JP4640069B2 - Inkjet recording device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus.

  Conventionally, recording paper (recording medium) is moved relative to the recording head, and recording is performed by ejecting ink droplets onto the recording paper while moving the recording head in the width direction of the recording paper on the carriage. Inkjet recording apparatuses that perform the above are known.

  Since such a recording head performs recording by ejecting ink droplets from a nozzle onto a recording sheet, ink viscosity increases due to evaporation of ink from nozzle openings, ink solidification, dust adhesion, Furthermore, there is a risk of clogging of the nozzle opening due to air bubbles and the like, resulting in recording failure.

  For this purpose, the ink jet recording apparatus includes a cap unit that covers the nozzle surface of the recording head with a cap member during non-recording, and a wiper unit that cleans the nozzle surface of the recording head with a wiper member as necessary. It is common.

  In a normal ink jet recording apparatus, the nozzle surface is sucked with a cap member covering the nozzle surface, and then the nozzle surface is wiped with a wiper member to remove residual ink. .

  That is, the wiper means is for wiping off ink remaining on the nozzle surface, and has been used to solve the problem that the ink remaining on the nozzle surface dries and the nozzle is clogged.

Therefore, in such an ink jet recording apparatus, the ink wiped off by the wiper member is effectively collected, and contamination caused by the ink waste liquid dripping from the wiper member and the occurrence of device drive failure are prevented. It has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-81594 (paragraphs 0033 to 0037 and FIGS. 7 and 8)

  By the way, the cap that covers the nozzle surface is made of a rubber material. However, the inventors have studied that substances deposited when the rubber material comes into contact with ink may adversely affect the ink jet recording apparatus. It has been understood.

  That is, according to the inventor's knowledge, regarding the portion that directly or indirectly contacts the ink used for ink jet recording, chemical change of the material is likely to occur due to contact with the ink, and it is necessary to select a very careful material. Among them, particularly in rubber materials, when contact is made with inkjet ink for a predetermined time, vulcanizing agents and other reaction aids added in the rubber production process are deposited or deposited on the nozzle surface. There is a concern that the recording quality may deteriorate due to the deterioration and the influence on the physical properties of the ink, and the entire operation of the ink jet apparatus may be significantly hindered.

  Specifically, a rubber material is often used in the cap means for covering the nozzle surface of the recording head with the cap member and the wiper means for wiping ink droplets on the nozzle surface with the wiper member. There is a possibility that foreign matters (for example, deposited substances) generated on the member may enter the nozzle or adhere to the outer periphery due to the wiping operation of the wiper member, greatly affecting the ink ejection stability. In particular, when the contact portion with the cap member and the nozzle hole are configured on the same plane, foreign matter such as deposited substances and ink mist generated at the contact portion with the cap member enters the nozzle, and ink ejection failure In addition, there is a possibility that the straightness of ink droplet ejection may be impaired.

  However, since the conventional wiper means wipes the nozzle surface including the nozzle outlet, foreign matter may be pushed into the nozzle and is not suitable for solving the above-described problems. Moreover, since the wiper member described in Patent Document 1 does not wipe the contact portion of the nozzle surface with the cap, there is little possibility that the foreign material is pushed into the nozzle by the wiper member. Since it remained, there was a risk of entering the nozzle.

  The present invention avoids clogging of nozzle openings due to foreign substances such as precipitates generated at the contact portion between the cap member and the nozzle surface of the recording head, and can maintain stable ink ejection characteristics over a long period of time. An object is to provide an apparatus.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording head for ejecting ink from a plurality of nozzles constituting a nozzle array to a recording medium, and a nozzle cap (surface on which nozzle holes are formed) of the recording head having a hollow cap In the ink jet recording apparatus, the wiper member includes: cap means for covering with a member; and wiper means for wiping the nozzle surface of the recording head with the wiper member by relative movement of the wiper member with respect to the recording head. A first portion that guides the foreign matter wiped by the wiper member to the outside of the nozzle region where the nozzle row is provided at least during the relative movement of the wiper member, and a second portion for wiping the nozzle region The first portion is in contact with the opening peripheral edge of the cap member on the nozzle surface of the recording head. The second portion is formed in correspondence with a first region extending in the extending direction of the nozzle row in the region, and the second portion is a contact region with the opening peripheral portion of the cap member on the nozzle surface of the recording head Among these, the nozzle region is wiped by setting a wiping start position between the second region orthogonal to the extending direction of the nozzle row and the nozzle region .

  In this case, the first portion of the wiper member causes at least the foreign matter wiped by the wiper member during the relative movement (wiping operation) of the wiper member (for example, to the nozzle surface by contact with the cap member). The generated precipitate and ink mist) are guided outside the nozzle region. Therefore, the foreign matter wiped by the wiper member is guided in a direction different from the nozzle region by the wiper member, so that the foreign matter is prevented from entering the nozzle (specifically, the nozzle opening). The

Further, the first portion of the wiper member is formed corresponding to a first region extending in the extending direction of the nozzle row in a contact region with the opening peripheral portion of the cap member on the nozzle surface of the recording head. As a result, foreign matter around the first region including the deposited substance generated in the first region of the nozzle surface due to contact with the cap member is reliably guided outside the nozzle region. Therefore, such foreign matter can be prevented from entering the nozzle.
In this way, the shape of the wiper member is devised so that foreign matters (for example, precipitated substances and ink mist) generated at the contact portion between the opening peripheral edge of the cap member and the nozzle surface during the wiping operation by the wiper member are kept away from the nozzle region. Therefore, the ink ejection characteristics can be maintained stably over a long period of time.
Therefore, the nozzle region is wiped by the second portion of the wiper member, the remaining ink is removed, and the foreign matter is guided outside the nozzle region by the first portion of the wiper member.
In addition, the wiping start position between the second region orthogonal to the extending direction of the nozzle row and the nozzle region in the contact region with the opening peripheral edge of the cap member on the nozzle surface of the recording head, Since the wiping operation by the wiper member is started from the wiping start position toward the nozzle region, the second region perpendicular to the direction of the nozzle row is not wiped by the wiper member. Therefore, it is avoided that the foreign material existing in the second region enters the nozzle by the wiper operation.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the ink jet recording apparatus of the first or second aspect, the first portion is caused by friction with the nozzle surface with respect to the movement direction of the wiper member during relative movement of the wiper member. It is formed by inclining or curving backward. Here, “formed by curving” means that the first portion is not formed in a straight line, and the shape that can guide the foreign matter wiped by the wiper member in a direction different from the nozzle area. If it is, it will not be restrict | limited in particular.

  In this way, during the wiping operation by the wiper member, a part of the wiper member (part corresponding to the first region) is deformed by the frictional force generated between the nozzle surface and the foreign matter is removed from the nozzle region. A portion to be guided outside, that is, a first portion is formed. Therefore, even if the first portion is not formed in advance as a part of the wiper member, it is formed when it is necessary to actually guide the foreign matter outside the nozzle region by utilizing friction with the nozzle surface. It will be.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the first portion is previously inclined or curved toward the rear with respect to the moving direction of the wiper member. It is characterized by being.

  In this way, the first portion that guides the foreign matter outside the nozzle region can be formed in advance as a part of the wiper member.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the trap capable of trapping the foreign matter wiped by the wiper member outside the contact position between the cap member and the nozzle surface. The portion is provided. Here, the trap portion may have a space for trapping and storing foreign matters including ink, such as a concave portion, or may absorb ink such as a felt material, or a felt material or the like in the concave portion. It may be filled.

  In this way, foreign matter (including ink) wiped off by the wiper member is trapped in the trap portion, and adverse effects on other portions during the wiping operation are avoided.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the connecting portion between the first portion and the second portion is connected to the first portion according to a relative movement direction of the wiper member with respect to the recording head. Hinge means for allowing the second portion to tilt at a certain angle with respect to the first portion is provided. Here, as the hinge means, it may be formed of a material different from the rubber material constituting the wiper member, or a thin-walled hinge using the rubber material may be used.

  If it does in this way, according to the relative movement direction of a wiper member, direction of the 1st part to the 2nd part will be changed, and bidirectionality will be secured. That is, even when the wiper member moves in any direction, the function of guiding the wiped foreign matter out of the nozzle region is exhibited.

  Since it comprised as mentioned above, this invention is a nozzle surface by contact with the foreign material (for example, cap member) wiped off by the said wiper member at least during the relative movement of the said wiper member by the 1st part of a wiper member. In this case, it is possible to prevent the foreign matter wiped by the wiper member from entering the nozzle. Therefore, it is possible to maintain a constant ink ejection characteristic stably over a long period of time.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  In FIG. 1 showing the appearance of the ink jet printer, the ink jet printer 1 has a cylindrical platen roller 2. The platen roller 2 conveys a recording sheet 3 (recording medium) supplied from a sheet feeding cassette or a manual sheet feeding unit while facing the recording head 4, and is rotated by a rotating shaft (not shown) extending in the left-right direction. The frame 5 is rotatably supported. The recording head 4 performs printing by discharging ink to the recording paper 3 from a plurality of nozzles constituting the nozzle row. The recording paper 3 is supplied in the direction of arrow A from a paper supply port (not shown) behind the frame 5, fed in the direction of arrow B by the rotation of the platen roller 2, and the arrow C from a paper discharge port (not shown). It is configured to be discharged in the direction.

  A carriage 6 is provided in front of the platen roller 2 so as to be movable in the D direction along the axis of the platen roller 2. The carriage 6 is detachably mounted with an ink jet recording head 4 and an ink cartridge 7 for storing ink to be supplied to the recording head 4. Further, the carriage 6 has a fitting hole 6 a that is slidably fitted to a carriage shaft 8 provided in parallel with the axis of the platen roller 2, whereby the recording head 4 mounted on the carriage 6 is Along the axis of the platen roller 2, it can be reciprocated by sliding. As the carriage motor 10 that moves the carriage 6, for example, a step motor or a DC motor is used, and the carriage 6 is moved via a belt mechanism 14 having a belt 11 and pulleys 12 and 13.

  Further, on the right side of the platen roller 2, a recovery device RM that recovers non-ejection or ejection failure of the recording head 4 is disposed. If the inkjet recording head 4 is provided with such a recovery device RM, bubbles may be generated inside during use or ink droplets may adhere to the ejection surface. This is because a discharge failure is caused by this, and this is recovered to a good discharge state.

  The recovery device RM covers a wiper device 21 (wiper means) for wiping the nozzle surface of the recording head 4, a purge device 22 (cap means) for sucking defective ink in the recording head 4, and a nozzle surface of the recording head 4. A protective cap device 23 for preventing ink evaporation is provided.

  The wiper device 21 includes a plate-like wiper member 21a that is provided so as to be able to advance and retreat between a standby position and an operation position and that contacts the nozzle surface of the recording head 4 at the operation position to wipe the nozzle surface. The wiper member 21a is in the retracted position during the printing operation.

  The purge device 22 includes a hollow suction cap member 24 that is provided so as to be able to advance and retreat between a standby position and an operation position and that covers the nozzle surface by contacting the nozzle surface of the recording head 4 at the operation position. Then, a negative pressure is generated in the suction cap member 24 by the suction pump 25 in a state where the nozzle surface of the recording head 4 is covered with the suction cap member 24 at the operation position, and the defective ink inside the recording head 4 is sucked. It is configured to recover a good discharge state. Note that the suction cap member 24 is in the retracted position during the printing operation.

  The suction cap member 24 is connected to a suction pump 25 via a suction tube (not shown). Further, the other end of the discharge tube 29 whose one end is connected to the suction pump 25 is connected to a waste ink tank 31 in which the adsorbent 30 is accommodated. Accordingly, the defective ink in the nozzles of the recording head 4 sucked through the suction tube by the suction pump 25 is discharged to the waste ink tank 31 through the discharge tube 29 and is adsorbed by the adsorbent 30 in the waste ink tank 31. .

  The advance and retreat of the wiper member 21a of the wiper device 21, the advance and retreat of the suction cap member 24 of the purge device 22 and the drive of the suction pump 25 (advance and retreat of the piston member) are controlled by rotationally driving the pump cam gear 26. Yes. That is, although not specifically shown, the wiper member 21a is controlled via a wiper drive member whose rear end engages with the first cam groove of the pump cam gear 26, and the suction cap member of the purge device 22 24, the rear end portion engages with the second cam groove, and the suction pump 25 has the rear end portion of a pair of pistons (not shown) engaged with the third and fourth cam grooves. Each is controlled, and a series of recovery operations are performed by such control. In this embodiment, the pump cam gear 26 is driven (the wiper member 21a of the wiper device 21 is advanced and retracted, the suction cap member 24 of the purge device 22 is advanced and retracted, and the suction pump 25 is driven). It is driven by the connecting means detachably connected to the driving means. However, a dedicated driving means can be provided, the wiper member 21a of the wiper device 21 is advanced or retracted, and the suction cap member of the purge device 22 is driven. It goes without saying that the advance / retreat of 24 and the drive of the suction pump 25 can be performed using a drive mechanism other than the drive mechanism using such a pump cam gear.

  A guide rod member 51 is disposed in the waste ink tank 31 so as to be parallel to the moving direction of the carriage 6, and a movable support member 52 that supports the protective cap device 23 is slidable on the guide rod member 51. It is supported so that it can rotate. The movable support member 52 has an engaging projection 52 a that is detachably engaged with an engaged portion 6 b formed on the carriage 6, so that the engaging projection 52 a is engaged with the engaged portion of the carriage 6. When engaged with 6b, the slide movement follows the movement of the carriage 6. During this sliding movement, the movable support member 52 rotates toward the recording head 4 due to the engagement relationship between the guide convex portion (not shown) of the movable support member 52 and the guide inclined surface of the guide member (not shown). The protective cap device 23 covers the nozzle surface of the recording head 4.

  In addition, a coil spring 54 is interposed between the movable support member 52 and the waste ink tank 31 so that the movable support member 52 is returned to the standby state and the protective cap device 23 is always away from the recording head 4. It is configured to be energized.

  Next, the shape of the wiper member 21a of the wiper device will be further described.

  First, as shown in FIG. 3, the wiper member 21a wipes away the nozzle region S11 where the nozzle 4a is provided and its periphery. In this embodiment, four nozzle rows L1 to L4 are formed in the nozzle region S11. In each of the nozzle rows L1 to L4, a plurality of nozzles are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the wiping direction by the wiper member 21a. The nozzle area S11 in the nozzle surface of the recording head 4 is configured to be covered with the suction cap member 24 during the purge operation. Therefore, on the nozzle surface, a rectangular annular contact region S12 with the peripheral edge of the suction cap member 24 is disposed around the nozzle region S11. The contact region S12 has a shape corresponding to the peripheral edge of the opening of the cap member 24, and has two linear first regions S12-1 and S12-2 extending in the extending direction of the nozzle rows L1 to L4, and the nozzle row. It has two linear second regions S12-3 and S12-4 extending in parallel to the directions of L1 to L4. The first regions S12-1, S12-2 and the second regions S12-3, S12-4 are smoothly connected in curved regions.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the wiper member 21a includes a flat plate-like wiper base 21aa (second portion) that extends in parallel with the nozzle rows L1 to L4 and wipes the entire nozzle region S11, and both ends of the wiper base 21aa. It has two wiper side portions 21ab and 21ab that are connected in an inclined state and whose free ends extend outside the nozzle region S11. The wiper side portions 21ab and 21ab are arranged corresponding to the first regions S12-1 and S12-2 in the contact region S12, and wipe the first regions S12-1 and S12-2. Yes. Since the wiper side portions 21ab and 21ab are inclined with respect to the wiper base portion 21aa, the wiped foreign matter W is removed from the nozzle region S11 during the wiping operation (that is, the first regions S12-1 and S12-2). The function of guiding to the outside).

  When the recording head 4 is moved by the carriage 6, the wiper member 21 a advances the wiper member 24 by the rotation of the pump cam gear 26, and the wiper base 21 aa is located in the contact area S 12 on the nozzle surface of the recording head 4. One of the second regions S12-3 (or region S12-4) and the nozzle region S11 are in contact as a wiping start position (for example, position P1). Since the movement of the recording head 4 continues after this contact, the wiping operation is started by the relative movement of the wiper base 21aa from the wiping start position P1 toward the side where the nozzle 4a is provided (that is, the nozzle region S11 side). Then, the process ends beyond the other second region S12-4 (or region S12-3) (see route R1 in FIG. 3).

  In this way, at least during the relative movement of the wiper member 21a, the foreign matter wiped by the wiper member 21a (especially the wiper side portions 21ab and 21ab) (deposited substances generated on the nozzle surface due to contact with the suction cap member 24) Ink mist or the like) is smoothly guided to the outside of the nozzle region S11 without entering the nozzle region S11 with the relative movement of the wiper member 21a due to the inclination of the wiper side portions 21ab and 21ab. . That is, the moving direction (discharge direction) of the foreign matter wiped by the wiper member 21a is different from the nozzle area S11, so that the foreign matter does not enter the nozzle 4a, and the nozzle is clogged. Is avoided. Therefore, it is possible to maintain a constant ink discharge characteristic in which ink is stably discharged over a long period of time.

  In the above description, an embodiment of the present invention has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications can be made as described below.

  (i) In the above-described embodiment, the recording head 4 (carriage 6) moves relative to the wiper member 21a (of the wiper device) that moves forward and backward between the standby position and the operating position (wiping position), so that the nozzle The surface is wiped, but conversely, the nozzle surface is wiped by moving the wiper member with respect to the nozzle surface using a known driving means, for example, with respect to the recording head in a stopped state. It can also be. For example, a wiper device including an actuator for moving the wiper member forward and backward is fixed on a movable base, and the movable base is moved along the guide rail so as to wipe the nozzle surface while the wiper member is in the operating position. You can also In this case, the movement direction of the wiper member is not particularly limited as long as the layout problem is unavoidable, and may be the horizontal direction or the vertical direction (specifically, even in the nozzle row direction). The direction perpendicular to the nozzle row direction may also be used).

  (ii) The wiping operation of the wiper member 21a is not limited to that described above, and is between the nozzle rows L1 to L4 (between the nozzles when the number of nozzle rows is one) as shown by a path R2 in FIG. Any one of the regions is defined as a wiping start position P2 (see the one-dot chain line in FIG. 3) of the wiper base 21aa, and first exceeds one end (second region S12-4) of the nozzle region S11. After wiping up, the wiping direction may be changed so that the other end of the nozzle region S11 (second region S12-3) is exceeded. If it does in this way, the said nozzle surface can be wiped without bringing the depositing substance in 2nd area | region S12-3, S12-4 into the nozzle area | region S11 side.

  (Iii) In the embodiment described above, the wiper member 21a is configured such that the two first parts are connected to both ends of the second part. Of course, a third part for guiding outside the area may be provided, and a foreign substance guide part including a plurality of stages (including the first part) may be provided at both ends of the second part. As shown in FIG. 4, the wiper member can be configured by substantially omitting the second portion. In this case, the wiper member 121 is configured to have two flat plate-like portions 121a joined so as to form an acute angle in the direction in which the wiping operation is performed, and is formed in a cross-sectionally U-shape. That is, the two flat plate-like portions 121a are the first portions, and the central connecting portion of the first portions also serves as the second portion in the above-described embodiment. The portion 2 will be substantially absent.

  (Iv) In the above embodiment, only the wiper member 21a is wiped. As shown in FIG. 5, outside the contact area (second area S12) between the cap member 24 and the nozzle surface. It is also possible to arrange a trap part 201 that can trap foreign matter wiped by the wiper member 21a. Here, the trap portion 201 is not only configured as a recess that can store the foreign matter, but may be configured by providing an ink absorbing material such as a felt material, or may be configured by providing an ink absorbing material in the recess. .

  (V) In the above-described embodiment, the wiper device 21 has one wiper member 21a. However, the wiper device 21 may have two wiper members. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of nozzle rows L1 to L4 are arranged on the nozzle surface of the recording head, while the wiper means is movably supported by first and second wiper members 221A. , 221B, and the first and second wiper members 221A, 221B have a wiping start position in any one of the plurality of regions between the plurality of nozzle rows L1 to L4. It is possible to adopt a configuration that moves in the opposite direction. In this case, driving means are provided for each of the two wiper members 221A and 221B, and each wiper member 221A and 221B is configured to perform a wiping operation independently.

  (vi) In the above embodiment, the purge device 22 has one suction cap member 24, but the suction cap member has a plurality of cap portions, and each cap portion covers each nozzle row. Can be applied similarly. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7, the contact region S <b> 14-1 where the peripheries of the cap portions are in contact with the periphery of the nozzle regions S <b> 13-1 to S <b> 13-4 having the nozzle rows L <b> 1 to L <b> 4. Since S14-4 is formed for each nozzle row, wiper members 321-1 to 321-4 are provided for each of the four nozzle regions S13-1 to S13-4 with the nozzle surface of the recording head stopped. Each wiper member may be responsible for wiping each nozzle region by moving relative to the nozzle region. Also in this case, the trap portions 331-1 to 331-4 may be provided as in the case shown in FIG. 5.

  (vii) In the above-described embodiment, the wiper member 21 has a shape in which the wiper side portion 21aa (first portion) is inclined backward with respect to the movement direction of the wiper member 21a with respect to the wiper base portion 21aa. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to have a shape that curves backward with respect to the moving direction of the wiper member (see the dashed line F in FIG. 3).

  Further, such a wiper side portion does not need to be formed in advance with respect to the wiper base portion, and the wiper side portion is rubbed against the wiper base portion due to friction with the nozzle surface during relative movement of the wiper member. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the member is inclined toward the rear in the moving direction of the member or has a curved shape.

  Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 8A, the wiper member 421 is made of a wiper material 421A (a wiper side portion 421Aa, a wiper base portion 421Ab, a wiping side 421Ac) made of, for example, rubber, and a support plate that supports the wiper member 421 When the wiping side 421Ac is slid on the nozzle surface by relative movement in the wiping direction (direction orthogonal to the paper surface), both sides of the wiper material 421A not supported by the support plate 421B are configured. Since the portion is more easily bent than the central portion supported by the support plate 421B, the portion is deformed so as to be bent in the B direction. As a result, the guide portion (first portion) is the same as in the above-described embodiment. It is formed. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 8B, a wiper member 422 using a support plate 422B having a mountain-shaped cross section at the tip and a wiper material 422A (wiper side portion 422Aa, wiper base portion 422Ab, wiping side 422Ac) attached thereto. The same applies to the case.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, it is not necessary to make the width of the wiper members 421A and 422A larger than the width of the support plates 421B and 422B, as shown in FIGS. 8C and 8D. Even when the widths of the wiper members 423A and 424A (the wiper side portions 423Aa and 424Aa, the wiper base portions 423Ab and 424Ab, the wiping sides 423Ac and 424Ac) and the support plates 423B and 424B are substantially the same, the thickness of the wiper side portions gradually increases. If it is the structure which becomes thick toward the side, since both sides will change similarly, the same effect will be acquired. Here, the support plate 423B has a tip surface that is a curved surface, and the support plate 424B has a tip surface that has a trapezoidal cross section.

  The contact surface (tip surface) of the wiper material with the nozzle surface does not need to be parallel to the nozzle surface as shown in FIGS. 8A to 8D, and as shown in FIG. The wiper member 425 having a configuration in which the wiper material 425A (wiper side portion 425Aa, wiper base portion 425Ab) in which the concave portion 425Ac is formed is supported by the support plate 425B is also possible.

  (Viii) The wiper side portion is connected to the wiper base portion serving as the first portion and the wiper base portion serving as the second portion according to the relative movement direction of the wiper member with respect to the recording head. It is also possible to provide a hinge means that allows tilting at a certain angle. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, a wiper member 426A formed by connecting a wiper side portion 426Aa and a wiper base portion 426Ab with a thin hinge 426Ac (hinge means) is used, and the wiper base portion 426Ab is supported by a support plate 426B. If the 426 is configured, the wiper side portion 426Aa is displaced as the first portion in accordance with the relative movement direction (direction orthogonal to the paper surface) of the wiper member 426 to the wiper base portion 426Ab (second portion). It is also possible to incline at an angle. Since the direction of the wiper side portion 426Aa with respect to the wiper base portion 426Ab is changed according to the relative movement direction of the wiper member 426, bidirectionality is ensured.

  (Ix) In the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to a piezoelectric element type ink jet recording apparatus that ejects ink stored in an ink groove by using a piezoelectric element (such as a piezo element) that mechanically deforms when a voltage is applied. However, in addition to this, a so-called bubble jet (registered) that instantaneously applies heat generated by a heating resistor (zirconium boride, etc.) to the ink, causes the film to boil, and uses the volume expansion of the boiling bubbles to eject the ink. (Trademark) type ink jet recording apparatus. Further, the present invention can be applied not only to the nozzle of the recording head that opens in the horizontal direction but also to the nozzle that faces the nozzle in an arbitrary direction such as downward or inclined.

  (X) The present invention can be similarly applied to a line printer in which the recording head is arranged over the entire width of the recording medium and the recording head does not move. In other words, since the recording head is provided for each color and a gap is formed between the recording heads, the wiper member having a portion for guiding the wiped foreign matter away from the nozzle row as described above is arranged in the nozzle row direction. The effect can be expected in the same way.

1 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a side view of the vicinity of recovery means in the same recording apparatus. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a relationship between a nozzle surface of a recording head and a wiper member. It is a figure similar to FIG. 3 about other embodiment. It is a figure similar to FIG. 3 about other embodiment. It is a figure similar to FIG. 3 about other embodiment. It is a figure similar to FIG. 3 about other embodiment. (A)-(d) is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the support part and wiper part of a wiper member, respectively. It is a figure similar to FIG. 8 about a modification. It is a figure similar to FIG. 8 about a modification.

Explanation of symbols

P1, P2 Wiping start position L1-L4 Nozzle row S11 Nozzle area S12 Contact area S12-1, S12-2 First area S12-3, S12-4 Second area S13-1 to S13-4 Nozzle area S14- 1 to S14-4 Contact area 1 Inkjet printer 3 Recording paper (recording medium)
4 Recording head 4a Nozzle hole 6 Carriage 21a Wiper member 21aa Wiper base (second part)
21ab wiper side (first part)
24 Suction cap member 121 Wiper member 121a Flat portion 201 Trap part 221A, 221B Wiper member 321-1 to 321-4 Wiper member 3311-1 to 331-4 Trap part 421 to 426 Wiper member 421A to 426A Wiper material 421Aa to 426Aa Wiper base part 421Ab-426Ab Wiper side part 421Ab-426Ab Support plate 426Ac Thin-walled hinge

Claims (5)

A recording head that discharges ink to a recording medium from a plurality of nozzles constituting a nozzle array, a cap unit that covers a nozzle surface of the recording head with a hollow cap member, and a wiper member that moves relative to the recording head In an inkjet recording apparatus comprising a wiper means for wiping the nozzle surface of the recording head with the wiper member,
In the wiper member, at least during the relative movement of the wiper member, a first portion that guides the foreign matter wiped by the wiper member to the outside of the nozzle region where the nozzle row is provided wipes the nozzle region. Connected to both ends of the second part
The first portion is formed corresponding to a first region extending in an extending direction of the nozzle row in a contact region with an opening peripheral portion of the cap member on a nozzle surface of the recording head,
The second portion wipes between the nozzle region and the second region orthogonal to the extending direction of the nozzle row in the contact region with the opening peripheral edge of the cap member on the nozzle surface of the recording head. An ink jet recording apparatus characterized in that the nozzle area is wiped off as a start position . The first portion is formed by inclining or curving backward due to friction with the nozzle surface with respect to the movement direction of the wiper member during relative movement of the wiper member. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the inkjet recording apparatus is provided. 2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first portion is previously inclined with respect to the moving direction of the wiper member or is curved. The trap part which can trap the foreign material wiped off with the said wiper member is arrange | positioned outside the contact position of the said cap member and the said nozzle surface, The any one of Claims 1-3 characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. An ink jet recording apparatus according to 1. According to the relative movement direction of the wiper member with respect to the recording head, the second portion is inclined at a certain angle with respect to the first portion at the connecting portion between the first portion and the second portion. an ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that tolerance to the hinge means.

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