JP2708430B2 - Wiping method for inkjet recording device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial applications]   The present invention relates to a wiping method for an ink jet recording apparatus.
And more specifically, regarding wiping timing
It is. [Conventional technology]   Ink jet recording devices have extremely low noise levels during recording.
Are small, and high-density recording is possible.
And the degree of attention has increased in recent years.
I have.   Inkjet recording devices are commonly used as recording media.
It has a great advantage that you can select paper passing,
Depending on the type, a problem may occur in the fixing property.
That is, the ink jet recording apparatus uses a liquid as a recording agent.
Because the body ink is used, the ink absorption of the recording medium
In the case of poor recording properties, etc.
Unsatisfactory ink remains on the recording medium as a liquid
Because.   When such a condition occurs, the conveying members such as the rollers become dirty.
The ink that has been dyed and contaminated this transport member is
It is transferred to the surface and recording quality will be significantly reduced.
You. Furthermore, when the operator handles the recorded recording medium,
Not only do they contaminate their hands, but they also
Flowing may disturb the quality of the image. Or
Also, when a recorded recording medium is loaded on a tray or the like,
This problem can also be caused by rubbing between recording media.
I can do it.   Preventing such problems and fixing ink to recording media
One way to improve printability is to add a recording medium using a heater.
Heats and promotes the evaporation of water contained in the ink, and
The above ink was dried and solidified quickly.
is there. Then, the length of the recording medium transport path can be reduced and the transport section
In response to requests for faster fixing to prevent material contamination,
The heater is located near the recording position of the recording head, for example, for recording.
A plug for regulating the recording medium flat against the head
Located in Ten. Also, if the recording medium is dry
Focus on the ink absorption,
In order to heat and dry the body, heat
Data may be provided.   At this time, the recording medium does not warp, and is good and
Rapid fixing is performed only when the temperature of the recording medium is between 80 ° C and 60 ° C.
Experiments conducted by the applicant have confirmed that
I have. [Problems to be solved by the invention]   However, heating is performed by disposing a heater as described above.
In this case, the surface of the recording head provided with the ink
Condensation on the surface). This is heating
Evaporation of water from recording media and ink
Therefore, the vicinity of the ejection surface of the recording head has a high humidity atmosphere.
However, on the other hand, the recording head takes into account ejection conditions such as ink viscosity.
And kept at about 20-40 ° C, that is, for fixing
Is lower than the ambient temperature by heating
Conceivable.   Also, due to the rebound of the ejected ink from the recording medium,
Often causes wetting of the ink ejection surface. This
This phenomenon is more pronounced as the recording dot duty increases.
Become noticeable.   As described above, when dew condensation or wetness occurs on the discharge surface, the discharge
Water droplets and the like adhere to the surface unevenly, and the ink
When ejected and separated from the ink, the ejected ink is scratched unevenly.
So that the ejection direction, ejection speed, and ink droplet size
This results in variations and deterioration of recording quality. Ma
In addition, paper dust and dust are likely to adhere due to the wetting of the discharge surface.
This may cause a decrease in recording quality.   On the other hand, the discharge surface
Has been used to eliminate wetness.
The coating on the ejection surface is damaged by the iping, and the life of the print head is reduced.
There was a problem of shortening life.   The present invention solves such a problem and provides an efficient wipe pin.
Inkjet to minimize the deterioration of the ejection surface
It is intended to provide a recording device. [Means to solve the problem]   Therefore, in the present invention, while scanning the recording medium,
A recording head for performing recording by discharging ink, and the recording head;
A blade for wiping the ink ejection surface of the
By relatively moving the blade and the
Ink for performing the wiping by engaging with the ink discharge surface
A wiping method for a jet recording apparatus, wherein the recording is performed.
The number of dots in the recording of the next one scan by the head is the first
The wiping is performed when the number is larger than a predetermined number
A wiping step, wherein the number of dots is smaller than the first predetermined number.
If not larger than the number of dots and the previous wiping
The sum with the number of dots recorded later is larger than the second predetermined number
Then, a second wiping step for performing the wiping
And the following. [Action]   According to the above configuration, the image formed by the next one-scan recording is formed.
If the number of dots in the link is greater than the first
The first wiping step for performing the
When the number of dots is not larger than the first predetermined number,
The sum of the number of dots recorded after the first wiping is the second predetermined
Second wiping to perform wiping when the number is larger than the number
One of the steps is performed as a wiping step
Therefore, there is a possibility that leakage may occur on the ejection surface of the recording head.
Or two-step wiping according to the possibility
Can be performed. [Example]   Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on embodiments shown in the drawings.
You.   FIG. 1 is an inkjet recording according to one embodiment of the present invention.
Equipment (hereinafter referred to as inkjet printer or simply pre-
FIG. In the figure, 100 is
1 shows an inkjet printer main body. 15 is printer 100
Paper discharge forming part of the paper discharge port provided in the center of the upper lid
The guide 101 is provided continuously with the paper ejection guide 15,
This is a paper output tray that forms part of the top cover of the linter 100.
The recording medium such as recording paper for which recording has been completed is
Inkjet printing
The paper is discharged out of the printer main body 100 and stacked on the paper output tray 101.
It is.   An operation panel 102 is provided on a part of the top cover of the printer 100.
Keys for various operation inputs to be described later,
Table for notifying the operation status of each part in the printer
Equipped with an indicator lamp. 103 is installed at one end of the top cover of the printer 100.
Paper set lever that protrudes through the
By operating the paper set lever 103, the second
A mechanism described later with reference to FIG. 3 or FIG.
Makes feeding easier.   FIG. 2 shows a state in which the exterior of the printer shown in FIG. 1 is removed.
It is a perspective view showing a state.   FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line XX in FIG.
You.   In FIGS. 2 and 3, 1 and 1 'are recording media.
A slider that forms a part of the body storage portion and includes a slider shaft;
7 slidably provided on the sliders 1 and 1 '.
By sliding each of them along the slider axis 7
It can correspond to the width of the recording medium 33. 2 and
Numerals 2 'denote separation tabs provided on the slider 7, respectively.
In cooperation with the separation rollers 4 and 4 '.
Separately supply each sheet. Reference numerals 3 and 3 'denote storage medium storage units.
A pressure plate forming a bottom plate, and each of the pressure plates 3 and 3 '
The shaft 1A provided on each of the sliders 1 and 1 '
One end is supported rotatably. The platens 3 and 3 '
The shafts 1A and 3A are respectively driven by push-up springs 3A and 3A '.
And pivoted about 1A '
And how many sheets of recording paper 33 are stored
Regardless of whether the recording medium 33 is
And secure engagement.   5 and 5 'are slidable along the separation roller shaft 6,
While holding the separation rollers 4 and 4 ', respectively,
Connections for connecting sliders 1 and 1 'respectively
It is a connecting member having members 5A, 5B and 5A ', 5B'.   That is, the separation roller 4, the connecting member 5, the connecting member 5A and
5B is integrally combined with the slider shaft 7 and the separation roller shaft.
6 can be moved. The separation roller 4 ',
Similarly, the connecting member 5 'and the connecting members 5A' and 5B '
Be unionized.   With the above-described configuration, the slide width corresponding to the width of the recording medium 33 is set.
When the sliders 1 and 1 'slide, the slider
Accordingly, the separation rollers 4 and 4 '
It is displaced on the roller shaft 6. Also, pressure plates 3 and 3 ', separation
Hooks 2 and 2 'are attached to sliders 1 and 1', respectively.
Slides of sliders 1 and 1 '
Is similarly displaced.   8 is provided at one end of the slider shaft 7 and
It is a lever for rotating. 9 and 9 'are sly
Is fixed to the shaft 7 and can be engaged with the pressure plates 3 and 3 ', respectively.
A pressure plate pressing arm provided for the slider shaft 7
Of the shaft 1A with the rotation of the pressure plates 3 and 3 '
Rotate it counterclockwise in the figure. That is,
The bar 8 is operated by operating the paper set lever 103 described above.
Pivots in the direction of the arrow A ', whereby the pressure plate pressing arm
9 and 9 'resist the urging force of the push-up springs 3A and 3A'
Press down the pressure plates 3 and 3 '. As a result, it is separated from the pressure plate 3.
Engagement with the pawl 2 and engagement between the pressure plate 3 'and the separating pawl 2'
The connection is released, and the supply of the recording medium 33 becomes easy.   22 is connected to one end of the separation roller shaft 6 via a transmission mechanism 23.
Automatic sheet feed (ASF)
Data. The rotational driving force of the ASF motor 22
And transmitted to the separation roller shaft 6 through the separation roller.
4 and 4 'rotate clockwise in FIG.
Separate the recording medium 33 one by one in cooperation with
Send out to the route.   Reference numeral 24 denotes a paper feed roller, which is connected to the separation rollers 4 and 4 '.
Therefore, the recording medium 33 is provided at an appropriate portion to which the recording medium 33 is supplied.
It is. 10A and 10B show the recording medium
From the insertion part to the platen 12, almost paper feed rollers
Paper guys with appropriate gaps along the circumference of 24
And a gap formed by the paper guides 10A and 10B.
Forms a paper feed path for the recording paper 33. 10C is the behavior of the recording medium 33
With a paper holder to regulate the
is there. 25A and 25B are 2 near the circumference of the paper feed roller 24.
Through the holes provided in the paper guides 10A and 10B.
Pinch roller that contacts the paper feed roller 24
The biasing force is obtained by the illustrated spring, and the paper guides 10A and 10B
Is pressed against the paper feed roller 24.   11 is connected to one end of the paper feed roller 24 via the transmission mechanism 27.
The combined paper feed motor. That is, the paper feed motor
The rotation driving force of 11 is transmitted to the paper feed roller 24 via the transmission mechanism 27.
The paper feed roller 24 is rotated by this,
The recording medium 33 is transported.   12 is disposed above the paper feed roller 24 and the recording medium 33
Extends over the entire width, flattening the recording surface with the recording head
Platen, 13 and 13 'along the transport path
This is a paper discharge roller disposed downstream of the platen 12. Ma
14 and 14 'are the discharge rollers 13 and 13', respectively.
Paper sensors provided for each of the recording media 33
Is set or conveyed, and further, paper ejection is detected. Above
Arrangement of the platen 12 and the discharge rollers 13 and 13 '
The recording medium 33 for which recording has been completed
The paper is ejected to the upper side of the
Guided above.   Reference numeral 50 denotes a surface of the platen 12 opposite to the surface in contact with the recording paper 33.
Is a fixing heater attached to the fixing device. The fixing heater 50
The platen 12 is heated and the heat of the platen 12 is recorded
By being transmitted to the medium 31, there is no recording medium 33 itself
Dry the ink on the recording medium 33 for which printing has been completed.
be able to.   20 corresponds to the recording surface of the recording medium 33 regulated by the platen 12.
Print head with nozzle groups that eject ink
is there. Then, an appropriate part in the ink flow path such as the nozzle
An electrothermal conversion element or an electromechanical conversion element
Discharge energy is created in the ink according to the supply of the drive signal.
The ink from the discharge port at the tip of the nozzle.
Discharged. 16 is a carriage that holds the recording head 20
And is fixed to the drive belt 18 and the platen 12
Guide shuffs arranged in parallel to the direction in which
The recording head can be slid with the recording heads 19A and 19B.
Reciprocating over the entire width of the recording paper 33
You.   17 is provided near one end of the reciprocating path of the recording head 20.
Head drive motor, and the rotation of the head drive motor
A pulley 17A is attached to the shaft. Also head 2
A pulley 17B is provided at the other end of the reciprocating movement path of No. 0.
A belt 18 is stretched by pulleys 17A and 17B. You
That is, the rotational driving force of the head driving motor 17 is applied to the belt 18.
Therefore, the driving force is converted into a linear driving force, and the driving force is coupled to the belt 18.
Is transmitted to the carriage 16. Thereby, the recording head
20 is reciprocated in the width direction of the recording medium 33.   26 is one end of the movement path of the recording head 20 outside the recording range, for example
For example, the head recovery device located at the home position
By appropriately configuring the transmission mechanism 23 described above, the ASF mode
The recording head 20 in accordance with the driving of the
The capping operation and the movement of the recording head 20
It is possible to retreat from the moving path and perform the operation. this
Regarding the capping of the head recovery device 26 to the recording head 20,
An appropriate suction means provided in the head recovery device 26
Suction or ink supply to recording head 20
Perform ink pressure feeding by appropriate pressurizing means provided in the path,
By forcibly discharging ink from the discharge port,
Discharge recovery processing, such as removing thickened ink in the whirl, is possible
It is. Capping should be performed at the end of recording, etc.
This protects the head when not in use.   31 is provided on the side of the head recovery device 26,
With a blade as a wiper member that can engage with 20 discharge surfaces
Yes, similar to the head recovery device 26,
The recording head 20 according to the driving of the ASF motor 22
Can be engaged / disengaged. Sand
That is, appropriate timing in the reciprocating operation of the recording head 20
Or after the ejection recovery process using the head recovery device 26
Then, the blade 31 is projected into the movement path of the recording head 20.
And the nozzle of the head 20 in relation to the reciprocating operation of the head 20
Wipe off ink overflowing near the tip. In addition, record
Separate feeding, capping and wiping of media 33
The configuration of the transmission mechanism 23 for performing by one motor 22, or
When a pump is provided as a suction means in the head recovery device 26
In this case, the drive of this pump and the paper feed
The configuration is described, for example, by the present applicant in Japanese Patent Application No. 61-8163.
No. 7 or those disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 61-197201
Can be.   30 is attached to the paper guide 10B extending below the platen 12.
The attached humidity sensor detects the humidity in the recording area.
You.   4 (A) to 4 (C) show the head recovery device shown in FIG.
Top showing the position and the positional relationship between the blade and the recording head
FIG.   FIG. 4A shows an arrow A in the figure after the recording head 20 has completed recording.
Move to the home position and return to the home position.
At this time, the head recovery device 26 and the blade 31
Is located at a position retracted from the movement path of the recording head 20.   FIG. 4B shows the recording head 20 stopped at the home position.
Stops, and the cap 26A of the head recovery device 26 is
When capping is performed by contacting the discharge surface of 0
At this time, the head recovery device 26 moves in the direction of arrow B in the figure.
Moving. On the other hand, the blade 31 is also the head recovery device 26
With the head recovery device 26
Not done.   FIG. 4 (C) shows the direction in which the recording head 20 is indicated by an arrow D in the figure.
From the home position to the recording start position
At this time, the head recovery device 26
The recording head 20 has been retracted from the movement path. In contrast,
In the direction shown by arrow C in FIG.
And protrudes into the movement path of the recording head 20.
You. As a result, the ejection surface of the recording head 20 is
Is wiped.   The wiping by the blade 31 causes condensation and
Make sure that the ink ejected from the recording medium
It can be removed.   FIG. 5 shows a control system of the printer shown in FIGS.
FIG.   In FIG. 5, 61 is a microprocessor unit.
(MPU), which controls the entire printer. 62 is Lee
Do-only memory (ROM).
Processing procedures related to printer control, such as the processing procedures described
A table etc. showing the relationship between humidity and the number of dots is stored.
I have. 63 is a random access memory (RAM).
Areas (buffers) and controls for temporarily storing image information to be recorded
Work area in your control, and a counter described later
With an area for 64 is a character generator
(CG), a sentence corresponding to character information in the image information
Characters are stored. 65 is host computer data
I / O interface (I / O) for exchanging data
Various sensors, motors, and even operations in the printer
Input / output interface for exchanging data with the panel
(I / O). 69 is a mode provided in each part of the printer.
Operation timing of the printer, such as
Timer for generating the printing, 20C is the drive of the recording head 20
This is a head control circuit that controls the movement. Mentioned above
Each part indicated by 62 to 66, 69 and 20C is an address bus 67
Connected to the MPU 61, and each part
Connected by tabus 68.   105 indicates no paper, presence of ink, width of recording paper,
To detect whether or not the pad 20 is in the home position.
50A is a fixing sensor that detects the temperature of the fixing heater 50
The heater thermistor 20A detects the temperature of the recording head 20
Head thermistor 70, these thermistors 50A and 2
Temperature information from 0A, with a predetermined temperature as a threshold for each
This is a comparator for converting into a binary signal.   30A is a humidity detection circuit described later with reference to FIG.
It is connected to a humidity sensor 30 that detects the humidity in the recording area.
You. Each of the humidity sensor 30A has two signal lines l_TwoAnd l
_ThreeOutput to I / O 66.   20B is a positive temperature coefficient thermistor, and Tr1 is a transistor.
The transistor Tr1 is connected to the signal line l connected to the I / O 66._FourTheory of
Is turned “ON” by the logic “1”, and the PTC thermistor 20B is charged.
The flow is caused to increase the temperature of the recording head 20.   50B is a fixing heater control circuit described later with reference to FIG.
Signal line connected to I / O 66₁Controlled by logic signal
Is done. This allows the power supply from the AC power supply 106 to be
Then, the temperature of the fixing heater 50 is controlled.   I / O 66 is the signal line₁~ L_FourOther signal lines.
ASF motor 22, operation panel 102, head drive motor 17,
Paper feed motor 11, sensor for detecting the presence or absence of paperless ink, etc.
Connected to the comparator 105 and the comparator 70, respectively.
You.   FIG. 6 shows details of the humidity detection circuit shown in FIG. 5,
In the figure, H1 is an oscillator, HC is a capacitor, and HR is a reference resistor.
Anti, H2 is amplifier, H3 is rectifier, H4 and H5 are comparator
Are respectively shown. 30 or 40 is the humidity sensor described above.
The resistance value changes with humidity.
You.   AC power generated by oscillator H1 and capacitor HC
Pressure is applied to the series circuit of the reference resistance HR and the humidity sensor 30.
The voltage divided by the reference resistor HR is applied to the amplifier H2 and the rectifier.
It is converted and amplified to a series voltage by the heater H3. Converted DC voltage
Is compared with a predetermined voltage value by comparator H4 or H5.
Signal line according to the level of the converted DC voltage._Twois there
I_ThreeIs changed. Ie connected to the circuit
By properly determining the value of the resistance to
Depending on whether the humidity detected in is more than 80% or less,_Two
Is set to “1” or “0”. In the same way
Depending on whether the known humidity is above or below 50%, for example_ThreeTheory of
The logic is set to “1” or “0”.   This gives_TwoIf the logic is “1”, the humidity is high
Indicates that l_ThreeIf the logic of “0” is low humidity
Indicates that   FIG. 7 shows details of the fixing heater control circuit shown in FIG.
Show. In the figure, Tr_TwoIs a transistor, T1 is a photo
Plastic, T3 is a bidirectional three-terminal thyristor, 50 is the aforementioned
It is an arrival heater. Communication via I / O 66 under the control of MPU61
Line l₁Is set to "1", the transistor Tr_TwoIs “O
N "and current flows through the light emitting element of the photocoupler T1 to emit light
I do. This light emission causes the light receiving element of the photocoupler T1 to be charged.
Current flows, and this current flows through the gate of the bidirectional three-terminal thyristor T3.
Input to the gate electrode.   The bidirectional 3-terminal thyristor T3 has an input to the gate electrode.
AC power is supplied to the fixing heater 50
The force is transmitted, thereby increasing the temperature of the heater.   FIG. 8 shows the operation or processing of each part of the printer described above.
It is a flowchart which shows an order.   When the printer current is turned “ON”, the RAM 63
Clear flags and counters in the
Various initial sets for the printer 100
Check. Next, in step S2, the head 20
Turn ON the thermistor 20B and fixing heater control circuit 50B
Then, the fixing heater 50 and the recording head 20 are warmed.   In step S3, whether the recording medium 33 is in the recording area
Judge. If a negative determination is made here, the process proceeds to step S12.
The paper lamp on the operation panel 102 to
Warning. Next, in step S13, replenishment of the recording medium 33 or
Perform error processing such as transporting the recording medium 33 to the recording area.
No, whether the paper-out error was cleared in step S14
Is determined. When the error is cleared, return to step S3
You.   If a positive determination is made in step S3, the process proceeds to step S4,
Be online with the host computer and operate the operation panel
Turn on the 102 online lamp. Next, step S5
, A signal that sets the logic of the Busy signal to “0” is output,
A state in which data can be received from the host computer
In step S6, image data to be recorded is received.
The dot image for each scan is developed in the RAM 63.   In step S7, FIG. 9 or FIG.
Processing for “wiping and recording” described later in
Is performed. In the recording process, the head drive mode
Drive the nozzles of the
Page 16 rises from the home position and
Recording, and then the carriage 16 returns to home position
Return to the action or start the operation of stopping at a predetermined position. This
Step between the return operation and the stop operation of the carriage 16
In S8, the recording medium 33 is fed.   In the meantime, in steps S9 and S10, the host command
Image data may be received from a computer. S
In step S11, the head drive motor 17 and the paper feed
It is determined whether the motor 11 has stopped.   One scan of printing by the processing in each of the above steps
And processing accompanying it is performed, and in step S11
If the determination is affirmative, the process returns to step S5.   FIG. 9 shows the “wiping and wiping” shown in step S7 of FIG.
9 is a flowchart showing details of the process of “recording and recording”.   In step S701, the next
Counts the number of dots for one scan of
The contents of the counter 1 are used. Next, in step S702, the recorded
From the relationship between the number of dots to be printed and the wetness of the head ejection surface
Judge whether the content of count 1 is larger than predetermined number x
I do.   Here, when the content of the count 1 is larger than the predetermined number x.
If there is a possibility that a large amount of wetting may occur on the head ejection surface
Then, in step S703, before performing recording,
The wiping operation described above is performed to eliminate the wetting. So
After that, the contents of the counter 2 described later in step S704 are cleared.
Then, the process proceeds to step S709 to perform recording.   If a negative determination is made in step S702, that is,
If the number of dots to be printed is smaller than the predetermined number x, step S705
And add the contents of count 1 to the contents of counter 2
You. Here, the content of the counter 2 is the last wiping operation.
This indicates the number of dots recorded later. Next,
Number of dots and heads recorded so far in Tep S706
Predetermined number y and counter determined from the relationship with the wetting of the discharge surface
Compare the contents of 2.   If the content of the counter 2 is larger than the predetermined number y, the head
Assuming that the discharge surface may be wet
In S707, a wiping operation is performed in advance before recording.
No, wetting of the ejection surface is eliminated. Next, in step S708,
The contents of the counter 2 are cleared, and the process proceeds to step S709. Stay
When a negative determination is made in step S706, the process also proceeds to step S709.
Make a recording.   FIG. 10 shows the “wiping and recording” shown in FIG.
This shows another embodiment of the processing, and the humidity sensor described above is used.
Processing is performed according to the humidity conditions detected by the
U.   In step S801, similar to the processing in step S701 described above,
The number of dots to be recorded next is set as the content of count 1, and the
Signal line l_TwoWhether the logic of "1" is "1"
Thus, it is determined whether or not the recording area has high humidity. High humidity
In the case of the degree, the process proceeds to step S803, and is equal to the predetermined number x described above.
The predetermined number x 'determined in the above manner is compared with the content of the count 1.
You.   In addition, a negative determination is made in step S802, that is,
If it is determined that the predetermined number has been reached, the process proceeds to step S804.
Compare x with the contents of count 1.   Here, x and x 'have a relation of x' <x.
This is because condensation is likely to occur under high humidity conditions.
The number of dots recorded next is lower than when the humidity is low.
A large number of dots can cause significant wetting of the head ejection surface
Because there is a potential.   A positive determination is made in step S804 or S803,
When the content of the component 1 is larger than the predetermined number x or x '
Proceeds to step S807, performs wiping operation, and
Proceed to step S813 where the contents of counter 2
No.   If a negative determination is made in step S804 or S803,
Proceed to step S805, and as described above,
1 is added, and in step S808, the signal line l_TwoTheory of
The recording area to determine if the recording area is high humidity.
Refuse.   If it is determined that the humidity is high, proceed to step S809, and
The predetermined number y 'and the contents of the counter 2 determined in the same manner as
Compare.   If it is determined in step S808 that the humidity is not high,
Proceed to step S810 to compare the content of the counter 2 with the predetermined number y.
Compare.   Note that the relationship between y and y 'is the same as the relationship between x and x'.
For the reason, y ′ <y.   A positive determination is made in step S809 or S810,
If the content of the counter 2 is larger than the predetermined number, step S8
Proceed to step 11 to perform the wiping operation.
After that, the process proceeds to step S813.   If a negative determination is made in step S809 or S810,
Proceed to step S813 to perform recording.   As described above, the processing shown in FIG. 9 or FIG.
It is possible to perform efficient wiping, and as a result
Decreases the number of wiping operations and slows the deterioration of the head ejection surface
As a result, the life of the recording head can be extended.   In addition, the processing shown in FIG.
Management is more granular and more efficient
Iping can be performed. [The invention's effect]   As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, the following
The number of ink dots to be formed in one scan printing is
First wiping pin that performs wiping when it is larger than a constant
Or the number of dots is larger than the first predetermined number.
The number of dots and record after the last wiping.
If the sum of the number of dots
Any of the second wiping steps for performing the wiping
Is performed as a printing process,
Depending on the likelihood of or
A two-step wiping can be performed.   As a result, efficient and fine wiping is performed.
And the number of wiping operations is reduced,
Can prevent deterioration of the ejection surface and prolong the life of the recording head.
The effect of cutting was also obtained.   Also, make sure that the ink ejection surface
The recording quality of stable images.
You.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an ink jet printer according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 2 and 3 show a case where the exterior of the ink jet printer shown in FIG. 1 is removed. 4 (A) to 4 (C) are top views showing the operation of the head recovery device and the blade shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, respectively. FIG. 5 is an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of a humidity detection circuit shown in FIG. 5, FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of a fixing heater control circuit shown in FIG. 5, and FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the recording operation of the ink jet printer according to one embodiment of the present invention and the accompanying processing. FIGS. 9 and 10 are flowcharts showing the details of the wiping and recording processing shown in FIG. . 1,1 '... Slider shaft, 2,2' ... Separation, 3,3 '... Press plate, 4,4' ... Separation roller, 5,5 '... Connecting member, 5A, 5A', 5B , 5B '... connecting member, 6 ... separating roller shaft, 7 ... slider shaft, 8 ... lever, 9,9' ... pressure plate pressing down arm, 10A, 10B ... paper guide, 11 ... paper feed Motor, 12 Platen, 13, 13 'Paper discharge roller, 14, 14' Paper discharge sensor, 15 Guide, 16 Carriage, 17 Head drive motor, 17A, 17B Pulley , 18 ... belt, 19A, 19B ... guide shaft, 20 ... recording head, 20C ... head control circuit, 22 ... ASF motor, 23, 27 ... transmission mechanism, 25A, 25B ... pinch roller, 26 ... Head recovery device, 26A ... Cap part, 30 ... Humidity sensor, 30A ... Humidity detection circuit, 31 ... Blade, 50 ... Fixing heater, 50A ... Fixing heater thermistor, 50B ... Heater control circuit, 61… MPU, 62… ROM, 63… RAM, 64… CG, 65,66… I / O, 67… Address bus, 68… Data bus, 69… Timer , 70… Comparator, 100… Inkjet printer body, 101… Output tray, 102… Operation panel, 103… Paper set lever, 105… Sensor, 106… Power supply, H1… Oscillator, H2… ... amplifier, H3 ...... rectifier, H4, H5 ...... comparator, HC ...... capacitor, HR ...... reference resistor, T1 ...... photocoupler, T3 ...... bidirectional triode thyristor, Tr _1, Tr ₂ ...... transistor , L ₁ ,, l ₂ , l ₃ , l ₄ ... Signal lines.

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] By relatively moving a recording head that performs recording by discharging ink while scanning a recording medium, and a blade for wiping an ink discharging surface of the recording head, the blade and the ink discharging surface are moved. And a wiping method for an ink jet recording apparatus that performs the wiping by engaging with the first and second wiping operations when the number of dots in the recording of the next one scan by the recording head is larger than a first predetermined number. Performing a wiping step; if the number of dots is not larger than the first predetermined number, and if the sum of the number of dots and the number of dots recorded after the previous wiping is larger than a second predetermined number, the wiping is performed. A wiping method for an ink jet recording apparatus, comprising: a second wiping step. 2. The patent further comprising a step of detecting in advance a humidity near a recording area of the ink jet recording apparatus, and a step of changing the first predetermined number and the second predetermined number based on the detected humidity. A wiping method for an ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1. 3. 3. The recording head according to claim 1, wherein the recording head has an electrothermal conversion element, and discharges the ink using thermal energy generated by the electrothermal conversion element. A wiping method for an ink jet recording apparatus. 4. 2. The recording head according to claim 1, wherein the recording head has an electromechanical transducer, and ejects ink using mechanical energy generated by the electromechanical transducer.
Item 3. The wiping method for an ink jet recording apparatus according to Item 2.