JPH04113943U - Ink jet head cap device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] To reliably prevent the ink inside the nozzle from drying without dust or the like adhering to the nozzle. [Structure] By forming the recess 28 that can store ink in the cap body 12 below the opening 13, the ink ejected from the nozzle 17 during the recovery operation of the nozzle 17 is stored in the recess 28. When the cap body 12 covers the inkjet head 4, the ink inside the opening 13 evaporates, and the inside of the opening 13 becomes saturated with ink vapor, thereby preventing the ink inside the nozzle 17 from evaporating. What I tried to do.

Description

[Detailed explanation of the idea]

0001

[Industrial application field]

This invention is an inkjet printer that prints by jetting ink from a nozzle toward paper. A kit used in print printers to cover the nozzle when the inkjet head is not in use. This is related to the cap structure, especially for inkjet that coats the nozzle without drying it. This invention relates to a cap device for a cut head.

0002

[Conventional technology]

Generally, the ink sent to the inkjet head is ejected from its nozzle. By doing so, the inkjet printer that prints the desired print on paper It is often used for reasons such as modesty.

0003 Figure 4 shows the main parts of a typical inkjet printer. In front of the cylindrical platen 1, there is a A pair of extending carriage shafts 2, 2 are arranged, and these carriage shafts 2 A carriage 3 is disposed that can reciprocate along. In this carriage 3, An inkjet head 4 capable of printing in full color is mounted.

0004 The inkjet head 4 has a full color inkjet head opposite to the inkjet head 1. Four nozzle assemblies (not shown) are arranged, each corresponding to four colors of ink. Each nozzle assembly is arranged in a vertical direction so as to face the platen 1. It is composed of a plurality of nozzles (not shown). And these nozzles The assembly is fixed to a head mount 5 supported by the carriage 3. Ru.

[0005] This nozzle assembly is constructed on the carriage 3 at the back of each nozzle assembly. An inlet 7 with a built-in auxiliary tank 6 communicating with each nozzle is provided. Each inlet 7 has a corresponding color that is removably mounted on the carriage 3. The ink cartridges 8 are communicated with each other.

[0006] A nozzle is provided on the side of one end of the platen 1 to cover each nozzle when not in use. This prevents the ink inside the nozzle from drying out, and prevents air bubbles formed inside the nozzle or clogs in the nozzle. A capping device 9 is provided which is used to remove foreign matter. This character The top device 9 includes a casing 10 in which an opening 11 is formed on the side of the carriage 3. The inkjet head is placed in the opening 11 of the casing 10. A cap body 12 is provided which is movable in the direction toward and away from the door 4. child The cap body 12 corresponds to each nozzle assembly of the inkjet head 4. It has a plurality of openings 13 formed vertically so as to cover each nozzle assembly. A rubber liner 14 is stretched inside each opening 13. The nozzle 14 protrudes from inside the periphery of the opening 13 to the outside to provide air to the outer periphery of each nozzle. It is designed to allow close pressure contact.

[0007] By the way, the inkjet head 4 to which the conventional cap device 9 is applied is shown in FIG. As shown in 5, it consists of a plurality of channels 15 each arranged in a vertical direction. It has a plurality of nozzle aggregates 16, and a nozzle 17 is formed at the tip of each flow path 15. has been done. In addition, on the outer periphery of each flow path 15, from a nozzle 17 at the tip of each flow path 15, A piezo element 18 for ejecting ink is provided.

[0008] On the other hand, the conventional cap device 9 creates a negative pressure inside the opening 13 of the cap body 12. It has a suction mechanism (not shown) for performing a recovery operation of the nozzle assembly 16. A suction air passage 19 communicating with the inside of the opening 13 is connected to this suction mechanism. It is. In addition, each nozzle 17 formed by the cap body 12 is provided in the opening 13. When covering the outer periphery of the ink, it comes into contact with the tip of the nozzle 17 to prevent the ink inside the nozzle 17 from evaporating. It is filled with a porous material 20 like a sponge for stopping the water.

[0009] According to the conventional device described above, when printing, the cap body 1 of the cap device 9 2 is retracted, the carriage 3 on which the inkjet head 4 is mounted While running the inkjet along platen 1, the inkjet prints based on a predetermined printing signal. The piezo element 18 of the nozzle 17 used for printing by the head 4 is operated to ink cartridge. Ink of a desired color is supplied from the cartridge 8 to the flow path 15 via the inlet 7. By jetting from the nozzle 17 toward the paper on the platen 1, the desired printing is performed. can be done.

0010 When printing is completed, the carriage 3 is returned to a predetermined reference position. Attach the cap device 9 to the inkjet head 4 at the reference position. , the tip of each nozzle 17 is filled with polyurethane, which is filled in the opening 13 of the cap body 12. By bringing the porous body 20 into contact, each nozzle assembly of the inkjet head 4 This is to prevent the ink in each nozzle 17 constituting the nozzle 16 from drying out.

[0011]

[Problem that the idea aims to solve]

However, in the conventional method described above, ink is not sufficiently applied to the porous body 20. To reliably prevent the nozzle 17 from drying out because the liquid cannot be soaked into the liquid. Also, if there is dust or the like attached to the porous body 20, this may cause There was a risk that the ink would adhere to the nozzle 17 and cause the ink in the nozzle 17 to become clogged.

0012 This invention overcomes the problems of the conventional ones mentioned above and prevents dust from entering the nozzle. This ensures that the ink inside the nozzle does not dry out and does not stick to the surface. An object of the present invention is to provide a cap device for an inkjet head.

[0013]

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, there is provided an inkjet head capping device according to claim 1. The nozzle of an inkjet head is equipped with an ink flow path whose tip is formed into a nozzle. The cap body has a movable opening that can cover the outer circumference of the drain at intervals. In the cap device for an inkjet head, the cap body is opened. A feature is that a recessed portion for storing ink is formed below the mouth portion.

[0014] Further, the inkjet head cap device according to claim 2 is the inkjet head cap device according to claim 1. , characterized in that a porous body capable of soaking ink is disposed in the recess. Ru.

[0015] Furthermore, in the inkjet head capping device according to claim 3, the tip is connected to the nozzle. The outer periphery of the nozzle of the inkjet head equipped with the formed ink flow path is spaced apart. An inkjet inkjet product consisting of a movable cap body with an opening that can be covered with In the capping device of the print head, at least the lower part of the opening is dyed with ink. It is characterized by forming a porous body that can be penetrated.

[0016]

[Effect]

According to the inkjet head cap device of the present invention having the above-described configuration, , the ink can be stored in the opening of the cap body, so the cap body covers the inkjet head, the ink inside the opening evaporates. The inside of the opening is saturated with ink vapor, so the ink inside the nozzle is This eliminates the inconvenience of water evaporating and drying.

[0017]

【Example】

The present invention will be explained below with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings. In addition, the conventional method mentioned above For structures that are the same as or equivalent to the above, the same reference numerals are given in the drawings and explanations thereof are given. is omitted.

[0018] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of an inkjet head cap device according to the present invention. Examples are shown in FIG. 2, in which the cap device according to the present invention is applied. This shows an inkjet printer.

[0019] As shown in detail in FIG. 1, the upper front surface of the cap body 12 of the cap device 9 has a , a substantially hemispherical protrusion 21 is protruded and communicated with the top of this protrusion 21. The pressurizing air passage 22 is formed to reach the back of the cap body 12, A pressurizing means such as a pump is connected to this pressurizing air passage 22. Also , the cap body 12 includes an atmosphere release valve 2 that communicates with the upper part of the opening 13. 3 are arranged.

[0020] On the other hand, a cap device 9 is installed on the top of the head mounting base 5 for the inkjet head. 4, the pressurizing air passage 22 is fitted with the protrusion 21. A pressurizing air passage 24 is formed which communicates with the , branched into four branch passages 25 corresponding to the number of ink cartridges 8, and each An air pipe communicating with the upper part of each ink cartridge 8 is provided at the end of the branch passage 25. 26 is connected.

[0021] Furthermore, the inkjet head is provided in the opening 13 of the cap body 12. An extension part 27 is formed that extends downward from the part corresponding to 4. A thick portion 14A of the liner 14 that is thick in the height direction is disposed within the liner 27. has been done. A recess 28 for storing ink is provided on the upper surface of the thick portion 14A. This recess 28 is filled with ink like a sponge. It is filled with a porous body 29 that can be used.

[0022] Next, the operation of this embodiment having the above-described configuration will be explained.

[0023] First, when performing normal printing, rotate the platen 1 shown in FIG. The paper that is not printed is conveyed to a predetermined printing position, and in this state, the carriage 3 is While moving along the carriage axis 2, the inkjet By operating the piezo element 18 of the cut head 4, the By jetting ink of a desired color toward the paper from the nozzle 17 of the flow path 15. , desired printing can be performed.

[0024] After printing is completed, the carriage 3 is returned to a predetermined reference position. , the cap of the cap device 9 is attached to the inkjet head 4 at this reference position. The main body 12 of the inkjet head 4 is adhered to the inside of each nozzle 17 of the inkjet head 4. This prevents the ink from drying out. This inkjet head 4 When attaching the cap body 12 of the cap device 9, keep the atmosphere release valve 23 open. This prevents the air in the opening 13 from being forced into the nozzle 17 of the flow path 15. can be stopped.

[0025] Also, if air bubbles etc. accumulate inside the inkjet head 4 or 7, When the cap device 9 is attached to the inkjet head 4, pressure is applied. operating the means as well as the suction means.

[0026] As a result, the pressurizing air passages 22 to 4 of the cap body 12 Pressurized air is supplied to each ink cartridge 8 via 24, and the ink in each flow path 15 is Pressurize the tank. Due to this pressurization, air bubbles in the flow path 15 are removed together with the ink. The ink is discharged from the nozzle 17 into the opening 13 of the capping device 9 to ensure a smooth flow of ink. can be done. At this time, the ink ejected from the nozzle 17 is The porous body 29 in the recess 28 of the opening 13 of the device 9 is soaked, and the opening 1 Excess ink in 3 is discharged through suction air passage 19 by suction means. It becomes.

[0027] By the way, the inkjet head 4 is covered with the cap body 12 of the cap device 9. When the pressurizing means and suction means are not operated while the By closing the release valve 23 and shutting off the inside of the opening 13 from the atmosphere, the opening 1 The ink inside the opening 13 evaporates and the inside of the opening 13 becomes saturated with the vapor of the ink. Therefore, the inconvenience that the ink inside the nozzle 17 evaporates and dries can be eliminated. I can do it.

[0028] As described above, according to this embodiment, the recess 28 that can store ink is provided in the opening 13. At the same time, a porous body 29 is disposed within this recess 28 to drain the stored ink. Since the high humidity state inside the opening 13 is maintained through evaporation, the nozzle 17 It is possible to reliably eliminate the inconvenience that the ink inside evaporates and dries.

[0029] FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, in which the opening The liner 14 stretched inside the liner 13 has a thick wall portion 1 as in the first embodiment described above. 4A is not formed; instead, within the opening 13 inside the liner 14, a lower A porous body 29 having an L-shaped cross section is disposed from the top to the top. 9, even if the cap device 9 is attached to the inkjet head 4, the nozzle 17 is not in contact with the inkjet head 4. It is designed not to be touched.

[0030] Even with such a configuration, the same effects as in the first embodiment described above can be achieved. can.

[0031] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and can be modified in various ways as necessary. It is possible to change the

[0032]

[Effect of the idea]

As explained above, according to the present invention, no dust or the like adheres to the nozzle, and It has the practical effect of reliably preventing ink from drying inside the nozzle. can do.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

[Figure 1] Cross-sectional view of the main parts in Figure 2

[Fig. 2] A perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention

FIG. 3 is a diagram similar to FIG. 1 showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Figure 4] A perspective view showing a general inkjet printer

[Figure 5] Cross-sectional view of the main parts in Figure 4

[Explanation of symbols]

1 platen 3 Carriage 4 Inkjet head 8 Ink cartridge 9 Cap device 12 Cap body 13 Opening 14 Raina 14A Thick part 15 Flow path 16 Nozzle assembly 17 Nozzle 18 Piezo element 28 Recess 29 Porous body

Claims (3)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A cap device for an inkjet head comprising a movable cap body provided with an opening that can cover the outer periphery of the nozzle at intervals of an inkjet head having an ink flow path with a nozzle at the tip thereof. . A cap device for an inkjet head, characterized in that a recess for storing ink is formed below the opening of the cap body. 2. The cap device for an inkjet head according to claim 1, wherein a porous body capable of soaking ink is provided in the recess. 3. A cap device for an inkjet head comprising a movable cap body provided with an opening that can cover the outer periphery of the nozzle at intervals of an inkjet head having an ink flow path with a nozzle at the tip thereof. A cap device for an inkjet head, characterized in that a porous body into which ink can soak is formed at least in a lower portion of the opening.