JP2005047249A - Liquid suction device and method of liquid injection head, and liquid injection device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid suction device and a method of a liquid injection head and a liquid injection device which prevent color mixture of liquid, protect the meniscus of liquid, and do not require wiping operation by eliminating the remainder of liquid. <P>SOLUTION: The liquid suction device 20 of the liquid injection 30 sucks liquid on the nozzle surface of the liquid injection head 30 which receives and injects liquid. It consists of a main body 80, a liquid absorbing member 83, and an elastically deformable booster member. The main body can seal the nozzle surface. The liquid absorbing member 83 is arranged inside the main body 80 and absorbs the liquid on the nozzle surface. The booster member supports the absorbing member 83 of the liquid in the main body 80 in a movable way and a biasing member 85 is provided for contacting the liquid absorbing member 83 to the nozzle surface in a non-compressed condition. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid suction device for a liquid jet head, a liquid suction method for the liquid jet head, and a liquid jet device for sucking liquid on a nozzle surface of a liquid jet head that ejects liquid.

Due to the development of personal computers and the like, graphic processing can be executed relatively easily. Therefore, there is a demand for a recording apparatus capable of outputting a hard copy of, for example, a color image displayed on a display with high quality.
As a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid onto a target, an ink jet recording apparatus that performs printing by ejecting ink droplets from a recording head onto a recording medium has been known. Such an ink jet recording apparatus records desired images such as characters and figures by ejecting minute ink droplets from the nozzles of the recording head onto the recording medium.
This ink jet recording apparatus has a relatively low noise during printing and can form small dots with a high density, and is used in many printing including color printing in recent years.

An ink jet recording apparatus includes an ink jet recording head that receives ink supplied from an ink cartridge, and a paper feeding unit that moves the recording paper relative to the recording head. Recording is performed by ejecting ink droplets onto the recording paper while moving in the direction.
For example, a black recording head that discharges black ink and a color recording head that can discharge yellow, cyan, and magenta inks are mounted on a common carriage. Full color printing is made possible by changing the ink ejection ratio.

  Ink jet recording heads perform printing by ejecting ink pressurized in a pressure generating chamber from a nozzle as ink droplets onto a recording sheet, so that ink viscosity increases due to evaporation of solvent from the nozzle opening, There is a problem that the nozzle opening is clogged due to solidification, adhesion of dust, bubbles, and the like, resulting in poor printing.

For this purpose, the ink jet recording apparatus includes a capping unit for sealing the nozzle openings of the recording head during non-printing, and a cleaning device for cleaning the nozzle plate as necessary.
This capping means not only functions as a lid that prevents the ink in the nozzle opening from drying out during printing pauses, but also seals the nozzle plate surface with a cap member when the nozzle opening is clogged. It also has a function of eliminating clogging of the nozzle opening by sucking ink droplets from the nozzle opening by the negative pressure from the pump.
In a normal ink jet recording apparatus, if the cap is immediately retracted when the ink in the nozzle is sucked by the cap, the residual ink drips and stains the inside of the recording apparatus. In order to prevent this, an air release valve and its driving device are required, and there is a problem that the structure of the recording device becomes complicated and the cost is high.
In order to solve this problem, a capping unit including a cap and a foam disposed in the cap has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP-A-5-84918 (first to third pages, FIGS. 1 to 3)

However, such a conventional ink suction capping means has the following problems.
When the foam of the capping unit is in close contact with the opening of the nozzle of the recording head, the cap body is deformed, and the foam is compressed and deformed with respect to the nozzle opening by the pressed force. Become. Ink is prevented from dripping by absorbing ink from the nozzle openings in a state where the foam itself is compressed and deformed.
Since the foam itself is compressively deformed, the ink already absorbed in the foam oozes out of the foam from the foam, and the ink dripping phenomenon or the oozed ink is near the nozzle opening. The phenomenon that adheres occurs.

In this way, the foam, which is an ink absorbing material, is pressed against the nozzle plate surface and deforms by compression, so that the ink already absorbed by the foam is absorbed at the same time as the ink on the nozzle opening side is absorbed. On the other hand, the ink oozes out of the foam and the ink is transferred to the nozzle surface. Further, the foam cannot be returned while being deformed.
As a result, ink of each color is mixed on the nozzle surface, so that an ink color mixing phenomenon occurs. Moreover, since the surface of the foam is pressure-bonded to each nozzle opening, the ink meniscus formed in each nozzle opening is easily broken. As a result, ink remains on the nozzle surface.

When ink remains on the nozzle surface or color mixing occurs, it is necessary to perform a wiping operation on the nozzle surface after the ink suction operation. It is necessary to remove the thickened ink adhering to the nozzle surface by this wiping operation. When the wiping operation is performed, the liquid repellent film formed on the nozzle surface may be removed.
Therefore, the present invention solves the above problems, prevents liquid color mixing, protects the liquid meniscus, and eliminates the remaining liquid, thereby eliminating the need for a wiping operation, and liquid suction of the liquid jet head It is an object to provide a method and a liquid ejecting apparatus.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid suction device for a liquid ejecting head for sucking the liquid on a nozzle surface of the liquid ejecting head which receives the liquid and ejects the liquid, and a main body capable of sealing the nozzle surface; A liquid absorbing member that is disposed in the main body and absorbs the liquid on the nozzle surface; and the liquid absorbing member is movably supported in the main body, and the liquid absorbing member is in an uncompressed state. And an elastically deformable urging member for contacting the nozzle surface with the liquid suction device of the liquid ejecting head.

According to the above configuration, the liquid absorbing member is disposed in the main body, and the liquid absorbing member absorbs the liquid on the nozzle surface.
The urging member supports the liquid absorbing member so as to be movable in the main body. The urging member can be elastically deformed so that the liquid absorbing member is brought into close contact with the nozzle surface in an uncompressed state.
Thus, when the liquid suction device sucks the liquid on the nozzle surface, the urging member causes the liquid absorbing member to adhere to the nozzle surface in an uncompressed state. In this case, since the urging member is elastically deformed, the liquid absorbing member can move in the main body so that the liquid absorbing member is in close contact with the nozzle surface in an uncompressed state.

When absorbing the liquid on the nozzle surface, the liquid absorbing member is in close contact with the nozzle surface in an uncompressed state. From this, the liquid absorbing member stably absorbs the liquid on the nozzle surface by the suction operation of the liquid suction device and the absorbing operation of the absorbing member itself. Do not press on the surface. The liquid absorbing member is not compressed and deformed and does not change its shape. Even if the liquid is already absorbed by the liquid absorbing member, the liquid already absorbed from the liquid absorbing member does not leak to the outside, so that the liquid is transferred to the nozzle surface. Little or no.
Therefore, the color mixing phenomenon does not occur in each color liquid. In addition, the liquid meniscus formed in the nozzle opening is protected, and no liquid remains on the nozzle surface.

According to a second aspect, in the configuration of the first aspect, a plurality of nozzle opening rows are arranged on the nozzle surface, and the liquid absorbing member is recessed at a position corresponding to each nozzle opening row. It is characterized by having.
According to the above configuration, the plurality of nozzle opening rows are arranged on the nozzle surface. The liquid absorbing member has a recess at a position corresponding to each nozzle opening row.
Thereby, since the nozzle opening row is not brought into close contact with the liquid absorbing member, the phenomenon of the liquid directly adhering to the nozzle opening can be reduced. In addition, the liquid meniscus formed in the nozzle opening can be more reliably protected.

According to a third invention, in the configuration of the first invention or the second invention, the urging member is a coil spring.
Thereby, since the urging member is a coil spring, the structure of the urging member can be simplified. By using the coil spring as the urging member, the liquid accumulated in the main body and the liquid absorbed in the liquid absorbing member are not affected when the liquid is discharged to the outside of the main body.

According to a fourth invention, in the configuration of the first invention or the second invention, the urging member is a flat spring.
Thereby, since the urging member is a flat spring, the structure of the urging member can be simplified. By using a flat spring as the urging member, there is no influence on the discharging operation when the liquid accumulated in the main body and the liquid absorbed in the liquid absorbing member are discharged to the outside of the main body.

According to a fifth invention, in the configuration of the first invention or the second invention, the liquid absorbing member is made of an incompressible material.
According to the above configuration, the liquid absorbing member can be made of an incompressible material.
As a result, the liquid absorbing member can be brought into close contact with the liquid jet nozzle surface in an uncompressed state.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention, in the configuration of the second aspect of the invention, the liquid absorbing member has a liquid blocking means for blocking the passage of the liquid between the recesses.
According to the said structure, the liquid interruption | blocking means which interrupts | blocks the passage of the said liquid is provided between each said recessed part provided in the position corresponding to each said nozzle opening row | line | column of the said liquid absorption member.
For this reason, the liquid coming out of the nozzle opening rows is not mixed in the liquid absorbing member. Therefore, for example, even if the liquids having different colors come out from the nozzle opening rows, no color mixing occurs in the liquid absorbing member.
Thereby, when the said liquid absorption member is closely_contact | adhered with respect to the said nozzle surface, it can prevent in advance that color mixing arises in the said nozzle surface.

According to a seventh invention, in the configuration of the sixth invention, the liquid blocking means is a plate-like member.
For this reason, since the liquid absorbing member forms a region divided for each of the recesses by the plate-like member, the liquid absorbing member is used even though a simple liquid blocking means is employed. Color mixing can be prevented in advance.

An eighth invention is characterized in that in the configuration of the sixth or seventh invention, the liquid blocking means is made of a liquid repellent material.
For this reason, since the liquid blocking means repels the liquid, the liquid can be effectively blocked and color mixing can be completely prevented.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the liquid suction method for a liquid ejecting head for sucking the liquid on the nozzle surface of the liquid ejecting head that ejects the liquid upon receiving the supply of the liquid, An absorption member adhesion step for closely adhering an absorption member arranged in the body to the nozzle surface in an uncompressed state; an absorption step for absorbing the liquid on the nozzle surface by the liquid absorption member; A liquid suction method for a liquid ejecting head, comprising: a liquid discharging step of discharging the liquid and the liquid absorbed in the absorbing member to the outside of the main body.

According to the above configuration, in the absorbing member contact step, the elastically deformable biasing member causes the absorbing member disposed in the main body to closely contact the nozzle surface in an uncompressed state.
In the absorption step, the liquid on the nozzle surface is absorbed by the liquid absorption member.
In the liquid discharging step, the liquid in the main body and the liquid absorbed in the absorbing member are discharged to the outside of the main body.

  Thus, when the liquid suction device sucks the liquid on the nozzle surface, the urging member causes the liquid absorbing member to adhere to the nozzle surface in an uncompressed state. In this case, since the urging member is elastically deformed, the liquid absorbing member can move in the main body so that the liquid absorbing member is in close contact with the nozzle surface in an uncompressed state.

When absorbing the liquid on the nozzle surface, the liquid absorbing member is in close contact with the nozzle surface in an uncompressed state. From this, the liquid absorbing member stably absorbs the liquid on the nozzle surface by the suction operation of the liquid suction device and the absorbing operation of the absorbing member itself. Do not press on the surface. The liquid absorbing member is not compressed and deformed and does not change its shape. Even if the liquid is already absorbed by the liquid absorbing member, the liquid already absorbed from the liquid absorbing member does not leak to the outside, so that the liquid is transferred to the nozzle surface. Little or no.
Therefore, the color mixing phenomenon does not occur in each color liquid. In addition, the liquid meniscus formed in the nozzle opening is protected, and no liquid remains on the nozzle surface.

According to a tenth aspect, in the configuration of the ninth aspect, a plurality of nozzle opening rows are arranged on the nozzle surface, and the recesses of the liquid absorbing member correspond to the nozzle opening rows. It is characterized by that.
Thereby, since the nozzle opening row is not brought into close contact with the liquid absorbing member, the phenomenon of the liquid directly adhering to the nozzle opening can be reduced. In addition, the liquid meniscus formed in the nozzle opening can be more reliably protected.

An eleventh invention is characterized in that, in the configuration of the ninth invention or the tenth invention, the liquid absorbing member is made of an incompressible material.
According to the above configuration, the liquid absorbing member can be brought into close contact with the nozzle surface in an uncompressed state.

  A twelfth aspect of the invention is a liquid ejecting apparatus having a liquid ejecting apparatus of a liquid ejecting head for sucking the liquid on a nozzle surface of a liquid ejecting head that receives the supply of the liquid and ejects the liquid. A main body capable of sealing the nozzle surface; a liquid absorbing member disposed in the main body for absorbing the liquid on the nozzle surface; and the liquid absorbing member supported in a movable manner in the main body. And an elastically deformable biasing member for bringing the liquid absorbing member into close contact with the nozzle surface in an uncompressed state.

According to the above configuration, the liquid absorbing member is disposed in the main body, and the liquid absorbing member absorbs the liquid on the nozzle surface.
The urging member supports the liquid absorbing member so as to be movable in the main body. The urging member can be elastically deformed so that the liquid absorbing member is brought into close contact with the nozzle surface in an uncompressed state.

  Thus, when the liquid suction device sucks the liquid on the nozzle surface, the urging member causes the liquid absorbing member to adhere to the nozzle surface in an uncompressed state. In this case, since the urging member is elastically deformed, the liquid absorbing member can move in the main body so that the liquid absorbing member is in close contact with the nozzle surface in an uncompressed state.

When absorbing the liquid on the nozzle surface, the liquid absorbing member is in close contact with the nozzle surface in an uncompressed state. From this, the liquid absorbing member stably absorbs the liquid on the nozzle surface by the suction operation of the liquid suction device and the absorbing operation of the absorbing member itself. Do not press on the surface. The liquid absorbing member is not compressed and deformed and does not change its shape. Even if the liquid is already absorbed by the liquid absorbing member, the liquid already absorbed from the liquid absorbing member does not leak to the outside, so that the liquid is transferred to the nozzle surface. Little or no.
Therefore, the color mixing phenomenon does not occur in each color liquid. In addition, the liquid meniscus formed in the nozzle opening is protected, and no liquid remains on the nozzle surface.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows an ink jet recording apparatus 10 which is an example of a liquid ejecting apparatus of the present invention.
The ink jet recording apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 is also called an ink jet printer. The ink jet recording apparatus 10 has a main body 1. The main body 1 includes a guide rail 17, a platen 12, a carriage 14, an ink suction device 20, and a recording head 30. The recording head 30 is also called a print head.

  A plurality of ink cartridges 2, 3, 4, and 5 can be detachably mounted on the top of the carriage 14. A recording head 30 is provided below the carriage 14. The carriage 14 is connected to a motor 16 via a belt 15. When the motor 16 operates, the carriage 14 reciprocates along the guide rail 17 in the main scanning direction T that is the axial direction of the platen 12.

The home position 18 is located at one end of the guide rail 17. The home position 18 is a non-printing area at the end of the carriage travel path. An ink suction device 20 is disposed on the main body 1 at the home position 18. The ink suction device 20 is an example of a liquid suction device and is also called a capping system or capping means.
The ink suction device 20 has a function of preventing the ink from drying at the nozzle openings of the recording head 30 and a function of forcing the negative pressure from the suction pump 19 to act on the nozzle openings to forcibly suck and discharge the ink from the nozzle openings. Is provided. The suction pump 19 is a component constituting the ink suction device 20. The ink suction device 20 is one type of liquid suction device. Ink is one type of liquid.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of electrical connection of the ink jet recording apparatus 10 shown in FIG. The control device 7 of the ink jet recording apparatus 10 is connected to a printer driver 41 of the host computer 40 via a local printer cable or a communication network. The printer driver 41 includes software for sending a command for causing the ink jet recording apparatus 10 to execute printing, cleaning operation, or ink suction operation.

In addition to the control device 7, the ink jet recording device 10 shown in FIG. 2 includes a sensor 8, an ink suction device 20, ink cartridges 2, 3, 4, and 5, a recording head 30, a carriage 14, and a paper transport mechanism 15A. Yes. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the plurality of ink cartridges 2 to 5 are mounted directly on the carriage 14. I do not care.
The paper transport mechanism 15A shown in FIG. 2 is configured to transport the paper 29 shown in FIG. The paper 29 is a kind of recording medium.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a structural example of the recording head 30 shown in FIG.
In particular, when the ink jet recording apparatus 10 is used as a color printer, the recording head 30 has an independent ink path 50 for each ink type in order to eject a plurality of different types of ink. Yes.
Ink from each of the ink cartridges 2 to 5 flows into the ink path 50 via the ink supply needle 50A. Ink paths 50 independent for each type of ink are connected to a plurality of pressure chambers 51, respectively. Each nozzle chamber 54 is connected to each pressure chamber 51. Ink droplets pushed out from the pressure chamber 51 are ejected from the nozzle openings 55 of the nozzle opening row 54.

FIG. 4 shows an arrangement example of the nozzle opening rows 54 on the nozzle plate surface 61. Different ink types mean not only the apparent color difference, but also the types and ratios of the ink components. Each nozzle opening row 54 is composed of, for example, tens to thousands of nozzle openings 55.
FIG. 5 shows an example of the internal structure of the recording head 30 of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention. The ink supplied from the ink cartridge described above is supplied to the pressure chamber 51 through the ink path 50. At the time of printing, the piezoelectric vibrator 39 as a pressure generating element expands and contracts, thereby changing the volume of the pressure chamber 51 and causing pressure fluctuation in the ink in the pressure chamber 51. As a result, ink droplets can be ejected from the nozzle openings 55.

If air bubbles are mixed in the ink in the recording head 30 or there is thickened ink in the ink path 50 or the pressure chamber 51, the normal flow of the ink is inhibited and normal ink cannot be ejected. There is. In this case, the ink suction device 20 shown in FIG. 2 is used, and it is necessary to forcibly discharge ink by the ink suction device 20.
Further, when the ink jet recording apparatus 10 is first used or when the ink cartridge is replaced with another type of ink cartridge, ink is filled into the ink path 50 in the recording head 30 in FIG. There is a need to. In such initial ink filling, the ink suction device 20 is also used, and the ink suction device 20 forcibly sucks air and ink from the nozzle openings 55 of the recording head 30 in FIG. Discharged from.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the ink suction device 20 of the ink jet recording apparatus and the capping drive unit 60 of the ink suction device 20.
The ink suction device 20 and the capping drive unit 60 are disposed at the home position 18. One end 17 </ b> A of the guide rail 17 is positioned on the capping drive unit 60. The carriage 14 can be positioned at the home position 18 by being guided by the guide rail 17 along the head moving direction T1 in the main scanning direction T.

  The recording head 30 is a kind of liquid ejecting head, and the recording head 30 is provided on the lower surface side of the carriage 14. The lower surface of the recording head 30 is a nozzle plate surface 61. This nozzle plate surface 61 shows an example of its shape in FIGS. The nozzle plate surface 61 is the lower surface of the nozzle plate 62. The nozzle plate 62 has a plurality of nozzle opening rows 54 as described above, and four nozzle opening rows 54 in the illustrated examples of FIGS. 3 and 4. The nozzle opening rows 54 are formed at the same interval along the U direction orthogonal to the T direction.

  FIG. 6A shows a state in which the capping drive unit 60 holds the ink suction device 20 in a standby state. FIG. 6B shows a state in which the capping drive unit 60 lifts the ink suction device 20 from the standby state in FIG. 6A in the Z direction to absorb and suck ink. The Z direction is a direction perpendicular to the T direction and the U direction.

  The capping drive unit 60 of FIG. 6 has a support part 63 and a guide part 64. The support part 63 holds the ink suction device 20. A cam 65 is provided at one end of the support portion 63. The cam 65 is guided along the cam groove 66 of the guide portion 64. The cam groove 66 guides the cam 65 in the T direction and in the direction of lifting in the Z direction. As a result, the ink suction device 20 can be lifted against the force of the spring 67 of FIG. 6B as shown in the state of FIG. 6B from the state of FIG.

7 and 8 show structural examples of the ink suction device 20, the recording head 30, and the plurality of ink cartridges 2, 3, 4, and 5. FIG.
In FIG. 7, the ink suction device 20 is in a standby state, but in FIG. 8, the ink suction device 20 shows a state where ink suction is performed simultaneously with ink absorption.
FIG. 9 shows a part of the ink suction device 20 and the recording head 30 shown in FIG. 7, which is an example of a cross-sectional structure viewed from the direction E of FIG. 7, and the ink suction device 20 is in a standby state. FIG. 10 shows a state where the ink suction device 20 is sucking ink simultaneously with ink absorption.

A structural example of the ink suction device 20 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
The ink suction device 20 is disposed at the home position 18 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the ink suction device 20 includes a cap body (an example of a body) 80, an absorbing member 83, a biasing member 85, and a suction pump 19.

The cap body 80 is a box-shaped member having a bottom portion 87 and four side portions 88 and 89. An upper opening 86 is formed in the upper portion of the cap body 80, and the upper opening 86 has, for example, a rectangular shape having an area slightly smaller than the nozzle plate surface 61. A seal portion 90 is formed over the entire upper end of the four side portions 88 and 89. As the cross-sectional shape of the seal portion 90, for example, a circular shape, an elliptical shape, or other shapes can be adopted.
The cap body 80 is made of, for example, plastic or metal. The bottom part 87 of the cap body 80 has a connection part 91. The connecting portion 91 is detachably connected to the tube 92 of the suction pump 19. The suction pump 19 is a suction unit that forcibly sucks the space in the cap body 80 and the absorption member 83. When the suction pump 19 sucks ink from the cap body 80 and the absorbing member 83 to the outside, the sucked ink is stored in the waste ink tank 100.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the absorbing member 83 is accommodated in the cap body 80. Two side surfaces 94, 94 shown in FIG. 7 of the absorbing member 83 are in close contact with the corresponding seal portions 90, 90. Similarly, the remaining two side surfaces 95 and 95 shown in FIG. 9 of the absorbing member 83 are in close contact with the corresponding seal portions 90 and 90, respectively.
The absorbing member 83 is a rectangular parallelepiped member, for example. The absorbing member 83 can be made using, for example, a porous member, for example, a porous resin. As the absorbing member 83, PVF (polyvinyl formal) sponge made of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) called Belita (trade name) can be used. The absorbing member 83 can preferably employ an incompressible material. That is, it is desirable that the absorbing member 83 be made of a material that does not deform and is not crushed even when pressure is applied.

  7 is provided between the bottom surface 93 of the absorbing member 83 and the inner surface 94 of the bottom 87 of the cap body 80, for example. For example, a coil spring can be employed as the urging member 85 that can generate an urging force toward the absorbing member 83 by elastic deformation. One or a plurality of such urging members 85 can be provided between the bottom surface 93 and the inner surface 94. By providing the plurality of urging members 85, the absorbing member 83 can move up and down in the Z direction stably against the urging force of the urging member 85 in the cap body 80.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in a state where the absorbing member 83 is supported by the biasing member 85 and accommodated in the cap body 80, the protruding portion 96 protrudes from the upper end portion of the seal portion 90. The protruding portion 96 is outside the cap body 80 and exposed upward. The upper end surface 98 of the protrusion 96 is a flat surface. The upper end surface 98 is preferably provided with a plurality of recesses 99. Each concave portion 99 is formed at a position corresponding to the nozzle opening row 54 of the recording head 30.

  FIG. 11 shows an example of the shape of the absorbing member 83. FIG. 11A shows an example in which, for example, four concave portions 99 are formed on the upper end surface 98 of the absorbing member 83. In this case, the recess 99 is formed so as to penetrate between the side surfaces 95 of the absorbing member 83. The cross-sectional shape of these concave portions 99 is substantially semicircular, but the present invention is not limited to this, and other shapes such as an elliptical shape, a triangular shape, or a quadrangular shape can be adopted as a matter of course.

FIG. 11B shows another example of the absorbing member 83. The four concave portions 99 formed on the upper end surface 98 of the absorbing member 83 are not formed so as to penetrate the side surfaces 95 and 95.
In the ink suction device 20 of FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, the absorbing member 83 is shown as an example of the shape of FIG. 11B, for example, but the absorbing member 83 of FIG.

FIG. 12 shows a more preferable shape example of the absorbing member 83.
The absorbing member 83 shown in FIG. 12A has plate-like members 101a, 101b, and 101c that are liquid blocking means that block the permeation of ink between the recesses 99a, 99b, 99c, and 99d.
That is, as shown in the perspective view H of the absorbing member 83, the end face 83 in the near direction of the absorbing member 83 is shown.
Plate-like members 101a to 101c are formed from e to the end face 83f in the back direction. A side view I shown in FIG. 12A is an enlarged view of the side surface of the absorbing member 83 as viewed from the direction of arrow P in the perspective view H. FIG.
The absorbing member 83 is configured by adhering blocks 83a to 83d, which are portions of the absorbing member 83 corresponding to the recesses 99a to 99d, and plate-like members 101a to 101c.
Note that the plate-like members 101a to 101c may be thin film-like members.

For this reason, the ink coming out of each nozzle opening row 55, 55, 55, 55 in FIG. 4 is not mixed in the absorbing member 83. Therefore, for example, even if inks of different colors appear in the nozzle opening rows 55, 55, 55, 55, no color mixing occurs in the absorbing member 83.
Thereby, when the absorbing member 83 is in close contact with the nozzle plate surface 61, it is possible to prevent color mixture from occurring in the nozzle plate surface 61.
Further, since the absorbing member 83 forms an area divided for each of the recesses 99a to 99d by the plate-like members 101a to 101c, the plate-like members 101a to 101c having a simple shape are employed. Therefore, color mixing in the absorbing member 83 can be prevented in advance.

  That is, in order to clean the nozzle opening 55, when the ink is forcibly discharged by the ink suction device 20 of FIG. 2 to be absorbed by the absorbing member 83, so-called flushing that ejects ink from the nozzle opening 55 to the absorbing member 83 is performed. When performing, different types of ink may mix in the absorbing member 83. Specifically, if each nozzle opening row 55, 55, 55, 55 in FIG. 4 ejects different types of ink to the respective recesses 99, 99, 99, 99 in FIG. In the absorbing member 83, different types of ink may be diffused and mixed by capillary force. When the mixed color of the absorbing member 83 is transferred to the nozzle plate surface 61, the mixed color problem also occurs on the nozzle plate surface 61.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 12A, by providing plate-like members 101a, 101b and 101c between the recesses 99a, 99b, 99c and 99d of the absorbing member 83, Ink corresponding to the nozzle opening rows 55, 55, 55, 55 can be prevented from being mixed in the absorbing member 83. For this reason, even if inks of different colors come out from the nozzle opening rows 55, 55, 55, 55, color mixing does not occur in the absorbing member 83, and color mixing on the nozzle plate surface 61 can be prevented in advance.

Further, when different types of ink are mixed in the absorbing member 83, the absorbing member 83 is clogged, and there is a problem that the ink holding power of the absorbing member 83 is reduced. For example, black ink, which is a pigment ink having a large amount of pigment solids and using a resin, is easily clogged even with a single color. If pigment ink with such properties is mixed with other types of ink, such as dye ink, and the moisture evaporates after being left for a long period of time, the dye ink is also affected by the pigment ink and is likely to be clogged. Become.
In this respect, by providing the plate-like members 101a, 101b, and 101c between the recesses 99a, 99b, 99c, and 99d of the absorbing member 83, it is possible to prevent mixing of different types of inks. Can also prevent the problem of clogging.

Further, the plate-like members 101a to 101c can be made of a material having a property of repelling ink, that is, an ink repellent material. The ink repellent material is a kind of liquid repellent material.
According to such a configuration, since the plate-like members 101a to 101c repel ink, the ink can be effectively blocked and color mixing can be completely prevented.
The material having the property of repelling ink is an ink-repellent material such as a plate coated with PTFE (tetrafluoroethylene resin), a plate composed of PTFE fibers, or a plate composed of silicon rubber containing silicon oil. It is.
Alternatively, the plate-like members 101a to 101c may be configured by coating the same type of material as the absorbing member 83 with a fluorine-based coating agent, a fluororesin emulsion, or the like.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 12B, the plate-like member does not completely divide the absorbing member 83 into the recesses 99a to 99d, but the absorbing member 83 is a surface on the recesses 99a to 99d side. You may comprise as members 103a thru | or 103c which divide | segment only a fixed range in the direction which goes to the bottom part 83T. The certain range here is a range in which ink does not mix in the vicinity of the recesses 99a to 99d of the absorbing member 83.
Accordingly, the ink blocking means can be provided with less material than the plate-like members 101a to 101c shown in FIG. 12A, and therefore, when using a liquid repellent member, the cost of the material is reduced. Can save.

In the plate-like member, as shown in FIG. 12C, the absorbing member 83 may be configured as ink blocking means 105a to 105c only on the surface portion on the concave portions 99a to 99d side.
Thereby, immediately after coming out of the nozzle openings 55, 55, 55, 55, it is possible to prevent the ink coming out from each nozzle from being absorbed by the concave portions 99 not corresponding to the nozzle openings 55 and preventing color mixing.
This makes it possible to provide an ink blocking means with a smaller amount of material than the plate-like members 101a to 101c shown in FIG. 12A, and therefore, when using a liquid repellent member, the cost of the material. Can be saved.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 12D, the ink blocking means 107a to 107c may be configured by impregnating the absorbing member 83 with a fluorine-based coating agent, a fluorine resin emulsion, or the like. Accordingly, it is not necessary to prepare a member different from the absorbing member 83 in order to provide the plate-like members 107a to 107c, and the production efficiency is increased.

Next, an operation example of the ink suction device 20 in the ink jet recording apparatus 10 described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14.
FIG. 13 shows an example of an ink suction method performed using the ink suction device 20. FIG. 13 illustrates an operation example of the ink suction device.
When the first use of the ink jet recording apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 is started or when the ink cartridge is replaced with another ink cartridge, the ink is put into the ink path 50 of the recording head 30 shown in FIG. Need to be filled. At the time of filling, air and ink are forcibly sucked and discharged from the nozzle openings 55 of the recording head 30 by the ink suction device 20.
If bubbles are mixed in the ink of the recording head 30 or ink having increased viscosity is present in the ink path 50, the normal flow of the ink may be hindered. Even in such a case, the ink suction device 20 needs to forcibly discharge the ink.

In step ST1 of FIG. 13, as shown in FIG. 1, the recording head 30 and the carriage 14 are located in a printing area away from the ink suction device 20 during printing.
However, when the recording head 30 needs to be cleaned as described above, the carriage 14 and the recording head 30 move in the head moving direction T1 and are positioned at the home position 18 as shown in FIG. Is done. When the recording head 30 is moved to the home position 18, the recording head 30 is positioned above the ink suction device 20.
As shown in FIG. 14A, the upper end surface 98 of the absorbing member 83 is at a position facing the nozzle plate surface 61 of the recording head 30. However, the upper end surface 98 is located away from the nozzle plate surface 61.
In step ST1 of FIG. 13, the recording head 30 moves to the home position 18 as described above.

Next, in step ST <b> 2 of FIG. 13, the control device 7 of FIG. 2 issues a cleaning execution command to the ink suction device 20.
The process moves to the absorbing member contact step ST3 in FIG.
In step ST3, as shown in FIG. 14B, the ink suction device 20 rises from the standby position shown in FIG. 6A to the ink absorption and ink suction state shown in FIG. 6B.
Accordingly, the upper end surface 98 of the absorbing member 83 of the ink suction device 20 in FIG. 14B is brought into close contact with or pressed against the nozzle plate surface 61 by the urging force due to the elastic deformation of the urging member 85.
However, since the absorbing member 83 in such a close contact or pressure-bonded state is made of, for example, an incompressible material, the outer shape of the absorbing member 83 is not compressed and does not deform.

Next, in the absorption step ST4 of FIG. 13, when the suction pump 19 is operated, the ink clogged in each ink path 50 is absorbed by the absorption member 83 from the nozzle opening 55 and is attached to the nozzle plate surface 61. Ink is also absorbed by the absorbing member 83. Therefore, the ink is absorbed by the absorbing member 83 and stored in the cap body 80.
In this case, the urging member 85 adheres or presses the upper end surface 98 of the absorbing member 83 to the nozzle plate surface 61 without applying excessive stress to the nozzle plate surface 61, and the absorbing member 38 is brought into contact with the nozzle plate surface in an uncompressed state. Simply stick or crimp.

  Therefore, the ink on the nozzle plate surface 61 can be reliably absorbed by the absorbing member 83. In addition, since the shape of the absorbing member 83 is not deformed by compressive deformation as in the conventional case, even if there is ink that has already been absorbed by the absorbing member 83, the already absorbed ink is absorbed by the absorbing member 83. Due to the deformation, the phenomenon of leaking outside from the absorbing member 83 and transferring to the nozzle plate surface 61 does not occur.

This eliminates the phenomenon that ink remains on the nozzle plate surface 61. And the phenomenon that each color of each nozzle opening row is mixed is eliminated. Further, the ink meniscus formed in each nozzle opening is less likely to break.
In addition, the upper end surface 98 is preferably provided with a recess 99 corresponding to the nozzle opening row 54. In this way, the presence of the recess 99 can prevent ink from adhering from the upper end surface 98 of the absorbing member 83 to each nozzle opening 55 of the nozzle opening row 54.

More preferably, as shown in FIG. 12A, plate-like members 101a, 101b, which are liquid blocking means for blocking the passage of ink, between the recesses 99a, 99b, 99c, and 99d of the absorbing member 83, and 101c, and the plate-like members 101a to 101c are made of a material that repels ink, that is, an ink-repellent material, such as a plate coated with PTFE (tetrafluoroethylene resin), or PTFE fiber. It is composed of a plate or silicon rubber containing silicone oil.
For this reason, since the ink coming out from each nozzle opening row 55, 55, 55, 55 in FIG. 4 is not mixed in the absorbing member 83, for example, ink of different colors in each nozzle opening row 55, 55, 55, 55. Even if the color appears, no color mixing occurs in the absorbing member 83.

Thereby, when the absorbing member 83 is in close contact with the nozzle plate surface 61, it is possible to prevent color mixture from occurring in the nozzle plate surface 61.
Moreover, since the absorbing member 83 forms a region divided for each of the recesses 99a to 99d by the plate-like members 101a to 101c, color mixing in the absorbing member 83 can be prevented in advance.
Further, since the plate-like members 101a to 101c repel the ink and can effectively block the ink, it is possible to prevent color mixing completely, and as a result, it is possible to completely prevent color mixing on the nozzle plate surface 61. Can be prevented.

From the above, after performing the recording head cleaning operation as described above, the wiping operation that has been conventionally required is not necessary.
If a wiping operation is required as in the prior art, wiping the nozzle plate surface with a wiping member may cause ink to adhere to the end of the nozzle plate surface of the recording head due to the wiping operation. is there. Further, since the wiping operation is not required, the liquid repellent film on the nozzle plate surface is not removed, and the ink liquid repellent state on the nozzle plate surface can be maintained.
However, in the embodiment of the present invention, such a wiping operation is not necessary, so that ink adhesion due to wiping can also be prevented.
In the absorption step ST4 of FIG. 13, the absorption member 83 can absorb the ink remaining on the nozzle plate surface 61 as described above.

Next, in step ST5 of FIG. 13, the ink suction device 20 returns from the raised position of FIG. 14B to the standby position of FIG. The suction pump 19 of the ink suction device 20 returned to the standby position is activated, and the sucked ink remaining on the bottom 87 in the cap body 80 and the ink absorbed by the absorbing member 83 are discharged to the waste ink tank 100. To do.
As described above, the ink can be discharged to the outside without leaving any ink in the cap body 80 and the absorbing member 83.

  FIG. 15 shows another embodiment of an ink suction device which is a liquid suction device of the present invention. FIG. 15 shows an ink suction device 20, a recording head 30, and a plurality of ink cartridges 2, 3, 4, 5 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The structure of the ink suction device 20 shown in FIG. 15 is slightly different from the structure of the ink suction device 20 shown in FIG. 7, but the other components are the same as the corresponding components in FIG. .

  The ink suction device 20 shown in FIG. 15 is different from the ink suction device 20 shown in FIG. The upper end surface 98 of the absorbing member 83 is a flat surface over the entire surface. That is, in this example, the upper end surface 98 is not formed with the recess 99 as shown in FIG. Even if such a structure is employed, the same function as the ink suction device 20 of FIG. 7 can be exhibited. However, the difference is that the recess 99 is not provided.

FIG. 16 shows still another embodiment of the ink suction device 20 of the present invention. The ink suction device 20 shown in FIG. 16 is different from the ink suction device 20 shown in FIG. 7 in the shape of the biasing member 85. The urging member 85 shown in FIG. 16 employs a leaf spring.
The other components of the ink suction device 20 shown in FIG. 16 and the recording head and ink cartridge are the same as the corresponding components in FIG.

FIG. 17 shows still another embodiment of an ink suction device which is an example of the liquid suction device of the present invention. The ink suction device 20 shown in FIG. 17 differs from the ink suction device 20 shown in FIG. 7 in the material and shape of the biasing member 85.
The biasing member shown in FIGS. 7 and 16 employs a spring made of, for example, metal or plastic. On the other hand, the urging member 85 shown in FIG. 17 is made into a cubic shape, a rectangular parallelepiped shape, or other shapes by an elastically deformable material, for example, a material such as rubber or elastomer.

A biasing member 85 as shown in FIG. 17 or a biasing member structure as shown in FIGS. 7 and 16 may be adopted, but in any case, the biasing member 85 is placed in the cap body 80. It is desirable to have a shape that does not hinder the discharging operation when the collected ink or the ink absorbed by the absorbing member 83 is discharged to the outside by the suction pump 19.
The shape of the upper end surface 98 of the absorbing member 83 may be a flat surface or a structure in which a recess 99 is provided. The shape of the upper end surface 98 is the same for each embodiment. It can be applied in combination.

As described above, a recess is formed in the upper end surface of the absorbing member, and this recess is located at a position corresponding to each nozzle opening row. Since the recess is formed in the absorbing member, it is possible to adopt a structure that positively escapes each nozzle opening portion of the nozzle opening row.
For this reason, when performing flushing to prevent thickening of the ink path of the recording head, a recess is formed near the nozzle opening when ink is ejected from each nozzle opening. The faces are placed close to each other. For this reason, the ink ejected from each nozzle opening is unlikely to become a so-called mist. Since the ink does not easily become mist as described above, it is possible to prevent the extra mist-like ink from adhering to the nozzle plate surface.
Moreover, in the embodiment of the present invention, the ink can be sucked from the nozzle opening at the same time as the absorbing member absorbs the ink from the nozzle plate surface of the recording head.

In particular, since the concave portion is formed at a position where the nozzle opening row is allowed to escape, the ink meniscus formed in the nozzle opening is not broken.
Even when the height position of the nozzle plate surface of the print nozzle is changed, the biasing member adjusts the position of the absorbing member appropriately while bringing the upper end surface of the absorbing member into close contact or pressure contact with the nozzle plate surface. Therefore, it is possible to cope with a change in the height of the nozzle plate surface. The time when the height of the nozzle plate changes is when the thickness of the recording medium changes. As the thickness of the recording medium increases, the height of the nozzle plate surface increases in the upward direction away from the ink suction device.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the absorbing member can suck unnecessary ink into the absorbing member when sucking and absorbing ink. The ink sucked by the absorbing member is accommodated on the bottom of the cap body. Such stored ink does not leak from the cap body to the outside. This is because the seal part of the cap body is in close contact with the side surface of the absorbing member. Therefore, even if the absorbing member moves in the cap body by the urging member, the ink in the cap body does not leak to the outside.
As described above, the ink suction device, which is the liquid absorbing device of the present invention, absorbs the remaining ink on the nozzle plate surface with the suction effect by the suction pump and the absorption by positively adhering or pressing the absorbing member to the nozzle plate surface. It can be reliably absorbed and recovered by the absorption effect of the member.

  In the illustrated embodiment, four ink cartridges using black ink, cyan ink, magenta ink, and yellow ink can be mounted on the carriage. This ink cartridge is not limited to this, and may be one having only an ink cartridge for black ink, or one having three ink cartridges for three color inks excluding black ink. Further, it may be one in which five or more ink cartridges using ink can be mounted on the carriage.

Of course, the shapes of the cap body and the absorber of the present invention are not limited to the illustrated examples, and other shapes may be employed. Of course, the cross-sectional shape of the recess of the absorbing member is not limited to a circular cross-section, and an elliptical cross-section or a rectangular cross-section may be adopted.
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment as an ink jet recording apparatus, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the claims.
For example, the liquid ejecting apparatus of the present invention may be a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects another liquid. The liquid ejecting apparatus of the present invention is used, for example, in liquid ejecting apparatuses that eject liquids such as electrode materials and color materials used in the manufacture of liquid crystal displays, EL (electroluminescence) displays, and surface emitting displays, and in biochip manufacturing. It may be a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects biological organic matter, or a sample ejecting apparatus as a precision pipette.
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the claims.
A part of each configuration of the above embodiment can be omitted, or can be arbitrarily combined so as to be different from the above.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an ink jet recording apparatus that is an example of the liquid ejecting apparatus of the invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of electrical connection of the ink jet recording apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure example of a recording head of an ink jet recording apparatus. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a shape example of a nozzle plate surface of a recording head. FIG. 4 is a view showing the vicinity of a piezoelectric vibrator of a recording head. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a standby state of the recording head and the ink suction device, and ink absorption and ink suction states. Sectional drawing which shows the state which the ink suction device is waiting. Sectional drawing which shows the state which the ink suction device is absorbing ink and sucking ink. The figure which shows the state which the ink suction device is waiting. The figure which shows the state which the ink suction device is absorbing ink and sucking ink. The perspective view which shows the example of a shape of an ink absorption member. Schematic which shows the example of a shape of an ink absorption member. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of an ink suction operation by the ink suction device. FIG. 6 is a state change diagram illustrating an ink suction operation. Sectional drawing which shows another embodiment of the ink suction apparatus which is a liquid suction apparatus of this invention. Sectional drawing which shows other embodiment of the ink suction apparatus which is a liquid suction apparatus of this invention. Sectional drawing which shows another embodiment of the ink suction apparatus which is a liquid suction apparatus of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Main-body part, 2, 3, 4, 5 ... Ink cartridge, 10 ... Inkjet recording device (liquid ejecting apparatus), 19 ... Suction pump, 20 ... Ink suction device, 30 ... Recording head (an example of a liquid ejecting head), 54 ... Nozzle opening row, 55 ... Nozzle opening, 61 ... Nozzle plate surface, 62 ... Nozzle plate, 80 ... Cap body ( Example of main body), 83... Absorbing member, 85... Biasing member, 98.

Claims (12)

In the liquid suction device of the liquid jet head for sucking the liquid on the nozzle surface of the liquid jet head that receives the supply of liquid and jets the liquid,
A main body capable of sealing the nozzle surface;
A liquid absorbing member disposed within the body for absorbing the liquid on the nozzle surface;
An elastically deformable biasing member for supporting the liquid absorbing member so as to be movable in the main body, and for bringing the liquid absorbing member into close contact with the nozzle surface in an uncompressed state. A liquid suction device for a liquid ejecting head.   The liquid according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of nozzle opening rows are arranged on the nozzle surface, and the liquid absorbing member has a recess at a position corresponding to each nozzle opening row. Liquid suction device for ejection head.   The liquid suction device for a liquid jet head according to claim 1, wherein the biasing member is a coil spring.   The liquid suction device for a liquid jet head according to claim 1, wherein the biasing member is a flat spring.   The liquid suction device for a liquid jet head according to claim 1, wherein the liquid absorbing member is made of an incompressible material.   The liquid suction device for a liquid ejecting head according to claim 2, wherein the liquid absorbing member includes a liquid blocking unit that blocks the passage of the liquid between the recesses.   The liquid suction device for a liquid jet head according to claim 6, wherein the liquid blocking means is a plate-like member.   The liquid suction device for a liquid ejecting head according to claim 6, wherein the liquid blocking means is made of a liquid repellent material. In a liquid suction method of a liquid jet head for sucking the liquid on a nozzle surface of a liquid jet head that receives the supply of liquid and jets the liquid,
An elastic member urging member, an absorbent member contact step for bringing the absorbent member disposed in the main body into close contact with the nozzle surface in an uncompressed state;
An absorption step of absorbing the liquid on the nozzle surface by the liquid absorption member; and a liquid discharge step of discharging the liquid in the main body and the liquid absorbed in the absorption member to the outside of the main body. A liquid suction method for a liquid ejecting head, comprising:   The liquid ejecting head according to claim 9, wherein a plurality of nozzle opening rows are arranged on the nozzle surface, and a concave portion of the liquid absorbing member corresponds to each nozzle opening row. Liquid suction method.   The liquid suction method for a liquid jet head according to claim 9, wherein the liquid absorbing member is made of an incompressible material. In a liquid ejecting apparatus having a liquid ejecting apparatus of a liquid ejecting head for sucking the liquid on a nozzle surface of a liquid ejecting head that ejects the liquid upon receiving a supply of liquid,
The liquid suction device is
A main body capable of sealing the nozzle surface;
A liquid absorbing member disposed within the body for absorbing the liquid on the nozzle surface;
An elastically deformable biasing member for supporting the liquid absorbing member so as to be movable in the main body, and for bringing the liquid absorbing member into close contact with the nozzle surface in an uncompressed state. A liquid ejecting apparatus.

Images