JPS6223761A - Ink jet recorder and capping device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To avoid the staining of the front face of head side when squeezing ink by shaping the cross-section of an ink absorbent into a nearly rhombic form and providing a beveled portion on the lower corners of the front face. CONSTITUTION:The front and back faces of absorbents 44 through 47 of a nearly rhombic form are in parallel with the front face side of a head element. The upper and lower faces of them are also inclined to become lower toward farther side from the head side and are parallel with each other. Beveled portions 44a through 47a are formed on the lower corners of the front faces of the absorbents 44 through 47. When squeezing ink, bleeding ink does not adhere to the head side and staining can be prevented because the beveled portions 44a through 47a are formed on the lower corners of the front face of the absorbents 44 through 47 and also because the bleeding ink is away from the head side. The bleeding ink will drop under gravity.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to an inkjet recording device and a capping device, and more particularly to an inkjet recording device that is pressed against a nozzle portion of an inkjet printer and performs a recovery operation from an ink failure state. and a capping device.

[Prior Art] An inkjet printer is a type of printer that performs dot recording by ejecting flying droplets from an orifice at the tip of a nozzle toward recording paper using various means.

゛ Since this type of inkjet printer uses liquid ink, there are problems such as clogging due to drying of the ink,
Non-ejection phenomena such as clogging due to adhesion of dust or non-ejection of ink due to generation of bubbles due to dissolved gas occur.

Therefore, an attempt is made to forcibly eject ink at the start of recording to release the non-ejected state.

During such a non-discharge recovery operation, ink is not discharged onto the recording paper, but the nozzle portion is covered with a gap and ink is discharged.

There are various structures for this cap, but for example, an ink absorber made of corpus cavernosum is provided inside the cap.

In many cases, a structure is adopted in which ink is ejected toward this absorber to absorb the ink.

In a cap having such a structure, unless the ink absorbed by the absorber is discharged by some means, the cap will contain more ink than the absorber can absorb, and will be useless in the non-ejection recovery operation.

As a method for removing ink from the ink absorber in such a state, a method is widely adopted in which a squeezing mechanism is provided to squeeze out the ink.

As such a squeezing mechanism, a structure has been proposed in which an ink absorber is housed in a frame having a substantially L-shaped cross section, and a squeezing plate is disposed below the absorber to squeeze out the ink.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the structure as described above, the absorber, the frame that supports it, and the aperture plate are arranged horizontally, so the absorber cannot be squeezed by the aperture plate. In this case, the ink will also be pushed out to the front of the absorber, causing problems such as conversely staining the head side with the ink due to squeezing.

This kind of extrusion of ink toward the front of the ink absorber occurs at the lower front corner of the absorber, which tends to stain the head side in particular.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in the present invention, the cross-sectional shape of the ink absorber is approximately rhombus, the front side is arranged parallel to the head side, and the upper surface of the support frame is A structure is adopted in which the aperture plate and the aperture plate are arranged at an angle so that the distance from the head side becomes lower.

In addition, a chamfered portion is provided at the lower front corner of the diamond-shaped absorbent body, and a structure is adopted in which the corner is separated from the head side.

[Function] When the above-described structure is adopted, ink gathers at the lowest position at the corner of the rear end due to gravity, and flows out from the gap between the aperture plate and the support frame.

Move away from the head side.

In addition, the lower front corner of the diamond-shaped absorber is chamfered, so even if ink comes out on the surface side when squeezing ink, it oozes out from this chamfer and falls, staining the front surface on the head side. Never.

[Example] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on the example shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 and subsequent figures illustrate one embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 2 and 3 show the entire color inkjet printer to which the present invention is applied.

The illustrated example employs a bubble jet method and is shown as an on-demand printer.

In the drawing, the reference numeral 20 is an upper unit in which a head unit is housed, as will be described later.

The lower side of this upper unit 20 is a lower unit 21, which accommodates a TL source portion.

There is a removable drain tank 2 on the outside of the lower unit) 21.
2 is attached so that it can be seen from the outside.

A paper feed unit 24 is attached to the front side of the upper unit 20 via a hinge 23 so as to be openable and closable.

A flap 25 is detachably attached to the upper part of the front side of the paper feed unit 24.

This flap 25 is a lid that covers the paper discharge port, and is removed by the operator during actual printing.

An operation panel 26 is provided adjacent to this flap 25.

Further, the reference numeral 27 indicates a pocket, and this pocket 27 accommodates manuals and the like.

Further, an opening 28 is formed in the lower part of the front side of the paper feed unit 24 for viewing the remaining amount of recording paper.

A stacker 29 formed by bending steel wire or the like is provided at the bottom of the paper feed unit 24.

Further, a base unit 30 is attached to the lower end of the lower unit 21.

A paper feeding mechanism 31 is provided inside the paper feeding unit 24, and a storage space 32 for recording paper is provided below the feeding mechanism 31.

In addition, the upper unit) 20 is a housing unit, and the valve jet assembly (hereinafter referred to as BJA) is mounted on the upper part.
) 33 is removably attached.

Further, a cap 34 is attached to the front side of this BJA 33 so that it can be lowered freely.

BJA33 has a structure as shown in FIG.

That is, the BJA 33 is assembled using a strong frame 34 as a reference, and is detachably attached to the upper space of the upper unit 20.

Four bubble jet units (hereinafter abbreviated as BJU) 35 to 38 are detachably attached to the frame 34 toward the front side thereof.

In this example, these BJUs 35 to 38 are arranged in order from top to bottom: black, cyan, magenta, and yellow.

Each BJU35. - 38 each have a plurality of head elements 1, and each head element 1 has a large number of nozzles (not shown), for example, 128 pieces.

The head elements 1 are arranged in a staggered manner in two stages, upper and lower, in each of the BJUs 35 to 38, but the nozzles are arranged so that they do not overlap in the upper and lower positions.

A second ink tank 12 filled with ink corresponding to each color is detachably attached to the lower stage of the BJUs 35 to 38.

Although not shown in FIG. 4, the second ink tank 12 is connected to the first ink tank 7 provided on the back side of the BJA 33.

This connection is automatically made by simply installing the second ink tank 12.

Fans 39 for sending cooling air are attached to both left and right ends of the frame 34 of the BJA 33.

The BJA 33 having such a structure is detachably installed in the upper frame 20 by grasping the left and right handles 34a of the frame 34, and when installed, the BJA 33 is attached to the upper frame 20 via the connector 40 provided at the rear end of the frame 34. automatically connected to the power side terminal on the side.

Note that the reference numeral 41 is a knob for locking the connector 40 and releasing the row 2.

On the other hand, the cap cover shown by reference numeral 42 in FIG. 4 is attached to cover the BJUs 35 to 38.

This cap cover 42 is attached to BJA3
This is the case when attaching and detaching 3.

That is, the diameter of the nozzle formed in the head element 1 is extremely small, and there is a risk that the nozzle will become clogged just by touching it with a fingertip or the like.

It is always installed when handling BJA33.

By the way, the cap 34, which can be raised and lowered freely, is constructed as shown in FIGS. 7iIJ5 and 6.

That is, the cap 34 is assembled on the basis of a strong frame 43, and is provided so that it can be raised and lowered by a drive device (not shown), and is placed in a position that covers the BJA 33 and a position that completely separates it downward from the BJA 33 as shown in FIG. It is installed in a position that allows it to be raised and lowered freely.

Inside the cap 34, ink absorbers 44 to 47 are accommodated, which cover the respective inks of the BJUs 35 to 38.

Each of the ink absorbers 44 to 47 has a support frame 5 fixed to an arm 49 rotatably supported on the frame 43 via a shaft 48.
A diaphragm plate 51 is arranged below the ink absorbers 44 to 47, and this diaphragm plate 51 is rotatably attached to the tip of another arm 52 via a pin 52a. It is mounted on a shaft.

That is, the arms 49, 52 are rotatably supported via a shaft 54 at the tip of an arm 53 extending downward from the shaft 48.

A plurality of arms 49, 52 are provided rotatably along the longitudinal direction of the support frame 54.

Further, a stopper 55 is provided on the frame 43 side at a position facing the bent portion of the arm 52 that supports the aperture plate 51.

On the other hand, as is clear from the figure, the absorbers 44 to 47 have a substantially rhombic cross section, and the front and rear surfaces thereof are parallel to the front side of the head element 1.

The upper and lower surfaces are inclined to become lower as the distance from the head side increases, and the upper and lower surfaces are parallel.

Furthermore, chamfered portions 44a to 47a are formed at the lower corners of the front surfaces of the absorbers 44 to 47.

Therefore, the lower corner of the front surface of the absorber is located away from the head side.

Further, the upper surface of the support frame 50 and the aperture plate 51 are parallel to the upper and lower surfaces of the absorber and become lower as they move away from the head side.

Further, a gap 50a is formed between the rear end of the aperture plate 51 and the lower end of the side wall of the support frame 50.

Incidentally, the ink absorbers 44 to 47, the support frame 50, the aperture plate 51, the arms 49, 52, etc. are connected to a partition plate 5 which is provided in parallel and inclined across the frame 43- in the longitudinal direction.
It is housed in a long and narrow space divided by 6.

The partition plate 56 is arranged so that the ink absorber side is higher and the opposite side is lower.

A motor 57 that serves as a driving source for the aperture mechanism is disposed in a part of the lower side of the frame 43.

On the other hand, the front side of the frame 43, that is, the ink absorber 44
A cover 58 is fixed to the side opposite to 47.

This cover 58 is formed into a shallow dish shape and is attached to the frame 4.
A space 59, which serves as an ink passage, is formed between the side surface 3 and the side surface 3.

This space 59 communicates via an opening 60 with the space of the partition slope 56, 56 in which the absorbent body and the diaphragm mechanism are accommodated.

Furthermore, an inverted trapezoidal protrusion 61 is protruded from the center of the lower part of the frame 43.

This protrusion 61 is formed hollow and communicates with the space 59.

This protrusion 61 is connected to a tube 63 via a joint 62, and this tube 63 is connected to the drain tank 22.

Therefore, the squeezed ink is guided from the inclined partition plate 56 to the space 59 through the opening 60, and then into the space of the protrusion 61 located at the lowest end.

It is guided into the drain tank 22 through the tube 63.

By the way, a lever 64 is vertically disposed on the side edge of the frame 43 on the side where the motor 57 is attached, as shown in FIG.

The lower end of this lever 64 is rotatably supported on the upper end of a rotating lever 65 fixed to the output shaft side of the motor 57 via a pin 66.

Arms 68 are connected to the vertically arranged edge 64 via pins 67 at the same pitch as the arrangement pitch of the absorbers 44 to 47.
One end of the forehead rear arm 8 is rotatably supported on a shaft, and the other end of the forehead rear arm 8 is fixed to the shaft 48.

A projecting piece 69 is provided on the gJ edge of the lever S4 opposite to the arm 68, and a bent portion of a substantially L-shaped lever 71 is rotated on this projecting piece 69 via a pin 70. It is freely supported on the shaft.

One end of this lever 71 is in contact with the lower side of the pin ridge 67, and a spring 73 is stretched between the other end and a protruding piece 72 that is provided below the protruding piece 69 and protruding on the opposite side. ing.

Therefore, the lever 71 has the ability to rotate counterclockwise in FIG. 7, and the lever 64 is always subjected to an upward pressing force.

In FIG. 5, the reference numeral 74 is a cap cover used during storage.

Next, the operation of this embodiment configured as above will be explained.

When the printer is in use, the paper feed unit 24 is closed and the cap 34 is lowered.

Therefore, BJA 33 is in a state facing the recording paper.

In this state, the head element 1 is operated according to the recording command, and color recording is performed using ink of each color.

On the other hand, when a nozzle is clogged, an ink non-discharge recovery operation is performed. At this time, the operator operates a button for the non-discharge recovery operation provided on the panel 26.

At this time, the cap 34 rises and covers the front surface of the BJA 33.

At this time, each of the ink absorbers 44 to 47 is in a state facing the head unit 1, as shown in FIG.

Note that FIG. 6 shows four ink absorbers 44 to 47 in the order of their operations over time from the top, and is shown as a cross-sectional view for explaining the operations.

Before the non-discharge recovery operation is started, the motor 57
is stopped and the one-turn lever 65 is in a substantially vertical state, and the lever 64 is rotated counterclockwise by the force of the spring 73, and the lever 64 is at its upper limit via the pin 67.

As a result, the arm 68 is at its limit of rotation in the clockwise direction, and the shaft 48
is at the limit of rotation in the clockwise direction, and the arm 53 is also at the limit of rotation in the clockwise direction, as shown in the first row of FIG.

At this time, the ink absorber 44 is not in contact with the head element 1.

When the motor 57 is operated in this state, the rotating lever 65 begins to rotate, and as a result, the lever 64 is pulled downward.

Therefore, the arm 68 begins to rotate counterclockwise and the shaft 48
．． Arm 53 also begins to rotate in the same direction.

As a result, the ink absorber is attached to the support frame 50. It moves counterclockwise along with the diaphragm plate 51 in an arcuate trajectory, and comes into contact with the head element 1 like the absorbent body indicated by reference numeral 45 in FIG.

Ink is ejected in this state, and the ejected ink is absorbed into the absorber 45.

Note that during the above-described operation, the arm 52 on the aperture plate 51 side is in a state in which the spring of the stopper 55 is bent.

When the lever 64 is further lowered, the shaft 48 and arm 53 are further rotated clockwise.

At this time, the bent part of the arm 52 is in contact with the stopper 55 as shown in the part of the absorber indicated by the reference numeral 46 in FIG. 6, so the arm 52 is forcibly rotated clockwise using this contact part as a fulcrum. .

As a result, the arm 49 is pushed upward, and the support frame 50 rises together with the absorbent body 46 while rotating clockwise in an arcuate trajectory.

Then, as the absorber 46 separates from the head element 1, the aperture plate 51 rises and the absorbed ink is squeezed out.

The squeezed ink falls onto the partition plate 56 from the gap 50a between the aperture plate 51 and the support frame 50, flows down the slope, is guided to the space 59 side, collects on the protrusion 61, and flows through the tube 63 to the drain tank. 22.

Since this squeezing operation is performed at the upper part of the narrow space between the partition plates 56 and 56, the squeezed ink does not form a bridge with the partition plate 58 forming the bottom plate, and the squeezed ink falls securely into the drain tank. The ink is guided to the side and no ink sticks or remains.

By the way, when the above-mentioned squeezing operation is performed, ink oozes out to the lower corner of the front surface of the absorber, but since the chamfered portions 44a to 47a are formed in this area, even if the ink oozes out, it does not leak from the head side. It is separated and does not adhere to the head side and does not contaminate it.

Then, the oozing ink is removed by gravity onto the partition plate 5.
6 falls on top.

When the squeezing operation is completed in this manner, the motor 57 rotates in the reverse direction, and the lever 64 is raised.

Therefore, the arm 68 is rotated clockwise, the shaft 48 and the arm 53 are also rotated clockwise, and the arm 49.52 returns to its original state, and the ink absorber returns to its original state as shown in the bottom row of FIG. Return to state.

In this way, the ink absorbed by the absorber is reliably squeezed out and does not adhere to the cap side, so it does not stain the head side or leave ink on the head side to stain the recording paper.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, since the apparatus is a color printer, the number of ink absorbers and aperture mechanisms corresponding to the color of ink is provided, but if one color is sufficient, only one set is provided. good.

[Effects] As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, the ink absorber is approximately rhombic, the front and rear surfaces of the absorber are parallel to the head side, and the upper and lower surfaces of the absorber are parallel to each other. The upper surface of the support frame and the aperture plate are shaped to follow the upper and lower surfaces of the absorber, and a gap is provided between the rear end of the aperture plate and the lower end of the side wall of the support frame. Since the ink has been adopted, the absorbed ink naturally falls through the gap between the aperture plate and the support frame, and even during the aperture operation, it is pushed out from this gap and the amount pushed out toward the head is small.

In addition, since a chamfer is formed on the lower corner of the front surface of the absorber, even if ink is pushed out to the lower corner of the front surface during squeezing, it will not adhere to the head side because it is away from the head side.
It won't stain the head.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings are for explaining one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the main parts, Fig. 2 is an external perspective view of the printer, Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the paper feed unit in an open state, 4 is a perspective view of the BJA, FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the cap, FIG. 6 is a longitudinal side view of the cap, and FIG. 7 is a side view of the cap. 1...Head element 24...Paper feed unit 3
3...BJA 34...Cap 43
...Frame 44-47...Ink absorber 48...Shaft 49.52.53...Arm 50...Support frame 51...Aperture plate 55...
・Stopper 58...Cover 59...Space
60...Opening 64...Lever
68...7-mu (=knee; kan・/!: Jr.
Figure 5,,,zu'11If'4'ff1lkaFigure 5kol <-"l")'r'1UW4s'HW3Figure 6gui・Iη''e 4tlMedaFigure 7

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1) A head element that performs recording by discharging ink;
A recording flow path that communicates between the head element and one end of the first ink tank, and a recording flow path that communicates between the first ink tank and the head element side via a pump, and a recording flow path that communicates between the head element and one end of the first ink tank. A pump-side flow path that forms an ink circulation path together with the recording ink flow path via a tank, a second ink tank that supplies ink to the first ink tank, and a front surface of the head element. An inkjet recording apparatus comprising a capping device that is movable up and down at a covering position and a position away from a head element, and has an ink absorber therein that is pressed against the head element. 2) A capping that includes a support frame with a substantially L-shaped cross section that is housed in the frame and supports the ink absorber inside the frame, and a diaphragm plate that is placed in contact with the lower side of the ink absorber. In the device, the ink absorber is approximately diamond-shaped, its front and rear surfaces are parallel to the head side, and the upper and lower surfaces of the absorber are parallel and become lower as they move away from the head side, and the upper surface of the support frame and the aperture plate are A capping device that is arranged parallel to the upper and lower surfaces of an ink absorber and is characterized in that a gap is provided between the rear end edge of the aperture plate and the lower end of the side plate of the support frame.