JP2006075998A - Liquid jetting apparatus and liquid suction device of liquid jetting head - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid jetting apparatus which can reduce the bubbling of liquid in a cap member that is caused by the opening action of an opening and closing member, and to provide a liquid suction device of a liquid jetting head. <P>SOLUTION: The liquid suction device 10 has a body 21, an absorber material 22 which is disposed in the body and absorbs liquid from a nozzle face 61, a suction part 500, and an atmosphere releasing part 600. The suction part 500 has a first opening 641 formed at the bottom of the body and makes the liquid ejected to the outside of the body by making the liquid from a nozzle face absorbed by the absorber material in a state that the nozzle face is sealed by the body. The atmosphere releasing part 600 has a second opening 642 formed at the bottom of the body and releases the body interior turned to negative pressure by the suction part to the atmosphere by the opening action of the opening and closing member 605. An air passage part 640 for obtaining a flow of air between the first opening of the suction part and the second opening of the atmosphere releasing part is set between the bottom of the absorber material and the inner bottom of the body inside the body. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid ejecting apparatus configured to eject liquid and a liquid suction apparatus for a liquid ejecting head.

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 is used. Is ejected to record an image of a desired character or figure.
In this ink jet recording apparatus, since the recording head comes close to the recording medium during the recording operation, ink splashes generated when ink droplets collide with the recording medium bounce off the nozzle surface of the recording head and contaminate the nozzle surface. There are things to do.

  In particular, in the recording head of an on-demand type ink jet recording apparatus, since the ejection of ink droplets is due to weak pressure applied to the ink in the vicinity of the nozzles, the ejection energy of the ink droplets is small, and the interval between the recording medium and the recording medium is several millimeters. In other words, the splash of ink splashes easily adhere to the nozzle surface. However, since the pressure is small, once clogging occurs in the nozzle, the clogging cannot be easily restored.

For this reason, in order to prevent or recover from clogging of the nozzles of the recording head, the cap member is brought into close contact with the nozzle surface in order to discharge the clogged ink by sucking ink from the nozzle openings during the non-printing operation. An operation of sucking the nozzle surface is performed.
This type of cap member has a valve for opening to the atmosphere. This air release valve is opened in order to discharge the ink sucked from the nozzle opening to the outside of the cap member without opening the cap member from the nozzle surface during the recovery operation of the nozzle opening. Thereby, the inside of the cap member is returned to atmospheric pressure.
If the cap member does not return to atmospheric pressure and the cap member moves away from the nozzle surface, an abrupt air flow occurs in the cap member, destroying the ink meniscus in the nozzle opening. Or, air bubbles are mixed into the head from the nozzle opening. When such a phenomenon occurs, the head causes problems such as ejection of ink droplets (so-called dot dropout) or contamination of surrounding portions due to scattering of ink from the cap member.

The presence of this air release valve allows the nozzle surface to be sealed by the cap member and ink is sucked into the cap member, and when the inside of the cap member is opened to the atmosphere by operating the valve. The air tends to enter the cap member from the valve opening, and the ink bubbles are easily generated in the cap member. The bubbles affect the nozzle opening and easily cause a printing failure due to ink droplet ejection leakage.
An example of suppressing the occurrence of ink bubbling during a recovery operation has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1).
JP-A-7-290723 (page 6, FIG. 9)

However, the conventional cap member has a suction port and an open port, and by actively opening the open port to the atmosphere, the ink bubbles generated during the ink suction operation in the cap member are stabilized. Just let it. After that, after the inside of the cap member has become atmospheric pressure, an empty suction operation must be performed to discharge the ink accompanied by foaming to the outside. Further, since a valve for opening the atmosphere to the opening of the cap member exists, when the ink is sucked by the cap member and when the valve for opening the atmosphere is operated, the opening from the opening for opening the atmosphere to the inside of the cap member. It is not possible to prevent the phenomenon that air easily penetrates into the ink and bubbles are easily generated in the ink.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a liquid ejecting apparatus and a liquid ejecting apparatus for a liquid ejecting head that can solve the above-described problems and reduce liquid foaming in a cap member caused by an opening operation of an opening / closing member such as a valve for opening to the atmosphere. It is intended to provide.

In the present invention, the above-described object is a liquid ejecting apparatus including a liquid ejecting apparatus of a liquid ejecting head that sucks liquid from a nozzle surface of the liquid ejecting head, the liquid sucking apparatus including a main body and the main body An absorbent material disposed inside for absorbing the liquid from the nozzle surface, and a first opening formed at the bottom of the main body, the absorbent material absorbing the liquid from the nozzle surface There is a suction part for discharging to the outside of the main body, and a second opening formed at the bottom of the main body, and the inside of the main body, which is negative pressure by the suction part by the opening operation of the opening and closing member, is An air release portion that is open to the interior, and between the bottom of the absorbent material and the inner bottom of the main body, the first opening of the suction portion and the second opening of the air release portion There is an air flow path section to obtain air flow between The liquid-jet apparatus characterized Rukoto is achieved.
According to the structure of this invention, the absorber of a liquid suction device is arrange | positioned in a main body, and absorbs the liquid from a nozzle surface. The suction part has a first opening formed at the bottom of the main body. The suction part is for absorbing the liquid from the nozzle surface by the absorbent and discharging it to the outside of the main body. The atmosphere opening portion has a second opening formed at the bottom of the main body. The atmosphere opening portion opens the inside of the main body, which has been brought to a negative pressure by the suction portion, by the opening operation of the opening / closing member.
The air flow path section obtains an air flow between the first opening of the suction section and the second opening of the atmosphere opening section between the bottom of the absorbent material and the inner bottom of the main body inside the main body.
As a result, when the main body absorbs liquid from the nozzle surface into the main body by the operation of the suction portion with the nozzle surface sealed, for example, air enters from the second opening of the opening / closing member of the air opening portion and the main body Liquid bubbles are likely to occur inside. Further, when the inside of the main body is opened to the atmosphere from a negative pressure state, the opening and closing member is opened, so that air also enters from the second opening and the liquid in the cap main body tends to bubble.
However, even if there is a liquid bubbling phenomenon in the main body in this way, an air flow path portion is provided for obtaining an air flow between the second opening portion on the opening / closing member side and the first opening portion of the suction portion. Therefore, the bubbling of the liquid in the cap member can be guided to the first opening side of the suction part and quickly come out of the main body, and the liquid bubbling phenomenon can be quickly and surely reduced. it can.

In the present invention, the air flow path portion is formed in the inner bottom portion of the main body, and obtains an air flow between the first opening portion of the suction portion and the second opening portion of the atmosphere opening portion. A groove is desirable.
Since it is configured in this manner, it is possible to quickly and surely reduce the foaming of the liquid simply by providing a groove in the inner bottom of the main body in order to obtain an air flow between the first opening and the second opening. be able to.

In the present invention, a sheet-like member is disposed between the bottom of the absorbent material and the inner bottom of the main body, and the sheet-like member includes the first opening of the suction portion and the first opening of the atmosphere opening portion. It is desirable to have a long hole for obtaining an air flow between the two openings, and the long hole is the air flow path part.
By comprising in this way, a sheet-like member is only arrange | positioned between the inner bottom part of an absorber, and the inner bottom part of a main body, and the long hole of a sheet-like member is a 1st opening part and a 2nd opening part. A flow of air can be obtained between them, and liquid foaming can be quickly and reliably reduced.

In the present invention, the bottom of the absorbent material is formed with a recess for obtaining an air flow between the first opening of the suction portion and the second opening of the atmosphere opening portion, The concave portion is preferably the air flow path portion.
By comprising in this way, a recessed part is formed in the bottom part of an absorber, and this recessed part acquires the flow of air between a 1st opening part and a 2nd opening part. Thereby, the foaming of a liquid can be reduced rapidly and reliably.

In the present invention, between the bottom of the absorbent material and the inner bottom of the main body, to obtain an air flow between the first opening of the suction part and the second opening of the atmosphere opening part. It is preferable that the pipe is the air flow path portion.
Since it is comprised in this way, a pipe is arrange | positioned between the bottom part of an absorber, and the inner bottom part of a main body, and this pipe obtains the flow of air between a 1st opening part and a 2nd opening part. . Thereby, the foaming of a liquid can be reduced rapidly and reliably.

In the present invention, one end of the pipe is connected to the second opening of the atmosphere opening portion, and the other end of the pipe is disposed in the vicinity of the first opening of the suction portion. Is desirable.
Since it is configured in this way, one end of the pipe is connected to the second opening, and the other end of the pipe is disposed in the vicinity of the first opening. The air is surely guided into the one end of the pipe, and the foaming of the liquid can be quickly and reliably reduced.

In the present invention, the above-described object is a liquid suction device for a liquid ejecting head that is provided in a liquid suction device and sucks liquid from the nozzle surface of the liquid ejecting head, and is disposed in the main body and the main body. And an absorbent material that absorbs the liquid from the nozzle surface and a first opening formed at the bottom of the main body, and the absorbent material absorbs the liquid from the nozzle surface and There is a suction part for discharging to the outside and a second opening formed at the bottom of the main body, and the opening of the opening / closing member opens the inside of the main body, which has become negative pressure by the suction part, to the atmosphere Between the first opening of the suction part and the second opening of the atmosphere opening part between the bottom part of the absorber and the inner bottom part of the main body. An air flow path for obtaining an air flow is provided. The liquid suction device of a liquid ejecting head is accomplished.
As a result, when liquid is absorbed from the nozzle surface into the main body by the operation of the suction unit in a state where the main body seals the nozzle surface, air enters from the second opening of the opening / closing member of the air opening portion and enters the main body. It is easy for liquid foaming to occur. Further, when the inside of the main body is opened to the atmosphere from a negative pressure state, the opening and closing member is opened, so that air also enters from the second opening and the liquid in the cap main body tends to bubble.
However, even if liquid is bubbled in the main body in this way, an air flow path portion is provided for obtaining an air flow between the second opening portion on the opening / closing member side and the first opening portion of the suction portion. Therefore, the bubbling of the liquid in the cap member can be led out to the first opening side of the suction part and quickly come out of the main body, and the liquid bubbling phenomenon can be quickly and reliably reduced.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows an ink jet recording apparatus 10 which is a preferred embodiment of the 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 an example of a liquid jet head, and is also called a print head.

  An ink jet recording apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 is a so-called on-carriage recording apparatus, and a plurality of ink cartridges 2, 3, 4, and 5 can be detachably mounted on the upper part 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 recording head 30 of the carriage 14 in FIG. 1 faces the cap body 21 of the ink suction device 20 by moving to the home position 18 along the T1 direction.
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 an example of a liquid suction device. Ink is an example of a liquid.
In addition, a wiping member 400 is provided beside the ink suction device 20. The wiping member 400 wipes ink on the nozzle plate surface of the recording head 30 as necessary.

  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 that sends 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, a plurality of ink cartridges 2, 3, 4, and 5 are mounted directly on the carriage 14, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the ink cartridges 2, 3, 4, and 5 are separate from the carriage. Of course, a so-called off-carriage type ink jet recording apparatus mounted at the position may be adopted.
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, 3, 4, and 5 flows into the ink path 50 through 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 opening row 54 </ b> A to 54 </ b> D is connected to each pressure chamber 51. Ink droplets pushed out from the pressure chamber 51 are ejected from the nozzle openings 55A to 55D of the nozzle opening rows 54A to 54D.

FIG. 4 shows an arrangement example of the nozzle opening rows 54 </ b> A to 54 </ b> D 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 | line | column 54A-54D is comprised from several 10 to several thousand nozzle opening 55A-55D, for example.
As shown in FIG. 4, each nozzle opening row | line | column 54A-54D is formed at intervals along the U direction, for example, is formed in 4 rows. That is, the nozzle opening rows 54A to 54D are arranged in parallel along the T direction at intervals. The longitudinal direction of each nozzle opening row is the U direction.

The nozzle plate surface 61 shown in FIG. 4 is an example of a nozzle surface, but a water repellent portion 800 is formed on the nozzle plate surface 61. The water repellent part 800 is an example of a liquid repellent part. This water repellent portion 800 is obtained by forming, for example, a fluororesin (tetrafluoroethylene resin).
The water repellent part 800 is an area including all the nozzle opening rows 54. In this way, by forming a water-repellent part, which is an example of a liquid-repellent part, in a region including all the nozzle opening rows 54, the ink meniscus shape at each nozzle opening is stabilized and ink is ejected from the nozzle openings. At this time, in order to obtain straightness of ink dots (ink droplets), at least wettability with respect to the ink in the vicinity of the nozzle opening can be made uniform.

  The ink on the nozzle plate surface 61 has a structure that can be wiped off and cleaned by lightly contacting the wiping member 400 with the nozzle plate surface 61 by, for example, relative movement between the wiping member 400 and the recording head 30. Yes. In the example of FIG. 4, the recording head 30 actually moves in the T2 direction with respect to the wiping member 400, so that the wiping member 400 wipes the ink on the nozzle plate surface 61 while mechanically touching lightly. it can.

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. Thereby, ink droplets can be ejected from the nozzle openings 55A to 55D.
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 used, and the ink suction device 20 is configured to forcibly suck air and ink from the nozzle openings 55A to 55D of the recording head 30 in FIG. It discharges | emits from opening 55A-55D.

Next, the ink suction device 20 as an example of the liquid suction device shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 will be described.
6 shows a standby state in which the cap main body 21 of the ink suction device 20 is separated from the nozzle plate surface 61 of the recording head 30, and FIG. 7 shows the suction state where the ink suction device 20 seals the nozzle plate surface 61 and sucks it. The example of the state which is carrying out is shown.

The cap main body 21 of the ink suction device 20 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 includes a cap main body 21, an absorbent material 22, a suction part 500, and an air release part 600. FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the cap body 21, and FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the cap body 21.
The cap body 21 is made of metal or plastic and has a bottom portion 21A and four side portions 21B. An upper opening 21 </ b> C is formed in the upper part of the cap body 21. The size of the upper opening 21 </ b> C is slightly smaller than the size of the nozzle plate surface 61, and the upper end portion of the cap body 21 can seal the nozzle plate surface 61.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the absorbent material 22 is, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped member housed in the internal space 24. The absorbing material 22 may be any material that can absorb ink from the recording head 30. As the material of the absorbent material 22, a sponge made of, for example, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), which is a foamed plastic, can be used. Such a foamed plastic is preferably a hydrophilic material, and it is desirable to use such a hydrophilic material.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the suction unit 500 includes a suction pipe 501 and a pump 19. One end of the suction pipe 501 is connected to the bottom 21 </ b> A of the cap body 21. The suction pump 19 is connected to a suction pipe 501, and the ink and bubbles in the cap body 21 can be disposed on the waste ink tank 100 side by operating the suction pump 19.

  The atmosphere release unit 600 includes an atmosphere release pipe 601 and an atmosphere release valve 605. One end of the air release pipe 601 is connected to the bottom 21 </ b> A of the cap body 21. The atmosphere release valve 605 is connected to the atmosphere release pipe 601, and the atmosphere release pipe 601 can be closed or opened by operating a solenoid, for example.

The elevating means 250 shown in FIG. 6 can raise the cap body 21 from the standby state to the raised position shown in FIG. 7 in the Z2 direction. As a result, the contact member 29 of the cap body 21 is in close contact with the nozzle plate surface 61, so that the cap body 21 can seal all the nozzle opening rows 54 </ b> A to 54 </ b> D on the nozzle plate surface 61.
On the contrary, when the elevating means 250 is operated, the cap body 21 can be returned from the sealed state of the cap body 21 shown in FIG. 7 to the standby state shown in FIG. 6 along the Z1 direction.

With reference to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the structure of the cap main body 21, the suction part 500, and the air release part 600 will be further described.
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, an air channel portion 640 is formed on the inner bottom surface 630 of the cap body 21. The air flow path section 640 is a passage for obtaining an air flow between the first opening 641 on the suction section 500 side and the second opening 642 side on the atmosphere opening section 600 side. In the example of FIG. 9, the air flow path portion 640 is a long groove-like portion formed in a concave shape from the inner bottom portion 630 in the Z1 direction. As shown in FIG. 9, the air flow path portion 640 is a bottomed groove having a rectangular cross section, for example. A second opening 642 of the atmosphere opening portion 600 is connected to one side of the atmosphere opening pipe 601 of the air flow path portion 640, and a first opening 641 of the suction pipe 501 of the suction portion 500 is connected to the other side. It is connected.
Thereby, the air flow path portion 640 can form a space for the flow of air or bubbles formed between the inner bottom portion 630 of the cap body 21 and the bottom surface 22A of the absorbent material 22.

Next, an example of a liquid suction method of the liquid ejecting head in the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIG.
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, it is necessary to fill the ink path 50 of the recording head 30 with ink. When filling, air and ink may be forcibly sucked and discharged from the nozzle openings 55 of the recording head 30 by the ink suction device 20 and cleaned.
In addition, 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 may be forcibly discharged by the ink suction device 20 for cleaning.

  In the printing step ST1 shown in FIG. 10, the recording head 30 and the carriage 14 shown in FIG. 1 are located in a printing area away from the ink suction device 20 during printing. As a result, the recording head 30 moves in the printing area together with the carriage 14 so that printing can be performed on the paper 29. However, when it is necessary to perform the suction operation (also referred to as cleaning) of the recording head 30 as described above, the carriage 14 and the recording head 30 in FIG. 1 move in the head moving direction T1 as shown in FIG. Is positioned at the home position 18. As shown in FIG. 6, when the recording head 30 is positioned at the home position 18, the nozzle plate surface 61 of the recording head 30 is positioned above the ink suction device 20.

In step ST <b> 2 of FIG. 10, the control device 7 shown in FIG. 2 issues an ink suction operation execution command to the ink suction device 20.
In step ST3 of FIG. 10, the elevating means 250 shown in FIG. 6 raises the cap body 21 in the Z2 direction, whereby the contact member 29 of the cap body 21 seals the nozzle plate surface 61 as shown in FIG.

  In the ink suction step ST4 of FIG. 10, the suction pump 19 shown in FIG. 7 is operated to suck the ink toward the absorber 22 of the cap body 21. At this time, the air release valve 605 is closed. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, for example, ink droplets formed in the nozzle openings 55 </ b> A, 55 </ b> B, 55 </ b> C, and 55 </ b> D of the nozzle plate surface 61 pass through the absorbent 22 through the surface 23 of the absorbent 22. 7 can be discharged to the side of the waste ink tank 100 through the first opening 641, the suction pipe 501, and the pump 19.

In step ST5, the negative pressure in the cap body 21 is returned to atmospheric pressure. That is, the atmosphere release valve 605 is changed from the closed state to the opened state, and thereby the inside of the cap body 21 is recovered from the negative pressure state to the atmospheric pressure.
At this time, air enters the cap main body 21 from the second opening 642 of the air release pipe 601, and the ink in the cap main body 21 is likely to foam. However, since the air flow path part 640 is provided between the second opening part 642 and the first opening part 641, the air flow between the second opening part 642 and the first opening part 641 can be secured. The air in the ink can be quickly and reliably discharged to the outside through the suction pipe 501, and the foaming of the ink in the cap member 21 can be reduced.
Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 10, in step ST6, the elevating means 250 shown in FIG. 7 is operated, and the cap body 21 shown in FIG. 7 returns from the raised state shown in FIG. 7 to the standby state shown in FIG.

The atmosphere release valve 605 of the atmosphere release unit 600 discharges the ink sucked from the nozzles to the discharge pipe 501 side without opening the cap body 21 from the nozzle plate surface when the negative pressure in the cap body 21 is recovered. Can do. Thereby, the amount of ink adhering to the nozzle plate surface before wiping can be reduced. Further, ink scattering can be reduced, and contamination caused by ink adhering to the nozzle plate surface being scattered into the main body of the ink jet recording apparatus can be prevented. Further, when the cap body 21 is opened to the atmosphere by the atmosphere release valve 605, it becomes easier to handle when using the reactive ink.
The air release valve 605 is effective for returning the inside of the cap body 21 to the atmospheric pressure before opening the cap body 21 from the nozzle plate surface 61. If the air release valve 605 is not provided, it takes several tens of seconds until the inside of the cap body 21 is returned from the negative pressure to the atmospheric pressure, and the ink suction operation cannot be performed efficiently.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The structure of the ink suction device 20 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 is different from the structure of the ink suction device 20 shown in FIGS. The other components of the ink suction device 20 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 are the same as the corresponding components of the ink suction device 20 shown in FIGS.

11 and 12, the air flow path portion 740 is formed not on the inner bottom portion 630 of the cap body 21 but on the bottom surface 22 </ b> A side of the absorbent material 22. That is, the air flow path portion 740 is formed in a concave shape toward the Z2 direction with respect to the bottom surface 22A. For this reason, the inner bottom part 630 of the cap main body 21 is a flat surface, and the first opening 641 and the second opening 642 are opened. The air channel portion 740 has a long groove shape as shown in FIG. 12 and is provided so as to form an air passage between the first opening 641 and the second opening 642. Thereby, an air flow can be obtained between the first opening 641 and the second opening 642, and ink bubbling can be quickly and reliably reduced.
With such a structure, the air channel portion 740 may be formed on the absorbent material 22 side, so that the inner bottom surface 630 of the cap body 21 can be made flat and the shape of the cap body 21 is simplified. it can.

13 and 14 show still another embodiment of the present invention.
The ink suction device 20 shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 differs from the ink suction device shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 in the formation method of the air flow path portion 840.
The air flow path portion 840 is formed using a sheet-like member 22C. This member 22C is disposed between the bottom surface 22A of the absorbent 22 and the inner bottom surface 630 of the cap member 21. As shown in FIG. 14, the member 22 </ b> C uses, for example, the same material as the absorbent 22 and is fixed to the bottom surface 22 </ b> A of the absorbent 22 by bonding. The absorbent material 22 is integrated with the member 22C to form an absorbent structure. The air flow path portion 840 is formed in, for example, a long groove shape in the member 22C, and can form an air flow between the first opening portion 641 and the second opening portion 642. Thereby, an air flow can be obtained between the first opening 641 and the second opening 642, and ink bubbling can be quickly and reliably reduced.
The other components of the ink suction device 20 shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 are the same as the corresponding components of the ink suction device 20 shown in FIGS.

Next, FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 show still another embodiment of the present invention.
The ink suction device 20 shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 is different from the ink suction device shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 in that an air flow path portion 890 is formed using a sheet-like member 880.
For example, the sheet-like member 880 can be made of the same material as that of the absorbent 22 or other materials can be used. The sheet-like member 880 is disposed so as to be sandwiched between the bottom surface 22 </ b> A of the absorbent material 22 and the inner bottom portion 630 of the cap member 21. The sheet-like member 880 has an air channel portion 890 having a long groove shape, and the air channel portion 890 forms an air flow between the first opening portion 641 and the second opening portion 642. Thereby, an air flow can be obtained between the first opening 641 and the second opening 642, and ink bubbling can be quickly and reliably reduced.
The other components of the ink suction device 20 shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 are the same as the corresponding components of the ink suction device 20 shown in FIGS.

17 and 18 show still another embodiment of the present invention.
In the ink suction device 20 shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the air flow path portion 900 is disposed on the inner bottom surface 630 of the cap body 21. The air flow path unit 900 is a pipe member, and one end 901 of the air flow path unit 900 is connected to the second opening 642. The other end 902 of the air flow path 900 is disposed near the first opening 641 so as not to close the first opening 641.
An accommodation space 930 that is pressed in the Z2 direction is formed on the inner bottom surface 22A side of the absorbent material 22. The air flow path 900 can be accommodated in the accommodation space 930.
By doing in this way, the air that exits from the second opening 642 on the atmosphere release pipe 601 side is more reliably and quickly guided to the first opening 641 side through the one end 901 of the pipe-shaped air flow path 900. Can do. As a result, an air flow can be obtained between the second opening 642 and the first opening 641, and ink bubbling can be quickly and reliably reduced.
The other components of the ink suction device 20 of FIGS. 17 and 18 are the same as the corresponding components of the ink suction device 20 shown in FIGS.

FIG. 19 shows yet another embodiment of the present invention.
In this example, the cap body 21 of the ink suction device 20 is divided into two divided caps 380 and 381. The split caps 380 and 381 have a close contact member 29, and the absorbent material 22 is accommodated in each of the split caps 380 and 381. In the inner bottom portions 630 of the divided caps 380 and 381, air flow path portions 640 are formed in a concave shape, for example. A first opening 641 and a second opening 642 are provided in each air flow path portion 640, the first opening 641 is on the suction pipe 501 side, and the second opening 642 is an air release pipe 601. On the side.

The dividing cap 380 has an upper opening 380A corresponding to the nozzle opening rows 54A and 54B, and the dividing cap 381 has an upper opening 380B corresponding to the nozzle opening rows 54C and 54D. As a result, the divided cap 380 can seal the region of the nozzle plate surface 61 including the nozzle opening rows 54A and 54B in close contact with each other. The division cap 381 can seal the region of the nozzle plate surface 62 including the nozzle opening rows 54C and 54D in close contact with each other.
Of course, the cap main body 21 of the present invention may have a divided cap for each nozzle opening row.

In each embodiment of the present invention, an air flow path portion through which air flows is formed between the second opening 642 of the atmosphere release valve 600 and the first opening 641 of the suction pipe 501. This air flow path portion is formed in consideration of the flow of air from the second opening 642 of the atmosphere release valve 605, and the ink bubbles generated from the second opening 642 are promptly removed at the suction port. There is an effect of discharging from a certain first opening 641 to the outside of the cap body 21.
In order to prevent the generated bubbles from flowing to the nozzle side on the nozzle plate surface 61 side, some hole is formed at the position of the absorbent material 22 corresponding to the position immediately above the second opening 642 of the atmosphere release valve 605. It is preferable to avoid opening.

In the embodiment of the present invention, air mainly flows along the inner bottom surface 630 of the cap body 21. Therefore, the effect of discharging the ink in the cap body 21 without the cap body 21 opening the nozzle plate surface 61 is obtained. It is thought that it falls.
However, even if such a situation occurs, the pump 19 is used for empty suction in the cap body 21 with the air release valve 605 opened in order to compensate for such a decrease in ink discharge effect. Thus, it is possible to maintain the effect of sucking at high speed and discharging the ink in the cap body 21.
Furthermore, even when the cap main body 21 is separated from the nozzle plate surface 61 and the cap main body 21 is opened, the ink in the cap main body 21 is sufficiently discharged by empty suction in the cap main body 21. Yes.
In the embodiment of the present invention, the presence of the air release valve allows the cap body to seal the nozzle plate surface and suck ink, and when the air release valve operates to open. When air enters the main body from the second opening, ink bubbles tend to occur in the cap. However, since the air flow path between the second opening and the first opening can be secured by the air flow path, ink bubbling can be quickly and reliably discharged from the suction portion. For this reason, ink ejection failure on the nozzle plate surface due to ink bubbling can be prevented, and printing failure can be prevented.

  In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, four ink cartridges that use black ink, cyan ink, magenta ink, and yellow ink can be mounted on the carriage. The number of the ink cartridges is not limited to this, and the number of ink cartridges includes only an ink cartridge for black ink, three ink cartridges for two or three color inks excluding black ink, or five inks. A cartridge or six or more ink cartridges may be provided.

  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. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments may be combined with each other. In addition, the present invention is not limited to an ink jet recording apparatus, but a recording head used in an image recording apparatus such as a printer, a color material ejection head used in manufacturing a color filter such as a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, and an FED (surface issuance). Electrode material ejecting heads used for electrode formation such as displays), liquid ejecting apparatuses using liquid ejecting heads for ejecting liquids such as bioorganic ejecting heads used for biochip manufacturing, sample ejecting apparatuses as precision pipettes, etc. Applicable.

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.

1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of a 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 diagram illustrating a structure example of a recording head. The figure which shows the example of a nozzle plate surface and the shape of a wiping member. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure example of a recording head. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state where the ink suction device is in a standby state. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state where the ink suction device is in a suction state. Sectional drawing which shows the ink suction device of this invention. FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the ink suction device in FIG. 8. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an ink suction operation by the ink suction device. Sectional drawing which shows embodiment of another ink suction apparatus of this invention. FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the ink suction device of FIG. 11. Sectional drawing which shows embodiment of another ink suction apparatus of this invention. FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the ink suction device of FIG. 13. Sectional drawing which shows embodiment of another ink suction apparatus of this invention. FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of the ink suction device of FIG. 15. Sectional drawing which shows embodiment of another ink suction apparatus of this invention. FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of the ink suction device of FIG. 17. The figure which shows another embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Inkjet recording device, 20 ... Ink suction device (an example of a liquid suction device), 21 ... Cap body (an example of a main body), 22 ... Absorbing material, 30 ... Recording head ( Example of liquid ejecting head), 61... Nozzle plate surface (example of nozzle surface), 500... Suction unit, 600. 640... Air channel portion, 641... First opening portion, 642... Second opening portion

Claims (7)

A liquid ejecting apparatus including a liquid aspirating device for a liquid ejecting head that sucks liquid from a nozzle surface of the liquid ejecting head,
The liquid suction device is
The body,
An absorbent material disposed in the body for absorbing the liquid from the nozzle surface;
A first opening formed at the bottom of the main body, and a suction part for allowing the liquid from the nozzle surface to be absorbed by the absorbent and discharged outside the main body;
A second opening formed at the bottom of the main body, and an opening portion that opens the open / close member to open the inside of the main body, which is negative pressure by the suction portion, to the atmosphere, and
An air flow for obtaining an air flow between the first opening of the suction part and the second opening of the atmosphere opening part between the bottom part of the absorbent material and the inner bottom part of the main body. A liquid ejecting apparatus having a path portion.   The air flow path part is a groove part that is formed in the inner bottom part of the main body and obtains an air flow between the first opening part of the suction part and the second opening part of the atmosphere opening part. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1.   A sheet-like member is disposed between the bottom part of the absorbent material and the inner bottom part of the main body, and the sheet-like member includes the first opening part of the suction part and the second opening part of the atmosphere opening part. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an elongated hole for obtaining an air flow between the elongated holes, wherein the elongated hole is the air flow path portion.   A recess for obtaining an air flow between the first opening of the suction portion and the second opening of the atmosphere opening portion is formed at the bottom of the absorbent material. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid ejecting apparatus is an air flow path section.   A pipe for obtaining an air flow between the first opening of the suction portion and the second opening of the atmosphere opening portion is disposed between the bottom of the absorbent material and the inner bottom of the main body. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pipe is the air flow path portion.   One end of the pipe is connected to the second opening of the atmosphere opening portion, and the other end of the pipe is disposed in the vicinity of the first opening of the suction portion. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 5. A liquid suction device for a liquid ejecting head provided in the liquid suction device for sucking liquid from a nozzle surface of the liquid ejecting head,
The body,
An absorbent material disposed in the body for absorbing the liquid from the nozzle surface;
A first opening formed at the bottom of the main body, and a suction part for allowing the liquid from the nozzle surface to be absorbed by the absorbent and discharged outside the main body;
A second opening formed at the bottom of the main body, and an opening portion that opens the open / close member to open the inside of the main body, which is negative pressure by the suction portion, to the atmosphere, and
An air flow for obtaining an air flow between the first opening of the suction part and the second opening of the atmosphere opening part between the bottom part of the absorbent material and the inner bottom part of the main body. A liquid suction device for a liquid jet head, characterized in that a passage is provided.

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