JPH0970979A - Head cap member of ink jet recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simplify the structure preventing the deformation of a cap main body while achieving cost reduction. SOLUTION: An almost box-shaped cap main body 2 composed of an elastic material such as rubber and the almost box-shaped cap holder 3 housing and holding the cap main body 2 and composed of a resin material are provided and the peripheral wall part 2a of the cap main body 2 is integrally formed into a shape having a folded-back part so as to cover the peripheral wall part 3a of the cap holder 3 in succession from the inside to the outside to form the fitting part 2b in which the peripheral wall part 3a of the cap holder is fitted.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a head cap device for an inkjet recording device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An ink jet recording apparatus is provided with a head cap device which covers a head during stand-by or stop to prevent the ink jet head from drying or clogging.

As a head cap member used in a typical conventional head cap device, for example, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a cap body made of an elastic material such as a box-shaped rubber which is brought into contact with an ink jet head. 10
1 and a cap holder 102 for holding the box-shaped cap body 101. Guide pins 103, 103 for supporting a support member (not shown) are attached to both sides of the cap holder 102 in the longitudinal direction. In some cases, a pipe 104 for suctioning a negative pressure and a pipe 105 for releasing the atmosphere are attached to the outside from the bottom surface of the cap body 101 via a cap holder 102.

In such a head cap member, the head body is protected by abutting and sealing the cap body 101 on the ink jet head, and at the same time, the cap body 10 is pumped through the pipe 104 by a pump (not shown).
By sucking the inside, ink is sucked from the nozzles of the head and clogging due to drying is prevented.

However, when the inside of the cap body 101 is sucked to a negative pressure through the pipe 104, the cap body 101 is made of an elastic material.
As shown in FIG. 3, the peripheral wall portion 101a of the cap body 101 is deformed inward, and there is a problem in that the adhesion to the inkjet head deteriorates.

Therefore, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 5-77432
As described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2005-242,
Alternatively, it is known to form a reinforcing portion in which the inner wall surface of the cap body itself is thickened to prevent deformation of the cap due to suction by the reinforcing member or the reinforcing portion. Further, as described in JP-A-4-14461, a core member made of a plastic or metal material that is pressed against the head is built into the cap body, and the cap body is made of a resin material. It is known that a sealing member is attached to the front surface of the cap body.

[0007]

However, in the above-described conventional cap body having elasticity, which is provided with the reinforcing member on the inner wall surface, the ink is not formed between the inner wall surface of the cap body and the reinforcing member. The reinforcing member may come in and act as a lubricant, and the reinforcing member may come off from the cap main body due to repeated attachment and detachment of the cap main body to the head, forming a reinforcement part with a thicker part of the cap main body. However, in order to obtain the same internal volume, the outer dimensions of the cap body are increased.

Further, in the case where the core member made of plastic or metal material is built in the cap body, the shape of the cap body becomes complicated such as a bag shape, and the cost is high, and the cap body is expensive. Burrs and the like during molding are likely to occur in the space in which the core member of the main body is inserted, and particularly when such burrs occur in the head direction, the flatness of the tip cannot be obtained, and the adhesiveness deteriorates.

Further, in the case where the cap body is formed of a resin material and the sealing member is attached to the front surface of the cap body, the adhesiveness between the resin material and the sealing member is not sufficient, and the sealing member is It may adhere to the head and come off from the cap body.

As described above, in the conventional head cap member, the structure for preventing the deformation of the cap body when the inside of the cap body is sucked with a negative pressure is not sufficient, and the cost is increased. is there.

[0011]

In order to solve the above problems, a head cap member according to a first aspect of the present invention is a head cap member that comes into contact with and seals a head of an ink jet recording apparatus. The cap main body and a substantially box-shaped cap holder made of a resin material for housing and holding the cap main body, and the peripheral wall portion of the cap main body is fitted into the peripheral wall portion of the cap holder.

A head cap member according to a second aspect of the present invention is a head cap member for contacting and sealing a head of an ink jet recording apparatus, which has a substantially box-shaped cap body made of a resin material, and has a convex shape on an outer peripheral surface of the cap body. Alternatively, a concave collar portion or groove portion is formed, and a sealing member having elasticity is fitted into the collar portion or groove portion.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the head cap member for contacting and sealing a head of an ink jet recording apparatus, the head cap member has a substantially box-shaped cap body made of an elastic material, and an inner peripheral wall surface of the cap body. A concave portion is formed in and a reinforcing member having a circular cross section is fitted in the concave portion.

A head cap member according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the head cap device for an ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, in which a plurality of the cap bodies are integrally formed in a coupled state, and the cap bodies are separated from each other. A groove for mounting an absorbing member capable of absorbing ink is formed in the connecting portion of the above.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a main part of a head cap member showing a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view thereof.

The head cap member 1 has a substantially box-shaped cap body 2 made of a material having elasticity such as rubber, and a substantially box-shaped cap holder 3 made of a resin material for housing and holding the cap body 2. are doing. The peripheral wall portion 2a of the cap body 2 is integrally formed into a shape having a folded portion so as to continuously cover the peripheral wall portion 3a of the cap holder 3 from the inside to the outside, and the peripheral wall portion 3a of the cap holder 3 is formed.
To form a fitting portion 2b.

Further, guide pins 4 and 4 are attached to both sides of the cap holder 3 in the longitudinal direction so as to be supported by a supporting member (not shown), and from the bottom surface of the cap body 2 via the cap holder 3 to the outside. A pipe 5 for negative pressure suction and a pipe 6 for atmospheric release are attached.

The head cap member 1 thus constructed
In the above, the fitting portion 2b formed on the peripheral wall portion 2a of the cap body 2 is fitted into the side surface portion 3a of the cap holder 3, and the cap holder 3 is attached to the peripheral wall portion 2a of the cap body 2.
Since the side wall portion 3a of the cap body 2 has the same structure as the built-in side wall portion 3a as a reinforcing member, the strength of the peripheral wall portion 2a of the cap body 2 is ensured, and the peripheral wall portion 2a of the cap body 2 is suctioned even when the inside of the cap body 2 is sucked with negative pressure. Is prevented from deforming inward, the structure is simple, and the cost is low.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a main part of a head cap member showing a second embodiment of the present invention. The head cap member 11 is a box-shaped cap body 12 made of a resin material.
A concave groove 12b is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 12a of the cap body 12, and an elastic seal member 17 is fitted in the groove 12b.

Guide pins 14, 14 are attached to both sides of the cap holder 13 in the longitudinal direction so that they are supported by a supporting member (not shown), and the cap body 1
A pipe 15 for sucking negative pressure and a pipe 16 for releasing air to the outside from the bottom surface of 2 through the cap holder 13 are attached.

The head cap member 1 thus constructed
In No. 1, since the cap body 12 is made of the resin material, the peripheral wall portion 12a of the cap body 12 is prevented from being deformed inward even when the inside of the cap body 12 is suctioned with a negative pressure. Since the cap body 12 is made of a resin material and the seal member 17 is fitted in the concave groove portion 12b formed on the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 12a, the seal member 17 ensures the close contact with the head. Is
Moreover, since it has a fitting structure, the seal member 17 does not come off even if the head is repeatedly attached and detached, and the structure is simple and the cost is low.

As shown in FIG. 4, the cap body 1
The same action and effect can be obtained by forming a convex flange portion 12c on the outer peripheral surface of the second peripheral wall portion 12a and fitting the seal member 17 into the flange portion 12c so as to be attached.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a main part of a head cap member showing a third embodiment of the present invention. The head cap member 21 is a substantially box-shaped cap body 22 made of an elastic material.
And a substantially box-shaped cap holder 23 made of a resin material for accommodating and holding the cap body 22. Then, the inner wall of the peripheral wall portion 22a of the cap body 22 has a recess 22
b is formed, and a reinforcing member 27 made of a resin material or a metal material having a circular cross section (a perfect circle or an ellipse) is fitted in the recess 22b.

Guide pins 24, 24 are attached to both sides in the longitudinal direction of the cap holder 23 so that they are supported by a supporting member (not shown), and the cap body 2
A pipe 25 for sucking a negative pressure and a pipe 26 for releasing the atmosphere, which are exposed to the outside through the cap holder 23 from the bottom surface of 2, are attached.

The head cap member 2 thus constructed
In 1, the reinforcing member 27 is fitted in the concave portion 22b formed on the inner surface of the peripheral wall portion 22a of the cap body 22, so that the peripheral wall portion 22a of the cap body 22 is inward even when the inside of the cap body 22 is sucked under negative pressure. Deformation is prevented. The peripheral wall portion 22 of the cap body 22
Since the reinforcing member 27 having a circular cross section is fitted in the recess 22b formed on the inner surface of a, the structure is simple and the cost is low.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a main part of a head cap member showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The head cap member 31 is the same as the head cap member 1 shown in FIGS.
Are integrally formed in a state where a plurality of cap main bodies 2 are connected, and grooves 8, 8 ... For attaching an absorbing member 9 capable of absorbing ink are formed in the connecting portions 7, 7 ... Between the cap main bodies 2, 2. Is.

The head cap member 3 thus constructed
By using No. 1, when a head for three colors or four colors is provided as in a color printer, ink that adheres between the heads when the nozzle surface is cleaned by wiping or the like is applied between the cap bodies 2 and 2. The absorbing member 9 provided on the upper side makes it possible to easily absorb and remove.

Although the cap members of the first embodiment are connected to each other here, the cap members of the second and third embodiments are also connected to each other. You can

[0029]

As described above, according to the head cap member of the first aspect, a substantially box-shaped cap body made of an elastic material and a substantially box-shaped cap made of a resin material for accommodating and holding the cap body. Since it has a cap holder and the peripheral wall portion of the cap body is fitted into the peripheral wall portion of the cap holder, the cap body can be prevented from being deformed due to suction, and the configuration is simple and cost-effective. It will be cheaper.

According to the head cap member of claim 2,
A configuration in which a substantially box-shaped cap body made of a resin material is provided, a convex or concave flange or groove is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cap body, and an elastic seal member is fitted into the flange or groove. Therefore, the cap body can be prevented from being deformed due to suction, the configuration is simple and the cost is low, and the seal member can be prevented from coming off the cap body.

According to the head cap member of claim 3,
Since it has a substantially box-shaped cap body made of an elastic material, and has a concave portion formed on the inner peripheral wall surface of the cap body, and a reinforcing member having a circular cross section is fitted in the concave portion, it is used for suction. It is possible to prevent the accompanying deformation of the cap body, the configuration is simple and the cost is low,
It is also possible to prevent the reinforcing member from coming off the cap body.

According to the head cap member of claim 4,
The head cap device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a plurality of cap bodies are integrally formed in a connected state, and a groove for mounting an absorbing member capable of absorbing ink is formed in a connecting portion between the cap bodies. Since the configuration is adopted, in addition to the effects of the first to third aspects, it is possible to inexpensively obtain the head cap main bodies of a plurality of heads, and it is also possible to absorb and clean ink stains between the heads.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a main part of a head cap member showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a head cap member showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of an essential part of a head cap member showing another example of the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an essential part of a head cap member showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of an essential part of a head cap member showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an external perspective view of a main part of a conventional head cap member.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of FIG. 7;

9 is a plan view showing a deformed state of the head cap member of FIG. 7 during suction.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 11, 21, 31 ... Head cap member, 2, 1
2, 22 ... Cap body, 2a, 12a, 22a ... Peripheral wall portion, 2b ... Fitting portion, 12b ... Groove portion, 22b ... Recessed portion,
3, 13, 23 ... Cap holder, 7 ... Connecting portion, 8 ... Groove portion, 9 ... Absorbing member, 17 ... Sealing member, 27 ... Reinforcing member.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A head cap member for contacting and sealing a head of an ink jet recording apparatus, the head cap member comprising a substantially box-shaped cap body made of an elastic material, and a resin material accommodating and holding the cap body. And a substantially box-shaped cap holder, and a peripheral wall portion of the cap main body is fitted in the peripheral wall portion of the cap holder. 2. A head cap member for contacting and sealing a head of an ink jet recording apparatus, wherein the head cap member has a substantially box-shaped cap body made of a resin material, and has a convex shape or an outer peripheral surface of the cap body. A head cap member for an ink jet recording apparatus, characterized in that a concave collar portion or groove portion is formed, and a sealing member having elasticity is fitted in the collar portion or groove portion. 3. A head cap member for contacting and sealing a head of an ink jet recording apparatus, wherein the head cap member has a substantially box-shaped cap body made of an elastic material, and an inner peripheral wall surface of the cap body. A head cap member for an ink jet recording apparatus, wherein a concave portion is formed and a reinforcing member having a circular cross section is fitted into the concave portion. 4. A head cap device for an ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of cap bodies are integrally formed in a connected state, and ink is formed at a connecting portion between the cap bodies. A head cap member for an ink jet recording apparatus, wherein a groove for mounting an absorbing member capable of absorbing the ink is formed.