JP2010036400A - Ink-jet recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ink-jet recording device which suppresses the evaporation of ink in a head unit and prevents the deterioration of recording performance caused by an increase of the adhesion of the ink in the head unit. <P>SOLUTION: The prevention of the degradation is executed by extracting air in the head unit by means of a fan and, in addition, by extracting the air in the head unit through a humidity holding unit by providing the humidity holding unit between the head unit and the fan at the generation of negative pressure in the head unit. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus that performs recording by discharging a liquid onto a recording medium.

  2. Related Art Inkjet recording apparatuses that perform recording by discharging ink from a recording head onto a recording medium are known. In such an ink jet recording apparatus, high-definition recording is generally performed using a small recording head in which a plurality of nozzles from which ink is ejected are formed at high density. In addition, by arranging a plurality of small recording heads and supplying different color inks to the respective recording heads, color recording can be performed on a recording medium with a relatively inexpensive and small configuration. For this reason, ink jet recording apparatuses are used in various recording apparatuses such as printers, facsimiles, and copying machines regardless of whether they are for business use or home use.

  In such an ink jet recording apparatus, in order to stabilize the ink ejection operation from the recording head, the ink in the recording head is maintained at a predetermined negative pressure (the pressure acting on the ink in the recording head is set to a predetermined negative pressure). Is important). For this reason, a negative pressure generating means is generally provided in an ink supply system for supplying ink to the recording head, and ink to which negative pressure is applied by the negative pressure generating means is supplied to the recording head.

  As a negative pressure generating means, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a negative pressure is generated using the capillary action of a sponge-like ink absorber housed in an ink tank. As another negative pressure generating means, Patent Document 2 discloses a configuration including a flexible ink bag and a bow spring. As another negative pressure generating means, Patent Document 3 discloses a configuration in which an ink tank is disposed below the recording head and a negative pressure is applied to the ink by utilizing a water head difference between the recording head and the ink tank. ing.

  Regardless of the method described above, bubbles are usually accumulated in the recording head and in the ink flow path, and are in communication with the atmosphere during recording and recording standby. The ink of this ink evaporates its water and thickens (increased viscosity) or dries. Therefore, in an inkjet recording apparatus, in general, suction recovery is performed in which the ejection port surface of the recording head is capped and the ink is ejected from the ejection port, preliminary ejection for ejecting ink that is not involved in recording and ejecting ink in the ejection port, etc. Recovery measures are being implemented. By such a recovery means, the ejection performance of the recording head is kept good.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-1988 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 06-198904 JP 2003-11380 A

  Regardless of the method for applying a negative pressure to the printhead as described above, in the series of processes including the normal print operation, the discharge port of the printhead and the ink inside it increase in viscosity due to the evaporation of moisture. ) Or dry. The mechanism of drying is that water and alcohol, which are volatile components in the ink, evaporate through the discharge port, and color materials and organic solvents that are non-volatile components remain in the head. This is because the composition changes. As a result, the ink in the recording head becomes highly viscous, causing clogging of the nozzles in subsequent recordings, destabilization of ejection and deterioration of landing accuracy, or only initial recording becomes darker than normal. Wake up.

  In particular, in the configuration in which an air fan is directly connected to the above-mentioned recording head and the negative pressure inside the recording head is controlled by the air fan, the inside of the recording head and the atmosphere are in direct contact with each other. Ink accumulated in the ink may thicken. Therefore, instead of directly connecting the recording head and the air fan, an air fan is connected to a flow path communicating with the atmosphere, and a separate flow path is provided in the atmospheric communication flow path. There has been proposed a method of connecting a recording head. As a result, when the air fan is driven, evaporation can be mitigated by indirectly generating a negative pressure in the recording head due to the pressure difference from the atmosphere. However, this method does not completely eliminate the volatilization of the ink component, and after a long period of operation of the apparatus, there is a possibility that the ink in the recording head thickens and the recording performance deteriorates.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus that suppresses evaporation of ink in a head unit and prevents the ink in the head unit from being thickened to cause deterioration in recording performance.

  Therefore, the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention is an ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a recording head containing ink; and a decompression unit that controls a negative pressure in a space in the recording head. It is characterized by having a moisturizing unit capable of supplying humidity to the air flowing through the air flow path.

  According to the present invention, there is provided a moisturizing unit capable of supplying humidity to the air flowing through the air flow path connecting the recording head of the ink jet recording apparatus and the decompression means. Accordingly, it is possible to provide an ink jet recording apparatus that suppresses evaporation of the ink in the head unit and prevents the ink in the head unit from being thickened to cause deterioration in recording performance.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a front view schematically showing an ink jet recording apparatus (hereinafter also simply referred to as a recording apparatus) to which the present embodiment can be applied. The recording apparatus 10 is connected to a host PC 12, and based on recording information transmitted from the host PC 12, four recording heads (hereinafter also referred to as head units) 22K, 22C, 22M, and 22Y to recording media (hereinafter referred to as roll paper). (Also referred to as “printing”). The four head units 22K, 22C, 22M, and 22Y are arranged along the conveyance direction (arrow A direction) of the recording medium P. The head units are arranged in the order of black ink head unit 22K, cyan ink head unit 22C, magenta ink unit head 22M, and yellow ink head unit 22Y in the transport direction. The head units 22K, 22C, 22M, and 22Y are so-called line heads, and are provided in a state in which they are arranged in parallel over the entire recording width in the recording medium conveyance direction. When recording is performed by the recording apparatus, recording is performed by ejecting ink from the nozzles by driving a heater provided in the head unit without moving each head unit.

  The head unit changes the ejection state due to foreign matters such as dust and ink droplets adhering to the surfaces having nozzles (hereinafter also referred to as ink ejection port surfaces) 22Ks, 22Cs, 22Ms, and 22Ys during recording, which affects recording. May give. Therefore, the recovery unit 40 is incorporated in the recording apparatus 10 so that ink can be stably ejected from the head units 22K, 22C, 22M, and 22Y. By periodically cleaning the ink discharge port surface by the recovery unit 40, the ink discharge state from the nozzles of the head units 22K, 22C, 22M, and 22Y can be recovered to the initial good ink discharge state. The recovery unit 40 includes a cap 50 that removes ink from the ink discharge port surfaces 22Ks, 22Cs, 22Ms, and 22Ys of the four head units 22K, 22C, 22M, and 22Y during the cleaning operation. The cap 50 is provided independently for each head unit 22K, 22C, 22M, 22Y, and includes a blade, an ink removing member, a blade holding member, a cap, and the like.

  The recording medium P is supplied from the roll paper supply unit 24 and is transported in the direction of arrow A by the transport mechanism 26 incorporated in the recording apparatus 10. The transport mechanism 26 includes a transport belt 26a for loading and transporting the roll paper P, a transport motor 26b for rotating the transport belt 26a, and a roller 26c for applying tension to the transport belt 26a.

  When recording, when the roll paper P being conveyed reaches below the black head unit 22K, black ink is ejected from the head unit 22K based on the recording information sent from the host PC 12. Similarly, ink of each color is ejected in the order of the head unit 22C, the head unit 22M, and the head unit 22Y, and color recording on the roll paper P is completed.

  Further, the recording apparatus 10 includes main tanks 28K, 28C, 28M, and 28Y that store ink supplied to each head unit, a pump that can replenish ink to each head unit, and a pump that performs a cleaning operation described later. (Refer to FIG. 3 etc.).

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control system of the recording apparatus 10 of FIG. Recording information and commands transmitted from the host PC (host device) 12 are received by the CPU 100 via the interface controller 102.

  The CPU 100 is an arithmetic processing unit that performs overall control such as reception of recording information of the recording apparatus 10, recording operation, handling of the roll paper P, and the like. After analyzing the received command, the CPU 100 renders the image data of each color component of the recording data by developing a bitmap on the image memory 106. In the operation process performed before recording, the capping motor 122 and the head up / down motor 118 are driven via the output port 114 and the motor driving unit 116, and the head units 22K, 22C, 22M, 22Y are separated from the cap 50 to the recording position. Move to. Further, as will be described later, the CPU 100 corrects the rotation of the fan motor of the fan for applying an appropriate negative pressure to the head units 22K, 22C, 22M, and 22Y based on pressure information obtained by the pressure sensor. Take control. Further, the CPU 100 drives the roll motor 126 that feeds the roll paper P through the output port 114 and the motor driving unit 116, the transport motor 120 that transports the roll paper P, and the like to transport the roll paper P to the recording position. Control.

  When performing recording, the leading end detection sensor 109 detects the leading end position of the roll paper P in order to determine the timing (recording timing) at which ink is ejected onto the rolled paper P conveyed at a constant speed. Thereafter, in synchronism with the conveyance of the roll paper P, the CPU 100 sequentially reads the recording information from the image memory 106, and the read recording information is transferred to the head units 22K, 22C, 22M, and 22Y via the head unit control circuit 112. And transfer.

  The operation of the CPU 100 is executed based on a processing program stored in the program ROM 104. The program ROM 104 stores processing programs and tables corresponding to the control flow. The CPU 100 uses a work RAM 108 as a working memory. Further, the CPU 100 drives the pump motor 124 via the output port 114 and the motor driving unit 116 during the cleaning and recovery operations of the head units 22K, 22C, 22M, and 22Y, and controls ink pressurization and suction. .

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an ink supply device incorporated in an inkjet image forming apparatus. Since the head units of the respective colors have the same structure, only the black ink head unit 22K will be described below as an example.

  The recording apparatus 10 incorporates an ink supply device 60 that supplies ink to the head unit 22K. The head unit 22K includes a head unit liquid chamber 22Kr and an ejection portion 22KSi that can eject ink. The ink supply device 60 includes an ink tank 28K that can be attached to and detached from the main body of the recording apparatus 10, and an ink supply pump 72 that is disposed in the middle of an ink supply path 62 that connects the ink tank 28K and the head unit 22K. Yes. The supply pump 72 is responsible for supplying ink to the head unit liquid chamber 22Kr via the ink filter 90.

  A liquid level detection sensor 86 for detecting the level of the liquid level 22Krs of the stored ink (hereinafter also referred to as stored ink) is attached to the head unit liquid chamber 22Kr. Further, below the head unit liquid chamber 22Kr, a nozzle 22Kn of the head unit 22K and a discharge portion 22KSi in which an ink supply port to the nozzle 22Kn is formed are connected.

  A first air flow path 31 is connected to a space 66 (hereinafter referred to as an air chamber) 66 filled with air via an air filter 95 and connected to the moisturizing unit 30 above the head unit liquid chamber 22Kr. Yes. The moisturizing unit 30 prevents the ink in the head unit 22K from evaporating. An air flow path 64 is connected to the moisturizing unit 30, and the air flow path 64 is provided with an atmospheric valve 84 and a pressure detection sensor 81 capable of measuring pressure. The pressure detection sensor 81 can detect the pressure in the air chamber 66. The other end of the air channel 64 opposite to the one end where the air filter 95 is provided is connected to the decompression channel 65 in a T-shape, and the decompression channel 65 has one end. The atmosphere is released and the other end is connected to the fan 68.

  A detection sensor (not shown) for detecting the presence or absence of ink in the ink tank 28K is attached to the ink tank 28K. The ink tank 28K is provided with an air release valve 74 for setting the internal pressure of the ink tank 28K to atmospheric pressure.

  When it is determined from the measurement result of the liquid level detection sensor 86 in the head unit liquid chamber 22Kr that the liquid level 22Krs is below a certain level, the air release valve 74 of the ink tank 28K is opened, the supply pump 72 is operated, and the ink tank 28K is operated. Ink the ink from. Then, the sucked ink is supplied into the head unit liquid chamber 22Kr. On the other hand, when the liquid level detection sensor 86 detects the liquid level 22Krs above a certain level, the supply pump 72 is stopped, the air release valve 74 of the ink tank 28K is sealed, and the supply of ink is stopped.

  Incidentally, a tube pump is used as the supply pump 72, and the ink supply path 62 is blocked when the supply pump 72 is not in operation (the flow path between the ink tank 28K and the head unit liquid chamber 22Kr is blocked). ).

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure for cleaning the head unit 22K. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a procedure for wiping ink from the ink ejection surface, where (a) shows the state before the start of wiping, (b) shows the state immediately after the end of wiping, and (c) shows the standby state after the end of wiping. It is a figure which shows a state.

  The term “cleaning” as used herein refers to an operation performed in order to continuously maintain the ink ejection of the head unit 22K in a good state. When conditions such as elapsed time and ejection conditions are satisfied, or there is an abnormality in recording quality. This is an operation that is performed automatically or arbitrarily when viewed. Hereinafter, the cleaning operation will be described in order.

  When the cleaning command is received in step S401, the atmosphere release valve 84 is released in step S402. Thereafter, in step S403, the cleaning pump 92 is driven in a direction to reduce the pressure in the cap 50, and the ink in the head unit liquid chamber 22Kr is drawn into the cap 50 from the nozzle 22Kn and discharged. By discharging the ink, it is possible to remove foreign matters such as fine bubbles accumulated around the nozzle 22Kn during the recording operation and the like, and dust adhering to the ejection port surface 22Ks of the head unit 22K. Then, after a certain period of time has elapsed, the driving of the cleaning pump 92 is stopped at step 404 and the atmospheric valve 84 is closed at step 405.

  In this state, ink may still adhere to the ejection port surface 22Ks including the opening of each nozzle 22Kn of the head unit 22K. Therefore, in order to remove the dirt, the discharge port surface 22Ks is wiped with a wiper 52 provided together with the cap 50, as will be described later. At that time, first, in step S406, the head unit 22K is moved above the recovery cap 50 as shown in FIG. Thereafter, the cap 50 is moved in the direction of arrow B in step S407, so that the dirt such as ink adhering to the face surface 22Ks is wiped off by the wiper 52 as shown in FIG. This operation is called a wiping operation. After the wiping operation is completed, as shown in FIG. 5C, the head unit 22K is capped again and enters a standby state in step S408. The head unit 22K in the standby state has the face surface 22Ks capped (closed) by the cap contact portion 54, so that there is almost no air convection in the cap 50, and the ink in the nozzles 22Kn does not flow. It is possible to prevent thickening. The head unit 22K enters a standby state, and the cleaning operation ends.

  The ink (waste ink) discharged from the nozzle 22Kn is received by the cap 50 and sucked by the suction pump 92 (see FIG. 3). The absorbed waste ink is pumped to a waste ink tank 71 (see FIG. 3). The waste ink tank 71 is provided with a minute air opening 75 and plays a role of releasing the pressure in the waste ink tank 71 that changes with the inflow of waste ink (and bubbles) to the atmosphere.

  FIG. 6 is an enlarged view showing the periphery of the head unit 22K. In FIG. 6, the same components as those shown in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  When recording, it is necessary to apply an appropriate negative pressure to the head unit 22K (applying pressure to the ink so that an ink meniscus is formed at the ink discharge port of the head unit 22K). In this case, by opening the atmosphere release valve 84 and operating the air fan 68 in the direction C, the air in the head unit liquid chamber 22Kr is depressurized, that is, in the nozzle 22Kn communicating with the head unit liquid chamber 22Kr. The pressure is reduced to

  In the present embodiment, as a negative pressure application technique, a method of indirectly sucking the target space by the air fan 68 instead of directly sucking the target space is illustrated. Specifically, by operating the air fan 68 (C direction), the air taken in from the suction port 61 flows through the decompression flow path 65 and is discharged from the air fan 68. The second air flow path 64 is connected to the decompression flow path 65 at a substantially right angle (not necessarily at right angles), and the second air flow path 64 has a negative pressure so as to be sucked into the decompression flow path 65. (This is a well-known technique used in an ejector or the like). In addition to this effect, the channel resistance from the suction port 61 in the decompression channel 65 to the connecting portion acts as a negative pressure in the second air channel 64. In this configuration, air always flows when the air fan 68 is operated, and the fan motor 82 can be cooled at the same time. In particular, with regard to cooling of the fan motor 82, a flow port may be provided in the fan motor 82 itself so that air for cooling flows, or a cooling means for the fan motor 82 may be provided separately.

  The first air flow path 31 and the second air flow path 64 that connect the head unit 22K and the air fan 68 are provided with a moisturizing unit 30 for preventing evaporation inside the head unit 22K. The moisturizing unit 30 is provided with a moisturizing member 34 and a moisturizing space 32, a first air flow path 31 connecting the head unit 22 </ b> K and the moisturizing unit 30 to the moisturizing space 32, the moisturizing unit 30 and the air fan 68. Is connected to the second air flow path 64. For this reason, the air in the head unit 22K is not directly drawn by the air fan 68 but enters the moisturizing space 32 in the one end moisturizing unit 30 through the first air flow path 31, and then the second air flow path. 64 is released to the atmosphere. The negative pressure action in the head unit 22K accompanying such release to the atmosphere is controlled by the fan 68. However, the negative pressure action by the fan 68 does not generate a large air flow from the head unit 22K to the fan 68, but a negative pressure for forming a meniscus is applied to the opening (discharge port) of the nozzle Kn. There are only.

  Here, in the present embodiment, an absorbent body is used for the moisturizing member 34, and pure water is infiltrated into the absorbent body. By doing so, the plurality of irregularities present on the surface of the absorber promotes the evaporation of pure water and increases the humidity of the moisturizing space 32. Thus, by providing the moisture retention unit 30 between the head unit 22K and the fan 68, the space from the head unit 22K to the moisture retention unit 30 can be maintained at high humidity. Even if a slight air flow is generated from the head unit 22K to the fan 68, the accompanying drying and evaporation of the ink in the head unit 22K is suppressed.

  Note that the moisture retaining member 34 is not limited to pure water but may be any liquid capable of maintaining moisture retention. In order to maintain the moisturizing effect for a longer time, it is preferable to contain, for example, glycerin in pure water. Furthermore, after long-term use, there is a risk that mold generated in the moisture retaining member 34 may adversely affect the moisture retention of the moisture retaining space 32. For this reason, the moisturizing member 34 may contain, for example, an antifungal agent Proxel GXL of about 0.05%. In addition, if it is a liquid which can prevent mold, it is not limited to Proxel GXL 0.05%.

  In order to keep the inside of the moisturizing space 32 at a predetermined humidity, the humidity is monitored by providing a humidity sensor (not shown), and when a predetermined humidity or lower is detected on the main body side, a replenishing container containing pure water Pure water is supplied from 33 to the inside of the moisturizing unit 30. The replenishment container 33 is configured to be detachable from the moisturizing unit 30. When the liquid level in the container is determined to be below a certain level by a water level gauge, the user is notified of the replacement of the replenishment container 33.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the moisturizing unit 30 when the moisturizing sensor is not provided.
In particular, the liquid supply may be automatically performed from the replenishing container (liquid container) 33 according to the remaining amount of the moisturizing liquid retained in the moisturizing unit 30 without the moisturizing sensor. As an example, the liquid is put into the supply container 33 having the narrowest opening, and the container is submerged so that the opening is turned upside down with respect to the moisturizing unit 30 opened with another atmosphere. At this time, the liquid level on the moisturizing unit side is held in the vicinity of the opening of the sealed container due to the influence of the sealed gas inside the supply container. When the liquid in the moisturizing unit 30 gradually decreases and becomes lower than the opening of the replenishing container 33, gas is introduced from the opening of the replenishing container 33 and the liquid is replenished to the moisturizing unit 30. And in order to accelerate | stimulate evaporation of a liquid, you may provide the moisturizing member (not shown) of the size which an upper part protrudes from the liquid level of the moisturizing unit 30. FIG.

  The replenishment container 33 is detachably attached to the moisturizing unit 30, and the attaching / detaching portion of the replenishing unit 33 and the moisturizing unit 30 adopts a fitting method used for an ink cartridge or the like, so that the liquid can be easily detached without leakage. It is. For example, it is possible to appropriately use a member that penetrates a needle-like member through rubber or the like, a member that makes the absorbers contact each other, a member that uses a valve member, or the like.

  Accordingly, the moisture retention space 32 can be maintained at an optimum humidity, and ink in the head unit 22K connected to the moisture retention space 32 can be prevented from evaporating.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation from the reception of the recording signal to the end of recording. Normally, when the recording apparatus is not used, the atmospheric valve 84 is closed for the purpose of preventing ink leakage from the nozzles 22Kn. When recording is started, first, with the atmospheric valve 84 closed, the fan 68 is operated to depressurize the decompression flow path 65 and the second air flow path 64, and then the atmospheric valve 84 is turned off. open. Hereinafter, processing for recording will be described in order.

  When the recording apparatus 10 receives the recording signal in step S701, the process proceeds to step S702 and the fan 68 is activated. Next, in step S703, the pressure in the air flow path 64 is confirmed by the pressure detection sensor 81 in order to confirm whether or not the pressure reduction by the fan 68 is normally performed. If the predetermined pressure is not obtained, the process proceeds to step S704 to correct the rotational speed of the fan 68. If a predetermined pressure is obtained in step S703, the process proceeds to step S705, and the atmospheric valve 84 is released. When the atmospheric valve 84 is released, the air chamber 66 is depressurized, and a negative pressure acts on the nozzle 22Kn. A meniscus is formed in an optimal state at the opening (discharge port) of the nozzle Kn.

  Next, in step S706, the head unit 22K is moved to the wiping position, and in step S707, the ejection port surface 22Ks of the head unit 22K is wiped. Thereafter, in order to perform recording in step 708, the head unit 22K is lowered and moved to the recording position. In step 709, recording is performed on the recording medium P. After the recording operation is completed, the head unit 22K is raised in step S710, moved to the standby position, and capped by the cap 50 again. Thereafter, the atmospheric valve 84 is closed in step S711, the operation of the fan 68 is stopped in step S712, and the standby mode is entered again to end this flowchart.

  While the recording operation is being performed, the ink in the head unit liquid chamber 22Kr decreases due to ink consumption by recording. However, in the configuration of the head unit 22 </ b> K of the present embodiment, air having the same volume as the reduced ink is guided into the air chamber 66 via the suction port 61 and the air flow path 64. When the liquid level detection sensor 86 detects that the liquid level 22Krs is below a certain level, the head unit liquid chamber 22Kr is detected by the ink supply pump 72 until the liquid level detection sensor 86 detects the upper limit level of the liquid level 22Krs. Ink is supplied inside. Also at this time, the air corresponding to the volume of the ink flowing into the head unit liquid chamber 22Kr is released to the atmosphere through the air flow path 64. Accordingly, pressure fluctuations acting on the nozzles 22Kn due to increase / decrease of ink in the head unit liquid chamber 22Kr are suppressed.

  In this way, when the negative pressure is generated in the head unit by drawing the air in the head unit by the fan, a moisture retention unit is provided in the air flow path between the head unit and the fan, and the air in the head unit is Pull through the moisturizing unit. As a result, the evaporation of the ink in the head unit can be suppressed, and the ink in the head unit can be prevented from being thickened and deteriorating the recording performance.

(Second Embodiment)
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In the first embodiment, as the moisturizing member 34, the absorbent body includes a moisturizing liquid (pure water, glycerin, fungicides: Proxel GXL 0.05%), but the absorbent body is not used and the moisturizing member is used. The liquid may be stored in the moisturizing unit 30 as it is.

  In this case, instead of a humidity sensor (not shown) for monitoring the humidity of the moisturizing space 32 in FIG. 6, a water level meter that measures the water level of the moisturizing liquid is arranged, and the stored moisturizing liquid becomes a water level below a certain level. In this case, pure water may be supplied from the supply container 33. Even in such a configuration, the evaporation of the ink in the head unit can be suppressed, and the ink in the head unit can be prevented from being thickened to cause a deterioration in recording performance.

It is the front view which showed typically the inkjet recording device which can apply this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control system of the recording apparatus in FIG. 1. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an ink supply device incorporated in an inkjet image forming apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure at the time of cleaning a head unit. It is a schematic diagram which shows the procedure of wiping off ink from an ink discharge surface, (a) shows before wiping start, (b) shows immediately after completion | finish of wiping, (c) is a figure which shows the standby state after completion | finish of wiping. It is. It is an enlarged view which shows a head unit peripheral part. It is a flowchart showing operation | movement from receiving a recording signal until recording is complete | finished. It is the figure which showed the moisture retention unit when not providing a moisture retention sensor.

Explanation of symbols

10 Recording device 12 Host PC
22K head unit 30 moisturizing unit 31 first air flow path 32 moisturizing space 33 supply container 34 moisturizing member 64 second air flow path 66 air chamber 68 fan 81 pressure detection sensor 82 fan motor 84 atmospheric valve 86 liquid level detection sensor 95 Air filter 120 Conveyor motor

Claims (7)

In an inkjet recording apparatus comprising: a recording head containing ink; and a decompression unit that controls a negative pressure in a space in the recording head.
An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a moisturizing unit capable of supplying humidity to air flowing in an air flow path connecting the recording head and the pressure reducing means.   The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the moisturizing unit is provided in the air flow path.   3. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the moisturizing unit includes a moisturizing member containing a liquid and a moisturizing space capable of supplying humidity to the air.   The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the moisturizing unit includes a space for storing a liquid and a moisturizing space capable of supplying humidity to the air.   The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a removable liquid container that supplies liquid to the moisturizing unit.   6. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid container replenishes liquid into the moisturizing unit according to a remaining amount of liquid in the moisturizing unit.   The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the moisture retention unit includes a humidity sensor.

Images