JPH0725021A - Recording head cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enhance a life by reducing a running cost and dealing with use of a heavy duty. CONSTITUTION:A recording head cartridge comprises an atmosphere communicating port sealing valve 1002 which can communicate with the atmosphere, an upper ink tank containing cleaning ink, a lower ink tank communicating the upper tank with the valve 1002, and a pipe 1001 to be introduced to the upper and lower tanks by pressing the valve 1002 and an ink chamber valve 1004. With the structure, a recording head is so connected as to be replaced with the lower tank through an ink supply tube to supply the cleaning ink to the head.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording head cartridge, and more particularly to a recording head cartridge in which a replaceable ink tank and a recording head are combined.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an ink jet recording apparatus has mainly become a recording head cartridge in which an ink tank and a recording head which can be easily replaced by a user are integrated. The above print heads are regularly replaced by the user at predetermined intervals so that the user can always perform good print quality and reliable printing without requiring a special service system. Is possible. However, the size and weight of the recording head cartridge are restricted due to problems in the structure of the inkjet recording apparatus main body, and it is the actual situation that an ink tank having an ink capacity corresponding to the life of the recording head cannot be rationally designed. That is, the user has to discard the recording head cartridge for replacement while the recording head is in a state of fully functioning even after using the ink. Such a situation tends to be further enhanced by driving the print head and improving the life of the print head by improving the technology of the print head itself. Therefore, a recording head cartridge of an ink tank exchange type has been devised. As a result, running costs have been reduced, and environmental problems associated with disposal can be addressed.

[0003]

However, while further reduction of running cost and use of heavy duty are demanded today, the technology of driving the recording head and the technology of the recording head itself can cope with the extension of the life of the recording head. It's getting harder.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, to provide a recording head cartridge capable of extending the service life while reducing the running cost and using heavy duty.

[0005]

In order to achieve such an object, the recording head cartridge of the present invention is provided with a first valve which can communicate with the atmosphere, and is capable of containing a cleaning ink. The upper ink tank, the lower ink tank that can communicate with the upper ink tank by a second valve, and the first ink stored in the upper ink tank by pressing the first valve and the second valve. A longitudinal member for introducing a cleaning ink into the lower ink tank, the lower ink tank is exchangeably connected to a recording head via an ink supply pipe, and the cleaning ink is connected to the recording head. It is characterized in that it is configured to supply.

Further, the recording head cartridge of the present invention is provided with a first valve capable of communicating with the atmosphere, an upper ink tank capable of storing cleaning ink, the upper ink tank and the second valve. By connecting the lower ink tank that can communicate with the lower ink tank and the recording head in an exchangeable manner, and pressing the second valve, the cleaning introduced from the upper ink tank to the lower ink tank. An ink supply pipe capable of supplying the recording ink to the recording head.

Furthermore, the recording head cartridge of the present invention comprises an ink bag provided with a valve and filled with cleaning ink, a spring member for pressing the ink bag, the ink bag and the spring member. A container for accommodating the recording head and an ink supply pipe for supplying the cleaning ink to the recording head by pressing the valve by connecting the container and the recording head in a replaceable manner. .

[0008]

According to the present invention, by connecting the ink tank filled with ink for cleaning the recording head and the recording head in a replaceable manner, the cleaning ink containing no impurities can be supplied to the recording head. This is made possible by extending the life of the recording head by cleaning the recording head. In addition, environmental protection at the time of disposal is realized by using the same material composition.

[0009]

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

Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

The upper ink tank of the recording head cartridge shown in FIG. 1 is filled with cleaning ink.
As the cleaning ink, it is desirable to use pure water or a solution obtained by removing the coloring material from the ink components actually used. The reason is that the nozzle maintains a state in which the nozzle is adapted to the recording ink. This cleaning ink tank
The recording head can be attached to the recording head by the same procedure as the method of replacing the ink tank filled with the recording ink that is normally used. Cleaning ink tank 1003, atmosphere communication port sealing valve 1
For 002 and the ink chamber valve 1004, a material that is not dissolved by ink is desired, and polypropylene or the like is preferable. In addition, the same materials can be used for these, and they are compatible with environmental measures at the time of disposal. Further, the cleaning ink tank 1003 and the atmosphere communication port sealing valve 1002
The joint between the ink chamber valve 1004 and the ink chamber valve 1004 is thin so that it can be joined with a certain amount of force. As for the mounting procedure, first, the recording head units 1005 to 1009 are mounted to the cleaning ink tank 1003. Then, the atmosphere communication port sealing valve 1002 is tilted in the direction of the arrow in the figure to communicate the upper ink chamber with the atmosphere. Then, the pipe 1001 is inserted from the atmosphere communication port sealing valve 1002 to obtain the state of FIG. At this time, since the pipe-shaped pin is inserted, the ink does not blow out to the outside. In the state shown in FIG. 2, the recording head cartridge is mounted on the main body of the inkjet recording apparatus.
Next, as shown in FIG. 3, the pipe 1001 is further pushed to open the ink chamber valve 1004. Ink chamber valve 1004
3 is larger than the cross-sectional area of the pipe 1001 as shown in FIG. 3, the ink in the upper ink chamber is introduced into the lower ink chamber by gravity when the ink chamber valve 1004 is opened. In this state, cleaning is performed based on the flowchart described below.

FIG. 4 is a schematic exploded perspective view of an ink cartridge in which the recording head shown in FIG. 1 is mounted.

This ink cartridge has a recording head provided with an electrothermal converter for generating heat energy for causing film boiling in the ink in response to an electric signal.

(I) Description of the structure of the ink jet unit IJU In FIG. 4, reference numeral 6020 denotes an electrothermal converter (ejection heater) arranged in a plurality of rows on a Si substrate, and electric wiring such as Al for supplying electric power to the electrothermal converter. And are heater boards formed by a film forming technique. 6009 is a heater board 6020
The wiring board corresponding to the wiring of the heater board 6020 (for example, connected by wire bonding), and the pad 6010 located at the end of this wiring and receiving an electric signal from the main body device. There is.

Reference numeral 6039 denotes a grooved top plate provided with a partition wall and a common liquid chamber for partitioning a plurality of ink flow paths, and an ink receiving port 6018 for receiving the ink supplied from the ink tank and introducing it into the common liquid chamber. And an orifice plate 1009 having a plurality of discharge ports are integrally molded.
Polysulfone is preferable as the integral molding material, but other molding resin materials may be used.

Reference numeral 1015 denotes a support member made of, for example, a metal that supports the back surface of the wiring board 6009 on a flat surface and serves as a bottom plate of the ink jet unit. Reference numeral 6040 denotes a presser spring, which is M-shaped and presses the common liquid chamber at the center of the M-shape and presses a part of the liquid passage with the linear pressure by the front salient 501. The foot portion of the spring 6040 presses the heater board 6020 and the top plate 6039, and passes through the hole 6023 of the support body 1015.
By engaging the rear surface side of 15 with both of them in a sandwiched state, the pressing force of the pressing spring 6040 and the front slant portion 6017 of the heater board 6
020 and the top plate 6039 are fixed by pressure. In addition, the support 1015 has two positioning protrusions 6 of the ink tank IT.
027 and positioning holes 6035, 6033, 6036 for engaging with the positioning and heat-fusion-holding projections 6029, as well as projections 6031, 6022 for positioning with respect to the carriage HC of the inkjet apparatus main body IJRA.
On the back side. In addition, the support 1015 is used for the ink supply pipe 1 that enables the ink supply from the ink tank.
It also has an ink conduit 6015 that allows it to pass through 006. The wiring board 6009 is attached to the support 1015 by adhering it with an adhesive or the like. The support 101
The concave portions 6002 and 6002 of No. 5 are provided near the positioning protrusions 6032 and 6022, respectively. The assembled ink jet cartridge IJC is positioned so that unnecessary matters such as dust and ink do not reach the protrusions 6031 and 6022. The ink supply member 1008 in which the parallel groove 6013 is formed is the ink supply pipe 1 described above.
006 to the ink supply pipe 1
The 006 side is formed as a fixed cantilever, and a sealing pin 6014 for securing a capillary phenomenon between the fixed side of the ink conduit 6015 and the ink supply tube 1006 is inserted.
In addition, 1007 is a packing for connecting and sealing the ink tank IT and the supply pipe 1006, and 6016 is a filter provided at the end of the supply pipe on the tank side.

Since the ink supply member 1008 is molded, the ink supply member 1008 is inexpensive, has high positional accuracy, and does not lose the accuracy of formation and manufacturing. In addition, the ink supply member 1008 can be mass-produced by the cantilevered ink conduit 6015. The pressure contact state of the ink conduit 6015 to the ink receiving port 1009 can be stabilized. In this example, by simply pouring the sealing adhesive from the ink supply member side under this pressure contact state, a complete communication state can be surely obtained. The ink supply member 1008 is fixed to the support 1015 by fixing pins (not shown) on the back surface of the ink supply member 1008 to the holes 6034 and 6037 of the support 1015 to the support 1005.
This is easily performed by projecting through the holes 6034 and 6037, and heat-sealing the portion projecting to the back surface side of the support 1005. The slightly protruding area of the heat-sealed back surface is accommodated in the recess (not shown) in the side wall surface of the ink jet unit IJU mounting surface of the ink tank IT, so that the positioning surface of the unit IJU can be accurately obtained.

(Ii) Description of ink tank IT structure The ink tank is composed of a cartridge main body 6005, an ink absorber 6003 for impregnating ink, and the ink absorber 6003 inserted from the side opposite to the unit IJU mounting surface of the cartridge main body 6005. And a lid member 6026 for sealing it. Ink absorber 6003
Are arranged in the cartridge body 6005. 602
Reference numeral 4 denotes a supply port for supplying ink to the unit IJU including the above-described units, and the ink is injected from the ink supply port 6024 in the process before disposing this unit in the cartridge main body 6005.
It is also an inlet for impregnating the ink of 003.

In this example, the ink can be supplied to the atmosphere communication port and the supply port, but the rib 6004 in the ink tank main body 6005 for good ink supply from the ink absorber. And the partial ribs 6001 and 6002 of the lid member 6026 are formed so that the in-tank air existence region is continuous from the atmosphere communication port 6006 side and is formed over the farthest corner region from the ink supply port 6024. Therefore, the ink supply to the absorber is relatively good and uniform.
It is important to be done from the side. This method is extremely effective in practice. The rib 6004 has four ribs parallel to the carriage movement direction on the rear surface of the ink tank body 6005, and prevents the absorber from adhering to the rear surface. In addition, the partial ribs 6021 and 6022 are
Similarly, although it is provided on the inner surface of the cover member 6026 which is on a corresponding extension with respect to the rib 6004, it is in a divided state unlike the rib 6004, and the air existence space is increased more than the former. In addition, the partial ribs 6021, 6
022 is distributed over the surface of half or less of the total area of the lid member 6026. By these ribs, the ink in the corner area farthest from the ink supply port 6024 of the ink absorber 6003 is made more stable, but the supply port 60 is surely provided.
It can be guided to the 24 side by capillary force. Reference numeral 6006 denotes an atmosphere communication port provided in the lid member for communicating the inside of the cartridge with the atmosphere. Reference numeral 6007 denotes a liquid repellent material disposed inside the atmosphere communication port 6006, which prevents ink leakage from the atmosphere communication port 6006.

Since the ink storage space of the ink tank IT described above has a rectangular parallelepiped shape and has long sides on its side surfaces, the rib arrangement described above is particularly effective, but it is long in the carriage movement direction. In the case of having a side or a cube, the ink supply from the ink absorber 6003 can be stabilized by providing a rib on the entire lid member 6026.

Next, an example of an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 5, a carriage 4004 engages with a carriage shaft 4001 and reciprocates along this shaft. Further, the carriage shaft 4001 is attached to the CR motor 4 by the belt 4002.
The drive of 005 is transmitted via the pulley 4006.
Further, the carriage 4004 has the above-described recording head and ink tank (recording head cartridge IJ).
C) is installed. The recording medium is a paper feed roller 401.
0 and a pinch roller 4003 that is in contact with this roller, and an LF motor (not shown)
The paper is fed by transmitting the drive of. That is, the ink jet recording apparatus prints one page by moving the recording head IJC to eject ink vertically to the recording medium and convey the recording medium at a known timing.

In addition, in this ink jet apparatus, the recovery head mechanism is moved to the home position (HP) so that the recording head always performs reliable ejection. The mechanism of the recovery system is mainly the cleaning blade 400.
9, a cap 4007, and a pump 4008. To briefly explain each function, the cleaning blade 4009 scrapes off foreign matter such as ink droplets and paper dust attached to the face surface of the recording head (hereinafter, this operation is referred to as wiping), and the cap 4007 cleans the head face surface. Prevents ink from sticking to the cover nozzle. The pump 4008 is connected to the cap 4007 and is used to apply a negative pressure from the nozzle side when introducing ink from the ink supply port to the ejection port of the recording head.

When the above-described recording head is used for a long period of time, impurities are deposited on the discharge port, the orifice plate, the heater board 6020 and the like. The thickened ink easily deposits on the ejection port and the orifice plate around the ejection port, and the main component thereof is a coloring material. Due to the influence of the deposit, the ejection direction of the ink droplet is deflected.
Further, the deposit on the heater board hinders normal foaming, causing foaming with impurities as nuclei, and the heater board 602.
It may be difficult to transfer the heat of 0 to the ink. However, if this impurity deposit is cleaned early, this deposit can be easily removed. Further, the head face surface is also cleaned with a cleaning blade, but if it is used for a long period of time, a film of a coloring material is applied to the head face surface, and the effect of the hydrophilic material or the water repellent material is lost. It is also possible to remove the film of this coloring material to some extent if it is cleaned early.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the head is cleaned by mounting an ink tank filled with cleaning ink during the replacement of the ink tank.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a cleaning operation of the ink jet recording apparatus main body after the recording ink tank is replaced with a cleaning ink tank and a control procedure until the recording is started by the next recording ink tank.

First, when a command for cleaning the recording ink tank is input to the ink jet recording apparatus from the outside (step S1), the ink remaining in the recording ink tank is sucked (step S2) to perform recording. The ink in the head unit is discharged to fill this unit with cleaning ink.

Next, after the cap is separated from the head face surface, ink is continuously ejected at a predetermined position using all nozzles (step S3). By this ejection, a large amount of ink flows through the flow path, and the flow path can be cleaned. Further, impurities on the heater board 6020 can be removed by the shock wave generated when the cleaning ink is foamed by this ejection and the cavitation generated when the foam is defoamed. Since the possibility that impurities are mixed in the cleaning ink is suppressed as much as possible, impurities are not attached to the heater by this ejection.
Further, the heater board 6020 is provided by continuously discharging.
Is stored, and the ink before and after ejection is heated. This further improves the ability to dissolve the adhered matter of the ink. After a certain amount of ink has been discharged, the cleaning ink attached to the head face surface is wiped by the cleaning blade 4009 after several tens of seconds (step S).
4). Since the nozzles are pressurized by the head difference of the ink, the ejection amount is larger than the ink ejection from the recording ink tank. Therefore, a large amount of cleaning ink adheres to the head face surface. By allowing several tens of seconds in this state, the adhered coloring material is dissolved and easily wiped off by wiping. The operation from step S2 to step S4 is repeated several times (for example, n times) (step S5), and the cleaning operation is ended (step S6).

As described above, by adopting the recording head cleaning control procedure on the recording apparatus main body side, it is possible for the user to easily perform the cleaning operation. Since the structure of the cleaning ink tank is simple, the running cost does not increase and environmental problems can be dealt with. In addition, since the cleaning ink tank does not have an absorber for holding negative pressure, impurities are less likely to elute in the cleaning ink, and the ink supply to the nozzles is delayed even if ejection is continued using all nozzles. It does not damage the heater. By thus cleaning the printhead unit when replacing the ink tank, the durability of the printhead is significantly increased.

Embodiment 2 FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a cleaning ink tank according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment as well, as in the first embodiment, the cleaning ink is contained in the upper ink chamber before being mounted on the recording head unit. The method of mounting the cleaning ink tank can be easily opened by first pressing the atmosphere communication port sealing valve 7001 in the direction of the arrow in the figure. Next, the recording head unit (1005 to 1009) is pressed against the cleaning ink tank in the direction of the arrow. By pressing in this way, the ink supply pipe 1006 rotates the L-shaped ink chamber valve 7003 about Q in FIG. 7 and the state shown in FIG. 8 is obtained. Then, the cleaning ink in the upper ink chamber is introduced into the lower ink chamber by its own weight. In this state, the cleaning sequence described in the first embodiment is performed. The cleaning ink tank 7002, the atmosphere communication port sealing valve 7001 and the L-shaped ink chamber valve 7003 can be made of the same material, and this material is the same as that shown in the first embodiment. The atmosphere communication port sealing valve 7001 is similar to that of the first embodiment. The L-shaped ink chamber valve 7003 is the ink tank 7
The joint with 002 is thin to some extent so as to be joined when a force is applied. However, only the portion Q in FIG. 7 is slightly thicker than the other joints. The cleaning method and the effect of the recording head unit in this embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment, and will be omitted.

The present embodiment eliminates the use of the pipe in the first embodiment, improves the handling by the user, and realizes the cost reduction.

Embodiment 3 FIG. 9 is a schematic sectional view of a cleaning ink tank of the third embodiment. Since the cleaning ink tanks of the first and second embodiments use the weight of the ink, the posture thereof in the vertical direction is limited. The present embodiment proposes an ink tank that can supply the cleaning ink in a pressurized state regardless of the difference in posture.

In this embodiment, the cleaning ink is used in the ink bag 900.
Store in 2. Further, the ink bag 9002 is pressed against the ink supply port by an S-shaped leaf spring 9001. Further, this ink bag 9002 is provided with an ink supply valve 900.
Ink tank main body 9003 in a state of being covered by
Close to.

The mounting method is the recording head unit (100
5 to 1009) is pressed against the cleaning ink tank from the direction of the arrow in the figure. By pressing in this way, the ink supply pipe 1006 breaks the ink supply port valve 9004 and FIG.
It becomes the state of. In this state, the cleaning control procedure described in the first embodiment is executed. Cleaning ink tank 9003, S
The leaf spring 9001 and the ink supply port valve 9004 can be made of the same material, and this material is the same as that shown in the first embodiment. The cleaning method and the effect of the recording head unit in this embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment, and will be omitted.

In this embodiment, it is possible to pressurize and supply the cleaning ink to the recording head by the leaf spring made of the same material as the tank body, regardless of the posture difference.

The effect of dissolving the fixed ink by heating the cleaning ink in the cleaning sequence in each of the above-described embodiments is not limited to the thermal ink jet method, and the above effect can be obtained by providing a means for heating the ink in other methods as well. Is possible.

(Others) The present invention is provided with a means (for example, an electrothermal converter or a laser beam) for generating thermal energy as energy used for ejecting ink, particularly in the ink jet recording system. The present invention brings about excellent effects in a recording head and a recording apparatus of the type in which the state of ink is changed by the heat energy. This is because such a system can achieve high density recording and high definition recording.

Regarding the typical structure and principle thereof, see, for example, US Pat. No. 4,723,129 and US Pat. No. 4,740.
What is done using the basic principles disclosed in 796 is preferred. This method is a so-called on-demand type,
It can be applied to any of the continuous type, but especially in the case of the on-demand type, it can be applied to the sheet holding the liquid (ink) or the electrothermal converter arranged corresponding to the liquid path. By applying at least one drive signal corresponding to the recording information and giving a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling, heat energy is generated in the electrothermal converter, and film boiling is caused on the heat acting surface of the recording head. Liquid (ink) corresponding to this drive signal in a one-to-one correspondence
It is effective because bubbles can be formed inside. Due to the growth and contraction of the bubbles, the liquid (ink) is ejected through the ejection opening to form at least one droplet. It is more preferable to make this drive signal into a pulse shape because bubbles can be immediately and appropriately grown and contracted, so that liquid (ink) ejection with excellent responsiveness can be achieved. As the pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable. If the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 of the invention relating to the rate of temperature rise on the heat acting surface are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As the constitution of the recording head, in addition to the combination constitution of the discharge port, the liquid passage, and the electrothermal converter (the straight liquid passage or the right-angled liquid passage) as disclosed in the above-mentioned respective specifications. 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.
The structure using the specification of No. 59600 is also included in the present invention. In addition, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 59-123670 discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of the electrothermal converter for a plurality of electrothermal converters, and an opening for absorbing a pressure wave of thermal energy is provided. The effect of the present invention is effective even if the configuration corresponding to the ejection portion is disclosed in JP-A-59-138461. That is, according to the present invention, recording can be surely 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 in the case of the serial type as in the above example, the recording head fixed to the apparatus main body, or the electrical connection with the apparatus main body or the ink from the apparatus main body by being attached to the apparatus main body The present invention is also effective when a replaceable chip-type recording head that can be supplied or a cartridge-type recording head in which an ink tank is integrally provided in the recording head itself is used.

Further, as the constitution of the recording apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable to add ejection recovery means of the recording head, preliminary auxiliary means, etc. because the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. Specifically, heating is performed by using a capping unit, a cleaning unit, a pressure or suction unit for the recording head, an electrothermal converter or a heating element other than this, or a combination thereof. Examples thereof include a preliminary heating unit for performing the discharge and a preliminary discharge unit for performing discharge different from the recording.

Regarding the type or number of recording heads to be mounted, for example, only one is provided corresponding to a single color ink, or a plurality of inks having different recording colors and densities are supported. A plurality of pieces may be provided. That is, for example, the recording mode of the recording apparatus is not limited to the recording mode of only the mainstream color such as black, but it may be either the recording head is integrally formed or a plurality of combinations may be used. The present invention is also extremely effective for an apparatus provided with at least one of full-color recording modes by color mixing.

In addition, in the above-described embodiments of the present invention, the ink is described as a liquid, but an ink that solidifies at room temperature or lower and that softens or liquefies at room temperature may be used. Or, in the inkjet system, it is common to control the temperature of the ink itself within the range of 30 ° C. or higher and 70 ° C. or lower to control the temperature so that the viscosity of the ink is within the stable ejection range. Sometimes, a liquid ink may be used. In addition, the temperature rise due to thermal energy is positively prevented by using it as the energy of the state change of the ink from the solid state to the liquid state, or in order to prevent the evaporation of the ink, it is solidified and heated in the standing state. You may use the ink liquefied by. In any case, by applying thermal energy such as ink that is liquefied by applying thermal energy according to the recording signal and liquid ink is ejected, or that begins to solidify when it reaches the recording medium. The present invention can be applied to the case where an ink having a property of being liquefied for the first time is used. In this case, the ink is
JP-A-54-56847 or JP-A-60-7
As described in Japanese Patent No. 1260, it may be configured to face the electrothermal converter in a state of being held as a liquid or a solid in the concave portion or the through hole of the porous sheet. 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, the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention may be used as an image output terminal of an information processing apparatus such as a computer, a copying apparatus combined with a reader or the like, and a facsimile apparatus having a transmitting / receiving function. It may be a form or the like.

[0045]

As described above, according to the present invention,
By connecting the ink tank filled with ink for cleaning the recording head and the recording head in a replaceable manner, it is possible to supply the cleaning ink containing no impurities to the recording head, thereby extending the life of the recording head. Is achieved by cleaning the recording head. In addition, environmental protection at the time of disposal is realized by using the same material composition.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view when a cleaning ink tank and a recording head unit are mounted.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view when a cleaning ink tank and a carriage are mounted.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of an ink tank exchange type recording head cartridge.

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a recording / recovery system unit of the inkjet recording apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a cleaning procedure of the recording head.

FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view when a cleaning ink tank is attached to a recording head unit.

FIG. 9 is a schematic sectional view showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view when a cleaning ink tank and a recording head unit are mounted.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1001 pipe 1002 atmosphere communication port sealing valve 1003 cleaning ink tank 1004 ink chamber valve 1005 support 1006 ink supply pipe 1007 packing 1008 ink supply member 4001 carriage shaft 4002 belt 4003 pinch roller 4004 carriage 4005 CR motor 4006 pulley 4008 pump 4 cap 4 4009 Cleaning blade 4010 Paper feeding roller 6003 Ink absorber 6005 Ink tank body 6006 Atmosphere communication port 6009 Wiring board 6010 Pad 6015 Ink conduit 6016 Filter 6018 Ink receiving port 6020 Heater board 6026 Lid member 6029 Groove top plate 6040 Pressing spring 6071 Front lever

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Kentaro Yano 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Kiichiro Takahashi 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Incorporated (72) Inventor Daigoro Kanematsu 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Hitoshi Nishikori 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A first valve is provided that is capable of communicating with the atmosphere,
By pressing the upper ink tank capable of containing the cleaning ink, the lower ink tank capable of communicating with the upper ink tank by the second valve, and the first valve and the second valve ,
A longitudinal member for introducing the cleaning ink housed in the upper ink tank to the lower ink tank, the lower ink tank is exchangeably connected to a recording head via an ink supply pipe, A recording head cartridge configured to supply the cleaning ink to the recording head. 2. A first valve is provided that is capable of communicating with the atmosphere,
An upper ink tank capable of containing cleaning ink, a lower ink tank capable of communicating with the upper ink tank by a second valve, and a lower ink tank and a recording head are exchangeably connected to each other, and An ink supply pipe capable of supplying the cleaning ink introduced from the upper ink tank to the lower ink tank to the recording head by pressing the second valve. Head cartridge. 3. An ink bag provided with a valve and filled with cleaning ink, a spring member for pressing the ink bag, a container for accommodating the ink bag and the spring member, and the container and a record. A recording head cartridge comprising an ink supply pipe for connecting the head to the recording head in a replaceable manner and pressing the valve to supply the cleaning ink to the recording head. 4. The recording head according to claim 1, wherein the recording head uses the thermal energy to generate bubbles in the recording liquid, and ejects the recording droplets based on the generation of the bubbles. The recording head cartridge described.