JPH04371849A - Ink jet recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To seal and open delivery ports of a recording head with a simple construction without using a complex mechanism. CONSTITUTION:A recording head 1 is provided on a carriage 2. On a delivery port surface 1a, delivery ports (not shown in the figure) for delivering ink are opened. The carriage 2 is moved vertically to this paper. A cap 4 is fixed to a cap holder 5 so as to be opposed to the head 1 on the carriage 2 stopped on a quiescent position. The cap holder 5 is fitted into a holder 6 so as to slide in the direction indicated by arrow C or the opposite dirrection. The holder 6 can reciprocate vertically to the paper. Permanent magnets 10, 11 are fixed to the cap holder 5. Electromagnets 12, 13 are fixed to the carriage 2. When the electromagnets 12, 13 are not energized, the cap 4 is brought into close contact with the delivery port surface 1a by the magnetic force of the permanent magnets 10, 11. When the electromagnets 12, 13 are energized, the cap 4 is separated from the delivery port surface 1a by the resiliency of the permanent magnets 10, 11 caused by the magnetic field of the electromagnets 12, 13.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

[Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a carriage that is equipped with a recording head that discharges ink from an ejection opening and moves along a recording medium, and a cap that is provided with a cap that seals the ejection opening of the recording head. The present invention relates to an inkjet recording apparatus having a unit.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the main parts of a conventional ink jet recording apparatus.

[0003] A recording head 7 that ejects ink from an ejection port.
1 is mounted on the carriage 72 so that the ejection port faces the recording medium 73 with a predetermined gap therebetween. The carriage 72 is slidably fitted to two guide shafts 74a and 74b, and driven by a driving means (not shown) such as a timing belt, a pulley, a motor, etc.
reciprocating in one direction and the other. Recording head 71
While moving along the recording medium 73 by the carriage 72, ink is ejected from the ejection ports to perform recording on the recording medium 73.

By the way, when recording continues, the recording head 7
The ejection port may become obstructed if paper scraps, dust, etc. adhere to the surface where the ejection port 1 opens (hereinafter referred to as the "ejection port surface"), or the water in the ink evaporates and the ink thickens. It becomes clogged and causes ink ejection failure. Therefore, as a means to recover from this ink ejection failure and to prevent clogging of the ejection ports during non-printing,
A capping unit 75 including a cap 76 for sealing the ejection port is arranged at a position facing the recording head 71 stopped at an end on the moving path.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the capping unit 75 of the conventional inkjet recording apparatus shown in FIG.
FIG. 8 is a partially cutaway right side view of the capping unit 75.

The cap 76 is fixed to a cap holder 77 (see FIG. 8) that is slidably fitted to the holder 78 in the direction of arrow B (the direction approaching the ejection port of the recording head 71) and in the opposite direction. There is. A pin 77a formed on the cap holder 77 so as to protrude from the back surface of the cap holder 77 passes through the coil spring 79 and a hole in the partition wall of the holder 78 in that order, and a stop ring 80 is attached to the tip of the pin 77a. ing. Cap holder 7
The cap 76 fixed to the holder 7 is always urged in the direction of the arrow B with respect to the holder 78 by the elastic force of the coil spring 79. A frame member 81 is fixed to the holder 78, and a plate-shaped contact portion 81a for contacting the side surface of the recording head 71 is formed on the frame member 81 so as to protrude from the cap 76 in the direction of arrow B. Groove 78a formed in holder 78
is slidably fitted into a guide shaft 82 provided on a support member 85 parallel to the guide shaft 74a (see FIG. 6), and the holder 78 is guided by the guide shaft 82 in the direction of arrow A and It is possible to move back and forth in the opposite direction, and
It is also possible to reciprocate in the direction of arrow B and in the opposite direction. A dowel 78 formed on the holder 78 so as to protrude upward
A coil spring 86 is applied to b and a dowel 85a protruding from the upper surface of the support member 85, and due to the tensile force of the coil spring 86, the dowel 78b of the holder 78 is always connected to the flat cam 85b formed on the support member 85. is in contact with. The flat cam 85b has a shape that gradually protrudes in the direction of arrow B as it moves away from the recording medium 73. Further, coil springs 83 and 84 are installed as means for pressing the holder 78 in the direction opposite to the direction of arrow A.

Next, the operation of the capping unit 75 will be explained. When the recording head 71 mounted on the carriage 72 moves in the direction of arrow A, the recording head 7
1 comes into contact with the contact portion 81a of the frame member 81, and thereafter the contact portion 81 continues against the elastic force of the coil springs 83 and 84.
Move a in the direction of arrow A. As a result, the holder 78
moves in the direction of arrow A together with the recording head 71 and stops at a predetermined position. Further, when the holder 78 is moving in the direction of arrow A together with the recording head 71, the dowel 78b of the holder 78 is guided by the flat cam 85b and pushed out in the direction of arrow B. The cap 76 approaches the discharge port surface. Even after the contact, the holder 78 continues to approach the discharge port surface and stops at a predetermined position, and the cap 76 presses and seals the discharge port surface by the elastic force generated by the compression of the coil spring 79.

After the ejection port surface of the recording head 71 is sealed by the cap 76 in this manner, the ink is ejected by sucking thickened ink or the like from the ejection port using a suction means 87 connected to the cap 76. Perform recovery actions to recover from defects. Further, even when not recording, the cap 76 is used to seal the ink, thereby preventing the ink from increasing in viscosity.

[0009]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In the above-described conventional inkjet recording apparatus, the movement of the recording head is controlled by the abutting portion of the frame member fixed to the holder and the flat cam formed on the support member. Using the drive to bring the recording head closer to the ejection port surface, the coil spring between the back of the cap holder and the partition wall of the holder is compressed to generate elastic force to press the cap against the ejection port surface. Although it has the advantage of not requiring a separate drive source to press the cap close to the discharge port surface, it has the following problems. (1) In order to generate the elastic force that presses the cap against the discharge port surface, it is necessary to compress the coil by a predetermined amount. The flat cam must be precisely formed at a predetermined position with respect to the ejection port surface of the recording head, which is not easy. (2) In order to completely seal the discharge port by pressing the cap against the discharge port surface, the cap is pressed against the discharge port surface from the back side, so the cap and the discharge port surface must be accurately faced. For this reason, it is necessary to improve the accuracy of the position of the ejection port surface with respect to the side surface of the recording head and the position of the cap with respect to the contact portion of the capping unit, and to bring the side surface of the recording head and the contact portion into close contact with each other. A pressing means such as a coil spring is also required. (3) When the cap is not sealed, a coil spring attached to the dowel of the holder is required as a means for retracting the cap away from the discharge port surface.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the conventional technology, and it is possible to seal and open the ejection opening of a recording head with a cap using a simple structure without using a complicated mechanism. The purpose of the present invention is to provide an inkjet recording device that can perform the following steps.

[0011]

[Means for Solving the Problems] An inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention for achieving the above object includes a permanent magnet fixed to a capping unit and an electromagnet fixed to a position facing the permanent magnet of the carriage. However, it is characterized in that the magnetic field generated by the electromagnet when energized is in a direction that repels the permanent magnet.

[0012] In addition, an electromagnet is fixed to the capping unit instead of a permanent magnet, a permanent magnet is fixed to the carriage instead of the electromagnet, and the cap contracts and expands in the direction approaching the discharge port and in the opposite direction. It has a flexible bellows shape, and the cap is equipped with a check valve that directs the air inside to flow out.By changing the direction of energization, the electromagnet creates a magnetic field that repels the permanent magnet and a direction that attracts the permanent magnet. Some generate magnetic fields, respectively.

Furthermore, the cap is magnetic, and an electromagnet is fixed at a position facing the cap of the recording head, and the magnetic field generated by the electromagnet when energized is directed in a direction that repels the cap. There are some things.

The recording head uses thermal energy to eject ink, and some are equipped with an electrothermal converter for generating the thermal energy.

[0015]

[Operation] In the inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention constructed as described above, the permanent magnet fixed to the capping unit and the electromagnet fixed to the carriage are attracted to each other by the magnetic force of the permanent magnets, so that the cap of the capping unit is , the position is automatically corrected and approaches the ejection port of the recording head mounted on the carriage.
Seal the ejection port of the recording head. While the electromagnet is energized, the electromagnet and the permanent magnet repel each other due to the magnetic field created by the electromagnet, so the capping unit separates from the carriage and the cap does not seal the ejection port of the recording head.

[0016] In the case where the cap is bellows-shaped and is provided with a check valve, when the electromagnet is not energized, the capping unit approaches the carriage and the cap seals the ejection port of the recording head. do. When the electromagnet is energized from this state to generate a magnetic field that attracts the permanent magnet, the magnetic force of the electromagnet acts on the cap in addition to the magnetic force of the permanent magnet, so the capping unit moves closer to the carriage and is compressed. Ru. Air corresponding to the reduction in the internal volume of the cap due to this compression flows out from the check valve. Then, when the current is removed, the cap expands while sealing the ejection port of the recording head and returns to its original shape before being compressed. At this time, since the check valve is closed, there is a negative pressure inside the cap, and this negative pressure sucks out the ink from the ejection port.

[0017]

Embodiments Next, embodiments of the inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a capping unit of a first embodiment of an inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention, and the first embodiment will be explained with reference to this figure.

The recording head 1 is removably mounted on a carriage 2 so that the ejection orifice surface 1a faces a recording medium (not shown) with a predetermined gap therebetween.
A has a plurality of ejection ports (not shown) that eject ink. The carriage 2 is slidably fitted onto a guide shaft (not shown), and is reciprocated in a direction perpendicular to the paper plane of FIG. 1 by a driving means (not shown). The recording head 1 performs recording on the recording medium by ejecting ink from the ejection ports while being moved along the recording medium by the carriage 2.

Next, a description will be given of the capping unit 3 disposed at a position facing the carriage 2 stopped at the outer end of the recording medium on the moving path (hereinafter referred to as the "pause position").

The cap 4 of the capping unit 3 is
It is made of an elastic material such as rubber, and is connected to a suction means (not shown). Cap 4 is cap holder 5
The cap holder 5 is fitted into the holder 6 so as to be slidable in the direction of arrow C, which is the direction of approaching the ejection port of the recording head 1 in the rest position, and in the opposite direction. A pin 5a formed on the cap holder 5 so as to protrude from the back surface of the cap holder 5 passes through a hole in the rear wall 6a of the holder 6 and the coil spring 7 in that order, and a pin 5a is provided at the tip of the pin 5a to stop the coil spring 7. E-ring 8
is installed. Cap holder 5 is holder 6
On the other hand, the elastic force of the coil spring 7 urges the coil spring 7 in a direction opposite to the direction of arrow C. The holder 6 is slidably fitted to the guide shaft 9, and is rotated in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in FIG.
It is possible to reciprocate in a direction (direction parallel to the moving direction of the carriage 2).

Permanent magnets 10 and 11 are fixed on both sides of the cap 4 of the cap holder 5, respectively, and electromagnets 12 and 13 are fixed on the carriage 2 at positions facing each of the permanent magnets 10 and 11, respectively. . Each electromagnet 12
, 13 are the iron cores 12b and 13b and the coil 1 wound around them.
2a and 13a, and the magnetic field generated by each electromagnet 12 and 13 when energized is in a direction that repels each permanent magnet 10 and 11, respectively.

Next, the operation of the capping unit 3 will be explained.

The recording head 1 is stopped at the rest position,
Moreover, when each electromagnet 12, 13 is not energized, each permanent magnet 10, 11 and each iron core 12b
, 13b are attracted to each other by the magnetic force of the permanent magnets 10 and 11 against the elastic force of the coil spring 7, so that the cap 4 comes into close contact with the discharge port surface 1a and seals the discharge port. If the suction means is driven in this state, the inside of the cap 4 becomes negative pressure, ink is sucked out from the ejection port, and paper scraps, dust, thickened ink, etc. adhering to the ejection port surface 1a are removed from the cap 4 along with the ink. The ink is discharged into the ink and the ink discharge failure is recovered.

When entering the recording operation, each electromagnet 12, 13
When energized, the cap holder 5 moves in the direction opposite to the arrow C direction due to the magnetic fields repelling the permanent magnets 10 and 11 and the elastic force of the coil spring 7, and the cap 4 moves away from the discharge port surface 1a. The discharge port is opened. Thereafter, the recording head 1 is moved toward the recording medium. Even after the carriage 2 moves from the position facing the capping unit 3 to another location, the cap holder 5 is urged in the direction opposite to the arrow C direction by the elastic force of the coil spring 7, so the cap 4 is retracted. It has reached the position.

After the carriage 2 returns to the rest position and stops, when each electromagnet 12, 13 is de-energized, each permanent magnet 10, 11 is turned off as shown in FIG.
and each iron core 12b, 13b are attracted to each other by the magnetic force of each permanent magnet 10, 11 against the elastic force of the coil spring 7, so that the cap holder 5 moves in the direction of arrow C and the cap 4 moves toward the discharge port surface 1a. to seal the discharge port. Furthermore, if the carriage 2 deviates from the capping unit 3 in a direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 1 and stops, the holder 6 may , are moved in a direction perpendicular to the paper plane of FIG. 1 by the magnetic force of each permanent magnet 10, 11 so as to correct the deviation.

The effects of this embodiment will be described. Each permanent magnet 10, 11 and each electromagnet 12, 13 are each permanent magnet 10
, 11, the cap 4 can automatically correct its position relative to the ejection port and seal the ejection port even if the position of the ejection port of the recording head 1 is slightly shifted. This eliminates the need for a conventionally complicated mechanism, simplifies the configuration of the inkjet recording apparatus, and reduces costs. Further, the sealed state of the discharge port by the cap 4 is maintained by each permanent magnet 10, 1.
1, so if you leave the inkjet recording device in a sealed state, each electromagnet 12
, 13 need not be kept energized.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a capping unit of a second embodiment of the inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention, and the second embodiment will be explained with reference to this figure.

The cap 24 is made of a material with appropriate elasticity and has a bellows-like shape that can be freely contracted and expanded in the direction of arrow C (direction approaching the ejection port of the recording head 1) and in the opposite direction. A check valve 34 is provided at a portion of the cap 24 on the holder 6 side in a direction that allows the air inside to flow out. The electromagnet 32 can generate a magnetic field in a direction that repels the permanent magnet 10 and a magnetic field in a direction that attracts the permanent magnet 10 by changing the direction of energization, and the electromagnet 33 has a similar configuration. The configuration other than those described above is the same as that of the first embodiment.

Next, the operation of the capping unit 23 of this embodiment will be explained. When the recording head 1 is stopped at the rest position and the electromagnets 32 and 33 are not energized, the cap 24 is in close contact with the ejection port surface 1a to seal the ejection port, similarly to the first embodiment. . When each electromagnet 32, 33 is energized from this state to generate a magnetic field in a direction that attracts each permanent magnet 10, 11, the cap 24 is Because the magnetic force acts on it, it is compressed in the direction of arrow C. Air corresponding to the reduction in the internal volume of the cap 24 due to this compression flows out of the cap 24 from the check valve 34. Next, when the electromagnets 32 and 33 are de-energized, the cap 24 stretches while maintaining close contact with the discharge port surface 1a.
Returns to its original shape before being compressed. At this time, the check valve 34
is closed, so there is negative pressure inside the cap 24,
Ink is sucked out from the ejection port by this negative pressure. By repeating the above-described energization and de-energization of each electromagnet 32 and 33 an appropriate number of times, it is possible to recover from the ink ejection failure. The operations of the capping unit 3 of the first embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment except for the points described above.

In addition to the effects of the first embodiment, this embodiment has the advantage that there is no need to separately provide suction means for sucking out ink from the ejection ports of the recording head 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a capping unit of a third embodiment of the inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention, and the third embodiment will be described with reference to this figure.

The cap 44 is made of a magnetically elastic material, and has a discharge port surface 41 facing the cap 44.
Electromagnets 52 and 53 are fixed to two of the edges of a, respectively.

When each electromagnet 52, 53 is not energized, the cap 44 and each iron core 52b, 53b are attracted to each other by the magnetic force of the cap 44, as shown in FIG. to seal the outlet. When each electromagnet 52, 53 is energized, a magnetic field is generated in each electromagnet 52, 53 in a direction that repels the cap 44, and this magnetic field and the elastic force of the coil spring 7 cause the cap 44 to move in the direction of arrow C. It moves in the opposite direction and leaves the discharge port surface 41a, opening the discharge port.

Points other than those described above are the same as in the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a cap of a fourth embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention, and the fourth embodiment will be explained with reference to this figure.

The ink jet recording apparatus of this embodiment has a cap 64 instead of the cap 44 shown in the third embodiment.
is fixed to the cap holder 5. The cap 64 consists of a magnet part 64a made of a permanent magnet and a frame-shaped contact part 64b made of an elastic material such as rubber.
The magnet part 64a and the contact part 64b are fixed with adhesive or the like without any gap. When the ejection port of the print head is sealed, the contact portion 64b and the ejection port surface of the print head are brought into close contact. Points other than those described above are the same as in the third embodiment.

Next, another embodiment of the inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention will be described.

In the first embodiment, when the cap 4 seals the ejection port of the recording head 1, each permanent magnet 1
Although an example has been shown in which the iron cores 12b and 13b of the electromagnets 12 and 13 do not come into contact with each other, they may be in contact with each other.

In the first and second embodiments, the permanent magnets 10, 11 were fixed to the cap holder 5, and the electromagnets 12, 13, 32, 33 were fixed to the carriage 2. It is also possible to have a structure in which each electromagnet is fixed to the holder 5 and each permanent magnet is fixed to the carriage 2.

Further, the number of permanent magnets and the number of electromagnets need not be limited to those shown in each of the above embodiments, and may be provided in any appropriate number.

Furthermore, each end of the iron core of the electromagnet provided on the carriage or the recording head is placed at a position facing the capping unit or the cap, and a permanent magnet or a permanent magnet is placed on the capping unit so as to face each end of these iron cores. A cap may be placed.

Next, an example of a recording head used in each of the embodiments described above will be explained.

In FIG. 5, a recording head unit 61 of the recording head has a plurality of ejection ports 62 provided in a row.
In order to eject ink from the ink, an electrothermal transducer 63 is provided for each ink liquid path to which an applied voltage is supplied and which generates thermal energy. By applying a drive signal, the electrothermal converter 63 generates thermal energy to cause film boiling and form bubbles in the ink liquid path. As the bubbles grow, each of the discharge ports 6
Ink is ejected from step 2.

The present invention brings about excellent effects particularly in a recording head and a recording apparatus of a type of inkjet recording method that uses thermal energy to eject ink, which is proposed by Canon Corporation.

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 causes a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling, the electrothermal transducer generates thermal energy to cause film boiling on the thermally active surface of the recording head. This is effective because bubbles in the liquid (ink) can be effectively formed in one-to-one correspondence with this drive signal. The growth and contraction of the bubble causes liquid (ink) to be ejected through the ejection opening to form at least one drop. 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:
U.S. Pat. No. 4,463,359, U.S. Pat. No. 4,345,26
Those described in Specification No. 2 are suitable. Further, 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.

[0047] In addition to the configuration of the recording head that 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. 4 disclose a configuration in which a heat acting part is arranged in a bending region.
The present invention is also effective in a structure using the specification of No. 459600. 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 1982, which discloses a configuration in which the discharge portion corresponds to the 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 an inkjet recording apparatus, a combination of multiple recording heads as disclosed in the above-mentioned specification can be used. , a configuration that satisfies that length 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.

In addition, a replaceable chip-type recording head or a recording head that is attached to the recording apparatus body enables electrical connection with the recording apparatus body and supply of ink from the recording apparatus body. The present invention is also effective when using a cartridge type recording head that is integrally provided with the recording head.

Further, it is preferable to add recovery means, preliminary auxiliary means, etc. for the recording head, which are provided as a configuration of the recording apparatus of the present invention, because the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. Specifically, these include capping means, cleaning means, pressure or suction means, preheating means for the recording head using an electrothermal transducer or another heating element, or a combination thereof. ,
It is also effective to perform a preliminary ejection mode in which ejection is performed separately from printing in order to perform stable printing.

Furthermore, the recording mode of the recording apparatus is not limited to a recording mode of only mainstream colors such as black, but may also include recording heads that are integrally configured or a combination of a plurality of them; The present invention is also extremely effective for devices equipped with at least one of the following: , full color by color mixing.

In this embodiment described above, the ink is explained as a liquid, but it is an ink that solidifies at room temperature or lower, and is softened or liquid at room temperature, or in the above-mentioned inkjet, the ink itself is Generally, the temperature is adjusted within the range of ℃ to 70℃ to keep the viscosity of the ink within the stable ejection range, so if the ink is in a liquid state when the recording signal is applied, good. In addition, the temperature rise caused by thermal energy can be actively prevented by using the energy to change the state of the ink from a solid state to a liquid state, or an ink that solidifies when left standing is used to prevent ink evaporation. In any case, in any case, ink may be liquefied by applying heat energy in accordance with a recording signal and ejected as liquid ink, or it may already begin to solidify by the time it reaches the recording medium. The present invention is also applicable to the use of ink that is liquefied for the first time. In such a case, the ink is held in a liquid or solid state in the recesses or through holes of the porous sheet, as described in JP-A-54-56847 or JP-A-60-71260. It may also be configured to face the electrical heat exchanger. In the present invention, the most effective method for each of the above-mentioned inks is to implement the above-mentioned film boiling method.

[0053]

[Effects of the Invention] Since the present invention is constructed as described above, it has the following effects.

[0054] Since the permanent magnet and the electromagnet attract each other due to the magnetic force of the permanent magnet, even if the position of the ejection port of the recording head is slightly shifted, the cap will automatically correct its position with respect to the ejection port, and the cap will be able to maintain the ejection port. Since it is sealed, there is no need for a conventional complicated mechanism for positioning the cap and the recording head and for pressing the cap against the recording head, simplifying the configuration of the inkjet recording device. It is possible to reduce costs.

[0055] Since the sealing state of the ejection port of the recording head by the cap is maintained by the magnetic force of the permanent magnet, when the ejection port is sealed and the inkjet recording device is left unused, it is necessary to take the trouble to turn on the electromagnet. No need to keep it.

According to the third aspect of the invention, by intermittently repeating the energization of the electromagnet to generate a magnetic field in a direction that attracts the permanent magnet, the ink is repeatedly sucked out from the ejection opening of the recording head, and the ink is removed. Ejection failure can be recovered.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a capping unit of a first embodiment of an inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a capping unit of a second embodiment of the inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a capping unit of a third embodiment of the inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a cap of a fourth embodiment of the inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a main part of a recording head used in each embodiment of the inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of essential parts of a conventional inkjet recording apparatus.

7 is a front view of the capping unit of the inkjet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 6. FIG.

8 is a partially cutaway right side view of the capping unit shown in FIG. 7. FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 41 Recording head 1a, 41a Ejection port surface 2 Carriage 3, 23, 43 Capping unit 4, 24
, 44, 64 Cap 5 Cap holder 5a Pin 6 Holder 6a Rear wall 7 Coil spring 8 E-ring 9 Guide shaft 10, 11 Permanent magnet 12, 13, 32, 33, 52, 53 Electromagnet 1
2a, 13a, 32a, 33a, 52a, 53a
Coils 12b, 13b, 32b, 33b, 52b, 53b
Iron core 34 Check valve 64a Magnet part 66b Contact part

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A carriage for mounting a recording head that discharges ink from an ejection opening and moving it along a recording medium, and a carriage disposed at a position facing the ejection opening of the recording head mounted on the carriage. a capping unit provided with a cap for sealing the discharge port, the capping unit being capable of reciprocating in a direction approaching the discharge port and in the opposite direction, and in a direction in which the carriage moves. An inkjet recording device capable of reciprocating in a direction parallel to the capping unit, the inkjet recording device having a permanent magnet fixed to the capping unit, and an electromagnet fixed to a position facing the permanent magnet of the carriage, wherein the electromagnet is An inkjet recording device characterized in that a magnetic field generated when energized is in a direction that repels the permanent magnet. 2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an electromagnet is fixed to the capping unit instead of the permanent magnet, and a permanent magnet is fixed to the carriage instead of the electromagnet. 3. The cap has a bellows shape that can be freely retracted in the direction approaching the discharge port and in the opposite direction thereof, a check valve is provided in the cap in a direction in which internal air flows out, and an electromagnet is configured to conduct electricity. 3. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein by changing the direction, a magnetic field repelling the permanent magnet and a magnetic field attracting the permanent magnet are generated, respectively. 4. A carriage for mounting a recording head for discharging ink from an ejection port and moving it along a recording medium; and a carriage disposed at a position facing the ejection port of the print head; and a cap for sealing, the cap being movable back and forth in a direction approaching the discharge port and in the opposite direction, and also movable back and forth in a direction parallel to the direction in which the carriage moves. ,
In the inkjet recording device, the cap is magnetic, and an electromagnet is fixed at a position facing the cap of the recording head, and a magnetic field generated by the electromagnet when energized is in a direction that repels the cap. An inkjet recording device characterized by: 5. The recording head ejects ink using thermal energy, and includes an electrothermal converter for generating the thermal energy.
5. The inkjet recording device according to any one of items 4 to 4.