JPH03187762A - Line type ink jet recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To achieve reduction of cost of a pump and reduction of needless use of ink by a method wherein an ink feed means which feeds ink to a recording head at the time when no recording is performed and a discharge opening selective means which makes ink flow out only from a part discharge opening selected among a plurality of discharge openings are provided. CONSTITUTION:A cap 22 is formed by a case 42 having an opening 41 on its upper surface, and an ink absorbing component 43 and a grooved rubber roller 44 capable of moving vertically are held by being stored in its inside. A spriral groove 47 is formed on a surface of the rubber roller 44. The grooved rubber roller 44 composes a discharge opening selective means and can conform the groove part selectively to any discharge opening by regulating a pivoting position. Though the discharge opening conformed to the groove 47 becomes of a state capable of discharging ink by being opened in recovery of discharge, the discharge opening conformed not to the groove is hermetically sealed with the surface of the roller and becomes a state incapable of discharging ink. By regulating a pivoting position of the grooved rubber roller 44, the discharge opening capable of discharging ink when the roller is stuck fast to a face surface can be selected.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a line-type inkjet recording apparatus that performs recording by ejecting ink (recording liquid) onto a recording material using a line-type recording head.

[Prior Art] Recording devices such as printers and facsimile machines drive dot forming means of a recording head based on recorded information to form a dot pattern on a recording material corresponding to the recorded information. Depending on the structure and type of dot forming means, there are inkjet type, wire dot type,
It can be divided into thermal type, laser vino, 2, etc.

Among these, the inkjet type (inkjet recording bag 'iL) supplies ink (recording liquid) to the recording head and ejects the ink from the ejection opening of the recording head based on recording information, thereby forming ink droplets. It is configured to record information such as characters and images by being attached onto a recording material.

Incidentally, in an inkjet recording apparatus, since recording is performed by directly discharging ink from the discharge ports of a recording head, it is necessary to maintain a state in which ink can be discharged at all times, and special consideration is required for this purpose.

In other words, since ink remains in the liquid path in the print head even when not printing, it is necessary to take measures to prevent deterioration such as increased viscosity due to drying or evaporation of the ink in this liquid path. Capping means is used to prevent ink from drying or evaporating by covering the ejection port formation surface (face surface) of the print head with a 4-yam (m) during printing.

However, in a low-humidity environment or during a long-term suspension, it is difficult to maintain a dischargeable state only by the capping operation.

Therefore, in addition to the capping means, pressure is applied to the liquid path in the recording head using a pump or the like, or conversely, air in the cap is sucked to apply negative pressure in the liquid path. A recovery mechanism has been used in which the degraded ink stagnant inside is discharged from the ejection port.

Generally, as a conventional recovery mechanism, a method has been adopted in which defective ink is removed while simultaneously discharging ink from all ejection ports by supplying ink to the recording head using a pump and applying pressure within the liquid path.

[Technical problem to be solved by the invention] However,
In the recovery mechanism of the conventional inkjet recording device described above, all the discharge ports of the line-type recording head are operated for recovery at the same time, so a considerably large pump discharge pressure is required, which increases the cost of the pump used for this. was there.

Furthermore, since all of the ejection ports are restored at the same time, ink is also discharged from ejection ports that do not require recovery, resulting in a waste of ink.

The present invention has been made in view of such conventional technical problems, and the pump pressure required for the recovery operation is reduced, making it possible to reduce the cost of the pump, and further,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a line type inkjet recording device that is equipped with a recovery mechanism that can reduce the amount of ink discharged and reduce wasteful use of ink.

[Means for solving problems]

By providing a means for causing ink to flow out from only a selected portion of the ejection ports, the present invention rapidly reduces the pump pressure required for recovery, thereby reducing pump costs and wasting ink. be.

That is, the present invention according to claim 1 provides an ink supply means for supplying ink to the recording head during non-recording in a line type inkjet recording apparatus that performs recording by ejecting ink onto a recording material using a line type recording head. , and an ejection port selection means that causes ink to flow out from only a selected part of the plurality of ejection ports, thereby reducing pump costs and wasteful use of ink. The present invention provides an inkjet recording device.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above configuration, an ejection port detection means for detecting an ejection port in an incomplete ejection state is provided, and an ejection port through which ink is to be flowed out is determined based on information from the detection means. This provides an inkjet recording apparatus that can further reduce wasteful use of ink.

The ejection port selection means in the above configuration causes ink to partially flow out by pressing a cylindrical member in which a groove is formed against the face surface, and by rotating the cylindrical member to press the cylindrical member into contact with the face surface. The configuration is such that the ink is selectively discharged from the outlet, or the ink is partially discharged by pressing a plate-like member with grooves against the face surface, and the plate-like member is slid. It is preferable to adopt a configuration in which the ejection port through which ink flows out is selected by pressing the ink with the ink.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically explained with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an embodiment of a line-type ink cartridge and Y-track recording apparatus according to the present invention.

In FIG. 1, l is a paper feed cassette, 2 is a recording material such as paper stored in the paper feed force cellar +-1, and 3 is a feed of recording material 2 from the paper feed cassette 1 one by one. 4 is a feed roller for feeding the recording material 2 to the recording material conveyance system, and 5 is a pinch roller that cooperates with the feeding roller 4, respectively.

Reference numeral 6 indicates a chevron-shaped receiver stopper guide disposed in front of the recording material conveyance system. By temporarily stopping the receiving end of the recording material 2 and holding it in a loop shape, a registration operation is performed in which the leading end of the recording material 2 is aligned in a line in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction.

In the recording material conveyance system, 7 is an endless belt for conveying the incoming recording material 2, and 8 is an idle roller arranged at a plurality of predetermined positions for stretching the endless belt 7. 9 is a tension roller for applying a predetermined tension to the endless heald 7; 10 is a belt drive roller for driving the endless belt 7; 11 is a motor for driving the belt drive roller 10; Each is shown below.

In addition, in the illustrated recording apparatus, a pair of 4F electric devices 12.12 are arranged above and below the entrance of the recording material conveyance system, and a pinch roller 13A is installed before and after the electric charger 12.12.
and 13B are arranged.

The pinch rollers 13A and 13B are each pressed against an idle roller 8.8 via an endless bell l-7.

With this configuration, the surface of the endless belt 7 is neutralized, but the recording material 2 such as paper or a thin plastic plate is charged by the charger 12, and the recording material 2 and the conveyor belt (endless belt )7.

Therefore, the recording material 2 has the pinch roller 13A,
1313 and is pressed against the conveyor belt 7,
The paper is transported in the direction of arrow X while being firmly electrostatically attracted to the transport belt 7.

The conveyance heald 7 is driven by a motor 11 connected to a belt drive roller 10 in a direction to move the recording material 2 in the X direction (R feed).

The conveyor belt 7 is routed with a predetermined tension by a plurality of idle rollers 8 and tension rollers 9 arranged at predetermined positions.

Further, the sheet-shaped recording material 2 is connected to the charger 12.
Pinch rollers 13A and 13B disposed before and after the belt 12 press the belt 7 to improve the electrostatic adsorption effect on the belt 7.

The recording material 2 is fed out one by one from the paper cassette 1 by the paper feed roller 3, and is sandwiched between the feed roller 4 and the pinch roller 5, and then the recording material 2 is fed out one by one from the paper feed cassette 1 by the paper feed roller 3, and is sandwiched between the feed roller 4 and the pinch roller 5, and then the recording material 2 is fed out one by one from the paper feed cassette 1 by the paper feed roller 3. It is guided to the roller equivalent part.

A cleaning unit 14 is disposed below the conveyor belt (endless belt) 7 for removing dust such as paper dust on the surface of the conveyor belt 7.

Adjacent to the rear end of the conveyor belt 7, a paper discharge tray 15 is provided for stacking the recorded recording materials 2. This paper discharge tray 15 is for receiving the recording material 2 separated by the curvature from the conveyor belt 7 .

A recording means is disposed in the middle of the aforementioned recording material conveyance system, and the recording means is composed of a recording head 20, an ink tank 21, and the like.

In the illustrated example, the line type recording head 20 is yellow,
Line-type heads 20A, 20B, and 20C1 each eject four colors of ink: cyan, magenta, and black.
20D, and each individual head is, for example, 1u+
It has 3456 ink ejection ports at a pitch of 16 dots per +, and can sequentially perform line recording with a width of 21 G-.

Each of the individual heads 20A, 20B, 20C, and 20D is fixedly supported by a holder 23 so that the interval (pitch) between the ejection port arrays in the recording material conveying direction is constant.

071 4 individual heads 208, 201'3, 20C
The head unit 24, which is constructed by fixing 220 and D with holders 23 and 23, can be moved up and down by a head moving means 25.

Reference numeral 22 denotes a cap that is attached to the ejection port forming surface (face surface) of the recording head 20 when not recording.
2 is moved in the recording material conveying direction (
It is movable in the X direction).

The cap 22 is composed of four caps 22A, 22B, and 22C122D corresponding to the four recording heads (head units 20A, 20B, and 20C12oD).

These four caps 22A, 22B, 22C122D
are arranged at the same intervals as the individual heads 2OA, 20B, 20G, and 200, and are fixedly supported so that the individual heads can be mounted simultaneously.

In addition, each cap 22A, 22B, 22C122D is
It has a sponge-like ink absorbing member inside, and is configured to receive the idle ejection of ink from each recording head (single head).

The ink tank 21 is connected to each head unit 20A, 20B, 2
Four individual tanks 21A, 21B, 21C supply ink of a color corresponding to 0C120D.

It is composed of 21D.

Each head unit 20A, 20B, 20G, 20D and each tank unit 21A, 21B, 21C121D are, respectively,
Corresponding ink supply tube 28A, 28r3.28C
, 213D.

Here, the ink tanks 21A, 2113, and 21C.

The water head in 21D is 20A for each head, 20r3.2
It is kept at a predetermined height lower than the ejection port forming surface (face surface) of 0C120D, and ink is supplied to each individual head via ink supply tubes 28A, 28B, and 28C228D by capillary action.

The ink ejection recovery operation of the recording head 20 is performed by feeding ink to the recording head 20 with the pump 29.

The pump 29 is a tank unit 2 of the ink tank 21.
18, 21B, 2IC, 21D, and in the illustrated example, four individual tanks 21A, 21B, 21C, 2
4 pumps 29A, 29B corresponding to each of 1D
, 29G, and 29D are provided.

The conveyor belt (endless belt) 7 is connected to the recording head 2
In the recording area where recording is performed on the recording material 2 by 0, it is supported by a belt support member 30 from its back surface (lower surface in the illustrated example).

In the overall configuration of the first UA inkjet recording apparatus, 31 is a motor driver for the motor 11, 38 is a head driver for selectively supplying a recording signal to the recording head 20, and 33 is a head driver for the charger 12. .12 is a charger driver, 34 is a motor driver for supplying a drive signal to the paper feed system motor, and 35 is a pump for supplying ink during recording or empty ejection during ejection recovery. The pump driver that drives and controls 29,
Each is shown below.

The operation of the entire recording apparatus having the above configuration is controlled by a control circuit 36 having a CPU function.

2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the cap 22 in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a 11 sectional view taken along the line ■-■ in FIG.
4 is a plan view of the cap 22 of FIG. 2, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the grooved rubber roller supported inside the camp 22 of FIG.

In FIGS. 2 to 4, the cap 22 has an opening 4 on the top surface.
1, and a sponge-like ink absorbing member 43 and a vertically movable grooved rubber roller 44 are housed and held therein.

Around the opening 41, when the line-type recording head 2° comes into contact, its face surface (the surface on which ink ejection ports are formed)
A sealing member 46 is attached to the periphery of the cap 45 to tightly seal the inside of the cap 22.

The grooved rubber roller 44 is driven by a drive source (not shown).
- Moved up and down within Yap 22, at the top, 57 position,
is pressed into contact with a discharge port array provided on the face surface 45,
At the landing position, it is spaced a predetermined distance S from the face surface 45.

Further, the grooved rubber roller 44 can be rotated by a drive source (not shown), and its rotational position can also be controlled.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the grooved rubber roller 44, in which a groove 47 is spirally formed on the surface of the rubber roller 44 with a predetermined lead.

This grooved rubber roller 44 constitutes a discharge port selection means, and is configured so that the groove portion 47 can be selectively aligned with any discharge port by adjusting its rotational position. There is.

That is, when ejection is restored, the ejection ports that match the grooves 47 are opened and become ready to eject ink, but the ejection ports that do not match the grooves are sealed by the roller surface and become unable to eject ink. By adjusting the rotational position of the attached rubber roller 44, it is possible to select an ejection port that is capable of ejecting ink when the roller is placed close to the face surface (at the time of ejection recovery, etc.).

In FIGS. 2 and 3, the cap 22 has a face surface 4 with a radius of 2° to the capped line type recorder.
A light emitting element (laser diode) 48 that irradiates parallel light rays toward the plane through which the flying ink droplets ejected from 5 pass.
A light receiving element (photodiode) 49 for receiving the parallel light beam is provided on the opposite side.

Both the light emitting element 48 and the light receiving element 49 are connected to the control circuit 36 (FIG. 1) via respective I'cliber paths 51 and 52.

In this way, an ejection port detection means is constructed which can detect the presence or absence or extent of ink ejection by detecting the output fluctuation of the light receiving element 49 due to the disturbance of the light 11 when the parallel light beam passes through an ink droplet. ing.

The optical path C of the parallel light beam is provided in the space between the roller 44 and the face surface 45, which is formed when the grooved rubber roller 44 is turned away from the face surface 45 by ζ.
There is.

Further, near the bottom of the cap 22, a wandering ink tube 53 is connected for guiding drained ink from the ink absorbing member 43 to a drained ink tank (not shown).

The configuration of the toyap 22 and the recording head 2o described above with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5 is as shown in FIG.
In the case of a recording device having 22D, each cap and each recording head (head unit) are implemented in substantially the same manner.

As described above, in the line-type inkjet recording apparatus according to the configurations of claims 1 to 3, that is, the line-type inkjet recording apparatus in which recording is performed by ejecting ink onto the recording material 2 by the line-type recording head 2o, the An ink supply means 21, 28, 29 that supplies ink to the recording head 20 during recording, an ejection opening selection means 44 that causes ink to flow out only from a selected part of the plurality of ejection openings, and an incomplete ejection state. and ejection port detection means 48, 49, 51, and 51 for detecting the ejection ports, and the ejection port selection means partially detects the ink by pressing the cylindrical member 44 formed with a groove 47 against the face surface 45. and selecting an ejection port from which the ink flows out by rotating and pressing the cylindrical member 44, and determining the ejection port from which the ink flows out based on information from the ejection port detection means. A line-type inkjet recording device configured as follows is provided.

6 to 9 are schematic side views showing the operation of the recording head 20 (\head unit I-24') and the toy cap 22 of the inkjet recording apparatus explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. FIG. 10 is a flowchart 1 showing the operation of the inkjet recording apparatus.

Hereinafter, the operation of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention described in FIGS. 1 to 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 10.

No. 6121 indicates the state where the TL source is off, and the recording/\end (
The face surface 45 of each head (single unit) 20 has a cap 22
This prevents ink from evaporating from each ejection port.

From this state, when the power is turned on (step S1),
First, the head unit 24 (recording head 20) is lifted up by a degree by the head moving means 25 (FIG. 1) (step S2), resulting in the state shown in FIG.

In the state shown in FIG. 7, the presence or absence of a dry ejection signal is detected (step S3), and if there is a dry ejection signal, dry ejection is performed sequentially from the end ejection port at regular intervals (step S3).
4).

In this case, the standard ink ejection speed is about 8 m/sec, and the distance from the ejection port to the laser beam position 1c is about 5 mm, so the ink ejection speed is 625 μm.
After a few seconds, the passage of the ink drop is detected.

Since the variation in ink ejection speed is about 10%, the time that is more than 120% of the standard delay time, that is, 750
If an ink droplet is not detected within microseconds, it is determined that the ejection port is not ejecting or is ejecting incompletely, and an ejection recovery operation, which will be described later, is performed.

When entering the recovery operation, first, the rubber roller 44 is rotated and fixed at the rotational position so that the groove 47 of the grooved rubber roller 44 coincides with the detected discharge port in the defective discharge state, and then, The rubber roller 44 is raised and brought into pressure contact with the discharge port array on the face surface 45.

In this state, when the pump 29 (FIG. 1) is driven to introduce ink to the recording head 20, the
Ink is discharged (flows out) only from the ejection ports opened in alignment with the grooves 47, and ejection recovery can be performed efficiently only from the selected ejection ports.

After recovering the discharge port, the gol and roller 44 are
is removed from the face surface 45 and the next discharge port (or group of discharge ports) is idle-discharged to detect whether or not there is a discharge defect, and the recovery operation as described above is performed sequentially for the discharge port (or group of discharge ports) with the defective discharge. Repeat.

After performing the above-described operations for all the ejection ports, the ink on all the bones on the face surface 45 is wiped off, and the process proceeds to the next sequence.

In the next sequence (step 35), from the state of the seventh [1], the cap (cap unit) 22 is moved (retracted) in the direction opposite to the X direction by the first stage of cap movement 26 (FIG. 1), and As shown in the figure, each cap 22A122B, 22C122D is moved to a position where it can fit between each recording head (head units 20A, 20B, 20G, 20D).

Therefore, the head unit 24 is lowered, and as shown in FIG. 9, the face surface 45 (discharge port opening surface) is set at a position approximately 1 m from the surface of the conveyor belt 7, that is, at the recording position (step S6). ).

Next, the paper feed motor is turned on (step S7), the paper feed roller 3 (Fig. 1) is driven, and the recording materials (recording sheets such as paper) 2 in the paper feed cassette l are fed one by one. The receiver is picked up and guided to a stopper guide 6 (FIG. 1), and its tip is introduced between the feed roller 4 and the pinch roller 5 that form the registration portion.

A photosensor (not shown) disposed immediately before the registration section detects whether the leading edge of the recording material 2 has passed and determines whether the registration has been completed (step S
8).

When it is detected that the leading edge of the recording material 2 has reached the registration portion, that is, the registration has been completed, the paper feed motor is stopped after a predetermined time has elapsed (step S9).

At this time, the recording material 2 that has been sent in excess forms a loop within the space of the chevron-shaped catch guide 6, and due to the waist of the recording material 2, its tip follows the registration part, and the leading edge of the recording material The orthogonality between this and the transport direction is ensured.

Next, the belt motor 11 and the 1F electric appliance 12.12 are turned on (step 510), and the recording material 2 is guided between the chargers 12.12 while being pressed against the conveyor belt 7 by the pinch roller 13A. .

The belt TL device 12.12 has a 10 on the upper side and a negative on the lower side, and the belt 7 has electricity removed just before it reaches the pinch roller 13.
A potential difference is generated between the recording material 2 and the recording material 2, and the recording material 2 is attracted to the conveyor bell l-7 by electrostatic force.

In this case, the pressure of the pinch roller 13B after passing through the charger 12, 12 ensures that the recording material 2 is attracted to the surface of the belt 7 more -WJ.

In this way, the recording material 2 is transported, and recording is performed in step 311 while counting the feed of the recording material 2 in synchronization with the activation of the belt motor 11. When a plurality of recording heads are used, recording of each color is sequentially performed from the time when the leading edge of the recording material 2 reaches each head alone.

The recording material 2 on which recording has been completed is separated by the curvature from the rear end of the conveyor belt 7 and is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 15 .

The ejection (sheet ejection) of the recording material 2 is completed (step 312
), the belt motor 11 and charger 12.12 are turned off (step 513).

Here, it is determined whether or not to continue the next recording (step 5I4). If the next recording is not performed (in the case of recording completion), the process proceeds to step S15 and the head unit 24 (recording head 20) After the camp unit 22 is raised to the state shown in FIG. 8, the camp unit 22 is moved a predetermined distance in the X direction and returned to the state shown in FIG. 7 (step 516), and then the head unit 24 is lowered ( Step 517) Bring the face 45 of each head into close contact with the camp 22,
The capping state shown in FIG. 6 is established.

Therefore, the power is turned off in step S18, and recording: I!
completes the series of operations.

On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S14, if further recording is to be performed, such as recording the next page (if recording is not completed), the process proceeds to step 519-\ to detect the presence or absence of a blank ejection signal, and as described above. The action is performed repeatedly.

That is, if the result of detecting the presence or absence of the idle ejection signal is that there is a signal, the head is raised from the recording position shown in FIG. 9 to the state shown in FIG. 8 in step S20, and then, in step S21, the camp unit is set!・Move in the opposite direction to the X direction to reach the state shown in Fig. 7, perform dry ejection in step S. Detect the ejection port with the ejection failure, and let the ink flow out only from the ejection port with the ejection failure. Let me perform Mr. Recovery's work.

When the recovery operation is completed, in step S23 the cab unit 1 is retracted to the state 811a, and then in step S24 the head unit 24 is lowered to the recording position to the state shown in FIG. Then, the process returns to step S7, the paper feed motor is turned on, and the same recording sequence as for the first sheet (steps 58 to 514) is repeated.

In step S19, if the result of detecting the presence or absence of the idle ejection signal is that there is no signal, the process immediately advances to step S7, the paper feed motor is turned on, and the same recording sequence as for the first sheet described above (step S8 to step 514) is performed. ) is repeated.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the grooved rubber roller 44 having a spiral groove 47 formed on the circumferential surface was used as the discharge port selection means. It is also possible to use a plate-like member such as a rubber plate with diagonal grooves formed on its surface.

11 is a plan view of the cap 22 having a discharge port selection means made of a plate-like member, and FIG. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view of the cap 22 shown in FIG. 11 when it is pressed against the face surface 45. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate portion of FIG. 12.

In FIGS. 11 to 13, an opening 41A is formed in the upper surface of the gauge 42Δ constituting the 5.1-yasop 22, and a grooved rubber Fi, 55 is placed above the opening 41A in the moving direction of the conveyor belt 7 (in both directions). It is mounted so that it can slide in the direction of the arrow).

On the upper surface of this 1% rubber 55, that is, on the surface against which the face surface 45 of the recording head 20 is pressed, a diagonal groove 5G is formed which is inclined at a predetermined angle of about 1 with respect to the moving direction.

Further, an opening 57 that can fit with the opening /IIA is formed in one side of the gol plate 55 that is outside the diagonal groove 56.

After moving the go-J temporary 55 to align its opening 57 with the opening 41A of the 11-yap 22, the face 45 of the recording head 20 is brought into pressure contact with the go-11 temporary 55, thereby opening the ejection port array 58. With the openings 41A and 57 open, the face surface 45 can be kneaded.

Further, in this capping state, the above-mentioned idle ejection can be performed, and the ejection port detecting means comprising the light emitting element 48 and the light receiving element 49 can detect the ejection port in the incomplete ejection state.

The grooved rubber plate 55 constitutes a discharge port selection means, and its position in the front-rear direction (arrow A direction) is iJ!
J! By doing so, the groove portion 56 can be selectively aligned with any of the discharge ports.

That is, when ejection is restored, the ejection ports 58 that match the grooves 5G are opened and become ready to eject ink, but the ejection ports 58 that do not match the grooves 5G are sealed by the surface of the rubber plate 55 and are in a state where ink cannot be ejected. become.

In this way, by adjusting the front and rear positions of the grooved rubber plate 55, it is possible to accurately select the ejection ports 58 that are capable of ejecting ink when the rubber plate 55 is brought into close contact with the face surface 45 (at the time of ejection recovery, etc.). It is configured so that it can be done.

The cap 22 shown in FIGS. 11 to 13 differs from the cap 22 shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 in the above-described points.
Other parts have substantially the same structure, corresponding parts are indicated by the same numbers, and detailed explanation thereof will be omitted.

The cap 22 described above with respect to FIGS. 11 to 13
The configuration of the recording head 20 is also as shown in FIG.
In the case of a recording device having .about.22D, each cap and each recording end (head alone) are implemented in substantially the same manner.

According to each of the embodiments described above, when performing a recovery operation, the ink is configured to flow through a selected part of the ejection ports that requires the recovery operation among a plurality of (usually a large number of) ejection ports. Therefore, a pump with a low discharge pressure can be used as the ink supply source, ie, the pump 29, and it is possible to achieve downsizing and cost reduction.

Also, a discharge port detection means 48 for detecting a discharge port having a discharge failure.
．． 49 is provided, and the detected ejection port (1) performs a recovery operation only on the portion including the ejection port, thereby reducing the amount of ejected ink and reducing wasteful consumption of ink. We were able to reduce this.

In addition, in the above embodiment, a discharge port having a discharge failure is detected,
A recovery operation was performed for that part, but in some cases, the user may wish to perform recovery based on judgment based on the recorded image without providing a means for detecting the defective ejection port (ejection port detection means 4B, 49). It is also possible to adopt a method of selecting discharge ports and performing recovery on them.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As is clear from the above description, according to the first aspect of the present invention, in a line type inkjet recording apparatus that performs recording by ejecting ink onto a recording material using a line type recording head, when the recording head is not recording, the recording head is Since the configuration includes an ink supply means for supplying ink and an ejection port selection means for causing ink to flow out only from a selected part of the plurality of ejection ports, it is possible to use the ejection pressure as an ink supply pump. A line-type inkjet 1-recording device is provided that can achieve miniaturization and cost reduction by using a small inkjet unit, and can also reduce wasteful consumption of ink by reducing the amount of ink discharged.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above configuration, an ejection port detection means for detecting an ejection port in an incomplete ejection state is provided, and an ejection port through which ink is to be flowed out is determined based on information from the detection means. Therefore, in addition to the above-mentioned effects, there is provided a line type inkjet recording apparatus that can precisely detect ejection ports with ejection failure and accurately control the recovery operation.

Furthermore, according to the present invention according to claims 3 and 4, the ejection port selection means causes the ink to partially flow out by pressing a cylindrical member in which a groove is formed against the face surface,
In addition, the configuration is such that an ejection port through which the ink flows out is selected by rotating and press-contacting the cylindrical member, or a plate-like member in which a groove is formed is press-contacted to the face surface to partially drain the ink. leaked out, and said provisional 41
Since the configuration is such that the ejection port through which the ink flows out is selected by sliding and pressing the members, the ejection port with the ejection failure can be quickly and accurately selected with the structure relatively similar to the front car and the compact 17. It is possible to configure a discharge port selection means.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a line-type inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the cap in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a line - ■ in FIG. 2. 4 is a plan view of the cap shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the grooved rubber roller in FIG. 2, and FIGS. 6 to 9 are the recording device shown in FIG. 1. 10 is a flowchart of the operation of the recording apparatus of FIG. 1, FIG. 11 is a plan view of another structural example of the cap in FIG. 1, and FIG. 11 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the cap shown in FIG. 11, and FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate portion of the cap shown in FIG. 11. 2...--Recorded material, 7...--Transport belt,
20 recording heads, 20A, 20B, 20C120D...
・・・・Head single L 21---Ink tank, 22
---Cap, 24...--Head unit, 25--m----Head moving means, 26--...
...Cap moving means, 29-°-Paponp (1 stage of ink supply), 3 G-11--Control circuit, 44...
・-Grooved rubber roller (discharge port selection means), 45-・-
・-Face side, 48.49. ...-Discharge port detection means, 55...Grooved rubber plate (discharge port selection means).

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) In a line-type inkjet recording device that performs recording by ejecting ink onto a recording material using a line-type recording head, an ink supply means that supplies ink to the recording head when not recording, and one of the plurality of ejection ports 1. A line type inkjet recording apparatus comprising: ejection port selection means for causing ink to flow out from only a selected portion of the ejection ports. (2) The line type inkjet according to claim 1, further comprising an ejection port detection means for detecting an ejection port in an incomplete ejection state, and an ejection port through which the ink flows out is determined based on information from the detection means. Recording device. (3) The ejection port selection means partially causes ink to flow out by pressing a cylindrical member in which a groove is formed against the face surface, and causes ink to flow out by rotating and pressing the cylindrical member. 2. The line type inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the line type inkjet recording apparatus is configured to select an ejection port to be used. (4) The ejection port selection means causes the ink to partially flow out by pressing a plate-shaped member in which a groove is formed against the face surface, and also causes the ink to flow out by sliding the plate-shaped member into pressure contact with the face surface. 2. The line type inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the line type inkjet recording apparatus is configured to select an ejection port for ejection.