JP2005212348A - Inkjet recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To check whether or not a suction state of ink and a nozzle for suction are correctly selected, in the suction of the ink. <P>SOLUTION: This inkjet recording apparatus 100 is provided with: a carriage 2 which is equipped with a recording head and which moves in a direction orthogonal to the scanning direction of a recording medium; a suction capping mechanism 14 which is provided outside a recording area R of the nozzle and which covers an ejection port of the nozzle when the ink in the nozzle is sucked in; a suction mechanism 16 for sucking in the ink in the nozzle via the suction capping mechanism; a channel mechanism 18 which forms a channel for the ink by connecting the suction capping mechanism and the suction capping mechanism together; and a channel cover member 20 for covering at least the channel mechanism. The channel mechanism is constituted so that an ink flow can be visually recognized from the outside, and the channel cover member is provided with a channel visually-recognizing window part 21 through which the channel mechanism can be visually recognized. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus.

There is an ink jet printer that records characters, images, and the like on a recording medium by ejecting ink from an ejection port of a nozzle provided in the recording head and attaching it to the recording medium (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Ink jet printers are provided with a suction cap that sucks ink remaining in the nozzles and a moisture retention cap that keeps the nozzle outlets moist, and these are protected by a frame provided on the outermost side of the ink jet printer.
Japanese Patent No. 3227363

  By the way, since the suction cap and the moisture retaining cap are protected by a frame, it is possible to prevent external impact and adhesion of dust and the like, but these cannot be seen unless the frame is removed. For this reason, it is impossible to confirm whether or not the ink in the selected nozzle is being sucked reliably, and if the nozzle to be sucked is selected incorrectly, it will not be noticed until the next printing. There was a problem that the suction had to be performed again. Further, it is impossible to confirm whether the moisturizing liquid is reliably supplied to the moisturizing cap, and there is a problem that when the nozzle is noticed, the nozzle outlet is dried.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus capable of confirming at the time of ink suction whether or not the ink suction state and the selection of the nozzle to be sucked are correct.

  In order to solve the above problems, the invention described in claim 1 is an ink jet recording apparatus that performs recording on a recording medium by ejecting ink from nozzles provided in the recording head, and the recording head is mounted thereon. A carriage that moves in a direction perpendicular to the scanning direction of the recording medium, and a suction capping mechanism that is provided outside the recording area of the nozzle and covers an ejection port of the nozzle when sucking ink in the nozzle; A suction mechanism that sucks ink in the nozzles via the suction capping mechanism, a flow path mechanism that connects the suction capping mechanism and the suction mechanism, and forms an ink flow path; and at least the flow path mechanism. A flow path cover member covering the flow path mechanism, the flow path mechanism is configured to be visible from the outside, the flow path cover member, Characterized in that the Kiryuro mechanism flow channel viewing window visible is formed.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when printing on the recording medium is completed, the carriage moves toward the suction capping mechanism provided outside the recording area. When the movement of the carriage is finished, the suction capping mechanism covers the discharge port of the nozzle provided in the recording head. Then, by operating the suction mechanism, the ink in the nozzle is discharged from the flow path mechanism. Here, the flow path mechanism is covered and protected by the flow path cover member, but the flow path mechanism is configured so that the ink flow can be visually recognized from the outside. Since the flow path visualizing window part capable of visually recognizing the flow path mechanism is provided, the user can visually recognize the flow path mechanism visible from the outside from the flow path visualizing window part.
Therefore, it is possible to confirm whether or not the ink suction state and the selection of the nozzle to be sucked are correct at the time of ink suction, and if there is a problem in the suction work, it can be dealt with immediately. Can be improved. In addition, even if the wrong color ink is sucked in order to restore the missing nozzle, the error can be noticed, so that waste of ink and working time can be minimized. Furthermore, when a suction failure occurs during regular maintenance, it can be determined whether the suction capping mechanism has deteriorated due to the influence of ink or the like, or whether the suction mechanism is operating normally. An increase in maintenance costs can be avoided.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink jet recording apparatus that performs recording on a recording medium by ejecting ink from nozzles provided in the recording head, the recording head being mounted, with respect to a scanning direction of the recording medium. A carriage that moves in a direction orthogonal to the nozzle, a suction capping mechanism that is provided outside the recording area of the nozzle and covers the discharge port of the nozzle when sucking ink in the nozzle, and the suction capping mechanism through the suction capping mechanism. A suction mechanism that sucks ink in the nozzle, a flow path mechanism that connects the suction capping mechanism and the suction mechanism to form a flow path of ink, and a flow path cover member that covers at least the flow path mechanism. The flow path mechanism is configured such that the flow of the ink can be visually recognized from the outside, and the flow path cover member is approved to view the flow path mechanism from the outside. Characterized in that it is molded from a material.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when printing on the recording medium is completed, the carriage moves toward the suction capping mechanism provided outside the recording area. When the movement of the carriage is finished, the suction capping mechanism covers the discharge port of the nozzle provided in the recording head. Then, by operating the suction mechanism, the ink in the nozzle is discharged from the flow path mechanism. Here, the flow path mechanism is covered and protected by the flow path cover member, but the flow path mechanism is configured so that the ink flow can be visually recognized from the outside, and the flow path cover member is Since the mechanism is formed from a material that can be visually recognized, the user can visually recognize the flow of ink from the outside of the cover member.
Therefore, it is possible to confirm whether or not the ink suction state and the selection of the nozzle to be sucked are correct at the time of ink suction, and if there is a problem in the suction work, it can be dealt with immediately. Can be improved. In addition, even if the wrong color ink is sucked in order to restore the missing nozzle, the error can be noticed, so that waste of ink and working time can be minimized. Furthermore, when a suction failure occurs during regular maintenance, it can be determined whether the suction capping mechanism has deteriorated due to the influence of ink or the like, or whether the suction mechanism is operating normally. An increase in maintenance costs can be avoided.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the ink jet recording apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the moisturizing capping mechanism is provided outside the recording area of the nozzles and moisturizes the nozzle outlet, and the moisturizing capping mechanism. A moisturizing liquid storage tank that stores the moisturizing liquid supplied to the tank, and a tank cover member that covers at least the moisturizing liquid storage tank, and the moisturizing liquid storage tank can visually recognize the amount of stored ink from the outside. The tank cover member is provided with a tank visualizing window portion through which the moisturizing liquid storage tank can be visually recognized.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when printing on the recording medium is completed, the carriage moves toward the moisturizing capping mechanism provided outside the recording area. When the movement of the carriage is completed, the moisture retention capping mechanism performs moisture retention of the nozzle outlet provided in the recording head. When moisturizing the nozzle, the moisturizing liquid stored in the moisturizing liquid storage tank is used. Here, the moisturizing liquid storage tank is covered and protected by a tank cover member, but the moisturizing liquid storage tank is configured so that the amount of stored ink can be visually recognized from the outside. Since the cover member is provided with a tank visualizing window portion through which the moisturizing liquid storage tank can be visually recognized, the user visually recognizes the moisturizing liquid storage tank through which the amount of stored ink can be visually recognized from the tank visualizing window portion. be able to.
Therefore, the liquid amount in the moisturizing liquid storage tank can be confirmed without removing the tank cover member, so that if the moisturizing liquid storage tank is empty, it can be immediately noticed and handled. The discharge port is not dried.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the ink jet recording apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the moisturizing capping mechanism is provided outside the recording area of the nozzle and moisturizes the nozzle outlet, and the moisturizing capping mechanism. A moisturizing liquid storage tank that stores the moisturizing liquid supplied to the tank, and a tank cover member that covers at least the moisturizing liquid storage tank, and the moisturizing liquid storage tank can visually recognize the amount of stored ink from the outside. The tank cover member is formed of a material that allows the moisturizing liquid storage tank to be visually recognized from the outside.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when printing on the recording medium is completed, the carriage moves toward the moisturizing capping mechanism provided outside the recording area. When the movement of the carriage is completed, the moisture retention capping mechanism performs moisture retention of the nozzle outlet provided in the recording head. When moisturizing the nozzle, the moisturizing liquid stored in the moisturizing liquid storage tank is used. Here, the moisturizing liquid storage tank is covered and protected by a tank cover member, but the moisturizing liquid storage tank is configured so that the amount of stored ink can be visually recognized from the outside, and the tank cover Since the member is formed from a material that allows the moisturizing liquid storage tank to be visually recognized from the outside, the user can visually recognize the amount of ink stored from the outside of the cover member.
Therefore, the liquid amount in the moisturizing liquid storage tank can be confirmed without removing the tank cover member, so that if the moisturizing liquid storage tank is empty, it can be immediately noticed and handled. The discharge port is not dried.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the suction capping mechanism supports the suction capping mechanism and is movable along the moving direction of the carriage. A housing, a suction device main body that supports the suction-side housing so as to be movable along a movement direction of the carriage, and the suction-side housing provided in the carriage when the carriage moves to a predetermined position. A suction-side engagement portion that engages with a suction portion, a suction-side groove portion that is formed in the flow path cover member, and that inclines upward as it approaches the entry direction of the recording head into the suction capping mechanism, and the suction device main body portion A suction-side pin member that engages with the suction-side groove, and the flow path cover member is provided on the suction-side housing, and the suction-side groove is formed on the suction side. If the down member is engaged at the lowest position of the suction-side groove, the suction capping mechanism is characterized in that it is formed so as to cover the discharge port of the nozzle.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the carriage moves to a predetermined position toward the suction capping mechanism, the suction side engaging portion engages with the suction side housing portion, and the suction side housing portion together with the carriage is a recording head. Move toward the direction of entry into the suction capping mechanism. Here, since the suction side pin member provided in the suction device main body and the suction side groove formed in the flow path cover member are engaged, when the suction side housing moves with the carriage, the suction side pin The member is guided by the suction side groove and moves relatively in the direction opposite to the moving direction of the carriage. Since the suction side groove portion is inclined upward as it goes in the direction in which the recording head enters the suction capping mechanism, the flow path cover member is also guided upward, and the suction capping mechanism supported by the suction side housing portion is also upward. Moving. Then, when the suction side pin member is engaged at the lowest position of the suction side groove, the suction capping mechanism covers the discharge port of the nozzle.
As a result, the nozzle outlet can be covered by the suction capping mechanism simply by moving the carriage, so that it is not necessary to separately provide a driving mechanism for covering the nozzle outlet in the suction capping mechanism. Therefore, the number of parts can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of the third to fifth aspects, the moisturizing side supports the moisturizing capping mechanism and is movable along the moving direction of the carriage. A body part, a moisturizing device main body part that supports the moisturizing side body part so as to be movable in the movement direction of the carriage, and the moisturizing side body body provided in the carriage when the carriage moves to a predetermined position. A moisturizing side engaging portion that engages with a portion, a moisturizing side groove portion that is formed on the tank cover member and that inclines upward as it goes in the direction of entry of the recording head into the moisturizing capping mechanism, and the moisturizing device main body portion. A moisturizing side pin member that engages with the moisturizing side groove portion, the tank cover member is provided on the moisturizing side housing portion, and the moisturizing side groove portion is provided with the moisturizing side groove portion. If the side pin member is engaged at the lowest position of the moisturizing groove portion, the moisturizing capping mechanism is characterized in that it is formed so as to cover the discharge port of the nozzle.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when the carriage moves to a predetermined position toward the moisture retention capping mechanism, the moisture retention side engaging portion engages with the moisture retention side housing portion, and the moisture retention side housing portion together with the carriage is a recording head. Move toward the direction of entering the moisture retention capping mechanism. Here, since the moisturizing side pin member provided in the moisturizing device main body and the moisturizing side groove formed in the tank cover member are engaged, when the moisturizing side casing moves together with the carriage, the moisturizing side pin member Is guided by the moisturizing side groove and moves relatively in the direction opposite to the carriage moving direction. Since the moisturizing side groove portion is inclined upward as it goes in the direction in which the recording head enters the moisturizing capping mechanism, the tank cover member is also guided upward, and the moisturizing capping mechanism supported by the moisturizing side housing portion also moves upward. To do. When the moisture retention side pin member is engaged at the lowest position of the moisture retention side groove, the moisture retention capping mechanism covers the nozzle outlet.
As a result, the nozzle outlet can be covered by the moisturizing capping mechanism simply by moving the carriage, so that it is not necessary to provide a separate driving mechanism for covering the nozzle outlet in the moisturizing capping mechanism. Therefore, the number of parts can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to confirm whether or not the ink suction state and the selection of the nozzle to be sucked are correct during ink suction.

Hereinafter, the best mode of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, an ink jet printer will be described as an example of the ink jet recording apparatus.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the inkjet printer 100.
As shown in FIG. 1, the ink jet printer 100 is provided with a guide rail 1 extending in a direction perpendicular to the scanning direction of the recording medium B. The guide rail 1 extends along the direction in which the guide rail 1 extends. A carriage 2 that reciprocates is provided. A plurality of recording heads 3 for ejecting ink onto the recording medium B are mounted on the carriage 2, and the recording head 3 can also reciprocate along the guide rail 1 as the carriage 2 moves. .

  The recording head 3 is a type of ink used in the inkjet printer 100 (Y: yellow, M: magenta, C: cyan, K: black, LY: light yellow, LM: light magenta, LC: light cyan, LK: light black. ), And a plurality (eight) are provided and arranged side by side in the scanning direction of the carriage 2. Inside each recording head 3, nozzles 4 are provided along the vertical direction, and the ejection openings of the nozzles 4 are arranged so as to be substantially flush with the lower surface of the recording head 3. An ink tank 31 that supplies ink to the recording head 3 is connected to each recording head 3 via an ink supply pipe 32 so that ink can be appropriately supplied to the recording head 3. An intermediate tank may be provided between the recording head 3 and the ink tank 31.

  The ink is, for example, an ultraviolet curable ink having a property of being cured by ultraviolet irradiation, and includes at least a polymerizable compound (including a known polymerizable compound), a photoinitiator, and a color material as main components. Furthermore, it has a viscosity of 10 to 500 m · Pa at 30 ° C. Ultraviolet curable inks are broadly classified as polymerizable compounds into radical polymerization inks containing radical polymerizable compounds and cationic polymerization inks containing cationic polymerizable compounds. Both types of inks can be used. . Alternatively, a hybrid ink in which a radical polymerization ink and a cation polymerization ink are combined may be used.

  The recording medium B may be made of various papers such as plain paper, recycled paper, glossy paper, etc., various fabrics, various non-woven fabrics, resin, metal, glass and the like applied to a normal ink jet printer. . As a form of the recording medium B, a roll shape, a cut sheet shape, a plate shape, or the like is applicable.

A maintenance area M that performs maintenance of the recording head 3 is provided at one end side of the movement area of the carriage 2, and a maintenance unit 10 that performs maintenance of the nozzles 4 after printing is provided in the maintenance area M. .
The maintenance unit 10 is provided in the vicinity of the boundary between the recording region R and the maintenance region M, and is provided adjacent to the maintenance region M side of the blade 11 that slides on the discharge port of the nozzle 4. An empty discharge tray 12 that receives ink discharged from the discharge port, and a suction device 13 that is provided adjacent to the maintenance region M side of the empty discharge tray 12 and sucks ink remaining in the nozzle 4 are provided. .

The blade 11 is formed in a plate shape, and after the ink in the nozzle 4 is sucked by the suction device 13, the ink adhering to the nozzle 4 is wiped off by rubbing the nozzle 4 to discharge the nozzle 4. Clean the exit.
The empty discharge tray 12 is connected to a waste ink tank 17 (which will be described later) by a collection tube 12a so that ink accumulated in the empty discharge tray 12 can be discharged.

  The suction device 13 is provided with a suction cap 14 serving as a suction capping mechanism that covers the discharge port of the nozzle 4 and adheres closely to the discharge surface of the recording head 3 when ink is sucked, and separates from the discharge surface when not sucked. The cap 14 is provided with a cap holder 15 that supports the suction cap 14 from below. A suction pump 16 is provided below the cap holder 15 as a suction mechanism for sucking ink from the discharge port of the nozzle 4 via the suction cap 14. The suctioned ink is stored below the suction pump 16. A waste ink tank 17 is provided.

  Further, the suction cap 14 and the waste ink tank 17 are connected by a discharge pipe 18 as a flow path mechanism in the middle through the suction pump 16, and the ink sucked from the suction cap 14 passes through the suction pump 16. Then, it is configured to flow up to the waste ink tank 17. The discharge pipe 18 is formed of, for example, a colorless and transparent vinyl tube, and is configured so that the color and flow state of the ink can be visually recognized from the outside when the ink flows through the discharge pipe 18.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the suction device 13.
As shown in FIG. 2, the suction device 13 is provided with a casing 20 as a flow path cover member that covers at least the discharge pipe 18 on the outside thereof. The casing 20 is formed from, for example, reinforced plastic, resin, or the like, and a plurality of flow path viewing windows 21 are provided so that each discharge pipe 18 can be viewed. The flow path visualizing window portion 21 is formed by forming an opening in a part of the casing 20 and fitting a colorless and transparent plate material such as an acrylic plate into the opening.
Further, the suction device 13 is provided with a suction side housing portion 19 that supports the suction cap 14 and the like and is movable along the moving direction of the carriage 2. A suction-side receiving portion 19f that engages with a suction-side engaging portion 2f (described later) provided in the second portion is provided. In addition, a part of the casing 20 is connected to the suction side housing part 19, and moves with the movement of the suction side housing part 19.
Further, the suction device 13 is provided with a suction device main body portion 13 a that supports the suction side housing portion 19 so as to be movable along the movement direction of the carriage 2. The suction device main body 13a is a foundation of the suction device 13 and supports each part.

  In addition, the casing 20 is formed with a suction side groove portion 22 that is inclined to the right side in FIG. 2, that is, upward in the direction in which the recording head 3 enters the suction device 13. The suction side groove 22 is engaged with a suction side pin member 19a provided in the suction device main body 13a, and the suction side groove 22 is guided to the suction side pin member 19a as the carriage 2 moves. It can be moved. The suction-side groove 22 is formed so that the discharge port of the nozzle 4 is covered by the suction cap 14 when the suction-side pin member 19a is engaged at the lowest position 22p of the suction-side groove 22. .

As shown in FIG. 1, a home position area H that is an initial position of the carriage 2 is provided on the other end side of the movement area of the carriage 2, and the moisturizing of the nozzle 4 after printing is completed in the home position area H. A moisturizing device 50 is provided.
The moisturizing device 50 is provided with a moisturizing cap 51 as a moisturizing capping mechanism that covers the ejection port of the nozzle 4 when the recording head 3 is not in use and adheres closely to the ejection surface of the recording head 3 and separates from the ejection surface when not sucked. The moisturizing cap 51 is provided with a cap holder 52 that supports the moisturizing cap 51 from below. A moisturizing liquid storage tank 53 for storing moisturizing liquid supplied to the moisturizing cap 51 is provided below the cap holder 52. The moisturizing liquid storage tank 53 is formed of, for example, colorless and transparent acrylic or the like, and is configured so that the color and amount of ink can be visually recognized from the outside of the moisturizing liquid storage tank 53.

In FIG. 3, the side view of the moisture retention apparatus 50 is shown.
As shown in FIG. 3, the moisturizing device 50 is provided with a casing 60 as a tank cover member that protects at least the moisturizing liquid storage tank 53 on the outside thereof. The casing 60 is formed from, for example, reinforced plastic, resin, or the like, and is provided with a plurality of tank viewing windows 61 so that each moisturizing liquid storage tank 53 can be viewed. The tank viewing window 61 is formed by forming an opening in a part of the casing 60 and fitting a colorless and transparent plate material such as an acrylic plate into the opening.
The moisturizing device 50 is provided with a moisturizing side casing 63 that supports the moisturizing cap 51 and the like and is movable along the moving direction of the carriage 2. A moisturizing side receiving portion 63f that engages with a moisturizing side engaging portion (not shown) provided at 2 is provided. In addition, a part of the casing 60 is connected to the moisturizing side housing part 63 and moves with the movement of the moisturizing side housing part 63.
Further, the moisturizing device 50 is provided with a moisturizing device main body (not shown) that supports the moisturizing side casing 63 so as to be movable along the moving direction of the carriage 2. The moisturizer main body (not shown) is a foundation of the moisturizer 50 and supports each mechanism.

  Further, the casing 60 is formed with a moisturizing side groove portion 62 that is inclined to the left side in FIG. 3, that is, as it goes in the direction in which the recording head 3 enters the moisturizing device 50. The moisturizing side groove 62 is engaged with a moisturizing side pin member 63b provided in the main body of the moisturizing device, and the moisturizing side groove 62 moves while being guided by the moisturizing side pin member 63b as the carriage 2 moves. It can be done. The moisturizing side groove 62 is formed so that the discharge port of the nozzle 4 is covered with the moisturizing cap 51 when the moisturizing side pin member 63 b is engaged at the lowest position 62 p of the moisturizing side groove 62. .

Here, a method of capping the ejection port of the nozzle 4 of the recording head 3 with the suction cap 14 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.
As shown in FIG. 4, the carriage 2 is provided with a suction side engaging portion 2f at an end portion on the maintenance area M side. The suction side engaging portion 2f is provided at the suction side housing portion 19 of the suction device 13 when the carriage 2 enters the position where the suction cap 14 and the recording head 3 corresponding to each suction cap 14 face each other vertically. It is configured to engage with the receiving portion 13f.

  When the carriage 2 is moved toward the maintenance area M, the suction side engaging portion 2f of the carriage 2 is engaged with the suction receiving portion 13f of the suction device 13, and the suction side casing portion 19 together with the carriage 2 moves toward FIG. Start moving to the right. Along with the movement of the suction side housing part 19, the casing 20 provided in the suction side housing part 19 also moves to the right, and the suction side pin member 19 a is guided by the suction side groove part 22 and is opposite to the moving direction of the carriage 2. Move relative to. Since the suction side groove portion 22 is inclined upward as it goes in the direction in which the recording head 3 enters the suction cap 14, the casing 20 is also guided upward, and the suction cap 14 supported by the suction side housing portion 19 is also upward. Move to. The suction cap 14 covers the discharge port of the nozzle 4 when the suction side pin member 19 a is engaged at the lowest position 22 p of the suction side groove 22.

  The same applies to the method of capping the ejection port of the nozzle 4 of the recording head 3 with the moisture retention cap 51. Briefly, a moisturizing side engaging portion (not shown) provided at the end of the carriage 2 on the home position region H side engages with the moisturizing device 50, and the moisturizing side pin member 63 b extends along the moisturizing side groove 62. The moisture retaining cap 51 covers the ejection port of the nozzle 4 of the recording head 3 when the moisture retaining side groove 62 moves to the lowest position 62p.

According to the ink jet printer 100 of the present embodiment, when printing on the recording medium B is completed, the carriage 2 moves toward the suction unit 10 provided outside the recording area R. When the movement of the carriage 2 is finished, the suction cap 14 covers the discharge port of the nozzle 4 provided in the recording head 3. Then, by operating the suction pump 16, the ink in the nozzle 4 is discharged from the discharge pipe 18. Here, although the discharge pipe 18 is covered and protected by the casing 20, the casing 20 is formed with a flow path visualizing window portion 21 through which the colorless and transparent discharge pipe 18 can be seen. The discharge pipe 18 can be viewed from the road viewing window 21.
Therefore, it is possible to confirm whether or not the ink suction state and the selection of the nozzle 4 to be sucked are correct at the time of ink suction, and if there is a problem in the suction work, it can be dealt with immediately. Efficiency can be improved. Further, even if the ink of the wrong color is sucked in order to restore the lack of the nozzle 4, the error can be noticed, so that waste of ink and working time can be minimized. Furthermore, when a suction failure occurs during regular maintenance, it can be determined whether the suction cap 14 has deteriorated due to the influence of ink or the like, or the suction pump 16 is operating normally. It is possible to avoid an increase in maintenance costs such as replacement.

Further, according to the ink jet printer 100, when printing on the recording medium B is completed, the carriage 2 moves toward the moisturizing device 50 provided outside the recording region R. When the movement of the carriage 2 is finished, the moisture retention cap 51 retains moisture at the discharge port of the nozzle 4 provided in the recording head 3. When the nozzle 4 is moisturized, the moisturizing liquid stored in the moisturizing liquid storage tank 53 is used. Here, the moisturizing liquid storage tank 53 is covered and protected by the casing 60, but since the tank viewing window 61 that can visually recognize the moisturizing liquid storage tank 53 is formed in the casing 60, the user can The amount of moisturizing liquid stored from the viewing window 61 can be viewed.
Therefore, since the liquid amount of the moisturizing liquid storage tank 53 can be confirmed without removing the casing 60, when the moisturizing liquid storage tank 53 is empty, it can be immediately noticed and dealt with. The 4 discharge ports are not dried.

Further, according to the inkjet printer 100, when the carriage 2 moves toward the suction unit 10, the suction side engaging portion 2 f engages with the suction side receiving portion 19 f, and the suction cap 14 together with the carriage 2 sucks the recording head 3. Move in the direction of entry into the unit 10. Here, since the suction side pin member 19a provided in the suction device main body 13a and the suction side groove portion 22 formed in the casing 20 are engaged, when the suction side housing portion 19 moves together with the carriage 2, The suction side pin member 19 a is guided by the suction side groove portion 22 and moves relatively in the direction opposite to the moving direction of the carriage 2. Since the suction side groove portion 22 is inclined upward as it goes in the direction in which the recording head 3 enters the suction unit 10, the casing 20 is also guided upward, and the suction cap 14 supported by the suction side housing portion 19 is also upward. Move to. The suction cap 14 covers the discharge port of the nozzle 4 when the suction side pin member 19 a is engaged at the lowest position 22 p of the suction side groove 22.
As a result, since the discharge port of the nozzle 4 can be covered with the suction cap 14 simply by moving the carriage 2, it is not necessary to separately provide a driving mechanism for covering the discharge port of the nozzle 4 in the suction device 13. Therefore, the number of parts can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced.

Furthermore, according to the ink jet printer 100, when the carriage 2 moves toward the moisturizing device 50, the moisturizing side engaging portion (not shown) engages with the moisturizing side receiving portion 63f, and the moisturizing cap 51 and the carriage 2 together with the recording head. 3 moves toward the direction of entering the moisturizer 50. Here, since the moisturizing side pin member 63b provided in the moisturizing device main body part and the moisturizing side groove part 62 formed in the casing 60 are engaged, when the moisturizing side casing part 63 moves together with the carriage 2, the moisturizing side body part 63 moves. The side pin member 63 b is guided by the moisturizing side groove 62 and moves relatively in the direction opposite to the moving direction of the carriage 2. Since the moisturizing side groove 62 is inclined upward as it goes in the direction in which the recording head 3 enters the moisturizing device 50, the casing 60 is also guided upward, and the moisturizing cap 51 supported by the moisturizing side casing 63 is also upward. Move to. When the moisture retention side pin member 63 b is engaged at the lowest position 62 p of the moisture retention side groove 62, the moisture retention cap 51 covers the discharge port of the nozzle 4.
Accordingly, since the discharge port of the nozzle 4 can be covered with the moisture retention cap 51 simply by moving the carriage 2, a drive mechanism for the moisture retention cap 51 for covering the discharge port of the nozzle 4 is separately provided in the moisture retention device 50. There is no need. Therefore, the number of parts can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the casings 20 and 60 themselves may be molded from a colorless and transparent material. Thereby, it is possible to save the trouble of forming openings for providing the flow path visual recognition window portion 21 and the tank visual recognition window portion 61 in the casings 20, 60, and other than the discharge pipe 18 and the moisturizing liquid storage tank 53. Can also be visually recognized, and can contribute to early detection of malfunctions and failures. Moreover, the casings 20 and 60 may be provided for each of the suction device 13 and the moisturizing device 50, or a casing that covers the whole of these may be provided.
Further, the number of recording heads 3 is not limited to eight, and the ink color can be applied to colors such as white (W), red (R), blue (B), and green (G). Furthermore, although ink droplets of different colors are basically ejected for each recording head 3, the same color ink may be ejected from two or more recording heads 3.

It is a schematic front view of the internal structure of an inkjet printer. It is a front view of a suction device. It is a front view of a moisturizer. It is a front view before a recording head is capped by a suction device. It is a front view after the recording head is capped by the suction device.

Explanation of symbols

2 Carriage 3 Recording head 4 Nozzle 13a Suction device body 14 Suction cap (suction capping mechanism)
16 Suction pump (suction mechanism)
18 Discharge pipe (flow path mechanism)
19 Suction side housing part 19a Suction side pin member 20 Casing (flow path cover member)
21 Flow path visual recognition window part 22 Suction side groove part 2f Suction side engaging part 51 Moisturizing cap (moisturizing capping mechanism)
53 Moisturizing liquid storage tank 60 Casing (tank cover member)
61 Tank viewing window 62 Moisturizing side groove 63 Moisturizing side casing 63b Moisturizing side pin member B Recording medium R Recording area

Claims (6)

An inkjet recording apparatus that records on a recording medium by discharging ink from nozzles provided in a recording head,
A carriage mounted with the recording head and moving in a direction orthogonal to the scanning direction of the recording medium;
A suction capping mechanism that is provided outside the recording area of the nozzle and covers the discharge port of the nozzle when sucking the ink in the nozzle;
A suction mechanism for sucking ink in the nozzles via the suction capping mechanism;
A flow path mechanism that connects the suction capping mechanism and the suction mechanism to form an ink flow path;
A flow path cover member covering at least the flow path mechanism,
The flow path mechanism is configured so that the flow of the ink is visible from the outside,
The ink jet recording apparatus, wherein the flow path cover member is provided with a flow path visualizing window portion through which the flow path mechanism can be visually recognized. An inkjet recording apparatus that records on a recording medium by discharging ink from nozzles provided in a recording head,
A carriage mounted with the recording head and moving in a direction orthogonal to the scanning direction of the recording medium;
A suction capping mechanism that is provided outside the recording area of the nozzle and covers the discharge port of the nozzle when sucking the ink in the nozzle;
A suction mechanism for sucking ink in the nozzles via the suction capping mechanism;
A flow path mechanism that connects the suction capping mechanism and the suction mechanism to form an ink flow path;
A flow path cover member covering at least the flow path mechanism,
The flow path mechanism is configured so that the flow of the ink is visible from the outside,
The ink jet recording apparatus, wherein the flow path cover member is formed of a material that allows the flow path mechanism to be visually recognized from the outside. A moisturizing capping mechanism that is provided outside the recording area of the nozzle and that moisturizes the discharge port of the nozzle;
A moisturizing liquid storage tank for storing a moisturizing liquid supplied to the moisturizing capping mechanism;
A tank cover member covering at least the moisturizing liquid storage tank,
The moisturizing liquid storage tank is configured so that the amount of stored ink can be visually recognized from the outside,
The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tank cover member is provided with a tank visualizing window portion through which the moisturizing liquid storage tank can be visually recognized. A moisturizing capping mechanism that is provided outside the recording area of the nozzle and that moisturizes the discharge port of the nozzle;
A moisturizing liquid storage tank for storing a moisturizing liquid supplied to the moisturizing capping mechanism;
A tank cover member covering at least the moisturizing liquid storage tank,
The moisturizing liquid storage tank is configured so that the amount of stored ink can be visually recognized from the outside,
The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tank cover member is formed of a material that allows the moisturizing liquid storage tank to be visually recognized from the outside. A suction side housing portion that supports the suction capping mechanism and is movable along a moving direction of the carriage;
A suction device main body that supports the suction-side housing so as to be movable along the movement direction of the carriage;
A suction side engaging portion provided on the carriage and engaged with the suction side housing portion when the carriage moves to a predetermined position;
A suction side groove formed on the flow path cover member and inclined upward as it goes in the direction of entry of the recording head into the suction capping mechanism;
A suction-side pin member that is provided in the suction device main body and engages with the suction-side groove,
The flow path cover member is provided in the suction side housing part,
The suction side groove is formed so that the suction capping mechanism covers the discharge port of the nozzle when the suction side pin member is engaged at the lowest position of the suction side groove. The inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. A moisturizing side casing that supports the moisturizing capping mechanism and is movable along a moving direction of the carriage;
A moisturizing device main body for supporting the moisturizing side housing so as to be movable along the moving direction of the carriage;
A moisturizing side engaging portion that is provided on the carriage and engages the moisturizing side housing when the carriage moves to a predetermined position;
A moisturizing side groove formed on the tank cover member and inclined upward as it goes in the direction of entry of the recording head into the moisturizing capping mechanism;
A moisturizing side pin member that is provided in the moisturizing device main body and engages with the moisturizing side groove,
The tank cover member is provided in the moisturizing side housing part,
The moisturizing side groove is formed so that the moisturizing capping mechanism covers the nozzle outlet when the moisturizing side pin member is engaged at the lowest position of the moisturizing side groove. An ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 5.

Images