JP2003127434A - Inkjet recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the number of components by obviating the need of an ink absorption body in a cap member, to simplify an assembling work and to reduce the cost. SOLUTION: This inkjet recorder comprises a recording head having a nozzle array for ejecting ink drops and reciprocating between a printing region and a non-printing region, and a capping means 9 for sucking and discharging ink from the nozzle array by having a cap member 31 capable of sealing the nozzle array of the recording head and a cap holder 30 holding the cap member 31. Ribs 71a-73a, 71b-73b for introducing the ink dropping from a nozzle array forming face of the recording head into the cap member 31 are vertically provided on the capping means 9.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet type recording apparatus provided with a capping means for sucking and discharging ink from a recording head when receiving negative pressure from a suction pump.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Ink jet recording apparatuses have been used for many types of printing including color printing in recent years, because noise during printing is relatively low and small dots can be formed with high density. . Such an ink jet recording apparatus is provided with a recording head that receives the supply of ink from an ink cartridge and a paper feeding unit that moves the recording paper relative to the recording head. Then, recording is performed by moving the recording head in accordance with the print signal to eject ink droplets on the recording paper to form dots. In this case, a recording head capable of ejecting, for example, black, yellow, cyan, and magenta inks is mounted on the carriage, and full-color printing is possible by changing the ejection ratio of each ink.

Such an ink jet type recording apparatus has the following problems in relation to printing by ejecting ink as ink droplets from a nozzle onto a recording sheet. That is, clogging occurs in the nozzle opening due to increase in ink viscosity caused by evaporation of the ink solvent from the nozzle opening, solidification of ink on the nozzle forming surface, and adhesion of dust, and bubbles are mixed in the recording head. The problem is that printing defects occur.

Therefore, in the ink jet recording apparatus, in addition to the recording head and the paper feeding means described above, a capping means for sealing the nozzle row forming surface (nozzle forming surface) of the recording head during non-printing, and this capping means. A suction pump for sucking and discharging ink is provided therein, and a wiping means for cleaning the nozzle forming surface of the recording head after suction and discharging of ink by the suction pump.

Normally, the wiping means in this type of ink jet recording apparatus has a wiping member which comes into contact with the nozzle forming surface of the recording head to elastically deform during wiping and elastically returns after the wiping is completed. Further, the capping means has a cap member that houses an ink absorber that absorbs the ink sucked from the recording head by the suction pump.

In order to prevent the occurrence of clogging of the nozzle openings and the inclusion of bubbles in the recording head,
After the ink is forcibly sucked and discharged from the recording head into the capping means (cap member) by the suction pump, the nozzle forming surface of the recording head is wiped by the wiping means.

The process of forcibly discharging the ink for eliminating the clogging of the recording head or when air bubbles remain in the recording head is called a cleaning operation. Then, it is executed when printing is resumed after a long pause in the recording apparatus, or when the user recognizes a print quality defect such as print blur and operates the cleaning switch.

Further, in the ink jet type recording apparatus, ink is ejected from the nozzle openings of the recording head into the capping means at regular intervals to eliminate clogging of the nozzle openings or to adjust the ink meniscus. The so-called flushing (idle discharge) is also performed.

[0009]

By the way, in such an ink jet recording apparatus, if the wiping member elastically returns immediately after the wiping ends, there is a problem that the wiping ink is scattered around the wiping member. Therefore, in order to reduce the amount of ink scattering due to the return of the wiping member as much as possible, a capping means that accommodates an ink absorber that comes into contact with the nozzle forming surface of the recording head during capping and absorbs the ink adhering to the nozzle forming surface is provided. Something has been proposed. However, accommodating the ink absorber in the capping means not only increases the number of parts, complicates the assembling work of the capping means, but also increases the cost.

The present invention has been made by paying attention to such a problem, and it is possible to reduce the number of parts by eliminating the need for the ink absorber in the cap member, thereby simplifying the assembling work in the capping means. It is another object of the present invention to provide an ink jet recording apparatus that can reduce the cost.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention made to achieve the above object has a nozzle row for ejecting ink droplets and reciprocates between a printing area and a non-printing area. And an ink jet type recording head, a cap member capable of sealing a nozzle row of the recording head, and a cap holder for holding the cap member, and capping means for sucking and discharging ink from the nozzle row. The inkjet recording apparatus is characterized in that a rib for guiding ink dripping from a nozzle row forming surface of the recording head into the cap member is provided upright on the capping means.

With this structure, the ink dripping from the nozzle row forming surface of the recording head is guided along the ribs and flows down in the direction of gravity. Therefore, the ribs can perform the same function as the ink absorber (reduce the amount of ink scattering due to the elastic return of the wiping member), so that the ink absorber is not required. Thereby, the number of parts can be reduced, and the assembling work in the capping means can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

Here, it is preferable that the nozzle row is composed of a plurality of nozzle rows, and the rib is arranged corresponding to each of these nozzle rows. With this configuration, the ink dripping from the nozzle row forming surface of the recording head flows down along the rib corresponding to each nozzle row. Further, it is desirable that the rib is integrally provided on the cap holder. With this configuration, ribs can be formed when the cap holder is formed.

An ink guiding surface is provided at the tip of the rib. With this configuration, the ink dripping from the nozzle row forming surface of the recording head is guided along the ink guiding surface when flowing down the rib. Further, a configuration in which the ink guiding surface is a curved surface or an inclined surface can also be adopted. With this configuration, the ink dripping from the nozzle row forming surface of the recording head is smoothly guided when flowing down the curved surface or the inclined surface of the ink guiding surface.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be described based on the embodiments shown in the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an inkjet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied. 2 to 6 are views shown for explaining the head cleaning operation of the ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied. 7 to 11 are views for explaining the capping means of the ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied. As shown in FIG. 1, a platen 12 is installed on a frame for an ink jet recording apparatus indicated by reference numeral 11. Then, the recording paper 13 is fed on the platen 12 by a paper feeding mechanism (not shown). A carriage 14 that is movable in the axial direction of the platen 12 is supported by the frame 11 via a guide member 15. The carriage motor 16 is reciprocally movable via the timing belt 17.

On the lower surface of the carriage 14, there are six nozzle rows (a nozzle row aggregate consisting of black / black nozzle rows, a nozzle row aggregate consisting of black / cyan nozzle rows, and a magenta color). An ink jet type recording head 18 having a nozzle row aggregate composed of yellow color nozzle rows is mounted. A black ink cartridge 19 and a color ink cartridge 20 for supplying ink to the recording head 18 are removably arranged on the upper surface of the carriage 14.
Then, the ink from these ink cartridges 19 and 20 is ejected as ink droplets from the recording head 18 onto the recording paper 13 based on the recording data. Thereby, the recording corresponding to the recording data is performed on the recording sheet 13.

A head cleaning mechanism 21 is arranged on one side of the frame 11. Then, when the recording head 18 moves from the printing area to the vicinity of the non-printing area (home position), the recording head 18 is arranged corresponding to the nozzle row forming surface (nozzle forming surface) 18a of the recording head 18, and cleaning of the recording head 18 is performed. Is configured to be able to.

Next, the structure of the head cleaning mechanism 21 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, a bracket 24 is provided on the frame 11 so as to correspond to the home position of the recording head 18. Guide grooves 25 and 26 for guiding a slider 27 as a driven body are provided on both side walls of the bracket 24. The guide groove 25 is interposed between the upper, middle, lower three horizontal portions 25a, 25c, 25e and the horizontal portions 25a, 25c, 25e (two adjacent horizontal portions) extending in the moving direction of the recording head 18. First inclined portion 25b, second inclined portion 25d
Is formed by a cam groove. Further, the guide groove 26 is provided between the upper, middle, lower three horizontal portions 26a, 26c, 26e extending in the moving direction of the recording head 18 and between these horizontal portions 26a, 26c, 26e (two adjacent horizontal portions). First inclined portion 26b and second inclined portion 26d interposed
Is formed by a cam groove.

The slider 24 is attached to the bracket 24.
7 is held so as to be movable in the moving direction of the recording head 18 and in the contacting / separating direction with respect to the nozzle forming surface 18a. Support pins 28 and 29, which form a cam follower and are inserted into the guide grooves 25 and 26, project from the slider 27. The guide grooves 25, 26 and the support pins 28, 29 constitute conversion means for converting the reciprocating movement of the carriage 14 into the approaching / separating movement of the cap holder 30 to / from the nozzle forming surface 18a. There is. A spring member (not shown) is mounted between the slider 27 and the bracket 24. As a result, the slider 27 is biased toward the print area side and the lower side of the recording head 18.

Capping means 9 is held on the slider 27 so as to be vertically movable. The capping means 9 has a square frame-shaped cap member 31 that seals the nozzle forming surface 18 a of the recording head 18 and a square box-shaped cap holder 30 that holds the cap member 31. Below the capping means 9, as shown in FIG. 1, a suction pump (tube pump) 35 as a pump unit for applying a negative pressure to the internal space is arranged. As shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 11, the bottom surface of the cap holder 30 has a groove 30a extending in the carriage reciprocating direction in the capping state.
But toward the groove 30a, the cap member 3
Two inclined surfaces 30b having a slope descending from one seal portion (described later) are provided. Furthermore, the cap holder 30 has an ink discharge port 30 communicating with the concave groove 30a.
An ink suction pipe 30d (shown in FIG. 9) communicating with c and the ink discharge port 30c is provided.

The ink suction tube 30d is arranged closer to the printing area than the central portion of the cap member 31 in the carriage movement direction, and the tube pump 35 (shown in FIG. 1).
Is connected to a tube (not shown) that constitutes a part of. As a result, when the cleaning command is received, a negative pressure by the tube pump 35 is applied to the internal space of the capping means 9 in a state where the nozzle forming surface 18a of the recording head 18 is sealed, and the ink is forcibly discharged from the recording head 18. Is configured to be able to.

Then, on the inclined surface 30b of the cap holder 30, as shown in FIGS. 10 (a), 10 (b) and 11, the ink dripping from the nozzle forming surface 18a of the recording head 18 is capped. A plurality of (six in total) ribs 71a to 7 that are guided into the (cap holder 30).
3a, 71b to 73b (thickness 1 mm, width 5 mm) are integrally provided.

These ribs 71a-73a, 71b-73
b corresponds to the above-mentioned three nozzle row aggregates and is provided upright in the capping means 9 (cap member 31). That is, the ribs 71a and 71b correspond to the black color / black color nozzle row aggregate (between the black color nozzle row and the black color nozzle row), and the ribs 72a and 71b.
a and 72b are black color / cyan color nozzle row aggregates (between the black color nozzle row and the cyan color nozzle row)
Is arranged on the inclined surface 30b. further,
The ribs 73a and 73b are arranged on the inclined surface 30b so as to correspond to the magenta / yellow nozzle row aggregate (between the magenta nozzle row and the yellow nozzle row). Then, the nozzle forming surface 18a of the recording head 18
When the rib tip is capped, a gap (0.5
The ink dripping from the nozzle forming surface 18a of the recording head 18 flows downward in the direction of gravity.

These ribs 71a-73a, 71b-7
As shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 12, the 3b is provided with ink guiding surfaces 74a to 76a and 74b to 76b which are curved surfaces and inclined surfaces by cutting out one side of the rib tip portion. Then, the ink dripping from the nozzle forming surface 18a of the recording head 18 has ribs 71a to 73a,
It is configured to be guided when flowing down 71b to 73b.

The cap member 31 is integrally formed with the wiping member 32 on the cap holder 30 by, for example, a two-color molding method, and is made of the same material as a soft material such as an elastomer. ing. This cap member 31, as shown in FIG.
It has a seal portion 31A having a substantially triangular cross section for sealing the nozzle forming surface 18a. As a result, in the capping state, the seal portion 31A is attached to the nozzle forming surface 18
It is configured so as to come into close contact with a with elastic deformation and to keep the internal space of the cap member 31 in a sealed state. Then, by the suction pump 35, the cap member 31
Negative pressure is applied to the internal space of the ink, and ink is sucked and discharged from the recording head 18.

The wiping member 32, like the seal portion 31A, has an ink wiping portion 32a having a substantially triangular cross section.
have. Then, during wiping, the nozzle forming surface 18a of the recording head 18 is brought into sliding contact with elastic deformation,
The nozzle forming surface 18a is configured to be wiped. Between the wiping member 32 and the cap 31, an ink receiving recess 36 that opens above the cap holder 30 is provided. Then, the ink waste liquid scraped off from the nozzle row forming surface 18a by the wiping member 32 is received in the recess 36.

As shown in FIG. 2, an interlocking mechanism 38 including an engaging portion 39 and an engaged portion 40 is disposed between the carriage 14 and the slider 27. The engaging portion 39 is provided at the lower end of the carriage 14 on the home position side. Further, the engaged portion 40 is
The slider 27 is projectingly provided on the upper end portion of the slider 27 so that the slider 27 can be engaged and disengaged with the engaging portion 39.

When the recording head 18 moves from the printing area shown in FIG. 2 to the non-printing area shown in FIG. 4, the engaging portion 39 engages with the engaged portion 40, and the slider 27 moves together with the cap holder 30. It is configured so that it can move in the same direction as the carriage moving direction against the biasing force of a spring member (not shown). In this case, the support pin 28 of the slider 27 moves from the lower step portion 25a of the guide groove 25 to the first inclined portion 2
5b, the middle step portion 25c, and the second inclined portion 25d, and moves while being engaged with the upper step portion 25e. Similarly, the support pin 29 moves from the lower step portion 26a of the guide groove 26 to the first inclined portion 2
6b, the middle step portion 26c, and the second inclined portion 26d to move while being engaged with the upper step portion 25e. As a result, the slider 27 and the cap holder 30 move the nozzle forming surface 18
The cap member 31 can move to an upper position closer to a and contact the nozzle forming surface 18a to seal the nozzle forming surface 18a.

On the other hand, when the recording head 18 moves together with the carriage 14 from the non-printing area shown in FIG. 4 to the printing area shown in FIG. 2, the slider 27 together with the cap holder 30 is provided with a spring member (not shown). It is configured so that it can move in the same direction as the carriage moving direction by the force. In this case, the support pin 28 of the slider 27 moves from the upper step portion 25e of the guide groove 25 through the second inclined portion 25d, the middle step portion 25c and the first inclined portion 25b while being engaged with the lower step portion 25a. Similarly, the support pin 29 moves from the upper step portion 26e of the guide groove 26 through the second inclined portion 26d, the middle step portion 26c, and the first inclined portion 26b while being engaged with the lower step portion 26a. As a result, the slider 27 and the cap holder 30 move to a lower position where they are separated from the nozzle forming surface 18a, and the cap member 31 is separated from the nozzle forming surface 18a so that the sealing of the nozzle forming surface 18a can be released. There is.

Between the slider 27 and the bracket 24, as shown in FIG. 2, a holding mechanism 41 which constitutes a locking means composed of a holding claw 42 and a locking portion 44 is arranged. The holding claw 42 is held by the support pin 28 via a long hole 43 so as to be relatively movable and rotatable. The holding claw 42 is urged to move toward the printing area of the recording head 18 by a spring member (not shown) and is urged to rotate in the clockwise direction in FIG. The locking portion 44 is formed on the bracket 24, and is configured to be engageable with and disengageable from the holding claw 42.

The recording head 18 is moved to the carriage 14
Further, when further moving from the non-printing area shown in FIG. 4 to the suction position shown in FIG. 5, the holding claw 42 is engaged with the support pin 28 in contact with the one end 43a side of the long hole 43 of the holding claw 42 in the holding mechanism 41. It is configured so that it can be engaged with the stop portion 44. In this case, the holding claw 42 has the guide surface 44a.
It moves along and reaches the locking portion 44. In this state, the suction pump 35 sucks and discharges the ink from the recording head 18.

Further, when the recording head 18 moves with the carriage 14 from the suction position shown in FIG. 5 to the recording area side shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 6, the slider 27 and the cap holder 30 can be moved in the same direction as the carriage moving direction by the urging force of a spring member (not shown) with the holding claw 42 left. In this case, slider 2
The support pin 28 of No. 7 moves from the upper step portion 25e of the guide groove 25 to the middle step portion 25c via the second inclined portion 25d. Similarly, the support pin 29 causes the upper step portion 2 of the guide groove 26 to move.
From 6e, it moves through engaging the second inclined portion 26d to the middle step portion 26c. As a result, the slider 27 and the cap holder 30 are moved downward to an intermediate position where they are separated from the nozzle forming surface 18a, and the sealing of the nozzle forming surface 18a by the cap member 31 can be released. At the same time, the wiping member 32 is arranged at a wiping position where it can be slidably contacted with the nozzle forming surface 18a.

In this state, the support pin 28 abuts on the other end 43b side of the elongated hole 43 of the holding claw 42, and the slider 27 and the cap member 30 are moved by the holding claw 42 in the engaged state with the locking portion 44. Held in an intermediate position. And
When the recording head 18 moves together with the carriage 14 from the wiping position shown in FIG. 6 to the printing area side shown in FIG. 2, the wiping member 32 is configured to slide-contact with the nozzle forming surface 18a for wiping and cleaning. .

Between the cap holder 30 and the bracket 24, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a restraining mechanism 45 composed of an engaging projection 46 and an engaged projection 47 is disposed. . The engagement protrusion 46 is disposed immediately below the wiping member 32, and the cap holder 30.
Is projected on the lower surface of. The engaged projection piece 47 is provided on the upper surface of the rear end portion of the bracket 24 so as to project and engage with the engagement projection piece 46.

Then, the recording head 18 is moved to the carriage 14
When moving to the wiping position shown in FIG.
The engagement protrusion 46 is engaged with the engaged protrusion 47. As a result, when the wiping member 32 wipes and cleans the nozzle forming surface 18a, the downward displacement of the cap holder 30 is suppressed even if a downward pressing force acts on the cap holder 30, and the wiping member 32 causes the nozzle to move. It is adapted to be held in a state of sliding contact with the forming surface 18a. The engaging projection 46 and the engaged projection 47 have inclined surfaces that engage with each other. And the cap holder 30
When the recording head 18 moves to the left in FIG. 6 along the moving direction of the recording head 18, the engagement protrusion 46 is disengaged from the engaged protrusion 47. Also, the wiping member 3
When a downward force is applied to the recording head 18 with respect to 2, the inclined surfaces of the engaging protrusions 46 and the engaged protrusions 47 can maintain the engaged state against the acting force. Is configured.

Between the carriage 14 and the holding claw 42, as shown in FIG. 2, a releasing mechanism 48 composed of an engaging portion 49 and an engaged portion 50 is arranged. The engaging portion 49 is provided at the lower end of the carriage 14 on the home position side. The engaged portion 50 is provided on the upper surface of the rear end portion of the holding claw 42 so as to project, and the engaged portion 4
It is configured so that it can be engaged and disengaged.

Then, the recording head 18 retracts together with the carriage 14 from the wiping position shown in FIG. 6 to the printing area side shown in FIG. 2, and after the wiping member 32 finishes wiping and cleaning the nozzle forming surface 18a, the releasing mechanism is released. The engaging portion 49 of 48 can be engaged with the engaged portion 50. As a result, the holding claw 42 pivots in the counterclockwise direction shown in FIG. 6 and disengages from the locking portion 44, releasing the slider 27 and the cap holder 30 from the locked state,
The urging force of a spring member (not shown) can move and return to the printing area shown in FIG.

Further, in the present embodiment, after the recording head 18 prints a predetermined number of lines or a predetermined number of sheets on the recording paper 13, the position immediately before the non-printing area shown in FIG. 4 from the printing area shown in FIG. The recording head 18 moves together with the carriage 14 to the flushing position shown in FIG. In this case, the engaging portion 39 of the interlocking mechanism 38 does not engage with the engaged portion 40, and the cap holder 30 moves into the guide groove 2.
It is arranged at the lower position without moving upward along 5, 26. Further, the cap member 31 is the recording head 1.
8 is arranged below the nozzle forming surface 18a without contacting the nozzle forming surface 18a.

In this state, when a drive signal unrelated to print data is applied to the print head 18, ink droplets are ejected from the print head 18 toward the inside of the cap member 31, so-called flushing can be executed. Is configured. After the flushing operation is completed, the recording head 18 is retracted together with the carriage 14 from the flushing position shown in FIG. 3 to the printing area shown in FIG. 2 so that the printing operation by the recording head 18 can be restarted. In this case, the wiping member 32 is arranged at a position where it does not slidably contact the nozzle forming surface 18a, and the wiping member 32 does not wipe and clean the nozzle forming surface 18a.

Next, the operation of the head cleaning mechanism in the ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be described. As described above, the cleaning of the recording head 18 is performed when the recording apparatus restarts the printing operation after being stopped for a long time, or when the user recognizes the defective printing and operates the cleaning button, for example. That is, at the time of cleaning, the recording head 18 moves together with the carriage 14 from the printing area shown in FIG. 2 to the non-printing area shown in FIG. 4, and is guided by the guide grooves 25 and 26 via the interlocking mechanism 38 to cause the slider 27 and the cap to move. The holder 30 moves to the upper position. This allows
The cap member 31 contacts the nozzle forming surface 18a, and the nozzle forming surface 18a is sealed. In this way, when the cap member 31 has finished sealing the nozzle forming surface 18a, the inside of the cap member 31 is blocked from communicating with the atmosphere and becomes airtight. In this case, in the capping state shown in FIG. 4, ribs 71a to 73a, 71 shown in FIG.
The tips of b to 73b face the nozzle forming surface 18a with a gap.

Thereafter, when the recording head 18 further moves from the non-printing area shown in FIG. 4 to the suction position shown in FIG. 5, the holding claw 42 of the holding mechanism 41 engages with the locking portion 44. In this state, the cap holder 30 is held in a stable state at the suction position. And the suction pump 3
A negative pressure is applied to the internal space of the cap member 31 by 5, and the ink is sucked and discharged from the recording head 18. In this case, when the ink drips from the nozzle forming surface 18a, it is guided along the ribs 71a to 73a and 71b to 73b and flows down in the gravity direction.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the ribs 71a to 73a and 71b to 73b can exhibit the same function as the ink absorber (reduce the amount of ink scattering due to the elastic recovery of the wiping member 32). In addition, the ink absorber that has been conventionally required is no longer necessary. As a result, the number of parts can be reduced, and the assembling work can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

Subsequently, when the recording head 18 is retracted from the suction position shown in FIG. 5 toward the printing area shown in FIG. 2 to the wiping position shown in FIG. 6, the slider 27 and the cap holder 30 are moved to the guide grooves 25, 26. It is lowered to the intermediate position by the guiding action and is held at the intermediate position by the holding mechanism 41. As a result, the sealing of the nozzle forming surface 18a by the cap member 31 is released, and the wiping member 31 is arranged at the wiping position where it can be slidably contacted with the nozzle forming surface 18a. Then, the recording head 18 moves from the wiping position shown in FIG.
The nozzle forming surface 18a of the recording head 18 is wiped and cleaned by the wiping member 32 during the retreat movement to the print area side shown in FIG. In this case, the ink dripping from the nozzle forming surface 18a before the wiping has ribs 71a to 73a, 71b.
Since it is guided along the flow path 73b to 73b and flows down into the cap member 31, the ink scattering amount due to the elastic recovery of the wiping member 32 immediately after the wiping completion (wiping cleaning) is small.

During wiping and cleaning of the nozzle forming surface 18a by the wiping member 32, the engaging projection 46 of the suppressing mechanism 45 engages with the engaged projection 47 as shown in FIG. Is suppressed. Therefore, even if a downward pressing force acts on the cap holder 30, the wiping member 32 is held in a sliding contact state without being separated from the nozzle forming surface 18a, and the nozzle forming surface 18a is maintained.
The wiping and cleaning of is surely performed.

Then, during the retracting movement of the recording head 18 to the printing area, the engaging portion 49 of the releasing mechanism 48 is engaged with the engaged portion 50, and the holding claw 42 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. To release from the locking portion 44. As a result, the slider 27 and the cap holder 30 are released from the locked state, and are moved and returned to the position shown in FIG. 2 by the biasing force of the spring member (not shown).

On the other hand, the recording head 18 moves from the print area shown in FIG. 2 to the flushing position shown in FIG. 3 every time a predetermined number of lines or a predetermined number of recordings are made on the recording paper 13. Since this flushing position is located immediately before the home position shown in FIG. 4, the cap holder 30 is not moved up by the guiding action of the guide grooves 25 and 26 but is placed in the lower position. Therefore, the cap member 3
1 is arranged below the nozzle forming surface 18a of the recording head 18, and the wiping member 32
The nozzle forming surface 18a is arranged at a position where it does not come into sliding contact with the nozzle forming surface 18a.

In this state, when a drive signal unrelated to print data is applied to the print head 18, the print head 18
Ink droplets are discharged from the inside toward the cap member 31, so-called flushing is performed. After that, the wiping member 32 does not wipe and clean the nozzle forming surface 18a, and the recording head 18 retreats from the flushing position shown in FIG. 3 to the printing area shown in FIG. 2 to restart the printing operation.

In this embodiment, the rib 71a is used.
To 73a and 71b to 73b, ink guiding surfaces 71a to 73
Although the case where a and 71b to 73b are composed of a curved surface and an inclined surface has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a surface formed of only a curved surface or an inclined surface 74a (inclination angle of about 45 °) as shown in FIG. May consist of Further, in the present invention, as shown in FIG. 14, even the rib 71a having no ink guiding surface has the same effect as that of the embodiment. In this case, it is desirable to set the thickness of the rib 71a to a small size (about 0.2 mm) in order to obtain the same effect as when there is an ink guiding surface.

In addition, in this embodiment, the rib 71 is used.
Although the case where a to 73a and 71b to 73b are provided integrally with the cap holder 30 has been described, the present invention is not limited to this and may be provided integrally with the cap member. Further, it goes without saying that the number of ribs and the like in the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiment.

[0050]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the number of parts by eliminating the ink absorber which is conventionally arranged in the cap member, and the number of parts can be reduced. It is possible to achieve simplification and cost reduction.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an outline of an overall configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing a non-capping state of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing a flushing state.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing a capping state.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing a suction state.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing a wiping state.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a capping unit of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing capping means of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

9A and 9B are a side view and a front view showing a capping unit of an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

10A and 10B are a sectional view taken along the line AA and a sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG.

11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC of FIG.

FIG. 12 is a front view for explaining the rib of the capping means in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 13 is a modification example (1) of the rib of the capping means in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the invention.
It is a front view shown in order to demonstrate.

FIG. 14 is a modification example (2) of the rib of the capping means in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the invention.
It is a front view shown in order to demonstrate.

[Explanation of symbols]

9 Capping Means 11 Frame 12 Platen 13 Recording Paper 14 Carriage 15 Guide Member 16 Carriage Motor 17 Timing Belt 18 Recording Head 18a Nozzle Forming Surface (Nozzle Row Forming Surface) 19 Black Ink Cartridge 20 Color Ink Cartridge 21 Head Cleaning Mechanism 24 Bracket 25 , 26 guide groove 27 slider 28, 29 support groove 30 cap holder 30a concave groove 30b inclined surface 30c ink discharge port 30d ink suction pipe 31 cap member 31A seal portion 32 wiping member 34 ink suction pipe 35 suction pump 36 ink receiving recess 38 interlocking Mechanism 41 Holding mechanism 45 Suppression mechanism 48 Release mechanism 71a to 73a, 71b to 73b Ribs 74a to 76a, 74b to 76b Ink guide surface

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An ink jet recording head having a nozzle row for ejecting ink droplets and reciprocating between a printing area and a non-printing area, a cap member capable of sealing the nozzle row of the recording head, and the cap member. An ink jet recording apparatus having a cap holder for holding a cap member, and a capping unit for sucking and discharging ink from the nozzle row, wherein the ink that drips from a nozzle row forming surface of the recording head is capped. An ink jet recording apparatus, characterized in that a rib for guiding into the member is provided upright on the capping means. 2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle row is composed of a plurality of nozzle rows, and the rib is arranged corresponding to each of these nozzle rows. 3. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rib is provided integrally with the cap holder. 4. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an ink guiding surface is provided at a tip portion of the rib. 5. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the ink guiding surface is a curved surface. 6. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the ink guiding surface is an inclined surface.