JP3058200B2 - Ink jet recording device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus having a cleaner provided with a rubbing member for cleaning a nozzle surface of an ink jet recording head for ejecting fine ink droplets from nozzles.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an ink jet recording apparatus which ejects minute ink droplets from a nozzle of an ink jet recording head onto a recording medium to record an image such as a desired character or graphic, the ink jet recording head comes close to the recording medium during a recording operation. Therefore, ink droplets generated when the ink droplet collides with the recording medium bounce off the nozzle surface of the ink jet recording head, and contaminate the nozzle surface. In particular, in an on-demand type ink jet recording head that ejects ink droplets by applying a slight pressure change to ink near the nozzle, the ejection of the ink droplets is caused by a weak pressing force as described above, so that the recording medium is Only a gap of about several millimeters is formed, and despite clash of ink droplets, once clogging occurs, the clogging cannot be easily self-recovered.

Further, in order to prevent or recover the clogging of the nozzles of the ink jet recording head, the ink discharged from the nozzles during the non-printing operation remains on the nozzle surface, thereby contaminating the nozzle surface.

[0004] The contamination of the nozzle surface in such an ink jet recording head causes the adhesion of fiber or dust to the recording medium, causing nozzle clogging in long-term use of the ink jet recording apparatus, or causing ink jet recording. In some cases, the head may have an adverse effect such as an inability to jet ink or a bent ink jet.

[0005] Conventionally, an ink jet recording apparatus having an ink jet recording head and a spatula wiper for cleaning and a construction of a cleaning means thereof are disclosed in, for example, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 58-128034 shown in FIG. Those having a cleaner consisting of 3b were known.

That is, the cleaner comprises a spatula-shaped wiper 3b made of rubber or foamed plastic, and has a free end 3d.
Protrudes into a movement path connecting the printing area of the ink jet recording head 2 and the standby position, and the nozzle surface 2a of the moving ink jet recording head 2 slides on the free end 3d as shown in FIG. Stripping or wiping is performed for cleaning.

On the other hand, the ink adhering to the nozzle surface 2a of the ink jet recording head 2 is not limited to only liquid ink.
Drying of the ink dye or fibrous material due to evaporation of the ink solvent occurs, and such contamination of the nozzle surface 2a must be dealt with. Therefore, as the cleaner, the rubbing means 3b composed of a porous elastic body set in a wet state as disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 58-128034 is preferable.

[0008]

However, a special mechanism or structure for setting the rubbing member in a wet state is required. Further, since the rubbing member is always set in the wet state, the rubbing member is saturated. If the rubbing member contacts the nozzle surface of the inkjet recording head in this state, a thin layer of ink or cleaning liquid may be formed on the nozzle surface, and the ink on the nozzle surface cannot be sufficiently removed.

Therefore, the present invention solves such a problem. The purpose of the present invention is to use a simple rubbing member in order to remove solid matter firmly adhered to the nozzle surface as the ink dries. An object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus having a cleaning means which can be easily set to a wet state with a simple structure.

[0010]

According to the present invention, there is provided an ink jet recording head for ejecting ink droplets from a nozzle, and a nozzle surface of the ink jet recording head which projects to a moving path of the ink jet recording head. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a cleaner having a rubbing member for cleaning the ink; The ink jet recording head is made of a material having absorptivity, and absorbs the ink ejected from the ink jet recording head to set it in a wet state.

[0011]

According to the above construction of the present invention, the rubbing member for removing the adhered matter firmly adhered to the nozzle surface as the ink dries can be easily set to a wet state with a simple structure. it can.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an ink jet recording apparatus 1 according to the present invention.
The following shows an example. In the figure, the ink jet recording head 2 is in a printing area 6 during printing, and moves to a standby position 7 where the ink suction means 5 is located when printing is not performed for a certain time or more. The rubbing member 3a is disposed between the printing area 6 and the standby position 7. The ink jet recording head 2 can be moved in the direction of arrow A by the carriage motor 8. The printing medium 11 such as printing paper is a platen 10
And can be moved in the direction of arrow B by the paper feed motor 9.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a process in which the rubbing member 3a of the present invention comes into contact with the nozzle surface 2a of the ink jet recording head 2.

FIG. 2A shows a case where the ink jet recording head 2 performs printing in the printing area 6. If printing is not performed for a certain period of time or longer, the inkjet recording head 2 returns to the standby position 7.

FIG. 2B shows the ink jet recording head 2 passing in front of the rubbing member 3a disposed between the printing area 6 and the standby position 7. Normally, the rubbing member 3 a does not come into contact with the ink jet recording head 2 because it is pulled backward by the spring 12.

FIG. 2C shows a case where cleaning is performed by the rubbing member 3a. When cleaning is performed, the ink-jet recording head 2 is first suctioned by the suction unit 5 at the standby position 7. Next, the inkjet recording head 2 passes in front of the rubbing member 3 a pushed forward by the electromagnetic plunger 13. At this time, the nozzle surface 2a of the ink jet recording head 2 is cleaned by the rubbing member 3a.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the flow of the above-described cleaning operation, and shows a case where the nozzle surface 2a is cleaned by the rubbing member 3a after suction of ink. FIG. 3A shows that the rubbing member 3a has the inkjet recording head 2 attached thereto.
FIG. 3B shows a case where the rubbing member 3a is set in a wet state by ejecting ink from the ink jet recording head. FIG. 3B shows a case where the rubbing member 3a absorbs the ink retained on the nozzle surface 2a of the inkjet recording head 2. The case where 3a is set to a wet state is shown.

FIG. 3A will be described. When the cleaning operation is started (Step 20), first, the inkjet recording head 2 moves to the standby position 7 (Step 21). If the inkjet recording head 2 has been moved to the standby position 7 when the cleaning operation is started, this operation is not performed. Next, a suction operation is performed (Step 22). When the suction operation is completed, the ink jet recording head 2 moves to the print area 6 while ejecting ink toward the rubbing member 3a (Step 23).
Therefore, at this time, the inkjet recording head 2 is driven so that a vertical line is printed on the end surface of the rubbing member 3a. Next, the rubbing member 3a is pushed forward (step 24), and then the inkjet recording head 2 moves to the standby position 7 (step 2).
5) The cleaning is performed by the
is pulled backward (step 26), and the cleaning operation shown in FIG. 3A ends (step 27).
It goes without saying that the cleaning operation may be performed before the suction operation or may be unrelated to the suction operation.

FIG. 3B will be described. When the wet state is set by absorbing the ink retained on the nozzle surface 2a of the inkjet recording head 2 by the rubbing member 3a, the cleaning operation is started (step 28), and the inkjet recording head 2 is moved to the standby position. 7
(Step 29), and then the suction operation (Step 3)
Perform 0). After the suction operation, the rubbing member 3a is pushed forward (step 31), and then the ink jet recording head 2 moves to the printing area 6 (step 32) so that the rubbing member 3a absorbs the ink retained on the nozzle surface 2a. And set to a wet state. Therefore, in this step, both the setting of the rubbing member 3a to the wet state and the rubbing operation can be performed simultaneously. Next, the rubbing member 3a
Is pulled backward (step 33), and the cleaning operation shown in FIG. 3B ends (step 34).

Nozzle surface 2 of ink jet recording head 2
When performing a suction operation using a cap that seals a, generally, after suctioning ink, an operation of releasing negative pressure in the cap by negative pressure releasing means or the like, and suctioning ink filled in the cap. For this purpose, an idle suction operation is performed.

The negative pressure releasing operation is performed in order to prevent the meniscus of the nozzle from being destroyed due to an abrupt change in the negative pressure remaining in the cap when the cap is opened, thereby causing ink jetting failure. The general method of releasing negative pressure is
One end communicates with the inside of the cap, and the other end is provided with a conduit configured to be openable and closable by opening and closing means such as an electromagnetic valve. The opening and closing means is intermittently operated to efficiently reduce the negative pressure in the cap. .

The idle suction operation is performed to remove ink remaining on the nozzle surface 2a after the ink suction operation.
In general, a method of performing the ink suction operation with the opening / closing means for releasing the negative pressure set to the open state is used. Therefore, when the ink is retained on the nozzle surface 2a of the inkjet recording head 2, it can be realized by not performing the idle suction operation or shortening the operation time. In addition, by adjusting the operation time, the amount of ink staying on the nozzle surface 2a can be changed. Therefore, by stopping the ink on the nozzle surface 2a more than necessary, the ink scatters around the rubbing member 3a, and Contamination of the recording device 1 can be avoided.

Although the flow shown in FIG. 3 is a flow in which the rubbing operation is performed only once, the rubbing operation can be performed a plurality of times during one cleaning. In the case of FIG. 3B, depending on the rubbing position of the inkjet recording head 2,
Due to the difference in the wet state of the rubbing member 3a, sufficient cleaning may not be performed at the beginning of rubbing. In such a case, sufficient cleaning can be performed by continuously performing the rubbing operation. For example, in the case where two rubbing operations are performed during one cleaning operation, this is achieved by performing step 32, step 29, step 33, and step 34 in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an embodiment of the rubbing member 3a of the present invention. FIG. 4A shows a state in which the rubbing member 3a is not in contact with the nozzle surface 2a, and FIG.
Shows a case in which a rubbing operation is performed by contacting the nozzle surface 2a.

In FIG. 4 (a), the rubbing member 3a must be made of a material that does not cause deterioration or deterioration due to ink. Further, abrasion resistance and high water absorption are required in addition to ink resistance, and a nonwoven fabric using fine fibers is preferable.

When the rubbing operation is performed as shown in FIG. 4B, the edge C1 of the end surface of the rubbing member 3a is moved to the nozzle surface 2a.
It is efficient to perform cleaning by contacting the surface. That is, when the rubbing operation is performed, a strong contact force can be obtained by the edge portion C1 of the end surface of the rubbing member 3a contacting the nozzle surface 2a, and reliable contact can be achieved at all contact portions. . Thus, the ink near the nozzle hole 2b, which is a fine hole, can be reliably absorbed.

The cleaning means having the above-described structure not only removes dust, dirt, ink and these dried and solidified substances adhering to the nozzle surface 2a of the ink jet recording head 2 during use of the ink jet recording apparatus 1, but also removes other substances. It can also be used for applications. That is, cleaning of the nozzle surface 2a of the inkjet recording head 2 at the start of use of the inkjet recording apparatus 1.

In the shipping period from when the inkjet recording apparatus 1 is manufactured to when the user starts using the apparatus,
In some cases, the inside of the inkjet recording head 2 is filled with a liquid called a delivery liquid in order to maintain the ink hydrophilicity of the ink flow path wall surface. This product liquid is generally composed of a component different from that of the ink and is less volatilizable than the ink and has a higher viscosity, so that it must be sufficiently removed at the start of use. When the ink repellent treatment is performed on the nozzle surface 2a in order to avoid the ink being attached to the nozzle surface 2a and the ejection ink being bent, it is considered that the long-term delivery liquid has adhered to the nozzle surface 2a. In some cases, the ink repellency of the nozzle surface 2a may be reduced. In order to recover the ink repellency, it is effective to perform a rubbing operation with the rubbing member 3a set in a wet state.

Therefore, in the case where the delivery liquid is filled into the ink jet recording head 2 during the delivery period, the suction operation and the rubbing operation are performed in order to sufficiently remove the delivery liquid at the start of use of the ink jet recording apparatus 1. The containing sequence is executed.

The above configuration is merely an example, and a spatula-shaped wiper is provided in addition to the rubbing member as a cleaner, and the spatula-shaped wiper is used for cleaning liquid ink, dust, dust, and the like. By using the rubbing member for removing the solidified material, the number of times the rubbing member is used can be reduced, and the life of the rubbing member can be improved. Also,
By using a friction clutch mechanism by rotation of a paper feed motor or a motor used as a suction unit as the cleaner reciprocating mechanism, the cleaner can be reciprocated without requiring a dedicated power source.

[0032]

As is apparent from the above description, the rubbing member of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention is made of a material having ink absorptivity, and absorbs the ink ejected from the ink jet recording head and sets it to a wet state. Therefore, the rubbing member is set to a wet state by absorbing the ink immediately before using the rubbing member, so that the adhered matter firmly adhered to the nozzle surface as the ink dries can be easily formed with a simple structure. Can be removed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the relationship between an ink jet recording head and a cleaner according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a cleaning operation of the inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an embodiment of the cleaner of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an embodiment of a conventional cleaner.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ink jet recording apparatus 2 Ink jet recording head 2a Nozzle surface 2b Nozzle hole 3 Cleaner 3a Rubbing member 3b Spatula wiper 5 Ink suction means 6 Printing area 7 Standby position 8 Carriage motor 9 Paper feed motor 10 Platen 11 Printing medium 12 Spring 13 Electromagnetic Plunger

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of front page (56) References JP-A-57-95471 (JP, A) JP-A-2-95862 (JP, A) JP-A-3-99857 (JP, A) JP-A-4-95 307256 (JP, A) JP-A-4-232754 (JP, A) JP-A-3-258553 (JP, A) JP-A-4-141437 (JP, A) JP-A-1-202453 (JP, A) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B41J 2/165 B41J 2/175

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] An ink jet recording head for ejecting ink droplets from a nozzle; a cleaner having a rubbing member protruding into a moving path of the ink jet recording head and cleaning a nozzle surface of the ink jet recording head; In an ink jet recording apparatus having a driving unit for moving a nozzle surface to a position where it can come into contact with a nozzle surface and a driving unit that does not come into contact with the nozzle surface, the rubbing member is made of a material having ink absorbency, and is ejected from the ink jet recording head. An ink jet recording apparatus, which is set in a wet state by absorbing ink.