JP2806610B2 - Ink jet recording device - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a recording apparatus that performs recording on a recording medium (hereinafter, also referred to as recording paper or simply paper) such as paper or an OHP sheet has been proposed in a form in which a recording head according to various recording methods is mounted. ing. The recording head includes a wire dot type, a thermal type, a thermal transfer type, an ink jet type, and the like.

In particular, the ink-jet method, which directly ejects ink onto recording paper, has attracted attention as a quiet recording method with low running cost.

In a recording apparatus using such an ink jet system, a recording head generally having an array of fine discharge ports is used. Therefore, when bubbles or dust enter the discharge ports, or when the ink solvent evaporates, the viscosity increases. In a case where the ink becomes unsuitable for ejection or printing due to, for example, the ink is refreshed to remove the cause of the ejection failure (ejection recovery process).
Is to be made.

As one mode of means for performing such an ejection recovery process,
There is a type provided with a cap capable of covering a discharge port forming surface of a recording head and a pump communicating with the cap and acting on a suction force. Then, the ink is ejected by driving the ink ejection energy generating element inside the ejection port in a state where the cap is opposed to the ejection port formation surface, or a suction force is applied in a state where the ejection port formation surface is covered by the cap. In this way, the ink is forcibly ejected by sucking the ink from the ejection port to remove the cause of the ejection failure together with the ink.

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] The present invention finds a new technical problem in the following background art and solves it. That is, when a configuration was designed in which the cap member was formed of at least an elastic body and was in contact with or directly supported by the suction recovery support member, the ink discharge path of the elastic cap member and the support member corresponding to this were designed. The ink guide path was in communication, and the initial state was good. However, when looking at the state after long-term use and the process of confirming whether product reliability has been ensured, a slight leak of ink has occurred in the contact area. Was found. This occurred even under sufficient conditions in design. When the inventors pursued this cause,
When the cap member is supported so as to be equalized with respect to the ejection port forming surface in order to stably contact the contact portion of the cap member with no gap with respect to the ejection port forming surface of the recording head, the cap portion is in an uncapped state. It has been found that stable contact may not be performed satisfactorily due to the problem of the accuracy of the surface positioning of the cap with respect to the discharge port forming surface in the above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, it is a main object of the present invention to provide a cap member support mechanism that can secure both the locating accuracy and equalization of a cap with respect to a discharge port forming surface.

 Other objects of the present invention will be understood from the following description.

[Means for Solving the Problems] For this purpose, according to the present invention, it is possible to make contact with / separate from an ejection port surface on which the ejection port is formed of a recording head that performs recording by ejecting ink from the ejection port. A cap for covering the discharge port by abutting; a suction pump for performing suction from the discharge port via a suction port of the cap; A cap lever provided with a channel for detaching and connecting the suction port and the suction pump, wherein the cap has a tube portion communicating with the suction port, and the cap has an elasticity together with the tube portion. The cap lever has a high-rigidity cylindrical portion forming the flow path on the cap side, and the cylindrical portion has an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the tube portion. It has a diameter and is fitted to the tube part.

The present invention also includes a cap holder for holding the cap between the cap and the cap lever, the cap holder having a concave spherical portion and a locking claw on the cap lever side. The cap lever may have a convex spherical portion that contacts the concave spherical portion and a locking hole that engages with the locking claw.

Further, the recording head has an energy generating element for generating energy used for discharging ink,
The energy generating element may be a thermal energy generating element that causes film boiling of the ink.

[Operation] According to the present invention, a cap having a tube portion communicating with the suction port and integrally formed with an elastic member together with the tube portion, and bringing the cap into contact with the ejection port surface of the recording head. And a cap lever having a highly rigid cylindrical portion having an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the tube portion and forming a flow path for allowing the suction port and the suction pump to communicate with each other. By fitting the high-rigidity cylindrical portion of the cap lever to the portion, the cap is held in a state in which the exposure accuracy with respect to the recording head ejection port forming surface in the uncapped state is high, and the cap with respect to the ejection port forming surface during capping is Satisfactorily can be applied to

[Example] Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an ink jet recording apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main part of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 excluding a case and the like, and FIG. FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams mainly showing a paper discharge system of the apparatus shown in FIG.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes an ink jet recording apparatus. This apparatus 100 is used when mounted and used as shown in FIG. Etc., which are relatively small.

101 is an apparatus case, 102 is an outer lid, and 103 is an inner lid. When not in use, the outer lid 102 is superimposed on the inner lid 103 so that the
0 is compact. Thus, for example, the recording device can be put in a dedicated storage bag and carried by the user.

The outer cover 102 can also serve as a paper feed guide for the recording paper 40 as shown in FIG.
Is the paper feed port. Further, the outer lid 102 can also be used as a paper discharge tray as described later.

 In any of the above cases, 107 in FIG.

Reference numeral 105 denotes a position fixing hook of the upper cover 102, and reference numeral 104 denotes an operation key, a display unit, and the like.

 Next, the configuration of the main parts of the apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.

In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a chassis, and a left side plate 1a and a right side plate 1b, which also serve as a guide for a recording medium such as paper, are erected on the back side. The chassis 1 is provided with a motor mounting hole for rotatably supporting a carrier motor described later, but is not shown.

1h is a lead arm that supports a lead screw described later in the axial and radial directions, and a bearing (not shown).
It is pivoted on.

Reference numeral 2 denotes a lead screw, in which lead grooves 2a are formed at a predetermined pitch relative to a recording range. On the carrier home position side of the lead screw 2, a cap and a position groove 3b for setting a position at which ejection recovery is performed are formed along a section perpendicular to the screw axis. Furthermore, the lead groove 2a and the position groove 3b
Is smoothly continued by the introduction groove 3c.

A shaft 2g is provided at the right end of the lead screw 2 and a shaft is also provided at the left end side. The shafts are fitted into bearings provided on the front plate 1c and the lead arm 1b, respectively, and are rotatably supported by them. You. Reference numeral 3 denotes a lead pulley including the grooves 3b and 3c and provided on a shaft of the lead screw 2, and a pulley 3a is provided at an end thereof. Then, a driving force is transmitted from the motor 11 to the pulley 3a via the timing belt 13.

The shaft 2g on the right end side of the lead screw 2 is slidably engaged with the groove of the guide plate 1c connected to the chassis right plate 1b and the chassis 1, and is slidably engaged with the holding portion 10a of the leaf spring 10 in the thrust direction. While being pressed, the shaft 2g is further guided by the guide plate 1c.
Is engaged with a cam groove of a cam groove plate 50a which is rotatably supported by a shaft provided on the cam groove plate 50a. A meshing tooth is formed around the cam groove plate 50a, and the ratchet portion 10c of the leaf spring 10 is formed.
The engagement between the two allows the cam groove plate 50a to be locked at a desired rotational position. As a result, the position of the shaft 2g engaging with the cam groove is determined in the groove of the guide plate 1c, and thus the position of the lead screw 2 at the right end of the device is determined. This configuration is used for adjusting the gap between the recording head and the platen, which will be described later.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a clutch gear which is slidably supported in the axial direction with respect to the lead pulley 3, and which is engaged with a key portion provided on the lead pulley 3 described later in FIG. The second rotational power is transmitted. Reference numeral 5 denotes a clutch spring, which is a compression spring that urges the clutch gear 4 in the lead groove direction. In addition, a regulating member that allows the clutch gear 4 to move only within a predetermined range in the axial direction is formed between the clutch gear 4 and the lead pulley 3.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a carrier, which is slidably attached to the lead screw 2. Reference numeral 6a denotes a pressing portion for pressing the end face of the clutch gear 4, which is integrally formed on the left side of the carrier. Reference numeral 7 denotes a lead pin, and a lead screw 2
And the pressing direction thereof is guided by guide holes (not shown) of the carrier 6. Reference numeral 8 denotes a lead pin spring, one end of which is attached to the carrier 6 and the other end presses the lead pin 7.

Reference numeral 9 denotes a recording head mounted on the carrier 6. In this example, a head element 9a for performing ink ejection and an ink tank 9b serving as an ink supply source are integrated to form a cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the carrier 6. It has a disposable type that can be replaced when ink is consumed. In addition, as a discharge energy generating element that is disposed on the head element 9a and applies the discharge energy to the ink, an electrothermal conversion element or an electromechanical conversion element is used. There is,
The former is preferably used because the manufacturing process is simple and the like.

Reference numeral 6c denotes a hook, which is fixed to a part of the carrier 6, and which moves the recording head 9 when the carrier 6 moves as described later.
This mechanism is used to stop stably at the position of the cap or the like.

Reference numeral 51 denotes a carrier guide shaft, which slidably engages with a guide pin 6b provided at the rear end of the carrier 6. The guide shaft 51 has eccentric shafts 51a as described later in FIG. 4, and these shafts 51a are rotatably supported by side plates 51b and 51c provided at the end of the chassis 1. Further, the end of the shaft 51a pivotally supported by the side plate 51c is provided with a positioning knob.
The rotational position of the shaft 51 is fixed by being fixed to 51d and engaging a projection provided on the knob 51d with a hole 51e provided on the side plate 51c.

As shown in FIGS. 4 (A) and 4 (B), the above-described configuration makes the distance between the recording surface of the recording paper 40 and the ejection opening of the head element 9a appropriate according to the type of the recording paper 40. It is for doing. That is, by manually rotating the knob 51d, the shaft 51 is rotated as shown in FIG.
The position where the distance between a and the pin 6b is the minimum, and FIG. 4 (B)
As shown in the figure, the same distance can be fixed at the maximum position. In response, the recording head 9 rotates about the lead screw 2 as a rotation axis, and the recording paper 40 is compared with a position corresponding to a relatively thin plain paper (FIG. 4 (A)) or an envelope or the like. The recording paper is fixed at a position (FIG. 4B) with a large interval corresponding to a thick recording paper.

However, the above-described configuration is a configuration corresponding to recording paper at the time of recording. That is, at the time of the ejection recovery processing, the recording head 9 is moved to the position of the recovery processing system shown on the left end of FIG. At this time, the recording head 9 and the recovery system must always have a predetermined positional relationship. Accordingly, regardless of the position shown in FIG. 4 (A) or (B), the recording head 9 needs to take a fixed position during the ejection recovery processing. The configuration for that is shown in FIGS. 5 (A) and (B).

FIGS. 5 (A) and (B) respectively show FIG. 4 (A)
FIGS. 4A and 4B show diagrams corresponding to FIGS.

In the case of FIG. 5A, the shaft 51a and the pin 6b can be engaged without changing the height of the engagement position between the shaft 51 and the pin 6b.
At this time, in order to maintain the height of the engagement position, the parallel surface of the trapezoidal cam 51g is also engaged with the pin 6b.

In the case of FIG. 5B, the recording head 9 moves and the pin 6b
When the user attempts to engage the shaft 51a, the height of the engagement position of the pin 6b changes. Therefore, the shaft 51 is provided with a tapered portion 51f, and accordingly, the trapezoidal cam 51g is provided with a tapered surface. Thereby, the shaft 51 of the pin 6b (tapered portion)
As the height of the position of engagement with the shaft 51f, the shaft 51a) changes, the height is maintained.

With the above configuration, when the recording head 9 reaches the position of the ejection recovery system, it can always maintain a predetermined height, and therefore a predetermined positional relationship with the recovery system.

Note that the number of rotation fixing positions of the recording head 9 is not limited to two as described above, and it is also possible to fix the recording head 9 at an intermediate position so as to correspond to recording paper of various thicknesses.
In this case, the engagement position between the protrusion of the knob 51d and the hole 51e of the side plate 51c may be increased.

The rotation of the knob 51d is not limited to manual operation. For example, the knob 51d can be rotated using a driving force of a paper feed motor or the like in accordance with a key input corresponding to the recording paper to be used.

Referring again to FIG. 2, reference numeral 11 denotes a carrier motor composed of, for example, a pulse motor. Rotating pins 11a are provided below the front and rear surfaces in an aligned state. 11a (rear side not shown) is a recovery base 50 movable on the chassis 1.
Is rotatably mounted in a motor mounting hole provided in the motor. Of course, the pivot pin may be provided on the recovery system base 50 and the mounting hole may be mounted on the motor side. The carrier motor 11 is mounted so as to be rotatable around a rotation pin 11a. 11b is a spring support,
It is formed integrally with the carrier motor 11 and stands upright in parallel with the motor shaft to receive a motor spring 14 described later. A columnar projection is formed on the spring receiving portion, and an end of the coiled motor spring 14 is fixed.

Reference numeral 12 denotes a motor pulley, which is fixed to the motor shaft of the carrier motor 11. Reference numeral 13 denotes a timing belt, and a pulley 3a provided on the shaft of the motor pulley 12 and the lead screw 2.
It is stretched between. The motor spring 14 is a compression spring in the configuration of the present embodiment, and is mounted between one end of the lead arm 1h and a spring receiver 11b of the carrier motor 11, thereby attaching the carrier motor 11 in the direction A in the figure. And the timing belt 13 is tensioned.

Reference numeral 15 denotes a set shaft, which is provided upright on a side plate (not shown) fixed to the base 50, to which means for improving the ejection port forming surface, a cap, and a so-called recovery system mechanism relating to ejection recovery are attached.

Incidentally, as described above, the positional relationship between the recovery system mechanism and the recording head 9 is important. For example, the positional relationship with the discharge port surface is important in favorably exhibiting the function of a blade for wiping the discharge port surface of the recording head 9, and a cap is required in order to improve the capping function of the discharge port surface. The distance between the nozzle and the discharge port surface is important. Therefore, it is desirable that the positional relationship between the recovery system mechanism and the recording head 9 is always kept constant.

On the other hand, the recording head 9 performs recording while moving along the lead screw 2 by transmitting its driving force via the lead screw 2. At this time, the recording paper
Obviously, it is desirable that the distance between 40 and the ejection port of the recording head 9 be equal at any position of the movement.
Therefore, by adjusting the distance of the recording head 9 to the recording paper,
An adjustment mechanism can be provided so that the recording head can move in parallel with the recording paper, but this adjustment may impair a fixed positional relationship with the recovery system.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the carrier motor 11 and a recovery system base 50 provided with a recovery system mechanism described in detail later can be moved with respect to the chassis 1. By the movement of the base 50 and the adjustment by the cam groove plate 50a described above, the position of the lead screw 2 is adjusted at both ends thereof so that the recording head 9 moves parallel to the recording paper 40.
FIG. 6 shows details of the mechanism in the base 50 for that purpose.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the recovery system base 50 viewed from a direction opposite to that of FIG.

In the drawing, reference numeral 50e denotes a guide groove member fixed to the side surface of a groove provided on the back surface side of the base 50. The groove of the member 50e and the guide portion of the key-type guide member 1k fixed to the chassis 1 are related. By the combination, the moving direction of the base 50 is regulated, and the base 50 can be prevented from rising from the chassis 1.

In the above mechanism, as shown in detail in FIG. 2, by rotating the cam plate 50b around a shaft 50d attached to the base 50, the cam surface thereof is moved to the cam groove 11l of the chassis 1.
Is pressed while contacting any one of the surfaces. At this time, the base 50 moves in a direction guided by the member 50e and the member 1k due to the reaction force of the pressing force.

The configuration of the cam may be such that the cam plate is rotated around a predetermined axis by operating a shaft that engages with a predetermined cam groove formed in the cam plate.

Along with this movement, the carrier motor 11 attached to the base 50 and a drive system for driving the motor 11, that is, the timing belt 13, the pulleys 3 and 12, and the lead screw 2
The position of one end of the lead screw 2 is adjusted while the recovery system mechanism attached to the base 50 and the like are moved together.

On the other hand, the position of the other end of the lead screw 2 is adjusted by rotating the cam groove plate 50a.

With the above adjustment, the lead screw 2 can be made parallel to the recording paper, and therefore, the recording head can move parallel to the recording paper.

This adjustment is performed by the assembling robot during the manufacturing process of the recording apparatus. However, the adjustment may be performed on the user side, for example, by repairing the apparatus after using the apparatus for a long time.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 2 and 7 (A) to 7 (C), means for improving the ejection port forming surface, which is one of the recovery system mechanisms, will be described.

Reference numeral 16 denotes a blade lever (see FIG. 7A), and a boss 16a is rotatably attached to the set shaft 15. 16b
Denotes an arm, and 16c denotes a hook. Reference numeral 17 denotes a blade for wiping the discharge port forming surface, which can be formed of an elastic member such as silicon rubber or chloroprene (CR) rubber. Reference numeral 18 denotes a blade shaft, which clamps the blade 17 at the center in parallel with the rotation axis and is rotatably attached to the blade lever 16. Reference numeral 18a denotes a rotating piece, which is formed integrally with the blade shaft 18. Reference numeral 19 denotes an ink carrier, which is formed of a hydrophilic porous material (a plastic sintered body, urethane foam, or the like), and is fixed to the blade lever 16. Note that the blade 17 and the ink carrier 19 are arranged at positions overlapping with caps described later.

Reference numeral 20 denotes a set lever, which is rotatably attached to the set shaft 15. 20a and 2b are stop teeth provided on the set lever 20, 20c is a start tooth, 20d is a rotary tooth, and the thickness of the start tooth 20c is about half the other. 20e
Is an arm portion, a part of which is cut out in the thickness direction to form a set surface 20f and a reset surface 20g, and a rotating piece 18a of a blade shaft 18 attached to the blade lever 16 is fitted. Have been combined to drive this.

Reference numeral 21 denotes a timing gear, which is rotatably attached to the base 50 by a support member (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 7 (B), the timing gear 21 has a stop cam 21a formed on a part of the outer periphery thereof for engaging with the stop teeth 20a, 20b of the set lever 20 described above. Moreover, the three kinds of drive teeth 21b in which the partially toothless _1, 21b _2, 21b ₃ is formed, a cap cam 21c for swinging the cap lever further described later is formed at a predetermined position. In addition, a piston set cam 21f for pressing a piston of a pump described later is formed as a face cam, and a piston reset cam 21g is integrally formed at a predetermined interval corresponding to the piston set cam 21f.

Numeral 22 denotes an ink absorber spring, which is fixed at a predetermined position on the base 50 and, as shown in FIG.
22a and a spring portion 22b for rotating a pump described later. Reference numeral 23 denotes an ink absorber, which is formed of a hydrophilic porous material in the same manner as the ink carrier 19 described above. The ink absorber 23 has a wiping portion 23a with which the above-mentioned blade 17 contacts, and further has an absorbing surface 23b with which the above-mentioned ink carrier 19 makes contact and transfers ink. . Note that the absorber holding portion of the ink absorber spring 22 is urged upward with a slight elastic force, and is locked at a predetermined position by a stopper (not shown). Therefore, when the above-described ink carrier 19 comes into contact, the ink absorber 23 is
22 is displaced downward by bending, so that the contact state is ensured.

Next, a recovery system unit, which is one of the recovery system mechanisms, will be described mainly with reference to FIG. 8 and FIG.

8 (A), (B) and FIG. 9, reference numeral 24 denotes a cylinder, which is a cylinder passage for holding a cylindrical cylinder portion 24a, a piston absorber 241 and a passage absorber 242 described later. 24b, and a part where the flow path absorber 242 described later is fitted is formed with a partial projection 24c extending in the axial direction, between the outer circumference of the flow path absorber and the inner diameter of the cylinder flow path. An axial gap is formed. Reference numeral 24d denotes a cap lever receiver, which is formed so that a later-described lever seal is fitted therein. Reference numeral 24e denotes an ink flow path, which is opened at a predetermined position in the cylinder portion 24a. 24f
Is a rotating lever, which is formed integrally with the cylinder 24, and to which a rotating power is applied by the spring portion 22b of the ink absorber spring 22 described above. It should be noted that a tension coil spring or the like may be used to apply this turning power.

Reference numeral 241 denotes an absorber (hereinafter, referred to as a piston absorber) provided on the ink discharge portion side in the cylinder on the right side of the piston in FIG. 9, and, like the ink carrier 19 described above, a hydrophilic porous material (such as polyolefin). It is formed by sintering fine particles or urethane foam) and is fitted into the cylinder flow path 24b of the cylinder 24 described above. The piston absorber 241 may be fixed to the cylinder 24 or may be loosely fitted. The piston absorber 241 has a substantially conical opening 241a slightly larger in size than an end shape of a piston shaft described later, and the above-described cylinder flow passage 24b.
The support part 241b and the air vent 241c are formed.

242 is a flow path absorber, which is fitted into the above-described cylinder flow path 24b, one end of which is in contact with the end surface of the piston absorber 241.
The entire length of the other end is set so as to slightly protrude from the end face of the cylinder 24 so as to surely contact the waste ink absorber described later. The channel absorber 242 is formed of a porous material having elastic communication holes, such as melamine foam or urethane foam.

Reference numeral 25 denotes a cylinder cap, which is fixed to the end of the cylinder 24 by press fitting or welding. Reference numeral 25a denotes a lever guide, which is disposed at a position facing the cap lever receiver 24d of the cylinder 24 described above. Reference numeral 26 denotes a piston seal fitted into the cylinder 241, the content of which is slightly reduced so that a predetermined pressure contact force with a piston shaft described later can be obtained. Further, the sliding force of the piston shaft may be reduced by applying a lubricating coating to the surface.

Reference numeral 27 denotes a piston shaft, which includes an operation shaft 27a, a piston presser 27b,
A piston receiver 27c and a connection shaft 27d are formed,
Further, a groove 27f serving as an ink flow path is formed along the connection shaft 27d. Reference numeral 27g denotes a detent, which is formed as a groove on the operation shaft 27a. A bearing 27h is provided on an end surface of the operation shaft 27a.

Reference numeral 28 denotes a piston, which is made of rubber such as NBR or CR, is formed in a cylindrical shape, and is larger than the inner diameter of the cylinder 24 by a predetermined amount. When the piston 28 is inserted into the cylinder 24, it is in an appropriately compressed state. It is preferable that the outer peripheral surface and the end surface of the piston shaft 27 that comes into contact with the piston presser 27b be smooth. However, one or several ribs may be provided to ensure the sealing performance. The total length of the piston 28 is the connecting shaft 27 of the piston shaft 27.
It is formed shorter than d by a predetermined amount, so that a slight play occurs in the axial direction.

42 is a pump room. Reference numeral 29 denotes a piston pressing roller, which is rotatably attached to the end of the piston shaft 27. 30
Is a piston return roller, which is similarly rotatably attached to the end of the piston shaft 27. 31 is the axis of those rollers.

Reference numeral 32 denotes a cap lever, which includes a rotating shaft 32a and an ink guide.
32b and a lever guide 32c are formed. A cylindrical portion 32d to be inserted into a tube portion of a cap described later is provided at a tip end thereof with a hole for an ink flow path formed in the center, and abuts against a spherical concave portion of a cap holder described later. A convex spherical guide surface 32e is formed on the front surface. Further, on the side surface, a horizontal locking surface 32f, which is partially cylindrical, and a vertical locking surface 32g, which is a substantially semicircular step portion, are provided in pairs with the opposing side surface. In addition, the ink flow path 32h passes through the inside of the lever from the cylindrical portion 32d described above, bends at a right angle on the way, passes through the center of the ink guide 32b, and opens at the end face thereof. The ink guide 32
A cutout 32g is provided below b.

Reference numeral 33 denotes a lever seal, into which the ink guide 32b is fitted and which is pressed into the cap lever receiver 24d. Three
Reference numeral 3a denotes a communication hole, which communicates the notch 32g of the ink guide 32b with the ink flow path 24e.

Reference numeral 34 denotes a cap holder, which is provided at a position where a hook portion 34a that engages with the horizontal locking surface 32f and the vertical locking surface 32g of the cap lever 32 faces each other. Also, the guide surface of the cap lever 32
A holder guide portion 34b having a spherical concave portion so as to be able to contact with 32e is formed. Reference numeral 34c denotes an opening for attaching a cap described later.

A cap 35 has a sealing surface 35a, a slit-shaped groove (hereinafter referred to as a slit) 35b for collecting the remaining ink in the cap, and a suction port 35c for suction. Tube section as flow path
35d is formed. In this example, the slit 35b is provided in substantially the entire area in the vertical direction at the center of the inner wall surface of the cap, and the suction port 35c is formed in an oval shape having the same width as the slit width. In addition, a tapered surface is formed on the inner wall surface where the slit 35b is provided, from the boundary with the side wall portion where the seal surface 35a is provided to a portion extending to the slit 35b. However, the number and shape of the slits can be determined in any manner as long as the ink can be collected well. For example, it may be formed radially from the suction port.
Further, the suction port does not necessarily have to be in the slit.

Reference numeral 35e denotes a flange portion, which serves as a stopper member when attached to the cap holder. The tube portion 35d is inserted into the cylindrical portion 32d of the cap lever 32 described above. In addition,
When the cap 35 is attached to the cap holder 34 and then attached to the cap lever 32, the tube 35d
To the ink passage 32h of the cap lever 32, the cap holder 34 is equalized by the holder guide portion 34b, and the hook portion 34a is connected to the vertical locking surface 3 of the cap lever 32.
Engage with 2g to stop it coming off. When the cap is equalized to the head ejection port forming surface, deformation of the tube portion 35d or relative movement of the cap lever 32 with respect to the cylindrical portion 32d is performed, so that equalization is performed smoothly.

FIGS. 8C and 8D are views showing the equalized state when the cap 35 is viewed from above and from the side, respectively.

In this example, the tube portion 35d of the cap 35 has elasticity, and the cylindrical portion 32d of the cap lever 32 is formed of a material that can be regarded as a rigid body with respect to the elasticity of the tube portion 35d.
Accordingly, the holding accuracy of the cap 35 with respect to the lever 32 in the uncapped state, that is, the surface accuracy of the cap 35 with respect to the head ejection port forming surface is secured by the cap lever cylindrical portion 32d, and the cap 35 is equalized with respect to the head ejection port forming surface at the time of capping. Is allowed by the deformation of the tube portion 35d.

On the other hand, when both the tube portion 35d of the cap 35 and the cylindrical portion 32d of the cap lever 32 are made of elastic members, both elastic moduli are considered in order to sufficiently satisfy both the holding property and the equalizing property. Therefore, the range of material selection is narrow, which is disadvantageous in design. On the other hand, when the tube portion 35d of the cap 35 is a rigid body and the cylindrical portion 32d of the cap lever 32 is an elastic member, the tube portion 35d of the cap 35 and the cap 35 main body are separate members,
These are combined to form a cap, which is disadvantageous in manufacturing.Furthermore, the cylindrical portion of the lever 32 to hold the cap and to apply capping force to the cap
If the 32d has elasticity, a problem occurs in terms of holding accuracy.

Further, in the present example, the holding accuracy and the equalizing property are further improved in relation to the configuration of the cap holder 34 and the cap lever 32. That is, the holder guide section
Since the spherical concave portion of 34b is in contact with the convex spherical guide surface 32e of the lever 32, when the cap 35 contacts the discharge port forming surface, the holder 34 or the cap 35 is displaced along the spherical surface, Hook part 34a of holder 34 and lever 3
This is because the vertical and horizontal locking surfaces 32g and 32f of the second perform a function as a stopper and allow displacement along the spherical surface.
In the case where the function of merely preventing the attachment portion between the holder levers from being removed is provided, the dimensional accuracy of the attachment portion or the aging accuracy of the cap with respect to the discharge port forming surface is deteriorated due to a change with time (especially, equalization). In the case where the lubricant is applied to the spherical contact surface in consideration of the performance, this is more serious), and there is a possibility that the equalization may be incomplete, but according to the present example, such a disadvantage does not occur.

Referring again to FIG. 2, reference numeral 36 denotes a paper feed roller for transporting a recording medium such as paper, for example, by applying an elastic paint (urethane resin, acrylic resin, or the like) to the surface of an aluminum drawing tube. Can be formed. Also,
The outer surface of the roller 36 functions as a platen for regulating the recording surface of the recording medium, and the inside of the roller 36 serves as a waste ink reservoir. Numeral 37 denotes a waste ink absorbing portion provided inside the roller 36, which is formed by filling a thin tube made of plastic such as vinyl chloride with an absorbing material such as polyester cotton so that ink can be absorbed well in the axial direction.
The waste ink absorbing section 37 has a waste ink pipe of the cylinder 24 inside.
24 g is inserted, but the recovery system mechanism is moved and held with the movement of the base 50. Further, the fiber itself of the absorbing material is preferably a non-liquid absorbing material such as resin or metal, but may be slightly absorbent.

Here, in order to prevent the paper feed roller 36 from being charged by static electricity generated by friction with the paper and causing discharge to destroy circuit elements, a paper feed roller (hereinafter also referred to as a PF roller) 36 is connected to, for example, a printer. Chassis (metal)
23 (A), (B)
It is described using.

In FIGS. 23 (A) and (B), reference numeral 361 denotes a PF roller cap, in which a gear 361a and a shaft 361b are integrally formed of a plastic material or the like. Alternatively, it is fixed by caulking or bonding. A plurality of stoppers 361c are provided on the inner periphery of the PF roller cap 361 so that the waste ink absorber 37 does not move from a predetermined position toward the PF roller cap 361.
Are formed integrally.

Further, the PF roller cap 361 is formed with two holes 361d for attaching a PF roller grounding member (PF roller ground) to be described later, and a protrusion 361e protrudes from the end of the shaft 361b by a predetermined amount at an intermediate portion. Is formed. Reference numeral 361f denotes an atmosphere opening hole for promoting evaporation from the waste ink absorber 37. Reference numeral 362 denotes a PF roller ground, which is formed of an elastic metal wire such as SUS and has a hole 361d of the PF roller cap 361 described above.
A predetermined bent portion is provided in the middle so that the U-shaped portion 362a is inserted into the PF roller 36 at a predetermined pressure.

The protrusion 361e of the PF roller cap 361 is provided to fix the PF roller ground 362 at a protruding position so that the thrust pressing portion 10b of the leaf spring 10 and the PF roller ground 362 can be easily contacted. Things.

Reference numeral 38 denotes a paper press plate made of a fluororesin, a carbon fiber mixed material, or the like, which is divided into four parts and attached to the chassis 1 as described in detail in FIG. A gear 3 is provided at one end of the shaft 38A for releasing the pressing force of the paper pressing plate 38.
8B is fixed, and the other end is engaged with a bearing 38C that supports the shaft 38A. The bearing 38c is fixed to the chassis 1. Gear 3
The gear portion of the release lever meshes with 8B, but is not shown here. A paper feed motor 39 is connected to the paper feed roller 36 via a speed reduction mechanism having a predetermined ratio.

 Numeral 40 is a recording paper such as paper, film or the like.

 Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described.

First, during a normal recording operation, the rotation of the shaft of the carrier motor 11 rotates the lead screw 2 via the timing belt 13, so that the carrier 6 is moved in the printing digit direction by the lead pin 7 engaged with the lead groove 2a. Are scanned along. Here, the carrier motor 11 is a motor spring 14
, The timing belt 13 is always stretched, and good transmission is performed.

When the carrier 6 is moved, an inertial force acts at the time of starting and stopping, but since the weight of the carrier motor 11 absorbs this inertial force, the load applied to the motor spring 14 is small, and the load applied to the rotation of the motor is also reduced. I need less. If an air damper or a hydraulic damper is provided in connection with this spring, noise due to vibration of the rotor of the motor 11 when the carrier 6 starts and stops can be reduced. By appropriately selecting the weight of the motor, the weight of the carrier portion, and the coefficient of the motor spring damper, the overshoot of the rotor can be reduced, and the noise can be reduced.

Next, the operation of this embodiment during non-recording will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 10 is a timing chart showing the operation timing of each unit. The operation timing of each unit as shown in the figure can be determined by the number of pulses applied to the motor 11.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a detailed configuration of the above-described clutch gear 4 and the timing gear 21.
The key groove 4d slides on the lead screw 2 and rotates together with the key portion 2h of the lead screw 2 by engaging the key groove 4d. Further, the clutch gear 4 is urged in the direction of the carrier 6 by a spring 5, and is normally at a predetermined position by the groove 2 i of the lead screw 2 and rotates together with the lead screw 2 during recording. When the recording head 9 moves to the home position, the clutch gear 4 is pushed by the carrier 6 and the timing gear 21 is moved.
Start to engage with.

Clutch gear 4 has a start tooth 4c ₁ and normal drive teeth 4c ₂
Have, the start tooth 4c ₁ and drive teeth 4c ₂ are formed at different positions in the width direction of the clutch gear. Further, the driving teeth 4c ₂ are not formed similarly over the entire circumference of the gear,
There is a part having the curved surface part 4b in a part thereof. Further, a flange 4a is formed at the end of the clutch gear 4 over the entire circumference.

As shown in FIG. 7 (B), the timing gear 21
Start tooth 21b ₁ , and two types of drive teeth 21b at different positions
Has _2, 21b _3, these teeth 21b _1, 21b _2, 21b ₃ are formed at different positions in the width direction of the gear 21.

FIGS. 12 (A) to 12 (C), and FIGS. 13 (A) and 13 (B)
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an engagement state between the clutch gear 4 and the timing gear 21.

At the time of normal recording, FIG. 12 (A) and FIG. 13 (A)
Are engaged as shown in FIG. However, at this time, in FIG. 13 (A), the lead pin 7 is not at this position, and although not shown above the ink absorber 23,
17 and an ink carrier 19 are located.

At this time, the clutch gear 4 rotates is accompanied with the rotation of the lead screw 2, the start tooth 4c ₁ and a start tooth 2
1b ₁ is not in the positional relationship for engagement (see FIG. 13 (A)). Therefore, the timing gear 21 does not rotate, and the driving teeth 21b ₂ and the collar 21h at the left end of the timing gear 21 do not rotate.
The timing gear 21 cannot rotate in either direction because it is in a positional relationship in which it can contact the collar 4a of the clutch gear 4 with a slight gap.

As a result, it is possible to prevent the rotation of the recovery gear mechanism from occurring due to the fact that the timing gear 21 does not rotate carelessly even if any rotational force acts on the timing gear 21 or an artificial force acts on the timing gear 21. it can.

When the recording head 9 moves toward the home position and the carrier 6 pushes the clutch gear 4, the positional relationship between the clutch gear 4 and the timing gear 21 finally becomes as shown in FIG. 13 (B). In this process, the engageable positional relation with the start tooth 4c ₁ and 21b ₁ (however, this time the lead pin 7 is not yet in this position).

Next, as the lead pin 7 moves from the groove 3c to the groove 3b, the clutch gear 4 rotates clockwise in FIG. 12, and the positional relationship between FIG. 12 (A) and FIG. ). At this time, until the start teeth 4c ₁ and 21b ₁ are engaged, the curved surface portion 4b as the non-meshing portion shown in FIG. Inadvertently, the timing gear does not move and the other drive teeth do not engage with each other first.

As a result, the meshing of the clutch gear 4 and the timing gear 21 always starts between the start teeth, so that the rotation of the timing gear 21 always starts from the correct position.

As a result, the operation of the recovery system mechanism driven via the timing gear 21 becomes accurate.

In addition, advantages such as the necessity of making the mounting accuracy of the clutch gear 4 and the timing gear 21 not so high are obtained.

Note that, as shown in FIG.
The drive teeth 21b ₃ whose positions are different among the drive teeth are the drive teeth that engage when the curved surface portion 4b again comes into contact with the timing gear 21. That is, if there is such drive teeth in the same position as the conventional drive teeth 21b _2, since the curved surface portion 4b will abut, engage the drive teeth each other by shifting its position.

While the drive gears are engaged and the timing gear 21 is rotating, the hook 6c attached to the carrier 6 is
Slides on the side surface of the timing gear 21.

Thus, for example, it is possible to prevent the recording head 9 from moving away from the home position due to the lead pin 7 leaving the groove 3b before the predetermined teeth mesh with each other. This is because the lead screw rotates twice when the recording head 9 is at the home position and performs a series of recovery processes, so that the lead pin 7 may move to the groove 3c.

In the above example, a series of the recovery processing is performed by two rotations of the lead screw. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an arbitrary rotation can be set. The degree of freedom can be increased.

FIGS. 14 (A) to (D) are explanatory views showing the sequential operation state of the mechanism relating to the blade 17 and the like, and FIGS. 15 (A) to (C) show the sequential operation state of the mechanism relating to the cap 35. Illustration, No.
FIGS. 16 (A) and (B) are explanatory views for explaining the operation of a mechanism for introducing waste ink into the waste ink storage portion 37 in the roller 36. FIGS.
The operation will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the carrier 6 moves in the home position direction (arrow B direction). At this time, as shown in FIG. 13 (A), the lead pin 7 is engaged with the lead groove 2a, and the ejection port 9c of the head element 9a faces the ink carrier 19 (see FIG. 14 (A)). In position. Here, at this position, all of the ejection energy generating elements of the head element 9a are driven to perform an ejection operation (hereinafter, referred to as preliminary ejection), and a slightly thickened ink or the like is ejected with the ejection force, and recovery by this preliminary ejection is performed. Operation can be terminated. Preliminary ejection is also performed at this position, which is performed periodically to prevent the ink in the unused ejection ports from being thickened during normal printing. FIG. 14 (A) is a side view around the same position.

Further, as shown in FIG. 13 (B), when the lead screw 2 is rotated and the carrier 6 is moved in the direction B, the clutch gear 4 is pressed by the pressing portion 6a, and is similarly moved in the direction B and the start gear thereof is moved. 4c ₁ is a position where it can be engaged with the start teeth 21b ₁ of the timing gear 21. Thereafter, the clutch gear 4 rotates in synchronization with the lead screw 2, the start teeth are engaged, and the timing gear 21 is turned on as shown in FIG.
Rotate in the D direction as shown in FIG. On the other hand, since the lead pin 7 enters the position groove 3b from the introduction groove 3c, the carrier 6 does not move even if the lead screw 2 rotates.

When the timing gear 21 rotates in the direction D, the gear portion and the gear portion of the set lever 20 mesh with each other, so that the set lever 20 starts rotating in the E direction. Until this time, since the hook 16c is engaged with the claw of the chassis, only the set lever 20 is rotated, and the blade lever 16 is stopped. While pressing down the rotating piece 18a of the blade shaft 18
Therefore, the blade 17 rotates in the direction G and is set in a state capable of engaging with the discharge port surface.

When the timing gear 21 further rotates in the D direction, the hook 16 of the blade lever 16 is disengaged from the pawl of the chassis, and the set lever 20 and the blade lever 16 further rotate,
As shown in FIG. 14 (C), the head 9 is
Clean the discharge port surface. At this time, the ink liquid or the like removed by wiping the blade 17 is removed only in one direction, that is, only downward in this case, and the removed ink liquid and the like are absorbed or held in the upper part of the ink carrier 19. At this time, the ink carrier 19 is an ink absorber.
Begin to contact 23. When the set lever 20 further rotates, the ink carrier 19 and the blade 17 slide on the surface of the wiping portion 23a of the ink absorber 23 as shown in FIG. The ink, dust and the like wiped by the blade 17 from the discharge port forming surface are received by the wiping unit 23a, and ink droplets attached to the discharge port surface are also absorbed. Thereby, the ink absorption capacity of the ink carrier 19 can be maintained for a long time.

Further, although the timing gear 21 rotates in the D direction, the rotation of the set lever 20 is restricted since the set lever 20 is in contact with the stop teeth 20a, 20b and the stop cam 21a of the timing gear 21 so as to face each other. At the same time, the driving teeth of the timing gear 21 are missing teeth, so that there is no rotation force.

As described above, since the blade and the absorber holding the ink liquid and the like removed by the blade are the same as the ink receiver at the time of preliminary ejection, it is possible to reduce the size of the apparatus and shorten the time for these recovery operations. it can.

When the timing gear 21 further rotates, initially, the cap cam 21c of the timing gear 21 regulates the rotation shaft 32a of the cap lever 32c shown in FIG. 8, so that the cap as shown in FIG. Numeral 35 is stopped at a position distant from the discharge port surface of the head element 9a. Next, when the timing gear 21 further rotates in the D direction, the cap cam 21
15B, the restriction state is released. As shown in FIG. 15B, the rotation lever 24f of the cylinder 24 is urged by the spring portion 22b of the ink absorber spring 22, and the cylinder 24 is moved. Rotates in the F direction, and the cap portion 35a of the cap 35
Comes into pressure contact with the discharge port surface, and the capping operation ends. In addition,
FIG. 13 (B) shows a top view at this time.

Well, the above is the nozzle surface cleaning and cap operation,
Usually, the operation is stopped here and the above operation is performed in reverse according to the input of the next recording signal, and the recording operation is started.

Next, a description will be given of a suction recovery operation performed in a case where the ejection state is not improved even by the preliminary ejection.

When this is started, the timing gear 21 is further rotated from the cap position, and the cap lever 32 is pressed by the cap cam 21f to slightly separate the cap 35 from the discharge port forming surface as shown in FIG. 15 (C). .

When the timing gear 21 further rotates in the direction D, the cap gear 21f comes off the cap cam 21f again, so that the cap portion 35a comes into pressure contact with the discharge port surface.

Now, regarding the pump operation, when the recovery operation is started after the above-mentioned closed cap is completed, the suction operation is started.

At this time, first, the piston set cam 21g pushes the piston pressing roller 29 attached to the piston shaft 27 by the rotation of the timing gear 21, so that the piston shaft 27 moves in the H direction as shown in FIG. 16 (A). I do. And the piston
28 is pressed by the piston presser 27b and moves in the H direction, and the pump chamber 42 is in a negative pressure state.

Further, since the ink flow path 24e of the cylinder 24 is closed by the piston 28, the piston 28 is in a movable state only by increasing the negative pressure of the pump chamber 42. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 16 (A), after the re-capping, the ink passage 24e is opened, so that the head 9 is moved through the suction port 35b of the cap 35.
Is sucked. The sucked ink flows into the pump chamber 42 through the ink flow path 32f formed inside the cap lever 32, through the communication hole of the lever seal 33, and further through the ink flow path 24e of the cylinder 24.

At this time, conventionally, as shown in FIG.
Ink may be left at the bottom of 35. It is also conceivable that the suction port is provided so as to be biased toward the lower end of the cap. However, when the printer is placed vertically, ink remains on the upper portion of the suction port as shown in FIG. 24 (B). .

On the other hand, in the cap of this embodiment, the suction port 35c is provided so as to be biased toward the lower edge, and the slit 35b for collecting ink is provided in connection with the suction port 35c (see FIG. 8A). As shown in FIG. 24 (C), the ink is collected in the slit by the surface tension, and the remaining ink can be sucked through the lower suction port. Therefore, the performance of the cap does not deteriorate regardless of whether the printer is used horizontally or vertically. In addition, as the width of the slit 35b is smaller, the tensile force of the ink becomes stronger, but good results were obtained at 0.4 to 0.7 mm.

When the timing gear 21 further rotates, the cap 35 is again slightly separated from the discharge port surface by the cap cam 21h, and the ink in the discharge port surface and the cap portion 35a is sucked by the residual negative pressure in the pump chamber, and the ink in these portions is removed. Eliminate residue.

Next, when the timing gear 21 is rotated in the reverse direction (the direction indicated by the arrow I in FIG. 14 (D)), the piston reset cam 21i pulls the piston return roller 30, and as shown in FIG. 16 (B). Then, the fixie shaft 27 is moved in the direction of arrow J. At this time, since the piston 28 moves after the piston receiver 27c of the piston shaft 27 contacts, the end surface 28b of the piston 28
A gap .DELTA.1 is generated between the piston and the piston presser 27b.

Thus, the waste ink sucked into the pump chamber 42 by the movement of the piston shaft 27 and the piston 28 passes through the gap Δl described above, passes through the groove 27f of the piston shaft, and passes through the ink flow path 24c of the cylinder 24. Then, the waste ink is discharged to the vicinity of the center of the waste ink absorber 37 through the waste ink tube 24g. In addition,
At this time, since the ink flow path 24e of the cylinder 24 is closed by the piston 28 at the beginning of the operation of the piston 28, the waste ink does not flow backward in the cap direction.

When the pump operation is completed, the piston 28 further moves, and the ink flow path 24e of the cylinder 24 is not closed, but the waste ink absorber 37 is present in the communication path from the cap 35 to the atmosphere, and the inside of the cap is Since the ink is kept in a humid atmosphere, the ink is hardly evaporated, and the discharge port or the liquid path does not dry.

Further, the ink remaining in the cylinder 24 is collected by the piston absorber 241, and furthermore, is caused by surface tension.
Since the waste ink is guided to the waste ink absorber 37 through the
The residual ink in 24 is prevented from flowing back in the cap direction.

The configuration for preventing such backflow is not limited to that shown in FIG. 9, and may be configured as shown in FIGS. 25 (A) to 25 (C).

First, FIG. (A) extends the piston absorber 241,
This is one that directly contacts the waste ink absorber 37, that is, the one in which the flow path absorber 242 is integrated.

Next, in FIG. 2B, in order to regulate the axial displacement of the piston absorber 241, an inwardly facing claw 24 g is provided on the end surface of the cylinder 24, and when the piston absorber 241 is inserted, it is bitten into it. It is intended to be a retainer. Also,
FIG. 3C shows a stopper 24m formed by providing a plurality of claws on a thin plate made of an elastic material, similarly for preventing the piston absorber 241 from coming off, and subsequently inserting and fixing the piston ring into the piston ring. It is.

FIG. 17 collectively shows the sequence of the above preliminary ejection or suction recovery. However, in the figure, blade 17
Waits in a state in which wiping is possible (set state; see FIG. 14 (B)), and after wiping, the blade 17
(Reset state; see FIG. 14 (A))
Then, a sequence is shown in which the blade 17 is set to a set state in which wiping is possible immediately before the set lever 20 returns to the original position.

Note that the recovery operation can be performed once immediately after the power is turned on next time, for example, when the power is not turned on for three days or more. Further, it may be performed in response to the operation of an appropriate start switch.

In addition, wiping with a blade just before closing the cap,
In addition to immediately before the start of printing, it can be wiped in the ejection port arrangement direction (vertical direction) once every about 60 seconds during printing.

 In addition, for example, the preliminary ejection is as follows: (1) 50 shots x 64 ejection openings (500 Hz) when the power is turned on (2) 50 shots x 64 ejection openings (500 Hz) immediately before printing starts (3) During printing 15 shots approximately every 12 seconds × 64 discharge ports (500 Hz).

The amount of blade penetration into the head is 0.7 ± 0.3 [m
m], and the blade penetration amount into the absorber is 1.15 ± 0.6 [mm]. However, in the waiting state, it is desirable that the blade is in a free state in which the blade is not in contact with the absorber.

The suction pressure is -4 to -6 [mAq] (at this time, the cap pressure contact force is 60 [g] or more), and the ink suction amount is 0.1.
(+0.04, -0.025) [cc].

Next, with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B, a description will be given of a recording sheet transport mechanism from recording to discharge of the apparatus of the present embodiment.

In these figures, reference numeral 38 denotes a paper pressing plate made of fluororesin, carbon fiber-mixed material, or the like, as described above. Have a predetermined interval. The pressing force of the paper pressing plate 38 depends on the elastic force of the spring plate 38D. Details of this mechanism are shown in FIGS. 18 (A) and (B).

FIG. 18 (A) is a view showing a state where the paper pressing plate 38 is applying a pressing force to the paper feed roller. In this case, it has a D-shape in which a part of the circumference is cut linearly, and the notch of the shaft 38A slidable in the rotation direction with the paper pressing plate 38 is formed by the end 38 of the spring plate 38D.
F at this time, and at this time, the end 38E of the paper holding plate
Receives an urging force upward in the figure by the spring plate 38D. As a result, the paper pressing plate 38 tries to rotate clockwise about the shaft 38A, and applies a pressing force to the paper feed roller 36.

On the other hand, FIG. 18 (B) shows a state in which the action of the pressing force by the paper pressing plate 38 has been released. In this case, the shaft 38A rotates,
The arc of shaft 38A presses end 38F. At this time, the spring plate
38D is pushed down in the figure as a whole. As a result, the end portion 38E does not receive the urging force from the spring plate 38D.

When this biasing force is released, the shaft 38A and the paper holding plate 3
8 is engaged with a certain frictional force, so that the paper holding plate 38 does not greatly change its rotational position.
Accordingly, even when it is necessary to release the pressing force of the paper pressing plate 38, the movement of the recording head and the like are not hindered by the paper pressing plate.

Further, the above-described paper pressing mechanism is a mechanism that can apply a pressing force that does not hinder the proper conveyance of the recording paper by the paper feed roller 36 in a limited space.

That is, without using an elastic member for the paper holding plate itself, the pressing force is generated by a leaf spring arranged along the apparatus bottom chassis 1 which is usually a dead space.
The degree of freedom in setting the pressing force by adjusting the length of the leaf spring increases,
In addition, the paper holding member can be reduced in size.

The leaf spring 38D is attached to the chassis 1 by a fixing member (not shown).

Referring again to FIGS. 3A and 3B, reference numeral 60 denotes a paper discharge roller for discharging the recorded recording paper, and reference numeral 61 denotes a recording paper which applies a pressing force to the recording paper conveyed by the paper discharge roller 60 to perform recording. This is a spur for regulating the paper discharge direction and generating a conveying force.

Reference numeral 62 denotes a transmission roller disposed at an intermediate portion between the paper discharge roller 60 and the paper feed roller 36 for transmitting the rotation of the paper feed roller 36 to the paper discharge roller 60. The transmission of these rotations is performed by frictional force caused by the mutual contact. The discharge roller 60 has a cylindrical shape with different radii at both ends and an intermediate portion, and the transmission roller 62 contacts the intermediate portion of the discharge roller 60 having a smaller diameter. Therefore, both ends of the larger diameter for conveying the recording paper rotate at a peripheral speed slightly larger than the peripheral speed of the paper feed roller 36. As a result, the recording paper is conveyed in a stretched state when the paper is discharged, and the recording surface can be formed well.

Note that a coil spring having an appropriate elastic coefficient is used for the rotation shaft of the transmission roller 62 and the spur 61. Details of the mechanism will be described with reference to FIG. 19 taking the spur 61 as an example.

In FIG. 19, reference numeral 61A denotes a shaft formed of a coil spring and extending through the center of the spur 61 and on both sides thereof. 103B is a shaft supporting member that supports both ends of the rotating shaft 61A, and is formed as a part of the inner lid 103 shown in FIG. The shaft support member 103B supports the shaft 61A slidably in the axial direction. 103C is a regulating member for regulating the movement of the spur 61 in the direction of the rotation axis and in the direction perpendicular thereto, and is provided on both sides of the spur 61. The restriction member 103C is also formed as a part of the inner lid 103, similarly to the shaft support member 103B.

With the above configuration, the shaft 61A pivotally supports the spur 61, and the discharge roller of the spur 61
Get thrust to 60.

The inner lid 103 has a spring member 103A at its rear end as shown in FIG. 3A, and receives a pressing force in the direction of the paper discharge roller by a reaction with the case 101. This pressing force and the rotation axis
The spur 61 causes an appropriate pressing force to act on the paper discharge roller 60 by interaction with the elastic force of 61A.

Further, when the inner lid 103 receives the above pressing force, the engagement between the fixing member 103D of the inner lid 103 and the rotating shaft 60C of the paper discharge roller 60 is ensured as shown in FIG. As a result, the positional relationship between the spur 61 and the discharge roller 60 is always kept constant. Alternatively, by fixing the rotating shaft 60C by abutting it against a member to be hooked or the like, an accurate relationship can be maintained regardless of the accuracy of the inner lid.

In the transmission roller 62 also, a rotating shaft formed of a coil spring
The function of 62A is the same, and a contact force with the paper feed roller 36 and the paper discharge roller 60 is obtained by the elastic force of the shaft 62A.

As described above, the discharge roller 60 has a shape in which the diameter of the middle portion is smaller than that of both ends. The details of this configuration are shown in FIG.

In FIG. 20, reference numeral 60A denotes a cover member made of a rubber material, and 60D denotes a cylindrical core member having a smaller diameter at both ends than at both ends. The paper discharge roller 60 is formed by covering the core member 60D with a pipe-shaped cover member 60A.

As a result, it is not necessary to integrally form such a shape with a rubber member or the like, and a discharge roller can be obtained relatively easily and at low cost.

In addition, a groove provided continuously to one end of the paper discharge roller 60
60B can catch the trailing end of the recording sheet when the recording sheet is ejected by the sheet ejection roller 60, and can secure the ejection when the position of the recording sheet is shifted. it can.

The shape of the core member 60D is not limited to the above. For example, a cylindrical shape can be obtained by coating a rubber material even if the shape of the groove 60B is extended as it is and the intermediate portion is made smaller.

Next, a case where the ink jet recording apparatus of this embodiment is used upright will be described with reference to FIGS. 21 and 22. FIG.

The apparatus may be used upright, as shown in these figures, when used together with the auto feeder 200, or when thick paper such as an envelope is fed from a paper feed port on the back side of the apparatus.

In the case of ordinary recording paper using an auto feeder,
The upper cover 102 can be used as a stacker for the discharged recording paper. At this time, as shown in FIG. 1, the upper cover 102 is fixed at an angle different from the case where the upper cover 102 is used as a paper guide for feeding paper.

The conditions for using the upper lid 102 as a stacker are as follows.

That is, the discharged recording paper is conveyed in the air to some extent with its own strength, and the position where it comes into contact with the upper lid 102 or the already stacked recording papers is set near the upper end 102A of the upper lid 102. As a result, the recording paper to be discharged slides on the recording paper or the like that has already been stacked only at the leading end of the recording paper, and the sliding can be avoided as much as possible. Can be prevented.

The configuration for this purpose is that the upper end portion 102A is located near the common tangent line between the paper feed roller 36 and the paper discharge roller 60, and the lower end portion 102B is lowered, in the present embodiment. Become.

Further, when the rear end of the recording paper stopped on the upper end portion 102A is completely discharged, the recording paper is lowered at that position so that the recording paper is stacked without sliding.

For this purpose, the length of the upper cover 102 in the paper discharge direction (the length from the upper end 102A to the lower end 102B) is a requirement, and the recording paper that is usually used is used. If the length is 60% to 90% of the length of the recording paper
%, More preferably 70% to 80%.

When the configuration of the recording apparatus or the use conditions are different and the paper discharge direction is different from the above, the length of the stacker may be determined in consideration of the first requirement.

Reference numeral 108 shown in FIG. 21 and FIG. 22 is a winding prevention piece, which can prevent recording paper to be stacked from entering the paper feed port 106.

(Others) The present invention brings about an excellent effect particularly in a recording head and a recording apparatus of a bubble jet system among ink jet recording systems. This is because according to such a method, it is possible to achieve a higher density and a higher definition of the recording, and it is expected that the fixing pattern will be further slowed down by the recording pattern.

As for the representative configuration and principle, it is preferable to use the basic principle disclosed in, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740,796. This method can be applied to any of the so-called on-demand type and continuous type. In particular, in the case of the on-demand type, it is arranged corresponding to the sheet or liquid path holding the liquid (ink). Applying at least one drive signal corresponding to recording information and providing a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling to the electrothermal transducer, thereby causing the electrothermal transducer to generate heat energy, and This is effective because film boiling occurs on the heat-acting surface of the liquid, and as a result, bubbles in the liquid (ink) corresponding to the drive signal one-to-one can be formed. The liquid (ink) is ejected through the ejection opening by the growth and contraction of the bubble to form at least one droplet. When the drive signal is formed into a pulse shape, the growth and shrinkage of the bubble are performed immediately and appropriately, so that the ejection of a liquid (ink) having particularly excellent responsiveness can be achieved, which is more preferable.
US Pat. No. 4,446,335 describes this pulse-shaped drive signal.
Those described in Japanese Patent No. 9 and No. 4345262 are suitable. Further, when the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 relating to the temperature rise rate of the heat acting surface are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As a configuration of the recording head, in addition to a combination configuration (a linear liquid flow path or a right-angled liquid flow path) of a discharge port, a liquid path, and an electrothermal converter as disclosed in the above-mentioned specifications, A configuration using U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,459,600, which disclose a configuration in which is disposed in a bending region, is also included in the present invention. In addition, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 59-123670 discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of an electrothermal converter for a plurality of electrothermal converters, and an opening for absorbing a pressure wave of thermal energy is provided. The effect of the present invention is effective even if the configuration is based on JP-A-59-138461, which discloses a configuration corresponding to a discharge unit. That is, recording can be performed reliably and efficiently regardless of the form of the recording head.

In addition, a replaceable chip type, which is a serial type as in the above example and is attached to the apparatus main body, enables electrical connection with the apparatus main body and supply of ink from the apparatus main body. The present invention is also effective when a recording head or a cartridge-type recording head provided integrally with the recording head itself as described above is used.

Regarding the type or number of print heads to be mounted, for example, in addition to one provided for single color ink, a plurality of print heads are provided corresponding to a plurality of inks having different print colors and densities. May be used.

In addition, the form of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention may be used as an image output terminal of an information processing apparatus such as a computer, a copying apparatus combined with a reader or the like, or a facsimile apparatus having a transmission / reception function. It may be something.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, a cap having a tube portion communicating with the suction port and integrally formed with an elastic member together with the tube portion, and discharging the cap to the discharge head of the recording head A cap lever having a high-rigidity cylindrical portion having an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the tube portion and forming a flow path for contacting / separating from the outlet surface to communicate the suction port and the suction pump; By fitting the high-rigidity cylindrical portion of the cap lever to the tube portion of the cap made of an elastic member, the cap is held in a state in which the uncovered state with respect to the recording head discharge port forming surface in the uncapped state is high, and during capping. , It is possible to satisfactorily cope with the equalization of the cap with respect to the ejection port forming surface.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a main part of the apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 3A is a perspective view mainly showing a paper discharge system of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3B is a side view of the view shown in FIG. 3A, and FIG. FIGS. 5A and 5B are side views showing one embodiment of a recording head corresponding to recording paper, and FIGS. 5A and 5B are one embodiment of a recording head at a home position corresponding to recording paper. FIG. 6 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing an embodiment of an engagement state of a base on which a recovery system mechanism is mounted with a chassis, and FIGS. 7 (A) to 7 (C) are blades and ink for a recording head. FIGS. 8A and 8B are partial perspective views showing an embodiment of the carrier unit. 8 (C) and (D) are a top view and a side view showing an equalized state of the cap, respectively, and FIG. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view around a suction pump in a suction circuit system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is a timing chart showing operation timings of various parts according to the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a clutch for transmitting a driving force to a recovery system mechanism. FIGS. 12 (A) to 12 (C) are perspective views showing an embodiment of the mechanism, and FIGS. 12 (A) to 12 (C) are side views showing an engaged state of a clutch gear and a hook with a timing gear in the clutch mechanism shown in FIG. (A) and (B) are front views similar to FIG. 12, FIGS. 14 (A) to (D) are side views for explaining the sequential operation of the blade and the ink carrier unit, and FIG. 15 (A). ) To (C) are for the cap part. 16 (A) and 16 (B) are side sectional views for explaining the operation of the pump unit for performing suction recovery, and FIG. 18 (A) and (B) are side views showing an embodiment of a pressing operation mechanism of a paper pressing plate, according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of a supporting state of a spur in a paper discharging system, FIG. 20 is a front view showing one embodiment of a paper discharging roller, and FIG. FIG. 22 is a side sectional view of the state shown in FIG. 21, and FIGS. 23 (A) and (B) are sectional views showing an example of a configuration for grounding the paper feed roller. FIGS. 24 (A) and (B) are perspective views showing the state of remaining ink in a cap according to a conventional configuration. FIG. 24 (C) is an explanatory view of an effect when the cap according to the present example is adopted, and FIGS. 25 (A) to (C) show other three examples of the pump in the suction circuit system. It is sectional drawing. 1 ... chassis, 2 ... lead screw, 2a ... lead groove, 3a ... lead pulley, 3b ... position groove, 3c ... introduction groove, 4 ... clutch gear, 5 ... clutch spring, 6 ... Carrier, 6c: hook, 7: lead pin, 9: recording head, 9a: head chip (ejection element), 9b: ink tank section, 9c: ejection port, 9d: ejection port forming surface, 11 …… Carrier motor, 13… Timing belt, 15… Set shaft, 16… Blade lever, 17… Blade, 19 …… Ink carrier, 20 …… Set lever, 21 …… Timing gear, 22… Ink Absorber spring, 23 ... Ink absorber, 24 ... Cylinder, 241 ... Piston absorber, 242 ... Flow path absorber, 27 ... Piston shaft, 28 ... Piston, 29 ... Piston pressing roller, 32 …… Cap lever, 32f… Horizontal locking surface, 32g Vertical locking surface, 34 Cap holder, 34a Hook, 34c Holder guide, 35 Cap, 35b Slit, 35c Suction port, 35a ... Cap part, 36 ... Paper feed roller (PF roller), 361 ... PF roller cap, 362 ... PF roller ground, 37 ... Waste ink absorber part, 38 ... Paper holding plate, 40 ... Recording paper , 50 base ... 51 guide shaft 60 discharge roller 61 spur 62 transmission roller 100 inkjet recording device 102 top cover 103 inner cover.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B41J 2 / 165,2 / 18,2 / 185

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] A recording head for ejecting ink from an ejection port to perform recording by contacting / separating from an ejection port surface on which the ejection port is formed, and covering the ejection port by contacting the ejection port; A suction pump for performing suction from the discharge port through the suction port of the cap, and the suction port and the suction pump by contacting / separating the cap from / to the discharge port surface. A cap lever provided with a flow path for communication, wherein the cap has a tube portion communicating with the suction port, and is integrally formed with an elastic member together with the tube portion; The cap lever has a high-rigidity cylindrical portion forming the flow path on the cap side, and the cylindrical portion has an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the tube portion and is fitted to the tube portion. An ink jet recording apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. A cap holder for holding the cap between the cap and the cap lever, the cap holder having a concave spherical portion and a locking claw on the cap lever side. 2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cap lever has a convex spherical portion abutting on the concave spherical portion and a locking hole engaged with the locking claw. . 3. The recording head according to claim 1, further comprising an energy generating element for generating energy used for discharging the ink, wherein the energy generating element is a thermal energy generating element for causing film boiling of the ink. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein