JPH079684A - Ink jet recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable staining of ink of a circumference and lowering of efficiency in discharge recovery treatment to be prevented from occurring by a method wherein ink stuck to a discharge opening is wiped off by wiping operation with a cap covering a discharge opening-formed surface of a recording means. CONSTITUTION:When discharge recovery is commanded to be operated by input with a cleaning switch, control is started. At that time, a carriage is at a home position, and a cap 51 abuts against a discharge opening-formed surface 221 of a recording head 9a. Suction force is operated with a pump while a contact state is kept as it is to carry out sucking from a discharge opening 222, and ink is forcibly discharged. After specific time T has elapsed, the discharge opening-formed surface 221 is wiped off with the cap 51 by moving the recording head 9 right while the contact state is kept as it is. At that time the ink is scattered inside the cap 51 by the wiping operation, and the ink is received with an ink absorptive material 501 to be held. The discharge opening 222 is covered with the cap 51 when the ink is forcibly discharged, and the treated ink is inside a rib 51a.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

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

[0002]

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

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

Among them, the ink jet type (ink jet recording apparatus) is a means for recording by ejecting ink from a recording means (recording head) onto a recording medium, the recording means can be easily made compact, and a high definition image can be obtained. Can be recorded at high speed, and can be recorded on plain paper without any special treatment.The running cost is low, and since it is a non-impact method, it produces less noise and uses multicolor inks. Therefore, it is easy to record a color image. Above all, a line type apparatus using a line type recording means in which a large number of ejection openings are arranged in the paper width direction can further speed up recording.

In particular, an ink jet type recording means (recording head) for ejecting ink by utilizing heat energy,
Through the semiconductor manufacturing process such as etching, vapor deposition, and sputtering, the electrothermal converter formed on the substrate, the electrode,
By forming the liquid passage wall, the top plate, and the like, it is possible to easily manufacture a liquid discharge device having a high-density liquid passage arrangement (ejection port arrangement), and to further reduce the size.

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

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

Further, an ink absorber is provided at a portion of the cap facing the ejection port forming surface in order to prevent rebound and leakage of the ink ejected from the ejection port when ejecting or sucking the ink. Is being done. Further, as a solution to the case where the ink bounces or leaks, it is known to wipe the ejection port forming surface with a flexible blade or the like.

[0009]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional discharge recovery means, the ink on the discharge port forming surface is scattered by the wiping operation of the blade, and it is difficult to specify the position where the ink is scattered. Therefore, there is a problem to be solved that the vicinity of the ejection recovery unit is easily stained with ink. In addition, the scattered ink may adhere to the ejection port forming surface of the recording head again, and the effect of the ejection recovery process itself may be lost.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to prevent ink from scattering when wiping the ejection port forming surface so as to prevent ink stains around the ejection port and ejection recovery processing. An object of the present invention is to provide an inkjet recording device that can prevent a decrease in efficiency.

[0011]

According to the present invention, in an ink jet recording apparatus for recording by ejecting ink from a recording means to a recording medium, a cap for covering a discharge port forming surface of the recording means is provided, and wiping of the cap is performed. The above object is achieved by a configuration in which the ink adhering to the ejection port forming surface is wiped off by the operation.

Another aspect of the present invention is that in addition to the above configuration,
A configuration is provided in which an ink absorber for receiving scattered ink is provided inside the cap, a configuration is provided in which a suction means for applying a suction force is provided inside the cap, and the direction of the wiping operation by the cap depends on the moving direction of the recording means. The above-mentioned object can be achieved more efficiently by a regulated structure or a structure in which ink wiped by the wiping operation by the cap is stored in the cap and the ink is discharged to the outside of the cap by the suction means. Is.

[0013]

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

FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing the structure of the essential part of an embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied. In FIG. 2, 9 is a cartridge type recording means (head cartridge) in which a recording head and an ink tank are integrated, and 11 is a carriage for mounting the recording means 9 and performing main scanning in the direction of arrow S in FIG. Is. 12
Is a regulation plate for attaching and detaching the head cartridge 9,
Reference numeral 13 is a hook for attaching the head cartridge 9 to the carriage 11, and reference numeral 15 is a lever for operating the hook 13. Reference numeral 19 is a support plate that supports an electrical connection portion for the head cartridge 9. Reference numeral 21 is an FPC for connecting the electric connection part and the main body control part. This F
The PC 21 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 9 to 11.

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

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

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

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

Reference numeral 53 is a pump used for discharge recovery processing. The pump 53 acts as a suction force for forcibly discharging the ink, and is also used for sucking the ink received by the cap 51 during the discharge recovery process by the forced discharge or the discharge recovery process by the preliminary discharge.
55 is a first waste ink tank for storing the waste ink sucked by this pump 53, and 57 is a pump 53
And a waste ink tank 55. Further, 70 is a second waste ink tank, and a tube 71
It is connected to the first waste ink tank 55 via.
Reference numeral 61 is a discharge recovery system motor, and 63 is a cam device for receiving power from the motor 61 to drive the pump 53 and move the cap 51.

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 provided with a partition wall and a common liquid chamber for limiting the ink flow path, and in this embodiment, it is formed of a resin material integrally having an ejection port plate portion.

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

Reference numeral 960 denotes a sub tank for receiving ink supply from the ink storage portion 9b serving as an ink supply source and guiding the ink to a common liquid chamber formed by joining the heater board 911 and the top plate 940. . Reference numeral 970 is a filter arranged at a portion in the sub tank 960 near the ink supply port to the common liquid chamber, and reference numeral 980 is a lid member of the sub tank 960. Reference numeral 900 denotes an absorber for impregnating ink, which is arranged in the ink tank body 9b. 120
Reference numeral 0 denotes a supply port for supplying ink to a recording element (ejection unit) 9a composed of the above-mentioned components 911 to 980, which is a step before arranging the recording element 9a in the portion 1010 of the ink tank body 9b. By injecting ink from the supply port 1200, the absorber 90
An ink impregnation of 0 can be performed. Reference numeral 1100 is a lid member of the cartridge body, and 1300 is an atmosphere communication port provided in the lid member for communicating the inside of the cartridge with the atmosphere.

In FIG. 4A, when the ink filling of the ink tank 9b through the supply port 1200 is completed, the ejection unit 9 including the constituent parts 911 to 980 is formed.
a is positioned and disposed in the portion 1010. The positioning or fixing at this time can be performed, for example, by fitting the projection 1012 provided in the ink tank body 9b and the hole 931 provided in the support 930 corresponding thereto, as shown in FIG. The head cartridge 9 shown in B) is completed. The ink in the ink tank 9b is supplied to the supply port 1
200, holes 932 provided in the support 930, sub tank 9
60 through the inlet provided on the back side in FIG. 4 (A),
It is supplied into the sub tank 960. This sub tank 9
The ink in 60 flows into the common liquid chamber from the outlet through the appropriate supply pipe and the ink inlet 942 of the top plate 940. At the connection portion for ink communication in the above, packing such as silicone rubber or butyl rubber is arranged,
As a result, sealing is performed and the ink supply path is secured.

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

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

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

Therefore, the distance between the recording sheet on the platen 34 and the ejection port forming surface 221 of the recording head 9a is set in accordance with the thickness of the recording sheet by allowing the platen 34 to escape in the direction of the arrow B. It is always kept at a constant optimum value 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 edge of the recording paper can easily enter between the paper discharge roller 41 and the spur 42. Further, the difference in the head caps above and below the recording portion h due to the inclination of the platen 34 is
Distance H between the center of rotation of the platen 34 and the center of the recording position
Is so small that it can be ignored because it is large.
The center of rotation of the platen 34 does not necessarily have to be concentric with the shaft 41A of the paper discharge roller 41. Further, the front surface portion 45 does not necessarily have to be formed integrally with the paper pan 37, and may be fixed by adhesion, screwing, or may be fixed to another portion of the recording apparatus.

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

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

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

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

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

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

In the configurations shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the carriage 11 is operated in the direction of arrow SR along the guide shaft 23 from the home position of FIG. 9 by operating the motor 31 (FIG. 2). Moving. During this movement, the ejection unit 9a of the head cartridge 5 mounted on the carriage 11 from the control unit via the FPC 21.
A recording signal is sent to the recording medium, and the ejection unit 9a ejects ink onto the recording sheet in accordance with the recording signal to perform recording. Carriage 11 after printing one line
Is stopped, and the conveying roller 33 is rotationally driven by a driving means such as a motor 35 (FIG. 2), so that the recording paper is sub-scanned (paper feed). After that, the carriage 11 moves in the direction of the arrow SL in the drawing, and the recording of the next line is performed. FIG. 10 shows the movement state of the carriage 11. In the present embodiment, since the friction sheet 97 is provided on the frame 91, the FPC 21 and the friction sheet 97 are moved by the friction force between the FPC 21 and the frame 91. It moves with the arcuate portion 21A formed without slipping. Therefore, the FPC 21 is not caught in the lower part of the carriage 11.

FIG. 11 is a partial front view showing the state of the FPC 21 in the conventional recording apparatus which does not have the friction sheet 97. In FIG. 11, the friction sheet 97
When the carriage 11 is not provided,
In the lower area of the carriage 11, the FPC 21 and the frame 91
Since slippage occurs between and, slack 21B occurs in the FPC 21. When the slack 21B is generated, the carriage 11
When is further moved in the direction of arrow SR, the FPC 21 may be caught in the carriage 11.

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

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of a recovery device including the cap 51, the pump 53, the motor 61, the cam device 63 and the like in the ink jet recording apparatus of FIG. In FIG. 12, 501 is an ink absorber disposed inside the cap 51, 503 is a holding member for holding the cap 51, and 505 is a cap lever rotatably attached about a pin 507. The cap lever 505 moves the cap 51 to the discharge port forming surface 2 of the discharge unit 9 a by the force applied to the pin 507.
21 has a function of contacting / disengaging. Reference numeral 511 is a pin for engaging the end portion 509 of the cap lever 505 and restricting the rotation range of the cap lever 505.

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

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

In FIG. 12, 525 is a piston of the pump 53, 527 is a piston shaft which is the shaft of the piston, 5
29 is a packing and 531 is a cap of the pump 53. 533 is a pin attached to the piston shaft 527, and the pin 533 has a function of receiving a driving force for operating the piston 525. Reference numeral 539 is a spring that gives the pump 53 itself a habit of turning in a direction in which the cap 53 is directed toward the recording head 9a. A gear train 541 transmits the rotation of the motor 61 to the cam device 63. The cam device 63 engages with the engaging portion 545 provided on the pump 53 to rotate the cam 547 and the pin 533 provided on the piston shaft 527 of the pump 53 to operate the pump. And a cam 557 that engages with a switch 555 for detecting the home position of the cam device 63. The operation of these cams will be described later.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing details of the cap 51 and the holding member (holder) 503. Figure 1
3, the cap 51 in the present embodiment is formed of a rubber-like elastic body in order to improve the adhesion with the ejection port forming surface 221 of the recording head 9a, and the cap 51 is ejected with a pressing force of about 60 g to 80 g during capping. Exit formation surface 2
21 is pressed. The tip of the rib portion 51a, that is, the edge portion facing the discharge port forming surface 221 has a trapezoidal cross section in which the tip is thin and the root is thick. The holding member (cap holder) 503 has ribs 503b and 5b.
03c is provided. That is, the deformation of the rubber cap itself is prevented by the rib 503c, and the cap 51 and the cap holder 503 as a whole are cap lever 50.
The rib 503b prevents the mounting surface 5 from being laterally oriented.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the details of the cap 51. In FIG. 14, (A) is a front view, (B) is a plan view, and (C) is along line MM in (A). FIG. In FIG. 14, an ink suction port 561 is opened in the lower portion of the cap 51 in the vertical direction.
1 is the cap lever 50 through the ink flow path 563.
5 is connected to the ink introduction port 517A provided in the action portion 517. In addition, the ink absorber 501 in the cap 51
Are arranged so as not to completely cover the ink suction port 561. The ejection port 222 of the head cartridge 9 set on the carriage 11 has a cap 5 of the recovery system.
1 is driven by the carriage motor 31 so as to be almost at the center, and a series of ejection recovery processing such as capping, preliminary ejection, and suction operation is performed.

In FIG. 14, the tip rib 51a of the cap 51 is preferably small and low in hardness in order to secure the close contact with the ejection port forming surface 221 of the recording head 9a. To withstand and maintain airtightness, the rib 51a needs some strength. Considering these points, the shape of the rib 51a can be selected as follows, for example. That is, in (C) of FIG.
Regarding the shape of the rib 51a, W ₁ = 0.3 mm, W ₂
= 0.5 mm, H = 0.4 mm, and the rubber hardness of the rubber-like elastic material forming the rib 51 was 60 degrees. At the same time, the shape and dimensions of the outer peripheral portion 51b of the rib 51a are set to
By making it sufficiently larger than the shape, for example, the outer width of the rib 51a of the peripheral portion 51b is set to 2 to 3 mm or more, and the thickness of the peripheral portion 51b is set to 2 to 3 mm or more. As the rubber-like elastic material used for the cap 51,
Butyl rubber, chlorinated butyl rubber, silicone rubber and the like can be used.

Therefore, in the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention, the cap 51 for covering the ejection port forming surface 221 of the recording means 9 is also used as a wiping member, and the ejection port forming surface 2 is formed by the wiping operation of the cap 51.
The ink adhering to 21 is wiped off. FIG. 15 shows a discharge port forming surface 221 formed by the cap 51.
16 to 18 are schematic plan views showing the movement of the cap 51 with respect to the ejection port forming surface 221 during the wiping operation. 15 to 18, if there is a command for a discharge recovery operation by inputting the cleaning switch,
The control of the timing chart is started (time point 1 in FIG. 15). At this time, the carriage 11 is at the home position, and the cap 51 is in contact with the ejection port forming surface 221 of the recording head 9a as shown in FIG. With the contact state maintained, the suction force is applied by the pump 53 to suck from the ejection port 222, thereby forcibly discharging the ink (time point 2 in FIG. 15).

After the elapse of the predetermined time T, the recording head 9 is moved to the right as shown in FIG. 17 while the contact state is maintained, so that the ejection port forming surface 221 is wiped by the cap 51 (FIG. 15). Middle time point 3). At this time, the ink is ejected to the inside of the cap 51 by the wiping operation, and is received and held by the ink absorber 501. The time T indicates the holding time of the pump suction pressure required for surely sucking the ink from the recording head 9a. Here, when the ink is forcibly discharged,
The ejection port 222 of the recording head 9a is completely covered by the cap 51, and all the ink to be processed by wiping is inside the contact edge (rib 51a) of the cap 51. Therefore, in actual wiping, when the recording head 9 is moved to the right side, the ink is always ejected to the inside of the cap 51, is not ejected to the outside of the cap 51, or does not stain the periphery of the ejection recovery device. Further, even if the ink ejected to the inside of the cap 51 cannot be held by the ink absorber 501, the recording head 9a is out of the position of the cap 51 at the end of wiping, and therefore, the ejection port forming surface 221 is not covered. The ink does not adhere again, and the ink that cannot be held remains below the inside of the cap 51.

The ink sucked by the forced discharge is
It is stored inside the pump 53. Then, by sending air into the pump 53 (empty suction), the process of discharging the ink further out of the pump 53 is performed (time point 4 in FIG. 15). As described above, the recording head 9 is out of the position of the cap 51 at this time, and only air can be sucked even when the suction force of the idle suction is strong.
After the end of the idle suction, the pump 53 and the carriage 11 are returned to their home positions, and the wiping operation of the ejection port forming surface 221 by the cap 51 of FIG. 15 is completed.

In the embodiment of the wiping operation shown in FIGS. 15 to 17, the recording head 9 is moved to the right during wiping, but the moving direction of the recording head 9 is not limited to the right direction, and as shown in FIG. You may move it to the left and wipe it. Even in that case, since the ink to be treated is always inside the contact edge of the cap 51, the ejected ink does not go out of the cap 51.

In the wiping operation by the cap 51 described above, the operation of the cap 51 and the operation of the pump 53 are not necessarily limited to the control by one cam device. For example, the suction force of the pump 53 may be applied at an arbitrary timing during wiping by assigning a motor to each of the operation of the cap 51 and the operation of the pump 53. In addition, the suction force of the pump 53 is applied between the time when the contact edge of the cap 51 passes through the ejection port 222 of the recording head 9 and the time when it is completely separated from the ejection port formation surface 221, so that it is retained by wiping. The ink may be sucked out from the inside of the cap 51 so that the inside of the cap 51 is always kept clean.

Next, the recovery system of the ink jet recording apparatus according to this embodiment shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing the contour curve of each cam of the cam device 63 (FIGS. 2 and 12), and FIG. 20 shows the operating state of each cam of the cam device 63 except for the pump 53 at the main cam position. FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram, and FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view showing a state of the pump 53 at a main operation position. Note that the operating positions a, b, and
c, d, f, and h correspond to the operating positions a, b, c, d, f, and h of the cams except the pump in FIG.
In addition, the numerical values in FIG. 19 indicate the rotation angle of the cam.

The function of the recovery system unit of the ink jet recording apparatus according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 19 and 20, the state a is the home position position of the pump cam 549, and is the standby state of the recovery device during the recording operation. At this time, the home position switch 555 is on, and the cap 51 is in a state separated from the ejection port forming surface of the recording head (hereinafter referred to as an open state). Also, pump 5
3 is at top dead center (see FIG. 21).

19 to 21, the next state b is a capping state, which is a state in which the ejection port forming surface is covered and protected by the cap 51 without performing the recording operation. At this time, the home position switch 555 is turned off, the cap 51 comes into contact with the discharge port forming surface to be in the closed state, and the pump 53 is at the top dead center. The state of c is a state in which pumping is completed. At this time, the home position switch 555 is on, the cap 51 is in the closed state (capping state), and the pump 53 is in the state where the valve is fully opened but the bottom dead center is not reached yet.

19 to 21, the state of d is a small space for opening the cap 51 after the pumping is completed and at the same time taking in the ink filled in the cap 51 and the cap lever 505 into the pump 53. This is the state where the suction has been completed. At this time, the home position switch 555 is on, the cap 51 is about half open, and the pump 53 is at the bottom dead center. Next, the state of g will be described first. In the state of g, the ink filled in the pump 53 by the pumping is used as the waste ink tank 55.
(Fig. 2) This is a preparation position for starting empty suction for discharging to the side. At this time, the home position switch 555 is on, the cap 51 is open, and the pump 53 is at a position slightly lower than the top dead center.

19 to 21, the state e and the state f are stop positions at the time of performing large-space suction and hollow suction, respectively. In both positions, the home position switch 555 is on and the cap 51 is open, but the pump 53 is at the bottom dead center in the state of e, but is not completely lowered in the state of f. h
The state of is the state when wiping is performed. At this time,
Home position switch 555 is on, cap 51
Is closed and the pump is at top dead center. By moving the carriage 11 carrying the head cartridge 9 in this state, the ejection port forming surface of the recording head 9a can be wiped by the cap 51 as described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 21A shows the state in which the piston 525 is at the bottom dead center in the pump 53. In the state (A), the pumping functions by the negative pressure created by the space on the left side of the piston 525 in the pump 53.
Reference numeral 531 is a valve port for transmitting the negative pressure to the cap 51. The state (A) is a state in which the piston 525 has passed over the valve opening 531 and further advanced to the right.
In this state, the piston 525 moves from the left side to the piston shaft 5
Since the flange portion 527a of the cap 27 pushes and makes close contact with the flange portion 527a, the generated negative pressure does not leak to the other portion of the cap 51.
It is transmitted to the side. Further, the ink accumulated in the right side portion of the piston 525 is pushed out to the waste ink tank 55 (FIG. 2).

FIG. 21B shows a state in which the piston 525 is at the top dead center in the pump 53. Note that the piston 525 has reached the right side of the valve opening 531
This means that the valve opening 531 is not closed. That is, in this state, the inside of the cap 51 is in communication with the atmosphere. Next, FIG. 21C shows the state of the pump 53 in the state of c in FIG. In this state (C), the piston 525 has passed over the valve opening 531 and has advanced slightly to the right.

FIG. 21D shows the state of the pump 53 in the state of g in FIG. Reciprocating between the state of (D) and the state of (A), large-scale suction is performed, and reciprocating between the state of (D) and the state of (E) described later. Hollow suction is executed by. It should be noted here that the valve opening 531 is closed by the piston 525. The pump 53 of the present embodiment is not provided with a valve equivalent to a normal pump valve, and when a positive pressure is generated in the pump 53, the cap 51 is not provided.
Ink may flow back to the side. Therefore, in the pump 53 of the present embodiment, the valve port 531 is provided except when necessary.
Is closed to prevent backflow of ink.

FIG. 21E shows the state of the pump 53 when the hollow suction is completed. Note that here
That is, the piston 525 has stopped immediately after passing over the valve opening 531. The reason is that if the piston 525 is moved to the position of the bottom dead center of (A), the valve port 531 is returned when returning to the top dead center of (B) or the empty suction preparation position of (D).
This is because the time during which the ink is opened becomes long, and during that time, a positive pressure is generated in the space on the left side due to the resistance of the flow path and the like, and there is a risk of backflow of the ink. However, although a slight gap is formed in the sliding portion of the piston shaft flange portion 527a and the piston 525, the positive pressure is not generated in the left space by communicating with the space on the right side of the piston 525, This alone may not prevent positive pressure from being generated in the space on the left side due to the resistance of the flow path or the like. In this embodiment, as described above,
The operation of returning from the position (E) to the position (A), and (E)
Since the two types of operations of returning from the position of (1) to the position of (D) are adopted, it is possible to reliably prevent the backflow of the ink.

FIG. 22 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. 22, the capping position and the moving position of the carriage 11 can be known based on the detection by the recovery system home sensor 65 and the carriage home sensor 67. In FIG. 22, reference numeral 1000 denotes an MPU for executing the control procedure shown in FIGS. 23 to 26 to control each unit, 1001 denotes a ROM storing a program etc. corresponding to the control procedure, 100
2 is a RAM used as a work area when executing the control procedure, 1003 is a timer for measuring time,
1004 is an interface unit. Note that command data, recording data, and the like can be input from the keyboard unit 1 to the control system in FIG.

FIG. 23 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation procedure of the ejection recovery process by the recovery system unit in the ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied. Note that the symbols a to h in FIG. 23 correspond to the timings a to h in FIG. Further, the numerical values in FIG. 23 correspond to the numerical values indicating the rotation angle of the cam in FIG. In FIG. 23, the operation of the ejection recovery process starts from the capping state of b in FIG. 19 (step S1). Next, the pump moves to the state c in FIG. 19 to execute pumping by the pump 53 (step S3), and in this state the ink is stopped for, for example, 3 seconds (step S5).
At the same time when the cap is opened at d in FIG. 19, small air suction is performed (step S7). In order to take in the ink in the cap 51 and the cap lever 505, it is stopped in that state for one second, for example (step S
9).

Next, idle suction for discharging the ink filled in the pump 53 is performed by the following procedure. First, move to the empty suction preparation position of g in FIG. 19 (step S
11), for example, the space between the stop positions f after hollow suction is 3
Hollow suction is performed by reciprocating once (steps S13 to S19). Next, the empty suction is performed by moving from the empty suction preparation position of g to the stop position after the empty suction of e (step S21). Due to this large-scale suction, the ink in the pump 53 is sufficiently removed from the waste ink tank 5.
It is pushed to the 5 side. Then, the empty suction preparation position of g is moved (step S23), and preliminary ejection is performed (step S).
25). Next, the cap 51 is closed (capping) (step S27), and the recording head 9 is moved to wipe the ejection port forming surface 221 (step S29) described with reference to FIGS.
After that, the operation returns to the initial position b in the capping state (step S31), and the series of ejection recovery processing operations ends. The operation of the above-described discharge recovery process (cleaning) including the recovery process by suction, idle suction and preliminary discharge can be executed at a predetermined timing by the main control routine of the recording apparatus, or according to an instruction from the operator. It can also be activated as appropriate.

FIG. 24 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation of idle suction for taking in the ink accumulated by the preliminary ejection which is appropriately executed during recording into the waste ink tank. In FIG. 24, this operation procedure is a processing that is performed by interrupting it during recording, so that it starts from the standby state of a in FIG. 19 (step S41). From this state, the cam device 63 is reversed to move to the empty suction preparation position g (step S43), and the hollow suction is executed by moving the position g to the stop position after hollow suction f (step S45). . Next, in step S47, after moving again to the empty suction preparation position of g and setting the position, the empty suction is executed by moving from this position of g to the stop position after the suction of large air of e (step S49). Next, the standby state of "a" is returned to open the cap 51 (step S51), and the idle suction operation is finished. Recording is executed after the above-described idle suction operation is completed.

25 and 26 are flowcharts showing an example of a recording / printing processing procedure in the ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied. In FIG. 25, when the power is turned on, the recovery system unit is set to the recovery system home position in step S61, the cap is opened, and then the carriage 11 is set to the home position in step S63. Next, in step S65, the counter N ₁ used to activate the idle suction when the predetermined number of preliminary discharges (15 or 7 in this example) is reached is reset, and the cap is closed in step S67. After that, it waits for a recording (printing) data signal (step S6).
9).

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

At step S87, the value of the counter N ₁ is
It is determined whether or not "15" is reached. If the determination is affirmative, idle suction is performed during recording of one page in step S89.
At this time, the procedure of FIG. 24 is activated. Then, in step S91, the counter N ₁ is reset and restarted, and the process proceeds to step S93. Note that step S87
When a negative determination is made in step S93, the process immediately proceeds to step S93. In step S93, it is determined whether recording of one page is completed and a page break is instructed. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S95 to determine the presence / absence of a recording signal. If an affirmative decision 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 the test S95, the process proceeds to step S99, and the timer T ₂ used for capping is reset when the recording data is not input for a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds). ,
Restart. Next, in step S101, it is determined whether or not there is a recording signal. If the determination is affirmative, the process returns to step S79 to execute the recording of the next line. On the other hand, step S101
If is negative, it is determined in step S103 whether the clock content of the timer T ₂ has exceeded 5 seconds, and if negative, the process proceeds to step S104. If there is no END signal input, the process returns to step S101. .

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

If a page break command is input in step S93, the flow advances to step S119 to determine whether the content of the counter N ₁ is "7" or more. If an affirmative determination is made here, empty suction between pages is performed in step S121, the counter N ₁ is reset / started in step S123, and then the process proceeds to step S125 to discharge by the cap 51 of FIGS. Outlet forming surface 22
The wiping operation of 1 is performed. On the other hand, step S11
If the determination is negative in 9, the process immediately proceeds to step S125 to perform the wiping operation. And step S
In 127, the cap 51 is closed again, and in step S129, the recording medium (recording paper) for which recording has been completed is discharged, and then the process proceeds to step S69 to wait for the recording signal of the next page.

When the END signal is detected in step S97 or S109, the ending operation of step S131 is executed. As shown in FIG. 26, this ending operation includes empty suction (step S141), resetting / starting the counter N ₁ (step S143), and cap 51.
Wiping of the ejection port forming surface by (step S14
5), closing of the cap 51 (step S147),
And discharge of the recording medium (recording paper) (step S14
This is the process of performing 9).

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

In this embodiment, the preliminary discharge is performed inside the cap 51. Therefore, when the preliminary ejection is repeatedly performed, it is necessary to perform idle suction for taking in the ink accumulated in the cap 51 to the waste ink tank 55 side. This empty suction is the empty suction described in FIG. Basically, empty suction is performed between pages that have not been recorded. When the preliminary ejection counter N ₁ is 7 or more after printing one page, the small air suction (state of d) in FIG. 19 is performed. However, when N ₁ becomes 15 or more even in the middle of the page during recording, that is, in a sentence requiring a long recording time, the large-space suction (state e) in FIG. 19 is performed. Further, empty suction is performed at the end of recording. Next, the wiping by the cap 51 is to clean the ejection port forming surface 221 where the ink is leaked after recording, and is generally controlled so as to be performed after one page and the end of all recording.

As described above, according to this embodiment,
By performing the idle suction during the recording, or the idle suction and the wiping at the end of the recording, the effect that the ink accumulated in the cap 51 by the preliminary ejection during the recording is efficiently sent to the waste ink tank 55 is obtained. Also,
The amount of ink accumulated in the cap 51 by the preliminary ejection is
Compared to the ink that is sucked during ink suction during the discharge recovery process (cleaning) that is performed to recover discharge,
Very small amount. Therefore, it is sufficient that the number of idle suctions during recording is less than the number of idle suctions during the ejection recovery process, and reducing the number of idle suctions during recording as much as possible improves the effective recording speed of the recording apparatus. Has an effect on.

The number of times of idle suction during the ejection recovery process or during recording is not limited to the above-exemplified number of times, and it goes without saying that it can be set to an appropriate number of times, and further, during preliminary recording. Depending on the discharge amount, the ink removal in the cap according to the present invention may be performed even during idle suction during recording. Further, according to the present embodiment, the backflow of ink is reduced by making the stroke of the piston short at the beginning and reaching the bottom dead center in the last few strokes during the idle suction of several times. , The ink in the cap 51 can be reliably taken into the pump 53, and most of the ink in the pump 53 can be sent to the waste ink tank 55 to reduce the amount of ink remaining in the pump 53, thereby improving efficiency. Empty suction can be performed. Regarding the method of changing the stroke of the empty suction operation, in the above-described embodiment, the short stroke (hollow suction) is set to 3 times and the long stroke (large empty suction) is set to 1 time, but these times are changed appropriately. Can be made. Also, the cap 51
Since the amount of ink taken into the pump 53 by the wiping operation of the ejection port forming surface 221 by
In the empty suction after the operation, the empty suction operation may be reduced, for example, by performing the large suction only once.

Next, the structure of the waste ink tank in this embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, in addition to providing the first waste ink tank 55, a second waste ink tank 70 is provided by effectively utilizing the space in the recording apparatus, and these waste ink tanks 70 are disposed. A configuration is adopted in which tubes 71 connect the ink tanks. Since both waste ink tanks 55 and 70 are provided in series with the recovery unit, the waste ink generated by the discharge recovery process or the above-mentioned empty suction process first passes through the tube 57 to the first waste ink tank 55. Will be introduced to. The waste ink is stored in the first waste ink tank 55 while there is room to store the waste ink.
When the waste ink tank 55 of No. 1 cannot store the waste ink, the waste ink overflowing from this is introduced into the second waste ink tank 70 through the tube 71.

As described above, in the present embodiment, since the second waste ink tank 70 is provided by effectively utilizing the space inside the printing apparatus, the printing apparatus can be downsized without reducing the waste ink storage amount. Becomes An appropriate ink absorber may be provided in these waste ink tanks.

FIG. 27 is a schematic perspective view showing another configuration example of the waste ink tank. In FIG. 27, in the present configuration example, a three-way joint 57A is provided at the other end of the tube 57 whose one end is connected to the recovery system unit. The three-way joint 57A branches the flow of the waste ink to connect the tubes 72 and 71. The waste ink is introduced into the first waste ink tank 55 and the second waste ink tank 70 via the respective vias. Further, a part of each of the waste ink tanks (waste ink storage members) 55, 70 is made of a ventilation cloth 183. The ventilation cloth 183 is made of a material that allows the ink solvent vapor, which is a gas, to pass through, but does not allow the ink, which is a liquid, to pass through.
By using No. 3, the inside of each of the waste ink tanks 55 and 70 is in a ventilated state with the atmosphere without causing ink leakage. Specific materials of the ventilation cloth 183 include:
For example, Vapor Road (Teijin Co., Ltd.) can be used.

Therefore, according to the structure of the waste ink tank of FIG. 27, the same effect as that of the structure of the waste ink tank of FIG. 2 can be obtained, and the evaporation component of the stored waste ink can be changed with time. Can be released to the outside naturally,
As a result, the execution capacity of each of the waste ink tanks 55 and 70 can be increased correspondingly, the space efficiency can be improved, and the recording apparatus can be further downsized. In addition,
In the configuration of FIG. 27, a part of each of the waste ink tanks 55 and 70 is formed by the ventilation cloth 183, but in some cases, the ventilation cloth 183 may be formed entirely. Further, as the waste ink tanks 55 and 70 in FIG. 2, it goes without saying that a tank partially or wholly constituted by the ventilation cloth 183 can be used. Although the two waste ink tanks 55 and 70 are connected in series in the configuration example of FIG. 2, they are connected in parallel with respect to the recovery system unit in the configuration of FIG.

FIG. 28 is a schematic perspective view showing still another configuration example of the waste ink tank. From the viewpoint of providing a waste ink tank by effectively utilizing the vacant spaces in the recording apparatus which are generally dispersed, not only the second waste ink tank 70 but also more waste ink tanks are added. Can be provided in an appropriate empty space. FIG. 28 shows an example of the configuration when a waste ink tank is additionally provided.

In FIG. 28, in addition to the waste ink tank 55, two waste ink tanks 70A and 70B are further provided. Regarding the first waste ink tank 55,
The second waste ink tank 70A and the third waste ink tank 70B are provided in parallel. When the waste ink overflows from the first waste ink tank 55, the waste ink is branched by the joint 74, and the tubes 71A and 71B.
And is introduced into the second waste ink tank 70A and the third waste ink tank 70B, respectively. In this embodiment also, each waste ink tank (waste ink storage member)
A part of 55, 70A, 70B is a ventilation cloth 18 similar to the above.
It is composed of three. Also in this configuration example, the ventilation cloth 183 may form the entire waste ink tanks 55, 70A, and 70B in some cases.

According to the configuration of the waste ink tank described with reference to FIG. 28 above, the same effect as in the configuration examples of FIGS. 2 and 27 described above can be obtained, and the space efficiency inside the recording apparatus can be further improved. As a result, the amount of waste ink stored can be further increased. The configuration related to the waste ink tank is not limited to the above configuration, and it goes without saying that the number and arrangement of the waste ink tanks and the connection between the waste ink tanks can be implemented in various other modes. is there.

In the above-described embodiment, the recording means (recording head) 9 is mounted on the carriage 11 and the serial type ink jet recording apparatus which performs main scanning along the recording medium has been described as an example. In the case of a line type ink jet recording apparatus using a line type recording means corresponding to the whole or a part of the recording width of the recording medium,
The same can be applied and the same effect can be achieved. Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, one recording means 9
However, the present invention is not limited to the color ink jet recording apparatus having a plurality of recording means for recording in different colors, or the gradation using a plurality of recording means for recording with inks having the same color but different densities. The same application can be achieved regardless of the number of recording means (recording heads) such as an inkjet recording apparatus for recording, and similar operational effects can be achieved.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the cartridge type recording means (head cartridge) 9 in which the recording head and the ink tank are integrated is used has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to the recording head. The same effect can be applied to an ink jet recording apparatus having other recording head and ink tank configurations such as a configuration in which ink tanks are separately provided and connected by an ink supply pipe or the like. Is 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 opening 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 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, and the like, 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 the 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 embodiments of the present invention described above, the ink is described as a liquid, but it is an ink that 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, besides the one used as an image output terminal of an information processing apparatus such as a computer, a copying apparatus combined with a reader or the like, and a facsimile apparatus having a transmission / reception function. And the like may be used.

[0094]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, in the ink jet recording apparatus for recording by ejecting ink from the recording means to the recording medium, a cap for covering the ejection port forming surface of the recording means. Is provided, and the ink adhering to the ejection port forming surface is wiped by the wiping operation of the cap. Therefore, by preventing ink scattering when wiping the ejection port forming surface, ink stains around the ejection port and ejection recovery Provided is an inkjet recording apparatus which can prevent a decrease in processing efficiency and can perform discharge recovery processing with better performance.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above configuration,
A configuration is provided in which an ink absorber for receiving scattered ink is provided inside the cap, a configuration is provided in which a suction means for applying a suction force is provided inside the cap, and the direction of the wiping operation by the cap depends on the moving direction of the recording means. Ink jet that can achieve the above effect more efficiently because it is configured to be regulated or the ink wiped by the wiping operation by the cap is stored in the cap and the ink is discharged to the outside of the cap by the suction unit. A recording device is provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

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

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

4 is a diagram including an exploded perspective view of the head cartridge of FIG. 3, an external perspective view, and a partial perspective view showing a schematic structure of an ink ejection unit.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

13 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the cap and the cap holder shown in FIG.

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

FIG. 15 is a timing chart of the wiping operation of the recording head in the inkjet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 16 is a partial plan view showing the initial state of the wiping operation of the recording head in the inkjet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 17 is a partial plan view showing a state after the recording head has moved to the right when wiping the recording head in the inkjet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 18 is a partial plan view showing a state after the recording head has moved to the left when wiping the recording head in the inkjet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing a contour curve of each cam for operating each part of the ejection recovery mechanism of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram showing an operating state of each part at a main cam position of the ejection recovery mechanism of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing an operating state of the pump at a main cam position of the ejection recovery mechanism of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a control system of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation procedure in an ejection recovery process of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

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

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing an example of a recording processing procedure of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of an end operation in FIG.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view showing another structural example of the waste ink system of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a perspective view showing still another configuration example of the waste ink system of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of reference numerals] 1 keyboard section 2 indicator section 9 head cartridge (recording means) 9a ejection port unit (recording head) 9b ink tank 11 carriage 19 support plate 23 guide shaft 27 timing belt 31 carriage motor 33 transport roller 34 platen 35 Conveyor motor 39 Feed roller 41 Paper discharge roller 51 Cap 51a Rib 53 Pump 55 Waste ink tank 61 Recovery system motor 63 Cam device (recovery system) 65 Recovery system home sensor 67 Carriage home sensor 70 Waste ink tank 221 Ejection port formation surface 222 Ejection Outlet 225 Electrothermal converter 501 Ink absorber (inside cap) 503 Holding member 505 Cap lever 561 Suction port (cap)

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] June 24, 1994

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

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

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Brief description of drawings]

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

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

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

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

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

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view showing a schematic structural diagram of an ink ejection portion of the head cartridge of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view for explaining a head gap adjusting unit of an inkjet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

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

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

FIG. 10 is a plan view for explaining a spur cover and a viewing window of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a partial front view showing the state of the FPC entrainment prevention means of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention when the carriage is on standby.

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

FIG. 13 is a FP in a conventional inkjet recording device.
It is a partial front view which shows the C winding state.

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

15 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the cap and the cap holder shown in FIG.

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

FIG. 17 is a timing chart of the wiping operation of the recording head in the inkjet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 18 is a partial plan view showing an initial state of the wiping operation of the recording head in the inkjet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 19 is a partial plan view showing a state after the recording head has moved to the right when wiping the recording head in the inkjet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 20 is a partial plan view showing a state after the recording head has moved to the left when wiping the recording head in the inkjet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing a contour curve of each cam for operating each part of the ejection recovery mechanism of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram showing an operating state of each part at a main cam position of the ejection recovery mechanism of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing an operating state of the pump at a main cam position of the ejection recovery mechanism of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a control system of an inkjet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation procedure in an ejection recovery process of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

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

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing an example of a recording processing procedure of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of an ending operation in FIG. 27.

FIG. 29 is a perspective view showing another structural example of the waste ink system of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 30 is a perspective view showing still another configuration example of the waste ink system of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of reference numerals] 1 keyboard section 2 indicator section 9 head cartridge (recording means) 9a ejection port unit (recording head) 9b ink tank 11 carriage 19 support plate 23 guide shaft 27 timing belt 31 carriage motor 33 transport roller 34 platen 35 Conveyor motor 39 Feed roller 41 Paper discharge roller 51 Cap 51a Rib 53 Pump 55 Waste ink tank 61 Recovery system motor 63 Cam device (recovery system) 65 Recovery system home sensor 67 Carriage home sensor 70 Waste ink tank 221 Ejection port formation surface 222 Ejection Outlet 225 Electrothermal converter 501 Ink absorber (inside cap) 503 Holding member 505 Cap lever 561 Suction port (cap)

[Procedure Amendment 2]

[Document name to be corrected] Drawing

[Correction target item name] All drawings

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Figure 1]

[Fig. 2]

FIG. 28

[Figure 3]

[Figure 4]

[Figure 5]

[Figure 6]

[Figure 7]

[Figure 8]

[Figure 9]

[Figure 10]

FIG. 11

FIG. 14

[Fig. 12]

[Fig. 13]

FIG. 16

FIG. 19

FIG. 15

FIG. 18

FIG. 20

FIG. 17

FIG. 22

FIG. 21

FIG. 23

FIG. 24

FIG. 30

FIG. 25

FIG. 26

FIG. 27

FIG. 29

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Office reference number FI technical display location B41J 3/04 102 N

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An ink jet recording apparatus for ejecting ink from a recording means to a recording medium for recording, wherein a cap for covering an ejection port forming surface of the recording means is provided, and the ejection port forming surface is formed by a wiping operation of the cap. An ink jet recording apparatus characterized by wiping off ink adhered to the. 2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an ink absorber for receiving the scattered ink is provided inside the cap. 3. The suction means for applying a suction force is provided inside the cap.
Inkjet recording device. 4. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the direction of the wiping operation by the cap is restricted by the moving direction of the recording means. 5. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the ink wiped by the wiping operation by the cap is stored in the cap, and the ink is discharged to the outside of the cap by the suction means. 6. The ink jet recording means, wherein the recording means is provided with an electrothermal converter for generating thermal energy for ejecting ink.
Inkjet recording device. 7. The ink jet recording according to claim 6, wherein the recording unit uses the film boiling generated in the ink by the thermal energy applied by the electrothermal converter to eject the ink from the ejection port. apparatus.