JPH071746A - Ink jet recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To surely prevent the waste ink in a pump from flowing backwards by a method wherein a cap, which is press contacted to the discharge port foring surface of a recording means so as to accept the waste ink, is equipped and further an ink absorber is provided on the piston of the pump, which sucks and discharges the collected waste ink. CONSTITUTION:A cap is provided so as to be opposite to the ink discharge port forming surface of a recording heat at the home position of a carriage in order to forcibly deliver the ink accepted in the cap by the suction force of a pump 53. In the pump 53, the interior of a cylinder 53a is divided into two chambers by a piston 525. Since a pin provided at the end, which is projected beyond the cylinder 53a, of the piston 525 engages with the cam groove of a cam device, the piston 525 is reciprocated through the rotation of the cam device, resulting in delivering the waste ink in the right chamber through a discharge port 53d. Further, on the piston 525, an ink absorber 528 is annexed, resulting in preventing the ink in the pump 53 from flowing backwards through a waste ink transfer passage 500 during the movement of a recording device.

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 recording means onto a recording material.

[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 composite electronic device including a computer, a word processor, etc. An image is recorded on a recording material (recording medium) such as a plastic thin plate. The recording apparatus can be classified into an ink jet type, a wire dot type, a thermal type, a laser beam type, etc., depending on the recording method.

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

Among the above recording apparatuses, an ink jet type recording apparatus (ink jet recording apparatus) performs recording by ejecting ink from a recording means (recording head) onto a recording material, and the recording means can be made compact. Easy, high-definition images can be recorded at high speed, plain paper can be recorded without special processing, running costs are low, and the non-impact method reduces noise. In addition, it is easy to record a color image using multicolor inks. 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. On the other hand, there are various requirements for the material of the recording material,
In recent years, ordinary recording materials such as paper and resin thin plates (OHP)
Etc.), thin paper and processed paper (paper with bunch holes for filing, perforated paper, paper of arbitrary shape, etc.) have been required to be used.

The recording means (recording head) of the ink jet recording apparatus has a discharge port forming surface in which a plurality of fine discharge ports are formed in a predetermined array state, and dust and thickened ink are discharged into the discharge ports. If the ink adheres or air bubbles are mixed in the ink inside, defective ink ejection occurs. When this ink ejection failure occurs, pressure is applied to the ink in the recording head to forcibly eject the ink from each ejection port, or the ejection port formation surface of the recording head is covered with a cap. Ejection of the dust, thickened ink, bubbles, etc. by making the pressure negative and forcibly ejecting the ink from each ejection port, or ejecting the ink from each ejection port of the recording head in the same manner as recording. A discharge recovery process is performed to remove the cause of the defect.

The ink (waste ink) discharged from each discharge port together with the discharge failure factor by the discharge recovery process is transferred to and stored in a storage member such as a waste ink tank.
The transfer means for transferring the ink to the storage member includes a waste ink transfer path that connects the cap covering the ejection port forming surface of the recording head and the storage member, and a cylinder and a piston interposed in the waste ink transfer path. And a pump having.

[0008]

As described above, the waste ink discharged from each discharge port by the discharge recovery process is transferred to the storage member by the transfer means, but after the pump of the transfer means stops, the pump Waste ink remains in the cylinder. When the recording device is moved with the waste ink remaining in the cylinder, if the recording device is tilted, the waste ink flows backward from the inside of the cylinder through the waste ink transfer path to reach the cap and leaks to the outside. It may happen.

The present invention has been made in view of the above prior art, and an object of the present invention is that the waste ink remaining in the cylinder of the pump flows backward through the waste ink transfer path even when the recording apparatus is moved. Another object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus that does not leak out from the cap.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention includes a recording means for ejecting ink from a discharge port onto a recording material to perform recording, and a waste ink discharged from the discharge port during a recovery operation. A cap, a storage member for storing the waste ink, a waste ink transfer path connecting the cap and the storage member, and a waste ink discharged to the cap for discharging to the storage member through the waste ink transfer path. The above object is achieved by providing a pump having a cylinder and a piston, and providing a piston of the pump with an ink absorber.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above configuration, a configuration is provided in which a passage for allowing air to pass through the ink absorber, and the ink absorber is an elastic member having a volume capable of storing waste ink. Alternatively, the recording means is a full-line type in which ejection openings are formed over the entire width of the recording area of the recording material, and further, the recording means generates thermal energy used for ejecting ink. By further comprising a configuration including an electrothermal converter to perform, or the recording unit is configured to eject the ink from the ejection port by utilizing the film boiling generated in the ink by the thermal energy generated by the electrothermal converter, The above object is efficiently achieved.

[0012]

According to the above-described structure of the present invention, a part of the waste ink that has reached the inside of the pump cylinder from the cap through the waste ink transfer path by the suction force of the pump is absorbed by the ink absorber provided on the piston. It

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout 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 denotes a keyboard unit, which is an input device, and 2
Is a display unit for displaying 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 denotes a transparent or semi-transparent protective cover that is openably and closably provided in a visual recognition opening for confirming the operation state of the recording unit. Four
Is a spur cover for holding the spur. These will be described later with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. Reference numeral 5 is a paper supporter for supporting recording materials such as recording paper to be fed and discharged and plastic thin plates (OHP film, etc.),
Reference numeral 6 denotes a knob for manually feeding and discharging the recording material.

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 recording means 9 which is detachably mounted and moves in the direction of a double-headed arrow S in FIG. This is a carriage that can perform main scanning). Reference numeral 13 is a hook for fixing the head cartridge 9 to the carriage 11, and reference numeral 15 is a lever for operating the fixing and releasing by 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 (flexible printed cable) for connecting the electric connection part and the main body control part.
Is. The FPC 21 will be described later with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 2, 23 is a guide shaft for guiding the carriage 11 in the direction of the double-headed arrow S, and 25 is a bearing of the carriage 11 through which the guide shaft 23 is inserted.
27 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 apparatus to stretch 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. Therefore, the carriage 11 can be reciprocated by rotating the carriage motor 31 forward and backward.

Reference numeral 33 denotes a conveyance roller for conveying a recording material (hereinafter also referred to as recording paper) at the time of recording or the like, which is driven by a conveyance motor 35. 37 is a paper pan for guiding the recording material from the paper supporter 5 side to the recording position, and 39 is disposed in the middle of the feeding path of the recording material, and presses the recording material toward the conveying roller 33 to convey the conveying force. It is a feed roller for giving. The recording material is conveyed toward the front surface portion 45 of the paper pan 37 by the rotation of the conveying roller 33. Reference numeral 34 is a platen that faces the ejection port of the head cartridge 9 and regulates the position of the recording surface of the recording material. The platen 34 is the paper pan 3
7 is disposed above the front surface portion 45.

Reference numeral 41 denotes a paper discharge roller which is arranged on the downstream side of the recording position in the conveying direction and discharges the recording material 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 material against the paper discharge roller 41 to generate a conveying force of the recording material by the paper discharge roller 41. Reference numeral 43 is a release lever for separating the feed roller 39 and the spur 42 and releasing the pressing force when setting the recording material. The paper discharge roller 4
1 is rotationally driven by the conveyance motor 35 via a transmission mechanism such as a gear.

Both ends of the platen 34 are rotatably supported by a shaft 41A of a discharge roller rotatably supported by plates 75, 75 at both ends of the recording apparatus. Further, the platen 34 is biased from the transport roller 33 toward the front surface portion 45 of the paper pan 37 by a spring (not shown). Escape portions 33A having a reduced diameter are provided at a plurality of locations on the transport roller 33. On the other hand, a scoop portion (ear portion) 34A is formed at a position corresponding to the escape portion 33A of the platen 34. Therefore,
When there is no recording material, the scoop 34A of the platen 34
Touches the inside of the front portion 45 of the paper pan.

In FIG. 2, a discharge recovery device for performing a discharge recovery process is provided on the left side of the conveying roller 33 in the drawing. The cap 51 of this discharge recovery device is
When the carriage 11 stops at the home position at the left end of the guide shaft 23 in the drawing, the carriage 11 is arranged at a position facing the ejection port forming surface of the head cartridge 9 mounted on 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. The cap 51 is used for protection of the recording head (ejection port forming surface) at the time of non-recording and for ejection recovery processing of the recording head.

The cap 51 includes a pump 53 driven by a driving force of a motor 61 via a cam device 63,
It communicates via a waste ink transfer path (not shown). The pump 53 is connected to a first waste ink tank 55, which is a storage member for storing waste ink, via a tube 57 or the like that serves as a waste ink transfer path. The first waste ink tank 55 is further connected to the second waste ink tank 70 by a tube 71.

The above-mentioned ejection recovery process, that is, the process for removing the cause of ejection failure such as air bubbles and dust in the recording head, ink that has thickened and is no longer suitable for recording, is carried out as follows. Recording head 9 located at home position
After the cap 51 is brought into contact with the discharge port forming surface of the above and the discharge port forming surface is sealed, the pump 53 is driven to
The cap 51 has a negative pressure due to the suction force, and the negative pressure forcibly discharges the waste ink from all the ejection ports of the recording head 9. In the ejection recovery process, ink is ejected from all ejection ports of the recording head 9 toward the cap 51 facing the ejection port formation surface of the recording head 9 located at the home position with a gap, as in recording. It is also performed by performing (preliminary ejection). The waste ink discharged to the cap 51 reaches the pump through the waste ink transfer path by the suction force of the pump 53, and the waste ink reaching the pump 53 passes through the tube 57 by the discharge force of the pump 53 and then reaches the first position. Of the waste ink tank 55.

In FIG. 2, a blade 59 disposed adjacent to the cap 51 is for wiping the ejection port forming surface of the recording head 9.
It is mounted such that it can reciprocate between a wiping position protruding on the movement path of the ejection port forming surface and a retracted position retracted from the movement path of the ejection port forming surface. This blade 5
The reciprocating movement of the motor 9 is performed by the motor 61 via the cam device 63.
Is performed by the driving force of.

Next, the 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 which is attached to the heater board 911 and forms a partition wall for limiting the ink flow path, a common liquid chamber, and the like. The top plate 940 is made of a resin material, and the top plate 940 has a discharge port forming surface having a plurality of discharge ports. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the top plate 940. As shown in FIG. 5, the ejection port forming surface 221 has an inclined surface 940b inclined by a predetermined angle θ with respect to a plane parallel to the recording surface of the recording material (recording paper). Further, the portion where the plurality of ejection openings 222 are arranged is a step 940a. The inclined surface 940b allows the laser beam to pass from the rear of the top plate 940 to the discharge port forming surface 22.
This is for avoiding a wall (not shown) behind the top plate 940 when irradiating the back surface of the nozzle 1 obliquely and punching each discharge port 222.

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. A wiring board 921 is fixed to the support body 930 by pasting or the like, and the wiring board 921 has the opening 90.
It is one surface of the inner wall of 6f (FIG. 3). 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. The sub tank 960 temporarily stores the ink supplied from the ink tank 9b serving as an ink supply source, and is a common liquid chamber formed by joining the heater board 911 and the top plate 940. It is for supplying ink to. In addition, the sub tank 9
Reference numeral 60 denotes an outer wall of the head cartridge 9 and an opening 90.
It is sealed by a lid member 980 which is an inner wall of 6f.
The ink in the sub tank 960 is supplied to the common liquid chamber through the filter 970 and the ink introduction port 942.

In FIG. 4A, the ink tank 9b
An absorber 900 for impregnating ink is filled in the inside of the container, and the inside of the ink tank 9b is sealed by a lid member 1100. Further, the inside of the ink tank 9b is communicated with the atmosphere through the atmosphere communication hole 1300. Before the recording head 9a is attached to the attachment surface 1010 of the ink tank 9b, the absorber 900 is attached to the attachment surface 1a.
Ink is filled from the supply hole 1200 formed in 010.

In FIG. 4A, the mounting surface 1
Positioning and fixing when the recording head (ejection element) 9a is attached to 010 are performed by the two protrusions 1012 and 1012 projectingly provided on the attachment surface 1010, and the two protrusions 1012 and 1012 correspondingly formed on the support 930. Holes 931 and 93
It is performed by fitting 1 into each other. Ink tank 9
The ink in b is supplied into the sub ink tank 960 through the supply hole 1200 and the hole 932 of the support 930,
The ink that has reached the inside of the sub ink tank 960 is supplied to the common liquid chamber as described above. A packing such as silicone rubber or butyl rubber is provided at each connection portion of the above ink path, and this ensures ink supply without causing ink leakage.

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. 6 is a partial perspective view schematically showing the structure of the ink ejection portion of the recording head (ejection port unit) 9a. In FIG. 6, a plurality of ejection openings 22 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).
2 is formed, and an electrothermal converter (heating 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. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the ink jet recording apparatus of FIG. 2. Here, the construction and operation of the platen 34 and the paper pan front surface portion 45 will be described in more detail. In FIG. 7, a gap (head gap) G between the ejection port 222 of the head cartridge 9 (recording head 9a) and the front surface of the platen 34 is adjusted to an optimum value for recording. The recording sheet inserted in the direction of arrow A is pressed against the peripheral surface of the conveying roller 33 by the feed roller 39 and is sent by the frictional force. The leading edge of the recording sheet has a scoop portion 34A of the platen 34 and a front surface portion 45 of the paper pan 37.
In between, the platen 34 is inserted while displacing the platen 34 in the direction of arrow B around the shaft 41A against the spring force of the spring 82 (provided on both sides of the platen 34). The gap between the paper pan front surface portion 45 and the ejection port forming surface 221 is appropriately adjusted and fixed.

Therefore, the gap 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 allowing the platen 34 to escape in the direction of the arrow B. 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. Further, the difference in the head cap G 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. is there.

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. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the recording apparatus 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. The spur cover 4 overhangs on the upper part of the head cartridge 9 to form a portion for holding the spur 42. Therefore, if the protective cover 3 is transparent or translucent, the head cartridge 9
Can be visually observed even with the cover state as shown in the figure, but it is difficult to visually confirm the state of the ejection recovery process of the recording head (ejection unit) 9a at the home position. The means to do is required.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the electronic apparatus of FIG. 1 provided with an embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the visual recognition opening 3A is opened from one end to the other end of the electronic device body along the movement path of the head cartridge 9,
Further, the upper portion of the head cartridge 9 (indicated by a broken line in FIG. 9) at the home position is also substantially L-shaped with an opening. The protective cover 3 is shaped to fit into the visual recognition opening 3A. This protective cover 3
Is transparent or translucent, but has a structure that can be opened and closed or easily attached and detached, and the visual recognition opening 3A can be immediately used if necessary.
Need not be transparent or translucent as long as it can be opened.

Next, the structure related to the FPC 21 of the ink jet recording apparatus according to this embodiment shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 10 is a partial front view showing the FPC 21 portion of the recording apparatus. In FIG. 10, both ends of the FPC 21 are fixed to the frame 91 and the carriage 11 of the recording device, respectively. The FPC 21 is fixed to the frame 91 in the direction of the arrow SL from the frame 9
After extending along 1 and curving to reverse the direction (curving portion 21A), it extends in the direction of arrow SR and reaches the carriage 11. The position where the curved portion 21A is formed moves in the arrow SR direction or the arrow SL direction as the carriage 11 moves. A friction sheet 97 for preventing the FPC 21 from slipping is provided in a portion of the frame 91 where the curved portion 21A is formed. The friction sheet 97 has a frame 9 made of an adhesive applied to one side thereof.
It is pasted on 1.

When the carriage 11 moves from the home position (the left end portion of the guide shaft 23 in the figure) in the direction of arrow SR, the portion along the frame 91 of the FPC 21 slides on the frame 91 without the friction sheet 97 and the arrow SR. In some cases, a new curved portion is formed in front of the moving carriage 11 and is caught in the carriage 11. The friction sheet 97 is provided to prevent this, and prevents the portion of the FPC 21 along the frame 91 from slipping in the direction of the arrow SR by the frictional force with the friction sheet 97 to prevent the FPC 21 from being caught in the carriage 11. . As an example of the friction sheet 97, for example, a sheet material made of silicon is used. Further, the friction sheet 97 can be applied to a case where an electric connecting member such as a flat cable or a bundled wire is used instead of the FPC 21.

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of an ejection recovery device including the cap 51, pump 53, blade 59, motor 61, cam device 63 and the like in the ink jet recording apparatus of FIG. In FIG. 11, 501
Is an ink absorber disposed inside the cap 51, 503
Is a holding member for holding the cap 51, and 505 is a pin 50.
7 is a cap lever rotatably mounted around 7. The holding member 503 to which the cap 51 is fixed is fixed to the tip end portion of the cap lever 505 by snap means, and at this time, the action portion 517 protruding from the tip end portion and the projecting portion on the back surface of the cap 51 are in close contact with each other. . The ink absorber 501 for absorbing the waste ink is fitted inside the cap 51.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing details of the cap 51 and the holding member (holder) 503. In FIG. 12, a cap 51 made of a rubber-like elastic material is formed with a square-shaped rib 51a which comes into contact with the ejection port forming surface 221 of the recording head 9a, and the cross-sectional shape of the rib 51a is the ejection port forming surface. Step 940a on surface 221 (FIG. 5)
It has a trapezoidal shape with a thin tip and a thick root to follow the. In addition, the square-shaped tip of the rib 51a that abuts the discharge port forming surface 221 is parallel to the plane formed by the square-shaped tip and the discharge port forming surface 221 inclined by the angle θ (FIG. 5) described above. Is formed.

On the other hand, two stop ribs 503c are formed on the surface of the holding member 503 to which the cap 51 is attached, and each stop rib 503c pushes the cap 51 onto the discharge port forming surface 221 by about 60 g to 80 g. When pressed by pressure, the cap 51 is prevented from sliding sideways due to the inclination of the angle θ and the cap 51 from being deformed. Further, one stop plate 503b is formed on each side of the holding member 503. In each stop plate 503b, when the cap 51 is pressed against the discharge port forming surface 221, the holding member 503 has a cap lever 505.
It is intended to prevent tilting with respect to (FIG. 11).

FIG. 13 is a view showing the details of the cap 51. In FIG. 13, (A) is a front view, (B) is a plan view, and (C) is along a line MM in (A). FIG. In FIG. 13, the waste ink flow path 5 is provided in the cap 51.
63 is formed, and one opening end (suction port 561) of the waste ink flow path 563 is located below the recessed portion that covers the ejection port formation surface 221 of the recording head 9a. Also, the other opening end of the waste ink flow path 563 has the waste ink introducing port 5 formed in the action portion 517 of the cap lever 505.
It communicates with 17a. The waste ink introduction port 517a communicates with the pump 53. The upper half of the suction port 561 is closed by the ink absorber 501.

The cap 51 has a discharge port forming surface 221.
In order to follow the shape of, the tip of the rib 51a is thin,
Although the hardness is preferably low, the rib 51a is required to have a certain degree of strength in order to withstand the negative pressure generated at the time of suction and maintain the sealing property. Further, it is also required that the ejection port forming surface 221 is not permanently deformed when left in a sealed state for a long period of time. In consideration of these, the cross-sectional shape of the rib 51a was selected as follows. That is, in FIG. 13C, regarding the shape of the rib 51 a, W 1 = 0.3 mm, W 2 = 0.5 mm, H = 0.4 mm, and the rib 51 a
The rubber hardness of the rubber-like elastic material forming the is set to 60 degrees. At the same time, the shape dimension of the outer peripheral portion 51b of the rib 51a is made sufficiently larger than the rib 51a shape, for example, the width from the root to the outer end of the rib 51a of the peripheral portion 51b is set to 2 to 2.
By setting the thickness of the peripheral portion 51b to 3 mm or more and the thickness of the peripheral portion 51b to 2 mm or more, it was possible to ensure the above-mentioned function.

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 221 and the plane formed by the square-shaped tip of the rib 51a do not necessarily have to be parallel. The reason is that, when the caps 51 are parallel to each other, when the caps 51 are brought into contact with and separated from each other, the entire square-shaped tip is simultaneously brought into contact with and separated from the ejection port forming surface 221, and is sealed by the cap 51. This is because a large pressure fluctuation may occur instantaneously, and the meniscus of ink at each ejection port 222 may not be properly maintained. That is, by making them non-parallel, when the cap 51 abuts, the square-shaped tips of the ribs 51a gradually come into contact with the ejection port forming surface 221 until the cap 51 is completely sealed. Further, when separating the cap 51,
The square-shaped tips of the ribs 51a are gradually separated.

From this point of view, the structure of the cap 51 shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 is not necessarily applied only to the ejection port forming surface 221 shown in FIG. That is, for example, the configuration of the cap 51 can be applied to the ejection port forming surface formed parallel to the recording material (recording paper). Further, from the above viewpoint, the plane formed by the square-shaped tip of the rib 51a does not necessarily have to be inclined as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, and the square-shaped tip of the rib 51a is further required. In addition, a configuration in which unevenness is provided to prevent the pressure fluctuation may be used.

Returning to FIG. 11, the discharge recovery device will be described. A jig 513 having a hole is fitted into a support portion 515 provided upright on the pump 53, and the cap lever 5
Reference numeral 05 designates the jig 513 and the fastening member 516 in a state in which pins 507, 507 protruding from both side surfaces thereof are rotatably fitted in the hole of the jig 513 and the hole of the fastening member 516, respectively. It is clamped by and attached. In this case, the fastening member 516 is fixed to the support portion 515 by snap means.

Inside the cap lever 505, one pin 5 from the waste ink introduction port 517a of the action portion 517 is inserted.
A hole communicating with the peripheral surface of 07 is drilled, and a hole communicating with the hole is drilled from the inner peripheral surface of the hole of the jig 513 to the lower end surface through the inside of the jig 513. The support portion 51
A hole communicating with the hole of the jig 513 is bored in the inside of the pump 5 from a surface contacting the lower end surface of the jig 513 to a cylinder 53a (not shown) inside the pump 53. The holes formed inside the three members of the cap lever 505, the jig 513, and the support portion 515 form a waste ink transfer path from the cap 51 to the pump 53. When the pump 53 is driven, the suction force of the pump 53 causes the cap 51 to be discharged from the discharge port 222.
The waste ink discharged inside is introduced into the cylinder 53a of the pump 53 through the waste ink transfer path.

FIG. 14 is a vertical sectional view showing the internal structure and operation of the pump 53. Next, the internal configuration of the pump 53 will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 14. 14
, The inside of the cylinder 53 a inside the pump 53 is divided into two chambers by the piston 525.
Is slidably fitted in the cylinder 53a in the arrow C and arrow D directions. The piston 525 has
A plurality of communication holes (not shown) for communicating the chambers on both sides and a shaft hole for loosely fitting the piston shaft 527 are formed.

The piston 525 has a ring-shaped ink absorber 528 fitted to the piston (see FIGS. 11 and 1).
4) is installed. As a material of the ink absorber 528, a material capable of absorbing waste ink, for example, urethane foam is selected. Piston shaft 527
Is a cylinder cap 531, two packings 529
a, 529b, the piston 525, and the ink absorber 528 are sequentially penetrated, and the tip end portion of the piston shaft 527 is slidably supported by the support portion 53b on the right end wall of the cylinder 53a in the figure. The piston 5 of the piston shaft 527
25 on both sides of the flange 25 and the large diameter portion 52.
7b is provided. The flange portion 527a is provided on the piston 525 when the piston shaft 527 moves in the direction of arrow C.
Is pressed in the direction of arrow C to move, and the large-diameter portion 527b engages with the piston 525 to move the piston 525 in the direction of arrow D when the piston shaft 527 moves in the direction of arrow D. is there.

A pin 533 which is slidably fitted in a cam groove of a cam 549 of the cam device 63 is attached to an end portion of the piston shaft 527 protruding outward from the cylinder 53a. The pin 533 reciprocates the piston shaft 527 by being guided by the cam groove of the cam 549 (FIG. 11) and reciprocating in the arrow C direction and the arrow D direction.

In FIG. 14, a valve opening 53c is formed on the peripheral wall of the cylinder 53a, and the valve opening 53c communicates with a waste ink transfer path 500 leading to the cap 51.
A discharge port 53d is formed in the support portion 53b of the cylinder 53a, and the discharge port 53d communicates with a waste ink transfer path (not shown) leading to the first waste ink tank 55 (FIG. 2).

In FIG. 14, when the piston 525 is moved in the direction of arrow C, the flange portion 527a seals each communication port and the shaft hole of the piston 525, so that the left chamber in the figure of the cylinder 53a becomes a negative pressure and the cap is closed. The waste ink discharged to 51 is transferred to the waste ink transfer path 500 and the valve opening 5.
After passing through 3c, it is sucked into the illustrated left chamber of the cylinder 53a. When the piston 525 is moved in the direction of arrow D,
Since there is a gap between the flange portion 527a and the piston 525, the waste ink sucked into the left chamber in the drawing passes through each communication hole or shaft hole of the piston 525 and passes through the cylinder 53a.
Move to the right room in the figure. Then, the ink is discharged from the discharge port 53d of the cylinder 53a toward the first waste ink tank 55 (FIG. 2). In addition, the discharge port forming surface 22 is formed by the cap 51.
At the time of capping for sealing 1, that is, in FIG.
In the state shown in (3), the ink absorber 528 closes the valve port 53c.

In FIG. 11, a shaft portion 519a is projectingly provided on the right side of the pump 53 in the drawing, and the blade support member 5 having a blade 59 attached to the shaft portion 519a.
35 is rotatably supported. The pump 53 provided with the blade supporting member 535 has a side plate 520 having a small-diameter shaft portion 519b further protrudingly provided on the end surface of the shaft portion 519a.
These side plates 52 are inserted into the holes of the cam device mounting member 520a by fitting the shaft portions (not shown) projecting from the end surface of the cylinder cap 531 into the holes of the cam device mounting member 520a.
0b and a cam device mounting member 520a so as to be rotatable.

On the other hand, the shaft portion of the cam 549 of the cam device 63 is inserted through the hole of the cam device mounting member 520a, the shaft hole of the cam shaft 63a and the hole of the side plate 520b, and rotated by the cam device mounting member 520a and the side plate 520b. It is supported (forward and reverse). A switch cam 557 for opening and closing a home position switch (HP SW) 555 and a pump lever 54 protruding from the pump 53 are provided on the cam shaft 63a.
5, a cap cam 547 for rotating the supporting portion 515 of the pump 53 and a blade cam for rotating the blade supporting member 535 by contacting the blade lever 551 protruding from the blade supporting member 535. 553 is formed. Further, the cam shaft 63a is connected to the cam 54
It is fixed to the shaft of 9.

The other end of the spring 539, one end of which is locked to the cam device mounting member 520a, is locked to the locking portion formed in the lower portion of the pump 53. This spring 539
The pump 53 is always urged in the direction of arrow E (rotational direction) by the spring force of the pump lever 545 and the cap cam 547 abut. The pump lever 545
Is rotated by being guided by the cap cam 547, the supporting portion 515 is rotated, and the cap lever 505 is configured to move forward and backward with respect to the ejection port forming surface 221 of the recording head 9a.

A pin 511 protruding from the cam device mounting member 520a is slidably fitted into the fork-shaped end portion 509 of the cap lever 505 so that the position of the fork-shaped end portion 509 is fixed. By restricting with the pin 511, the cap lever 505 is configured to maintain the posture during forward and backward movements (see FIG. 18).

The other end of the spring 537, one end of which is locked to the cam device mounting member 520a, is locked to the locking portion formed at the lower portion of the blade supporting member 535, and the spring 5
The blade support member 535 is constantly urged in the arrow E direction (rotational direction) by the spring force of 37, so that the blade lever 551 and the blade cam 553 abut. When the blade lever 551 is guided by the blade cam 553 to rotate, the blade support member 535 rotates, and the blade 59 reciprocates between the wiping position and the retracted position.

The rotational driving force of the motor 61 mounted on the cam device mounting member 520a is equal to that of the two gears 54.
It is transmitted to the cam 549 via 1a and 541b, and the cam 549 rotates (forward rotation and reverse rotation). This cam 549
A part of the rotational driving force of the
27 and used to drive the pump 53. The remaining portion of the rotational driving force of the cam 549 is used to drive the cap lever 505 and the blade supporting member 535 by rotating the cam shaft 63a.

The discharge port 53d is opened at the end surface of the shaft portion 519b of the pump 53, and the discharge port 53d is
Lid member 521 supported by tube attachment member 523
Sealed by. However, holes that communicate with each other are bored inside the lid member 521 and the tube attachment member 523, and the discharge port 53d and the tube 57 communicate with each other through these holes. Also, these holes and tubes 5
A waste ink transfer path from the pump 53 to the first waste ink tank 55 is formed by 7.

Next, the first waste ink tank 55 and the second waste ink tank 70 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, in addition to the first waste ink tank 55, a second waste ink tank 70 is provided by effectively utilizing the space in the recording device. These waste ink tanks 55 and 70 are connected by a tube 71. The waste ink transferred by the discharge recovery device is first introduced into the first waste ink tank 55 via the tube 57. The waste ink is stored in the first waste ink tank 55 while there is room to store the waste ink in the first waste ink tank 55. After that, the first waste ink tank 55 stores the waste ink. The first waste ink tank 5 is filled when it cannot be stored.
Waste ink overflowing from No. 5 is introduced into the second waste ink tank 70 via the tube 71. An ink absorber for absorbing the waste ink is provided inside each of the waste ink tanks 55 and 70.

FIG. 15 is a schematic perspective view showing another configuration example of the first waste ink tank 55 and the second waste ink tank 70. The waste ink tanks 55 and 70 shown in FIG.
Are connected in series, but in the configuration example of FIG. 15, the first waste ink tank 55 and the second waste ink tank 70 are connected in parallel. In FIG. 15, a three-way joint 57a is provided at the other end of the tube 57, one end of which is connected to the discharge recovery device.
The flow of the waste ink is branched by a, and the waste ink is stored in the first waste ink tank (waste ink storage member) 55 and the second waste ink tank (waste ink storage member) 70 via the tube 57b and the tube 71a, respectively. It is configured to be introduced.

In addition, each waste ink tank (storage member) 5
The openings 5 and 70 are provided with ventilation cloths 183a and 183b. Each ventilation cloth 18
3a and 183b allow the solvent vapor of the waste ink to pass through but not the liquid waste ink. Specifically,
For example, vapor load [manufactured by Teijin Ltd.] can be used. Such ventilation cloths 183a and 183b
By attaching the waste ink tanks 55, 70
It is possible to prevent the waste ink from leaking from the printer. In addition,
From the viewpoint of effectively using the vacant spaces of the recording devices that are dispersed and providing the waste ink tank,
Not only the waste ink tank 70, but also a larger number of waste ink tanks can be appropriately provided in the empty space.

FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective view showing a configuration example in which two waste ink tanks are provided in addition to the first waste ink tank 55. In FIG. 16, a second waste ink tank 70 is provided for the first waste ink tank 55.
A and the third waste ink tank 70B are connected in parallel. When the waste ink overflows from the first waste ink tank 55, this waste ink is branched by the joint 71b, and the second waste ink is branched through the tube 71c and the tube 71d.
Waste ink tank 70A and third waste ink tank 7
It is introduced to each of the 0B. With this configuration, the waste ink storage capacity can be further increased. An appropriate configuration can be adopted for the connection between these waste ink tanks or the connection between more waste ink tanks.

Next, a home position switch (HP) which is operated by the rotation of the cam 549 of the discharge recovery device.
The respective operating states of the SW) 555, the cap 51, the pump 53, and the blade 59 will be described separately for the states a to h. FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing each operating state of the home position switch 555, the cap 51, the pump 53, and the blade 59 with respect to the rotation angle of the cam 549 (cam rotation angle), and FIG. 18 in each state of states a to h. Home position switch 555, cap 5
1. FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing each operating state of the pump 53 and the blade 59, and FIG. 14 is a schematic vertical sectional view showing each piston position (A) to (E) in the pump 53. In addition, the numerical value in FIG. 17 shows a cam rotation angle.

[State a]: The position of the cam 549 at this time is used as a reference for the cam rotation angle of 0 °. The ejection recovery device is in a standby state when the recording device is performing a recording operation. The home position switch 555 is closed, the cap 51 is at the separated position retracted from the movement path of the ejection port forming surface 221 of the recording head 9a, and the piston 5 of the pump 53 is
25 is located at the top dead center shown in FIG. 14 (A), and the blade 59 is at the retracted position.

[State b]: The cam rotation angle is 45 °. The ejection port forming surface 221 of the recording head 9a stopped at the home position when the recording apparatus is not used is sealed by the cap 51 moved to the contact position. The home position switch 555 is open, the piston 525 of the pump 53 is located at the top dead center, and the blade 59 is in the retracted position.

[State c]: The cam rotation angle is 135 °. This is a state in which the piston 525 of the pump 53 has been moved from the top dead center to the position shown in FIG. 14B, that is, in the direction of arrow C, and has moved to a position slightly beyond the valve port 53c. In this state, the suction force of the pump 53 is generated, and the waste ink is forcibly discharged from each ejection port 222 of the ejection port formation surface 221 sealed by the cap 51. This ink discharging operation is called pumping. Further, in this state, each communication hole and the shaft hole of the piston 525 are sealed by the flange portion 527a of the piston shaft 527,
The illustrated left chamber of the cylinder 53a is kept at a negative pressure. The home position switch 555 is closed, the cap 51 is in the contact position (capping position), and the blade 59 is in the retracted position.

[State d]: The cam rotation angle is 169.8 °
Is. The piston 525 of the pump 53 is in a state where it has finished moving from the position shown in FIG. 14 (B) to the position of the bottom dead center shown in FIG. 14 (C). A small suction force is generated again in the pump 53, the cap 51 moves from the contact position to the separated position during the movement of the piston 525, and the sealing by the cap 51 is released. In addition, the waste ink remaining in the middle of the waste ink transfer path 500 is transferred to the cylinder 53a.
Is further taken into the left chamber in the figure (hereinafter referred to as small air suction). Home position switch 555 is closed,
The blade 59 is in the retracted position.

[State e]: The cam rotation angle is 180 °. The piston 525 of the pump 53 moves in the direction of arrow C from the position shown in FIG. 14D, and has finished moving to the position of the bottom dead center shown in FIG. By this large-air suction, the waste ink (including the one absorbed by the ink absorber 528) in the right chamber of the cylinder 53a in the drawing is discharged from the discharge port 53d. Home position switch 555 is closed and cap 5
1 is almost in the separated position, the sealing by the cap 51 has been released, and the blade 59 is in the retracted position.

[State f]: The cam rotation angle is 210 °. The piston 525 of the pump 53 is in a state where the hollow suction is completed by reciprocating between the position shown in FIG. 14D and the position shown in FIG. By this hollow suction, the waste ink remaining in the waste ink transfer path 500 is sucked, the waste ink is moved from the left chamber in the drawing of the cylinder 53a to the right chamber in the drawing, and the waste ink in the right chamber in the drawing is discharged. Is discharged from the discharge port 53d to the outside at the same time. The position of the piston 525 shown in FIG. 14 (E) has not yet reached bottom dead center. The home position switch 555 is closed, the cap 51 is in the separated position, and the blade 59 is in the retracted position.

[State g]: The cam rotation angle is 261 °. A cylinder 53a of the pump 53 by the pumping
This is a preparation state at the time of starting hollow suction and empty suction for discharging the waste ink filled inside from the discharge port 53d. The piston 525 of the pump 53 is stopped at the position shown in FIG. 14D, and the valve port 53c is closed. Home position switch 555 is closed and cap 5
1 is in the separated position, and the blade 59 is almost in the retracted position.

[State h]: The cam rotation angle is 300 °. This is a state in which the blade 59 is moved to the wiping position, the blade 59 and the ejection port forming surface 221 of the recording head 9a rub against each other, and the ejection port forming surface 221 is wiped and cleaned. The home position switch 555 is closed, the cap 51 is in the separated position, and the piston 525 of the pump 53 is located in the top dead center.

FIG. 19 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. 19, the MPU 1000 is for executing the control procedure and the like described in FIGS. 19 to 21 by controlling each unit. The ROM 1001 stores programs and the like corresponding to the control procedure. R
The AM 1002 is used as a work area when the control procedure is executed. The timer 1003 measures time when the control procedure is executed. When the control procedure is executed, the position of the carriage 11 is detected by the carriage home sensor 67, and the position of the cap 51 is detected by the recovery system home sensor 65. Figure 1
1004 in 9 shows an interface part. Note that FIG.
Command data, recording data, etc. can be input to the control system 9 from the keyboard unit 1.

FIG. 20 is a flow chart showing an example of the procedure of the ejection recovery process in the ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied. Next, referring to FIG.
A procedure of head cleaning, which is one of the ejection recovery processes executed by the ejection recovery device under the control of the PU 1000, will be described. The head cleaning starts from the state b in which the discharge port forming surface 221 is sealed by the cap 51 and the piston 525 of the pump 53 is located at the top dead center (step S1).

Pumping is performed by changing the state b to the state c (step S3), and the state c is maintained for 3 seconds (step S5) to sufficiently suck the waste ink. The state c is changed to the state d to perform small-volume suction (step S7), and this state d is maintained for 1 second (step S9) to further take in waste ink into the pump 53. Next, the state d is changed to the state g to prepare for hollow suction (step S11), and the operation of changing the state g to the state f is executed three times.
That is, the piston 525 of the pump 53 is repeatedly moved three times from the position shown in FIG. 14D to the position shown in FIG. 14E to perform hollow suction (step S11).
-Step S19).

After the hollow suction is completed, the state g to the state e
To the state g (step S21), and the state g is restored again (step S23). Next, the recording head 9a is preliminarily ejected toward the cap 51 located at the separated position (step S25), the state g is changed to the state f, and the blade 59 is moved to the wiping position (step S27). It is moved to perform wiping (wiping cleaning of the ejection port forming surface 221) (step S29), and finally returned to the state b (step S31). The above head cleaning can be appropriately performed in the main control routine of the recording apparatus, or can be performed in accordance with the instruction of the operator.

FIG. 21 is a flow chart showing an example of the procedure of idle suction in the ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied. Next, with reference to FIG. 21, a procedure of idle suction when the waste ink discharged to the cap 51 is transferred to the first waste ink tank (storage member) by preliminary ejection which is appropriately executed during recording. Will be described. In FIG. 21, the idle suction is performed by interrupting the recording in the middle of recording, and the cap 51 is at the separated position with respect to the ejection port forming surface 221 of the recording head 9a that has moved to the home position. Start from state a (step S4)
1).

The cam 549 is reversely rotated from the state a to the state g to prepare for the hollow suction (step S
43), the state g is changed to the state f, and hollow suction is executed (step S45). Next, the state f is changed to the state g to prepare for the aerial suction (step S
47), the state g is changed to the state e to execute the large air suction (step S49), the state e is returned to the state a, and the empty suction is finished (step S51). After that, the recording head 9a is moved from the home position to the recording material (recording paper) side, and recording is restarted.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the recording process in the ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the ending operation in the recording process of FIG. Next, the procedure of the recording process will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 22A, when the power is turned on, the ejection recovery device is set to the state a, the cap 51 is set to the separated position (step S61), and then the carriage 11 is set to the home position (step S61). Step S63).

Therefore, the counter value n ₁ of the counter used to execute the idle suction when the number of preliminary ejections reaches a predetermined number (7 or 15 in this embodiment).
Is reset (step S65), the ejection recovery device is changed from the state a to the state b, and the ejection port forming surface 221 of the recording head 9a located at the home position is capped with the cap 5.
It is sealed at 1 (step S67), and stands by until a recording signal is input (step S69). Note that sealing the ejection port forming surface 221 with the cap 51 is called capping.

When the recording signal is input, the recording paper (recording material) is started to be fed (step S71), the ejection recovery device is changed from the state b to the state a, and the capping is released (step S73). Then, preliminary ejection is performed and the counter value n ₁ is incremented by 1 (step S7).
5). Therefore, resets the time t ₁ of the timer T ₁ in order to perform the preliminary ejection for each predetermined during the recording operation time (for example, every 30 seconds), to start the said timer T ₁ (step S77), the recording paper 1 Recording for the line is executed (step S79).

[0083] After that, the time t ₁ of the timer T ₁ is 30
It is determined whether or not the time has passed (step S81). If the determination is affirmative, step S83 similar to step S75 and step S85 similar to step S77 are executed,
It proceeds to step S87. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S81, the process immediately proceeds to step S87. Step S
At 87, it is determined whether or not the counter value n ₁ has reached 15. If the determination is affirmative, the procedure of idle suction (FIG. 21) is executed (step S89), and the counter value n ₁ is reset (step S91). ), And proceeds to step S93. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S87, the process immediately proceeds to step S93.

In step S93, it is determined whether the 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 a positive determination is made in step S95, step S9
In step 7, it is determined whether or not there is an END signal for ending the recording. If the determination 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 step S95, the process proceeds to step S99 shown in FIG. 22B, and is used for capping when the recording signal is not input for a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds). The time t ₂ of the timer T ₂ is reset and started.

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, if a negative determination is made in step S101, the timer T ₂ is set in step S103.
It is determined whether the time t ₂ of 5 has exceeded 5 seconds. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S104, and if the END signal is not input, the process returns to step S101. The timer T ₂
If the time t ₂ of 5 seconds has passed 5 seconds, step S105
Then, in step S107, the timer T ₁ is stopped, and the timer T ₃ for executing the preliminary discharge after continuing the capping state for a predetermined time (for example, 60 seconds) is reset and started. .

Next, in step S109, it is determined whether or not the END signal is input. If there is no input, the process proceeds to step S111. If there is a recording signal in step S111, capping is released in step S113, and at S115, it determines whether the time t ₃ of the timer T ₃ is greater than the 60 seconds. If an affirmative determination is made in step S115, the process proceeds to step S75 and step S1.
If the determination is negative in 15, the timer T ₁ is started in step S117, and then the process returns to step S79.

By the way, when the page break command is input in step S93, step S shown in FIG.
In step 119, it is determined whether the counter value n ₁ is “7” or more. If a positive determination is made here, step S1
In step 21, empty suction is performed, and in step S123, the counter value n ₁ is reset, and then the process proceeds to step S125. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S119, the process immediately proceeds to step S125 and the wiping operation by the blade 59 is performed. Then, in step S127, capping is performed, and in step S129, the recording sheet for which recording has been completed is ejected, and thereafter, step S69.
Proceed to step 1 and wait for the recording signal for the next page.

Incidentally, steps S97 and S104.
Alternatively, when the END signal is detected in step S109, the ending operation of step S131 shown in FIG. This ending operation includes, as shown in FIG. 23, empty suction (step S141), reset of the counter value n ₁ (step S143), and wiping (step S141).
145), capping (step S147), and discharging the recording paper (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. The timer T ₁ is stopped (step S105) when the capping is started (step S105).
107), the time during capping is not integrated in this 30 second interval. When the capping is over 60 seconds (steps S105 to S115), the control procedure returns to the preliminary ejection (step S75).

In the above embodiment, the cap 51 is used for the preliminary discharge.
I'm going inside. Therefore, when the preliminary ejection is repeatedly performed, it is necessary to perform idle suction in order to transfer the waste ink accumulated in the cap 51 to the first waste ink tank 55. Basically, if the counter value n ₁ of the preliminary ejection counter is equal to or more than “7” at the time of page break without recording, the idle suction in step S121 is performed. However, when the counter value n ₁ becomes "15" or more at the time of line feed other than the case of a page break, that is, in the case of a sentence requiring a long recording time, the step S
Perform an empty suction of 89. In addition, empty suction is always performed at the end of recording. Further, the wiping of the ejection port forming surface 221 by the blade 59 is performed after the recording of one page is completed and after the entire recording is completed.

By the way, a part of the waste ink taken into the cylinder 53a of the pump from the cap 51 through the waste ink transfer path 500 by the suction force of the pump 53 is
The ink is not discharged from the discharge port 53d toward the first waste ink tank 55, and remains in the cylinder 53a. Therefore, in the conventional example, if the recording device (word processor or the like) is tilted when it is moved to another place, the pump 53
The waste ink remaining in the cylinder 53a of the printer may flow backward through the waste ink transfer path 500 from the valve opening 53c and may leak out from the cap 51, or the recording apparatus may be tilted with the ink cartridge 9 removed. Sometimes leaked. On the other hand, according to the above embodiment, the ink absorber 52 is attached to the piston 525 of the pump 53.
8 is provided, the waste ink remaining in the cylinder 53a of the pump 53 can be absorbed by the ink absorber 528. Furthermore, the ink absorber 528 allows the valve opening 53
It is also possible to block c. Therefore, even if the recording device is tilted when moved to another place, the cylinder 53a
It has become possible to reliably prevent backflow and leakage of waste ink remaining inside.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing a structural example of an ink absorber 528 mounted around the right side of the piston 525 of the pump 53 in the figure as shown in FIG. 14 or FIG. The ink absorber 528 of FIG. 24A has a ring shape having a predetermined width (axial length), and its material is porous urethane or fibrous ink absorbing performance. Excellent ones are selected.

The ink absorber 528 of FIG. 24B is
It has a ring shape in which a small groove 528a is formed in a portion overlapping with the valve port 53c (FIG. 14). Further, a rotation stopper (projection) 528b for restricting the circumferential position with respect to the piston 525 is formed in the inner diameter portion. The small groove 5
28a forms a passage for passing air. By providing the small groove 528a, it is possible to reduce the flow resistance of air and waste ink between the right chamber of the cylinder 53a (the right chamber in FIG. 14) and the waste ink tank 55 and the valve port 53c during capping. it can. Note that FIG. 14 shows a case where the ink absorber 528 shown in FIG. 24A or FIG.

The ink absorber 528 of FIG. 24C is
It is formed of a ring-shaped elastic member having a volume capable of storing the waste ink remaining in the cylinder 53a. Figure 2
5 is an ink absorber 528 formed of this elastic member.
FIG. 15 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the pump 53 corresponding to FIG. 14, showing a state where the piston is in each position when the piston is mounted on the piston 525. As shown in FIG. 25 (A), the ink absorber 528 is attached to the circumferential portion on the right side of the piston 525 in the figure while protruding in the axial direction by a predetermined amount.
Since it has elasticity, it does not hinder the movement of the piston 525. Therefore, according to this embodiment, as in the case of the above-described embodiments, the waste ink remaining in the cylinder 53a of the pump 53 can be absorbed by the ink absorber 528, and the ink absorber 528 can open the valve opening. Since it is possible to block 53c, it is possible to reliably prevent backflow and leakage of the waste ink remaining in the cylinder 53a even if the recording apparatus is tilted when moved to another place.

In the above-described embodiment, the recording means (head cartridge) 9 is mounted on the carriage 11, and the serial type ink jet recording apparatus for performing the main scanning along the recording material is described as an example. The invention can be similarly applied to the case of a line type ink jet recording apparatus using a full line type recording means in which ejection ports are formed over the entire width of a recording area of a recording material, and the same effect can be obtained. It can be achieved.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case of recording by one recording means 9 is illustrated, 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 performed 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 discharge 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, and 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 which solidifies at room temperature or lower and 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-
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, in addition to the one used as an image output terminal of information processing equipment such as a computer, a copying machine combined with a reader or the like, and a facsimile machine having a transmitting / receiving function. And the like may be used.

[0107]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention, the recording means for ejecting ink from the ejection port onto the recording material to perform recording, and the ejecting port during the recovery operation. A cap for receiving the waste ink, a storage member for storing the waste ink, a waste ink transfer path that connects the cap and the storage member, and a suction path for sucking the waste ink discharged to the cap. Since a configuration is provided in which a pump having a cylinder and a piston for discharging to the storage member is provided, and the piston of the pump is provided with an ink absorber, waste ink remaining in the cylinder of the pump is removed even when the recording apparatus is moved. (EN) Provided is an inkjet recording device which does not flow back through a waste ink transfer path and does not leak outside from a cap.

According to another ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention, in addition to the above-mentioned constitution, a constitution is provided in which a passage for allowing air to pass through the ink absorber, and the ink absorber has a volume capable of storing waste ink. A structure that is an elastic member, or a structure that is a full-line type in which the recording means has ejection openings formed over the entire width of the recording area of the recording material, and the recording means is used for ejecting ink. Or a recording means for ejecting the ink from an ejection port by utilizing film boiling generated in the ink by the thermal energy generated by the electrothermal converter. Therefore, even when moving the recording device, the waste ink remaining in the cylinder of the pump flows backward in the waste ink transfer path and is removed from the cap. The ink jet recording apparatus does not leak can be provided more efficiently.

[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.

FIG. 3 is a recording unit (head cartridge) shown in FIG.
FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram including an exploded perspective view and an external perspective view of the recording unit (head cartridge) of FIG.

5 is an external perspective view of a recording head portion of the recording unit in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view schematically showing the structure of an ink ejection portion of the recording head portion of FIG.

7 is a vertical sectional view for explaining a head gap adjusting unit of the inkjet recording apparatus of FIG.

8 is a vertical sectional view for explaining a spur cover and a viewing window of the inkjet recording apparatus of FIG.

9 is a plan view for explaining a spur cover and a viewing window of the inkjet recording apparatus of FIG.

10 is a partial front view showing the state of the FPC entrainment prevention means of the inkjet recording apparatus of FIG. 2 when the carriage is moved.

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of an ejection recovery device in one embodiment of an inkjet recording device to which the present invention is applied.

12 is a perspective view showing details of the cap and the cap holder shown in FIG. 11. FIG.

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

FIG. 14 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state at each piston position of the pump of the discharge recovery device of FIG.

FIG. 15 is a partial perspective view showing another configuration example of the waste ink tank of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing still another configuration example of the waste ink tank of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operating state of each unit associated with rotation of a cam in the ejection recovery device of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a schematic view illustrating the operating state of each part at the main cam position of the ejection recovery device of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a control system of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation procedure in an ejection recovery process of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention.

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

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing an example of a recording processing procedure of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention.

23 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure of an ending operation in the recording process of FIG.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing various structural examples of the ink absorber in FIGS. 14 and 25.

FIG. 25 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state at each piston position of another embodiment of the pump of the discharge recovery device of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 9 recording means (head cartridge) 9a recording head 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 53a cylinder 53b support portion 53c Valve port 53d Discharge port 55 First waste ink tank 57 Waste ink tube 57a Joint 59 Blade 61 Motor 63 Cam device 63a Camshaft 65 Recovery system home sensor 67 Carriage home sensor 70 Second waste ink tank 71 Tube 183 Vent cloth 221 Discharge port forming surface 222 Discharge port 225 Electrothermal converter 500 Waste ink transfer path 505 Cap lever 513 Jig 515 Support part 516 Fastening member 5 9 Shaft portion 520a Cam device mounting member 521 Lid member 523 Tube mounting member 525 Piston 527 Piston shaft 527a Flange portion 527b Large diameter portion 528 Ink absorber 528a Passage (small groove) 528b Rotation stop 529 Packing 531 Cylinder cap 535 Blade support member Cam 549 Cam 553 Blade cam 555 Home position switch 557 Switch cam 940 Top plate 940a Step 1000 MPU 1001 ROM 1002 RAM 1003 Timer

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] March 8, 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.

FIG. 3 is a recording unit (head cartridge) shown in FIG.
FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram including an exploded perspective view and an external perspective view of the recording unit (head cartridge) of FIG.

5 is an external perspective view of a recording head portion of the recording unit in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view schematically showing the structure of an ink ejection portion of the recording head portion of FIG.

7 is a vertical sectional view for explaining a head gap adjusting unit of the inkjet recording apparatus of FIG.

8 is a vertical sectional view for explaining a spur cover and a viewing window of the inkjet recording apparatus of FIG.

9 is a plan view for explaining a spur cover and a viewing window of the inkjet recording apparatus of FIG.

10 is a partial front view showing the state of the FPC entrainment prevention means of the inkjet recording apparatus of FIG. 2 when the carriage is moved.

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of an ejection recovery device in one embodiment of an inkjet recording device to which the present invention is applied.

12 is a perspective view showing details of the cap and the cap holder shown in FIG. 11. FIG.

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

14 is a vertical cross-sectional view when the piston of the pump of the discharge recovery device in FIG. 11 is located at the top dead center.

FIG. 15 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the pump of FIG. 14 when the piston moves toward the bottom dead center by a predetermined amount.

16 is a vertical cross-sectional view when the piston moves to the bottom dead center in the pump of FIG.

FIG. 17 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the pump of FIG. 14 when the piston is in a position for performing suction in the air.

FIG. 18 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the pump of FIG. 14 when the piston is in a position for performing hollow suction.

FIG. 19 is a partial perspective view showing another configuration example of the waste ink tank of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing still another configuration example of the waste ink tank of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operating state of each unit associated with rotation of a cam in the ejection recovery device of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a schematic view illustrating the operating state of each part at a main cam position of the ejection recovery device of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a control system of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation procedure in an ejection recovery process of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation procedure of idle suction related to the discharge recovery processing shown in FIG. 24.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing an example of a recording processing procedure of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention.

27 is a flowchart showing a first subroutine of the flowchart of FIG. 26. FIG.

28 is a flowchart showing a second subroutine of the flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of an ending operation in the recording process of FIG. 26.

FIG. 30 is a perspective view showing various structural examples of the ink absorber in FIGS. 14 and 31.

FIG. 31 is a vertical cross-sectional view when the piston of the pump obtained by partially modifying the pump of FIG. 14 is located at the top dead center.

32 is a longitudinal sectional view of the pump of FIG. 31 when the piston moves toward the bottom dead center by a predetermined amount.

33 is a vertical cross-sectional view when the piston of the pump of FIG. 31 moves to the bottom dead center.

34 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the pump of FIG. 31 when the piston is in a position for performing suction in the air.

FIG. 35 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the pump of FIG. 31 when the piston is in the position for performing hollow suction.

[Explanation of reference numerals] 9 recording means (head cartridge) 9a recording head 9b ink tank 11 carriage 23 guide shaft 27 timing belt 31 carriage motor 33 conveyance roller 34 platen 35 conveyance motor 39 feed roller 41 paper ejection roller 51 cap 51a rib 53 pump 53a cylinder 53b support portion 53c valve opening 53d discharge opening 55 first waste ink tank 57 waste ink tube 57a joint 59 blade 61 motor 63 cam device 63a camshaft 65 recovery system home sensor 67 carriage home sensor 70 second waste ink tank 71 Tube 183 Venting cloth 221 Ejection port formation surface 222 Ejection port 225 Electrothermal converter 500 Waste ink transfer path 505 Cap lever 513 Jig 515 Support part 5 6 Clamping member 519 Shaft part 520a Cam device mounting member 521 Lid member 523 Tube mounting member 525 Piston 527 Piston shaft 527a Flange part 527b Large diameter part 528 Ink absorber 528a Passage (small groove) 528b Rotation stop 529 Packing 531 Blade support 5 Member 547 Cap cam 549 Cam 553 Blade cam 555 Home position switch 557 Switch cam 940 Top plate 940a Step 1000 MPU 1001 ROM 1002 RAM 1003 Timer

[Procedure Amendment 2]

[Document name to be corrected] Drawing

[Correction target item name] All drawings

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Figure 1]

[Fig. 2]

[Figure 3]

[Figure 4]

[Figure 5]

[Figure 6]

[Figure 7]

[Figure 8]

[Figure 9]

[Fig. 12]

[Figure 10]

FIG. 11

FIG. 16

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FIG. 14

FIG. 15

FIG. 17

FIG. 18

FIG. 19

FIG. 30

FIG. 32

FIG. 20

FIG. 31

FIG. 33

FIG. 21

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FIG. 24

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FIG. 26

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Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A recording unit for discharging ink from a discharge port onto a recording material to perform recording, a cap for receiving waste ink discharged from the discharge port during a recovery operation, and a reservoir for storing the waste ink. And a pump having a cylinder and a piston for sucking the waste ink discharged to the cap and discharging the waste ink to the storage member through the waste ink transfer path, An ink jet recording apparatus, wherein an ink absorber is provided on a pump piston. 2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ink absorber is provided with a passage for allowing air to pass therethrough. 3. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ink absorber is an elastic member having a volume capable of storing waste ink. 4. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording unit is a full line type in which ejection openings are formed over the entire width of the recording area of the recording material. 5. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording unit is an inkjet recording unit including an electrothermal converter that generates thermal energy used for ejecting ink. 6. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the recording unit ejects the ink from the ejection port by utilizing film boiling generated in the ink by the thermal energy generated by the electrothermal converter. .