JPH03248845A - Device for ink-jet recording - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To effectively wipe the outlet surface of a recording head not only in a serial scan type recording device but also a line type one by providing a cleaning means for cleaning the outlet surface of the recording head on the conveying means adapted to convey a material to be recorded. CONSTITUTION:A material 11 to be recorded, which has been sent onto a conveyor belt 4, is conveyed toward a recording head 1 in the state that the material 11 is attracted to the conveyor belt 4 by an charger 3. In this case, since a wire blade 7 is located at a fore position to which the material 11 advances, the outlet surface of the recording head 1 is wiped by the wire blade 7 according to the movement of the conveyor belt 4 and, thereafter, the material 11 is recorded. After the recording, the recorded material 11 is separated from the conveyor belt 4 to be sent in the S direction and is discharged by delivery rollers 5. The wire blade 7 is brought into contact with a cleaner 9 according to the movement of the coveyor belt 4 toward the H direction to be cleaned by the cleaner and then is returned to the original position again.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an inkjet recording apparatus equipped with a cleaning means for wiping off foreign matter such as ink and dust deposited on the ejection orifice surface of a recording head.

[Conventional technology]

Recording devices such as printers, copiers, and facsimile machines are configured to record images consisting of driver I patterns on recording materials such as paper and thin plastic plates based on the transferred image information. There is.

The recording device may be an inkjet type,
They can be divided into wire dot type, thermal type, laser beam type, etc. Among them, inkjet type (inkjet recording device) prints droplets (
The printer is configured to eject a recording liquid (such as ink) into the air and deposit it on a recording material (=J) for recording.

This inkjet recording device is a non-impact type recording device, and its features include low noise, easy high-speed recording, and the ability to easily record color images by using multicolor ink. However, it has become rapidly popular in recent years.

However, since inkjet printing apparatuses perform printing by ejecting ink directly from the tiny ejection openings of the printhead, it is necessary to keep the ink in a state where it can be ejected normally. require different special consideration.

For example, during the recording operation, ink mist, liquid droplets bouncing off the recording material, or foreign matter such as paper powder and dust can settle on the ejection port surface and cause ejection failure, so use a wiping member such as a rubber blade. A cleaning device that wipes off the (=ti) material on the discharge port surface is used.

Syriahos, which carries a recorder on the carriage;
In a 1-medium type inkjet recording apparatus, a cleaning means is used in which a fixed rubber blade is provided and the ejection is performed by wiping the 1-surface by using the movement of the recording head.

[Technical Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in conventional cleaning means of this type, the wiper blade is basically fixed or set in a predetermined position with slight movement, and the recording head is moved. For example, in line-type inkjet recording devices that use a fixed recording head such as a fully multi-type recording head, there is a problem in that it is difficult to effectively clean the ejection orifice surface. there were.

The present invention has been made in view of such technical problems, and is applicable not only to the serial scan type inkjet recording apparatus but also to the line type ink chef 1 to recording apparatuses. It is an object of the present invention to provide an inkjet recording device equipped with a cleaning means capable of effective wiping.

[Means for solving problems]

The present invention provides an inkjet recording apparatus that ejects and flies recording droplets from a recording head and records an image on a recording material that is conveyed at a position facing the recording head. By providing a cleaning means for cleaning the ejection orifice surface of the head, it is possible to clean the ejection orifice of the printhead while maintaining high-speed printing, not only in the serial scan type inkjet recording device but also in the line type Infusiera 1 printing device. An object of the present invention is to provide an inkjet recording apparatus equipped with a cleaning means that can effectively wipe the surface.

In the above configuration, it is preferable that the cleaning means is constituted by a wiper blade provided on the conveyance means.

Further, in the above configuration, if the conveyance means is constituted by an endless belt driven in one direction of transport of the recording medium A, an effective cleaning means can be easily constituted.

Furthermore, in the recording device equipped with the above-mentioned endless and rotary general feeding means: ξ and Tosho), Ii? If the wiper blades are provided on the endless belt at predetermined intervals in consideration of the length of the recording material, it is possible to more easily maintain high-speed recording and effectively clean the discharge port surface. can.

Generally speaking, in a recording apparatus equipped with an endless/rut type conveying means, the recording head is movably supported to a position where it comes into contact with the endless belt, and the cleaning means is carried out by the endless belt itself. An effective cleaning means can also be constructed by forming the cleaning means, and in this case, the structure of the cleaning means can also be simplified.

Further, each of the inventions having the above configuration provides a cleaning means that can effectively clean the ejection orifice surface of the recording head even in an inkjet recording apparatus that uses a fully multi-type fixed line head as the recording head. It provides:

[Function] According to the present invention as described above, in a recording apparatus using a fully multi-type fixed recording head, a wiper blade is provided on the belt E that conveys the recording material, and the wiper blade is installed at a predetermined timing to wipe the discharge of the recording head. By wiping the outlet surface, it is possible to remove foreign matter such as liquid droplets and paper dust that adhere to the ejection port surface during recording, and to maintain the ink ejection performance in a normal state at all times.

(Example〕 Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing an embodiment of an inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention.

Note that this embodiment is a case of a multicolor recording device such as a color recording device.

In FIG. 1, ``■'' is a fully multi-type fixed recording head having a length that spans almost the entire width of the recording material 11, and a plurality of head 2':'--711 for the recording head.
It is composed of Δ, 1 [3, Ic, ID.

Recording liquid (ink) of 5"1 colors is ejected from each of the print units IA, IB, and IC1ID.

In addition, a plurality of discharge ports are formed in a predetermined linear arrangement in each of the discharge ports IA to ID, and an electrothermal converter for generating discharge energy is arranged in the liquid path passing through each discharge port. ing.

Each of the above-・No.1. Unit (recording heso l”) l-I
A to 1D are inkjet recording heads that eject ink using thermal energy, and are equipped with an electrothermal converter for generating thermal energy.

The inkjet recording heads IA to ID perform recording by ejecting ink from ejection ports by the growth of bubbles due to film boiling caused by thermal energy applied by the electrothermal converter.

In FIG. 1, 2 is a head holding frame for fixing the full multi-recording head 1, and 3 is a head holding frame for fixing the full multi-recording head 1; Reference numeral 4 denotes a suction charger for electrostatic adsorption, and a conveyance heald (conveying means consisting of an endless belt) for suctioning and conveying the recording material 11 attracted by the suction charger 3 in the direction of arrow H.

The recording material 11 recorded by the recording head 1 while being conveyed by the conveyor belt 4 is separated from the conveyor belt 4, sent out in the direction of arrow S, and discharged by a paper discharge roller 5.

A wiper blade 7 is provided on the first general feed belt (endless hell 1-) 4 for wiping the discharge port surface of each hend unisol IA~]D.

In the illustrated example, the wiper blade 7 is for the conveyor belt.
A blade detection sensor 8 is installed at a predetermined position on the path of the conveyor belt 4 to detect the passage of the wiper blade 1'' 7.

In addition, at a predetermined position on the path of the conveyor belt 4 described in 111■,
A cleaner 9 for cleaning the wiper blade 7 by wiping off the E1 kimono on the wiper blade 7 is provided.

The wiper blade 7 can be formed of, for example, a silicone or urethane rubber blade.

In addition, in FIG. 1, each of the above-mentioned head units] A to I
For D, ink of the corresponding color is supplied from an ink cartridge 10 that is replaceable for each color.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control system that controls the timing of the operation of cleaning the recording head 1 with the wiper blade 7 and the feeding operation of the recording material 11 of the inkjet recording apparatus shown in FIG.

Therefore, the wiping operation of the ejection ports of the recording head 1 will be explained below.

As the first general transport belt 4 moves, when the wiper blade 7 attached to the first general transport belt 4 passes just in front of the blade detection sensor 8, its detection signal is transmitted to the control circuit 12, The feed roller 6 is controlled by the control circuit 12 so as to feed the recording material 11 onto the conveyor belt 4 after the wiper blade 7 at a predetermined timing.

The recording material 11 fed onto the conveyor belt 4 is conveyed toward the recording head 1 while being attracted to the first general conveyance belt 4 by the attraction charger 3 .

In this case, since the wiper blade 7 is located in front of the recording material 11, the wiper blade 7 wipes the ejection opening surface of the recording head 1 with the movement of the conveyor belt 4, and then the Recorded tJ' 11
Recording will be done.

After the recording material 11 is recorded, it is separated from the conveyor belt 4 and sent in the direction of arrow S, and is ejected once by the paper discharge roller 5.

The wiper play 1'7 is located in the direction of the arrow ■ of the transport route 4.
] Due to the movement in the force direction, it comes into contact with the cleaner 9, is cleaned by the cleaner 9, and is then returned to its initial position.

As explained above, according to the inkjet recording apparatus shown in FIG. Upper recording material 11
By using each transport interval, the ejection orifice surface of the recording head I can be wiped effectively with the door.

In addition, the wiper blade 7 can be cleaned at the same time by an IJ-ner 9 disposed on the path of the conveyor belt 4 or by using the movement of the two conveyor belts 4.

Therefore, by reliably wiping the ejection port surface with the always-cleaned wiper blade 7, the ejection port surface of the recording head is always maintained in a cleaned state free from foreign matter such as ink mistakes and paper dust. Thus, a recording head cleaning means that can effectively prevent ejection failure has been obtained.

The cleaning means for the discharge port surface explained in FIGS. 1 and 2 is as follows:
Even when the recording head 1 is a serial scan type recording head that moves back and forth in the width direction of the recording material 11,
The same can be applied.

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view showing another embodiment of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention.

In this embodiment, in the structure shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 described above, a plurality of wiper blades 7 are provided on the conveyor belt (endless belt) 4 at predetermined intervals in consideration of the length of the recording material 11. It is something.

The structure of this embodiment differs from that of FIG. 1 in that a plurality of wiper blades 7 are used, and other parts have substantially the same structure.

Therefore, in FIG. 3, parts corresponding to those in FIG. 1 are indicated by the same reference numerals, and detailed explanation thereof will be omitted.

As the transport heald 4 moves, each wiper brake F7 on the transport/rut 4 passes in front of the blade detection sensor 8 one after another.In this embodiment, the detection signal is Each time a recording material 11 occurs, the control circuit 12 drives the feed I cola 6, and
are sent one by one to the transport heald 4''-.

In this case, the feeding of each recording material 11 is controlled so as to be carried out quickly and at a timing that does not interfere with the next wiper blade 7.

Such a moving position of the wiper blade 7 and the recording material 1
Timing control with respect to the feeding operation in step 1 can be performed using the same control system number as in FIG. 2 described above.

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, by arranging the recording materials 11 at intervals taking into account the length of the recording materials 11 on the conveyor belt 4, which is an endless belt, each recording material 11 is recorded one by one. , the ejection port surface of the recording head can be wiped with each wiper play 1 and 7, and therefore, the ejection port surface can be always maintained in a clean state while continuing even higher speed recording.

The recording head cleaning means in FIG. 3 is also applicable to a serial scan type inkjet recording apparatus in which the recording head is mounted on a carriage and reciprocated along the recording material 11, as in the case of FIG. 1. It is possible to achieve a similar effect.

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view showing still another embodiment of the inkjet recording apparatus according to this embodiment.

Note that this embodiment also shows the case of a multicolor recording device such as a color recording device.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 1 denotes a full multi-type fixed recording/rad having a length covering almost the entire width of the recording material 11, and the recording spatula F1 is connected to a plurality of head units IA.
, IB, and IC1ID.

Each -, Tsudouniso I-IA, IB, IC1ID Karashi J
, recording liquids (inks) of different colors are ejected.

Each of the head units IA to ID is supplied with ink of a corresponding color from a retridge 10, which is replaceable ink for each color.

In addition, a plurality of discharge ports are formed in a predetermined linear arrangement in each of the units IA to ID, and an electrothermal converter for generating discharge energy is disposed in the liquid path leading to each discharge port. There is.

In FIG. 4, the full multi-recording head 1 is held in a head holding frame 2, and a recording material 11 fed in the direction of arrow F is fed onto a conveyor route 4 by a slide roller 6. It will be done.

At a position on the upstream side of the recording head 1 in the path of the transport bell 1 (endless/rut) 4, there is an adsorption charger for electrostatically attracting the fed recording material 11 to the transport heald 4. 3 are arranged.

The conveyor belt 4, which serves as a conveyance means, is driven in the direction of the arrow I to attract and generally convey the attracted recording material 11 in the direction of the arrow H.

The recording material 11 is conveyed by the conveyor belt 4 through just in front of the ejection opening surface of the recording head 1, and while being conveyed, the recording material 11 recorded by the recording spatula 1 is removed from the conveyor belt 4. It is separated and sent in the direction of arrow S, and further,
The paper is discharged by the paper discharge roller 5.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the recording head 1 is supported so as to be movable in the directions (arrows (J and D directions)) in which the ejection port surface separates from and contacts the conveyor belt 4, and The drive can be controlled so that it comes into contact with and separates from the transport heald 4.

That is, in this embodiment, the conveyor belt 4 itself is used as a wiping member (cleaning means) at a predetermined timing, and a certain number of recording materials 11
After recording, by stopping the feeding of the recording material 11 midway and lowering the recording head 1, the discharge port surface of the recording head 1 is brought into contact with the moving conveyance heald 4, and the recording material 11 is kept at a constant level. The conveyor belt 4 is configured to wipe the discharge port surface over time.

After this wiping operation, the recording head 1 is lifted in the direction of arrow U and returned to the original recording position.

Further, a cleaner 9 is disposed at a predetermined position on the path of the conveyance bell l-4 for wiping off foreign matter such as ink or paper dust that has adhered to the first air heald 4 during the wiping operation. After cleaning the conveying heald 4 by bringing the cleaner 9 into contact with the conveying heald 4, feeding of the recording material 11 onto the first general feeding heald 4 and recording on the recording material 11 are restarted.

FIG. 5 shows the flowchart 1. which shows the control procedure for the wiping operation as follows. -1.

In FIG. 5, when the recording operation starts, the drive of the conveyance heald 4 is started in step S1, and in step S2, the recording material 11 is fed one by one to the conveyance heald 4-1- by the feed roller 6, and the next Feeding of the recording material 11 is stopped.

After recording on the recording material 11 in step S3, step S
4, it is detected whether or not the recording material 11 has finished passing to the downstream side of the recording head 1. If it has finished passing, step S5
In step S6, the recording head 1 is lowered and brought into contact with the moving conveyor belt 4, and the ejection opening surface of the recording head 1 is wiped by the conveyor belt 4 for a certain period of time in step S6.

After a predetermined period of time from the start of the wiping, the cleaner 9 is brought into contact with the conveyor belt 4 in step S7, and then the cleaner 9 is brought into contact with the conveyor belt 4 in step S8.
Then, the first general conveyance belt 4 is cleaned.

Next, in step S9, the recording head 1 is raised and returned to the recording position, and in step S10, the cleaner 9 is separated from the conveyor belt 4, and then, in step S
Returning to step 2°ζ, feeding of the recording material 11 onto the conveyor belt 4 is resumed, and recording is performed on the next recording material 11.

According to the ink jet recording apparatus described above with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, in the case of a full-margin type fixed recording head 1 that covers the entire width of the recording material 11, By utilizing the movement of the belt (endless bell 1) 4 and using the conveyor belt 4 itself as a wiping member, the ejection opening surface of the recording head 1 can be effectively wiped.

In addition, the cleaner 9 disposed in the path of the conveyor heald 4 can simultaneously clean the first wiping belt 4 as a wiping member by using its movement, and the wiping part IJ' (IFC, wiping belt 4) is always kept clean. Held) 4 allows for reliable wiping of the discharge port surface.

In this way, the ejection orifice surface of the recording head is always free from ink mist, paper dust, and other debris. layer! A means for cleaning the recording head that can be maintained in a clean state and thereby effectively prevent ejection failure has been obtained.

The recording head cleaning means described with reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. The present invention can be implemented in the same manner in a serial scan type inkjet recording apparatus, and similar effects can be achieved.

The present invention brings about excellent effects particularly in an inkjet recording apparatus using an inkjet recording head of the bubble jet type among the inkjet recording H types.

As for typical configurations and principles thereof, it is preferable to use the basic principles disclosed in, for example, US Pat. No. 4,723,129 and US Pat. No. 4,740,796.

This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and the continuous type, but especially in the case of the on-demand type, it is necessary to place the liquid (ink) on the sheet or liquid path where it is held. The electrothermal transducer is caused to generate thermal energy by applying at least one drive signal corresponding to recorded information and causing a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling to the electrothermal transducer. This method is effective because it causes film boiling on the heat-active surface of the recording head, resulting in the formation of bubbles in the liquid (ink) in one-to-one correspondence with this drive signal.

Due to the growth and contraction of these bubbles, liquid (
ink) to form at least one droplet.

If this drive signal is in the form of a pulse, bubble growth and contraction will occur immediately and appropriately, so liquids with particularly excellent responsiveness (
Ink) can be ejected, which is more preferable. As this pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US Pat. No. 4,463,359 and US Pat. No. 4,345,262 are suitable.

Furthermore, if the conditions described in the specification of US Pat. No. 4,313,124 concerning the invention regarding the temperature increase rate of the secondary thermal action surface are adopted, even more excellent recording can be made.

The configuration of the recording head includes, in addition to the combined configuration of ejection ports, liquid paths, and electrothermal converters (straight liquid flow path or right-angled liquid flow path) as disclosed in the above-mentioned specifications, a heat acting section. US Pat. No. 4,558,333 and US Pat. No. 4,459,600 disclose a configuration in which the
The present invention also includes a configuration using the specification of the above specification.

In addition, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 123670 of 1982 discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge part for a plurality of electrothermal converters, and a hole that absorbs pressure waves of thermal energy is disclosed. The present invention is also effective as a configuration based on Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 138461 of 1981, which discloses a configuration in which a discharge portion corresponds to a discharge portion.

Furthermore, as a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the width of the maximum recording medium that can be recorded by the recording apparatus, the length can be increased by combining multiple recording heads as disclosed in the above-mentioned specification. Either a configuration that satisfies the above requirements or a configuration as a single recording head formed integrally may be used, but the present invention can more effectively exhibit the above-mentioned effects.

3 In addition to the device itself? 2. A replaceable chip-type recording head that allows electrical connection to the device body and supply of ink from the device body, or a cartridge type that is integrated into the recording head itself. The present invention is also effective when using a recording head of.

Further, it is preferable to add a recovery means for the recording head, a preliminary (1; It is.

Specifically, the records against Rad.
pre-heating means (111) by means of canoping means, cleaning means, pressurizing or suction means, electrothermal transducers or other heating elements, or a combination thereof; preliminary ejection for ejecting other than recording; Mode is also effective for stable recording.

Furthermore, the recording mode of the recording device is not only a recording mode for mainstream colors such as black, but also a recording mode in which the recording head is integrated.
lli or several collars 3. Although it is possible to use the combination of (2) and 2.4, the present invention is also extremely effective for devices equipped with at least one of multiple colors of different colors or full colors created by mixing colors.

In the embodiments of the present invention described above, the ink is explained as a liquid, but it is an ink that solidifies at room temperature or lower, and in the case of a soft or liquid book at room temperature, or a J double inkjet, the ink itself is over 30°C 70
It is common to adjust the temperature in a range below °C so that the viscosity of the ink is within the stable ejection range, so it is sufficient if the ink is in a liquid state when the recording signal is applied. .

In addition, it is possible to proactively prevent temperature rise caused by thermal energy by using it as energy to transform the ink from a solid state to a liquid state, or to prevent ink from evaporating by preventing ink from solidifying when left unused. In any case, the ink may be liquefied by applying thermal energy in accordance with the recording signal and ejected as liquid ink, or it may already begin to solidify when it reaches the recording material. It is also applicable to the present invention to use ink that is liquefied only by thermal energy.

In such a case, the ink is
As in the above publication, the material may be held in a liquid or solid state in four parts or through holes of a porous sheet, facing the electrothermal converter.

In the present invention, the most effective method for the above-mentioned ink is one that implements the film boiling method described above.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As is clear from the above description, the present invention provides an inkjet recording apparatus that ejects and flies recording droplets from a recording head and records an image on a recording material that is generally fed at a position facing the recording head. Since the conveying means for the recording material is provided with a cleaning means for cleaning the ejection orifice surface of the recording head, it can be used not only in a serial scan type inkjet recording apparatus but also in a line type inkjet recording apparatus. Similarly, an inkjet recording apparatus is provided that includes a cleaning means that can effectively wipe the ejection orifice surface of a recording head while continuing high-speed recording.

According to the invention of claim 2, in the secondary configuration, the cleaning means is constituted by a wiper blade provided on the conveying means, so that one pair of inkjet recording apparatus that can achieve the same effect is provided. .

According to the invention of claim 3, in the above configuration, the conveyance means is constituted by an endless belt driven in the conveyance direction of the recorded strip, so that the same effect can be easily and reliably achieved. An inkjet recording device is provided.

According to the invention of claim 4, in the above structure, the wiper blade is placed on the endless belt, taking into consideration the length of the recording material. In addition to the above-mentioned effects, an inkjet recording apparatus is provided in which the ejection port surface can be easily cleaned effectively while maintaining high-speed recording.

According to the invention of claim 5, when the recording head is movably supported to a position where it contacts the endless belt, and (b) the cleaning means is formed of the endless belt itself, so that the above effect is achieved. In addition to,
With this configuration, an inkjet recording apparatus is provided that can more effectively clean the ejection port surface.

According to the invention of claim 6, in an inkjet recording apparatus that uses a fully multi-type fixed line head in addition to the secondary configuration, the cleaning means having the above configuration is implemented, so that the conventional cleaning is not required. An inkjet recording apparatus is proposed that can reliably clean the ejection port surface of a fixed recording head, which has been difficult to clean.

4. Explanation of Drawings FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing an embodiment of an inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cleaning operation of the ejection port surface of the device shown in FIG. 1. and a block diagram of the control system 1 for controlling the timing of the conveyance operation of the recording material, FIG. 3 is a schematic side view showing another embodiment of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 71, a schematic side view showing yet another 8th embodiment of the inkjet printer 1, and FIG. Char I.

Below, the symbols representing the main parts in each drawing are listed.

1-Recording head, IA, IB, IC, ID-Head unit, 4------1 Conveyor belt, 6'---
1 feed roller, 7---1---wiper blade, 8
−−−−1−−Blade detection sensor, 9・−−−
Cleaner 11--Song/recording material, 12---Control circuit.

Claims (8)

[Claims] (1) In an inkjet recording apparatus that ejects and flies recording droplets from a recording head and records an image on a recording material that is conveyed at a position facing the recording head, the recording material is conveyed by the recording head. An inkjet recording device characterized in that it is provided with a cleaning means for cleaning an ejection port surface of the inkjet recording device. (2) The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning means is a wiper blade provided on the conveying means. (3) The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conveyance means is an endless belt driven in the conveyance direction of the recording material. (4) The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the wiper blades are provided on the endless belt at predetermined intervals. (5) Claim 3, wherein the recording head is movably supported to a position where it contacts the endless belt, and the cleaning means is formed by the endless belt itself.
The inkjet recording device described in . (6) The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording head is a fully multi-type fixed line head. (7) A claim characterized in that the recording head is an inkjet recording head that ejects ink using thermal energy and is equipped with an electrothermal converter for generating thermal energy. Item 1. The inkjet recording device according to item 1. (8) The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the ink is ejected from the ejection port by the growth of bubbles due to film boiling caused by the thermal energy applied by the electrothermal converter.