JP2002292884A - Ink drying prevention device, ink jet recording head storage container and ink jet recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ink drying prevention device which can prevent ink of an ink jet recording head from drying for a long term and facilitate a maintenance operation to the ink jet recording head by averaging an amount of the air to be pressed into each nozzle, an ink jet recording head storage container and an ink jet recorder to which the ink drying prevention device is applied. SOLUTION: A plurality of sealing recesses 122 corresponding to ink ejection openings 16 are formed to a contact face 114T of a sealing member 114 of the ink drying prevention device 112. The contact face 114T is to contact an ink ejection face 14. In a sealing state, a sealing space is formed for each individual ink ejection opening 16 corresponding to the sealing recess 122, and the amount of the air to be pressed into each nozzle 18 is averaged. Therefore, a discharge ink amount of the whole of the ink jet recording head 12 when the air in the nozzles 18 is discharged by the maintenance operation is reduced.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink drying prevention device, an ink jet recording head storage container provided with the ink drying prevention device, and an ink jet recording device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An ink jet recording apparatus ejects ink as ink droplets in accordance with image information from an ink discharge port formed on an ink discharge surface of an ink jet recording head, and adheres the ink droplet to a recording medium to perform printing ( Image recording). In such an ink jet recording apparatus, if a state in which printing is not performed continues for a long time, the ink dries and clogs the nozzles (ink flow path), or dust (dust) adheres to the ink ejection surface, so Missing dots may occur, resulting in poor print quality or impossible printing. Therefore, when printing is stopped for a certain period, when the power is turned off, or the like, the print head is moved to a predetermined location in the ink jet printing apparatus, and the ink drying prevention device prevents the ink from being inadvertently dried. . Further, the used recording head may be detached from the ink jet recording apparatus and stored in a storage container provided with an ink drying prevention device.

[0003] As such an ink drying prevention device, an ink drying prevention device using a so-called closed cap has been proposed. In this closed cap method, for example, an elastic cap opened toward the ink ejection surface is prepared, and the peripheral portion of the cap is pressed against the ink ejection surface so as to surround the ink ejection port, thereby preventing ink drying. The device is mounted on the inkjet recording head. Thus, a closed space is created between the ink ejection surface and the cap, and drying of the ink from the ink ejection ports is effectively prevented.

However, in the closed cap method, when the cap is pressed against the ink ejection surface, or due to environmental changes (temperature rise or pressure drop) after the cap is mounted on the ink jet recording head, the sealed space expands or contracts, and the nozzle is closed. The air may be pushed into the ink, or the meniscus of the ink may be destroyed.

[0005] In the closed cap method, all of the plurality of ink ejection ports formed in the ink jet recording head are covered with one cap. Therefore, the air pressure may act unevenly on a plurality of nozzles, and more air may be pushed into only a specific nozzle than other nozzles. The air in the nozzles is discharged by the maintenance operation for the ink jet recording head. However, since it is necessary to completely discharge the air from the nozzle into which the largest amount of air has been pushed in, excessive ink is discharged from the other nozzles during that time. That means
Wasted ink is generated.

On the other hand, a device using a so-called close contact cap has been proposed. In the close contact cap method, a cap formed of an elastic member or the like is brought into close contact with the ink ejection surface so as to cover the ink ejection port, and the ink ejection port is shielded from air. Thereby, the airtightness of the cap is improved, so that drying of the ink can be effectively prevented.

However, since it is difficult to ensure sufficient sealing between the ink ejection surface and the cap with the close contact cap, during long-term capping, the ink gradually dries in the nozzles and clogging due to an increase in ink viscosity occurs. May occur.

Even when complete clogging does not occur, the ink ejection direction becomes unstable due to the thickened ink adhering to the periphery of the ink ejection port or the like, and the ink is placed at a precise position on the recording medium. Problems such as inability to eject droplets may occur.

Such inconveniences can be solved by a maintenance operation (such as suction of thickened ink) for the ink jet recording head. However, a long time is required for maintenance and a large amount of ink is discharged. I do.

Generally, an ink jet recording head has a common ink chamber corresponding to each ink flow path.
As more air is pushed from a particular nozzle, the likelihood of air reaching the common ink chamber increases.
When air reaches the common ink chamber, the air may not be discharged by the normal maintenance operation, and image recording may be difficult or impossible.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described circumstances, and can prevent the ink of an ink jet recording head from drying for a long period of time. An object of the present invention is to provide an ink drying prevention device capable of facilitating a maintenance operation on a head, and an ink jet recording head storage container and an ink jet recording device to which the ink drying prevention device is applied.

[0012]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink drying prevention device for preventing drying of ink inside an ink jet recording head which discharges ink droplets from a plurality of ink discharge ports, The ink discharge port is divided into a plurality of groups. Each ink discharge port group is provided with a cap member that comes into contact with the ink discharge surface so as to seal the ink discharge port.

In this ink drying prevention device, the cap member comes into contact with the ink ejection surface to seal the ink ejection port.
Thereby, drying of the ink from the ink discharge port is prevented, and clogging of the ink flow path can be prevented even when the inkjet recording head is not used for a long period of time. In addition, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from adhering to the ink ejection port and its vicinity.

In addition, for a plurality of ink discharge ports of the ink jet recording head, these are divided into a plurality of groups to form ink discharge port groups, and the cap member has an ink discharge port for each ink discharge port group. Seal tightly. Therefore, the air pushing amount into the nozzle when the cap member contacts the ink ejection surface is averaged in each ink ejection port group. Thus, when the ink in the nozzles is discharged, the amount of ink discharged from the ink jet recording head as a whole can be reduced, thereby facilitating the maintenance operation.

Further, by averaging the amount of air pushed into the nozzles in this way, the possibility that air will reach the common ink chamber from a specific nozzle is reduced. Therefore, it is not difficult or impossible to record an image by the ink jet recording head.

The "ink discharge port group" is assumed only when the ink discharge ports are sealed by the ink drying prevention device. In this regard, some configuration is added to the ink jet recording head. Or
No changes need to be made.

In the first aspect of the present invention, the number of ink ejection ports constituting each ink ejection port group is not limited. For example, as described in claim 2, each of the ink ejection port groups has the same number of ink ejection ports. This configuration can be set by the ink ejection port. This makes it possible to make the air pushing amount of each nozzle closer to the average. Further, as described in claim 4, the ink ejection port group may be configured by one ink ejection port, and in this configuration, the air pushing amount of each nozzle is further averaged. be able to.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, as described in the third aspect, the ink ejection port group corresponds to the ink jet recording head capable of ejecting a plurality of colors of ink, and each of the ink ejection port groups is a single color ink. It is preferable that the inks of different colors are not mixed when set by the ejection port.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the cap member closes the ink discharge port with respect to the ink jet recording head. A positioning member serving as a relative positioning reference between the head and the cap member.

Thus, the cap member can be accurately positioned with respect to the ink jet recording head and capped.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink drying prevention device for preventing drying of ink inside an ink jet recording head which discharges ink droplets from a plurality of ink discharge ports, wherein at least the ink discharging surface is in contact with the ink discharging surface. A porous member having a plurality of pores formed on a contact surface thereof, and a cap member for sealing the ink discharge port by contacting the ink discharge surface.

In this ink drying prevention device, the cap member comes into contact with the ink ejection surface to seal the ink ejection port.
Thereby, drying of the ink from the ink discharge port is prevented, and clogging of the ink flow path can be prevented even when the inkjet recording head is not used for a long period of time. In addition, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from adhering to the ink ejection port and its vicinity.

The cap member has a plurality of pores formed at least on a contact surface that contacts the ink ejection surface. With these pores formed, each of the ink ejection ports is sealed by the cap member independently of the other ink ejection ports. Since the amount of air pushed into the nozzles when the cap member contacts the ink ejection surface is substantially averaged for each nozzle, the amount of ink discharged from the ink jet recording head as a whole when discharging ink from the nozzles is reduced. And the maintenance operation is facilitated.

Further, by averaging the amount of air being pushed into the nozzles in this manner, the possibility that air can further reach the common ink chamber from a specific nozzle is reduced. There is nothing impossible.

Furthermore, if these pores are formed in all the regions of the cap member that are expected to come into contact with the ink ejection surface, the seal member is accurately positioned with respect to the ink jet recording head to make contact. Since there is no need to perform the positioning, a configuration for positioning is not required, and the configuration of the ink drying prevention device can be simplified.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink drying prevention device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects.

Therefore, by storing the ink jet recording head in this ink jet recording head storage container,
Drying of the ink from the inside of the ink jet recording head can be prevented by the ink drying prevention device, and clogging of the ink ejection ports due to drying and solidification of the ink can be reduced.

Further, since this ink jet recording head storage container is provided with the ink drying prevention device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the amount of air pushed into each nozzle can be averaged. Therefore, when the ink in the nozzles is discharged, the amount of ink discharged from the entire ink jet recording head is reduced, and the maintenance operation is facilitated. In addition, by averaging the amount of air pushed into the nozzles, the risk of air reaching a common ink chamber from a specific nozzle is reduced, so that image recording by an inkjet recording head may be difficult or impossible. Absent.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink drying prevention device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects.

This ink jet recording apparatus is characterized in that
Since the ink drying prevention device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects is provided, it is possible to reliably prevent the ink inside the ink jet recording head from drying, and furthermore, it is possible to average the amount of air pushed into each nozzle. Therefore, when the ink in the nozzles is discharged, the amount of ink discharged from the entire ink jet recording head is reduced, and the maintenance operation is facilitated. In addition, by averaging the amount of air pushed into the nozzles, the risk of air reaching a common ink chamber from a specific nozzle is reduced, so that image recording by an inkjet recording head may be difficult or impossible. Absent.

In each of the above-mentioned claims, the term “contact” between the cap member and the ink ejection surface means that when the cap member comes into contact with the ink ejection surface of the ink jet recording head, air flows between the ink ejection surface and the cap member. A closed space including the closed space is formed, and the closed space is isolated from the outside world.

[0032]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [Ink Drying Prevention Device] (First Embodiment) FIGS. 1 and 2 show an ink drying prevention device 112 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 shows a process of sealing the ink ejection port 16 of the ink jet recording head 12 by the ink drying prevention device 112 in a sectional view corresponding to the line IV-IV in FIG. The states are shown in order.

[0033] As shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 12 denotes a sealing member 114 that contacts the ink ejection surface 14 of the ink jet recording head 12;
Is provided. As shown in detail in FIG. 4, a housing recess for housing the sealing member 114 is formed in the holder 116, and the housing recess has a side opposite to the contact surface 114 </ b> T with respect to the ink ejection surface 14 of the sealing member 114. The elastic member 118 is disposed at the center.
Further, a pressing member 120 is disposed on the opposite side of the sealing member 114 with the elastic member 118 interposed therebetween, and the pressing member 120 is integrated with the elastic member 118 and the sealing member 114 to the ink jet recording head 12. And move in the direction of coming and going (vertical direction in FIG. 4). By this movement, the sealing member 114 is moved to the ink ejection surface 1.
4 (see FIG. 4C). In the pressed state, the sealing member 114 is brought into close contact with the ink ejection surface 14 by the elasticity of the elastic member 118. In the case where the sealing member 114 itself has elasticity, the sealing member 114 can be moved to the ink ejection surface 1 even if the elastic member 118 is unnecessary.
4.

As shown in detail in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4,
In the sealing member 114, a plurality of sealing recesses 122 corresponding to the ink ejection ports 16 are formed on a contact surface 114 </ b> T that contacts the ink ejection surface 14. In the present embodiment, as the configuration of the ink discharge ports 16 of the ink jet recording head 12, it is assumed that ten ink discharge ports 16 are arranged in two rows as shown in FIG.
Are also arranged in ten rows in two rows.
In actual ink jet recording heads, more ink ejection ports are often arranged than this, but there is no particular limitation.

In the drawings, the sealing recess 122 has a shape that does not penetrate the sealing member 114.
The sealing recess 122 may penetrate the sealing member 114. In the present invention, the “sealing recess” refers to the sealing member 114.
Both those not penetrating and those penetrating are included. When the sealing recess 122 penetrating the sealing member 114 is formed, the elastic member 118 or the pressing member 1
It suffices that the bottom portion is closed by 20.

The holder 116 has positioning pins 124 erected on a surface facing the ink ejection surface 14.
Positioning holes 20 are formed in the ink ejection surface 14 so as to correspond to the positioning pins 124. As shown in FIG. 4A, when the entire ink drying prevention device 112 is relatively approached toward the inkjet recording head 12 from a state in which the ink drying prevention device 112 is separated from the inkjet recording head 12, the positioning pin 124 is fitted into the positioning hole 20, and as shown in FIG.
Is positioned with respect to. In this state, the pressing member 12
0 is moved toward the ink jet recording head 12, and the sealing member 114 is pressed against the ink ejection surface 14 as shown in FIG.

In the ink drying prevention device 112 of the first embodiment having such a configuration, the ink discharge port 16 can be sealed by bringing the sealing member 114 into contact with the ink discharge surface 14. Thereby, drying of the ink from the ink discharge port 16 is prevented, and the nozzle 1 caused by the drying of the ink is prevented from drying.
8 can be prevented from being clogged. For example, even when the inkjet recording head 12 is not used for a long time, clogging of the nozzle 18 can be reliably prevented.
At the time of reuse of the inkjet recording head 12, etc.,
It is possible to reduce the time and cost required for the so-called maintenance operation. Further, since the sealing member 114 is arranged in contact with the ink ejection surface 14, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from adhering to the ink ejection port 16 and its vicinity.

Since the sealing member 114 has the sealing recess 122 formed therein, a closed space is formed for each of the ink discharge ports 16 corresponding to the sealing recess 122 in the sealed state. Therefore, the amount of air pushed into each nozzle 18 is averaged as compared with the conventional case in which all the ink ejection ports 16 are integrally sealed. For this reason, when the air in the nozzles 18 is discharged by a maintenance operation such as a dummy jet, the amount of ink discharged from the entire inkjet recording head 12 is reduced. In general, a maintenance operation may be performed on the inkjet recording head 12 under a predetermined condition or timing. However, when the ink drying prevention device 112 of the present embodiment is used to prevent the ink from drying, The maintenance operation for the recording head 12 becomes easy.

Further, when the air pushing amounts of the respective nozzles 18 are averaged as described above, a large amount of air is not pushed into the specific nozzle 18. Some inkjet recording heads 12 have a common ink chamber corresponding to each nozzle 18 (for example, see an inkjet recording head 12 in FIG. 16 described below as an inkjet recording apparatus). In the case of the ink jet recording head 12, the possibility that air reaches the common ink chamber is reduced (substantially negligible), so that image recording by the ink jet recording head 12 is not difficult or impossible.

In the ink drying prevention device 112 according to the first embodiment, the sealing recess 12 formed in the sealing member 114 is provided.
2 and the ink ejection ports 16 correspond one-to-one, but an ink ejection port group is formed for each of the plurality of ink ejection ports 16,
A closed recess 122 may be formed so as to correspond to each of the ink ejection port groups. Hereinafter, such a configuration will be described as a second embodiment and a third embodiment. (From the same viewpoint, in the first embodiment, one ink discharge port 16 forms an ink discharge port group. That is).

(Second Embodiment) FIGS. 5 and 6 show an ink drying prevention device 132 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

In the ink jet recording head 12 in which the ink ejection ports 16 are sealed by the ink drying prevention device 132, as shown in FIG. A plurality of ink ejection port groups 22 are set, grouped for each ejection port 16. The sealing recess 134 of the ink drying prevention device 132 also corresponds to the ink ejection port group 22, in other words, corresponds to the five ink ejection ports 16. The shape has a length.

The thus configured ink drying prevention device 13
Even in the case of 2, the amount of air pushed into the nozzles 18 at the time of capping can be averaged in each ink ejection port group 22, and the amount of ink discharged at the time of maintenance can be reduced. Further, the possibility that air reaches the common ink chamber is reduced.

(Third Embodiment) FIGS. 8 and 9 show an ink drying prevention device 142 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 shows the ink drying prevention device 1.
A state in which the ink ejection port 16 of the ink jet recording head 12 is sealed by 42 is shown in a sectional view corresponding to line XI-XI in FIG.

In the ink jet recording head 12 in which the ink ejection ports 16 are sealed by the ink drying prevention device 142, as shown in FIG. 10, the ink ejection ports 16 of the ink jet recording head 12 are arranged in two rows and two. The group is grouped, and the ink discharge port group 22 is configured by a total of four ink discharge ports. And the sealing recess 144 also
A shape corresponding to the ink ejection port group 22 (a shape closer to a square in a front view as compared to the first and second embodiments).

The thus configured ink drying prevention device 14
Even in the case of 2, the amount of air pushed into the nozzles 18 at the time of capping can be averaged in each ink ejection port group 22, and the amount of ink discharged at the time of maintenance can be reduced. Further, the possibility that air reaches the common ink chamber is reduced.

As described above, if the ink ejection port group 22 is set by a plurality of ink ejection ports, and the ink ejection port 16 is sealed by the sealing member 114 for each ink ejection port group 22, It is included in the ink drying prevention device of the present invention. The number of ink ejection ports constituting each ink ejection port group 22 is not limited, and may be other than one and four described above. Further, the number of the ink ejection ports 16 constituting each ink ejection port group 22 may not be the same.

In addition to the ink jet recording head 12 that ejects a single color ink, there is a type that has a configuration corresponding to a plurality of colors (for example, an ink jet recording head that can record a full-color image). In correspondence with such an ink jet recording head 12, for example, the second
In the case of configuring the ink drying prevention device 112 according to the embodiment or the third embodiment, it is preferable that each of the ink ejection port groups 22 is set by the ink ejection port 16 of a specific color. As a result, only the ink discharge port 16 of a specific color is sealed corresponding to one of the closed concave portions 134 and 144, so that a slight mixture of ink in the closed concave portions 134 and 144 is prevented.

In the ink drying prevention device having the above-described structure, the material of the sealing member 114 is preferably a material which can be finely processed, such as butyl rubber and silicone rubber. Further, depending on the type of ink used in the inkjet recording head 12, a type having ink resistance is preferable. For example, when an aqueous ink is used as the inkjet recording head 12, rubbers such as butyl rubber, polyurethane rubber, acrylic rubber, styrene butadiene rubber, acrylonitrile butadiene rubber, and silicone rubber reduce ink resistance and ease of processing. It is preferable because both can be achieved.

When these rubbers are used as the sealing member 114, the rubber hardness is preferably 4 to 40 degrees. This is because if it is too hard (rubber hardness> 40 degrees), the adhesion to the ink ejection surface 14 decreases, and if it is too soft (rubber hardness <4 degrees), the rubber partially enters the nozzle 18,
This is because there is a fear of destroying the ink meniscus.

The method of forming the closed recesses 122 is not particularly limited. For example, when forming the closed recesses 122 corresponding to each of the ink discharge ports 16 as in the first embodiment, the ink discharge ports 16 are formed. Sealed recess 122 having a diameter approximately equal to or slightly larger than the ink ejection port 16.
Can be formed by an excimer laser. As in the second and third embodiments, a plurality of ink ejection ports 16 are provided.
When the closed concave portion 122 corresponding to the first embodiment is formed, since the closed concave portion 122 is larger than that in the first embodiment, molding using a mold is also possible in addition to laser irradiation. Of course, also in the first embodiment, since the diameter of the closed concave portion 122 is substantially equal to or larger than the diameter of the nozzle 18, it can be molded using a mold. Sealing member 1
Depending on the hardness of 14, the closed recess 122 may be formed by embossing.

The shape of the closed recesses 122, 134, 144 when viewed in plan is not particularly limited. For example, in the ink drying prevention device 112 of the first embodiment,
22 may have a quadrangular shape in plan view. The size (diameter, length, width, etc.) of the sealed recesses 122, 134, 144 when viewed in plan is determined by the diameter and number of the corresponding ink ejection ports 16. That is, when one closed recess 122 corresponds to the ink ejection port 16 as in the first embodiment, the diameter is substantially the same as or slightly larger than the diameter of the ink ejection port 16 and the nozzle pitch (the interval between the ink ejection ports 16) is different. It is preferable that the diameter be smaller than ()). If the diameter of the sealing recess 122 is smaller than the diameter of the ink ejection port 16, there is a possibility that the inconvenience that the cap member (sealing member 114) must be positioned with high accuracy may occur. If the nozzle pitch is larger than the nozzle pitch, the substantially adjacent closed recesses 122 are partially continuous with each other, so that the closed recesses 122 do not correspond one-to-one with the ink discharge ports 16. However, even if the sealing recesses 122 are continuous as described above, a closed space is formed by the plurality of recesses corresponding to the plurality of ink ejection ports 16 unless all the sealing recesses 122 are continuously integrated. Therefore, the conditions are satisfied also as the ink drying prevention device of the present invention.

In a configuration in which one closed recess 122 is made to correspond to each ink ejection port group 22 composed of a plurality of ink ejection ports 16 as in the second embodiment and the third embodiment, positioning is performed. In consideration of the positioning error between the pin 124 and the positioning hole 20, even when the error is maximized, the ink ejection port 16 and the closed
What is necessary is just to make length and width of the sealing recessed part 122 correspond to 22.

Further, in the above description, in the ink drying prevention devices 112, 132, 142, and 152, the sealing members 114, 134, and 144, the porous body 154, the holder 116, the elastic member 118, Although the case where only one contact member 120 is provided is described, a plurality of these members may be arranged to constitute the ink drying prevention device of the present invention as a whole. For example, in the ink drying prevention device 112 of the first embodiment, a contact member in which only one sealing recess 122 corresponding to one ink ejection port 16 is formed, and the sealing recess 122 corresponds to the arrangement of the ink ejection ports 16. The ink drying prevention device of the present invention may be configured as a whole by arranging a plurality of such members (therefore, the sealing member is smaller in size). Furthermore, the holder, the elastic member, and the pressing member may be divided corresponding to the divided sealing member.

(Fourth Embodiment) FIG. 12 shows an ink drying prevention device 152 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 shows the ink drying prevention device 152.
Shows the process of sealing the ink ejection port 16 of the ink jet recording head 12 by the method. Hereinafter, the same components, members, and the like as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

The ink drying prevention device 152 according to the fourth embodiment
Then, instead of the sealing member 114 of the first embodiment, a porous member 154 made of a porous material is attached to the holder 11.
6 is held.

As shown in detail in FIG. 14, a plurality of pores 156 are formed in the porous member 154. The plurality of pores 156 have a structure in which air permeability between adjacent pores 156 is blocked, and each pore 156 is independent or a small number (generally, about two to three) is independent (a so-called “independent pore structure”). "). Further, the maximum pore size of the pores 156 (which can be known by observing the surface enlarged) is set to be equal to or less than the nozzle pitch. Note that the pores 156 may be formed at least on the surface that contacts the ink ejection surface 14. In the ink drying prevention device 152 of the fourth embodiment including such a porous member 154, the porous member 154 is brought into contact with the ink ejection surface 14 similarly to the ink drying prevention device 112 of the first embodiment. By doing so, it is possible to prevent drying of the ink from the nozzles 18 and adhesion of foreign matter to the ink ejection surface 14.

Since the porous member 154 has the pores 156, as can be seen from FIG. 14, when the porous member 154 comes into contact with the ink discharge surface 14, each ink discharge port 16 becomes independent. Is sealed by the porous member 154. Therefore, similarly to the ink drying prevention device 112 of the first embodiment, the amount of air pushed into each nozzle 18 is averaged, and a large amount of air is not pushed into a specific nozzle 18.

Moreover, since the pores 156 are provided over substantially the entire surface of the porous member 154 facing the ink discharge surface 14, the position between the porous member 154 and the ink discharge surface 14 does not need to be adjusted to a predetermined position. Also one of the pores 15
6 corresponds to the ink ejection port 16. Therefore, unlike the first embodiment, it is not necessary to accurately position the ink drying prevention device 152 with respect to the ink jet recording head 12, and the positioning pin 124 is not required. Further, it is not necessary to provide the positioning holes 20 in the ink jet recording head 12.

The pores 156 ideally have an independent pore structure, but may have a semi-independent pore structure in which several pores 156 are linked. Further, as long as a substantially constant amount of air can be pushed in at a place where the ink ejection port 16 and the pore 156 correspond, the air may be continuous at a portion corresponding to the ink ejection port group.

Specific examples of the porous member 154 include polyolefin resin, fluorine-based polymer resin, polysulfone-based resin, polyester-based resin, polyamide-based resin, polyimide-based resin, polyurethane-based resin, polyacryl-based resin, and polystyrene-based resin. Examples include various porous resins having a pore distribution made of a polyketone resin, a silicone resin, and the like, but are not limited thereto. [Inkjet recording head storage container] Next, the inkjet recording head storage container of the present invention will be described.

(Fifth Embodiment) FIG. 15 shows an ink jet recording head storage container 162 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
It is shown. The ink jet recording head storage container 162 has a container body 164 having an opening 164H formed at the upper portion and capable of accommodating the ink jet recording head 12, and a lid member 166 capable of closing the opening 164H.
And In the container body 164, an ink drying prevention device of the present invention (in FIG. 15, the ink drying prevention device 112 of the first embodiment is shown, but any ink drying prevention device may be used).

In the ink jet recording head storage container 162 of the fifth embodiment having such a configuration, the ink jet recording head 12 can be stored and stored inside the container main body 164.

In particular, since the ink jet recording head storage container 162 is provided with the ink drying prevention device 112 of the present invention, by bringing the sealing member 114 into contact with the ink ejection surface 14, drying of the ink from the nozzle 18 and ink Foreign matter can be prevented from adhering to the ejection surface 14.

Further, by sealing the ink discharge port 16 of the ink jet recording head 12 with the sealing member 114 of the ink drying prevention device 112, the amount of air pushed into the nozzle 18 at the time of capping can be averaged, and at the time of maintenance, , The amount of discharged ink can be reduced.
In addition, the possibility that air reaches the common ink chamber is reduced. [Inkjet Recording Apparatus] Next, the inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention will be described.

(Sixth Embodiment) FIG. 16 shows an ink jet recording apparatus 182 according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

The ink jet recording apparatus 182 includes an ink jet recording head 12, control means (not shown) for controlling ejection means (not shown) disposed in the ink jet recording head 12 according to an image signal, and A moving unit 184 for moving the inkjet recording head 12 and a conveying unit 186 such as an auto sheet feeder for conveying the recording paper P are provided. Transportation means 18
Reference numeral 4 denotes a carriage section 184A on which the inkjet recording head 12 is mounted, a carriage shaft 184B fixed to a housing 182H of the inkjet recording apparatus 182 and supporting the carriage section 184A so as to be movable in the horizontal direction in the drawing, and a carriage section 184A. And an endless drive belt 184C to which is attached. In the vicinity of the standby area of the inkjet recording head 12, the ink drying prevention device 102 of the present invention is disposed. In FIG. 16, an ink drying prevention device 112 having the same configuration as that of the first embodiment is used as the ink drying prevention device.
However, the ink drying prevention device provided in the inkjet recording device 182 is not particularly limited as long as it is the ink drying prevention device of the present invention.

The ink drying prevention device 112 includes the support member 1
The ink drying prevention device 112 moves up and down with respect to the ink jet recording head 12 which is supported by the ink jet recording head 12 and is located at the home position. Although the specific configuration of the support member 192 is not limited, for example, in FIG. 16, an “X” -shaped link mechanism 194 configured by two links is configured, and the ink drying prevention device 112 is attached to the link mechanism 194. Installed. The ink drying prevention device 112 can be moved up and down using a drive device (not shown) (for example, a motor or a solenoid).

In the vicinity of the ink drying prevention device 112, a cleaning means constituted by a blade 188 is arranged. When the ink jet recording head 12 is located in the standby area (maintenance position), the blade 188 moves so that unnecessary ink attached to the ink ejection surface 14 can be removed. further,
The maintenance device 190 performs maintenance on the ink jet recording head 12 so that desired printing performance can be maintained.

In the ink jet recording apparatus 182 having such a configuration, at the time of image recording, ink is discharged from the ink discharge port 16 of the ink jet recording head 12 according to an image signal, and the ink jet recording head 12 is driven by the drive belt 184C. Moves along the carriage shaft 184B. Further, the recording paper P is also moved in an arbitrary direction (generally, a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the ink jet recording head 12) by the transport means 186. Through these operations, images such as pictures and characters are recorded on the recording paper P.

When the ink jet recording device 182 enters the non-image recording mode or is turned off, the ink jet recording head 12 returns to the standby area. Then, the ink drying prevention device 112 is supported by the support member 192.
Is raised, and the sealing member 114 sticks to the ink ejection surface 14 to seal the ink ejection port 16 (FIG. 4A to FIG. 4A).
(C)), drying of the ink in the nozzle 18 is prevented. Moreover, by bringing the sealing member 114 into contact with the ink ejection surface 14, it is possible to prevent drying of the ink from the nozzles 18 and adhesion of foreign matter to the ink ejection surface 14.

Further, by sealing the ink discharge port 16 of the ink jet recording head 12 with the sealing member 114 of the ink drying prevention device 112, the amount of air pushed into the nozzle 18 during capping can be averaged, and the maintenance time can be reduced. , The amount of discharged ink can be reduced.
In addition, the possibility that air reaches the common ink chamber is reduced.

When an image is recorded by the ink jet recording device 182, the ink drying prevention device 112 is lowered to separate the sealing member 114 from the ink ejection surface 14. As described above, since the drying of the ink in the nozzles 18 is prevented, the ink jet recording head 12 is in an optimal state for ejecting ink droplets without causing the ink to thicken or solidify. In addition, since the amount of air pushed into the nozzle 18 is averaged, the amount of discharged ink can be reduced and maintenance can be performed in a short time in the maintenance operation.

[0074]

[Example 1] In Example 1, an ink jet recording apparatus 182 provided with an ink drying prevention device 112 (see FIGS. 1, 2 and 4) of the first embodiment of the present invention.
(See FIG. 16), by evaluating the recorded image,
A confirmation test of the ink drying prevention effect was performed.

As the ink jet recording head 12,
An aqueous thermal ink jet recording head (using an aqueous ink and ejecting ink droplets by thermal energy from a heating element) was used.

The sealing member 114 was made of silicone rubber having a thickness of 3 mm, and a sealing recess 122 having a nozzle hole size (about 50 μm) was formed on the surface of the sealing member 114 by an excimer laser.

The elastic member 118 is made of butyl rubber having a heat of 5 mm, and is adhered and fixed on the pressing member 120 so that the sealing member 114 is sufficiently adhered to the ink ejection surface 14 by elastic force. . The pressing member 120
Is controlled by a not-shown pressing mechanism (formed of an eccentric cam, a spring, and the like) so as to make close contact with the ink ejection surface 14.

After the image recording is completed, the ink jet recording head 12 moves to the non-image recording area (maintenance area), and performs a dummy jet (ink ejection in the non-image recording area) and a wiping (ink droplet adhering to the ink ejection surface). After a series of maintenance operations such as (removal) is completed, the apparatus moves above the ink drying prevention device 112. Then, as shown in FIG. 4B, the positioning pin 124 is fitted into the positioning hole 20 by the raising of the support member 192,
The sealing member 114 is positioned at a predetermined position on the ink ejection surface 14. Then, when the support member 192 further rises, as shown in FIG. 4C, the sealing member 114 comes into contact with the ink ejection surface 14, and the ink ejection port 16 is sealed. At this time, the gas in the closed recess 122 is pushed into the inside of the nozzle 18, and the ink meniscus has moved inside the ink jet recording head 12 (upward in FIG. 4C). Since the amount of movement of the ink meniscus position corresponds to the flow path structure inside the nozzle 18, in this embodiment, the amount of movement of the ink meniscus position is controlled by uniformly fabricating the sealed recess 122 with an excimer laser. are doing.

After capping the ink ejection port 16 of the ink jet recording head 12 in this way, the apparatus was allowed to stand for 30 days under the same environment as that of the suspended state for a long period of time, and then evaluated for image recording.

As an image recording evaluation experiment, a normal maintenance operation is performed after the power of the ink jet recording apparatus 182 is turned on, and then a test chart of 5% coverage for each color is recorded as an image. Deflection) was evaluated.

As a result, in the ink drying prevention device 112 of the first embodiment, since the amount of gas pushed into the nozzle 18 is controlled, a test chart free from non-ejection and ejection failure only by performing a normal maintenance operation Could be recorded.

[Embodiment 2] In Embodiment 2, the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The ink drying prevention device 152 according to the embodiment (see FIGS.
4), a confirmation test of the ink drying prevention effect was performed.

The ink drying prevention device 152 includes the first embodiment.
A porous member 154 is provided in place of the sealing member 114 of FIG. The porous member 154 is a material (independent pore structure) which has elasticity and is porous, but blocks the ventilation between adjacent pores and exists independently of each other.
Specifically, it is a super sheet (trade name, manufactured by Nippon Hakko Co., Ltd.) having a skin layer formed on the surface, and has a thickness of 10 mm.
Those having an average pore size of several tens of μm were used. Although the elastic member 118 is required in the first embodiment, the porous member 154 in the second embodiment has a sufficient elasticity, and is configured to be directly adhered and fixed on the pressing member 120. The elastic member 118 is omitted. The pressing member 120 is controlled by a pressing mechanism (formed of an eccentric cam, a spring, and the like) (not shown) as in the first embodiment.
It was made to adhere to.

An image recording evaluation experiment was performed under the same configuration and conditions as in Example 1 except for the above, and completely the same results were obtained.

(Comparative Example) Instead of the close contact member 114 of the first embodiment, a substantially box-shaped sealing member opened upward (in other words, a shape in which the sealing recess 122 of the first embodiment is formed large) An image recording evaluation experiment was performed under the same conditions as in Example 1 except that an ink drying prevention device provided with ()) was used. In this sealing member, since one sealing concave portion corresponds to all the ink ejection ports 16, all the ink ejection ports 16 are sealed together.

As a result, in the test chart after the normal maintenance operation was performed, missing dots or white spots due to non-ejection or ejection failure occurred. For this reason, the maintenance operation was forcibly performed, but all the nozzles did not recover in a single maintenance operation, and it was necessary to repeat the maintenance operation in order to recover all the nozzles.

Further, in order to clarify the cause of the difficulty in recovering the nozzle in the maintenance operation, the inkjet recording head 12 was disassembled. As a result, it was confirmed that air was pushed into the inside of the nozzles 18 and that some of the nozzles 18 had air up to the common ink chamber.

[0088]

According to the present invention, since the ink of the ink jet recording head can be prevented from drying for a long period of time, the maintenance operation to the ink jet recording head can be performed by averaging the air pushing amount to each nozzle. Can be facilitated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an ink drying prevention device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the ink drying prevention device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view schematically showing an ink ejection surface of the inkjet recording head in which the ink ejection openings are sealed by the ink drying prevention device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

4A to 4C are cross-sectional views sequentially showing a process of sealing an ink discharge port of an ink jet recording head by the ink drying prevention device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating an ink drying prevention device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating an ink drying prevention device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view schematically illustrating an ink ejection surface of an ink jet recording head in which an ink ejection port is sealed by an ink drying prevention device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating an ink drying prevention device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a plan view illustrating an ink drying prevention device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a bottom view schematically showing an ink ejection surface of an ink jet recording head in which an ink ejection port is sealed by an ink drying prevention device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which an ink discharge port of an inkjet recording head is sealed by an ink drying prevention device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating an ink drying prevention device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13A is a cross-sectional view showing a state before sealing an ink discharge port of an inkjet recording head by an ink drying prevention device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional view showing a sealed state. .

FIG. 14 is an enlarged view showing a state in which an ink discharge port of an ink jet recording head is sealed by an ink drying prevention device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
(B) is a plan view.

FIG. 15 is a cutaway perspective view illustrating an ink drying prevention device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an inkjet recording apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 Ink jet recording head 14 Ink ejection surface 16 Ink ejection port 18 Nozzle 20 Positioning hole 22 Ink ejection port group 112 Ink drying prevention device 114 Adhesion member (cap member) 122 Sealing recess 124 Positioning pin (positioning member) 132 Ink drying prevention device 134 Sealing recess 142 Ink drying prevention device 144 Sealing recess 152 Ink drying prevention device 154 Porous member (cap member) 162 Inkjet recording head storage container 182 Inkjet recording device

Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Tetsu Mohri 2274 Hongo, Ebina-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. ) Inventor Susumu Hiragata 2274 Hongo, Ebina-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture F-term in Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. Ebina Works 2C056 EA17 HA06 JA08 JA10 JA17

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An ink drying prevention device for preventing drying of ink inside an ink jet recording head that discharges ink droplets from a plurality of ink discharge ports, wherein the ink discharge ports are divided into a plurality of groups and set. An ink drying prevention device comprising: a cap member that contacts an ink ejection surface so as to seal the ink ejection port for each ink ejection port group. 2. The ink drying prevention device according to claim 1, wherein the ink ejection port group is set by the same number of ink ejection ports. 3. The ink-jet recording head capable of discharging a plurality of colors of ink, wherein each of the groups of ink discharge ports is set by a single color ink discharge port. 3. The ink drying prevention device according to 2. 4. The ink drying prevention device according to claim 1, wherein each of the ink ejection port groups is set by one ink ejection port. 5. A positioning member that serves as a reference for positioning the ink jet recording head and the cap member relative to the ink jet recording head when the cap member seals the ink ejection port. The ink drying prevention device according to claim 1. 6. An ink drying prevention device for preventing drying of ink inside an ink jet recording head that discharges ink droplets from a plurality of ink discharge ports, wherein at least a plurality of fine surfaces are provided on a contact surface that contacts the ink discharge surface. An ink drying prevention device, comprising: a porous member having a hole formed therein; and a cap member that contacts an ink ejection surface and seals an ink ejection port. 7. An ink jet recording head storage container comprising the ink drying prevention device according to claim 1. Description: 8. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising the ink drying prevention device according to claim 1.