JPH0717045A - Ink jet printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To remove the ink adhered to a blade when an ink emitting surface is wiped by the blade. CONSTITUTION:The absorbing member 20e absorbing the ink adhered to a blade 20a is provided. This absorbing member 20e is constituted so as to clean the blade 20a by the relative movement with the blade 20a or to be supported in the state superposed on the blade 20a or to support the blade 20a.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet printer, and more particularly, to an ink jet printer having an ink jet recording head for cleaning an ejection port surface by wiping with a blade.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Paper dust from recording paper or dust floating in the air easily adheres to a recording head (inkjet recording head) of an ink jet printer, and further ejected from a discharge port of the recording head. Droplets and the like due to the rebound of the ink droplets are also likely to adhere, and these deposits are likely to prevent stable ink ejection.

Therefore, in order to remove these deposits,
Conventionally, a means for cleaning the ejection port surface of the inkjet recording head has been provided.

[0004] For example, a blade made of an elastic material such as rubber is used to wipe the ejection port surface to remove dust and ink liquid adhering to the ejection port surface. Wiping with this blade is generally called wiping.

[0005]

However, although the ejection port surface is cleaned by wiping, the wiped ink or dust remains attached to the blade and scatters or drips if left unremoved. As a result, not only the inside of the device becomes dirty, but also printing defects may occur during the next wiping.

Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and the purpose thereof is to:
An object of the present invention is to provide an inkjet printer equipped with a device for removing ink attached to a blade.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a blade that moves in and out of a head and a member such as an absorber that is in contact with the blade and has a fixed position. It is characterized by having.

[0008]

According to the above construction, since the blade is cleaned by retracting the blade after the wiping operation, the wiping does not result in defective printing and the ink scattered does not stain the inside of the apparatus.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the ink jet printer of the present invention. In FIG.
Reference numeral 100 denotes an inkjet printer. Reference numeral 101 denotes a printer case, and 102 denotes operation keys and a display unit. Reference numeral 1 denotes a recording head mounted on a carrier (carriage) 2, and the recording head 1 can be attached to and detached from the carrier 2 by integrating a head element 1a for ejecting ink and an ink tank 1b serving as an ink supply source. It has the form of a cartridge and can be replaced when ink is consumed. Reference numeral 3 denotes a lead screw shaft which also serves as a guide shaft. The carrier 2 on which the recording head 1 is placed is guided and driven by the carrier motor 4 via the timing belt 5. By this rotation, the carrier 2 is moved along the lead screw shaft 3. Are driven back and forth. 6 indicates a paper feed roller, and the pinch roller 7 is a pinch roller spring 8
The recording paper 40 is conveyed by pressing the paper feed roller 6 with the recording paper and pinching the recording paper, and driving the paper feed roller 6 by the paper feed motor 9. Reference numeral 10 denotes a paper discharge roller that is pressed against the paper feed roller 6 to discharge the recording paper 40 after printing, and 11 is a spur that presses the recording paper 40 against the paper discharge roller 10. The paper discharge roller 10 is driven by transmitting the driving force of the paper feed motor 7 through the gear train 12. Reference numeral 20 denotes a recovery system. The recovery system 20 performs a recovery operation for preventing clogging of the ejection port of the print head 1 and capping for preventing the ejection port from drying when printing is not performed. Reference numeral 20a denotes a blade that performs wiping for cleaning the ejection port surface of the head, and this blade 20a is a recovery system drive motor 20c.
It is driven up and down by. When wiping is performed, the blade 20a comes out to a position where it slightly interferes with the recording head 1, and the recording head 1 crosses in front of the blade 20a to perform wiping. By moving the blade up and down, it is possible to select whether or not wiping is performed during the operation in which the recording head moves in and out of the cap position. 20b indicates a cap for capping, and 20c indicates a blade 2.
0a and a recovery system drive motor for driving the cap 20b.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a state of wiping a recording head of an ink jet printer according to the present invention with a blade, in the time course of (a) .fwdarw. (B) .fwdarw. (C) .fwdarw. (D). In the figure, the upper stage shows a perspective view from the blade side, and the lower stage shows a schematic cross-sectional view corresponding to the upper stage.

In FIG. 1, 1a is an ink jet recording head, and 1aa is an ejection port for ejecting ink droplets.
Reference symbol ab denotes a discharge port surface (face surface) corresponding to the head front surface in which the discharge ports 1aa are formed in a predetermined arrangement. Reference numeral 20a denotes a blade, which is formed of, for example, an elastic material on a plate of rubber or soft plastic, is supported by the blade holder 20d, and is moved in the vertical direction in the figure by a driving device (not shown). 20e is an absorber, and the blade 20
The blade 20a can be moved up and down through a slight gap between the blade 20a and e. The absorber 20e is fixed to the recovery system 20.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 30 indicates the adhesion of ink droplets, dust, etc. adhering to the ejection port surface 1ab of the ink jet recording head 1. Wiping the discharge port surface 1ab is (a)
The blade 20a scans the ejection surface 1ab in the order of → (b) → (c) → (d). (A) shows the state before the start of wiping, and at this time, the deposit 30 such as ink droplets or dust is attached around the ejection port 1aa of the ejection port surface 1ab of the inkjet recording head 1. In this embodiment, the blade 20a is stationary, and the inkjet recording head 1 moves (scans) in front of the blade 20a from the right side to the left side in FIG.

(B) shows the middle of wiping. At this time, the tip of the blade 20a scans the ejection surface 1ab, so that ink droplets, dust, etc. on the ejection surface 1ab are wiped to the blade 20a side. To be

(C) shows the state when the wiping operation is completed, and at this time, the ink and dust adhering to the ejection port surface 1ab are transferred to the blade 20a by the wiping operation.

(D) shows the state in which the blade is cleaned by retracting the blade, and the ink and dust adhering to the blade are absorbed by the absorber and the blade becomes clean.

Since the wiping operation up to (c) is performed by relative movement of the blade 20a and the recording head 1, instead of moving the recording head 1, the blade in front of the fixed recording head 1 is moved. The same can be done by scanning by 20a.

Further, although the blade 20a is scanned in the horizontal direction in this embodiment, the blade 20a or a similar wiping member may be scanned in the vertical direction to perform wiping.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view showing the periphery of the blade of the second embodiment of the inkjet printer of the present invention. Figure 3
FIG. 9A is a schematic diagram showing the state of wiping the recording head of the inkjet printer according to the second embodiment of the present invention with a blade in the time course of (a) → (b) → (c) → (d). In the figure, the upper stage shows a perspective view from the blade side, and the lower stage shows a schematic cross-sectional view corresponding to the upper stage. Corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals for the respective parts having the same functions as described above.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 21 designates an absorber, which is in the shape of a roller, and the shaft portions at both ends are provided with springs 2.
It is supported by 2 and rotates lightly. Further, the absorber 21 is slightly biased from both sides by the spring 22.

Wiping the discharge port surface 1ab is (a) →
This is performed by the blade 20a scanning the ejection surface 1ab in the order of (b) → (c) → (d). (A) shows the state before the start of wiping, and at this time, the deposit 30 such as ink droplets or dust is attached around the ejection port 1aa of the ejection port surface 1ab of the inkjet recording head 1. In this embodiment, the blade 20a is stationary, and the inkjet recording head 1 moves (scans) in front of the blade 20a from the right side to the left side in FIG.

(B) shows the middle of wiping. At this time, the tip of the blade 20a scans the ejection port surface 1ab, so that ink droplets, dust, etc. on the ejection port surface 1ab are wiped to the blade 20a side. To be

(C) shows the state when the wiping operation is completed, and at this time, the ink and dust adhering to the ejection port surface 1ab are transferred to the blade 20a by the wiping operation.

(D) shows a state in which the blade is cleaned by retracting the blade, and the ink and dust adhering to the blade are absorbed by the absorber and the blade becomes clean.

Since the wiping operation up to (c) is performed by the relative movement of the blade 20a and the recording head 1, instead of moving the recording head 1, the blade in front of the fixed recording head 1 is moved. The same can be done by scanning by 20a.

Further, although the blade 20a is scanned in the horizontal direction in the present embodiment, the blade 20a or a similar wiping member may be scanned in the vertical direction for wiping.

(Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view showing the periphery of a blade of the third embodiment of the inkjet printer of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a state of wiping a recording head of an ink jet printer according to a third embodiment of the present invention with a blade in the order of (a) .fwdarw. (B) .fwdarw. (C) .fwdarw. (D). Show. In the figure, the upper stage shows a perspective view from the blade side, and the lower stage shows a schematic cross-sectional view corresponding to the upper stage. Corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals for the respective parts having the same functions as described above.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 23 denotes a leaf spring having a sharp end, and the leaf spring 23 is in light contact with both sides of the blade 20a.

Wiping the discharge port surface 1ab is (a) →
This is performed by the blade 20a scanning the ejection surface 1ab in the order of (b) → (c) → (d). (A) shows the state before the start of wiping, and at this time, the deposit 30 such as ink droplets or dust is attached around the ejection port 1aa of the ejection port surface 1ab of the inkjet recording head 1. In this embodiment, the blade 20a is stationary, and the inkjet recording head 1 moves (scans) in front of the blade 20a from the right side to the left side in FIG.

(B) shows the middle of wiping. At this time, the tip of the blade 20a scans the ejection surface 1ab, so that ink droplets, dust, etc. on the ejection surface 1ab are wiped to the blade 20a side. To be

(C) shows the state when the wiping operation is completed, and at this time, the ink and dust adhering to the ejection port surface 1ab are transferred to the blade 20a by the wiping operation.

(D) shows a state in which the blade is being cleaned when the blade is retracted. Ink and dust adhering to the blade are scraped off by the leaf spring 23, and the blade becomes clean. The scraped-off ink may be sucked by providing a receiving portion under the leaf spring 23 or by placing an absorber.

Since the wiping operation up to (c) is performed by the relative movement of the blade 20a and the recording head 1, instead of moving the recording head 1, the blade in front of the fixed recording head 1 is moved. The same can be done by scanning by 20a.

Further, although the blade 20a is also scanned in the horizontal direction in this embodiment, the blade 20a or a similar wiping member may be scanned in the vertical direction for wiping.

(Fourth Embodiment) Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In FIG. 5, 1a is an inkjet recording head, and 1aa is an ejection port for ejecting ink droplets.
Reference numeral 1ab denotes a discharge port surface (face surface) corresponding to the head front surface in which the discharge ports 1aa are formed in a predetermined arrangement. Reference numeral 32 denotes a blade, which is made of, for example, a plate-shaped elastic material of rubber or soft plastic. Reference numeral 33 denotes a soft absorber made of sponge or the like, and this absorber 33 is supported by a fixing member 34 so as not to separate from the blade 32 and to be able to shift. That is, the blade is a V-shaped member fixed to either of the absorbers. Reference numeral 35 denotes a blade holder to which the blade 2 and the absorber 3 are attached.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing a state of wiping the recording head of the ink jet printer according to the present invention with a blade, in the time course of (a) → (b) → (c) → (d). In FIG. 6, reference numeral 30 indicates the adhesion of ink droplets, dust, etc. adhered to the ejection port surface 1b of the inkjet recording head 1.

Wiping the discharge port surface 1ab is (a) →
The blade 32 scans the ejection surface 1ab in the order of (b) → (c) → (d). (A) shows the state before the start of wiping, and at this time, the deposits 30 such as ink drops and dust are attached around the ejection port 1aa of the ejection port surface 1ab of the inkjet recording head 1a. In this embodiment, the inkjet recording head 1a is stationary, and the blade 32 moves (scans) in front of the recording head 1a from the left side to the right side in FIG.

(B) shows the middle of the wiping. At this time, the blade 32 scans the ejection port surface 1ab, so that ink droplets, dust, etc. on the ejection port surface 1ab are wiped to the blade 32 side. . Since the absorber 33 is slightly shorter, the absorber does not touch the face surface 1ab.

(C) shows the state when the wiping operation is completed. At this time, the blade 32 is deflected by the reaction of itself to the side opposite to that at the time of wiping, and at this time, the absorber 33 causes the blade 3 to move.
Since the tip of the blade 2 comes into contact with the blade 32, the ink or dust attached to the blade 32 is absorbed by the ink absorber 33.

(D) shows the state when all the operations are completed, and at this time, the blade 2 itself is also in the clean state of the deposits.

Since the above wiping operation is performed by the relative movement of the blade 32 and the recording head 1a, instead of moving the blade 32,
The same operation can be performed by scanning the recording head 1a in front of the fixed blade 32.

Further, in the present embodiment, the blade 32 is scanned in the horizontal direction, but the blade 32 or a similar wiping member may be scanned in the vertical direction for wiping.

(Fifth Embodiment) A fifth embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Reference numeral 1a denotes a head, and the elastic blade 42 is inserted and held in the ink absorber 54.
The insertion groove of the ink absorber 43 is chamfered so that the bending of the blade 52 is not isolated. When the blade 42 wipes the head 1a, the blade 4
The tip end portion 2 has a shape such that it contacts a part of the chamfered portion of the ink absorber 43.

(Sixth Embodiment) A sixth embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. The elastic blade 42 supported by the blade support member 44 is on the slider 45, and the ink absorber 43 is placed on the slider 45. When the blade 42 wipes the head 1a, the blade 42 bends to contact the ink absorber 43.

(Embodiment 7) Furthermore, Embodiment 7 of the present invention is shown in FIG. A rectangular groove is formed in the ink absorber 43, and an elastic material blade 42 is provided at the bottom of the rectangle groove, and the blade 42 is bent to contact the ink absorber 43.

(Others) Incidentally, the present invention brings excellent effects particularly in a bubble jet type recording head and a recording apparatus of the ink jet recording type.

Regarding its typical structure and principle, see, for example, US Pat. No. 4,712,119 and US Pat. No. 4,740.
What is done using the basic principles disclosed in 796 is preferred.

This system can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and the continuous type. In particular, in the case of the on-demand type, it corresponds to the sheet or the liquid path holding the liquid (ink). By applying at least one drive signal which corresponds to the recorded information and which causes a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling, to the electrothermal converters arranged in a manner to generate thermal energy in the electrothermal converters. This is effective because film boiling is caused on the heat-acting surface of the recording head, and bubbles can be effectively formed in the liquid (ink) in a one-to-one correspondence with this drive signal.

By the growth and contraction of the liquid, the liquid (ink) is ejected through the ejection opening to form at least one droplet.

When the driving signal has a pulse shape, the growth and contraction of the bubbles are immediately and appropriately performed, so that it is possible to achieve the ejection of the liquid (ink) with excellent responsiveness, which is more preferable.
As the pulse-shaped drive signal, US Pat. No. 446 is used.
Those described in 3359 and 4345262 are suitable.

If the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 of the invention relating to the rate of temperature rise on the heat acting surface 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 straight liquid passage or the right-angled liquid passage) as disclosed in the above-mentioned respective specifications. U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 and U.S. Pat. No. 44, which disclose a configuration in which a heat acting portion is arranged in a bending region.
The structure using the specification of No. 59600 is also included in the present invention. In addition, Japanese Patent Application No. 59-123670 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 is discharged. The effect of the present invention is effective even with a structure based on Japanese Patent Application No. 59-138461 which discloses a structure corresponding to a part. That is, it is possible to reliably and efficiently perform recording regardless of the form of the recording head.

Further, the present invention can be applied to a full line type recording head having a length corresponding to the maximum width on a recording medium which can be recorded by the recording apparatus. As such a recording head, a combination of a plurality of recording heads can be used to satisfy the length, or the recording head can be formed integrally.
Any of the configurations as one recording head may be used. In addition, even if the serial type as in the above example is attached to the main body of the device, a replaceable chip type recording head that enables electrical connection to the main body of the device and supply of ink from the main body of the device The present invention is also effective when a cartridge type recording head provided integrally with the recording head itself is used.

Regarding the type or 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 corresponding to a plurality of inks having different recording colors or densities. It may be provided individually.

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

[0058]

As described above, in the ink jet printer of the present invention, the blade is cleaned, so that wiping does not cause a printing defect and the scattered ink does not stain the inside of the apparatus. Further, when there is an operation of moving the blade in and out to perform wiping in one direction, the blade cleaning can be performed without burdening the apparatus by linking the operation with the blade cleaning.

Further, according to the present invention, in the ink jet recording head in which the ejection port surface is cleaned by wiping with the blade, the blade after the ejection port surface is wiped is cleaned by the ink absorber which is superposed on the blade. Therefore, there is provided an inkjet printer capable of eliminating ejection failure of the ejection port and ink scattering.

Further, when the blade is performing the head cleaning operation, the following effects can be obtained by contacting the tip or its vicinity with the ink absorber due to the blade bending.

(1) Since the removed ink permeates the absorber during the head cleaning operation, the removed ink does not scatter when the blade separates from the head.

(2) The removed ink can be absorbed along the blade, and there is no ink remaining, so that ink does not stick to the blade.

(3) Since it is not necessary to install the ink absorber at a separate place and to extend the overstroke of the blade, the device can be made compact.

(4) The cleaning time is short because the head cleaning and the removal ink absorbing operation are performed at the same time.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a wiping operation of a first embodiment of an inkjet printer of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of the inkjet printer of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing a wiping operation of the first embodiment of the inkjet printer of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing the wiping operation of the first embodiment of the inkjet printer of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view showing a blade portion of the inkjet printer of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a wiping operation of the inkjet printer of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a blade portion of the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a side view of a blade portion of the third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 100 inkjet printer 101 printer case 102 operation keys and display blade 1 recording head 2 carrier 3 lead screw 4 carrier motor 5 timing belt 6 paper feed roller 7 pinch roller 8 pinch roller spring 9 paper feed motor 10 paper discharge roller 11 spur 12 gear train 20 Recovery System 20a Blade 20b Cap 20c Recovery System Drive Motor 20d Blade Holder 20e Absorber 32 Blade 33 Absorber 34 Fixing Member 35 Blade Holder 42 Elastic Material Blade 43 Ink Absorber 44 Blade Supporting Member 45 Slider

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An inkjet printer including a blade for wiping a face surface of a recording head and a member for cleaning the blade, wherein the blade and the member for cleaning are relative to each other when the blade is moved in and out. An inkjet printer, characterized in that the blade is cleaned by movement. 2. The ink jet printer according to claim 1, wherein the member is an absorber. 3. An ink jet printer comprising a blade for wiping a face surface of a recording head and a member for absorbing ink adhering to the blade, wherein the blade is supported so as not to separate from each other. Characteristic inkjet printer. 4. The ink jet printer according to claim 1, wherein the absorber has a length shorter than that of the blade. 5. A blade for cleaning an ink ejection portion of an ink jet printer recording means and an ink absorber are provided, and when the elastic material blade is bent by wiping the ink ejection portion, the tip of the blade or An ink jet printer characterized in that a portion near the ink absorber is in contact with the ink absorber, and when the ink ejecting portion is passed, the blade is separated from the ink absorber by elastic return.