JP3066911B2 - Recording head, method of storing the same, and cap used therein - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a recording head or a recording head integrated with an ink tank, which is applicable to a printer, a copying machine, an ink jet recording apparatus, and the like generally used for office equipment. as well as,
The present invention relates to a storage head and a cap used for the storage head, and optimally relates to a recording head which can be attached to and detached from an apparatus main body.

[Conventional technology]

In a conventional ink jet recording apparatus, recording head, recording unit integrated with an ink tank, a unit that discharges fine droplets, or an electromechanical converter or an electrothermal converter or a composite form thereof, and further, a pair of electrodes is provided. Thus, there is known a device that deflects and discharges droplets.

Among these, an ink jet recording head that discharges a recording liquid by using thermal energy has a high density of liquid discharge units (orifices) for discharging recording liquid droplets and forming flying liquid droplets. Because of this, it is possible to record at a high resolution and also has advantages such as easy downsizing as a whole.

By the way, in the conventional recording, there are a type in which recording is performed by receiving ink supply from an ink tank holding ink, a disposable type in which an ink tank holding ink is integrated with a head, and the like. The intrusion of air into the ink liquid path or liquid chamber where only the ink should exist is a cause of poor printing immediately after printing. Particularly, in the case of the above thermal energy, abnormal temperature rise occurs due to the absence of the ink, resulting in electrothermal conversion. The body may lose its function. It is also known that this tendency becomes stronger as the long-term use state lasts longer.

Therefore, when a recording failure occurs or in accordance with conditions for predicting this, suction recovery from the ejection unit side of the head or flowing of pressurized ink or cleaning liquid into the liquid chamber, together with ink supplied from the ejection unit side, the atmosphere, Recovery measures have been implemented to remove air bubbles but have not been the optimal solution.

(Technical problem of the present invention)

At the time of shipment of the recording head, there is known a method of attaching a seal tape for preventing ink leakage from the recording head to the surface of the flat orifice plate. However, when the recording head in the sold state is purchased and initial recording is performed, a large difference is observed in the amount of outside air generated in the recording head depending on the length of the sales period, and the recovery means is used. However, complicated analysis must be performed to obtain a stable initial recording state.

On the other hand, as a countermeasure for this, we tried to increase the adhesive strength, but when a large force was required when peeling off the seal tape, the recording head dropped,
There is a problem that ink is scattered from the recording head and becomes dirty. Conversely, even if the seal tape could be detached from the recording head, only the adhesive remained inside or around the ejection port, causing a recording failure.

Further, when a step is formed in the vicinity of the surface of the discharge section of the recording head, the above-mentioned sealing tape is not even adhered. This is because not only the tendency of the above-mentioned problem is strong but also the bonding itself is difficult.

Therefore, it is a technical object of the present invention to provide a recording head capable of stably performing an initial recording and a recording after a long non-recording period without complicating such recovery means, and a storage method thereof.

[Object of the invention]

A main object of the present invention is to provide a recording error in an opening communicating with ink, such as a conventional sealing tape itself, which is an ejection port, an opening for communicating with the atmosphere, and a dummy nozzle opening which is not used for recording but is additionally provided. A recording head, a method of storing the recording head, and a cap used for the recording head, which can prevent the occurrence of air bubbles or the intrusion of air which can cause the problem, can solve the problem caused by the adhesive, and can solve the above technical problem without using the adhesive. It is in.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a recording head capable of achieving a high degree of hermeticity of an opening with respect to a recording head having a step near the opening of the recording head, a method of storing the recording head, and a cap used therein. It is in.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a recording head capable of stabilizing initial recording of a manufactured recording head even during various sales periods, a method of storing the recording head, and a cap used for the recording head.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a recording head preservation method capable of improving the recording after passing through a state in which a recording head in use is temporarily detached from the apparatus and preserved, and a cap used for the recording head. It is in.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a recording head capable of easily stabilizing the function of the cap pertaining to the recording head of the present invention, and a cap used for the recording head.

An object of the present invention is to provide an ink storage unit, a plurality of energy generating elements for discharging ink in the ink storage unit, and a plurality of arranged ink ejection ports corresponding to the plurality of energy generating elements. And a recording head which is detachably mounted to a recording apparatus, wherein the recording head has an ink ejection port array on an ink ejection port forming surface provided with the plurality of ink ejection ports. A seal member that covers the ink discharge port forming surface, an engaging portion that engages with the recording head, and an elastically deformed state under the engaging state of the engaging portion. And a resilient member that presses the seal member against the ink ejection port forming surface including the stepped portion, whereby the plurality of ink ejection ports are sealed when the recording head is not recording. It is achieved by a recording head ", characterized in that.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide an ink storage unit, a plurality of energy generating elements for discharging ink in the ink storage unit, and a plurality of arranged ink ejection ports corresponding to the plurality of energy generating elements. And a method of storing a recording head that is detachably mounted to a recording apparatus, the recording head comprising: an ink ejection port forming surface provided with the plurality of ink ejection ports. A sealing member that covers the ink ejection port forming surface, an engagement portion that engages with the recording head, and an engagement state of the engagement portion. An elastic member that maintains an elastically deformed state below and presses the seal member against the ink ejection port forming surface including the step portion. Also achieved by storage method "of the recording head, characterized in that click ejection port is sealed.

[Summary of the Invention]

A representative invention among the inventions of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first aspect, a seal member for closing an ejection portion as an opening communicating with ink, and the seal member is pressed against the ejection portion. A recording member, wherein the ejection portion is sealed when the recording head is not recording, the characteristic of claim 10, wherein the opening is a sheet-like member. Claims: A storage method for a recording head, characterized in that storage is performed in a state where the sheet-shaped member is hermetically sealed by the discharge section and a pressing member that presses a peripheral portion thereof, and a storage method.
The feature of Item 16, `` an engaging portion for engaging and integrating with the recording head, a flexible sheet abutting against the ejection port of the recording head, and an elastic member having the flexible sheet on the surface, And a recording head cap ".

Since the summary of the invention that meets the objects of the invention can be easily understood from the contents of the above claims, detailed description will be omitted here. In any case, a further understanding of the configuration of the present invention can be understood from the description of the embodiments.

〔Example〕

FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b) are explanatory views of a first embodiment of the present invention, in which a perspective view and a partially exploded view thereof are shown in order, and FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b) show the embodiment of FIG. 3 (a) and 3 (b) and FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b) are explanatory views of a modified example of FIG. 2, respectively.
FIG. 5 is a partial exploded view of another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of a cross section of the recording head of FIG. 5, and FIGS. b), (c) and FIGS. 8 (a), (b), (c) and FIGS. 9 (a), (b),
(C) is an explanatory view of still another embodiment of the present invention, showing a side view, a front view, and a top view in order, respectively, and FIG.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention in which the configuration of the recording head is further modified, and FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional explanatory view for explaining a configuration of attaching and detaching the recording head of the present embodiment to and from a recording apparatus main body. .

In FIG. 1, IJC is an ink-jet cartridge which has an ink absorber built in an ink storage section, and a recording head (fifth ink supply) which is supplied with ink by a supply pipe communicating therewith.
A heat energy generator 91 shown in the figure, a substrate 100 on which an electrode 92 is formed, and an orifice plate 400 provided with a plurality of discharge ports 41 are provided. In this embodiment, the top plate 1300 and the plate 400 for forming the liquid path 140 are integrally formed. ) Shows a recording head that can be attached to and detached from the recording apparatus body in which the recording head is integrated. An opening S is provided on the upper surface of the recording head for monitoring an electrical junction described later. 10 is a base plate of the recording head substrate,
12 is an aluminum plate integrally formed with a positioning portion 8 for engaging the positioning portion 4010 of the carriage of the printing apparatus main body and positioning the entire print head.
1 indicates the surface of the discharge section including the orifice plate,
41 is a recording ink discharge unit. This embodiment does not disclose an opening for absorbing a back wave at the time of recording or an opening such as a dummy nozzle. However, even when these are included, it can be regarded as the ejection portion surface 1. 2 is
In this example, four grooves are formed on the upper and lower surfaces receded from the discharge unit surface 1 as shown in the figure. 53
Is located on the side surface facing the base plate 10 and has the groove 2
When a large amount of ink is accumulated in the groove 2 due to ink scattering, a function of guiding the ink downward can be achieved by the side groove provided with four grooves continuous with the groove. The recording head groove 2 receives the elastic pressing force from the groove 51 of the cap 4 to maintain the engaged state.

Reference numeral 3 denotes a sealing sheet having a size that entirely covers the ejection portion surface 1 of the recording head, and has a portion protruding outside the recording head end as shown in FIG. 2 (a). I have. This protrusion serves as a flange when the seal is peeled from the recording head. In mounting the sheet 3 to the recording head, a simple adhesive state is formed by interposing an adhesive between the sheet 3 and the surface 1 of the discharge portion in FIG.

The cap 4 of FIG. 1 has a width corresponding to the surface 1 of the discharge section, has two opposing arms 5, 5, an elastic body 6 separated from the arms and fixed to the inner surface of the main body, and a base plate 10 side. A positioning or elastic deformation regulating portion 7 provided on the side of the main body and a collar 9 that can be used when the cap 4 itself is attached to and detached from the recording head are integrally provided. Each of the arms 5, 5 has three grooves 51 on its inner surface for engaging with the grooves 2.

In this embodiment, as can be seen from FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b), the seal 3 is extended onto the base plate 10, and at the same time, the elastic body 6 is provided until it faces the base plate 10.
This is a configuration for further improving the sealing effect because the discharge port 41 is close to the base plate 10.
The portion 7 has a length slightly in contact with the back surface of the base plate 10 when the cap 4 is attached to the recording head. This contact length is about 1 mm in this example.
With such a slight configuration, the elastic body 6 of the cap is provided.
As a result, the arm portions 5, 5 and the positioning portion 7 are reliably positioned within a range in which the base plate 10 is sandwiched. That is, with a simple configuration, the sealing effect of the opening can be achieved without the above-described problem of the adhesive.

FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b) show a configuration in which the pressing area of the elastic body is concentrated on the discharge port. For this reason, in the configuration of the elastic body 6 in FIG. 2, the portion facing the base plate 10 is deleted. I have. Further, in the present embodiment, the portions 7, 7 function as portions for regulating the amount of elastic deformation, and with this configuration, the entire discharge port can be hermetically sealed with a uniform pressure distribution, which is one of the preferred embodiments. The configuration other than the above in FIG.
It is the same as FIGS.

FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b) show a configuration in which the portions 7, 7 of FIG. 2 are further extended to add a function as a guide when the cap member 4 is mounted on the recording head. In the present embodiment, the length is the same as that of the arms 5, 5, so that when the cap is mounted, the parts 7, 7 cannot be mounted unless they are securely positioned on the back side of the base plate 10. The operability at the time of mounting in a reduced size can be further improved.

The engagement state of the groove portions 2 and 51 in the above embodiment will be briefly described. When the collar portions 9 and 9 are moved inward at the time of mounting, the arm portions 5 and 5 are elastically deformed so as to widen the gap therebetween. In this state, the recording head is positioned between the arms 5 and 5 of the cap, and the flanges are separated, whereby the engagement of the grooves 2 and 51 can be achieved. At this time, even if the displacement is caused by one groove, by adjusting the depth of the groove to 1 mm or less, the mutual balance between the elastic pressing force of the arm and the elastic force due to the deformation of the elastic body 6 can be easily adjusted. . In this state, if the upper and lower grooves are engaged by the same number, the overall balance is optimized, and the sealed state is strengthened and the pressure distribution is also optimized. You. The elastic material and thickness of the elastic body 6 are determined by the sheet 3 when the grooves 2 and 51 are engaged.
Can be employed as long as it can hold the sealing force by pressing.

The specific configuration of the present embodiment is such that the thickness of the sheet 3 such as polyethylene terephthalate,
A flexible sheet of about 30μm and a thickness of elastic body
A sponge of about 3mm, silicone sponge, polyurethane sponge. It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above configuration.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show an embodiment of the discharge section in which a step having a height of about 30 μm is formed on the upper and lower surfaces with respect to a step forming surface G of about 70 μm. The present invention can form a reliable hermetically sealed state even on such a stepped surface.

As can be seen in FIG. 6, the liquid chamber has a region Z that continues to the liquid path and extends toward the ink receiving portion, and a slope 21 extending from the ink receiving portion toward the region, and an extension of the slope. lines are led to the surface position P ₀ of the substrate 8 is an arrangement side of the ejection energy generating means H of the fluid passage facing the region.
In this embodiment, the angle with respect to the center line C ₂ and the extension line of the liquid path of the inclined surface 21 is ink path at 22 degrees, the inner wall surface of the right and left, the angle B is 15 degrees.

Due to the presence of the expanding region Z, the microbubbles are not only collected here, but the collected bubbles only hold the bubbles in a region apart from the extension of the liquid path where the ejection energy generating means H is located. Therefore, even if the size is increased, the air bubbles are guided in a direction away from the liquid path along the slope, so that the occurrence of recording failure can be greatly delayed.
Moreover, since the extension line of the slope reaches the side surface of the liquid path facing the area where the discharge energy generating means is disposed, an impact is generated, and the existing bubbles try to enter the liquid path along the slope. Also, since the side surface on which the ejection energy generating means is disposed is present as a barrier, large bubbles do not enter the liquid path and do not cause recording failure. The ink jet recording head is not limited to the above-described angle.
Needless to say, it is clear from the above description that the effect is further improved if the angle limitation is added to this configuration.

The configuration described below is particularly effective when performing suction recovery, but discloses a configuration that is also effective for pressurization recovery. 141
Indicates an isosceles trapezoidal shape at the opening of the orifice plate side end of the liquid path, 111 indicates an isosceles trapezoidal shape at the inner opening of the orifice plate in contact with the same, and the discharge portion also indicates an isosceles trapezoidal shape. . In the present embodiment, the ink transport path from the liquid path to the discharge unit has a trapezoidal cross section. That is,
If the liquid path has a trapezoidal cross section with the discharge energy generating means side as the base, the conditions for dispersing the entire surface of the liquid path with respect to the generation of bubbles can be made non-uniform. In addition to being concentrated on the short side of this trapezoidal shape,
Since the bubble discharging route at the time of recovery can be centralized, the bubble discharging effect can be further improved. Further, according to the configuration in which the discharge section corresponding to the liquid path having the trapezoidal cross section has a trapezoidal shape in which the short side of the trapezoidal cross section of the liquid path is a short side and the long side is a long side. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of an ink turbulence state at the time of recovery and to stabilize the bubble discharging effect. Further, it is more preferable that this shape be an equilateral trapezoidal shape. The most preferred form in the present embodiment, the first region (open portion 14 from the line P ₁ which remains liquid passage of isosceles trapezoid shape discharge portion near the liquid passage has spread
Liquid passages from 1 to 111) and a second region (from the opening 11 to the opening 11) which is narrower than the liquid passage and is connected to the discharge portion of the isosceles trapezoidal shape while keeping the isosceles trapezoidal shape. As a result, bubbles can be reliably removed with almost no turbulence of the ink. Further, in the present embodiment, the first and second regions are symmetric with respect to the plane (line C ₁ ) formed by connecting the centers of the legs of the trapezoid with the same cross section of the liquid path on the sixth drawing. By making the pressure distribution applied during recovery uniform, the occurrence of minute turbulence in the discharge region can be greatly reduced. Line C ₁
The extension line because it is led to the surface on a point P ₃ of the heat generating element H, discharge energy is used efficiently discharge.

Also, according to the present invention, the top plate member forming the common liquid chamber and the discharge portion forming member are integrated, and the liquid path forming member having a step portion for engaging with the substrate, and the liquid path forming member A pressurizing member that presses the linear path from above the liquid path in the arrangement direction of the liquid path and pressurizes and holds the liquid crystal in a state where the front end of the substrate is engaged with the step. Even with the above, there is almost no inconvenience caused by the generation of air bubbles, and excellent recording can be performed.

In this embodiment, the orifice plate is formed from different angles (inflection points H and I) OP1, OP2, and OP3, and the ejection direction of the droplet is constant in the extension direction of the line C1. The plane is perpendicular to the line C1. In this example, the recording medium moves from the bottom to the top of the page. The orifice plate has a stepped side cross-sectional shape with a gentle slope on the side of the plate member on which the discharge section is provided, so that cleaning during wiping can be performed without attaching special parts inside and outside the cap. The reliability is further improved, and the effect of preventing meniscus retreat of the ink at the discharge portion at the time of capping is also improved, so that ink discharge failure and various problems derived therefrom can be better solved with a simple configuration. be able to.

The height of the region Z in FIG. 6 is preferably the same as or smaller than the height of the liquid channel. The angle θ2 in the figure formed by the region Z is 10 degrees, and the angle of the slope 21 is It is preferable that θ1 be equal to or less than half.

As can be seen from FIG. 6, the surface of the discharge port and its peripheral surface are securely sealed by the sheet 3, and this state is secured and maintained by the elastically deformed state of the elastic body 6, so that it is superior to the prior art. The effect can be demonstrated.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the parts 7, 7 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 are eliminated.

Therefore, the elastic body 6 pressing against the base plate 10
Is reliably pressed by the extended portion 41 of the cap body. This has the advantage that the cap member can be simplified and the cap can be attached to and detached from the recording head by sliding along the groove 51.

FIG. 8 shows a configuration in which the cap is configured to engage with the positioning portions 8, 8 of the base plate 10 and the groove 53, and the seal 3 is provided only inside the cap. This configuration is an embodiment in which the mounting accuracy is substantially improved by utilizing the positioning accuracy of the print head with respect to the printing apparatus.

The embodiment of FIG. 9 is an embodiment in which the cap width of the embodiment of FIG. 2 is enlarged to the entire front surface of the recording head having the ejection surface 1 of the recording head, and the mounting state is more stabilized.

FIG. 10 shows an embodiment in which the parts 7, 7 of the above-described FIG. 9 embodiment are removed. With this size, there is no need to add a configuration that makes the positional accuracy accurate, and the mounting is performed according to the recording head. Just by doing so, a stable mounting state can be easily obtained.

FIG. 11 discloses a cap member in which the seal 3 is integrated with the surface of the elastic body of the cap, a recording head using the same, and a method for storing the cap member. This configuration is effective for the recording head itself after being taken out of the carriage.

As can be seen from the perspective view of FIG. 12, the IJC has a large ink storage ratio, and has a shape in which the front end of the ink tank is slightly protruded from the ink jet unit. The ink cartridge IJC is a disposable type which is fixedly supported by a carriage HC mounted on the ink jet recording apparatus main body IJRA and positioning means and electric contacts which will be described later, and which is detachable from the carriage HC. It is.

In FIG. 12, reference numeral 5000 denotes a platen roller which guides the recording medium P upward from below the sheet. The carriage HC moves along the platen roller 3000. The front plate 4000 (2 mm thick) located on the front side of the ink cartridge IJC and the pad of the wiring board 200 of the cartridge IJC are provided on the front platen side of the carriage. Pad 2011 corresponding to 201
Sheet having a flexible pad 4005 and a rubber pad sheet 4007 for generating an elastic force for pressing the pad against each pad 2011 from the back side thereof.
4003 and a positioning hook 4001 for fixing the ink cartridge IJC to the recording position. The front plate 4000 has two positioning projections 4010 corresponding to the positioning projections 2500 and 2600 of the cartridge support 300, respectively.
Receive a vertical force towards. For this reason, the reinforcing rib has a plurality of ribs (not shown) on the platen roller side of the front plate that are oriented in the direction of the vertical force. The ribs are slightly (approximately than the front position L ₅ of Katoritsuji IJC when mounted
(Approximately 0.1 mm) A head protection projection protruding toward the platen roller is also formed. Support plate for electrical connection 4003
Has a plurality of reinforcing ribs 4004 not in the direction of the ribs but in the vertical direction, and the proportion of protrusion from the platen side toward the hook 4001 side is reduced. This also serves the function of tilting the position when the cartridge is mounted as shown in the figure. In addition, the support plate 4003 stabilizes the electrical contact state, so that the two positioning projecting surfaces 4010 act on the cartridge in the opposite direction to the acting direction on the cartridge. The protruding surface 4010
Rubber sheet with a boss corresponding to pad 2011 and having pad contact areas between them
Uniquely defines the amount of deformation of the button of 4007. When these positioning surfaces are fixed at positions where the cartridge IJC can record, they come into contact with the surface of the wiring board 300.
In this example, the pad 201 of the wiring board 300 is
Since then distributed to be symmetrical with respect to L _1, and equalize the amount of deformation of each Botsuchi of the rubber sheet 4007 pads 201
The contact pressure of 1,201 is more stabilized. Pad 201 in this example
Are two rows above and two rows below and two rows vertically.

The hook 4001 has a long hole that engages with the fixed shaft 4009, and after rotating counterclockwise from the position shown in the drawing using the moving space of the long hole, moves leftward along the platen roller 5000. By moving, the inkjet cartridge IJC is positioned with respect to the carriage HC. Although the hook 4001 can be moved in any manner, a configuration in which the hook 4001 can be moved by a lever or the like is preferable. In any case, when the hook 4001 rotates, the cartridge IJC moves to the platen roller side while the positioning projections 2500 and 2600 move to positions where the positioning protrusions 2500 and 2600 can contact the positioning surface 4010 of the front plate, and the hook 4001 moves to the left. While the 90 ° hook surface 4002 is in close contact with the 90 ° surface of the cartridge IJC claw 2100, the cartridge IJC is turned in the horizontal plane around the contact area between the positioning surfaces 2500 and 4010 and finally the pads 201 and 20
Contact of 11 comrades begins. And hook 4001 is in the predetermined position,
That is, when held at the fixed position, the pads 201 and 2011 have a complete contact state, the positioning surfaces 2500 and 4010 have a complete contact, the 90-degree surface 4002 and the 90-degree surface of the claw have two contact surfaces, and 30
0 and the surface contact with the positioning surface 4006 are simultaneously formed, and the holding of the cartridge IJC with respect to the carriage is completed.

On this drawing the carriage positioning hook 4001 90
The claw 2100 with which the right-angled engaging surface 4002 is engaged is located, and the configuration is such that the acting force for positioning with respect to the carriage acts in a surface area parallel to the reference plane.

Although the above embodiments do not disclose all combinations of the configurations disclosed in the claims of the present invention, the present invention also includes appropriate combinations of the above configurations.

The present invention provides an excellent effect particularly in a recording head and a recording apparatus of a bubble jet system among the ink jet recording systems.

Regarding 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 both the so-called on-demand type and the continuous type. In particular, in the case of the on-demand type, it is arranged corresponding to the sheet or the liquid path holding the liquid (ink). By applying at least one drive signal corresponding to the recording information and providing a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling to the electrothermal transducer, heat energy is generated in the electrothermal transducer, and the recording head is driven. This is effective because the film can be boiled on the heat acting surface, so that bubbles in the liquid (ink) can be formed one by one corresponding to the drive signal. 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. As the pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,434,262 are suitable. Further, if the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 relating to the invention relating to the temperature rise rate of the heat acting surface are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As the configuration of the recording head, in addition to the combination configuration (a linear liquid flow path or a right-angled liquid flow path) of a discharge section, a liquid path, and an electrothermal converter as disclosed in the above-mentioned respective specifications, a heat acting section A configuration using U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,459,600, which disclose a configuration in which the is bent, is also included in the present invention. In addition, JP-A-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.
The present invention is also effective as a configuration based on Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 138461/1984, which discloses a configuration in which an opening for absorbing a pressure wave of thermal energy corresponds to a discharge portion.

Further, as a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the width of the maximum recording medium that can be recorded by the recording apparatus, the length can be reduced by a combination of a plurality of recording heads as disclosed in the above specification. Either a configuration that satisfies the above or a configuration as a single recording head that is integrally formed may be used, but the present invention can more effectively exert the above-described effects.

In addition, a replaceable chip-type recording head that can be electrically connected to the apparatus main body and supplied with ink from the apparatus main body by being attached to the apparatus main body, or provided integrally with the recording head itself The present invention is also effective when a cartridge type recording head is used.

It is preferable to add recovery means for the printhead, preliminary auxiliary means, and the like, which are provided as components of the printing apparatus of the present invention, since the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. To be more specific, a capping unit, a cleaning unit, a pressure or suction unit, a preheating unit using an electrothermal converter, another heating element, or a combination thereof, for the recording head. Performing a preliminary ejection mode in which ejection is performed separately from printing is also effective for performing stable printing.

Further, the printing mode of the printing apparatus is not limited to the printing mode of only the mainstream color such as black, but may be a printing head integrally formed or a combination of a plurality of printing heads. The present invention is extremely effective for an apparatus having at least one of the full colors.

(Effects of the Invention) According to the present invention, the conventional sealing tape itself is used for an opening communicating with ink, such as an opening for communication with the atmosphere, an opening for dummy nozzle which is not used for recording but is additionally provided but is not provided. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of air bubbles or air intrusion caused by poor recording, to solve the problem caused by the adhesive, and to prevent poor recording by using almost no adhesive.

Even when the ink ejection port forming surface has a stepped portion, the stepped portion is continued in the ink ejection port arrangement direction, and the ink ejection section is pressed by the elastic member via the seal member. And a highly reliable recording head and storage method can be provided.

The present invention can further stabilize the initial recording of the produced recording head even during various sales periods.

According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the recording after the recording head in use is temporarily separated from the apparatus and stored.

According to the present invention, a recording head capable of easily stabilizing the function of the cap itself according to the present invention with respect to the recording head, and a cap used therein can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b) are explanatory views of a first embodiment of the present invention, in which a perspective view and a partially exploded view thereof are shown in order, and FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b) show the embodiment of FIG. 3 (a) and 3 (b) and FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b) are explanatory views of a modified example of FIG. 2, respectively.
FIG. 5 is a partial exploded view of another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of a cross section of the recording head of FIG. 5, and FIGS. b), (c) and FIGS. 8 (a), (b), (c) and FIGS. 9 (a), (b),
(C) is an explanatory view of still another embodiment of the present invention, showing a side view, a front view, and a top view in order, respectively, and FIG.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention in which the configuration of the recording head is further modified, and FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional explanatory view for explaining a configuration of attaching and detaching the recording head of the present embodiment to and from a recording apparatus main body. . 4 is a cap, IJC is an inkjet cartridge, 9
1, H is a thermal energy generating element, 2 and 51 are grooves, 10 is a base plate, 3 is a sealing sheet, 6 is an elastic body, 7 is a positioning or elastic deformation regulating portion, and 8 is a positioning of a cartridge with respect to a carriage. The part 9 is a collar for attaching and detaching the cap.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-59-145157 (JP, A) JP-A-58-65668 (JP, A) JP-A-63-33285 (JP, A) JP-A 58-65 124665 (JP, A) JP-A-2-125746 (JP, A) JP-A-63-21149 (JP, A) JP-A-61-200239 (JP, U) JP-A-61-67136 (JP, U) Japanese Utility Model Showa 63-77740 (JP, U) Japanese Utility Model Showa 61-175450 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B41J 2/165 B41J 2/175

Claims (14)

(57) [Claims] An ink having an ink storage section, a plurality of energy generating elements for discharging ink in the ink storage section, and a plurality of arranged ink discharge ports corresponding to the plurality of energy generating elements. And a discharge head, comprising: a recording head, which is detachably mounted on a recording apparatus, wherein the recording head is arranged in an ink discharge port arrangement direction on an ink discharge port forming surface provided with the plurality of ink discharge ports. A seal member for closing the ink discharge port forming surface, an engaging portion engaging with the recording head, and maintaining an elastically deformed state under the engaging state of the engaging portion. And a resilient member for pressing the seal member against the ink ejection port forming surface including the step portion, whereby the plurality of ink ejection ports are sealed when the recording head is not recording. Recording head and said Rukoto. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the engagement state is achieved by engagement of a plurality of grooves provided on the recording head with grooves engaging with the plurality of grooves as engagement portions of the pressing member. The recording head according to the paragraph. 3. The recording medium according to claim 1, wherein said engagement state is formed on each of a pair of opposed side surfaces of said recording head.
The recording head according to the paragraph. 4. The ink discharge section has a plurality of ink discharge ports provided in an orifice plate, the seal member is larger than the orifice plate and has a size that can be peeled off. 4. The recording head according to claim 1, wherein a pressing area is at least an area pressing the seal member located at the plurality of ink ejection ports and a peripheral portion thereof, and is smaller than the seal member. 5. 5. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressing member has a contact portion for contacting the recording head and defining an amount of deformation of the elastic member. Recording head. 6. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressing member has a portion located on a side of the recording head for defining the positioning of the elastic member with respect to the ejection section. A recording head according to claim 1. 7. The recording head according to claim 1, wherein said seal member is adhered to said ink discharge section. 8. The energy generating element according to claim 1, wherein said energy generating element is an electrothermal fluctuation element for generating thermal energy for causing film boiling to occur in the ink in response to an electric signal. The recording head as described. 9. An ink having an ink storage section, a plurality of energy generating elements for discharging ink in the ink storage section, and a plurality of arranged ink discharge ports corresponding to the plurality of energy generating elements. A storage method for a recording head, comprising: a discharge unit; and a recording head detachably mounted on a recording apparatus, wherein the recording head has an ink discharge port formed on an ink discharge port forming surface provided with the plurality of ink discharge ports. A sealing member for closing the ink ejection port forming surface, an engaging portion for engaging with the recording head, and an elastic deformation under the engaging state of the engaging portion. An elastic member that maintains a state and presses the seal member against the ink discharge port forming surface including the stepped portion. Storage method of a recording head, characterized in that but is sealed. 10. The recording head according to claim 1, wherein the engagement between the plurality of grooves provided on the recording head and the grooves engaging with the plurality of grooves as the engaging portion of the pressing member is a side face of the recording head. 10. The method according to claim 9, which is achieved by forming each of the pairs. 11. The recording head according to claim 9, wherein said pressing member has an abutting portion for abutting on said recording head to regulate an amount of deformation of said elastic member. Storage method. 12. The printing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said pressing member has a portion located on a side of said recording head for defining the positioning of said elastic member with respect to said discharge section. The storage method of the recording head according to the item. 13. The method according to claim 9, wherein said sheet member is adhered to said ink discharge section. 14. The energy generating element according to claim 9, wherein said energy generating element is an electrothermal fluctuation element for generating thermal energy for causing film boiling to occur in the ink in response to an electric signal. Storage method of the recording head described.