JP5878697B2 - Inkjet recording device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus that records an image using a recording head capable of ejecting ink, and more particularly, to an ink jet recording apparatus having a suction recovery function for maintaining a good ink ejection state of a recording head. Is.

  An ink jet recording apparatus can form a high-definition image using a recording head in which a plurality of nozzles capable of ejecting ink are arranged at high density. A plurality of discharge ports for discharging the ink in the nozzles are formed on the discharge port surface of the recording head used in this ink jet recording apparatus. The size of the discharge port is about several tens of microns. In such a recording head that ejects ink from a minute ejection port, when ink is not ejected continuously, the ink in the nozzle thickens or solidifies, and normal ink from the nozzle There is a possibility that the discharge of the liquid is hindered. As a countermeasure, when the ink has not been ejected for a certain period of time, the ink in the nozzle is refreshed by sucking out the thickened or solidified ink in the nozzle from the ejection port. ing. Such a process is generally referred to as a suction recovery process, and an apparatus that performs this process is generally referred to as a suction recovery apparatus.

  The suction recovery device includes a cap that is in close contact with the discharge port surface of the recording head and covers the periphery of the discharge port, and a negative pressure for generating a negative pressure introduced into the space formed by the cap and the discharge port surface. Pressure generating means. The cap unit including the cap is provided with an air release valve for making the inside of the cap a sealed space at the time of the suction recovery process, and for making the inside of the cap atmospheric pressure except at the time of the suction recovery process. A general air release valve is configured to drive an on-off valve provided in a flow path connected to the cap with a dedicated actuator. Since a dedicated actuator is required, the downsizing and cost reduction of the recording device are adversely affected. It was.

  Patent Document 1 describes an air release valve that opens and closes using the movement of a recording head without requiring a dedicated actuator. Specifically, an air opening that communicates with the atmosphere is provided in a flow path connected to the cap, and an elastic body that is interlocked with the movement of the recording head is provided below the air opening. When the recording head moves downward while being in contact with the cap, the elastic body is in contact with the atmosphere opening and sealed in conjunction with the movement of the recording head.

Japanese Patent No. 4314841

  In the suction recovery device described in Patent Document 1, when the recording head is in contact with the cap, the air release valve is sealed, and the space between the discharge port surface of the recording head and the cap is a sealed space. For this reason, when the air in the cap expands due to a change in the outside air temperature, the air may be pushed into the recording head from the ejection port, and ink ejection failure may occur in the recording head. Further, when the air in the cap contracts, the ink in the recording head is discharged from the ejection port, and there is a possibility that problems such as ink leakage may occur. Further, Patent Document 1 describes a configuration in which a member that can seal the discharge port in close contact with the discharge port surface of the recording head at the time of non-recording operation is provided separately from the position where the suction recovery process is performed. Yes. However, when a member capable of sealing the discharge port is separately provided as described above, it is difficult to reduce the size and cost of the recording apparatus.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus capable of reducing the size and cost of the apparatus by opening and closing an air release valve that can open the inside of the cap to the atmosphere without requiring a special actuator. It is to provide.

The ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention includes a recording head capable of ejecting ink from an ejection port, a cap capable of capping the ejection port of the recording head, and the recording head and the cap relatively contacting and separating from each other, Capping means for switching between a capping state and a non-capping state of the cap with respect to the recording head; and a negative pressure introducing means for introducing a negative pressure into the cap. In the capping state, the negative pressure introducing means An ink jet recording apparatus that performs a recovery operation by introducing a negative pressure into the cap, and a moving unit that moves the cap in a direction that intersects a direction in which the recording head is brought into contact with and separated from the cap by the capping unit. , Provided in a communication path communicating the inside of the cap and the atmosphere, In conjunction with the direction of operation of moving the serial cap, said moving means and having an a air release valve for opening and closing operation on the basis of the force to move the cap.

  According to the present invention, the air release valve can be opened and closed without the need for a special actuator by using the moving force of the cap to open and close the air release valve that can open the inside of the cap to the atmosphere. Thus, the apparatus can be reduced in size and cost.

1 is a schematic front view of a recording apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. (A), (b), (c) is explanatory drawing of the related operation | movement from the standby state of a recording head to a recording operation state. (A), (b), (c) is explanatory drawing of the related operation | movement from the standby state of a recording head to the implementation state of a recovery operation. It is a schematic diagram of the principal part of the suction recovery device in FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the suction recovery device in FIG. 2. It is an expanded sectional view of the air release valve in FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows the longitudinal direction of the suction recovery device in FIG. (A) is the perspective view which looked at the suction recovery device of Drawing 5 from the lower part, and (b) is the exploded perspective view of the suction recovery device. (A) is a side view of the main part in the released state of the air release valve, (b) is an enlarged view of the IXB circle part of (a), and (c) is an outline of the main part in the released state of the air release valve. It is a block diagram. (A) is a side view of the main part in the sealed state of the air release valve, (b) is an enlarged view of the IXB circle part of (a), and (c) is an outline of the main part in the sealed state of the air release valve. It is a block diagram. 6 is a flow chart for explaining a recovery operation by the suction recovery device of FIG. 5. (A) is sectional drawing of the principal part when the air release valve in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention is in a release state, (b) is the cross section of the principal part when the atmosphere release valve is in a sealed state FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the components described in the following embodiments are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to them.

  In this specification, “recording” (also referred to as image formation) is not limited to forming significant information such as characters and graphics. In other words, regardless of whether it is significant involuntary, or whether it is manifested so that it can be perceived by human eyes, when forming images, patterns, patterns, etc. on recording media widely, This also represents the case where processing is performed. The “recording medium” (also referred to as a sheet) is not only paper used in general recording apparatuses but also widely accepts ink such as cloth, plastic film, metal plate, glass, ceramics, wood, leather, etc. It shall also represent what is possible. Furthermore, “ink” should be interpreted widely as in the definition of “recording” above. That is, by being applied on the recording medium, it is used for formation of images, patterns, patterns, etc., processing of the recording medium, or ink processing (for example, solidification or insolubilization of the colorant in the ink applied to the recording medium). It shall represent a liquid that can be made.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of an ink jet recording apparatus 100 of this embodiment, and a suction recovery device 105 is incorporated in the recording apparatus (hereinafter also referred to as “printer”) 100.

  A host PC (personal computer) 101 is connected to the printer 100 as a host device for sending image information to the printer 100. In the printer 100, four recording heads 102 (102K, 102C, 102M, 102Y) capable of ejecting ink are arranged side by side in the conveyance direction (arrow A direction) of the recording medium (roll paper in this case). ing. Black, cyan, magenta, and yellow ink are ejected from the four recording heads 102K, 102C, 102M, and 102Y, respectively. These four recording heads 102 are long line heads, and extend in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 1 (a direction perpendicular to the direction of arrow A). The lengths of these four recording heads 102 are slightly longer than the maximum width (the length in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 1) of the recording media that can be recorded by the printer 100. These four recording heads 102 are fixed and do not move during the image recording operation.

  The ejection port forming surfaces 103 (103K, 103C, 103M, 103Y) of the four recording heads 102 (102K, 102C, 102M, 102Y) are each along the width direction of the recording medium (direction orthogonal to the paper surface of FIG. 1). A plurality of discharge ports arranged in a row are formed. The recording head 102 is provided with ejection energy generating elements for ejecting ink supplied from an ink tank, which will be described later, from ejection ports, and nozzles are configured by these ejection ports and the ejection energy generating elements. . As the discharge energy generating element, an electrothermal conversion element (heater), a piezoelectric element, or the like can be used. When the electrothermal conversion element is used, the ink can be foamed by the heat generation, and the ink can be ejected from the ejection port using the foaming energy.

  A suction recovery device 105 is incorporated in the printer 100 so that the four recording heads 102 can stably eject ink. By the suction recovery operation of the suction recovery device 105, the ink discharge state from the recording head 102 is maintained in a good state. As is well known, the suction recovery device 105 includes a blade, an ink removing member, a blade holding member, a cap, and the like. Further, the entire suction recovery device 105 is configured to be detachable from the printer 100 with a single touch, and can be replaced at a predetermined timing by a service person or a user.

  The suction recovery device 105 is detachably equipped with a cap unit 201 (201K, 201C, 201M, 201Y). A cap 411 (411K, 411C, 411M, 411Y) that is in close contact with the ejection port forming surface 103 (103K, 103C, 103M, 103Y) is attached to the cap unit 201 during the suction recovery operation. The cap unit 201 is provided independently for each recording head 102 (102K, 102C, 102M, 102Y).

  The roll paper P is supplied from the roll paper supply unit 106 and is conveyed in the direction of arrow A by the conveyance mechanism 107 incorporated in the printer 100. The transport mechanism 107 includes a transport belt 108 that loads and transports the roll paper P fed from the roll paper supply unit 106, a transport motor 109 that rotates the transport belt 108, and a roller 110 that applies tension to the transport belt 108. Etc.

  When an image is recorded on the roll paper P, the roll paper P is continuously conveyed in the arrow A direction. When the recording start position on the roll paper P reaches the recording position below the recording head 102K, the black ink is selectively selected from the plurality of ejection openings in the recording head 102K based on the recording data (image information). Discharge. Similarly, when the recording start position on the roll paper P reaches the recording position below the recording head 102C, the recording head 102M, and the recording head 102Y, these recording heads are cyan, magenta, and Eject yellow ink. As a result, a color image is recorded on the roll paper P. The printer 100 includes a main tank 111 (111K, 111C, 111M, 111Y) that stores ink supplied to the recording head 102 (102K, 102C, 102M, 102Y). Furthermore, the printer 100 is provided with various pumps that supply ink to the recording head 102 and perform recovery operations.

  2A, 2 </ b> B, and 2 </ b> C are explanatory diagrams of operations related to the recording head 102 and the suction recovery device 105. The recording head 102 can be moved in the vertical direction of arrows B1 and B2 by a moving mechanism (not shown), and the suction recovery device 105 is moved in the left-right direction in FIG. It can be moved in the front / back direction and the width direction crossing the transport direction). The suction recovery device 105 is detachably mounted at a fixed position of the slide frame 105A, and the slide frame 105A is guided by the guide member 202 so as to be movable in the directions of arrows C1 and C2. The timing belt 203 is connected to the slide frame 105A via an elastic body 902 and a connecting plate (movable body) 901 as will be described later. The slide frame 105 </ b> A moves in the directions of the arrows C <b> 1 and C <b> 2 together with the suction recovery device 105 and the cap unit 201 via the timing belt 203, the elastic body 902, and the connection plate 901 by the normal rotation and reverse rotation of the motor 204. Further, the suction recovery device 105 is provided with a blade 301 described later.

  FIG. 2A shows a standby state of the recording head 102, and the cap 411 in the cap unit 201 is in close contact with the discharge port forming surface 103. A pump unit (negative pressure introducing means) 410 for generating a negative pressure is connected to the cap unit 201 via a tube 402.

  In such a standby state, when a recording start instruction is received from the host PC 101, the recording head 102 is moved in the arrow B1 direction as shown in FIG. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 2C, after the suction recovery device 105 moves to the retracted position in the arrow C2 direction, the recording head 102 moves in the arrow B2 direction and descends to a predetermined recording operation position. The recording head 102 starts a recording operation for ejecting ink based on the recording data at this recording operation position. The suction recovery device 105 moves to a position detected by the position detection sensor 205.

  After completion of the recording operation, as shown in FIG. 2B, the recording head 102 moves in the direction of arrow B1, and then the suction recovery device 105 moves to the cap position in the direction of arrow C1. The cap position is a position where the cap 411 in the cap unit 201 can cap the ejection port of the recording head 102. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 2A, the recording head 102 moves in the direction of the arrow B2 and returns to the standby state until the cap 411 is in close contact with the discharge port forming surface 103.

  FIGS. 3A, 3 </ b> B, and 3 </ b> C are explanatory diagrams of a wiping operation for removing ink attached to the ejection port forming surface 103 using the blade 301 provided in the suction recovery device 105. The wiping operation is an operation for removing ink, paper dust, or the like adhering to the discharge port forming surface 103 that causes image recording failure, and is moved while pressing the elastic blade 301 against the discharge port forming surface 103. .

  FIG. 3A shows a standby state of the recording head 102 similar to that in FIG. 2A, and the cap 411 in the cap unit 201 is in close contact with the discharge port forming surface 103. In this standby state, when an instruction to start the wiping operation is received from the host PC 101, the recording head 102 moves in the direction of arrow B1 and the suction recovery device 105 moves in the direction of arrow C2, as shown in FIG. Thereafter, in the vertical direction, the recording head 102 moves in the arrow B2 direction so that the tip of the blade 301 enters a predetermined amount with respect to the position of the discharge port forming surface 103, and then as shown in FIG. The suction recovery device 105 moves in the arrow C1 direction. At this time, the blade 301 wipes out foreign matters such as ink and paper dust adhering to the discharge port forming surface 103. After the wiping is completed, the recording head 102 and the suction recovery device 105 return to the standby state shown in FIG.

  In this example, two blades 301 are used. However, the number of blades 301 is not particularly limited as long as ink, paper dust, and the like attached to the ejection port formation surface 103 can be sufficiently removed.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of a portion of the cap unit 201 in the suction recovery device 105. As described above, the suction recovery device 105 can move the cap 411 to the cap position facing the ejection port forming surface 103 of the recording head 102. In the pump unit 410, a pump 401 for generating a negative pressure, a pressure adjusting chamber 403 for temporarily storing the negative pressure, and a negative pressure in the pressure adjusting chamber 403 are instantaneously applied to the suction recovery device 105. And a recovery valve 404 for opening and closing the flow path. As the pump 401, a tube pump or the like that is simple in configuration and capable of blocking the flow path during standby when the operation is stopped is generally used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various pumps that can generate a negative pressure can be used as the pump 401.

  The cap unit 201 protects the ejection port of the recording head 102 from drying, and applies a negative pressure introduced from the pump 401 to the ejection port of the recording head 102 during the suction recovery operation. The cap unit 201 (201Y, 201M, 201C, 201K) includes an elastic cap 411 (411Y, 411M, 411C, 411K) that contacts the corresponding discharge port forming surface 103 (103Y, 103M, 103C, 103K). The caps 411 are attached to the cap frame 405 via a base 412 (412Y, 412M, 412C, 412K) and a bellows-shaped elastic joint 406 (406Y, 406M, 406C, 406K). The cap 411 is connected to a pressure chamber 407 inside the cap frame 405 via a deformable bellows-shaped elastic joint 406. Therefore, even when the recording head 102 is moved downward by a predetermined amount after the cap 411 is brought into contact with the discharge port forming surface 103, the flow state between the inside of the cap 411 and the pressure chamber 407 is maintained. In this example, the elastic joint 406 has a bellows shape. However, the shape of the elastic joint 406 is not limited to this, and the flow state between the inside of the cap 411 and the pressure chamber 407 is maintained even when the recording head 102 in contact with the cap 411 moves downward. Anything is possible.

  The pressure chamber 407 is formed as a common pressure chamber located immediately below each of the elastic joints 406 (406Y, 406M, 406C, 406K), and the negative pressure from the pump unit 410 is simultaneously and efficiently applied to the inside of the cap 411. It has a configuration that is often introduced. The inside of the cap 411 communicates with the atmosphere through the elastic joint 406, the pressure chamber 407, and the communication path 413, and the atmosphere release valve 501 is provided in the communication path 413. In addition, the pressure chamber 407 has a flow path 408 (408Y, 408M, 408C, 408K) that communicates the inside with the elastic joint 406 (406Y, 406M, 406C, 406K), and a connection portion 409 to which the tube 402 is connected. , Is formed.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the suction recovery device 105. The suction recovery device 105 can be attached to and detached from a fixed position of the slide frame 105 </ b> A on the printer 100 side, and when connected to the printer 100, the connection portion 409 is sealed with a sealing member 502.

  FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a part of the atmosphere release valve 501. An air release port 601 is formed in a boss 405A provided on the cap frame 405, and a cylindrical valve 602 formed of an elastic material is attached to an opening end portion of the boss 405A. As will be described later, the valve 602 closes the air release port 601 by the rib (opening) 603 at the tip of the valve 602 being crushed by the valve plate (valve) 904. As a result, the communication between the atmosphere opening port 601 communicating with the pressure chamber 407 and the atmosphere is blocked. The rib 603 and the valve plate 904 constitute an atmosphere release valve 501 that can open and seal the atmosphere release port 601.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a portion where the cap unit 201 is attached to the cap frame 405 of the suction recovery device 105. An elastic joint 406 is attached to the cap frame 405 by a fixing member 701, and a compression spring 704 is interposed between the fixing member 701 and the base 412. A compression spring 702 is also interposed between the cap frame 405 and the base 412. The compression spring 704 exhibits a function of applying a pressing force when the cap unit 201 is brought into contact with the discharge port forming surface 103 and a function of restoring the compressed elastic joint 406. When the elastic joint 406 is left in a compressed state for a long time, the elastic joint 406 may be unable to be restored to its original shape due to the effect of its permanent distortion. Therefore, the compression spring 704 ensures the restoration of the elastic joint 406. . The compression spring 702 gives a pressing force when the cap unit 201 is brought into contact with the discharge port forming surface 103. These six compression springs 702 and 704 ensure the pressing force of the cap unit 201 against the discharge port forming surface 103.

  In this example, the compression springs 702 and 704 are used to secure the pressing force of the cap unit 201. However, instead of the configuration using the compression spring, another configuration may be adopted. In short, it is only necessary to apply an urging force in a direction in which the cap unit 201 and the cap frame 405 are separated. Also, the number of compression springs used is not limited to six. The common pressure chamber 407 is formed between the cap frame 405 and the pressure chamber cover 703 so as to be positioned below the cap unit 201.

  FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the suction recovery device 105 viewed from below, and FIG. 8B is an exploded perspective view of the cap frame 405 and the pressure chamber cover 703 in the suction recovery device 105.

  A flow path 408 communicating with the cap unit 201, a connection portion 409 connected to the pump unit 410, and a boss (connection portion) 405 A connected to the atmosphere release valve 501 are formed on the lower surface portion of the cap frame 405. Has been. The pressure chamber cover 703 is bonded to the lower surface portion of the cap frame 405, so that a space is formed between them. In the pressure chamber cover 703, a groove portion that forms a flow path 802 </ b> A that communicates between the flow path 408 and the connection portion 409, and a flow path 408 and a connection portion 801 at a position lower than the bonding surface with the cap frame 405. And a groove portion that forms a flow path 802B that communicates with each other. A pressure chamber 407 is formed by the flow path 802A. In this example, the flow paths 802A and 802B are formed on the pressure chamber cover 703 side, but these may be formed on the cap frame 405 side. The method for adhering the cap frame 405 and the pressure chamber cover 703 is not particularly limited as long as the airtightness between the cap frame 405 and the pressure chamber cover 703 can be secured. For example, ultrasonic welding, adhesion using an adhesive, or the like may be used.

  FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C are explanatory views of the suction recovery device 105 when the recording head 102 is in the standby state. The discharge port of the recording head 102 is sealed by the cap unit 201, and the atmosphere The release valve 501 is opened. In FIG. 9, (a) is a side view of the suction recovery device 105 in the standby position, (b) is an enlarged view of the IXB circle portion of (a), and (c) is the suction recovery device 105 and the air release valve. FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of a main part for explaining a relationship with a 501; FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C are explanatory views of the suction recovery device 105 during the recovery operation, in which the air release valve 501 is sealed. 10, (a) is a side view of the suction recovery device 105 during the recovery operation, (b) is an enlarged view of the XB circle portion of (a), and (c) is the suction recovery device 105 and the air release valve. FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of a main part for explaining a relationship with a 501;

  A connecting plate (movable body) 901 is connected to the slide frame 105A on which the suction recovery device 105 is mounted at a fixed position via an elastic body 902 (in this example, a compression spring). The connecting plate 901 is guided so as to be movable in the directions of the arrows C1 and C2 with respect to the slide frame 105A, and the movable range is restricted to a predetermined range. The connection plate 901 is connected to the drive mechanism 200 via a belt 203 as power transmission means, and the slide frame 105A is moved in the directions of arrows C1 and C2 via the belt 203, the connection plate 901 and the elastic body 902. The When the slide frame 105 </ b> A is moved at least in the direction of the arrow C <b> 1 (one direction), the moving force from the bell and 203 may be transmitted via the connection plate 901 and the elastic body 902. The connecting plate 901 is provided with a valve plate 904 so as to be slidable in the directions of arrows C1 and C2, and the movable range is restricted to a predetermined range. The valve plate 904 is urged in the direction of the arrow C1 by a compression spring (elastic member) 905.

  In the standby state of FIG. 9, the suction recovery device 105 is moved in the direction of arrow C1 via the belt 203, the connecting plate 901, the elastic body 902, and the slide frame 105A, and the cap frame 405 is moved to the positioning block (stopper) 903. It is in contact. As a result, the suction recovery device 105 is stopped at the movement limit position in the direction of the arrow C1. In this standby state, the elastic body 902 is compressed to a predetermined amount or less, and the connection plate 901 is separated from the rib 603 of the atmosphere release valve 501, and the atmosphere release valve 501 remains open. During the recovery operation, a moving force in the direction of the arrow C1 is further applied to the suction recovery device 105 from the standby state via the belt 203, the connecting plate 901, the elastic body 902, and the slide frame 105A. Since the suction recovery device 105 is in contact with the block 903, the connecting plate 901 moves in the arrow C1 direction with further compression of the elastic body 902 as shown in FIG. When the deformation amount of the elastic body 902 exceeds a predetermined amount, the valve plate 904 comes into close contact with the rib 603 of the atmosphere release valve 501 and closes the atmosphere release valve 501.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining a series of operations including such a recovery operation.

  As described above, in the standby state of FIG. 9, the suction recovery device 105 is stopped at the movement limit position in the direction of the arrow C1 by the positioning block 903 while the elastic body 902 is compressed to a predetermined amount or less, and is released to the atmosphere. The valve 501 is opened. In such a standby state, when a command for performing a suction recovery operation is input from the host PC 101, the connecting mechanism 901 is displaced in the direction of the arrow C1 by the drive mechanism 200 with further compression of the elastic body 902. As a result, the valve plate 904 comes into close contact with the rib 603 of the atmosphere release valve 501 and closes the atmosphere release valve 501 (step S1). At that time, if the tolerance variation of the components including the suction recovery device 105 is large, the valve plate 904 may not be in close contact with the rib 603. Therefore, a compression spring 905 is provided between the connection plate 901 and the valve plate 904. That is, after the valve plate 904 contacts the rib 603, the valve plate 904 comes into close contact with the rib 7603 with the compression of the compression spring 905.

  Thereafter, the recovery valve 404 (see FIG. 4) is closed (step S2), the pump 401 of the pump unit 410 is operated (step S3), and negative pressure is accumulated in the pressure adjusting chamber 403 (see FIG. 4). Then, after waiting for elapse of a predetermined time (step S4), the operation of the pump 401 is stopped (step S5). Thereafter, by opening the recovery valve 404 (step S6), the negative pressure accumulated in the pressure adjusting chamber 403 is instantaneously introduced into the cap unit 201. The negative pressure causes the ink in the recording head 102 to be sucked and discharged (suction recovery operation) from the discharge port into the cap unit 201. Thereafter, after waiting for a predetermined time, the recording head 102 is moved upward in FIG. 10 so as to separate the recording head 102 from the cap unit 201 (step S7). As a result, the cap unit 201 is opened to the atmosphere.

  Next, the driving mechanism 200 applies a moving force in the direction of arrow C <b> 2 to the suction recovery device 105. Thereby, first, with the restoration of the compression spring 905 and the elastic body 902, the connecting plate 901 is displaced in the direction of the arrow C2, and the valve plate 904 is separated from the rib 603 to open the atmosphere release valve 501 (step S8). . Thereafter, the suction recovery device 105 moves in the direction of the arrow C2 together with the connecting plate 901, and the blade 301 wipes out foreign matter such as ink and paper dust attached to the ejection port forming surface 103 of the recording head 102 (wiping operation) (step wiping). S9). The moving force for moving the suction recovery device 105 in the direction of the arrow C2 may be transmitted through the elastic body 902 or may be transmitted without going through it.

  After the recovery operation (suction recovery operation and wiping operation) is completed, the atmosphere release valve 501 is maintained in an open state, and the cap unit 201 communicates with the atmosphere. Therefore, even if the air in the cap unit 201 or the pressure adjustment chamber 403 expands or contracts due to the temperature change of the outside air, the air does not act on the ejection port of the recording head 102. For example, when the air in the cap unit expands due to a change in the outside air temperature, there is no possibility that the air is pushed into the recording head from the discharge port. Further, when the air in the cap unit contracts, there is no possibility that the ink in the recording head is discharged from the ejection port. Therefore, there is no risk of ink ejection failure or ink leakage in the recording head, and a high-quality image can be recorded while maintaining a good ink ejection state of the recording head.

  In this example, after a predetermined time has elapsed since the negative pressure was applied to the cap unit, the cap unit is retreated above the recording head so as to be separated from the cap unit in order to release the cap unit to the atmosphere. (Step S7). However, instead of retracting the recording head in this way, the connecting plate may be moved in the direction of the arrow C2 so that the valve plate is separated from the rib to open the air release valve. In this example, the air release valve was sealed and negative pressure was accumulated in the pressure adjustment chamber of the pump unit. After the negative pressure was accumulated in the pressure adjustment chamber, the air release valve was sealed, and then The recovery valve may be opened to perform suction recovery processing.

  As described above, in this embodiment, since the flow path between the inside of the cap and the atmosphere is opened and closed by using the movement of the suction recovery device without using a special actuator, the recording apparatus can be reduced in size and cost. Can be achieved.

(Second Embodiment)
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. However, description of the same parts as those in the first embodiment will be omitted, and characteristic parts of this embodiment will be described.

  In the case of the present embodiment, an atmosphere opening port 1101 is formed in a boss (connection portion) 405A to which the atmosphere opening valve 501 is connected in the first embodiment, and a valve plate 1103 and a compression plate 1102 are formed in the connecting plate 901. , And a compression spring 1104 is attached. The valve plate 1103 is attached to the connecting plate 901 so as to be movable in the directions of arrows C1 and C2. The compression spring 1104 urges the valve plate 1103 in the direction of arrow C1, and the compression plate 1102 is placed at the tip of the valve plate 1103. It is attached. The compression plate 1102 is formed of an elastic member such as rubber, and the air release port 1101 can be sealed by being in close contact with the air release port 1101.

  FIG. 12A shows a standby state in which the atmosphere opening port 1101 is opened. When the atmosphere opening port 1101 is sealed, the connection plate 901 is accompanied by deformation of the elastic body 902 as in the above-described embodiment. Is moved in the direction of arrow C1. By the movement of the connecting plate 901, as shown in FIG. 12B, the compression plate 1102 comes into close contact with the atmosphere opening port 1101 with the compression of the compression spring 1104, and the atmosphere opening port 1101 is sealed. As described above, the atmosphere opening 1101 can be opened and sealed by the movement of the connecting plate 901.

  Also in this embodiment, since the movement of the suction recovery device is used without using a special actuator in order to open and close the flow path between the inside of the cap and the atmosphere, the recording device can be reduced in size and cost. You can plan.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention can be widely applied to recording apparatuses of various recording systems. For example, in addition to a full-line recording apparatus as in the above-described embodiment, an image is recorded with the movement of a recording head. The present invention can also be applied to a serial scan type recording apparatus. In a serial scan type recording apparatus, an operation of ejecting ink from the recording head while moving the recording head in the main scanning direction and an operation of transporting a predetermined amount of the recording medium in the sub-scanning direction intersecting the main scanning direction And are repeated alternately.

  The elastic body 902 only needs to be elastically deformed by interposing at least a moving force transmission system for moving the suction recovery device 105 in the arrow C1 direction. Therefore, the elastic body 902 is not limited to the one that is compressed and deformed by the moving force in the direction of the arrow C1, but may be one that is extended and deformed by the moving force. In addition, it is desirable that at least one of the rib 603 and the valve plate 904 constituting the atmosphere release valve be formed of an elastic material.

  In the above-described embodiment, the suction recovery device 105 is detachably mounted at a fixed position of the slide frame 105A that is slidably guided by the guide member 202. However, the cap frame 405 of the suction recovery device 105 may be slidably guided by the guide member 202 and the cap frame 405 may be moved. In this case, the cap frame 405 may be brought into contact with the block 903.

102 Recording head 200 Drive mechanism (moving means)
405 Cap frame 410 Pump unit (negative pressure introducing means)
411 Cap 501 Air release valve 603 Rib (opening)
901 Connecting plate (movable body)
902 Elastic body 903 Block (stopper)
904 Valve plate (valve part)

Claims (7)

A recording head capable of discharging ink from the discharge port;
A cap capable of capping the ejection port of the recording head;
Capping means for switching the capping state and the non-capping state of the cap relative to the recording head by relatively contacting and separating the recording head and the cap;
A negative pressure introducing means for introducing a negative pressure into the cap;
Have
In the capping state, the negative pressure introduction unit performs a recovery operation by introducing a negative pressure into the cap,
Moving means for moving the cap in a direction intersecting with the direction of contact and separation between the recording head and the cap by the capping means;
An atmosphere that is provided in a communication path that communicates the inside of the cap and the atmosphere, and that opens and closes based on the force of the moving means to move the cap in conjunction with the movement of the moving means in the direction of moving the cap. A release valve;
An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: A movable body for opening and closing the atmosphere release valve;
An elastic body deformed by the moving means;
Have
The movable body opens and closes the atmosphere release valve by moving according to the deformation of the elastic body, and the atmosphere release valve when the deformation of the elastic body by the moving means exceeds a predetermined amount The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inkjet recording apparatus is closed.   The inkjet recording according to claim 2, wherein the air release valve includes an opening portion of the communication path and a valve portion that can open and close the opening portion according to the movement of the movable body. apparatus.   The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein at least one of the opening and the valve is made of an elastic material.   The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the valve portion is attached to the movable body via an elastic member. A moving unit moved by the moving means ;
A cap support attached to the moving part and supporting the cap;
The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inkjet recording apparatus includes: The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cap is detachable from the negative pressure introducing unit.

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