JP4197822B2 - Printing mechanism maintenance and recovery device and ink jet recording device using the same - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device and an ink jet recording apparatus using the same, and more particularly to an improvement of a printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device that maintains and recovers an ejection state of an ink head of an ink jet recording device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In the ink jet recording apparatus, when the apparatus is in a resting state, the carriage including the head is waiting at the home position, and further, the outer surface of the nozzle of the head waiting at the home position is caused by thickening or adhesion of dried ink or foreign matter. It may cause clogging. In addition, a cap that seals the nozzle surface is put on the nozzle because normal ink ejection cannot be performed due to an air damper phenomenon caused by bubbles or the like inside the nozzle. Further, in the ink jet recording apparatus, bubbles in the liquid chamber, thickened ink, adhering dust, etc. are obtained by performing an operation of sucking out the ink filled in the head from the nozzle by means of a negative pressure generating means communicating with the cap as appropriate. A maintenance / recovery device that removes the ink and makes it possible to stably eject ink is provided.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the case of a color ink jet printer having a plurality of heads, each head has a cap and suction is performed by a common pump communicating with the heads. Therefore, for example, a color printer having four color heads of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow. In this case, even if only black is to be recovered, the ink for three colors of cyan, magenta, and yellow is sucked, and there is a first problem that the ink is wasted. Further, since the sucked waste ink is accumulated in the waste liquid tank in the printer, there is a second problem that a large waste liquid tank is inevitably required and the main body size is increased. Furthermore, in order to always suck ink for four colors, a large-sized pump is required, a large driving source motor is required, and a corresponding driver is also required to have a large size. There was a third problem of becoming higher.
[0004]
The present invention is intended to solve these problems, and a printing mechanism maintenance and recovery device that suppresses ink waste, stabilizes ink ejection without increasing the size of the main body, and without increasing the cost of components, and the same An object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus using the above.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, an ink jet recording apparatus for recording by ejecting ink from the nozzles of the plurality of inkjet heads, the plurality of first sealing means provided by a plurality of ink jet heads of the ink jet heads sealed over the entire nozzle surface, over each of the plurality of first sealing means by one of the suction pump sucks residual ink in the nozzles of the ink jet heads simultaneously, to ensure the flow path of the ink jet head stabilizing the ejection of the ink jet head, according to the printing mechanism maintenance and recovery device of the present invention, provided inside the first sealing means, covering the nozzle so that the ink suction operation by the first sealing means is not performed The communication between the second sealing means for sealing, the first sealing means and the second sealing means is controlled according to the ink suction operation. And connection control means for, provided on the first sealing means, it is characterized in that it has a suction pipe communicating with the suction pump. Therefore, it is not necessary to suck ink to the head that does not require the maintenance and recovery operation, so that waste of ink can be prevented. Accordingly, the waste liquid tank for storing waste ink can be reduced, and the overall size of the apparatus can be reduced. Can be achieved.
[0006]
In addition, by providing an air release valve mechanism that opens the inside of the first sealing means to the atmosphere, waste of ink due to unnecessary suction due to the residual negative pressure state is further prevented after completion of ink suction, which is a maintenance recovery operation. be able to.
[0007]
Further, the first sealing means and the second sealing means are formed as an integral structure, and further formed by a cap-shaped elastic member, thereby reducing the component cost.
[0008]
Each of the first sealing means and the second sealing means as the cap open end of the second dense closed unit is not in contact with the nozzle surface when the cap open end of the first sealing means is in contact with the nozzle face It is desirable to provide a difference in the height of the cap opening end.
[0009]
Furthermore, it is desirable to provide a communication valve that controls communication between the first sealing means and the second sealing means, and to open and close the communication valve according to the suction operation.
[0010]
Further, during the suction operation, each operation is controlled so as to be performed in the order of the first sealing operation for bringing the first sealing means into contact with the nozzle surface and the second sealing operation for bringing the second sealing means into contact with the nozzle surface. It is desirable to have a sealing operation control mechanism, to suck a predetermined amount of ink from the nozzle after completion of the first sealing operation, and to discharge only a predetermined amount of ink sucked after the completion of the second sealing operation. .
[0011]
Further, at the end of the suction operation, each operation is controlled in order of the first separating operation for separating the second sealing means from the nozzle surface and the second separating operation for separating the first sealing means from the nozzle surface. The sealing operation control mechanism includes a first movement mechanism that reciprocates the first sealing means relative to the nozzle surface, and a reciprocating movement of the second sealing means relative to the nozzle surface. It is desirable to have the 2nd moving mechanism to make it go.
[0012]
Further, the first and second moving mechanisms move with a difference in height of the cam surface. The first and second moving mechanisms move with the elastic force of the elastic member. The elastic member is a compression spring. Therefore, it can be realized with a simple structure.
[0013]
An ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention includes the printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An ink jet recording apparatus for recording by discharging ink from nozzles of a plurality of ink jet heads, covering the entire nozzle surface of each ink jet head by a plurality of first sealing means provided for each of the plurality of ink jet heads, A single suction pump simultaneously sucks residual ink in the nozzles of each inkjet head through each of the plurality of first sealing means, and secures the flow path of the inkjet head to stabilize the ejection of the inkjet head. The printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device of the invention is provided inside the first sealing means, and includes a second sealing means for covering the nozzle so as not to perform an ink suction operation by the first sealing means, and a first sealing means. A communication control means for controlling communication between the sealing means and the second sealing means in accordance with the ink suction operation; and a first sealing hand. Provided, and a suction tube communicating with the suction pump. Therefore, even if connected to a common suction pump, it is possible to individually control the operation of the head that performs suction and the head that does not perform suction, thereby suppressing waste of ink, downsizing, and component cost.
[0015]
【Example】
FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing the configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, an ink jet recording apparatus 31 that records a color image has four ink cartridges 32 each containing ink of each color of cyan C, magenta M, yellow Y, and black BK, and a plurality of nozzles. Recording paper is supplied from four recording heads 33 to which ink is supplied from each cartridge 32, a carriage 34 on which the ink cartridge 32 and the ink jet head 33 are mounted, and paper feed trays 35 a and 35 b storing recording paper and a manual feed table 36. Are conveyed to the printing unit 37, and a discharge roller 40 that discharges the printed recording paper to the discharge tray 39. When the image data sent from the host device is printed on the recording paper, the recording head 33 is printed on the recording paper sent to the printing unit 37 by the transport roller 38 while scanning the carriage 34 along the carriage roller 41. Ink is ejected from the nozzles in accordance with the image data to record characters and images. Further, at the home position of the carriage 34 that scans the recording head 33, a printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device shown in FIGS.
[0016]
2 and 3 are sectional views showing the structure of the printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device of the first embodiment shown in both figures has a carriage 3 in which the main scanning rod 1 is fixed to the side plate 2 and travels in the main scanning direction, and there are a plurality of (two in this embodiment). The heads 4a and 4b and the ink cartridges 5a and 5b are mounted. Each head 4a, 4b has nozzles 6a, 6b (rows) in the center of the nozzle surfaces 7a, 7b. As shown in FIG. 3, the outer cap 9a, 9b is pressed against the nozzle surfaces 7a and 7b from below by the outer cap lifts 13a and 13b to seal the entire nozzle surfaces. Further, inside the outer caps 9a and 9b, inner caps 8a and 8b are provided for moving the nozzle surfaces 7a and 7b so as to be in contact with the nozzle surfaces 7a and 7b and sealing the nozzles 6a and 6b. It is individually movable by cap lifts 14a and 14b. In-cap suction tubes 10a and 10b communicating with one pump 11 are attached to the outer caps 9a and 9b, respectively, and negative pressure is generated in the outer caps 9a and 9b during the suction and maintenance operation (negative pressure is generated). Give rise to In the case of the head 4a in which the inner cap 8a is in close contact with the nozzle surface 7a in advance (see FIG. 3), no ink is sucked because no negative pressure is generated in the nozzle 6a. On the other hand, in a state where the inner cap 8b is not in contact with the nozzle surface 7b, that is, in a state where the inner cap lift 14b is lowered, ink in the head 4b is sucked and discharged because negative pressure is applied to the nozzle 6b. Then, bubbles in the head liquid chamber (not shown), thickened ink, adhering dust in the vicinity of the nozzle, etc. flow out together with the ink. The waste ink that has flowed out reaches the pump 11 through the suction tube 10b in the cap, and is further stored as waste ink in an appropriate waste liquid tank (not shown) from the waste liquid tube 12. The outer caps 9a and 9b may be lifted and lowered at the same time, so that the illustrated outer cap lifts 13a and 13b are preferably integrated with each other. However, the inner caps 8a and 8b can be individually and freely operated independently for each color.
[0017]
4 and 5 are sectional views showing the structure of a printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device according to a second embodiment of another invention. The printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device of the second embodiment shown in both figures is such that the atmosphere release tubes 15a, 15b provided for the respective outer caps 9a, 9b and the inside of the outer caps 9a, 9b are in a negative pressure state. Also have atmospheric release valves 16a and 16b that can be opened to the atmosphere. Even if the inside of the outer caps 9a and 9b is in a negative pressure state by the atmosphere release valves 16a and 16b, the atmosphere can be released to the atmosphere, so that a state in which a negative pressure is generated in the outer caps 9a and 9b as shown in FIG. It is possible to prevent a printing failure due to a phenomenon such as breakage of the meniscus of the nozzle due to sudden pressure fluctuations and turbulent flow in the outer caps 9a and 9b that occur when the outer caps 9a and 9b are removed.
[0018]
6 and 7 are sectional views showing the structure of a printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device according to a third embodiment of another invention. The printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device of the third embodiment shown in both figures includes a cap 17a in which an inner cap 8'a and an outer cap 9'a are integrated, an inner cap 8'b and an outer cap 9 '. b has a cap 17b that is integral with the cap 17b. The in-cap suction tubes 10a and 10b are provided inside the outer caps 9′a and 9′b and outside the inner caps 8′a and 8′b, respectively. Further, the inner cap 8'a and the outer cap 9'a communicate with each other through a tube having an inner / outer communication valve 18a in the middle, and the inner cap 8'b and the outer cap 9'b intermediate the inner / outer communication valve 18b. It is connected with the tube put in. The internal / external communication valves 18a, 18b for each head can be operated independently for each color. The cap lifts 19a and 19b are lifts for pushing up the caps 17a and 17b upward on the heads 4a and 4b side. In the printing mechanism maintaining and recovering apparatus of the third embodiment having such a structure, as shown in FIG. 7, the cap lifts 19a and 19b push the caps 17a and 17b toward the heads 4a and 4b, and the cap 17a. , 17b are in close contact with the nozzle surfaces 7a, 7b. Then, in order to generate a negative pressure in the suction head, for example, the nozzle 6a of the head 4a, the inside / outside communication valve 18a is opened, and the inside of the inner cap 8'a and the inside of the outer cap 9'a communicate with each other. I do. Then, the inside cap 8′a and the inside cap 9′a are in a negative pressure state, and the ink in the head 4a is sucked, and the inside cap 8′a, the external communication valve 18a, and the inside of the outside cap 9′a are sucked. Through the discharge, bubbles in the head liquid chamber (not shown), thickened ink, adhering dust in the vicinity of the nozzle, and the like are discharged together with the ink. On the other hand, in order to prevent negative pressure from being generated in the non-sucked head, for example, the nozzle 6b of the head 4b, the inner / outer communication valve 18b is closed, and the inner cap 8′b and the outer cap 9′b are not in communication with each other. Even if the ink is sucked, at least the inside cap 8'b is not in a negative pressure state, so ink is not sucked.
[0019]
8 to 10 are sectional views showing the structure of a printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device according to a fourth embodiment of another invention. The inner cap 8a (8b) and the outer cap 9a (9b) of the printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device of the fourth embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 to 10 have the same structure as that of the first embodiment. An atmosphere release tube 15 communicating with the atmosphere release valve 16 of the embodiment is added, and a cap lift is provided below the outer cap 9a, and is integrated with the outer cap actuator 19a. The inner cap 8a is integrated with an inner cap actuator 20a at the bottom. Further, the outer cap actuator 19a and the inner cap actuator 20a are in contact with the disc-shaped cam 21a and move in the vertical direction while following the cam surface. In the state shown in FIG. 8, both the outer cap actuator 19a and the inner cap actuator 20a are in contact with the lower surface of the cam 21a, and both the inner cap 8a and the outer cap 9a are separated from the nozzle surface 7a. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, when the cam 21a moves in the direction of the arrow, as shown in FIG. 9, only the outer cap actuator 19a is in contact with the high surface of the cam 21a, so only the outer cap 9a is the nozzle surface 7a. The entire nozzle surface is sealed in contact with the nozzle. As shown in FIG. 9, when the cam 21a further moves in the direction of the arrow, both the outer cap actuator 19a and the inner cap actuator 20a are in contact with the high surface of the cam 21a, so that the inner cap 8a and the outer cap 9a Both are in contact with the nozzle surface 7a and are in a sealed state. Accordingly, the vertical movement of the inner and outer caps can cause a time shift by the cam 21a. 9 and FIG. 10 for each head, the common pump (not shown) is operated to perform the suction operation so that ink can be sucked from the nozzle 6a in the state of FIG. In cannot suck.
[0020]
FIGS. 11 to 14 are sectional views showing the structure of a printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device according to a fifth embodiment of another invention. According to the printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device of the fifth embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 to 14, the outer cap holder 22a is provided below the outer cap 9a, and the inner cap plunger 23a is provided below the inner cap 8a. There is a compression spring 24a in the middle to repel each other. In the state of FIG. 11, both the inner cap 8a and the outer cap 9a are separated from the nozzle surface 7a in a state where the inner cap plunger 23a is lowered. The state of FIG. 12 is a state in which the inner cap plunger 23a is raised halfway, and the vertical position relationship between the inner cap 8a and the outer cap 9a rises as it is, so that only the outer cap 9a is still in contact with the nozzle surface 7a. In this state, the ink can be sucked. 13 is a state in which the inner cap plunger 23a is raised to the uppermost position of the stroke, the compression spring 24a is compressed, and both the inner cap 8a and the outer cap 9a are in contact with the nozzle surface 7a. The ink cannot be sucked. In this way, the inner contact means and the outer contact means moving in the same direction open and close communication according to the position in the movable stroke. As shown in FIG. 14, in order to change from the state of FIG. 13 in which suction is impossible to the state of FIG. 11 or FIG. 12, first, the atmosphere release valve 15a is opened and the negative pressure state in the outer cap 9a is changed. After the atmospheric state is reached, the inner cap 8a is lowered to prevent unnecessary ink from being ejected from nozzles that do not perform ink suction. Further, although a structure per head is shown, if a plurality of such structures are provided and only the outer cap holder 22a is integrated, a plurality of outer caps are brought into close contact with the nozzle surface at the same time, and then individual inner cap plungers 23a are arranged. Since the nozzle surface 7a is selectively raised to the uppermost position, the nozzle surface 7a can be selectively sealed. Therefore, when the pump (not shown) is operated, only the ink of the head 4a of the inner cap 8a that is not sealed is used. Is sucked.
[0021]
15 to 17 are sectional views showing the structure of a printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device according to a sixth embodiment of another invention. According to the printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device of the sixth embodiment shown in FIGS. 15 to 17, the inner cap 8 a and the outer cap 9 a have the cap 25 a which is an integral structure made of an elastic body. A cap holder 26a is provided on the bottom surface of the cap 25a, and a cap plunger 27a is further provided on the lower side to move the cap holder 26a and the cap 25a up and down. Furthermore, the upper end of the inner cap 8a is lower than the upper end of the outer cap 9a. The outer cap 9a has a cross-sectional shape that is tapered on the outside in the present embodiment, but may be on the inside. The state of FIG. 15 is a state in which the cap 25a is lowered, and neither the inner cap nor the outer cap of the cap 25a is in contact with the nozzle surface 7a. The state of FIG. 16 is a state in which the cap plunger 27a is raised halfway, and only the tip of the outer cap 9a is in contact with the nozzle surface 7a, and is an ink suckable state. The state of FIG. 17 is a state in which the cap plunger 27a is raised to the uppermost position of the stroke, the tips of the inner cap 8a and the outer cap 9a are both in contact with the nozzle surface 7a, and the tip of the outer cap 9a is further pressed to the outside. In this state, the ink is bent so as to spread, and the ink cannot be sucked.
[0022]
In addition, this invention is not limited to the said Example, It cannot be overemphasized that various deformation | transformation and substitution are possible if it is description in a claim.
[0023]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, an ink jet recording apparatus for recording by ejecting ink from the nozzles of the plurality of inkjet heads, the entire nozzle surface of the inkjet head by a plurality of first sealing means provided by a plurality of ink jet heads And the residual ink in the nozzles of each inkjet head is simultaneously sucked through each of the plurality of first sealing means by one suction pump, and the flow path of the inkjet head is ensured to secure the inkjet head. According to the printing mechanism maintaining and recovering apparatus of the present invention that stabilizes the ejection , the first sealing means is provided inside the first sealing means and covers the nozzle so as not to perform the ink suction operation by the first sealing means. Communication means for controlling communication between the second sealing means, the first sealing means and the second sealing means in accordance with the ink suction operation. And control means, provided on the first sealing means, is characterized in that it has a suction pipe communicating with the suction pump. Therefore, it is not necessary to suck ink to the head that does not require the maintenance and recovery operation, so that waste of ink can be prevented. Accordingly, the waste liquid tank for storing waste ink can be reduced, and the overall size of the apparatus can be reduced. Can be achieved.
[0024]
In addition, by providing an air release valve mechanism that opens the inside of the first sealing means to the atmosphere, waste of ink due to unnecessary suction due to the residual negative pressure state is further prevented after completion of ink suction, which is a maintenance recovery operation. be able to.
[0025]
Further, the first sealing means and the second sealing means are formed as an integral structure, and further formed by a cap-shaped elastic member, thereby reducing the component cost.
[0026]
Each of the first sealing means and the second sealing means as the cap open end of the second dense closed unit is not in contact with the nozzle surface when the cap open end of the first sealing means is in contact with the nozzle face It is desirable to provide a difference in the height of the cap opening end.
[0027]
Furthermore, it is desirable to provide a communication valve that controls communication between the first sealing means and the second sealing means, and to open and close the communication valve according to the suction operation.
[0028]
Further, during the suction operation, each operation is controlled so as to be performed in the order of the first sealing operation for bringing the first sealing means into contact with the nozzle surface and the second sealing operation for bringing the second sealing means into contact with the nozzle surface. It is desirable to have a sealing operation control mechanism, to suck a predetermined amount of ink from the nozzle after completion of the first sealing operation, and to discharge only a predetermined amount of ink sucked after the completion of the second sealing operation. .
[0029]
Further, at the end of the suction operation, each operation is controlled in order of the first separating operation for separating the second sealing means from the nozzle surface and the second separating operation for separating the first sealing means from the nozzle surface. The sealing operation control mechanism includes a first movement mechanism that reciprocates the first sealing means relative to the nozzle surface, and a reciprocating movement of the second sealing means relative to the nozzle surface. It is desirable to have the 2nd moving mechanism to make it go.
[0030]
Further, the first and second moving mechanisms move with a difference in height of the cam surface. The first and second moving mechanisms move with the elastic force of the elastic member. The elastic member is a compression spring. Therefore, it can be realized with a simple structure.
[0031]
An ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention includes the printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device according to a first embodiment of another invention.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device according to a first embodiment of another invention.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device according to a second embodiment of another invention.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device according to a second embodiment of another invention.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device according to a third embodiment of another invention.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device according to a third embodiment of another invention.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device according to a fourth embodiment of another invention.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device according to a fourth embodiment of another invention.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device according to a fourth embodiment of another invention.
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device according to a fifth embodiment of another invention.
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device according to a fifth embodiment of another invention.
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device according to a fifth embodiment of another invention.
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device according to a fifth embodiment of another invention.
FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device according to a sixth embodiment of another invention.
FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device according to a sixth embodiment of another invention.
FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device according to a sixth embodiment of another invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1: main scanning rod, 2: side plate, 3: carriage, 4a, 4b: head,
5a, 5b: ink cartridge, 6a, 6b: nozzle,
7a, 7b: Nozzle surface, 8a, 8b, 8'a, 8'b: Inner cap,
9a, 9b, 9'a, 9'b: outer cap,
10a, 10b: suction tube in cap, 11: pump,
12: Waste liquid tube, 13a, 13b: Outer cap lift,
14a, 14b: inner cap lift, 15a, 15b: air release tube,
16a, 16b: atmospheric release valve, 17a, 17b: cap,
18a, 18b: inner and outer communication valves, 19a: outer cap actuator,
20a: inner cap actuator, 21a: cam,
22a: outer cap holder, 23a: inner cap plunger,
24a: compression spring, 25a: cap, 26a: cap holder,
27a: Cap plunger.

Claims (14)

An ink jet recording apparatus for recording by discharging ink from nozzles of a plurality of ink jet heads, wherein the whole nozzle surface of each ink jet head is covered and sealed by a plurality of first sealing means provided for each of the plurality of ink jet heads. Residual ink in the nozzles of each ink jet head is simultaneously sucked through each of the plurality of first sealing means by a single suction pump, and a flow path of the ink jet head is secured to stabilize ejection of the ink jet head. In the printing mechanism maintenance and recovery device,
A second sealing means provided inside the first sealing means and covering the nozzle so as not to perform an ink suction operation by the first sealing means;
Communication control means for controlling communication between the first sealing means and the second sealing means in accordance with an ink suction operation;
A printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device, comprising: a suction pipe provided in the first sealing means and communicating with the suction pump.   The printing mechanism maintaining and recovering apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an air release valve mechanism that opens the interior of the first sealing means to the atmosphere.   The printing mechanism maintaining and recovering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first sealing means and the second sealing means are formed as an integral structure.   The printing mechanism maintaining and recovering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first sealing means and the second sealing means are formed of a cap-shaped elastic member.   The first sealing means and the second sealing means are arranged so that the cap opening end of the second sealing means is not in contact with the nozzle surface when the cap opening end of the first sealing means is in contact with the nozzle surface. The printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device according to claim 4, wherein a difference is provided in the height of each cap opening end.   The printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device according to claim 1, further comprising a communication valve that controls communication between the first sealing unit and the second sealing unit.   At the time of the suction operation, each operation is controlled so as to be performed in the order of the first sealing operation for bringing the first sealing means into contact with the nozzle surface and the second sealing operation for bringing the second sealing means into contact with the nozzle surface. The printing mechanism maintenance and recovery device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a sealing operation control mechanism.   8. A printing mechanism maintaining and recovering apparatus according to claim 7, wherein after completion of the first sealing operation, a predetermined amount of ink is sucked from the nozzle, and only a predetermined amount of ink sucked after the completion of the second sealing operation is discharged. .   At the end of the suction operation, each operation is controlled in order of the first separating operation for separating the second sealing means from the nozzle surface and the second separating operation for separating the first sealing means from the nozzle surface. The printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device according to claim 1, further comprising a sealing operation control mechanism.   The sealing operation control mechanism includes a first moving mechanism for reciprocating the first sealing means relative to the nozzle surface, and a second moving mechanism for reciprocating the second sealing means relative to the nozzle surface; 10. A printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device according to claim 7 or 9, comprising:   The printing mechanism maintaining and recovering apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the first and second moving mechanisms move with a difference in height of a cam surface.   The printing mechanism maintaining and recovering apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the first and second moving mechanisms move with an elastic force of an elastic member. The printing mechanism maintenance / recovery device according to claim 12 , wherein the elastic member is a compression spring.   An ink jet recording apparatus comprising the printing mechanism maintaining and recovering apparatus according to claim 1.

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