JPS61193857A - Method for cleaning head of ink jet printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To hold the end surface of a head to an initial state and to keep the water repellency of said end surface, by periodically injecting an alkaline washing solution having penetrativity to the end surface of the head coming to an ink jet orifice not only to remove paper powder or dust adhered to a nozzle outlet but also to keep the water repellency of the end surface of the head. CONSTITUTION:The washing solution nozzle 1 connected to the piping of a washing solution is arranged in the head end surface cap mechanism 2 covering a head end surface 4 at a home position. A printing head 3 is returned to a home position at the closing time of a power source, at the cutting-off time thereof and during printing and ink is forcibly injected at first from a nozzle 5 for a definite time in such a state that the head end surface 4 is covered with the cap mechanism 2. At this time, an alkaline washing solution having penetrativity is simultaneously injected to the head end surface 4 from the washing solution jet nozzle 1 to wash the nozzle 5 and the head end surface 4 having the nozzle 5 opened thereto and the paper powder or dust adhered to the outlet of the nozzle is removed. The deteriorated ink causing clogging accumulated in the nozzle is reduced and removed.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a method for restoring the function of a print head of an inkjet printer, and in particular, a method for maintaining the initial state by cleaning the end face of the head, which serves as an ink jet port, during periodic purging. related to cleaning methods.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, this type of printer uses a mechanism as a head in which a nozzle is formed between the plates by laminating plates with grooves formed by etching, etc., and ink droplets are ejected from the tip of the nozzle by vibration of a piezoelectric element. Ta.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

In the above-mentioned conventional inkjet printer, the head end face of the nozzle exit, which serves as the ink jetting port, is mirror-polished to make it easier to run out the ink and to improve jetting directionality and stability, and a water repellent agent is also applied to improve water repellency. was coated. However, when used for a long period of time, the end face of the nozzle gets dirty with paper dust and dust in the air, and this dirt causes ink pools to form on the end face of the head near the nozzle, impairing the jetting force direction, and eventually damaging the nozzle. There was a drawback that injection was not possible.

Additionally, alkaline water-based ink was used, but as time passed, the parts exposed to the air would oxidize and deteriorate, and the concentration would increase, causing the risk that it would harden and block the nozzle.

In order to prevent these problems, forced purge injection has been performed at the home position of the head, but this has not been completely effective.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method for solving the above problems using a cleaning liquid.

[Means for solving problems]

The present invention simultaneously sprays a penetrating alkaline cleaning liquid onto the end face of the head at the nozzle outlet during forced purge injection, removes paper powder, dust, etc. adhering to the end face of the head, and restores the head end face to its initial state after coating. It also reduces the oxidized ink.

〔Example〕

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention.

A cleaning liquid spray nozzle l connected to a cleaning liquid piping (path shown) is installed in the cap mechanism 2 that covers the head end face 4 at the home position. When the power is turned on, when the power is turned off, and periodically during printing, the print head 3 is returned to the home position, and with the head end face 4 covered by the cap mechanism 2, ink is forcibly ejected from the nozzles 5 for a certain period of time. At this time, at the same time, a permeable alkaline cleaning liquid is sprayed from the cleaning liquid injection nozzle 1 onto the head end face 4 to clean the nozzle 5 and the head end face where the nozzle 5 is opened, and paper powder and dirt adhering to the outlet of the nozzle 5 are cleaned. etc. to be removed. In addition, degraded ink that accumulates in the nozzle and causes clogging is reduced and removed. The jetted ink and cleaning liquid are discharged to the outside from the waste liquid port 6.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, according to the present invention, by spraying a cleaning liquid onto the head end face of the nozzle outlet which serves as the ink jetting port of the inkjet printer head, it is possible to maintain the head end face in its initial state and also maintain water repellency. can.

Furthermore, by using a permeable alkaline liquid as the cleaning liquid, the ink in the head does not deteriorate, the nozzle is always kept clean, and accurate printing can be performed.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Cleaning liquid spray nozzle, 2... Head end surface cap mechanism, 3... Print head, 4... Head end surface, 5
...Nozzle, 6...Waste liquid port Patent applicant NEC Co., Ltd. Figure 1

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) Periodically spray a penetrating alkaline cleaning liquid onto the end face of the head, which serves as the ink jetting port, to remove paper dust, dust, etc. that adheres to the nozzle outlet, and to maintain the water repellency of the head end face. Features: Inkjet printer head cleaning method.