JP3291903B2 - 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, in which a cap member having an absorbing material for absorbing ink therein is brought into close contact with a recording head to perform an ink suction operation. The present invention relates to a recovery mechanism used for the ink suction operation, a structure around the cap member, and an operation method at the time of ink suction.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-61593 discloses a conventional ink jet recording apparatus which performs an ink suction operation by bringing a cap member into close contact with a recording head and an operation method of the ink suction operation. In the ink suction operation described in this publication, a cap member is brought into close contact with a nozzle opening for discharging ink of a recording head, and a negative pressure is applied to the inside of the cap member to cause ink in the recording head to pass through the nozzle opening. Suction. Next, the inside of the cap member is communicated with the atmosphere to suck ink remaining in the cap member. Further, the method comprises a step of separating the cap member from the recording head.

[0003] In this ink suction operation, a step of sucking ink remaining in the cap member by communicating the inside of the cap member with the atmosphere is provided, so that when the cap member is separated from the recording head, air bubbles in the nozzle opening are formed. This prevents the intrusion of ink and the scattering of ink from the cap member.

The provision of the step of sucking ink remaining in the cap member by communicating the inside of the cap member with the atmosphere as described above suppresses the intrusion of bubbles into the nozzle openings and the scattering of ink from the cap member. Has a considerable effect, and can be said to be an effective ink suction operation for the ink jet recording apparatus.

Next, an ink jet recording apparatus having an absorbing material for absorbing ink in a cap member is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No.
No. 43066, JP-A-2-55147 and the like. In Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-43066, an absorbent material for impregnating ink is provided in a portion of a cap member that seals a tip of a nozzle opening of a recording head and is in pressure contact with the tip of the nozzle opening. This makes it possible to eliminate the ink accumulation around the tip of the nozzle opening when the cap member is opened.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-55147 discloses that a thickened ink in a recording head and the nozzle opening are provided by providing a suction port for sucking ink from the nozzle opening higher than the uppermost nozzle opening. No air bubbles enter the air. Further, an absorbing material such as a sponge is provided in the cap member. According to the document, when the valve unit opens the inside of the cap member to the atmosphere, the impact of air on the nozzle opening can be reduced and reliability can be improved.

The ink jet recording apparatuses disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-43066 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-55147 both absorb ink adhering to the tip of the nozzle opening and impact the air with the nozzle opening when the nozzle is opened to the atmosphere. Is very effective.

[0008]

Recently, there has been a demand from users for ink jet recording apparatuses having higher recording quality than before and colorization of the ink jet recording apparatuses. Further, the same applies to speeding up in recording.

Next, a brief description will be given on the colorization of the ink jet recording apparatus. When realizing colorization of the ink jet recording apparatus, generally, Y,
Three colors of M and C (yellow, magenta, and cyan) are used for the ink. The three colors of ink are separately discharged from nozzle openings of a recording head mounted on the inkjet recording apparatus to form recording dots. The ejection of the three colors from the nozzle openings is controlled in accordance with the color to be expressed.

There are the following problems in colorizing an ink jet recording apparatus.

In the ink jet recording apparatus, when air bubbles enter the recording head, a recording failure occurs in which ink cannot be ejected from the nozzle openings. When the recording failure occurs, it is necessary to perform a recovery operation in order to discharge air bubbles in the recording head out of the recording head.
The recovery operation is performed by a recovery mechanism provided in the inkjet recording apparatus. The recovery mechanism includes a capping mechanism including the cap member. The recovery operation is performed by bringing the cap member into close contact with the nozzle opening to reduce the pressure inside the cap member by the function of the recovery mechanism. When the recovery operation is performed, the recording is interrupted, and when the speed at the time of the recording is to be increased, it becomes a major obstacle. Therefore, it is desired to supply an inkjet recording apparatus that does not need to perform the recovery operation.

As described above, since the three colors of ink are ejected from different nozzle openings, the structure of the ink jet recording apparatus becomes large. There are the following means for realizing miniaturization of the ink jet recording apparatus.
The three color inks are separately ejected from one nozzle opening provided in the recording head by one recording head.
In this way, the recording with the three color inks can be realized by one recording head.

The size of the recovery mechanism for recovering from the recording failure can be reduced by performing the recording with the three color inks using a single recording head. The recording head may be provided with only one cap member used for the recovery operation. It is also possible to express black recording with the three color inks. However, in order to express clear black, a recording head for recording black ink is generally provided.

In the case where the first recording head for recording black ink and the second recording head for recording three colors of ink are provided in the ink jet recording apparatus, the first and second recording heads can be used for the first and second recording heads. A second cap member is required. In addition, in order to reduce the size of the ink jet recording apparatus, it is necessary to configure the first and second cap members in the first and second recording heads using the same capping mechanism.

The recording head has a structure having a plurality of pressure chambers for discharging ink from the nozzle openings. In order to reduce the size of the recording head, it is desirable to reduce the size of the pressure chamber. When the pressure chamber is made smaller as described above, the amount of ink discharged from the nozzle opening becomes smaller. In order to compensate for this, it is effective to use a super-penetrable ink or the like which easily bleeds for the ink. However, since the super-penetrated ink contains a surfactant and the like, it is very easy to foam.

As described above, when the super-penetrative ink is used as the ink used in the ink jet recording apparatus, the ink jet recording apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. Hei 3-61593 discloses a method of sucking the residual ink in the cap member. A considerable amount of bubbling occurs in the interior. For this reason, air bubbles often enter the nozzle opening. As a result, the recording failure occurs, and the recovery operation must be performed again.

Further, the above-mentioned ink jet recording apparatus has
When the color ink is used, there is a problem that the mixed ink in which the ink is mixed in the cap member enters the nozzle opening due to the foaming, and the mixed color occurs.

The ink jet recording apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-43066 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2-55147 have the same problems as those described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-61593.

Next, a description will be given of a case where a slow penetrating ink which is relatively hard to bleed is used as the ink used in the ink jet recording apparatus.

When the ink having a low penetrability is used in the ink jet recording apparatus, it is necessary to enlarge the pressure chamber provided in the recording head. It is for the following reasons. It is assumed that the amount of ink discharged from the nozzle opening is the same for the super-penetrating ink and the gentle penetrating ink. In the case of the former super-penetrating ink, when it adheres to the recording paper, it bleeds to form large recording dots. On the other hand, in the case of the latter slow penetrating ink, the amount of bleeding is small and the recording dot becomes small. That is,
In order to perform the same printing, the ink must be ejected from the nozzle opening more than the super-penetrating ink in the case of the gentle penetrating ink. In order to discharge a large amount of ink from the nozzle opening, it is very effective to enlarge the pressure chamber.

However, in order to reduce the size of the recording head, it is desirable that the pressure chamber be small. In addition, when the recording head becomes large, the main body of the ink jet recording apparatus also has a very large structure. However, since the slowly penetrating ink is unlikely to foam, the rate of intrusion of bubbles into the nozzle openings and the occurrence of color mixing during the recovery operation are lower than that of the super penetrating ink. However, bubbling occurs even with the slow penetrating ink. Therefore, intrusion of bubbles into the nozzle opening and color mixing also occur. As described above, although the frequency of occurrence is lower than that of the super-penetrating ink, the same problem as described above occurs even when the slow-penetrating ink is used.

The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to perform a recovery operation.
An object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus capable of suppressing a recording failure due to occurrence of bubbling of ink in a cap member as much as possible and quickly sucking residual ink in the cap member.

[0023]

[MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS] To solve such a problem.
Therefore, in the present invention, a nozzle for discharging ink is opened.
Printhead with mouth and nozzle of the printhead
A cap member that is in close contact with the recording head so as to cover the opening
And the cap member is connected to ink suction means.
Ink suction port, openable
An absorbing member arranged in contact with the inner wall of the cap member.
The ink jet recording apparatus,
Near the air opening of the material, larger than the diameter of the air opening
Formed by closing a concave portion having a large diameter with the absorbing material.
Characterized by having a hollow space portion. Or ink
A recording head having a nozzle opening for discharging, and a recording head
Close to the recording head so as to cover the nozzle opening of the pad.
A cap member, and the cap member has an ink
Ink suction port connected to suction means, openable to the atmosphere
An outlet and an inner wall of the cap member.
Ink jet recording device with
And wherein the absorbing material is a first absorbing material close to a nozzle opening.
Between the first absorbent member and the cap member.
A second absorbent material, and the cap member
A space portion in the vicinity of the air opening, wherein the space portion is
The through-hole formed in the absorber is sealed by the first absorber.
It is characterized by being formed by chaining. Also,
The size of the pore diameter of the porous foam in the absorbent is the
That the second absorber is larger than the first absorber
Features. Further, the cap member is attached to the recording head.
To make the inside of the cap member a negative pressure,
Hand for sucking the ink in the recording head through the
A step, and the inside of the cap member is exposed to the atmosphere by the opening.
After opening, hand to suck ink in the cap member
Step and pulling the cap member away from the recording head
Means. In addition, a plurality of the above
A carriage on which recording heads are mounted, and the plurality of recording heads.
A plurality of cap member provided et al for sealing the nozzle apertures of the de
It has been a slider, its slider, the longitudinal central
Part by a rotation axis orthogonal to the moving direction of the carriage
Rotatable and movable in the direction of carriage movement.
Also moves in the direction in which the recording heads face each other with the movement.
Characterized by being supported by a moving support member.
You. Further, the support member may be configured such that the slider is a capping member.
Buckling when moved to the recording position
Coil spring that generates elastic pressure in one direction and one end through a long groove
A pivot is provided on the axis of the base, and the other end rotates the rotation axis.
That it is composed of a lever that supports it rotatably.
Features. Further, the slider is attached to the carriage.
Engagement means for contacting and receiving driving force from the carriage
It is characterized by having. Further, the slider
Is a valve unit that closes when it reaches the capping position.
A knit is mounted, and each key is inserted through the valve unit.
The opening of the cap member is communicated with the atmosphere.
Sign.

[0024]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1 schematically shows the periphery of a recording mechanism of an ink jet recording apparatus to which the recovery mechanism of the present invention is applied. In the drawing, reference numeral 1 denotes a carriage, which is supported by a guide member 2 and has a timing. It is connected to the pulse motor 23 via the belt 3 and is configured to be able to reciprocate in parallel with the platen 5.

A first recording head 7 for black recording and a second recording head 8 for color recording are mounted on the carriage 1 so that the nozzle openings face the recording paper 6. 8 has a black ink cartridge 9
The color ink cartridge 10 is mounted detachably.

When a drive signal is received from a head drive circuit (not shown) via the flexible cable 11 in such a configuration, ink flows from the ink cartridges 9 and 10 into the recording heads 7 and 8 and the recording paper 6 And colored recording dots can be formed.

FIG. 2 is a view showing the upper surface of the vicinity of the above-described recovery mechanism. In FIG.
The recording paper 6 is connected to a paper feed / pump motor 24 composed of a pulse motor by a gear 22 fixed to one end of the recording paper 6 to convey the recording paper 6 in accordance with a recording process.

In the drawing, reference numeral 12 denotes the above-mentioned recovery mechanism installed outside the recording area of the moving path of the carriage 1, and the capping mechanism covers the nozzle opening surfaces of the two recording heads 7 and 8 in conjunction with the movement of the carriage 1. Slider 30 occupying two positions: a position and a non-capping position away from the nozzle opening surface
In addition, a first cap member 31 and a second cap member 32 formed in a cup shape from an elastic material are provided. The opening areas of these cap members 31 and 32 are selected according to the sizes of the corresponding first recording head 7 and second recording head 8.

The first and second cap members 31, 32 are
The suction ports 31a and 32a are connected to pumps 37 and 38, respectively.
Are connected to one ends of tubes 33 and 34 constituting a part of the first and second tube pumps 37 and 3 described later.
8 to receive the suction force. The first and second tube pumps 37 and 38 are selectively provided to the paper feed / pump motor 24 via the train wheel 40, that is, only the first tube pump 37 performs the suction operation when the motor 24 rotates in the reverse direction, and the normal rotation. At times, only the second tube pump 38 performs the ink suction operation.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show one embodiment of the above-described recovery mechanism. In the drawings, reference numeral 30 denotes a slider, and two recording heads 7 and 8 mounted on the carriage 1 are shown.
And the first and second cap members 31 and 3
2 is provided so as to be swingable by the shafts 31c and 32c. Absorbing material 101 is provided inside cap members 31 and 32.
102 is stored. Reference numerals 41 and 42 in the figure denote first and second guide pieces, which are arranged on both sides in accordance with the widths of the first and second recording heads 7 and 8 of the carriage 1, and set the carriage 1 at a predetermined position. The recording heads 7 and 8 are spaced apart from each other. A carriage 1 is provided at the tip of the slider 30 and at the right end in the drawing.
Is moved to a position where the first and second cap members 31 and 32 and the first and second recording heads 7 and 8 just face each other, a flag piece 45 is formed which abuts on the projection 44 at the lower end of the carriage 1. Have been. An engagement piece 46 is provided at a tip end further than the flag piece 45 so as to abut and separate from a guide member 47 fixed to the base.

The guide member 47 has a projection 47a for preventing the slider 30 from coming off, a position where the slider 1 is always formed at a fixed distance from the lower ends of the recording heads 7 and 8, and a cap member 31 for capping. , 32 and the positions where they come into elastic contact with the recording heads 7 and 8 are formed.

On the other hand, a shaft 50 orthogonal to the moving direction of the carriage 1 is provided at the center of the lower part of the slider 30. Both ends of the shaft 50 are connected to the shaft 54 of the base 53 via the long groove 52a. Lever 52 mounted swingably
Is loosely fitted. The lower end of the slider 30 is fixed to the base 53 and is inclined toward the recording area, and the upper end of a buckling coil spring 56 is attached to the non-recording area.

At the time of non-capping, the slider 30 is urged toward the recording area by the coil spring 56 while being regulated at one end to the lowermost end of the inclined surface 47b of the guide member 47 and at the center by the lever 52. 7,
8 is such that the gap g does not contact the cap members 31 and 32.
Will be located horizontally at a height at which can be formed.

On the case 61 side of the slider 30,
A valve unit 60 is provided which is connected to the opening ports 31b and 32b provided in the cap members 31 and 32 for opening to the atmosphere. The operating rod 62 protrudes from the valve unit 60, and when the slider 30 moves to the capping position and the operating rod 62 comes into contact with the case 61, the operating rod 62 is pushed into the recording area side to open the opening 31b. , 32b are closed by the valve unit 60.

The pumps 37 and 38 are configured to be connectable to the paper feed / pump motor 24 via a wheel train (not shown). The pumps 37 and 38 are connected to suction ports 31a and 32a via pump tubes 33 and 34, respectively.

Next, the recovery operation of the ink jet recording apparatus having the above-described configuration will be described.

When the carriage 1 on which the two recording heads 7 and 8 are mounted moves in the direction indicated by arrow C in FIG.
The lever 102 is rotated by contact with the inclined surface 103, and the slide gear 104 is rotated by the rotation.
And the power of the paper feed / pump motor 24 is transmitted to the pump unit 13. When the carriage 1 reaches the slider 30 located outside the recording area in this way, the first recording head 7 engages with the second guide 42 provided on the slider 30. When the carriage 1 further moves in this state, the first recording head 7 moves to the first guide 41, and the second recording head 8 moves to the second guide 42.
Will be engaged. Thereby, the slider 30 is aligned in a posture corresponding to the carriage 1. When the carriage 1 further moves in this state, the convex piece 44 provided at the tip of the carriage 1 comes into contact with the flag piece 45 of the slider 30. As a result, the first and second cap members 31 and 32 of the slider 30 face the position where the first and second recording heads 7 and 8 of the carriage 1 can be accommodated at a predetermined interval g.

When the carriage 1 moves further in this state, the slider 30 receives the force from the carriage 1 via the projections 44 of the carriage 1 and the upper portion buckles in the moving direction of the carriage 1. Is received by the lever 52 receiving the urging force of the coil spring 56, and a force acts to lift the rear end of the slider 30 upward as shown by the reference symbol D in the drawing.

As a result, the rear portion of the slider 30 is lifted around the shaft 50 as a rotation fulcrum, and the second cap member 32 located rearward (on the recording area side) of the shaft 50 first comes into contact with the second recording head 8. . At this time, the cap member 3
2 is attached to the slider 30 to be able to swing to some extent,
Also, since the slider 30 can swing on the base 53 via the lever 52, the slider 30 rises while being guided by the second recording head 8, and comes into contact with the second recording head 8 at a position where it can be sealed ( (Fig. 6).

When the carriage 1 further moves to the case 61 side, the coil spring 56 can no longer withstand the force from the carriage 1 and starts to buckle, thereby lifting the slider 30 upward (reference numeral E in the figure). Thereby, the slider 3
0 is lifted as it is with its case side fitted with the second cap member 32 fitted to the second recording head 8,
The first cap member 31 is fitted on the first recording head 7. Needless to say, the slider 30 is
3, the first and second cap members 31 and 32 can swing to some extent with respect to the slider 30. Further, since the first and second cap members 31 and 32 are formed of an elastic member, , 8 so that they are guided by the edges of the recording head 7,
8 (FIG. 7).

When the carriage 1 further moves in this manner, the slider 30 moves horizontally to the case 61 while the upper surface thereof is regulated by the recording heads 7 and 8. Then, the operating rod 62 projecting from the tip of the slider 30 comes into contact with the case 61 and is pushed in the direction indicated by the reference numeral in the figure, thereby blocking the open ports 31b and 32b of the cap members 31 and 32 from the atmosphere.

In this state, since the coil spring 56 buckles largely, the slider 30 is lifted upward by the elastic force of the coil spring 56, so that the cap members 31, 3
Numeral 2 resiliently contacts the recording heads 7 and 8 to securely seal them (FIG. 8).

In the state where the cap members 31 and 32 are in elastic contact with the recording heads 7 and 8 as described above, the paper feed and pump motor 24 is connected by the lever 102 to the train (not shown) of the tube pump 37. By driving the 24, the tube pumps 37 and 38 operate to perform an ink suction operation. The sucked ink is pump tube 33,
After passing through 34, the ink is discharged to a waste ink tank (not shown) connected thereto. In addition, the tube pump 3 is rotated by forward and reverse rotation of the motor 24 by a switching mechanism (not shown).
Either of 7 and 38 operates.

When the ink suction operation is completed, the carriage 1 stops for about 0.5 to 5 seconds in that state. The cap members 31 and 32 are filled with air before the ink suction operation. Therefore, at the time of the ink suction operation, the suction ports 31 and 32 are foamed in the cap members 31 and 32.
a and 32a. By stopping the ink suction operation for about 0.5 to 5 seconds as described above, the ink in each of the cap members 31 and 32 is stabilized.

Thereafter, the state of FIG. 7 is obtained by the movement of the carriage 1 in the direction of the symbol K in FIG. As a result, the operating rod 62 projecting from the tip of the slider 30 is
Return to the original state further away. Then, each cap member 3
1, 32 open ports 31b and 32b are opened to the atmosphere.
At this time, there is the operation of stopping for about 0.5 to 5 seconds. Therefore, the bubbles generated during the ink suction operation of the cap members 31 and 32 are in a stable state. As a result, the recording heads 7 and 8 do not enter the recording heads 7 and 8 through the nozzle openings. That is, there is no occurrence of recording failure due to the intrusion of bubbles into the recording heads 7 and 8.

The cap members 31, 32 are further stopped for about 0.5 to 1 second in a state where the opening ports 31b, 32b of the cap members 31, 32 are open to the atmosphere.
The inside will surely be at atmospheric pressure.

Thereafter, an idle suction operation is performed in which the ink inside the cap members 31 and 32 and the absorbing materials 101 and 102 is sucked, and the ink with bubbles remaining in the cap members 31 and 32 is sucked.

Thereafter, the cap members 31 and 32 are separated from the recording heads 7 and 8 by the movement of the carriage 1. The ink remaining in the cap members 31 and 32 due to the above-described idle suction operation is suppressed to a small amount. Also, the cap member 31,
No bubbling remains in 32. Further, cap members 31, 3
Due to the presence of the absorbing materials 101 and 102 provided in the ink jet head 2, the ink adhering to the surfaces of the recording heads 7 and 8 can be absorbed as much as possible. No recording trouble occurs, such as ink adhering to the surfaces of the recording heads 7 and 8, specifically, the vicinity of the nozzle openings, being drawn into the nozzle openings. In addition, color mixing that occurs when the three color inks of Y, M, and C are used does not occur.

Here, the bubbling of ink used in a general ink jet recording apparatus will be described. As described in the prior art, there are two types of inks, broadly divided ink that is less likely to bleed into the recording paper 6, and super-penetrated ink that is more likely to bleed. Next, the results of experiments conducted by the inventor on the ease of foaming of the two types of ink will be described.

First, the experimental method will be described. About 3 in diameter
0 mm, 10 m of ink in a sample bottle with a capacity of about 50 ml
Insert 1 Next, the bottle is vibrated in the vertical direction. The vibration conditions are a vibration speed of 2 times / sec, a vibration length of 50 cm, and a vibration frequency of 10 times. Next, the bubbling height of the ink immediately after the vibration was measured (value A in the following equation). After a further 5 minutes, the height of foaming is measured (value B in the following formula). Then, the defoaming rate (unit is%) is calculated by the following equation.

Defoaming rate (%) = (A−B) / A × 100 The defoaming rate of the slow penetrating ink is almost 0%. On the other hand, the content of the super penetrating ink is 30 to 60%. By the way,
Describing the bubbling height of the ink immediately after vibration, the slow penetrating ink is about 5 mm, while the super penetrating ink is 10-15 mm. In this way, it can be said that the super-penetrated ink is very easy to foam as compared with the gentle permeation, and is hard to defoam.

FIG. 9 is a detailed explanatory view of the cap member 32. 9A is a top view, and FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view in the FF direction in FIG. In the above description, the cap members 31 and 32 are
The function is the same as that of the size 8 only. Therefore, the following description is limited to the cap member 32 only.

At the bottom of the cap member 32, a concave portion is formed within the thickness of the cap member 32. An absorbing material 102 is provided inside the cap member 32. The absorbing member 102 is fixed to the cap member 32 by the fixing member 105.
, And has a structure in which the space portion 104 is in close contact with the inner wall and the bottom portion. The absorbent 102 is made of a porous foam, and has countless uniform pores. The diameter of the hole is 100 to 400 μm. Space part 1
The cap member 32 is provided with an opening 32b having an opening area smaller than the area in contact with the absorbent member 04. The ear 103 is formed by bending a part of the absorber 102.

Next, the effect of the provision of the cap member 32 shown in FIG. 9 in the idle suction operation will be described.

The space 104 is provided around the opening 32b in the structure as described above. Thereby, the space 104
Compared with the case where there is no absorbing material,
The area where 2 comes into contact with the atmosphere becomes apparently wider. Therefore, even if the capacity of the tube pump 38 is the same as the case where there is no space 104, the ability to suck ink from the suction port 32a is improved. The absorbing material 102 actively takes in the atmosphere from the space 104, and the ink flows as indicated by the arrow in FIG. Then, the ink absorbed by the absorbent 102 can be quickly sucked through the suction port 32a. Further, since the ink attached to the periphery of the nozzle opening of the recording head 8 by the ear 103 is absorbed by the absorbing material 102, this ink is also simultaneously sucked from the suction port 32a. Thus, the foamed ink does not remain in the cap member 32.

By providing the cap member 32 shown in FIG. 9, the idle suction operation is performed in a state where the foamed ink does not remain in the cap member 32.
Thereafter, the cap member 32 is separated from the recording head 8 by the movement of the carriage 1. Therefore, no recording failure occurs due to bubbles remaining in the cap member 32 entering the nozzle openings of the recording head 8. This eliminates the need to perform the recovery operation again.

Even when the inks of the three colors Y, M and C are used for the recording head 8, no color mixture occurs because no ink remains in the cap member 32.

As described above, since the ink suction capability during the idle suction operation is apparently improved, it is not necessary to lengthen the idle suction operation to suck the bubbling ink in the cap member 32. .

By providing the ink jet recording apparatus with the cap member 32 shown in FIG. 9, the recovery operation can be performed without any problem even if the ink is the slow penetrating ink or the super penetrating ink which is very easy to foam.

FIG. 10 shows a two-body structure of the first absorbing material 102a in which the absorbing material 102 is close to the nozzle opening of the recording head, and the second absorbing material 102b located between the first absorbing material 102a and the cap member 32. This is the embodiment of the present invention. A relatively small hole having a uniform diameter of 100 to 400 μm is formed in the absorbent 102a. In addition, 4
A relatively large hole of a uniform diameter of 00 to 700 μm is formed. The absorbing member 102b has a structure in which the fixing member 105 makes close contact with the inner wall and the bottom of the cap member 32 via the absorbing member 102a. Also, the absorbing material 102a
Has a structure in which the fixing portion 105 makes close contact with the inner wall of the cap member 32 and the absorbent 102b. In addition, since the absorption material 102b has a through hole, the cap member 3
2 and the absorbing members 102a and 102b constitute a space portion 104. And the absorbing material 102a of the space 104
Opening 32b having an opening area smaller than the area in contact with
Are provided on the cap member 32. The ear 103 is formed by bending a part of the absorber 102a.

In addition to the effects of the embodiment of FIG. 9, further effects in the idle suction operation by providing the cap member 32 of FIG. 10 will be described. The space portion 104 is a through hole in the absorbing material 102b as described above for the absorbing material 102b. The absorbing material 102a is the absorbing material 102a.
b. Therefore, since the ink flows as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 9, not only the ink absorbed by the absorbing material 102b but also the ink absorbed by the absorbing material 102a can be quickly sucked from the suction port 32a. Further, since the ink adhered to the periphery of the nozzle opening of the recording head 8 by the ear 103 is sucked by the absorbing material 102, this ink is simultaneously sucked more quickly from the suction port 32a. Thus, the foamed ink does not remain in the cap member 32.

In addition, bubbling generated during the ink suction operation is less likely to occur when the diameter of the hole formed in the porous foam of the absorbent 102 is small. However, if the diameter of the hole is small, it becomes difficult to suck the ink, and the load on the tube pump 38 at the time of suction increases. In this case, if the load is not applied to the tube pump 38, the time required for the recovery operation becomes considerably long.
In order not to apply a load to the tube pump 38, the absorbent 1
02, it is necessary to increase the diameter of the hole.

As described above, in the embodiment of FIG. 10, the absorbing material 102a located near the nozzle opening of the recording head 8 has a relatively small hole diameter. Therefore, the cap member 3
Foaming generated between the second absorbing material 102a and the recording head 8 is suppressed to an extremely small amount. Further, since the absorbing material 102b has a relatively large hole diameter, it is not necessary to apply a load to the tube pump 38 to suck the ink of the absorbing material 102. Further, since the diameter of the hole of the absorbing material 102b is relatively large, the area of the ink remaining in the cap member 32 in contact with the atmosphere during the idle suction operation becomes apparently large, so that the suction is performed more quickly.

Next, the effect of ink clogging at the nozzle openings will be described. When the clogging occurs, ink cannot be ejected from the nozzle opening. In this case, it becomes necessary to perform the recovery operation. Normal,
In the ink jet recording apparatus, when the recording is not performed, the carriage 1 is in the state shown in FIG.
Is stopped in a state in which is stored in the recording head 8. This is to prevent the clogging due to drying of the ink at the nozzle openings of the recording head 8. At this time, after the end of the recording, ink is ejected from the nozzle openings to the absorbing material 102 in advance, and the state shown in FIG. 7 is obtained. This creates a moisturizing state in the cap member 32 and prevents clogging at the nozzle opening.

As described above, the absorbing material 102a constituting the absorbing material 102 provided in the cap member 32 of FIG. 10 has a relatively small hole diameter, and the absorbing material 102b has a relatively large hole diameter. . Therefore, in the moisturizing state, the ink is impregnated into the absorbing material 102a and the absorbing material 102b
To a sufficient amount. As described above, the portion of the ink impregnated in the absorbing material 102 that comes into contact with the air is only the meniscus portion formed by the holes of the absorbing material 102. As described above, the hole of the suction material 102a is relatively small. Therefore, the surface area of the meniscus portion is formed small. Therefore, useless evaporation of the ink impregnated in the absorbing material 102 into the atmosphere can be suppressed to a low level. Therefore, the moisturizing state can be stably maintained for a long time.

FIG. 11 shows an embodiment of FIG.
This is an embodiment in which the arrangement of b and the suction port 32a are different. Even in this case, the provision of the space portion 104 significantly improves the ink suction ability as compared with the case where the space portion 104 is not provided, and the effect shown in the embodiment of FIG. 9 can be sufficiently exhibited. In addition, by providing the space portion 104, the arrangement of the open port 32b and the suction port 32a becomes free as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 11, so that the degree of freedom in designing the recovery mechanism is increased. As a result, the size of the ink jet recording apparatus is reduced. Further, as in the embodiment shown in FIG.
It goes without saying that the same effects as in the embodiment of FIG.

[0068]

As described above, according to the present invention, a cap member is provided for sucking ink from the nozzle opening of the recording head, and an absorbing material is provided in contact with the inner wall of the cap member. Has a suction port and an open port,
By providing a space around the opening, the ink does not remain in the opening, clogging due to thickening of the ink attached to the opening is suppressed, and the reliability for long-term storage is excellent. During the operation of the empty suction for sucking the ink in the cap member, the foamed ink does not remain in the cap member, and the air is positively taken into the cap member. It is possible to provide an ink jet recording apparatus capable of suppressing a recording failure due to occurrence of bubbling of the ink in the cap member as much as possible and quickly sucking the residual ink in the cap member.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a structure around a recording mechanism of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view mainly showing a recovery mechanism.

FIG. 3 is a top view showing one embodiment of a recovery mechanism.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing an embodiment of a recovery mechanism in a state in which the recovery mechanism is in contact with a recording head.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the carriage has moved to a position where each recording head faces each cap member.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a carriage has one recording head in contact with one cap member.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the carriage has been moved to a position where two recording heads are in contact with each cap member.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a state where the carriage has moved to a suctionable position.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing an embodiment of the cap member of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing one embodiment of a cap member of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing one embodiment of a cap member of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Carriage 7, 8 Filter unit 12 Recovery mechanism 24 Paper feed and pump motor 30 Slider 31, 32 Cap member 37, 38 Tube pump 41, 42 Guide member 50 Rotating shaft 52 Lever 56 Coil spring 60 Valve unit 61 Case 101, 102 Absorbing material 104 space

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-4-219250 (JP, A) JP-A-5-16375 (JP, A) JP-A-2-1443737 (JP, U) JP-A-3-144 114337 (JP, U) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B41J 2/165 B41J 2/18 B41J 2/185

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] A recording head provided with a nozzle opening for discharging ink; and a cap member that is in close contact with the recording head so as to cover the nozzle opening of the recording head. The cap member is connected to ink suction means. An ink suction port, an openable and closable air opening port, and an absorbing material arranged so as to be in contact with the inner wall of the cap member , wherein the cap member has an air opening port near the air opening port. Atmospheric release
The recess having a diameter larger than the diameter of the mouth is sealed with the absorbent.
An ink jet recording apparatus having a space formed by chaining . 2. A recording apparatus having a nozzle opening for discharging ink.
Recording head and the nozzle opening of the recording head.
And a cap member that is in close contact with the recording head,
An ink suction connected to the ink suction means is provided on the cap member.
Draw port, openable and closable air release port and the cap member
Ink cartridge having an absorbent material arranged in contact with the inner wall
A jet recording apparatus, wherein the absorbing material comprises: a first absorbing material proximate a nozzle opening;
Consists of a second absorbent material located between the first absorbent member and the cap member, said air opening of said cap member
A space portion near the outlet, wherein the space portion is provided with the second absorbing portion;
The through-hole formed in the material is closed by the first absorber.
An ink jet recording apparatus characterized by being formed by: 3. The pore size of a porous foam in the absorbent material.
3. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the magnitude of the second absorbent is larger than the magnitude of the first absorbent. 4. A means for bringing the cap member into close contact with the recording head, applying a negative pressure to the inside of the cap member, and sucking ink in the recording head through the nozzle opening, and the cap member through the opening. 3. A device according to claim 1 , further comprising: means for sucking the ink in the cap member after opening the inside to the atmosphere; and means for separating the cap member from the recording head.
An ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims. 5. A carriage having a plurality of recording heads mounted thereon, and a slider provided with a plurality of cap members for sealing nozzle openings of the plurality of recording heads, wherein the slider has a central portion in a longitudinal direction. Is supported by a support member that is rotatable on a rotation axis orthogonal to the moving direction of the carriage, is movable in the moving direction of the carriage, and is also moved in the direction facing each of the recording heads with the movement. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein:
An ink jet recording apparatus according to an item or. 6. A coil spring that buckles when the slider moves to a capping position to generate elastic pressure in a direction facing the recording head, and one end of the support member can swing on a shaft of a base via a long groove. 6. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 5 , further comprising: a lever provided at the other end of the shaft and rotatably supporting the rotating shaft at the other end. 7. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the slider includes an engagement unit that comes into contact with the carriage and receives a driving force from the carriage. 8. The slider according to claim 1, wherein a valve unit that closes when the slider reaches a capping position is mounted, and the opening of each of the cap members communicates with the atmosphere via the valve unit. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 5 .