JP4529392B2 - Inkjet recording device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus that records an image on a print medium.

  Inkjet printers perform printing by spraying liquid ink onto paper. The ink jet printer has a print head in which a plurality of ejection nozzles for ejecting ink are arranged, and printing is performed while the print head reciprocates in a direction perpendicular to the paper transport direction. Is common.

  In an ink jet head which is a print head of such an ink jet printer, printing is not performed (no ink is ejected) and left for a long time, whereby the vicinity of the ejection nozzle opening is dried and the viscosity of the ink is increased. When the viscosity of the ink is increased, the discharge nozzle is likely to be clogged, which may make it impossible for the ink jet head to start printing immediately, or the printed image may deteriorate.

  In order to eliminate clogging of the discharge nozzle, it is preferable to perform a cleaning process of the inkjet head. As one of such inkjet head cleaning processes, a technique for forcibly discharging ink from an ejection nozzle is disclosed (see Patent Document 1). In this technique, the discharge nozzle is sealed with a cap, and the ink is forcibly discharged from the discharge nozzle by setting a negative pressure in the space of the cap with a pump while the discharge nozzle is sealed. When the ink is forcibly discharged from the discharge nozzle, the discharge nozzle is filled with new ink and the meniscus state is restored at the discharge nozzle, so that good printing can be performed by the inkjet head.

Japanese Patent No. 3216706 (FIGS. 10 to 13)

  In the above-described technology, the cap is provided with an air release valve, which is a valve for communicating the cap space with the atmosphere. If the pump is driven with the valve closed, the pressure in the cap space can be negatively discharged and ink can be forcibly discharged from the discharge nozzle. If the valve is opened with the pump stopped, the pressure in the cap space can be Can be returned to a pressure at which the cap can be removed from the ink jet head while maintaining a negative pressure state. According to this configuration, it is necessary to provide the cap with a drive mechanism for opening and closing the valve. However, in order for the valve to perform a smooth operation, a high manufacturing accuracy is required for the valve operating mechanism. Furthermore, since the cap itself is provided with a drive mechanism for sealing the inkjet head, the configuration around the cap is complicated. As a result, there is a problem that it takes time to manufacture and adjust in the configuration for sucking ink from the discharge nozzle.

  A main object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus capable of sucking ink from a discharge nozzle with a configuration that is easy to manufacture and adjust.

Means and effects for solving the problems

The ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention forms a space that communicates with the outside through an ink jet head having an ejection surface in which a plurality of ejection nozzles that eject ink are arranged, and an opening and first and second communication ports. A cap for moving the cap relative to the inkjet head, a first pump connected to the cap at the first communication port, and capable of sucking ink in the space; A second pump that is connected to the cap at the communication port and can selectively take a state in which the space communicates with the outside via the second communication port and a state in which the space does not communicate with the outside, and the opening discharges The cap drive mechanism is controlled so that the cap moves relative to the inkjet head between a position blocked by the surface and a position not blocked by the surface, and And a control means for controlling the second pump. The second pump is capable of sucking ink in the space, and the control means is in a state where the cap is disposed at a position where the opening is blocked by the discharge surface and the second pump does not allow the space to communicate with the outside. In the state where the first pump sucks ink in the space and the cap is arranged at a position where the opening is blocked by the discharge surface and the second pump communicates the space to the outside, Low-speed suction in which the pump sucks ink in the space, and idle suction in which the first and second pumps suck ink in the space in a state where the cap is disposed at a position where the opening is not blocked by the ejection surface And the cap driving mechanism and the first and second pumps are controlled so that the steps are sequentially performed.

According to the present invention, since the second pump functions as a valve for opening and closing the space in the cap to the atmosphere, there is no need to provide a general valve drive mechanism, and a general valve drive mechanism is provided. Compared with the cap, the ink of the discharge nozzle can be sucked with a configuration that is easy to manufacture and adjust. Further, ink can be sucked by empty suction within a range where the ink absorber has an appropriate humidity from the ink absorber packed in the space of the cap filled with ink by the main suction and the slow suction. . Thereafter, the discharge nozzle can be prevented from drying by sealing the discharge nozzle with a cap. Further, it is possible to prevent ink, bubbles, and the like that have dropped from the discharge nozzle from bouncing back from the cap and reattaching the discharge nozzle. Furthermore, since not only the first suction pump but also the second pump performs suction during idle suction, the ink in the cap space can be efficiently sucked.

  In the present invention, the first and second pumps are preferably tube pumps. According to this, it is possible to reduce the size of the first and second pumps. Further, since the second pump is disposed from the cap through the tube, the valve drive mechanism can be freely disposed.

  In the present invention, the first and second pumps are preferably pumps having the same shape. According to this, since the first and second pumps are the same pump, it is possible to reduce the cost of the ink jet recording apparatus by using common parts.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that an actuator for driving the first and second pumps is shared. According to this, the cost of the ink jet recording apparatus can be further reduced by sharing the actuator for driving the first and second pumps.

  Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an ink jet printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line II shown in FIG. An ink jet printer 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a transport base 4, an ink jet printing unit 5, a cutting unit 7, a transport roller unit 8, a pressure roller unit 9, and a discharge roller unit in a substantially rectangular housing 30. 10. In the casing 30, a long sheet 2 on which a winding part 2a wound in a roll shape is formed is disposed. The winding portion 2a of the paper 2 is held by a drum 3 that can be rotated about the axis center. Further, as will be described later, the operation of each part of the ink jet printer 1 is controlled by a controller 20 disposed in the housing 30.

  The transport roller unit 8 is a pair of drive rollers driven by a motor 25 controlled by the controller 20, and is for transporting the paper 2 before being cut by the cutting unit 7. That is, the transport roller unit 8 unwinds the paper 2 from the winding unit 2 a and transports the paper 2 on the transport base 4 to the downstream side, and sequentially passes the ink jet printing unit 5 and the cutting unit 7. Since the sheet 2 conveyed to the cutting unit 7 is sandwiched by the pressure roller unit 9, it is possible to appropriately perform image printing by the inkjet printing unit 5 and cutting of the sheet 2 by the cutting unit 7.

  The ink jet printing unit 5 includes a print head 11, a carriage 12 that holds the print head 11, and an ink suction unit 13. The print head 11 includes a number of discharge nozzles that can discharge color inks such as yellow (yellow), magenta (red purple), cyan (blue green), and black. The carriage 12 is reciprocated in the direction of the arrow A shown in FIG. 2, that is, the direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the paper 2 by an actuator (not shown) while holding the print head 11. Therefore, the ink jet printing unit 5 reciprocates the carriage 12 based on a signal from the controller 20, and the surface of the paper 2 on which the color ink is transported from a number of ejection nozzles of the print head 11 (upper surface in FIG. 1). A desired color image can be printed by ejecting ink toward (). The number and arrangement of the discharge nozzles can be arbitrarily changed. The print head 11 may have a discharge nozzle that discharges only black ink, and may print a black and white image.

  The ink suction unit 13 performs a print head cleaning process for sucking ink from the ejection nozzles in the print head 11. As shown in FIG. 2, the paper on the transport table 4 is on a track on which the carriage 12 is reciprocated. 2 is arranged on the right side in the transport direction. When performing the print head cleaning process, the ink is sucked from the ejection nozzles of the print head 11 by the ink suction unit 13 after the print head 11 has been moved to the right in the transport direction of the paper 2 by the carriage 12.

  The ink suction unit 13 includes a cap 14, a suction pump (first pump) 15 a, a valve pump (second pump) 15 b, and a cap drive mechanism 16. The cap 14 seals the ejection nozzles in the print head 11 and sucks ink, and is a bottomed corner housing having a rectangular cross-sectional shape. The cap 14 is provided with two communication ports (first and second communication ports) 14a and 14b on the bottom surface of the internal space, and an opening 14c on the upper surface of the internal space. The internal space of the cap 14 communicates with the internal space of the tube 42 of the suction pump 15a through the communication port 14a, and communicates with the internal space of the tube 42 of the valve pump 15b through the communication port 14b. The opening 14c is covered with an ink absorbing material.

  The suction pump 15 a is a tube pump for sucking ink in the internal space of the cap 14. The structure of the suction pump 15a will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the structure of the suction pump 15a. As shown in FIG. 3, the suction pump 15a includes a frame 41, a tube 42, a rotating portion 43, and elastic pieces 44a and 44b. The frame 41 is a base member for arranging each component constituting the suction pump 15a, and has a substantially cubic shape. The tube 42 is made of an elastic body such as rubber, and is fitted inside the frame 41 while being bent in an arc shape.

  The rotating unit 43 changes the shape of the internal space of the tube 41 by rotating and stopping in an arbitrary direction based on a signal from the controller 20. The rotating part 43 is rotatably arranged on the frame 41 and connected to a motor (actuator) (not shown), and is arranged so that the outer edge of the rotating part 43 and the tube 42 bent in an arc shape are adjacent to each other. Yes. The rotating part 43 has grooves 46a and 46b and rollers 45a and 45b. The grooves 46a and 46b are formed so as to approach the outer edge of the rotating portion 43 as it advances clockwise from an intermediate position between the center point and the outer edge of the rotating portion 43 and to reach the vicinity of the outer edge of the rotating portion 43 by moving 45 degrees. These arc-shaped grooves are formed so as to be point-symmetric with respect to the center of the rotating portion 43. The rollers 45a and 45b are circular members that are slidably and rotatably supported in the grooves 46a and 46b.

  One end of each of the elastic pieces 44 a and 44 b is fixed to the frame 41 on the upper side of the rotating portion 43, and a multi-end portion is disposed as a free end at a position where it interferes with the rollers 45 a and 45 b near the end of the rotating portion 43. The free end side has a rectangular shape.

  The suction operation of the suction pump 15a will be described. At the time of suction, as shown in FIG. 3A, the rotating unit 43 is rotated counterclockwise (in the direction of the arrow in the figure). As a result, the rollers 45a and 45b are pushed out by interfering with the elastic pieces 44a and 44b and guided by the grooves 46a and 46b, and are arranged in the vicinity of the outer edge of the rotating part 43, which is the clockwise end of the grooves 46a and 46b. Is done. Then, the outer circumferences of the rollers 45 a and 45 b interfere with the tube 42 disposed adjacent to the rotating portion 43 to crush a part of the tube 42 and close the internal space of the tube 42. When the rotating portion 43 is further rotated, the closed position of the tube 42 closed by the rollers 45a and 45b is sequentially moved accordingly, and the contents in the inner space of the tube 42 are pushed out. When the rotating unit 43 is further rotated clockwise, the arrangement position of the tube 42 is separated from the vicinity of the outer edge of the rotating unit 43, and the rollers 45a and 45b are separated from the tube 42 to release the closed state of the internal space of the tube 42. Then, immediately before the closed state of the internal space of the tube 42 by the one roller 45a, 45b is released, the other roller 45a, 45b interferes with the tube 42 and closes the internal space of the tube 42. Thus, by continuing to rotate the rotating part 43 counterclockwise, the contents in the inner space of the tube 42 are continuously sent out in one direction without backflow, and the suction operation of the suction pump 15a is realized.

  The valve pump 15b is a tube pump that functions as a valve for selecting a state (valve open state) and a state (valve closed state) where the internal space of the cap 14 is communicated with the atmosphere via the communication port 14b. is there. The valve pump 15b and the suction pump 15a have the same shape.

  The valve operation of the valve pump 15b will be described. In order to bring the valve pump 15b into the valve closed state, as shown in FIG. 3A, the rotating portion 43 is rotated counterclockwise (in the direction of the arrow in the figure). As a result, the rollers 45a and 45b are pushed out while interfering with the elastic pieces 44a and 44b, and are guided by the grooves 46a and 46b, and are arranged in the vicinity of the outer edge of the rotating part 43 that is the clockwise end of the grooves 46a and 46b. Is done. Then, the outer circumferences of the rollers 45 a and 45 b interfere with the tube 42 disposed adjacent to the rotating portion 43 to crush a part of the tube 42 and close the internal space of the tube 42. If the rotation of the rotating part 43 is stopped in this state, the valve closed state is maintained.

  In order to bring the valve pump 15b into the valve open state, as shown in FIG. 3B, the rotating portion 43 is rotated clockwise (in the direction of the arrow). As a result, the rollers 45a and 45b are pushed out while interfering with the elastic pieces 44a and 44b, and are guided by the grooves 46a and 46b, so that the center point and the outer edge of the rotating part 43, which are the counterclockwise ends of the grooves 46a and 46b. It is arranged in the middle position. Since the outer circumferences of the rollers 45 a and 45 b do not protrude, the rollers 42 a and 45 b do not interfere with the tube 42 disposed adjacent to the rotating portion 43. If the rotation of the rotating part 43 is stopped in this state, the valve open state is maintained.

  A motor for driving the suction pump 15a and the valve pump 15b is shared. By changing the gears based on the signal from the controller 20, the output of the motor is transmitted to at least one of the rotating part 43 of the suction pump 15a and the rotating part 43 of the valve pump 15b.

  Based on the signal from the controller 20, the cap drive mechanism 16 is moved to a position (suction position) where the opening 14 c of the cap 14 is blocked by the ejection surface of the print head 11 and a position (suction release position) where it is not blocked. The cap 14 is moved relative to the print head 11 (arrow B in FIG. 3) so as to be selectively arranged. The drive portion (upper plate portion) of the drive mechanism 16 is connected to the lower surface of the cap 14, and the drive mechanism 16 relatively moves the drive portion together with the cap 14 by rotating a cam mechanism provided therein.

  The ink jet printing unit 5 ejects liquid ink from the nozzles for each dot and prints on the paper 2 and adopts any one of the piezo jet method, the thermal jet method, and other methods. Also good.

  The cutting unit 7 includes a moving blade 7a disposed on the same side as the ink jet printing unit 5 with respect to the paper 2, and a fixed blade 7b disposed so as to face the moving blade 7a with the paper 2 interposed therebetween. Yes. Both the fixed blade 7 b and the movable blade 7 a are rectangular blades having a width slightly larger than the width of the paper 2. The movable blade 7a can be moved closer to or away from the fixed blade 7b by a motor 27 controlled by the controller 20, and the printed paper 2 conveyed from the upstream side through the conveyance path can be removed. By the interaction with the fixed blade 7b, it can be cut along the width direction. By cutting in this way, the printed paper 2 having a predetermined length is divided.

  The discharge roller unit 10 is a pair of drive rollers driven by a motor 26 controlled by the controller 20, and conveys the printed paper 2 after being cut by the cutting unit 7, and discharges it from the discharge port 30a. is there.

  The controller 20 performs predetermined processing on an image signal supplied from an input interface (not shown) and supplies a print signal including image data corresponding to an image to be printed to the inkjet printing unit 5. Further, the controller 20 supplies drive signals to the motors 25, 26 and 27. Further, the controller 20 includes a suction control unit (control means) 21. The suction control unit 21 performs a print head cleaning process to be described later by controlling the suction pump 15a, the valve pump 15b, and the cap driving mechanism 16.

  The controller 20 is a central processing unit (CPU) that is an arithmetic processing unit, a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores a program executed by the CPU and data used in the program, and temporarily stores data when the program is executed. RAM (Random Access Memory). The suction control unit 21 includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM that are controlled by appropriate software.

  Next, a print head cleaning process which is a function of the suction control unit 21 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a print head cleaning process that is a function of the suction control unit 21. In order to perform the print head cleaning process, the suction control unit 21 appropriately performs main suction, negative pressure release, slow suction, and idle suction operations by the suction unit 13.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the main suction means that the suction pump 15a is driven at a high speed while the cap drive mechanism 16 moves the cap 14 to the suction position and the valve pump 15b is closed. Thus, the ink in the internal space of the cap 14 is sucked. By performing the main suction, the internal space of the cap 14 can be set to a negative pressure, and the ink of the discharge nozzles of the print head 11 can be sucked.

  The negative pressure release means that the suction pump 15a is stopped and the valve pump 15b is opened while the cap 14 is positioned at the suction position as shown in FIG. It is an operation to make a state. By releasing the negative pressure after the main suction, the pressure in the internal space of the cap 14 can be gradually brought close to the atmospheric pressure. The negative pressure is released in a range in which the pressure in the internal space of the cap 14 is maintained in a negative pressure state.

  The slow suction means that after the negative pressure is released, as shown in FIG. 4 (c), the suction pump 15a is operated at a low speed while the cap 14 is positioned at the suction position and the valve pump 15b is opened. In addition, the ink in the internal space of the cap 14 is sucked by intermittent driving. By performing the slow suction, the ink of the discharge nozzle can be brought into a meniscus state. In addition, it is possible to prevent bubbling of ink in the absorbent material.

  As shown in FIG. 4D, the idle suction is performed by moving the cap 14 to the suction release position by the cap driving mechanism 16 with the valve pump 15b opened, as shown in FIG. 4D. This is an operation for driving the pump 15a at a high speed. By performing the idle suction, it is possible to suck ink, bubbles, and the like remaining in the internal space of the cap 14. Further, the moisture retention state of the absorbent material is maintained by leaving a small amount of ink in the absorbent material of the cap 14.

  Next, the operation procedure of the print head cleaning process by the controller 20 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the print head cleaning process performed by the controller 20. The print head cleaning process is started by an instruction from the controller 20 based on a user operation on a user interface (not shown) connected to the controller 20 or a use state of the ink jet printer. First, the process proceeds to step S101, and the suction control unit 21 of the controller 20 causes the ink suction unit 13 to perform the main suction operation for a predetermined time (see FIG. 4A). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S102, where the suction control unit 21 causes the ink suction unit 13 to perform a negative pressure release operation (see FIG. 4B). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S103, and the suction control unit 21 causes the ink suction unit 13 to perform a slow suction operation (see FIG. 4C).

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S104, and the suction control unit 21 moves the cap 14 to the suction release position so that the ink suction unit 13 performs the idle suction operation. A wiping operation is performed in which the discharge surface of the print head 11 is wiped at the end of the print head 11. This wiping operation consists of two wiping operations in which the elastic piece is moved at a high speed to remove bubbles from the ejection nozzle, and then the elastic piece is moved again at a low speed to remove the ink film on the ejection surface. Yes. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S105, and the suction control unit 21 causes the ink suction unit 13 to perform an idle suction operation (see FIG. 4D). Thereafter, the flowchart of FIG. 5 ends.

  According to the first embodiment described above, since the valve pump 15b functions as a valve for opening and shutting off the internal space of the cap 14, it is not necessary to provide the cap 14 with a general valve driving mechanism. As a result, the ink of the discharge nozzle can be sucked with a configuration in which the suction unit 13 can be easily manufactured and adjusted as compared with the case where a general valve drive mechanism is provided.

  Further, since the suction pump 15a and the valve pump 15b are tube pumps, the suction pump and the valve pump can be downsized. Further, since the valve pump 15b is arranged from the cap 14 through the tube, the valve driving mechanism can be arranged freely.

  Furthermore, since the suction pump 15a and the valve pump 15b are pumps of the same shape, the cost of the suction unit 13 can be reduced by using common parts.

  Since the motor for driving the suction pump 15a and the valve pump 15b is shared, the cost of the suction unit 13 can be further reduced.

  Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The configuration of the ink jet printer according to the second embodiment is substantially the same as the configuration of the ink jet printer according to the first embodiment except for the controller 20A. Since the description of the configuration of the ink jet printer according to the embodiment is applicable, the description is omitted.

  The controller 20A performs predetermined processing on the image signal supplied from an input interface (not shown), and supplies the inkjet printing unit 5 with a print signal including image data corresponding to the image to be printed. In addition, the controller 20 </ b> A supplies drive signals to the motors 25, 26, and 27. Furthermore, the controller 20A includes a suction control unit 21A. The suction control unit 21A performs a print head cleaning process, which will be described later, by controlling the suction pump 15a, the valve pump 15b, and the cap driving mechanism 16.

  A print head cleaning process that is a function of the suction control unit 21A of the controller 20A will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a print head cleaning process that is a function of the suction control unit 21A. In order to perform the print head cleaning process, the suction control unit 21A appropriately performs main suction A, negative pressure release, slow suction, and idle suction A operations by the suction unit 13. Since the contents of the negative pressure release and the slow suction are substantially the same as those in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, the main suction A means that the suction pump 15a and the valve pump 15b are driven at a high speed while the cap 14 is moved to the suction position by the cap driving mechanism 16, and the inside of the cap 14 is thereby driven. In this operation, ink in the space is sucked. By performing the main suction A, the internal space of the cap 14 can be set to a negative pressure, and the ink of the discharge nozzles of the print head 11 can be sucked.

  The idle suction A is an operation of moving the cap 14 to the suction release position by the cap driving mechanism 16 and driving the suction pump 15a and the valve pump 15b at high speed after performing the low speed suction as shown in FIG. 6 (b). It is. By performing the idle suction A, ink, bubbles, etc. remaining in the internal space of the cap 14 can be suctioned. Further, the moisture retention state of the absorbent material is maintained by leaving a small amount of ink in the absorbent material of the cap 14.

  The operation procedure of the print head cleaning process performed by the controller 20A is substantially the same as the operation procedure of the print head cleaning process performed by the controller 20 of the first embodiment, and thus the details are omitted.

  According to the second embodiment described above, when the main suction A is performed, not only the suction pump 15a but also the valve pump 15b performs suction, so that the ink in the space of the cap 14 can be efficiently sucked.

  In addition, when performing the idle suction A, not only the suction pump 15a but also the valve pump 15b performs suction, so that the ink in the space of the cap 14 can be efficiently sucked.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various design changes can be made as long as they are described in the claims. For example, in the first and second embodiments, the suction pump 15a and the valve pump 15b are tube pumps. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. You may comprise by a pump mechanism.

  In the first and second embodiments, the suction pump 15a and the valve pump 15b have the same shape. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the suction pump and the valve pump have different shapes. It may be. In particular, in the first embodiment, it is possible to reduce the size of the suction unit by reducing the shape of the valve pump in which suction capacity is not important.

  Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, the motor for driving the suction pump 15a and the valve pump 15b is shared, but the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. Each valve pump may include a motor.

  In the first embodiment, as the print head cleaning process, the suction control unit 21 causes the suction unit 13 to perform main suction, negative pressure release, slow suction, and idle suction. It is not limited to the configuration, and any operation may be performed in any order. For example, only the main suction, the slow suction, and the idle suction may be performed, or only the main suction and the slow suction may be performed, or the main suction, the slow suction, and the idle suction may be performed individually. .

  Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, the cap 14 is provided with two communication ports 14a and 14b, and the internal space of the cap 14 and the suction pump 15a or the valve pump 15b are provided via the communication ports 14a and 14b. Although it is the structure which communicates with the tube 42, it is not limited to such a structure, The number of communicating ports and the number of tubes with which each pump is provided may differ. For example, four communication ports may be provided, and each pump may include two tubes.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an ink jet printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a fragmentary sectional view of the II line shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the suction pump in the suction unit shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a print head cleaning process that is a function of the suction control unit shown in FIG. 1. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of a print head cleaning process by a controller shown in FIG. 1. It is a figure for demonstrating the print head cleaning process which is a function of the suction control part which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Inkjet printer 4 Carriage 11 Print head 12 Carriage 13 Suction unit 14 Cap 14a, 14b Communication port 14c Opening part 16 Cap drive mechanism 15a Suction pump 15b Valve pump 20 Controller 21 Suction control part

Claims (4)

An inkjet head having an ejection surface in which a plurality of ejection nozzles that eject ink are arranged;
A cap that forms a space communicating with the outside through the opening and the first and second communication ports;
A cap drive mechanism for moving the cap relative to the inkjet head;
A first pump connected to the cap at the first communication port and capable of sucking ink in the space;
The second communication port is connected to the cap and can selectively take a state in which the space communicates with the outside via the second communication port and a state in which the space does not communicate with the outside. With the pump
The cap driving mechanism is controlled so that the cap moves relative to the inkjet head between a position where the opening is blocked by the ejection surface and a position where the opening is not blocked, and the first and first caps are controlled. Control means for controlling the pump of 2 ;
The second pump is capable of sucking ink in the space;
The control means includes
A book in which the first pump sucks ink in the space in a state where the cap is disposed at a position where the opening is blocked by the ejection surface and the second pump does not allow the space to communicate with the outside. With suction,
A slow speed at which the first pump sucks ink in the space in a state where the cap is disposed at a position where the opening is blocked by the ejection surface and the second pump communicates the space to the outside. With suction,
In the state where the cap is disposed at a position where the opening is not blocked by the ejection surface, the first and second pumps suck the ink in the space;
An ink jet recording apparatus that controls the cap driving mechanism and the first and second pumps so that the operation is sequentially performed .   2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second pumps are tube pumps.   3. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second pumps are pumps having the same shape. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an actuator for driving the first and second pumps is shared.

Images