JP3610981B2

JP3610981B2 - Inkjet printer recovery device

Info

Publication number: JP3610981B2
Application number: JP2003365726A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 淳二仲原
Original assignee: Brother Industries Ltd
Current assignee: Brother Industries Ltd
Priority date: 2003-10-27
Filing date: 2003-10-27
Publication date: 2005-01-19
Anticipated expiration: 2016-10-18
Also published as: JP2004066835A

Description

本発明は、記録媒体にインクを噴射して印字を行うインクジェットプリンタの回復装置に関する。 The present invention relates to a recovery device for an ink jet printer that performs printing by ejecting ink onto a recording medium.

一般に、記録媒体にインクの液滴を噴射して印字を行うインクジェットプリンタは、本体ケースの内部に、インクジェット式の印字ヘッド及び該印字ヘッドに供給するインクを収容するインクカートリッジを交換可能に搭載する記録装置と、記録媒体を搬送する搬送装置と、該搬送装置によって搬送される記録媒体の大きさに応じて、前記記録装置を往復移動させるキャリッジ装置とを備えている。 2. Description of the Related Art In general, an ink jet printer that performs printing by ejecting ink droplets onto a recording medium has an ink jet print head and an ink cartridge that accommodates ink to be supplied to the print head mounted in a replaceable manner in a main body case. A recording apparatus; a conveying apparatus that conveys the recording medium; and a carriage apparatus that reciprocates the recording apparatus according to the size of the recording medium conveyed by the conveying apparatus.

また、印字ヘッドにおいて良好なインク吐出状態を維持するために、印字ヘッドのノズル面に接離可能に接触する吸引キャップを有し該吸引キャップを通じて、大きな負圧力を作用させて印字ヘッドのインクを吸引する吸引ポンプ手段を設けることも知られている。 In order to maintain a good ink discharge state in the print head, the print head has a suction cap that comes in contact with and away from the nozzle surface of the print head, and a large negative pressure is applied through the suction cap to cause the print head ink to flow. It is also known to provide suction pump means for suction.

ところで、上述した如きインクジェットプリンタの使用において、使用者が最初に印字を行う場合や、インクの残量が少なくなった状態で、使用者が吐出不良であると誤判断して吸引ポンプ手段によって吸引動作を行って印字ヘッド内のインクがなくなったりした場合等、印字ヘッド内にインクが含まれておらずインク通路が空気で満たされている状態が生じうるが、そのような状態で、吸引ポンプ手段により吸引動作を行う際に、吸引キャップを通じて大きな負圧力を作用させて印字ヘッドのインクを一気に吸引するようにすると、インクカートリッジより印字ヘッドの多数のチャンネル（インク通路）内にインクが空気と混ざった状態で急激に流入し、該インクが泡立ち、印字ヘッド内のインクに気泡が含まれることとなる。特に、印字ヘッドとインクカートリッジの接続部分（例えばインクカートリッジのインク供給孔）に、印字ヘッド側にゴミ等がインクと共に移動しないようにフィルタ部材が設けられている場合にその傾向が顕著である。 By the way, in the use of the ink jet printer as described above, when the user performs printing for the first time or when the remaining amount of ink is low, the user erroneously determines that the ejection is defective, and the suction pump means performs suction. If the ink in the print head runs out due to operation, the print head may contain no ink and the ink passage may be filled with air. In such a state, the suction pump When performing a suction operation by means, if a large negative pressure is applied through the suction cap so that the ink of the print head is sucked at once, the ink is discharged from the ink cartridge into the many channels (ink passages) of the print head. In a mixed state, the ink suddenly flows in, the ink bubbles, and bubbles in the ink in the print head are included. In particular, this tendency is remarkable when a filter member is provided at the connection portion between the print head and the ink cartridge (for example, the ink supply hole of the ink cartridge) so that dust or the like does not move with the ink on the print head side.

また、例えば特公平５−４２２０号公報に記載されるように、圧力発生手段が発生する圧力を利用してノズルからインクを排出させることにより、ノズルからのインクの吐出不良の回復を行うインク吐出装置において、前記ノズルからのインクの吐出状況を把握し、前記圧力発生手段が発生する前記回復のための圧力を、前記把握された互いに異なる第１，第２のインク吐出状況に対応した夫々異なる第１，第２の値として前記回復を行うようにしたものが提案されているが、ノズルからのインクの吐出状況を把握し、それに基づいて制御するため、制御が複雑になる。 Further, as described in, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-4220, ink discharge that recovers defective ink discharge from the nozzles by discharging the ink from the nozzles using the pressure generated by the pressure generating means. In the apparatus, the state of ink ejection from the nozzles is grasped, and the recovery pressure generated by the pressure generating means is different corresponding to the grasped first and second different ink ejection states. Although it has been proposed to perform the recovery as the first and second values, since the state of ink ejection from the nozzles is grasped and controlled based on it, the control becomes complicated.

さらに、チューブパイプをカムで押しつぶし、その圧力でパージを行うインクジェットプリンタの回復装置で、カムの駆動量を制御して、チューブパイプを押しつぶす量を変更するようにしたものも知られているが、前述したものと同様に制御が複雑になる。 Furthermore, an inkjet printer recovery device that crushes the tube pipe with a cam and purges with that pressure is also known, which controls the drive amount of the cam and changes the amount of crushing the tube pipe. The control is complicated as described above.

本発明はかかる点に鑑みてなされたもので、印字ヘッド内にインクが含まれておらずインク通路が空気で満たされている状態においても、泡立てることなく吸引ポンプ手段による吸引動作を行うことができるインクジェットプリンタの回復装置を提供することを目的とする。 The present invention has been made in view of such a point, and even when the ink is not contained in the print head and the ink passage is filled with air, the suction operation by the suction pump means can be performed without foaming. An object of the present invention is to provide a recovery device for an inkjet printer.

請求項１にかかる発明は、記録媒体にインクを噴射して印字を行う印字ヘッドと、該印字ヘッドのノズル面に接離可能に接触する吸引キャップを有し該吸引キャップを通じて印字ヘッドのインクを吸引する吸引ポンプ手段と、前記印字ヘッドとその印字ヘッドに接続されるインクカートリッジとの接続部に配置されたフィルタ部材とを備えるインクジェットプリンタの回復装置において、
前記吸引ポンプ手段は、前記吸引キャップに接続した吸引口及び排出口を有するポンプケーシングと、該ポンプケーシング内において独立移動可能で間に容積可変のポンプ室を形成する２つのピストン部材とを有し、前記２つのピストン部材がカム部材に連係されて移動されるものであって、
前記吸引キャップが前記印字ヘッドのノズル面を覆った状態で、前記２つのピストン部材間の前記ポンプ室を前記吸引口に接続する一方該ポンプ室の容積を拡大した後その状態を前記カム部材の所定回転角の間維持して、インクが前記フィルタ部材を通過し前記印字ヘッド内のインク通路を満たす第１の吸引動作を行い、
その第１の吸引動作の後、前記２つのピストン部材を、前記拡大したポンプ室の容積を維持したまま移動させ前記吸引口を前記ポンプ室に対して閉塞し、
その吸引口の閉塞の後、前記吸引キャップが前記印字ヘッドのノズル面を覆った状態で、前記ポンプ室を前記吸引口に接続する一方、前記カム部材の回転角において前記第１の吸引動作よりも長い間にわたり、該ポンプ室の容積を前記第１の吸引動作よりも拡大しかつその状態を前記カム部材の所定回転角の間維持して前記印字ヘッドから前記第１の吸引動作よりも吸引力が大きくかつ吸引時間が長い第２の吸引動作を行うものである。 The invention according to claim 1 includes a print head that performs printing by ejecting ink onto a recording medium, and a suction cap that comes into contact with and separates from the nozzle surface of the print head. In a recovery apparatus for an ink jet printer , comprising: a suction pump means for sucking; and a filter member disposed at a connection portion between the print head and an ink cartridge connected to the print head .
The suction pump means has a pump casing having a suction port and a discharge port connected to the suction cap, and two piston members that can move independently within the pump casing and form a variable-volume pump chamber therebetween. The two piston members are moved in conjunction with a cam member,
With the suction cap covering the nozzle surface of the print head, the pump chamber between the two piston members is connected to the suction port, and the volume of the pump chamber is increased and then the cam member is Maintaining a predetermined rotation angle of the ink , and performing a first suction operation for ink to pass through the filter member and fill the ink passage in the print head ,
After the first suction operation, the two piston members are moved while maintaining the volume of the expanded pump chamber to close the suction port with respect to the pump chamber ,
After the suction port is closed, the pump chamber is connected to the suction port in a state where the suction cap covers the nozzle surface of the print head, and at the rotation angle of the cam member, the first suction operation is performed. For a long time, the volume of the pump chamber is expanded more than that of the first suction operation, and the state is maintained for a predetermined rotation angle of the cam member, and suction is performed from the print head more than the first suction operation. force magnitude KuKatsu suction time is to perform a long second suction operation.

請求項２にかかる発明は、記録媒体にインクを噴射して印字を行う印字ヘッドと、該印字ヘッドのノズル面に接離可能に接触する吸引キャップを有し該吸引キャップを通じて印字ヘッドのインクを吸引する吸引ポンプ手段と、前記印字ヘッドとその印字ヘッドに接続されるインクカートリッジとの接続部に配置されたフィルタ部材とを備えるインクジェットプリンタの回復装置において、
前記吸引ポンプ手段は、前記吸引キャップに接続した吸引口及び排出口を有するポンプケーシングと、該ポンプケーシング内において独立移動可能で間に容積可変のポンプ室を形成する２つのピストン部材とを有し、前記２つのピストン部材がカム部材に連係されて移動されるものであって、
前記吸引キャップが前記印字ヘッドのノズル面を覆った状態で、前記２つのピストン部材間の前記ポンプ室を前記吸引口に接続する一方該ポンプ室の容積を拡大した後その状態を前記カム部材の所定回転角の間維持して、インクが前記フィルタ部材を通過し前記印字ヘッド内のインク通路を満たす第１の吸引動作を行い、
その第１の吸引動作の後、前記吸引キャップが前記印字ヘッドのノズル面を覆った状態で、前記カム部材の回転角において前記第１の吸引動作よりも長い間にわたり、前記ポンプ室の容積を前記第１の吸引動作の状態からさらに前記第１の吸引動作よりも拡大しかつその状態を前記カム部材の所定回転角の間維持して前記印字ヘッドから前記第１の吸引動作よりも吸引力が大きくかつ吸引時間が長い第２の吸引動作を行うものである。 According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print head that performs printing by ejecting ink onto a recording medium, and a suction cap that comes into contact with and separates from the nozzle surface of the print head. In a recovery apparatus for an ink jet printer , comprising: a suction pump means for sucking; and a filter member disposed at a connection portion between the print head and an ink cartridge connected to the print head .
The suction pump means has a pump casing having a suction port and a discharge port connected to the suction cap, and two piston members that can move independently within the pump casing and form a variable-volume pump chamber therebetween. The two piston members are moved in conjunction with a cam member,
In a state where the suction cap covers the nozzle surface of the print head, the pump chamber between the two piston members is connected to the suction port, and the volume of the pump chamber is expanded and then the state of the cam member is increased. Maintaining a predetermined rotation angle, and performing a first suction operation for ink to pass through the filter member and fill an ink passage in the print head ;
After the first suction operation, the volume of the pump chamber is increased for a longer time than the first suction operation at the rotation angle of the cam member with the suction cap covering the nozzle surface of the print head. The state of the first suction operation is further expanded than the first suction operation, and the state is maintained for a predetermined rotation angle of the cam member, and the suction force from the print head is higher than that of the first suction operation. size KuKatsu suction time is to perform a long second suction operation.

請求項１にかかる装置は、吸引ポンプ手段が、独立移動可能な２つのピストン部材を駆動しポンプ室を拡大して、インクがフィルタ部材を通過し印字ヘッド内のインク通路を満たす第１の吸引動作を行い、その後ポンプ室の容積を維持したまま２つのピストン部材を移動させ吸引口を閉塞して吸引動作を停止し、再びポンプ室を拡大して前記第１の吸引動作よりも吸引力が大きくかつ吸引時間が長い第２の吸引動作を行うので、印字ヘッド内にインクが含まれておらずインク通路が空気で満たされている状態においても、泡立てることなく、吸引動作を行うことができる。 According to the first aspect of the present invention, the suction pump means drives the two independently movable piston members to enlarge the pump chamber, and the first suction is performed so that the ink passes through the filter member and fills the ink passage in the print head. After that, the two piston members are moved while the volume of the pump chamber is maintained, the suction port is closed to stop the suction operation, the pump chamber is expanded again, and the suction force is larger than that of the first suction operation. Since the second suction operation that is large and has a long suction time is performed, the suction operation can be performed without bubbling even when the ink is not contained in the print head and the ink passage is filled with air. .

請求項２にかかる装置は、吸引ポンプ手段が、独立移動可能な２つのピストン部材を駆動して、インクがフィルタ部材を通過し印字ヘッド内のインク通路を満たす第１の吸引動作を行い、その後ポンプ室の容積を維持したまま２つのピストン部材を移動させ吸引口を閉塞して吸引動作を停止し、再びポンプ室を拡大して前記第１の吸引動作よりも吸引力が大きくかつ吸引時間が長い第２の吸引動作を行うので、印字ヘッド内にインクが含まれておらずインク通路が空気で満たされている状態においても、泡立てることなく、吸引動作を行うことができる。 In the apparatus according to claim 2 , the suction pump means drives the two piston members that can move independently , and performs a first suction operation in which the ink passes through the filter member and fills the ink passage in the print head. While maintaining the volume of the pump chamber, the two piston members are moved to close the suction port, the suction operation is stopped, the pump chamber is expanded again, the suction force is larger than the first suction operation, and the suction time is increased. Since the long second suction operation is performed, the suction operation can be performed without bubbling even when the ink is not contained in the print head and the ink passage is filled with air.

以下、本発明の実施の形態を図面に基づいて説明する。インクジェットプリンタの外観を示す図１において、インクジェットプリンタ１は、左右方向に延びる回転軸（図示せず）によってプリンタフレーム２に回転可能に支承される円筒形状のプラテンローラ３を有する。プラテンローラ３は、給紙カセット又は手差し給紙部から供給された印刷用紙４を、インクジェット式の印字ヘッド５に対面させながら搬送するものであり、紙送り装置の一部を構成している。 Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In FIG. 1 showing the appearance of an ink jet printer, the ink jet printer 1 has a cylindrical platen roller 3 rotatably supported on a printer frame 2 by a rotation shaft (not shown) extending in the left-right direction. The platen roller 3 conveys the printing paper 4 supplied from the paper feeding cassette or the manual paper feeding unit while facing the ink jet printing head 5 and constitutes a part of the paper feeding device.

尚、前記印刷用紙４は、プリンタフレーム２の後方の図示しない用紙供給口から矢符Ａの方向に供給され、プラテンローラ３の回転により矢符Ｂの方向に送給され、図示しない用紙排出口から矢符Ｃの方向に排出されるように構成されている。 The printing paper 4 is supplied in the direction of arrow A from a paper supply port (not shown) behind the printer frame 2 and is fed in the direction of arrow B by the rotation of the platen roller 3, and a paper discharge port (not shown). To be discharged in the direction of arrow C.

前記プラテンローラ３の前方には、キャリッジ６がプラテンローラ３の軸線に沿って矢符Ｄの方向に移動可能に設けられている。キャリッジ６は、前記印字ヘッド５のほか、該印字ヘッド５に供給するためのインクを収容するインクカートリッジ７がそれぞれ着脱可能に搭載されている。印字ヘッド５とインクカートリッジ７との接続部分は、図２に詳細を示すように、キャリッジ６のカートリッジ装着部６に、マニホールド部材８を介して、ヘッド支持部材９に支持された印字ヘッド５が接続されている。マニホールド部材８は、その後端部がカートリッジ装着部６ａの縦壁部６ｂを貫通してジョイント部材１０を介してインクカートリッジ７に接続されている。その接続部分においては、インクカートリッジ７のインク供給孔７ａにアダプタ１１と共に網状のフィルタ部材１２が設けられている。なお、１４，１５はそれぞれ上カバー及び下カバーである。 A carriage 6 is provided in front of the platen roller 3 so as to be movable in the direction of the arrow D along the axis of the platen roller 3. In addition to the print head 5, the carriage 6 is detachably mounted with an ink cartridge 7 that stores ink to be supplied to the print head 5. As shown in detail in FIG. 2, the connecting portion between the print head 5 and the ink cartridge 7 is connected to the cartridge mounting portion 6 of the carriage 6 by the print head 5 supported by the head support member 9 via the manifold member 8. It is connected. The rear end of the manifold member 8 passes through the vertical wall 6b of the cartridge mounting portion 6a and is connected to the ink cartridge 7 via the joint member 10. At the connecting portion, a net-like filter member 12 is provided in the ink supply hole 7 a of the ink cartridge 7 together with the adapter 11. Reference numerals 14 and 15 denote an upper cover and a lower cover, respectively.

また、キャリッジ６は、プラテンローラ３の軸線と平行に設けられたキャリッジ軸８にスライド移動可能に嵌挿され、これによって、キャリッジ６に搭載された印字ヘッド５は、プラテンローラ３の軸線に沿って、スライド移動により往復移動可能となっている。 The carriage 6 is slidably fitted into a carriage shaft 8 provided in parallel with the axis of the platen roller 3, so that the print head 5 mounted on the carriage 6 is along the axis of the platen roller 3. Thus, it can be reciprocated by sliding movement.

前記キャリッジ６は、キャリッジ駆動モータ２１によって、ベルト２２及びプーリ２３，２４を有するベルト駆動機構を介して駆動されるようになっている。 The carriage 6 is driven by a carriage drive motor 21 via a belt drive mechanism having a belt 22 and pulleys 23 and 24.

また、前記プラテンローラ３に対応する印字エリアの右側には、印字ヘッド５の不吐出あるいは吐出不良を回復するためのパージ装置としての吸引ポンプ手段３１が配設された回復エリアが形成されている。このような吸引ポンプ手段３１を設けているのは、インクジェット式の印字ヘッド５は、使用中に内部に気泡が発生したり、吐出面上にインクの液滴が付着したりする等の原因により吐出不良を起こすので、これを良好な吐出状態に回復させるためである。 Further, on the right side of the print area corresponding to the platen roller 3, there is formed a recovery area in which a suction pump means 31 as a purge device for recovering non-discharge or discharge failure of the print head 5 is disposed. . The suction pump means 31 is provided because the ink jet type print head 5 is caused by causes such as bubbles being generated inside and ink droplets adhering to the ejection surface during use. This is because a discharge failure occurs, and this is restored to a good discharge state.

また、前記吸引ポンプ手段３１に隣接して、印字エリア側に印字ヘッド５のノズル面をワイピングするワイパー部材３２が、その反対側に印字を行わない際に印字ヘッド５のノズル面を覆いインク蒸発を防止してノズル面が乾燥するのを回避する保護キャップ装置３３がそれぞれ配設されている。 Further, a wiper member 32 for wiping the nozzle surface of the print head 5 on the print area side adjacent to the suction pump means 31 covers the nozzle surface of the print head 5 when printing is not performed on the opposite side, and evaporates ink. Protective cap devices 33 are provided to prevent the nozzle surface from drying out.

前記吸引ポンプ手段３１は、印字ヘッド５の移動経路内に突出した突出位置と印字ヘッド５の移動経路より後退した待機位置との間を移動可能で、突出位置において印字ヘッド５を覆う吸引キャップ３４と、前記突出位置において、印字ヘッド５が吸引キャップ３４に覆われているときに、負圧を発生させ、印字ヘッド５内の残留インクを吸引除去する吸引ポンプ３５とを備え、吸引ポンプ３５がカム部材３６によって作動制御されるようになっている。 The suction pump means 31 is movable between a protruding position protruding into the movement path of the print head 5 and a standby position retracted from the movement path of the print head 5, and a suction cap 34 covering the print head 5 at the protruding position. And a suction pump 35 for generating a negative pressure when the print head 5 is covered with the suction cap 34 at the protruding position and sucking and removing residual ink in the print head 5. The operation is controlled by the cam member 36.

前記吸引ポンプ３５は、図３に示すように、吸引口４１ａと排出口４１ｂとを有するポンプケーシング４１内に第１及び第２のピストン部材４２，４３が設けられ、該ピストン部材４２，４３に一端部が連結された軸部材４４，４５の他端部がカム部材４６のカム溝に係合している。吸引キャップ３４は吸引パイプ（図示せず）を介して吸引ポンプ３５の吸引口４１ａに接続され、排出口４１ｂが排出パイプ４４を通じて、吸着材４５が収容された廃インクタンク４６に連係されている。 As shown in FIG. 3, the suction pump 35 is provided with first and second piston members 42 and 43 in a pump casing 41 having a suction port 41a and a discharge port 41b. The other end portions of the shaft members 44 and 45 to which the one end portions are connected are engaged with the cam grooves of the cam member 46. The suction cap 34 is connected to the suction port 41a of the suction pump 35 via a suction pipe (not shown), and the discharge port 41b is linked to the waste ink tank 46 in which the adsorbent 45 is accommodated through the discharge pipe 44. .

従って、吸引ポンプ３５によって吸引された印字ヘッド５のノズル内の残留インクは、吸引ポンプ３５を介して廃インクタンク４６に吐出され、そして廃インクタンク４６内の吸着材４５に吸着されるようになっている。 Accordingly, the residual ink in the nozzles of the print head 5 sucked by the suction pump 35 is discharged to the waste ink tank 46 via the suction pump 35 and is adsorbed by the adsorbent 45 in the waste ink tank 46. It has become.

そして、上記カム部材３６による吸引ポンプ３５の制御は、印字ヘッド５のインクを吸引するために吸引力の異なる二以上の吸引動作を行うようになっている。すなわち、吸引ポンプ３５が行う吸引動作は、吸引力が小さい第１の吸引動作と、該第１の吸引動作よりも吸引力が大きくかつ吸引時間が長い第２の吸引動作とである。 The control of the suction pump 35 by the cam member 36 performs two or more suction operations with different suction forces in order to suck the ink of the print head 5. That is, the suction operation performed by the suction pump 35 is a first suction operation with a small suction force and a second suction operation with a suction force larger and longer in suction time than the first suction operation.

このような２つの吸引動作を行うのは、印字ヘッド５内にインクが含まれておらずそれのインク通路が空気で満たされているような状態で、吸引ポンプ３５により吸引動作を行う際に、吸引キャップ３４を通じて大きな負圧力を作用させて印字ヘッド５のインクを一気に吸引するようにすると、インクカートリッジ７より印字ヘッド５の多数のチャンネル（インク通路）内にインクが空気と混ざった状態で急激に流入し、該インクが泡立ち、印字ヘッド５内のインクに気泡が含まれることとなるからである。 The two suction operations are performed when the suction operation is performed by the suction pump 35 in a state in which no ink is contained in the print head 5 and its ink passage is filled with air. When a large negative pressure is applied through the suction cap 34 to suck the ink of the print head 5 at a stroke, the ink is mixed with the air from the ink cartridge 7 into many channels (ink passages) of the print head 5. This is because the ink rapidly flows and the ink bubbles, and the ink in the print head 5 contains bubbles.

続いて、上記インクジエットプリンタ１における回復動作について、図４に基づいて説明する。 Next, the recovery operation in the ink jet printer 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

インクジェットプリンタ１について回復動作が行われる場合は、図示しない制御回路による制御によって、周知の如く、キャリッジ６は、回復エリアに移動せしめられ、この移動に応じて、カム部材３６による制御によって、吸引キャップ３４、吸引ポンプ３５等の作動が制御され、それによって良好なインクの吐出状態を回復するための一連の回復動作が行われる。 When the recovery operation is performed for the ink jet printer 1, the carriage 6 is moved to the recovery area by control by a control circuit (not shown), and the suction cap is controlled by control by the cam member 36 according to this movement. 34, the operation of the suction pump 35 and the like are controlled, and thereby a series of recovery operations for recovering a good ink discharge state is performed.

まず、カム部材３６の回転角が０゜付近の状態では、吸引ポンプ３５の両ピストン部材４２，４３は一体となってその境目付近が排出口４１ｂ付近に位置する一方、吸引キャップ３４は待機位置に位置する初期状態にある。 First, in a state where the rotation angle of the cam member 36 is around 0 °, the piston members 42 and 43 of the suction pump 35 are united and the boundary is located near the discharge port 41b, while the suction cap 34 is in the standby position. It is in the initial state located at.

それから、カム部材３６が回転駆動されると、その回転角が６゜付近から第１及び第２のピストン部材４２，４３が一体となって、図５に示すように徐々に移動し、９７゜付近で若干移動速度を速める。カム部材３６の回転角が１１４゜付近になると、両ピストン部材４２，４３が移動を停止し、両ピストン部材４２，４３の境目付近が吸入口４１ａ付近となる（図６参照）。一方、前記両ピストン部材４２，４３の移動の途中において、吸引キャップ３４が待機位置から、印字ヘッド５の移動経路側に前進せしめられ、該印字ヘッド５のノズル面を覆うことになる。 Then, when the cam member 36 is rotationally driven, the first and second piston members 42 and 43 are integrally moved from around 6 ° and gradually moved as shown in FIG. Slightly increase the moving speed in the vicinity. When the rotation angle of the cam member 36 is close to 114 °, the piston members 42 and 43 stop moving, and the vicinity of the boundary between the piston members 42 and 43 is near the suction port 41a (see FIG. 6). On the other hand, during the movement of the piston members 42 and 43, the suction cap 34 is advanced from the standby position toward the movement path of the print head 5, and covers the nozzle surface of the print head 5.

そして、吸引キャップ３４が完全に印字ヘッド５のノズル面を覆った後に、カム部材３６の回転角が１２２゜から１２９゜に変化する間、第１のピストン部材４２は静止したままで第２ピストン部材４３が第１のピストン部材４２との間隔が広がる方向に移動せしめられ、第１及び第２ピストン部材４２，４３の間にポンプ室４６が形成され（図７参照）、それに続いて、カム部材３６の回転角が１２９゜から１４５゜までの間前記ポンプ室４６の容積を維持し、吸引力（−０．１〜−０．２５ｋｇ／ｃｍ^２）が小さい第１の吸引動作が行われる。この第１の吸引動作により、小さな負圧で吸引が行われ、印字ヘッド内に空気が含まれている場合にはその空気を追い出しつつインクが吸引される。 After the suction cap 34 completely covers the nozzle surface of the print head 5, the first piston member 42 remains stationary while the rotation angle of the cam member 36 changes from 122 ° to 129 °. The member 43 is moved in the direction in which the space between the first piston member 42 and the first piston member 42 is increased, and a pump chamber 46 is formed between the first and second piston members 42 and 43 (see FIG. 7). The volume of the pump chamber 46 is maintained while the rotation angle of the member 36 is 129 ° to 145 °, and the first suction operation with a small suction force (−0.1 to −0.25 kg / cm ² ) is performed. . By this first suction operation, suction is performed with a small negative pressure, and when air is contained in the print head, ink is sucked out while the air is expelled.

それから、カム部材３６の回転角が１４５゜から１７１゜になるまでの間、第１及び第２のピストン部材４２，４３が、前記ポンプ室４６の容積を維持したまま、第１のピストン部材４２によって吸引口４１ａを閉塞する方向に移せしめられ、第１の吸引動作が終了する。この時、第２のピストン部材４３は、排出口４１ｂを閉塞している。 Then, the first and second piston members 42 and 43 maintain the volume of the pump chamber 46 until the rotation angle of the cam member 36 changes from 145 ° to 171 °. As a result, the suction port 41a is moved in the closing direction, and the first suction operation is completed. At this time, the second piston member 43 closes the discharge port 41b.

その後、カム部材３６の回転角が１７１゜から１７９゜までの間前記状態を維持し、それに続く１７９゜から２０５゜までの間、排出口４１ｂを第２のピストン部材４３で閉塞した状態で、第１のピストン部材４２を吸引口４１ａを開放する方向に移動させ、ポンプ室４６を拡大して負圧を高め、最終的に図９に示すように吸引口４１ａを開放し、カム部材３６の回転角が２３９゜となる付近までその状態が維持され、第１の吸引動作よりも吸引力が大きくかつ吸引時間が長い第２の吸引動作が開始される。 Thereafter, the above-mentioned state is maintained while the rotation angle of the cam member 36 is 171 ° to 179 °, and the discharge port 41b is closed with the second piston member 43 for the subsequent 179 ° to 205 °. The first piston member 42 is moved in the direction to open the suction port 41a, the pump chamber 46 is expanded to increase the negative pressure, and finally the suction port 41a is opened as shown in FIG. That state is maintained until the rotation angle reaches about 239 °, and the second suction operation having a larger suction force and longer suction time than the first suction operation is started.

それから、カム部材３６の回転角が２３９゜から２７２゜までの間、第１のピストン部材４２が吸引口４１ａを開放した状態のまま、第２のピストン部材４３が排出口４１ｂを開放する直前まで移動せしめられ（図１０参照）、ポンプ室４６をさらに拡大しつつ第２の吸引動作が行われる。この第２の吸引動作により、印字ヘッド５内のインクが一気に吸引され、良好な吐出状態に回復される。 Then, until the rotation angle of the cam member 36 is between 239 ° and 272 °, the first piston member 42 keeps the suction port 41a open until the second piston member 43 opens the discharge port 41b. The second suction operation is performed while further expanding the pump chamber 46 (see FIG. 10). By this second suction operation, the ink in the print head 5 is sucked at once and recovered to a good discharge state.

そして、カム部材２７２゜から２８２．５゜までの間、第２のピストン部材４３が排出口４１ｂを開放する方向への移動を継続する一方、第１のピストン部材４２が吸引口４１ａを閉塞する方向に移動する。そして、図１１に示すように、第２ピストン部材４３がポンプ室４６を排出口４１ｂに開放する位置まで移動し、カム部材の回転角が２８２．５゜付近で移動を停止するが、第１のピストン部材４２は、前記移動をカム部材３６の回転角度が３３８゜付近になるまで継続し、ポンプ室４６を圧縮し、積極的に排出動作を行う（図１２参照）。これによって、ポンプ室４６内のインクが廃液タンク４６に排出される。 The second piston member 43 continues to move in the direction of opening the discharge port 41b between the cam member 272 ° and 282.5 °, while the first piston member 42 closes the suction port 41a. Move in the direction. Then, as shown in FIG. 11, the second piston member 43 moves to a position where the pump chamber 46 is opened to the discharge port 41b, and the movement stops when the rotation angle of the cam member is around 282.5 °. The piston member 42 continues the movement until the rotation angle of the cam member 36 reaches about 338 °, compresses the pump chamber 46, and actively performs the discharging operation (see FIG. 12). As a result, the ink in the pump chamber 46 is discharged to the waste liquid tank 46.

排出動作後、カム部材３６が３３８゜から３４５゜までの間両ピストン部材４２は停止状態を維持し、その後３５４゜までの間両ピストン部材４２，４３が少し戻され、図１３に示すようになり、初期状態と同様の状態に戻され、その状態が３５４゜から３６０゜（０゜）まで維持されて、初期状態となる。 After the discharging operation, both piston members 42 remain stopped while the cam member 36 is between 338 ° and 345 °, and thereafter both piston members 42 and 43 are slightly returned until 354 °, as shown in FIG. Thus, the state is returned to the same state as the initial state, and the state is maintained from 354 ° to 360 ° (0 °) to become the initial state.

前記実施の形態においては、第１のピストン部材４２を、カム部材３６の回転角１４５゜から２０５゜の間において変位させているが、図１４に示すように、第１のピストン部材を変位させることなく静止させたままで、第２のピストン部材４３のみを変位させて、同様の制御を行うようにすることもできる。この場合は、第２の吸引動作のタイミングが若干早くなる点を除き、前述した実施の形態と同様の効果を奏する。 In the above-described embodiment, the first piston member 42 is displaced between the rotation angles 145 ° and 205 ° of the cam member 36. However, as shown in FIG. 14, the first piston member 42 is displaced. It is also possible to perform the same control by displacing only the second piston member 43 while remaining stationary. In this case, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment are obtained except that the timing of the second suction operation is slightly advanced.

また、前記実施の形態においては、インクカートリッジ７のインク供給孔７ａにのみフィルタ部材１２を設けている場合に適用したものであるが、インクカートリッジ７と印字ヘッド５との接続部分の印字ヘッド（マニホールド）側にもフィルタ部材１２Ａが設けられている場合もあり（図２参照）、かかる場合には、前記吸引ポンプ３５が行う吸引動作を、吸引力が小さい第１及び第２の吸引動作と、該第１及び第２の吸引動作よりも吸引力が大きくかつ吸引時間が長い第３の吸引動作とすることで、前述した実施の形態と同様の作用効果が得られる。 In the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to the case where the filter member 12 is provided only in the ink supply hole 7 a of the ink cartridge 7, but the print head at the connection portion between the ink cartridge 7 and the print head 5 ( The filter member 12A may also be provided on the manifold) side (see FIG. 2). In such a case, the suction operation performed by the suction pump 35 is referred to as the first and second suction operations with a small suction force. By adopting the third suction operation that has a larger suction force and longer suction time than the first and second suction operations, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

即ち、前記吸引ポンプ３５による第１の吸引動作が、インクが最初のフィルタ部材１２を通過するのに必要な吸引力で行われ、第２の吸引動作が、インクがさらに次のフィルタ部材１２Ａを通過し印字ヘッド５内のインク通路を満たすのに必要な吸引力により行われることで、それらの後に、第１及び第２の吸引動作（−０．１〜−０．２５ｋｇ／ｃｍ^２）よりも吸引力が大きくかつ吸引時間が長い第３の吸引動作（−０．５ｋｇ／ｃｍ^２）を行ってもインクが泡立つことがない。 That is, the first suction operation by the suction pump 35 is performed with the suction force necessary for the ink to pass through the first filter member 12, and the second suction operation is performed by the ink further passing through the next filter member 12A. By performing the suction force required to pass through and fill the ink passage in the print head 5, after that, from the first and second suction operations (−0.1 to −0.25 kg / cm ² ). However, even if the third suction operation (−0.5 kg / cm ² ) with a large suction force and a long suction time is performed, the ink does not foam.

本発明に係るインクジェットプリンタの概略構成を示す斜視図である。1 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of an inkjet printer according to the present invention. 本発明に係る吸引ポンプの断面図である。It is sectional drawing of the suction pump which concerns on this invention. 本発明に係る印字ヘッドとインクカートリッジとの接続部分の断面図である。FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a connection portion between a print head and an ink cartridge according to the present invention. 吸引キャップ、吸引ポンプの第１及び第２のピストン部材に対する、カム部材による制御のタイムチャート図である。It is a time chart figure of the control by a cam member with respect to the 1st and 2nd piston member of a suction cap and a suction pump. 吸引ポンプの動作の説明図である。It is explanatory drawing of operation | movement of a suction pump. 吸引ポンプの動作の説明図である。It is explanatory drawing of operation | movement of a suction pump. 吸引ポンプの動作の説明図である。It is explanatory drawing of operation | movement of a suction pump. 吸引ポンプの動作の説明図である。It is explanatory drawing of operation | movement of a suction pump. 吸引ポンプの動作の説明図である。It is explanatory drawing of operation | movement of a suction pump. 吸引ポンプの動作の説明図である。It is explanatory drawing of operation | movement of a suction pump. 吸引ポンプの動作の説明図である。It is explanatory drawing of operation | movement of a suction pump. 吸引ポンプの動作の説明図である。It is explanatory drawing of operation | movement of a suction pump. 吸引ポンプの動作の説明図である。It is explanatory drawing of operation | movement of a suction pump. 他の実施の形態についての図４と同様の図である。It is a figure similar to FIG. 4 about other embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

１インクジェットプリンタ
４印刷用紙
５印字ヘッド
１２フィルタ部材
１２Ａフィルタ部材
３１吸引ポンプ手段
３４吸引キャップ
３５吸引ポンプ
３６カム部材
４２第１のピストン部材
４３第２のピストン部材

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Inkjet printer 4 Printing paper 5 Print head 12 Filter member 12A Filter member 31 Suction pump means 34 Suction cap 35 Suction pump 36 Cam member 42 First piston member 43 Second piston member

Claims

A print head that performs printing by ejecting ink onto a recording medium; a suction pump unit that has a suction cap that comes into contact with and separates from the nozzle surface of the print head; and sucks the ink of the print head through the suction cap ; In a recovery device for an ink jet printer comprising a print head and a filter member disposed at a connection portion between an ink cartridge connected to the print head ,
The suction pump means has a pump casing having a suction port and a discharge port connected to the suction cap, and two piston members that can move independently within the pump casing and form a variable-volume pump chamber therebetween. The two piston members are moved in conjunction with a cam member,
With the suction cap covering the nozzle surface of the print head, the pump chamber between the two piston members is connected to the suction port, and the volume of the pump chamber is increased and then the cam member is Maintaining a predetermined rotation angle of the ink , and performing a first suction operation for ink to pass through the filter member and fill the ink passage in the print head ,
After the first suction operation, the two piston members are moved while maintaining the volume of the expanded pump chamber, and the suction port is closed with respect to the pump chamber .
After the suction port is closed, the pump chamber is connected to the suction port in a state where the suction cap covers the nozzle surface of the print head, and at the rotation angle of the cam member, the first suction operation is performed. For a long time, the volume of the pump chamber is expanded more than that of the first suction operation, and the state is maintained for a predetermined rotation angle of the cam member, and suction is performed from the print head more than the first suction operation. recovery device of an ink jet printer, wherein the force is large KuKatsu suction time and performs long second suction operation.

A print head that performs printing by ejecting ink onto a recording medium; a suction pump unit that has a suction cap that comes into contact with and separates from the nozzle surface of the print head; and sucks the ink of the print head through the suction cap ; In a recovery device for an ink jet printer comprising a print head and a filter member disposed at a connection portion between an ink cartridge connected to the print head ,
The suction pump means has a pump casing having a suction port and a discharge port connected to the suction cap, and two piston members that can move independently within the pump casing and form a variable-volume pump chamber therebetween. The two piston members are moved in conjunction with a cam member,
In a state where the suction cap covers the nozzle surface of the print head, the pump chamber between the two piston members is connected to the suction port, and the volume of the pump chamber is expanded and then the state of the cam member is increased. Maintaining a predetermined rotation angle, and performing a first suction operation for ink to pass through the filter member and fill an ink passage in the print head ;
After the first suction operation, the volume of the pump chamber is increased for a longer time than the first suction operation at the rotation angle of the cam member with the suction cap covering the nozzle surface of the print head. The state of the first suction operation is further expanded than the first suction operation, and the state is maintained for a predetermined rotation angle of the cam member, and the suction force from the print head is higher than that of the first suction operation. recovery device of an ink jet printer, characterized in that the size KuKatsu suction time is to perform a long second suction operation.