JP3100451B2 - 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 for performing recording by discharging ink from a recording means onto a recording material.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A recording device having functions such as a printer, a copying machine, and a facsimile, or a recording device used as an output device of a composite electronic device or a workstation including a computer and a word processor, etc., is based on image information. It is configured to record an image on a recording material (recording medium) such as a plastic thin plate. The recording apparatus can be classified into an ink jet type, a wire dot type, a thermal type, a laser beam type and the like according to a recording method.

In a serial type recording apparatus employing a serial scanning system in which a main scanning is performed in a direction crossing a conveying direction (sub-scanning direction) of a recording material, the recording material is set at a predetermined recording position, and then the recording is performed. An image is recorded (main scanning) by recording means (generally mounted on a carriage) moving along the material, and after a recording of one line is completed, a predetermined amount of paper is fed (conveyance of the recording material), Thereafter, the operation of recording (main scanning) the image of the next row on the recording material stopped again is repeated, so that the recording of the entire recording material is performed. On the other hand, in a line type recording apparatus that records only by sub-scanning in the transport direction of the recording material, the recording material is set at a predetermined recording position,
After the recording for the row is performed, a predetermined amount of paper feed (conveyance of the recording material) is performed, and further, the operation of collectively recording the next row is repeated, thereby recording the entire recording material. It is.

Among the above recording apparatuses, an ink jet recording apparatus (ink jet recording apparatus) performs recording by discharging ink from a recording means (recording head) onto a recording material. Easy,
High-definition images can be recorded at high speed, recording can be performed on plain paper without special processing, running costs are low, and the non-impact method reduces noise, and It has advantages such as easy recording of a color image using ink. Above all, a line-type apparatus using a line-type recording means in which a large number of ejection openings are arranged in the paper width direction can further increase the recording speed.

[0005] In particular, an ink jet type recording means (recording head) for discharging ink by using thermal energy,
Through a semiconductor manufacturing process such as etching, vapor deposition, sputtering, etc., an electrothermal converter, an electrode,
By forming the liquid path wall, the top plate, and the like, it is possible to easily manufacture a device having a high-density liquid path arrangement (discharge port arrangement), and to further reduce the size. On the other hand, there are various requirements for the material of the recording material,
In recent years, ordinary recording materials such as paper and resin thin plates (OHP
Etc.), thin paper and processed paper (paper with perforated holes for perforation, perforated paper, paper of any shape, etc.) have come to be required.

In the above ink jet recording apparatus,
For the purpose of preventing clogging caused by thickening or sticking of ink due to ink drying at the ejection port portion of the recording means (recording head), the ejection port is blocked from the outside air,
Alternatively, clogging caused by thickening or sticking of ink or bubbles or dust generated in a liquid path is recovered (eliminated).
In order to perform a suction recovery operation in which a predetermined pressure (including negative pressure) is applied to the discharge port to forcibly discharge the ink from the discharge port, a closed system is formed at the discharge port portion. A capping means for sealing the discharge port is used.

The capping means is arranged so as to abut the recording head at a position outside the recording area (for example, at the home position of the recording head or the carriage) to seal the discharge port. As an operation mechanism of the capping means, for example, a mechanism for bringing a cap attached to a cap holder capable of moving forward and backward with respect to the recording head into contact with the recording head stopped at a predetermined position,
Or the cap attached to the cap holder,
There is a mechanism that uses the movement of the carriage to advance toward the recording head and make contact with the recording head.

[0008] At least the contact portion of the cap with the recording head is formed of a rubber-like elastic material (elastic body) in order to secure the sealing property. A tube is connected to the cap via a tube connector, and the other end of the tube is connected to a suction pump. The suction pump is further connected to a waste ink processing member (ink absorber or the like) via a tube or the like.
It is connected to the. Therefore, when a discharge failure occurs due to clogging of the discharge port or the like, the cap is brought into close contact with the discharge port forming surface, and a predetermined pressure (negative pressure) is applied to the discharge port by the suction pump to forcibly eject ink from the discharge port. A suction recovery operation is performed to cause the liquid to be discharged. When printing is to be performed after the suction recovery operation has been completed, the cap holder is moved in the direction of retreating (separating) from the printing head, and in the case of the serial system, printing is performed by moving the carriage to the printing area.

[0009]

However, in a conventional ink jet recording apparatus, when a recording head is capped, a cap formed of an elastic material is bent by the bending reaction force of the tube (based on the bent tube). Deformed or tilted by the elastic restoring force trying to return)
In some cases, the contact portion of the cap with the discharge port forming surface was deformed, causing leakage. In particular, on the side displaced in the direction away from the discharge port forming surface due to the inclination of the cap, a gap is generated and a leak easily occurs.

If a leak occurs in the cap, the discharge port is not completely shut off from outside air during capping, so that the ink thickens and sticks, and the discharge port is likely to be clogged. Further, at the time of the suction recovery operation, a predetermined suction force (negative pressure) cannot be generated at the discharge port due to the leak phenomenon, and the suction recovery cannot be performed. As a countermeasure, a configuration in which the length of the tube is extended to increase the bending radius (R) and the reaction force of the tube is not applied to the cap can be considered, but in such a configuration, a space for disposing the tube is required. There is a problem that the recording apparatus becomes large and the recording apparatus becomes large. In addition, since the volume inside the tube from the suction pump to the cap increases, there is a problem that the suction pressure (the strength of the negative pressure) decreases when the same pump is used, and the same suction pressure acts on the discharge port. To do so, there is a problem that the pump becomes large and the cost increases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such technical problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a simple and compact structure which prevents the cap from tilting due to the bending reaction force of the tube, and provides a discharge port. Can be reliably sealed in a stable state without leakage, preventing clogging due to thickening or sticking of the ink at the discharge port, and applying a stable predetermined pressure (negative pressure) to the discharge port during suction recovery operation. An object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus that can operate.

[0012]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an ink jet recording apparatus for recording on a recording material by discharging ink from a discharge port of a recording means. An elastic cap having a sealed portion, an outer peripheral portion protruding from the outer peripheral portion of the sealed portion, a cap holder for holding the cap by mounting the outer peripheral portion, and directly or via a connector member to the cap. And a tube for guiding the ink discharged from the discharge port to a pump or a waste ink processing member, and a portion near the point where the cap and the tube are connected to each other. Guide means for permitting the movement of the moving member and guiding to prevent swinging or deformation in directions other than the forward and backward directions. And butterflies.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the same reference numerals denote the same or corresponding parts throughout the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an essential configuration of an embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied. The ink jet recording apparatus of FIG. 1 intermittently feeds a recording material 12 in a predetermined direction by a transport (sub-scanning) mechanism, and moves (main scanning) the recording unit (recording head) 1 in a direction crossing the direction. It is configured to record.

In FIG. 1, a recording material 12 made of paper, a thin plastic plate, or the like is conveyed in the direction of arrow A by a paper feeding device (not shown), and an upper guide 14 fixed to a bottom plate 13.
And the lower guide 15. Further, the recording material 12
Is guided in the advancing direction by both guides 14 and 15, and enters between a pair of transport rollers including a transport roller (sub-scanning roller) 16 and a transport driven roller (sub-scanning driven roller) 17. The transport roller pairs 16 and 17 are driven to rotate by a transport motor 18. By controlling the drive of the conveying roller pairs 16 and 17, the recording material 12 is carried out onto a platen 19 fixed to the bottom plate 13.
Discharge roller 20 and discharge driven roller 21 while being supported by
, And the conveyance is temporarily stopped here. The discharge roller pairs 20 and 21 are driven by the transport motor 18 in synchronization with the transport roller pairs 16 and 17.

A paper discharge guide 22 is supported on the bottom plate 13, and is supported by the pair of paper discharge rollers 20 and 21.
The recording material 12 conveyed in the direction
Is discharged out of the apparatus main body while being guided by. The transport roller 16 and the paper discharge roller 20 have aluminum particles having a particle size of 1000 to 2000 adhered to their surfaces, and chloroprene rubber is baked on each of the driven rollers 17 and 21. Therefore, the recording material 12 can be conveyed with a high conveying force and with high accuracy.

A main scanning rail (guide rail) 2 is provided on the back side above the platen 19 in parallel with the axial direction of the transport roller 16.
3 are installed. The recording means 1 includes a carriage 24
The carriage 24 is mounted on its bearing 2
The guide rail 23 is inserted through 5 and is movable along the guide rail 23. The recording head 1 of this embodiment is of a cartridge type in which an ink tank and a recording unit (ink ejection unit) are integrated, and is positioned and mounted on a carriage 24 so as to be exchangeable.

An ink discharge section (discharge port forming surface) is provided below the recording means 1, and a plurality of discharge ports arranged in a direction intersecting the moving direction of the carriage 24 are formed in the ink discharge section. ing. The ink ejection unit is the carriage 24
Are arranged so as to discharge ink toward the platen 19 through an opening at the lower part of the printer.

The recording means (each recording head) 1 is an ink jet recording means for discharging ink using thermal energy, and is provided with an electrothermal converter for generating thermal energy. Further, the recording head 1
According to the method, recording is performed by ejecting ink from an ejection port using a pressure change caused by growth and shrinkage of bubbles caused by film boiling caused by heat energy applied by the electrothermal transducer.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view schematically showing the structure of the ink discharge section of the recording means 1. In FIG. 2, a plurality of discharge ports 52 are formed at a predetermined pitch on a discharge port forming surface 51 facing the recording material 12 with a predetermined gap (for example, about 0.5 to 2.0 mm). An electrothermal converter (heating resistor, etc.) 55 for generating energy for ink discharge is provided along the wall surface of each liquid path 54 that communicates the common liquid chamber 53 and each discharge port 52. I have. In this embodiment, the recording head 1 is configured such that the ejection port 52 is
4 are mounted on the carriage 24 in a positional relationship such that they are arranged in a direction crossing the movement direction (main scanning direction) of the carriage 24. In this manner, the corresponding electrothermal transducer 55 is driven (energized) based on the image signal or the ejection signal to cause the ink in the liquid passage 54 to boil, and the ink is ejected from the ejection port 52 by the pressure generated at that time. Recording means (recording head) 1
Is configured.

In FIG. 1, a carriage motor (main scanning motor) 26 as a drive source for reciprocating the carriage 24 is fixed to the apparatus main body (a side plate thereof). A motor pulley 27 is fixed to a rotation shaft of the carriage motor 26, and can rotate integrally with the rotation shaft. An idler pulley 28 is pivotally supported on the opposite side of the motor pulley 27, and a main scanning belt (carriage drive belt) 29 is stretched between the motor pulley 27 and the idler pulley 28. The carriage 24 is provided with a carriage driving belt 29.
, And are reciprocated by the forward and reverse rotation of the carriage motor 26.

A home position HP of the carriage 24 is set at a position within the movement range of the carriage 24 and outside the recording area (or the platen 19). In the vicinity of the home position HP, there is provided a cap 2 of a rubber-like elastic material capable of contacting (adhering to) the ejection port forming surface 51 of the recording head 1 and sealing (capping) the ejection port 52. Means 40 are provided. In the vicinity of the capping means 40, a recovery device 3 for cooperating with the capping means 40 to eliminate a discharge failure due to clogging of the discharge port 52 of the recording head 1 or the like.
0 is provided. The recovery device 30 is in a state where the discharge port 52 is sealed by the cap 2 (capping state).
Then, a negative pressure is generated inside the cap 2 through a tube by a suction pump or the like, and the negative pressure sucks ink and foreign substances such as bubbles, fixed ink, dust, etc. from the discharge port 52 together with the ink.

A roller (not shown) is rotatably supported at the lower portion of the carriage 24, and the roller rolls on the upper surface of the recording material 12 on the platen 19, whereby the recording head 1 is moved. The distance between the ejection port forming surface 51 and the recording surface of the recording material 12 is always regulated to be constant. Further, since the capping means 40 is disposed near the home position HP of the carriage 24, the platen 19 cannot be extended to the home position HP. Therefore, when the carriage 24 moves in the direction of the home position HP, the rollers of the carriage 24
Get off. Therefore, at the position where the platen 19 is removed,
The carriage 24 rides on a guide plate (not shown) provided on the recovery device 30 via the rollers.

In the recording operation, the carriage 24 is moved by the carriage motor 26 and the recording head 1 is driven in accordance with the image signal, so that the platen 19 is moved.
Ink is ejected onto the recording material 12 stopped above to form an image for one line (main scanning). When the recording for one line is completed, the conveying rollers 16 and 17 are rotated by a predetermined amount to convey the recording material 12 by a predetermined amount (for example, an amount corresponding to the height of one line) (sub-scan), and the carriage 24 is returned again. Then, the recording head 1 is driven to perform recording (main scanning) of the next row. Hereinafter, an image is recorded on the entire recording material 12 by alternately repeating the main scanning and the sub-scanning.
Then, when the trailing end of the recording material 12 is detected by a sensor (not shown) arranged at a predetermined position, the recording operation is terminated, and the recording material 1 is rotated by the rotation of the discharge roller pair 20, 21.
2 is discharged out of the apparatus main body along the paper discharge guide 22.

The recording means 1 comprises a replaceable head cartridge in which an ink tank storing ink and a recording head (ink ejection part) connected to the ink tank are integrated, and based on image information. By driving the recording head 1, ink is ejected from predetermined ejection ports 52 to record an image on the recording material 12. The recording material 12
Not only is the paper fed from the paper feeder, but the operator also causes the recording material to enter the abutting portion between the paper discharge rollers 20 and 21 and rotate the transport motor 18 in the reverse direction, thereby temporarily feeding the paper from the paper discharge side. A method (manual feed) in which the paper is conveyed into the paper device and then fed again from the paper feeding device is also adopted.

The capping means 40 includes a cap 2
Is adhered to the discharge port forming surface 51 to keep the inside of the discharge port 52 of the recording head 1 in a wet state, and to prevent clogging of the discharge port 52 due to ink drying or ink fixation. A suction pump (not shown) is provided inside the recovery device 30, and the inside of the cap 2 is connected to the suction pump via a tube or the like. Then, the suction pump is driven in a state where the cap 2 is in close contact with the ejection port forming surface 51 of the recording head 1 and the ejection port 52 is sealed (capping state), thereby applying a negative pressure to the ejection port 52. Impurities such as air bubbles, fixed ink, dust and the like generated inside the ejection port 52 are sucked and removed together with the ink, thereby eliminating ejection failure.

Between the recording area (the area of the platen 19) and the capping means 40, a foreign matter (adhering matter) such as ink droplets and dust adhered to the ejection port forming surface 51 of the recording head 1 is wiped off. A cleaning member 33 composed of a rubber-like elastic material blade is provided. The cleaning member 33 is held by a holder 34 and is configured to be drivable by a driving source (not shown) between a protruding position where the cleaning member 33 can rub against the discharge port forming surface 51 and a retracted position separated from the discharge port forming surface 51. I have.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing a first embodiment of the capping means 40 of the ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied, in a capping state. FIG.
In the figure, the capping means 40 is provided with a cap holder 41 movable vertically in the figure by a driving source (not shown).
And the cap 2 attached to the cap holder 41
And A tube 43 is connected to the back of the cap 2 (the side opposite to the portion in contact with the recording head 1) via a tube connector 42, and the other end of the tube 43 is connected to a suction pump 44. . Further, a waste ink processing member 46 is connected to the suction pump 44 via a tube 45. The tube 4
3, the suction pump 44 and the waste ink processing member 4
Numeral 6 constitutes the recovery device 30 in FIG. The cap 2 is formed of a rubber-like elastic material (elastic body) such as butyl rubber or silicon rubber, and is configured to easily seal the discharge port 52 when the cap 2 is placed on the discharge port forming surface 51 of the recording head 1. ing.

In FIG. 3, the cap holder 41
Is formed with a guide portion 47 formed of a cylindrical hole, while the tube connector 42 is formed with a positioning portion 48 formed of a circular projecting portion (flange portion). The guide portion 47 is formed in a direction perpendicular to the ejection port forming surface 51 of the recording head 1 as shown in the figure. The positioning portion 48 is provided with the guide portion 47.
Is movable in the axial direction (the direction perpendicular to the discharge port forming surface 51), but does not swing or deform in the other direction (a direction different from the direction in which the recording head 1 contacts). In the state, they are fitted. That is, the tube connector 42 is guided and supported by the fitting of the positioning portion 48 and the guide portion 47 so as to move without tilting while maintaining a posture perpendicular to the recording head 1.

Further, a thin portion (thin portion) 61 is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the sealed portion (portion in close contact with the discharge port forming surface 51) 49 of the cap 2.
Is mounted on the cap holder 41 by press-fitting or bonding a thick portion (thick portion) 62 formed on the outer peripheral portion of the thin portion 61 into a fitting hole of the cap holder 41. . That is, the cap 2
The thin portion 61 is deformed in the direction of arrow E at the time of capping in contact with the discharge port forming surface 51, and the reaction force causes the entire periphery of the sealing portion 49 to uniformly contact the discharge port forming surface 51. It is configured to be in close contact in a state (equalized state).

Next, the operation of the capping means 40 having the configuration shown in FIG. 3 will be described. A carriage 24 on which the recording head 1 is mounted is guided and supported along a guide rail (main scanning rail) 23 so as to be able to reciprocate in the directions of arrows A and B. When the recording is completed, the carriage 24 moves from the recording area in the direction of arrow A, moves to the capping means 40 arranged in the non-recording area, and stops.
The recording head 1 is capped.

At the time of the capping operation, the cap holder 41 is moved in the direction of arrow C by a driving means (not shown), and the cap 2 formed of an elastic body contacts the discharge port forming surface 51 as shown in FIG. Discharge port 52
Seal. That is, the sealing portion 49 of the cap 2 comes into contact with the discharge port forming surface 51, and a predetermined pressure (pressure contact force) is applied to the sealing portion 49 by the elasticity of the cap 2 itself to form a closed system that seals the discharge port 52. Stop at the position. At this time, the thin portion 61 of the cap 2 is deformed in the direction of the arrow E, and due to the reaction force, the sealed portion 49 comes into close contact with a predetermined pressure while being equalized (a state in which the entire circumference is uniformly contacted).

In the above capping state, the discharge port 52
When the clogging occurs or it is necessary to prevent the clogging from occurring, a suction recovery operation is performed. This suction recovery operation is performed by operating the suction pump 44 to apply a negative pressure to the discharge port 52 and forcibly discharging ink from the discharge port 52. When the recovery from the suction of the ejection port 52 is completed and the recording is performed, the cap holder 41 is moved in the direction of arrow D by a driving source (not shown) to retract (separate) the cap 2 from the ejection port formation surface 51. . Then, printing is performed by moving the carriage 24 toward the printing area (in the direction of arrow B).

According to the configuration of the capping means 40 shown in FIG. 3 (first embodiment of the present invention), the guide portion 47 is provided on the cap holder 41 and the tube connector 4 is provided.
Since the positioning portion 48 that slide-fits with the guide portion 47 is provided on the guide 2, the cap 2 and the tube connector 42 are prevented from being inclined (swinged) or deformed by the bending reaction force of the tube 43 during capping. That is, the guide portion 47 provided on the cap holder 41 guides the movement of the cap 2 in the direction of arrow E during the capping operation and regulates the bending reaction force of the tube 43. Transmission can be reliably prevented. For this reason, it becomes possible to set the bending radius of the tube 43 small,
As a result, the distance between the cap 2 and the suction pump 44 can be shortened, and an ink jet recording apparatus capable of saving space and reducing size and weight can be obtained.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing a second embodiment of the capping means 40 of the ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied, in a capping state. As a means for preventing the deformation or inclination of the cap 2 due to the bending reaction force of the tube 43, in the first embodiment described above, the configuration in which the tube connector 42 is guided by the guide portion 47 of the cap holder 41 is used. In the second embodiment, a configuration in which the cap 2 is directly guided by the guide portion 47 of the cap holder 41 is used. In this case, it is preferable to guide the outer peripheral surface of the fitting portion of the cap 2 with the tube connector 42 by the guide portion 47 as shown in the figure.

The other parts of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 4 are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3, and the corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals and their detailed description is omitted. As in the case of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the guide portion 47 provided on the cap holder 41 also guides the movement of the cap 2 in the direction of the arrow E during the capping operation, and also allows the tube 43 to be used. , The inclination and deformation of the cap 2 due to the bending reaction force of the tube 43 can be eliminated, whereby the bending radius of the tube 43 can be set small, and the cap 2 and the suction pump 44
By shortening the distance from the recording device, it is possible to reduce the space and the size and weight of the recording apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing a third embodiment of the capping means 40 of the ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied, in a capping state. As a means for preventing the deformation or inclination of the cap 2 due to the bending reaction force of the tube 43, in the first embodiment of FIG. 3, the configuration in which the tube connector 42 is guided by the guide portion 47 of the cap holder 41 is used. In the third embodiment, a configuration in which the tube 43 is guided by the guide portion 47 of the cap holder 41 is used. In this case, it is preferable to guide the outer peripheral surface of the fitting portion of the tube 43 with the tube connector 42 by the guide portion 47 as shown.

The other parts of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 5 are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3, and corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and their detailed description is omitted. As in the case of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the guide portion 47 provided on the cap holder 41 also guides the movement of the cap 2 in the direction of the arrow E during the capping operation, and also allows the tube 43 to be used. , The inclination and deformation of the cap 2 due to the bending reaction force of the tube 43 can be eliminated, whereby the bending radius of the tube 43 can be set small, and the cap 2 and the suction pump 44
By shortening the distance from the recording device, it is possible to reduce the space and the size and weight of the recording apparatus.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5, the case where the cap 2 and the tube 43 are connected via the tube connector 42 is shown. However, as a fourth embodiment, the tube connector 42 is omitted and the cap 2 is connected. And the tube 43 may be directly connected, and the cap 2 or the tube 43 may be guided by the guide portion 47 of the cap holder 41. The same effect can be achieved by such a configuration.

In each of the above embodiments, the guide portion 4
7 is provided on the cap holder 41,
7 may be provided on a member (for example, a guide member) different from the cap holder 41. FIG. 6 shows the cap holder 4
1 and the guide member 70 are formed separately.
FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing a capping state of a fourth embodiment in which the guide portion 47 is provided at 0. The guide member 70 is positioned and fixed to a member such as the cap holder 41 by attaching means (not shown).

The fourth embodiment shown in FIG.
3 is different from the first embodiment in FIG. 3 in that a guide portion 47 is provided on a cap member 70 provided separately from the first embodiment, and the other portions have substantially the same configuration. And their detailed description is omitted. 6, the guide portion 47 provided on the guide member 70 guides the movement of the cap 2 in the direction of arrow E at the time of the capping operation, and also allows the tube 4 to move.
3 restricts the bending reaction force, as in the above-described embodiments.
The inclination and deformation of the cap 2 due to the bending reaction force of the tube 43 can be eliminated, thereby making it possible to set the bending radius of the tube 43 to be small.
By shortening the distance between the recording apparatus and the suction pump 44, it is possible to save space and reduce the size and weight of the recording apparatus.

As another embodiment, the second embodiment shown in FIG.
In the embodiment and the third embodiment of FIG. 5, a configuration in which the guide portion 47 is provided on a guide member (for example, the guide member 70 in FIG. 6) separate from the cap holder 41 may be adopted. The guide member in this case is also positioned and fixed to a member such as the cap holder 41 by an attachment means (not shown). With such a configuration, the same operation and effect as those of the embodiments of FIGS. 3 to 6 can be obtained.

According to the embodiment described above, the rubber-like elastic material cap 2 for forming a closed system at the discharge port 52 of the recording head 1 and the ink discharged from the discharge port 52 are supplied to the pump 44 or waste. In a configuration in which the tube 43 leading to the ink processing member 46 is connected directly or via the connector member 42, the cap 2, the tube 43 or the connector member 42 are connected to the recording head 1 by the guide portion 47. The cap 2 is guided in a state in which it is movable in the forward and backward directions and is prevented from swinging (tilting) or deforming in a direction other than the forward and backward direction. And the deformation of the recording head 1 can be capped in a stable state without any leakage. Thereby preventing clogging due thickening and fixing of ink, at the time of suction recovery operation has become possible to provide a stable predetermined pressure to the portion of the discharge port 52 (negative pressure).

In each of the embodiments described above, an ink jet recording apparatus using one recording means (recording head) 1 has been described as an example. The same applies regardless of the number of recording means, such as an ink jet recording apparatus using recording means, or an ink jet recording apparatus for gradation recording using a plurality of recording means for recording with the same color and different density inks, The same function and effect can be achieved.

In each of the embodiments described above, the serial type recording apparatus in which the recording means 1 is mounted on the carriage 24 has been described as an example. The present invention can be similarly applied to a line-type printing apparatus that prints only by sub-scanning using a line-type printing unit having a length that covers a portion, and the same effect can be obtained. Further, as the recording means 1,
In addition to the cartridge type in which the ink discharge section (print head) and the ink tank section are integrated, the ink discharge section (print head section) and the ink tank section are separated and connected to each other by an ink supply tube or the like. Regardless of the configuration of the recording means, the same can be applied and the same effect can be achieved.

The present invention can be applied to an ink jet recording apparatus using a recording means (recording head) using an electromechanical transducer such as a piezo element. The present invention brings about an excellent effect in an ink jet recording apparatus of a type in which ink is ejected. According to such a method, it is possible to achieve higher density and higher definition of recording.

The typical structure and principle are described in, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740.
Preferably, this is done using the basic principles disclosed in US Pat. 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, liquid (ink)
By applying at least one drive signal corresponding to the recorded information and providing a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling to an electrothermal transducer arranged corresponding to the sheet or liquid path in which Then, heat energy is generated in the electrothermal transducer, and the film is boiled on the heat acting surface of the recording means (recording head). As a result, air bubbles in the liquid (ink) can be formed one-to-one corresponding to the driving signal. It is valid.

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, US Pat.
Those described in 463359 and 4345262 are suitable. In addition, US Pat. No. 4,431,131 of the invention relating to the rate of temperature rise of the heat acting surface.
If the conditions described in the specification of JP-A No. 24 are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As the configuration of the recording head, in addition to the combination of the discharge port, the liquid path, and the electrothermal converter (linear liquid flow path or right-angled liquid flow path) as disclosed in the above-mentioned specifications, U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 which disclose a configuration in which a heat acting portion is arranged in a bending region.
A configuration using the specification of Japanese Patent No. 459600 is also included in the present invention. In addition, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 123670/1984 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 aperture for absorbing pressure waves of thermal energy. The present invention is also effective as a configuration based on Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-138461, which discloses a configuration corresponding to a discharge unit. That is, according to the present invention, the recording can be reliably and efficiently performed regardless of the form of the recording head.

Further, the present invention can be effectively applied to a full line type recording head having a length corresponding to the maximum width of a recording material (recording medium) on which a recording apparatus can record. Such a recording head may have a configuration that satisfies the length by a combination of a plurality of recording heads, or a configuration as one integrally formed recording head. In addition, even with the serial type printer as in the above example, the recording head fixed to the main unit or attached to the main unit enables electrical connection with the main unit and supply of ink from the main unit. The present invention is also effective when a replaceable chip type print head or a cartridge type print head having an ink tank provided integrally with the print head itself is used.

It is preferable to add recovery means for the printhead, preliminary auxiliary means, and the like provided as a configuration of the printing apparatus in the present invention since the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. If you list these specifically,
For the recording head, a capping unit, a cleaning unit, a pressurizing or suctioning unit, a preheating unit using an electrothermal transducer or another heating element or a combination thereof, and a discharge other than recording. Performing the preliminary ejection mode is also effective for performing stable printing.

The types and the number of recording heads to be mounted are, for example, not only one provided for a single color ink but also a plurality of inks having different recording colors and densities. May be provided in plurality. That is, for example, as the recording mode of the recording apparatus, not only the recording mode of only the mainstream color such as black,
The recording head may be formed integrally or by a combination of a plurality of recording heads, but the present invention is also extremely effective for an apparatus provided with at least one of multiple colors of different colors or full color by mixing colors.

In addition, in the embodiments of the present invention described above, the ink is described as a liquid. However, an ink which solidifies at room temperature or lower and which softens or liquefies at room temperature, or an ink jet ink is used. In general, in the method, the temperature of the ink itself is adjusted within a range of 30 ° C. or more and 70 ° C. or less to control the temperature so that the viscosity of the ink is in a stable ejection range. What is necessary is just to be liquid. in addition,
Whether to positively prevent temperature rise due to thermal energy by using it as energy for changing the state of the ink from a solid state to a liquid state, or use ink that solidifies in a standing state to prevent evaporation of the ink In any case, the ink is liquefied by the application of the heat energy according to the recording signal, and the liquid ink is ejected,
The present invention is also applicable to a case where an ink having a property of being liquefied for the first time by thermal energy, such as one that starts to solidify when it reaches a recording medium, is used.

The ink in such a case is disclosed in
As described in JP-A-56847 or JP-A-60-71260, a form in which the liquid sheet or the solid sheet is opposed to the electrothermal converter while being held as a liquid or solid substance in the concave portion or through hole of the porous sheet. It may be. In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

In addition, the form of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention is not only used as an image output terminal of an information processing apparatus such as a computer, but also a copying apparatus combined with a reader and the like, and a facsimile apparatus having a transmission / reception function. And the like.

[0055]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, there is provided an ink jet recording apparatus for recording on a recording material by discharging ink from a discharge port of a recording means.
A sealing portion for sealing the discharge port, an elastic cap having an outer peripheral portion protruding from the outer peripheral portion of the sealed portion, a cap holder for holding the cap by mounting the outer peripheral portion, and A tube connected directly to the cap or via a connector member to guide the ink discharged from the discharge port to a pump or a waste ink processing member, and a portion near a portion where the cap and the tube are connected to each other. A guide means for allowing movement in the forward and backward directions with respect to the recording means and guiding to prevent swinging or deformation in a direction other than the forward and backward direction. To prevent the cap from tilting due to the bending reaction force, and to securely seal the discharge port in a stable state without leakage. Thereby preventing clogging due thickening and fixing of ink outlets effectively, an ink jet recording apparatus is provided which a predetermined pressure stable to the discharge port during the suction recovery operation can be applied.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a configuration of a main part of an embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view schematically illustrating a structure of an ink ejection unit of a recording unit in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a first embodiment of capping means of the ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 4 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a second embodiment of the capping means of the ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 5 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a third embodiment of the capping means of the ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 6 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a fourth embodiment of a capping means of an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Recording means (recording head) 2 Cap 12 Recording material 16 Transport roller 18 Transport motor 19 Platen 20 Discharge roller 23 Guide rail (main scanning rail) 24 Carriage 26 Carriage motor 30 Recovery device 33 Cleaning member 40 Capping means 41 Cap holder 42 tube connector 43 tube 44 suction pump 46 waste ink processing member 47 guide part 48 positioning part 49 sealed part (cap) 51 discharge port forming surface 52 discharge port 55 electrothermal transducer 61 thin part (cap) 62 thick part (cap) 70 Guide member A Carriage moving direction B Carriage moving direction C Cap holder moving direction D Cap holder moving direction E Cap moving (guide) direction

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. An ink jet recording apparatus which records ink on a recording material by discharging ink from a discharge port of a recording means, and a sealing portion for sealing the discharge port, and an outer periphery protruding from an outer peripheral portion of the sealed portion. An elastic cap having a portion, a cap holder that holds the cap by mounting the outer peripheral portion, and a pump that is connected to the cap directly or via a connector member and that discharges ink from the discharge port. Alternatively, a tube for guiding to a waste ink processing member, and a portion near a place where the cap and the tube are connected to each other, is allowed to move in the forward and backward direction with respect to the recording means and swing in a direction other than the forward and backward direction. Or, a guide means for guiding so as to prevent deformation, and an ink jet recording apparatus. 2. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said cap holder also functions as said guide means. 3. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said recording means is an ink jet recording means provided with an electrothermal transducer for generating thermal energy used for discharging ink. apparatus. 4. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said recording means discharges the ink from a discharge port using film boiling generated in the ink by thermal energy generated by the electrothermal transducer. .