JP2003103805A - Ink jet recorder and recovery unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ink jet recorder and a recovery unit in which an appropriate pressure can be supplied depending on the type of a recording head and ink ejection state of the recording head can be sustained in a normal state. SOLUTION: The ink jet recorder comprises a recovery means 10 for sustaining the ink ejection state of a recording head 3 in a normal state, a capping means 11 capable of forming an enclosed space between the recording head 3 and the capping means 11 by covering the ink ejection opening of the recording head 3, a plurality of pressure generating means 48A and 48B for generating a specified pressure variation in the enclosed space, a means 53 for combining the pressure of the plurality of pressure generating means 48A and 48B, and a means 54 for coupling the pressure combining means 53 with the capping means 11.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus for ejecting ink from a recording head to a recording medium for recording and performing a recovery operation for keeping the ink ejection state of the recording head normal. , And its recovery device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a recording apparatus for recording on a recording medium such as paper, cloth, plastic sheet, OHP sheet (hereinafter, also simply referred to as "recording paper"), various recording systems have been conventionally adopted. ing. For example, a wire dot method, a heat sensitive method, a thermal transfer method, an inkjet method, or the like is used.

Among such recording apparatuses, an ink jet recording type recording apparatus (hereinafter referred to as an ink jet recording apparatus) which ejects ink from an ink ejection port to perform recording on recording paper is a non-impact type with low noise. It is a recording method and can perform high-density and high-speed recording operation.

Generally, this ink jet recording apparatus is
It is provided with means for driving a carrier on which the recording head is mounted, conveying means for conveying the recording paper, and control means for controlling these.

Further, as an energy generating element for generating energy used for ejecting ink from an ink ejection port (also referred to as an ejection port) of a recording head, one using an electromechanical transducer such as a piezo element, There are a method of irradiating electromagnetic waves such as a laser to generate heat, which ejects ink droplets by the effect of this heat generation, and a method of heating a liquid by an electrothermal converter element having a heating resistor. Among them, a recording head that ejects ink droplets by heat generation, that is, a recording head that employs an inkjet recording method in which film boiling is generated in the ink by using thermal energy and the ink is ejected as droplets by bubbles generated in the ink Since the ink discharge ports can be arranged at a high density, it is possible to perform high resolution recording. In addition, the recording head using the electrothermal converter element as the energy generating element is easy to simplify the mechanical structure,
It is easy to miniaturize, and moreover, the recording head can be manufactured by fully utilizing the advantages of IC technology and microfabrication technology, which have been remarkably improved in technology and reliability in the recent semiconductor field. It has the advantage that it is easy and the manufacturing cost is low.

As described above, the ink jet recording method is an extremely excellent recording method having a simple structure, but there are also problems to be solved. For example, one of the problems of the inkjet recording apparatus is clogging of the ejection port. In an inkjet recording apparatus, when the unused state is maintained for a long period of time, ink may be dried, thickened, and dust may be attached near the ejection port, which may cause clogging of the ejection port. As a means for solving this, a clogging recovery means with a pump means interposed is generally used. Specifically, by covering a discharge port (nozzle tip) with a cap and generating a negative pressure in the cap with a suction pump connected to the cap, high-viscosity ink in a recording head and a flow path for supplying ink, A process of suctioning and discharging fine dust or bubbles in the ink liquid as waste ink from the discharge port is performed. Then, by performing such a recovery process, the recording head can be maintained in a normal ink ejection state.

[0007]

However, the above-described ink jet recording apparatus and the recovery apparatus which is a constituent unit thereof have the following problems to be solved.

[0008] The current ink jet recording apparatus has a wide range of applications as its performance such as recording density and recording speed is improved, and various kinds of ink jet recording apparatuses suitable for the purpose have been proposed and implemented. For example, an inkjet recording device characterized by high-quality photo-like recording, an inkjet recording device mainly composed of black character recording, which uses pigment ink only in black to emphasize the vividness of black, and a dye in another color, low price There is a tendency for the number of models to increase, such as an inkjet recording device characterized by the above.

With the increase of such models, the types of ink jet recording heads for ejecting ink and recording images are also increasing.

For example, in an ink jet recording head mounted on an ink jet recording apparatus characterized by high image quality recording, it is required to minimize the amount of ink ejected from one ejection port. It has been practiced to reduce the opening diameter of the ejection openings and arrange a larger number of ejection openings at high density. Therefore, in the recovery device,
As described above, when the cap is brought into contact with the surface forming the plurality of ejection ports to bring the inside into a negative pressure state and the ink is drawn out from each ejection port, it is necessary to apply a larger pressure.
Further, in the current recovery device, a tube pump is used in which a tube installed on an arc is locally crushed by a roller, and pressure is generated by rotationally moving the roller. In order to obtain a high pressure with, it is necessary to take measures such as increasing the inner diameter of the tube, increasing the radius of the tube installation arc, and increasing the roller rotation speed. There is a problem that it hinders the conversion.

Further, in an ink jet recording apparatus which mainly uses black character recording and emphasizes the vividness of black by using pigment ink only for black and dye ink for the other colors, the suction operation by the recovery device is performed. , It is necessary to suck individually so that the pigment and the dye are not mixed. For this reason, it is devised to provide a plurality of caps or divide the enclosed space into two with one cap.

Further, in a low-priced machine, the ink jet recording head sets a relatively large amount of ink ejected from one ejection port, and since the opening diameter of the ejection port is also large, the ejection port arrangement density is large. Is low and the number of discharge ports is small. Therefore, a large pressure is not required during suction by the recovery device, and when a large negative pressure is applied on the contrary, the ink supply from the ink supply unit will not be in time and the air will be drawn into the vicinity of the ejection port of the recording head together with the ink. , Foaming,
Since it hinders ink ejection, it is required to suck at a low pressure.

As described above, the ink jet recording apparatus has different ink jet recording heads depending on its use, and a separate recovery device corresponding to each is required, which causes problems such as design efficiency, poor production efficiency, and accompanying increase in cost. Is one of the causes of occurrence.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and can supply an appropriate pressure according to the type of recording head, and can sufficiently maintain the ink ejection state of the recording head in a normal state. It is an object of the present invention to provide an inkjet recording device and a recovery device capable of performing the above.

[0015]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has the following constitution.

That is, the present invention is an ink jet recording apparatus having recovery means for performing a recovery operation for maintaining a normal ink ejection state of a recording head for ejecting ink from an ink ejection port, wherein the recovery means is A capping unit capable of forming a closed space with the recording head by covering the ink ejection port; a plurality of pressure generation units connected to the capping unit for generating a pressure change in the closed space; It is characterized by comprising a pressure synthesizing section for synthesizing the pressures of a plurality of pressure generating means, and a connecting means for connecting the pressure synthesizing section and the capping means.

Further, the connecting means is composed of a single connecting tube connected to the capping means, and the pressure synthesizing section is connected to the plurality of pressure generating sections and is connected to the single connecting tube. It is also conceivable that the connecting tube is constituted by a tubular joint.

It is conceivable that each of the pressure generating means is composed of a tube pump including a flexible pressure generating tube and a pressing member that moves while crushing the pressure generating tube. Not limited to this, a piston pump may be used.

Further, the capping means may be provided with a cap for covering the ink ejection port of the recording head.

Further, the capping means includes an atmosphere communication hole for communicating a space formed between the ink discharge port of the recording head and the recording head by the cap covering the ink discharge port, and an atmosphere communication hole, An atmosphere communication hole opening / closing mechanism for opening / closing the atmosphere communication hole can be provided.

Further, the capping means can be replaced with caps of different types.

Further, when the capping means is constructed as described above, it is formed by covering a plurality of discharge ports with one cap having one closed space formed by covering the plurality of discharge ports. A plurality of caps having one closed space, one cap having a plurality of closed spaces formed by covering the plurality of discharge ports, and a plurality of closed spaces formed by covering the plurality of discharge ports. It is also desirable to be able to replaceably mount a plurality of caps each having.

Further, a pressure supply path for individually supplying the pressure generated by the plurality of pressure generating means to each of the plurality of closed spaces formed by the cap, and the pressure generated by the plurality of pressure generating means. It is also conceivable that a pressure supply path for supplying a synthetic pressure obtained by synthesizing two or more to at least one or more closed spaces formed by the cap can be selected.

Furthermore, it is preferable that the connecting means is attachable to and detachable from the cap, and is detachable from the cap when the connection with the cap is unnecessary.

Further, it is conceivable that the connecting means can be attached to and detached from the pressure generating means, and can be detached from the pressure generating means when pressure supply to the cap is unnecessary.

Further, the tube pump is detachable from the pressing means, so that the pressure generating tube not connected to the cap and the pressing means corresponding to the pressure generating tube not connected to the cap can be detached. It is also possible to

Further, the present invention is a recovery device for performing a recovery operation for maintaining a normal ink ejection state of the recording head, for the recording head ejecting ink from the ink ejection port. Capping means capable of forming a closed space with the recording head by covering, a plurality of pressure generation means connected to the capping means for generating a pressure change in the closed space, and pressures of the plurality of pressure generation means And a connecting means for connecting the pressure combining section and the capping means.

[0028]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION (First Embodiment) A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The same reference numerals denote the same or corresponding parts throughout the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the internal configuration of an inkjet recording apparatus equipped with a recovery device according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the recovery device of the inkjet recording apparatus of FIG. 1 as seen obliquely from above, and FIG. 3 is the inside of the recovery apparatus installed in the inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention (the inkjet recording apparatus of FIG. 1). It is a typical exploded perspective view showing a structure.

1 to 3, an ink jet recording apparatus 1 includes a carriage 2 on which an ink jet recording head 3 is mounted, a carriage drive motor M1 which is a drive source of the carriage 2, and a carriage 2 driven by the carriage drive motor M1. A transmission mechanism 4 that reciprocates in the direction of arrow A, a paper feed mechanism (paper feed mechanism) 5 that conveys (paper feeds) the recording paper P that is a recording medium, and a discharge port for performing recovery processing of the recording head 3. A recovery device (recovery device) 10 for maintaining the state of ink and the ejection port surface is provided.

In such an ink jet recording apparatus 1, the recording paper P is fed by the paper feeding mechanism 5 and the recording head 3 performs predetermined recording on the recording paper P. The ink jet cartridge 6 includes the recording head 3
Is detachably held by a carriage 2 on which is mounted. Then, the ink contained in the inkjet cartridge 6 is supplied to the recording head 3. In this case, the joint surfaces of the carriage 2 and the recording head 3 are properly contacted with each other so that the required electrical connection can be achieved and maintained. The recording head 3 is an ink jet recording head that selectively discharges ink from a plurality of ejection ports to record by supplying electric energy according to a recording signal. Further, the recording head 3 is an inkjet recording means for ejecting ink by utilizing thermal energy, and is provided with an electrothermal converter for generating thermal energy. Further, the recording head 3 causes film boiling by the thermal energy generated by the electrothermal converter, and ejects the ink from the ejection port by utilizing the pressure change caused by the growth and contraction of bubbles due to the film boiling. Then, the recording is performed. The electrothermal converters are provided corresponding to the respective ejection openings, and ink is ejected from the corresponding ejection openings by applying a pulse voltage to the corresponding electrothermal conversion bodies in accordance with a recording signal.

FIG. 22 is a partial perspective view schematically showing the structure of the ink ejection portion (one ejection port array) of the recording means (recording head) 3. In FIG. 22, the ejection port surface 23, which faces the recording medium (recording paper or the like) P with a predetermined gap (for example, a gap of about 0.3 to 2.0 mm), is ejected at a predetermined pitch. An outlet 49 is formed. Further, an electrothermal converter (heat generating resistor or the like) 52 for generating energy for ejecting ink is disposed along the wall surface of each liquid passage 51 that connects the common liquid chamber 50 and each ejection port 49. There is. The recording head 3 is mounted on the carriage 2 so that the ejection ports 49 are aligned in a direction intersecting with the main scanning movement direction (movement direction arrow of the carriage 2) A. Then, based on the image signal or the ejection signal, by driving (applying a pulse voltage) the electrothermal converters 52 corresponding to these signals, the ink in the liquid passage 51 is film-boiling, and the pressure generated at that time is generated. Ink droplets are ejected from the ejection port 49 by.

On the other hand, in FIG. 1, the carriage 2 includes a transmission mechanism 4 for transmitting the driving force of the carriage drive motor M1.
Of the drive belt 7 and is guided along the guide shaft 13 so as to be movable in the direction of arrow A.
The carriage 2 reciprocates along the guide shaft 13 by the forward and reverse rotations of the carriage drive motor M1. 8 is a scale indicating the absolute position of the carrier 2 in the direction of arrow A (main scanning direction). In this embodiment, a transparent PET film on which black bars with a predetermined pitch are printed is used, one end of which is fixed to the chassis 9 and the other end is supported by a leaf spring (not shown). ing. In the inkjet recording apparatus 1 shown, a platen (not shown) is provided so as to face the ejection opening surface of the recording head 3 on which the ejection openings are formed. Then, the carriage 2 on which the recording head 3 is mounted is reciprocally moved in the main scanning direction by the driving force of the carriage drive motor M1, and at the same time, a recording signal is applied to the recording head 3 to eject ink, thereby transporting the ink onto the platen. The recording is performed in the width direction of the recording paper P as the recording medium.

Reference numeral 14 is a conveying roller driven by a conveying motor M2 for conveying the recording sheet, 15 is a pinch roller for abutting the recording sheet on the conveying roller 14 by a spring (not shown), and 16 is a pinch roller 15 rotatable. It is a pinch roller holder that supports.

Further, 17 is a carrying roller gear fixed to one end of the carrying roller 14, and the carrying roller gear 17
The conveying roller 14 is driven by the rotational force of the conveying motor M2 transmitted to the conveying roller 14 via the intermediate gear 18. Reference numeral 19 is a discharge roller gear fixed to a discharge roller (not shown) for discharging the recording paper P on which an image is formed by the recording head 3 to the outside of the recording apparatus. The rotational force of the transport motor M2 is transmitted to the discharge roller gear 19 via the intermediate gear 18, and the discharge roller 20 is driven thereby. Reference numeral 21 is a spur roller that presses the recording sheet against the discharge roller 20 with a spring (not shown), and 22 is a spur holder that rotatably supports the spur roller 21.

In such an ink jet recording apparatus 1, a desired position (for example, a home position) outside the reciprocating range for the recording operation of the carriage 2 carrying the recording head 3, that is, outside the recording area. A recovery device as recovery means for recovering the ejection failure of the recording head 3 is provided at the position (the position where the recording head 3 is operated).

Such a recovery device is generally provided with a capping means 11 for capping the ejection opening surface of the recording head 3 and a wiping means 12 for cleaning the ejection opening surface of the recording head 3. Further, in conjunction with the capping of the ejection port surface by the capping means 11, the pressure generating means (suction pump) in the recovery device uses the pressure (negative pressure) generated here to generate ink that does not contribute to image recording. Forced suction and discharge into the cap.
By sucking and discharging the ink as described above, it is possible to perform suction recovery processing such as removing thickened ink and bubbles in the ink flow path of the recording head 3.

Further, by ejecting the ink, which does not contribute to the recording of the image, from the ejection port (hereinafter, also referred to as "preliminary ejection") toward the inside of the cap of the capping means, the ejection state of the recording head 3 is kept normal. A discharge recovery process (preliminary discharge process) can be performed. further,
By capping the ejection opening surface of the recording head 3 by the capping means during non-recording, the recording head can be protected and the ink can be prevented from drying.

The wiping means 12 is arranged in the vicinity of the capping means 11 to wipe off ink droplets adhering to the ejection port surface of the recording head 3. By the capping means 11 and the wiping means 12, it is possible to perform suction recovery processing and ejection recovery processing (preliminary ejection processing) using the capping means 11 and the wiping means 12 to maintain the ink ejection state of the recording head 3 in a normal state. There is.

A specific structure of the recovery device 10 will be described with reference to FIGS.

The recovery device 10 in this embodiment is a capping device that can cover the pressure generating means 48 and a plurality of ink ejection ports of the recording head 3 as a recovery means for keeping the ink ejection state of the recording head 3 in a normal state. Means 11,
The capping means 11 and the recording head 3 are connected to each other, and the wiping means 12 and the like for wiping dirt off the surface of the recording head 3 where the ink ejection ports are formed are provided.

The pressure generating means 48 in this embodiment is
As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 and 11, tube pumps (pressure generating units) 48A and 48B having the same configuration.
And a tube joint 53 as a pressure synthesizing means for synthesizing the pressure generated by each tube pump.

Each of the tube pumps 48A and 48B uses the arc surface of the recovery base 20 as a guide surface and presses the two suction tubes 32 along the arc surface and the suction tube 32 by a pressure spring (not shown). And a pressure roller 33 as a pressing member that moves while moving.
A and 33B are moved by a single PG motor (recovery motor) M3 and the suction tube 32 is squeezed to generate a negative pressure.

That is, the pressure roller 33 is rotatably supported by the elongated hole-shaped portion of the rotatable pressure roller holder 31, and during the suction operation for generating the negative pressure in the suction tube 32, the suction tube It is possible to displace in the direction of pressing 32, and on the other hand, it is possible to displace in the direction away from the suction tube 32 except during the suction operation. In the case of this embodiment, since the arc surface of the recovery base 20 that guides the suction tube 32 is semicircular, one suction tube 32 is provided.
On the other hand, the two pressure rollers 33 are arranged so as to be separated by 180 degrees in the rotation direction of the pressure holder 31.

Therefore, as the pressure roller holder 31 rotates, one pressure roller 3 pressing the suction tube 32 is pressed.
When 3 is separated from the suction tube 32, the other one pressure roller 33 presses the suction tube 32. In this way, by continuously rotating the two pressure rollers 33, while maintaining the negative pressure in the suction tube 32,
The suction operation (suction recovery operation) can be continuously performed. Further, when the shape of the arc surface (guide shape) of the recovery base 20 is substantially circular, by providing one pressurizing roller 33 for one suction tube 32, the pressure roller 33 is similarly continuous. Suction operation is possible. further,
When the shape (guide shape) of the arc surface of the recovery base 20 is semicircular, even if two or more pressure rollers 33 are provided for one suction tube 32, it is similarly continuous. Suction operation becomes possible.

The pressure roller holder 31 is rotatably supported by the pressure roller holder guide 30 so as to be rotatable in the radial direction of the arc guide surface of the recovery base 20, and the pressure roller 33 with respect to the suction tube 32. It is designed to be pressed and separated (retracted). The shafts at both ends of the pressure roller holder guide 30 are axially supported by the arc center of the semi-circular guide surface of the recovery base 20 provided with the suction tube 32, and are rotationally driven by the driving force transmitted from the PG motor M3. It

That is, the driving force from the PG motor M3 is
It is transmitted to the pump gear 27 via the first PG gear 24 and the pump gear 27, and the pump gear 27 rotates about the shaft of the pressure roller holder guide 30. As a result, the pump gear trigger ribs 42a and 42b are brought into contact with the pump gear trigger boss 41 arranged on one end surface of the pressure roller holder guide 30, and the pressure roller holder guide 30 is rotated by these ribs 42a and 42b. This pressure roller holder guide 3
With the rotation of 0, the pressure roller holder 31 engaged with the guide 30 is also rotated, and one of the two pressure rollers 33, 33 is brought into contact with the suction tube 32 by the rotation, and the suction tube 32 is crushed. Rotating and moving pressure generating means 48
Generates negative pressure in the cap.

The pressure generating means 48 is a PG motor M3.
PG motor M3 so that it is driven according to the rotation direction of
It is a form directly connected to. That is, the pressure generating means 48 rotates the pressurizing roller 33 into the suction tube 32 by rotating the PG motor M3 in one direction (hereinafter referred to as "normal rotation").
The PG motor M3 is rotated in the opposite direction (hereinafter referred to as "reverse rotation") to press the roller 33.
Is separated from the suction tube 32.

The capping means 11 is shown in FIG.
Through 15 are configured as shown in FIG. That is,
The capping means 11 includes a cap base 34 fixed to the recording apparatus main body, and the cap base 34.
Cap holder 36 movably supported in the vertical direction
A cap spring 55 which is interposed between the cap holder 36 and the cap ba and urges the cap holder 36 upward, and the recording head 3 fixed to the cap holder 36 and in the raised position of the cap holder. A cap 35 that closely covers the ink ejection surface and covers the plurality of ejection ports
A single cap absorber 44 provided in the cap 35 for efficiently sucking the ink discharged from the ejection port surface of the recording head 3, and the cap 35 to the ejection port surface of the recording head 3. It is provided with a capping means elevating lever 37 (see FIG. 3) for moving in the vertical direction so as to come into contact with and separate from it, and an atmosphere communicating means.

The cap shown in FIGS. 11 to 15 has a unitary structure, but the inside thereof has a region where a single or a plurality of closed spaces can be formed by contact with the recording head. There is. This area is formed in accordance with the type of ejection port array. For example, in a recording head that ejects only black ink, since there is one type of ejection port array, there is only one A single area is formed so as to form a closed space, and in a recording head that ejects black ink and color ink, an ejection port array of pigment ink that constitutes black ink and a color ink The two closed spaces are formed in the cap in accordance with each of the ejection port arrays of the dye ink constituting the
Individual areas are formed as jurisdictions. In this case, each of the two closed spaces is connected to one connecting tube (connecting means) 54 as described later. The number of regions formed in a single cap is not limited to one or two, and it is also possible to set three or more.

Further, the atmosphere communicating means is shown in FIGS.
Atmosphere communication tube 4 for connecting the internal space of cap 35 shown in FIG.
5, an atmosphere communication valve 46 that can open or close the inside of the cap 35 by opening and closing the atmosphere communication hole 47, and an atmosphere communication hole opening / closing mechanism that appropriately executes the opening / closing operation by the atmosphere communication valve 46. The atmosphere communication hole opening / closing mechanism includes a cam 38 and a rotation driving mechanism for the cam 38. The rotation drive mechanism of the cam 38 includes the PG motor M3, the first PG gear 24, the second PG gear 25, the one-way clutch 28, and the drive shaft 3 that supports the PG motor M3.
And 8a.

In the capping means 11 having the above-mentioned structure, the cam 38 is rotated to move the cap 35 up and down to bring the cap 35 into contact with the ink ejection port forming surface of the recording head 3 and to open and close the atmosphere communication valve 46. Cam 3
The rotation of 8 changes the driving force of the PG motor M3 to the first to third P
It is performed by transmitting to the one-way clutch gear 28 via the G gears 24, 25 and 26. That is, when the one-way clutch gear 28 rotates in one direction, the one-way clutch gear 28 fits with the cam 38 and transmits the rotational force to the cam 38, but when rotating in the other direction, the one-way clutch gear 28 is in the idling state, and thus the one-way clutch gear 28 is not rotated. The rotational force is not transmitted to the cam 38, and the cam 38 is not rotated. Therefore, when rotating in the other direction, the capping means 11 is kept open.

In addition to the opening / closing operation of the capping means, the cam 38 drives the wiping means 12, and
It also has a configuration in which the vertical movement of the CR lock lever 29 is also controlled. The CR lock lever 29 is used for the recording head 3
Is a lever for positioning the recording head 3 and the capping means 11 during the recovery operation. The operation of each of the above-described means is performed by the cam position detection sensor flag provided on the cam 38 and the cam position detection sensor 40.
8 is positioned in the rotation direction, and each means is controlled according to the position.

In the present embodiment, as described above, the pressure generating means 48 serves as the pressure generating portion and includes the two tube pumps 48.
The characteristic configuration is that it has A and 48B.
In addition to this, the point that a synthesizing means for synthesizing the pressure (negative pressure) generated by both tube pumps 48A and 48B is provided is also a characteristic configuration of the present embodiment. This synthesis means
As shown in FIG. 11, it is configured by a tubular joint 53 having a rectangular cross section, the suction tubes 32 of the tube pumps 48A and 48B are connected to the side surface thereof, and one end thereof has a cap. One end of a connection tube 55 connected to the internal space of 35 is connected. Therefore, the negative pressure generated by each of the tube pumps 48A and 48B is combined by the tube joint 53 and then supplied to the internal space of the cap 35 via the connection tube 54.

As described above, in this embodiment, the structure in which the two suction tubes 32 are directly connected to the respective divided regions of the capping means 11 is not adopted, but the joint 53 is integrated into one connection tube 54. It is adapted to be connected to the cap 35. Therefore, even if a negative pressure difference occurs due to a component tolerance between the two suction tubes 32, even if the inside of the cap 35 is divided into a plurality of regions, a uniform pressure (negative pressure) is applied to each region. Pressure) can be supplied, and a uniform ink suction state without variation can be obtained for each ejection nozzle.

Further, in this embodiment, the pressure generating means for performing suction recovery is driven by driving the motor in one direction, and the cap is brought into contact with and separated from the ejection port surface of the recording means by driving in the opposite direction. Alternatively, both the capping means and the wiping means for wiping the ejection port surface can be driven by a cam having a position detecting flag portion on the same axis and a cam phase detecting means.

The recovery operation of this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.
This will be described with reference to FIGS.

In the recovery apparatus of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment, the recovery operation of the recording head 3 is performed by the well-known control means having a CPU or the like according to the sequence shown in the flowchart of FIG.

When the suction recovery operation command is input, the position of the cam 38 constituting the recovery device is detected by the cam position detection sensor 40, and the positions of the control capping means 11, the wiping means 12, etc. are detected based on the detection result. Is confirmed (step 1).

When the recording head 3 is not at the suction recovery operation position (when the cam sensor is off), the capping means 11, the wiping means 12 and the like are retracted so as not to interfere with the recording head 3 (step 2). After that, after confirming that the capping means 11 and the wiping means 12 are in the retracted state by the cam position detection sensor 40, PG is set until the wiper is set to the backward movement end position.
The motor M3 is rotated in the reverse direction, and then the transmission mechanism 4 shown in FIG.
Is driven to move the recording head 3 to the recovery operation position (step 4).

Next, the cam 3 is driven by driving the PG motor M3.
8 is rotated and the capping means 11 is brought into contact with the ejection port forming surface of the recording head 3. PG motor M at that time
Since the rotation direction of 3 is the rotation direction R shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the pressure roller 33 of the pressure generating means 48 is arranged at a position separated from the suction tube 32 as shown in FIG. Is in communication with. Therefore, even if the pressure generating means 48 rotates, the ink remaining in the suction tube 32 may flow back into the cap 35, or the cap 3 may be rotated.
A positive pressure is applied to the inside of the recording head 5 so as not to damage the ejection port of the recording head 3.

After the cap 35 is brought into contact with the ejection port forming surface of the recording head 3, the pressure roller 33 constituting the pressure generating means 48 is once pressed against the suction tube 32 in preparation for starting the suction recovery operation. The M3 is driven in the direction in which the pressure generating means 48 rotates to the rotation direction L side (step 5). At this time, since the capping means 11 is in contact with the ejection port surface of the recording head 3, the pressure generating means 4
In order to prevent unnecessary negative pressure from being applied to the inside of the cap 35 when 8 rotates in the rotation direction R side, when the cap 35 is brought into contact with the recording head 3, the atmosphere communication valve 46 is opened by the rotation of the cam 38. (Step 6).

Thereafter, the PG motor M3 is driven to rotate normally (step 7), and the pump gear 27 receives the rotational force in the L direction and rotates from the state shown in FIG. 5 to the state shown in FIG. When the pump gear 27 continues to rotate from this state, the pump gear trigger boss 41 projecting from one side of the pressure roller holder 31 comes into contact with the pump gear trigger rib b42b provided inside the pump gear 27, and the pressure is applied. The roller holder guide 30 is rotated in the L direction. The pressure roller holder guide 30 is engaged with the pressure roller holder 31, and together with the pressure roller holder guide 30, the pressure roller holder 3
1 also rotates in the L direction. As a result, the pressure roller holder 3
The pressure roller 33, which is slidably supported on 1, is moved in the direction in which the pressure roller 33 is pressed against the suction tube 32 while rotating to the L side as shown in FIG. 7 (see FIGS. 16 and 17). This operation is performed when the suction recovery operation command is issued.
On the other hand, regardless of the position of the pressurizing roller 33, the operation is for enabling a stable suction recovery operation.
That is, by keeping the position of the pressure roller 33 pressed against the suction tube 32, the amount of crushing of the suction tube 32 due to the presence of a dead area until the pressure roller 33 presses the suction tube 32. Variation, that is, variation in ink suction amount can be suppressed. Further, by performing the pressure contact operation of the pressure roller 33 with respect to the suction tube 32, the variation in the ink suction amount is reduced and the stable suction recovery is performed without the pressure roller sensor required for detecting the position of the pressure roller 33. It becomes possible to operate.

Next, after the suction tube 32 is squeezed by the pressure roller 33, ink is sucked from each ejection port of the recording head 3. In the ink suction operation, first, the atmosphere communication hole 47 communicating with the capping means 11 is closed by the atmosphere communication valve 46 to form a closed space by the cap 35 and the recording head (step 8).
Next, the pressure roller 33 is moved to start a negative pressure generating operation (pump operation) (step 9), and a negative pressure is applied to the inside of the cap 35, which is a closed space. Aspirate ink. The air communication port 47 is sealed and opened by moving the air communication valve 46 by the pressure roller 38 as shown in FIGS. Note that FIG. 12 shows the atmosphere communication valve 46 during capping that protects the ejection port forming surface of the recording head 3.
13 shows the position of the atmosphere communication valve 46 when the inside of the cap 35 is in the atmosphere communication state and the empty suction state in which the ink in the cap 35 is discharged when the suction recovery operation preparation is performed, and FIG. Indicates the position of the atmosphere communication valve 46 in the ink suction state.

The operation of the atmosphere communication valve 46 described above is performed by the PG motor.
Since a single drive source is used by M3, the state of the pressure roller 33 (the state in which the suction tube 32 is crushed by the pressure roller 33) performed in preparation for the suction recovery operation is not destroyed,
Atmosphere communication valve sealing operation must be achieved. Therefore, while the cap 35 is in close contact with the recording head 3 and the rotational force of the PG motor M3 is transmitted to the cam 38 side to open and close the atmosphere communication valve (the region shown by the shaded area in FIG. 20). , PG motor M3 is configured to cancel the transmission of the driving force to the pressure generating means 48.

This is because the interval between the pump gear trigger ribs 42a and 42b provided on the pump gear 27 is set to the cam 38.
Of the gears transmitted from the PG motor M3 to the pressure generating means 48, and the gear reduction ratio of the gears transmitted to the cam 38. That is, when the cam 38 is rotated by the drive of the PG motor M3 to operate the atmosphere communication valve 46, the interval is set so that the pump gear trigger ribs 42a and 42b do not contact the pump gear trigger boss 41.

After the suction is performed, the PG motor M3 is rotated in the direction to apply the driving force to the pressure generating means 48, and the suction recovery operation for sucking a predetermined amount of ink is performed. After that, in order to discharge the waste ink accumulated in the cap 35 from the cap 35, the atmosphere communication valve 46 is opened by the rotation of the cam 38 as shown in FIG. 15 (step 10).
During the opening operation of the atmosphere communication valve 46, PG is applied to the pressure generating means 48.
When the driving force of the motor M3 is transmitted, the pressure roller 3
3 rotates the suction tube 32 in the direction in which the ink flows back into the cap 35, resulting in damage to the recording head 3 due to the ink backflow. However, even during the above-described operation period, the pump gear trigger ribs 42a and 42b of the pump gear 27 keep the pressure roller holder guide 3
Since it is configured to be rotationally driven from the contact side with the pump gear trigger boss 41 on the 0 side to the separated side, the pressure generating means 48 is not driven, and a problem due to ink backflow does not occur. .

Further, after the atmosphere communication valve 46 is opened, the pressure generating means 48 is driven by the PG motor M3 to execute an idle suction operation for discharging the ink in the cap 35 to the outside of the recovery device. . With the above, the suction recovery operation is completed.

As described above, in the recovery apparatus of this embodiment, the pressure generating means for performing suction recovery is driven by the rotational driving of the PG motor M3 in the forward direction, and the recording means is driven by the reverse driving. Has a flag portion for position detection on the same axis as the operation of the capping means for bringing the cap into and out of contact with the discharge port surface, or the operation of both the wiping means and the capping means for wiping the discharge port surface. The drive can be controlled by the cam and the cam phase detecting means. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to execute all the operations related to the recovery of the recording head by the recovery device which is unitized and structurally independent of the other parts. Therefore, the recovery device can be easily maintained and replaced, and is a versatile recovery device that can be applied to various inkjet recording devices.

Next, another feature of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
8 and FIG. 19. In the inkjet recording apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 and the like described above, the dye ink is ejected entirely from the ejection port array of the recording head 3, but an ejection port array that ejects black ink using pigment ink, A recording head provided with an ejection port array for ejecting a color ink using a dye ink is also generally used, and a recording head using such plural kinds of ink and one kind of ink as described above are ejected. An ink jet recording apparatus that can replace the recording head is also proposed and implemented.

The recovery device in this embodiment can easily cope with such a replacement of the recording head.

That is, the recovery device according to the present embodiment has the configuration shown in FIG. 1 when the recording head is replaced as described above.
The capping means as shown in FIG. 18 and the capping means as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 are exchanged, and the connection states of the suction pumps 48A, 48B and the caps are changed as shown in FIGS. It can be easily dealt with by changing the parts.

The cap 35 shown in FIG. 19 is provided with independent regions that form two independent close spaces by being brought into close contact with the ink ejection port forming surface of the recording head 3, and each region has its own region. Independent cap absorber 44
Is stored. Of these two areas, one area has a shape capable of covering a black ink ejection opening using a pigment ink, and the other area has a shape capable of covering a color ink ejection opening using a dye ink. I am doing it.

Further, one connection tube is connected to each region, and suction tubes 32 of different tube pumps are connected to each connection tube. For this reason, it is possible to suck the black pigment ink and other color dye inks through separate and independent paths, and troubles such as sticking of dye nozzles and color mixing that occur due to mixing of the black pigment ink and color dye ink. Can be prevented.

As described above, in this embodiment, when the state shown in FIG. 11 is changed to the state shown in FIG. 19, the capping means is changed from the integral type shown in FIG. 11 to the two-piece type shown in FIG. By the extremely simple and easy work of removing the tube joint 53 which is the synthesizing means and replacing the connection tube 54 which is the connecting means, there are a type that sucks one sealed space and a type that sucks two sealed spaces. It can be changed.

Therefore, the recovery device design efficiency is improved (design schedule is shortened, personnel is reduced), production efficiency is improved (parts manufacturing cost (mold cost, etc.), parts management cost is reduced, and assembly worker training period is shortened, etc. ) Can be achieved, and it becomes possible to supply a low-priced and highly versatile inkjet recording device.

In the above embodiments, the serial recording type ink jet recording apparatus for recording while moving the recording means relative to the recording medium has been described as an example. The invention can be similarly applied to an inkjet recording apparatus of a line recording system that performs recording only by sub-scanning by using a line type recording unit having a length that covers a part, and can achieve the same effect. Is. The present invention also provides a gradation using a recording device using one recording head, a color recording device using a plurality of recording means for recording with different color inks, or a plurality of recording means for recording with the same color but different densities. In recording devices, and also in recording devices that combine these,
The same can be applied and the same effect can be achieved.

Further, according to the present invention, a replaceable ink cartridge in which the recording head and the ink tank are integrated is used, the recording head and the ink tank are separately provided, and the space between them is connected by an ink supply tube or the like. The same can be applied regardless of the arrangement of the recording head and the ink tank, and similar effects can be obtained.

The present invention can be applied to a recording system of an ink jet recording apparatus which employs a system using an electromechanical converter such as a piezo element, but ejects ink by utilizing thermal energy. In an ink jet recording apparatus using a recording type recording head, particularly excellent effects are brought about. This is because the method using heat energy can achieve high density recording and high definition recording.

Further, in the present embodiment, the path from the pressure generating means to the capping means or the like can be configured in a manner other than that shown in FIGS. 11 and 19 depending on the type of the recording head or the like. Has become.

The recording performance such as resolution and printing speed required by the recording head 3 is different for each of a plurality of ink jet recording apparatuses, and accordingly, the number of ink ejection nozzles, the nozzle diameter, and the flow from the ink supply unit to the ink ejection nozzles. Road configurations may differ. In that case, the flow path resistance inside the recording head 3 at the time of ejection recovery is different, and the generated negative pressure required to draw out the ink from the recording head 3 in the ejection recovery operation is different. If the generated negative pressure is too low, the ink supply unit (the inkjet cartridge 6 in this embodiment)
However, if the generated negative pressure is too high, the air will exceed the ink supply capacity of the ink supply section and take in the atmosphere into the ink supply path, causing the ink supply nozzle to eject ink. There is a problem that the continuity of the ink in the ink flow path leading up to is interrupted. When changing the pressure (negative pressure) to be supplied to the cap due to the change of the recording head or the like, and when the change value of the negative pressure is relatively small, it can be dealt with by adjusting the rotation speed of the PG motor M3. However, when it is necessary to greatly change the required negative pressure, adjustment of the rotation speed of the PG motor M3 is not sufficient.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the pressure to be supplied to the cap can be largely changed by making a simple change as shown in FIG. 23 from the state shown in FIG. 11 or 19. It is like this. That is, in the one shown in FIG. 23, the number of the suction tubes 32 forming the tube pump is one. Therefore, compared to the case shown in FIG. 1 described above, the negative pressure supplied to the cap can be significantly reduced compared to the case shown in FIG. 11, and the number of nozzles is small, the nozzle diameter is large, or It is possible to easily cope with a case where the required negative pressure to be generated needs to be significantly reduced due to a small flow resistance from the ink supply unit to the ejection nozzle.
The change from the state shown in FIG. 11 to FIG. 23 can be handled extremely easily and inexpensively by changing the tube joint 53.

[0082]

As described above, according to the present invention, the recovery means for performing the recovery operation for keeping the ink ejection state of the recording head normal is provided with a closed space between the recording head and the ink ejection port. Formable capping means, a plurality of pressure generating means connected to the capping means for generating a pressure change in the closed space, a pressure synthesizing section for synthesizing the pressures of the plurality of pressure generating means, and the pressure. Since the synthesizing section and the connecting means for connecting the capping means are provided, even when the recording head is exchanged with the capping means, a pressure suitable for the form of the recording head is applied to the capping means and the recording head. Can be generated in the closed space formed by the above, and an appropriate recovery operation can be performed.

For example, a pressure supply path for individually supplying the pressure generated by the plurality of pressure generating means to each of the plurality of closed spaces formed by the cap, and the pressure generated by the plurality of pressure generating means. If a pressure supply path for supplying a combined pressure obtained by combining two or more to at least one or more closed spaces formed by the cap can be selected, various types of caps can be obtained. Therefore, it becomes possible to supply an appropriate pressure.

By combining the pressures of the plurality of pressure generating means by the pressure synthesizing means, a high pressure can be obtained as a whole even when each pressure generating means is made small and inexpensive. Therefore, the recovery means can be downsized, and the flexibility of the arrangement of the recovery means can be improved.

Further, since the joint is used as the means for synthesizing the pressure, the number of pressure generating means connected to the cap can be changed, and even when the recording head having a different suction pressure is exchanged, the joint can be changed. It is possible to easily cope with this by changing.

Further, it is effective to use a tube pump or a piston pump that moves while crushing a flexible pressure generating tube with a pressing member as each of the pressure generating means.

Further, the capping means can change the type of the cap that covers the ink ejection openings of the recording head. For example, one closed space is formed by covering a plurality of ejection openings. With one cap,
A plurality of caps having one closed space formed by covering the plurality of discharge ports, a single cap having a plurality of closed spaces formed by covering the plurality of discharge ports, and a plurality of discharge ports If a plurality of caps having a plurality of closed spaces formed by covering the
This type of recovery device can be applied to both a recording head that ejects only dye ink and a recording head that can eject pigment ink and dye ink.

Furthermore, the connecting means is attachable to and detachable from the cap, and is detachable from the cap when the connection with the cap is unnecessary.
The connection means is attachable to and detachable from the pressure generating means, and is detachable from the pressure generating means when pressure supply to the cap is unnecessary, or
The tube pump is detachable from the pressing means, and the pressing means corresponding to the pressure generating tube not connected to the cap and the pressure generating tube not connected to the cap can be detached. In this case, it is possible to cope with a case where the required pressure of the cap to be replaced changes greatly, and at a low cost.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an internal structure of a recovery device and an inkjet recording apparatus including the recovery device according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a case where an integral cap is used as a capping unit.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the recovery device shown in FIG. 1, showing a case where an integrated cap is used as a capping means.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the internal structure of the recovery device shown in FIG.

4 is a side view showing a drive gear train provided in the recovery device shown in FIG. 3. FIG.

5 is an explanatory side view showing an operating state of a pump gear, a pressure roller holder guide, a pressure roller and the like in the recovery device shown in FIG. 3, immediately after the drive transmission by the pump gear to the pressure generating means is released. Shows the state of.

6 is an explanatory side view showing an operating state of a pump gear, a pressure roller holder guide, a pressure roller and the like in the recovery device shown in FIG. 3, a state immediately before transmission of drive by the pump gear to the pressure generating means. Is shown.

7 is an explanatory side view showing an operating state of a pump gear, a pressure roller holder guide, a pressure roller, and the like in the recovery device shown in FIG. 3, in which the driving by the pump gear is transmitted to the pressure generating means and the suction operation is performed. The state is being performed.

8 is an explanatory side view showing an operating state of a pump gear, a pressure roller holder guide, a pressure roller, and the like in the recovery device shown in FIG. 3, in a state where the pressure roller presses the tube against the pressure generating means. Shows the state immediately after the drive transmission by the pump gear is released.

9 is an explanatory side view showing an operating state of a pump gear, a pressure roller holder guide, a pressure roller, and the like in the recovery device shown in FIG. 3, which is a state immediately before the drive by the pump gear is transmitted to the pressure generating means. Is shown.

FIG. 10 is a pump gear in the recovery device shown in FIG.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory side view showing operating states of a pressure roller holder guide, a pressure roller, and the like, showing a state in which drive by a pump gear is transmitted to the pressure generating means and the pressure roller is released.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory perspective view showing a capping means, a connecting means, a synthesizing means, etc. of the recovery device according to the embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which an integrated cap is used as the capping means.

FIG. 12 is a view showing a capping means of the recovery device in the embodiment of the present invention, and an explanatory perspective view showing a state in which the atmosphere communication valve is closed.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a capping means of the recovery device according to the embodiment of the present invention, and an explanatory perspective view showing a state in which the atmosphere communication valve is in an open state (pressurized colloidal removal state).

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a capping means of the recovery device according to the embodiment of the present invention, and an explanatory perspective view showing a state (suction state) in which the atmosphere communication valve is closed.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a capping means of the recovery device according to the embodiment of the present invention, and an explanatory perspective view showing a state where the atmosphere communication valve is in an open state (empty suction state).

16 is a pump gear in the recovery device shown in FIG.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory side view showing an operating state of a pressure roller holder guide, a pressure roller, and the like, showing a state in which the pressure roller of the pressure generating means (suction pump) is in a released state and drive transmission by the pump gear is released It is an explanatory side view.

17 is a pump gear in the recovery device shown in FIG.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory side view showing an operating state of a pressure roller holder guide, a pressure roller, and the like, showing a state in which a pressure generating means (suction pump) receives drive transmission by a pump gear and presses the pressure roller against a tube. It is a sectional side view.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing a recovery device according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which a split type cap is used as a capping means.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing a capping means, a connecting means and the like of the recovery device according to the embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which a split type cap is used as the capping means.

FIG. 20 is a timing chart at the time of a suction operation of the cap of the capping means, the atmosphere communication valve, and the pressure generating means that constitute the recovery device in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a suction recovery operation sequence in the recovery device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory perspective view that schematically shows the structure of the ink ejection portion in the recording means applied to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing a recovery device according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which a pressure supply path to the capping means is set to 1
It shows a book state.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Inkjet recording device 2 carriage 3 Recording means (recording head) 4 Transmission mechanism 5 paper feed mechanism 6 inkjet cartridges 7 drive belt 8 scale 9 chassis 10 Recovery device 11 Capping means 12 Wiping means 13 Guide shaft 14 Conveyor rollers 15 pinch rollers 16 pinch roller guide 17 Transport roller gear 18 Intermediate gear 19 Discharge roller gear 20 Recovery base 21 spur roller 22 Spur holder 23 Discharge port surface 24 1st PG gear 25 Second PG gear 26 Third PG Gear 27 pump gear 28 One-way clutch gear 29 CR lock lever 30 Pressure roller holder guide 31 Pressure roller holder 32 suction tube 33 pressure roller 34 cap base 35 cap 36 cap holder 37 Capping means lifting lever 38 cams 40 Cam position detection sensor 41 Pump Gear Trigger Boss 42a Pump gear trigger rib 42b Pump gear trigger rib 43 Pressure roller pressure contact point 44 Cap absorber 45 Air communication tube 46 atmosphere communication valve 47 atmosphere communication hole 48 Pressure generating means (suction pump) 49 outlet 50 common liquid chamber 51 liquid path 52 Electrothermal converter 53 tube joint 54 Connection tube 55 Cap spring A carriage scanning direction L tube pump pressure roller pressure rotation direction M1 carriage drive motor M2 transport motor M3 PG motor P recording medium R tube pump pressure roller release rotation direction

Claims (25)

[Claims] 1. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising recovery means for performing a recovery operation for maintaining a normal ink ejection state of a recording head ejecting ink from an ink ejection opening, wherein the recovery means is the ink ejection opening. A capping unit capable of forming a closed space between the recording head and the recording head; a plurality of pressure generation units connected to the capping unit for generating a change in pressure in the closed space; and a plurality of pressure generation units. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a pressure synthesizing unit for synthesizing the pressure of the means, and a connecting unit for connecting the pressure synthesizing unit and the capping unit. 2. The connecting means is composed of a single connecting tube connected to the capping means, and the pressure synthesizing section is connected to the plurality of pressure generating sections and the single connecting tube. A tube-shaped joint to which the tubes are connected is constituted by a tubular joint.
The inkjet recording device described. 3. Each of the pressure generating means is constituted by a tube pump including a flexible pressure generating tube and a pressing member that moves while crushing the pressure generating tube. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. 4. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the pressure generating means is a piston pump. 5. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the capping unit includes a cap that covers an ink ejection port of the recording head. 6. The capping means includes an atmosphere communication hole, in which a cap covering an ink discharge port of the recording head communicates with a space formed between the ink discharge port and the recording head and the atmosphere. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an atmosphere communication hole opening / closing mechanism that opens and closes the atmosphere communication hole. 7. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the capping means can be replaced with a cap of a different type. 8. A cap having one closed space formed by covering a plurality of discharge ports, and a plurality of caps having a closed space formed by covering a plurality of discharge ports. , One cap having a plurality of closed spaces formed by covering a plurality of discharge ports and a plurality of caps having a plurality of closed spaces formed by covering a plurality of discharge ports can be exchanged The ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the ink jet recording apparatus can be attached to the. 9. A pressure supply path for individually supplying the pressure generated by the plurality of pressure generating means to each of the plurality of closed spaces formed by the cap, and a pressure supply path of the pressure generated by the plurality of pressure generating means. 9. The inkjet recording according to claim 8, wherein a pressure supply path for supplying a combined pressure formed by combining two or more to at least one or more closed spaces formed by the cap is selectable. apparatus. 10. The connection means is attachable to and detachable from the cap, and is detached from the cap when the connection with the cap is unnecessary. Inkjet recording device. 11. The connection means is attachable to and detachable from the pressure generating means, and is detached from the pressure generating means when pressure supply to the cap is unnecessary. Inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of the above. 12. The tube pump is attachable to and detachable from the pressing means so that the pressure generating tube not connected to the cap and the pressing means corresponding to the pressure generating tube not connected to the cap can be removed. The ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that. 13. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the recording head generates bubbles in the ink by thermal energy and ejects the ink by the generated energy of the bubbles. 14. A recovery device for performing a recovery operation for maintaining a normal ink ejection state of the recording head, the recording head ejecting ink from the ink ejection port, wherein recording is performed by covering the ink ejection port. A capping means capable of forming a closed space between the head and the head; a plurality of pressure generation means connected to the capping means for generating a pressure change in the closed space; and a pressure for combining the pressures of the plurality of pressure generation means. A recovery device comprising: a synthesizing unit; and a connecting unit that connects the pressure synthesizing unit and the capping unit. 15. The connecting means is composed of a single connecting tube connected to the capping means, and the pressure synthesizing section is connected to the plurality of pressure generating sections and the single connecting tube. A tube-shaped joint to which the tubes are connected is constituted by a tubular joint.
4. The recovery device according to 4. 16. Each of the pressure generating means is constituted by a tube pump including a flexible pressure generating tube and a pressing member that moves while crushing the pressure generating tube. The recovery device according to claim 14 or 15. 17. The recovery device according to claim 14, wherein each of the pressure generating means is a piston pump. 18. The recovery device according to claim 14, wherein the capping unit includes a cap that covers an ink ejection port of the recording head. 19. The capping means is an atmosphere communication hole for communicating the atmosphere with a space formed between the cap and the recording head by covering the ink ejection port, and an atmosphere for opening and closing the atmosphere communication hole. 19. The recovery device according to claim 14, further comprising a communication hole opening / closing mechanism. 20. The capping means can be replaced with a cap of a different type.
The recovery device according to 8 or 19. 21. One cap having one closed space formed by covering a plurality of discharge ports, and a plurality of caps having one closed space formed by covering a plurality of discharge ports. , One cap having a plurality of closed spaces formed by covering a plurality of discharge ports and a plurality of caps having a plurality of closed spaces formed by covering a plurality of discharge ports can be exchanged 21. The recovery device according to claim 18, wherein the recovery device can be attached to the. 22. A pressure supply path for individually supplying the pressure generated by the plurality of pressure generating means to each of the plurality of closed spaces formed by the cap, and a pressure supply path for the pressure generated by the plurality of pressure generating means. 22. The recovery device according to claim 21, wherein a pressure supply path for supplying a combined pressure obtained by combining two or more to at least one closed space formed by the cap is selectable. . 23. The connecting means is attachable to and detachable from the cap, and is detached from the cap when the connection with the cap is not necessary. Recovery device. 24. The connecting means is attachable to and detachable from the pressure generating means, and is detachable from the pressure generating means when pressure supply to the cap is not required. The recovery device according to any one of the above. 25. The tube pump is attachable / detachable to / from the pressing means, and the pressing means corresponding to the pressure generating tube not connected to the cap and the pressure generating tube not connected to the cap can be detached. 25. The recovery device according to any one of claims 14 to 24, wherein