JP4122087B2 - Inkjet printer - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an ink jet printer that can remove ink adhering to an ink discharge port forming surface of a recording head that discharges ink to a recording medium.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In an ink jet printer having a recording head having an ink discharge port forming surface in which a plurality of ink discharge ports for discharging ink are formed on the recording surface of the recording medium, the ink discharge of the recording head is always normal after the recording operation is completed. Recovery processing is performed to maintain. In the recovery process, for example, the recording head performs preliminary ink ejection. At that time, the ink adhering to the ink discharge port forming surface of the recording head will cause the non-ejection of the ink when the recording operation is resumed and the normal position of the ink landing position on the recording surface of the recording medium. Since there is a possibility of causing a shift, it is necessary to remove the adhering ink and maintain the ink discharge port forming surface in a clean state.
[0003]
Therefore, in the ink jet printer, after the preliminary ejection of ink is completed, the ink is left for a predetermined period, and the ink in each ink ejection port communicates with the ink ejection port based on the water head difference corresponding to the negative pressure in the ink tank attached to the recording head. After being drawn into the flow path, for example, a cleaning member made of a rubber material is slidably brought into contact with the ink discharge port forming surface of the recording head and wiped, whereby the attached ink is removed.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, as described above, if the ink is left for a predetermined period until the ink at each ink discharge port is drawn into the flow path, a relatively long time is required until the recovery process starts and ends. Become. Further, when ink is drawn into the flow path, dust or the like adhering to the ink discharge port forming surface is drawn into the flow path together, which may cause ink non-discharge.
[0005]
In order to avoid such a situation, the ink discharge port forming surface is immediately removed by the cleaning member as described above, and is left unattended for a predetermined period until the ink at each ink discharge port is drawn into the flow path. In the case of wiping, the cleaning member returns to its original state when one end of the bent cleaning member slidably in contact with the ink discharge port forming surface is separated from the ink discharge port forming surface, so that the ink adhering to the cleaning member is removed. There is a risk of scattering and contaminating the inside of the device.
[0006]
In addition, when removing ink adhering to a porous material, such as urethane foam, for a predetermined period until the ink at each ink discharge port is drawn into the flow path, the ink in the urethane foam is removed. Maintaining the distance between the surface facing the discharge port forming surface and the ink discharge port forming surface at a predetermined distance limits the processing accuracy of the urethane foam, so that the distance between the end surface of the urethane foam and the surface does not vary. It is not easy to control the relative position to the ink discharge port forming surface.
[0007]
In view of the above problems, the present invention is an ink jet printer that can remove ink adhering to an ink discharge port forming surface of a recording head that discharges ink to a recording medium, and is required for recovery processing. Time, and dust adhering to the ink discharge port formation surface is not drawn into the flow path, and the relative position between the end surface of the ink removal member and the ink discharge port formation surface is appropriate. An object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet printer capable of easily controlling the above.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to achieve the above object, an ink jet printer according to the present invention is arranged to be movable relative to a recording head having an ink discharge port forming surface on which an ink discharge port for discharging ink is formed. A plurality of inks adhered to the discharge port forming surface are adhered to each other by capillary action and removed.Metal plateAn ink removing member, and an ink removing member provided in association with the ink removing member, with one end abutting on the ink ejection port forming surface and a predetermined distance between the ink ejection port forming surface and one end of the plate portion of the ink removing member. An interval regulating member for regulating, and a drive unit for moving the ink removing member and the interval regulating member relative to the recording head in order to remove ink attached to the ink discharge port forming surface of the recording head by the ink removing member;The plurality of plate-like portions in the ink removing member have a length corresponding to the length along the ejection port array on the ink ejection port forming surface, and are spaced apart from each other in a direction orthogonal to the ejection port array. It is provided to face each other.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
4 and 5 show a schematic configuration of an example of an ink jet printer according to the present invention.
[0010]
The inkjet printer, for example, includes a paper feed unit 20 that sequentially feeds paper 34 such as paper slips to be fed to a paper transport unit 24 described later, and a recording unit 26 that outputs paper 34 from the paper feed unit 20 later. A paper transport unit 24 that passes a lower position and transports the printed paper 34 ′ to the downstream paper discharge unit 30, and a paper discharge that sequentially stacks and stores the printed paper 34 ′ from the paper transport unit 24. The recording unit 26 that sequentially disposes ink on the recording surface of the sheet 34 that is disposed above the sheet conveying unit 24 and is opposed to the sheet conveying unit 24, and is disposed below the sheet conveying unit 24. The ink supply unit 22 that supplies ink of each color to the recording unit 26, and the ink discharge port forming surface of the recording head of the recording unit 26 that is disposed between the recording unit 26 and the paper transport unit 24 is selectively cleaned. Cree And a ring mechanism 28 is configured as a major component.
[0011]
The sheet feeding unit 20 sequentially includes a tray member 36 provided in the housing 38 on which a plurality of sheets 34 are stacked, and a sheet 34 at the uppermost position of the sheets 34 stacked on the tray member 36 one by one. And a separating paper feeding roller 42 to be sent out.
[0012]
The paper 34 having a predetermined standard size is stacked on the tray member 36 through the paper inlet when the cover member 40 covering the paper inlet provided in the housing 38 is opened. The tray member 36 is connected to an elevation drive mechanism (not shown), and is raised by a predetermined amount by the elevation drive mechanism each time the stacked paper 34 is sent out one by one.
[0013]
Between the cover member 40 and the housing 38, an open / close state detection unit 40s that detects the open / close state of the cover member 40 is provided.
[0014]
Both ends of the separation paper feeding roller 42 are rotatably supported by the housing 38 and extend in a direction substantially orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the paper 34. A pad 44 that is pressed by the urging force of a coil spring 46 supported by the housing 38 is in sliding contact with the outer peripheral surface of the separation paper feeding roller 42. The separation paper feed roller 42 is connected to an output shaft of a drive motor (not shown). The drive motor is driven and controlled by a control unit (not shown). When the cover member 40 is closed based on the detection output from the open / close state detection unit 40s, the control unit supplies a drive control signal to the motor at a predetermined timing. As a result, the motor is driven, and one sheet of paper 34 is held between the outer peripheral surface of the separation paper feeding roller 42 and the pad 44 and sent to the recording unit 26 side.
[0015]
The paper transport unit 24 is disposed in the upstream portion thereof, faces the separation paper feed roller 42, and cooperates to sandwich and introduce the paper 34 from the paper feed unit 20, and in the downstream portion. Wrapped between the transport rollers 48 and 56, the transport rollers 56 and 58 that cooperatively pinch and print the printed paper 34 'facing the transport rollers 48 and 50 and discharge it downstream. A conveying belt 52 that conveys the paper 34 from the upstream side toward the downstream side, and a tensioner roller 54 that is disposed at a central position between the conveying roller 56 and the conveying roller 48 and applies a predetermined initial tension to the conveying belt 52. It consists of
[0016]
Each of the transport rollers 48 and 50 is rotatably supported at its both ends by a housing and is disposed substantially parallel to the separation paper feed roller 42. One end of the transport roller 48 is connected to the output shaft of the drive motor. The drive motor is controlled based on a drive control signal from the control unit. Thus, when the drive control signal is supplied, the transport roller 48 is rotated with the transport belt 52 and the transport roller 50. Accordingly, the paper 34 placed on the transport belt 52 is transported at a predetermined speed toward the downstream side.
[0017]
The paper discharge unit 30 is disposed opposite to the transport rollers 56 and 58, cooperates to pinch and discharge the paper 34 'from the paper transport unit 24, and the paper discharge rollers 60A and 60B. And a tray member 62 that sequentially stacks and stores the sheets 34 ′ discharged.
[0018]
An output shaft of a driving motor is connected to one end of the paper discharge roller 60B. The drive motor is controlled based on a drive control signal from the above-described control unit. When the drive control signal is supplied, the drive motor is activated, whereby the paper discharge rollers 60A and 60B are rotated and the paper 34 'is discharged onto the tray member 62.
[0019]
The recording unit 26 includes recording heads 26Bk, 26C, 26M, and 26Y that are sequentially arranged from the upstream side toward the downstream side with a predetermined mutual interval. The recording head 26 </ b> Bk ejects black ink onto the recording surface of the paper 34, and the recording head 26 </ b> C ejects cyan ink onto the recording surface of the paper 34. The recording head 26M ejects magenta ink onto the recording surface of the paper 34, and the recording head 26Y ejects yellow ink onto the recording surface of the paper 34.
[0020]
Each of the recording heads 26Bk to 26Y has a known structure, for example, a bubble jet type. On the surface of the recording heads 26Bk to 26Y that faces the recording surface of the paper 34, an ink discharge port forming surface in which a plurality of ink discharge ports are arranged in a direction substantially orthogonal to the transport direction of the paper 34 is formed. The length in the longitudinal direction on the ink discharge port forming surface is set to a length corresponding to the maximum length of the standard size of the conveyed paper 34. The recording unit 26 is fixed at a predetermined position with respect to the conveyance direction of the paper 34 and a direction substantially orthogonal to the conveyance direction, and is along the direction indicated by the arrow shown in FIG. The lift mechanism control unit 32 supports the lift mechanism. The recording head raising / lowering mechanism control unit 32 brings the ink discharge port formation surface of each of the recording heads 26Bk to 26Y close to the recording surface of the conveyed paper 34 and takes the recording operation position or the standby position by separating it. Therefore, the drive control of the raising / lowering operation of the recording unit 26 is performed.
[0021]
Each recording operation of the recording heads 26Bk to 26Y is controlled based on a drive control pulse signal from a control unit (not shown). The drive control pulse signal from the control unit is formed for each predetermined line recorded on the paper 34 based on the image data to be recorded on the paper 34, and is sequentially supplied to the recording heads 26Bk to 26Y at a predetermined timing. Is done. Thus, when the recording unit 26 is lowered by the recording head lifting mechanism control unit 32 and takes the recording operation position, the recording head 26Bk performs a recording operation on the recording surface of the paper 34 being conveyed, and then the recording head 26C performs a recording operation on the recording surface recorded by the recording head 26Bk. The recording head 26 </ b> C ejects ink on the same pixel formed by the recording head 26 </ b> Bk, or forms a new pixel. In the subsequent recording heads 26M and 26Y, the recording operation is similarly performed on the recording surface of the paper 34 being conveyed. An ink supply unit 22 is connected to each of the recording heads 26Bk to 26Y, and ink of each color is supplied from the ink supply unit 22, respectively.
[0022]
The ink supply unit 22 includes an ink tank 22TBk that stores black ink, an ink tank 22TC that stores cyan ink, an ink tank 22TM that stores magenta ink, and an ink tank 22TY that stores yellow ink. It is configured to include. The ink tanks 22TBk to 22TY are connected by supply pipes (not shown) corresponding to the recording heads 26Bk to 26Y, respectively.
[0023]
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the cleaning mechanism section 28 for cleaning the ink discharge port forming surfaces of the recording heads 26 </ b> Bk to 26 </ b> Y of the recording section 26 is provided with ink removal provided corresponding to each of the recording heads 26 </ b> Bk to 26 </ b> Y. The member container 70, a connecting plate 76 for connecting one end portions of the four ink removing member containers 70 to each other, and supporting the connecting plate 76 and reciprocating along the conveying direction of the paper 34 with the connecting plate 76. A rack member 68 to be moved and a drive motor 64 having a pinion gear 66 meshed with a tooth portion 68A of the rack member 68 are included.
[0024]
The rack member 68 has a tooth portion 68A at the right end in FIG. 4, and is slidably supported by a pair of slide guide members fixed to the housing. A pinion gear 66 is engaged with the tooth portion 68A.
[0025]
The drive motor 64 that rotates the pinion gear 66 is controlled to be rotatable in the forward direction or the reverse direction based on a drive control signal from the control unit. As shown in FIG. 4, when the recording unit 26 is in the standby position and the drive motor 64 is in the inoperative state, the right end of the rack member 68 in FIG. 4 protrudes to the right. Thus, each ink removing member container 70 is positioned to face each of the recording heads 26Bk to 26Y. At that time, the recording heads 26Bk to 26Y are lowered by the head lifting mechanism 32, and a recovery process and an ink removing operation described later are performed.
[0026]
Further, when the drive motor 64 is activated and rotated in the forward direction, each ink removing member container 70 is moved by a predetermined amount in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. As shown, the recording heads 26Bk to 26Y are disposed between each other. Further, after the recording operation is completed, when the recording unit 26 takes the standby position and the drive motor 64 is activated and rotated in the reverse direction, each ink removing member container 70 is moved by a predetermined amount toward the upstream side. Return to the initial position.
[0027]
Since each of the ink removing member containers 70 has the same structure, only one of them will be described, and the description of the other ink removing member containers 70 will be omitted.
[0028]
As shown in FIG. 1, the ink removing member container 70 performs preliminary ejection at a predetermined timing with respect to the recording heads 26Bk to 26Y in order to always maintain normal ink ejection of the recording heads 26Bk to 26Y. It is arranged in the recovery processing system. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the ink discharge port forming surface 26os is in contact with the seal member 88 of the ink removing member container 70 when the recording head 26Bk is lowered. In such a state, it is possible to execute a predetermined recovery process.
[0029]
The ink regeneration processing circuit unit in the recovery processing system includes a drainage processing tank 120 in which the ink used for the recovery processing is regenerated and stored, and a sub ink connected to the drainage processing tank 120 through the ink supply path 104. A tank 102 and a regeneration pump 96 that is arranged in an ink supply path 92 that connects between the ink removing member container 70 and the sub ink tank 102 and supplies ink from the ink removing member container 70 to the sub ink tank 102; The air buffer unit 108 is connected to the common liquid chamber of the recording head 26Bk via the ink supply path 94 and removes air in the ink supply path, and is connected to the common liquid chamber of the recording head 26Bk via the ink supply path 90. An air buffer unit 106 that removes air in the ink supply path, and an air buffer unit 106 and a sub ink tank 102 A suction pump 110 that is arranged in an ink supply path 114 that connects the sub-ink tank 102 and an ink supply path 116 that connects the sub-ink tank 102 and the air buffer section 108. The main component is a pressurizing pump 112 that is arranged and supplies ink from the sub ink tank 102 to the air buffer unit 108.
[0030]
The sub ink tank 102 is provided with a liquid level position control unit 124 that controls the position of the ink level inside the sub ink tank 102 so as not to rise above a predetermined position. Between the sub ink tank 102 and the regeneration pump 96 in the ink supply path 92, a check valve 98 and a filter 100 for removing unwanted foreign matter in the ink are provided.
[0031]
A check valve 122 is provided between the air buffer unit 108 and the recording head 26Bk in the ink supply path 94 whose one end is connected to the air buffer unit 108.
[0032]
For example, the regeneration pump 96, the suction pump 110, and the pressurization pump 112 are omitted from illustration of a plurality of rollers disposed around an inner rotor coupled to an output shaft of a drive motor, and a plurality of rollers, for example. And a known structure including a tube for delivering ink disposed between the pump head case and the pump head case. Further, the discharge pressure of the pressurizing pump 112 is set larger than the discharge pressure of the suction pump 110. Under such a configuration, in such a recovery processing system, the recovery processing is started at a predetermined timing according to the descending operation of the recording heads 26Bk to 26C.
[0033]
When the recovery process is started, when the driving motor is activated, the inner rotor is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow shown in FIG. 1, and the plurality of rollers are rotated and revolved around the inner rotor, respectively. As a result, the flexible tube is squeezed by a plurality of rollers. For example, the regeneration pump 96 supplies the ink from the ink removing member container 70 to the sub ink tank 102 through the ink supply path 92. In the recovery process, when the pressure pump 112 is activated, the ink in the air buffer unit 108 is supplied to the common liquid chamber of the recording head 26 </ b> Bk through the ink supply path 94. At this time, since the discharge pressure of the pressure pump 112 is larger than the discharge pressure of the suction pump 110, most of the ink supplied to the recording head 26Bk is discharged and discharged through the ink discharge port 26op. As a result, the foreign matter in the ink discharge port 26op is removed.
[0034]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the ink removing member container 70 has an ink removing member 80A for removing the ink ID attached to the ink discharge port forming surface 26os of the recording head 26Bk as a main element. 80B, and abutting members 82 fixed to both ends in the longitudinal direction of the ink removing members 80A and 80B, respectively. The ink removing member 80A and the ink removing member 80B are arranged in parallel with each other at a predetermined distance, for example, about 0.2 to 0.5 (mm). Since the ink removing members 80A and 80B have the same structure, the ink removing member 80A will be described, and the description of the ink removing member 80B will be omitted.
[0035]
The ink removing member 80A is made of a metal material, for example, a relatively thin stainless steel plate having a thickness of about 0.2 (mm), and has a length corresponding to the length along the ejection port array of the ink ejection port forming surface 26os. A comb-like portion 80a is provided on the entire end of the recording head 26Bk on the side facing the ink discharge port forming surface 26os.
[0036]
Thereby, the ink adhering to the entire ink discharge port forming surface 26os is efficiently removed in a wide range. Both end portions of the ink removing member 80A are connected by the abutting member 82 together with the ink removing member 80B. The length of the abutting member 82 is set longer than the length of the short side of the ink removing member 80A. Thus, one end of the abutting member 82 projects a predetermined length above the end of the ink removing member 80A on the recording head 26Bk side. The ink removing members 80A and 80B are not limited to such an example, and three or more ink removing members may be arranged in parallel with each other at a predetermined interval.
[0037]
The abutting member 82 is in sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface of the ink removing member container 70 so that the attitudes of the abutting member 82 and the ink removing members 80A and 80B are substantially perpendicular to the ink discharge port forming surface 26os. A restricting guide member 84 is provided.
[0038]
A coil that biases the abutting member 82 and the ink removing members 80A and 80B toward the ink discharge port forming surface 26os between the ink removing members 80A and 80B and the bottom surface inside the ink removing member container 70. A spring 86 is provided. As a result, the abutting member 82 projects upward through the upper opening 70h, as indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, when one end of the abutting member 82 is brought into contact with the ink ejection port forming surface 26os of the recording head 26Bk and pushed down, the comb-tooth-shaped portion 80a of the ink removing members 80A and 80B and the ink discharge portion are discharged. The gap with the outlet forming surface 26os is accurately maintained at about 0.5 (mm), for example. Further, when one end of the abutting member 82 is brought into contact with the ink discharge port forming surface 26os of the recording head 26Bk at the peripheral edge of the upper opening 70h of the ink removing member container 70, the ink discharge port forming surface 26os. A seal member 88 that seals the inside of the ink removing member container 70 by being in contact with the ink removal member 70 is provided. When the seal member 88 is brought into contact with the ink discharge port forming surface 26os, a moisture retention effect inside the ink removing member container 70 is obtained.
[0039]
Further, the ink removing member container 70 is connected to the inner bottom surface of the ink removing member container 70 and transmits ink dropped through the ink removing members 80A and 80B along the direction indicated by the arrow shown in FIG. It has an inclined surface portion 70s that leads efficiently to the outlet 70e.
[0040]
Under such a configuration, the recording head 26Bk is lowered from the position indicated by the two-dot chain line shown in FIG. 2 to the predetermined position indicated by the solid line, whereby the above-described recovery process is started and the abutting member 82 is provided. When one end of the recording medium is brought into contact with the ink discharge port forming surface 26os of the recording head 26Bk, the ink ID attached to the ink discharge port forming surface 26os is not left as it is for a predetermined period of time as in the conventional apparatus. A two-dot chain line in FIG. 3 is provided between the ink removing member 80A and the ink removing member 80B based on the capillary action between the ink removing member 80A and the ink removing member 80B attached to the comb-tooth shaped portions 80a of 80A and 80B. As shown, it is lowered. The lowered ink is guided to the ink supply path 92 through the discharge port 70e through the inclined surface portion 70s. At this time, since the regeneration pump 96 is activated, the discharged ink is supplied to the sub ink tank 102 via the check valve 98 and the filter 100.
[0041]
6 and 7 show other examples of the ink removing member. 6 and 7, in the example shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the ink removing member 80 </ b> A and the ink removing member 80 </ b> B, which are plate-like members, are arranged opposite to each other. A thread-like member 128 is provided on the base 126 in a raised shape so as to face the ink discharge port forming surface 26os of the recording head 26Bk. 6 and 7, the same components in the example shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description thereof is omitted.
[0042]
The thread members 128 are made of a metal material, for example, stainless steel having a wire diameter of about 0.2 (mm), and a plurality of the thread members 128 are arranged between the abutting members 82 at predetermined intervals. Further, since the thread-like member 128 is disposed so as to face the entire surface of the ink discharge port forming surface 26os, it is possible to remove ink over a wide range.
[0043]
Also in this example, when the recording head 26Bk is lowered from the position indicated by the two-dot chain line shown in FIG. 6 to the predetermined position indicated by the solid line, the above recovery process is started, and one end of the abutting member 82 is started. Is abutted against the ink discharge port forming surface 26os of the recording head 26Bk, the ink ID attached to the ink discharge port forming surface 26os is used as an ink removing member without being left for a predetermined time as in the conventional apparatus. Based on the capillary action between them attached to the thread-like member 128, the base 126 is lowered as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. The lowered ink is guided to the ink supply path 92 through the discharge port 70e through the inclined surface portion 70s. At this time, since the regeneration pump 96 is activated, the discharged ink is supplied to the sub ink tank 102 via the check valve 98 and the filter 100.
[0044]
【The invention's effect】
As is clear from the above description, according to the inkjet printer of the present invention,The plurality of metal plate-like portions in the ink removing member have a length corresponding to the length along the ejection port array on the ink ejection port forming surface, and are spaced apart from each other in a direction orthogonal to the ejection port array. Because it is provided opposite to each otherIt is not necessary to leave the time until the adhering ink is drawn into the flow path leading to the ink discharge port, and the time required for the recovery process can be shortened, and dust adhering to the ink discharge port forming surface can be reduced. Without being pulled into the flow path together,An appropriate relative position between the end surface of the ink removing member and the ink discharge port forming surface can be easily controlled.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of a recovery processing system provided in an example of an ink jet printer according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of an ink jet printer according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view seen from a side surface in the example shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing an overall configuration of an example of an ink jet printer according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram for explaining the operation of the example shown in FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of another example of the ink jet printer according to the present invention.
7 is a cross-sectional view seen from a side surface in the example shown in FIG. 6. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
26 Recording section
26os ink discharge port forming surface
80A, 80B ink removing member
82 Abutting member
86 Coil spring member
128 Threaded member

Claims (7)

An ink ejection port for ejecting ink is disposed so as to be relatively movable with respect to a recording head having an ink ejection port formation surface, and ink adhering to the ink ejection port formation surface adheres to each other by capillary action. An ink removing member having a plurality of metal plate-like portions to be removed;
Provided in association with the ink removing member, one end is in contact with the ink discharge port forming surface and the distance between the ink discharge port forming surface and one end of the plate-like portion of the ink removing member is regulated to a predetermined distance. An interval regulating member;
To remove the ink adhered by the ink removing member to the ink ejection port forming surface of the recording head, and a driving means for relatively moving the ink removing member and the space restricting member with respect to said recording head ,
The plurality of plate-like portions in the ink removing member have a length corresponding to the length along the ejection port array on the ink ejection port forming surface, and are spaced apart from each other in a direction orthogonal to the ejection port array. An ink jet printer characterized by being provided opposite to each other .   The ink jet printer according to claim 1, wherein the plate-like portion has a comb-like portion at least on one end side.   When one end of the interval regulating member is brought into contact with the ink discharge port forming surface, an urging means for urging one end of the interval regulating member against the ink discharge port forming surface is additionally provided. 2. The ink jet printer according to claim 1, wherein   2. The ink jet printer according to claim 1, wherein the ink removing member and the interval regulating member are provided in a recovery processing system that performs a process of maintaining normal ink ejection of the recording head. An ink ejection port for ejecting ink is disposed so as to be relatively movable with respect to a recording head having an ink ejection port formation surface, and ink adhering to the ink ejection port formation surface adheres to each other by capillary action. An ink removing member having a length corresponding to the length along the ejection port array of the ink ejection port forming surface, and a raised portion made of a plurality of metal thread-like elements to be removed.
Provided in association with the ink removing member, one end is in contact with the ink discharge port forming surface, and the distance between the ink discharge port forming surface and one end of the raised portion of the ink removing member is regulated to a predetermined distance. An interval regulating member;
Driving means for moving the ink removing member and the interval regulating member relative to the recording head in order to remove ink adhering to the ink discharge port forming surface of the recording head by the ink removing member;
An ink jet printer comprising: An urging means for urging one end of the interval regulating member against the ink ejection port forming surface when one end of the interval regulating member is brought into contact with the ink ejection port forming surface is additionally provided. 6. The ink jet printer according to claim 5, wherein 6. The ink jet printer according to claim 5, wherein the ink removing member and the interval regulating member are provided in a recovery processing system that performs processing for maintaining normal ink ejection of the recording head .

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