JP4803308B2 - Inkjet recording device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus including a recording head that discharges ink droplets corresponding to print data, and in particular, performs a flushing operation for emptyly discharging ink droplets in a capping unit that seals a nozzle forming surface of the recording head. The present invention relates to a flushing control management technique that eliminates problems caused by a flushing operation and controls an appropriate flushing amount to suppress solidification of ink in a capping unit.

  In general, an ink jet recording apparatus includes an ink jet recording head that receives ink supplied from an ink cartridge, and a paper feeding unit that transports recording paper relative to the recording head, and moves the recording head in the main scanning direction. However, recording is performed by ejecting ink droplets onto the recording paper based on the print data. The above-described ink jet recording head has a relationship in which ink pressurized in a pressure generating chamber is ejected as ink droplets from a nozzle opening onto a recording sheet for printing, so that the ink viscosity increases due to evaporation of the solvent from the nozzle opening. In addition, there is a problem that the nozzle opening is clogged due to solidification of ink, adhesion of dust, and mixing of air bubbles, thereby causing poor printing.

  For this reason, this type of ink jet recording apparatus is provided with a capping unit for sealing the nozzle formation surface of the recording head during non-printing. This capping unit not only functions as a lid for preventing the ink in the nozzle opening of the recording head from drying, but also when the nozzle opening is clogged, the capping unit seals the nozzle forming surface and sucks it. It also has a function of recovering the ink droplet ejection ability to remove the clogging of the nozzle opening by sucking and discharging the ink from the nozzle opening by the negative pressure from the pump.

  Forcible ink suction and discharge processing to eliminate clogging of the recording head is called a cleaning operation. When printing is resumed after a long pause of the apparatus, or when the user recognizes a printing defect, for example, cleaning is performed. This is executed when the switch is operated. After the ink is sucked and discharged from the recording head into the capping means by applying a negative pressure by the suction pump, the nozzle forming surface is wiped by a wiping member formed of, for example, a rubber material. Operation is accompanied.

  In addition, the recording head has a function of ejecting ink droplets by applying a drive signal unrelated to printing, which is called a flushing operation, and is performed near the nozzle opening of the head by a wiping operation by the wiping member. It is configured to be executed at regular intervals in order to recover the irregular meniscus that occurs and to prevent clogging due to ink thickening at the nozzle opening where there is little opportunity for ink droplet ejection during printing operations. Has been.

  By the way, as described above, the flushing operation is performed to prevent clogging at the nozzle openings where the ink droplets are less likely to be ejected during the printing operation, as well as the ink absorbing material disposed in the internal space of the capping means. It is also made to achieve the object of preventing the nozzle openings in the recording head from being dried during the pause of the printing operation by making the ink wet.

  On the other hand, in recent years, printing has been diversified and ink using pigment has been used. There is a technique of adding a surfactant to the ink composition in order to accelerate the fixing of the pigment to the recording paper. In the ink using such a pigment, there is a problem that bubbles are generated in the capping member, and the bubbles destroy the meniscus of the ink generated in the nozzle openings of the recording head and cause so-called dot omission. I have a problem. Accordingly, in order to avoid such a print head print failure caused by ink bubbles, a means for deeply forming the inner bottom portion of the capping means so that the ink bubbles sink to the lower bottom portion in the capping means can be considered.

  In the case of adopting such a configuration, when performing the flushing operation, the distance between the nozzle forming surface of the recording head and the lower bottom portion of the capping unit is larger than that in the conventional case, and therefore, from the nozzle opening. A phenomenon occurs in which the ejected ink droplet undergoes air resistance or the like in the course of its flight and is further divided into fine ink droplets to change into a mist (ink mist). This ink mist leaks to the outside from the space formed between the nozzle forming surface of the recording head and the capping means, and a state of floating in the apparatus occurs.

  Thus, the ink mist floating in the apparatus adheres to and contaminates the guide rod that moves the carriage, making it difficult to transfer the carriage or contaminating other mechanisms. Invite the problem of disturbing normal operation. In addition, the above-described ink mist also causes a problem of contaminating recording paper during printing.

  On the other hand, the specific color ink in the above-described pigment ink has a problem that it is easily solidified at a specific position in the capping means due to repeated flushing operation. In an extreme case, this is stagnant in a mountain shape. Thus, when the recording head is sealed by the capping unit, a state in which the deposit reaches the nozzle forming surface may occur.

  The present invention is intended to solve various problems caused by the flushing operation as described above. In particular, when the amount of flashing is large, the flushing is performed in a state where the nozzle forming surface of the recording head is sealed by the capping means. And a flashing control method capable of eliminating the accumulation of stagnant due to the solidification of the ink of a specific color, and by utilizing this control method. An object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus capable of guaranteeing high print quality over a long period of time.

  An ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention made to achieve the above-described object can seal an ink jet recording head that ejects ink droplets based on print data, and a nozzle forming surface of the recording head. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising an ink absorbing material housed in an inner bottom portion of the capping unit, wherein the capping unit is configured to capping the recording head with a nozzle forming surface sealed by the capping unit. A first flushing mode in which ink droplets are ejected inside, and a second flushing mode in which ink droplets are ejected from the recording head into the capping means in a state where the nozzle forming surface of the recording head and the capping means are separated from each other. Configured to be executed.

  In this case, preferably, the number of ink droplets discharged in the first flushing mode is controlled to be larger than the number of ink droplets discharged in the second flushing mode. In other words, when performing a flushing operation in which the number of ink droplets ejected is large, control is performed so as to select the first flushing mode that is performed with the nozzle formation surface of the recording head sealed by the capping means. .

  Thus, a large amount of ink generated by a large amount of flushing operation, even if the inner bottom portion of the capping unit is formed deeply, in order to avoid the occurrence of a printing failure to the recording head due to the bubbling of ink generated in the capping unit. Since the mist is sealed between the recording head and the capping means,

  On the other hand, in the recording apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferable that the ink droplet ejection operation performed in the second flushing mode is an ink absorption disposed in the nozzle forming surface of the recording head and the capping unit according to the type of ink. It is comprised so that the distance with a material may be changed. According to this configuration, it is possible to reduce the degree of mist generation as much as possible, particularly in the flushing operation with ink that easily generates ink mist.

  In the recording apparatus according to the present invention, the ink droplet ejection operation performed in the second flushing mode is performed on substantially the same position of the ink absorbing material in which different types of ink droplets are disposed in the capping unit. , And controlled to be discharged. In this case, the ink droplet ejecting operation performed on substantially the same position of the ink absorbing material disposed in the capping unit is performed following the ink ejecting operation that is easy to solidify, and the ink ejecting operation that is difficult to solidify. To be controlled.

  According to this configuration, since the flushing operation with the ink that is difficult to solidify is performed at the flushing position with the ink that is particularly easy to solidify, it is possible to contribute to eliminating or reducing the degree of accumulation due to the solidification of the ink. That is, it is possible to eliminate the solidification and stagnant phenomenon caused by the fact that a small amount of flushing operation is frequently performed at substantially the same position of the ink absorbing material.

  On the other hand, in the recording apparatus according to the present invention, the number of ink droplets ejected in the first flushing mode and the second flushing mode is controlled to be different depending on the type of ink. With this configuration, it is possible to control to actively eject ink that tends to thicken at the nozzle opening, and the ink running compared to a recording apparatus that manages with a uniform number of ejections regardless of the type of ink. This can contribute to reducing the cost.

  The recording apparatus according to the present invention further includes a flushing amount counter for accumulating and counting the number of ink droplets discharged in the first flushing mode or the second flushing mode, and a count value by the counter is determined in advance. When the specified value is reached, the inner bottom portion of the capping unit is sucked in a state where the capping unit and the nozzle forming surface of the recording head are separated from each other, and a part of the ink is sucked from the ink absorbing material disposed in the capping unit. An empty suction operation for discharging is performed. Preferably, the idle suction operation is executed and the count value in the flushing amount counter is reset.

  In this case, preferably, a regular flushing operation that is periodically performed at predetermined first time intervals, a regular batch flushing operation that is periodically performed at second time intervals longer than the first time interval, and a power source It is determined whether or not the count value by the flushing amount counter has reached a predetermined value in the flushing operation during the pause executed when the recording paper is turned off and the flushing operation performed when the recording paper is ejected. The idle suction operation is executed when a predetermined value is reached.

  Then, according to the flushing control method in the recording apparatus in which the idle suction operation described above is performed, it is determined whether or not the count value by the flushing amount counter that accumulates and counts the number of ejections of ink droplets reaches a predetermined value. A state in which the capping unit and the nozzle forming surface of the recording head are separated when it is determined in the flushing amount determination step and the flushing amount determination step that the count value by the flushing amount counter has reached a predetermined value Thus, by sucking the inner bottom portion of the capping means, an empty suction step for sucking and discharging a part of the ink from the ink absorbing material disposed in the capping means, and the flushing amount before and after the execution of the empty suction step And a counter value reset step for resetting the counter. .

  In this case, preferably, the first time is reached in the first elapsed time determination step for determining whether or not the first time has been reached by measuring a predetermined first time and the first elapsed time determination step. When it is determined that a flushing operation is performed, a regular flushing step for performing a flushing operation and the flushing amount determination for determining whether or not a count value by a flushing amount counter has reached a predetermined value by executing the regular flushing step It is made to move to a step.

  Preferably, the second time is reached in a second elapsed time determination step for determining whether or not the second time has been reached by measuring a predetermined second time, and in the second elapsed time determination step. Is determined, the process proceeds to the flushing amount determination step for determining whether or not the count value by the flushing amount counter has reached a predetermined value.

  Preferably, when the power switch of the recording apparatus is turned off, the process proceeds to the flushing amount determination step for determining whether or not the count value by the flushing amount counter has reached a predetermined value. .

  Further, it is preferable that the second time is reached in the second elapsed time determination step for determining whether or not the predetermined second time has been reached and the second elapsed time determination step during the recording paper discharge operation. Is determined, the process proceeds to the flushing amount determination step for determining whether or not the count value by the flushing amount counter has reached a predetermined value.

  According to the recording apparatus adopting the control method as described above, the ink amount by the flushing operation discharged into the capping unit is managed by the flushing amount counter, and the ink absorption disposed at the bottom of the capping unit is absorbed. The ink is sufficiently filled to cover the material. Subsequently, a portion of the ink is sucked and discharged from the ink absorbent disposed in the capping means by sucking the ink discharge port formed in the lower bottom portion of the capping means. Can be sufficiently wetted with ink.

  Therefore, for example, when the nozzle forming surface of the recording head is sealed during the rest period of the recording apparatus, volatilization of the ink solvent from the nozzle opening is caused by the presence of the ink impregnated in the ink absorbing material that is sufficiently wet. And the thickening or solidification of the ink in the vicinity of the nozzle opening can be effectively suppressed.

  In addition, by executing the above-described control, the ink that is hard to solidify is mixed with the ink that is particularly easily solidified in the capping unit, so that the ink is prevented from solidifying and stagnating in the ink absorbing material. The ink waste liquid can be quickly discharged by the suction action from the ink discharge port formed in the lower bottom portion of the capping means.

1 is a plan view mainly showing a configuration of a capping unit in an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied. It is a side view which shows the structure of the capping means shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a side view showing a state where the recording head is capped by the capping unit shown in FIG. 1. It is a top view which shows the structure which shape | molded the cap member in the cap holder which comprises a capping means. It is sectional drawing of the capping means seen from the AA line in FIG. 4 in the arrow direction. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control circuit that is mounted on the recording apparatus according to the present invention and that executes a flushing operation or the like. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a first flushing mode is performed in a state where a nozzle formation surface of a recording head is sealed by a capping unit. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a second flushing mode is performed in a state where a nozzle formation surface of a recording head and a capping unit are separated from each other. It is sectional drawing which showed the state controlled so that a different kind of ink droplet was discharged with respect to the substantially the same position in a capping means. It is the flowchart which showed the control form in case regular flushing and regular batch flushing are made. 6 is a flowchart showing a control mode of a resting flushing operation performed when the operation power of the recording apparatus is turned off. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a control mode of a discharge flushing operation performed during a recording sheet discharge operation.

  Hereinafter, an ink jet type recording apparatus according to the present invention will be described based on an embodiment shown in the drawings. 1 to 3 mainly show the configuration of capping means in an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 1 shows a state viewed from the upper surface of the apparatus, and FIGS. 2 and 3 show a state viewed from the side, showing a non-capping state and a capping state, respectively.

  Reference numeral 1 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is a carriage. The carriage 1 is guided by a guide rod 2 and is configured to move parallel to the longitudinal direction of the paper guide plate 3. The carriage 1 is coupled to a part of a timing belt that is reciprocated by a carriage motor described later, and is configured to reciprocate along the guide rod 2.

  A recording head 5 is mounted on the carriage 1 so as to face the recording paper 4 disposed on the upper surface of the paper guide plate 3. Ink is introduced into the recording head 5 and corresponds to print data. Based on the bitmap data, printing is performed by ejecting ink droplets onto the recording paper 4 on the paper guide plate 3.

  The capping means 6 capable of sealing the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 5 is disposed in a non-printing area (home position) at the end of the recording apparatus, and has a sealed space on the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 5. A cap member 7 of a size that can be sealed is provided, and the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 5 is sealed during non-printing to prevent ink from drying at the nozzle opening, and a negative pressure from a suction pump (not shown) during the cleaning operation And a function of forcibly discharging ink from the recording head 5.

  Further, the capping unit 6 also has a function as an ink receiver during the flushing operation. When the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 5 is sealed by the capping unit 6 (in the state shown in FIG. 3), the capping unit 6 can move from the recording head to the capping unit. And a second flushing mode in which ink droplets are ejected from the recording head into the capping means in a state where the nozzle formation surface of the recording head and the capping means are separated (state shown in FIG. 2). And can be selectively executed.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an ink discharge port 7a is formed in the inner bottom portion of the cap member 7 disposed in the capping means 6, and a tube in a tube pump constituting a suction pump described later is formed in the ink discharge port 7a. Are connected at one end. As a result, the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 5 is sealed by the cap member 7 when not printing, and when a cleaning command is received, a negative pressure by the suction pump is applied to the internal space of the capping means, and the recording head 5 Ink can be forcibly discharged from the ink.

  Further, as will be described later, when the flushing amount counter reaches a predetermined value, a suction pump, which will be described later, is driven and ink is sucked from an ink discharge port 7a formed in the capping unit 6 even in the controlled idle suction operation. Acts to be discharged.

  Further, as will be described in detail later, a sheet-like ink absorbing material 8 is accommodated in the inner bottom portion of the cap member 7, and the ink discharged from the recording head by a cleaning operation or a flushing operation accompanied by a large amount of ejection of ink droplets. Can be held thereby. The ink absorbing sheet 8 also functions to capture and absorb ink droplets ejected from the recording head by a flushing operation involving a small amount of ejection.

  The cap member 7 is integrally formed with a square cap holder 9 as will be described in detail later, and flat spring receiving portions 9a are provided on both side walls in the longitudinal direction of the cap holder 9, respectively. Are formed in the horizontal direction. The cap holder 9 is mounted on a slider 10 constituting an elevating mechanism, and is urged toward the recording head 5 by a pair of compression springs 11 interposed between the slider 10 and the spring receiving portion 9a. It is attached with.

  The cap holder 9 is formed with engaging portions 9b at the center of the one end and both sides of the other end, and these three engaging portions 9b are the respective locking members formed on the slider 10. By being locked at three points by 10a, the cap holder 9 is mounted on the slider 10 in such a manner that the cap holder 9 is restricted from moving upward by a predetermined amount toward the recording head 5 side.

  In addition, a pair of elongated holes 12 are formed on the lower bottom portion of the slider 10 on the left and right sides in a substantially horizontal direction, and link arms 14 that are rotatably attached to the frame 13 in the elongated holes 12. A pair of horizontal shafts 15 arranged on the free end side are accommodated so as to be movable. As a result, the slider 10 can rise with an arcuate locus relative to the frame 13 via the link arm 14.

  Further, guide pieces 10b are formed on both sides of the end portion of the slider 10 on the non-printing area side, and the pair of guide pieces 10b are supported by a pair of guide grooves 16 formed in the frame 13. It is configured. The guide groove 16 includes a low portion 16a formed at one end portion, a horizontal high portion 16b formed at the other end portion, and an inclined portion 16c that connects these three portions. A region is formed in communication.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the other end of a tension spring 17 having one end fixed to the frame 13 is fixed to one guide piece 10b, and the slider 10 is moved in the printing region direction by the action of the tension spring 17. And in the direction away from the recording head 5, that is, the lower side in this embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 2, when the carriage 1 moves directly above the capping means 6, the engaging body 1 a disposed on the carriage 1 comes into contact with the engaging portion 10 c formed to stand upright on the slider 10. As shown in FIG. 3, the slider 10 rises via the link arm 14 while resisting the tensile force of the spring 17, whereby the cap member 7 formed integrally with the cap holder 9 is disposed on the carriage 1. The nozzle forming surface of the recording head 5 is sealed.

  When the carriage 1 moves to the printing area side, the engagement body 1a on the carriage 1 side with respect to the engagement portion 10c disposed on the slider 10 is released, and the slider 10 is shown in FIG. 2 is restored, whereby the sealing of the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 5 by the cap member 7 is released.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the sealing surface of the cap member 7, that is, the upper end surface that is in contact with the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 5, is not parallel to the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 5. It is configured. That is, the sealing surface of the cap member 7 is inclined so as to slightly lower toward the printing region side with respect to the end portion on the home position side (right side in FIG. 2). This is constituted by the relationship between the position of the horizontal shaft 15 in the long hole 12 formed in the slider 10 and the position of the guide piece 10b sliding in the series of guide grooves 16 formed in the frame 13. Yes.

  In the state where the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 5 is sealed, the cap member 7 first comes into contact with the nozzle forming surface from the home position side, and the recording is performed according to the reduction action of the compression spring 11 as the slider 10 is raised. It acts to seal the entire nozzle forming surface of the head 5. Further, when unsealing the nozzle formation surface of the recording head 5, the cap member 7 is first separated from the end on the printing region side with respect to the nozzle formation surface of the recording head 5, and is then separated from the nozzle formation surface. It acts to separate in a non-parallel state.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 3, on the printing area side adjacent to the capping means 6, the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 5 mounted on the carriage 1 is wiped with the movement of the carriage 1. A holding member 20 having the wiping member 21 is arranged. The holding member 20 is moved in the horizontal direction so that the wiping member 21 can enter or retreat from the wiping position on the moving path of the recording head 5.

  Accordingly, during the cleaning operation, the wiping member 21 removes dust, paper dust and the like adhering to the nozzle forming surface before the ink is sucked and discharged by the wiping member 21, and the nozzle after the ink is sucked and discharged. The ink adhering to the forming surface is wiped off.

  In the above configuration, when the carriage 1 is moved to the home position by driving the carriage motor, the engaging body 1a disposed on the carriage 1 comes into contact with the engaging portion 10c formed on the slider 10, as shown in FIG. . The carriage 10 still moves in the same direction, so that the slider 10 rises via the link arm 14 against the tensile force of the spring 17 as shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, the guide piece 10b formed on the slider 10 moves from the low portion 16a constituting the guide groove 16 to the inclined portion 16c and further to the horizontal high portion 16b, and is thereby integrally formed with the cap holder 9. The cap member 7 thus sealed seals the recording head 5 disposed on the carriage 1.

  In this way, when the sealing of the nozzle forming surface by the cap member 7 is completed, the cap member 7 is disconnected from the atmosphere and is in an airtight state, suppressing ink evaporation from the nozzle openings, and recording. It acts to prevent clogging of the head. Further, by performing the flushing operation in this state, the ink droplets ejected from the recording head can be captured by the sheet-like ink absorbing material 8 disposed on the inner bottom portion of the cap member 7. Further, by driving the suction pump in this state, a negative pressure can be applied to the internal space of the cap member 7, and ink can be discharged from the nozzle opening of the recording head.

  When the carriage 1 is moved to the printing area side by driving the carriage motor, the engaging body 1 a disposed on the carriage 1 is separated from the engaging portion 10 c formed on the slider 10. Accordingly, the slider 10 is lowered by the tensile force of the spring 17 as the slider 10 moves through the arm 14 and the guide piece 10b formed on the slider 10 moves toward the lower portion 16a. Thereby, the sealed state of the recording head 5 by the cap member 7 is released.

  When the sealing of the nozzle formation surface of the recording head by the cap member 7 is released, the cap member 7 is separated from the end on the printing region side from the nozzle formation surface of the recording head 5 as described above, with respect to the nozzle formation surface. And act so as to be separated in a non-parallel state. As described above, since the cap member 7 is separated from the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 5 in a non-parallel state, the ink waste liquid that remains on the nozzle forming surface of the recording head is stored in the cap member 7. Under the action of being pulled back to the ink waste liquid side, the amount of ink remaining on the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 5 can be reduced as much as possible. Moreover, since the release of the sealing of the cap member 7 from the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 5 proceeds from one end, the phenomenon that the waste ink stored in the cap member 7 bubbles unnecessarily can be reduced. it can.

  FIG. 4 is a plan view showing forms of the cap holder 9 and the cap member 7 constituting the above-described capping means. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view in the state seen from the AA line in FIG. 4 in the direction of the arrow. 4 and 5, parts corresponding to the parts of FIGS. 1 to 3 already described are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  First, as shown in FIG. 4, the cap holder 9 is made of a hard synthetic resin and is formed in a substantially rectangular shape with an open top, and the opening end face 9c is in a horizontal state. It is formed so as to be substantially flush with the upper surfaces of the formed pair of spring receiving portions 9a. The opening end surface 9 c is formed in an annular shape along the outer periphery of the cap holder 9. Further, a cylindrical rib member 9g is integrally formed so as to rise from the inner bottom portion of the cap holder 9 toward the upper portion, and each of the top portions of the rib member 9g is crushed by heat caulking. A sheet-like ink absorbing material 8 is held on the inner bottom.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, a cap member 7 made of a soft material, for example, an elastomer is integrally formed in the cap holder 9 with the cap holder 9 by, for example, a two-color molding method. The upper end edge of the cap member 7 is formed in a substantially triangular shape in cross section, and is formed so as to protrude upward from the opening end surface 9c of the cap holder 9. With this configuration, the upper end edge of the cap member 7 constitutes a seal portion with respect to the nozzle forming surface of the recording head, and the degree of adhesion at the seal portion is improved so that the sealed state of the internal space in the capping means can be maintained well. Has been made.

  With this configuration, when the nozzle formation surface of the recording head 5 is sealed by the capping unit, a predetermined gap h is formed between the nozzle formation surface of the recording head 5 and the surface of the ink absorbing material 8. It is configured. In this embodiment, the gap h is formed to have a dimension of about 3 mm. In this manner, by forming the predetermined gap h, even if bubbles are generated in the ink waste liquid discharged into the capping unit, the bubbles adhere to the nozzle forming surface of the recording head and are generated at the nozzle openings. The degree of destruction of the meniscus of the ink can be reduced.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of a control circuit for executing a flushing operation or the like using the capping unit having the above-described configuration. In FIG. 6, parts corresponding to the parts already described are denoted by the same reference numerals, and therefore description thereof is omitted. As shown in FIG. 6, a black ink cartridge 31 and a color ink cartridge 32 are detachably mounted on the carriage 1, and each ink is supplied from the cartridge to the recording head 5. Has been. Further, the carriage 1 receives the driving force of the carriage motor 33 and acts to reciprocate in the longitudinal direction of the guide rod 2 described above, that is, in the main scanning direction.

  The discharge side of the tube pump 34 as a suction pump that can suck the internal space of the capping means 6 to a negative pressure is connected to a waste liquid tank 35, and the ink waste liquid discharged from the tube pump 34 is the waste liquid tank. It is configured so as to be absorbed and held by the waste liquid absorber 36 housed in 35.

  Reference numeral 40 shown in FIG. 6 denotes print control means. The print control means 40 receives print data transferred from the host computer, generates dot pattern data (bitmap data), and drives the head based on this data. A drive signal is generated by the means 41 and a function of ejecting ink droplets from the recording head 5 is provided.

  The head drive unit 41 receives a flushing command signal from the flushing control unit 42 in addition to a drive signal based on the print data, and outputs a drive signal for the flushing operation to the recording head 5, which is related to printing. It is also configured so that empty ink droplets can be discharged. Reference numeral 43 denotes a cleaning control unit. The cleaning control unit 43 has a function of receiving a control signal from, for example, a cleaning command detection unit 44 and controlling the pump driving unit 45 to drive the suction pump 34. Yes.

  Further, reference numeral 46 denotes a cleaning command switch disposed on the operation panel of the apparatus. When the user recognizes a printing failure state, for example, the cleaning command switch is operated via the cleaning command detection unit 44 by operating this. 43 is operated to perform a manual cleaning operation.

  On the other hand, the print control means 40 is configured to send control signals to the pause timer 47 and the cumulative print timer 48. The pause timer 47 is reset to zero at the end of printing, and immediately starts to count up the elapsed time. That is, the pause timer 47 functions to count the continuous capping time after the end of printing.

  The cumulative print timer 48 measures the cumulative print time when printing is performed, and a reset signal is supplied when the cleaning control means 43 executes a cleaning operation. As a result, the cumulative print timer 48 is reset to zero by the reset signal from the cleaning control means 43, and acts to count up the cumulative print time by the control signal from the print control means 40. That is, the cumulative print timer 48 functions to count the cumulative time that the recording head 5 has printed without being capped by the capping means 6.

  Then, the timing data by the pause timer 47 and the cumulative print timer 48 is referred to a recovery operation selection table (not shown) described corresponding to each elapsed time when the operation power of the recording apparatus is turned on. A cleaning operation or a flushing operation is performed. In FIG. 6, the pause timer 47 and the cumulative print timer 48 are depicted such that control signals are output to the cleaning control means 43, respectively, but the above-described flushing control is performed based on the respective timer outputs. A control signal is also sent to the means 42.

  The flushing control means 42 is configured to transmit a control signal based on time-measurement data obtained by the periodic flushing timer 49, the regular batch timer 50, and the pause batch timer 51. The regular flushing timer 49 has a function of measuring a predetermined first time interval (for example, 10 seconds) during printing or standby, and controls the flushing control means 42 when the time exceeds 10 seconds. Sends a signal and functions to perform periodic flushing. In other words, the regular flushing timer 49 is used to discharge thickened ink from unused nozzles (no or few nozzles for ejecting ink droplets) during printing.

  In this case, since the degree of increase in viscosity differs depending on the type of ink (ink color), for example, in the regular flushing in a recording apparatus using six color inks, yellow ink is Y, black ink is K, and cyan ink is used. When C, light (light) cyan ink is expressed as LC, magenta ink is expressed as M, and light (light) magenta ink is expressed as LM, the ejection number of ink droplets corresponding to each is as shown in Table 1 below. .

一方、前記した定期まとめ打ちタイマ５０は、所定の第２時間間隔（例えば２０００秒）にわたって印字を行なった場合において、フラッシング制御手段４２に制御信号を送出して、定期まとめ打ちフラッシングを実行させるように機能する。そして、この定期まとめ打ちフラッシングは、印字中または記録用紙の排紙時において実行される。この定期まとめ打ちタイマ５０は、同様に印字中における不使用ノズルにおける増粘インクを排出させるために利用される。この時に実行されるインクの吐出数は、前記した定期フラッシングの場合に比較して遥かに多くなるように制御され、この時のインク滴の吐出数は、次に示す表２のようになされる。

On the other hand, the regular batch timer 50 sends a control signal to the flushing control means 42 to execute the regular batch flush when printing is performed over a predetermined second time interval (for example, 2000 seconds). To work. The regular batch flushing is executed during printing or when the recording paper is discharged. The regular batch timer 50 is also used to discharge thickened ink from unused nozzles during printing. The number of ink ejections executed at this time is controlled to be much larger than in the case of the above-described regular flushing, and the number of ink droplet ejections at this time is as shown in Table 2 below. .

さらに、前記した休止時まとめ打ちタイマ５１は、記録装置の動作電源がオフされた場合における前回の動作電源のオフ時からの経過時間を計時する機能を備えている。そして、前記経過時間に応じた制御信号をフラッシング制御手段４２に送出して、休止時まとめ打ちフラッシングが実行され、このフラッシングが実行された後に、後述するように記録装置の電源がオフされるように制御される。

Furthermore, the above-described stop-time batch timer 51 has a function of measuring the elapsed time from the previous operation power-off when the operation power of the recording apparatus is turned off. Then, a control signal corresponding to the elapsed time is sent to the flushing control means 42, and the rest-time batch flushing is executed. After the flushing is executed, the recording apparatus is turned off as will be described later. Controlled.

  This pause flushing is performed mainly for the purpose of moisturizing the inside of the capping means, thereby suppressing volatilization of the ink solvent from the nozzle openings of the recording head during the pause period of the recording apparatus. The number of ink ejections executed at this time is as shown in Table 3 below.

図６において、フラッシング制御手段４２からは、フラッシング量カウンタ５２に対してフラッシングの吐出数のデータが送出されるように構成されており、前記カウンタ５２は、前記した定期フラッシング、定期まとめ打ちフラッシング、および休止時まとめ打ちフラッシングによってなされるフラッシングの吐出数を順次加算してカウントアップするように動作する。そして、フラッシング量カウンタ５２より、しきい値設定手段５３に対してカウントアップデータが送出されるように構成されている。

In FIG. 6, the flushing control means 42 is configured to send data on the number of discharges of flushing to the flushing amount counter 52. The counter 52 is configured to perform the above-described regular flushing, regular batch flushing, In addition, the number of flushing discharges performed by the flushing flushing at rest is sequentially added and counted up. The count-up data is sent from the flushing amount counter 52 to the threshold value setting means 53.

  The threshold value setting means 53 determines whether or not the count-up data sent from the flushing amount counter 52 has reached a predetermined value stored in the threshold value setting means 53, and reaches the predetermined value. If it is determined that the control signal is determined, a control signal is sent to the idle suction control means 54. At the same time, the threshold value setting means 53 is configured to send a reset signal to the flushing amount counter 52, whereby the count-up data in the flushing amount counter 52 is reset to zero. .

  The predetermined value stored in the threshold value setting means 53 is such that the amount of ink ejected into the capping means 6 by the flushing operation is the same as that of the ink absorbing material 8 disposed at the inner bottom of the capping means 6. It is set to a value that is filled to the extent that it is sufficiently covered.

  The idle suction control means 54 is configured so that a control signal is sent to the carriage control means 55, whereby the carriage motor 33 is configured to drive the carriage motor 33. Yes. As the carriage motor 33 is driven, the carriage 1 is slightly moved to the print area side, whereby the capping means 6 in a state where the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 1 is sealed releases the sealing of the nozzle forming surface.

  On the other hand, a control signal is sent from the idle suction control means 54 to the pump drive means 45, and in a state where the sealing of the nozzle forming surface by the capping means 6 is released, the suction pump 34 Driven for a predetermined time. Thereby, an empty suction operation for discharging a part of the ink from the capping unit 6 is executed. Therefore, the ink absorbing material 8 arranged at the inner bottom portion of the capping unit 6 is in a state where a sufficient amount of ink is absorbed and held. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a part of the ink that is easily solidified from being accumulated in the ink absorbing material 8, and for example, problems such as a failure in the ink discharging operation during the cleaning operation are solved.

  In the recording apparatus according to this embodiment, when the operating power supply of the recording apparatus is turned off, the flushing at rest is executed. For this purpose, the operation power supply is turned off after a predetermined time has elapsed after the operation power supply of the recording apparatus is turned off. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the commercial power supply 61 is configured to be supplied to a power supply circuit 63 that generates a DC operating power used for the recording apparatus, via a power switch 62 configured by a relay switch.

  On the other hand, the power-off timer 65 is configured to be driven via a power-operating switch 64 disposed on the operation panel of the recording apparatus, and the power-off timer 65 is configured by a relay switch after a predetermined time has elapsed. The switch 62 is configured to be turned off. Therefore, after the time set by the power-off timer 65 elapses, in other words, the power switch 62 is turned off after the flushing at rest is executed.

  Next, FIG. 7 to FIG. 9 show each aspect of the flushing operation performed by the recording apparatus having the above-described configuration, and the capping means 6 has seen the BB line in FIG. 4 in the direction of the arrow. Shown in state. FIG. 7 shows a state in which the first flushing mode in which ink droplets are ejected from the recording head into the capping unit in a state where the nozzle forming surface of the recording head is sealed by the capping unit.

  FIG. 8 shows a state in which the second flushing mode in which ink droplets are ejected from the recording head into the capping unit in a state where the nozzle formation surface of the recording head and the capping unit are separated from each other is shown. Further, FIG. 9 shows that the ink droplet ejection operation performed in the second flushing mode is such that different types of ink droplets are ejected to substantially the same position of the ink absorbing material disposed in the capping means. The controlled state is shown.

  Each of the flushing operations shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 is performed on the movement position of the carriage 1 using the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and each actuator arranged corresponding to each nozzle row of the recording head. This can be realized by the application timing of the drive signal. First, in the first flushing mode shown in FIG. 7, as shown in FIG. 3, the slider 10 is raised through the link arm 14, and the guide piece 10b formed on the slider 10 is also moved into the guide groove. This can be realized by controlling the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 5 so as to be sealed by the cap member 7 by moving to the 16 high places 16b.

  This first flushing mode can be suitably used when the regular batch flushing operation and the resting flushing operation that discharge a relatively large amount of ink droplets are performed. The state shown in FIG. 7 is drawn as if the ink droplets of K, C, M, and Y described above are ejected, but in this embodiment, the LC and LM described above are also used. Each ink droplet is also ejected. The numerical values shown in Table 2 or Table 3 are used as the number of ejections of each ink droplet when the regular batch flushing operation or the resting flushing operation is executed in this way.

  According to the first flushing mode, a predetermined gap h (3 mm in the embodiment) is provided between the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 5 and the surface of the ink absorbing material 8 as shown in FIG. Since it is formed, it is possible to reduce the degree to which the ink droplets ejected from the recording head 5 bounce off the surface of the ink absorbing material 8 and return to the nozzle openings of the recording head 5 to generate color mixing. Further, the degree of occurrence of a failure such as destruction of the meniscus formed in the nozzle opening due to the rebound of the ink droplet can be greatly reduced.

  In the flushing operation in the first flushing mode, since the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 5 is sealed by the capping unit 6 as described above, even if ink mist is generated in the space. This will not leak, and most of it will drop and be captured on the surface of the ink absorber 8. Thereby, when the sealing of the capping unit 6 with respect to the recording head 5 is released, the amount of ink mist floating outside can be greatly reduced.

  Next, in the second flushing mode shown in FIG. 8, as shown in FIG. 4, the slider 10 is lowered via the link arm 14, and the guide piece 10b formed on the slider 10 is also moved into the guide groove. This can be realized by moving the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 5 to the state where the sealing by the capping unit 6 is released.

  This second flushing mode can be suitably used when the above-described regular flushing operation for ejecting a relatively small amount of ink droplets is executed. The state shown in FIG. 8 is depicted as if the ink droplets of K, C, M, and Y described above were ejected, as in the case shown in FIG. In addition, the above-described LC and LM ink droplets are also ejected. The numerical values shown in Table 1 are adopted as the number of ejections of each ink droplet when the regular flushing operation is performed in this way.

  In the second flushing mode, control can be performed so that the distance between the nozzle forming surface of the recording head and the ink absorbent disposed in the capping unit is changed according to the type of ink. That is, in the state shown in FIG. 2, by further moving the carriage 1 to the right, the engaging body 1a disposed on the carriage 1 comes into contact with the engaging portion 10c formed on the slider 10, and thereby the slider 1 10 is slightly raised through the link arm 14.

  Similarly, the guide piece 10b formed on the slider 10 moves to the inclined portion 16c of the guide groove 16, thereby reducing the distance between the nozzle forming surface of the recording head and the ink absorbing material disposed in the capping means. Can be made. That is, the distance between the nozzle forming surface and the ink absorbing material disposed in the capping unit can be changed according to the movement distance in the right direction of the carriage 1 shown in FIG.

  In this second flushing mode, for example, when periodic flushing of magenta and cyan ink, which is likely to generate ink mist, is executed, the distance between the nozzle forming surface and the ink absorbing material disposed in the capping unit is short. It is preferable to control so that the degree of occurrence of ink mist can be greatly reduced.

  Similarly, when the second flushing mode is used, different types of ink droplets can be selected by selecting each ink to be ejected from the recording head corresponding to the moving position of the recording head as shown in FIG. Can be controlled to be discharged to substantially the same position of the ink absorbing material disposed in the capping means. That is, after flushing the M and Y inks at the moving position of the recording head 5 indicated by the solid line as shown in FIG. 9, the recording head 5 is moved to the position indicated by the phantom line (two-dot chain line). , K and C inks are controlled to be flushed.

  By adopting such a control means, cyan ink (C) which is hard to solidify is ejected to the flushing position of magenta ink (M) which is easy to solidify, and as a result, stagnant on the ink absorbing material due to solidification of magenta ink. The product can be prevented. In particular, when a relatively small amount of ink droplets are intermittently ejected to the same position of the ink absorbing material many times as in regular flushing, the solidification and accumulation of magenta ink becomes severe as described above. However, the inconvenience can be solved by executing the control means described above.

  Next, FIGS. 10 to 12 illustrate a flushing control method performed by the recording apparatus having the above-described configuration, which mainly holds a sufficient amount of ink in the ink absorbing material disposed at the inner bottom portion of the capping means. It is made to act so as to prevent solidification of a specific ink. Hereinafter, each control flow shown in FIGS. 10 to 12 will be described mainly based on the block diagram shown in FIG.

  First, FIG. 10 shows a control flow when regular flushing and regular batch flushing are performed. In step S11 in FIG. 10, it is determined whether or not the periodic flushing timer has counted a predetermined time (10 seconds). When the predetermined time is counted (in the case of Yes), the process proceeds to step S12, and periodic flushing is executed. This is executed by sending a control signal from the periodic flushing timer 49 shown in FIG. At this time, the number of ejected inks is controlled as shown in Table 1 above.

  In step S13, the timing of the regular flushing timer 49 is reset to zero and started. Subsequently, as shown in step S14, the number of ink ejections by the above-described regular flushing is added to the flushing amount counter. This is done by sending ejection number data to the flushing amount counter 52 from the flushing control means 42 shown in FIG. In step S15, it is verified whether or not the count value (cumulative value) of the flushing amount counter 52 has reached a predetermined value.

  This is determined by sending the count value of the counter 52 from the flushing amount counter 52 shown in FIG. That is, a predetermined number of ink droplet ejections (for example, 60000 shots) is stored in the threshold determination unit 53, and it is determined that the count value in the counter 52 has not reached the value (No). In case it is returned. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S15 that the count value of the flushing amount counter 52 has reached the predetermined value (Yes), the process proceeds to step S16 and the above-described idle suction operation is executed.

  In executing this idle suction operation, a control signal is sent from the threshold value judging means 53 to the idle suction control means 54, and the idle suction control means 54 sends a control signal to the carriage driving means 55. As a result, the carriage 1 is slightly moved to the print area side, and the capping means 6 that has sealed the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 5 releases the sealing. Then, a control signal is sent from the idle suction control means 54 to the pump driving means 45, and the pump driving means 45 drives the suction pump 34 for a predetermined time.

  Thereby, a part of the ink waste liquid stored in the capping means 6 is discarded in the waste liquid tank 35 via the suction pump 34, and the ink absorbing material 8 disposed on the inner bottom portion of the capping means 6 is sufficiently wetted by the ink. It is made to be done. Therefore, the accumulation of specific ink that is easily solidified in the ink absorbing material 8 is prevented.

  On the other hand, in step S21, it is determined whether the regular batch timer 50 has counted a predetermined time (2000 seconds). Here, when it is determined that the predetermined time is not counted (No), the process returns. On the other hand, if it is determined that the regular batch timer 50 has counted the predetermined time (Yes), the process proceeds to step S22, and whether the count value (cumulative value) of the flushing amount counter 52 has reached a predetermined value. Whether or not is verified. The verification function in step S22 is the same as that in step S15 described above.

  If it is determined in step S22 that the count value of the counter 52 has reached the predetermined value (Yes), step S23 and step S24 are executed in order. Step S23 and step S24 at this time are the same as step S16 and step S17 described above. Then, the process proceeds to step S25, where periodic batch flushing is executed. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S22 that the count value of the counter 52 has not reached the predetermined value (No), the process proceeds to step S25, and regular batch flushing is executed.

  The regular batch flushing in step S25 is executed by sending a control signal from the threshold value judgment means 53 shown in FIG. The number of ink droplets ejected from each nozzle at this time is managed so as to be the number of ejections shown in Table 2 above. Subsequently, the number of ink ejections made in step S25 is added to the counter value in step S26. This is done by sending ejection number data to the flushing amount counter 52 from the flushing control means 42 shown in FIG. In step S27, the time for the regular batch timer 50 is reset to zero and started.

  Next, FIG. 11 shows a control sequence of a pause flushing operation performed when the operation power of the recording apparatus is turned off. That is, when the power operation switch 64 shown in FIG. 6 is operated, the power off timer 65 is activated. At this time, a control signal is sent from the power-off timer 65 to the threshold value determination means 53, and it is determined whether or not the count value in the flushing amount counter 52 has reached a predetermined counter value as shown in step S31. . Operations in step S32 and step S33 subsequent to step S31 are the same as steps S15 to S17 and steps S22 to S24 described in FIG.

  In step S34, flushing at rest is executed. The number of ink droplets ejected from each nozzle at this time is managed so as to be the number of ejections shown in Table 3 above. Subsequently, the number of ink ejections made in step S34 is added to the counter value in step S35. This is done by sending ejection number data to the flushing amount counter 52 from the flushing control means 42 shown in FIG. Then, in step S36, drive control of each timer is performed.

  In other words, as shown in step S36, the stop time timer 51 is stopped and reset to zero. Further, the cumulative print timer 48 is stopped. Further, the pause timer 47 is reset to zero and started. Then, the periodic flushing timer 49 is reset to zero and stopped. Furthermore, the regular batch timer 50 is stopped. After the drive control of each timer is performed in this way, the process proceeds to step S37 and the power off operation is performed. This power-off operation is performed when the control signal generated when the power-off timer 65 times a predetermined time as described above opens the power switch 62 constituted by a relay switch.

  Next, FIG. 12 shows a control sequence of the flushing operation at the time of paper discharge performed during the paper discharge operation of the recording paper. In this discharge flushing operation, first, as shown in step S41, it is determined whether or not the regular batch timer 51 has counted a predetermined time (2000 seconds). If it is determined that the predetermined time has not been measured (No), the process proceeds to step S42, and it is determined whether or not the regular flushing timer 49 has timed the predetermined time (10 seconds). Here, if it is determined that the predetermined time has been measured (Yes), steps S43 to S45 are executed. In steps S43 to S45, the same sequence as steps S12 to S14 already described in FIG. 10 is executed, and the process proceeds to step S46.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S42 that the regular flushing timer 49 has not timed the predetermined time (No), the process directly proceeds to step S46. Then, steps S46 to S48 are executed. In steps S46 to S48, the same sequence as steps S15 to S17 already described in FIG. 10 is executed.

  If it is determined in step S41 that the regular batch timer 51 has counted the predetermined time (Yes), the process proceeds to step S51. In step S51, it is verified whether or not the count value (cumulative value) of the flushing amount counter 52 has reached a predetermined value. The control sequence from step S51 to step S56 is already described in FIG. This is the same as steps S22 to S27. And after execution of step S56, each step after above-mentioned step S46 is performed.

  As described above, in each control sequence shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, as shown in step S15, step S22, step S31, step S46, and step S51, the integrated count value in the flushing amount counter 52 is Whether or not the predetermined value has been reached is verified, and when it is verified that the predetermined value has been reached, the idle suction operation is executed. Accordingly, the ink absorbing material 8 accommodated in the inner bottom portion of the capping unit 6 performs the idle suction with a sufficient amount of ink managed by the flushing amount counter 52 being accumulated. It is possible to avoid the problem that specific ink is solidified and stagnated in the ink absorbing material 8.

  In the regular batch flushing operation in the above-described embodiment, the control for ejecting ink droplets shown in Table 2 has been described. However, in the regular batch flushing operation, the calculation shown in Table 4 is performed. It is also conceivable to control the number of ink droplet ejection using a correspondence table. Note that “T” shown in Table 4 indicates the elapsed time (seconds) of the regular batch timer 50.

また、他の形態として前記した休止時まとめ打ちフラッシングにおいて実行されるインク滴の吐出数を、一律に５００００ショットと設定すれば、前記した休止時まとめ打ちタイマ５１を不要にすることができる。この場合、図１１に示したステップＳ３６において制御される定期まとめ打ちタイマ５１は、ストップされると共にゼロリセットされる。

Further, as another form, if the number of ink droplet ejections executed in the above-described rest-time batch flushing is uniformly set to 50000 shots, the above-described rest-time batch timer 51 can be eliminated. In this case, the regular batch timer 51 controlled in step S36 shown in FIG. 11 is stopped and reset to zero.

  As is apparent from the above description, according to the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention, the first flushing mode is configured to be selectively executed in the first flushing mode and the second flushing mode, and is performed in the capping state. In the mode, a flushing operation with a large ink droplet ejection amount is executed, so that the influence of ink mist generated by the flushing operation at this time can be greatly reduced.

  Further, in the second flushing mode performed with the capping means opened, the distance between the nozzle formation surface of the recording head and the capping means can be changed according to the type of ink to be ejected. It is possible to effectively suppress the degree of occurrence of mist caused by specific ink that easily generates ink mist.

  In addition, since different types of ink droplets are controlled to be ejected to substantially the same position of the ink absorbing material disposed in the capping means, the ink that is difficult to solidify, particularly at the flushing position by the ink that is easily solidified. The flushing operation can be executed, and it is possible to contribute to eliminating or reducing the accumulation state due to solidification of specific ink.

  In addition, according to the recording apparatus employing the flushing control method of the present invention, the flushing amount counter for accumulating and counting the number of ink droplets ejected by flushing is provided, and the count value by the counter reaches a predetermined value. In this case, an empty suction operation for sucking and discharging a part of the ink from the ink absorbing material disposed in the capping unit is performed, so the ink absorbing material stored in the inner bottom portion of the capping unit includes A sufficient amount of ink is accumulated, so that the problem of specific ink solidifying and stagnating in the ink absorbing material can be avoided.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Carriage, 2 ... Guide rod, 3 ... Paper guide plate, 4 ... Recording paper, 5 ... Recording head, 6 ... Capping means, 7 ... Cap member, 7a ... Ink discharge port, 8 ... Ink absorber, 9 ... Cap Holder: 21 ... Wiping member, 31 ... Black ink cartridge, 32 ... Color ink cartridge, 33 ... Carriage motor, 34 ... Suction pump, 40 ... Print control means, 41 ... Head drive means, 42 ... Flushing control means, 43 ... Cleaning Control means 45 ... pump drive means 47 ... pause timer 48 ... cumulative print timer 49 ... periodic flushing timer 50 ... periodic batch timer 51 ... pause batch timer 52 ... flashing amount counter 53 ... Threshold value determination means, 54 ... Empty suction control means, 55 ... Carriage drive means, 61 ... Use power, 62 ... power switch, 63 ... power supply circuit, 64 ... power operation switch, 65 ... power-off timer.

Claims (4)

An ink jet recording head that discharges ink droplets based on print data and a capping unit that can seal a nozzle forming surface of the recording head are provided, and an ink absorbing material is stored in an inner bottom portion of the capping unit. An ink jet recording apparatus,
Wherein in a state in which the nozzle formation surface and the capping unit is separated, off lashing from the recording head Ru by ejecting the ink droplets in the capping means is configured to execute,
The ink droplet ejecting operation performed in the flushing is performed on the substantially same position of the ink absorbing material disposed in the capping means as the ink solidifying operation that is hard to solidify following the ink ejecting operation that is easy to solidify. By being controlled as described above, the ink which is hard to solidify is mixed with the ink which is easy to solidify . 2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flushing is a regular flushing operation that is periodically performed at predetermined time intervals. The Furasshin flushing amount counter for counting cumulatively the number of ink droplets to be made Oite the grayed is provided, when the count value by the counter reaches a predetermined value, and said capping means of said recording head in a state where the nozzle surface is separated, said sucking inner bottom of the capping unit, so that the air suction operation for sucking and discharging a portion of the ink from the placed ink absorbing material in the capping means is executed An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 configured. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the idle suction operation is executed and a count value in the flushing amount counter is reset.

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