JPH11254690A - Maintenance tool for ink jet head, method and apparatus for maintenance employing it - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To satisfy other requirement as well as service life. SOLUTION: Stains on a recording material 3 adhering to the head surface 2a or the ejecting parts 6, 6a of the recording material 3 and adherends, e.g. condensates and dusts, to the recording material 3 are applied to the cleaning face 11a of a maintenance tool 11 including an adhesive 12 by bringing the cleaning face 11a into contact with the head surface 2a of an ink jet head 2 having the parts 6, 6a for ejecting the liquid recording material 3. Subsequently, the cleaning face 11a is separated from the head surface 2a and the adherends are removed from the head surface 2a and collected.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a maintenance tool for an ink-jet head used for image formation using a liquid recording material in a printer or the like, and a maintenance method and apparatus using the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An image forming method using an ink-jet head has a quiet sound and can form an image in which a plurality of colors are combined or synthesized in a short time. The device is simple and inexpensive, and is widely used as an output device of a personal computer.

The liquid recording material to be used, so-called ink,
There are a dye type and a pigment type. As shown in FIG. 15, an ink jet head a has a nozzle c
Is a jetting portion of the ink d, and the ink d flies toward the recording sheet to perform printing.

After printing, a small amount of ink d or its aggregate remains in the vicinity of the opening e of the nozzle c to the head surface b, or the ink d, the aggregate of the ink d, and dust adhere to the head surface b. However, this causes image noise and clogging of the nozzle c, which may cause an image defect.

Conventionally, to remove such deposits,
By rubbing the head surface b of the ink jet head a with a wiping rubber blade e as shown in FIG. 15, the ink d and the ink d adhering to the head surface b, the opening f of the nozzle c, etc. Agglomerates, dust, and other deposits are wiped off.

[0006]

The wiping rubber blade e satisfies incompatible characteristics such as being hard enough to provide a wiping effect and moderately soft so as not to damage the opening f of the nozzle c. There is a need. In addition, it is difficult to design and manufacture the wiping rubber blade e in consideration of the life of the wiping rubber blade e, generation of wiping noise, safety, cost, and the like. Conventionally, design and manufacture have been performed with the life taken first, and other necessary elements have been sacrificed. This problem is becoming a problem now that the number of nozzles of the ink jet head is increasing more and more, and it is desired to be solved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a maintenance tool for an ink jet head which can satisfy not only the life but also other necessary elements, and a maintenance method and apparatus using the same.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, a maintenance tool for an ink jet head according to the present invention is provided in contact with a head surface having an ejection portion for ejecting a liquid recording material of the ink jet head. One of the features is that a cleaning surface for cleaning the cover includes an adhesive.

[0009] With this configuration, the cleaning surface of the maintenance tool is simply released after the cleaning surface is brought into contact with the head surface of the ink jet head. When the cleaning surface comes into contact with the head surface, the cleaning surface adheres to the head surface and the recording material ejection portion. ,
Adhesives such as recording material stains, recording material agglomerates, and dust adhere to the cleaning surface containing the adhesive, and when the cleaning surface is separated from the head surface, these remain adhered to the cleaning surface and are not sticky or weak. Since it is separated and removed from the head surface and the ejection part and collected, cleaning maintenance can be performed without causing rubbing between the cleaning surface and the head surface, preventing the generation of noise due to rubbing,
In addition to preventing wear and damage due to rubbing, and shortening the life, even if the aggregates of the recording material in the ejection part of the recording material are exposed to the outside from the ejection part and only adhere to the cleaning surface, Since this can be taken out of the ejection section and removed, the cleaning effect is high and clogging can be easily prevented as compared with the conventional case in which the adhering matter on the head surface tends to be pushed into the ejection section during wiping. The contact and separation of the cleaning surface from the head surface can be performed manually or automatically by relative movement when moving one or both of them, and the relative movement may be any movement that increases or decreases the distance between each other. It is preferred that

[0010] When the adhesive is made of rubber, the required contact characteristics such as elasticity of the rubber base material with the head surface of the cleaning surface are not easily affected.
It is advantageous for production. If the adhesive is washable,
When the cleaning surface loses its adhesiveness due to the sticking material during maintenance, even if it is removed by washing with water, the cleaning surface will not lose its adhesiveness and will be easily regenerated without any special operation. Can be used for recycling.

If the cleaning surface of the maintenance tool is an arc-shaped curved surface or a roller surface, a cleaning surface containing an adhesive is brought into contact with the head surface and then separated and cleaned. In addition, the cleaning surface is continuously contacted with and separated from the entire surface of the head surface in one direction without rubbing by rolling contact with the arcuate curved surface or the roller surface of the maintenance tool. The cleaning can be efficiently performed by utilizing the movement of the surface. In particular, the roller surface has an advantage that a maintenance tool smaller than the width of the head surface is sufficient.

At the time of the maintenance utilizing the rolling contact, the recording material fed by the movement of the nip portion between the head surface and the cleaning surface at the end on the side where the maintenance tool on the head surface of the ink jet head finishes the rolling contact. Are collected by the liquid absorbing member and removed from the head surface and the cleaning surface.

As described above, even if excessive recording material that does not adhere to the cleaning surface accumulates in the nip portion between the cleaning surface and the head surface, the recording material is sent to one side as the cleaning proceeds. Since the ink is absorbed by the liquid absorbing member and can be removed from the nip and collected, the accumulation of the recording agent does not cause a problem.

[0014] The maintenance device for an Ic jet head of the present invention which performs the above-mentioned maintenance basically includes a maintenance section corresponding to a movement position of the ink jet head outside the printing area, and various maintenance tools as described above. Is provided, the maintenance by cleaning can be automatically achieved in a timely manner using the same operation timing as the conventional rubbing type maintenance tool provided in the maintenance section.

If an ink-absorbing member is provided at the end of the ink-jet head on the side where the rolling contact with the cleaning surface of the maintenance tool ends, the liquid-absorbing member is provided in line with the head surface, so that the nip portion between the cleaning surface and the head surface is provided. Following the cleaning with the maintenance tool, the pool of recording material that can be absorbed by the liquid-absorbing member and removed from the nip can also be automatically removed.

[0016] Further objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and drawings.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, typical embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

In this embodiment, an ink jet printer 1 as shown in FIG.
This is an example of a case where an ink 3 as a liquid recording material is caused to fly on a recording sheet 10 or the like according to an image signal to perform printing, thereby forming an image. The image signal can be obtained from any data source such as a personal computer, an image reader, or a host computer, or a web, or an external or internal storage medium, and requires a single or image forming function. The present invention can be used for various printers incorporated in information equipment and the like.

If data obtained by reading a document image is used, the present invention can be applied to a copying machine other than a printer.

The ink jet head 2 is, for example, shown in FIGS.
A structure like the embodiment shown in FIG. 12 is used. The outline thereof will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 12. As an energy source for flying the ink 3, a piezoelectric element (PZ) is used.
T) 4 is used in combination with the diaphragm 4a. A voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element 4 through a head ejection drive unit (not shown) in accordance with print data, causing distortion. This distortion is
The volume of the channel 5 filled with the ink 3 is changed. Due to this change in volume, the ink 3 is ejected from the nozzles 6 provided in the channel 5 toward the recording sheet 10 and flies, and printing on the recording sheet 10 is performed.

A plurality of these printing mechanisms are arranged in a row as shown in FIG. 10 for one ink jet head 2 or are provided in a plurality of rows as shown in FIGS. Channel 5 of each printing mechanism in a line
As shown in FIG. 11, the ink 3 is supplied through a common ink chamber 5a at the back provided to communicate with each other. In an ink jet printer that forms a color image, the combination of the piezoelectric element 4 and the channel 5 is formed by adding three colors of yellow, magenta, and cyan, or black to the combination to form a color image by forming a color. It is provided corresponding to the nozzle row for each of the four color inks 3.

The number of nozzles 6 in one row and the number of rows provided in one inkjet head, and the arrangement pitch thereof are various, and in practice, the number of nozzles 6 and the number of rows are varied based on the specific conditions. The main scanning and the sub scanning by the relative movement with respect to the sheet 7 are performed in various states, and a planar image is formed.

The ink 3 may be a commonly used dye or pigment. Examples of this include, as an example, Example 1 (dye-based black) Composition Composition ratio (% by weight) Water 80.8 Diethylene glycol 7.0 Polyethylene glycol (# 400) 4.3 C.I. I. 27755 (black dye) 4.5 Olfin-E1010 (manufactured by Nissin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) 0.7 N (CH ₂ CH ₂ OH) ₃ 0.2 NaHCO ₃ / NaOH (19: 1) 0.2 EDTA4Na (ethylenediamine tetra 0.2 sodium acetic acid) 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one (0.1 antifungal agent).

Ethyl alcohol 2.0 Example 2 (Dye-based black) Composition Composition ratio (% by weight) Water 83.9 Triethylene glycol butyl ether 6.5 Polyethylene glycol (# 300) 4.5 C.I. I. 27755 (black dye) 4.3 Olfin-E1010 (manufactured by Nissin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) 0.1 N (CH ₂ CH ₂ OH) ₃ 0.2 NaHCO ₃ / NaOH (19: 1) 0.2 EDTA4Na 0.2 1,2-Benzoisothiazolin-3-one 0.1.

Example 3 (Pigment-based black) Composition Composition ratio (% by weight) Water 79.0 Diethylene glycol 10.2 Polyethylene glycol (# 400) 1.0 Furnace black (Reagal250R) 5.5 (Black pigment) Olfin E1010 (manufactured by Nissin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) 2.5 N (CH ₂ CH ₂ OH) ₃ 0.9 Na ₂ B ₄ O ₇ / NaOH (19: 1) 0.6 EDTA4Na 0.2 1,2-benzoisothiazoline -3-one 0.1.

Example 4 (Dye-based yellow) Composition Composition ratio (% by weight) Water 65.1 Diethylene glycol 14.0 Triethylene glycol butyl ether 7.0 Polyethylene glycol (# 400) 4.5 C.I. I. 19140 (yellow dye) 2.6 Olfin-E1010 (manufactured by Nissin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) 2.8 N (CH ₂ CH ₂ OH) ₃ 1.8 NaHCO ₃ / NaOH (19: 1) 0.8 EDTA4Na 1.3 1,2-Benzoisothiazolin-3-one 0.1.

Example 5 (Dye-based magenta) Composition Composition ratio (% by weight) Water 80.8 Diethylene glycol 6.2 Polyethylene glycol (# 300) 4.3 C.I. I. 45100 (magenta dye) 2.5 Orfin-E1010 (manufactured by Nissin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) 1.2 N (CH ₂ CH ₂ OH) ₃ 2.2 NaHCO ₃ / NaOH (19: 1) 0.4 EDTA4Na 1.5 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one 0.1 isopropyl alcohol 0.8.

Example 6 (Dye-based cyan) Composition Composition ratio (% by weight) Water 84.8 Triethylene glycol butyl ether 6.5 Polyethylene glycol ($ 200) 4.2 C.I. I. 74180 (cyan dye) 3.0 Olfin-E1010 (manufactured by Nissin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) 0.8 N (CH ₂ CH ₂ OH) ₃ 0.2 Na ₂ B ₄ O ₇ / NaOH (19: 1) 0.2 EDTA4Na 0.2 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one 0.1 and the like.

Here, the first embodiment is used. After printing, as described above, a small amount of the ink 3 or its aggregate remains in the vicinity of the opening 6a to the head surface 2a of the nozzle 6,
The ink 3, aggregates of the ink 3, dust and the like adhere to the head surface 2 a, and this causes image noise and clogging of the nozzle 6, which may cause an image defect.

In the present embodiment, in order to remove the deposits, the cleaning surface 11a which contacts and cleans the head surface 2a having the nozzle 6 which is the ejection portion of the ink jet head 2 from which the liquid recording material is ejected. For example, a maintenance tool 11 as shown in FIGS.

In such a maintenance tool 11, when the cleaning surface 11a is brought into contact with the head surface 2a of the ink jet head 2 and then released, the maintenance surface 11a is brought into contact with the head surface 2a when the cleaning surface 11a comes into contact with the head surface 2a.
And the ink 3 adhering to the opening 6a of the nozzle 6
2 and 3 adhere to the cleaning surface 11a including the adhesive 12 when the cleaning surface 11a is separated from the head surface 2a. As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, it can be removed and collected from the head surface 2a or the opening 6a of the nozzle 6 which has little or no adhesiveness while being adhered to the cleaning surface 11a.

This makes it possible to perform maintenance without causing rubbing between the cleaning surface 11a and the head surface 2a, to prevent generation of noise due to rubbing, wear and damage due to rubbing, and The life can be prevented from being shortened. Moreover, the ink 3 in the nozzle 6
This aggregate can be taken out of the nozzle 6 and removed as long as the aggregate faces the outside from the opening 6a and adheres to the cleaning surface 11a. Therefore, the cleaning effect is higher and clogging can be easily prevented as compared with the conventional case in which the adhered matter on the head surface 2a tends to be pushed into the opening 6a of the nozzle 6 at the time of wiping.

As described above, when the cleaning surface 11a comes into contact with the head surface 2a and then separates from the head surface 2a, the pressure-sensitive adhesive 12 removes various kinds of substances adhered to the head surface 2a, the opening 6a of the nozzle 6, and the like. Agglomerates of the ink 3 in the adhesive 6 are adhered and removed from the head surface 2a, the nozzle 6 and the opening 6a thereof, and are collected. As described above, it is included in at least the surface layer of the cleaning surface 11a. Is enough. The thickness of the layer containing the adhesive 12 may be set in consideration of the adhesive function, its durability, and the like.

In some cases, the adhesive 12 is entirely contained,
Alternatively, the whole may be formed of the adhesive 12.

The contact and separation of the cleaning surface 11a from the head surface 2a can be performed by manual or automatic relative movement when one or both of them are moved. The relative movement may be any movement that increases or decreases the distance between them. In this case, the shape of the maintenance tool 11 and the cleaning surface 11a is not particularly limited, but a pad having a cleaning surface 11a that covers the entire area of the head surface 2a at once. Then, cleaning can be performed at once, which is preferable. The relative movement can also be performed by bringing the cleaning surface 11a into rolling contact. In this case, it is preferable that the cleaning surface 11a is a roller surface as in one embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 6. However, as in the one embodiment shown in FIG. It is easy to cope with a curved surface having an arc shape. When a belt-type belt that can rotate is used, a roller structure that supports the belt can be rotated. However, the contact time between the cleaning surface 11a and the head surface 2a can be kept long while rolling contact, so that the head surface 2a The attached matter on the side is easily adhered to the cleaning surface 11a, and the cleaning effect is improved.

The pressure-sensitive adhesive 12 includes a polyvinyl ether type,
Polyisobutylene, butyl rubber, SBR, chloroprene rubber, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, polyvinyl butyral, silicone, modified silicone,
There are polysulfide type, polyurethane type and acrylic type. Polyvinyl ethers include polyisobutyl ether, polyvinyl methyl ether and polyvinyl ethyl ether. There is an isobutylene-isoprene copolymer in the butyl rubber system. SBR latex includes SBR latex.

Other than these, coumarone indene resin, phenol / formaldehyde resin, polyterbene resin, xylene / formaldehyde resin, polybutene, rosin pentaerythritol ester, rosin glycerin ester, hydrogenated rosin, hydrogenated rosin methyl ester,
Hydrogenated rosin triethylene glycol ester, hydrogenated rosin pentaerythritol ester, polymerized rosin ester, aliphatic petroleum resin, alicyclic petroleum resin, synthetic polyterbene, pentadiene resin and the like can also be used.

These adhesives 12 are used for the maintenance tool 1
1 may be provided so as to cover at least the surface of the maintenance tool 11 so as to form at least the cleaning surface 11a. However, the maintenance tool 11 may be constituted as a whole, and has a single-layer structure, which is advantageous for manufacturing. is there.

The inventors conducted experiments using polyvinyl ether polyisobutyl ether, polyvinyl methyl ether, polyisobutylene, butyl rubber, and silicone as the pressure-sensitive adhesive 12, and obtained favorable results.
In particular, when the pressure-sensitive adhesive 12 is a rubber-based material, the maintenance tool 1 has little effect on necessary contact characteristics such as the elasticity of the rubber base material with the head surface 2a of the cleaning surface 11a.
1 is advantageous for design and manufacture. When the pressure-sensitive adhesive 12 is insoluble in water and permanently tacky, such as polyvinyl ethyl ether, when the cleaning surface 11a is less than the tolerance due to the adhered material that sticks during maintenance, FIG. As shown, even if the adhesive is removed by immersing in water 42 in a water tank 41 and stirring to wash the water, the adhesiveness of the cleaning surface 11a is not impaired, and the cleaning surface 11a is easily regenerated without any special operation. Can be used for recycling.

The maintenance tool 11 shown in FIG. 1 uses the water-insoluble polyvinyl ethyl ether as the pressure-sensitive adhesive 12 (polyisobutyl ether or the like may be used). The metal rotating shaft 11b serves as a core material. It is integrally formed around the periphery by insert molding or the like, and a portion other than the rotating shaft 11b is formed into a roller shape serving as the adhesive 12, and has a cleaning surface 11a serving as a roller surface. The diameter is set to 10 mm. In this roller configuration, the cleaning surface 11a is brought into rolling contact with the head surface 2a of the inkjet head 2 by the rotation of the maintenance tool 11 about the rotation shaft 11b.
The rolling contact may be made when the maintenance tool 11 is at a fixed position and the ink jet head 2 moves, or when the ink jet head 2 is at a fixed position and the maintenance tool 11 moves, or when both are relative. Even when the maintenance tool 11 is moved, the maintenance tool 11 is driven or rotated around the rotation shaft 11b by contact with the head surface 2a, or is driven to rotate.
For this, the maintenance tool 11 has a cleaning surface 11a.
May be supported by a hand or a device so as to be able to rotate while maintaining contact with the head surface 2a, and may be moved as needed. The way of providing the rotating shaft 11b for this purpose is free. For example, even if it is not provided on the maintenance tool 11 as shown in the drawing, it may be supported so as to be driven or rotated by a rotating shaft provided on the support tool or the support device side. Good. In the case of the embodiment in which the cleaning surface 11a shown in FIG. 7 is an arc-shaped curved surface, this may be followed.

As described above, the cleaning surface 11a of the maintenance tool 11 is brought into rolling contact with the head surface 2a by an arcuate curved surface or a roller surface, which is partially provided.
The cleaning surface 11a is continuously contacted and separated from the entire surface of the head surface 2a in one direction without rubbing, so that the cleaning can be efficiently performed by utilizing the movement of the inkjet head 2. In particular, when the roller surface is used, the maintenance tool 11 is smaller than the head surface 2a.
There is an advantage that it can be cleaned at Moreover, after the cleaning operation is completed, the maintenance tools 11 are pressed against the openings 6a of the nozzles 6 arranged in a line as shown in FIG. Can also prevent the ink 3 from drying.
When there are a plurality of rows of openings 6a of the nozzle 6, the head surface 2a
It is sufficient to use a maintenance tool that comes in contact with the surface of the device.

During maintenance using the rolling contact, the end of the head surface 2a of the ink jet head 2 where the maintenance tool 11 finishes the rolling contact is connected to the head surface 2a as shown in FIGS. 2, 5 and 6. Cleaning surface 1
The liquid absorbing member 43 absorbs the pool 3a of the ink 3 sent by the movement of the nip portion with 1a,
It is removed and collected from the head surface 2a and the cleaning surface 11a.

Thus, even if the excess ink 3 that does not adhere to the cleaning surface 11a accumulates in the nip between the cleaning surface 11a and the head surface 2a and forms 3a, it is sent to one side as the cleaning proceeds. Utilizing the liquid, the liquid can be absorbed by the liquid absorbing member 43 and removed from the nip to be collected, so that the above-mentioned pool 3a does not pose a problem.

The liquid absorbing member 43 is preferably a so-called sponge, and may be a natural rubber or a synthetic rubber. For example, natural rubber, synthetic rubber, etc. are foamed by a mechanical stirring method, foaming method, pressurized gas method, soluble substance compounding method, etc., foam rubber (cellular rubber), natural rubber, synthetic rubber, and polyvinyl chloride. Or a combination of phenol resin and the like. Further, plastic foams such as PE, PP, PUS, ABS, PVC, and polyurethane foamed by the decomposition type foaming agent method and the evaporative type foaming agent method can also be adopted. However, they need to have continuous foaming, not closed foaming. The foamed material is suitable because the fibers and dust are not scattered around, but in some cases, a nonwoven material made of fiber such as felt or paper may be used.

The opening 6 of the nozzle 6 is provided on the head surface 2a.
When a is in a row as described above, when the cleaning maintenance operation is performed in a positional relationship such that the axial direction of the rotating shaft 11b is parallel to the row direction of the opening 6a as shown in FIG. Since the cleaning operation of the maintenance tool 11 is simultaneously and substantially evenly applied to the openings 6a of the row, the head surface 2a is not moved by the deviation of the cleaning operation.
It is possible to prevent the pool 3a of the ink 3 from moving toward one side and deflect laterally before reaching the position of the liquid-absorbing member 43, and to flow outside the head surface 2a to contaminate the surrounding area.

Basically, as a maintenance device for the ink jet head 2, it is sufficient to provide the various maintenance tools 11 as described above in the maintenance section 44 corresponding to the moving position of the ink jet head 2 outside the printing area.
By using the same operation timing as the conventional rubbing type maintenance tool provided in the maintenance unit 44, maintenance by cleaning can be automatically achieved in a timely manner.

In the ink-jet printer 1 shown in FIG. 7, in order to form an image with the above-mentioned cleaning maintenance operation, the conveying means 31 for conveying the recording sheet 10 and the recording sheet 10 conveyed by the conveying means 31 are used. An inkjet head 2 that performs printing on the inkjet head 2, a maintenance tool 11 that is provided outside the printing operation range of the inkjet head 2, and performs a cleaning maintenance operation by contacting a head surface 2a where a nozzle 6 of the inkjet head 2 opens. A head drive mechanism 32 that moves the inkjet head 2 to a predetermined printing position during printing by keeping the inkjet head 2 facing the maintenance tool 11 outside the printing operation range and performing printing. During non-printing, the head surface 2a of the inkjet head 2 and While the maintenance to clean the opening 6a of the nozzle 6, to form an image each time the need is automatically achieved. In addition, the head drive mechanism 32 connects the inkjet head 2 to the maintenance unit 4.
Since the relative movement between the inkjet head 2 and the maintenance tool 11 for cleaning, especially rolling contact is achieved by the operation of moving at 4, there is no need to provide a special operation mechanism.

However, as one embodiment, a rotation is given to a gear 11c provided on a rotating shaft 11b of the maintenance tool 11 by a driving gear 46 in a device side box 45 accommodating the maintenance tool 11, and the cleaning surface is provided. 11
The rolling contact of a with the head surface 2a is surely achieved. This is performed by controlling the moving speed of the inkjet head 2 so that the surface speed of the cleaning surface 11a of the maintenance tool 11 substantially matches. This allows
Sliding friction between the cleaning surface 11a and the head surface 2a can be eliminated, and both frictions can be substantially eliminated. If necessary, a slight difference can be achieved by providing a certain difference between the two velocities.

Also, a cleaning pad 4 as shown in FIG.
And a maintenance tool 1 connected to a suction source such as a suction pump and having completed a cleaning maintenance operation.
The suction port 47a moves upward and approaches the first cleaning surface 11a, and the attached matter adhering to the cleaning surface 11a is removed by suction. This suction cleaning is the cleaning surface 1
The maintenance tool 11 is rotationally driven by the gears 11c and 46 so as to cover the entire area 1a.

In spite of such suction cleaning, if the deposits accumulate on the cleaning surface 11a and the cleaning effect on the head surface 2a falls below an allowable level, the maintenance tool 11 is removed and the cleaning tool is removed.
As shown in FIG. For this, the adhesive 12 of the maintenance tool 11 must be able to be washed with water as described above, and at least one bearing member 48 supporting the rotating shaft 11b as shown in FIG.
The maintenance tool 11 is moved by moving the
So that it can be removed.

Although the specific configuration of each of the above-described units and devices is not particularly limited, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the transporting unit 31 moves the recording sheet 10 between the platen 35 and the pressing plate 36 thereon. The recording sheet 10 after printing is sent to the discharge roller 3
Each time the printing by one main scan is completed, the sub-scan is carried out at a constant pitch by using the spur roller 7 and the spur roller 38 pressed against it. By repeating this, an image corresponding to the print data is formed.

The head drive mechanism 32 is equipped with an ink jet head 2 together with an ink cartridge 23 for supplying ink to the carriage 22 which is moved in the main scanning direction along the guide 21 so as to be moved in the main scanning direction. In addition, movement between the maintenance area 44 provided with the maintenance tool 11 and the suction cap mechanism 24 outside the printing area and the printing area is performed. To this end, a drive pulley 25 directly connected to the motor 20 and a timing belt 27 stretched over an idle pulley 26 provided opposite to the drive pulley 25 are moved by the distance between the print area and the maintenance section 44. The timing belt 2
7, the carriage 22 is caused to perform main scanning in the forward direction or in both the forward and reverse directions, or is moved to a required position such as the maintenance unit 44. Specifically, after cleaning is performed by passing the inkjet head 2 through the maintenance tool 11 of the maintenance unit 44, the suction cap mechanism 2
The ink jet head 2 is positioned at the position 4 to prevent the ink 3 from drying by the cap, and the ink 3 in the nozzle 6 of the ink jet head 2 is preliminarily ejected by suction by the suction cap mechanism 24 at the start of printing. After preventing the flying failure of the ink 3 from occurring at the time of printing,
The inkjet head 2 is moved to a printing area to perform a printing operation. The preliminary ejection of the ink 3 can also be performed by controlling the ejection of the ink jet head 2.

The liquid absorbing member 4 described above is mounted on the carriage 22.
3 is formed in a pad shape and equipped so as to advance to a position substantially aligned with the head surface 2a of the ink jet head 2 as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 when necessary, so that the pool 3a of the ink 3 can be absorbed. . However, it is preferable that the liquid-absorbing member 43 is retained by being detachably inserted into the holder 28 that moves the liquid-absorbing member 43, so that the liquid-absorbing member 43 can be replaced when the contamination exceeds the tolerance.

[0054]

According to the maintenance tool for an ink-jet head and the maintenance method and apparatus using the same according to the present invention, the cleaning surface of the maintenance tool is brought into contact with the head surface of the ink-jet head and then separated,
Maintenance that cleans the head surface of the ink jet head and the ejection portion of the liquid recording agent thereof can be performed without causing rubbing between the cleaning surface and the head surface, preventing generation of noise due to rubbing, and rubbing. In addition to preventing wear and damage and shortening of the service life due to the agglomeration, even the aggregates of the recording material in the ejection section of the recording material can be removed from the ejection section by adhesion and removed and collected. The cleaning effect is high and clogging is easily prevented as compared with the conventional case in which the kimono is likely to be pushed into the ejection portion. Particularly, in the apparatus, these maintenances can be automatically performed in a timely manner.

If the adhesive can be washed with water, if the adhesiveness of the cleaning surface falls below an allowable level due to the adhered substance during maintenance, even if the adhesive is removed by washing with water, the adhesiveness of the cleaning surface will be reduced. Without being impaired,
It can be easily reproduced and recycled without special operations.

If the cleaning surface of the maintenance tool is an arcuate curved surface or a roller surface, the cleaning surface is easily brought into rolling contact with the head surface, and the rolling contact causes cleaning of the entire surface of the head surface. The surface can be continuously contacted and separated without rubbing in one direction, and the cleaning can be efficiently performed by utilizing the movement of the inkjet head. In particular, the roller surface has an advantage that it can be cleaned with a maintenance tool smaller than the width of the head surface.

During the maintenance utilizing the rolling contact, the recording material sent by the movement of the nip portion between the head surface and the cleaning surface at the end where the maintenance tool on the head surface of the ink jet head finishes the rolling contact. Is collected by the liquid-absorbing member and removed from the head surface and the cleaning surface, so that the accumulation of the recording agent does not become a problem.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing one example of a maintenance tool for an inkjet head according to one representative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a maintenance operation for cleaning a head surface of an inkjet head using the maintenance tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an operation example for preventing drying of ink in a nozzle portion opened on a head surface after a maintenance operation.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a maintenance operation state.

FIG. 5 is a front view showing a further embodiment of the maintenance operation.

FIG. 6 is a side view of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a side view showing a maintenance tool according to another embodiment and an example of a maintenance operation state using the maintenance tool.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an ink jet printer employing the maintenance tool of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of an ink jet head used in the printer of FIG.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the inkjet head of FIG. 9 as viewed from a direction different by 90 °.

FIG. 11 is a front view of the inkjet head of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating a maintenance operation state for cleaning a head surface in a maintenance unit of the printer in FIG. 8;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a cleaning state of the maintenance tool after a maintenance operation is performed in the maintenance unit of the printer in FIG. 8;

14 is a perspective view showing a maintenance tool of the printer shown in FIG. 8 in a flush state.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing a maintenance operation state for cleaning the head surface of a conventional Ic jet head.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ink jet printer 2 Ink jet head 2a Head surface 3 Ink 6 Nozzle 6a Opening 11 Maintenance tool 11a Cleaning surface 11b Rotating shaft 12 Adhesive 32 Head drive mechanism 43 Liquid absorbing member 44 Maintenance part

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] March 31, 1998

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Claims]

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A maintenance tool for an ink jet head, characterized in that a cleaning surface for contacting and cleaning a head surface of the ink jet head having a jetting portion from which a liquid recording material jets out contains an adhesive. 2. The maintenance tool for an ink jet head according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive is a rubber. 3. The maintenance tool for an ink jet head according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive is washable. 4. The maintenance tool for an ink jet head according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning surface is an arcuate curved surface partially provided. 5. The maintenance tool for an inkjet head according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning surface is a roller surface. 6. A cleaning surface containing an adhesive of a maintenance tool is brought into contact with a head surface having an ejection portion for ejecting a liquid recording material of an ink jet head by contacting the cleaning surface.
After adhering to the cleaning surface any dirt, agglomeration of the recording material, dust, etc. adhering to the head surface or the jetting part of the recording material, the cleaning surface is separated from the head surface. And a method for maintaining the ink jet head, wherein the deposit is removed from the head surface. 7. The maintenance method for an ink jet head, wherein the contact of the cleaning surface of the maintenance tool with the head surface is a rolling contact of an arcuate curved surface or a roller surface of a part of the maintenance tool. . 8. An ink-absorbing member, at the end of the head surface of the ink-jet head where the maintenance tool finishes rolling contact, by moving a nip portion between the head surface and the cleaning surface to feed the recording material. Absorbed by
The maintenance method for an inkjet head according to claim 7, wherein the inkjet head is removed from the head surface and the cleaning surface. 9. The maintenance method for an ink jet head according to claim 6, wherein a maintenance tool containing an adhesive that can be washed with water is used to wash and regenerate at an appropriate time. 10. A maintenance unit corresponding to a movement position of an ink jet head outside a printing area, having a cleaning surface for contacting and cleaning a head surface having an ejection unit for ejecting a liquid recording material of the ink jet head. And a maintenance device including an adhesive on the cleaning surface. 11. The ink jet head according to claim 10, wherein the maintenance tool is provided such that a part of the curved surface or the cleaning surface, which is a roller surface, is in rolling contact with the head surface of the moving ink jet head. Maintenance equipment. 12. The maintenance of the ink-jet head according to claim 11, wherein a liquid-absorbing member is provided at an end of the ink-jet head on which the rolling contact with the cleaning surface of the maintenance tool is completed, so as to be aligned with the head surface. apparatus.