JP3188557B2 - Ink jet recording device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus having a head recovery unit for maintaining the discharge characteristics of a recording head.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an ink jet recording apparatus is provided with a head recovery unit for stabilizing discharge of a recording head and sucking ink in the recording head at the time of defective discharge to normalize the discharge.

The basic structure of the head recovery unit is as follows.
A cap made of an elastic body that moves forward and backward with respect to the recording head, and seals the front surface (ejection port surface) of the recording head when the recording head advances, a negative pressure source connected to the cap via a tube, And a pump mechanism for activating a negative pressure source when the recording head is capped to suck ink from the recording head.

The recording head has a discharge port formed on the front surface thereof, and has a so-called exchangeable type in which an ink tank for storing ink and a head element having a function of discharging ink are integrated. In many cases, a head-integrated ink cartridge (hereinafter, referred to as “cartridge”) is used.

In the case of a mono-color ink jet recording apparatus, black is often used as the color of ink used for recording, and red, green and blue may be used as necessary. . However, since only one cartridge can be mounted on the carriage, a black cartridge is mounted on the carriage when printing with black ink, and a black cartridge is mounted on the carriage with red ink. After removing the cartridge from the carriage, the red cartridge must be mounted on the carriage. Also, since only one cartridge can be mounted on the carriage, only one cap is provided.

On the other hand, in the case of a full-color ink jet recording apparatus, yellow, cyan,
Magenta, black cartridges of four colors are installed,
A cap is provided for each color. Each recording head has its discharge port surface sealed by capping, and at the time of defective discharge, ink is sucked from the discharge port via the cap. However, in order to suck ink from each recording head, it is necessary to connect a cap for each color and a pump mechanism, which is structurally complicated. Therefore, a configuration in which all recording heads are capped with one cap is used. Proposed. In this case, since there is only one cap, when suctioning ink from a recording head of a desired color,
The carriage is moved so that the recording head of the color to be sucked is located in front of the cap, and the suction is performed. Therefore, when there are four recording heads, there are four carriage positions at the time of ink suction. In addition, in order to prevent the recording head from drying out and preventing foreign matter from adhering, in addition to the cap for sucking the ink at the ejection ports, a type having a protective cap that seals without suctioning each recording head has also been proposed. I have.

[0007] Regardless of mono color or full color,
Many head recovery units are provided with a wiper for removing foreign matter attached to a recording head or a cap. Further, the ejection port surface of the recording head is capped by a cap except during recording to be in a sealed state, and drying of the ejection port and attachment of foreign substances are prevented to stabilize ejection.

[0008]

However, in the above-described conventional ink jet recording apparatus, since one suction cap is provided for a plurality of recording heads, for example, after a black recording head is used, a red cap is used. When a recording head is used, there is a problem of color mixing that red recording becomes black and turbid.

More specifically, when a black recording head is used, an ink suction operation, a wiping operation by a wiper, and a scattering of ink when the ink is ejected from the ejection port are performed. The surface, ie, the surface to be capped, has black ink attached. In this state, when recording is not performed, the cap is capped by a cap to prevent drying of the discharge port and adhesion of foreign matters, thereby making a contact surface with the discharge port surface of the cap (hereinafter referred to as a “seal surface”).
Will have black ink attached to it.

Thereafter, for example, in order to perform recording in red, the recording is performed by replacing the recording head with a red recording head, and when the red recording head is capped, the black ink adhering to the sealing surface of the cap is replaced with the red recording head. Attaches to the discharge port surface.
If wiping is performed in this state to remove foreign matter, black ink adhering to the ejection opening surface of the red recording head is pushed into the ejection openings, and the red ink and the black ink are mixed. Even without wiping, during recording or capping, black ink attached to the ejection port surface may flow into the ejection port to cause color mixing.

[0011] Here, the mixed color generated by the ink being pushed into the ejection port by the wiping is prevented by discharging the mixed color ink in the ejection port by performing preliminary ejection outside the recording area, for example, in the cap immediately after the wiping. However, when ink adhering to the ejection port surface flows into the ejection port and color mixing occurs, it is difficult to specify the timing at which the ink flows, and it is extremely difficult to prevent color mixing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an ink jet recording apparatus capable of preventing color mixing of ink when ink is sucked from a plurality of color recording heads by one ink suction cap.

[0013]

In order to achieve the above object, an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention has a carriage mounted with a recording head for recording by discharging ink from a discharge port and moving and scanning a recording area and a non-recording area. One cap arranged in the non-recording area for contacting / separating from a discharge port surface on which the discharge port of the recording head is formed and maintaining the discharge characteristics of the recording head; A suction unit for sucking ink in the discharge port with the discharge port surface sealed, wherein the discharge port surface of the recording head and the cap face each other.
Arm member configured to be movable to an area between the closed state
And an ink movably attached to the arm member.
And an absorbing member, wherein the ink absorbing member is
A first abutment portion that abuts on a contact portion of the cap with the discharge port surface.
And the second ink contacting the discharge port surface.
An arm absorbing member , and the arm member has the recording head.
Between the state where the discharge port surface of the nozzle and the cap face each other.
The ink absorbing member moves to the
Facing the discharge port surface of the recording head and the recording head, and
The ink cartridge moves toward the ink absorbing member and the first ink
By contacting the ink absorption section, the ink
Moving the absorbing member toward the discharge port surface,
The second ink absorbing member of the ink absorbing member with respect to the mouth surface;
The storage section is brought into contact with the storage section .

Further , the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention
Is a recording head that performs recording by discharging ink from the discharge ports.
Carrying the scanning and moving the recording area and non-recording area
And a discharge port surface on which discharge ports of the recording head are formed.
Contact / separation operation with respect to
In order to maintain the ejection characteristics, one of the
With two caps and the discharge port surface sealed
Suction means for sucking ink in the ink jet head.
A first ink absorbing member disposed on the carriage next to the recording head in the scanning direction of the carriage; and a first ink absorbing member of the cap with respect to the recording head in the scanning direction of the carriage. A second ink absorbing member disposed adjacent to the position opposite to the position of the ink absorbing member, and the distance from the ejection opening surface of the recording head to the first ink absorbing member, and the distance from the cap to the first ink absorbing member. Since the distance to the second ink absorber is configured to be substantially equal, the cap and the first
When the ink absorbing member is in a position facing the second ink absorbing member is characterized in that a position opposed to the discharge port.

[0015]

[0016]

[0017]

In the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention having the above-described configuration, the ejection port surface of the recording head is sealed with the cap, and the ink in the ejection port of the recording head is sucked by the suction means. Ink is attached to the contact surface by suction. Then, in the first invention,
When the ejection port surface of the recording head and the cap face each other,
The ink absorbing member by moving the
Face the discharge port of the recording head, and in this state, replace the cap.
By operating, the contact surface of the cap
The absorbing member is brought into contact with the first ink absorbing portion. Also,
According to the second aspect, the first ink absorbing member faces the cap.
Move the carriage to the position
By operating the cap, the contact surface of the cap is
1 is brought into contact with the ink absorbing member. As a result, the ink adhering to the contact surface of the cap is absorbed by the first ink absorbing portion or member. No ink adheres to the ejection port surface of the recording head, and color mixing during ink ejection is prevented.

On the other hand, in the first invention, the cap is
After coming into contact with the first ink absorbing portion, the cap is further moved.
The ink absorbing member toward the ejection port surface of the print head
To move the second ink absorbing portion with respect to the ejection port surface.
Abut. Also, in the second invention, the carriage
Of the cap with respect to the recording head
Next to the opposite side of the position of the first ink absorbing member, the second
Since the ink absorbing member is disposed, the first ink absorbing member is provided.
By contacting the member with the cap, the recording head
The second ink absorbing member is brought into contact with the discharge port surface of the second ink absorbing member. this
Accordingly, simultaneously with the ink adhering to the cap, the second ink absorbing portions also ink adhering to the ejection opening face of the recording head or
Or, the ink is absorbed by the member, so that the ink is not attached to the cap from the ejection port surface when the ejection port surface of the recording head is closed again by the cap, and color mixing is more efficiently prevented.

[0019]

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

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing the vicinity of a head recovery unit showing a first embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention. ) Is applied to a mono-color printing apparatus.

In FIG. 1, a carriage 2 having a cartridge 30 mounted thereon is slidably fitted in two guide shafts 3 and 4 fixed to a frame 1 in a direction indicated by an arrow B in FIG. The carriage 2 has two pulleys (not shown)
The carriage 2 reciprocates in the direction shown by arrow B by rotating one of the pulleys by a carriage motor (not shown). .

The cartridge 30 is formed by integrating a head element 31 for discharging ink and an ink tank (not shown) for storing ink supplied to the head element 31. Located on the front. On the other hand, the recording member 4
When the platen roller 5 for transporting the cartridge 30 is located on the right side of the position shown in the figure, the platen roller 5 faces the head element 31 at a predetermined interval, and is parallel to the guide shafts 3 and 4, and It is rotatably provided by a drive source (not shown). While the head element 31 reciprocates the carriage 2 and conveys the recording member 40 within a range where the head element 31 faces the recording member 40, the head element 3 is controlled based on a recording signal from a control unit (not shown).
By ejecting the ink from 1, recording is performed on the recording member 40.

Here, the head element 31 will be described with reference to FIG. The head element 31 has a plurality of discharge ports 32 formed at a predetermined pitch on a discharge port surface 31a facing the recording member 40 (see FIG. 1) at a predetermined interval. An electrothermal converter (heat-generating resistor or the like) 3 for generating energy for ink ejection along the wall surface of each liquid path 33 communicating with the ejection port 32.
5 are provided. The common liquid chamber 34 communicates with the ink tank, and ink is supplied to the common liquid chamber 34 from the ink tank. The ink temporarily supplied from the ink tank to the common liquid chamber 34 enters the liquid path 33 by capillary action, forms a meniscus at the discharge port 32, and keeps the liquid path 33 filled. At this time, when the electrothermal transducer 35 is energized through an electrode (not shown) and generates heat, the ink on the electrothermal transducer 35 is rapidly heated, and bubbles are generated in the liquid passage 33. The ink is ejected from the ejection port 32 by the expansion. Here, the electrothermal transducer 35 is shown as an energy generating element for generating energy. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a piezoelectric element that generates mechanical energy for instantaneously applying discharge pressure may be used.

The description of the ink jet recording apparatus will be continued with reference to FIG. At the left side of the platen roller 5 in the drawing, a portion facing the cartridge 30 when the carriage 2 is located at the home position (the position shown in FIG. 1) includes:
A head recovery unit 10 is provided. A base member 11 serving as a base of the head recovery unit 10 is fixed to a main body of the inkjet recording apparatus.
A cap holder 13 is provided via a cap support shaft 16 slidably fitted to the base member 11. A compression coil spring 15 is externally fitted to the cap support shaft 16, and the compression coil spring 15 urges the cap holder 13 toward the cartridge 30. Inside the cap holder 13, a cap 12 made of a suitable elastic material such as butyl rubber is provided so as to face the head element 31.
0, and the cap 12 is
By pressing against the front surface of the head element 31, the discharge port surface 31 a (see FIG. 2) of the head element 31 is sealed by the cap 12.

A projection 13a is provided integrally with the cap holder 13, and the projection 13a
Is engaged with a cam groove (not shown) formed on the inner wall of the.
The timing gear 14 is connected to a motor (not shown) and is rotatably provided. By rotating the timing gear 14, the protrusion 13 a moves along the cam groove to move the cap holder 13 forward and backward, and The cap 12 is configured to be pressed against or separated from the front surface.

As shown in FIG. 3, a negative pressure pump 19 is connected to the cap 12 via a tube 20. When the cap 12 is pressed against the front surface of the cartridge 30, a cam (not shown) When the piston 18 of the negative pressure pump 19 is depressed by the pump lever 17 driven by the negative pressure, a negative pressure is generated in the negative pressure pump 19, and ink can be sucked from the discharge port 32 (see FIG. 2) of the head element 31. Becomes

Further, on the side surface of the base member 11, a wiper set lever 21 and a wiper lever 22 each having a substantially U-shape as viewed from the side are rotatable about a set shaft 11a integrally provided on the side surface of the base member 11. It is provided in. FIG.
In FIG. 2, the front side is the wiper lever 22 and the rear side is the wiper set lever 21. A long hole 22 a is formed in the wiper lever 22, while a protrusion 2 slidably fitted in the long hole 22 a is formed in the wiper set lever 21.
1a, the wiper set lever 21 is rotated by a cam (not shown) to
2 has a structure that rotates with a delay with respect to the wiper set lever 21.

At the end of the wiper lever 22, a wiper holder 23 is rotatably provided, and a plate-like wiper 24 is provided on the wiper holder 23.
The wiper 24 includes a cap wiping portion 24a on the lower side in the drawing with respect to the wiper holder 23 and a head wiping portion 24b on the upper side. Usually, the cap wiping portion 24a and the head wiping portion 24b are formed of the same material, and more specifically, are appropriately selected from materials such as urethane rubber and silicon rubber with a flexible rubber blade. The wiper holder 23 is provided with a rotation lever 23a, which is slidably fitted in a lever groove 21b formed at the tip of the wiper set lever 21. Accordingly, the wiper 24 is configured to rotate with the relative movement between the wiper set lever 21 and the wiper lever 22.

Below the wiper 24, a cleaner 26 as an ink absorbing member held by a cleaner holder (not shown) is arranged. The cleaner holder has a projection 25a slidably fitted in a guide groove 22b formed in the wiper lever 22, and the cleaner 26 is movable along the guide groove 22b. The cleaner holder is operated by a spring (not shown) by the wiper lever 22.
Is rotated to move the cleaner 26 to a position facing the cap 12 and the head element 31,
The cleaner 26 is held at a position where the cleaner 26 does not come into contact with the cap 12 and the head element 31 unless an external force is applied to the cleaner 6. As the cleaner 26, a material having good water absorption and having soft properties even when it does not contain moisture is desirable, and polyurethane resin or the like is used. further,
When the cleaner 26 is in the position shown in FIG. 3, that is, when the wiper set lever 21 is not operated, the large-capacity ink absorber (not provided) provided in the main body of the ink jet recording apparatus or the head recovery unit 10 is used. (Shown).

Next, the operation of the head recovery unit of this embodiment will be described.

First, in the initial state, the carriage 2 is located at the home position as shown in FIG.
By advancing the cap holder 13 toward the cartridge 30 by the timing gear 14, the head element 31 is capped by the cap 12 as shown in FIG.
(See FIG. 2) is sealed.

In this state, when an ink suction signal is input from a control unit (not shown), the pump lever 17 is driven, the piston 18 is pushed down, and the negative pressure pump 19 generates a negative pressure. Thereby, ink is sucked from the ejection port 32 (see FIG. 2) of the head element 31 via the tube 20.

When the ink is sucked, the timing gear 14 shown in FIG. 1 is rotated, the cap holder 13 is retracted against the spring force of the compression coil spring 15, and the cap 12 is separated from the head element 31. FIG. 3 shows this state. At this time, the head element 3
No. 1 discharge port surface 31a and a contact surface of the cap 12 with the head element 31 (hereinafter referred to as a “seal surface”).
Is dirty due to the adhesion of the ink sucked by the ink suction.

The ink adhering to the discharge port surface 31a of the head element 31 and the sealing surface of the cap 12 is cleaned by the following procedure.

First, as shown in FIG. 5, the wiper set lever 21 is rotated in the direction indicated by arrow C in FIG.
Is moved to a position facing the head element 31 and the cap 12. In this state, the cleaner 26 is not in contact with the head element 31 and the cap 12. Before the cleaner 26 reaches this position, the wiper 24 passes between the head element 31 and the cap 12, but at this time, the wiper 24 does not contact the head element 31 and the cap 12, and the wiping is performed. Not executed.

When the cleaner 26 moves to a position opposing the head element 31 and the cap 12, the rotation of the wiper set lever 21 is stopped, and the cap holder 13 is moved forward as shown in FIG. Thereby, the ink adhered to the sealing surface of the cap 12 is absorbed by the cleaner 26.

As described above, since the cleaner 26 is provided movably along the guide groove 22b formed in the wiper lever 22, if the cap holder 13 is further advanced, as shown in FIG. The cleaner 26 can be pressed against the discharge port surface 31a of the head element 31 (see FIG. 2). As a result, at the same time as the ink adhering to the sealing surface of the cap 12 is absorbed, the ink adhering to the ejection opening surface 31 a of the head element 31 can be absorbed by the cleaner 26. The ink absorbed by the cleaner 26 is absorbed by the ink recovery body after the series of operations of the head recovery unit is completed and the cleaner 26 returns to the original position and comes into contact with the above-described ink absorption body.
For this reason, the cleaner 26 does not saturate with ink, and always maintains the ability to absorb ink.

As described above, the ink adhered to the sealing surface of the cap 12 and the discharge port surface 31a of the head element 31 is absorbed by the cleaner 26, so that the head 12 when the cap 12 is capped by the cap 12 again is used. The attachment of ink from the element 31 to the cap 12 and the attachment of ink from the cap 12 to the head element 31 are eliminated. Therefore, ink does not adhere to the contact surfaces of the cap 12 and the head element 31 with each other. After that, when a cartridge of another color is mounted on the carriage and the head element is capped, the cap of the other color is removed from the cap. Ink does not adhere to the head element of the cartridge. Even if the ink in the cap 12 cannot be completely absorbed by the cleaner 26, the amount of the ink remaining in the cap 12 is very small. Therefore, even if the head element of another color is capped in this state, the ink does not flow to the ejection port during recording, and color mixing of the ink can be prevented.

The head element 31 is cleaned by the cleaner 26.
And when the ink adhering to the cap 12 is absorbed,
The cap holder 13 is retracted, and the pressing of the cleaner 26 by the cap 12 is released. At this time, cleaner 2
6 returns to the position shown in FIG. 5 by the above-mentioned spring (not shown), and the pressing of the head element 31 by the cleaner 26 is also released.

Next, the wiper set lever 21 is rotated in the direction of arrow D as shown in FIG. At this time, the protrusion 21 a of the wiper set lever 21 is
Is slidable along the long hole 22a, the wiper lever 22 does not rotate even if the wiper set lever 21 rotates within the range in which the protrusion 21a slides. As a result, the rotation lever 23a of the wiper holder 23
Is pushed downward in the figure by the lever groove 21a, and accordingly, the wiper 24 rotates substantially 90 ° in the direction of arrow E.

Further, the wiper set lever 21
Is rotated in the direction of arrow D, as shown in FIG. 9, the wiper 24 has its head wiping portion 24b pressed against the head element 31 and the cap wiping portion 24a pressed against the cap 12 and flexes. And between the cap 12 and the wiping of both. Thereby, the discharge port surface 31a of the head element 31 (see FIG. 2) and the cap 12
The dirt and paper dust attached to the seal surface of are removed.

In this embodiment , one cleaner 26 absorbs ink adhering to the head element 31 of each color cartridge 30 and one cap 12, but is independent for each color corresponding to each color cartridge 30. By providing a plurality of cleaners, color mixing can be prevented more efficiently. Specifically, in the case of a monochromatic inkjet recording apparatus of red and black, a cleaner for black and a cleaner for red are provided, and the cleaner corresponding to the color of the cartridge to be used is attached to the head element and the cap. By absorbing the ink, the color mixture can be more reliably prevented. In this case, the color of the cartridge may be automatically detected by the recording apparatus main body, or may be set by switching a dip switch or the like.

The same applies to a full-color ink jet recording apparatus using four color inks of yellow, cyan, magenta, and black. Four cleaners are provided in accordance with the inks of the respective colors.
By controlling the cleaner used, it is possible to more reliably prevent color mixing.

Further, in this embodiment , the cleaner 26 is shown to absorb ink adhering to the cap 12 and the head element 31, but a cleaner having only the cap 12 or only the head element 30 may be provided.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view showing the vicinity of a head recovery unit of an ink jet recording apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the head recovery unit 110 of this embodiment, the carriage 10
2 is provided with a first cleaner 126 a for absorbing ink attached to the cap 112, while a right end of the cap holder 113 is adapted to absorb ink attached to the head element 131 of the cartridge 130. A second cleaner 126b is provided for cleaning. First cleaner 126a and second cleaner 12
6b is a distance F from the center of the first cleaner 126a to the center of the head element 131, and a distance G from the center of the cap 112 to the second cleaner 126b.
Are arranged to be substantially equal to each other. Other configurations may be the same as those of the first embodiment , and the description thereof will be omitted.

Based on the above configuration, when an ink suction signal is input from a control unit (not shown), the home position of the carriage 102 (the position shown in FIG. 10) as in the first embodiment .
The cap holder 113 is moved forward in
12, the head element 131 is capped to suck ink, and then the cap holder 113 is sucked.
Retreat. At this point, ink is attached to the cap 112 and the head element 131 by suction.

Next, the carriage 102 is moved rightward in the figure by a distance F (G). Thereby, the first cleaner 126a reaches the position facing the cap 112, and the head element 131 also reaches the position facing the second cleaner 126b. When the cap holder 113 is moved forward in this state, as shown in FIG.
The second cleaner 126b also contacts the head element 131, and the ink adhering to the cap 112 and the head element 131 is removed from the first cleaner 126a and the second cleaner 126b, respectively.
Is suctioned by the cleaner 126b.

Thereafter, the carriage 102 is returned to the home position, the head element 131 is wiped, and after preliminary ejection, capping is performed. At this time, since ink is not attached to the cap 112 and the head element 131, no color mixture occurs even if a cartridge of another color is mounted next and the head element of the cartridge is capped again.

As described above, by dividing the cleaner into the cleaner for the cap 112 and the cleaner for the head element 131, the volume of each cleaner can be increased, and the ink absorbing ability can be improved. . Further, since the moving mechanism and the mounting structure are simple, the degree of freedom in design is increased. In this embodiment, as in the case of the first embodiment , the color mixing can be more effectively prevented by making the cleaner correspond to each color of the ink used.

The present invention provides an excellent effect particularly in an ink jet recording head and a recording apparatus in which a flying liquid droplet is formed by utilizing thermal energy among the ink jet recording methods to perform 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 can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and 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 This is effective because heat energy is generated in the electrothermal transducer, causing film boiling on the heat-acting surface of the recording head, and as a result, air bubbles in the liquid (ink) corresponding one-to-one to this drive signal can be formed. It is. By discharging the liquid (ink) through the discharge opening by the growth and contraction of the bubble, at least one droplet is formed. 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 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-angle liquid flow path) as disclosed in the above-mentioned respective specifications, The present invention also includes a configuration using U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,459,600, which disclose a configuration in which a heat acting portion is arranged in a bending region.

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, or absorbs pressure waves of thermal energy. The present invention is also effective as a configuration based on JP-A-59-138461, which discloses a configuration in which an opening corresponds to a discharge unit.

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, a combination of a plurality of recording heads as disclosed in the above specification is used. Either a configuration that satisfies the length or a configuration as a single recording head integrally formed may be used.

In addition, the print head is replaceable with a print head of a chip type, which is electrically connected to the main body of the apparatus and can supply ink from the main body of the apparatus, or is integrated with the print head itself. The present invention is also effective when a cartridge type recording head provided with an ink tank is used.

It is preferable to add preliminary auxiliary means for the recording head provided as a component of the recording apparatus of the present invention since the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. Specific examples include an electrothermal converter, a separate heating element, or a preheating means using a combination thereof.

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 at room temperature, or which is liquid, In general, in the ink jet method, 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. What is necessary is just liquid thing.

In addition, the temperature rise due to thermal energy can be positively prevented by using it as energy for changing the state of the ink from a solid state to a liquid state, or solidified in a standing state for the purpose of preventing evaporation of the ink. Either ink may be used, or in any case, the ink may be liquefied by application of heat energy according to the recording signal and ejected as a liquid ink, or may already start to solidify when reaching the recording medium. The use of an ink having a property of being liquefied for the first time by thermal energy is also applicable to the present invention. In such a case, the ink is disclosed in JP-A-54-5684.
No. 7 or Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-71260, in which the porous sheet is opposed to the electrothermal converter while being held in a liquid or solid state in the concave portions or through holes of the porous sheet. It is good. 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 to the above, the recording apparatus according to the present invention may be provided not only as an image output terminal of an information processing apparatus such as a word processor or a computer, but also as an integrated or separate apparatus, as well as a copying apparatus combined with a reader. A facsimile apparatus having a transmission / reception function may be employed.

[0061]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, the following effects can be obtained.

In the first invention, the discharge port surface of the recording head is
A movable arm in the area between the cap and the facing
A first ink absorbing portion abutting on the cap,
A second ink absorbing portion which is in contact with the ejection port surface.
By providing the ink absorbing member so as to be movable, even when ink is sucked from a print head of a plurality of colors by one cap, ink does not adhere to the print head from the cap, and color mixing at the time of ink ejection can be prevented. can and Tomo
Ink on the discharge port simultaneously with the ink on the cap
Ink can also be absorbed, making color mixing more efficient.
Can be prevented .

In the second aspect of the invention, the first carriage is mounted on the carriage.
And a first ink absorbing member.
The second ink absorbing member on the cap side in relation to the position of
Arranged so that the cap and the first ink absorbing member face each other
When in the position, the second ink absorbing member faces the ejection port surface.
The first invention and the first invention
Similarly, ink adhering to the ejection port surface can be absorbed simultaneously with ink adhering to the cap, and color mixing can be prevented more efficiently.

[0064]

[0065]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing the vicinity of a head recovery unit of a first embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a main part of the head element shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the head recovery unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an operation of the head recovery unit shown in FIG. 1 and shows a state where the head element is capped by a cap.

FIG. 5 is a view for explaining the operation of the head recovery unit shown in FIG. 1, showing a state in which the cleaner has been moved to a position facing the head element and the cap.

6 is a view for explaining the operation of the head recovery unit shown in FIG. 1 and shows a state where the cap holder is advanced from the state shown in FIG. 5 and the cap is pressed against the cleaner.

7 is a view for explaining the operation of the head recovery unit shown in FIG. 1, and shows a state in which the cap holder is further advanced from the state shown in FIG. 6 and the cleaner is pressed against the head element.

8 is a view for explaining the operation of the head recovery unit shown in FIG. 1, and shows a state where the wiper is rotated in the state shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the head recovery unit shown in FIG. 1, showing a state in which wiping is performed.

FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view showing the vicinity of a head recovery unit of a second embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention.

11 is a diagram showing a state in which ink attached to a cap and a head element is absorbed by each cleaner in the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Frame 2, 102 Carriage 3, 4 Guide shaft 5 Platen roller 10, 110 Head recovery unit 11 Base member 11a Set shaft 12, 112 Cap 13, 113 Cap holder 13a, 21a, 25a Projection 14 Timing gear 15 Compression coil spring 16 Cap Support shaft 17 Pump lever 18 Piston 19 Negative pressure pump 20 Tube 21 Wiper set lever 21b Lever groove 22 Wiper lever 22a Long hole 22b Guide groove 23 Wiper holder 23a Rotating lever 24 Wiper 24a Cap wiping part 24b Head wiping part 26 Cleaner 30, 130 Cartridge 31, 131 head element 31 a discharge port surface 32 discharge port 33 liquid path 34 common liquid chamber 35 electrothermal transducer 40 recording member 12 a first cleaner 126b second cleaner

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Fields surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B41J 2/165 B41J 2/18 B41J 2/185

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A carriage mounted with a recording head for ejecting ink from an ejection port to perform recording and moving and scanning a recording area and a non-recording area, and a carriage with respect to the ejection port surface on which the ejection port of the recording head is formed. One cap disposed in the non-recording area for performing the contact / separation operation and maintaining the discharge characteristics of the recording head, and suction means for suctioning ink in the discharge ports with the discharge port surface sealed. An arm member configured to be movable to a region between a state where the ejection port surface of the recording head and the cap face each other, and an arm member movably attached to the arm member. An ink-absorbing member, wherein the ink-absorbing member is in contact with a first ink-absorbing portion that is in contact with a contact portion of the cap with the ejection-port surface, and is in contact with the ejection-port surface. A second ink absorbing portion, wherein the arm member moves to a region between a state in which the ejection port surface of the recording head and the cap face each other, so that the ink absorbing member is The cap moves toward the ink absorbing member and comes into contact with the first ink absorbing portion, facing the ejection opening surface of the recording head, and further moves the ink absorbing member toward the ejection opening surface. Wherein the second ink absorbing portion of the ink absorbing member is brought into contact with the discharge port surface. 2. A carriage mounted with a recording head for performing recording by discharging ink from a discharge port and moving and scanning a recording area and a non-recording area, and a carriage with respect to a discharge port surface on which the discharge port of the recording head is formed. One cap disposed in the non-recording area for performing the contact / separation operation and maintaining the discharge characteristics of the recording head, and suction means for suctioning ink in the discharge ports with the discharge port surface sealed. A first ink absorbing member disposed on the carriage next to the recording head with respect to the scanning direction of the carriage; and the cap with respect to the recording head with respect to the scanning direction of the carriage. And a second ink absorbing member disposed adjacent to and opposite to the position of the first ink absorbing member. And the distance from the cap to the second ink absorber is substantially equal to the distance from the cap to the first ink absorbing member, so that the cap and the first ink absorbing member face each other. In some cases, the second ink absorbing member is located at a position facing the discharge port.