JP3162794B2 - Ink jet recording apparatus and recovery method - 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 and a recovery method, and more particularly to an ink-jet recording apparatus and a recovery method provided with a discharge recovery means in a recording head for discharging ink.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an ink jet recording apparatus, when ejection is not performed at a certain ejection port for a long time depending on recording data, or when the apparatus itself is not used for a long time, a liquid passage communicating with the ejection port or the ejection port is required. Ink may thicken due to evaporation of water. If the inside of the liquid path is in a state that is not suitable for ejection due to such a thickening ink being filled,
Even if the ejection energy generating element arranged in the liquid path is driven under a predetermined condition, the amount of ejected ink is not constant, and there is a possibility that the quality of the recorded image may be reduced. In addition, there is a possibility that a discharge failure may occur due to such thickening of the ink, or solidification may occur to cause a non-discharge.

Further, in an ink jet recording apparatus, when ink droplets, water droplets, dust, and the like adhere to a surface of a recording head provided with ink ejection ports (ejection port forming surface), the ink ejected by these attached substances is pulled. Therefore, the ejection direction may be deflected and the image quality may be degraded.

In order to solve these disadvantages caused by using a liquid ink as a recording agent, an ink jet recording apparatus has a unique configuration not found in other recording apparatuses, that is, refreshes the inside of a liquid path or discharges. Means for setting the exit forming surface in a good state, that is, a so-called ejection recovery system of the recording head is provided.

[0005] There are various types of these ejection recovery systems. First, as a device for refreshing the liquid path, the ejection energy generating element is driven to eject ink to a predetermined ink receiving medium except during recording. (Preliminary ejection or idle ejection). Also, pressurizing the ink supply system, or performing suction from the ink ejection port, etc.
In some cases, a predetermined pressure is applied to a liquid path to forcibly discharge ink from an ejection port.

In order to prevent the deflection of the ejection direction by refreshing the ejection port forming surface, a wiping member is provided which comes into contact with the ejection port forming surface, and the ink adhering to the vicinity of the ejection port is formed by relatively moving the wiping members. Some of them wipe (drop) dust and dust.

[0007] In recent years, in an ink jet recording apparatus, a cartridge in which an ink tank and a recording head are integrated has emerged and is becoming popular.

Since the head cartridge is packaged and distributed separately from the main body of the recording apparatus, even if it is stored for a very long time, it can be surely recovered without deteriorating the image quality when it is mounted on the main body. There is a need.

[0009]

Since the head cartridge is packaged and distributed separately from the main body of the recording apparatus, the discharge port thickens and adheres when stored for a very long time. It may be blocked by ink. The same applies to a case where the apparatus is left naked for a long period of time outside the apparatus.

In such a state, no matter how many times the suction operation is performed, all the nozzles may not be completely recovered.

An object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus capable of reliably recovering the ejection of such a recording head left unattended in a package state or in a naked state, and achieving a good print quality. Aim.

[0012]

According to the present invention, there is provided an ink jet recording apparatus for performing recording by discharging ink by driving a discharge energy generating element from discharge ports of a plurality of recording heads. Suction recovery means for performing suction recovery processing for forcibly discharging ink from the outlet; and determining whether each print head is new or not based on the print history of each of the plurality of print heads. Control means for causing preliminary discharge not used for printing by driving of the generating element and suction recovery processing by the suction recovery means to be performed in parallel, and performing only suction recovery processing by the suction recovery means on a new recording head. And characterized in that:

In this case, the ejection port forming surface of the recording head
As a configuration further including wiping means for wiping
Is also good. Further, the determination by the control means may be made when the power of the apparatus is turned on. Further, the recording head may include an electrothermal transducer that generates thermal energy used for discharging the ink. Further, the ink may be configured to be ejected by utilizing film boiling caused by thermal energy applied by the electrothermal converter.

According to the recovery method of the present invention, the ejection recovery processing of the plurality of recording heads is performed in an ink jet recording apparatus which performs recording by ejecting ink from the ejection openings of the plurality of recording heads by driving the ejection energy generating elements. A recovery method for determining whether each printhead is new or not based on a print history of each of the plurality of printheads; and a backup not used for printing by driving the ejection energy generating element for the new printhead. Discharging and performing suction recovery processing from the discharge port of the recording head by the suction recovery means in parallel, and performing only suction recovery processing by the suction recovery means on a new print head. I do.

[0015]

[Operation] Since the ejection recovery processing is performed after confirming whether the attached recording head is a new head, the ejection port portion is
It is possible to perform a reliable ejection recovery process assuming that the ink is blocked by the thickened and fixed ink.

[0016]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention.

In the figure, 9 is a head cartridge having an ink jet recording head, and 11 is a
It is a carriage for scanning in the direction. Reference numeral 13 denotes a hook for attaching the head cartridge 9 to the carriage 11, and reference numeral 15 denotes an operation lever for operating the hook 13. The operation lever 15 is provided with a marker 17 for indicating a scale provided on a device cover (not shown) so that the print position and the set position of the head cartridge 9 by the recording head can be read. Reference numeral 19 denotes a support plate that supports an electrical connection to the head cartridge 9.
Reference numeral 21 denotes a flexible cable for connecting the electric connection unit and the main body control unit.

Reference numeral 23 denotes a guide shaft for guiding the carriage 11 in the S direction, and is inserted through a bearing 25 of the carriage 11. Reference numeral 27 denotes a timing belt to which the carriage 11 is fixed and which transmits power for moving the carriage 11 in the S direction, and pulleys 29 arranged on both sides of the apparatus.
A, 29B. A driving force is transmitted to one pulley 29B from a carriage motor 31 via a transmission mechanism such as a gear.

Reference numeral 33 denotes a conveying roller for regulating the recording surface of a recording medium such as paper (hereinafter also referred to as recording paper) and conveying the recording medium during recording or the like. 37 is a paper pan for guiding the recording medium to the recording position from the paper feed tray side, and 39 is disposed in the middle of the recording medium feeding path to press the recording medium toward the conveying roller 33 and convey it. Feed roller. Reference numeral 34 denotes a platen that faces the ejection port forming surface of the head cartridge 9 and regulates the recording surface of the recording medium. Reference numeral 41 denotes a discharge roller that is disposed downstream of the recording position in the recording medium transport direction and discharges the recording medium toward a discharge port (not shown). Reference numeral 42 denotes a spur provided corresponding to the paper discharge roller 41.
1 is pressed to generate a conveyance force of the recording medium by the discharge roller 41. Reference numeral 43 denotes a release lever for releasing the urging of the feed roller 39, the holding plate 45, and the spur 42 when setting a recording medium or the like.

Reference numeral 45 denotes a pressing plate for suppressing the floating of the recording medium in the vicinity of the recording position and ensuring the state of close contact with the transport roller 33. In the present embodiment, an ink jet recording head that performs recording by discharging ink is employed as a recording head. Therefore, the distance between the ink discharge port forming surface of the recording head and the recording surface of the recording medium is relatively small, and the distance must be strictly controlled to avoid contact between the recording medium and the discharge port forming surface. The arrangement of the holding plate 45 is effective. Reference numeral 47 denotes a scale provided on the presser plate 45, and reference numeral 49 denotes a marker provided on the carriage 11 corresponding to the scale, and the print position and the set position of the recording head can also be read by these.

Reference numeral 51 denotes a cap made of an elastic material such as rubber which faces the ink discharge port forming surface of the recording head at the home position, and is supported so as to be capable of coming into contact with and detaching from the recording head. The cap 51 is used for protection of the recording head during non-recording or the like, prevention of ink drying, and the above-described ejection recovery processing of the recording head. The ejection recovery process is a process in which ink is ejected from all ejection ports by driving an energy generating element provided inside the ink ejection ports and used for ink ejection, thereby recording air bubbles, dust, and thickening. A process for removing the cause of ejection failure such as ink that is no longer suitable for printing (the above-described idle ejection), and a process for removing the cause of the ejection failure by forcibly discharging the ink from the ejection port by suction separately from the process (as described above) (Ink suction) and a wiping process described later.

Reference numeral 53 denotes a tube pump used for applying a suction force for forcibly discharging the ink and for sucking the ink received in the cap 51 in the discharge recovery processing by the forced discharge and the discharge recovery processing by the idle discharge. is there. Reference numeral 55 denotes a waste ink tank for storing the waste ink sucked by the pump 53, and reference numeral 57 denotes a tube for communicating the tube pump 53 and the waste ink tank 55.

Reference numeral 59 denotes a blade for wiping the ejection port forming surface of the recording head, which protrudes toward the recording head and performs retraction without engaging with the ejection port forming surface during head movement. It is movably supported in the position. 61 is a motor, 63 is a drive of the pump 53 and a cap 5
1 and a cam device for moving the blade 59, respectively.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a part related to the recovery operation in the control block of the apparatus described above.

Reference numeral 200 denotes a control unit, which is a CPU 201 for executing processing performed in the ink jet recording apparatus, and an RO for storing fixed data such as programs corresponding to the processing means.
An M202 and a work RAM 203 are provided.

Although not shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 200 drives the head to perform the idle discharge, and the idle discharge driving circuit 2
04 and the recovery motor 205 and the memory means 206 provided in the ink jet head 101 housed in the head cartridge 9, and in addition to the above, connected to each part for performing a printing process to operate the entire ink jet recording apparatus. Control. The memory means 206 provided in the ink jet head 101 is provided with the ink jet head 10
The control unit 200 checks the usage status of the head cartridge 9 from the contents of the memory means 206. In this embodiment, an EEPROM is used as the memory means 206.

FIG. 3 is a view showing the structure of a tube pump 53 which is a suction means and a recovery motor when the ink jet head 101 performs idle discharge in this embodiment.

At the time of the suction recovery operation, the opening of the cap 51 is brought into contact with the ink jet head 101 at the non-printing position to form a closed shape at the discharge port. The other opening of the cap 51 is connected to a tube 57. The tube 57 forms a tube pump section by the guide roller 104, the pressure roller 105, and the pump base 106. One end of the tube 57 is connected to the ink discharge processing member 10.
7 are arranged. The discharged ink processing member 107 has a function of storing the ink drawn from the discharge port 101A by the suction operation.

When the guide roller 104 rotates in the direction of arrow d, the pressure roller 105 presses the tube 57 at the position of X. The pressure roller crushes the tube until the space inside the tube in contact with the tube becomes zero. When the guide roller 104 is further rotated in the direction of arrow d from the state of X, the pressure roller 105 is driven to rotate and move in the direction of arrow b with the tube 57 crushed. Then, it pauses at the position of Y. At this time, a negative pressure is generated due to a volume change in the tube crushed by the pressure roller between X and Y, and a suction operation is performed.

The home position of the tube pump is the position B. This position is also the initial position of the tube pump. This position is a position where the pressure roller does not crush the tube.

It is a cap member that sucks ink that causes ink to be ejected idly from the head, and receives the ink. In the case of idling where a relatively large amount of ink may be ejected, idling is performed. It is preferable that The idling here means that the pump is operated in a state where the head is not capped to prevent the ink from overflowing from the cap. In the case of such idling, the head 101 does not come into contact with the cap 51, and the guide roller rotates as described above.

The start position of the roller 105 is the position B in both the suction operation and the idling operation.

The timing at which the idle discharge is started is when the roller 105 of the guide roller reaches the position X.

When the recovery motor stops, the roller stops at the position B. The idle discharge state ends when the rollers are stopped.

Next, the control operation in this embodiment will be described.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the recovery operation performed in this embodiment.

When the power of the ink jet recording apparatus is turned on, the control section 200 determines whether or not the ink jet head 101 of the ink jet recording apparatus is newly installed from the contents of the memory means 206, and determines that the ink jet recording apparatus is a new head. Perform a recovery action in the case.

When the ink jet head 101 is a new head, idle discharge is performed while the tube pump idles at step S401. The number of empty discharges is 100
The driving frequency is 4 kHz for 00 shots.

In step S402, the suction operation is performed while performing idle discharge. Subsequently, in step S403, a wiping operation is performed. Subsequently, in step S404, the tube pump idles one rotation. Subsequently, in step S405, idle discharge is performed while idling again. The operation is the same as that of step S401.

In step S406, wiping is performed. In the following step S407, the suction operation is performed while performing idle discharge. The operation at this time is the same as the operation in step S402.

Subsequently, steps S408 and S40
9 continues wiping. Following, step S41
At 0, idle rotation is performed.

In the last step S411, the driving frequency 1
After 200 empty ejection operations are performed at kHz, the process ends.

Steps S402 and S40
The idle discharge operation at the time of the suction operation of No. 7 has a drive frequency of 4
kHz, 5000 shots. This is performed to prevent the thickened ink removed at the time of wiping from entering the ejection port.

This recovery operation is performed when there is a new head when the power of the ink jet recording apparatus is turned on.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the idle discharge operation performed in step S401.

When performing the idle discharge operation, the recovery motor is started (step S501), and then 10,000 discharges are performed at the above timing (step S502). Next, after the idling is stopped (step S503), the recovery motor is stopped (step S50).
1).

In this embodiment, the number of idle rotations is two.

In the present embodiment, if the ink jet head is new, it is detected and a recovery operation is performed, so that the image quality deteriorates even when the new head stored for a very long time is used. Is prevented.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In this embodiment, an ink jet recording apparatus to which a plurality of recording heads can be mounted, for example, Y, M, C and Bk 4
This is performed by an ink jet recording apparatus to which a color head can be attached.

In the ink jet recording apparatus having the above-described structure, a case in which only a head with a large amount of used ink, for example, a head of Bk is replaced is considered in addition to a case where a new head is replaced simultaneously with four colors. .

At this time, if the recovery operation shown in the first embodiment is performed for the Y, M, and C recording heads that are not new heads, the recovery operation itself has no problem, but is not preferable in terms of ink consumption. . Therefore, for a head that is not a new head, control is performed such that idle discharge during idle rotation during idle rotation is not performed and only the new head is performed.

Since the apparatus configuration of this embodiment is almost the same as that of the first embodiment, only a flowchart showing the recovery operation is shown in FIG.

When the power is turned on to the ink jet recording apparatus, the control unit determines whether each head is a new head from the print history of each head (step S601). Here, for example, when only the Bk head is the new head, for the three heads Y, M, and C that are not the new head, the process proceeds to steps S602 and S603, and the suction is performed after the tube pump idles. Perform the operation.

Step S60 for Bk of the new head
4. The process proceeds to step S605, in which idle discharge is performed while the tube pump idles, and then idle discharge is performed while performing the suction operation.

Subsequent steps S606 and S607
In, each head performs wiping and idle rotation.

In the following step 608, it is determined again whether each head is a new head, and the process proceeds to step 610 in which only the Bk head performs idle discharge while rotating idle, and step S609 in which the other heads only perform idle rotation. Is moved to

Thereafter, each head is wiped in step S611.

In the following step S612, it is determined again whether each head is a new head, and the process shifts to step S614 in which only the Bk head performs the idle discharge together with the suction operation, and the other heads perform only the suction operation in step S6.
13 is performed.

The transition processing is performed for each head together, and wiping is continuously performed in steps S615 and S616.

In step S617, idle rotation is performed.

In the last step S618, the driving frequency 1
After 200 empty ejection operations are performed at kHz, the process ends. This is performed in order to prevent the thickened ink removed at the time of wiping from entering the ejection port and causing color mixture.

By this control, the ink consumption of Y, M and C can be reduced by 0.1 g (for 30,000 shots) (10000 shots at idle rotation + 5000 shots at suction + 10000 shots at idle rotation + suction) Hour 5000 shots).

In each of the embodiments described above, the recovery operation of the new head is performed when the power is turned on. However, the operation may be activated after the head is attached or detached or by, for example, a key input from the user. .

The present invention provides an excellent effect particularly in a bubble jet type recording head and recording apparatus proposed by Canon Inc. among ink jet recording methods. This is because according to such a method, it is possible to achieve higher density and higher definition of recording.

The typical configuration and principle are described in, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740.
It is preferable to use the basic principle disclosed in the specification of Japanese Patent No. 796. This method is a so-called on-demand type,
Although it can be applied to any type of continuous type, in particular, in the case of the on-demand type, it can be applied to a sheet holding liquid (ink) or an electrothermal converter arranged corresponding to the liquid path. By applying at least one drive signal corresponding to the recording information and providing a rapid temperature rise exceeding the nucleate boiling, heat energy is generated in the electrothermal transducer, and film boiling occurs on the heat-acting surface of the recording head. Cause
As a result, bubbles in the liquid (ink) corresponding to this drive signal one-to-one can be formed, which is effective. 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 4,345,262 are suitable. Further, if the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 relating to the temperature rise rate of the heat acting surface are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As 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 respective specifications, U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 and U.S. Pat. No. 44,558 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. 59600 is also included in the present invention. In addition, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Sho 59-123670 discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of an electrothermal converter for a plurality of electrothermal converters, and an opening for absorbing a pressure wave of thermal energy is provided. The effect of the present invention is effective even if the configuration is based on JP-A-59-138461, which discloses a configuration corresponding to a discharge unit. That is, according to the present invention, 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 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 in the case of the serial type as described above, the recording head fixed to the apparatus main body or the electric connection with the apparatus main body or the ink from the apparatus main body when attached to the apparatus main body. The present invention is also effective when a replaceable chip-type recording head that can be supplied or a cartridge-type recording head in which an ink tank is provided integrally with the recording head itself is used.

It is preferable to add recovery means for the print head, 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. . Specific examples include capping means for the recording head, cleaning means, pressurizing or suction means described above, preheating by means of an electrothermal transducer or another heating element or a combination thereof. It is also effective to perform a preliminary ejection mode in which ejection is performed separately from the means and printing in order to perform stable printing.

The type and number of recording heads to be mounted are, for example, different from those provided with only one corresponding to a single color ink, and those corresponding to a plurality of inks having different recording colors and densities. A plurality may be provided. That is, for example, the printing mode of the printing apparatus is not limited to a printing mode of only a mainstream color such as black, but may be any of integrally forming a printing head or a combination of a plurality of printing heads. The present invention is also extremely effective for an apparatus provided with at least one of full colors by color mixture.

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 below and which softens or liquefies at room temperature, or an ink jet system In general, the temperature of the ink itself is controlled 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. Anything can be used. In addition, positively prevent the 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 an ink that solidifies in a standing state to prevent evaporation of the ink. In any case, in any case, the ink is liquefied by the application according to the recording signal of the thermal energy, and the liquid ink is ejected, such as the one that already starts to solidify when it reaches the recording medium,
The present invention is also applicable to a case where ink having a property of being liquefied for the first time by thermal energy is used. In such a case, the ink is held in a state of being held as a liquid or solid substance in the concave portion or through hole of the porous sheet as described in JP-A-54-56847 or JP-A-60-71260. Alternatively, it may be configured to face the electrothermal converter. 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 of the present invention may be used as an image output terminal of an information processing apparatus such as a computer, a copying apparatus combined with a reader or the like, or a facsimile apparatus having a transmission / reception function. And the like.

[0075]

As described above, the recording head left in the package state for a long period of time when the power is turned on can be reliably discharged and recovered, and the print quality can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a portion related to a recovery operation in a control block of the device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows an inkjet head 10 according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a tube pump 53 serving as a main recovery motor for causing 1 to perform idle discharge.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a recovery operation performed in the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an idle discharge operation performed in step S401 in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a recovery operation performed in a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 9 Head Cartridge 9a Discharge Unit 9b Ink Tank 11 Carriage 13 Hook 15 Operating Lever 17,49 Marker 19 Support Plate 23 Guide Shaft 25 Bearing 27 Timing Belt 29A, 29B Pulley 31 Carriage Motor 33 Transport Roller 34 Platen 35 Transport Motor 37 Paper Pan 39 Feed roller 41 Discharge roller 42 Spur 43 Release lever 45 Press plate 47 Scale 51 Cap 53 Pump 55 Waste ink tank 57 Tube 59 Blade 101 Ink jet head 104 Guide roller 105 Pressure roller 106 Pump base 107 Discharge ink processing member 201 CPU 202 RAM 203 ROM 204 Empty discharge drive circuit 205 Recovery motor 206 Memory means

Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-63-224960 (JP, A) JP-A-4-166342 (JP, A) JP-A-4-25465 (JP, A) JP-A-3-151244 (JP) JP-A-4-250066 (JP, A) JP-A-5-31909 (JP, A) JP-A-5-169675 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB Name) B41J 2/175

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. A method for ejecting energy from ejection ports of a plurality of recording heads.
In an ink jet recording apparatus that performs recording by discharging ink by driving a lugi generating element, a suction for forcibly discharging ink from a discharge port of the recording head.
Suction recovery means for performing a pull recovery process ; determining whether each of the print heads is new or not based on the print history of each of the plurality of print heads;
For recording by driving the ejection energy generating element
Unused preliminary ejection and suction cycle by the suction recovery means
Recovery process in parallel with the
And performs only the suction recovery process by the suction recovery means.
An ink jet recording apparatus characterized by a control means for causing. 2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a wiping unit for wiping an ejection port forming surface of the recording head. Wherein determination by said control means, also claim 1, characterized in that the power of the device is made if it is turned on
Is an inkjet recording apparatus according to 2. Wherein said recording head is an ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 having an electrothermal transducer for generating thermal energy utilized for discharging the ink. 5. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the ink is ejected using film boiling generated by thermal energy applied by the electrothermal transducer. 6. A discharge energy from discharge ports of a plurality of recording heads.
In a recovery method for performing an ejection recovery process of the plurality of recording heads in an ink jet recording apparatus that performs recording by ejecting ink by driving a lugi generating element, whether each recording head is new from a print history of each of the plurality of recording heads. Judging whether the ejection energy generating element is new or not.
Pre-discharge and suction recovery means not used for drive recording
And a process of recovering the suction from the ejection port of the recording head.
In parallel with each other.
Recovery method which comprises a step of performing by that suction recovery process only to pull recovery means.