droplet ejected from the nozzle port collides with the stored ink, whereby the ink is scattered by the ink receiving member and the nozzle port forming surface. There is an effect that it can be prevented from adhering to the surface.

According to the image forming apparatus of the fourth aspect, in addition to the effects of the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, the pressing member for suppressing the rising of one end of the recording medium is an ink receiving member. Since it is integrally formed, the number of parts to be assembled can be reduced as a whole device. Therefore, since the assembling work of the device can be easily performed, there is an effect that the manufacturing cost of the entire device can be reduced accordingly.

According to the image forming apparatus of the fifth aspect, in addition to the effects of the image forming apparatus of any one of the first to fourth aspects, the second receiving surface is located between the first receiving surface and the waste ink outlet. Therefore, the distance from the second receiving surface to the nozzle opening forming surface of the print head can be made larger than the distance from the first receiving surface to the nozzle opening forming surface of the print head. For this reason, when a large amount of ink droplets are ejected from the nozzle openings, the ink droplets are ejected to the second receiving surface, so that the ink droplets bounce off the second receiving surface and adhere to the nozzle forming surface of the print head. Thus, there is an effect that the nozzle formation surface can be prevented from being stained by the adhesion of the ink.

According to the image forming apparatus of the sixth aspect, in addition to the effects of the image forming apparatus of the fifth aspect, the ink receiving member is provided at the boundary between the first receiving surface and the second receiving surface. Since the opening communicating with the discharge port is provided, the ink received by the first receiving surface or the second receiving surface from the opening can be dropped to the waste ink discharge port and discharged out of the flushing area. Therefore, accumulation of ink on the first receiving surface and the second receiving surface is suppressed.
This has the effect of preventing ink droplets ejected from the nozzle orifice from colliding with ink accumulated on the receiving surface or the second receiving surface and scattering and adhering to the nozzle orifice forming surface.

According to the image forming apparatus of the seventh aspect, in addition to the effect of the image forming apparatus of the fifth or sixth aspect, the flushing means is provided for the resolution of printing by the printing means, that is, for the ink ejection from the nozzle openings. The ejection position of the ink droplet ejected from the nozzle port can be appropriately changed according to the amount.

In the case of the first resolution, that is, when the amount of ink ejected from the nozzle port is large, the ink droplet is deposited on the second receiving surface having a larger distance to the nozzle port forming surface of the print head than the first receiving surface. Since the ink droplets are ejected, there is an effect that the rebound of the ink droplets to the nozzle forming surface can be suppressed.

On the other hand, in the case of the second resolution, that is, when the amount of ink ejected from the nozzle opening is small, the distance to the nozzle opening forming surface of the print head is smaller than the second receiving surface. Since ink droplets are ejected and received,
There is an effect that ink droplets discharged to the flushing area can be prevented from becoming mist and floating in the flushing area.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a multifunction peripheral device equipped with an inkjet printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view schematically showing the internal structure of a multi-function peripheral device equipped with an inkjet printer.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a support plate that supports a platen.

4A is a sectional view taken along line IVa-IVa in FIG. 3, and FIG. 4B is a sectional view taken along line IVb-IVb in FIG.

FIG. 5A is a plan view partially showing an internal structure of a device main body in a multifunction peripheral device according to a second embodiment;
(B) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of (a), showing a state where the nozzle surface of the print head faces the upper ink receiving portion of the ink receiving piece, and (c) shows the state of the print head. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state where a nozzle surface faces a lower ink receiving portion of an ink receiving piece.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of a multi-functional peripheral device according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a printing process executed in the multi-function peripheral device according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 8A is a plan view partially showing an internal structure of a device main body in a multifunction peripheral device according to a third embodiment;
(B) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of (a), showing a state in which the nozzle surface of the print head faces the upper ink receiving portion, and (c) shows the nozzle surface of the print head being lower. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the ink receiving unit faces the ink receiving unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 10 Inkjet printer (image forming apparatus) 18 Platen (part of support surface) 19 Support plate (part of support surface) 20 Print head 20a Nozzle surface (nozzle port formation surface) 23 Carriage (drive unit) 27 Transport path 28 Flushing Foam (flushing area) 28a Ink receiving recess (ink guide) 28b Ink outlet (waste ink outlet) 29b Ink receiving piece (ink receiving member) 31, 86 Guide plate (pressing member) 41 Ink receiving piece 41a Upper ink receiver Unit (first receiving surface) 41b Lower ink receiving unit (second receiving surface) 82 Upper ink receiving unit (first receiving surface, part of ink receiving member) 83 Lower ink receiving unit (second receiving surface, ink receiving member) 84) Communication hole (opening) P Recording paper (recording medium)

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C056 EA16 EA27 EB07 EB29 EB38 EC11 EC24 EC34 EC36 EC54 FA10 HA28 HA29 JC10 JC13 JC17 JC23

Claims (7)

[Claims] A print head having a transport path for transporting a recording medium, a plurality of nozzle openings for ejecting ink droplets onto the print medium passing through the transport path, and a print head for connecting the print head to the print medium in the transport path. A driving unit for reciprocating in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction, and one end side in the moving direction of the print head by the driving unit and further provided outside the one end of the conveyance path, and ink droplets are ejected from the nozzle openings. An image forming apparatus provided with a flushing area to be discharged and a waste ink discharge port provided in the flushing area and discharging waste ink discharged in the flushing area, wherein the print head is located in the flushing area. Between the nozzle forming surface of the print head and the waste ink discharge port, and on the side of the conveying path in the nozzle forming surface. Image forming apparatus characterized by in close proximity to a portion provided with an ink receiving member disposed opposite. 2. An ink guide portion is formed in the flushing region, the portion facing the nozzle forming surface of the print head is opened, and an ink guide portion whose bottom reaches the waste ink discharge port is formed. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the waste ink outlet and a part of the ink guide portion are covered. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a surface of the ink receiving member facing the nozzle port forming surface is inclined downward toward the waste ink discharge port. . 4. A support surface provided on the transport path for supporting a recording medium, and a distance from the support surface to one end of the transport path for pressing one end of the recording medium supported by the support surface. A pressing member protruding from the ink receiving member and integrally formed with the ink receiving member.
4. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, 5. The ink receiving member includes a first receiving surface and a second receiving surface for receiving ink droplets ejected from nozzle openings of the print head when the print head is located in the flushing area. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second receiving surface is provided closer to the waste ink discharge port than the first receiving surface. 6. 6. The ink receiving member according to claim 5, wherein an opening communicating with the waste ink discharge port is provided at a boundary between the first receiving surface and the second receiving surface. Image forming apparatus. 7. A printing means for performing printing at a first resolution or a second resolution which is higher than the first resolution on a recording medium by the print head, wherein the resolution used for printing by the printing means is the second resolution. 1
Or a resolution determining means for determining which of the two resolutions, and when the resolution determining means determines that the resolution is the first resolution, the nozzle port forming surface and the second receiving surface face each other. To the second position by the resolution determining means.
A flushing unit that moves the print head by the driving unit to a position where the nozzle opening forming surface and the first receiving surface face each other when the resolution is determined, and discharges ink from the nozzle opening; The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising: