JP2004237571A - Recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To sustain stabilized cleaning performance of a recording head by keeping the surface of a wiper blade in clean state constantly through a compact and simple arrangement. <P>SOLUTION: The wiper blade is provided integrally with the recording head secured to the capping mechanism side and matters adhering to the wiper blade are scraped by controlling the operation of the capping mechanism and the recording head relatively. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a recording apparatus having an ink jet recording head and a cleaning mechanism.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In an ink jet recording apparatus, bubbles, dust, and the like may be mixed in a supply path from an ink tank to a recording head.
[0003]
On the other hand, the inner diameter of the liquid path inside the recording head or the nozzle of the discharge port is as small as several tens of microns. Therefore, when foreign matters such as bubbles and dust enter the ink flow path, there is a possibility that ink will not be ejected and the ink will be distorted.
[0004]
In addition, thickening and sticking of ink near the nozzles due to long-term storage also cause ejection failure.
[0005]
Further, during printing, fine mist of ink due to high-speed and long-time ejection adheres to the face surface near the ejection port, and degrades the ink quality, such as deflecting the ink droplet ejected by the wetting action.
[0006]
Therefore, the ink jet recording apparatus has a cleaning means (recovery operation) for maintaining good recording performance.
[0007]
FIG. 11 shows a schematic example of a conventional recovery system.
[0008]
Reference numeral A denotes a recording head in which a plurality of nozzles B for discharging ink on the discharge port surface are formed in the depth direction.
[0009]
In order to prevent sticking and dust from entering the nozzle due to spontaneous evaporation of the ink, the discharge port surface is covered (capped) with a cap C made of an elastic member during standby, as shown in FIG.
[0010]
In order to recover the nozzles to a healthy state during the printing operation or after a long period of standing, the ink supply system pump (not shown) pressurizes the inside of the ink flow path or sucks ink from the ink discharge port (pumping). The ink is forcibly discharged from the ejection port, and at the same time, air, dust, thickened ink, and the like are pushed out.
[0011]
In addition, ink not contributing to image recording is ejected (preliminary ejection) toward a predetermined ink receptor (for example, cap C), and normal ejection from the beginning of recording is performed by adjusting the liquid level in the nozzle of the ejection port. There are ways to keep it.
[0012]
The ink discharged in the case of the above-described pumping and preliminary discharge is once received by the cap C, and then collected by the above-described ink supply system (not shown). Further, in order to prevent the ink droplets from being deflected due to the ink E attached to the ink ejection port surface after the above-described pumping or mist during printing, as a method of cleaning the ink ejection port surface, an elastically deformable sheet is used. A member (wiper blade) D is used. As shown in (b), the wiper D disposed on the horizontally movable cap C is pressed against the ink ejection port surface of the fixed recording head A with a fixed amount of approach, and the ink E attached to the ejection port surface is moved relatively. To wipe (wiping).
[0013]
In order to stably maintain the wiping effect, it is preferable that the surface is always cleaned. Further, it is common to make the wiper enter from a direction orthogonal to the nozzle row of the recording head, thereby saving space.
[0014]
At the time of the recording operation, after the cap temporarily retreats to the left (right) once as shown in (c), the recording head descends to the recording position by the head holder driving mechanism (not shown) to perform the recording operation.
[0015]
However, if the ink attached to the cleaning wiper thickens and sticks, the cleaning performance of the recording head deteriorates, and there is a concern that stable recording performance cannot be maintained.
Therefore, there is a method in which a scraper fixed inside the apparatus is provided, and after the wiping, the cleaning wiper is passed through the scraper while pressing it with a fixed amount of entry, thereby scraping off the attached matter on the wiper.
(For example, see Patent Document 1)
[Patent Document 1]
U. S. P. 6,189,999 (pages 1-3, FIGS. 2, 3)
[0016]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, this conventional method requires a work area larger than the normal recovery operation area, so that the recording apparatus becomes large.
[0017]
Particularly in the case of a line printer having a wide head, the problem of space becomes more remarkable, and the complexity of the configuration leads to a decrease in product reliability and an increase in cost.
[0018]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problem, and an object of the present invention is to keep the wiper blade surface clean at all times with a compact and simple configuration and to maintain stable cleaning performance of the recording head.
[0019]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In view of the above, the present invention has been made, and the present invention has implemented the following means in order to achieve the above object.
That is,
A recording head that ejects ink from a plurality of nozzles to record an image, a capping unit that caps the recording head, and a first cleaning unit that cleans the recording head;
A second cleaning unit for cleaning the first cleaning unit,
The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first cleaning unit is integrated with the capping unit, and the second cleaning unit is integrated with the recording head.
[0020]
A recording head that ejects ink from a plurality of nozzles to record an image, a recording head moving unit that moves the recording head up and down,
Capping means for capping the recording head,
Capping moving means for moving the capping means in the horizontal direction, first cleaning means for cleaning the recording head,
A second cleaning unit for cleaning the first cleaning unit,
The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first cleaning unit is integrated with the capping unit, and the second cleaning unit is integrated with the recording head.
[0021]
The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first cleaning means uses an elastic member, and the second cleaning means uses a member different from the elastic member.
[0022]
The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first cleaning means uses an elastic member, and the second cleaning means uses a member having a smaller elastic coefficient than the elastic member.
[0023]
2. A recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second cleaning means enters in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of said first cleaning means.
[0024]
The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second cleaning unit is displaceable in a longitudinal direction of the first cleaning unit.
[0025]
The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the displacement of the second cleaning unit is based on a shape of a guide member provided in the capping unit.
[0026]
The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an entrance angle of the second cleaning unit when the second cleaning unit comes into contact with a surface of the first cleaning unit is an acute angle.
[0027]
2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second cleaning unit includes an operation of squeezing the first cleaning unit.
[0028]
The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning operation of the first cleaning unit by the second cleaning unit is performed by the recording head moving unit and the capping moving unit.
[0029]
A recording apparatus comprising a plurality of sets of the first and second cleaning means, wherein the plurality of first cleaning means are simultaneously cleaned.
[0030]
A recording head that ejects ink from a plurality of nozzles to record an image, a capping unit that caps the recording head, and a first cleaning unit that cleans the recording head;
Second cleaning means for cleaning the first cleaning means,
An operation execution determining unit configured to determine whether to execute the operation by the second cleaning unit.
[0031]
A recording apparatus that determines whether or not to execute an operation by the second cleaning unit based on an elapsed time from a previous cleaning operation.
[0032]
A recording apparatus having a plurality of cleaning operation modes by the second cleaning means depending on an elapsed time from a previous cleaning operation.
[0033]
A recording apparatus, wherein the number of cleaning operations by said second cleaning means is changed according to an elapsed time from a previous cleaning operation.
[0034]
A recording apparatus, wherein the cleaning operation by the second cleaning unit is performed by the number of cleaning operations by the first cleaning unit.
[0035]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[First embodiment]
FIG. 1 shows an example of an ink jet recording apparatus embodying the present invention.
FIG. 1A shows a standby state, in which a plurality of print heads (101K, C, LC, M, LM, 101Y) for color printing are capped (sealed) by a capping mechanism (102).
[0036]
Here, K: black, C: cyan, LC: light cyan, M: magenta, LM: light magenta, and Y: yellow.
[0037]
In the standby state, all motors and actuators are stopped.
[0038]
FIG. 1B shows a state during the recording operation, in which the capping mechanism (102K to 102Y) moves leftward, the recording head (101K to 101Y) moves up and down, and after moving to the recording position, keeps the stationary state. The recording medium (106) is picked one by one from the paper feeding unit (107) and fed to the main body (100).
[0039]
In the recording apparatus main body (100), the recording medium (106) sequentially passes under the recording heads (101K, C, LC, M, LM, and 101Y) at a constant speed by a transport belt (105) of a transport unit (104), and color printing is performed. Be recorded.
[0040]
Ink for recording is supplied from an independent ink cartridge (103) corresponding to each recording head to the recording heads (101K to 101Y) via tubes (not shown).
[0041]
When the recording operation is completed, the operation returns to the standby state of FIG. 1A again.
[0042]
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view around the recording head.
[0043]
A plurality of recording heads provided in a head holder (unit) (201) are arranged at predetermined intervals. The head connector (202) couples tubes for supplying ink from the ink tanks (103) of each color to the corresponding recording heads.
[0044]
The head lifting motor (203) moves the head holder (201) up and down via rack and pinion gears (204, 205).
[0045]
A head home position sensor (206) and a head print position sensor (207) detect a capping position and a recording position, respectively.
[0046]
FIG. 3 shows a basic configuration of a cleaning device (for a recording head) embodying the present invention. The recording heads (101K to 101Y) are fixed to a head holder (201).
The wiper blade (301) for wiping (cleaning) the nozzle surface is independent for each recording head, and is provided integrally with the cap mechanism (102K to 102Y).
[0047]
In the present invention, the size is reduced by allowing the scraper (305) of the scraper unit (306) to enter from the thickness direction orthogonal to the width direction of the wiper blade (301).
[0048]
The scraper (305) is made to enter from a position lower in the height direction than the tip of the cantilevered wiper blade (301), and the tip of the scraper opposes the wiper blade surface and rises while rubbing to scrape off the attached matter.
[0049]
The recording head (101K to 101Y) and the scraper unit (306) move up and down integrally by the mechanism described in FIG.
[0050]
The cap mechanism (102K to 102Y), the wiper blade (301), and the guide member (307) can be moved horizontally left and right by a capping motor described later.
[0051]
FIG. 4 shows details of the scraper mechanism.
[0052]
4A is a front view, and FIG. 4B is a top view.
[0053]
The scraper unit (306) provided on the head holder (201) is composed of a fixed plate (302), a movable plate (307), and a compression spring (304) connecting the both, and can be seen from FIG. As described above, the movable plate (307) can be moved within a certain range by regulating the compression spring (304) and the bent portion (stopper) of the fixed plate (302).
Also, as shown in FIG. 4B, the movable plate (307) is pulled toward the near side by the tension spring 401. A scraper member (305) is fixed on the movable plate 307, and is set to a predetermined amount to enter the wiper blade (301).
[0054]
Further, a guide member (402) is arranged on the capping mechanism (102K to 102Y) side so that a stable pressing by the scraper (305) can be obtained against the wiper blade (301).
[0055]
FIG. 5 shows the details of the operation procedure.
(1) The scraper unit (306) descends.
{Circle around (2)} The movable plate (307) comes into contact with the slope A of the guide (402) and descends along the shape of the guide, while the compression spring (304) and the scraper (305) are integrated with the tip of the wiper blade (301). Move away from.
(3) Continue to descend the scraper unit (306).
{Circle around (4)} The movable plate (307) reaches the point C as viewed from the AA direction of the guide (402), and moves integrally with the scraper (305) to the far side in FIG. 3 while descending along the slope.
(5) When the movable plate (305) passes through the thickness direction of the guide (402), the scraper (305) enters the wiper blade (301) by the action of the spring (401). Thereafter, the head holder (201) continues to descend to a predetermined position.
In this embodiment, the scraper (305) is set so as to enter below the attached matter area (2.2 mm from the tip of the wiper blade (301)).
{Circle around (6)} The head holder (201) is lifted, and the scraper (305) passes while rubbing the wiper blade (301) to scrape off the attached matter. Further, when the movable plate (307) completely passes through the guide (402) by the ascending (the height of the guide), the movable plate (307) is returned to the initial position by the tension spring (401).
[0056]
In this embodiment, it was confirmed that the amount of entry of the scraper (305) with respect to the wiper blade (301) was 1 to 5 [mm], so that the attached matter could be efficiently removed.
[0057]
A more preferable amount of intrusion is 2-3 [mm].
[0058]
Also, depending on the material, even values other than the above values are within the scope of the present invention.
[0059]
In this embodiment, the shape of the scraper (305) has the shape shown in FIG.
[0060]
The tip is linear to facilitate scraping off the deposits. Any shape can be used at the tip end as long as the shape is in line contact with the wiper blade (301). The entry angle of the scraper (305) with respect to the wiper blade (301) is appropriately selected depending on the material.
[0061]
In this embodiment, the material of the scraper (305) is plastic, but metal, ceramics and the like can also be used.
In addition, a water-repellent treatment or a hydrophilic treatment may be applied to guide the scraped-off matter to the recessed portion behind the scraper (305) and accommodate the same.
[0062]
In the present embodiment, the wiper blade (305) can be cleaned in a limited space because the scraper (305) enters and moves (lateral wiping) in the thickness direction orthogonal to the width direction of the wiper blade (301).
[0063]
FIG. 6 is an electrical block diagram of a recording apparatus embodying the present invention.
[0064]
The host computer (600) transfers recording data to be used for recording to the interface controller (602) of the recording device (100) and instructs the start of recording. Also, the number of recording media to be recorded, and the type and size of recording media And the like can be transferred to the interface unit (602) to give an instruction.
[0065]
A CPU (Central Processing Unit) (601) is an arithmetic processing unit that performs overall control such as reception of recording data of a recording device, recording operation, and handling of a recording medium, based on a control program stored in a ROM (603). Execute control.
After analyzing the command, the CPU (601) instructs the interface controller to develop the image data of each color component of the print data into a bit map in the image RAM (304).
As an operation process before recording, the CPU (301) controls the capping motor (609) and the head U / D motor (203) via the input / output port (I / O) (607), the motor drive unit (608). The recording heads (101K to 101Y) are mutually driven and moved from the capping position to the recording position.
[0066]
Almost simultaneously, the sheet feeding motor (611) for picking up and feeding the recording medium (106) one by one is activated, and the conveying unit is driven by the conveying motor (610) to continuously feed the recording medium (106). Start the transport operation.
[0067]
In order to determine the recording timing of the recording medium (106) conveyed at a constant speed, the leading edge position of the sheet is detected by sheet detecting means (not shown). In synchronization with the sheet conveyance, the printhead control circuit (612) sequentially reads out the image data of the corresponding color from the image RAM (604), and transfers the data to the printheads (101K to 101Y) that eject the corresponding color inks. Record in color.
[0068]
An operation panel (613) is a part for displaying a warning such as out of ink or the like, and performing an operation such as a reset. The operation of the CPU (601) is executed based on the processing program stored in the program ROM (603), and uses the work RAM (305) as a working memory.
[0069]
The EEPROM (606) is a non-volatile memory, and stores parameters unique to the apparatus, such as minute print position adjustment values between print heads.
[0070]
The elapsed time from the previous recovery operation, the elapsed time from the wiper blade cleaning operation by the scraper, and the like can be determined by reading the current time from the RTC (Real-Time Clock) (614).
A wiper blade (301) fixed to the capping mechanism (102K to 102Y), and a scraper unit (306) attached to the recording head (101K to 101Y) to maintain the cleaning performance of the wiper blade (301). Will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 9A.
[0071]
When removing the ink droplets and impurities adhered to the wiper blade (301) with a scraper, the CPU (601) first drives the head U / D motor (203) to cap the recording heads (101K to 101Y). Then, the wiper blade (301) is moved to the scraper position by driving the capping motor (609) (S902).
[0072]
Subsequently, the movable portion (307) of the scraper unit (306) is moved along the guide (402) while the recording head (101K to 101Y) is lowered (S903), so that the scraper (305) is moved to the wiper blade (301). (S903, S904), the print head (101K to 101Y) is pulled up (S905), and the attached matter of the wiper blade is scraped off to stop at the retreat position (S906).
Then, the recording head (101K to 101Y) is returned to the capping (standby) position again (S907), and the process ends.
[Second embodiment]
This embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The electrical configuration of the present embodiment can be realized in FIG. 6, which is the same as the first embodiment.
[0073]
FIG. 7A shows a state in which the recording head according to the present invention is on standby.
[0074]
The recording heads 701K to 701Y are capped by corresponding capping mechanisms 702K to 702Y, respectively.
Here, as in the first embodiment, K: black, C: cyan, LC: light cyan, M: magenta, LM: light magenta, and Y: yellow.
Each capping mechanism (702K to 702Y) is integrated with a wiper blade 703 for cleaning the nozzle surface of the recording head (701K to 701Y), while each recording head maintains the cleaning performance of the wiper blade 703. Is provided.
[0075]
The capping mechanism including the wiper blade 703 can move in the horizontal direction in the drawing, while each recording head including the scraper 704 can move in the vertical direction.
[0076]
At the time of the recording operation, the recording heads (701K to 701Y) move up and down once, then the capping mechanism (702K to 702Y) moves to the left in the drawing, and then the recording heads (701K to 701Y) reach the recording position (the lowest point). It descends (Fig. 7-2).
[0077]
FIG. 7-3 shows a state during the cleaning operation by the wiper blade 703.
After the recording head (701K to 701Y) moves to the wipe position, the capping mechanism (702K to 702Y) including the wiper blade moves rightward in the drawing, and the droplet (705) adhered to the nozzle surface by the wiper blade (703). ).
Next, regarding the cleaning operation of the wiper blade 703 by the scraper 704, mechanical movements will be described with reference to FIGS. 8A to 8D and the operation flow of the CPU (601) will be described with reference to FIG. 9-B.
First, after the print head (701K to 701Y) including the scraper 704 is once raised and retracted (S951), the capping mechanism (702K to 702Y) is set so that the wiper blade (703) is located between the print head and the scraper (704) in the horizontal direction. Is moved (S952), and then the recording heads (701K to 701Y) are lowered to the position shown in FIG. 8A (S953).
Next, the capping mechanism (702K to 702Y) is slightly moved leftward in FIG. 8 to bring the wiper blade (703) into a narrowed state as shown in FIG. 8-B (S954).
Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 8C, the recording heads (701K to 701Y) are raised, the wiper blade 703 is scraped up by the scraper 704 (S955), and stopped at the uppermost retreat position (S956).
[0078]
Then, as shown at D, the ink droplets 705, the fixed ink, and the foreign matter, which were on the wiper blade 703 are scraped off, and the cleaning performance is maintained.
[0079]
When the above operation is completed, the recording heads (702K to 702Y) are returned to the capping (standby) position (S957), and the processing operation ends.
FIG. 10 shows an operation flow of the CPU (601) for determining whether or not the wiper blade scraping (cleaning) operation using the scraper of the present invention is necessary.
This operation flow is executed when the power of the recording apparatus is turned on, before the recording operation, and after the cleaning operation of the recording head by the wiper blade.
First, it is determined whether 20 days or more have passed since the last operation of the wiper blade by the scraper (cleaning) (S1001). If Yes, the operation of scraping the wiper blade by the scraper (cleaning) is repeated three times (S1004), and the process ends. I do.
This is because it can be determined that the ink fixation on the wiper blade or the like has progressed over a long period of time.
If No in S1001, it is determined whether two days or more have passed since the last scraping (cleaning) operation (S1002). If Yes, the scraper wipes (cleans) the wiper blade once (S1005). finish.
If No in S1002, the number of wipes of the recording head by the wiper blade after the previous scraping (cleaning) operation is checked. If the number is eight or more (S1003-Yes), the wiper blade is scraped by the scraper. The (cleaning) operation is performed once (S1005), and the processing ends.
If No in S1003, the process ends.
[0080]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, the wiper blade can be reliably cleaned even in a limited space by the movable scraper mechanism, and stable cleaning performance of the recording head surface by the wiper can be maintained.
[0081]
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a recording apparatus embodying the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a recording unit and a cleaning mechanism of the recording apparatus embodying the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a wiper blade and a scraper mechanism of a recording head.
FIG. 4 is a detailed view of a scraper mechanism embodying the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a detailed operation of the scraper mechanism of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is an electrical block diagram of a recording apparatus embodying the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a cleaning operation according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an operation of a scraper according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 9 is an operation flowchart of the scraper embodying the present invention.
FIG. 10 is an operation flowchart of a cleaning necessity determination using a scraper.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a conventional example of a wiping operation by a wiper blade.
[Explanation of symbols]
100 recording device 101K recording head (black)
101C recording head (cyan)
101LC recording head (light cyan)
101M recording head (Magenta)
101LM recording head (light magenta)
101Y print head (yellow)
102K capping mechanism (black)
101C Capping mechanism (cyan)
101LC capping mechanism (light cyan)
101M Capping mechanism (Magenta)
101LM capping mechanism (Light Magenta)
101Y capping mechanism (yellow)
103 ink cartridge 201 head holder (unit)
203 Head lifting / lowering (U / D) motor 301 Wiper blade 302 Fixed part (scraper unit)
303
304 Spring 305 Scraper 306 Scraper unit 307 Moving part (scraper unit)
401 spring (scraper unit)
402 Guide 600 Host computer 601 CPU (Central processing unit)
602 interface controller 603 ROM
609 Capping motor 701K Recording head (black)
701C Recording head (cyan)
701LC recording head (light cyan)
701M Recording Head (Magenta)
701LM Recording Head (Light Magenta)
701Y recording head (yellow)
702K capping mechanism (black)
702C Capping mechanism (cyan)
702LC capping mechanism (light cyan)
702M Capping mechanism (Magenta)
702LM Capping mechanism (Light Magenta)
702Y capping mechanism (yellow)

Claims (16)

A recording head that ejects ink from a plurality of nozzles to record an image, a capping unit that caps the recording head, and a first cleaning unit that cleans the recording head;
A second cleaning unit for cleaning the first cleaning unit,
The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first cleaning unit is integrated with the capping unit, and the second cleaning unit is integrated with the recording head. A recording head that ejects ink from a plurality of nozzles to record an image, a recording head moving unit that moves the recording head up and down,
Capping means for capping the recording head,
Capping moving means for moving the capping means in the horizontal direction, first cleaning means for cleaning the recording head,
A second cleaning unit for cleaning the first cleaning unit,
The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first cleaning unit is integrated with the capping unit, and the second cleaning unit is integrated with the recording head. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first cleaning unit uses an elastic member, and the second cleaning unit uses a member different from the elastic member. 4. The recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first cleaning unit uses an elastic member, and the second cleaning unit uses a member having a smaller elastic coefficient than the elastic member. 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second cleaning unit enters in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the first cleaning unit. 6. The recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the second cleaning unit is displaceable in a longitudinal direction of the first cleaning unit. 7. The recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the displacement of the second cleaning unit is based on a shape of a guide member provided in the capping unit. 8. The recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein an approach angle when the second cleaning unit contacts the surface of the first cleaning unit is an acute angle. 9. 9. The recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the second cleaning unit has an action of squeezing the first cleaning unit. 10. 10. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the cleaning operation of the first cleaning unit by the second cleaning unit is performed by the recording head moving unit and the capping moving unit. 11. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of sets of the first and second cleaning units are provided, and the plurality of first cleaning units are simultaneously cleaned. A recording head that ejects ink from a plurality of nozzles to record an image, a capping unit that caps the recording head, and a first cleaning unit that cleans the recording head;
Second cleaning means for cleaning the first cleaning means,
An operation execution determining unit configured to determine whether to execute the operation by the second cleaning unit. 14. The recording apparatus according to claim 13, wherein whether to execute the operation by the second cleaning unit is determined based on an elapsed time from a previous cleaning operation. 14. The recording apparatus according to claim 12, wherein a plurality of cleaning operation modes by the second cleaning unit are provided depending on an elapsed time from a previous cleaning operation. 15. The recording apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the number of cleaning operations by the second cleaning unit is changed according to an elapsed time from a previous cleaning operation. 16. The recording apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the cleaning operation by the second cleaning unit is performed by the number of cleaning operations by the first cleaning unit.

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