JP4141603B2 - Inkjet recording device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus provided with a recording head that discharges ink droplets corresponding to printing data, and in particular, seals the nozzle forming surface of the recording head and receives negative pressure from a suction pump. The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus provided with a capping unit for sucking and discharging ink from the recording head.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The ink jet recording apparatus has a relatively low noise during printing and can form small dots with high density. Therefore, the ink jet recording apparatus is used in many printing including color printing in recent years. Such an ink jet recording apparatus includes an ink jet recording head that receives supply of ink from an ink cartridge, and a paper feeding unit that moves the recording paper relative to the recording head, and performs printing while moving the recording head. Recording is performed by ejecting ink droplets onto recording paper based on the data.
[0003]
A recording head capable of ejecting black, yellow, cyan, and magenta inks, for example, is mounted on the carriage, enabling full color printing by changing the ejection ratio of each color ink as well as text printing with black ink. I have to.
[0004]
The above-described ink jet recording head has a relationship in which ink pressurized in a pressure generating chamber is ejected as ink droplets from a nozzle opening onto a recording sheet for printing, so that the ink viscosity increases due to evaporation of the solvent from the nozzle opening. In addition, there is a problem that clogging occurs in the nozzle opening due to solidification of ink, adhesion of dust, mixing of bubbles, and the like, resulting in poor printing.
[0005]
For this reason, this type of ink jet recording apparatus is provided with a capping unit for sealing the nozzle formation surface of the recording head during non-printing. This capping unit not only functions as a lid for preventing the ink in the nozzle opening of the recording head from drying, but also when the nozzle opening is clogged, the capping unit seals the nozzle forming surface and sucks it. It also has a function of recovering the ink droplet ejection ability to remove the clogging of the nozzle opening by sucking and discharging the ink from the nozzle opening by the negative pressure from the pump.
[0006]
Forcible ink suction and discharge processing to eliminate clogging of the recording head is called a cleaning operation. When printing is resumed after a long pause of the apparatus, or when the user recognizes a printing defect, for example, cleaning is performed. This is executed when the switch is operated.After the negative pressure is applied by the suction pump and the ink is sucked and discharged from the recording head into the capping unit, the nozzle forming surface is formed by a wiping member formed of, for example, a rubber material. A wiping operation is performed.
[0007]
Incidentally, the capping means used in this type of ink jet recording apparatus is configured as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, for example. FIG. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view of the capping unit in a state where the recording head is capped, and FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the nozzle forming surface of the recording head sealed by the capping unit. 13 and 14 show a state where the cap member is deformed by receiving a negative pressure, as will be described later.
[0008]
As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the capping means 6 includes a rectangular cap holder 9 having an open upper surface, and a cap member housed in the cap holder 9 and formed of a soft material having ink resistance. 7 is provided. The upper end of the cap member 7 is slightly protruded from the cap holder 9 to form an annular seal portion 7 b for the nozzle formation surface of the recording head 5.
[0009]
In addition, an ink absorbing sheet 8 made of a porous material having excellent ink resistance and ink absorbability is accommodated in the inner bottom portion of the cap member 7. Further, a slider 10 for supporting the lower bottom portion of the cap holder 9 is provided. When the carriage is moved to the position where the capping means is disposed, the slider 10 is maintained in a substantially horizontal posture by the action of a rotating arm (not shown). The nozzle forming surface of the recording head 5 can be sealed by the seal portion 7b by moving upward.
[0010]
On the other hand, an ink discharge port 7a is formed so as to penetrate the cap member 7, and a tube T that communicates with the ink discharge port 7a and reaches a suction pump (not shown) is connected.
[0011]
In the above-described configuration, when the carriage moves toward the capping means, the slider 10 is pushed up, and the seal portion 7b of the cap member 7 seals the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 5. Then, by operating the suction pump, a negative pressure is applied to the internal space formed by the cap member 7 via the tube T. As a result, ink is sucked from the nozzle openings 5 a of the recording head 5, and the ink discharged into the internal space of the cap member 7 is absorbed by the ink absorbing sheet 8 stored in the cap member 7 and stored in the cap member 7. Is done.
[0012]
Further, when the ink suction from the recording head 5 is completed, the capping means 6 is moved slightly downward to release the sealing of the recording head by the cap member 7, and a suction pump (not shown) is operated. An operation sequence for discharging the ink stored in the cap member 7 is executed.
[0013]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
According to the capping means 6 having the above-described configuration, the cap member 7 is formed of a soft material such as rubber or elastomer in order to ensure a good sealing state with respect to the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 5. And the sealing state between the nozzle formation surfaces can be maintained by the elasticity of the material.
[0014]
Therefore, when an attempt is made to suck the ink from the nozzle opening 5a with a negative pressure inside the cap member 7, there arises a problem that the cap member 7 is deformed inward by the negative pressure as shown in FIGS. .
[0015]
In general, the capping means 6 is configured to move up and down with respect to the recording head 5 by the above-described rotation arm or the like based on the movement of the carriage. Consideration is made to reduce the load on the carriage motor, that is, the load on the carriage motor. However, the lower the elasticity of the material of the cap member 7, the more pronounced the degree of deformation when subjected to negative pressure.
[0016]
In addition, in recent years, the number of nozzle openings 5a provided on the nozzle formation surface of the recording head has increased, and accordingly, the suction capability of the suction pump is also increased. In some cases, the maximum negative pressure sometimes reaches about -0.8 atm.
[0017]
Under such conditions, the seal portion 7a of the cap member 7 is deformed so as to fall inward, and in this state, the seal portion 7a of the cap member 7 is pressed against the nozzle forming surface side. In addition, the seal portion 7a is in a deformed state that falls down inside. For this reason, the seal portion 7a of the cap member 7 covers a part of the nozzle openings 5a as shown in FIG. 14, and thus a normal ink suction / discharge operation cannot be performed in some of the nozzle openings 5a. Will occur.
[0018]
On the other hand, in the above-mentioned capping means, the cap member 7 is housed in a square cap holder 9, and the cap member 7 needs to be formed of a soft material. When pressure is applied, for example, the inner bottom portion of the cap member 7 is also subjected to an action of being deformed to the nozzle forming surface side of the recording head.
[0019]
In order to avoid this, for example, the cap member 7 may be integrally formed with the cap holder 9 by an insert molding method or a two-color molding method so as to be bonded to each other at the interface between them. . However, the action of receiving the negative pressure described above occurs every time the cleaning operation is performed, and this is repeated over a long period of use of the recording apparatus. The problem of peeling occurs.
[0020]
In the case where the adhesive interface between the cap holder 9 and the cap member 7 is peeled off, the air leaks from the peeled portion, so that the confidentiality of the cap member cannot be secured. Therefore, the above-described cleaning operation ends unsatisfactoryly. Normal printing operation by the recording head becomes difficult.
[0021]
The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and it is intended to provide a configuration of a capping unit that can prevent a significant collapse phenomenon of the cap member and can also ensure confidentiality by the cap member over a long period of time. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus in which the reliability of the cleaning operation is improved.
[0022]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention made to achieve the above object seals an ink jet recording head for ejecting ink droplets corresponding to printing data, and a nozzle forming surface of the recording head. And a capping unit that receives negative pressure from a suction pump and sucks and discharges ink from the recording head. The capping unit is in contact with the nozzle forming surface of the recording head and is in contact with the nozzle. A cap member formed of a soft material that seals a forming surface and forms an internal space with the nozzle forming surface, and a cap holder formed of a hard material that holds the cap member, In the cap member, the seal portion that contacts the nozzle forming surface covers the reinforcing rib formed on the cap holder. And a part of the cap member is engaged with an engaging portion formed on the cap holder so that the lower bottom portion of the cap member can be kept in close contact with the inner bottom portion of the cap holder. .
[0023]
It is desirable that the cap member in the capping means configured as described above is integrally formed with the cap holder by insert molding or two-color molding, and is bonded to each other at the interface between them.
[0024]
In a preferred embodiment, the engaging portion formed in the cap holder is configured by an engaging hole formed with an overhang toward the seal portion side of the cap member, and a part of the cap member is The engagement hole is filled. In this case, it is preferable that a plurality of the engagement holes forming the overhang are intermittently arranged along the lower end portion of the reinforcing rib.
[0025]
On the other hand, the sealing portion of the cap member is formed on the inner side surface of the cap holder so as to protrude from the end surface of the opening of the cap holder, and rises upward in an L shape from the inner side surface of the cap holder. It is desirable to have a structure in which the space portion formed by is filled and the inner side surface of the reinforcing rib is further covered.
[0026]
In this case, on the inner side surface of the cap holder, the seal portion of the cap member formed so as to protrude from the end surface of the opening of the cap holder is preferably directly above the L-shaped reinforcing rib rising from the inner side surface of the cap holder. It is set as the formed structure.
[0027]
In another preferred embodiment, the engaging portion formed in the cap holder is constituted by an engaging hole formed so as to communicate the outer side portion and the inner side portion of the reinforcing rib, and the cap member is reinforced. A seal portion that covers the outer and inner portions of the rib and that is in contact with the nozzle forming surface is formed immediately above the reinforcing rib, and a part of the seal portion is filled in the engagement hole.
[0028]
In this case, a plurality of engagement holes formed so as to communicate the outer portion and the inner portion of the reinforcing rib are preferably disposed intermittently along the base end portion of the reinforcing rib. In any of the configurations described above, it is preferable to use an elastomer or rubber as the soft material constituting the cap member.
[0029]
According to the ink jet recording apparatus having the above configuration, the seal portion that contacts the nozzle forming surface of the cap member is formed so as to cover the reinforcing rib formed on the cap holder. Even if it is attracted to the pressure, the reinforcing rib acts as a support for the cap member, and the degree of falling into the inside of the cap member can be reduced.
[0030]
Further, a part of the cap member is engaged with an engaging portion formed on the inner bottom portion of the cap holder, and the lower bottom portion of the cap member is configured to be able to maintain a close contact state with the inner bottom portion of the cap holder. Therefore, even if the internal space of the capping unit is sucked to a negative pressure, for example, the inner bottom portion of the cap member is effectively prevented from being deformed to the nozzle forming surface side of the recording head, and the internal space of the capping unit is Can be solved.
[0031]
Then, by forming the cap member integrally with the cap holder by insert molding or two-color molding, the adhesive force at the interface between the two acts, and in combination with the above-described configuration, the recording head adheres to the nozzle forming surface. And confidentiality can be secured for a long time.
[0032]
In this case, a sufficient engagement force of the cap member with respect to the cap holder can be obtained by configuring the engagement portion formed on the inner bottom portion of the cap holder with an engagement hole formed with an overhang toward the seal portion side of the cap member. Can be obtained. In particular, as described above, when the cap member is formed on the cap holder by insert molding or two-color molding, the characteristic that the cap material can be easily filled in the overhang portion can be utilized.
[0033]
On the other hand, the cap member formed on the inner surface of the cap holder is configured to be filled with a space formed by a reinforcing rib that rises upward from the inner surface of the cap holder in an L-shape. The filled cap member structure acts to pull the seal portion in contact with the recording head in the outward direction, thereby synergistically reducing the inward phenomenon of the cap member.
[0034]
Further, when the engaging portion formed on the inner bottom portion of the cap holder is constituted by the engaging hole formed so as to communicate the outer side portion and the inner side portion of the reinforcing rib, the sealing portion and the inner and outer sides are covered. The cap material can be formed so as to be surrounded through the communicating engagement hole, and a sufficient engagement force of the cap member with respect to the cap holder can be obtained.
[0035]
In particular, as described above, when the cap member is formed on the cap holder by insert molding or two-color molding, the cap material can be easily filled into the engagement hole communicating between the inside and the outside. You can save it.
[0036]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an ink jet type recording apparatus according to the present invention will be described based on an embodiment shown in the drawings. 1 to 3 mainly show the configuration of capping means in an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 1 shows a state viewed from the upper surface of the apparatus, and FIGS. 2 and 3 show a state viewed from the side, showing a non-capping state and a capping state, respectively.
[0037]
Reference numeral 1 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is a carriage, and the carriage 1 is guided by a guide rod 2 and is configured to move in parallel to face the paper guide plate 3. Although not shown in the drawing, the carriage 1 is coupled to a part of a timing belt that is reciprocated by a carriage motor, and is configured to reciprocate along the guide rod 2.
[0038]
A recording head 5 is mounted on the carriage 1 so as to face the recording paper 4 disposed on the upper surface of the paper guide plate 3, and ink is introduced into the recording head 5 to cope with printing data. Based on the bitmap data, ink droplets can be ejected onto the recording paper 4 on the paper guide plate 3 for printing.
[0039]
The capping means 6 for sealing the recording head 5 is disposed in a non-printing area (home position) at the end of the recording apparatus, and is a cap member of a size that can be sealed with a sealed space on the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 5. 7 and a function of sealing the nozzle formation surface of the recording head 5 during non-printing to prevent drying of the ink in the nozzle opening, and from the recording head 5 receiving a negative pressure from a suction pump (not shown) during the cleaning operation. And a function of forcibly discharging ink.
[0040]
As shown in FIG. 1, an ink discharge port 7a is formed in the inner bottom portion of the cap member 7 disposed in the capping means 6. The ink discharge port 7a has a tube similar to the configuration described in FIG. One end of the tube is connected, and the other end of the tube is connected to a suction pump.
[0041]
Thereby, when not printing, the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 5 is sealed by the cap member 7, and when a cleaning command is received, a negative pressure by the suction pump is applied to the internal space of the capping means, and recording is performed. Ink can be forcibly discharged from the head 5. An ink absorbing sheet 8 is accommodated in the cap member 7 so as to hold the sucked ink.
[0042]
The cap member 7 is integrally formed with a square cap holder 9 as will be described in detail later, and flat spring receiving portions 9a are provided on both side walls in the longitudinal direction of the cap holder 9, respectively. Are formed in the horizontal direction. The cap holder 9 is mounted on a slider 10 constituting an elevating mechanism, and is urged toward the recording head 5 by a pair of compression springs 11 interposed between the slider 10 and the spring receiving portion 9a. It is attached with.
[0043]
The cap holder 9 is formed with engaging portions 9b at the center of the one end and both sides of the other end, and these three engaging portions 9b are the respective locking members formed on the slider 10. By being locked at three points by 10a, the cap holder 9 is mounted on the slider 10 while being restricted from moving upward, that is, toward the recording head 5.
[0044]
In addition, a pair of elongated holes 12 are formed in a substantially horizontal direction in the lower bottom portion of the slider 10, and an arm is attached to each elongated hole 12 so as to be rotatable with respect to the frame 13. A pair of horizontal shafts 15 arranged on the free end side of 14 are accommodated so as to be movable. As a result, the slider 10 can rise with an arcuate locus with respect to the frame 13 via the arm 14.
[0045]
Further, guide pieces 10 b are formed on both sides of the end portion of the slider 10 on the non-printing area side, and the pair of guide pieces 10 b are supported by a pair of guide grooves 16 formed in the frame 13. It is comprised so that. The guide groove 16 includes a low portion 16a formed at one end portion, a horizontal high portion 16b formed at the other end portion, and an inclined portion 16c that connects these three portions. A region is formed in communication.
[0046]
Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the other end of a tension spring 17 whose one end is fixed to the frame 13 is fixed to one guide piece 10b. It is biased so as to be positioned in the region direction and in the direction away from the recording head 5, that is, in this embodiment.
[0047]
As shown in FIG. 2, when the carriage 1 moves directly above the capping means 6, the engaging body 1 a disposed on the carriage 1 comes into contact with the engaging portion 10 c formed to stand upright on the slider 10. As shown in FIG. 3, the slider 10 rises through the arm 14 while resisting the tensile force of the spring 17, whereby the cap member 7 formed integrally with the cap holder 9 is disposed on the carriage 1. The nozzle forming surface of the recording head 5 can be sealed.
[0048]
Further, when the carriage 1 moves to the print area side, the contact of the engagement body 1a on the carriage 1 side with the engagement portion 10c arranged on the slider 10 is released, and the slider 10 is shown in FIG. 2 is restored, whereby the sealing of the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 5 by the cap member 7 is released.
[0049]
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1 or 3, the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 5 mounted on the carriage 1 is wiped on the print area side adjacent to the capping means 6 as the carriage 1 moves. A cleaner holding member 20 having a sexual wiping member 21 is disposed. The cleaner holding member 20 is configured to be moved in the horizontal direction so that the wiping member 21 can enter or retreat from the wiping position on the moving path of the recording head 5.
[0050]
Accordingly, during the cleaning operation, the wiping member 21 of the recording head 5 removes dust, paper dust and the like adhering to the nozzle formation surface before the ink suction, and the nozzle formation surface after the ink suction. The ink adhering to the ink is wiped off.
[0051]
In this case, in the embodiment, the movement of the holding member 20 that holds the wiping member 21 and the pump that sucks the internal space of the capping unit to a negative pressure convey the recording paper 4 on the paper guide plate 3. A driving force of a paper feed motor (not shown) is used. The wiping member 21 is configured to advance on the movement trajectory of the recording head as the suction pump is driven.
[0052]
In the above configuration, when the carriage 1 is moved to the non-printing area side by driving the carriage motor, the engaging body 1a disposed on the carriage 1 is moved to the engaging portion 10c formed on the slider 10 as shown in FIG. Abut. The carriage 10 still moves in the same direction, so that the slider 10 rises through the arm 14 while resisting the tensile force of the spring 17 as shown in FIG. On the other hand, the guide piece 10b formed on the slider 10 moves from the low portion 16a constituting the guide groove 16 to the inclined portion 16c and further to the horizontal high portion 16b, and is thereby integrally formed with the cap holder 9. The cap member 7 thus sealed seals the recording head 5 disposed on the carriage 1.
[0053]
In this way, when the sealing of the nozzle forming surface by the cap member 7 is completed, the cap member 7 is disconnected from the atmosphere and is in an airtight state, suppressing ink evaporation from the nozzle openings, and recording. It acts to prevent clogging of the head. Further, by driving the suction pump in this state, a negative pressure can be applied to the internal space of the cap member 7, and ink can be discharged from the nozzle opening of the recording head.
[0054]
When the carriage 1 is moved to the print area side by driving the carriage motor, the engaging body 1 a disposed on the carriage 1 is separated from the engaging portion 10 c formed on the slider 10. Therefore, the slider 10 is lowered by the tensile force of the spring 17 as the slider 10 moves through the arm 14 and the guide piece 10b formed on the slider 10 moves toward the lower portion 16a. Thereby, the sealed state of the recording head 5 by the cap member 7 is released.
[0055]
4 to 8 show a first form of a cap holder and a cap member constituting the above-described capping means. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the configuration of the cap holder alone as viewed from above, and FIG. 5 is an assembly of the cap member formed integrally with the cap holder by the insert molding method or the two-color molding method from above. It is a top view of the state seen. 6 is a cross-sectional view as viewed in the direction of the arrow from the line AA in FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view as viewed from the direction of the line BB in FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part in FIG. 4 to 8, parts corresponding to the parts in FIGS. 1 to 3 already described are denoted by the same reference numerals.
[0056]
First, as shown in FIG. 4, the cap holder 9 is formed in a substantially square shape and is open at the top, and the opening end face 9 c has a pair of spring receivers formed in a horizontal state. It is formed substantially flush with the upper surface of the portion 9a. The opening end surface 9 c is formed in an annular shape along the outer periphery of the cap holder 9.
[0057]
On the other hand, four reinforcing ribs 9e are formed along the long side direction and the short side direction of the opening end surface 9c, respectively, and rise in an L shape upward from the inner side surface 9d. An engagement hole 9f is formed in the inner bottom portion of the cap holder 9 as an engagement portion for engaging the cap member at the lower bottom portion.
[0058]
Three engagement holes 9f are formed along the base end portion of the reinforcing rib 9e formed along the long side direction of the cap holder 9, and along the short side direction of the cap holder 9. Two reinforcing ribs 9e are formed along the base end of the reinforcing rib 9e.
[0059]
Further, six columnar bodies 9g established upward from the inner bottom portion of the cap holder 9 are integrally formed. The columnar body 9g penetrates the ink absorbing sheet 8 to capping means. The ink absorbing sheet 8 can be stably held in the internal space.
[0060]
Next, FIG. 5 shows a state in which the cap member 7 is integrally formed with the cap holder 9 shown in FIG. 4 by the insert molding method or the two-color molding method. The cap holder 9 is made of, for example, a hard synthetic resin, and the cap member 7 is made of a soft material such as an elastomer or rubber.
[0061]
When both are integrally formed by the insert molding method, first, the cap holder 9 is insert-molded in a predetermined mold, and the cap holder 9 thus molded is loaded in the second mold, and further the cap The soft material which comprises the member 7 is insert-molded, and both are shape | molded integrally.
[0062]
When the two are integrally molded by the two-color molding method, first, the cap holder 9 is first molded in a predetermined mold, and is formed by the cap holder 9 which is a primary molded product and the secondary molding cavity. By filling the space with the soft material constituting the cap member 7, both are formed integrally.
[0063]
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the cap member 7 that is secondarily formed is formed so as to protrude from the end surface 9 c of the cap holder 9 on the inner surface of the cap holder 9 that is primarily formed. Has been. As shown in the enlarged view of the main portion in FIG. 8, the cross-sectional shape of the protruding portion of the cap member 7 is substantially triangular, and the end surface of the top portion is in contact with the nozzle forming surface of the recording head. The seal portion 7b is configured. With this configuration, the tightness of the seal portion that abuts the nozzle forming surface of the recording head is improved so that the sealed state of the internal space in the capping unit can be maintained satisfactorily.
[0064]
Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the cap holder 9 is formed with a reinforcing rib 9e that rises in an L-shape upward from the inner side surface 9d thereof, whereby the inner side surface 9d of the cap holder 9 and A space 9h is formed between the reinforcing rib 9e. As described above, the cap member 7 is insert-molded or two-color molded with respect to the cap holder 9, and the cap member 7 fills the space 9h and covers the inner side surface 9i of the reinforcing rib 9e. Are integrally molded.
[0065]
On the inner side surface of the cap holder 9, a seal portion 7b formed so as to protrude from the opening end surface 9c of the cap holder 9 is formed immediately above the L-shaped reinforcing rib 9e rising from the inner side surface of the cap holder. ing.
[0066]
Thus, by forming the reinforcing rib 9e that rises upward in an L shape from the inner side surface 9d of the cap holder 9, the reinforcing rib 9e acts as a support for the cap member, and capping is performed during the cleaning operation. Even if a negative pressure is applied to the internal space of the means, the cap member 7 acts to effectively prevent the cap member 7 from falling inward.
[0067]
Moreover, a part of the cap member 7 is formed so as to fill the space portion 9h formed by the reinforcing rib 9e rising upward from the inner side surface of the cap holder 9 so that the space portion 9h is filled with the space portion 9h. The filled cap member structure acts to pull the seal portion 7b in contact with the recording head in the outward direction, thereby synergistically reducing the phenomenon of the cap member 7 falling in the inward direction. .
[0068]
Further, the cap member 7 is formed integrally with the cap holder 9 by an insert molding method or a two-color molding method, so that the space between the cap member 7 and the cap holder 9 filled in the space portion 9h is formed. Adhesive force is mechanically generated at the interface, and thereby the action of pulling the seal portion 7b of the cap member 7 outward can be ensured.
[0069]
On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the cap member 7 is integrally formed along the inner bottom surface of the cap holder 9, and part of the engaging hole 9 f formed in the cap holder 9. Is filled. The engagement hole 9f is formed in an overhanging state toward the seal portion 7b side of the cap member, as particularly enlarged in FIG.
[0070]
That is, when the anchor member 9j formed by the overhang is filled with the component of the cap member 7, the cap member 7 is reliably bonded to the inner bottom portion of the cap holder 9 and acts to improve the adhesion strength. . Further, even if a negative pressure acts on the inner bottom portion of the capping means, it is possible to prevent the lower bottom portion of the cap member 7 from being lifted from the inner bottom portion of the cap holder 9. Thereby, it becomes possible to prevent peeling at the interface between the two, and it is possible to effectively prevent air leakage due to peeling.
[0071]
Next, FIGS. 9 to 12 show a second embodiment of the cap holder and the cap member constituting the above-described capping means. FIG. 9 is a plan view of a state in which only the cap holder is viewed from above, and FIG. 10 is a top view of the assembly in which the cap member is integrally formed with the cap holder by insert molding or two-color molding. It is a top view of a state. 11 is a cross-sectional view in the state seen from the CC line in FIG. 10 in the arrow direction, and FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view in the state seen from the DD line in FIG. 9 to 12, parts corresponding to those already described are denoted by the same reference numerals, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.
[0072]
In the second embodiment, the reinforcing rib 9e is formed in an annular shape along the outer peripheral edge of the cap holder 9 as shown in FIG. Then, at the base end portion of the opposing reinforcing rib 9e formed along the longitudinal direction of the cap holder 9, there is an engaging hole 9f as an engaging portion so as to communicate the outer portion and the inner portion of the reinforcing rib 9e. Three each are formed intermittently.
[0073]
As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the cap member 7 integrally formed by the insert molding method or the two-color molding method together with the cap holder 9 formed in this way is an outer portion and an inner portion of a series of reinforcing ribs 9e. The seal portion 7b that contacts the nozzle forming surface is formed immediately above the reinforcing rib 9e, and a part of the seal portion 7b is filled in the engaging hole 9f formed in the reinforcing rib 9e.
[0074]
According to the configuration described above, the reinforcing rib 9e acts as a support member for the cap member, and it is effective for the cap member 7 to fall inward even when a negative pressure is applied to the internal space of the capping means during the cleaning operation. Acts to prevent.
[0075]
On the other hand, a part of the cap member 7 is also filled into the engagement hole 9f formed so as to communicate the outer side and the inner side of the reinforcing rib 9e by the insert molding method or the two-color molding method. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, at the position where the engagement hole 9f is disposed, the cap material forming the seal portion 7b covers the inner and outer sides of the reinforcing rib 9e and at the base end portion of the reinforcing rib 9e. It is formed so as to surround the engaging hole 9f that communicates. Thereby, sufficient engagement force of the cap member 7 with respect to the cap holder 9 can be obtained. Therefore, peeling at the interface between the cap holder 9 and the cap member 7 can be prevented, and atmospheric leakage due to peeling can be effectively prevented.
[0076]
【The invention's effect】
As is apparent from the above description, according to the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention, the cap member constituting the capping means has the sealing portion that contacts the nozzle forming surface of the recording head, and the reinforcing rib formed on the cap holder. It is formed so as to cover, and a part is engaged with an engaging portion formed on the cap holder so that the lower bottom portion of the cap member can be kept in close contact with the inner bottom portion of the cap holder. Is done. Therefore, for example, the negative pressure during the cleaning operation can effectively prevent the cap member from falling inward, and the bottom of the cap member receives a negative pressure due to the action of the engaging portion. Thus, it is possible to effectively prevent the adhesion interface between the two from peeling off. This makes it possible to provide an ink jet recording apparatus that can maintain the reliability of the cleaning operation for a long time.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a plan view mainly showing a configuration of a capping unit in an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a side view showing the configuration of the capping means shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a side view showing a state in which the recording head is capped by the capping unit shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a configuration of a cap holder that constitutes a capping unit.
5 is a plan view showing a configuration of capping means in which a cap member is formed on the cap holder shown in FIG. 4; FIG.
6 is a cross-sectional view of the capping unit shown in FIG. 5 as viewed from the AA line in the direction of the arrow.
7 is a cross-sectional view of the capping means shown in FIG. 5 as viewed in the direction of the arrow from the line BB.
8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a main part of the capping means shown in FIG.
FIG. 9 is a plan view showing another configuration of the cap holder constituting the capping means.
10 is a plan view showing a configuration of capping means in which a cap member is formed on the cap holder shown in FIG. 9. FIG.
11 is a cross-sectional view of the capping unit shown in FIG. 10 as viewed in the direction of the arrow from the line CC.
12 is a cross-sectional view of the capping unit shown in FIG. 10 viewed from the DD line in the direction of the arrow.
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration and problems of a conventional capping unit.
FIG. 14 is a perspective view schematically showing the configuration and problems of a conventional capping means.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Carriage
2 Guide rod
3 Paper guide plate
4 Recording paper
5 Recording head
6 Capping means
7 Cap member
7b Seal part
9 Cap holder
9c Opening end face
9d Holder inner surface
9e Reinforcement rib
9f Engagement part (engagement hole)
9h space
9i Reinforcement rib inner side
9j Overhang part (anchor part)
10 Slider
11 Compression spring
13 Frame
21 Wiping members

Claims (9)

An ink jet recording head that discharges ink droplets corresponding to printing data, and a nozzle forming surface of the recording head are sealed, and ink is sucked and discharged from the recording head by receiving a negative pressure from a suction pump. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising capping means,
The capping means seals the nozzle forming surface in contact with the nozzle forming surface of the recording head, and forms a cap member made of a soft material that forms an internal space between the nozzle forming surface and the cap member. A cap holder formed of a hard material to hold,
The cap member is formed so that a seal portion that contacts the nozzle forming surface covers a reinforcing rib formed on the cap holder, and a part of the cap member is engaged with an engaging portion formed on the inner bottom portion of the cap holder. In combination, the lower bottom portion of the cap member is formed so as to be kept in close contact with the inner bottom portion of the cap holder, and the engaging portion formed on the cap holder is directed toward the seal portion side of the cap member. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising an engagement hole formed in an overhang state, wherein a part of the cap member is filled in the engagement hole. An ink jet recording head that discharges ink droplets corresponding to printing data, and a nozzle forming surface of the recording head are sealed, and ink is sucked and discharged from the recording head by receiving a negative pressure from a suction pump. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising capping means,
The capping means seals the nozzle forming surface in contact with the nozzle forming surface of the recording head, and forms a cap member made of a soft material that forms an internal space between the nozzle forming surface and the cap member. A cap holder formed of a hard material to hold,
The cap member is formed so that a seal portion that contacts the nozzle forming surface covers a reinforcing rib formed on the cap holder, and a part of the cap member engages with an engaging portion formed on the cap holder. The ink-jet recording is characterized in that the engaging portion has an engaging hole formed in an overhang state toward the seal portion side of the cap member, and a part of the cap member is filled in the engaging hole. apparatus.   The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the engagement holes forming an overhang state are intermittently disposed along a lower end portion of the reinforcing rib.   The seal portion of the cap member is formed on the inner side surface of the cap holder so as to protrude from the end surface of the opening of the cap holder, and is formed by a reinforcing rib that rises upward in an L shape from the inner side surface of the cap holder. The ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the ink jet recording apparatus is integrally formed so as to fill a space portion to be formed and to cover a further inner surface of the reinforcing rib.   The cap member sealing portion formed on the inner side surface of the cap holder so as to protrude from the end surface of the opening of the cap holder is formed directly above the L-shaped reinforcing rib rising from the inner side surface of the cap holder. Item 5. The ink jet recording apparatus according to Item 4. An ink jet recording head that discharges ink droplets corresponding to printing data, and a nozzle forming surface of the recording head are sealed, and ink is sucked and discharged from the recording head by receiving a negative pressure from a suction pump. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising capping means,
The capping means seals the nozzle forming surface in contact with the nozzle forming surface of the recording head, and forms a cap member made of a soft material that forms an internal space between the nozzle forming surface and the cap member. A cap holder formed of a hard material to hold,
The cap member is formed so that a seal portion that contacts the nozzle forming surface covers a reinforcing rib formed on the cap holder, and a part of the cap member engages with an engaging portion formed on the cap holder. The engaging portion includes an engaging hole formed so as to communicate the outer portion and the inner portion of the reinforcing rib, and the cap member covers the outer portion and the inner portion of the reinforcing rib and is directly above the reinforcing rib. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising a seal portion that comes into contact with a nozzle forming surface and a portion of which is filled in the engagement hole formed in a reinforcing rib.   The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a plurality of engagement holes formed so as to communicate the outer portion and the inner portion of the reinforcing rib are intermittently disposed along the base end portion of the reinforcing rib. .   8. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cap member is integrally formed with the cap holder by insert molding or two-color molding and bonded at an interface between the cap member and the cap holder.   9. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the soft material constituting the cap member is an elastomer or rubber.

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