JPS6277939A - Operation method of ink jet recorder - Google Patents
Operation method of ink jet recorderInfo
- Publication number
- JPS6277939A JPS6277939A JP21825185A JP21825185A JPS6277939A JP S6277939 A JPS6277939 A JP S6277939A JP 21825185 A JP21825185 A JP 21825185A JP 21825185 A JP21825185 A JP 21825185A JP S6277939 A JPS6277939 A JP S6277939A
- Authority
- JP
- Japan
- Prior art keywords
- cap
- negative pressure
- ink
- washing liquid
- cleaning liquid
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title abstract description 6
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 23
- 238000011084 recovery Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 14
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 claims description 19
- 238000011017 operating method Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000007639 printing Methods 0.000 abstract description 6
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 abstract description 4
- 238000005406 washing Methods 0.000 abstract 6
- 230000006641 stabilisation Effects 0.000 abstract 1
- 238000011105 stabilization Methods 0.000 abstract 1
- 238000009423 ventilation Methods 0.000 description 6
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 4
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000004090 dissolution Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000000428 dust Substances 0.000 description 2
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000003795 chemical substances by application Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004880 explosion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002904 solvent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000008719 thickening Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002699 waste material Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
- B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
- B41J2/01—Ink jet
- B41J2/135—Nozzles
- B41J2/165—Prevention or detection of nozzle clogging, e.g. cleaning, capping or moistening for nozzles
- B41J2/16517—Cleaning of print head nozzles
- B41J2/16552—Cleaning of print head nozzles using cleaning fluids
Landscapes
- Ink Jet (AREA)
Abstract
Description
【発明の詳細な説明】
〔技術分野〕
本発明はインクジェット記録装面の作動方法に関し、特
に、記録ヘッドのインク吐出口部分に増粘または固着し
たインクを洗浄除去するための作動方法に関する。DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field] The present invention relates to an operating method for an inkjet recording device, and more particularly to an operating method for cleaning and removing ink that has thickened or adhered to the ink ejection port portion of a recording head.
インクジェット記録装置においては、インク溶剤の莫発
によるインク増粘あるいはごみ付着や気泡混入などでイ
ンク吐出口が目詰まりする場合があり、これを防止し印
字品位の安定化を図る目的で、記録ヘッドのインク吐出
口面をキャップで閉鎖するキャッピング動作およびイン
クを空吐出させるインク回復動作が採用されている。In inkjet recording devices, ink ejection ports may become clogged due to ink thickening due to ink solvent explosion, dust adhesion, air bubbles, etc. In order to prevent this and stabilize print quality, the recording head A capping operation in which the ink ejection orifice surface of the printer is closed with a cap and an ink recovery operation in which ink is ejected dry are employed.
キャリジ上に記録ヘッドを設けるシリアル型記録装置で
は、これらの動作は通常キャリジがボーム位置にあると
き行われる。In serial type recording devices in which the recording head is mounted on a carriage, these operations are typically performed when the carriage is in the Baum position.
また、インク回復動作はポンプなどの負、電源でインク
を吸い出す方法すなわち負圧吸引動作で行うことが広〈
実施されている。。In addition, the ink recovery operation is widely performed by sucking out the ink using a negative power supply such as a pump, that is, by using a negative pressure suction operation.
It has been implemented. .
しかし、従来のこの種のインクジェット記録装置にあっ
ては、キャッピングおよびインク回復動作を実施したと
しても、長時間経過するうちにインク吐出口部分に付着
したインクやほこりなどが固形物化し、前述のインク回
（賃動作のみではこれらの固形物を除去することが困難
であり、安定した印字品位を確保できない場合があった
。However, in conventional inkjet recording devices of this type, even if capping and ink recovery operations are performed, ink and dust adhering to the ink ejection ports become solid over time, resulting in the above-mentioned problem. It is difficult to remove these solid substances by ink operation alone, and stable printing quality may not be ensured in some cases.
本発明の目的は、このような従来技術の問題を解決でき
、インク吐出口部分に付着したインクなどが固着した場
合でも、これを容易にしかも確実に除去して洗浄するこ
とができ、もって常に安定した印字品位を確保しろるイ
ンクジェット記録装置の作動方法を提供することである
。An object of the present invention is to be able to solve the problems of the prior art, and even if ink adheres to the ink ejection port, it can be easily and reliably removed and cleaned. An object of the present invention is to provide a method for operating an inkjet recording device that ensures stable printing quality.
本発明は、インク吐出口をキャップで密閉するとともに
該キャップ内の空気を吸引する負圧吸引動作を行うこと
によりインク回復を行うインクジェット記録装置の作動
方法において、電源オンとキー操作により前記負圧吸引
動作を連続して行い、キャップ内の負圧度を高めた後、
該キャップ内を洗浄液タンクに連通し該キャップ内に洗
浄液を導入することにより、上記目的を達成するもので
ある。The present invention provides an operating method for an inkjet recording device that recovers ink by sealing an ink ejection port with a cap and performing a negative pressure suction operation to suck air inside the cap. After continuously performing suction operations to increase the degree of negative pressure inside the cap,
The above object is achieved by communicating the inside of the cap with a cleaning liquid tank and introducing the cleaning liquid into the cap.
以下図面を参照して本発明を具体的に説明する。 The present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings.
第１図は本発明の作動方法を実施するのに好適なインク
ジェット記録装置の要部を示し、プラテン１にハックア
ップされた用紙またはプラスチックシートなどのシート
（記録媒体）２の前方にガイドシャフト３が設置され、
該ガイドシャフトに沿って移動するキャリジ４上に記録
ヘッド５が搭載されている。FIG. 1 shows the main parts of an inkjet recording apparatus suitable for carrying out the operating method of the present invention. is installed,
A recording head 5 is mounted on a carriage 4 that moves along the guide shaft.
この記録ヘッド５の前面には複数のインク吐出口が形成
されており、各インク吐出口に対応する複数の電気熱工
矛ルギー変換体（発熱素子）または電気機械エネルギー
変換体（ピエゾ素子など）をデータ信号に基づいて駆動
し、飛翔的インク滴を形成してシート２に記録するもの
である。A plurality of ink ejection orifices are formed on the front surface of the recording head 5, and a plurality of electrothermal energy converters (heating elements) or electromechanical energy converters (piezo elements, etc.) corresponding to each ink ejection orifice are formed. is driven based on a data signal to form flying ink droplets and record them on the sheet 2.
キャリジ４のホーム位置ＨＰにはポンプ吸引式の回復手
段６が設けられている。このインク回復手段は、記録ヘ
ッド５に対し矢印入方向に前進後退駆動され、記録ヘッ
ドのインク吐出口を閉鎖するキャップ７および該キャッ
プ内の空気を吸引チューブ９を介して吸引する負圧吸引
手段（吸引ポンプ）８を備えている。A pump suction type recovery means 6 is provided at the home position HP of the carriage 4. This ink recovery means is driven forward and backward with respect to the recording head 5 in the direction of the arrow, and includes a cap 7 that closes the ink discharge ports of the recording head, and a negative pressure suction means that sucks air in the cap through a suction tube 9. (suction pump) 8.
第２図は第１図のインク回復手段６のキャッピング状態
を模式的に示す・
第１図および第２図において、インク回復手段６は、キ
ャッピング手段をも兼ねており、インク吐出口を密閉す
るとともにキャップ７内の空気を吸引しインク吐出口か
らインクを吸い出す負圧吸引動作を行うものである。FIG. 2 schematically shows the capping state of the ink recovery means 6 in FIG. 1. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the ink recovery means 6 also serves as a capping means, and seals the ink discharge port. At the same time, a negative pressure suction operation is performed to suck the air inside the cap 7 and suck out ink from the ink discharge port.
記録装置には水などの洗浄液を溜める洗浄液タンク１０
が設けられ、一方、キャップ７には通気チューブ１１が
接続され、該通気チューブの他端は電磁弁等から成る切
替弁１２により大気１３または洗浄液タンク１０に連通
ずるかあるいは密閉されるかのいずれかの状態に制御さ
れる。The recording device includes a cleaning liquid tank 10 that stores cleaning liquid such as water.
On the other hand, a ventilation tube 11 is connected to the cap 7, and the other end of the ventilation tube is connected to the atmosphere 13 or the cleaning liquid tank 10 by a switching valve 12 consisting of a solenoid valve or the like, or is sealed. controlled by the state.
以上のインクジェット記録装置においては、使用されな
い間（電源オフの間）、キャリジ４はホーム位置にあり
、記録ヘッド５のインク吐出口はキャップ７で密閉され
、かつ通気チューブ１１は閉位置にある切替弁１２によ
って大気１３および洗浄液タンク１０のいずれからも遮
断され密閉されている。In the above inkjet recording apparatus, when not in use (while the power is off), the carriage 4 is at the home position, the ink ejection opening of the recording head 5 is sealed with the cap 7, and the ventilation tube 11 is in the closed position. The valve 12 shuts off both the atmosphere 13 and the cleaning liquid tank 10 and seals the tank 10 .
使用開始に際し電源をオンにするとともに特定のキーを
操作すると、前記吸引ポンプ８による負圧吸引動作が連
続して行われる。At the start of use, when the power is turned on and a specific key is operated, the suction pump 8 continuously performs a negative pressure suction operation.
この場合、通気チューブ１１は閉塞されているので、キ
ャップ７内は前記負圧吸引動作の回数に応じて第３図に
示すごとく段階的に負圧度が高くなる。In this case, since the ventilation tube 11 is closed, the degree of negative pressure inside the cap 7 increases in stages as shown in FIG. 3 according to the number of times the negative pressure suction operation is performed.
この負圧吸引動作を強制的に行う回数は適宜設定できる
が、例えば５〜６回に設定することができる。The number of times this negative pressure suction operation is forcibly performed can be set as appropriate, and can be set, for example, to 5 to 6 times.
また、キャップ７内の負圧度は、インク吐出口に増粘イ
ンクや固着物が生じ、インクの流出抵抗か大きい場合に
は急激に増大するが、インク吐出口からインクがスムー
ズに吸引される場合は余り強くならない。In addition, the degree of negative pressure inside the cap 7 will increase rapidly if thickened ink or fixed substances occur at the ink ejection port and the ink outflow resistance is large, but the ink will be smoothly sucked from the ink ejection port. In this case, it won't be too strong.
こうして、キャップ７内の負圧度を高めた後、前記切替
弁１２を動作させ、該キャップ内を前記洗浄液タンク１
０に連通し、洗浄液（水など）を該キャ・７ブ内に導入
し空気と置換させる。After increasing the degree of negative pressure in the cap 7 in this way, the switching valve 12 is operated to transfer the inside of the cap to the cleaning liquid tank 1.
0, and a cleaning liquid (such as water) is introduced into the cab and replaced with air.
第４図は以上説明したインク回復手段６の動作を例示す
るタイミングチャートである。FIG. 4 is a timing chart illustrating the operation of the ink recovery means 6 described above.
第４図において、電源をオンにするとともにキーｔｉ作
を行うと、吸引ポンプ８が強制的に複数回（図示の例で
は６回）連続して駆動される。In FIG. 4, when the power is turned on and the key ti is operated, the suction pump 8 is forcibly driven a plurality of times (six times in the illustrated example) in succession.
この繰返し負圧吸引動作によってキャップ７内の負圧度
を高めた後、電磁弁から成る切替弁１２を密閉状態から
洗浄液タンク１０と連通ずる位置へ動作させる。After increasing the degree of negative pressure within the cap 7 by this repeated negative pressure suction operation, the switching valve 12 consisting of a solenoid valve is moved from the closed state to a position communicating with the cleaning liquid tank 10.
キャップ７内の負圧によって洗浄液が該キャップ内へ導
入されそこに溜められると、インク吐出口部分に付着し
た固形物はこの洗浄液によって溶解および洗浄される。When the cleaning liquid is introduced into the cap by the negative pressure inside the cap 7 and is stored therein, the solid matter adhering to the ink ejection port is dissolved and cleaned by the cleaning liquid.
溶解時間はインクの成分、ノズル構造等により決められ
る。The dissolution time is determined by the components of the ink, the nozzle structure, etc.
溶解洗浄後の液体は、吸引ポンプ８を通して廃インク溜
め等へ排出される。The liquid after dissolution and cleaning is discharged to a waste ink reservoir or the like through the suction pump 8.
なお、前記洗浄液タンク１０としては容器状のものの他
可撓性の袋状のものを使用することができ、容器の場合
には開閉可能な通気手段を設けておき、前記キャップ７
内との連通に連動して該通気手段を開き円滑に流入させ
るよう構成することが望まれる。Note that as the cleaning liquid tank 10, a flexible bag-like tank can be used in addition to a container-like tank, and in the case of a container, a ventilation means that can be opened and closed is provided, and the cap 7
It is desirable that the ventilation means be configured to open in conjunction with communication with the interior to allow smooth inflow.
以上説明したインクジェット記録装置の起動時の作動方
法によれば、記録装置の搬入後あるいは長期間停止後に
使用開始する際、インク吐出口部分の固着物の有無や目
詰まりの有無に関係なく、繰返し負圧吸引動作およびこ
れに続く洗浄液タンクとの連通を強制的に行うので、印
字動作に先立ってインク吐出口部分を常に清浄に保つこ
とができ、かつ印字動作中でのインク回復動作が容易確
実に行われる状態に保つことができ、もって印字品位の
安定化を確保することができた。According to the method of operation at startup of an inkjet recording device explained above, when the recording device is started to be used after being carried in or stopped for a long period of time, the inkjet recording device is repeatedly Negative pressure suction operation and subsequent forced communication with the cleaning liquid tank make it possible to always keep the ink discharge port clean prior to printing operation, and the ink recovery operation during printing operation is easy and reliable. As a result, it was possible to maintain stable printing quality.
また、切替弁Ｉ２の開放タイミングをキャップ７内の負
圧度を高めた状態で行うため、キャップ７内に洗浄液を
確実に溜めることができ、固着物の洗浄除去を容易に行
うことが可能になった。In addition, since the opening timing of the switching valve I2 is performed with the degree of negative pressure in the cap 7 increased, the cleaning liquid can be reliably stored in the cap 7, making it possible to easily wash and remove stuck substances. became.
以上の説明から明らかなごとく、本発明によれば、イン
ク吐出口部分に目詰まりの原因となるような固着物が生
じた場合、これを確実に溶解除去することができ、もっ
て印字品位を常に安定化させうるインクジェット記録装
置の作動方法が提供される。As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, if a stuck substance that causes clogging occurs in the ink ejection port, it can be reliably dissolved and removed, thereby maintaining the print quality at all times. A method of operating an inkjet recording device is provided that can be stabilized.
第１図は本発明方法を実施するのに好適なインクジェッ
ト記録装置の要部の平面図、第２図は第１図のインク回
復手段の模式的断面図、第３図は連続負圧吸引動作によ
るキャップ内負圧度の増大を例示するグラフ、第４図は
第２図のインク回復手段の作動タイミングを例示するグ
ラフである。
５−−−−−記録ヘノド、６−−−インク回復手段、７
− キャップ、８−−−−−吸引ポンプ、１０−・−洗
浄液タンク、１２−一一一−切替弁。
代理人 弁理士 大 音 康 毅
第１図FIG. 1 is a plan view of essential parts of an inkjet recording apparatus suitable for carrying out the method of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the ink recovery means of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a continuous negative pressure suction operation. FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating the operation timing of the ink recovery means in FIG. 2. FIG. 5---Recording head, 6---Ink recovery means, 7
- Cap, 8--Suction pump, 10-.-Cleaning liquid tank, 12-111-Switching valve. Agent Patent Attorney Yasushi Ooto Figure 1
Claims (1)
ャップ内の空気を吸引する負圧吸引動作を行うことによ
りインク回復を行うインクジェット記録装置の作動方法
において、電源オンとキー操作とにより前記負圧吸引動
作を連続して行い、キャップ内の負圧度を高めた後、該
キャップ内を洗浄液タンクに連通し該キャップ内に洗浄
液を導入することを特徴とするインクジェット記録装置
の作動方法。(1) In an operating method of an inkjet recording device in which ink recovery is performed by sealing an ink discharge port with a cap and performing a negative pressure suction operation to suck air inside the cap, the negative pressure is An operating method for an inkjet recording apparatus, which comprises continuously performing a suction operation to increase the degree of negative pressure within the cap, and then communicating the inside of the cap with a cleaning liquid tank and introducing the cleaning liquid into the cap.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP60218251A JPH0712665B2 (en) | 1985-10-01 | 1985-10-01 | Operating method of ink jet recording device |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP60218251A JPH0712665B2 (en) | 1985-10-01 | 1985-10-01 | Operating method of ink jet recording device |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| JPS6277939A true JPS6277939A (en) | 1987-04-10 |
| JPH0712665B2 JPH0712665B2 (en) | 1995-02-15 |
Family
ID=16716959
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP60218251A Expired - Fee Related JPH0712665B2 (en) | 1985-10-01 | 1985-10-01 | Operating method of ink jet recording device |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPH0712665B2 (en) |
Cited By (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0361393A2 (en) * | 1988-09-26 | 1990-04-04 | Tektronix, Inc. | Method and apparatus for cleaning a printer head |
| US5489928A (en) * | 1987-03-31 | 1996-02-06 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Liquid-repellent application process for a liquid ejection recording apparatus |
| US6007177A (en) * | 1994-11-30 | 1999-12-28 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Cap for ink jet recording head with rinsing liquid supplied thereto |
| JP2004508973A (en) * | 2000-09-15 | 2004-03-25 | ダースト フォトテヒニーク アクチエンゲゼルシャフト | Cleaning unit for inkjet printing equipment |
| WO2009145758A1 (en) * | 2008-05-25 | 2009-12-03 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Square wave vacuum pressure profile for priming fluid-jet precision-dispensing mechanism |
Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS57133074A (en) * | 1981-02-12 | 1982-08-17 | Canon Inc | Ink jet printer |
| JPS59127768A (en) * | 1983-01-11 | 1984-07-23 | Seiko Epson Corp | Clogging prevention mechanism for ink jet recorder |
| JPS61185451A (en) * | 1985-02-13 | 1986-08-19 | Sharp Corp | Clogging prevention apparatus of nozzle for ink jet printer |
-
1985
- 1985-10-01 JP JP60218251A patent/JPH0712665B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS57133074A (en) * | 1981-02-12 | 1982-08-17 | Canon Inc | Ink jet printer |
| JPS59127768A (en) * | 1983-01-11 | 1984-07-23 | Seiko Epson Corp | Clogging prevention mechanism for ink jet recorder |
| JPS61185451A (en) * | 1985-02-13 | 1986-08-19 | Sharp Corp | Clogging prevention apparatus of nozzle for ink jet printer |
Cited By (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5489928A (en) * | 1987-03-31 | 1996-02-06 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Liquid-repellent application process for a liquid ejection recording apparatus |
| EP0361393A2 (en) * | 1988-09-26 | 1990-04-04 | Tektronix, Inc. | Method and apparatus for cleaning a printer head |
| US6007177A (en) * | 1994-11-30 | 1999-12-28 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Cap for ink jet recording head with rinsing liquid supplied thereto |
| JP2004508973A (en) * | 2000-09-15 | 2004-03-25 | ダースト フォトテヒニーク アクチエンゲゼルシャフト | Cleaning unit for inkjet printing equipment |
| WO2009145758A1 (en) * | 2008-05-25 | 2009-12-03 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Square wave vacuum pressure profile for priming fluid-jet precision-dispensing mechanism |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JPH0712665B2 (en) | 1995-02-15 |
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