JPH0811322A - Ink jet recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To confirm the ink storage amt. of a waste ink storage member in an ink jet recording apparatus. CONSTITUTION:A waste ink storage member 4 composed of a felt material is set under a cleaning device for cleaning an ink discharge orifice 2. The color of the storage member is made different from that of ink and a, window 10 for confirming the storage amt. of waste ink of the storage member is provided to the side wall 101a of a bottom cover 101. The arranging position of the window 10 is set so as to be capable of confirming the position most separated from the ink inlet of the storage member. The cleaning device is constituted so that the ink discharge orifice 2 is wipen off by a soft elastomer being a clogging preventing/restoring member 3 when the holder 7 of an ink cartridge 1 is reciprocally moved. A density sensor 5 is provided to a position capable of detecting the color density of the part most separated from the ink inlet of the storage member.

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, and more specifically, it stores waste ink liquid generated by cleaning an ink ejection port to prevent clogging of the ink ejection port of the device or to recover the ink ejection function. The present invention relates to a recording device capable of confirming an ink storage amount (particularly, ink full state) of a storage member for storing the ink.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an ink jet recording apparatus for ejecting ink droplets onto a recording material to form an image, since the ink ejection openings are minute, when the ink remaining in the ejection openings dries, the ejection openings are clogged. There is a possibility that the image may be missing and an image may be missing. In addition, a small amount of ink diffracted around the ejection port drops when the image is output for a long time, hinders the ink ejection, or falls on the recording material, which may cause an abnormal image. Was becoming. Therefore, conventionally, when the image output is not performed for a certain amount or more, or when the image output is continuously performed for a certain amount or more, the ink ejection port is cleaned.

[0003]

However, when the ink ejection port is repeatedly cleaned, the waste ink generated by the cleaning is accumulated, and overflows from the recording device when the amount of the waste ink storage member exceeds the storage amount. was there. Further, if the storage method of the storage member is increased more than necessary, the recording apparatus becomes large in size, and the cleaning can be performed according to an operator's instruction. Therefore, it is difficult to specify the number of cleanings.

The present invention has been made in order to eliminate the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus in which it is easy to confirm the ink storage amount of a waste ink storage member. Another object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus capable of easily replacing a storage member when the storage member is filled with waste ink.

[0005]

An ink jet recording apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention forms an image by ejecting ink droplets from a minute ink ejection port onto a recording material according to an input image signal. In the ink jet recording apparatus, a cleaning device for preventing or recovering from clogging of the ink ejection port, a member for storing the ink cleaned by the cleaning device, and a window for confirming the ink storage amount of the storage member are provided. It is characterized by having.

An ink jet recording apparatus according to a second aspect of the invention is an ink jet recording apparatus for forming an image by ejecting ink droplets from a minute ink ejection port onto a recording material according to an input image signal. An ink suction device that prevents clogging of an ink ejection port or recovers from clogging, a member that stores ink sucked by the suction device, and a window that can confirm the ink storage amount of the storage member. And

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the storage member is an ink absorbing material such as a felt material or a pulp compression material and has a color different from the color of the ink. It is characterized by being.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the ink jet recording apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the window is provided near an end face of the storage member farthest from the ink inlet.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the storage member that covers at least the bottom surface and the side surface of the storage member and the storage member that stores the storage member slides in the horizontal direction. A feature is provided in which a part of the storage member protrudes outside the recording apparatus when rotated.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the first or second aspect, a density sensor for detecting the color density of the storage member is provided near the end face of the storage member farthest from the ink inlet. It is characterized by that.

[0011]

In the ink jet recording apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, the cleaning of the ink discharge port is performed by the cleaning device, and the waste ink thus cleaned is stored in the storage member. The amount of waste ink stored in the storage member can be confirmed through the window.

In the ink jet recording apparatus according to the second aspect, the ink ejection port is cleaned by the ink suction device, and the sucked waste ink is stored in the storage member. The amount of waste ink stored in the storage member can be confirmed through the window.

[0013]

The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. Example 1 FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a schematic structure of a main part of an inkjet recording apparatus. Reference numeral 1 is an ink cartridge that stores ink for recording on a recording material, 2 is an ink ejection port (head) formed in the ink cartridge 1, and 3 is a clogging prevention / recovery member (or device) for the ink ejection port 2. is there. This clogging prevention / recovery member (or device) 3 is
Broadly classified, there are a cleaning member 13 by wiper cleaning shown in FIG. 2 and an ink suction device 14 for forcibly sucking ink as shown in FIG.

The cleaning member 13 shown in FIG. 2 is provided with an elastic body 20 made of a soft material, and the holder 7 for holding the ink cartridge 1 removes excess ink attached around the ink ejection port 2 from the left and right in FIG. When moving, it is wiped off with the elastic body 20. In this way, the holder 7 and the cleaning member 13 constitute a cleaning device for the ink ejection port 2.

The ink suction device 14 shown in FIG. 3 is a device that covers the ink discharge port 2 with a cap 22 and forcibly sucks the ink adhering around the discharge port 2 from one end of the cap 22. In the illustrated example, the piston pump 23
Is provided. That is, the waste ink is sucked and discharged by the negative pressure generated by the operation of the piston 24 reciprocally provided in the cylinder 21. The piston 24
Is connected via a connecting rod 28 to a rotating cam 25 connected to a rotating device (not shown).

In the ink suction device 14, the piston 24 reciprocates in the cylinder 21 by the rotation of the cam 25, and the check valves 26 and 27 are opened and closed in conjunction with this. That is, when the piston 24 moves in the direction of arrow C shown in FIG. 3, the valve 26 opens and the valve 27 closes. Therefore, by sucking air from the inside of the cap 22, the waste ink is sucked. And store it in the cylinder 21. On the contrary, when the piston 24 moves in the direction of arrow D in FIG. 3, the valve 26 is closed and the valve 27 is opened, so that the waste ink accumulated in the cylinder 21 is discharged in the direction of arrow E. It

Comparing the cleaning device for cleaning the wiper with the ink suction device 14, the latter is more effective in preventing and recovering the clogging of the ink ejection port 2, but the structure is complicated and waste ink is generated. A large amount will be generated.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 4 denotes a waste ink storage member discharged by the clogging prevention / recovery member (or device) 3, which is disposed below the clogging prevention / recovery member 3. Reference numeral 101 denotes a bottom cover of the image forming apparatus,
The storage member 4 is set so that it can be inserted into and removed from the recess 8 covered with the rib of the bottom cover 101. Reference numeral 6 is a lid plate that covers the upper surface of the storage member 4.

In the storage member 4, when the waste ink permeates in a direction away from the clogging prevention / recovery member 3 (direction of arrow A in FIG. 1) and permeates to the end portion indicated by the symbol B in FIG. Is almost full of waste ink. In this state, the waste ink does not permeate into the storage member 4 any more, so that the waste ink accumulates on the rib wall of the bottom cover 101. When the image forming apparatus is moved or shaken in such a state, the waste ink leaks from the image forming apparatus.

In order to prevent this leakage, a window 10 is provided on the side wall 101a of the bottom cover 101 for confirming that the amount of waste ink stored in the storage member 4 is full. In this case, the window 10 is provided in the vicinity of the end surface of the storage member 4 at the position farthest from the ink inlet of the storage member 4 (the portion indicated by reference numeral B in FIG. 1). When the operator fills the storage member 4 with the window 1
It can be confirmed via 0. Further, the arrangement position of the window 10 is set higher than the setting surface of the storage member 4. By doing so, the waste ink can be collected to some extent, so that even if the operator overlooks it, the waste ink does not leak immediately. Further, since the transparent window member 11 is attached to the window 10, the operator does not touch the storage member 4, so that the operator's hand does not have to be contaminated with the waste ink.

By the way, in the ink jet recording apparatus,
Since the color of the ink is usually black, it is preferable to make the storage member 4 a color different from the ink, for example, a color close to white, which makes it easy to check the storage amount.

Embodiment 2 FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of an essential part showing an example of an ink jet recording apparatus in which the storage member 4 can be easily replaced. In this example, the storage member 4 is stored in a storage member 12 having a surface that covers at least the bottom surface and the side surface of the storage member 4, and the window 10, and the storage member 12 is covered with a bottom cover 10.
The storage member 12 can be inserted into and removed from the bottom cover 101 by sliding the storage member 12 in the directions of arrows F and G with respect to 1.

Embodiment 3 FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of a main part of another example of an ink jet recording apparatus in which the storage member 4 can be easily replaced. In this example, one end of the storage member 4 is attached to the bottom cover 101 via a rotation shaft (not shown), and the storage member 4 is rotated in the direction of arrow H in FIG. 4 to form an image. It is configured to project outside the device.
By doing so, when the storage member 4 is filled with the waste ink, it can be easily replaced with a new storage member. The structure of the other parts is the same as that of the third embodiment.

In the recording apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable to provide a full detection device for automatically detecting that the storage member 4 is full of waste ink and notifying the operator. The fullness detecting device is configured to include, for example, the density sensor 5 shown in FIG. 1 and other members (not shown). FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure by the density sensor 5.

Explaining this flowchart,
First, the control of waste ink detection such as the number of times of density counting by the density sensor 5 is reset (initial setting). Next, the density of the storage member 4 is measured, and the difference with the set ink density is calculated to determine the density threshold value when the ink is full. The concentration of the storage member 4 is determined based on this threshold value, and when the storage member 4 is determined to be “black” due to the permeation of waste ink, the number of determinations is counted. When this count number becomes equal to a predetermined set value, it is determined that "waste ink is full". When the storage member 4 is filled with the waste ink, the operator is notified by displaying this on a display (not shown).

Further, although the image processing when the full waste ink is detected is carried out as usual, the processing signal sent to the image forming apparatus thereafter is not executed as an image forming apparatus error. This allows the operator to know the abnormal condition without any confirmation.

[0027]

As is apparent from the above description, claims 1, 2
According to the recording apparatus of the second aspect, the operator can confirm the amount of waste ink in the storage member through the window, so that it is possible to prevent the waste ink from leaking from the image forming apparatus. According to the recording apparatus of the third aspect, since the storage member is an ink absorbing material such as a felt material or a pulp compression material, the storage member can be provided with a simple and inexpensive structure, and the storage Since the color of the member is different from the color of the ink, the amount of waste ink stored can be confirmed more reliably. According to the recording apparatus of claim 4, since the window is provided in the vicinity of the end face of the storage member farthest from the ink inlet, the storage amount when the waste ink storage amount is confirmed becomes large. The storage capacity can be effectively utilized. According to the recording device of claim 5,
The storage member that stores the storage member can be easily replaced with a new storage member by sliding or rotating the storage member with respect to the image forming apparatus. According to the recording apparatus of the sixth aspect, since the density sensor is provided in the vicinity of the end face of the storage member farthest from the ink inlet, the image forming apparatus can automatically detect the full state of the waste ink. The operator is relieved of the hassle of having to check the full state.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a schematic structure of a main part of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cleaning member provided in the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic structure of an ink suction device provided in the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a structure of a storage member disposition portion in another embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a structure of a storage member disposition portion in still another embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure by the storage member fullness detection device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Ink Cartridge 2 Ink Ejection Port (Head) 3 Clog Prevention / Recovery Member (or Device) 4 Storage Member 5 Density Sensor 6 Lid Plate 7 Holder 8 Recess 10 Window 11 Transparent Window Material 12 Storage Member 13 Cleaning Member 14 Ink Suction Device 20 elastic body 21 cylinder 22 cap 23 piston pump 24 piston 25 rotating cam 26, 27 check valve 28 connecting rod 101 bottom cover 101a side wall

Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Office reference number FI technical display location B41J 2/165 B41J 3/04 102 H

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An ink jet recording apparatus for forming an image by ejecting ink droplets from a minute ink ejection port onto a recording material according to an input image signal to prevent clogging of the ink ejection port or to prevent clogging of the ink ejection port. An inkjet recording apparatus comprising: a cleaning device that recovers from clogging, a member that stores ink that has been cleaned by the cleaning device, and a window through which the amount of ink stored in the storage member can be confirmed. 2. An ink jet recording apparatus for forming an image by ejecting ink droplets from a minute ink ejection port onto a recording material according to an input image signal to prevent clogging of the ink ejection port or to prevent clogging of the ink ejection port. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: an ink suction device that recovers from clogging, a member that stores ink sucked by the suction device, and a window through which an ink storage amount of the storage member can be confirmed. 3. The ink jet recording according to claim 1, wherein the storage member is an ink absorbing material such as a felt material and a pulp compressing material, and has a color different from the color of the ink. apparatus. 4. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the window is provided in the vicinity of an end face of the storage member farthest from the ink inlet. 5. A storage member that covers at least a bottom surface and a side surface of the storage member, and when the storage member that stores the storage member slides or rotates in a horizontal direction, a part of the storage member is outside the recording apparatus. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a protruding mechanism. 6. The ink jet recording according to claim 1, wherein a density sensor for detecting the color density of the storage member is provided near the end face of the storage member farthest from the ink inlet. apparatus.