JPH04344257A - Ink jet recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make control of waste ink easy by a method wherein an exhaust part corresponding to a plurality of recording heads is selected, and is transferred selectively to a waste ink reserving part for an ink reserving component. CONSTITUTION:In a discharge recovery unit 40, a recording head which performs suction treatment by opening only any one of valves 42A, 42B, 42C, 42D under a state wherein each corresponding recording head 9A, 9B, 9C, 9D is capped with each cap 40A, 40B, 40C, 40D is selected by a switching control circuit 50A of an ink channel switching unit 50. Further, only a valve corresponding to a recording head performing suction treatment among valves 51A, 51B, 51C, 51D is made open. Ink sucked with a pump unit 41 for sucking ink is exhausted selectively to a waste ink reservoir part 62A, 62B, 62C, 62D of each corresponding ink cartridge via an ink passage R2A, R2B, R2C, R2D.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an inkjet recording apparatus, and more particularly to an inkjet recording apparatus that performs recording using a plurality of inks of different densities and colors.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art In this type of apparatus, it has been known that ejection recovery processing is performed in order to maintain good ink ejection performance in the print head. This ejection recovery process involves ejecting ink from the ink path in the print head, which is typified by dry ejection, which is ejection that does not involve printing, and suction processing, which sucks ink through the ejection ports of the print head. There is a process to do this. Such ink discharge processing makes it possible to eliminate thickened ink and air bubbles present in the ink path, etc., and to maintain the ink in a state suitable for ejection.

Generally, the ink discharged from the recording head by the above-mentioned ink discharge process is not used for recording and is discarded. Examples of structures for holding such discharged ink include an ink holding member made of an ink absorber or the like, and a waste ink tank. Among these, when an ink retaining member is used, this member is often used semi-permanently by utilizing the evaporation of water in the retained ink. Therefore, if the ink discharge process is performed relatively frequently depending on the device used as an output means of the recording device or the recording mode that changes depending on the type of image to be recorded, etc., the ink retaining member Ink may be discharged beyond its capacity, making it inappropriate to use the ink retaining member as described above for retaining discharged ink.

On the other hand, inkjet recording devices that use waste ink tanks are configured to replace the waste ink tanks at predetermined timings, so that even devices in which the above-mentioned ink discharge process is performed relatively frequently can be used. Can be applied. An example of a configuration using such a replaceable waste ink tank is a cartridge type tank that integrally includes a supply ink storage section that stores ink to be supplied to the recording head and a waste ink storage section that stores waste ink. be. This ink cartridge is replaced with a new one when the ink supply runs out, and the waste ink storage section is also new at this time, so the advantage is that there is no need to consciously deal with waste ink. have.

[0005]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] By the way, in an inkjet recording device that uses a plurality of different inks, the amount of each ink used is different, so the supply ink tank is
For example, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C)
), each black (Bk) ink can be replaced individually, or
Bk ink and Y, M, C ink integrated (of course, Y, M
, C are often configured so that they can be replaced separately.

In such a case, in the conventional configuration,
The waste ink storage section is not provided for each ink, but is provided integrally with the supply ink storage section for, for example, Bk ink, and the waste ink of other inks is also stored therein. For this reason, depending on the usage mode of the recording device, Y, M,
When C ink is frequently used, before the Bk supply ink runs out, a waste ink storage section that is integrated with the supply ink storage section may be filled with waste ink, causing ink leakage.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and includes a configuration in which waste ink storage sections are provided for each of a plurality of different inks, and ink is discharged into these waste ink storage sections. An object of the present invention is to provide an inkjet recording device that is simplified.

[0008]

[Means for Solving the Problems] To this end, in the present invention,
An inkjet recording apparatus that performs recording by discharging ink onto a recording medium includes a plurality of recording heads for discharging ink, each of which is provided for a plurality of inks having different physical properties; A discharge means having a plurality of discharge sections corresponding to each of the plurality of recording heads and capable of discharging ink from each recording head via the respective corresponding discharge sections; a plurality of ink storage members comprising a supply ink storage section storing ink to be supplied to a corresponding recording head; and a waste ink storage section for storing waste ink discharged by the discharge means; A transfer means capable of selectively transferring ink discharged by the discharge means to a waste ink storage section of an ink storage member corresponding to the ink, and a recording head from which ink is discharged by the discharge means, The present invention is characterized by comprising a selection means for selecting one of the plurality of discharge sections and a waste ink storage section corresponding to the ink transferred by the transfer means.

[0009]

[Operation] According to the above configuration, when performing ejection recovery processing by discharging ink for each of a plurality of recording heads, the discharge section and the discharged waste ink should be stored corresponding to the recording head that discharges ink. The waste ink storage section is selected, and the waste ink discharged from the recording head is thereby transferred to the waste ink storage section of the ink storage member that was storing this ink.

0010

Embodiments Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a color ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, a recording medium 1 such as a recording paper or a plastic sheet is supported by a pair of transport rollers 2 and 3 placed above and below a recording area of the medium. The paper feed motor 4 rotates the conveyance roller 2, and thereby the recording medium 1 is conveyed in the direction of arrow A. A pair of guide shafts 5 are provided in front of and parallel to the conveyance rollers 2 and 3. The carriage 6 is slidably engaged with the pair of guide shafts 5, so that the carriage 6 is reciprocated in the direction of arrow B by the driving force of the carriage motor 7 via the wire 8.

A recording head unit 90 is mounted on the carriage 6 and is composed of a recording head of a type that uses thermal energy to eject ink. This recording head unit 90 is capable of color recording, and includes recording heads corresponding to each color ink of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (Bk) in the scanning direction. 9A, 9B, 9C, and 9D are arranged. On the front surface of each recording head 9A, 9B, 9C, 9D, that is, on the surface facing the recording medium 1 at a predetermined interval (for example, 0.8 mm), there are a plurality of (for example, 48 or 64) heads.
The recording section is provided with ink ejection ports arranged in the vertical direction (the scanning direction of the recording medium).

The ejection recovery unit 40 is provided at a position corresponding to the home position of the recording head unit 90, and is configured to cover caps 40A, 40B, 40C, and 40D corresponding to each of the recording heads 9A, 9B, 9C, and 9D, and these caps. The recording head is equipped with a pump and the like for sucking ink from the ejection ports of the recording head. Cap 40A, 40
B, 40C and 40D can be moved forward and backward with respect to the movement area of the carriage 6 by a mechanism (not shown) provided inside the ejection recovery unit 40, and thereby the recording heads 9A, 9B, 9C and 9D can be moved forward and backward with respect to the movement area of the carriage 6. It becomes possible to cover (capping) the surface on which the discharge port is disposed. When the inkjet recording device of this example is not recording,
The recording head unit 90 moves to the home position,
The caps 40A, 40B, 40C, and 40D cap the surfaces of the recording heads 9A, 9B, 9C, and 9D on which the ejection ports are provided, respectively. This capping suppresses evaporation of ink through the ejection ports, and can prevent increase in ink viscosity and change in ink concentration. Further, in the ejection recovery process performed at predetermined intervals, the pump is driven in this capped state, and ink is sucked through the ejection port by the negative pressure generated by driving the pump. Thereby, the thickened ink and air bubbles remaining in the ink can be discharged. In addition, caps 40A, 40B, 40C and 40
D has an integrated mechanism for moving the cap forward and backward, and these caps move forward and backward with respect to the recording head.

The ink path switching unit 50 transfers the waste ink sucked by the ejection recovery unit 40 to the ink cartridges 60A and 60B according to the type of waste ink.
, 60C, or 60D. Ink cartridge 60A, 60B, 60
Each of C and 60D is integrally equipped with a supply ink storage section that stores ink to be supplied to the corresponding recording head and a waste ink storage section that stores waste ink, and
These ink cartridges are configured to be detachable from the mounting portion 61. As a result, by replacing the ink cartridge with a new one, new ink can be replenished and waste ink can be removed together with the old ink cartridge.

FIG. 2 shows recording heads 9A, 9B, 9C, 9
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view partially showing the vicinity of the discharge port of D (only one is shown because they have the same structure);

In FIG. 2, a plurality of ink ejection ports 10 are provided at a predetermined pitch in the vertical direction on the surface of the recording head 9A facing the recording medium 1. An ink path 10B is provided corresponding to each ejection port 10 and communicating therewith, and each ink path 10B is partitioned by a partition wall 10A. Each ink path is provided with an electrothermal conversion element 11, and when this element 11 is driven (heated by electricity), bubbles 11A are generated in the ink path, and as the bubbles grow and contract, they are absorbed into the ink. The pressure fluctuations that occur cause ink droplets 12 to be ejected. The ejected ink droplets 12 adhere to the recording medium 1, and recording is performed by forming ink dots in a pattern according to recording data. Each of the recording heads 9A, 9B, 9C, and 9D is mounted with a substrate on which a drive circuit (driver) 13 for driving the electrothermal transducer 11 is formed as described above.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the control board 15 is formed with a control section including a control circuit (CPU) of the printing apparatus and a ROM, RAM, etc. attached thereto. This control section receives command signals and data signals (recording information) from a host device 14 such as a computer, and based on these commands, the control section sends command signals and data signals (recording information) to each recording head 9A, 9B, and the like through a drive circuit 13 together with drive sources such as various motors. A drive voltage (heat voltage) is applied to each electrothermal conversion element 9C and 9D. Further, the control section controls the switching control circuit of the ink path switching unit 50 in accordance with the suction processing by the ejection recovery unit 40, as will be described later with reference to FIG.

An operation panel 160 attached to the exterior case (not shown) of the recording device includes an online/offline switching key 16A, a line feed key 16B, a home feed key 16C, and a recording mode switching key 16.
In addition to key setting sections such as D, several alarm lamps 16
A display section including warning lamps such as E and power lamp 16F is provided.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control system of the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG.

This control system 150 is formed on the substrate 15 as described above. In the control system 150, a CPU 21 in the form of a microprocessor has an interface 22.
It is connected to a host device 14 such as a computer via a
The recording operation is controlled based on programs and data stored in the program memory 24 in the OM format, the working memory 25 in the RAM format, and the like. Further, the CPU 21 controls the driving of the carriage motor 7, sheet feed motor 4, and pump unit 41 via the output port 26 and the motor driver 27, and also controls the head control circuit 29 based on the recording data stored in the data memory 23. The ink ejection in the recording head 9 is controlled through the recording head 9.

Further, the sheet sensor 30 is connected to the conveying roller 2.
This detection signal is provided at a predetermined portion of the apparatus to detect whether or not the recording medium 1 exists between the input port 31 and the recording medium 1 .

Input signals from each of the operation keys 16A to 16D on the operation panel 160 described above are transmitted to the CPU 21 via the input port 32, and the alarm lamp 16
A control signal is supplied through the output port 36 to warning lamps such as E and power lamp 16F. The DIP switch 33 is provided on the bottom of the exterior of the device, and input through this switch is transmitted to the CPU 21 through an input port 34. Furthermore, from the power supply circuit 28, logic drive power for operating the control logic circuit, various motor drive powers, reset power, heat power for driving the electrothermal conversion element of the recording head 9, and backup for recording head protection are supplied. Electric power is supplied to each.

FIG. 4 shows the ejection recovery unit 40, the ink path switching unit 50, and the ink cartridges 60A, 6.
It is a schematic diagram showing details of 0B, 60C, and 60D.

In the ejection recovery unit 40, ink paths R1A, R1B, R1C and R1D for discharging waste ink are connected to each cap 40A, 40B, 40C and 40D, and these are connected to the above-mentioned ink suction pump. Each is connected to the unit 41. The pump unit 41 includes a pump, a motor for driving the pump, and the like. Ink paths R1A, R1B, R1C and R1D
Each of the valves 42A, 42B, 42C and 42
D are provided, and these valves are connected to the ink path switching unit 50.
The switching control circuit 50A individually controls the opening and closing of the switching control circuit 50A. The pump unit 41 includes each cap 40A,
Recording heads 9A, 9B via 40B, 40C, 40D
, 9C, 9D, etc., and this sucked ink is transferred to the ink paths R2A, R.
2B, R2C, and R2D, the waste ink storage portions 62A, 62B, and 62 of the corresponding ink cartridges, respectively.
C, 62D. Ink path R2A, R2B, R
2C and R2D each have valves 51A, 51B, and 51C.
, 51D are provided, and their opening and closing are similarly controlled individually by the switching control circuit 50A.

With the above configuration, the caps 40A, 40
With the corresponding recording heads 9A, 9B, 9C, and 9D capped by B, 40C, and 40D, respectively,
By opening only one of the valves 42A, 42B, 42C, and 42D, the recording head that performs the suction process is selected, and among the valves 51A, 51B, 51C, and 51D, the recording head that performs the suction process is selected. By opening only the corresponding valve, the waste ink discharged by the suction process is selectively discharged into the waste ink storage section of the corresponding ink cartridge.

Note that the ratio of the supply ink storage section and the waste ink storage section of each ink cartridge is set to be the same ratio considering the margin of the waste ink storage section, and the capacity is set to 100, for example.
cc.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of recording processing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

After the initial processing step (S101) of the control unit when the power is turned on, the CPU 21 inputs control commands and print data from the host computer 14 connected to the inkjet printing apparatus of this embodiment via the interface 2.
2 (step S).
103).

In step S103, when recording data is input from the host computer 14 connected to the apparatus of this embodiment, the CPU 21 stores the data in a receiving buffer provided in the data RAM. Until it is determined that reception of a predetermined amount of recorded data has ended (step S104), the processes of steps S102 to S104 are repeated while also performing a determination to detect the presence or absence of recovery processing in step S102.

[0031] When it is determined that reception of a predetermined amount of recorded data has been completed (step S104), in step S107,
The carriage motor 7 is excited in the right direction to move the carriage 6 in the PT direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 1 via the output port 26 and the driver 27. Next, step S
At step 108, the control circuit 29 sets ejection data for the print heads 9A, 9B, 9C, and 9D based on the print data. After this setting, in step S109, a predetermined pulse is applied to each electrothermal transducer element via the drive circuit 13 of each recording head. The pulse width at this time is defined by the time tH counted in the next step S110. After the heating time has expired, power to the recording head is cut off (step S111).

In step S112, the recording cycle counter stored in the working RAM 25 is incremented by one for each energization, and in step S113, it is determined based on the contents whether recording of one line has been completed. If it is determined in step S113 that the recording cycle counter does not exceed the predetermined value, step S114
In order to move the carriage 6 in the CR direction shown by the arrow in FIG. A sheet feeding process is performed to convey the medium 1 by a predetermined amount, and recording of one line is completed, and the process returns to step S102.

If it is determined in step S102 that the ejection recovery process has been selected using the above-mentioned command or the operation panel key 16, the process advances to step S201. In step S201, the color of ink required for ejection recovery is checked. For example, if this color is yellow,
First, in step S202, the carrier motor 7 is driven to move the carriage 6 to the recovery position in the same manner as described above. Next, in step S203, an ink path switching process corresponding to the yellow recording head 9C is performed. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, only valves 42C and 51C are opened, and all other valves are closed, corresponding to recording head 9C. As a result, the waste ink sucked from the recording head of the ink color yellow is discharged to the waste ink storage section 62C of the cartridge 60C. Next, in step S204, the pump unit 4
The first motor (not shown) is driven to start ink suction. The driving time at this time is defined by counting the time t in step S205. After counting this predetermined time t, the pump drive is ended in step S206, and step S1
Return to 02 and wait for the next command.

Note that the color setting by the host computer in this embodiment is executed as follows.

[0035] The CPU 21 sets the ink color for the ejection recovery process using data N appended after the extended command ESC. That is, N=0 is black, N=1 is red, N
=2 is green, N=3 is blue, N=4 is yellow,
Let N=5 be magenta and N=6 be cyan. Further, head recovery is commanded by command ESCP. for example,
When it is desired to perform ejection recovery for the recording color yellow, the CPU 21 successively transmits commands ESC4 and ESCP. As a result, ejection recovery of the yellow recording head 9C is performed. Further, for example, if it is desired to perform recovery related to the recording color red, by successively transmitting ESC1 and ESCP, recovery of the yellow recording head 9C and recovery of the cyan recording head 9A are sequentially executed.

Color settings using the operation panel of this embodiment include recovery mode selection and color settings similar to those described above on panel 1.
This is done by operating the specified keys on 6. Accordingly, CP
By reading the key input from the operation panel 16 via the input port 32, the U21 can set the color for recovery in the same manner as the above command.

The color setting by the host computer and the recording head recovery process can be set, for example, at a fixed time interval or every predetermined amount of recording, and the setting by the operation panel can be set by the operator, for example, by changing the recording result. You can look at it and do it as needed.

In the above embodiment, the treatment of waste ink discharged from each recording head by suction processing was explained, but the treatment of ink discharge is not limited to the above example.
The present invention can also be applied to waste ink caused by idle ejection or discharge due to pressurization within the recording head.

(Others) The present invention particularly relates to means for generating thermal energy as energy used to eject ink, in an inkjet recording system.
For example, the present invention provides an excellent effect in a recording head or recording apparatus that is equipped with an electrothermal converter (for example, an electrothermal converter, a laser beam, etc.) and uses the thermal energy to cause a change in the state of the ink. This is because such a system can achieve higher recording density and higher definition.

For its typical configuration and principle, see, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740.
Preferably, it is carried out using the basic principles disclosed in the '796 specification. This method is the so-called on-demand type.
It is applicable to both continuous types, but in particular, in the case of on-demand type, it is applicable to the electrothermal converter placed corresponding to the sheet holding the liquid (ink) or the liquid path. , by applying at least one drive signal that corresponds to recorded information and provides a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling, the electrothermal transducer generates thermal energy to produce film boiling on the thermally active surface of the recording head. liquid (ink) that corresponds one-to-one to this drive signal.
This is effective because it can form air bubbles inside. The growth and contraction of the bubble causes liquid (ink) to be ejected through the ejection opening to form at least one droplet. It is more preferable to use this drive signal in a pulse form, since the growth and contraction of bubbles can be carried out immediately and appropriately, making it possible to eject liquid (ink) with particularly excellent responsiveness. This pulse-shaped drive signal is described in US Pat. No. 4,463,359 and US Pat.
345262 are suitable. Furthermore, if the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 concerning the invention regarding the temperature increase rate of the heat acting surface are adopted, even more excellent recording can be performed.

[0041] In addition to the configuration of the recording head, which is a combination 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, U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 and U.S. Pat. No. 44 disclose a configuration in which a heat acting part is arranged in a bending region.
A configuration using the specification of No. 59600 is also included in the present invention. In addition, JP-A-59-123670 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 effects of the present invention are also effective even with a configuration based on Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 138461/1985 which discloses a configuration corresponding to the discharge section. That is, regardless of the form of the recording head, according to the present invention, recording can be performed reliably and efficiently.

Furthermore, the present invention can be effectively applied to a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the maximum width of a recording medium that can be recorded by a recording apparatus. Such a recording head may have either a configuration in which the length is satisfied by a combination of a plurality of recording heads, or a configuration as a single recording head formed integrally.

In addition, even in the case of a serial type as in the above example, the recording head is fixed to the main body of the apparatus, or by being attached to the main body of the apparatus, electrical connection with the main body of the apparatus and ink flow from the main body of the apparatus are possible. The present invention is also effective when using a replaceable chip-type recording head that can be supplied with ink or a cartridge-type recording head in which an ink tank is integrally provided in the recording head itself.

Further, it is preferable to add ejection recovery means for the recording head, preliminary auxiliary means, etc. to the configuration of the recording apparatus of the present invention, since this further stabilizes the effects of the present invention. Specifically, these include heating the recording head using a capping means, a cleaning means, a pressure or suction means, an electrothermal transducer, a separate heating element, or a combination thereof. For example, there may be mentioned a pre-heating means for performing the ejection, and a pre-ejection means for ejecting other than recording.

Regarding the type and number of recording heads to be mounted, for example, in addition to a single head that corresponds to a single color ink, there are also systems that correspond to a plurality of inks of different recording colors and densities. A plurality of them may be provided. That is, for example, the recording mode of the recording apparatus is not limited to a recording mode for only a mainstream color such as black, but may also be a recording mode in which the recording head is configured integrally or in a combination of multiple colors, Alternatively, the present invention is extremely effective for an apparatus equipped with at least one of the full-color recording modes using color mixing.

In addition, in the embodiments of the present invention described above, the ink is described as a liquid, but an ink that solidifies at room temperature or lower, and that softens or liquefies at room temperature, may also be used. Generally speaking, in inkjet systems, the temperature of the ink itself is adjusted within the range of 30°C or higher and 70°C or lower to keep the viscosity of the ink within a stable ejection range. Sometimes, ink in liquid form may be used. In addition, in order to actively prevent temperature rise due to thermal energy by using the energy to change the state of the ink from a solid state to a liquid state, or to prevent ink from evaporating, it is possible to solidify and heat the ink when left standing. An ink that is liquefied by water may also be used. In any case, by applying thermal energy in accordance with the recording signal, the ink is liquefied and the liquid ink is ejected, or the ink has already begun to solidify by the time it reaches the recording medium. The present invention is also applicable when using ink that is liquefied for the first time. Ink in such cases is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 54-56847 or Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 60-71.
In a state where it is held as a liquid or solid in the porous sheet recesses or through holes, as described in Japanese Patent No. 260,
It may also be configured to face the electrothermal converter. In the present invention, the most effective method for each of the above-mentioned inks is to implement the above-mentioned film boiling method.

In addition, the inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention can be used as an image output terminal for information processing equipment such as a computer, a copying machine combined with a reader, or a facsimile machine having a transmitting/receiving function. It may also take a form.

[0048]

As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, when performing ejection recovery processing by discharging ink for each of a plurality of recording heads, the ejection section corresponding to the recording head performing ink discharge is Then, the waste ink storage section in which the discharged waste ink should be stored is selected, and the waste ink discharged from the recording head is thereby transferred to the waste ink storage section of the ink storage member that had stored this ink. .

As a result, it is possible to manage waste ink for each of a plurality of inks, and it is possible to respond more flexibly to the recording mode of the apparatus.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

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

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of the recording head shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control system of the inkjet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an ink path system for supplying and discharging ink to the recording head shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a recording processing procedure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

9A, 9B, 9C, 9D Recording head 11 Electrothermal conversion element 13 Head drive circuit 14 Host device 21 CPU 23, 25 RAM 24 ROM 40 Ejection recovery unit 40A, 40B, 40C, 40D Cap 41
Pump units 42A, 42B, 42C, 42D Valve 50 Ink path switching unit 50A Switching control circuit 51A, 51B, 51C, 51D Valve 60A, 60B
, 60C, 60D Ink cartridge 61A, 61
B, 61C, 61D Supply ink storage section 62A, 62
B, 62C, 62D Waste ink storage section R1A, R1B
, R1C, R1D, R2A, R2B, R2C, R2D,
R3A, R3B, R3C, R3D Ink path

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. In an inkjet recording apparatus that performs recording by discharging ink onto a recording medium, the recording head for discharging ink includes a plurality of recording heads provided for each of a plurality of inks having different physical properties. a recording head, a discharge means having a plurality of discharge sections corresponding to each of the plurality of recording heads, and capable of discharging ink from each recording head via the respective corresponding discharge sections; A plurality of inks, each of which includes a supply ink storage section that stores ink to be supplied to the corresponding recording head, and a waste ink storage section that stores waste ink discharged by the discharge means. A storage member, a transfer means capable of selectively transferring ink discharged by the discharge means to a waste ink storage section of the ink storage member corresponding to the ink, and recording in which ink is discharged by the discharge means. An inkjet recording apparatus comprising: a selection means for selecting one of the plurality of discharge parts and a waste ink storage part corresponding to the ink transferred by the transfer means, depending on the head. 2. The discharging means performs the discharging by the suction force of a pump, and the transfer means transports the ink by the discharging force of the pump, and the discharging means transfers the ink by the discharging force of the pump, and the plurality of inks corresponding to each of the plurality of inks. and a plurality of valves for opening and closing each of the plurality of ink passages,
and the selection means makes the selection by selectively opening and closing the plurality of valves.
The inkjet recording device described in . 3. Each of the plurality of ink storage members integrally includes a supply ink storage section and a waste ink storage section, and is detachably attached to the inkjet recording apparatus. Item 2. The inkjet recording device according to item 1 or 2. 4. The recording head according to claim 1, wherein the recording head generates bubbles in the ink using thermal energy, and ejects the ink based on the generation of the bubbles. inkjet recording device.