JPH0939270A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To effectively seal the individual nozzles of ink and dilute liquid, to obtain discharge stability and to improve the accuracy of the image density by providing means for coating the nozzle opening for discharging medium to be discharged with paste material for blocking the opening, and means for removing the coated material. SOLUTION: In order to prevent the mixture of dilute liquid 51 with ink 52 or ink 51 with the liquid 51 between adjacent nozzles 34 and 36 at the time of non-printing a print head 3 in a liquid jet recorder, paste material coating means for blocking the openings of nozzles 34, 36 is provided. The coating means connects a paste material tank 62 to a discharge unit 64 formed with a nozzle 63 by a tube 65, and has a coating plate 66 provided at the unit 64. Paste material removing means for removing the coated paste material is provided, and formed by connecting a sucking unit to the one end 71a of the tube 71 and providing a paste material vacuum unit 73 having a base material suction port 72 at the other end 71b.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer device for ejecting an ejection medium from a nozzle or a mixture ejection of an ejection medium and a quantitative medium. Specifically, in a printer device capable of applying a paste material to the nozzle opening portion to block the nozzle, prevent evaporation of the ejection medium and the quantitative medium, and prevent mixing of the ejection medium and the quantitative medium during non-recording. is there.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, especially in offices and the like, document creation using a computer called desktop publishing has become popular, and recently, not only letters and figures but also a natural color like a photograph is displayed. There is also an increasing demand for outputting images together with characters and figures. Along with this, it is required to print a high-quality natural image, and reproducing halftones is becoming important.

Further, a so-called on-demand type printer apparatus which discharges ink droplets from a nozzle to record on a recording medium such as paper or film only when necessary in accordance with a recording signal at the time of printing is downsized and low cost. Since it can be made into a new material, it is rapidly spreading in recent years.

As described above, various methods have been proposed for ejecting ink droplets, but a method using a piezo element or a method using a heating element is generally used. The former is a method in which pressure is applied to ink to discharge it by deformation of a piezo element. The latter is a method in which the ink is ejected at a pressure of bubbles generated by heating and boiling the ink by the heating element.

Various methods have been proposed as a method for reproducing the above-mentioned halftone with the above-mentioned on-demand type printer device for ejecting ink droplets. That is, the first method is to control the size of a droplet to be ejected by changing the voltage or the pulse width of the voltage pulse applied to the piezo element or the heating element, and to express the gradation by changing the diameter of the print dot. To be At this time, in the on-demand type printer device, one droplet is ejected for each pulse of the voltage pulse.

In the second method, one pixel is formed by a matrix of, for example, 4 × 4 dots without changing the dot diameter, and gradation expression is performed by using a so-called dither method in matrix units. There is a method.

On the other hand, the present inventors change the density of the ejected ink droplets and control the density of the printed dots by mixing the ink and the diluent when ejecting the ink. It has been proposed to provide a printer device that enables such a thing and prints out a natural image without causing deterioration of resolution. In the printer device as described above, water or water containing a surfactant is used as a diluent.

[0008]

The print head of the on-demand type printer device as described above is
A nozzle is formed so as to communicate with a pressure chamber into which ink, which is a discharge medium, is introduced, and ink is discharged from the nozzle by applying pressure to the ink in the pressure chamber by a piezo element or a heating element. I do.

Further, the print head of the on-demand type printer device which mixes and ejects the ink and the diluting liquid, the first pressure chamber into which the diluting liquid which is the ejecting liquid is introduced and the ink which is the quantitative liquid are introduced. A second pressure chamber is provided, and first and second nozzles formed in communication with the first and second pressure chambers are formed adjacent to each other. Recording is performed by applying pressure to the diluted liquid and the ink with a piezo element or a heating element to mix and discharge the diluted liquid and the ink from the nozzle.

However, in the on-demand type printer device as described above, the volatile component of the ink or the diluent may evaporate from the opening of the nozzle of the print head during non-recording, and the viscosity of the ink may be increased. In some cases, the discharge becomes unstable due to an increase in the discharge amount, or the air corresponding to the evaporation of the ink or the diluent flows into the nozzle to form bubbles, which makes it difficult to discharge the ink or the diluent.

Therefore, in the on-demand type printer device, at the time of non-recording, the entire nozzle opening portion of the print head is covered with a cap made of, for example, plastic so as to cover the entire nozzle opening portion. The evaporation of the volatile components of the ink or diluent is prevented.

However, when a plurality of nozzles are provided, for example, when an ink nozzle and a diluting liquid nozzle are provided, these nozzle openings are covered with the same cap, and the individual nozzles are isolated. Therefore, if left for a long time, the dilution liquid may mix into the ink between adjacent nozzles, or the ink may mix into the dilution liquid, and the accuracy of the image density at the next recording may decrease. appear.

Further, in the above method, since the individual nozzles are not completely sealed, it is difficult to completely prevent the evaporation of the ink or the diluting liquid in the nozzles, which may impair the ejection stability. There is also a nature.

Therefore, the present invention has been proposed in view of the conventional situation, in which individual nozzles of ink and diluent are reliably sealed, ejection stability is ensured, and image density accuracy is also ensured. An object of the present invention is to provide a printer device that enables the above.

[0015]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the inventors of the present invention have made diligent studies, and as a result, at the time of non-recording, paste material is applied to the opening of each nozzle to completely close the nozzle. It has been found that if the paste material is removed during recording, it is possible to ensure ejection stability and image density accuracy.

That is, according to the present invention, a paste material for closing a nozzle opening is provided in a printer device having a print head in which a nozzle communicates with a pressure chamber into which a discharge medium is introduced and which discharges the discharge medium from the nozzle. Is provided, and a means for removing the paste material is provided.

The present invention has a first pressure chamber into which the discharge medium is introduced and a second pressure chamber into which the metering medium is introduced, and communicates with the first and second pressure chambers, respectively. The present invention is also applicable to a printer device having a print head in which the first and second nozzles are formed, and the ejection medium and the quantitative medium are mixed and ejected from the nozzle. It is characterized in that means for applying a paste material for closing the portion and means for removing the paste material are provided.

As the above paste material, JIS is used.
The consistency of K2220 (grease) in the consistency test method is preferably 210 or more, more preferably 280 to 300. If the consistency is less than 210,
It is hard and difficult to remove.

Further, it is preferable that the means for applying the paste material is composed of a paste material discharging part and a coating plate.

Further, it is preferable that the means for removing the paste material is at least a paste material vacuum portion and further has a removal plate.

The printer device of the present invention has a means for applying a paste material for closing the nozzles of the ejection medium or the nozzles of the ejection medium and the nozzles of the metering medium, and for each of the apertures of the nozzles. Since a paste material that blocks these is applied, each nozzle is sealed,
Since it also has a means for removing the paste material, it does not hinder recording.

The paste material has a consistency of 21.
If 0 or more is used, it is easy to apply to and remove from the opening of the nozzle.

Furthermore, if the means for applying the paste material is composed of the paste material discharge part and the application plate, the paste material is applied uniformly over the entire opening of the nozzle.

Furthermore, if the means for removing the paste material is at least a paste material vacuum portion, the paste material can be easily removed, and if a removal plate is also provided, the paste material can be removed. It will be easier.

[0025]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, a liquid jet recording apparatus equipped with the printer device of the present invention constitutes a drum 2 on which a print paper 1 as a printing object is supported, and the printer device of the present invention. It is mainly configured by a print head 3 for recording on the print paper 1.

At this time, the printing paper 1 is
The paper is pressed and held on the drum 2 by a paper pressure roller 4 provided in parallel to the axial direction. A feed screw 5 is provided near the outer periphery of the drum 2 in parallel with the axial direction of the drum 2. The print head 3 is held by the feed screw 5. That is, the print head 3 moves in the axial direction of the drum 2 by the rotation of the feed screw 5.

On the other hand, the drum 2 has a pulley 6, a belt 7,
It is rotationally driven by a motor 9 via a pulley 8. Further, the rotation of the feed screw 5 and the motor 9 and the print head 3
Are driven and controlled by the head drive, the head feed control, and the drum rotation control 10 based on the print data and the control signal 11.

In the above arrangement, the print head 3
When is moved to print one line, the drum 2 is rotated by one line to print the next line. When the head 5 moves and prints, it may be unidirectional or reciprocal.

A block diagram of a printing and control system in such a liquid jet recording apparatus is shown in FIG. The signal input 21 such as print data is input to the signal processing control circuit 22,
The signal processing control circuit 22 arranges them in the printing order and sends them to the head 24 via the driver 23. The printing order differs depending on the configuration of the head 24 and the printing unit, and also has a relationship with the input order of the printing data. If necessary, the printing order is temporarily recorded in a memory 25 such as a line buffer memory or a one-screen memory and then taken out. A gradation signal and an ejection signal are input to the head 24.

When the number of nozzles is very large in a multi-head, an IC is mounted on the head 24 to reduce the number of wirings connected to the head 24. Further, a correction 26 is connected to the signal processing control circuit 22 so that γ correction,
Color correction in the case of color, variation correction of each head, and the like are performed. In the correction 26, the predetermined correction data is
It is generally stored in the M map format and taken out in accordance with external conditions such as nozzle number, temperature, and input signal.

The signal processing control circuit 22 is a CPU or DSP.
Generally, the processing is performed by software, and the processed signal is sent to various control motor drives and the like 27. In various control motor drive and others 27, control such as drive of a motor for rotatingly driving a drum and a feed screw, synchronization, cleaning of a head, supply and discharge of print paper, and the like are performed. Further, it goes without saying that the signals include an operation unit signal other than print data and an external control signal.

Next, the structure of the print head 3 which constitutes the printer device of the present invention will be described. However, here, an example of a so-called carrier jet type print head that ejects a mixture of ink and diluent will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the print head 3 mixes and ejects ink and a diluting liquid, and a pressure chamber unit 31 having two pressure chambers, a first piezo unit 32 and a first piezoelectric unit 32 corresponding to the two pressure chambers. It is mainly composed of two piezo units 33.

The pressure chamber unit 31 is for mixing and ejecting the ink and the diluent as described above, and as shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 34 and the first inlet 3 communicating with this
5, a second nozzle 36 serving as, for example, an ink ejection port, and a plate-shaped orifice plate 38 in which a second introduction port 37 communicating with the second nozzle 36 is formed substantially in the center, and a pressure chamber as shown in FIG. The side walls 39a, 39b, 39c, 39d, 39e are formed as partition walls to form, for example, a diluting liquid flow path.
The pressure chamber 40, the second pressure chamber 41 serving as an ink flow path, and the vibration plate 42.

In the orifice plate 38, one end of each of the first and second nozzles 34 and 36 faces one main surface 38a serving as a printing surface, as shown in an enlarged view in FIG. One end of each of the first and second inlets 35 and 37 communicating with the second nozzles 34 and 36 has the one main surface 38.
The one main surface 38b facing a is exposed.
Therefore, the first inlet 35 and the first nozzle 34 penetrate the orifice plate 38 as a whole, and the second inlet 3
The seventh and second nozzles 36 also penetrate the orifice plate 38 as a whole. The first and second nozzles 34 and 36 are formed so that the angle between the opening directions indicated by θ in FIG. 4 is 45 °.

Further, in the orifice plate 38, as shown in FIG. 3, the first and second nozzles 3 are provided.
4, 36, the first and second inlets 35, 37 are sandwiched, for example, a first supply chamber 43 having a substantially U-shaped cross section serving as a diluting liquid reservoir and a first supply chamber 43 having a substantially U-shaped cross section serving as an ink reservoir, for example. Two
The supply chamber 44 of the first main surface 38 whose opening is the printing surface
It is formed so as to face the one main surface 38b facing a.

At this time, pressure chamber side walls 39a, 39 are formed as partition walls on the one main surface 38b side of the orifice plate 38.
b, 39c, 39d are laminated to form the pressure chamber side wall 3
A portion in which 9a, 39b, 39c, 39d is not formed connects the opening of the first supply chamber 43 and the opening of the first inlet 35 to form a first pressure chamber 40 that serves as a flow path. At the same time, the second pressure chamber 41 serving as a flow path is formed by connecting the opening of the second supply chamber 44 and the opening of the second inlet 37.
Are formed.

The pressure chamber side walls 39a, 39b,
A vibration plate 42 is laminated on 39c and 39d, and the first and second pressure chambers 40 and 41 are closed.

Further, the first piezo unit 32 is
A first laminated piezo element 45 in the form of a plate in which piezoelectric materials and conductive materials are alternately laminated, a first support 46 for fixing one end of the first laminated piezo element 45, And a first holder 47 for fixing the first support 46 to which the laminated piezo element 45 is fixed to the pressure chamber unit 31. The same applies to the second piezo unit 33, in which one end of a second laminated piezo element 48 is fixed to a second support 49, and these are attached to the pressure chamber unit 31 by a second holder 50. Fixed.

The first and second laminated piezoelectric elements 45,
Reference numeral 48 denotes a layer obtained by laminating a piezoelectric material and a conductive material in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the first and second pressure chambers 40 and 41;
Alternatively, either one laminated in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction may be used. The laminated piezo element has a characteristic of extending in the laminating direction when a voltage is applied.

Therefore, the former laminated piezo element expands in the longitudinal direction of the first and second pressure chambers 40, 41 by the application of a voltage, but contracts in the direction orthogonal thereto. Therefore, this laminated piezo element does not apply pressure to the pressure chamber. Such a piezo element is called a d ₃₁ mode.

On the other hand, in the latter laminated piezoelectric element,
When a voltage is applied, the first and second pressure chambers 40 and 41 extend in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction and apply pressure to the pressure chambers. Such a piezo element is called a d ₃₃ mode.

The first laminated piezo element 45 is arranged so as to face the first pressure chamber 40 through the diaphragm 42, and the second laminated piezo element 48 is also arranged in the diaphragm 42.
The second pressure chamber 41 is disposed so as to face the second pressure chamber 41.

Therefore, in the print head 3 having the above-described structure, for example, the diluent is supplied from the diluent tank (not shown) to the first supply chamber 43 through the supply pipe (not shown) and the supply groove, and from here. First as shown in FIG.
Which communicates with the first inlet 35 through the pressure chamber 40 of the first
Of the diluting liquid 51 to form a _first meniscus D _{1 at} the tip of the first nozzle 34.

The same applies to one of the inks, which is supplied from the ink tank (not shown) to the second supply chamber 44 through the supply pipe and the supply groove (not shown), and from there, the second pressure chamber is supplied as shown in FIG. The second inlet 37 through 41
The second meniscus D _{2 at} the tip of the second nozzle 36 filled with the second nozzle 36 communicating with the second nozzle 36.
Is formed.

When printing is performed by the liquid jet recording apparatus having such a structure, for example, when the so-called d ₃₃ mode laminated piezo element is used as the first and second laminated piezo elements 45 and 48, the driving voltage Figure 5 shows the application timing
Shown in

That is, as shown in FIG. 5 (a), at the time of waiting before printing, at the time point shown in FIG.
For example, 10 [V] is applied to the laminated piezo element 45.

At the time of printing, based on the signals from the head drive, head feed control, and drum rotation control 10 described above, first, the diluent 51 is drawn into the first nozzle 34 (B) in the figure. At the time point indicated by, the applied voltage to the first laminated piezo element 45 is set to 0 [V]. As a result, the first laminated piezo element 45 shrinks and the first pressure chamber 4
The volume of 0 increases and the internal pressure becomes negative, and the diluent 51
Is drawn into the nozzle 34.

Simultaneously with this or with a little delay, FIG.
As shown in (b), the ink 52 is discharged from the second nozzle 36.
In order to extrude and extrude, the second laminated piezoelectric element 48 is driven with a driving voltage, for example, 10
[V] is given for 150 [μsec], the second laminated piezoelectric element 48 is elongated in the longitudinal direction, and the second laminated piezoelectric element 48 is expanded through the diaphragm 42.
The pressure chamber 41 is pressurized to apply the internal pressure to the second nozzle 36. Then, the ink 52 seeps out from the outside of the second nozzle 36 to the vicinity of the opening of the first nozzle 34, and a fixed amount is performed.

Thereafter, the ink 52 is supplied into the second nozzle 36.
When the drive voltage of the second piezo element 48 is lowered to 0 [V] at the time point shown by (D) in the figure in order to draw in the ink, the ink remaining on the one main surface 38a of the orifice plate 38 is
Is drawn into the nozzle 36 to form the _second meniscus D ₂ . It should be noted that the ink quantitative pulse width shown by T in FIG. 5B and between the time point shown by (C) in the figure and the time point shown by (D) in the figure is variable.

Further, in this state, in order to discharge the diluent 51 refilled in the first nozzle 34, as shown in FIG.
As shown in the inside, the first laminated piezo element 45 is changed from the time point indicated by (E) in the refilled state to the time point indicated by (F) in the figure.
As the drive voltage, for example, 20 [V] is set to 100 [μse
c] In addition, pressure is applied to the first pressure chamber 40 via the vibration plate 42, and internal pressure is applied to the first nozzle 34. As a result, at the time indicated by (G) in the figure, the diluent 51 is pushed out by the internal pressure in the first nozzle 34, and the quantified ink described above is integrated with the diluent 51 to form a droplet having a predetermined concentration. Is ejected as, and is deposited on the above-mentioned print paper 1 for printing.

Thereafter, when the voltage of the first laminated piezo element 45 is lowered to 10 [V] at the time shown by (H) in the drawing in order to draw the diluent 51 into the first nozzle 34, the first laminated layer is formed. Due to the contraction of the piezo element 45, the internal pressure of the first pressure chamber 40 and the first nozzle 34 becomes a negative pressure, whereby the diluent 51 is drawn into the first nozzle 34. After this,
The internal pressures of the first pressure chamber 40 and the first nozzle 34 return to their original values, and at the time points indicated by (I) and (J) in the figure, the diluent 51 is refilled in the first nozzle 34 due to a capillary phenomenon. To form a _first meniscus D ₁ .

Then, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, printing is performed by repeating the above operation.

First and second laminated piezo elements 45, 48
As an example, FIG. 6 shows the drive voltage application timing when a so-called d ₃₁ mode laminated piezo element is used. This d ₃₁ -mode laminated piezo element shrinks in the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the first and second pressure chambers 40 and 41 when a voltage is applied. Therefore, when the aforementioned so-called d ₃₃ -mode laminated piezo element is used And the opposite behavior. For this reason,
The application timing of the drive voltage is a figure obtained by inverting FIG. 5 showing the application timing of the drive voltage when the laminated piezoelectric element of the d ₃₃ mode is used.

In the above print head 3,
Orifice plate 38, pressure chamber side walls 39a, 39b,
Resins such as polysulfone, dry film resists, and metal plates such as nickel can be used for 39c, 39d, 39e and diaphragm 42, respectively. The orifice plate 38 may be formed by injection molding the above resin, and the first and second nozzles 34,
36 may be formed by excimer laser processing or the like.

In the printer device of this example,
When the print head 3 configured as described above is not printing, the diluting liquid 51 is mixed into the ink 52 between the adjacent first and second nozzles 34 and 36, or the diluting liquid 5 of the ink 52 is mixed.
1 is a paste that blocks the openings of the first and second nozzles 34 and 36 in order to prevent the dilution liquid 51 or the ink 52 in the first and second nozzles 34 and 36 from evaporating. It has a means for applying a material and a means for removing the paste material.

As the above paste material, JIS K 2
220 (grease) has a consistency of 21 according to the test method.
It is preferably 0 or more, more preferably 280 to 300. In addition, if the consistency is less than 210,
It is hard and difficult to remove. Further, as such a paste material, silicon grease or the like can be cited.

As a means for applying the above paste material,
As shown in FIG. 7, the tank 6 filled with the paste material 61 includes a paste material discharge part and a coating plate.
2 and the nozzle 63 are formed on the paste material discharge part 64,
An example is one in which a coating plate 66 is provided on the paste material discharge part 64, which is connected by a pipe 65.

The nozzle 63 is formed so that one end thereof faces the one main surface 64a of the paste material discharging portion 64 facing the print head 3, and the coating plate 66 is formed on the one main surface 64a. It is provided adjacent to the opening of the nozzle 63 and is provided as an elastic member.

Further, an air hole 67 is also formed in the tank 62, and by applying an air pressure as shown by an arrow P ₁ in the drawing from the air hole 67, the internal pressure in the tank 62 increases and the inside of the tank 62 is increased. The paste material 61 is an arrow M in the figure.
It is extruded as shown by ₁ , passes through the pipe 65, and the nozzle 6
3 It is designed to be ejected by being pushed out from the tip.

Therefore, in order to apply the paste material, first, the paste material discharging portion 64 is moved as shown by an arrow M ₂ in the figure, and the one main surface 64a facing the print head 3 is moved. Orifice plate 3 of print head 3
The main surface 38a, which is the printing surface of No. 8, is brought close to the main surface 38a. At this time, the coating plate 66 is pressed against the one main surface 38a with a predetermined pressure.

Next, the air pressure is applied as described above, the paste material 61 is extruded from the tip of the nozzle 63 and discharged, and at the same time, the print head 3 is moved by the feed screw 5 in the direction indicated by the arrow M ₃ in the figure. Alternatively, the paste material ejecting unit 64 is moved to relatively move the print head 3 in the direction indicated by the arrow M ₃ .

As a result, as shown in FIG.
The paste material 61 extruded from the tip of is supplied to a predetermined portion of the one main surface 38a of the orifice plate 38. At this time, a coating plate 66 is formed adjacent to the nozzle 63, and since the coating plate 61 is pressed against the one main surface 38a, the supplied paste material 61 is smoothed by the coating plate 66,
It will be uniformly applied to the one main surface 38a. After this,
It suffices to move the paste material discharging portion 64 as shown by an arrow M ₄ in FIG. 8 and separate it from the print head 3.

That is, the paste material 61 for closing the orifice plate 38 is also applied to the openings of the first and second nozzles 34 and 36 formed so that one end thereof faces the one main surface 38a. The 1st and 2nd nozzles 34 and 36 will be sealed individually.

Therefore, in the printer apparatus as described above, since the individual nozzles are hermetically sealed, even if the nozzles are left for a long time, the dilution liquid is mixed into the ink or the dilution liquid of the ink is mixed between the adjacent nozzles. Does not occur,
It is unlikely that the accuracy of the image density will decrease during the next recording. In addition, since the individual nozzles are sealed as described above, and the ink or diluent inside the nozzles is difficult to evaporate, ejection may become unstable due to an increase in the viscosity of the ink, or the amount of air that evaporates from the ink or diluent may be increased. Does not flow into the nozzle to form bubbles, which impairs ejection stability.

Next, as a means for removing the above-mentioned paste material, there may be mentioned one comprising at least a paste material vacuum portion. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, a suction device (not shown) is connected to one end 71a of the pipe 71. The paste material vacuum portion 73 in which the paste material suction port 72 is formed is provided inside the other end 71b.

Then, the paste material vacuum portion 73 is formed.
The surface facing the print head 3 is composed of, for example, an elastic member 74 having a spherical tip, and the paste material vacuum portion 73 is elastic in a substantially cylindrical support 75 such as a spring. It is fixed by the body 76. That is, the support 75 is used as a base to move in the direction indicated by the arrow M ₄ in the drawing by the elasticity of the elastic body 76, and the elastic member 74 of the paste material vacuum portion 73 is connected to the printing surface of the orifice plate 38 of the print head 3. One main surface 3
It is possible to press against 8a with a predetermined pressure.

Therefore, when removing the paste material, first, the paste material vacuum portion 73 is moved in the direction shown by the arrow M ₄ in the drawing, and the elastic member 74 is applied with a predetermined pressure to the orifice plate 38 of the print head 3. Paste material 61
The one main surface 38a coated with is pressed. And
A suction device (not shown) sucks the inside of the pipe 71 in the direction shown by an arrow P ₂ in the drawing, and at the same time, moves the print head 3 in the direction shown by an arrow M ₃ by the feed screw 5, or the suction head 74. Is moved to relatively move the print head ₃ in a direction indicated by an arrow M ₃ .

As a result, the paste material 61 applied to the main surface 38a of the orifice plate 38 is removed by suction. After that, the paste material vacuum portion 73 may be separated from the print head 3.

That is, the first of the orifice plate 38
And the paste material 61 applied so as to close the openings of the second nozzles 34 and 36 is easily removed.
Also, the sealing of the second nozzles 34 and 36 is released, and recording is not hindered.

As means for removing the paste material, in addition to the means having at least the paste material vacuum portion as described above, a means having a removing plate can be mentioned. That is,
As shown in FIG. 10, a support 81 provided with a plate-shaped removing plate 82 having elasticity and a frame body 83 for covering the paste material 61 application portion of the print head 3 as shown in FIG.
And a pipe 84 having a suction device (not shown) connected at one end
Has a paste material vacuum portion connected through a filter 85.

In order to remove the paste material, the support 81 is first brought close to the print head 3 so that the removal plate 82 is pressed against the print head 3 with a predetermined pressure as shown in FIG. Press on. Next, the print head 3 is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow M ₃ in the figure, or the support is moved to relatively move the print head 3 in the direction indicated by the arrow M ₃ in the figure, and the print head 3 is moved.
The paste material 61 applied to the above is removed to some extent.
After that, as shown in FIG. 11, the frame body 83 is covered on the portion of the print head 3 to which the paste material 61 is applied, and suction is performed by the suction device as indicated by an arrow P ₃ in the drawing.
Then, the paste material 61 remaining in is removed by suction. The removed paste material 61 is collected on the filter 85 in the frame body 83. If the paste material is removed in this way, it can be removed more easily.

As means for removing the paste material, in addition to the above-mentioned means, a means which also serves as a paste material vacuum portion and a removal plate can be mentioned. That is, as shown in FIG. 12, a plate-shaped removal plate 92 having elasticity is provided on the support 91, and the paste that is a through hole that penetrates the support 91 from the removal plate 92 and is connected to a suction device (not shown). The material suction port 93 is formed, and the paste material vacuum portion is formed.

When removing the paste material, as shown in FIG. 13, the support 91 is brought close to the print head 3 so that the removal plate 92 is pressed against the print head 3 with a predetermined pressure. Press down. At this time, the main surface 92 facing the opening of the paste material suction port 93 of the removal plate 92
It is pressed so that a faces the print head 3.

Next, the print head 3 is moved in the direction indicated by arrow M ₃ in the figure, or the support is moved to relatively move the print head 3 in the direction indicated by arrow M ₃ in the figure. At the same time, suction is performed by a suction device (not shown) as indicated by arrow P ₄ , and the paste material 61 applied to the print head 3 is removed by the removal plate 92 while being removed from the paste material suction port 93.

The printer device of this embodiment may have the following configurations as means for applying and removing the paste material. That is, it also serves as a means for applying the paste material having the above-mentioned paste material discharging portion and a coating plate and a means for removing the paste material which also serves as the paste material vacuum portion and the removal plate.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 14, a tank 102 filled with a paste material 101 and a nozzle 1 inside.
03, the support material 107 in which the paste material discharge part 104 in which the paste material suction port 104 is formed, the removal plate 106 in which the paste material suction port 105 is formed is formed adjacently, the nozzle 103, and the tank 1.
First pipe 108 for connecting 02 and paste material suction port 1
05 is connected to the tank 102 by a second pipe 109.

The nozzle 103 and the tank 102 are then
The connection portion of the first pipe 108 for connecting the first pipe 108 with the tank 102 is a first air valve which is opened by pressurization in the tank 102.
Of the second pipe 109 for connecting the paste material suction port 105 and the tank 102.
A second valve 111, which is an air valve that is opened by decompression in the tank 102, is provided at the connection portion with the tank 10.
An air hole 112 is also formed in 2.

Therefore, when applying the paste material, first, the support 107 is moved so that the main surface 104a, which is the surface of the paste material discharging portion 104 facing the print head 3, is placed on the print head 3. As well as close
The removal plate 106 is pressed with a predetermined pressure so as to face the print head 3.

Then, an air pressure as shown by an arrow P ₅ in the drawing is applied from the air hole 112 to pressurize the first valve 110 so that the paste material 101 is pushed out from the tip of the nozzle 103. At the same time, the paste material 101 is pushed out. The print head 3 is moved by the feed screw 5 in the direction indicated by the arrow M ₃ , or the support 107 is moved to relatively move the print head 3 in the direction indicated by the arrow M ₃ .

As a result, the paste material 101 extruded from the tip of the nozzle 103 is supplied to a predetermined portion of the printing surface of the print head 3, and the removal plate 106 formed adjacently functions as a coating plate. Paste material 1
01 is evenly applied.

When removing the paste material, first, the support 107 is moved so that the main surface 106a of the removing plate 106 facing the opening of the paste material suction port 105 faces the print head 3. Press it with a predetermined pressure.

Then, the air pressure as shown by the arrow P ₆ in the drawing is applied from the air hole 112 to reduce the pressure, and the second valve 111 is opened, and the print head 3 is sucked by the feed screw 5 in the drawing. Move in the direction indicated by arrow M ₃ ,
Alternatively, the support 107 is moved to relatively move the print head 3 in the direction indicated by an arrow M ₃ in the figure, and the paste material 101 is removed by suction. The paste material 101 that has been suction-removed is stored in the tank 102 via the second pipe 109.
Will be collected inside. Therefore, in this example, the paste material can be repeatedly applied and removed without replenishing the paste material 101.

Needless to say, the same effect as described above can be obtained even when the above-mentioned structure is used as the means for applying and removing the paste material.

Further, in the above examples, the printer device having the carrier jet type print head has been described, but the present invention is also applicable to the printer device having a so-called ink jet type print head for ejecting only ink. Needless to say.

[0086]

As is apparent from the above description, in the printer apparatus of the present invention, a means for applying the paste material for closing the nozzles of the ejection medium or the nozzles of the ejection medium and the nozzles of the metering medium is applied. In addition, since the paste material that closes the openings of the individual nozzles is applied to the openings of the individual nozzles, the individual nozzles are sealed and there is also a means for removing the paste material, which does not hinder recording.

That is, in the printer apparatus of the present invention, since the individual nozzles are sealed, even if the nozzles are left for a long time, for example, the dilution liquid is mixed into the ink or the dilution liquid of the ink is added between the adjacent nozzles. Is not mixed in, and the accuracy of the density of the image at the time of the next recording does not easily deteriorate. In addition, since the individual nozzles are sealed and the ink or diluent inside the nozzles does not evaporate easily, ejection may become unstable due to an increase in the viscosity of the ink, or air from the ink or diluent may evaporate inside the nozzles. Flow in to form bubbles,
It does not impair the ejection stability.

The paste material has a consistency of 21.
If 0 or more is used, it is easy to apply to and remove from the opening of the nozzle.

Furthermore, if the means for applying the paste material is composed of the paste material discharge part and the application plate, the paste material is applied uniformly over the entire opening of the nozzle.

Furthermore, if the means for removing the paste material is at least a paste material vacuum portion, the removal of the paste material will be facilitated, and if a removal plate is also provided, the removal of the paste material will be facilitated. It will be easier.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a main part schematically showing an example of a liquid jet recording apparatus equipped with a printer device to which the invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a printing and control system of an example of a liquid jet recording apparatus equipped with a printer device to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of main parts showing a print head of a printer device to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an essential part showing an enlarged vicinity of an orifice plate of a print head of a printer device to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 5 is a chart showing an example of the application timing of the drive voltage of the print head of the printer device to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 6 is a chart showing another example of the application timing of the drive voltage of the print head of the printer device to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an example of a means for applying a paste material and a print head of a printer to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view schematically showing a state in which the paste material is applied by an example of a means for applying the paste material of the printer device to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an example of a means for removing a paste material and a print head of a printer to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 10 is a plan view schematically showing another example of the means for removing the paste material and the print head of the printer device to which the invention is applied.

FIG. 11 is a plan view schematically showing another example of the means for removing the paste material of the printer to which the present invention is applied and the print head with a part thereof cut away.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view schematically showing still another example of the means for removing the paste material of the printer device to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 13 is a plan view schematically showing still another example of the means for removing the paste material of the printer to which the present invention is applied and the print head, partially cut away.

FIG. 14 is a plan view schematically showing a printer, to which the present invention has been applied, partially broken away.

[Explanation of symbols]

 3 Print Head 34 1st Nozzle 36 2nd Nozzle 40 1st Pressure Chamber 41 2nd Pressure Chamber 61,101 Paste Material 63,103 Nozzle 64,104 Paste Material Discharge Section 66 Coating Plate 72,93,105 Paste Material suction port 73 Paste material vacuum part 82, 92, 106 Removal plate

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Toshio Fukuda 6-735 Kitashinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Sony Corporation

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A printer device having a pressure chamber into which a discharge medium is introduced, a nozzle communicating with the pressure chamber, and a print head for discharging the discharge medium from the nozzle, the nozzle opening being closed. Means for applying the paste material,
A printer device having means for removing the paste material. 2. The printer device according to claim 1, wherein the paste material has a consistency of 210 or more. 3. The printer device according to claim 1, wherein the means for applying the paste material comprises a paste material discharge part and an application plate. 4. The printer device according to claim 1, wherein the means for removing the paste material comprises at least a paste material vacuum portion. 5. The printer device according to claim 4, wherein the means for removing the paste material comprises a paste material vacuum portion and a removal plate. 6. A first pressure chamber into which a discharge medium is introduced,
A second pressure chamber into which a quantitative medium is introduced, and first and second communication chambers that communicate with the first and second pressure chambers, respectively.
A printer having a print head that mixes and ejects the ejection medium and the quantitative medium from the nozzle, and a unit that applies a paste material that closes the nozzle opening,
A printer device having means for removing the paste material. 7. The printer device according to claim 6, wherein the paste material has a consistency of 210 or more. 8. The printer device according to claim 6, wherein the means for applying the paste material comprises a paste material discharge part and an application plate. 9. The printer device according to claim 6, wherein the means for removing the paste material comprises at least a paste material vacuum portion. 10. The printer device according to claim 9, wherein the means for removing the paste material comprises a paste material vacuum portion and a removal plate.