JP2013006303A - Wiping method of face surface - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a wiping method of a face surface which does not lose throughput, and suppresses vibration and impact on a recording head in wiping.SOLUTION: During recording operation, a wiping member is moved from a retreat position where the wiping member does not abut on the face surface of the recording head to a first advancing position where the wiping member can abut on the face surface, then the recording head is reached a position opposite to the wiping member, and is abut on the wiping member. Then, a first wiping operation of wiping the face surface by relative movement of the face surface and the wiping member is carried out. After an end of the recording operation, either of the first wiping operation and a second wiping operation is selected and the selected wiping operation is carried out. In the second wiping operation, the recording head is reached a position opposite to the wiping member, and then the wiping member is moved from the retreat position where the wiping member does not abut on the face surface to a second advancing position where the wiping member can abut on the face surface, and is abut on the recording head. Then, the face surface is wiped by the relative movement of the face surface and the wiping member.

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for wiping a face surface of a recording head.

  As one of the recording apparatuses, there is an ink jet recording apparatus provided with a recording head having an ejection port for ejecting ink. In this inkjet recording apparatus, unnecessary fine mist-like ink mist may be generated separately from the ink droplets that adhere to the recording medium when ink is ejected from the ejection port. It is known that this mist-like ink mist adheres to the surface of the recording head on which the discharge port is formed (hereinafter referred to as “face surface”) and interferes with normal ink discharge from the discharge port. ing.

  There is a case where an ink jet recording apparatus that forms a recorded image by using reactive inks or using a reaction liquid and ink in combination may be used. Furthermore, the ink adhered to the recording medium using ultraviolet rays, microwaves, or heat may be solidified to improve the fastness of the recorded image. In such a case, it is known that the ink mist adhering to the face surface adheres to the face surface, so that it becomes more difficult to remove the ink mist adhering to the face surface. Therefore, before the ink mist adheres to the face surface, the ink mist adhering to the face surface is removed.

  In general, an inkjet recording apparatus is equipped with a wiper as a wiping member for wiping off ink mist adhering to the face surface, and an operation (wiping operation) for wiping off ink mist adhering to the face surface is performed (for example, Patent Documents). 1). Specifically, when the recording head moves from the recording area facing the recording medium to a standby position outside the recording area, the wiper is out of the recording area and on the movement track of the face surface of the recording head. It is located to face the surface. When the recording head moves, the face surface and the wiper come into contact with each other, and ink mist adhering to the face surface is wiped off by the wiper. When the wiping operation is not required, the wiper is located at a standby place that is not located on the movement trajectory of the face surface. With such a configuration, it is possible to wipe off the ink mist adhering to the face surface without reducing the throughput even during the recording operation.

  Further, when ink mist adhering to the face surface is wiped off, an ink residue may be generated on the face surface. For example, Patent Document 2 discloses that when this ink residue is easily solidified, a sheet-like wiping member made of a polyester woven cloth or the like is used instead of a wiper.

JP-A-10-157090 JP 2008-126196 A

  When performing the wiping operation, the ink component of the ink mist on the face surface evaporates and the ink mist is hardened, and it may be difficult to wipe off the ink mist adhering to the face surface only by the wiping operation. For example, when the ink contains a low-molecular-weight alcohol such as isopropyl alcohol (IPA), a ketone such as methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), an ester such as ethyl acetate, and the like and a low boiling point solvent such as ethyl acetate, this phenomenon is remarkable. It is. In addition, this phenomenon is remarkable even when the ink contains a large amount of polymer for dispersing the pigment, and when the ink is likely to aggregate due to weak dispersibility of the pigment in the ink. Ink that easily evaporates such an ink component, the viscosity of the ink at the time when the use of the ink is started is not significantly different from that of general ink, and there is often no problem in wiping performance during the wiping operation. . However, in the ink that easily evaporates the ink component, when the ink component evaporates, the viscosity of the ink tends to increase more than the general ink, and it adheres to the face surface by the wiping operation as compared with the general ink. It becomes difficult to remove ink mist.

  Therefore, in order to wipe the face surface more strongly, the tip of the wiping member is further moved in the direction of the recording head than on the movement trajectory of the face surface of the recording head. When they come into contact with each other, they should rub against each other. However, in this case, the following problems occur.

  Patent Document 1 has a configuration in which the face surface is wiped with a wiping member by moving the recording head from the recording area to the non-recording area. Therefore, when the recording head and the wiping member are brought into contact with each other, vibration and impact on the recording head are increased, and the recording head may be damaged. Further, when the vibration of the recording head becomes large, there is a possibility that the ink in the recording head also vibrates, and normal ink discharge cannot be performed. In addition, due to the impact at the time of contact, ink mist droplets adhering to the face surface of the recording head may fall to an undesired area before being wiped off by the wiping member, and the recording apparatus main body may be soiled.

  Further, in the case of Patent Document 2, after the recording head moves to a position facing the wiping member, the wiping member, which is positioned at a distance from the face surface, is moved to a position where it contacts the face surface and wiped. Operation is performed. That is, the wiping member is not moved toward the face when ink is ejected from the ejection port to the recording medium, that is, during the recording operation. For this reason, time is required for the wiping operation, and the throughput may be reduced.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a method for wiping the face surface, which does not impair the throughput and suppresses vibration and impact on the recording head during wiping.

  The ink jet recording apparatus has a recording head having a face surface provided with an ejection port for ejecting ink, an advance position that is located on the side facing the face surface and can contact the face surface, and contacts the face surface. There is provided a wiping member that can move between the retracted positions.

  In this ink jet recording apparatus, during the recording operation, the wiping member is moved from the retracted position to the first advanced position, and then the recording head is moved to a position facing the wiping member so that the wiping member and the recording head are brought into contact with each other. Make contact. Then, a first wiping operation for wiping the face surface by performing relative movement between the face surface and the wiping member is performed.

  Further, after the recording operation is completed, either the first wiping operation or the second wiping operation is selected, and the selected wiping operation is executed. In the second wiping operation, the recording head is made to reach the position facing the wiping member, then the wiping member is moved from the retracted position to the second advanced position, and the wiping member and the recording head are brought into contact with each other, The face surface is wiped by relative movement between the face surface and the wiping member.

  According to the present invention, the ink mist on the face surface of the recording head can be wiped off without impairing the throughput and suppressing vibration and impact on the recording head during wiping.

It is a schematic sectional drawing of the principal part of one Embodiment of the inkjet recording device which concerns on this invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a control system of a recording apparatus. It is the schematic explaining a wiping apparatus and 1st wiping operation | movement. It is the schematic explaining the 2nd wiping operation. It is a figure explaining the 1st Example of the control procedure of a recording device, and is a sequence diagram in a recording process. It is a figure explaining the 1st Example of the control procedure of a recording device, and is the sequence figure after completion | finish of recording. It is a figure explaining the 2nd Example of the control procedure of a recording device, and is the sequence figure after completion | finish of recording. It is a judgment table of necessity judgment of the 1st wiping operation and the 2nd wiping operation. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a third embodiment of the control procedure of the recording apparatus, and is a sequence diagram at the time of cleaning.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, the same number is attached | subjected to the structure which has the same function in an accompanying drawing, and the description may be abbreviate | omitted.

  The ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention includes a supply unit, a recording unit, and a paper discharge unit. The recording medium is supplied from the supply unit, is transported to the recording unit on the downstream side in the transport path of the recording medium, recording is performed on the recording medium in this recording unit, and the recording medium after recording is further downstream Is conveyed to a paper discharge unit.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a main part of an embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention. The recording head 1 is provided with a plurality of ejection ports 2 to 5 that eject inks of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, respectively. The surface 7 on which the discharge ports 2 to 5 are provided is referred to as “face surface 7”. The ink is not limited to these four colors. These discharge ports 2 to 5 provided in the recording head 1 are arranged at positions facing the recording medium 6 supported by the platen 12. In addition, an electrothermal converter is provided inside the position of the recording head 1 where the ejection ports 2 to 5 are provided. By applying an electric signal based on the drive signal to the electrothermal transducer, bubbles are generated in the ink, and the ink is discharged from the discharge ports 2 to 5 by the pressure of the bubbles. Note that yellow, magenta, cyan, and black inks are supplied from an ink tank (not shown).

  A recording medium (hereinafter referred to as “printing paper”) 6 is conveyed by a conveyance roller (not shown) while being supported by the platen 12 at a position facing the face surface 7 of the recording head 1.

  The recording head 1 is guided by a guide shaft 10 and mounted on a carriage 11 that is reciprocally scanned in the width direction of the recording medium 6, that is, in the X direction in FIG. 1 by rotation of a carriage motor (not shown). The carriage 11 is reciprocated in the X direction while the conveyance of the print paper 6 that is intermittently conveyed on the platen 12 is stopped along with the intermittent rotation of a conveyance motor (not shown). During the reciprocating scanning, ink of each color is ejected from the ejection ports 2 to 5 of the recording head 1 toward the print paper 6 and adheres to the print paper 6, thereby recording an image or the like. By repeating the intermittent conveyance of the printing paper 6 and the ink ejection from the ejection ports 2 to 5 during the reciprocating scanning of the carriage 11, the image on one printing paper 6 is repeated. The recording ends. The recording head 1 is movable in a position facing the print paper 6, a wiping device 20 described later, and a cap 13 described later.

  A position facing the face surface 7 on the side of the platen 12 in order to suppress the evaporation of the solvent in the ink from the discharge ports 2 to 5 and to perform a recovery process for maintaining the ink discharge performance. In addition, a cap 13 is provided. An ink absorber 14 is provided inside the cap 13. The cap 13 can reciprocate in the Z direction in FIG. 1 between a contact position where the cap 13 can contact the recording head 1 and a separated position separated from the recording head 1 by a known means.

  At the time of non-recording, the discharge ports 2 to 5 are covered with the cap 13. The recovery process includes suction and preliminary discharge. In the suction, the discharge ports 2 to 5 are capped by the cap 13, a negative pressure is generated in the cap 13 by the pump 15, the ink that does not contribute to recording is sucked, and the sucked ink is not discharged through the tube 16. It is conveyed to the illustrated waste ink absorber. In the preliminary ejection, ink is ejected into the cap 13 from the ejection ports 2 to 5. The ink discharged into the cap 13 is sucked by the pump 15 and conveyed to the waste ink absorbing portion via the tube 16.

  Also, the face 7 is wiped to remove foreign matter such as ink mist and ink residue attached to the face 7 between the cap 13 and the platen 12 at a position facing the face 7 of the recording head 1. A wiping device 20 is provided. The wiping device 20 reciprocates in the Z direction between a forward position where the wiping device 20 can come into contact with the recording head 1 and a backward position that is spaced from the recording head 1 by a moving mechanism (not shown). The details of the wiping device 20 will be described later.

  Note that the arrangement order of the platen 12, the cap 13, and the wiping device 20 may be changed as appropriate.

  Next, a control system of the ink jet recording apparatus configured as described above will be described with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG.

  A host computer 25 is connected to the ink jet recording apparatus by, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface or the like. In the host computer 25, a printer driver 26 is stored as software. The printer driver 26 generates print data from image data such as a user's desired document or photograph in response to a print command from the user, and transmits the print data to the ink jet recording apparatus.

  Print data transmitted from the host computer 25 to the ink jet recording apparatus is held in the reception buffer 27. The print data held in the reception buffer 27 is transferred to a RAM (Random Access Memory) 29 and temporarily stored under the control of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 28 that is a control unit. Programs and fixed data necessary for various controls of the ink jet recording apparatus are stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) 30. In addition, non-volatile memory NVRAM (Non Volatile Random Access Memory) 31 stores information to be stored even when the power of the ink jet recording apparatus is turned off.

  Further, various motors 32 such as a carriage motor and a conveyance motor are driven by instructions from a motor driver 33 based on instructions from the CPU 28. The various motors 32 include a winding motor for the wiping member 42 and a driving motor for the wiping support member 46 in the wiping device 20 described later. The recording head 1 is driven by an instruction from the head driver 34. Various sensors / switches 35 are controlled by a sensor / switch controller 36.

  Next, the wiping operation | movement by the wiping apparatus 20 of this embodiment and the wiping apparatus 20 is demonstrated in detail.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining the wiping device 20 and the first wiping operation. The wiping device 20 includes a cassette 41 that is a wiping unit that can be attached to and detached from the recording apparatus main body, and a wiping support member 46 that is attached to the recording apparatus main body and is made of an elastic body such as rubber. The cassette 41 has two planes, and has a box shape in which the sides of the two planes are surrounded by side walls. One of the two planes of the cassette 41 is not allowed to be inserted into the cassette 41 so that the wiping support member 46 attached to the recording apparatus body can be inserted when the cassette 41 is attached to the recording apparatus body. The illustrated insertion port is provided. Furthermore, a supply roller 43 and a take-up roller 45 are provided on one plane.

  Both rollers 43 and 45 are respectively fitted to a supply motor and a take-up motor (not shown) provided in the recording apparatus. The other plane may cover the inside or may be open. An opening 44 is provided on the side surface of the cassette 41 facing the recording head 1 (upper surface in FIG. 3). Inside the cassette 41, a sheet-like wiping member 42 made of a continuous woven cloth capable of wiping off ink mist adhering to the face surface 7 of the recording head 1 is provided. One end of the wiping member 42 is locked to the supply roller 43 and wound in a roll shape, and the other end is locked to the take-up roller 45. The wiping member 42 is wound around the winding roller 45 from the supply roller 43. In the configuration of the present embodiment, the wiping member 42 is originally supplied in a form impregnated with the wiping liquid.

  A guide roller 47 is provided on the upstream side and the downstream side of the wiping support member 46 in the direction from the supply roller 43 to the take-up roller 45 of the wiping member 42 and substantially flush with the opening 44. A portion of the wiping member 42 between the supply roller 43 and the take-up roller 45 is supported by the guide roller 47 so that the wiping member 42 is exposed from the opening 44 outside the guide roller 47.

  In a state where the cassette 41 is attached to the recording apparatus main body, the position is opposed to the opening 44, and the wiping support member 46 is located inside the cassette 41. The wiping support member 46 can move in the direction of the opening 44 by a moving mechanism (not shown).

  When the wiping support member 46 moves in a direction toward the opening 44 (the Z direction in FIG. 1) from a position that is spaced from the wiping member 42, the wiping member 42 that is located at the retracted position that does not contact the face surface 7 is It is pushed up by the wiping support member 46. The wiping member 42 is moved to an advanced position where it can come into contact with the face surface 7, and the wiping operation is performed by relative movement between the face surface 7 of the recording head 1 and the wiping member 42.

  Next, the first wiping operation will be described with reference to FIG.

  The wiping support member 46 is spaced from the wiping member 42, and the wiping member 42 is also in the retracted position (see FIG. 3A).

  When wiping the face surface 7 of the recording head 1, as shown in FIG. 3B, the wiping support member 46 moves in the direction of the opening 44 (Z direction in FIG. 1) and pushes up the wiping member 42. The wiping support member 46 moves the wiping member 42 to a forward position where the wiping member 42 and the face surface 7 of the recording head 1 can come into contact with each other. The advance position in the first wiping operation is referred to as “first advance position”.

  When the wiping support member 46 starts moving in the direction of the opening 44, the recording head 1 is retracted to the non-contact position. The non-contact position is an area where the recording head 1 does not contact the wiping member 42 when the wiping member 42 is positioned at the first forward position in the scanning area of the recording head 1. When there is no print paper 6, it is a position facing the platen 12) or the cap 13.

  As shown in FIG. 3C, when the recording head 1 is moved by the wiping support member 46 in a state where the wiping member 42 is located at the first advance position, and reaches the position facing the wiping member 42, the recording head 1. The face surface 7 and the wiping member 42 come into contact with each other. When the recording head 1 moves, the face surface 7 is wiped by the wiping member 42, the ink mist on the face surface 7 is removed, and the wiping operation is completed. Here, the movement of the recording head 1 is synonymous with the movement of the carriage 11 described above, and is hereinafter referred to as movement of the recording head 1 because it is a description focusing on the recording head 1.

  In the present embodiment, the first advance position of the wiping member 42 is set to a position moved further in the direction of the recording head 1 by 0.5 mm than the movement locus position of the face surface 7 of the recording head 1. The interval between the movement locus position of the face surface 7 and the advance position that has entered further in the direction of the recording head 1 than the movement locus position of the face surface 7 is hereinafter referred to as “the amount of entry of the wiping member 42”.

  In this embodiment, by using an elastic body such as rubber as the wiping support member 46, the wiping support member 46 is deformed when the face surface 7 is wiped, and the face of the recording head 1 via the wiping member 42 as an elastic force. A predetermined pressure is applied to the surface 7. By moving the recording head 1 in a state where a predetermined pressure is applied to the face surface 7 of the recording head 1 as a wiping force, the face surface 7 can be wiped off. In the present embodiment, the elastic force of the wiping support member 46 is the wiping force applied to the face surface 7, but the present embodiment is not limited to this. For example, it is possible to secure the wiping force by giving the wiping support member 46 a thickness that allows the wiping support member 46 to be deformed more than the amount of entry of the wiping member 42 during wiping.

  After the wiping of the face surface 7 of the recording head 1 is completed, the wiping support member 46 moves to a position having a gap from the wiping member 42 and the wiping member 42 moves to the retracted position as shown in FIG. To do. Then, the wiping member 42 is wound up by a predetermined amount by the winding roller 45. Therefore, at the next wiping operation, the unused portion of the wiping member 42 can come into contact with the recording head 1.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the second wiping operation. In addition, since the structure of the wiping apparatus 20 is the same, description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The wiping support member 46 is spaced from the wiping member 42, and the wiping member 42 is also in the retracted position (see FIG. 4A). When wiping the face surface 7 of the recording head 1, as shown in FIG. 4B, the wiping member 42 is positioned at a retracted position that is spaced from the movement locus position of the face surface 7 of the recording head 1. In this state, the recording head 1 moves to a position facing the wiping support member 46. Next, as shown in FIG. 4C, the wiping support member 46 moves in the direction of the recording head 1, so that the wiping member 42 can be brought into contact with the face surface 7 (hereinafter referred to as “second forward position”). The wiping member 42 and the face surface 7 of the recording head 1 are brought into contact with each other. In this embodiment, the amount of entry is set to be 1 mm, which is larger than that of the first wiping operation.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 4D, the wiping operation of the face surface 7 of the recording head 1 is performed by the movement of the recording head 1 while the wiping member 42 and the face surface 7 of the recording head 1 are in contact with each other. Is done. After the recording head 1 has moved a desired distance, the wiping operation of the face surface 7 of the recording head 1 is completed.

  After the wiping of the face surface 7 of the recording head 1 is completed, as shown in FIG. 4E, the wiping support member 46 moves to a position having a gap from the wiping member 42, and the wiping member 42 moves to the retracted position. To do. Then, the wiping member 42 is wound up by a predetermined amount by the winding roller 45.

  Note that, as described above, the second wiping operation has a larger entry amount than the first wiping operation. That is, the pressure applied from the wiping support member 46 to the face surface 7 of the recording head 1 via the wiping member 42 is larger than that in the first wiping operation, and the wiping force applied to the face surface 7 is the first wiping force. It is larger than the wiping action. Therefore, it is possible to wipe the face surface more strongly than the first wiping operation.

  With the approach amount set in the first wiping operation, the influence of the impact at the time of contact between the recording head 1 and the wiping member 42 is small, and the recording head 1 is not in a state where the wiping member 42 is located at the first forward position. It was possible to perform the wiping operation of the face surface 7 by moving from the contact position. However, if the recording head 1 is moved from the non-contact position in a state where the wiping member 42 is located at the second forward position where the amount of entry is large, the recording head 1 and the wiping member 42 are in contact with each other. The impact force is large. Therefore, in the second wiping operation with a large approach amount, the recording head 1 is moved to the second forward position in a state where the recording head 1 is moved to a position facing the wiping support member 46. Impact and vibration at the time of contact with the wiping member 42 can be suppressed.

  In the first wiping operation, as described above, the wiping member 42 is moved to the first forward position while the recording head 1 is retracted to the non-contact position. That is, it is possible to move the wiping member 42 to the first forward position during the recording operation. On the other hand, in the second wiping operation, the wiping member 42 cannot be moved to the second advance position during the recording operation. Therefore, the first wiping operation requires a shorter time for wiping the face surface 7 than the second wiping operation, and can prevent a reduction in throughput. Therefore, the first wiping operation can be performed for each scan during the recording operation, or can be performed after performing the several scan recording operation. Further, the second wiping operation is preferably used after the recording operation is finished, which is less affected by a decrease in throughput in the recording operation.

[Example 1]
Next, a first embodiment of the control procedure of the recording apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 shows a recording processing sequence. A recording start command is input from the host computer 25 to the recording device (S51). In the resting state of the recording apparatus, as described above, the face surface 7 of the recording head 1 is capped by the cap 13, so the cap 13 is opened so that the recording head 1 can be scanned. For example, it is determined by detecting whether the face surface 7 is in a cap state covered with the cap 13 by a sensor (S52). If the cap is in the cap state, the cap is lowered to a cap open state in which the face surface 7 is opened (S53).

  Next, prior to recording, preliminary ejection is performed to eliminate drying of the ejection ports 2 to 5 due to the non-recording state continuing (S54). Regarding the preliminary ejection, the preliminary ejection amount may be changed by a known method, for example, according to the time during which the non-recording state has continued. Next, the printing paper 6 is fed, and the printing paper 6 is conveyed to the recording start position (S55). Further, it is determined whether or not data for one scan has been stored in the reception buffer 27 (S56). If the determination is affirmative, the carriage 11 is scanned one time by the carriage motor, and the recording operation for the stored data is executed. (S57).

  Next, it is determined whether or not a wiping operation is necessary (S58). In this embodiment, the wiping operation is required depending on whether the recording history stored in the storage means (RAM 29), for example, whether the number of ink ejections per ejection port 2-5 from the previous wiping operation exceeds 500 pulses or not. A negative determination was made (see FIG. 8). If it is determined affirmative in the wiping operation necessity determination (S58), that is, it is determined that the wiping operation is necessary, the wiping operation is selected (S59). Incidentally, since this sequence is during the recording operation, the influence of the decrease in throughput is small, that is, the first wiping operation is selected. Then, the first wiping operation is performed (S60). In this embodiment, the sequence for determining the wiping operation for each scan has been described. However, for example, the sequence may be performed every several scans. Moreover, in the necessity determination (S58) of wiping operation | movement, the frequency | count of ink discharge from the last wiping operation | movement was used. However, the wiping operation is performed by setting a predetermined timing according to the number of ejections per unit time, the timer, the ambient temperature / humidity environment, the amount of ink mist adhering to the face surface 7 of the recording head 1 and the parameters affecting the ink fixation. It is also possible to execute.

  After the wiping operation, preliminary ejection is executed at a predetermined position. Further, it is determined whether or not to discharge (discharge) the print paper 6 in accordance with the end of the recording data of one print paper 6 or a discharge command (S61). Is discharged (S62), and this procedure is terminated. If a negative determination is made, the process returns to the step (S56) of determining whether or not data for one scan has been accumulated in the reception buffer 27.

  On the other hand, in the step of determining whether or not the wiping operation is necessary (S58), if the determination is negative, that is, if it is determined that the wiping operation is unnecessary, the step of determining whether or not to discharge (discharge) the print paper 6 ( Go to S61). Thereafter, the description is omitted because it is the same as described above.

  FIG. 6 shows a sequence executed after the recording is completed. When the recording sequence (S71) for one sheet of print paper 6 as shown in FIG. 5 is completed, whether or not to perform the wiping operation is determined based on the content of the wiping operation flag (S72). If an affirmative determination is made, this sequence is not in a recording operation, so it is determined that the effect of a decrease in throughput is small, and the second wiping operation is selected to further increase the wiping capability (S73). Then, a second wiping operation is performed (S74). At this time, the wiping operation flag is reset.

  The contents of the wiping operation flag affect the dot count of each color, the number of ejections per unit time, the timer, the ambient temperature and humidity environment, the amount of ink mist adhering to the face surface 7 of the recording head 1 and the ink fixation. Parameters. For example, when the number of ink ejections from the previous wiping operation stored in the storage means (RAM 29) has exceeded 10,000 pulses, or the elapsed time since the start of the recording operation has exceeded 3 minutes, etc. (See FIG. 8).

  Next, it is determined whether or not there is recording data for the second sheet (S75). If the determination is affirmative, the recording sequence for the recording data for the second sheet is performed in the same manner as for the first sheet (S71). On the other hand, if a negative determination is made, capping is performed (S76), and this procedure is terminated. If it is determined that the wiping operation is unnecessary in the step (S72) for determining whether or not to perform the wiping operation, the process proceeds to the step (S75) for determining whether or not there is the second sheet of recording data. The presence / absence of the recording data of the second sheet is determined.

[Example 2]
The sequence executed after the end of recording differs between the present embodiment and the first embodiment. The sequence of this embodiment is shown in FIG. In the second embodiment, when the recording sequence for one print sheet 6 (S81) is completed, it is determined whether or not the wiping operation is performed (S82). These two steps (S81, S82) are the same as the above-mentioned steps (S71, S72).

  In the first embodiment, since the non-recording operation is being performed in the sequence executed after the recording is completed, only the necessity determination of the second wiping operation is performed. In the sequence according to the present embodiment, two determinations are performed: a determination as to whether a wiping operation is necessary and a determination as to whether the first wiping operation or the second wiping operation is performed. First, it is determined whether or not the second wiping operation is necessary (S82). That is, it is determined whether or not the face surface 7 needs to be wiped off strongly.

  FIG. 8 shows a determination table in the necessity determination of the second wiping operation (S82) and the necessity determination of the first wiping operation (S83). In the present embodiment, the recording history stored in the storage means (RAM 29), for example, when the number of ink ejections from the previous wiping operation exceeds 10,000 pulses, or the elapsed time from the start of the recording operation is 3 If it exceeds the minute, it is determined that the second wiping operation is necessary. If an affirmative determination is made in the step of determining whether or not the second wiping operation is necessary (S82), the second wiping operation is selected (S84). Then, the second wiping operation is executed (S86). Since the subsequent sequence is the same as that of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted. Next, it is determined whether or not there is recording data for the second sheet (S88). If the determination is affirmative, the recording sequence for the recording data for the second sheet is performed in the same manner as for the first sheet (S81). On the other hand, if a negative determination is made, capping is applied to the face surface 7 (S89), and this procedure ends.

  When a negative determination is made in the second wiping operation necessity determination step (S82), the first wiping operation necessity determination is made (S83). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, when the number of ink ejections per ejection port 2-5 from the previous wiping operation exceeds 500 pulses, it is determined that the first wiping operation is necessary. If an affirmative determination is made in this determination, it is determined that it is not necessary to wipe the face surface 7 as strongly as the second wiping operation although the wiping operation is necessary, and the first wiping operation is selected (S85). Then, the first wiping operation is executed (S87). On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in the step (S83) for determining whether or not the first wiping operation is necessary, that is, if it is determined that the wiping operation is unnecessary, it is determined whether or not there is the second recording data (S88). ). If the determination is affirmative, the recording sequence for the second sheet of recording data is performed in the same manner as for the first sheet (S81). On the other hand, if a negative determination is made, capping is applied to the face surface 7 (S89), and this procedure ends.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, the second wiping operation or the first wiping operation is selectively executed. In this embodiment, the necessity determination of the second wiping operation and the necessity determination of the first wiping operation are determined by the number of ejections from the previous wiping operation and the elapsed time from the start of the recording operation. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is suitably determined by parameters that affect the amount of ink mist adhering to the face surface 7 of the recording head 1, such as the number of ejections per unit time or the ambient temperature and humidity environment.

  In the present embodiment, not only the necessity determination of the wiping operation but also the determination of the type of the wiping operation is added, and the case where the first wiping operation is executed without performing the second wiping operation occurs. Therefore, it is possible to realize a sequence that prevents a further decrease in throughput. In addition, the second wiping operation is not excessively performed. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the face surface 7 from being worn by the wiping member 42 strongly pressed by the wiping support member 46.

  In this embodiment, a sheet-like woven fabric is used as the wiping member 42. However, when wiping the face surface 7 using a blade-like rubber member as the wiping member 42, it is effective in preventing deterioration of the wiping member 42 by strongly wiping the face surface in the second wiping operation. .

[Example 3]
In this embodiment, a cleaning sequence such as a cleaning operation performed manually by a user and a cleaning operation automatically performed based on parameters such as the number of ink discharges stored in the recording apparatus main body and a timer will be described.

  A sequence executed in this embodiment is shown in FIG. When cleaning is started (S91), first, based on a sensor for detecting whether or not the face surface 7 is in a cap state, it is determined whether or not it is in a cap state (S92). If the face surface 7 is open, the face 13 is covered with the cap 13 and the cap is closed (S93). Next, the pump 15 is driven to perform a suction operation for sucking ink from the discharge ports 2 to 5 (S94). In this example, the suction time was 4 seconds. After completion of the suction operation, the face surface 7 is opened (S95). Next, a second wiping operation is performed (S96), and a predetermined number of preliminary ejections are performed (S97). Then, capping is performed (S98), and the cleaning operation is completed.

  The cleaning operation is performed when ink discharge failure from the discharge ports 2 to 5 or a so-called twist occurs in which ink droplets do not normally land on the print paper 6. It is also performed during non-recording. For this reason, the second wiping operation with higher wiping capability is performed as the wiping operation during cleaning.

  Note that the amount of entry of the wiping member 46 is not limited to a specific value, and may be any value as long as the first and second wiping operations can be performed.

  In the description of the present embodiment, the wiping support member 46 is provided in the recording apparatus main body, but may be integrated with the cassette 41 that is a wiping unit.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a sheet-like woven fabric is used as the wiping member 42. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a blade-like wiping member 42 using a rubber member may be used.

1 Recording Head 2-5 Discharge Port 7 Face Face 42 Wiping Member

Claims (10)

A recording head having a face surface provided with ejection openings for ejecting ink;
A wiping member that is located on the side facing the face surface and is movable between a forward position that can contact the face surface and a retracted position that does not contact the face surface;
A method for wiping the face surface of a recording head in an inkjet recording apparatus having:
During the recording operation, the wiping member is moved from the retracted position to the first advanced position, and then the recording head is made to reach a position facing the wiping member to bring the wiping member and the recording head into contact with each other. Let the first wiping operation to wipe the face surface by relative movement of the face surface and the wiping member,
After completion of the recording operation, after the first wiping operation and the recording head have reached a position facing the wiping member, the wiping member is moved from the retracted position to a second advanced position, The wiping operation selected by selecting any one of the second wiping operations for bringing the wiping member and the recording head into contact with each other and wiping the face surface by relative movement of the face surface and the wiping member. A method for wiping the face surface of the recording head.   The second advance position of the wiping member in the second wiping operation is further advanced from the first advance position in the first wiping operation to a position entered from the movement locus position of the face surface. The method for wiping the face surface of the recording head according to claim 1.   3. The face surface of the recording head according to claim 1, wherein after the recording operation is finished, either the first wiping operation or the second wiping operation is selected based on a recorded recording history. Wiping method.   The recording history includes the number of ink ejections after the first wiping operation and the number of ink ejections after the second wiping operation after the recording operation is completed. 4. A method for wiping the face surface of the recording head according to item 3.   The wiping method for a face surface of a recording head according to claim 3, wherein the recording history is an elapsed time from the start of a recording operation. A recording head having a face surface provided with ejection openings for ejecting ink;
A wiping member located on the side facing the face surface, movable between an advancing position capable of contacting the face surface and a retreating position not contacting the face surface;
An ink jet recording apparatus comprising:
After the wiping member moves from the retracted position to the first advanced position, the recording head reaches a position facing the wiping member, the wiping member and the recording head come into contact, and the face surface And a first wiping operation in which the face surface is wiped by relative movement between the wiping member and the wiping member;
After the recording head reaches a position facing the wiping member, the wiping member moves from the retracted position to the second advanced position, the wiping member and the recording head come into contact, and the face surface And a second wiping operation in which the face surface is wiped by relative movement between the wiping member and the wiping member;
Can be selectively performed.   The second advance position of the wiping member in the second wiping operation has entered from a movement trajectory position of the face surface that is further advanced than the first advance position in the first wiping operation. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the inkjet recording apparatus is a position. Recording means for storing the recording history is provided,
The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, wherein either the first wiping operation or the second wiping operation is selected and executed based on the recording history.   The inkjet according to claim 8, wherein the recording history includes the number of ink ejections after the first wiping operation and the number of ink ejections after the second wiping operation. Recording device.   The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the recording history is an elapsed time from the start of a recording operation.

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