JPH071740A - Ink jet recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent defective recording from occurring by ensuring a certain blade intrusion amount at all times by a method wherein a following-up member abutting against the guide way of a recording means or of a carriage is provided at the portion, to which a blade for wiping the discharge port forming surface of the recording means. CONSTITUTION:A cap 51 is provided so as to be opposite to the ink discharge port forming surface of a recording head under the state that a shiftable carriage, on which the recording head is installed, takes its home position in order to forcibly deliver the ink accepted in the cap 51 by the suction force of a pump 53. A blade 59 for wiping the discharge port forming surface of the recording head is provided. The driving of the pump 53 and the movements of both the cap 51 and the blade 59 are performed by a cam device 63. The blade 59 is mounted to a blade lever 535, which is pivotally supported about the axis 519 of the pump 53, so as to abut a blade roller 535A, which is a following-up member mounted rotatably on the lever 535, against the discharge port forming surface of the recording head in order to control blade intrusion amount.

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 medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A recording device having functions such as a printer, a copying machine, and a facsimile, or a recording device used as an output device of a compound machine or a workstation including a computer, a word processor, etc., is a sheet or a plastic thin plate based on image information. An image is recorded on a recording medium (such as OHP). The recording device can be classified into an ink jet type, a wire dot type, a heat sensitive type, a thermal transfer type, a laser beam type and the like depending on the recording system of the recording means used.

In a serial type recording apparatus which employs a recording system in which main scanning is performed in a direction intersecting with a conveyance direction (sub-scanning direction) of the recording medium, the recording medium is set at a predetermined recording position and then along the recording medium. An image is recorded (main scanning) by a recording unit mounted on a moving carriage, and after one line of recording is completed, a predetermined amount of paper is fed (pitch conveyance).
Then, the operation of recording the image of the next row (main scanning) is repeated, whereby the image recording of the entire recording medium is performed. On the other hand, in a line-type printing apparatus that prints a printing medium in the sub-scanning direction by sending it in the transport direction, the printing medium is set at a predetermined printing position,
After recording for one line, a predetermined amount of paper feed (pitch feed) is performed, and then the operation for recording the next line is collectively performed, thereby performing image recording on the entire recording medium.

Among them, the ink jet type (ink jet recording apparatus) is a means for recording by ejecting ink from a recording means (recording head) onto a recording medium, the recording means can be easily made compact, and a high definition image can be obtained. Can be recorded at high speed, and can be recorded on plain paper without any special treatment.The running cost is low, and since it is a non-impact method, it produces less noise and uses multicolor inks. Therefore, it is easy to record a color image. Above all, a line type apparatus using a line 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 the liquid passage wall, the top plate, and the like, it is possible to easily manufacture a liquid discharge device having a high-density liquid passage arrangement (ejection port arrangement), and to further reduce the size.

In the above ink jet recording apparatus,
Since a recording head with a fine array of ejection ports is generally used, it is suitable for ejecting or recording ink when air bubbles or dust are mixed inside the ejection port or due to viscosity increase due to evaporation of the ink solvent. Even when there is no discharge state, the discharge recovery process is performed to remove the cause of discharge failure by refreshing the ink.

[0007]

As one form of means for performing such ejection recovery processing, a cap capable of covering the ejection port forming surface of the recording head, and a pump communicating with the cap and exerting suction force. There are those with and. The operation of the ejection recovery process includes an operation of ejecting ink by driving an ink ejection energy generating element inside the ejection port in a state where the cap is opposed to the ejection port formation surface, and a cap is formed on the ejection port formation surface. There is an operation of forcibly sucking ink from an ejection port by applying a suction force in a capping state of being pressed and sealed.

On the other hand, during recording or after the suction operation, ink droplets adhere to the periphery of the ejection port and become wet, so that the ink ejected from the ejection port is drawn by the adhered ink (recording defect). May occur. In order to eliminate such a recording defect, it is necessary to surely perform wiping (wiping cleaning) around the ejection port to perform an appropriate process for removing the adhered ink around the ejection port.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above technical problems, and the present invention is an ink jet recording apparatus for recording by ejecting ink from a recording unit onto a recording medium. In the portion where the blade for wiping the ejection port forming surface of is configured to be provided with a copying member that comes into contact with the guide surface of the recording unit or the carriage, with respect to the ejection port forming surface of the recording unit,
(EN) An ink jet recording apparatus capable of always ensuring a constant blade penetration amount, reliably removing the ink adhering to the ejection port forming surface at the time of wiping of the recording means, and eliminating defective recording.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a document creation device (word processor) as an example of a device suitable for using an inkjet recording device to which the present invention is applied. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 is a keyboard portion that is an input device, and 2 is a display portion that displays an input document or the like. The indicator portion 2 is rotatably held and can be folded to overlap the keyboard portion 1 when not in use. Reference numeral 3 is a transparent or translucent protective cover that is openably and closably provided in a visual recognition opening for confirming the operating state of the recording means (recording head). Reference numeral 4 is a spur cover for holding the spur. These will be described later with reference to FIGS.
5 is a recording sheet or a thin plastic plate (OHP) to be fed and discharged.
A paper supporter for supporting a recording medium such as a film), and 6 are knobs for manually feeding and discharging the recording medium.

FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing the structure of the essential part of an embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied. In FIG. 2, 9 is a cartridge type recording means (head cartridge) in which a recording head and an ink tank are integrated, and 11 is a carriage for mounting the recording means 9 and performing main scanning in the direction of arrow S in FIG. Is. Thirteen
Is a hook for attaching the head cartridge 9 to the carriage 11, and 15 is a lever for operating the hook 13. Reference numeral 19 is a support plate that supports an electrical connection portion for the head cartridge 9. Reference numeral 21 is an FPC for connecting the electric connection part and the main body control part. This FPC
21 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 9 to 11.

In FIG. 2, 23 is a guide shaft for guiding the carriage 11 in the direction of arrow S, and 25 is a bearing of the carriage 11 through which the guide shaft 23 is inserted. Two
7 is a timing belt coupled to the carriage 11 for transmitting power for reciprocating the carriage 11 in the direction of arrow S, and 29A and 29B are arranged on both sides of the recording device for stretching the timing belt 27. A pulley 31 is connected to one pulley 29B via a transmission mechanism such as a gear, and is a carriage motor as a drive source for driving the carriage 11.

Reference numeral 33 denotes a conveyance roller for regulating the recording surface of a recording medium (hereinafter also referred to as recording paper) and for conveying the recording medium at the time of recording or the like, which is driven by a conveyance motor 35. Reference numeral 37 is a paper pan for guiding the recording medium from the paper supporter 5 side to the recording position, and 39 is provided in the middle of the feeding path of the recording medium to convey the recording medium 33
It is a feed roller for pressing toward and applying a conveying force. Reference numeral 34 denotes a platen which faces the ejection port of the head cartridge 9 and regulates the recording surface of the recording medium.
Reference numeral 41 denotes a paper discharge roller that is arranged downstream of the recording position in the transport direction and discharges the recording medium toward a paper discharge port (not shown). Reference numeral 42 is a spur provided corresponding to the paper discharge roller 41, and is for pressing the recording medium against the paper discharge roller 41 to generate a conveying force of the recording medium by the paper discharge roller 41. Reference numeral 43 denotes a release lever for separating the feed roller 39 and the spur 42 and releasing the pressing force when setting the recording medium.

Both ends of the platen 34 are rotatably supported by the shaft 41A of the paper discharge roller 41, and the paper pan 37 is placed from the stop position of the left and right plates 75, 75.
Is urged toward the front surface portion 45 of the. Escape portions 33A having a reduced diameter are provided at a plurality of positions of the transport roller (platen roller) 33. On the other hand, an ear portion 34A is formed at a position corresponding to the escape portion 33A of the platen 34. Therefore, the ear portion 34A of the platen 34 is in contact with the inside of the front surface portion 45 of the paper pan when there is no recording sheet.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 51 denotes a cap facing the ejection port forming surface of the recording head (head cartridge) 9 in which the ink ejection port is formed at the home position of the carriage 11. The cap 51 is made of a rubber-like elastic material and is supported so as to be able to come into contact with and separate from the ejection port forming surface. In addition, this cap 51
Is used for protection of the recording head (discharging port forming surface) during non-recording or for ejection recovery processing of the recording head. The ejection recovery process is performed by causing the cap 51 to face the ejection port forming surface and driving an energy generating element provided inside the ink ejection port and used for ejecting ink to eject ink from all ejection ports. by this,
Preliminary ejection for removing ejection failure factors such as air bubbles, dust, and ink that has thickened and becomes unsuitable for recording, and the ink is forcibly ejected from the ejection port with the ejection port formation surface and the cap 51 covered separately. It is a process for removing the cause of the ejection failure by discharging the discharge failure to the.

Reference numeral 53 is a pump used for discharge recovery processing. The pump 53 acts as a suction force for forcibly discharging the ink, and is also used for sucking the ink received by the cap 51 during the discharge recovery process by the forced discharge or the discharge recovery process by the preliminary discharge.
55 is a first waste ink tank for storing the waste ink sucked by this pump 53, and 57 is a pump 53
And a waste ink tank 55. Further, 70 is a second waste ink tank, and a tube 71
It is connected to the first waste ink tank 55 via.

Reference numeral 59 denotes a blade for wiping the ejection port forming surface of the recording head, and a position for projecting to the recording head side to perform wiping in the course of head movement and retreat not engaging with the ejection port forming surface. It is movably supported in position and. Reference numeral 61 is a motor, and 63 is a cam device for receiving power from the motor 61 to drive the pump 53 and move the cap 51 and the blade 59.

Next, details of the head cartridge 9 will be described. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the head cartridge 9. In FIG. 3, the head cartridge 9 is an ejection unit 9a which is the main body of the recording means (recording head).
And an ink tank 9b are integrated.
In this embodiment, as the recording means (recording head),
Since a head cartridge 9 in which a so-called recording head (the ejection unit 9a) and the ink tank 9b are integrated is used, the head cartridge 9 or the ejection unit 9a is simply referred to as the recording means 9 or the recording head for the sake of simplicity. It may be indicated by 9.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 906e is a claw that is hooked on the hook 13 provided on the carriage 11 when the head cartridge 9 is mounted. As shown, the nail 9
06e is provided inside the portion recessed from the surface of the recording head 9. In addition, a positioning abutting portion (not shown) is provided in the vicinity of the ejection unit 9a on the front side of the head cartridge 9. Reference numeral 906f is an opening into which the support plate 19 provided upright on the carriage 11 is inserted. The support plate 19 is a flexible substrate (electrical connection portion) described later.
And for supporting the rubber pad.

4A and 4B are an exploded perspective view and an external perspective view of the head cartridge shown in FIG. The head cartridge 9 is a disposable type in which a recording head (ejection unit) 9a and an ink containing portion (ink tank) 9b which is an ink supply source are integrated. In FIG. 4A showing each component of the discharge unit 9a, 911 is a heater board,
The heater board 911 has a structure in which an electrothermal conversion element (ejection heater) and a wiring such as aluminum for supplying electric power to the electrothermal conversion element are formed on a Si substrate by a film forming technique. 92
Reference numeral 1 is a wiring board for the heater board 911, and corresponding wirings are connected by, for example, wire bonding.

Reference numeral 940 is a top plate provided with a partition wall for limiting the ink flow path, a common liquid chamber, etc., and in this embodiment, it is made of a resin material integrally having an ejection port plate portion. FIG. 4C is a perspective view of the top plate 940. As shown in FIG. 4C, the ejection port forming surface is inclined by a predetermined angle θ with respect to a plane parallel to the recording surface of the recording medium (recording paper), and a step 940a is formed in the vicinity of the ejection port. have. This is carried out in order to irradiate the laser beam from the flow path side provided on the top plate 940 to process the discharge port, and to arrange the flow channel in the discharge port plate portion and the flow channel behind it at a predetermined angle. It is a thing.

In FIG. 4A, reference numeral 930 is a metal support, and 950 is a pressing spring. By sandwiching the heater board 911 and the top plate 940 between them, they are engaged with each other. The heater board 911 and the top plate 940 are pressure-bonded and fixed by the urging force of the pressing spring 950. The support 930 serves as a positioning reference for the head cartridge 9 with respect to the carriage 11 while the wiring board 921 is fixed by pasting or the like. The support 930 also functions as a member for radiating and cooling the heat of the heater board 911 generated when the recording unit 9 is driven.

Reference numeral 960 denotes a sub tank for receiving ink supply from the ink storage portion 9b serving as an ink supply source and guiding the ink to a common liquid chamber formed by joining the heater board 911 and the top plate 940. . Reference numeral 970 is a filter arranged at a portion in the sub tank 960 near the ink supply port to the common liquid chamber, and reference numeral 980 is a lid member of the sub tank 960.

Reference numeral 900 denotes an absorber for impregnating the ink, which is arranged in the ink tank body 9b. 120
Reference numeral 0 denotes a supply port for supplying ink to a recording element (ejection unit) 9a composed of the above-mentioned components 911 to 980, which is a step before arranging the recording element 9a in the portion 1010 of the ink tank body 9b. By injecting ink from the supply port 1200, the absorber 90
An ink impregnation of 0 can be performed. Reference numeral 1100 is a lid member of the cartridge body, and 1300 is an atmosphere communication port provided in the lid member for communicating the inside of the cartridge with the atmosphere.

In FIG. 4A, when the ink filling of the ink tank 9b through the supply port 1200 is completed, the ejection unit 9 including the constituent parts 911 to 980 is formed.
a is positioned and disposed in the portion 1010. The positioning or fixing at this time can be performed, for example, by fitting the projection 1012 provided in the ink tank body 9b and the hole 931 provided in the support 930 corresponding thereto, as shown in FIG. The head cartridge 9 shown in B) is completed.

The ink in the ink tank 9b is supplied to the supply port 12
00, holes 932 provided in the support 930, sub tank 96
0 is supplied into the sub-tank 960 through the inlet provided on the back surface side in FIG. This sub tank 96
The ink in 0 is supplied from the outlet through an appropriate supply pipe and the top plate 9
The ink flows into the common liquid chamber through the 40 ink introduction ports 942. A packing such as silicone rubber or butyl rubber is arranged at the connection portion for ink communication in the above, and sealing is performed by this and an ink supply path is secured.

The ejection port unit 9a as the recording head (recording means) is an ink jet recording means for ejecting ink by utilizing thermal energy, and has an electrothermal converter for generating thermal energy. Is. The recording head 9a performs recording by ejecting ink from an ejection port by utilizing a pressure change caused by growth and contraction of bubbles due to film boiling generated by thermal energy applied by the electrothermal converter. Is.

FIG. 4D is a partial perspective view schematically showing the structure of the ink ejection portion of the recording head (ejection port unit) 9a. In FIG. 4D, a plurality of ejection openings are formed at a predetermined pitch on the ejection opening forming surface 221 facing the recording material with a predetermined gap (for example, about 0.5 to 2.0 mm). 222 is formed, and an electrothermal converter (heat-generating resistor, etc.) 225 for generating energy for ink ejection is arranged along the wall surface of each liquid passage 224 that connects the common liquid chamber 223 and each ejection port 222. It is set up. In this example, the recording head 9a is mounted on the carriage 11 in such a positional relationship that the ejection openings 222 are arranged in a direction intersecting the moving direction (main scanning direction) of the carriage 11. In this way, the corresponding electrothermal converter 225 is driven (energized) based on the image signal or the ejection signal to cause the ink in the liquid path 224 to film-boil, and the ink generated from the ejection port 222 is ejected by the pressure generated at that time. The recording head 9a is configured.

FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the ink jet recording apparatus of FIG. 2, and the construction and operation of the platen 34 and the paper pan front surface portion 45 will be described in more detail. In FIG. 5, a gap (head gap) S between the ejection port 222 of the head cartridge 9 and the front surface of the platen 34 is adjusted to an optimum value for printing. The recording sheet inserted from the direction of arrow A is urged by the feed roller 39 toward the conveying roller 33, and is fed by the frictional force. The leading edge of the recording paper is moved between the scoop portion 34A of the platen 34 and the front surface portion 45 of the paper pan against the force of the spring 82 (provided on both sides) of the platen 34 in the direction of arrow B about the axis 41A. Enter while displacing. The gap between the paper pan front surface portion 45 and the ejection port forming surface 221 is appropriately adjusted and fixed.

Therefore, the distance between the recording sheet on the platen 34 and the ejection port forming surface 221 of the recording head 9a is set in accordance with the thickness of the recording sheet by the platen 34 escaping in the direction of the arrow B, and The optimum value is always kept constant regardless of the thickness. Even when the platen 34 escapes in the direction of the arrow B, the contact point between the paper discharge roller 41 and the spur 42 is located on the extension line of the front surface of the platen 34. Therefore, the leading end of the recording paper is the discharge roller 41 and the spur 42.
You can easily enter between and. The difference in head caps above and below the recording portion h due to the tilting of the platen 34 is negligibly small because the distance H between the center of rotation of the platen 34 and the center of the recording position is large. .

The center of rotation of the platen 34 does not necessarily have to be concentric with the shaft 41A of the paper discharge roller 41.
Further, the front surface portion 45 does not necessarily have to be formed integrally with the paper pan 37, and may be fixed by adhesion, screwing, or may be fixed to another portion of the recording apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the recording device section showing the carriage 11, the head cartridge 9, the spur 42, the spur cover 4, the protective cover 3 provided in the visual recognition opening, and the like in FIGS. In FIG. 6, spur cover 4
Overhangs on the upper portion of the head cartridge 9 to form a portion for holding the spur 42. Therefore, if the protective cover 3 is transparent or semi-transparent, the operation of the head cartridge 9 can be visually observed even in the cover state as illustrated, but the ejection port forming surface (ejection port portion) of the ejection unit 9a at the capping position. It is difficult to visually confirm 221. Therefore, a means for visually confirming the ejection port forming surface 221 at the capping position is required.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a conventional electronic device (word processor or the like). Here, referring to FIG. 7, in the conventional ink jet recording apparatus, the ejection port forming surface 221 at the capping position is visually confirmed. Explain why you can't. In FIG. 7, the standby position of the head cartridge 9 in the capping state is set to a position shown by a broken line 9 which is deviated from the sheet passing position of the recording medium. Further, the exterior member 85 other than the protective cover 3 of the visual recognition opening 3A.
Is generally composed of an opaque mold member.
Therefore, in the capping state indicated by the broken line, the position of the head cartridge 9, the ejection unit 9a, the ejection port forming surface 221 and the like cannot be visually confirmed. Further, the discharge port forming surface 221 and the like cannot be visually confirmed by simply expanding the visual recognition opening 3A in the width direction of the recording apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the electronic apparatus of FIG. 1 equipped with an embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the visual recognition opening 3A is provided with the head cartridge 9 in the capping state.
Of the discharge port unit (recording head) 9a is formed in the width direction of the recording apparatus. That is, as shown in the figure, it is formed in an L-shape as a whole. The visual recognition opening 3A is covered with a transparent or semi-transparent openable and closable protective cover 3 having the same shape.
Therefore, according to the present embodiment, in the capping state, not only the head cartridge 9 but also the recording head (ejection port unit) 9a and its ejection port forming surface 221.
Even now, it has become possible to easily check visually.

In this embodiment, since the cover member (protective cover) 3 is provided in the visual recognition opening 3A as described above, each component inside the apparatus such as the head cartridge 9 is protected even in the non-recording state. can do. The cover member 3 may be made of various materials. However, if it is formed of a transparent or semi-transparent member as described above, the cover member 3 can be capped even when the cover member 3 remains covered. The ejection port forming surface 221 and the like can be visually confirmed.
Note that the cover member 3 may be opaque as long as the cover member 3 is configured to be opened and closed or easily detachable, and the opening 3A can be opened immediately as needed.

Next, the construction related to the FPC 21 of the ink jet recording apparatus according to this embodiment shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. 9 and 1
0 is a partial front view showing a portion of the FPC 21 of the recording apparatus, FIG. 9 shows a state when the carriage 11 is at the home position, and FIG. 10 shows a state when the carriage 11 is moving. 9 and 10, the left and right frames 75 (FIG. 2) standing upright from the frame 91 of the recording device are
A conveyance roller 33 extending in the left-right direction is rotatably supported, and a guide shaft 23 for guiding the carriage is provided in front of the roller 33.
Is fixed. The carriage 11 is guided and supported so as to be movable left and right along the guide shaft 23. The head cartridge 9 is mounted on the carriage 11.

9 and 10, the carriage 1
An FPC 21 for electrically connecting a control circuit (not shown) and the head cartridge 9 via a connector portion or the like provided on the FPC 21 is fixed to the unit 1. The other end of the FPC 21 is fixed to the frame 91. Further, a friction sheet 97 for preventing the FPC 21 from slipping is provided near the portion of the frame 91 where the FPC 21 forms the minimum radius. The friction sheet 97 is joined to the frame 91 with an adhesive applied on one surface thereof.

In the structure shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the carriage 11 is operated in the direction of arrow SR along the guide shaft 23 from the home position of FIG. 9 by operating the motor 31 (FIG. 2). Moving. During this movement, the ejection unit 9a of the head cartridge 5 mounted on the carriage 11 from the control unit via the FPC 21.
A recording signal is sent to the recording medium, and the ejection unit 9a ejects ink onto the recording sheet in accordance with the recording signal to perform recording. Carriage 11 after printing one line
Is stopped, and the conveying roller 33 is rotationally driven by a driving means such as a motor 35 (FIG. 2), so that the recording paper is sub-scanned (paper feed).

After that, the carriage 11 moves in the direction of the arrow SL in the drawing, and the recording of the next line is performed. FIG. 10 shows the moving state of the carriage 11. In this embodiment, since the friction sheet 97 is provided on the frame 91, the FP
Due to the frictional force between C21 and the friction sheet 97, the FP
C21 moves with the arc portion 21A formed without slipping with the frame 91. Therefore, F
The PC 21 is never caught in the lower part of the carriage 11.

FIG. 11 is a partial front view showing the state of the FPC 21 in the conventional recording apparatus which does not have the friction sheet 97. In FIG. 11, the friction sheet 97
When the carriage 11 is not provided,
In the lower area of the carriage 11, slippage occurs between the FPC 21 and the frame 1, so that the FPC 21 is loosened 21B. If the carriage 11 further moves in the direction of the arrow SR with the slack 21B occurring, the FPC 21 may be caught in the carriage 11.

According to the present embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, by adopting a simple structure in which a member (friction sheet 97) having a high friction coefficient is provided on the frame 91 of the recording apparatus,
The traveling of the FPC 21 can be stabilized, and therefore, the height of the traveling portion of the FPC 21 can be reduced, and the size and weight of the recording apparatus can be reduced.
As an example of the friction sheet 97, a sheet material made of silicon can be used, for example. Also,
In the present embodiment, the connection between the head cartridge 9 and the control circuit is made by the FPC 21, but this electrical connection means is not limited to the FPC, and other flat cables, bundled wires, or the like. The electrical connection means of construction may be used.

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view showing the construction of a recovery device including the cap 51, the pump 53, the blade 59, the motor 61, the cam device 63 and the like in the ink jet recording apparatus of FIG. In FIG. 12, 501 is an ink absorber disposed inside the cap 51, 503 is a holding member for holding the cap 51, and 505 is a cap lever rotatably attached about a pin 507.
The cap lever 505 has a function of bringing the cap 51 into contact with / out of the ejection port forming surface 221 of the ejection unit 9a by a force applied to the pin 507. 51
Reference numeral 1 denotes a pin for engaging with the end portion 509 of the cap lever 505 and for restricting the rotation range of the cap lever 505.

In FIG. 12, reference numeral 513 denotes the car lever 5.
This is a jig having a hole into which the pin 507 of No. 05 is inserted, and is used to attach the cap lever 505 to the support portion 515 provided on the pump 53. Reference numeral 516 is a fastening member for securing the attached state. Reference numeral 517 is an action portion for applying a force to the cap 51 so as to contact with the ejection port forming surface, and is engaged with substantially the center of the rear side portion of the cap 51. This action portion 517 has an introduction port 517A ((C) of FIG. 14) for introducing the sucked ink. Also,
Inside the cap lever 505, the inside of the pin 507, the inside of the jig 513 and the inside of the support portion 515, ink flow paths for guiding the sucked ink are formed.
When the pump 53 exerts suction force, the discharge port 22
The ink sucked from No. 2 is introduced into the pump 53 from the introduction port 517A through each of the ink flow paths as shown by an arrow in the figure.

Reference numeral 519 denotes a shaft projecting from the center of the end surface of the pump 53 and having an ink flow path inside, and is rotatably attached to the side wall portion 520. When the pump 53 itself rotates,
The rotational displacement is generated by the cap lever 5 via the support portion 515.
05 is transmitted as a linear displacement of the cap lever 50.
Due to the displacement of 5, the cap 51 moves back and forth with respect to the ejection port forming surface 221. 521 is a flow path forming member coupled to the pump shaft 519, and 523 is an attachment member for attaching the tube 57 leading to the first waste ink tank 55 (FIG. 2). That is, an ink flow path is formed inside each of the pump shaft 519, the flow path forming member 521, and the attachment member 523, and the ink sucked by the pump 53 passes through these ink flow paths and is indicated by an arrow in the figure. It is guided as shown, and further introduced into the waste ink tank 55 (FIG. 2) through the tube 57.

In FIG. 12, 525 is a piston of the pump 53, 527 is a piston shaft which is the shaft of the piston, and 5
29 is a packing and 531 is a cap of the pump 53. 533 is a pin attached to the piston shaft 527, and the pin 533 has a function of receiving a driving force for operating the piston 525. Reference numeral 535 is a blade lever to which the blade 59 is attached, and the shaft 5 of the pump 53.
It is rotatably supported around 19. By rotating this blade lever 535, the blade 59
Can be projected or retracted to the recording head 9a side (details will be described later). 537 is a blade lever 535
Is a spring that applies a turning force in a direction in which the blade 59 is projected. Further, 539 is a spring that gives the pump 53 itself a habit of turning in a direction in which the cap 53 faces the recording head 9a.

In FIG. 12, the blade lever 53 is
5, a rotatable blade roller 535A is attached. The blade roller 535A is used for the recording head 9
The discharge port forming surface 221 is used as a copying surface and is brought into contact with this, so that the amount of the blade 59 entering the discharge port forming surface 221 is always maintained at an optimum constant value. In the present embodiment, the blade roller 535A is arranged in the vicinity of the upper portion of the blade 59 and at a position displaced by a predetermined distance K from the wiping direction center of the blade 59 in the direction in which the blade bends during wiping. The details of the wiping mechanism having the copying member such as the blade roller 535A will be described later with reference to FIGS. 22 and 23.

Reference numeral 541 denotes a cam device 63 for rotating the motor 61.
Is a gear train that is transmitted to. The cam device 63 is a pump 53.
A cam 547 for engaging with and rotating the engaging portion 545 provided on the shaft, a cam 549 for engaging with a pin 533 provided on the piston shaft 527 of the pump 53 to operate the pump, and a blade. Engaging portion 551 provided on the lever 535
A cam 553 for engaging with and rotating the cam 563 and a cam 557 for engaging a switch 555 for detecting the home position of the cam device 63. The operation of these cams will be described later.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing details of the cap 51 and the holding member (holder) 503. Figure 1
3, the cap 51 in this embodiment is a top plate 94.
0 ((A) and (C) of FIG. 4) is formed of a rubber-like elastic body to improve the adhesion to the ejection port plate portion (ejection port forming surface 221), and about 60 g to 80 g for capping. Is pressed against the discharge port plate portion (discharge port forming surface 221) of the top plate. The tips of the ribs, that is, the edges facing the ejection port forming surface 221 are formed to be parallel in this example corresponding to the inclination angle θ (see FIG. 4C), and the ejection port position is In order to follow the step 940a (see FIG. 4C), the tip has a trapezoidal cross section that is thin and thick at the root.

Further, in order to prevent the side slip when pressed by the top plate 940, the ribs 503b and 503c are provided on the holding member (cap holder) 503 in correspondence with the angle θ.
Is provided. That is, the rib 503c prevents the rubber cap itself from being deformed, and the rib 503b prevents the cap 51 and the cap holder 503 as a whole from lying sideways on the mounting surface of the cap lever 505.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the details of the cap 51. In FIG. 14, (A) is a front view, (B) is a plan view, and (C) is along line MM in (A). FIG. In FIG. 14, an ink suction port 561 is opened in the lower portion of the cap 51 in the vertical direction.
1 is the cap lever 50 through the ink flow path 563.
5 is connected to the ink introduction port 517A provided in the action portion 517. In addition, the ink absorber 501 in the cap 51
Are arranged so as not to completely cover the ink suction port 561.

The head cartridge 9 set on the carriage 11 is driven by the carriage motor 31 so that the ejection port 222 thereof is almost at the center of the cap 51 of the recovery system, and a series of capping, preliminary ejection and suction operations are performed. The ejection recovery process is performed. At that time, the top plate 940 of the recording head 9a is, as described in FIG.
It is not horizontal to the recording surface of the recording medium, that is, not at right angles to the pressing direction of the cap 51, and forms a predetermined angle θ (θ is about 5 degrees in this embodiment) and has a small step (this embodiment). In the example, about 0.2 mm) is provided. Moreover, the stop position of the carriage 11 may deviate from the target position by a predetermined amount (for example, about ± 0.5 mm) when a step motor is used as the carriage motor 31.

In FIG. 14, in order to follow the shape of the discharge port plate portion 221 of the top plate 940 (FIG. 12), it is preferable that the tip rib 51a of the cap 51 is small and has low hardness. The rib 51a needs a certain amount of strength to withstand pressure and maintain airtightness. Further, since the discharge port plate portion of the top plate 940 has an angle θ, a force in the direction of expanding the rib 51a of the cap 51 is exerted, which causes a problem of permanent deformation when left for a long time. . In consideration of these, in this embodiment, the shape of the rib 51a is selected as follows.

That is, in FIG. 14C, regarding the shape of the rib 51a, W ₁ = 0.3 mm, W ₂ =
The above problem could be solved by setting 0.5 mm, H = 0.4 mm, and setting the rubber hardness of the rubber-like elastic material forming the rib 51 to 60 degrees. At the same time, the rib 51a
By making the shape dimension of the outer peripheral portion 51b larger than the rib 51a shape, for example, the outer peripheral portion 51b
By setting the outer width of the rib 51a to be 2 to 3 mm or more and the thickness of the peripheral portion 51b to be 2 to 3 mm or more, the above problem could be solved more reliably.

As the rubber-like elastic material used for the cap 51, butyl rubber, chlorinated butyl rubber, silicon rubber or the like can be used. By the way, the ejection port forming surface and the plane formed by the edge portion of the rib 51a do not necessarily have to be parallel. The reason for this is that, in the case of being parallel, the entire edge portion simultaneously comes into contact with / separates from the discharge port forming surface when the cap 51 abuts / separates, and a large pressure fluctuation instantaneously occurs in the airtight space inside the cap 51. Therefore, the ink meniscus in the ejection port may not be properly held. That is, by making them non-parallel, the edge of the rib 51a gradually comes into contact with the ejection port forming surface by the time the cap is brought into a tightly contacting state, and when the cap is opened, it is completely closed. The edge portion of the rib 51a gradually separates by the time the separation is performed, which is rather a preferable state.

From this point of view, the structure of the cap 51 shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 is not necessarily applied only to the ejection port forming surface as shown in FIG. 4C. Absent. That is, the cap 51 having the above configuration
Can also be applied to, for example, the ejection port forming surface formed in parallel with the non-recording surface of the recording medium. Further, also from the same viewpoint, the plane formed by the edge portion of the rib 51a does not necessarily have to be the direction shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, and the direction can be appropriately selected. Further, the plane formed by the edge portion of the rib 51a does not necessarily have to be a flat surface, and irregularities may be provided on the edge portion.

Next, the recovery system of the ink jet recording apparatus according to this embodiment shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a contour curve of each cam of the cam device 63 (FIGS. 2 and 12), and FIG. 16 shows an operating state of each cam of the cam device 63 except for the pump 53 at main cam positions. FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram, and FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing a state of the pump 53 in a main operation position. Note that the operating positions a, b, and
c, d, f and h respectively correspond to the operating positions a, b, c, d, f and h of the cams except the pump in FIG.
Further, the numerical values in FIG. 15 indicate the rotation angle of the cam.

The function of the recovery system unit of the ink jet recording apparatus according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16, the state a is the home position position of the pump cam 549, and is the standby state of the recovery device during the recording operation. At this time, the home position switch 555 is on, the cap 51 is in a state of being separated from the ejection port forming surface of the recording head (hereinafter referred to as an open state), and the blade 59 is in an off state, that is, separated from the ejection port forming surface of the recording head. It is in the state of having done. Further, the pump 53 is at the top dead center (see FIG. 17).

In FIGS. 15 to 17, the next state b is the capping state, in which the recording operation is not performed and the ejection port forming surface is covered and protected by the cap 51. At this time, the home position switch 555 is turned off, the cap 51 is brought into contact with the discharge port forming surface to be in the closed state, the pump 53 is at the top dead center, and the blade 59 is at the off (separated) position.

The state c is a state in which pumping is completed. At this time, the home position switch 555 is on, the cap 51 is in the closed state (capping state), and the pump 53 is in the state where the valve is fully opened but the bottom dead center is not reached yet. Also blade 5
9 is in the off position.

15 to 17, the state of d is a small space for opening the cap 51 after the pumping is completed and at the same time taking in the ink filled in the cap 51 and the cap lever 505 into the pump 53. This is the state where the suction has been completed. At this time, the home position switch 555 is on, the cap 51 is about half open, the pump 53 is at bottom dead center, and the blade 59 is off.

Next, the state of g will be described first. The state of g is a preparatory position for starting idle suction for discharging the ink filled in the pump 53 to the waste ink tank 55 (FIG. 2) by pumping. At this time, the home position switch 555 is on, the cap 51 is open, and the pump 53 is at a position slightly lower than the top dead center. Further, the blade 59 is in the off state.

In FIGS. 15 to 17, the state e and the state f are the stop positions when the large-scale suction and the hollow suction are performed, respectively. In both positions, the home position switch 555 is on, the cap 51 is open, and the blade 59 is off, but the pump 53 is at the bottom dead center in the state of e, but completely descended in the state of f. Not not.

The state of h is a state when wiping is performed. At this time, the home position switch 555 is on, the cap 51 is open, and the pump is at top dead center.
Then, the blade 59 is in the ON state, and the carriage 11 carrying the head cartridge 9 moves in this state, so that the ejection port forming surface of the recording head 9a can be wiped (wiping cleaning).

FIG. 17A shows a state in which the piston 525 is at the bottom dead center in the pump 53. In the state (A), the pumping functions by the negative pressure created by the space on the left side of the piston 525 in the pump 53.
Reference numeral 531 is a valve port for transmitting the negative pressure to the cap 51. The state (A) is a state in which the piston 525 has passed over the valve opening 531 and further advanced to the right.
In this state, the piston 525 moves from the left side to the piston shaft 5
Since the flange portion 527a of the cap 27 pushes and makes close contact with the flange portion 527a, the generated negative pressure does not leak to the other portion of the cap 51.
It is transmitted to the side. Further, the ink accumulated in the right side portion of the piston 525 is pushed out to the waste ink tank 55 (FIG. 2).

FIG. 17B shows a state in which the piston 525 is at the top dead center in the pump 53. Note that the piston 525 has reached the right side of the valve opening 531
This means that the valve opening 531 is not closed. That is, in this state, the inside of the cap 51 is in communication with the atmosphere. Next, FIG. 17C shows the state of the pump 53 in the state of c in FIG. In this state (C), the piston 525 has passed over the valve opening 531 and has advanced slightly to the right.

FIG. 17D shows the state of the pump 53 in the state of g in FIG. Reciprocating between the state of (D) and the state of (A), large-scale suction is performed, and reciprocating between the state of (D) and the state of (E) described later. Hollow suction is executed by. It should be noted here that the valve opening 531 is closed by the piston 525. The pump 53 of the present embodiment is not provided with a valve equivalent to a normal pump valve, and when a positive pressure is generated in the pump 53, the cap 51 is not provided.
Ink may flow back to the side. Therefore, in the pump 53 of the present embodiment, the valve port 531 is provided except when necessary.
Is closed to prevent backflow of ink.

FIG. 17E shows the state of the pump 53 when the hollow suction is completed. Note that here
That is, the piston 525 has stopped immediately after passing over the valve opening 531. The reason is that if the piston 525 is moved to the position of the bottom dead center of (A), the valve port 531 is returned when returning to the top dead center of (B) or the empty suction preparation position of (D).
This is because the time during which the ink is opened becomes long, and during that time, a positive pressure is generated in the space on the left side due to the resistance of the flow path and the like, and there is a risk of backflow of ink. However, although a slight gap is formed in the sliding portion of the piston shaft flange portion 527a and the piston 525, the positive pressure is not generated in the left space by communicating with the space on the right side of the piston 525, This alone may not prevent positive pressure from being generated in the space on the left side due to the resistance of the flow path or the like. In this embodiment, as described above,
The operation of returning from the position (E) to the position (A), and (E)
Since the two types of operations of returning from the position of (1) to the position of (D) are adopted, it is possible to reliably prevent the backflow of the ink.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing a structural example of a control system of an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied. In FIG. 18, the capping position and the moving position of the carriage 11 can be known based on the detection by the recovery system home sensor 65 and the carriage home sensor 67. In FIG. 18, reference numeral 1000 denotes an MPU for executing the control procedure shown in FIGS. 19 to 21 to control each unit, 1001 denotes a ROM storing programs and the like corresponding to the control procedure, 100
2 is a RAM used as a work area when executing the control procedure, 1003 is a timer for measuring time,
1004 is an interface unit. Note that command data, recording data, and the like can be input to the control system of FIG. 18 from the keyboard unit.

FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation procedure of the ejection recovery process by the recovery system unit in the ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied. Note that the symbols a to h in FIG. 19 correspond to the timings a to h in FIG. Further, the numerical values in FIG. 19 correspond to the numerical values indicating the rotation angle of the cam in FIG. In FIG. 19, the operation of the ejection recovery process starts from the capping state of b in FIG. 15 (step S1). Then, the capping state is released by moving to the state of a in FIG. 15 (step S2). Then, the cap b is returned to the capping state of b again, and the cap 51 is brought into pressure contact with the ejection port forming surface 221, thereby improving the pressure contact state between them (step S).
3). In this way, after making a favorable pressure contact state, the pump moves to the state c in FIG. 15 to execute pumping by the pump 53 (step S3). In this state, for example, it is stopped for 3 seconds so that the ink suction is sufficiently performed (step S5).
At the same time when the cap is opened at d in FIG. 15, small air suction is performed (step S7). In order to take in the ink in the cap 51 and the cap lever 505, it is stopped in that state for one second, for example (step S
9).

Next, idle suction for discharging the ink filled in the pump 53 is performed in the following procedure. First, move to the empty suction preparation position of g in FIG. 15 (step S
11), for example, the space between the stop positions f after hollow suction is 3
Hollow suction is performed by reciprocating once (steps S13 to S19). Next, the empty suction is performed by moving from the empty suction preparation position of g to the stop position after the empty suction of e (step S21). Due to this large-scale suction, the ink in the pump 53 is sufficiently removed from the waste ink tank 5.
It is pushed to the 5 side. Following this, it moves to the empty suction preparation position of g (step S23) to perform preliminary discharge (step S25), and then sets to the wiping position of h to cause the blade 59 to project (step S27). The wiping operation of the ejection port forming surface by 59 is performed (step S29). After performing each of the above-described operations, the capping state of the initial b is returned (step S31), and the series of ejection recovery processing operations ends.

The operation of the above-described discharge recovery process (cleaning) including the recovery process by suction, idle suction and preliminary discharge can be executed at a predetermined timing by the main control routine of the recording apparatus, or by the operator. It can also be activated appropriately according to an instruction.

FIG. 20 is a flow chart showing an operation example of idle suction for taking in the ink accumulated by the preliminary ejection which is appropriately executed during recording into the waste ink tank. In FIG. 20, this operation procedure is a processing that is performed by interrupting it during recording, so that it starts from the standby state of a in FIG. 15 (step S41). From this state, the cam device 63 is reversed to move to the empty suction preparation position g (step S43), and the hollow suction is executed by moving the position g to the stop position after hollow suction f (step S45). . Next, in step S47, after moving again to the empty suction preparation position of g and setting the position, the empty suction is executed by moving from this position of g to the stop position after the suction of large air of e (step S49). Next, the standby state of "a" is returned to open the cap 51 (step S51), and the idle suction operation is finished. Recording is executed after the above-described idle suction operation is completed.

21A and 21B are flow charts showing an example of the recording / printing processing procedure in the ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 21 (A)
When the power is turned on, the recovery system unit is set to the recovery system home position in step S61, the cap is opened, and then the carriage 11 is set to the home position in step S63. Next, step S6
5, the predetermined number of preliminary discharges (in this example, 15 times or 7
(Count), the counter N ₁ used for activating the idle suction is reset, the cap is closed in step S67, and then the recording (printing) data signal is waited (step S69).

When the recording signal is input, step S71
Then, the paper feed is started at step S73, and the cap is opened at step S73. Then, at step S75, the carriage 11 is set to the home position to perform the preliminary ejection and the counter N ₁ is incremented by +1. Next, step S7
In step 7, the timer T ₁ for activating the preliminary ejection is reset and started at every predetermined time (for example, every 30 seconds) during the recording operation, and the recording for one line is executed in step S79. After this, in step S81, the timer T
_It is determined whether or not the value of ₁ exceeds 30 seconds, and if the determination is affirmative, step S8 similar to steps S75 and S77.
After passing 3 and S85, the process proceeds to step S87. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made, the process immediately proceeds to step S87.

In step S87, the value of the counter N ₁ is
It is determined whether or not "15" is reached. If the determination is affirmative, idle suction is performed during recording of one page in step S89.
At this time, the procedure shown in FIG. 20 is activated. Then, in step S91, the counter N ₁ is reset and restarted, and the process proceeds to step S93. Note that step S8
When a negative determination is made in 7, the process immediately proceeds to step S93.

In step S93, it is determined whether recording of one page is completed and a page break is instructed. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S95 to determine the presence / absence of a recording signal. If an affirmative judgment is made in step S95, it is judged in step S97 whether or not there is an END signal for recording end. If the judgment is negative, the process proceeds to step S79 to record the next line.

On the other hand, if the recording signal is not input in the test S95, the process proceeds to step S99, and the timer T ₂ used for capping is reset when the recording data is not input for a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds). ,
Restart. Next, in step S101, it is determined whether or not there is a recording signal. If the determination is affirmative, the process returns to step S79 to execute the recording of the next line. On the other hand, step S101
If is negative, it is determined in step S103 whether the clock content of the timer T ₂ has exceeded 5 seconds, and if negative, the process proceeds to step S104. If there is no END signal input, the process returns to step S101. .

On the other hand, if 5 seconds have passed in step S103, the cap is closed in step S105,
Next, in step S107, the timer T ₁ is stopped and the timer T ₃ for starting the preliminary ejection after the capping state continues for a predetermined time (for example, 60 seconds).
Reset and restart. Then, it is determined whether or not the END signal and the recording signal are input (step S10).
9 and S111). If there is a recording signal, step S1
Open the cap 51 at 13, and step S115
At, it is judged whether or not the clock content of the timer T ₃ exceeds 60 seconds. If 60 seconds is exceeded in step S115, the process proceeds to step S75 to perform preliminary ejection and the like, and then the process returns to step S79. On the other hand, step S115
If 60 seconds has not elapsed, the timer T ₁ is started in step S117 and then the process returns to step S79.

If a page break command is input in step S93, the process proceeds to step S119, and it is determined whether the content of the counter N ₁ is "7" or more. If an affirmative determination is made here, empty suction between pages is performed in step S121, the counter N ₁ is reset / started in step S123, and then the process proceeds to step S125 to perform the wiping operation. On the other hand, step S11
If the determination is negative in 9, the process immediately proceeds to step S125 to perform the wiping operation. And step S
The cap 51 is closed at 127, and step S1
After the recording medium (recording paper) for which recording has been completed is discharged at 29, the process proceeds to step S69 to wait for the recording signal for the next page.

When the END signal is detected in step S97 or S109, the ending operation of step S131 is executed. This ending operation is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, empty suction (step S141), reset / start of the counter N ₁ (step S143), wiping of the ejection port forming surface (step S145), closing of the cap 51 (step S147), and recording medium (recording sheet). ) Is discharged (step S149).

Summarizing the above main operations, the preliminary ejection can be mentioned first. In this embodiment, the preliminary ejection is performed immediately before recording, and thereafter, the preliminary ejection is performed at intervals of 30 seconds. A timer T ₁ is used for this 30-second interval integration. Since T ₁ is stopped when 5 seconds or more have elapsed without a recording signal after entering the capping state, the time during capping is not counted in this 30 second interval. When the capping is over 60 seconds, the control procedure returns to the preliminary ejection, and the preliminary ejection is performed after the cap is opened and before the recording.

In this embodiment, the preliminary discharge is performed inside the cap 51. Therefore, when the preliminary ejection is repeatedly performed, it is necessary to perform idle suction for taking in the ink accumulated in the cap 51 to the waste ink tank 55 side. This empty suction is the empty suction described in FIG. Basically, empty suction is performed between pages that have not been recorded. When the preliminary ejection counter N ₁ is 7 or more after recording one page, the small air suction (state of d) in FIG. 15 is performed. However, when N ₁ becomes 15 or more even in the middle of the page during recording, that is, in a sentence requiring a long recording time, the large-space suction (state of e) in FIG. 15 is performed. In addition, empty suction is always performed at the end of recording. Next, the wiping is to clean the ejection port forming surface 221 where the ink has leaked after recording, and is generally controlled to be performed after the end of one page and all recording.

As described above, according to this embodiment,
By performing the same operation as the empty suction after the ink suction during the recording or during the recording about twice, the effect that the ink accumulated in the cap 51 by the preliminary discharge during the recording is efficiently sent to the waste ink tank 55 is obtained. can get. Further, the amount of ink accumulated in the cap 51 by the preliminary ejection is much smaller than the amount at the time of ink suction during the ejection recovery process (cleaning) performed for the ejection recovery. Therefore, it is sufficient that the number of idle suctions during recording is less than the number of idle suctions during the ejection recovery process, and reducing the number of idle suctions during recording as much as possible improves the effective recording speed of the recording apparatus. Has an effect on.

The number of times of idle suction during the ejection recovery process or during recording is not limited to the above-described number of times, but can be set to an appropriate number. Further, according to the present embodiment, the backflow of ink is reduced by making the stroke of the piston short at the beginning and reaching the bottom dead center in the last few strokes during the idle suction of several times. , The ink in the cap 51 is surely taken into the pump 53, and most of the ink in the pump 53 is sent to the waste ink tank 55, so that the amount of ink remaining in the pump 53 can be reduced, thereby improving efficiency. Empty suction can be performed. Regarding how to change the stroke of the idle suction operation, in the above-mentioned embodiment,
The short stroke (hollow suction) was set to 3 times and the long stroke (large air suction) was set to 1 time, but these times can be appropriately changed.

Next, the wiping mechanism and the operation of the ejection port forming surface 221 of the ink jet recording apparatus of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 22 shows a blade (wiper) 59 and a discharge port forming surface 221 (top plate 94 during wiping).
(A) is a partially enlarged plan view showing the state of the discharge port surface (0), (A) being in contact with one side of the end of the blade 59, (B) being in contact with the belly part of the blade 59 Indicates. The blade 59 is made of a rubber-like elastic material (for example, HN
The ejection port forming surface 2 of the recording head 9 that is formed of BR, silicon rubber, or the like) and moves with the carriage 11.
It is arranged so as to be capable of sliding contact with 21.

The blade 59 is the best when it comes into contact with the discharge port forming surface 221 that moves in the direction shown by the arrow on one side of its end (tip) as shown in FIG. 22 (A). It also has a wiping effect (wiping effect), which has been confirmed by experiments and the like. On the other hand, as shown in FIG.
When sliding contact with the discharge port forming surface 221 at the belly part of
Sufficient wiping effect cannot be obtained. Further, in the state where the belly portion of FIG. 22B is in contact, the blade 59 is strongly pressed against the ejection port forming surface 221.
The ejection port forming surface 221 is easily damaged, and it is necessary to improve the strength of the ejection port forming surface in order to secure durability.
The problem arises that the cost will increase significantly.

In the ink jet recording apparatus of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4C, the ejection port forming surface 221 is formed.
Is inclined at an angle θ with respect to the moving direction of the recording head 9, and a region of a step 940a is formed near the ejection port 222. Further, in the ink jet recording apparatus, the amount of penetration of the blade 59 with respect to the ejection port forming surface 221 is, if component tolerances are simply accumulated, recording head 9 → carriage 11 → carriage guide shaft 23 → base plate → components of ejection recovery mechanism → Since the tolerances of the blade 59 are gathered together, it is quite difficult to stably secure the accuracy of the intrusion amount. Furthermore, as explained in FIG.
In this embodiment, for example, if a mechanism for moving the carriage guide shaft 23 is provided, the gap between the ejection port forming surface 221 and the paper pan front surface portion 45 can be adjusted to an appropriate value.

For the above reasons, in the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention, the guide surface of the recording means 9 or the carriage 11 is brought into contact with the portion on which the blade 59 for wiping the ejection port forming surface 221 of the recording means 9 is mounted. A configuration in which a copying member is provided is adopted. In this embodiment,
First, as shown in FIG. 12, the blade 59 is rotated by rotating the blade lever 535 with the cam 553.
Is configured to enter / separate (retract) from the discharge port forming surface 221, and further, a rotatable blade roller 535A is provided at a predetermined position of the blade lever 535 (a position near the upper portion of the blade 59 in the illustrated example). It is supported. The blade roller 535A is configured to abut the ejection port forming surface 221 and perform a copying operation while rolling in synchronization with the movement of the recording head 9 during wiping.

The blade roller 535A is not located in the center (directly above) of the blade 59, but in the direction in which the blade 59 bends during wiping, as shown in FIG.
It is provided at a position displaced by a predetermined distance K from the center of the blade 59. According to such a configuration, the spring 53 is supported even with respect to the inclination of the ejection port forming surface 221 (for example, the angle θ).
7 (FIG. 12) allows the blade roller 535A to easily follow, and the blade roller 535A can easily follow the component tolerance.
35A → blade lever 535 → blade 59 only, the stacking error can be greatly reduced, an optimum blade penetration amount can always be ensured with respect to the discharge port forming surface 221, and a reliable wiping operation can be performed. A wiping mechanism is obtained. In this way, blade roller 5
By the above-described copying operation of 35A, the amount of the blade 59 entering the discharge port forming surface 221 can be accurately maintained at an appropriate amount, and a wiping state excellent in wiping effect as shown in FIG. An inkjet recording device is configured.

In this embodiment, the copying surface with which the blade roller 535A as the copying member is in contact is the discharge port forming surface 2
Although it is formed in the peripheral portion of the ejection port 222 of 21, the copying surface may be formed in another appropriate portion of the recording head 9 or an appropriate portion of the carriage 11. Further, the copying member may be a member that rolls like the above-mentioned blade roller 535A, or a member that slides without rolling as long as it has a small friction coefficient.

FIG. 23 is a partial perspective view showing another structural example of the wiping mechanism. In FIG. 23, the blade 5
A blade roller 535A is provided above and below the blade holder 9, and the blade lever 535 supports the blade holder 100 so that the blade holder 100 can swing in the vertical direction. Further, the blade holder 100 is biased toward the recording head 9 side. . Although this configuration example is different from the wiping mechanism of FIG. 12 in the above points, the other configurations have substantially the same configuration,
Detailed description thereof will be omitted. According to this configuration example, it is possible to easily secure a more uniform and optimum blade penetration amount in the vertical direction of the ejection port forming surface 221, and the same effect as in the case of the configuration example described above can be obtained.

In each of the configuration examples of the wiping mechanism described above, the roller 535A attached to the blade lever 535 follows the discharge port forming surface 221.
The present invention is not limited to this, and a portion other than the ejection port forming surface 221 (for example, the carriage 11) is provided with a copying surface having the same shape as the ejection port forming surface 221, and is configured to follow the surface. Even if the same effect is obtained.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the case where the recording is performed by one recording means 9 has been exemplified, but the present invention is a color ink jet recording apparatus provided with a plurality of recording means for recording in different colors or a color ink jet recording apparatus. The same application can be made regardless of the number of recording means (recording heads), such as an inkjet recording apparatus for gradation recording using a plurality of recording means that record with the same ink but different densities. Can be achieved. Furthermore, in the above embodiment,
The case of using the cartridge type recording means (head cartridge) 9 in which the recording head and the ink tank are integrated has been described as an example, but the present invention provides the recording head and the ink tank separately and supplies them with the ink. The present invention can be similarly applied to the ink jet recording apparatus having other constitutions of the recording head and the ink tank, such as those connected by a tube or the like, and the same effect can be obtained.

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 them, thermal energy is used. Then, an excellent effect is brought about in an ink jet recording apparatus which uses a recording means of a method of ejecting ink. This is because such a system can achieve high density recording and high definition recording.

Regarding its typical structure and principle, 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. Since the electrothermal converter generates heat energy to cause film boiling on the heat acting surface of the recording means (recording head), as a result, bubbles can be formed in the liquid (ink) in a one-to-one correspondence with this drive signal. It is valid.

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, the present invention can be effectively applied to a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the maximum width of a recording medium which can be recorded by the recording apparatus. Such a recording head may have a configuration that satisfies the length by a combination of a plurality of recording heads or a configuration as one recording head integrally formed. In addition, even with the serial type as in the above example, it is possible to electrically connect to the device body and supply ink from the device body by mounting it on the recording head fixed to the device body or the device body. The present invention is also effective when a replaceable chip type recording head or a cartridge type recording head in which an ink tank is integrally provided in the recording head itself is used.

Further, it is preferable to add recovery means for the recording head, preliminary auxiliary means, etc., which are provided in the present invention as a configuration of the recording apparatus, because the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. If you list these specifically,
Capping means, cleaning means, pressurizing or suctioning means, electrothermal converter or other heating element or preheating means by a combination thereof, and ejection different from recording are applied to the recording head. Performing the preliminary ejection mode is also effective for stable recording.

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 inks having different recording colors and densities are supported. And a plurality of them may be provided. That is, for example, the recording mode of the recording apparatus is not limited to a recording mode only for mainstream colors such as black,
The recording head may be integrally configured or a combination of a plurality of recording heads may be used, but the present invention is also extremely effective for an apparatus provided with at least one of a mixed color of different colors or a full color by mixing colors.

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 when left standing for the purpose of preventing evaporation of the ink is used. 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 that has a property of being liquefied only by thermal energy, such as one that has already started to solidify when it reaches the recording medium.

The ink in such a case is described 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 transmission / reception function. And the like may be used.

[0104]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, in the ink jet recording apparatus for recording by ejecting ink from the recording means to the recording medium, the ejection port forming surface of the recording means is wiped. Since the copying member that comes into contact with the recording means or the guide surface of the carriage is provided in the portion where the blade is mounted, with a simple structure,
Inkjet recording capable of always ensuring a constant blade penetration amount to the ejection port forming surface of the recording unit, reliably removing the ink adhering to the ejection port forming surface when wiping the recording unit, and always performing good recording A device is provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a word processor as an example of an electronic apparatus including an inkjet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing an embodiment of an inkjet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

3 is an external perspective view of the head cartridge shown in FIG.

4A and 4B are an exploded perspective view of the head cartridge of FIG. 3, an external perspective view, an external perspective view of an ink ejection unit, and a partial perspective view showing a schematic structure of the ink ejection unit.

FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view for explaining a head gap adjusting unit of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view for explaining a spur cover and a viewing window of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a plan view for explaining a spur cover and a viewing window of a conventional inkjet recording device.

FIG. 8 is a plan view for explaining a spur cover and a viewing window of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a partial front view showing the state of the FPC entrainment prevention means of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention when the carriage is on standby.

FIG. 10 is a partial front view showing the state of the FPC entrainment prevention means of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention when the carriage is moved.

FIG. 11 is a FP in a conventional inkjet recording device.
It is a partial front view which shows the C winding state.

12 is an exploded perspective view of the discharge recovery mechanism shown in FIG.

13 is a perspective view showing details of the cap and the cap holder shown in FIG.

14 is a diagram including a front view, a plan view, and a vertical sectional view of the cap shown in FIG.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a contour curve of a cam for operating each part of the ejection recovery mechanism of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing an operating state of each part at a main cam position of the ejection recovery mechanism of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing an operating state of the pump at a main cam position of the ejection recovery mechanism of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a control system of an inkjet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation procedure in an ejection recovery process of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

20 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation procedure of an idle suction process related to the discharge recovery process shown in FIG.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing an example of a recording processing procedure of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a schematic enlarged plan view showing a contact state of the blade when wiping the ejection port forming surface of the recording unit.

FIG. 23 is a partial perspective view showing another configuration example of the wiping mechanism of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Keyboard Part 2 Display Part 9 Head Cartridge 9a Discharge Port Unit 9b Ink Tank 11 Carriage 23 Guide Shaft 27 Timing Belt 31 Carriage Motor 33 Conveying Roller 34 Platen 35 Conveying Motor 39 Feed Roller 41 Ejecting Roller 51 Cap 51a Rib 53 Pump 55 Waste ink tank 59 Blade 61 Recovery system motor 70 Waste ink tank 63 Cam device (recovery system) 65 Recovery system home sensor 67 Carriage home sensor 100 Blade holder 221 Discharge port forming surface 222 Discharge port 225 Electrothermal converter 535 Blade lever 535A Blade Roller (copying member) 537 Spring 553 Cam (for blade driving) 940 Member having a discharge port forming surface (ceiling plate) 940a Step (discharge port forming surface)

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ───

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] April 12, 1994

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be corrected] Brief description of the drawing

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a word processor as an example of an electronic apparatus including an inkjet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing an embodiment of an inkjet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

3 is an external perspective view of the head cartridge shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the head cartridge of FIG.

5 is an assembly view of the head cartridge of FIG.

6 is an external perspective view of an ink ejection portion of the head cartridge of FIG.

7 is a partial perspective view showing a schematic structure of an ink ejection portion of the head cartridge of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view for explaining a head gap adjusting unit of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional view for explaining a spur cover and a viewing window of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a plan view for explaining a spur cover and a viewing window of a conventional inkjet recording device.

FIG. 11 is a plan view for explaining a spur cover and a viewing window of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a partial front view showing the state of the FPC entrainment prevention means of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention when the carriage is on standby.

FIG. 13 is a partial front view showing the state of the FPC entrainment prevention means of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention when the carriage is moving.

FIG. 14: FP in a conventional inkjet recording device
It is a partial front view which shows the C winding state.

15 is an exploded perspective view of the discharge recovery mechanism shown in FIG.

16 is a perspective view showing details of the cap and the cap holder shown in FIG.

17 is a view including a front view, a plan view, and a vertical section of the cap shown in FIG.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing a contour curve of a cam for operating each part of the ejection recovery mechanism of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram showing an operating state of each part at a main cam position of the ejection recovery mechanism of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing an operating state of the pump at a main cam position of the ejection recovery mechanism of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a control system of an inkjet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation procedure in an ejection recovery process of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

23 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation procedure of an idle suction process related to the discharge recovery process shown in FIG.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing an example of a recording processing procedure of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

25 is a flowchart of the ending operation of step S131 in FIG.

FIG. 26 is a schematic enlarged plan view showing a contact state of the blade when wiping the ejection port forming surface of the recording unit.

FIG. 27 is a partial perspective view showing another configuration example of the wiping mechanism of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of reference numerals] 1 keyboard part 2 indicator part 9 head cartridge 9a ejection port unit 9b ink tank 11 carriage 23 guide shaft 27 timing belt 31 carriage motor 33 transport roller 34 platen 35 transport motor 39 feed roller 41 discharge roller 51 cap 51a rib 53 pump 55 waste ink tank 59 blade 61 recovery system motor 70 waste ink tank 63 cam device (recovery system) 65 recovery system home sensor 67 carriage home sensor 100 blade holder 221 ejection port forming surface 222 ejection port 225 electrothermal converter 535 Blade lever 535A Blade roller (copying member) 537 Spring 553 Cam (for blade driving) 940 Member having ceiling for forming discharge port (ceiling plate) 940a Step (formation of discharge port) )

[Procedure Amendment 2]

[Document name to be corrected] Drawing

[Correction target item name] All drawings

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

FIG. 14

[Figure 1]

[Fig. 2]

[Figure 4]

[Figure 5]

[Figure 6]

[Figure 3]

[Figure 7]

[Figure 8]

[Figure 9]

[Figure 10]

FIG. 11

[Fig. 12]

FIG. 27

[Fig. 13]

FIG. 15

FIG. 16

FIG. 20

FIG. 17

FIG. 18

FIG. 19

FIG. 21

FIG. 22

FIG. 26

FIG. 23

FIG. 24

FIG. 25

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. In an ink jet recording apparatus for recording by ejecting ink from a recording means to a recording medium, a guide surface of a recording means or a carriage is attached to a portion where a blade for wiping an ejection opening forming surface of the recording means is mounted. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising a copying member that comes into contact with a recording medium. 2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the copying member is provided on a side where the blade bends during wiping with respect to a center of the blade in a wiping direction. 3. The ink jet recording means, wherein the recording means comprises an electrothermal converter for generating thermal energy for ejecting ink.
Inkjet recording device. 4. The ink jet recording according to claim 3, wherein the recording unit ejects the ink from an ejection port by utilizing film boiling generated in the ink by thermal energy applied by the electrothermal converter. apparatus.