JP2006224435A - Inkjet recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inkjet recording device constituted so that an effective cleaning of a recording head can be carried out. <P>SOLUTION: The inkjet recording device has a cleaning mode for the inkjet recording head which uses the pulsation generated by driving a tube pump 209 to cause a pressure change by the pulsation within the head while holding/controlling the maximum pressure during the pulsation to the maximum pressure or less for holding the meniscus on the head ejection surface, to vibrate the meniscus on the ejection surface, when the tube pump 209 is driven to forcedly supply ink from a sub-tank 203 to the recording head 1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus that performs recording by discharging ink from a recording unit to a recording member, and more specifically, an ejection port surface for removing foreign matters such as ink and dust adhering to the ejection port surface of the recording unit. The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus provided with a cleaning means.

  Recording devices having functions such as printers, copiers, facsimiles, etc., or recording devices (printing devices) used as output devices such as composite electronic devices and workstations including computers and word processors, An image (including characters and symbols) is recorded (printed or printed) on a recording member such as a cloth, a plastic sheet, or an OHP sheet.

  In a serial type recording apparatus that performs main scanning in a direction intersecting with a conveyance direction (sub-scanning direction) of a recording sheet (recording paper or the like) as a recording member, recording means mounted on a carriage that moves along the recording sheet (Recording head) performs recording (main scanning), and after recording for one line is completed, a predetermined amount of paper is fed (pitch transport), and then the recording of the next line is performed on the recording paper stopped again. By repeating this operation, recording of the entire recording member is performed.

  On the other hand, using a long recording head having a predetermined length in the width direction of a recording sheet as a recording member, a so-called line type (including a full line type) for recording only by sub-scanning in the recording sheet conveyance direction. In the recording apparatus, the recording sheet is set at a predetermined position, and after recording for one line (one line) at a time, the paper is fed at a predetermined pitch and the next line is recorded at once. By repeating the above, recording of the entire recording member is performed.

  In the above recording apparatus, an ink jet recording apparatus is used in which ink is ejected from a recording head as recording means and recording is performed on a recording sheet as a recording member. Ink jet recording heads used in this ink jet recording apparatus generally include fine discharge ports (orifices, nozzle ports), liquid passages communicating with the respective discharge ports, and discharge energy generating means disposed in a part of each liquid passage. Yes.

  As this energy generating means, one using an electromechanical converter such as a piezo element, one that heats the ink by irradiating and absorbing electromagnetic waves such as a laser, and the electrothermal conversion composed of a heating element such as a heating resistor. A device that heats ink by a body is known.

Among them, recording heads using electrothermal transducers are easy to downsize as a whole, and are sufficient for the advantages of IC technology and microfabrication technology that have made significant progress in technology and improved reliability in the recent semiconductor field. High density due to the full line type (or full multi type) in which a large number of discharge ports are formed in rows over the recording width for reasons such as being easy to make long and planar (two-dimensional). It has the advantage of being easy to mount. For example, the following Patent Document 1 is disclosed as a conventional technique such as capping with a full line head and idle discharge.
JP 2000-127362 A

  By the way, in an ink jet recording apparatus, recording is performed by ejecting ink droplets from a discharge port of a recording means to a recording member. Therefore, during recording operation, ink mist accompanying ink droplet flying or ink mist rebounding from the recording member is recorded. May adhere to and adhere to the discharge port surface (the surface on which the discharge port is disposed). If ink droplets, water droplets, etc. (its mist, etc.) generated during ink ejection, or dust, etc., adhere to and adhere to the ejection port surface, they may inhibit ink ejection or deflect the ejection direction. Image recording may be adversely affected. Therefore, in order to prevent such a situation, it is necessary to perform a cleaning operation for removing foreign matter such as ink and water or dust adhering to the discharge port surface.

  Normally, during this head cleaning operation, the recording head ejection surface is moistened by forced ink ejection by the ink supply means or by idle ejection (described later) to remove deposits (dust, paper dust, foreign matter, etc.). I do. In general, an ink pressurization operation / circulation operation (pressurization circulation recovery operation) or a suction operation (suction recovery operation) is performed for the purpose of removing bubbles remaining in the ink supply system. In such a case, by driving a pump provided in the ink path from the ink tank to the recording head, the ink in the tank is sent into the head liquid chamber. Alternatively, ink is sucked from the ink discharge port. During these ink pressurization / circulation operations or suction operations, a predetermined amount of ink is discharged from all the ejection ports of the recording head.

  Also, when ink is filled into the recording head, the pump is driven in the same manner, so that the ink from the tank is pumped, and the ink is filled into the liquid path while discharging the bubbles in the liquid path from the discharge port together with the ink. To do.

  In addition, the ink jet recording head is usually left with ink remaining in the recording head (in the liquid path, etc.) during non-recording. In view of this, a rubber-like elastic cap is provided to contact the discharge port surface of each recording head to seal the discharge port, and the discharge port is sealed by bonding (adhering) the cap and the discharge port surface during non-recording. At the same time, the interior of the cap is filled with ink vapor to obtain a saturated vapor pressure, thereby preventing ink evaporation in the ejection port and ink thickening.

  However, in the case of a low temperature environment or a long-term recording pause, the ink viscosity may increase even if the above-described capping is performed, and ink ejection failure or failure may occur during printing after the recording pause period. Stable discharge may occur. In order to solve this problem, there is a case where an ink pressurization operation (pressurization circulation recovery operation) is performed in which the ink is discharged from all the ejection ports by driving the pump and circulating the pressure as described above.

  Alternatively, when the ejection failure state is relatively minor, a so-called “empty ejection operation” may be performed in which the ejection energy generating means of the recording head is driven to eject ink from all ejection ports as during recording. . This idle discharge operation is also one of the recovery operations.

  In particular, when the above-described full-line type inkjet head is used, the number of ejection ports has increased dramatically in terms of ink pressurization / circulation and ink supply for recovery of ejection, etc., compared to the case of using a normal serial type head. Therefore, the amount of ink used during the cleaning operation is large because of its nature.

  This has led to an increase in running cost due to an increase in the amount of ink used during head cleaning, that is, ink consumed or discharged during cleaning. In addition, the fact that the cleaning operation must be minimized in order to reduce ink consumption requires a configuration for reducing the cleaning operation, resulting in increased complexity and size of the apparatus, and increased costs. It was.

  In such an ink supply system, when a tube pump is used as the drive source, there are various problems derived from the drive control.

  The present invention eliminates various problems derived from the ink supply system in a recording apparatus using an ink jet recording head as described above, thereby cleaning the ink jet recording head means, i.e., foreign matter adhering to the discharge port surface. The fixed ink can be wiped off reliably, and even when the wide discharge port surface is wiped off as in the case of a full line type recording means, the ink pressurizing means can be efficiently controlled to effectively An object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus configured to perform recording head cleaning.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention employs an ink jet recording apparatus as shown in the following (1).

  (1) In an ink jet recording apparatus that performs recording on a recording medium, an ink jet recording head for performing recording by discharging ink, an ink tank that stores ink for supplying ink to the ink jet recording head, and the ink In an ink jet recording apparatus having ink supply means for supplying ink from a tank to the ink jet recording head, the pressure applied by the ink supply means for supplying ink from the ink tank into the recording head is varied. Pressure changing means, pressure measuring means provided in an ink path in the ink jet recording head, and control means for controlling the pressing force. The meniscus held by the surface tension is changed to the generated ink pressure. Pm is the maximum meniscus holding pressure at which ink does not flow out from the ink discharge port, P0 is the minimum meniscus holding pressure at which no air is sucked from the ink discharge port, P1 is the minimum pressure in the path of the fluctuating pressure generated by the pressurizing means, When the maximum pressure in the path generated by the pressurizing means is P2, the pressure variation means controls the P1 and P2 so that the relationship of P0 ≦ P1 <P2 ≦ Pm is established, whereby the meniscus An ink jet recording apparatus having an ink jet recording head cleaning mode for generating vibration.

  That is, when the tube pump is driven to forcibly supply ink from the sub tank to the ink jet head, the pulsation caused by the tube pump is used to maintain the maximum pressure at the time of pulsation to maintain the meniscus on the head discharge surface. Holds and controls below the maximum pressure. As a result, a pressure change caused by pulsation is generated in the head while maintaining a state in which ink does not almost flow out from the recording head ejection port even when the pump is pressurized. As a result, the meniscus on the ejection surface vibrates. In this configuration, the foreign matter and dust attached to the ejection surface can be peeled off, and the adhered ink can be moistened.

  After this state, by entering a head cleaning operation (wiping operation of the head ejection surface, etc.), the head cleaning operation, that is, the ejection recovery process can be performed satisfactorily while suppressing the discharged ink. A head recovery mode having a “mode” is provided.

  By providing a cleaning device that efficiently removes foreign matter such as ink adhering to the ink ejection surface by these configurations and the head recovery mode, the amount of ink consumption can be remarkably reduced, and at the same time, the above object can be more effectively achieved. Can be achieved.

[Action]
According to the above configuration, when the ink is forcibly sent from the tank to the ink jet recording head using the tube pump, the pressure pulsation by the tube pump acts as a pressure fluctuation in the ink jet head, thereby causing meniscus vibration on the head discharge surface. As a result, it is possible to minimize the outflow of ink on the ink discharge surface to the outside of the head, and at the same time, the ink head face surface can be moistened and foreign matter can be removed. Can be efficient.

  According to the present invention, when the tube pump is driven and ink is forcibly supplied from the sub tank to the ink jet head, the pulsation caused by the tube pump is used, and the maximum pressure at the time of the pulsation is obtained by using the meniscus on the head discharge surface. While maintaining and controlling below the maximum pressure for holding, pressure change caused by pulsation in the head, resulting in vibration of the meniscus on the discharge surface, thereby peeling off foreign matter and dust attached to the discharge surface Further, the fixed ink can be moistened, and the head cleaning operation, that is, the ejection recovery process can be satisfactorily performed while suppressing the discharged ink by entering the head cleaning operation after passing through this state.

  As a result, it is possible to provide an ink jet recording apparatus having an ink supply system capable of supplying good ink.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the same reference numerals denote the same or corresponding parts throughout the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing an embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus suitable for applying the present invention. In FIG. 1, 1 is a recording head as recording means, 3 is a cap for covering the discharge port surface of the recording head 1, 7 is a recording sheet cassette containing recording sheets such as recording paper as recording members, and 8 is Pickup rollers (paper feed rollers) for feeding the recording sheets in the recording sheet cassette one by one, and 9, a pair of conveying rollers comprising a pair of rollers for conveying (paper feeding) the sent recording sheets, 11 , 12 is a registration roller pair for aligning the recording sheet conveyed to the recording unit, 14 and 15 are conveyance guides for guiding the conveyed recording sheet, and 16 is a discharged recording sheet. A paper discharge tray for holding, 17 a paper discharge flap, 18 a paper discharge roller, 19 a sensor for detecting the position of the recording head, and 20 an upper side of the recording head 1 A rack gear for moving in a direction.

  In FIG. 1, a recording sheet (recording paper) P as a recording member stored in a paper feeding unit 101 (the recording sheet cassette 7) is sent out toward the belt conveying unit 102 by a pickup roller 8 when necessary. When the fed recording sheet passes through the belt conveyance unit 102, an image (including characters and symbols) is recorded on the recording sheet P by the recording head unit 103. The recorded recording sheet P is discharged to the paper discharge tray 16 through the paper discharge unit 105. In this embodiment, each recording head 1 constituting the recording head unit 103 is constituted by a full-line type recording unit capable of forming an image in the width direction of the recording member P substantially simultaneously.

  Reference numeral 104 denotes a cap portion (recovery cap portion) for contacting the ejection port surface 2 (FIG. 2) of each recording head 1 of the recording head unit 103 to cover the ejection port. In the illustrated example, the cap unit 104 includes a plurality (four) of caps 3C, 3M, 3Y, corresponding to each of a plurality (four) of recording heads 1C, 1M, 1Y, and 1BK that use different inks. 3BK is arranged.

  In the present invention, members having different types of ink (ink color, etc.) that are a plurality of members of the same type are displayed by adding numerals to the numbers such as 1C, 1M, 1Y, and 1BK. However, when referring to the whole or any one of the plurality of members of the same kind, the reference numerals are omitted, and only numbers are displayed.

  The cap portion 104 is a protection that keeps the recording head 1 in a recordable state by preventing the ink evaporation (ink thickening) in the discharge port by sealing the discharge port 1111 with the cap 3 made of a rubber-like elastic body. It has a function. FIG. 1 shows a state during a recording operation, and each cap 3 (cap portion 104) that constitutes a part of a recovery device for maintaining and recovering the ink ejection performance of each recording head 1 corresponds to each recording head 1 (recording head portion). 103).

  The recording head 1 as a recording means is an ink jet recording means for ejecting ink using thermal energy, and is provided with an electrothermal transducer for generating thermal energy. Further, the recording head 1 uses the pressure change (state change) generated by bubble growth and contraction due to film boiling caused by thermal energy applied by the electrothermal transducer to cause ink to be ejected from the ejection port. Is to do.

  Although not directly related to the configuration of the present invention, as an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention can be applied, recently, it is a kind of ink jet recording means using the above-mentioned electrothermal transducer and is produced. For example, JP-A-4-10940, JP-A-4-10941, JP-A-4-10742 discloses a method in which air bubbles communicate with the outside air in the vicinity of the ejection port before the ink droplet leaves the ejection port. Known in publications and the like.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of an ink supply system and a pressurized circulation recovery system of an ink jet recording apparatus suitable for applying the present invention, and FIG. 7 is an ink jet recording apparatus suitable for applying the present invention. It is a fragmentary perspective view which shows a partially broken internal structure of the recording means. These configurations relate to a full-line type recording head capable of performing image formation in the width direction of a recording member substantially simultaneously. First, referring to these drawings, a long full-line type ink jet An ink supply operation and an ink pressurization operation (pressurization circulation operation) for the recording head 1 will be described. In FIG. 7, 1 is a full-line type ink jet recording head, 1111 is a plurality of ejection ports formed in a predetermined arrangement on the ejection port surface 2 of the recording head 1, and 1108 is formed in the recording head. This is a common liquid chamber that leads to the outlet 1111. On the discharge port surface 2, there is formed a discharge port array composed of a large number of discharge ports 1111 arranged over a range corresponding to the recordable width of the target recording member. According to such a line type recording means, the electrothermal transducer 1103 disposed in the liquid passage leading to each ejection port 1111 is selectively driven based on image information to eject ink, and the recording head uses Recording can be performed without main scanning.

  2A and 2B are schematic views showing an ink supply system provided in the above-described ink jet recording apparatus.

  The ink supply system of the present embodiment includes a sub tank 203 and buffer tanks 205 and 207 between the ink cartridges 201 for each color and the ink jet recording head 1. Ink supply in this system is basically performed by tube pumps 209 and 211. Due to the pressure difference caused by the pressure difference and the water head difference between the elements. Of course, the sub tank 203, the buffer tanks 205 and 207, the tube pumps 209 and 211, and the like shown in FIG. 2 are provided for each ink as in the inkjet head 1 and the ink cartridge 201. That is, the ink supply system shown in FIG. 2 is provided for each color ink.

  Hereinafter, main ink supply modes in the ink supply system of this embodiment will be described.

  2A, first, ink is supplied from the ink cartridge 201 to the sub tank 203, and the liquid level in the sub tank 203 is changed to the reference liquid level S.P. The ink supply mode maintained at L will be described. In this mode, the solenoid 227 is driven to close the atmospheric communication port 203A of the sub tank 203 with the stopper 225, and the tube is crushed and closed with the roller of the tube pump 211. In this state, the tube pump 209 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction (CCW), and an ink flow from the left side of the pump to the right side in the drawing is generated, whereby the inside of the buffer tank 205 is set to a negative pressure. At this time, ink does not flow from the head side through the supply path 237 by the check valve 219, but ink flows from only the ink tank cartridge 201 into the buffer tank 205 through the supply path 231 in which the check valve 217 is in the forward direction. To do. When the ink level reaches the pipe 205 </ b> A in the buffer tank 205 due to this ink inflow, it flows into the sub tank 203 via the supply path 233. By this ink inflow, the ink liquid level in the sub tank is changed to the reference liquid level S.P. When the ink level reaches L, the ink flows into the cartridge 201 via the supply path 235 even if there is more ink inflow. L will be maintained.

  That is, this ink replenishment mode is performed by driving the tube pump 209 for a fixed time at an appropriate timing other than during the printing operation in which ink is ejected from the head 1, and the printer control unit performs this driving timing and driving time. It is possible to maintain the reference liquid level in the sub tank only by controlling. This reference liquid level S.I. L is in the range of an appropriate water head with respect to the head 1, whereby ink can be favorably supplied when ink is ejected.

  The sensor 223 provided in the sub tank 203 is for detecting the presence or absence of ink. As described above, the sensor 223 does not detect the presence of ink even though the tube pump 209 is driven for a certain period of time. In this case, it is used to know that the ink in the cartridge tank 201 has run out.

  Next, an ink supply mode when ejecting ink in the inkjet head 1 will be described.

  In this mode, the atmosphere communication port 203A of the sub tank 203 is opened, and the tube pumps 209 and 211 are in a state in which the tube is not crushed by the rollers, that is, a so-called through state. When ejection is performed with the ink jet head 1 in this state, the ink in the sub tank 203 is supplied to the head 1 via the two supply paths 233, 237 and 241, 239 due to the water head difference between the sub tank 203 and the head. .

  The third mode is a bubble-removed ink circulation supply mode that is performed as one of the ejection recovery processes of the inkjet head 1. In this mode, the atmosphere communication port 203A of the sub tank 203 is opened, and the two tube pumps 209 and 211 are rotated so that ink flows in the clockwise direction (CW direction), that is, from the right to the left in the drawing. As a result, ink flows from the sub tank 203 to the head 1 via the supply paths 233 and 237 and ink flows from the head 1 to the sub tank 203 via the supply paths 239 and 241. In this mode, bubbles mainly accumulated in the head 1 that are generated when printing is continuously performed are collected in the sub tank 203 together with ink, and finally discharged into the atmosphere via the atmosphere communication port 203A. This is a recovery mode provided for the purpose.

  Normally, a meniscus is formed at the ink discharge port provided on the recording head discharge surface by the surface tension of the ink. For this reason, there is a region where ink does not flow out in a certain atmospheric pressure state. In general, it is considered that it is suitable to set the pressure of the pump so that the allowable pressure at this time is about 0 mmAqua to +50 mmAqua, if it is expressed as a water head difference.

  Similarly, even when a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure, that is, a negative pressure state, a meniscus is similarly formed by the surface tension of the ink at the ink discharge port, so that this meniscus is maintained under a certain negative pressure. There is a region where the state is not destroyed, and thus air and bubbles are not sucked from the atmosphere from the ink discharge port.

  During the recording and printing described above, the pressure in the head 1 is desirably maintained at a pressure slightly lower than the atmospheric pressure, that is, in a negative pressure state. This is for preventing the ink from leaking from the ink discharge port during printing or standby. Generally, the negative pressure at the time of printing is considered to be about −40 mmAqua to −150 mmAqua in terms of the water head difference.

  Further, in the above-described bubble removal ink circulation supply mode, the pressure in the head 1 is desirably maintained at a pressure slightly higher than the atmospheric pressure. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the ink from leaking out through the ink discharge port during ink circulation as much as possible. However, in order to move the bubbles staying in the liquid chamber out of the head, the outflow of ink from the ink discharge port cannot be avoided.

  Since the ink supply system of this embodiment uses a tube pump as the supply power, pressure fluctuations, so-called pressure pulsations, occur due to the properties of the tube pump. In the normal circulation mode, since the phase synchronization control of the two tube pumps 209 and 211 is not performed, the pressure in the head during normal ink circulation appears as a pressure fluctuation due to pulsation.

  In the bubble removal ink circulation supply mode, in order to avoid the outflow of ink from the discharge port due to the influence of this pressure fluctuation, in this embodiment, as described above, the buffer tanks 205 and 207 are connected to the head and the tube pump 209 and By providing them between the two, the pulsation caused by each tube pump is absorbed by the air layer existing in these buffer tanks, thereby maintaining the head internal pressure during ink circulation at an appropriate constant value. ing.

  The fourth mode is an ink pulsation circulation supply mode that is performed as one of the discharge recovery processes of the light inkjet head 1. FIG. 2B shows a supply path in this mode.

  In this mode, the atmosphere communication port 203A of the sub tank 203 is opened, and the flow path switching valve 303 provided on the downstream side (left side in the figure) of the tube pump 209 and the upstream side (head side) of the tube pump 211 are provided. The flow path switching valve 304 is switched to the ink paths 351 and 352 not through the buffer tanks 205 and 207. Check valves 353, 354, and 355 are provided in each ink path. In this state, the two tube pumps 209 and 211 are rotated so that ink flows in the clockwise direction (CW direction), that is, from the right to the left in the drawing. As a result, ink flows from the sub tank 203 via the supply paths 351 and 237 to the head 1 without passing through the buffer tank 205, and enters the sub tank 203 from the head 1 via the supply paths 239 and 352 without passing through the buffer tank 207. Ink flows.

  Reference numeral 305 denotes a pump control unit that controls the phase, rotation speed, rotation direction, and the like of the two tube pumps 209 and 211.

  The control unit 305 controls the pumps 209 and 211 from the detection values of the pressure sensors 301 and 302 provided in the ink paths 237 and 239, respectively.

  The state of the pressure fluctuation value in the ink path in the head obtained by the sensors 301 and 302 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 8A is a graph showing fluctuations in the pressure P generated by the tube pumps 209 and 211.

  In this figure, the graph line (1) shows the pressure fluctuation value generated by the tube pump 209, and the graph line (2) shows the pressure fluctuation value generated by the tube pump 211 in the same manner.

  The pressure value generated by the tube pump is generally a value represented by the graph lines (1) and (2).

  As in this embodiment, the pressure in the liquid chamber when a plurality of pumps are used is the combined value of these waveforms (graph line (3)) becomes the actual pressure fluctuation value in the liquid chamber. The minimum pressure of the composite value generated at this time is P1, and the maximum pressure is P2.

  On the other hand, FIG. 8B is an explanatory diagram showing the concept of the ink meniscus formed on the head ejection surface by the ink surface tension as described above with respect to pressure.

  During normal head standby and printing, the pressure in the head liquid chamber is maintained in a negative pressure state in order to prevent ink leakage from the ejection port as described above.

  FIG. 8B1 shows a meniscus state by the ink formed at the head discharge port under the negative pressure state. As shown in the figure, under negative pressure, the meniscus m1 due to ink is formed and maintained concavely with respect to the head ejection opening.

  Similarly, the meniscus state under positive pressure is convex, that is, the m2 state in FIG. 8 (b2).

  As described above, these states change due to pressure fluctuations in the ink head. If these meniscus states are within the above meniscus holding pressure maximum pressure Pm and minimum pressure P0, the meniscus is not destroyed, 8 (a) Change between 1 and 2, the meniscus vibrates.

  That is, the maximum pressure composite value P2 generated by the tube pumps 209 and 211 is controlled to be equal to or less than the meniscus holding maximum pressure value Pm, and the minimum pressure composite value generated by the tube pumps 209 and 211 is P0. By controlling as described above, the meniscus formed at the head discharge port vibrates and is maintained without being destroyed.

  Specific control of these tube pumps is as follows. When there are two pumps as in this embodiment, the pump phase is synchronized and the pump pressure is adjusted, or the pump speed is controlled in a pseudo manner. Therefore, it becomes relatively easy to control.

  By the way, the meniscus formed at the head discharge port removes dust, paper dust and the like attached to the head discharge surface by meniscus vibration due to the pressure fluctuation generated by the tube pump as described above, or discharges by meniscus vibration. The ink formed in a convex shape from the outlet enables the head discharge surface to be wetted, and it is very useful for removing ink that is attached in normal printing, lightly fixed ink, and bubbles that are generated and remain near the discharge port. It works effectively.

  Therefore, by executing these series of ink pulsation circulation supply modes, ink pressure is applied while maintaining the meniscus, and wasteful ink consumption can be prevented.

  In this embodiment, the pressure sensors 301 and 302 are provided in the flow path to the head. The purpose of the pressure sensors 301 and 302 is to control pressure fluctuations generated by the tube pump as described above. Therefore, it may be provided in the head, and the number of installations may be two as in the present embodiment or may be one. Further, if the pressure loss in the ink path and the characteristics of the tube pump are known in advance, a configuration without a sensor is naturally possible.

  Further, in this embodiment, an example in which two tube pumps are used for pressure fluctuation control is shown, but it is of course possible to control the pressure fluctuation value with one tube pump. Also in this case, it goes without saying that the object of the present invention can be achieved by controlling the pump rotation speed and pump pressure as the control method.

  This ink pulsation circulation supply mode is a so-called print bubble generated near the discharge port of the head 1 that is generated when normal printing is continuously performed, dust, paper dust or an increase in the amount attached to the head discharge surface by printing. This mode is used to remove sticky attached ink, etc., and eliminates unnecessary ink outflow and provides sufficient head recovery capability in a short time compared to the bubble-removed ink circulation supply mode as described above. This is a mode that is selected as a mode that is provided before normal printing, after printing, or at regular time intervals.

  This operation is a recovery mode in which dust attached to the recording head ejection surface can be removed efficiently.

  Further, as the fifth ink supply mode, there is a supply mode at the time of pressure recovery performed as one of the discharge recovery processes, as described above. In this mode, the atmosphere communication port 203A is opened, and the tube pump 211 is in a state where the tube is crushed by the roller. In this state, when the tube pump 209 is driven so that ink flows in the clockwise direction (C.W direction), that is, from the right to the left in the drawing, the ink is supplied from the sub tank 203 to the head 1 via the supply paths 233 and 237. Is done. The pressure in the head at the time of supply is larger than that in the above-described ink circulation because the ink path of the tube pump 211 portion is closed, so that the ink in the head is forced to the cap 3 via the ejection port. Are exhausted. Accompanying this discharge, the thickened ink in the head can be discharged.

  Although this recovery mode is very effective as a recovery capability, it consumes a large amount of ink and is not used during normal printing. This mode is for removing the foreign matter and the fixed ink.

  Furthermore, a mode which is provided as a simpler recovery mode is so-called preliminary discharge (idle discharge) which is performed as one of the above-described discharged ink and discharge recovery processing. Preliminary ejection is a mode in which the head recovery operation is performed by ejecting ink into the cap 3 as an ink receiver by generating ejection energy as in normal printing. Similarly, the ink discharged into the cap is guided to the waste ink storage part of the ink cartridge 201 through the supply path 243 by the tube pump 213.

  Next, the tube pump used in the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a front view showing details of the tube pump 209 (211) used in the ink supply system shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, in the tube pump of this embodiment, a semicircular recess is formed in the tube presser 212 constituting the support member, and the tube 245 is disposed along the semicircular portion. A roller rotating portion having the rotation shaft is disposed at a position offset from the center of the semicircle. Pressure rollers 209A, 209B, 209C, and 209D are provided in the roller rotating portion (other elements are not shown), and each roller pushes the tube 245 by the rotation of the roller rotating portion, before and after the lowest point in the figure The tube is crushed in the range of about 65 °.

  On the other hand, the tube presser 212 is pressed against the cam 218 by the spring 216 and is in the state shown in FIG. 6, but when the tube 245 is in a non-pressed state, so-called through state, the cam 218 is rotated, The shaft 220 is turned to the tube to the left in the figure with the fulcrum as a fulcrum.

  The state of pressing the tube can be changed according to the phase state (stop position) of the cam, and the pressure generated by the pump can be controlled.

  According to the structure of the guide of this embodiment, the guide 210 only restrains the tube 245 in the vicinity of the pressing portion other than the portion where the pressing rollers 209 </ b> A to 209 </ b> D press the tube 245. As described above, according to the present embodiment, there is no guide at the portion where the pressure rollers 209A to 209D act, so that there is no possibility of cutting or the like even if a large tube shakes as described above.

  Next, the recording head cleaning mechanism used in this embodiment will be described.

  The head cleaning mechanism and operation described below are generally operated after the operation in the ink supply mode described above. These are collectively referred to as a recording head cleaning operation or a recording head recovery operation. Sometimes.

  The recording head cleaning operation is effectively performed by operating and combining the recording head cleaning mechanism described below, for example, after the bubble removal ink circulation supply mode or the ink pulsation circulation supply mode described above. I can do it.

  Of course, it is also possible to operate only this recording head cleaning operation.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing a capping state of the recording means and the ejection port surface cleaning device of the first embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 4 is a recording means and ejection port surface cleaning of FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a cap separation / retraction state of the apparatus, and FIG. 5 is a schematic side view illustrating a state when the discharge port surface of the recording unit is wiped by the discharge port surface cleaning device.

  In FIG. 3, the inkjet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment uses a plurality (four) of recording heads 1C, 1M, 1Y, and 1BK that use inks of different colors. These recording heads use cyan, magenta, yellow and black inks. In addition, these recording heads are positioned and fixed with respect to the head holder 4 with high accuracy, and the parallelism of each recording head, the distance between the heads, and the like are ensured within desired accuracy (within tolerance).

  As described with reference to FIG. 1, after recording on the recording sheet P as a recording member, or for the purpose of forcibly discharging ink from the ejection port 1111 to eliminate clogging of the recording head, an ink pressurizing operation or an idle ejection operation, etc. Later, when a command signal for the discharge port surface cleaning operation is sent from the controller of the printing apparatus, if the capping state is as shown in FIG. 3, the state is changed to the cap separation / retraction state as shown in FIG. Migrated. The transition to the cap separation / retraction state is achieved by moving the head holder 4 upward along the vertical guide 25 by driving the motor 24 to raise the recording head 1 and then moving the cap 3 horizontally by a predetermined distance. This is done by moving. In the cap separation / retraction state of FIG. 5, a series of discharge port surface cleaning operations are performed by operating the discharge port surface cleaning device.

  In FIG. 5, reference numeral 54 denotes an ink absorbing member for wiping and absorbing foreign matters such as ink adhering to the discharge port surface 2. In this embodiment, it is formed of a rotatable roller-like porous absorber (ink absorber roller). As the material of the ink absorbing member 54, for example, a material excellent in water absorption such as a hydrophilic porous polyurethane resin or a hydrophilic porous polyethylene resin is suitable.

  Reference numerals 50 and 51 denote wiping members (wipers) for sweeping and removing foreign matters such as ink and dust adhering to the discharge port surface 2, each of which is composed of a plate-like rubber-like elastic body. As a material of the wiping member, for example, an elastic material (rubber-like elastic material) such as urethane resin is suitable. In this embodiment, a configuration using two wiping members 50 and 51 for each recording head 1 is employed. In particular, in a long head such as the full-line type recording head 1, in order to improve the wiping effect, the ink on the entire discharge port surface is wiped by the preceding first wiper 50 and discharged by the subsequent wiper 51. It is preferable to wipe the portion of the outlet (discharge port array).

  In FIG. 5, reference numeral 52 denotes a wiper holder to which an ink absorbing member 54 and wiping members 50 and 51 are attached. The wiper holder 52 is configured to be movable on the rail 53 along the discharge port array direction (discharge port array direction) of the discharge port surface 2 by a drive source (not shown). When the wiper holder 52 moves to a position where the wiper holder 52 faces the discharge port surface 2, the rail 53 has a constant intrusion amount (overlap amount) between the ink absorbing member 54 and the wiping members 50 and 51 with respect to the discharge port surface 2. And it is comprised so that it may move with a contact pressure (contact pressure). In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, a roller-shaped ink absorbing member (ink absorber roller) 54 attached via the swing arm 42 is interposed between the wiper holder 52 and the roller-shaped ink absorbing member 54. It is attached via an elastic member (compression spring) 41 so as to be able to be pressed down, and is configured to obtain a pressing force against the discharge port surface 2 by a spring compression force (elastic force). In this way, the ink absorbing member 54 and the wiping members 50 and 51 are moved along the discharge port surface 2 in the arrangement direction of the plurality of discharge ports, so that foreign matters such as ink adhering to the discharge port surface 2 are removed. It is configured.

  The positional relationship between the ink-absorbing member 54 and the wiping members 50 and 51 and the ejection port surface 2 when wiping the ejection port surface 2 is as shown in FIG. In this embodiment, in the cleaning device for wiping the ejection port surface 2, when the ejection port surface 2 is wiped by the ink absorbing member 54 and the wiping members 50 and 51, the ink absorbing member is moved in advance of the wiping member. It is configured.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the surface of the ink absorbing member is in contact with the discharge port surface with a constant penetration amount DR, and a contact surface (nip portion) is formed between the surface of the ink absorbing member and the discharge port surface. ) Is formed so as to be in a position where contact and movement can be accurately performed. On the other hand, the wiping members 50 and 51 are in contact with the discharge port surface with a constant intrusion amount (overlap amount) DW, and the tip edge portion or the edge vicinity surface of each wiping member is bent, whereby the wiping member As shown in FIG. 5, the edge portions 50a and 51a are arranged so as to be in a position where they can accurately move in contact with the discharge port surface 2.

  FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of an ink supply system according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, 1655 is a sub tank (ink supply tank) for supplying ink to the recording head 1, 1656 is a main tank for replenishing ink to the sub tank 1655, and 1659 is from a tube pump for supplying ink. This is a recovery pump. Reference numeral 1107 denotes an ink supply pipe for supplying ink from the sub tank 1655 to the common liquid chamber 1108 of the recording head 1, and reference numeral 1662 denotes an electromagnetic valve provided in the ink supply pipe 1107. When the sub tank 1655 is replenished with ink, the tube pump 1659 is driven so that the ink can be fed into the sub tank 1655 from the main tank 1656 through the one-way replenishment rectifying valve 1658. The sub tank 1655 is provided with an air vent valve 1663.

  In the ink supply system and the discharge recovery system configured as described above, at the time of the recording operation, the electromagnetic valve 1662 is opened, and the ink in the sub tank 1655 is supplied to the common liquid chamber 1108 of the recording head 1 due to the water head difference. The ink in the common liquid chamber 1108 is guided to each ejection port 1111 through the liquid path).

  The present embodiment is an example in which the ink pulsation circulation supply mode performed as one of the discharge recovery processing of the light inkjet head 1 described in the first embodiment is applied to the ink supply system.

  In FIG. 9, reference numeral 1660 denotes a one-way recovery rectifying valve used at the time of ink pressurization operation (pressure circulation recovery operation) for recovering the recording head 1, and 1661 denotes a common liquid chamber 1108 of the recording head 1 from the sub tank 1655. It is a circulation pipe leading to. The recovery rectifying valve 1660 is provided between the recovery pump 1659 of the circulation pipe 1661 and the recording head 1.

  Similar to the description in the first embodiment, the recovery tube pump 1659 is opened with the recovery rectifying valve 1660 and the electromagnetic valve 1662 open during the ink pulsation circulation supply operation performed for the purpose of cleaning the recording head ejection surface 2. , The ink in the sub tank 1655 is sent to the common liquid chamber 1108 through the circulation pipe 1661, and the ink in the common liquid chamber 1108 is further circulated into the sub tank (ink supply tank) 1655 through the ink supply pipe 1107. .

  Reference numeral 1701 denotes a pump control unit that controls the rotation speed, rotation direction, and the like of the tube pump 1659.

  The controller 1701 controls the tube pump 1659 from the detection value of the pressure sensor 1702 provided in the ink path 1661.

  The state of the pressure fluctuation value in the ink path in the head obtained by the sensor 1702 is as described in the first embodiment.

  As in this embodiment, the pressure in the liquid chamber when the tube pump is used is generated as a pressure fluctuation value by the tube pump.

  The minimum pressure generated at this time is P1, and the maximum pressure is P2.

  During normal head standby and printing, the pressure in the head liquid chamber is maintained at a negative pressure in order to prevent ink leakage from the ejection port as described in the first embodiment.

  The figure showing the meniscus state by the ink formed at the head discharge port under the negative pressure state is the above-described FIG. 8B. As shown in the figure, under negative pressure, the meniscus due to ink is formed concavely with respect to the head ejection opening.

  Similarly, the meniscus state under positive pressure is convex, that is, the state shown in FIG.

  As described above, these states change due to pressure fluctuations in the ink head. If these meniscus states are within the above meniscus holding pressure maximum pressure Pm and minimum pressure P0, the meniscus is not destroyed, 8 (a) Change between 1 and 2, the meniscus vibrates.

  That is, the maximum value P2 of the pressure generated by the tube pump 1659 is controlled to be equal to or less than the meniscus holding maximum pressure value Pm, and the minimum value of the pressure value generated by the tube pump 1659 is controlled to be P0 or more. The meniscus formed at the head discharge port vibrates and is maintained without breaking.

  When the tube pump is used as in this embodiment, the specific control of these tube pumps can be controlled relatively easily by controlling the rotation of the pump and adjusting the pressure applied to the pump.

  By the way, the meniscus formed at the head discharge port removes dust, paper dust and the like attached to the head discharge surface by meniscus vibration due to the pressure fluctuation generated by the tube pump as described above, or discharges by meniscus vibration. The ink formed in a convex shape from the outlet enables the head discharge surface to be wetted, and it is very useful for removing ink that is attached in normal printing, lightly fixed ink, and bubbles that are generated and remain near the discharge port. It works effectively.

  Therefore, by executing these series of ink pulsation circulation supply modes, ink pressure is applied while maintaining the meniscus, and wasteful ink consumption can be prevented.

  In this embodiment, the pressure sensor 1702 is provided in the flow path to the head. The purpose is to control pressure fluctuations generated by the tube pump as described above. Therefore, it may be provided in the head, and the number of installations may be one as in this embodiment, or may be a plurality. Further, if the pressure loss in the ink path and the characteristics of the tube pump are known in advance, a configuration without a sensor is naturally possible.

  In this embodiment, an example in which one tube pump is used for pressure fluctuation control is shown. However, the pressure fluctuation value is controlled by a configuration provided with a plurality of tube pumps capable of more precise pressure fluctuation control. Of course it is possible to do. In this case as well, it goes without saying that the object of the present invention can be achieved by controlling the pump rotation speed, phase control, and pump pressure as the control method.

  This ink pulsation circulation supply mode is a so-called print bubble generated near the discharge port of the head 1 that is generated when normal printing is continuously performed, dust, paper dust or an increase in the amount attached to the head discharge surface by printing. This mode is used to remove sticky ink, etc., and eliminates unnecessary ink outflow compared to the normal bubble-removing ink circulation supply mode and pressure circulation mode. This mode is provided as a mode having recovery capability, and is selected before normal printing, after printing, or at regular time intervals.

  This operation is a recovery mode in which dust attached to the recording head ejection surface can be removed efficiently.

(Related technology)
The present invention includes a means for generating thermal energy (for example, an electrothermal converter, laser light, etc.) as energy used for ejecting ink, particularly in the ink jet recording system, and the ink is generated by the thermal energy. In the recording head of the type that causes the state change, the ink jet recording apparatus as described above, and the like are brought about excellent effects. This is because such a system can achieve higher recording density and higher definition.

  As for the typical configuration and principle, for example, those performed using the basic principle disclosed in US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740,796 are preferable. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and the continuous type. In particular, in the case of the on-demand type, it is arranged corresponding to the sheet or liquid path holding the liquid (ink). By applying at least one drive signal corresponding to the recorded information and giving a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling to the electrothermal transducer, the thermal energy is generated in the electrothermal transducer, and the recording head This is effective because film boiling occurs on the heat acting surface of the liquid and, as a result, bubbles in the liquid (ink) corresponding to the drive signal on a one-to-one basis can be formed. By the growth and contraction of the bubbles, liquid (ink) is ejected through the ejection opening to form at least one droplet. It is more preferable that the drive signal has a pulse shape, since the bubble growth and contraction is performed immediately and appropriately, and thus it is possible to achieve discharge of a liquid (ink) having particularly excellent responsiveness. As this pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable. Further excellent recording can be performed by employing the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 of the invention relating to the temperature rise rate of the heat acting surface.

  As the configuration of the recording head, in addition to the combination configuration (straight liquid channel or right-angle liquid channel) of the discharge port, the liquid channel, and the electrothermal transducer as disclosed in each of the above-mentioned specifications, the heat acting part The configurations using US Pat. No. 4,558,333 and US Pat. No. 4,459,600, which disclose the configuration in which the lens is disposed in the bending region, are also included in the present invention. In addition, for a plurality of electrothermal transducers, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 59-123670 that discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of the electrothermal transducer or an aperture that absorbs pressure waves of thermal energy is provided. The effect of the present invention is also effective as a configuration based on Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-138461 which discloses a configuration corresponding to the discharge unit. That is, whatever the form of the recording head is, according to the present invention, recording can be performed reliably and efficiently.

  Furthermore, the present invention can be effectively applied to a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the maximum width of a recording medium that can be recorded by the recording apparatus as in the above-described embodiment. As such a recording head, either a configuration satisfying the length by a combination of a plurality of recording heads or a configuration as a single recording head formed integrally may be used.

  In addition, even a serial type can be replaced with a recording head that is fixed to the main body of the apparatus, or can be electrically connected to the main body of the apparatus and supplied with ink from the main body of the apparatus. The present invention is also effective when a chip type recording head or a cartridge type recording head in which an ink tank is integrally provided in the recording head itself is used.

  Further, as described in the above embodiment, as the configuration of the recording apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable to add the discharge recovery means of the recording head, preliminary auxiliary means, etc., because the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. It is. Specifically, heating is performed using a capping unit, a cleaning unit, a pressurizing or suction unit, an electrothermal transducer, a heating element different from this, or a combination thereof. Examples thereof include a preliminary heating means for performing and a preliminary ejection (empty ejection) means for performing ejection different from recording.

  Also, regarding the type or number of recording heads to be mounted, for example, a plurality of recording heads are provided corresponding to a plurality of inks having different recording colors and densities, in addition to one provided corresponding to a single color ink. May be used. That is, for example, the recording mode of the recording apparatus is not limited to the recording mode of only the mainstream color such as black, but the recording apparatus head may be formed integrally or by a combination of a plurality of different colors. The present invention is also extremely effective for an apparatus having at least one of full color recording modes by color mixing.

  In addition, in the embodiments of the present invention described above, the ink is described as a liquid. However, ink that is solidified at room temperature or lower and that softens or liquefies at room temperature may be used. In the ink jet method, the temperature of the ink itself is generally adjusted within a range of 30 ° C. or higher and 70 ° C. or lower to control the temperature of the ink so that it is in the stable discharge range. A liquid material may be used. In addition, it is solidified and heated in an untreated state in order to actively prevent the temperature rise caused by thermal energy from being used as the energy for changing the state of the ink from the solid state to the liquid state, or to prevent the ink from evaporating. You may use the ink which liquefies by. In any case, by applying thermal energy according to the application of thermal energy according to the recording signal, the ink is liquefied and liquid ink is ejected, or when it reaches the recording medium, it already starts to solidify. The present invention can also be applied to the case of using ink having the property of being liquefied for the first time. The ink in such a case is in a state of being held as a liquid or a solid in a porous sheet recess or through-hole as described in JP-A-54-56847 or JP-A-60-71260. Alternatively, the electrothermal converter may be opposed to the electrothermal converter. In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-described inks is to execute the above-described film boiling method.

  In addition, the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention may be used as an image output terminal of an information processing apparatus such as a computer, a copying apparatus combined with a reader, or a facsimile apparatus having a transmission / reception function. The thing etc. may be sufficient.

1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing an embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus suitable for applying the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of an ink supply system and a pressurized circulation recovery system of an ink jet recording apparatus suitable for applying the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing a capping state of the recording means and the discharge port surface cleaning device of the first embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a cap separating and retracting state of the recording unit and the discharge port surface cleaning device of FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a schematic side view illustrating a state when the discharge port surface of the recording unit is wiped by the discharge port surface cleaning device of FIG. 4. It is a detailed view of a tube pump suitable for applying the present invention. 1 is a partial perspective view showing a partially broken internal structure of a recording unit of an ink jet recording apparatus suitable for applying the present invention. (A), (b) It is explanatory drawing explaining the pressure fluctuation value in the ink path | route in a head by this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows 2nd Example of schematic structure of the ink supply system and pressurization circulation recovery system of an inkjet recording device suitable for applying this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Recording means (recording head)
2 Discharge port surface 3 Cap 4 Head holder 8 Pickup roller (paper feed roller)
18 Paper discharge roller 24 Motor 25 Vertical guide 41 Elastic member (compression spring)
42 Swing arm 50, 51 Wiping member (wiper)
50a, 51a Wiper edge 52 Wiper holder 53 Rail 54 Ink absorber 55 Ink squeezing roller (ink discharging means)
56 Ink squeeze cam (ink discharge means)
57 Wiping member cleaning roller (wiping member cleaning means)
58 Wiping member cleaning roller (wiping member cleaning means)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Paper feed part 102 Belt conveyance part 103 Recording means part (recording head part)
104 Cap section 105 Paper discharge section 201 Ink cartridge 203 Sub tank 203A Air communication port 205, 207 Buffer tank 205A Tank inner pipe L Reference liquid level 209 Tube pump 209A, 209B, 209C, 209D Pressure roller 210 Guide 211, 213 Tube pump 212 Tube retainer 214 Tube guide 216 Spring 218 Cam 219 Check valve 220 Shaft 223 Sensor 225 Plug 227 Solenoid 231, 233, 235, 237, 239, 241, 243 Supply path 245 Tube 1103 Electrothermal converter 1107 Ink supply pipe 1108 Common liquid chamber 1111 Discharge port 1655 Sub tank (ink supply tank)
1656 Main tank 1658 Replenishment rectifying valve 1659 Recovery pump 1660 Recovery rectifying valve 1661 Circulation pipe 1662 Electromagnetic valve P Recorded member (recording sheet)

Claims (5)

In an ink jet recording apparatus for recording on a recording medium, an ink jet recording head for performing recording by discharging ink, an ink tank storing ink for supplying ink to the ink jet recording head, and In an ink jet recording apparatus having ink supply means for supplying ink to the ink jet recording head,
A pressure changing means for changing the pressure of an ink supply means for supplying ink from the ink tank into the recording head, and a pressure measuring means provided in an ink path in the ink jet recording head; A control means for controlling the pressurizing force, and holding a meniscus held by the surface tension of the ink at the ink discharge port of the recording head so that the ink does not flow out of the ink discharge port by the generated ink pressure. The maximum pressure is Pm, the meniscus holding minimum pressure at which air is not sucked from the ink discharge port is P0, the minimum pressure in the path of the fluctuating pressure generated by the pressurizing means is P1, and the maximum pressure in the path generated by the pressurizing means is P2. The pressure variation means is
P0 ≦ P1 <P2 ≦ Pm
An ink jet recording apparatus having an ink jet recording head cleaning mode for generating vibration of the meniscus by controlling the P1 and P2 so as to satisfy the following relationship.   2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressing force changing means in the ink path of the ink jet recording head is a tube pump means provided in the ink path.   The pressure variation means in the ink path of the ink jet recording head includes a plurality of tube pump means provided in the ink path, and a tube pump control means for controlling the plurality of tube pump means. 2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressure fluctuation is obtained by controlling by means.   4. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ink jet recording head uses thermal energy to generate bubbles in the ink and eject the ink by generating the bubbles.   5. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ink jet recording head is a line type including a full line type having a length in a substantially recording width direction of a recording member.

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