JPS58194559A - Recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make it possible to available utilize a space, in an ink jet printer, by providing an ink tank in the vicinity of a head cleaning mechanism for carrying out the cleaning of the ink jet part of a recording head or the restoration in the function thereof. CONSTITUTION:Each color ink E in each main tanks 21Y-21BK is emitted corresponding to a drive pulse from each nozzle of a respective recording head 7 through a communication pipe 22, a sub-tank 12 and an ink supply pipe 11. Because each main tank 21 is attached to the fixing plate 25 of a head cleaning mechanism 70 through an angle 24 for adjusting the position of a liquid level and the lock screw 27 thereof and arranged to a space in the vicinity thereof, a space can be availably utilized and a number of parts can be reduced to a large extent. In addition, only one inspection port for maintaining and inspecting the head cleaning mechanism and the ink tank is used while the stirring effect of the ink is also obtained by vibration during the operation of the head cleaning mechanism.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a recording device, and is particularly suitable for an inkjet printer equipped with a multi-nozzle head and an ink tank.

As such an inkjet printer, one having a configuration as shown in FIG. 1, for example, has been proposed. Here, 1 is a recording paper, 2 is a paper feed roller that feeds the recording paper 1 in the sub-scanning direction, and 3
1 is a paper feed pulse motor that drives the paper feed roller 2, and 4 and 5 are guide rollers that form a recording plane. 6 is four color recording heads 7Y, 7M, 7C and 78K
It is a carriage on which (general number is 7) is mounted,
Head feed pulse motor 9 via timing belt 8
, and reciprocates in the main scanning direction q along the guide rail lO. 11 is an ink supply pipe that supplies ink to each head 7Y to 78; 12Y, 12M, 12C;
and 12BK (vIA bracket number 12) are yellow Y1 magenta M, cyan C and black B, respectively.
K ink tank and head 7Y via vibrator 11
- Connects to 78K. 13 is a flexible printed wiring board that supplies drive pulses to each nozzle in each of the heads 7Y to 7BK.

7Y, 7M, 7C and 78 each have yellow Y.

It is a multi-nozzle inkjet head for magenta M, cyan C and black BK.
Each flexible printed wiring board 13 has a large number of nozzles arranged in a straight line in the rigid scanning direction at an interval (pitch) of g/■.
Ink of each color is ejected from the nozzles toward the recording paper l by driving pulses supplied through the nozzles. As a method for ejecting this ink, for example, a bubble jet method is used in which a heating element is embedded in a nozzle and ink droplets are ejected using bubbles generated by heat generated by a pressure pulse.

A recording apparatus having a multi-nozzle head as described above can perform image recording at a much higher speed than a recording apparatus having a single nozzle or a small number of nozzles. However, since the diameter of each nozzle (ejection port) of the recording head 7 is extremely small, the nozzles are easily clogged by ink impurities, dryness, paper powder, and dust in the air. Cleaning or restoring the function of the nozzle was not easy. In addition, in the above-mentioned color recording apparatus, since the amount of each color ink used differs depending on the mode of the recorded image, the liquid level in each ink tank 12 becomes uneven, and as a result, the ink pressure fluctuates. However, the problem was that the image quality deteriorated. Furthermore, since the ink tank 12 requires a large volume, it becomes an obstacle to effective use of space, and the overall size of the apparatus cannot be sufficiently miniaturized.

In view of the above-mentioned points, the present invention provides a recording apparatus that is equipped with an ink tank near a head cleaning mechanism that cleans or restores the function of the ink ejecting portion of the recording head, thereby making effective use of space. The purpose is to provide

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the following.

Components common to those of the conventional device shown in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed explanation thereof will be omitted.

2 to 4 show an example of the configuration of the recording apparatus of the present invention, where 21 is a main tank provided on the side facing the sub-tank 12 across the carriage 6, and both tanks 21 and 12 are They communicate with each other at the bottom via a flexible pipe 22 as shown in FIG. 23 is tank 21 and 1
This is an air hole that penetrates the ceiling of No. 2. Reference numeral 24 designates an inverted angle as a liquid level adjustment means (level adjustment mechanism) that independently adjusts the height of each sub-tank 21, and the guide groove 2 provided in the vertical fixing plate 25 as the sixth factor.
Insert the WI movably into 6 and tighten it with the locking screw 27.
il Fixed at an arbitrary height. 28 is each guide groove 26
This is a locking screw mounting plate that covers a part of the fixing plate 25 and is fixed integrally with the fixing plate 25. Further, it is preferable to provide a translucent plate or a liquid level inspection port on the back of each main tank 21 so that the position of the liquid level can be detected, and further provide an indicator means for indicating a predetermined liquid level position. In this case, the indicator means may be a thin string with one end fixed. Also,
Each main tank 21 is attached near the upper part of a base 40, which will be described later, via an angle 24 or the like.

31 is a head cleaner that comes into contact with the nozzles (jet ports) of each recording head 7 to clean the nozzles, eliminate clogging, and restore ink ejection characteristics; Consists of a flat plate. Reference numeral 32 denotes a supporter (cleaner holder) on which each head cleaner 31 is attached interchangeably, and as shown in FIG. It has a face plate 36. Reference numeral 37 designates a leaf spring whose bent I11 portion is fixed to approximately the center of the back surface of the supporter 32, and is attached to the base 40 via a guide screw 38 and a fixing screw 39. Therefore, each head cleaner 31 is attached to the same base 40 via the supporter 32 or the like. As shown in FIG. 8(A), the leaf spring 37 has a vertical guide elongated hole 41 in its upper part that is slidably engaged with the guide screw 38, so that the supporter 32 and the base 40 can be connected to each other. When the head cleaner 31 is pushed between the edges, it is guided along the elongated hole 41 and extends upward as shown by the chain line 4 in FIG. Relatively upward distance through the supporter 32! Move high.

The base 40 for moving the head cleaner 31 in the direction of the recording head 7 moves the head cleaner 31 in the direction of the recording head 7, as shown in FIG. Arrange. 42 and 43 are slide shafts (guide shafts) that guide the movement of the base 40 having a rectangular cross section;
One slide shaft 42 engages with a pair of legs 44 provided on the base plate of the base 40 via a slide bearing 45,
The other slide shaft 43 supports the lower surface of the slider 4f+ provided on the opposite side of the base 40 from below and slides into and out of the slider 4f+.

47 indicates that when the base 40 is tilted in the direction of the arrow, the base 40
It is a return spring that pulls back to the original position, and its one end is fixed to the bottom of the base 40, and the other end is fixed to a predetermined stationary point (fixed point). 48 is an I-shaped rotation stopper that regulates the inclination of the base 40, one end of which is fixed to the bottom of the base 40, and the other end bent below the slide shaft 43, so that the base 40 is not tilted at a predetermined angle or more. When the base 40 is tilted, it comes into contact with the slide shaft 43 to limit the tilt of the base 40.

Reference numeral 51 denotes a bottle protruding from the lower surface of the leg portion 44 of the base 40, and slides by engaging with the spiral groove 53 of the grooved cam shaft 52. 54
is a notched cylindrical stopper/poppy 4 member (hereinafter referred to as a stopper) fixed to the center of the grooved cam shaft 52 with a fixing screw 55, which limits the movement of the bin 51 in the direction of the recording head and at the same time As shown in FIG. 9, by rotating together with the shaft 52 in the direction of arrow B, the bottle 51 in contact with the notch is rotated about the slide shaft 42, thereby moving the base 40 to the fourth position. Rotate in the direction of arrow A as shown by the chain line in the figure. 56 is a reducer 57, a pulley 58,
This is a motor that freely drives the grooved camshaft 52 in forward and reverse directions and stops via a belt 59 and a pulley 60, and 61 is a manual knob (handle) connected coaxially with the grooved camshaft 52.

Squirrel 1! The shaft 42 is provided parallel to the groove shaft 52 and substantially perpendicular to the movement direction (main scanning direction) of the carriage 6. The grooved cam @52 is rotatably supported by the fixed plates 25 and 63 via a pair of bearings 62, but the slide shaft 42 is directly supported by the fixed plates 25) and 63. Fix it. 64 is the fixed plate 2
This is a stay shaft that supports 5 and 63.

Next, the operation of the recording apparatus of the present invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 2 to 9.

During recording head cleaning, the carriage 6 is moved to the running end and stopped at a position where each nozzle of the radar 7 faces each head cleaner 31 which is a recovery system. Next, the grooved cam shaft 52 is rotated by driving the rotor 56 or turning the knob 61 by hand (11). By one rotation of the grooved cam shaft 52 in the direction of arrow B, the bottle 51 slides on the spiral groove 53 of the grooved cam shaft 52, and the base 40 approaches the recording head 7 along the slide shaft 42 via the bottle 51. Head cleaner 3
1 is brought into contact with the recording head 7. Further, the base 4o is moved toward the recording head side, and the leaf spring 37 is pressed to move it directly above the apex C'#tili (see FIG. 3 and FIG. 8(B)). Therefore, the head cleaner 31 is pressed against the nozzle (ink ejecting part) of the recording head 7 and is rubbed upward along the nozzle surface. At this time, since the head cleaner 31 uses a porous member with good ink absorbency, the nozzles of the head 7 can be cleaned well and clogging can be eliminated.

Next, the bottle 51 comes into contact with the stopper 54, and the stopper 5
4 rotates together with the grooved cam shaft 52 in the direction of arrow B (see FIG. 9), the pin 51 engages with one end of the notch of the striker 54, so that the base is rotated through the pin 51. 40 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow about the slide shaft 42 (see FIG. 4). Therefore, the head cleaner 31 cleans the recording head 7.
is twisted at a predetermined angle relative to the nozzle. In this way, since the head cleaner 31 is applied to the nozzle and then moved in multiple directions to perform cleaning or functional recovery, more complete leaning can be achieved. Next, motor 5
6 or stop rotating the knob 61, the spring 4
The base 4o returns to its original position due to the biasing force 7, and the slider 46 is seated on the slide shaft 43.

Next, the motor 56 or the knob 61 is rotated in the opposite direction to remove the head cleaner 31 from the recording head 7 and return it to the initial position. The above cleaning operation is repeated multiple times depending on the state of nozzle clogging. is also suitable. Note that instead of the stopper 51, a microswitch (not shown) for detecting the movement position of the base 4o or the bottle 51 and a plunger (not shown) that extends upward in response to the detection signal 46 of the microswitch are used.
(not shown), drive the plunger to remove the base 4o.
may be rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow. Furthermore, it is also preferable to apply vibrations such as ultrasonic vibrations to the head cleaner 31.

Furthermore, when replacing the head cleaner 31, which is a cleaning member, the replacement work is completed by pulling out only the head cleaner 31 to be replaced from the supporter 32 and inserting a new head cleaner 31 into the removed location. In this way, the supporter 32 makes the head cleaner 31 replaceable.
Therefore, it is extremely easy to replace the head cleaner 31 with a new one, and maintenance work is simplified. Therefore, the cleaning work can be performed using the helad cleaner 31 that is always in the best condition, and optimal nozzle function can be maintained. Further, since a plurality of head cleaners 31 are mounted on the same base 40, the mechanism becomes simple, and the head cleaning work can be performed using the same drive source, making the work easier.

The head cleaning mechanism (recovery system) of the present invention described above
70 can be provided at both left and right ends in the main scanning direction as shown in the second figure. In this way, the head cleaning mechanism 70
When a plurality of head cleaners 31 are provided, head cleaning work can be continued even if one of the head cleaners 31 becomes unusable, and a new head cleaner 31 can be replaced during that time. Therefore, maintenance and inspection work becomes easier.
There is no need to interrupt printing work for a long time to replace the head cleaner 31. Furthermore, there is no need to return the carriage to the position of the head cleaning mechanism 7o on one side before performing the head cleaning operation. However, the head cleaning work time can be shortened.

Furthermore, the characteristics of the helad cleaner 31 of the mechanism 70 on the right side,
The characteristics of the blade cleaners 31 in the left mechanism 70 are made to differ, for example, one cleaner 31 has relatively good ink absorption, and the other cleaner 31 has relatively poor ink absorption. Since this can be made different, more appropriate leaning can be performed in response to the nozzle clogging condition. In addition to cleaning the recording head 7 when the nozzles are clogged, it is also preferable to perform the cleaning automatically periodically or when the recording head 7 is turned on. Note that a plurality of head cleaning mechanisms 70 may be provided on the same side in the rotational direction.

Next, points regarding the ink tanks 21 and 12 will be described. The ink E in each main tank 21 is transferred to the communication pipe 22.
Go through and enter the corresponding subtank 2,
The ink is supplied to the recording head 7 through the ink supply vibrator 11, and is ejected from the nozzles of the recording head 7 in accordance with drive pulses. At this time, the ink E is mainly supplied by the siphon effect, so in order to maintain a predetermined supply ink pressure, the liquid level of each main tank 21 must be adjusted to the lowest level corresponding to the lowest surface of the recording head 7. It is necessary to maintain the position at a predetermined distance below the nozzle position. However, since the amount of ink used differs for each color, if printing continues, the liquid level in each main tank 21 via the sub tank 12 will become uneven.

If you leave it as is, each head 7Y, 7M, 7C,
There is a large difference in ink ejection pressure for each 7BK, making it impossible to obtain faithful color tones, but by adjusting the position of the angle 24, the liquid level in each main tank 21 can be adjusted to a predetermined height as shown in FIG. Such inconvenience can be easily solved by aligning the liquid level. Further, as described above, by providing a means for adjusting the height of the ink liquid level, the position of the liquid level with respect to the recording head 7 is adjusted to r! 41i, the ink pressure can be kept constant without replenishing ink, so it is possible to easily obtain high quality images at all times.

Furthermore, since the ink tank 21 is arranged in a vacant space near the head cleaning mechanism 70, which is a recovery system,
Space can be used effectively and the entire recording apparatus can be downsized, and the number of parts required for supporting the ink tank can also be significantly reduced. Furthermore, since the head cleaning machine @70 and the ink tank 21 are located nearby, there is an advantage that only one inspection port is required for maintenance and inspection. Furthermore, since the head cleaning mechanism 70 generates vibrations during operation, it is possible to apply vibrations to the pigment-type ink in the ink tank 21 to obtain a stirring effect.

Furthermore, in addition to the ink tank 12, another ink tank 2 is provided.
1, and both tanks 12 and 21 are placed on separate sides with the carriage 6 in between, and both tanks 12 and 21
and 21 are communicated through a communication pipe 22, the volume of one sub-tank 12 can be reduced, and there is no restriction on the place where the sub-tank 12 can be placed, so the ink supply vibrator 11 itself can be freely routed. Furthermore, since the number of ink tanks increases, the overall ink storage capacity also increases. Since the sub-tank 12 can be fixed and the height of one main tank 21 can be adjusted,
The liquid level position of the sub-tank 12 can be freely adjusted, and the ink liquid pressure can be easily adjusted.

It goes without saying that the present invention can also be applied to a monochrome recording device. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to multi-nozzle inkjet printers.

As described above, according to the present invention, since the ink tank is provided near the head cleaning mechanism that cleans the ink ejecting portion of the recording head, it is possible to effectively utilize space.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a conventional apparatus, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the main part configuration of the recording apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a 25!
Figure 4 is a left side view of Figure 3, Figure 5 is a front view of Figure 2 showing the main parts of Figure 2 in detail, and Figure 6 is a front view of Figure 3. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of a part of FIG. 2, and FIGS. 8 (A) and (B) are side views showing the leaf spring portion of FIG. 3. and front view,
9 is a sectional view showing the stopper portion of FIG. 3. FIG. l... Recording paper, 2... Paper feed roller,
3... Paper feed pulse motor, 4.5°° guide roller, 6... Carriage, 7,
(7Y, 7M, 7C, 78K)... Recording head, 8.
...Timing belt, 9...Head feed pulse motor, 10...Guide rail, 1
1... Ink supply pipe, 12, (12Y, 12M, 12C, 128K)... Ink tank (sub tank), 13... Flexible printing 1 (wiring board, 21... Main tank (ink tank), 22...Communication pipe, 23...Air hole, 24--Angle, 25
...Fixing plate, 26...Guide groove, 27.
...Lock screw, 28...Mounting plate, 31...
Head cleaner, 32-- Supporter, 33-- Falling prevention plate, 34-- Removal stopping plate, 35-- Side stopper, 36-- Rear plate, 37-- Leaf spring,
38-・Guide screw, 39・Fixing screw,
40... Base, 41... Long hole, 42.
43...-slide shaft, 44... leg part,
45...Slide bearing, 46...Slider, 47...
... Spring, 48 ... Rotation stopper, 51 ... Bin, 52 ... Groove cam shaft, 53 ... Spiral groove, 5
4...Stopper, 55...Fixing screw, 56
...Motor, 57...Reducer, 58...
・Pulley, 59...Belt, 60...Pulley,
61...knob, 62...bearing,
63...Fixing plate, 64...Stay, 70...Head cleaning mechanism. Figure 4 Figure 3 Figure 5 Figure 6 Figure 2 Figure 8 (A) (B)

Claims (1)

[Claims] A printing apparatus comprising an ink tank near a head cleaning mechanism that cleans or restores the function of an ink ejecting section of a printing head.