JP6308168B2 - Inkjet recording device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an ink jet recording apparatus including a recording head in which nozzles are formed is known. The ink jet recording apparatus ejects ink from nozzles to form an image on a sheet.

  When ink comes into contact with air, volatile components evaporate and the viscosity increases (thickens). Therefore, there is a possibility that the ink ejection direction is shifted or the nozzles are clogged due to thickening of the ink existing in the nozzles. Therefore, the ink jet printer described in Patent Document 1 further includes a cap for capping the nozzle. By capping the nozzle to the cap, thickening of the ink remaining inside the nozzle is prevented.

Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 4-52219

  However, the nozzle cap of the ink jet printer described in Patent Document 1 presses (capping) only the nozzle among the nozzle formation surface of the head (recording head) (the surface on which the nozzle of the recording head is formed). Therefore, the ink adhering to the region of the nozzle forming surface that is not pressed against the cap thickens. When the ink adhering to the nozzle forming surface thickens, for example, a load is applied to the wiper blade that wipes off the thickened ink, and the wiper blade may be damaged. Further, for example, when the wiper blade wipes the thickened ink, the thickened ink may contaminate the nozzle forming surface.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus that suppresses thickening of ink attached to a recording head.

  An ink jet recording apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a recording head, a cap, and a first porous member. The recording head ejects ink onto the recording medium. The recording head includes a nozzle area and a first adjacent area. A nozzle is formed in the nozzle region. The first adjacent region is adjacent to one end of the nozzle region. The cap contacts the nozzle area. The first porous member is in contact with the first adjacent region. A liquid is infiltrated into the first porous member.

  According to the present invention, thickening of ink adhering to the recording head is suppressed.

1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an ink jet recording apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the head part which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a recording head and a wiper blade according to a first embodiment of the invention. (A) It is a side view which shows the cap unit which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. (B) It is a top view which shows the cap unit which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. (A) It is a side view which shows the cap unit which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. (B) It is a top view which shows the cap unit which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below do not limit the invention according to the claims. In addition, all of the constituent elements described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the solving means of the invention. The same code | symbol has shown the same component through several figures. In the present embodiment, the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis in the drawing are orthogonal to each other. The X axis and the Y axis are parallel to the horizontal plane, and the Z axis is parallel to the vertical line.

  An inkjet recording apparatus 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 shows an ink jet recording apparatus 1. The inkjet recording apparatus 1 includes a tray 200, a feeding roller 201, a first transport unit 205, a head unit 3, a second transport unit 212, a discharge roller 216, a wiper unit 60, a cap unit 290, And a control unit 50.

  The tray 200 stores paper P, which is a type of recording medium. The tray 200 is disposed upstream of the first transport unit 205 in the transport direction D0 of the paper P (right side in FIG. 1). A feeding roller 201 is provided at the downstream end of the tray 200 in the transport direction D0. The feeding roller 201 supplies the paper P stored in the tray 200 to the first transport unit 205 one by one.

  The first transport unit 205 places the paper P supplied from the feeding roller 201 on the first transport belt 208 and transports it in the transport direction D0. The first transport unit 205 includes a first drive roller 206, a first driven roller 207, and a first transport belt 208. The first transport belt 208 is stretched around the first drive roller 206 and the first driven roller 207. When the first drive roller 206 is rotationally driven by a motor (not shown), the first transport belt 208 rotates, and the paper P placed on the first transport belt 208 is transported along the transport direction D0. .

  The head unit 3 is disposed to face the first transport unit 205. The head unit 3 forms an image on the paper P by ejecting ink onto the paper P transported by the first transport unit 205. The head unit 3 includes a plurality of types (four types in this embodiment) of line heads 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K. Details of the head unit 3 will be described later.

  The second transport unit 212 is disposed downstream of the first transport unit 205 in the transport direction D0 (left side in FIG. 1). The second transport unit 212 includes a second drive roller 213, a second driven roller 214, and a second transport belt 215. The second transport belt 215 is stretched around the second drive roller 213 and the second driven roller 214. When the second drive roller 213 is driven to rotate by a motor (not shown), the second transport belt 215 rotates, and the paper P placed on the second transport belt 215 is transported along the transport direction D0. .

  The paper P on which an image is formed by the head unit 3 is sent to the second transport unit 212, and the ink attached to the surface of the paper P is dried while the paper P passes through the second transport unit 212. The discharge roller 216 discharges the paper P that has been transported by the second transport unit 212 to the outside of the inkjet recording apparatus 1.

  The control unit 50 controls the overall operation of the inkjet recording apparatus 1. The control unit 50 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory. The memory stores various computer programs executed by the CPU. The function of the control unit 50 is realized by the CPU executing various computer programs stored in the memory.

  The wiper unit 60 is disposed below the second transport unit 212. The wiper unit 60 includes a plurality of wiper blades 20. The wiper unit 60 uses the wiper blade 20 to wipe off the ink adhering to the head unit 3 (wiping). For example, when the wiper blade 20 performs wiping, the control unit 50 first lowers the first transport unit 205. Then, the control unit 50 horizontally moves the wiper unit 60 so as to be positioned at a standby position below the head unit 3 (a position between the head unit 3 and the first transport unit 205). Thereafter, the control unit 50 raises the wiper unit 60 to wipe the head unit 3. Details of the wiper unit 60 will be described later.

  The cap unit 290 is disposed below the second transport unit 212 and above the wiper unit 60. The cap unit 290 is attached to the head unit 3 when the head unit 3 is not used for a certain period of time. Thereby, thickening and drying of the ink in the head part 3 are prevented. For example, when the cap unit 290 is attached to the head unit 3, the control unit 50 lowers the first transport unit 205. Then, the control unit 50 horizontally moves the cap unit 290 to be positioned at a standby position below the head unit 3. Thereafter, the control unit 50 raises the cap unit 290 and attaches the cap unit 290 to the head unit 3. The cap unit 290 is detachably attached to the head unit 3. Details of the cap unit 290 will be described later.

  Next, the head unit 3, the recording head 10, and the wiper blade 20 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the head unit 3 according to the first embodiment. The head unit 3 further includes a head housing 18. A plurality of types of line heads 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K are held by the head housing 18. The line head 10Y is a yellow line head. The line head 10M is a magenta line head. The line head 10C is a cyan line head. The line head 10K is a black color line head.

  The line heads 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K are arranged in the order of the line head 10K, the line head 10C, the line head 10M, and the line head 10Y from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction D0 of the paper P. In the first embodiment, each of the line heads 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K includes three recording heads 10 that are arranged in a staggered manner along a direction orthogonal to the transport direction D0 (in this embodiment, the X-axis direction). including. Each of the three recording heads 10 of the line head 10Y ejects yellow ink. Each of the three recording heads 10 of the line head 10M ejects magenta ink. Each of the three recording heads 10 of the line head 10C ejects cyan ink. Each of the three recording heads 10 of the line head 10K ejects black ink.

  FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of the recording head 10 and the wiper blade 20. The recording head 10 includes an ink inlet 13 and an ink outlet 15. The recording head 10 has an ink ejection surface 17. In the present embodiment, the ink discharge surface 17 is a flat surface. The ink ejection surface 17 includes a nozzle area AN, a first adjacent area A1, and a second adjacent area A2. A plurality of nozzles 11 are formed in the nozzle area AN. The nozzle 11 is formed, for example, at the center of the ink discharge surface 17. Accordingly, the nozzle area AN is located at the center of the ink ejection surface 17. The first adjacent area A1 is adjacent to one end of the nozzle area AN. On the other hand, the second adjacent area A2 is adjacent to the other end of the nozzle area AN. The first adjacent area A1 and the second adjacent area A2 are areas on the ink ejection surface 17 where the nozzles 11 are not formed.

  The nozzle 11 ejects ink for forming an image on the paper P. The ink ejected by the nozzles 11 flows into the recording head 10 from an ink tank (not shown) via the ink inlet 13. In the ink tank, evaporation of volatile components of the ink is prevented. Therefore, the ink ejected from the nozzle 11 is a fresh ink that is not thickened.

  The plurality of wiper blades 20 correspond to each of the plurality of recording heads 10. That is, one wiper blade 20 of the plurality of wiper blades 20 wipes the ink ejection surface 17 of the corresponding recording head 10. However, in FIG. 3, for convenience of explanation, one recording head 10 and a wiper blade 20 corresponding to one recording head 10 are shown. The wiper blade 20 has elasticity. The wiper blade 20 is made of, for example, an elastic member, specifically, synthetic rubber or synthetic resin.

  The recording head 10 performs a purge process before the wiper blade 20 performs wiping. The purge process is a process for forcibly pushing out the ink Nf from the nozzle 11. The ink Nf discharged from the nozzles 11 during the purge process is fresh, as is the ink discharged to form an image. Further, the recording head 10 discharges unnecessary matter in the recording head 10 together with the ink Nf from the nozzle 11 in the purge process.

  The wiper blade 20 moves in a wiping direction D1, an ascending direction D3, and a descending direction D4 opposite to the ascending direction D3. The wiping direction D1 is a direction along the X axis, that is, a direction along the ink discharge surface 17. The ascending direction D3 and the descending direction D4 are directions along the Z axis.

  Next, the wiping of the ink discharge surface 17 performed by the wiper blade 20 will be described with reference to FIG. First, the recording head 10 performs a purge process and discharges the ink Nf from the nozzle 11. Next, the wiper blade 20 moves in the ascending direction D3 and comes into contact with the first adjacent region A1. The wiper blade 20 passes through the nozzle area AN through the nozzle area AN by moving in the wiping direction D1 while maintaining a state in contact with the ink discharge surface 17. Thereafter, the wiper blade 20 moves to the second adjacent area A2, moves in the descending direction D4, and moves away from the ink ejection surface 17. As a result, the wiper blade 20 cleans the ink ejection surface 17 by wiping off the ink Nf and wiping off unnecessary matters (for example, dust and dirt) adhering to the ink ejection surface 17.

  Next, the cap unit 290 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 4. FIG. 4A is a side view showing the cap unit 290. FIG. 4B is a plan view showing the cap unit 290. The cap unit 290 includes a moving mechanism 291, a first sponge 295 a as a first porous member, a second sponge 295 b as a second porous member, and a cap 297. Hereinafter, in this specification, the first sponge 295a and the second sponge 295b may be collectively referred to as a sponge 295.

  The cap 297 is a plate-like member and has a rectangular shape in plan view. The cap 297 extends along the direction in which the ink discharge surface 17 extends. The cap 297 is made of, for example, EPDM (ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer) or a synthetic resin.

  The first sponge 295 a is disposed outside the one end in the longitudinal direction of the cap 297 so as to be adjacent to the cap 297. Further, the second sponge 295 b is disposed adjacent to the cap 297 outside the other end in the longitudinal direction of the cap 297. A liquid is infiltrated into the first sponge 295a and the second sponge 295b. The liquid that has permeated the sponge 295 contains, for example, a vehicle. Further, the liquid that has permeated the sponge 295 contains a surfactant. The liquid that has permeated the sponge 295 has a lower volatility than, for example, water. Therefore, the liquid that has permeated the sponge 295 is less likely to evaporate than water. The liquid that has permeated the sponge 295 preferably has a volatility of 1/20 or less of water.

  The moving mechanism 291 moves the cap 297, the first sponge 295a, and the second sponge 295b. For example, the moving mechanism 291 moves the cap 297, the first sponge 295a, and the second sponge 295b in the ascending direction D3 or the descending direction D4. When the moving mechanism 291 moves the cap 297, the first sponge 295a, and the second sponge 295b toward the recording head 10 in the upward direction D3, the cap 297 contacts the nozzle area AN, and the first sponge 295a The second sponge 295b abuts on the adjacent area A1, and the second sponge 295b abuts on the second adjacent area A2. The nozzle 11 is capped by the cap 297 when the cap 297 contacts the nozzle area AN.

  When the wiper blade 20 wipes the ink ejection surface 17, the ink Nv may adhere to the first adjacent area A1 and / or the second adjacent area A2. In this case, the first sponge 295a contacts the first adjacent area A1 and contacts the ink Nv. The second sponge 295b contacts the second adjacent area A2 and contacts the ink Nv. As a result, the viscosity of the ink Nv adhering to the first adjacent region A1 and / or the second adjacent region A2 is suppressed by the liquid that has permeated the first sponge 295a and the second sponge 295b.

  As described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, according to the present embodiment, the nozzle 11 is capped by the cap 297, and the first sponge 295a infiltrated with liquid is applied to the first adjacent region A1. The second sponge 295b infiltrated with the liquid comes into contact with the second adjacent region A2. As a result, thickening of the ink adhering to the ink discharge surface 17 is suppressed. By suppressing the increase in the viscosity of the ink adhering to the ink ejection surface 17, for example, the load applied to the wiper blade 20 when wiping the increased viscosity ink Nv is suppressed, and the wiper blade 20 can be prevented from being damaged. Further, for example, the wiper blade 20 wipes off the ink Nv whose viscosity increase is suppressed, that is, the low viscosity ink, so that the contamination of the ink discharge surface 17 is suppressed.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the sponge 295 is infiltrated with a liquid having volatility lower than that of water. Therefore, drying of the sponge 295 is suppressed as compared with the case where water is infiltrated into the sponge 295. As a result, the use period of the sponge 295 can be extended as compared with the case where water is infiltrated into the sponge 295.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the nozzle 11 is capped by the cap 297. Therefore, thickening of the ink existing inside the nozzle 11 is suppressed. As a result, it is possible to prevent the ejection direction of the ink ejected from the nozzle 11 from shifting or the nozzle 11 from being clogged.

  Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the cap 297 contacts the nozzle area AN of the ink ejection surface 17, and the sponge 295 infiltrated with the liquid contacts the first adjacent area A1 and the second adjacent area A2. Therefore, the cap 297 can be downsized as compared with the case where the cap 297 contacts the nozzle area AN, the first adjacent area A1, and the second adjacent area A2 in the ink ejection surface 17. As a result, it is possible to suppress the manufacturing cost of the cap 297 while suppressing drying or thickening of the ink Nv adhering to the ink ejection surface 17.

(Embodiment 2)
With reference to FIG. 5, an inkjet recording apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described. The configuration of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment is the same as the configuration of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. However, the cap unit 290 of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment includes a first moving mechanism 291a and a second moving mechanism 291b instead of the moving mechanism 291. Hereinafter, differences between the second embodiment and the first embodiment will be mainly described.

  FIG. 5A is a side view showing the cap unit 290. FIG. 5B is a plan view showing the cap unit 290. The first moving mechanism 291a moves the cap 297. For example, the first moving mechanism 291a moves the cap 297 in the ascending direction D3 or the descending direction D4. As the first moving mechanism 291a moves the cap 297 in the upward direction D3 toward the recording head 10, the cap 297 comes into contact with the nozzle area AN. That is, the cap 297 caps the nozzle 11.

  On the other hand, the second moving mechanism 291b moves the first sponge 295a and the second sponge 295b. For example, the second moving mechanism 291b moves the first sponge 295a and the second sponge 295b in the ascending direction D3 or the descending direction D4. When the second moving mechanism 291b moves the first sponge 295a and the second sponge 295b in the upward direction D3 toward the recording head 10, the first sponge 295a abuts on the first adjacent area A1, and the second sponge 295b. Abuts against the second adjacent region A2.

  The timing at which the first moving mechanism 291a moves the cap 297 in the upward direction D3 and the timing at which the second moving mechanism 291b moves the first sponge 295a and the second sponge 295b in the upward direction D3 may be simultaneous or different. May be. The first moving mechanism 291a moves the cap 297 in the ascending direction D3 or the descending direction D4, and the second moving mechanism 291b moves the first sponge 295a and the second sponge 295b in the ascending direction D3 or the descending direction D4. The distance may be the same or different. The user moves the distance by which the first moving mechanism 291a moves the cap 297 in the ascending direction D3 or the descending direction D4, and the second moving mechanism 291b moves the first sponge 295a and the second sponge 295b in the ascending direction D3 or the descending direction D4. The distance to be set can be arbitrarily set.

  As described above with reference to FIG. 5, according to the second embodiment, the timing at which the first moving mechanism 291a moves the cap 297 in the upward direction D3, and the second moving mechanism 291b causes the sponge 295 to move in the upward direction D3. The timing of moving to may be different. Therefore, after the first moving mechanism 291a moves the cap 297 in the ascending direction D3 to contact the nozzle area AN, the second moving mechanism 291b moves each of the first sponge 295a and the second sponge 295b to the first adjacent area. You may make it contact | abut to each of A1 and 2nd adjacent area | region A2. As a result, the first sponge 295a or the second sponge 295b can be prevented from being sandwiched between the cap 297 and the recording head 10, and the adhesion between the cap 297 and the recording head 10 is improved.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the user moves the distance by which the first moving mechanism 291a moves the cap 297 in the upward direction D3, and the second moving mechanism 291b moves the first sponge 295a and the second sponge 295b in the upward direction D3. The distance to be moved can be arbitrarily set. Therefore, when the thickness of the sponge 295 is reduced, the user moves the distance by which the sponge 295 of the second moving mechanism 291b is moved in the upward direction D3 from the distance by which the first moving mechanism 291a moves the cap 297 in the upward direction D3. Can also be long. As a result, when the thickness of the sponge 295 is reduced, the user can bring the sponge 295 into contact with the ink ejection surface 17 while maintaining the height at which the cap 297 is capped on the nozzle 11.

  Next, examples of the present invention will be described with reference to Table 1, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples. Table 1 shows the evaluation results of the ink ejection accuracy of the inkjet recording apparatuses 1 according to Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2.

  In Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2, the print head 10 is purged every 8 hours, and the wiper blade 20 wipes the ink discharge surface 17 of the print head 10 and then the cap unit 290 is moved to the head. Part 3 was attached. Then, every time one week elapses, it was confirmed whether or not the recording head 10 includes nozzles 11 that do not eject ink and / or nozzles 11 whose ink ejection direction is shifted. As an evaluation standard for ink ejection accuracy, a case where there is no nozzle 11 that does not eject ink and / or a nozzle 11 whose ink ejection direction is shifted does not exist, and a case where there is a cross indicates x. Before performing this confirmation, the ink ejection surface 17 of the recording head 10 is wiped by the wiper blade 20.

  A method for confirming whether or not there is a nozzle 11 whose ink ejection direction has shifted is, for example, to form a solid image on a sheet by ejecting ink to each of the line heads 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K. And visually confirm whether or not white streaks have occurred in the solid image. For example, the length of the solid image sheet P along the conveyance direction D0 is 5 mm. Further, for example, the length of the solid image along the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction D0 of the paper P is along the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction D0 of the paper P in an area where the inkjet recording apparatus 1 can form an image on the paper P. Length.

  In Comparative Example 1, a cap unit 290 that does not include the first sponge 295a and the second sponge 295b was used. As shown in Table 1, when the cap unit 290 did not include the first sponge 295a and the second sponge 295b, a result of x was obtained after one week.

  Moreover, in the comparative example 2, the cap unit 290 provided with the 1st sponge 295a and the 2nd sponge 295b which did not permeate | transmit the liquid was used. As shown in Table 1, as in Comparative Example 1, when the cap unit 290 is provided with the first sponge 295a and the second sponge 295b that are not infiltrated with liquid, a result of x is obtained after one week. Obtained.

  In Example 1, 30% by mass of 1,2-propanediol, 10% by mass of 2-pyrrolidone, 15% by mass of triethylene glycol monobutyl ether, and Olfin (registered trademark) were added to the first sponge 295a and the second sponge 295b. A liquid obtained by mixing 1% by mass of E1010 and 44% by mass of water was infiltrated. As a result, as shown in Table 1, a result of ◯ was obtained after 1 week, and a result of x was obtained after 2 weeks.

  In Example 2, 38% by mass of 1,2-propanediol, 28% by mass of 2-pyrrolidone, 33% by mass of triethylene glycol monobutyl ether, 33% by mass of Olfin (registered trademark), and the first sponge 295a and the second sponge 295b ) A liquid obtained by mixing 1% by mass of E1010 was infiltrated. As a result, as shown in Table 1, a result of ◯ was obtained after 1 week, and a result of ◯ was obtained even after 4 weeks. Note that the liquid that has permeated the first sponge 295a and the second sponge 295b in Example 2 is less volatile than the liquid that has permeated the first sponge 295a and the second sponge 295b in Example 1.

  From the above results, it was found that the cap unit 290 is provided with the first sponge 295a and the second sponge 295b in which liquid is infiltrated to prevent the ink ejection accuracy of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 from being lowered.

  In addition, from the above results, the first sponge 295a and the second sponge 295b are prevented from evaporating the liquid permeated through the first sponge 295a and the second sponge 295b when the less volatile liquid is permeated into the first sponge 295a and the second sponge 295b. Can be considered. Therefore, it has been found that it is preferable to infiltrate the first sponge 295a and the second sponge 295b with a liquid having low volatility.

  As described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, according to the embodiment and example of the present invention, the nozzle 11 of the recording head 10 is capped by the cap 297, and the first adjacent region A <b> 1 has the first. The first sponge 295a contacts, and the second sponge 295b contacts the second adjacent area A2. The liquid is infiltrated into the first sponge 295a and the second sponge 295b. Therefore, the ink adhering to the inside of the nozzle 11 is prevented from touching the air, and the thickening of the ink adhering to the first adjacent area A1 and / or the second adjacent area A2 is suppressed. As a result, thickening of the ink adhering to the recording head 10 is suppressed.

  The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings (FIGS. 1 to 5). However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist thereof (for example, (1) to (3) shown below). In order to facilitate understanding, the drawings schematically show each component as a main component, and the thickness, length, number, and the like of each component shown in the drawings are different from the actual for convenience of drawing. . Moreover, the shape, dimension, etc. of each component shown by said embodiment are an example, Comprising: It does not specifically limit, A various change is possible in the range which does not deviate substantially from the effect of this invention.

  (1) As described with reference to FIG. 1, the recording medium is the paper P. However, the recording medium is not limited to this, and other media on which an image is formed by the recording head 10, for example, an envelope or a fabric. There may be.

  (2) As described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the head unit 3 has been described with respect to the inkjet recording apparatus 1 including a plurality of types of line heads 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K. However, the inkjet recording apparatus 1 may include a serial type head unit 3.

  (3) As described with reference to FIG. 1, the cap unit 290 is attached to the head unit 3 by raising the cap unit 290. However, the cap unit 290 may be attached to the head unit 3 by the controller 50 placing the cap unit 290 on the first transport unit 205 and raising the first transport unit 205.

  The present invention can be used in the fields of a sheet conveying apparatus and an image forming apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Inkjet recording device 10 Recording head 11 Nozzle 17 Ink discharge surface 20 Wiper blade 291 Movement mechanism 291a First movement mechanism 291b Second movement mechanism 297 Cap 295a First sponge 295b Second sponge AN nozzle area A1 First adjacent area A2 Second Adjacent area

Claims (5)

A recording head that includes a nozzle region in which nozzles are formed and a first adjacent region adjacent to one end of the nozzle region, and that ejects ink onto a recording medium;
A cap in contact with the nozzle region;
A first porous member in contact with the first adjacent region ;
A first moving mechanism for moving the cap;
A second moving mechanism for moving the first porous member ,
An ink jet recording apparatus in which a liquid is infiltrated into the first porous member. A second porous member infiltrated with the liquid;
A wiper blade for cleaning the recording head;
The recording head further includes a second adjacent region adjacent to the other end of the nozzle region and in contact with the second porous member,
The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the wiper blade moves from the first adjacent area to the second adjacent area via the nozzle area.   The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid has lower volatility than water.   The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid has volatility of 1/20 or less of water. After the first moving mechanism is brought into contact with the cap on the nozzle region, the second moving mechanism is brought into contact with the first porous member to said first adjacent region, claims 1 to 4 The inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of the above.

Images