JP2006103346A - Ink jet recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inkjet recording apparatus equipped with a waste ink tank capable of reliably catching and absorbing ink even in zero-gravity environments. <P>SOLUTION: Three ink absorbing materials 22a, 22b and 22c are housed in a case member 21 constituting the outer contour of the waste ink tank 13 in a laminated state, and ink flow passages 23a-23d are formed respectively in the crossing direction at a right angle in the ink absorbing material 22a, the first layer and the ink absorbing material 22b, the second layer, so that a series of ink flow passages are windingly formed in the three-dimensional direction. Accordingly, even if the recording apparatus is placed for use in, for example, a zero-gravity environment, ink suspended inside the ink flow passages impinges the ink absorbing materials in any of the walls to be absorbed thus allowing it to be surely captured. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording head that receives ink from an ink cartridge and discharges ink droplets based on print data, and a nozzle of the recording head that receives a negative pressure from a suction pump by sealing a nozzle forming surface of the recording head. More particularly, the present invention relates to a configuration of a waste ink tank that absorbs and holds ink discharged from the capping unit.

  Inkjet recording apparatuses are used for many printing including color printing in recent years because noise during printing is relatively small and small dots can be formed with high density. Such 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. The recording head is recorded on the carriage. Recording is performed by ejecting ink droplets onto the recording paper while moving in the width direction of the paper.

  A recording head capable of ejecting black ink and yellow, cyan, and magenta color inks is mounted on the carriage, enabling full color printing by changing the ejection ratio of each ink as well as text printing with black ink. It is said.

  The above-mentioned ink jet recording head has a relationship in which printing is performed by ejecting ink pressurized in a pressure generating chamber as ink droplets from a nozzle onto a recording paper, and an increase in ink viscosity due to evaporation of the solvent from the nozzle opening, There is a problem that printing failure occurs due to solidification of ink, adhesion of dust, and mixing of bubbles.

  For this purpose, the ink jet recording apparatus includes a capping unit for sealing the nozzle opening of the recording head during non-printing, and a wiping member for cleaning the nozzle forming surface as necessary. The capping means not only functions as a lid for preventing the ink of the nozzle opening from drying when printing is suspended, but also seals the nozzle forming surface with a cap member when the nozzle opening is clogged. Also, it has a function to eliminate ink clogging due to solidification of the ink in the nozzle opening and ink ejection failure due to air bubbles mixing into the ink flow path by sucking and discharging ink from the nozzle opening by the negative pressure from the suction pump.

  The forcible suction / discharge process of ink that is performed to eliminate clogging of the recording head and air bubbles in the ink flow path is called a cleaning operation, and this restarts printing after a long pause of the apparatus. Or when the user recognizes that the quality of the recorded image has deteriorated and operates a cleaning switch, for example, and the nozzle forming surface of the recording head is sealed by the capping means, and the nozzle opening of the recording head and An operation of discharging the thickened ink and bubbles existing upstream thereof by negative pressure is performed.

  The ink sucked and discharged from the recording head by the cleaning operation is introduced into the waste ink tank by driving the suction pump, and the ink is held by the ink absorbing material stored in the waste ink tank. .

  FIG. 8 shows an example of the configuration in a broken state. In FIG. 8, reference numeral 13 denotes a waste ink tank formed in a horizontal state in the recording apparatus. In this waste ink tank 13, ink absorbing materials 41a, 41b, and 41c are arranged in three layers. Yes. The first-layer ink absorbing material 41a disposed at the lowermost layer has an area that substantially occupies the lower bottom surface of the waste ink tank 13, and the second-layer and third-layer inks stacked thereon. The absorbent materials 41b and 41c are formed with a slightly shorter dimension in the longitudinal direction (left and right direction in the figure), and in the gap 42 formed between the side wall of the waste ink tank 13 and the discharge side end of the suction pump. A portion (end portion of the tube) 26 is inserted.

  According to the configuration described above, the ink discharged by the suction pump is injected into the gap 42 between the second layer and third layer ink absorbers 41b and 41c and the side wall of the waste ink tank 13, and the ink absorber of each layer. It penetrates in the horizontal direction and the gravity direction from each end of 41a, 41b, 41c and is absorbed. Then, when the ink solvent evaporates by natural drying, it acts to absorb and hold new waste ink sequentially.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-226995

  By the way, the waste ink tank in the above-described configuration is configured to function normally in a posture in which the recording device is placed on a horizontal plane.For example, when the cleaning operation is performed with the recording device tilted, Before the ink discharged by the suction pump penetrates into the ink absorbing material, it overflows from the waste ink tank, and in the extreme case, the ink flows out to the outside of the recording device and contaminates the surroundings. Problem occurs.

  In particular, in a recording apparatus that has been used for a long period of time, the solidified ink accumulates in the ink absorbing material near the waste ink introduction portion, resulting in a clogged state, and the above-described problem appears more markedly due to a decrease in ink absorption capability. .

  Further, when the waste ink tank having the above-described configuration is used in a non-gravity environment such as in a spacecraft other than the gravitational sphere on the earth, the waste ink is not absorbed by the ink absorbing material but floats as ink droplets. Problem occurs.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the technical problems as described above, and even when the recording apparatus is used in an inclined state or in a weightless environment, the problems as described above have occurred. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ink jet recording apparatus that can be prevented.

  An ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention configured to achieve the above object includes an ink jet recording head that ejects ink droplets from nozzle openings, and an ink that absorbs and holds ink discharged from the recording head. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising a waste ink tank containing an absorbing material, wherein the ink absorbing material housed in the waste ink tank has a bent ink flow path extending from an ink introduction portion In addition, only the end of the ink flow path is open to the atmosphere.

  In this case, the ink absorbing material is preferably configured such that at least two independent ink absorbing materials are arranged in a laminated state.

  In a preferred embodiment, the ink flow path is formed to be bent in a two-dimensional direction or a three-dimensional direction.

  In a preferred embodiment, the ink flow path is bent in the two-dimensional direction or the three-dimensional direction at least twice or more.

  According to the ink jet recording apparatus configured as described above, the ink sucked and discharged from the recording head by the cleaning operation is sent to the waste ink tank. In this case, ink is introduced into the ink flow path via an ink introduction portion formed in a part of the ink absorbing material housed in the waste ink tank.

  The ink flow path is formed by being bent in a two-dimensional or three-dimensional direction by the ink absorbing material, so that the introduced ink penetrates into the ink absorbing material and is absorbed while entering the ink flow path. . Then, when the ink solvent evaporates by natural drying, it acts to absorb and hold new waste ink sequentially.

  In this case, by adopting a configuration in which only the end portion of the ink flow path is opened to the atmosphere, the ink sent into the ink flow path can flow into the ink flow path without resistance.

  Moreover, since the ink permeates and is absorbed in each part of the ink absorbing material along the ink flow path, the problem that the solidified ink is locally accumulated and becomes clogged can be avoided. It is possible to exhibit stable functions over a wide range.

  In addition, when used in a weightless environment such as outer space, the ink flow path is formed in a two-dimensional or three-dimensional direction so that ink floating in the ink flow path is not It hits the absorbent and is absorbed.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention will be described based on an embodiment shown in the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a basic configuration of a recording apparatus to which the present invention can be applied. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a carriage. The carriage 1 is guided by a guide member 4 via a timing belt 3 driven by a carriage motor 2 and is reciprocated in the axial direction of the platen 5. .

  An ink jet recording head 7 is mounted on the side of the carriage 1 facing the recording paper 6, and a black ink cartridge 8 and a color ink cartridge 9 for supplying ink to the recording head 7 are attached to and detached from the ink jet recording head 7. It is loaded as possible.

  Reference numeral 10 in the figure denotes a capping unit arranged in a non-printing area (home position), and is configured to seal the nozzle formation surface of the recording head 7 when the recording head 7 moves directly above. Yes. A suction pump 11 for applying a negative pressure to the internal space of the capping unit 10 is disposed below the capping unit 10.

  The capping means 10 functions as a lid for preventing the nozzle openings of the recording head 7 from drying during the rest period of the recording apparatus, and applies a drive signal unrelated to printing to the recording head to eject ink droplets idly. It also functions as an ink receiver during the flushing operation to be performed, and also has a function of a cleaning operation in which the negative pressure from the suction pump 11 is applied to the recording head 7 to suck and discharge ink.

  A wiping member 12 made of an elastic plate such as rubber is disposed in the vicinity of the capping unit 10 and wipes the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 7 when the carriage 1 reciprocates toward the capping unit 10. A wiping operation is performed.

  FIG. 2 schematically shows the configuration of the capping means 10 mounted on the recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1 and the suction pump 11 connected thereto. The capping means 10 includes a rectangular cap case 10a having an open upper surface and a cap member 10b made of a flexible material such as a rubber material housed in the cap case 10a. The upper edge is formed so as to protrude slightly from the cap case 10a. An ink absorbing material 10c formed of a porous material is accommodated in the inner bottom portion of the cap member 10b. The ink absorbing material 10c is held by a holding body 10d formed integrally with the cap member 10b. .

  In addition, a suction port 10e and an atmosphere opening port 1f are formed in the lower bottom portion of the cap case 10a so as to penetrate the cap case 10a and the cap member 10b, respectively. A suction pump 11 is connected to the suction port 10e of the cap case 10a via a tube T1, and the discharge side end of the suction pump 11 absorbs ink stored in the waste ink tank 13 as will be described later. Connected to the material. Furthermore, the atmosphere release valve 14 is connected to the atmosphere release port 10f of the cap case 10a via a tube T2.

  On the other hand, reference numeral 7 in FIG. 2 indicates a recording head. When the recording head 7 is positioned above the capping means 10 as the carriage moves, the nozzle forming surface 7a is sealed (capped) by the cap member 10b. ). A plurality of nozzle openings 7b are formed on the nozzle forming surface 7a, and each of black ink, yellow, cyan, magenta, and the like is generated by the vibration action of the piezoelectric vibrator 7c arranged corresponding to each nozzle opening 7b. Color ink is ejected.

  In the above configuration, the discharge of residual bubbles in the recording head or the ink supply path and the ink suction action for eliminating clogging of the nozzle openings are performed by using the cap member 10b of the recording head 7 as shown in FIG. This is carried out in close contact with the nozzle forming surface 7a and with the air release valve 10 closed.

  By driving the suction pump 11 in this state, a negative pressure is applied to the internal space of the cap member 10b, and ink is sucked and discharged from the nozzle openings 7b of the recording head 7. When the negative pressure inside the cap member is reduced to some extent, when the atmosphere release valve 14 is opened, the atmosphere is introduced into the cap member and the internal negative pressure is released. Subsequently, when the suction pump 11 is driven again with the air release valve 14 opened, the ink discharged into the cap member is sent to the waste ink tank 13 via the tube T1.

  Next, FIGS. 3 to 6 show a first embodiment of the waste ink tank 13 for receiving the waste ink discharged by driving the suction pump 11. 3 is a top view showing the waste ink tank 13 as viewed from above, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view when the line AA in FIG. 3 is viewed in the direction of the arrow. It is the perspective view which isolate | separated and showed the structure of the three-layer ink absorption material laminated | stacked and accommodated in the waste ink tank. FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the BB line in FIG. 4 as viewed in the direction of the arrow.

  First, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the case member 21 constituting the outline of the waste ink tank 13 has a substantially quadrangular shape in which the side wall is raised and the upper part is opened. Then, three layers of ink absorbing materials 22 a, 22 b, and 22 c in the form shown in FIG. 5 are sequentially stacked and accommodated in the case member 21.

  The first and third ink flow paths 23a and 23c are formed in the first layer of ink absorbing material 22a so as to be parallel to each other, and the second layer of ink absorbing material 22b is provided with the first layer of ink. The second and fourth layers are stacked in the absorbent 22a so as to be in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first and third ink flow paths 23a and 23c in a plane and parallel to each other. Ink channels 23b and 23d are formed.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the end portion of the first ink flow path 23a and the start end portion of the second ink flow path 23b, the end portion of the second ink flow path 23b and the start end portion of the third ink flow path 23c. Further, between the end portion of the third ink flow path 23c and the start end portion of the fourth ink flow path 23d, conductive portions 24a, 24b, and 24c for communicating the respective ink flow paths are provided with respect to the surface. And a series of ink flow paths are formed by bending in a three-dimensional direction.

  On the other hand, a rectangular ink introduction part 25 is in a penetrating state in the second layer ink absorbing material 22b corresponding to the start end of the first ink flow path 23a formed in the first layer ink absorbing material 22a. Is formed. A discharge-side end (tube end) 26 of the suction pump is inserted and connected to the ink introduction part 25 via a holding member 27.

  FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the configuration, and a holding member 27 having a U-shaped cross section is held at the discharge-side end portion 26 of the suction pump so that the end portion 26 is sandwiched between both leg portions. The U-shaped holding member 27 is attached in a state of being inserted into the rectangular ink introduction portion 25.

  In the state shown in FIG. 6, there are some gaps between the discharge-side end portion 26 of the suction pump and the holding member 27, and between the holding member 27 and the ink introducing portion 25. If the gap is such that the surface tension acts, the problem of ink leakage does not occur, and the ink is sucked into the absorber.

  Further, the case member 21 corresponding to the end portion of the fourth ink flow path 23d formed in the second layer of the ink absorbing material 22b is formed with a rectangular bulge portion to create a space portion 28, As a result, the end portions of the series of ink flow paths are opened to the atmosphere.

  In the above configuration, when the ink sucked and discharged from the recording head is sent to the waste ink tank by driving the suction pump, the ink introduction formed in the second layer of the ink absorbing material 22b accommodated in the waste ink tank 13 is introduced. Ink is introduced into a series of ink flow paths formed in the first layer and second layer ink absorbers 22a and 22b via the portion 23. In this case, since the end portion of the ink flow path is open to the atmosphere, the ink sent into the ink flow path can flow into the ink flow path without resistance. The above-described series of ink flow paths are formed to be bent in a three-dimensional direction, and thus the introduced ink enters the ink flow paths, and enters each of the three layers of the ink absorbing materials 22a, 22b, and 22c. Each penetrates and is absorbed. As the ink solvent evaporates by natural drying, new waste ink is sequentially absorbed and held.

  The third layer ink absorbing material 22c functions as a lid for closing the flow paths 23b and 23d formed in the second layer ink absorbing material 22b from above, and also serves as an ink absorbing function. When the recording apparatus is used in a horizontal state under normal gravity, the third layer of ink absorbing material 22c is not necessarily required, but when the recording apparatus is used under gravity, Or, when used in a zero-gravity environment, it is possible to prevent the ink from spilling or floating.

  In particular, when the recording apparatus is used in a weightless state, the ink flow path is formed by bending in a three-dimensional direction, so that the ink floating in the ink flow path is not absorbed by any of the walls. It is absorbed by hitting.

  In the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the first to fourth ink flows are sequentially bent in the first layer and the second layer of the ink absorbing materials 22 a and 22 b. Although the paths 23a to 23d are configured, for example, the longitudinal direction of the ink flow path formed in the first ink absorbing material 22a and the longitudinal direction of the ink flow path formed in the second ink absorbing material 22b are in-plane. In order to form a conduction portion that communicates the ink flow path between the ink flow paths formed in the first ink absorbing material 22a and the second ink absorbing material 22b, that is, The series of ink flow paths may be configured to form an L shape in a planar shape.

  Next, FIG. 7 shows a second embodiment of the ink absorbing material. This ink absorbing material is composed of a first layer and a second layer of ink absorbing materials 22a and 22b, and the end of the second layer of ink absorbing material 22b is rectangular as in the first embodiment. A shaped ink introducing portion 25 is formed in a penetrating state. Then, a discharge pump end (tube end) 26 of the suction pump is inserted into and connected to the ink introduction part 25 via a holding member 27, as in the example shown in FIG. Yes.

  The first layer of the ink absorbing material 22a includes a first ink channel 31a extending in one direction from the ink introduction portion 25, and an end portion of the first ink channel orthogonal to the first ink channel. A second ink flow path 31b extending in the direction in which the second ink flow path extends, a third ink flow path 31c extending in a direction perpendicular to the second ink flow path at the end of the second ink flow path, and the third ink. A fourth ink channel 31d extending in a direction orthogonal to the third ink channel is formed at the end of the channel, and a series of ink channels are bent in a two-dimensional direction. The end portion of the fourth ink channel 31d is open to the atmosphere.

  In this configuration, when the recording apparatus is tilted and used under gravity, there is a problem in that the shape of the ink absorbing material 22a of the first layer may be deformed due to the weight of sucked ink. In the zero gravity environment, the above-mentioned action does not occur. Moreover, since it can be comprised by two layers of ink absorbers, a structure can be simplified.

  According to the waste ink tank mounted on the recording apparatus described above, even if the ink is placed on a horizontal surface under gravity and used, the ink sent by the suction pump is used for each part of the ink absorbing material along the ink flow path. Since the ink solidified material is locally accumulated and absorbed, the problem of clogging can be avoided, and it is possible to exhibit a stable function over a long period of time. An effect can be obtained.

〔The invention's effect〕
As is clear from the above description, according to the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention, the ink absorbing material housed in the waste ink tank has an ink flow path extending from the ink introduction portion. The ink introduced into the ink flow path penetrates into the ink absorbing material and is absorbed while entering the ink flow path. Then, when the ink solvent evaporates by natural drying, it acts to absorb and hold new waste ink sequentially. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the problem that the solidified ink accumulates locally and becomes clogged, and it is possible to exhibit a stable function over a long period of time.

  In addition, since the ink flow path is formed by bending in the three-dimensional direction in the ink absorbing material, for example, even if the recording apparatus is used in a weightless environment, the ink floating in the ink flow path is In this case, it hits the ink absorbing material and is absorbed, and can be reliably captured.

1 is a perspective view showing a basic configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied. It is sectional drawing which shows the example of the capping means mounted in the recording device shown in FIG. 1, and its peripheral device. FIG. 5 is a top view showing a waste ink tank as viewed from above. It is sectional drawing of the state which looked at the AA line in FIG. 3 in the arrow direction. It is the perspective view which isolate | separated and showed the structure of the three-layer ink absorption material laminated | stacked and accommodated in the waste ink tank. It is an expanded sectional view of the state which looked at the BB line in FIG. 4 in the arrow direction. It is the perspective view which isolate | separated and showed the other example of the ink absorber accommodated in a waste ink tank. It is sectional drawing which showed the example of the waste ink tank currently used for the conventional recording apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Carriage 6 Recording paper 7 Recording head 7a Nozzle formation surface 7b Nozzle opening 8 Black ink cartridge 9 Color ink cartridge 10 Capping means 11 Suction pump 12 Wiping member 13 Waste ink tank 14 Atmospheric release valve 21 Case member 22a-22c Ink absorption Material 23a to 23d Ink flow path 24a to 24c Conducting section 25 Ink introduction section 26 Suction pump discharge side end section 27 Holding member 28 Space section 31a to 31d Ink flow path

Claims (4)

An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: an ink jet recording head that discharges ink droplets from a nozzle opening; and a waste ink tank that stores an ink absorbing material that absorbs and holds ink discharged from the recording head.
The ink absorbing material housed in the waste ink tank is formed with an ink flow path bent from the ink introduction portion, and only the end portion of the ink flow channel is open to the atmosphere. An ink jet recording apparatus. 2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ink absorbing material includes at least two independent ink absorbing materials arranged in a laminated state. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ink flow path is formed by being bent in a two-dimensional direction or a three-dimensional direction. 4. The ink jet recording apparatus according to 3, wherein the ink flow path is bent at least twice or more in a two-dimensional direction or a three-dimensional direction.

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