JPH08118680A - Ink jet recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To prevent a decrease in the performance of a pump due to the pressure leakage by elastically deforming the part of a pump body by pressurizing means and discharging the ink from an ink discharge part by negative pressure suction force obtained by the restoring force of the body. CONSTITUTION: A motor 12 which receives a suction signal is operated to rotate a cam 11, which is brought into contact with the elastic deforming part of a pump to deform it, thereby discharging the air or ink therein. Thereafter, the protrusion of the cam is separated from the member, the pump becomes negative pressure by the restoring force of the deformed part, and ink sucked by the head 1 is fed to the pump. Thereafter, the same operation is repeated several times to stop the motor in which the ink in the pump is discharged. A pipe 14 for conveying the ink discharged from the pump to a waste liquid tank 15 is provided to fill a porous material for absorbing the ink in the tank 5.

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 having a maintenance device for sucking a recording head in order to recover defective ink ejection.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Ink jet recording apparatuses have the problems that dust or clogging of nozzles occurs due to solidification of liquid ink, and that defective ink ejection occurs due to bubbles in the nozzles. According to JP-A-62-35851, as a means for recovering the above-described ejection failure, a method of depressurizing the inside of the cap covering the nozzle tip portion and sucking ink from the nozzle tip is adopted. , A reciprocating pump (a pump in which a piston reciprocates in a cylinder) was used.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional device, 103
Is a recording unit of the inkjet head, 104 is a nozzle unit, and ink is ejected from the nozzle. 112
Is the whole pump device, 101 is a piston, 102
Is a piston shaft, 105 is a cap support, 106 is an ink suction hole, 107 is a suction tube, 113 is an inflow hole,
114 is an inflow valve, 108 is a discharge tube, 109 is a waste ink tank, 110 is a discharge valve, 111 is a discharge hole, 100
Is a cylinder.

As a detailed operation example, a liquid inflow hole (suction hole 106) is provided outside the range in which the piston 101 moves,
When the piston 101 is pushed down, the volume between the cylinder 100 and the piston 101 increases, so that negative pressure is generated. The inflow valve 114 that seals the inflow hole 113 is driven to open after the piston moves a predetermined amount to generate a predetermined negative pressure, and ink is sucked from the ink ejection hole 104 of the head 103. After that, the piston is pulled up and the ink accumulated in the cylinder is discharged through the liquid discharge hole, but the discharge valve 110 that seals the discharge hole 111 is driven to open after the piston moves by a predetermined amount to generate a predetermined positive pressure. Then, the ink is discharged from the discharge hole 111 and the waste ink is conveyed to the waste liquid tank 109 via the tube 108.

[0005]

In the prior art,
A reciprocating pump is used as the pump device. Due to the structure of the reciprocating pump, the ink is sucked by the movement of the piston and the ink flows into the cylinder. At this time, however, the ink adheres to the seal part (sliding part) of the piston and the cylinder. Ink leakage and pressure leakage due to part deterioration may cause an increase in piston sliding load due to a decrease in lubrication action, and there was concern about durability or reliability. Further, the apparatus has a large size, resulting in a large size of the ink jet recording apparatus, and a large number of parts and high cost.

[0006]

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink jet recording apparatus including a recording head for ejecting ink onto a recording medium and a cap for covering an ink ejection portion of the recording head and for ejecting the ink. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a pump in the discharge path, the pump elastically deforms a part of the main body by a pressurizing means, and a negative pressure suction force is obtained by the restoring force of the main body to collect ink. An inkjet recording apparatus is characterized in that the ink is ejected from the ink ejecting section.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the ink jet recording apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein a cam that is rotated by a rotational force of a motor is used as the pressurizing means.

An ink jet recording apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is the ink jet recording apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein a solenoid driven by an electromagnetic force is used as the pressurizing means.

An ink jet recording apparatus according to a fourth aspect is the ink jet recording apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the pump has a separate restoring force generating member inside thereof.

An ink jet recording apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the pump is elastically deformed in a steady state by a separate deforming force generating member and is restored by the pressurizing means. It is an inkjet recording device.

[0011]

According to the present invention, since there is no sliding portion in the pump, it is possible to easily prevent the performance of the pump from decreasing due to pressure leakage and the malfunction of the pump due to an increase in the driving load of the pump. . Further, it becomes possible to improve the reliability of the pump of the head recovery device when the inkjet recording device is used for a long time, and the pump can be driven with a low load.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the restoring force generating member is separately provided in the pump, the elasticity-restoring cycle of the pump can be shortened and the speed can be increased.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, a deforming force generating member is provided separately from the pump, which is deformed in a steady state and restored by the pressurizing means, so that stronger suction is possible and suction is performed. From operation, the pump can be started.

[0014]

【Example】

(Embodiment 1) An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

The description of FIGS. 1 to 3 is also valid for Embodiments 2 to 7 described below.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a main part of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention. Here, 4 is a recording head 1
And a carriage on which the ink cartridges 2 and 2 are mounted. 6 is a feed roller for feeding the paper, 5 is a maintenance station, and 7 is a cap for attracting the head and protecting the head.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a maintenance station and a carriage unit during a suction operation using an example of the pump device of the present invention. Reference numeral 1 is a print head, 2 is an ink cartridge, 4 is a carriage, and 8 and 9 are slide shafts for guiding the carriage. Reference numeral 7 is a cap for sucking and protecting the head, 10 is a pump body, 11 is a cam for pressurizing and deforming the pump body, and 12 is a motor for driving the cam. Reference numeral 13 is a pipe for carrying the ink sucked from the head to the pump, 14 is a pipe for carrying the ink discharged from the pump to the waste liquid tank 15 and 1
The waste liquid tank 5 contains a porous material for sucking ink. Reference numeral 5 is a main body of the maintenance station.

FIG. 3 is an example of a sectional structural view of the pump device of the present invention. Reference numeral 17 is a support member made of a rigid material that supports an elastic portion of the lower portion of the pump and has an inflow / outflow hole. Reference numeral 18 denotes a one-way valve provided in the ink inflow portion of the pump, which is made of an elastic material and is normally closed. When the inside of the pump becomes a negative pressure, the tip of the valve opens due to the pressure difference, and ink flows into the pump. Reference numeral 19 denotes a one-way valve provided in the ink discharge portion of the pump, which is made of an elastic material and is normally closed. When the pressure inside the pump rises, the pressure causes the tip of the valve to open, and ink is discharged to the ink discharge side pipe. Reference numeral 16A denotes an elastically deformable portion of the pump, which is deformed by the pressurizing member and has an internal volume reduced like 16B. Due to this deformation, 19 valves are opened to discharge ink and air in the pump. Thereafter, the restoring force of the elastic member causes a negative pressure inside the pump, and at the same time, the valve 19 is closed and the valve 18 is opened, and the ink sucked from the head flows in from the valve 18 as the pump elastic member is restored.

FIG. 4 is a view showing the suction device of this embodiment. Reference numeral 11 is a cam forming a pressurizing portion for deforming the elastic deformation portion 16A of the pump, and reference numeral 21 is a gear portion integrated with the cam 11. Reference numeral 12 is a step motor for rotating the cam, and 20 is its pinion gear.

FIG. 11 is an operation flowchart of this embodiment. As the operation of this embodiment, the motor 12 is actuated upon receiving the suction operation signal to rotate the cam 11, bring it into contact with the elastic deformation portion 16A of the pump, and deform it to discharge the air and ink inside (S111). ~ S113). afterwards,
By the rotation of the cam, the convex portion of the cam separates from the elastic member, the restoring force of the elastically deforming portion causes a negative pressure inside the pump, and the ink sucked from the head flows into the pump. After that, the same operation is repeated several times to discharge the ink inside the pump and stop the motor (S114 to S117).

(Embodiment 2) Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG.
It will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 5 is a view showing the suction device of this embodiment. Reference numeral 24 denotes a solenoid driving tip portion that forms a pressurizing portion for deforming the elastically deforming portion 16A of the pump, and a shaft 23 that moves up and down in the electromagnet portion 22 of the solenoid.
It is made with one. When the solenoid of this embodiment is energized,
The structure is such that the inner shaft jumps out.

FIG. 12 is an operation flowchart of this embodiment. The operation of this embodiment is as follows. When the suction operation signal is received, the electromagnet portion 22 of the solenoid is energized to cause the shaft 23 to pop out in the downward direction of the figure and the elastic deformation portion 16A of the pump 16A.
To deform the air and ink inside (S121 to S123). Immediately thereafter, by turning off the power, the restoring force of the elastically deforming portion causes a negative pressure inside the pump, and the ink sucked from the head flows into the pump.
After that, the same operation is repeated several times to discharge the ink inside the pump and stop the solenoid (S124 to S1).
29).

(Embodiment 3) Another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 6 is a view showing the suction device of this embodiment. Reference numeral 111 is a cam that forms a pressurizing portion for deforming the elastic deformation portion 16A of the pump, and 21 is a gear that is integrated with the cam 11. Reference numeral 12 is a step motor for rotating the cam, and 20 is its pinion gear. Reference numeral 25 is a spring for assisting the restoration of the elastically deformable portion 16A mounted inside the pump. The operation of this embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment.

(Embodiment 4) Another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 7 is a view showing the suction device of this embodiment. Reference numeral 24 denotes a solenoid driving tip portion that forms a pressurizing portion for deforming the elastically deforming portion 16A of the pump, and a shaft 23 that moves up and down in the electromagnet portion 22 of the solenoid.
It is made with one. When the solenoid of this embodiment is energized,
The structure is such that the inner shaft jumps out. Reference numeral 25 is a spring for assisting the restoration of the elastically deformable portion 16A mounted inside the pump. The operation of this embodiment is similar to that of the second embodiment.

(Embodiment 5) Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 8 is a view showing a suction device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. 30A is a leaf spring forcibly deforming the pump elastically deforming portion 16A, and 29 is a holding fulcrum at both ends. 27 is a crank rotated by a motor,
It is integrated with 26 gears. 28 is a crankshaft connected to 27 cranks. Reference numeral 31 denotes a leaf spring connecting portion, which is connected to the crankshaft 28. Reference numeral 12 is a step motor for rotating the cam, and 20 is its pinion gear.

FIG. 13 is an operation flowchart of this embodiment. The operation of this embodiment is performed by receiving the suction operation signal and operating the motor 12 to rotate the gear 26.
The crank 7 is rotated and the crankshaft 28 connected to it is operated to linearly move the connecting portion 31 in the vertical direction. 30B is the uppermost position of the leaf spring. First, the motor is operated by the suction operation signal (S13
1 to S132), the leaf spring 30A is moved up and down, and the restoring force of the elastically deforming portion 16A of the pump, which has been deformed by the leaf spring 30A in advance, causes a negative pressure inside the pump to cause the ink sucked from the head into the pump. Inflow. When the leaf spring passes the uppermost position, the elastic restoring portion of the pump is deformed again by the deformation restoring force of the leaf spring, and the air and ink inside are discharged. After that, the same operation is repeated several times to discharge the ink inside the pump and stop the motor (S133 to S135).

(Embodiment 6) Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a suction device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. 30A is a leaf spring forcibly deforming the pump elastically deforming portion 16A, and 29 is a holding fulcrum at both ends. Reference numeral 33 is a shaft that moves up and down in the electromagnet portion 22 of the solenoid. The solenoid of this embodiment has a structure in which the inner shaft is attracted inward when energized.

FIG. 14 is an operation flowchart of this embodiment. As the operation of the present embodiment, the suction operation signal is received and the solenoid is energized to pull up the shaft 33 and the leaf spring 30.
A is moved upward (S141 to S142) and pulled up to the uppermost position of the leaf spring of 30B. By this operation, the restoring force of the elastically deforming portion 16A of the pump, which has been deformed by the leaf spring 30A in advance, causes a negative pressure inside the pump, and the ink sucked from the head flows into the pump.
When the energization to the solenoid is cut off at the uppermost position of the leaf spring, the elastic deformation part of the pump is
It is deformed again and the internal air and ink are discharged. After that, the same operation is repeated several times to discharge the ink inside the pump and stop the solenoid (S143 to S14).
6).

(Embodiment 7) Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG.
0, it demonstrates based on FIG.

FIG. 10 is a view showing a suction device according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. 35 is a bellows-shaped pump body. 27
Is a crank rotated by a motor and is integrated with 26 gears. 28 is a crankshaft connected to 27 cranks. Reference numeral 34 is a connecting portion with the bellows, which is connected with the crankshaft 28. 12 is a step motor for rotating the cam, and 2
0 is the pinion gear.

FIG. 13 is an operation flowchart of this embodiment. The operation of this embodiment is performed by receiving the suction operation signal and operating the motor 12 to rotate the gear 26.
The crank 7 is rotated and the crankshaft 28 connected thereto is operated to linearly move the connecting portion 34 vertically. First, the motor is operated by the suction operation signal to pull up the bellows 35 to make the inside of the pump a negative pressure (S131,
S132), the ink sucked from the head is caused to flow into the pump. When the crank 27 exceeds the uppermost point, the compression stroke starts and ink and air inside are discharged. After that, the same operation is repeated several times to discharge the ink in the pump and stop the motor (S133 to S135).

[0037]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the sliding portion is eliminated in the pump, it is possible to easily prevent the deterioration of the pump performance due to the pressure leakage and the malfunction due to the increase of the driving load of the pump. Further, it becomes possible to improve the reliability of the pump of the head recovery device when the inkjet recording device is used for a long time, and the pump can be driven with a low load.

According to the invention of claim 2, in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 1, since the pressurizing means is composed of the motor and the cam, it becomes inexpensive and reliable,
And it can be made quiet.

According to the invention described in claim 3, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 1, since the solenoid is used as the pressurizing means, the response speed is fast and the pump can be driven at high speed.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the restoring force generating member is separately provided in the pump, the elasticity / restoring cycle of the pump can be shortened and the speed can be increased.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, a deforming force generating member is provided separately from the pump, which is deformed in a normal state and restored by the pressurizing means, so that stronger suction is possible and suction is possible. From operation, the pump can be started.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a main part of an inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a maintenance station and a carriage unit during a suction operation using the pump device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional structural view of a pump device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the first embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the second embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the third embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the fourth embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the fifth embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a side view of a sixth embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the seventh embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first and third embodiments of the pump device of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing the operation of the second and fourth embodiments of the pump device of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the fifth and seventh embodiments of the pump device of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of the sixth embodiment of the pump device of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Recording Head 2 Ink Cartridge 3 Paper Feed Drive Unit 4 Carriage 5 Maintenance Station 6 Feed Roller 7 Cap 8 Slide Shaft 9 Slide Shaft 10 Pump Body 11 Cam 12 Pump Drive Motor 13 Suction Pipe 14 Discharge Pipe 15 Waste Liquid Tank 16A Pump Elastic Deformation Section ( 16B Pump elastically deforming part (when deforming) 17 Pump supporting member 18 One-way valve (suction side) 19 One-way valve (discharging side) 20 Pinion gear 21 Cam gear 22 Solenoid body 23 Solenoid movable shaft 24 Solenoid contact part 25 Restoration assistance spring 26 Crank gear 27 Crank 28 Crank shaft 29 Holding fulcrum 30A Pressing leaf spring (when applying pressure) 30B Pressing leaf spring (when releasing) 31 Leaf spring connecting portion 32 Solenoid body 33 Solenoid movable shaft 34 Bellows pump connecting part 35 Bellows pump moving part 100 Cylinder 101 Piston 102 Piston shaft 103 Head recording part 104 Nozzle 105 Cap support 106 Suction hole 107 Suction tube 108 Discharge tube 109 Waste ink tank 110 Discharge valve 111 Discharge hole 112 Overall view of pump device 113 Inflow hole 114 Inflow valve

Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor ▲ Yoshi ▼ Mura Hisa 22-22 Nagaike-cho, Abeno-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Within Sharp Corporation (72) Koichi Irihara 22-22 Nagaike-cho, Abeno-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Incorporated (72) Inventor ▲ Tsuru ▼ Yasushi I, 22-22 Nagaike-cho, Abeno-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a recording head for ejecting ink onto a recording medium; and a cap provided with an ejection passage for ejecting ink while covering an ink ejection portion of the recording head. An ink jet recording apparatus having a pump, wherein a part of the main body is elastically deformed by a pressurizing means and a negative pressure suction force is obtained by a restoring force of the main body to discharge ink from the ink ejecting section. . 2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a cam that is rotated by a rotational force of a motor is used as the pressing unit. 3. A solenoid driven by electromagnetic force is used as the pressurizing means.
The inkjet recording device described. 4. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pump has a separate restoring force generating member inside thereof. 5. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pump is elastically deformed in a steady state by a separate deforming force generating member, and is restored by the pressurizing unit.