JP3965864B2 - Inkjet recording device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As shown in FIG. 16, an ink jet recording apparatus 80 disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-270408 is provided with a recording head 82 and a cleaning unit 86 for cleaning the recording head 82.
[0003]
The recording head 82 has an ejection surface 84 on which ink ejection ports are formed. The cleaning unit 86 has a blade-like wiper 88 that wipes the ejection surface 84 and can reciprocate in a direction perpendicular to the scanning direction of the recording head 82.
[0004]
In order to clean the ejection surface 84 of the recording head 82 with the conventional ink jet recording apparatus 80, first, the carriage on which the recording head 82 is mounted so that the recording head 82 reaches the position for wiping (cleaning). (Not shown) is moved and stopped (step S1 in FIG. 18; see FIG. 17A).
[0005]
Next, by moving the cleaning part 86 in the forward direction F, the wiper 88 wipes and cleans the discharge surface 84 (step S2 in FIG. 18; see FIG. 17B for the state during cleaning).
[0006]
By the way, after wiping the ejection surface 84 with the wiper 88 as described above (see FIG. 17C), it is necessary to return the wiper 88 to the home position (initial position). As a means for performing this return, the recording head 82 is moved to a predetermined retracted position in advance immediately before returning (step S3 in FIG. 18), so that the recording head 82 is wiped when the cleaning unit 86 is returned to the home position. There may be means for preventing contact with 88 and means for wiping the discharge surface 84 in the return path by moving the cleaning portion 86 in the reverse direction.
[0007]
However, in the former case, since it is necessary to further add a step of moving the recording head 82 to the retracted position, there arises a problem that the throughput is lowered. In the latter case, the cleaning is performed excessively, and the wiper 88 and the recording head There is a problem that the life of 82 is shortened.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In view of the above facts, an object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus in which the cleaning time is shortened and the throughput is increased without shortening the life of the recording head and the wiper.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the first recording head and the second recording have a discharge surface on which an ink discharge port is formed, and are sequentially arranged along the predetermined direction from the upstream side to the downstream side of the predetermined direction. A first discharge surface cleaning unit, a second discharge surface cleaning unit, and a first discharge surface cleaning unit having a head, and a wiping member sequentially disposed from the upstream side to the downstream side in the predetermined direction along the predetermined direction. A first displacing means for displacing the wiping member; a second displacing means for displacing the wiping member of the second discharge surface cleaning section; and a holder for holding the first displacing means and the second displacing means collectively. And the holder and the first recording head and the second recording head so that the first recording head and the second recording head reciprocate relatively in the predetermined direction. One side reciprocating along the predetermined direction Reciprocating means for moving the first discharge surface when the reciprocating means moves the holder in the predetermined direction relative to the first recording head and the second recording head. One of the wiping member of the part and the wiping member of the second ejection surface cleaning unit contacts and cleans the ejection surface of the second recording head, and the reciprocating means moves the holder to the first recording head and In the case of moving in the direction opposite to the predetermined direction relative to the second recording head, the other of the wiping member of the first discharge surface cleaning unit and the wiping member of the second discharge surface cleaning unit is the The first recording head is cleaned in contact with the ejection surface.
[0010]
Thereby, the maximum value of the load applied to the drive source when the first discharge surface cleaning unit and the second discharge surface cleaning unit are moved is recorded in the first recording simultaneously by the first discharge surface cleaning unit and the second discharge surface cleaning unit, respectively. Compared to the case where the ejection surface of the head and the ejection surface of the second recording head are in contact with each other, the number is reduced by half.
[0011]
Therefore, a small motor can be installed as a drive source for moving the first discharge surface cleaning unit and the second discharge surface cleaning unit, which greatly contributes to the miniaturization of the ink jet recording apparatus.
[0012]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, when viewed from the predetermined direction, a first wiping member cleaning unit is provided on the upstream side of the first recording head, and a second wiping member cleaning unit is provided on the downstream side of the second recording head. When the holder moves in the predetermined direction, one of the first discharge surface cleaning unit and the second discharge surface cleaning unit contacts the second recording head and then cleans the second wiping member. When the holder moves in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction, the other of the first wiping member cleaning unit and the second wiping member cleaning unit contacts the first recording head, and It contacts the 1 wiping member cleaning part, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.
[0013]
Thereby, it is possible to suppress the inside of the ink jet recording apparatus from being contaminated by ink flying when cleaning the ejection surface.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
As shown in FIG. 1, the ink jet recording apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment includes a recording head 12 and a cleaning unit 16 that cleans the head surface of the recording head 12. The recording head 12 is mounted on a carriage (not shown), and when the recording head 12 is scanned, the recording head 12 is scanned in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG.
[0015]
The recording head 12 has an ejection surface (head surface) 14 on which ink ejection ports are formed. The cleaning unit 16 has a blade-like wiper 18 for wiping the discharge surface 14 and can reciprocate linearly along the discharge surface 14. The wiper 18 is generally composed of a rubber elastic member. The wiper 18 may be composed of a porous member that wipes off ink.
[0016]
When cleaning the ejection surface 14 by wiping with the wiper 18, the recording head 12 is moved in the scanning direction (direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 1) and stopped at the position for cleaning (step S1 in FIG. 3). 1 (A)), and then, as shown in FIG. 1 (B), the cleaning unit 16 is moved along the discharge surface 14 in the forward direction F, so that the discharge surface 14 is wiped with the wiper 18. Cleaning is performed (step S2 in FIG. 3).
[0017]
Further, in the ink jet recording apparatus 10, an absorber 20 that absorbs ink attached to the wiper 18 is provided adjacent to the recording head 12. The wiper 18 wipes the discharge surface 14 of the recording head 12 (see FIG. 1B) and then wipes the absorbent body 20 (see FIG. 1C), so that the wiper 18 moves from the discharge surface 14 to the wiper 18. The adhered ink is absorbed by the absorber 20.
[0018]
After the cleaning unit 16 has finished moving in the forward direction F (see FIG. 1D), the cleaning unit 16 moves in the return direction B and returns to the home position, as shown in FIG.
[0019]
Incidentally, the cleaning unit 16 includes an angle changing mechanism 30 that can change the angle of the wiper 18 with respect to the ejection surface 14. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2A, when the cleaning unit 16 moves in the backward direction B, the wiper 18 is tilted with respect to the recording head 12 (step S3 in FIG. 3), whereby the wiper 18 is absorbed by the absorber 20. The cleaning unit 16 can be returned to the home position without contacting the recording head 12 (see FIG. 2A) and without further contacting the recording head 12 (see FIG. 2B) (step S4 in FIG. 3). .
[0020]
Further, the angle of the wiper 18 is returned to the original position (see FIG. 2C), and printing is performed on a recording medium such as recording paper by the recording head 12 (step S5-1 in FIG. 3), or the ejection surface 14 is capped. And the operation of the ink jet recording apparatus 10 is stopped (step S5-2 in FIG. 3).
[0021]
As described above, the ink jet recording apparatus 10 is an apparatus that avoids excessive cleaning of the recording head 12 and the wiper 18 to shorten their lifespan, and shortens the time required for cleaning to increase the throughput. It has become. That is, when the cleaning unit 16 is returned to the home position, there is no need to pass the recording head 12 through a path other than the forward path and the backward path, which is an increase in throughput particularly when the ejection surface 14 is cleaned during printing. Can have a great effect.
[0022]
Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the angle changing mechanism 30 will be described in detail.
[0023]
As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the inkjet recording apparatus 10 includes a rotating shaft having a D-cut cross section arranged in a direction orthogonal to the reciprocating direction (F direction and B direction) of the recording head 12. 32 is provided.
[0024]
A cleaning unit 16 for cleaning the recording head 12 is attached to the rotating shaft 32, and the cleaning unit 16 rotates with the rotation of the rotating shaft 32. A wiper 18 protrudes from the cleaning portion 16.
[0025]
A cylindrical inner member 34 that restricts the rotation angle of the rotation shaft 32 is fitted into the end of the rotation shaft 32. The inner member 34 is formed with a through hole corresponding to the D-cut cross section of the rotating shaft 32, and the inner member 34 and the rotating shaft 32 rotate in conjunction with each other. In addition, a cylindrical outer member 36 to which rotational force is transmitted to the rotation shaft 32 is fitted on the outer side of the inner member 34.
[0026]
A flat stopper 40 protruding from the outer surface is formed on the inner member 34, and a tension coil spring 42 is attached to the stopper 40. Therefore, in a state where the inner member 34 is not cleaned, the position of the inner member 34 is stopped by a stopper stop 44 formed in the ink jet recording apparatus 10 (hereinafter, this stop position is referred to as a standby position). At this time, the wiper 18 is substantially orthogonal to the ejection surface 14 (see FIG. 1A).
[0027]
On the other hand, the outer member 36 is formed along the outer surface with a flat lever 46 protruding from the outer surface, and a rib 48 that is in contact with the surface side to which the tension coil spring 42 of the stopper 40 is attached in the standby position. And having. The outer member 36 is formed with a notch 50 having a predetermined shape.
[0028]
A winding spring 52 is wound around the end of the rotating shaft 32. Both end portions of the winding spring 52 are hooked on the lever 46 and the stopper 40 (see FIG. 6), and the outer member 36 is always urged in the Q direction by the winding spring 52.
[0029]
When the lever interference portion 56 provided on the carriage (not shown) on which the recording head 12 is mounted moves in the forward direction F, the lever interference portion 56 contacts the lever 46 as shown in FIGS. Although 46 rotates in the P direction, since the notch 50 is formed, the inner member 34 does not rotate in this rotation, and therefore the rotation shaft 32 does not rotate. Accordingly, the cleaning unit 16 does not rotate, and the wiper 18 wipes the ejection surface 14 of the recording head 12.
[0030]
When the carriage further moves in the forward direction F, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the lever interference portion 56 finishes passing over the outer member 36, and the contact between the lever 46 and the lever interference portion 56 is eliminated. The outer member 36 is returned to the standby position by the urging force of the winding spring 52.
[0031]
Subsequently, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, when the lever interference portion 56 moves in the backward direction B, the lever interference portion 56 contacts the lever 46 and the outer member 36 rotates in the Q direction.
[0032]
As can be seen from FIG. 12, in this rotation, the rib 48 transmits the rotational force to the stopper 40, so that the inner member 34 also rotates in the Q direction together with the outer member 36. Rotate to. As a result, since the cleaning unit 16 rotates in the Q direction, the wiper 18 also rotates in the Q direction.
[0033]
Further, when the carriage moves in the backward direction B, as shown in FIG. 13, the wiper 18 further rotates in the Q direction. As a result, when the recording head 12 moves in the backward direction B, the wiper 18 moves to the ejection surface 14. Contactless.
[0034]
When the carriage finishes passing in the backward direction B, the contact between the lever interference portion 56 and the lever 46 is canceled and the contact member is brought into a non-contact state, and the inner member 34 is shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 by the tensile force of the tension coil spring 42. Returning to the standby state, the outer member 36, the rotation shaft 32, the cleaning unit 16 and the like return to the standby state.
[0035]
It should be noted that a plurality of recording heads, for example, four recording heads corresponding to four colors, are attached to the carriage, and the rotary shaft 32 is similarly provided with four cleaning units corresponding to the respective recording heads. The discharge surface is wiped and cleaned by the wiper by the movement in the forward direction, and the wiper and the discharge surface are not in contact with each other by the movement in the backward direction. In this case, the four recording heads are simultaneously cleaned.
[0036]
Next, an ink jet recording apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 14, the ink jet recording apparatus 60 is provided with two recording heads 62A and 62B and a cleaning unit 66 for cleaning the recording heads 62A and 62B. The recording heads 62A and B are the same as the recording head 12 described in the first embodiment, and the recording heads 62A and B are along the reciprocating direction of the cleaning unit 66 (the F direction in FIG. 14 and the B direction in FIG. 15). Are arranged.
[0037]
The cleaning unit 66 holds wipers 68A, B and wipers 68A, B that wipe and clean the recording heads 62A, B, respectively, and wipers 68A, B for the ejection surfaces 64A, B of the recording heads 62A, B, respectively. Angle changing mechanisms 70A, B for changing the respective angles, and one holder 72 for holding the angle changing mechanisms 70A, B are provided.
[0038]
The angle changing mechanisms 70A and 70B are the same as the angle changing mechanism 30 described in the first embodiment, and can change the angle independently of each other. Further, when the cleaning unit 66 is moved, the angle changing mechanisms 70A and 70B and the wipers 68A and 68B can be moved simultaneously by moving the holder 72.
[0039]
In order to clean the ejection surfaces 64A and 64B by wiping with the wipers 68A and 68B, first, the recording heads 62A and 62B are moved in the scanning direction (direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 14) for cleaning. (See FIG. 14A).
[0040]
Subsequently, the wiper 68B is inclined with respect to the ejection surface 64B by the angle changing mechanism 70B, and the cleaning unit 66 is moved in the forward direction F by moving the holder 72 in the forward direction F. Therefore, when the cleaning unit 66 moves in the forward direction F, the wiper 68A wipes the discharge surface 64A, and the wiper 68B is not in contact with the discharge surface 64B (see FIG. 14B).
[0041]
Further, the ink jet recording apparatus 60 includes two same absorbers 71A and B as the absorber 20 described in the first embodiment. The absorbers 71A and 71B are disposed adjacent to the recording heads 62A and B in the outer regions 72A and B (see FIG. 14A) of the recording heads 62A and B, respectively. After wiping the discharge surface 64A, the absorber 71A is continuously wiped (see FIG. 14C). Thereby, the ink adhering to the wiper 68A is absorbed by the absorber 71A.
[0042]
After the cleaning unit 66 finishes moving in the forward direction F, the inclination of the wiper 68B is released, and the angle of the wiper 68B with respect to the discharge surface 64B is restored (see FIG. 14D).
[0043]
Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 15, the cleaning unit 66 is moved in the backward direction B and returned to the home position. At that time, first, the wiper 68A is inclined with respect to the ejection surface 64A of the recording head 62A by the angle changing mechanism 70A (see FIG. 15A), and then the cleaning unit 66 is moved in the backward direction B. Accordingly, when the cleaning unit 66 moves in the backward direction B, the wiper 68A is not in contact with the discharge surface 64A, and the wiper 68B wipes the discharge surface 64B (see FIG. 15B). Note that the direction in which the wiper 68A is tilted is opposite to the direction in which the wiper 68B is tilted.
[0044]
The wiper 68B wipes the absorbent body 71B after wiping the discharge surface 64B (see FIG. 15C).
[0045]
After the cleaning unit 66 returns to the home position, the inclination of the wiper 68A is released and the angle with respect to the discharge surface 64A is restored (see FIG. 15D).
[0046]
In the second embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, a plurality of recording heads may be attached to the carriage in the scanning direction of the recording heads 62A and 62B.
[0047]
As described above, in the second embodiment, the cleaning of both the recording heads 62A and 62B is completed only by reciprocating the cleaning unit 66 once.
[0048]
In the wiping of the discharge surface 64A, the wiper 68A wipes toward the absorber 71A, and even in the wiping of the discharge surface 64B, the wiper 68B wipes toward the absorber 71B. Contamination of the inside of the recording device 60 can be suppressed.
[0049]
Furthermore, since it is not necessary to provide the absorbers 71A and 71B in the region 74 (see FIG. 14A) between the recording heads 62A and 62B, there is a great effect in reducing the size of the ink jet recording apparatus 60. Can do.
[0050]
In the second mode, the wiper 68B is not in contact with the discharge surface 64B in the forward path in which the wiper 68A contacts the discharge surface 64A, and the wiper 68A is in contact with the discharge surface 64A in the return path in which the wiper 68B contacts the discharge surface 64B. Contactless. For this reason, the maximum value of the load applied to a motor (not shown) used as a drive source when the cleaning unit 66 is moved is halved compared to the case where the wipers 68A and B are simultaneously in contact with the discharge surfaces 64A and B. ing. Therefore, a small motor can be installed as a drive source for moving the cleaning unit 66, which greatly contributes to the miniaturization of the ink jet recording apparatus 60.
[0051]
【The invention's effect】
Since the present invention has the above configuration, the following effects can be obtained.
[0052]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, a small motor can be installed as a drive source for moving the first discharge surface cleaning unit and the second discharge surface cleaning unit. It greatly contributes to the transformation.
[0053]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to suppress the inside of the ink jet recording apparatus from being contaminated by the ink flying when the ejection surface is cleaned.
[0054]
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIGS. 1A to 1D are conceptual side views showing respective steps of cleaning an ejection surface of a recording head in an outward path in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the first embodiment.
FIGS. 2A to 2C are conceptual side views showing steps of returning the cleaning unit to the home position on the return path in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart when cleaning the ejection surface of the recording head in the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view showing an angle changing mechanism of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a plan view taken along arrow 5-5 in FIG. 4;
6 is a side view taken along arrow 6-6 in FIG. 4;
FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view showing an angle changing mechanism of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the first embodiment.
8 is a side view taken along the line 8-8 in FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view showing an angle changing mechanism of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the first embodiment.
10 is a side view taken along the line 10-10 in FIG.
FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view showing an angle changing mechanism of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the first embodiment.
12 is a side view taken along the line 12-12 in FIG.
FIG. 13 is a side view showing an angle changing mechanism of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the first embodiment.
FIGS. 14A to 14D are conceptual side views showing respective steps of cleaning the ejection surface of the recording head in the forward path in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the second embodiment.
FIGS. 15A to 15D are conceptual side views showing respective steps of returning the cleaning unit to the home position on the return path in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIGS.
FIG. 16 is a partial perspective view of a conventional ink jet recording apparatus.
FIGS. 17A to 17C are conceptual side views showing respective steps of cleaning the ejection surface of the recording head in the forward path in the conventional ink jet recording apparatus.
FIG. 18 is a flowchart when cleaning a discharge surface of a recording head in a conventional ink jet recording apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Inkjet recording device 12 Recording head 14 Discharge surface 16 Cleaning part (Discharge surface cleaning part)
18 Wiper (wiping member)
20 Absorber (wiping member cleaning part)
30 Angle change mechanism (displacement means, angle change means)
60 Inkjet recording device 62A, B Recording head (first recording head, second recording head)
66 Cleaning unit (first discharge surface cleaning unit, second discharge surface cleaning unit)
68A, B Wiper (wiping member)
70A, B Angle changing mechanism (first displacement means, second displacement means)
71A, B absorber (second wiping member cleaning section, second wiping member cleaning section)
72 Holder 80 Inkjet recording device 82 Recording head 84 Discharge surface 86 Cleaning unit (Discharge surface cleaning unit)
88 Wiper (wiping member)

Claims (2)

A first recording head and a second recording head each having an ejection surface in which an ink ejection port is formed and sequentially arranged from an upstream side to a downstream side in the predetermined direction along a predetermined direction;
A first discharge surface cleaning unit and a second discharge surface cleaning unit having wiping members sequentially disposed from the upstream side to the downstream side in the predetermined direction along the predetermined direction;
First displacement means for displacing the wiping member of the first discharge surface cleaning unit;
Second displacement means for displacing the wiping member of the second discharge surface cleaning unit;
A holder that collectively holds the first displacement means and the second displacement means;
Either the holder, the first recording head, or the second recording head is moved so that the holder, the first recording head, and the second recording head reciprocate relatively in the predetermined direction. Reciprocating means for reciprocating along the predetermined direction;
With
When the reciprocating means moves the holder in the predetermined direction relative to the first recording head and the second recording head, the wiping member and the second of the first discharge surface cleaning unit One of the wiping members of the discharge surface cleaning unit contacts and cleans the discharge surface of the second recording head,
When the holder is moved in the direction opposite to the predetermined direction relative to the first recording head and the second recording head by the reciprocating means, the wiping member of the first discharge surface cleaning unit and the An ink jet recording apparatus, wherein the other of the wiping members of the second discharge surface cleaning unit contacts and cleans the discharge surface of the first recording head. A first wiping member cleaning unit is provided on the upstream side of the first recording head as viewed from the predetermined direction, and a second wiping member cleaning unit is provided on the downstream side of the second recording head,
When the holder moves in the predetermined direction, one of the first discharge surface cleaning unit and the second discharge surface cleaning unit contacts the second wiping member cleaning unit after contacting the second recording head. ,
When the holder moves in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction, the other of the first wiping member cleaning unit and the second wiping member cleaning unit contacts the first recording head, and then the first wiping member cleaning unit An ink jet recording apparatus, wherein the ink jet recording apparatus is in contact with the recording medium.

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