JPH0615833A - Ink jet recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce the number of inspection processes by eliminating the unreasonableness from the aspect of molding at the time of the production of the cap for sealing the emitting orifices of an ink jet recording head and to enhance the capacity of a cap by attaching the cap composed of a rubbery elastomer in a certainly and stably sealed state by utilizing the elasticity of the cap. CONSTITUTION:The cap 21 for sealing the emitting orifices 82 of an ink jet recording head 2a is produced from an annular rubbery elastomer having a riceball-shape cross section and provided to the outer or inner periphery of a cap attaching part 34b in a stretched or slightly collaped state by utilizing the tensile or compressive elasticity of the cap.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus for recording by ejecting ink from a recording means onto a recording material.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A recording device having a function such as a printer, a copying machine, a facsimile, or a recording device used as an output device such as a composite electronic device including a computer and a word processor, a workstation, etc. Image (including characters etc.) on the recording material (recording medium) such as paper or plastic thin plate based on
Is configured to record. The recording apparatus can be classified into an ink jet type, a wire dot type, a thermal type, a laser beam type, etc., depending on the recording method.

In a serial type recording apparatus which employs a serial scan system in which main scanning is performed in a direction intersecting a conveying direction (sub-scanning direction) of a recording material, the recording material is set at a predetermined recording position and then the recording material is recorded. An image is recorded (main scanning) by a recording unit (recording head) mounted on a carriage that moves along the material, and a predetermined amount of paper is fed (conveyed material to be recorded) after one line of recording is completed, After that, the operation of recording (main scanning) the image of the next row is repeated on the recording material that has stopped again, whereby recording of the entire recording material is performed. On the other hand, in a line type recording apparatus that records only by sub-scanning in the conveyance direction of the recording material,
The recording material is set at a predetermined recording position, and one sheet of recording is collectively performed, and the paper is continuously fed (pitch feeding) to record the entire recording material.

Of the above recording apparatuses, an inkjet recording apparatus (inkjet recording apparatus) is configured to eject ink from a recording unit (recording head) in accordance with an image signal and perform recording on a recording material. In addition, it is easy to make the recording means compact, it is possible to record high-definition images at high speed, it is possible to record on plain paper without requiring special processing, and the running cost is low and the non-impact method Therefore, there is an advantage that there is little noise and that it is easy to record a color image using multicolor ink. Among them, the line type using a full multi type recording means in which a large number of ejection openings are arranged in the paper width direction can further speed up recording.

In particular, an ink jet type recording means (recording head) for ejecting ink by utilizing heat energy,
Through the semiconductor manufacturing process such as etching, vapor deposition, and sputtering, the electrothermal converter formed on the substrate, the electrode,
By forming a liquid channel wall, a top plate, etc., it is possible to easily manufacture a product having a high-density liquid channel arrangement (ejection port arrangement), a simple and compact structure, and a high-resolution image at high speed. Can be recorded. On the other hand, there are various requirements for the material of the recording material, and in recent years, in addition to ordinary recording material such as plain paper and resin thin plate (OHP, etc.), thin paper and processed paper (punching holes for filing). It has become necessary to use attached paper, perforated paper, paper of any shape, etc.).

In the above ink jet recording apparatus,
Thickened ink or dust adhering to the vicinity of the ejection port of the recording head,
Or by removing air bubbles inside the discharge port,
A recovery means for recovering the ink ejection function of the recording head is provided. This recovery means
In order to prevent ink from drying at the ejection port of the recording head and to maintain a negative pressure near the ejection port during the suction recovery operation, a cap that can be in close contact with the ejection surface of the recording head is provided.
In addition to the cap, the recovery unit wipes and removes a pump unit for generating a negative pressure in the cap to suck ink from the ejection port, and further foreign matter such as ink and dust adhering to the ejection surface. It also has a cleaning mechanism (wiping unit).

The cap is required to have a function of reliably sealing the ejection port without changing its properties due to ink. From this point of view, rubber-like elasticity such as chlorinated butyl rubber excellent in ink resistance is provided. Made of wood. In addition, a conventional cap of this type prevents, for example, a rib portion that comes into close contact with the ejection surface, a suction port for sucking ink, a tube portion into which a seal portion such as a cap lever is inserted, and a cap holder from falling off. It is composed of an integrally-molded rubber-like elastic material part having a brim portion and the like. Therefore, the conventional cap is a component having a very complicated shape.

[0008]

In such a conventional ink jet recording apparatus, in order to increase the degree of airtightness between the cap and the ejection surface of the recording head, the rib portion of the cap is inspected for scratches or dents. In addition, since the shape of the cap is complicated, the cap is forced to be formed by forced removal, and a crack is likely to occur in that portion, and the portion needs to be inspected. As described above, in the conventional cap, although it is a small part, the number of inspection points is too large and the cost is very high. This depends largely on the material, but most of them depend on the shape.

The present invention has been made in view of the above technical problems, and an object of the present invention is to greatly reduce the above-described inspection process when manufacturing a cap, It is an object of the present invention to provide an ink jet recording apparatus that can sufficiently control the quality of the cap even by omitting the inspection step and can inexpensively manufacture a cap having excellent performance.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, in an ink jet recording apparatus for recording by ejecting ink from a recording means to a recording material, a cap for sealing a discharge port of the recording means is a ring-shaped elastic material made of rubber. By using a structure that is a member, it is possible to reduce the number of inspection items by eliminating the molding difficulty when manufacturing the cap, and it is possible to attach the cap in a reliable and stable sealed state by using the elasticity of rubber. The present invention provides an ink jet recording apparatus capable of inexpensively manufacturing a cap having excellent performance.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above-described structure, a rib is formed on the bottom surface of the cap, or the cap is squeezed inside the cap mounting portion to more efficiently. , It is possible to reduce the number of inspection items by eliminating the molding difficulty when manufacturing the cap, it is possible to attach the cap in a reliable and stable sealed state using the elasticity of rubber, and the cap with excellent performance is cheap The present invention provides an ink jet recording device that can be manufactured.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of a main part of an inkjet recording apparatus provided with a cap to which the present invention is applied.
In FIG. 1, a carriage 1 is equipped with an ink cartridge (head cartridge) 2 configured by connecting a recording head 2a and an ink tank 2b. One end of the carriage 1 on the recording head 2a side is fitted to a lead screw 4 rotatably supported by a chassis 3 so as to be slidable in the axial direction. A guide (not shown) is provided at the other end of the carriage 1. This guide is slidably engaged with a guide rail 3c formed in the chassis 3 in parallel with the lead screw 4. Further, the carriage 1 is provided with a lead pin 6 slidably engaged with a lead groove 4a of the lead screw 4, as described later. Therefore, the carriage 1 is guided and supported by the lead screw 4 and the guide rail 3c in a constant posture at all times, and is capable of reciprocating in the axial direction as the lead screw 4 rotates.

A lead gear 4b fixed to one end on the left side of the lead screw 4 in the drawing meshes with a carriage motor pinion 20 attached to an output shaft 25 (FIG. 3) of the carriage motor 5. Therefore, the lead screw 4 also rotates in the forward and reverse directions as the carriage motor 5 rotates in the normal and reverse directions. The pins 6 provided on the carriage 1 are fitted in the lead grooves 4a formed in the lead screw 4 spirally at a predetermined pitch. Therefore, the carriage 1 is reciprocally moved along the lead screw 4 by the forward and reverse rotations of the carriage motor 5. The lead pin 6 eliminates rattling with the lead groove 4a,
It is urged by the lead pin spring 7 into the lead groove 4a. Further, in the lead groove 4a, when the carriage 1 reaches the capping position at the left end in the figure, the ejection surface of the recording head 2a faces the cap 21 even while the carriage motor pinion 20 transmits the rotational force to the lead screw 4. It is shaped so as to stop at a position.

The recording material 8 such as recording paper, which faces the ejection surface (downward surface in the illustrated example) of the recording head 2a, is conveyed by a conveying roller 9 and a pinch roller 10 pressed against the conveying roller 9.
Done by. The transport roller 9 is appropriately rotated by a paper feed motor 11. By controlling the rotation of the paper feed motor 11, the recording material 8 can be fed by the required amount through the recording portion. The recorded recording material 8 is ejected to the outside of the apparatus by a spur 12 and a paper ejection roller 13 that is in pressure contact with the spur 12. The paper discharge roller 13 is rotationally driven by the common paper feed motor 11 at a peripheral speed slightly higher than that of the transport roller 9. That is, in the illustrated example, the driving force of the paper feed motor 11 is such that the bevel gear (paper feed motor pinion) 14, the bevel gear 15, the worm roller 16, the transport wheel 17, and the ejector mounted on the shaft of the paper feed motor 11. It is transmitted to the paper discharge roller drive shaft 19 through the paper wheel 18.

The rotation of the paper feed motor pinion 14 is
The bevel gear 15 converts the rotation direction into a right angle and transmits the bevel gear 15 from the spur gear portion to the flange portion 16a of the worm roller 16. A spiral plane worm (not shown) is formed on the brim-shaped portion 16a, and a transport wheel 17 provided on the shaft of the transport roller 9 meshes with the plane worm. Therefore, the worm roller 16
The conveyance roller 9 is rotationally driven by rotating the collar-shaped portion 16a that is integral with. On the other hand, the worm (not shown) formed on the cylindrical portion 16 b of the worm roller 16 meshes with the paper discharge wheel 18 attached to the paper discharge roller drive shaft 19. Therefore, the rotation of the brim-shaped portion 16a, through the cylindrical portion 16b integral therewith,
It is also transmitted to the paper discharge wheel 18. In this way, the discharge roller 13 is rotationally driven simultaneously with the transport roller 9.

The recording head (recording means) 2a is an ink jet recording means for ejecting ink by utilizing heat energy, and is provided with an electrothermal converter for generating heat energy. In addition, the recording head 2a
Uses the pressure change caused by the growth and contraction of bubbles due to the film boiling caused by the thermal energy applied by the electrothermal converter to eject the ink from the ejection port,
It is to record.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view schematically showing the structure of the ink ejection portion of the recording head 2a. In FIG. 2, a predetermined gap (for example, about 0.5
A plurality of ejection openings 82 are formed at a predetermined pitch on the ejection surfaces (ejection opening formation surfaces) 81 facing each other at a distance of about 2.0 mm), and each liquid that communicates the common liquid chamber 83 with each ejection opening 82. An electrothermal converter (heat generating resistor, etc.) 85 for generating energy for ejecting ink is arranged along the wall surface of the passage 84. In this example, the recording heads 2a are mounted on the carriage 1 in such a positional relationship that the ejection ports 82 are arranged in a direction intersecting the scanning direction of the carriage 1. In this way, the corresponding electrothermal converter 85 is driven (energized) based on the image signal or the ejection signal to cause the ink in the liquid passage 84 to film-boil, and the ink generated from the ejection port 82 is ejected by the pressure generated at that time. The recording head 2a is configured.

At a position facing the recording head 2a, a platen 27 for guiding and supporting the recording material 8 from the back side in the recording portion is provided. An ink absorber 28 is housed on the back side of the platen 27. The ink absorber 28 is for storing the waste ink sent to the waste ink pipe from the pump unit 23 driven by the transmission mechanism section 24 described later. The waste ink absorber 28 is made of, for example, a cotton-like material such as polyester or a material such as sponge having excellent ink absorbency and ink retention. The pump unit 23
The waste ink pipe connected to is inserted into the ink absorber 28 by a predetermined length. Further, a recovery means for recovering the ink ejection function of the recording head 2a is provided on the left side of the conveying roller 9 in the figure.

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view showing the structure of the recovery means for maintaining and recovering the ink ejection function of the recording head 2a. In FIG. 3, this recovery means includes a cap 21, a pump unit 23, and a transmission mechanism section 24. The cap 21 is in close contact with the ejection surface 81 of the recording head 2a and seals the ejection port 82 (capping).
It is for doing. The pump unit 23 operates so as to forcibly suck the ink from the ejection port 82 by sending a negative pressure inside the cap 21 and to send the sucked ink to the waste ink pipe 31d. The transmission mechanism portion 24 is for moving the cap 21 forward and backward with respect to the ejection surface 81 of the recording head 2a and for transmitting a driving force to the pump unit 23, and a cam and a gear mechanism for that purpose ( Timing gear) etc. The rotational driving force of the carriage motor 5 is transmitted to the timing gear 24 that constitutes the transmission mechanism portion 24 via the carriage motor pinion 20.

The carriage motor pinion 20 is connected to the carriage motor 5 in the following structure. The output shaft 25 of the carriage motor 5 is made of metal such as carbon steel. The center hole of the carriage motor pinion 20 has a diameter slightly larger than the shaft diameter of the carriage motor output shaft 25. Therefore, the carriage motor pinion 20 can reciprocate in the direction of the carriage motor output shaft 25. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the carriage motor pinion 20. In FIG. 4, the carriage motor pinion 20 is formed with a tooth portion 20a that meshes with the timing gear (transmission mechanism portion) 24 and the lead gear 4b. Then, one tooth 20 of the tooth portion 20a
Only b projects laterally. This protruding tooth 20b
Is used as a trigger to start the rotation of the timing gear 24.

In FIG. 3, the carriage motor output shaft 2
A gear stopper 2 for preventing the carriage motor pinion 20 from coming off from the output shaft 25
6 is attached. At the time of recording, the carriage motor pinion 20 is constantly urged by the leaf spring 29 toward the carriage 1. However, in the standby state where recording is not performed, since the carriage 1 is at the capping position, the carriage motor pinion 20 moves toward the carriage motor 5 (to the left side in FIG. 3) by the pressing portion 1a (FIG. 1) of the carriage 1. ) Is pressed. Then, the carriage motor pinion 20 moves against the elastic force of the leaf spring 29, and as described above, the carriage motor pinion 20.
The trigger tooth 20b and the first tooth of the timing gear 24 mesh with each other, and the rotational drive of the timing gear 24 is started, whereby a series of recovery operations is started.

The timing gear (transmission mechanism) 24 has
A cap opening / closing cam 24a and a wiping operation cam (not shown) are provided. The timing gear 24 is a stroke gear 3 that reciprocates a plunger 22 described later.
0, the stroke gear 30 is rotated by the rotation of the timing gear 24, and the plunger 22
The reciprocating motion of is performed.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 36 denotes a blade made of rubber such as HNBR, and the blade 36 is attached by inserting one end into a blade mounting groove of a blade slider 37 described later so as to slide. A part of the blade mounting groove in the blade projecting direction is provided with a protrusion for preventing the blade from coming off, which has an acute tip. If the blade 36 is to be pulled out, the protrusion prevents the blade 36 from being pulled out.

The recording head 2 is attached to the blade slider 37.
A through hole is provided for allowing the blade slider to move along the slide shaft 40 parallel to the ejection surface 81 of a. Since the blade slider 37 reciprocates along the slide shaft 40, the amount of penetration of the blade 36 into the ejection surface 81 is always constant at any position on the ejection surface 81. The reciprocating motion of the blade slider 37 is
This is performed by a blade link 38 described later. The protrusion 38a of the blade link 38 moves up and down by pushing the wall 37a of the blade slider. The movement of the blade link 38 is controlled by the cam of the timing gear 24 described above, and is retracted at the lowest point in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 3 in the capping state.

Reference numeral 39 is a blade cleaner made of a polymer absorber. The blade cleaner 39 is used by the blade 36 when the ejection surface 81 of the recording head 2a is wiped.
By transferring the ink attached to the blade 3,
This is for keeping 6 always clean.
The blade 36, which has moved in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 3 due to the wiping operation, also contacts the surface of the blade cleaner 39 and wipes it after the ejection surface 81 has been wiped. At that time, the ink on the blade 36 is absorbed by the blade cleaner 39. After that, when the blade 36 is constantly in contact with the blade cleaner 39, the blade 3 is damaged due to the creep phenomenon of rubber.
6 may be deformed and the original performance may not be exhibited. Therefore, the blade slider 41 is rotated by the blade cam 41 to retract the blade 36.

The blade cam 41 is a blade slider 37.
The rotational movement of the slide shaft 40 in the circumferential direction is controlled, and the arm 37b of the blade slider 37 moves while making contact with the cam surface. Further, the movement path of the blade slider 37 is changed between the forward stroke and the backward stroke by a switching valve or the like so that the blade 36 does not touch the blade cleaner 39 and the ink is not reversely transferred to the blade 36.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the pump unit 23. The pump unit 23 has the structure of a plunger pump. In FIG. 5, the pump cylinder 31
Has a cylindrical cylinder portion 31a and a guide portion (not shown) for guiding the plunger 22. In addition, an ink flow path in the axial direction is formed by cutting out a part of the cylinder 31. Further, an ink suction port 31c is formed at a predetermined position of the cylinder 31. Three
Reference numeral 1d denotes a waste ink pipe, the waste ink pipe 31d is formed integrally with the cylinder 31, and the tip end portion is inserted into the ink absorber 28 (FIG. 1). Reference numeral 31e denotes a cap opening / closing projection. The cap opening / closing cam 24a of the timing gear 24 pushes the projection 31e to rotate the cylinder 31, and the rotation of the cylinder 31 opens / closes the cap 21.

In FIG. 5, the plunger 22 includes an operating shaft 22a, a piston retainer 22b, and a piston receiver 22.
c, a pump seal holder 22d, etc. are formed,
The operation shaft 22a is formed with a continuous groove 22e which serves as an ink flow path. A part of the groove 22e is fitted in the guide portion of the cylinder 31, and the rotation of the plunger 22 is stopped. A lead groove 22f for controlling the reciprocating motion of the plunger 22 is formed on the operating shaft 22a, and a desired stroke amount is given to the plunger 22 by the forward and reverse rotation of the stroke gear 30 to generate a predetermined negative pressure. Has been done.

Reference numeral 32 is a piston made of a rubber material such as NBR. The piston 32 is fitted in the cylinder 31. The outer diameter of the piston 32 is set to be slightly larger than the inner diameter of the cylinder 31 so that a predetermined pressure contact force can be obtained. The piston 32 can reciprocate in the cylinder 31 by being pushed by the pump seal holder 22d of the plunger 22 or the piston receiver 22c. The sliding resistance between the cylinder 31 and the piston 32 may be reduced by applying lubrication coating to the surface of the piston 32.

Reference numeral 34 is a cap lever. The cap lever 34 is rotatably and hermetically fitted to the cap lever seal 35 provided on the cylinder 31, and an unillustrated ink guide (ink flow path member) is provided at a fitting portion of the cap lever seal 35. It is provided. The shaft 34a formed on the cap lever 34 is rotatably fitted in a shaft support hole 31f formed in the cylinder 31 and is attached by snap fit. In this way, the cap lever 34 is rotatably attached to the cylinder 31.

Reference numeral 35 is a cap lever seal. The ink guide (not shown) of the cap lever 34 is press-fitted into the cap lever seal 35. Also,
The cap lever seal 35 is press fitted into the cap lever receiver 31b of the cylinder 31.

Reference numeral 21 in FIG. 5 is a cap. FIG. 6 is a partial vertical sectional view showing a state in which the cap 21 is attached. The cap 21 is made of a ring-shaped (or annular) rubber-like elastic material. As the material, for example, chlorinated butyl rubber is used. The cross-sectional shape of this cap is
As shown in FIG. 6, it has a rice ball shape. The cap 21 is attached to the cap attachment portion 34b of the cap lever 34, as shown in FIG.
Then, as a method of attaching the cap 21, as shown in FIG.
A mounting peripheral surface (cap mounting portion 34b) formed by inclining in the direction of divergence following the slope of the rice ball-shaped cross section of No. 1
The outer ring) is attached to the ring in a tensioned state. The bottom surface of the cap 21 is in contact with a step surface (end surface) formed on the outer circumference of the cap attachment portion 34b (biased in a direction in which the inclined outer circumference surface is automatically pressed against the stepped surface). It is installed in.

According to such a structure and mounting method, the cap 21 once mounted does not come off due to use and can be securely mounted. Further, since the cap 21 is attached such that the rice ball-shaped slope and the back surface (rice ball-shaped bottom surface) are in pressure contact with the mounting surface of the mounting portion 34b, the sealing property of the mounting portion can be sufficiently ensured.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral 42 is a preliminary ejection pad. The preliminary ejection pad 42 is made of a polymer ink absorber similar to the blade cleaner 39 (FIG. 3) described above. The preliminary ejection pad 42 is mounted inside the end face opening of the cap mounting portion 34b of the cap lever 34 in a fitted state, and the surface thereof is exposed inside the cap 21 in the mounted state. The preliminary ejection pad 42
Is a preliminary ejection (ink ejection different from the recording ink ejection) performed to prevent the ink of the ejection port 82 from drying.
It is for absorbing ink that is sometimes ejected.

FIG. 7 is a partial vertical sectional view schematically showing the cap 21 and a second embodiment of its attachment. In this embodiment, a ring-shaped (annular) continuous rib 21a is formed on the bottom surface (bottom surface of the rice ball section) of the cap 21. Other parts have substantially the same configuration and mounting method as in the case of the first embodiment of FIG. 6, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

According to the second embodiment of FIG. 7, the recording head 2
When the discharge surface 81 of a is capped (sealed), the contact pressure between the bottom surface of the cap 21 and the mounting surface (adhesion surface) of the cap lever 34 can be further increased, so the sealing performance of the cap 21 mounting portion is improved. However, it is possible to more reliably eliminate the suction negative pressure and the ink leak.
Further, by making the cross-sectional shape of the rib 21a into a rounded curved surface shape as shown in the drawing, even if the cap 21 itself is tilted, it is possible to firmly adhere the whole with a uniform pressure contact force, and it is possible to make a local contact. The leak can be eliminated more reliably.

FIG. 8 is a partial vertical sectional view schematically showing the cap 21 and a third embodiment of its attachment. In each of the above-described embodiments, the cap 21 is expanded and attached to the cap attachment portion 34b, but in the present embodiment,
The cap 21 is tightly attached (using elastic force in the compression direction) to the inner slope of the cap attachment portion 34b. That is, in the third embodiment of FIG.
On the inner peripheral surface of the cap mounting portion 34b, a mounting inner peripheral surface (peripheral surface for cap mounting) that is inclined in the narrowing direction is formed following the slope of the cap-shaped cross section of the cap 21. The cap 21 made of a (ring) -shaped rubber-like elastic material is fitted and attached to the mounting inner peripheral surface in a state where the entire peripheral surface receives an elastic compressive force inward (in a crushed state). Further, the bottom surface of the cap 21 contacts a step surface (end surface) formed inside the cap attachment portion 34b (biased in a direction in which the inclined inner peripheral surface is automatically pressed by elastic force). It is installed in the state.

The third embodiment of FIG. 8 has substantially the same structure and mounting method as those of the first embodiment of FIG. 6 in other parts, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. With such a configuration and mounting method, as in the case of the first embodiment, the cap 21 once mounted does not come off due to use, and can be reliably mounted. Further, since the cap 21 is attached such that the rice ball-shaped slope and the back surface (rice ball-shaped bottom surface) are in pressure contact with the mounting surface of the mounting portion 34b, the sealing property of the mounting portion can be sufficiently ensured. And further, according to the present embodiment,
As shown in FIG. 8, since the step between the cap 21 and the cap attachment portion 34b can be eliminated,
The effect that the residual ink in the cap 21 can be further reduced is obtained. This is particularly effective in the case of capping the ejection surfaces of a plurality of colors with one cap in a color ink jet recording apparatus or the like in that the ink color mixture can be eliminated.

In the above embodiment, the serial type ink jet recording apparatus for recording while moving the recording head 2a along the recording material 8 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A line type ink jet recording apparatus that uses a line type recording head having a length that covers the whole area or a part of the width direction and performs recording only by sub-scanning can be similarly applied, and similar effects can be obtained. Is. The present invention is also applicable to the case where the recording head and the ink tank are integrated, the case where the recording head and the ink tank are separated, and the like regardless of the arrangement of the recording head and the ink tank. It can be applied and the same effect can be achieved.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case of the ink jet recording apparatus using one recording head has been described as an example, but the present invention is a color recording apparatus using a plurality of recording heads for recording with different color inks. The present invention can be similarly applied to any number of recording heads or inks used, such as a recording apparatus or a recording apparatus for gradation recording using a plurality of recording heads that record with inks of the same color but different densities. The same operational effect can be achieved.

The present invention can be applied to an ink jet recording apparatus using a recording means (recording head) using an electromechanical transducer such as a piezo element, but among others, thermal energy is used. In this way, an excellent effect is brought about in an ink jet recording apparatus of the type that ejects ink. This is because such a system can achieve high density recording and high definition recording.

Regarding the typical structure and principle thereof, see, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4740.
This is preferably done using the basic principles disclosed in 796. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and the continuous type, but particularly in the case of the on-demand type, a liquid (ink) is used.
By applying at least one drive signal to the electrothermal converter arranged corresponding to the sheet or liquid path in which is stored, which corresponds to the recorded information and causes a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling. , Generates heat energy in the electrothermal converter to cause film boiling on the heat acting surface of the recording means (recording head), and as a result, bubbles can be formed in the liquid (ink) in a one-to-one correspondence with this drive signal. So effective.

Due to the growth and contraction of the bubbles, the liquid (ink) is ejected through the ejection openings to form at least one droplet. It is more preferable to make the driving signal into a pulse shape because bubbles can be grown and contracted immediately and appropriately, and thus a liquid (ink) with excellent responsiveness can be ejected. As this pulse-shaped drive signal, US Pat.
Those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,633,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable. Incidentally, US Pat. No. 43131 of the invention relating to the rate of temperature rise of the heat acting surface.
If the conditions described in the specification of No. 24 are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As the constitution of the recording head, in addition to the combination constitution of the ejection port, the liquid passage, and the electrothermal converter (the linear liquid passage or the right-angled liquid passage) as disclosed in the above-mentioned respective specifications. US Pat. No. 4,558,333, US Pat. No. 4,558,333, which discloses a configuration in which a heat acting portion is arranged in a bending region.
A configuration using the specification of No. 459600 is also included in the present invention. In addition, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 123670/1984 discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of the electrothermal converter for a plurality of electrothermal converters, and an opening for absorbing a pressure wave of thermal energy. The present invention is also effective as a structure based on Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 138461/1984, which discloses a structure in which the discharge section is associated with the discharge section. That is, according to the present invention, recording can be reliably and efficiently performed regardless of the form of the recording head.

Further, as described above, 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 material (recording medium) which can be recorded by the recording apparatus. . As such a recording head,
Either a structure that satisfies the length by combining a plurality of recording heads or a structure as one recording head integrally formed may be used. In addition, even with the serial type as in the above example, the recording head fixed to the device main body,
Alternatively, a replaceable chip-type recording head that can be electrically connected to the device body and supply ink from the device body when mounted on the device body, or an ink tank is integrally provided on the recording head itself. The present invention is also effective when the cartridge type recording head described above is used.

Further, it is preferable to add recovery means or preliminary auxiliary means to the recording head provided as a constitution of the recording apparatus in the present invention because the effect of the present invention can be further stabilized. Specific examples thereof include capping means, cleaning means, pressurizing or suctioning means, electrothermal converters or heating elements other than these, or preheating means for the recording head. It is also effective to perform stable recording by performing a preliminary discharge mode in which discharge different from recording is performed.

As described above, regarding the type and number of recording heads to be mounted, for example, only one is provided corresponding to a single color ink, or a plurality of recording heads having different recording colors and densities are provided. A plurality of inks may be provided corresponding to the ink. That is, for example, the recording mode of the recording apparatus is not limited to the recording mode of only the mainstream color such as black, but may be either the recording head is integrally configured or a combination of a plurality of recording heads may be used. The present invention is extremely effective for an apparatus provided with at least one of color colors or full colors by color mixing.

In addition, in the above-described embodiments of the present invention, the ink is described as a liquid, but it is an ink that solidifies at room temperature or lower and that softens or liquefies at room temperature, or an ink jet. In the method, the temperature of the ink itself is generally adjusted within a range of 30 ° C. or higher and 70 ° C. or lower to control the temperature of the ink so that the viscosity of the ink is within a stable ejection range. It may be in a liquid form. in addition,
Whether the temperature rise due to thermal energy is positively used as the energy for changing the state of the ink from the solid state to the liquid state, or the ink that solidifies in the standing state is used for the purpose of preventing ink evaporation In any case, the ink is liquefied by applying the thermal energy according to the recording signal and the liquid ink is ejected,
The present invention is also applicable to the case of using an ink which has a property of being liquefied only by thermal energy, such as one which starts to solidify when it reaches the recording medium.

The ink in such a case is disclosed in JP-A-54-54.
As described in JP-A-56847 or JP-A-60-71260, a form in which the electrothermal converter is opposed to a liquid sheet or a solid material held in the recesses or through holes of the porous sheet. May be In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

In addition, as the form of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention, besides the one used as an image output terminal of an information processing apparatus such as a computer, a copying apparatus combined with a reader or the like, and a facsimile apparatus having a transmitting / receiving function. And the like may be used.

[0051]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, in an ink jet recording apparatus for recording by ejecting ink from a recording means to a recording material, a cap for sealing the ejection port of the recording means. Since it is a ring-shaped member made of rubber-like elastic material, it is possible to reduce the number of inspection items by eliminating the molding difficulty when manufacturing the cap, and use the elasticity of rubber to ensure a reliable and stable sealing of the cap. (EN) Provided is an inkjet recording apparatus which can be attached in a state of being capable of manufacturing a cap having excellent performance at low cost.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above configuration,
Since the ribs are formed on the bottom surface of the cap or the cap is mounted inside the cap mounting part in a crushed manner, it is possible to reduce the number of inspection items by eliminating the molding difficulty when manufacturing the cap. (EN) An ink jet recording apparatus that can achieve the effect of being able to attach a cap in a reliable and stable sealed state by using elasticity of rubber and manufacturing a cap with excellent performance at low cost more efficiently. .

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an essential configuration of an inkjet recording apparatus having a cap to which the present invention is applied and a structure for mounting the cap.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view schematically showing the structure of an ink ejection portion of the recording means in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of a recovery unit of an inkjet recording apparatus having a cap and a mounting structure to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a carriage motor pinion in FIG.

5 is an exploded perspective view of a pump unit and a cap in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view schematically showing a first embodiment of a cap and its mounting structure to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 7 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view schematically showing a second embodiment of the cap and the attachment structure thereof to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 8 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view schematically showing a third embodiment of the cap and its mounting structure to which the present invention is applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Carriage 2a Recording Means (Recording Head) 2b Ink Tank 4 Lead Screw 5 Carriage Motor 8 Recording Material 9 Conveying Roller 11 Paper Feed Motor 13 Paper Ejecting Roller 20 Carriage Motor Pinion 21 Cap 21a Rib 22 Plunger 23 Pump Unit 24 Transmission Mechanism Section (Timing gear) 24a Cap open / close cam 27 Platen 28 Ink absorber 31 Cylinder 31d Waste ink tube 32 Piston 34 Cap lever 34b Cap attachment part 36 Blade 39 Blade cleaner 41 Blade cam 81 Discharge surface (Discharge port forming surface) 82 Discharge port 84 Liquid channel 85 Electrothermal converter

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An ink jet recording apparatus for recording by ejecting ink from a recording means to a recording material, wherein a cap for sealing a discharge port of the recording means is a ring-shaped member made of a rubber-like elastic material. Inkjet recording device. 2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a rib is formed on the bottom surface of the cap. 3. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cap is squeezed inside the cap mounting portion. 4. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording means is an ink jet recording means provided with an electrothermal converter that generates thermal energy used for ejecting ink. 5. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the recording means ejects the ink from the ejection port by utilizing the film boiling generated in the ink by the thermal energy generated by the electrothermal converter.