JP3199466B2 - 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 apparatus having functions such as a printer, a copying machine, a facsimile, or a recording apparatus used as an output apparatus such as a composite electronic apparatus including a computer or a word processor, or a workstation is provided with image information (character information, etc.). (Including characters) on a recording material (recording medium) such as paper or a plastic thin plate based on
Is configured to be recorded. 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. The image is recorded (main scanning) by a recording means mounted on a carriage that moves along the material, and after the recording of one line is completed, a predetermined amount of paper is fed (conveyance of the recording material), and then again. By repeating the operation of recording (main scanning) the image of the next row on the stopped recording material, 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, and the recording is continuously performed while recording one line at a time. Feeding (pitch feeding) is performed, and recording of the entire recording material is performed.

Among the above recording apparatuses, an ink jet type recording apparatus (ink jet recording apparatus) performs recording by discharging ink from a recording means (recording head) onto a recording material. It is easy, can record high-definition images at high speed, can record on plain paper without requiring special processing, running cost is low, and because it is a non-impact method, there is little noise, and It has the advantage that it is easy to record a color image using multicolor inks. Above all, a line type using a full multi-type recording means in which a large number of discharge ports 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.), the use of thin paper or processed paper (paper with perforated holes or perforated paper for filing, paper of any shape, etc.) has come to be required.

In the above ink jet recording apparatus,
For example, ink is supplied from an ink tank filled with ink to a recording head, and ink droplets are ejected from ejection ports provided in the recording head. In such an ink jet recording apparatus, dust and bubbles may be mixed in the ink supply system from the ink tank to the recording head. The discharge port provided in the print head and the liquid path communicating with it generally have a small inside diameter of about several microns, so when dust or bubbles reach the liquid path of the print head,
In some cases, the ink adheres to the liquid path and hinders the flow of ink, thereby lowering the ink ejection efficiency. In extreme cases, the ink may be clogged to cause ink ejection failure. Further, if the ink is not ejected for a long time while the recording apparatus is filled with the ink, the components constituting the ink may precipitate or evaporate, which may cause abnormal ink ejection.

In order to solve these disadvantages, it is desirable to restore the ink ejection state of the recording head to a good state. As a recovery means therefor, there are a pressure recovery method and a suction recovery method. In the suction recovery method, the area around the discharge port is closed with a cap (capping),
Ink is sucked from the discharge port using a suction pump or the like, and obstacles such as fixed ink, air bubbles, and dust that accumulate in the liquid path are removed from the liquid path. Such a suction recovery mechanism is also used to fill the ink from the ink tank (ink cartridge) to the recording head at the time of initialization such as when the power is turned on.

By the way, in a conventional ink jet recording apparatus, for example, a constitution in which ink is supplied from an ink tank provided at the bottom of the recording apparatus to a recording head on a carriage via a tube or the like is generally adopted. . On the other hand, recently, an ink jet recording apparatus using a disposable head cartridge, in which a recording head and an ink tank are integrally formed and the recording head is replaced when the ink runs out, has appeared. Further, there has been proposed an ink jet recording apparatus in which a recording head and an ink tank are mounted on a carriage and only the ink tank is replaced when the ink runs out. In general, in an ink jet recording apparatus, in order to prevent the discharge ports of the recording head from drying, the discharge ports are sealed by a cap (capping state) and the carriage is locked in a standby position (recording standby position = home position). ).

[0009]

By the way, in the conventional ink jet recording apparatus, at the standby position where the carriage is located after the recording is completed or when an error such as the detection of the absence of ink occurs, the carriage is located at a position facing the recovery means. The ejection surface (the surface provided with ejection ports) of the recording head is capped by a cap, and the carriage is locked by a carriage lock. Therefore, when the operator intends to replace the ink tank on the carriage or the recording head integrated type head cartridge at the standby position, the operator easily interferes with the components of the recovery means and the like, and there is a disadvantage that it is difficult to remove.

Further, since the periphery of the recovery means is often stained by ink splashing or the like, the operator's hands may be stained. Conversely, when the operator's hand touches the mechanical component of the recovery means, the function of the recovery means may be impaired. Furthermore, when the integrated head cartridge is replaced and a new one is attached, the ejection surface of the recording head may be hit or rubbed with the cap, thereby damaging the ejection port and causing a recording failure.

The present invention has been made in view of such technical problems, and an object of the present invention is to eliminate interference with recovery means when replacing an ink tank on a carriage or an integrated head cartridge. It is possible to prevent the possibility that the operator's hand becomes dirty due to the splash of ink around the recovery means, and that the operator's hand touches the recovery means and induces a malfunction of the recovery means. Provided is an ink jet recording apparatus which can prevent the occurrence of recording failure by eliminating contact between a recording means and a cap when exchanging an integrated head cartridge, thereby improving operability. It is.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention (all claims) provides an ink jet recording apparatus for performing recording by discharging ink from a recording means mounted on a carriage to a recording material. An ink tank mounted on the printer, a capping mechanism for covering a discharge port of the recording unit, and a recovery unit for eliminating a discharge failure of the recording unit, and the carriage is configured to cap the discharge port of the recording unit. The printer has a configuration having a standby position and a tank replacement position for replacing an ink tank. The invention according to claim 1 is further configured such that the movement of the carriage to the tank replacement position is performed when it is detected that the lid of the recording apparatus is opened and the ink tank is empty. In addition to opening the lid,
By detecting that the tank that needs to be replaced is empty and moving to the tank replacement position, it is possible to avoid unnecessary opening of the cap, and to prevent the ink in the discharge port of the print head from drying out. An object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus capable of reducing the causes.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, when the replacement of the ink tank is detected at the tank replacement position, the carriage is moved to the normal standby position and capping is performed. Provided is an ink jet recording apparatus which can prevent a recording head from being left uncapped even when a lid is forgotten to be closed, and can reduce a cause of an ink drying state of a discharge port of the recording head. It is.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, when the ink tank is empty, the carriage is moved to the tank replacement position when the lid of the recording apparatus is opened and it is detected that the ink tank is empty. If the ink tank is not empty but the user wants to replace it, the operation is performed when the lid of the recording apparatus is opened and a key operation is performed. To provide an ink jet recording apparatus that can be used properly depending on the situation such as when there is a problem with ink etc. and it is desired to replace the ink tank, or when the ink tank for monochrome recording and the ink tank for color recording are replaced. It is. The invention according to claim 4 is further configured such that the tank replacement position is a position where the tank protrudes outside the exterior side wall of the ink jet recording apparatus, so that the tank replacement position is far away from an area related to recording. An object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus in which the recording area is prevented from being contaminated with ink or the like due to an unexpected situation such as ink dripping due to tank replacement.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied. The ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is of a type in which a supply ink tank is mounted on a carriage. In FIG. 1, a recording material (recording sheet) 1 such as a sheet of paper or a thin plastic sheet is fed into a printer unit by a paper feeding device such as a manual feed or a cut sheet feeder, and controls a rotation amount of a paper feed roller (not shown). By doing so, the sheet is conveyed to a recording unit (a cueing position) and set to a recording start state. The recording means (recording head) 2 is an ink jet recording head, and this recording head 2 is mounted on a carriage 3. In the case of an ink jet recording apparatus, a plurality of ejection ports are provided vertically on the front surface (ejection surface) of the recording head 2. The carriage 3 is reciprocally supported by sliding shafts 4 and 5, and is reciprocated by a drive motor 6 via a timing belt 8 stretched between the drive motor 6 and the idle pulley 7. The carriage 3 is moved to the recording material 1.
Main scanning in the girder direction (direction traversing the recording material 1)
The image for the line is recorded, and every time one line is recorded, the sub-scan is performed by paper feed to record the next line.

At a position facing the recording head 2, a platen 9 which also functions as a guide plate for guiding the recording sheet 1 along the conveyance path is arranged. The platen 9 may also serve as a fixing device by attaching a heater wire (not shown) to a sheet metal to form a surface heater. The recording material 1 is located on the lower side (upstream side) of the recording area where the recording head 2 performs main scanning.
At a position as close as possible to the recording area,
The recording material 1 is pressed against the platen 9 to prevent the recording material 1 from floating. The recording material 1 that has passed through the recording unit is discharged by a discharge roller 11 disposed downstream of the recording material in a conveying direction and a spur roller 12 pressed against the discharge roller 11.

On the other hand, at a position facing the recording head 2 and away from the platen 9, a recovery means 13 for recovering a symptom of defective ink ejection of the recording head 2 to a favorable state is provided. . The paper feed roller (transport roller) is provided with a paper feed knob 14 for manually transporting the recording material 1. An ink tank 51 for supplying ink to the recording head 2 is exchangeably mounted on the carriage 3. When the ink in the ink tank 51 runs out, the ink tank 51 alone can be replaced.

The recording head (recording means) 2 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 2 performs recording by discharging ink from discharge ports by utilizing a pressure change generated by growth and shrinkage of bubbles due to film boiling caused by thermal energy applied by the electrothermal transducer. is there.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view schematically showing the structure of the ink ejection section of the recording head 2. As shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, a predetermined gap (for example, about 0.5 to 2.0
Discharge surface (discharge port forming surface) 8
1, a plurality of discharge ports 82 are formed at a predetermined pitch,
An electrothermal converter (heating resistor, etc.) 85 for generating energy for ink discharge is provided along the wall surface of each liquid path 84 that communicates the common liquid chamber 83 and each discharge port 82. In the present example, the recording head 2 is
Are mounted on the carriage 3 in a positional relationship such that they are arranged in a direction crossing the scanning direction of the carriage 3. In this way, the corresponding electrothermal transducer 85 is driven (energized) based on the image signal or the ejection signal to cause the ink in the liquid path 84 to boil, and the ejection port 82 is formed by the pressure generated at that time.
The recording head 2 ejects ink from the recording head 2.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing the outline of the ink flow path of the ink jet apparatus including the recovery system 13. As shown in FIG. FIG.
Inside, the portion surrounded by the dotted line is the recovery means 13, and the portion surrounded by the dashed line is the carriage 3. In FIG. 3, the ink is supplied to the recording head 2 via a supply tube 52 from an ink tank 51 mounted on the carriage 3. In the capping state, the recording head 2
Discharge port 82 and suction port (cap) 53 of recovery means 13
The piston portion 5 in the pump 54
5 reciprocates to generate a negative pressure and sucks ink from the recording head 2.

The ink sucked from the recording head 2 is discarded to a waste ink tank 57 via a waste ink tube 56. In the illustrated example, the ink tank 51 is provided on the carriage 3 and is provided independently of the waste ink tank 57. However, the two are integrated so that they can be replaced together when the supply ink runs out. May be configured.

When capping is performed while capping the recording head 2 while keeping the cap 53 and subsequent portions in a completely sealed state, the ink in the liquid passage 84 of the recording head 2 is pushed back into the head by pressurization by the capping operation. (Meniscus dropping) may occur, which may adversely affect the ink ejection characteristics (first emission characteristics) when printing is restarted. For this reason, an air communication port 58 for adjusting the air pressure inside the cap is provided behind the cap 53, and the air communication port 58 is opened by the valve 59 (solid line position).
And a closed state (a position indicated by a broken line).

Normally, when performing capping, first, the atmosphere communication port 58 is released, the cap 53 is joined to the recording head 2, and then the atmosphere communication port 58 is closed, so that the pressure inside the cap becomes the same as the atmospheric pressure. A method of sealing in a state (capping) is adopted. Valve 5
Switching of 9 is performed by the control unit 60 via the drive unit 61. The recording head 2 is provided with a head temperature detecting means (for example, a thermistor) 62, and can perform temperature management at the time of recording control or the like.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing a schematic structure of the recovery means 13 of the ink jet recording apparatus. In FIG. 4, a pump unit 54 for generating a suction negative pressure by reciprocating a piston 55 is provided inside the recovery unit 13, and the pump unit 54 is provided with a cap tube 7.
It is connected to the cap 53 by 2. A waste ink tube 56 is connected to a waste ink port provided at the bottom of the pump unit 54, and the ink sucked by the pump unit 54 is discharged as waste ink.

The cap holder 71 that supports the cap 53 can move between a capping position that seals the discharge port 82 of the recording head 2 and a release position that separates (retreats) from the recording head 2. The cap holder 71 is provided with a wiping member (cleaning member) 69 for wiping and cleaning the ejection surface 81 of the recording head 2. The wiping member 69 is formed of, for example, continuous pore bodies of ether-based polyurethane.

With the cap holder 71 advanced to a position where the wiping member 69 overlaps the recording head 2, the carriage 3 is moved so that the recording head 2 passes through the front surface of the wiping member 69 from left to right. By doing so, ink, impurities, and the like attached to the ejection surface 81 of the recording head 2 are removed, and the ejection stability of the recording head 2 is ensured. Further, the cap holder 71 is provided with a carriage lock unit 70. The carriage lock portion 70 is engaged with the concave portion of the carriage 3 (the recording head 2 in some cases), thereby forming the cap 5.
3 for positioning and fixing the carriage 3 with respect to the carriage 3.

FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view showing the structure of a main part of a first embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied. In FIG. 5, the carriage 3 supported on the sliding shaft 4 is shown.
A standby position (recording standby position) A and a tank replacement position B are set within the movement range of
The carriage 3 is located at a standby position A facing the recovery unit 13, and in this standby position A, the carriage 3 is normally
Is capped by a cap 53. In this capping state, when an ink tank replacement command is received (for example, when it is detected that the replacement lid is opened), the carriage 3 moves to the tank replacement position B. The tank replacement position B can be set at any position where the ink tank 51 can be easily replaced.
For example, it is set at a position facing the paper feed system 21.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view including the exterior of the ink jet recording apparatus of FIG. In FIG. 6, the exterior 1 of the ink jet recording apparatus having the paper supporter 16 is shown.
5 is provided with a lid 17 for ink tank replacement, and by opening this lid 17, an ink tank replacement port 18 appears. A lid sensor 19 for detecting the open / close state of the lid 17 for replacing a tank is provided near the ink tank replacement port 18. The lid sensor 19 is capable of detecting the ON / OFF state of the lid 17 by a sensor detecting section 17a provided on the lid 17 for replacing a tank, and is constituted by, for example, a microswitch.

When the tank replacement lid 17 is opened, the carriage 3 at the standby position A moves to the ink tank replacement port 18 at the tank replacement position B and waits.
The operator can replace the ink tank 51 on the carriage 3. Next, when the operator closes the lid 17,
The carriage 3 moves to a recording standby position (standby position) A,
The recording head 2 is capped.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the printing apparatus of FIGS. 5 and 6 in the first embodiment. In FIG. 7, the carriage 3 is capped at the recording standby position A until it detects that the lid 17 for ink tank replacement has been opened (steps S101 to S10).
2). When the replacement lid 17 is opened by the operator,
The carriage 3 moves to the tank replacement position B and waits (step S103). At this time, the standby time T at the tank replacement position B of the carriage 3 is set (step S10).
4). This time setting is for preventing the discharge port 82 from being clogged by leaving the discharge surface 81 unsealed for a long time. When the set time T elapses with the replacement lid 17 opened, the carriage 3 automatically moves to the recording standby position A, and the recording head 2 is capped (step S106). The set time T is, for example, about 5 minutes.

When the operator replaces the ink tank 51 and closes the replacement lid 17 (step S10).
5), the carriage 3 moves to the recording standby position A (step S107), and the recording head 2 is capped (step S108). Next, an ink suction operation for pulling up the ink from the ink tank 51 to the ejection port 82 of the recording head 2 is performed (step S109), and furthermore, the ejection surface 81 is cleaned to obtain good recording by removing dirt and excess ink. After performing the cleaning operation, a recording standby state is set, and a series of operations is completed (steps S110 to S110).
S111).

The present invention is not limited to the first embodiment described with reference to FIG. 7, but includes the following various embodiments (embodiments).
However, the same effect or a higher effect can be achieved.

In the first embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the carriage 3 is moved to the tank replacement position B by the operator opening the lid 17 for ink tank replacement and stands by. Only when it is detected that the ink is empty (out of ink) when the lid 17 is opened, the carriage 3 may be controlled to move to the tank replacement position B. According to the second embodiment, it is possible to reduce the cause of ink drying of the discharge port 82 by avoiding unnecessary cap open (opening of the discharge port 82).

FIG. 8 is a flow chart for explaining the operation in the second embodiment. In FIG. 8, the recording apparatus detects the opening of the lid 17 for ink tank replacement,
The recording standby state is continued until it is detected that the ink is empty (the ink in the ink tank 51 is empty) (steps S201 to S203). If the ink empty is detected when the replacement cover 17 is opened, the carriage 3 moves to the tank replacement position B.
Subsequent operations are performed in step S10 of the first embodiment in FIG.
4 to S111.

In the first and second embodiments described above,
When the set time T elapses or when the lid 17 is closed by the operator, the carriage 3 in the tank replacement position B
Is configured to move to the recording standby position A and perform capping. However, as a third embodiment, a means for detecting the presence or absence of the ink tank 51 is provided on the carriage 3 and the ink tank 51 is removed at the tank replacement position B. Thereafter, when it is detected that the ink tank 51 has been attached again, the carriage 3 may be moved to the recording standby position A to perform capping. According to the configuration of the third embodiment, even when the operator forgets to close the replacement cover 17, it is possible to prevent the recording head 2 from being left without being capped (a state in which the discharge port 82 is opened). It becomes possible to do. As a means for detecting the presence or absence of the ink tank 51, for example, there is a configuration in which a microswitch is provided so that the ink tank 51 is turned on when the ink tank 51 is mounted on the carriage 3 and turned off when the ink tank 51 is removed from the carriage 3.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the operation in the third embodiment. In FIG. 9, when the lid 17 for ink tank replacement is opened and the carriage 3 moves to the tank replacement position B (step S30).
1 to S303), the standby time T at the tank replacement position B is set (step S304), and the ink tank 5
The initial value F = 1 of the presence / absence flag of 1 is set (step S305). Next, the presence or absence of the ink tank 51 is determined (step S306), and when the absence of the ink tank 51 on the carriage 3 is detected, a flag F = 0 is set (step S307). When the replacement lid 17 is not closed and the set time T has not elapsed (step S
In steps 308 to S309), the flow returns to step S306 again to determine the presence or absence of the ink tank 51.

If it is detected in step S306 that the ink tank 51 is present on the carriage 3, the flag F is determined (step S310). Here, if the flag F = 1, it means that the ink tank 51 has not been removed from the carriage 3 at all, and the process proceeds to step S308. On the other hand, if F = 0, it means that the ink tank 51 has been once detached from the carriage 3 and it can be assumed that a new ink tank 51 has been replaced. Therefore, the carriage 3 is moved to the recording standby position A (step S311). ). The subsequent operation is performed in step S108 of the first embodiment in FIG.
-S111.

In the above-described third embodiment of FIG. 9, the condition for moving to the tank replacement position B is set to be the same as that of the first embodiment of FIG. Second
The configuration may be the same as that of the embodiment, and may be combined with the second embodiment. The third embodiment shown in FIG.
By replacing the empty ink tank 51 with the lid 1 in the ink empty state by combining with the second embodiment of FIG.
By opening the carriage 7, the carriage 3 is moved. On the other hand, for example, when the ink tank 51 is not empty but there is a problem with the ink or the like and the ink tank 51 is to be replaced, or when the ink tank for color recording is to be replaced. In a special situation, it is possible to obtain a configuration that can be selectively used according to the situation, such as moving the carriage 3 by key operation.

In each of the embodiments described above, the carriage 3 is moved by opening and closing the lid 17 for replacing the ink tank. However, the operator moves the carriage 3 by operating keys and switches provided on the recording apparatus. You may be comprised so that it may be performed. In that case, a dedicated switch for ink tank replacement may be provided, or the carriage 3 may be moved by a combination of specific keys on the operation panel of the recording apparatus.

FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view showing another configuration example of the means for detecting the opening and closing of the lid 17 for ink tank replacement. In the above-described first embodiment, as shown in FIG.
The micro switch 19 is configured to be turned ON and OFF by opening and closing, but instead, as shown in FIG. 10, the lid sensor 19 composed of a photo sensor is shut off by a projection 17b provided on the lid 17, The opening and closing of the lid 17 may be detected. Further, the replacement lid 17
A contact may be provided for each of the housing 15 and the exterior 15, and the opening and closing of the lid 17 may be detected based on the presence or absence of conduction.

FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view showing the structure of a main part of another embodiment (fourth embodiment) of an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied. In the above embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the tank replacement position B is
11 is set at a position facing the paper feeding system 21 where the replacement of the ink cartridge 1 is easy, that is, a position near the center of the recording apparatus, and the lid 17 for replacing the ink tank is opened upward. As shown in the fourth embodiment, an ink tank replacement port may be provided on the right side wall of the exterior of the recording apparatus, and the position where the ink tank 51 on the carriage 3 projects outside the right side wall may be set to the tank replacement position B. It is possible.

FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view including the exterior of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of FIG.
11 and 12, the recording standby position A is set at a position where the carriage 3 faces the recovery unit 13. When the carriage 3 is at the standby position A, the recording head 2 is capped by the cap 53. . When receiving the ink tank replacement command, the carriage 3 moves to a tank replacement position B set at the right end of the recording apparatus. At this time, the operator can replace the ink tank 51 on the carriage 3 by popping out the ink tank 51 from the ink tank replacement port 18 provided on the right side wall of the recording apparatus. Since the tank replacement position is an area distant from the area related to printing, it is possible to prevent the printing area from being contaminated with ink or the like due to an unexpected situation such as ink dripping due to tank replacement.

In the fourth embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the ink tank replacement port 18 is normally provided with the replacement lid 17.
The carriage 3 is closed by detecting that the lid 17 has been opened by the operator, and the carriage 3 is moved to the tank replacement position B.
The cover 17 may be opened by pressing the carriage 3 moved to the tank replacement position B by a key operation or the like. In addition,
When the lid 17 is opened by pressing the carriage 3, the replacement lid 17 is automatically closed by a spring or the like (not shown) after the carriage 3 moves to another position such as the recording standby position A. Is desirable. Also, in the embodiment of FIGS. 11 and 12, each of the first to third embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9 can be implemented in an appropriate combination.

In each of the above embodiments, the case where the replaceable ink tank 51 mounted on the carriage 3 is used has been described as an example. However, in the present invention, the recording head and the ink tank are integrated, and the ink is exhausted. The present invention can be similarly applied to an ink jet recording apparatus using a disposable head cartridge in which the entire recording head is replaced, and the same effect can be obtained. Therefore, the “ink tank” in the present application includes various parts having an ink storage part (ink tank), such as a head cartridge. When the present invention is applied to an ink jet recording apparatus using such a head cartridge, a problem caused by contact between the cap and the recording head at the time of replacing the head cartridge at the capping position in the conventional configuration, for example, when the cap and the ejection surface are This is effective in that problems such as defective recording due to rubbing of the ejection port due to rubbing can be prevented.

FIG. 13 is a schematic external perspective view illustrating a head cartridge 20 in which a recording head (ejection unit) and an ink tank are integrated. In FIG. 13, 20a
Represents an ejection unit for ejecting and recording ink, and reference numeral 20b represents an ink tank for storing ink. The head cartridge 20 is provided with claws 2001 which are hooked by hooks (not shown) provided on the carriage 3 when the head cartridge 20 is mounted. This nail 200
Reference numeral 1 is provided inside the full extension of the recording head. Also,
In the vicinity of the ejection unit 20a at the front of the head cartridge 20, a positioning abutting portion (not shown) is provided. Reference numeral 2002 denotes a head opening into which a support plate for supporting a flexible substrate (electric connection portion) and a rubber pad provided on the carriage 3 is inserted.

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the head cartridge 20 shown in FIG. 13, and FIG. 15 is an external perspective view of the head cartridge 20 of FIG. 13 as viewed from the ejection unit 20a side. The head cartridge 20 is of a disposable type in which a recording head (ejection unit) 20a and an ink container (ink tank) 20b serving as an ink supply source are integrated.

In FIG. 14, reference numeral 2003 denotes a heater board in which electrothermal transducers (discharge heaters) and wiring of Al or the like for supplying electric power are formed on a Si substrate by a film forming technique. Reference numeral 2004 denotes a wiring board for the heater board 2003, and the corresponding wiring is connected by, for example, wire bonding. Reference numeral 2005 denotes a top plate provided with a partition for limiting the ink flow path, a common liquid chamber, and the like. In this embodiment, the top plate is made of a resin material having an integral ejection surface. 2006 is, for example, a metallic support;
Reference numeral 2007 denotes a holding spring, and the heater board 2003 and the top board 2005 are sandwiched therebetween so that they are engaged with each other, so that the heater board 2003 and the top board 2005 are pressed and fixed by the urging force of the holding spring 2007. ing. Note that the wiring board 2004 is attached to the support 2006 by sticking or the like. The wiring board 2004 includes a carriage 3 for scanning the print head.
For example, a positioning reference to the position can be provided. further,
The support body 2006 also functions as a member that radiates and cools the heat generated in the heater board 2003 as the discharge unit 20a is driven.

Reference numeral 2008 denotes a sub tank. This sub-tank 2008 is provided with an ink tank 2 serving as an ink supply source.
0b, and functions as a sub-tank that guides ink to a common liquid chamber formed by joining the heater board 2003 and the top plate 2005. Reference numeral 2009 denotes a filter disposed at a position in the sub-tank 2008 near the ink supply port to the common liquid chamber;
8 is a lid member.

Reference numeral 2011 denotes an absorber for impregnating the ink, which is arranged in the ink tank section 20b. 20
Reference numeral 12 denotes an ink supply port for supplying ink to a discharge unit (recording element) 20a composed of the components 2003 to 2010. In a process before the ejection unit 20a is arranged at the site 2013 of the ink tank unit 20b, the ink tank unit 2
Injecting the ink into the inside of the absorber 2011
Can be impregnated with ink.

2014 is a lid member of the ink tank section 20b, and 2015 is an atmosphere communication port for communicating the inside of the ink tank section 20b with the atmosphere. 2015A is a liquid-repellent member disposed inside the atmosphere communication port 2015, which prevents ink from leaking from the atmosphere communication port 2015. Ink tank unit 20 through ink supply port 2012
When the filling of the ink into b is completed, each of the components 2003 to 201
0 to the ink tank unit 20b.
And positioned at the site 2013. At this time, the positioning and fixing can be performed by, for example, fitting a projection 2016 provided on the ink tank portion 20b and a hole 2017 provided on the support body 2006 with the projection 2016. The head cartridge 20 as shown is completed.

Then, the ink is supplied from the ink tank portion (inside the cartridge) 20b to the ink supply port 2012, the hole 2018 provided in the support body 2006, and the sub tank 2008.
14 through the inlet provided on the back surface of FIG.
008. Further, after passing through the inside of the sub-tank 2008, the ink flows from the outlet through an appropriate supply pipe and the ink inlet 2019 of the top plate 2005 into the common liquid chamber. A packing made of, for example, silicon rubber or butyl rubber is provided at the connection portion for ink communication described above, whereby sealing is performed to secure an ink supply path. The present invention is similarly applicable to an ink jet recording apparatus of a type in which a head cartridge in which a recording head (ejection unit) and an ink tank are integrated with each other as described with reference to FIGS. is there.

According to the embodiment described above, a normal standby position (recording standby position) A where the ejection opening 82 of the recording head 2 is capped by the capping mechanism, and the ink tank 51 or Tank replacement position B for replacing body head cartridge 20
The carriage 3 is moved to the tank replacement position B by opening the ink tank replacement cover 17 of the recording apparatus, operating a key, or the like, and replacing the ink tank 51 or the integrated head cartridge 20. Since the carriage 3 is moved to the standby position A and capped by closing the lid 17 or operating a key, the carriage 3
When replacing the ink tank 51 or the integrated head cartridge 20 mounted on the printer, the inconvenience of easily interfering with the parts of the recovery means 13 and the like and being difficult to remove can be solved. It is possible to prevent the possibility that the operator's hand is stained, and conversely, the possibility that the operator's hand touches the mechanical component of the recovery unit 13 to cause a functional failure. When a new one is attached, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of recording defects due to the ejection surface 81 of the recording head 2 being brought into contact with or rubbing against the cap 53, and thereby ink jet recording that can greatly improve operability. Equipment was provided.

In the above embodiment, an ink jet recording apparatus using one recording head 2 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to a plurality of recording apparatuses such as for color recording or gradation recording. The same can be applied to the case of an ink jet recording apparatus using a head, and the same effect can be achieved. Further, the carriage 3 as a means for moving the recording head 2 is not always necessary, and a configuration in which the recording head and the ink tank are moved along the guide rail (sliding shaft) 4 in a detachable state may be employed.

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 configuration 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 in one-to-one correspondence with the driving signal. It is effective.

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, 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 respective specifications, U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 and U.S. Pat.
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.

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

As described above, the type and number of print heads to be mounted are not limited to those provided for only one color ink, and a plurality of print heads having different print colors and densities are provided. A plurality may be provided corresponding to the ink. That is, for example, the recording mode of the recording apparatus is not limited to the recording mode of only the mainstream color such as black, and may be any of a configuration in which the recording head is integrally formed or a combination of a plurality of recording heads. The present invention is extremely effective for an apparatus provided with at least one of color colors or full color 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 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 an ink which 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 or the like, and a facsimile apparatus having a transmission / reception function. And the like.

[0062]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention (all claims), in an ink jet recording apparatus which performs recording by discharging ink from a recording means mounted on a carriage to a recording material, An ink tank mounted on the printer, a capping mechanism for covering a discharge port of the recording unit, and a recovery unit for eliminating a discharge failure of the recording unit, and the carriage is configured to cap the discharge port of the recording unit. With the configuration having the standby position and the tank replacement position for replacing the ink tank, interference with the recovery unit when replacing the ink tank or the integrated head cartridge on the carriage can be eliminated, and the recovery unit can be removed. There is a possibility that the operator's hand may become dirty due to splashing of the surrounding ink, and the operator's hand may be rotated by touching the recovery means. It is possible to prevent the possibility of causing a malfunction of the means, and furthermore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of poor recording by eliminating the contact between the recording means and the cap when exchanging the integrated head cartridge. An ink jet recording apparatus capable of improving operability is provided. According to the first aspect of the present invention, the carriage is moved to the tank replacement position when the lid of the recording apparatus is opened and it is detected that the ink tank is empty. In addition to the operation of opening the lid, it detects the state that the tank that needs to be replaced is empty and moves to the tank replacement position. The effect of reducing the cause of drying of the ink at the ejection openings can be obtained.

According to the second aspect of the invention, when the replacement of the ink tank is detected at the tank replacement position, the carriage is moved to the normal standby position and capping is performed. Even if the user forgets to close the lid later, it is possible to prevent the recording head from being left uncapped and to reduce the cause of the ink drying state of the ejection openings of the recording head. According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the carriage is moved to the tank replacement position, when the ink tank is empty, the lid of the recording apparatus is opened and it is detected that the ink tank is empty. When the ink tank is not empty and the user wants to replace it, it is performed when the lid of the recording device is opened and the key operation is executed. Instead, it is possible to obtain the effect that the ink tank can be used properly depending on circumstances such as when there is a problem with the ink or the like and the ink tank is to be replaced, or when the ink tank for monochrome recording and the ink tank for color recording are replaced. According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the tank replacement position is a position where the tank protrudes outside the exterior side wall of the ink jet recording apparatus. Therefore, the tank replacement position is far away from the area related to recording. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the recording area from being contaminated with ink or the like due to an unexpected situation such as ink dripping due to tank replacement.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing one 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 diagram illustrating a configuration of an ink flow path including a recovery unit in the inkjet recording apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a partially broken perspective view schematically showing a configuration of a recovery unit in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a schematic plan 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. 6 is a schematic perspective view including the exterior of the inkjet recording apparatus of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the first embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the second embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the third embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 10 is a schematic partial perspective view showing another example of the configuration of the opening / closing detection means for the lid for ink tank replacement.

FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view showing a configuration of a main part of a fourth embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view including the exterior of the inkjet recording apparatus of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a schematic external perspective view illustrating a head cartridge in which a recording unit and an ink tank are integrated.

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an internal structure of a head cartridge in which a recording unit and an ink tank are integrated.

15 is an external perspective view of the head cartridge of FIG. 14 as viewed from the ejection unit side.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Recording material 2 Recording means (recording head) 3 Carriage 4 Slide shaft (guide rail) 6 Carriage drive motor 8 Timing belt 9 Platen 11 Discharge roller 13 Recovery means 15 Exterior 17 Ink tank replacement lid 17a Cover sensor Detecting part 17b Projection (sensor detecting part of lid) 18 Ink tank replacement port 19 Lid sensor 20 Head cartridge 20a Ejection unit (recording head part) 20b Ink tank part 21 Paper feed system 51 Ink tank 52 Ink supply tube 53 Cap 54 Suction pump 57 Waste ink tank 60 Control unit 61 Drive unit 62 Head temperature detecting means 69 Cleaning member (wiping member) 70 Carriage lock unit 71 Cap holder 81 Discharge surface 82 Discharge port 83 Common liquid chamber 84 Liquid path 85 Electrothermal transducer A Recording Aircraft position B tank exchange position

Claims (10)

(57) [Claims] 1. An ink jet recording apparatus which performs recording by discharging ink from a recording means mounted on a carriage to a recording material, and a capping mechanism for covering an ink tank mounted on the carriage and a discharge port of the recording means. And a recovery unit for eliminating a discharge failure of the recording unit, wherein the carriage has a standby position for capping the discharge port of the recording unit, and a tank replacement position for replacing the ink tank. The ink jet recording apparatus is characterized in that the carriage is moved to the tank replacement position when the lid of the recording apparatus is opened and it is detected that the ink tank is empty. 2. An ink jet recording apparatus which performs recording by ejecting ink from a recording means mounted on a carriage to a recording material, and a capping mechanism for covering an ink tank mounted on the carriage and a discharge port of the recording means. And a recovery unit for eliminating a discharge failure of the recording unit, wherein the carriage has a standby position for capping the discharge port of the recording unit, and a tank replacement position for replacing the ink tank. And an ink jet recording apparatus wherein, when the replacement of the ink tank is detected at the tank replacement position, the carriage moves to the normal standby position and performs capping. 3. An ink jet recording apparatus which performs recording by discharging ink from a recording means mounted on a carriage to a recording material, wherein an ink tank mounted on the carriage and a capping mechanism for covering a discharge port of the recording means. And a recovery unit for eliminating a discharge failure of the recording unit, wherein the carriage has a standby position for capping the discharge port of the recording unit, and a tank replacement position for replacing the ink tank. When the ink tank is empty, the carriage is moved to the tank replacement position when the lid of the recording apparatus is opened and it is detected that the ink tank is empty. If the user wants to replace the ink cartridge, the ink cartridge is opened when the lid of the recording apparatus is opened and a key operation is performed. Door recording device. 4. An ink jet recording apparatus which performs recording by ejecting ink from a recording means mounted on a carriage to a recording material, and a capping mechanism for covering an ink tank mounted on the carriage and a discharge port of the recording means. And a recovery unit for eliminating a discharge failure of the recording unit, wherein the carriage has a standby position for capping the discharge port of the recording unit, and a tank replacement position for replacing the ink tank. The ink jet recording apparatus is characterized in that the tank replacement position is a position where the tank protrudes outside the exterior side wall of the ink jet recording apparatus. 5. The ink jet printer according to claim 4, wherein the carriage is moved to the tank replacement position when the lid of the recording apparatus is opened and it is detected that the ink tank is empty. Recording device. 6. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein when the replacement of the ink tank is detected at the tank replacement position, the carriage moves to the normal standby position and performs capping. 7. When the ink tank is empty, the carriage is moved to the tank replacement position when the lid of the recording apparatus is opened and it is detected that the ink tank is empty. 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein when the key is not empty but the user wants to perform the replacement, the recording device is opened and a key operation is performed.
3. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1. 8. A method according to claim 1, wherein after the ink tank is replaced, the carriage moves to the standby position and caps the ink, the recovery means performs an ink suction operation, and the recording means performs a cleaning operation. The inkjet recording device according to any one of the above. 9. The ink jet recording device according to claim 1, wherein the recording device is an ink jet recording device including an electrothermal converter that generates thermal energy used for discharging ink. The inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims. 10. The ink jet recording according to claim 9, wherein the recording means discharges the ink from the discharge port by utilizing film boiling generated in the ink by thermal energy generated by the electrothermal transducer. apparatus.