JP2004262116A - Ink jet recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To lessen failure of ejection, e.g. clogging of a nozzle or incorrect shooting of an ink drop, by preventing thickening of ink and mixing in of a bubble or dust in the nozzle under a state where power is turned off. <P>SOLUTION: The ink jet recorder comprises a print head performing recording by ejecting ink from a nozzle, an ink ejection drive means for ejecting the ink, a nozzle surface capping means for covering the nozzle surface, a capping sensor for detecting covering of the nozzle suface, and a preliminary ejection control means for ejecting ink preliminarily every time when a specified capping time is exceeded. The ink jet recorder further comprises a main power switch for bring the ink jet recorder into operating state, and a power supply subcontrol means capable of turning on/off power supply to means being controlled other than the ejection driving means and the preliminary ejection control means when the main power switch is closed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
While reciprocating a print head having a plurality of nozzles left and right, ink droplets are ejected (flying), and an image according to image data is formed on the recording medium in conjunction with the movement of the recording medium. Is known.
[0003]
In such an ink jet recording apparatus, a print head in which fine nozzles and ink ejection ports are arranged is used. Therefore, when the print head is not operated for a long time, for example, when the power is turned off, or when the standby state continues for a long time without transferring the print data, bubbles or dust may enter the nozzles from the ink discharge ports. Alternatively, the viscosity increases due to the evaporation of the ink solvent, which causes ejection failure such as nozzle clogging.
[0004]
In order to prevent such ejection failure, in a conventional ink jet recording apparatus, a preliminary ejection unit for replacing ink in a nozzle with new ink, a capping unit for preventing drying of a nozzle surface, or a preliminary Cleaning means for periodically cleaning the nozzle surface after ejection or during a printing operation was provided.
[0005]
Then, for example, during a printing operation, the print head is returned to the capping position every time a predetermined operation time is exceeded, and preliminary ejection is performed.Also, during standby, the print head is capped by capping means, and the capping is performed. When the time exceeds a predetermined time, a method of performing preliminary ejection at the start of the next printing operation to remove the above-described ejection failure factor has been conventionally taken (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-3-234639 (pages 7-8, FIG. 15, FIG. 16)
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the configuration disclosed in Patent Literature 1, during the printing operation, the preliminary ejection is performed every time the predetermined time is exceeded, so that the above-described ejection failure can be prevented. However, when the capping state continues for a long time, the viscosity of the ink in the nozzles increases, and in some cases, the ink may be solidified. There is a possibility that the cause of the ejection failure cannot be completely removed.
[0008]
In addition, Patent Document 1 does not specifically suggest a defective ink discharge in a state where the power is turned off for a long time. However, if the power-off state lasts for a long time, the viscosity of the ink in the nozzles increases, and in such a state, even if the power is turned on and the preliminary ejection is performed at the time of resuming the printing operation, the nozzles are normally operated. There is a risk that the state cannot be recovered.
[0009]
The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and a main object is to perform a preliminary discharge every time the capping time exceeds a predetermined time even in a state of a standby power saving mode by a simple configuration. Another object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus capable of always obtaining stable printing quality.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
(1) a print head for ejecting ink from a nozzle to a recording medium and performing recording;
Discharge drive means for discharging ink from the print head,
Capping means provided in a non-printing area, which covers the nozzle surface on which the ink discharge ports of the nozzles are formed,
A capping sensor for detecting whether the capping means covers the nozzle surface,
When the capping sensor detects that the nozzle surface is being capped, each time the capping time exceeds a predetermined time, a pre-discharge control unit that controls so as to pre-discharge the ink in the capped state. In the inkjet recording apparatus having,
A main power switch for supplying external power to the ink jet recording apparatus and setting the operation state;
When the main power switch is in the energized state, at least, the ejection driving means, and excluding the preliminary ejection control means, power supply to the controlled means such as the capping means, a sub-power control means capable of turning off, Have,
An ink jet recording apparatus characterized in that:
[0011]
(2) The ink jet recording apparatus according to (1), wherein the capping unit has an ink absorber in a state facing the nozzle surface.
[0012]
(3) The inkjet recording apparatus has a tubular waste ink path forming member having one end communicating with the capping means and the other end open to the atmosphere, and the waste ink path forming member can store ink. The ink jet recording apparatus according to the above (1) or (2), further comprising a liquid reservoir having a shape.
[0013]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0014]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a main part of the ink jet recording apparatus.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main part, particularly for describing the configuration of the capping unit.
[0015]
The main part of the inkjet recording apparatus A will be described with reference to FIGS.
In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a carriage, which is coupled to a part of the timing belt 2 and is driven by forward and reverse rotation of a carriage motor 3 and guided by a guide member 4, as shown by an arrow X in the figure. It is configured to reciprocate in parallel along the platen roller 5.
[0016]
Reference numerals 7 and 8 denote print heads for ejecting black ink and cyan, magenta, and yellow color inks, respectively. A plurality of ink ejection nozzles 700 formed in the same direction as the transport direction of the recording medium 6 are provided. It has rows and is configured integrally with the carriage 1.
[0017]
An ink ejection port 701 indicating an outlet from which the ink is ejected from the nozzle 700 is provided to face the platen roller 5.
[0018]
The ink ejection port 701 is substantially on the same plane as the nozzle surface 703.
In the present embodiment, the nozzle 700 is formed in the vertical direction, and performs printing on the recording medium 6 on the platen roller 5.
[0019]
The black ink cartridge 9 and the color ink cartridge 10 are provided so as to be detachable from the print heads 7 and 8, and are configured to supply ink to the print heads 7 and 8 via ink supply paths. ing.
[0020]
The recording medium 6 is conveyed in the horizontal direction indicated by an arrow Y in the figure by rotation of a platen roller 5 and a conveying roller (not shown).
[0021]
Numeral 11 denotes a transport motor for giving a predetermined rotation to the platen roller 5 and the transport roller.
[0022]
Reference numeral 12 denotes capping means for covering the nozzle surface 703 on which the ink discharge ports 701 of the print heads 7 and 8 are formed. The capping means 12 includes a capping means 13 for black ink and a capping means 14 for color ink. The recording medium 6 is provided in a non-printing area outside the moving area of the recording medium 6.
[0023]
Reference numeral 15 denotes a cleaning unit that contacts the nozzle surfaces 703 of the print heads 7 and 8 to perform cleaning when the carriage 1 reciprocates. Further, the cleaning unit 15 is disposed in the non-printing area and closer to the moving area of the recording medium 6 than the capping unit 11.
[0024]
Reference numeral 18 denotes a control unit including a microprocessor, which controls a series of operations of the inkjet recording apparatus A, for example, rotation of a platen roller, movement of a print head, ejection of ink droplets, capping operation by a capping unit, and the like. Further, the control means 18 has a configuration including a preliminary ejection control means according to the present invention, which will be described later in detail.
[0025]
Reference numeral 19 denotes a flexible cable which achieves electrical connection between the print heads 7 and 8 and the control means 18.
[0026]
Reference numeral 21 denotes a waste liquid tank for collecting and storing the pre-discharged ink via the capping units 13 and 14.
[0027]
Reference numeral 22 denotes a home position sensor formed of a photoelectric sensor or the like, which senses the side surface of the carriage 1 and indicates a standby position of the carriage 1, that is, a position at which the nozzle surfaces 703 of the print heads 7 and 8 are covered by the capping units 13 and 14. To detect.
[0028]
The operation of the ink jet recording apparatus having the above configuration will be briefly described.
[0029]
The print heads 7 and 8 at the capping position are brought to the start position of the print area by the carriage motor 3 based on a control signal indicating the start of printing from the control means 18, and are electrically operated based on image data from the control means 18. When a signal is applied to the print heads 7 and 8, reciprocal movement is started, and ink droplets of predetermined colors are ejected from appropriate nozzles to print on the recording medium 6 on the platen roller 5. The recording medium 6 is sequentially sent out in accordance with the reciprocating movement of the print heads 7 and 8, and the above-described printing operation is repeated until the processing associated with predetermined image data ends.
[0030]
After the printing operation is completed, the print heads 7 and 8 are returned to the capping position. On the way, the nozzle surface 703 is cleaned by the cleaning unit 15 and then moved to the capping position. 703 is capped.
[0031]
Then, when the capping time, in other words, the standby time becomes longer than the predetermined time, every time the predetermined time is exceeded, preliminary discharge is performed by the preliminary discharge control means described later while the capping state is maintained, and the next printing operation is performed. It is controlled so as to prepare for.
[0032]
Next, the configurations of the print head, the capping unit, and the waste ink path forming member will be described again with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of these main parts.
[0033]
The print head, the capping unit, and the waste ink path forming member are basically the same for black ink and color ink. However, for convenience, the case where black ink is used will be described as an example.
[0034]
FIG. 2 shows a state in which the print head 7 is covered (capped) by the capping means 13 in the non-printing area.
[0035]
First, the print head 7 will be described.
A nozzle 700 is provided below the print head 7 and communicates with a chamber 705 that stores ink.
[0036]
Reference numeral 701 denotes an ink discharge port, which is an outlet from which ink droplets are discharged from the nozzle 700. As shown in the figure, at the time of non-printing, the ink in the nozzle 700, substantially the ink at the ink ejection port 701, is maintained in a meniscus shape by the negative pressure.
[0037]
Reference numeral 703 denotes a nozzle surface on which the ink discharge ports 701 are formed, and has a substantially rectangular surface. In the present embodiment, the nozzle 700 is formed in the vertical direction.
[0038]
Reference numeral 704 denotes a piezo element (piezoelectric element) that operates when energized in accordance with image data for ink ejection to generate a change in the volume of the chamber 705, and is provided above the chamber 705.
[0039]
Since the configuration of the print head described above is basically known, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.
[0040]
Next, the capping unit 13 will be described.
130 is a cap that covers the nozzle surface 703 and has a tip 131 having an outer shape substantially equal to the outer shape of the nozzle surface, and the tip 131 comes into contact with the nozzle surface 703 outside the region where the ink ejection port 701 exists. Thus, it is configured to cover the nozzle surface 703. The cap 130 is configured so as to become narrower as it goes downward, following a wall portion (tip portion) perpendicular to the nozzle surface 703.
[0041]
The tip 131 of the cap 130 is preferably made of an elastic member such as silicone rubber or urethane rubber so as to cover the nozzle surface 703.
[0042]
133 is an ink absorber for absorbing ink ejected from the ink ejection port 701, and is made of, for example, a porous material such as felt.
[0043]
The ink absorber 133 is held by the tapered portion 134 of the cap 130 in a state facing the nozzle surface 703.
[0044]
With such a configuration, the space 132 is formed above the cap 130, and the space 132 is maintained even in the capping state.
[0045]
Reference numeral 135 denotes a drive motor for moving the cap 130 up and down to cover the nozzle surface 703 and to release the covering (capping) state, but here, it is simply referred to as a capping motor. An eccentric cam 136 is provided on the output shaft of the capping motor 135.
[0046]
The capping motor 135 is held in a drive box 137 fixed to the main body of the inkjet recording apparatus A.
[0047]
Reference numeral 138 denotes a driven rod which is vertically moved via a guide portion 139 of the drive box 137, and is fixedly connected to the cap 130 via a connection plate 140 provided at an upper end portion.
[0048]
Reference numeral 141 denotes a compression spring, which is disposed so that the driven rod 138 contacts the peripheral surface of the eccentric cam 136.
[0049]
Reference numeral 142 denotes a capping sensor held in the drive box 137, which detects whether or not the capping means 13 covers the nozzle surface 703 by sensing the end face of the connecting plate 140 with a photoelectric sensor or the like.
[0050]
With the above-described configuration, when the capping motor 135 is driven based on the control signal from the control means 18 shown in FIG. 1, the eccentric cam 136 is rotated, and the driven rod 138 in contact with the eccentric cam 136 moves up and down. In response to the movement, the cap 130 performs a covering operation and a separating operation.
[0051]
Reference numeral 143 denotes an ink outlet for ink waste liquid provided below the cap 130.
[0052]
Reference numeral 144 denotes an atmosphere opening port provided at a position corresponding to the space 132 of the cap 130 to open the inside of the cap 130 to the atmosphere, and communicates with an atmosphere opening pipe 145 formed of a pipe.
[0053]
Reference numeral 146 denotes an atmosphere release valve, which is provided on the path of the atmosphere release pipe 145. For example, prior to the printing operation, when the cap 130 is separated from the nozzle surface 703, the inside is released to the atmosphere to release the cap 130. And at the same time, prevents the pressure fluctuation of the ink in the nozzle 700.
[0054]
Next, the waste ink path forming member 20 will be described.
Reference numeral 200 denotes an S-shaped pipe formed of an S-shaped pipe, one end of which communicates with the ink outlet 143, and the other end (hereinafter, referred to as an outlet) 201 for allowing the waste ink 203 to flow out to the waste liquid tank 21. Has been released to. The S-shaped tube 200 may be a pipe made of metal, resin, or the like, and is preferably held on the cap 130 by a connecting member to prevent vibration.
[0055]
Reference numeral 207 denotes a liquid pool portion, which is formed in the middle of the S-shaped tube 200 (excluding both ends of the S-shaped tube 200) in the present embodiment.
[0056]
Reference numeral 204 denotes an overflow surface from which the waste ink 203 filled in the liquid reservoir 207 of the S-shaped tube 200 flows out, and is at the same height as the U-shaped lower top 205 on the waste liquid tank 21 side.
[0057]
The overflow surface 204 is preferably located below the ink absorber 133. However, if the size of the leading end 131 forming the space 132 is sufficiently large, the overflow surface 204 is located above the ink absorber 133. May be.
[0058]
This means that the end of the S-shaped tube 200 connected to the cap 130 is used as a part of the liquid reservoir 207.
[0059]
Next, a process in which the pre-discharged ink is drained while overflowing from the waste ink path forming member 20 during the printing standby state, that is, during capping, will be described.
[0060]
First, a state shown in the drawing, that is, an initial state in which the waste ink 203 can overflow from the S-shaped tube 200 is created as follows.
[0061]
With the capping means 13 covering the nozzle surface 703 and the atmosphere release valve 146 opened, ink is forcibly ejected from the print head 7. When the waste ink 203 fills the liquid reservoir 207 of the S-shaped tube 200 and starts overflowing from the overflow surface 204, the forced discharge is stopped and the air release valve 146 is closed. Thereby, the initial state is set.
[0062]
After the initial state is set in this manner, the ink preliminarily ejected in the capping state is collected by the cap 130 and guided to the S-shaped tube 200 through the ink outlet 143 by the preliminary ejection control means described later. The waste ink 203 corresponding to the ink overflows from the overflow surface 204 and is stored in the waste liquid tank 21.
[0063]
In this way, by filling the liquid reservoir 207 of the S-shaped tube 200 with the waste ink 203, the inside of the cap 130 can be shielded from the atmosphere, and the drying of the nozzle surface 703 can be suppressed. By evaporation, the inside of the cap 200 can be kept in a moist state.
[0064]
In the present embodiment, the waste ink path forming member 20 is provided separately from the capping unit 13, but the capping unit 13 may be provided with the above-described liquid pool portion 207 having a liquid pool function, and may be formed as an integrated structure. .
[0065]
Next, a control configuration of the inkjet recording apparatus A including the main power switch, the sub power switch, and the preliminary ejection control unit in the present embodiment will be described.
[0066]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of the inkjet recording apparatus A.
In the figure, a control means 18 including a preliminary ejection control means has an MPU 18A comprising a microprocessor for executing various control procedures, a ROM 18B for storing control procedures and data, a RAM 18C for temporarily storing various data, and a timer function. It comprises a capping timer 18D, a standby timer 18H for measuring a standby time, and the like.
[0067]
Further, the control means 18 has an interface 18F for receiving image data transferred from the host computer HC, and an interface 18G for sending a control signal to a print head driver 183 for driving the print head 7, and the like.
[0068]
Note that the preliminary ejection control means includes at least the MPU 18A, ROM 18B, RAM 18C, capping timer 18D, standby timer 18H, and interfaces 18F and 18G of the control means 18.
[0069]
The carriage motor driver 182, the ejection drive unit (print head driver) 183, the transport motor driver 184, the capping motor driver 185, and the air release valve driver 186 are controlled by the various control signals of the control unit 18 to control the carriage motor 3, The print head 7, the transport motor 11, the capping motor 135, and the atmosphere release valve 146 are driven.
[0070]
The detection signals of the home position sensor 22 and the capping sensor 142 are taken into the control unit 18 via the interface 18G.
[0071]
A main power switch 23 is a switch for supplying external power (in the present embodiment, AC 100 V) to the ink jet recording apparatus A to make it in an operation state.
[0072]
Reference numeral 24 denotes a sub power switch. When an operator repeatedly presses the sub power switch 24 when the main power switch 23 is turned on, the output of the sub power device 30 is controlled by the sub power control unit 25 provided in the control unit 18. Is configured to repeat on and off.
[0073]
Reference numeral 29 denotes a main power supply unit which receives power from an external power supply via the main power supply switch 23 and which is necessary for pre-discharge during capping (ie, a control unit 18, a capping sensor 142, A predetermined power is supplied to the print head driver 183.
[0074]
Reference numeral 30 denotes a sub-power supply unit that receives power supply from an external power supply via the main power supply switch 23, is turned on and off by a control signal of the sub-power supply control unit 25, and is supplied with power directly from the main power supply unit 29. The capping unit excluding (members) and other controlled units, that is, the carriage motor driver 182, the transport motor driver 184, the capping motor driver 185, the atmosphere release valve driver 186, the home position sensor 22, and in FIG. Although not shown, power is supplied to a drive motor for bringing the cleaning means 15 into and out of contact with the nozzle surface 703 or a display means comprising a liquid crystal panel for displaying print data, abnormal data, and the like.
[0075]
In the above-described configuration, when the main power switch 23 is turned on, power is supplied from the external power to the main power supply device 29 and the sub power supply device 30, and the ink jet recording apparatus A enters a print standby state.
[0076]
In this state, when the image data from the host computer HC is fetched into the control means 18 through the interface 18F, the fetched image data is converted into a control signal according to the control procedure stored in the ROM 18B after image processing. The converted control signal drives the print head driver 182 via the interface 18G to perform various operations such as performing a printing operation.
[0077]
When there is no image data from the host computer HC, that is, when the printer is in the standby state, the preliminary ejection control means described later performs the preliminary ejection in the capped state every time the standby time, that is, the capping time exceeds a predetermined time. Do. Further, for example, when it is assumed that the printing operation is completed and there is no printing operation for a long time, the operator presses the sub power switch 24 to control the sub power device 30 by the sub power control means 25 and The power supply to the controlled means not related to the ejection, for example, the carriage motor driver, the capping motor driver, and the like is stopped, and at the same time, a state in which at least the preliminary ejection operation can be performed is secured.
[0078]
In the case of a standby state without a printing operation, the control means 18 causes the standby timer 18H to exceed a predetermined time (30 minutes in the present embodiment), and the auxiliary power supply 30 The output is turned off to save power during standby, and in this state, if a print command is issued from the host computer HC, the output of the sub power supply device 30 is turned on to perform a printing operation.
[0079]
Next, a program for preliminary ejection in a standby state (during capping) will be described with reference to a schematic flowchart shown in FIG. 4. This program is always processed as one subroutine of the control means 18.
[0080]
The standby state in this case refers to a state in which the main power switch 23 is on and the output of the sub power supply device 30 is on or off, and the nozzle surface is covered (capped) by capping means. .
[0081]
The program in FIG. 4 is started when the power of the inkjet recording apparatus A is turned on and a predetermined initialization operation is completed.
[0082]
First, in step S1, the capping sensor detects whether or not the cap is closed, and if not, the determination operation in step S1 is repeated.
[0083]
If it is closed, the operations after step S2 are sequentially performed.
In step S2, a capping timer is started.
[0084]
In step S3, it is determined whether the capping time has exceeded a predetermined time (represented by α in the figure), and if it has exceeded the predetermined time α, the process proceeds to step S4.
[0085]
In step S4, preliminary discharge is performed by the preliminary discharge control means.
In step S5, the capping timer is reset.
[0086]
During capping, this program is repeated, and preliminary ejection is performed every time the capping time exceeds a predetermined time α. If a print command is issued during the measurement of the capping time, the print command is executed and the capping timer is reset.
[0087]
When a command for performing the preliminary ejection is issued, the priority is given to the preliminary ejection, and the printing operation is prohibited.
[0088]
In the present embodiment, the piezo element is driven such that the predetermined time is one hour and the preliminary ejection is to eject 100 ink droplets from each nozzle.
[0089]
As described above, as long as the main power switch 23 is turned on, even if the sub power switch 24 is pressed so that the output of the sub power device 30 is turned off, the capping is performed every time the capping time exceeds a predetermined time. By performing preliminary ejection in this state and replacing the ink in the nozzles, it is possible to prevent ejection failures such as nozzle clogging and ink droplet landing failures.
[0090]
At the same time, the pre-discharged ink overflows via the waste ink path forming member shown in FIG. 2, so that the liquid reservoir on the waste ink path forming member is always filled with waste ink.
[0091]
As a result, the inside of the cap is shielded from the atmosphere, the drying of the nozzle surface is prevented, and the inside of the cap is kept moist by evaporation of the waste ink. Therefore, even after the capping time has been extended for a long time, stable printing quality can be obtained when printing is resumed.
[0092]
In the present embodiment, the preliminary ejection is performed every time the predetermined time is exceeded during the capping. However, the cleaning unit cleans the nozzle surface every time the number of preliminary ejections exceeds the predetermined number. You may.
[0093]
Further, when the sub-power switch is pressed, only a part of the control means necessary for the preliminary discharge control means may be configured to be activated.
[0094]
Note that, in the present embodiment, the printing is performed on the recording medium by the reciprocating motion of the print head.However, in the preliminary ejection according to the present invention, the print head is fixed, and the plurality of nozzles are moved in the transport direction of the recording medium. The present invention can also be applied to an ink jet recording apparatus or the like in which a line is provided in a perpendicular direction and printing is performed simultaneously over the entire width of a recording medium.
[0095]
Further, the present invention can be applied to an ink jet recording apparatus using a printing method other than the piezo element.
[0096]
【The invention's effect】
By supplying power only to the means (members) necessary for performing the preliminary ejection even in the standby power saving mode, the preliminary ejection is performed every time the capping time exceeds a predetermined time, and the power saving mode is operated for a long time. Even if it reaches the limit, the thickening of the ink in the nozzle and the entry of bubbles and dust are minimized, so that the occurrence of ejection failure such as nozzle clogging and ink droplet landing failure can be reduced. I can do it.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a main part of an ink jet recording apparatus.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a print head, a capping unit, and a waste ink path forming member.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of the inkjet recording apparatus.
FIG. 4 is a schematic flowchart of preliminary ejection.
[Explanation of symbols]
A Inkjet recording apparatus 1 Carriage 3 Carriage motor 6 Recording medium 7, 8 Print head 9, 10 Ink cartridge 11 Transport motors 12, 13, 14 Capping unit 15 Cleaning unit 18 Control unit 18D Capping timer 18H Standby timer 20 Waste ink path forming member 21 waste liquid tank 22 home position sensor 23 main power switch 24 sub power switch 25 sub power control means 130 cap 132 space 133 ink absorber 135 capping motor 142 capping sensor 146 atmosphere release valve 200 S-shaped pipe 201 outlet 203 waste ink 204 Overflow surface 207 Liquid pool

Claims (3)

A print head for ejecting ink from a nozzle to a recording medium and performing recording,
Discharge drive means for discharging ink from the print head,
Capping means provided in a non-printing area, which covers the nozzle surface on which the ink discharge ports of the nozzles are formed,
A capping sensor for detecting whether the capping means covers the nozzle surface,
When the capping sensor detects that the nozzle surface is being capped, each time the capping time exceeds a predetermined time, a pre-discharge control unit that controls so as to pre-discharge the ink in the capped state. In the inkjet recording apparatus having,
A main power switch for supplying external power to the ink jet recording apparatus and setting the operation state;
When the main power switch is in the energized state, at least, the ejection driving means, and excluding the preliminary ejection control means, power supply to the controlled means such as the capping means, a sub-power control means capable of turning off, Have,
An ink jet recording apparatus characterized in that: 2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the capping unit has an ink absorber in a state facing the nozzle surface. The ink jet recording apparatus has a tubular waste ink path forming member having one end communicating with the capping means and the other end open to the atmosphere. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a reservoir.

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