KR20140025605A - Method, mechanism, and device for maintaining inkjet head - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and mechanism for maintaining an ink jet head, and an apparatus capable of recovering the ejection performance of ink and performing good application in which nozzle detachment does not occur. In a maintenance method of covering a nozzle of an ink jet head with a cap and generating a negative pressure to suck liquid, a waste liquid tank communicating with the cap and the negative pressure generating means, and a low viscosity liquid storage portion communicating with the ink jet head And an ink reservoir in communication with the ink jet head, and liquid switching means for alternatively communicating the ink jet head with the low-viscosity liquid reservoir or the ink reservoir, thereby communicating the low-viscosity liquid reservoir with the ink jet head, A method and apparatus for maintaining an inkjet head, comprising: generating a cap to fill a low-viscosity liquid in an inkjet head, and then communicating ink reservoir and inkjet head to fill ink in the inkjet head.

Description

METHOD, MECHANISM, AND DEVICE FOR MAINTAINING INKJET HEAD}

In the present invention, the inkjet head is filled with ink when the ink cartridge is attached or replaced, or dust, dried ink, bubbles, etc. of the ink inkjet head are removed in the case of poor printing (hereinafter, referred to as "maintenance"). The present invention relates to a method, an apparatus, and an apparatus.

Generally, the inkjet recording apparatus is provided with a maintenance mechanism to maintain the ink ejection performance. As a conventional maintenance mechanism, after the nozzle face of the ink jet head is covered with a cap, a negative pressure suction pump is operated to apply negative pressure suction force to the nozzle face of the ink jet head, thereby recovering waste ink from the ink jet head side. It is known.

For example, Patent Document 1 includes a cap covering a nozzle face of an inkjet head, a negative pressure suction pump connected in communication with an ink outlet of the cap through a connecting tube, and a waste ink which is connected to and sucked in the negative pressure suction pump. Disclosed is a configuration including a waste ink tank for recovering wastewater.

Further, the ink jet printer disclosed in Patent Document 2 has a print head having a plurality of nozzles, an opening and a plurality of suction ports common to the plurality of nozzles of the print head, and closes the opening to the surface of the nozzle to form a closed space. And at least one suction pump for sucking ink from the plurality of nozzles through the plurality of suction ports of the cap, and an ink flow path for connecting the suction port and the suction pump of the cap, and spraying ink from the nozzle of the printing head. The dot printing is performed on the medium, and the opening of the cap is brought into close contact with the nozzle at the time of power supply or when necessary, and is sucked by the suction pump.

In addition, Patent Literature 3 provides a plurality of suction ports in the suction cap, and controls the opening and closing operation of each valve in the communication path of each suction port, whereby ink can be appropriately filled in all channels during the initial introduction of ink. In purging, it is disclosed to efficiently remove bubbles from the channel near the head end where bubbles are likely to stay.

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1995-81089

[Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1995-304191

[Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent No. 3800855

In the case of ink containing solid content such as pigment, since the viscosity is high and the fluidity of the ink itself is poor, there is a problem that a considerable time is required for filling or a large amount of expensive ink must be consumed for maintenance.

In addition, when the inside pressure of the cap is negative, if the adhesion between the head surface and the cap is poor, there is a problem in that outside air is mixed to obtain a sufficient suction force.

In addition, if the cap is released in a state where the cap is under negative pressure after maintenance, the air pressure in the cap changes abruptly, and ink filled in each nozzle of the head vibrates according to the change. At that time, air is rolled in from each nozzle, and there is a problem in that the bubbles enter the head again.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above technical problems and to provide an ink jet head maintenance method and mechanism and apparatus capable of recovering the ejection performance of ink and making it possible to apply a good coating in which nozzle detachment does not occur.

The first invention is a maintenance method of covering a nozzle of an ink jet head with a cap and generating a negative pressure to attract liquid, the waste liquid tank communicating with the cap and the negative pressure generating means, and the low viscosity liquid storage communicating with the ink jet head. A portion, an ink reservoir portion communicating with the inkjet head, and a liquid switching means for alternatively communicating the inkjet head with the low-viscosity liquid reservoir or the ink reservoir, and the low-viscosity liquid reservoir and the inkjet head communicate with each other. Is generated in the cap to fill the inkjet head with a low-viscosity liquid, and then the ink reservoir is in communication with the ink reservoir to fill the inkjet head with ink.

2nd invention is a 1st invention WHEREIN: The said low viscosity liquid is a solvent of ink, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

According to a third aspect of the invention, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the liquid switching means is provided in the vicinity of the inkjet head.

A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a maintenance method of covering a nozzle of an ink jet head with a cap and generating a negative pressure to attract liquid, wherein the contact member 21 is formed of an elastic body which is in contact with the ink jet head, and a frame on which the contact member is fixed ( 22) and a cap having a support member 23 made of an elastic body that supports the frame 22 in a movable manner, and sucks liquid in a state in which the cap and the contact surface of the ink jet are brought into close contact with each other. Maintenance method.

In 5th invention, in the 4th invention, the said contact member 21 is comprised from the rubber-like elastic body of Shore A hardness 40-80 degree | times.

6th invention is a 4th or 5th invention WHEREIN: The said support member 23 is comprised from the elastic body whose penetration degree is 40-80, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

A seventh invention is a maintenance method in which a nozzle of an ink jet head is covered with a cap, and a negative pressure is generated to attract liquid, and at the end of the suction of the liquid, the negative pressure in the cap is returned to atmospheric pressure based on a predetermined signal waveform. It is a maintenance method of the inkjet head characterized by turning.

In the eighth invention, in any one of the inventions of the first to the seventh aspect, the liquid is supplied into the cap while the nozzle is covered with the cap, from the end of the suction of the liquid until the application process is started, and the nozzle It is characterized by preventing the drying of the ink exposed at the tip.

A ninth invention is a maintenance mechanism that covers a nozzle of an ink jet head with a cap and generates a negative pressure to attract liquid, comprising: a cap that contacts the ink jet head to cover the nozzle, and negative pressure generating means for generating a negative pressure to the cap; A waste tank in communication with the cap and the negative pressure generating means, a cap opening and closing means for contacting or non-contacting the cap and the inkjet head, a low-viscosity liquid reservoir in communication with the inkjet head, an ink reservoir in communication with the inkjet head, and an inkjet head And liquid switching means for alternatively communicating the low-viscosity liquid reservoir or the ink reservoir, and control means for controlling their operation, wherein the control means communicates the low-viscosity liquid reservoir with the inkjet head, Filling the inkjet head with a low-viscosity liquid, and then communicating the ink reservoir with the inkjet head to fill the inkjet head with ink. It is a maintenance mechanism of the inkjet head characterized by the above-mentioned.

In a ninth invention, in the ninth invention, the low-viscosity liquid is a solvent of ink.

In a ninth invention or a tenth invention, the liquid switching means is provided in the vicinity of the inkjet head.

A twelfth invention is a maintenance mechanism that covers a nozzle of an inkjet head with a cap and generates negative pressure to attract liquid, comprising: a cap that contacts the inkjet head to cover the nozzle, and negative pressure generating means for generating a negative pressure to the cap; A waste liquid tank in communication with the cap and the negative pressure generating means, cap opening and closing means for contacting or non-contacting the cap and the inkjet head, an ink reservoir in communication with the inkjet head, and control means for controlling the operation thereof; Silver has a contact member 21 made of an elastic body in contact with the inkjet head, a frame 22 to which the contact member is fixed, and a support member 23 made of an elastic body for movably supporting the frame 22. It is a maintenance mechanism of the inkjet head.

13th invention is a 12th invention WHEREIN: The said contact member 21 is comprised from the rubber-like elastic body of Shore A hardness 40-80 degree | times.

According to a twelfth or thirteenth invention, in the twelfth or thirteenth invention, the support member 23 is made of an elastic body having a penetration degree of 40 to 80.

A fifteenth invention is a maintenance mechanism that covers a nozzle of an ink jet head with a cap and generates a negative pressure to attract liquid, comprising: a cap abutting the ink jet head to cover the nozzle, negative pressure generating means for generating a negative pressure in the cap, A waste liquid tank in communication with the cap and the negative pressure generating means, cap opening and closing means for contacting or non-contacting the cap and the inkjet head, an ink reservoir in communication with the inkjet head, and control means for controlling the operation thereof; And a means for controlling the negative pressure generating means to return the negative pressure in the cap to atmospheric pressure based on a predetermined signal waveform.

16th invention contains liquid conveyance means for supplying a liquid in a cap in any one of the 9th thru | or 15th invention, Comprising: The said control means starts a coating process after completion | finish of suction of a liquid. During the process, the liquid is supplied into the cap while the nozzle is covered with the cap.

17th invention is an apparatus which has the maintenance mechanism of the inkjet head which concerns on one of 9th-16th invention.

According to the present invention, ink can be filled without bubbles mixed.

In addition, it is possible to reduce the consumption of ink in accordance with the maintenance, and also to shorten the time required for the maintenance.

1 is a configuration diagram of a maintenance mechanism according to the first embodiment.
2 is a block diagram of a cap shown transparently.
3 is a signal waveform output from the apparatus according to the first embodiment.
4 is a filling flow of the first embodiment.
5 is a configuration diagram of a maintenance mechanism according to the second embodiment.
6 is a schematic perspective view of a table-top inkjet coating apparatus equipped with a maintenance mechanism according to the second embodiment.

Although the maintenance mechanism of the present invention can be used for various inkjet recording, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below using an inkjet printer as an example.

The maintenance mechanism of the present invention is for filling ink in the inkjet head 1 at the time of ink cartridge mounting and replacement, or for removing dust, dry ink, bubbles, etc. of the ink inkjet head 1 during printing failure. The inkjet head 1 is provided with a single number or a plurality of nozzles constituted by an extended cylinder, a hole drilled in a plane, or the like.

The maintenance mechanism of the present invention includes a liquid switching means 4 and a second tank for storing the low viscosity liquid 32, and the ink 31 and the low viscosity liquid 32 are formed by the liquid switching means 4. ), The liquid can be filled with maintenance. Therefore, before filling the ink 31 in the inkjet head 1, it is possible to fill the low-viscosity liquid 32 with high fluidity first to remove bubbles, and then to fill the ink 31, thereby. In addition, the ink consumption can be reduced, and the ink filling time can be shortened.

It is preferable to provide the liquid switching means 4 in the vicinity of the inkjet head 1. It is because the consumption amount of the ink 31 can be suppressed more by setting it as the structure which let both liquid enter to the inlet of the liquid switching means 4.

The low-viscosity liquid 32 may be a liquid having a low viscosity and high fluidity. However, it is preferable to obtain a function as a cleaning liquid. Specifically, a liquid or a solvent for dissolving ink may be used. Is illustrated.

Generally, the ink used for an inkjet printer can be classified into dye type or pigment type. The dye is a coloring agent which is dispersed or solvated as a molecule by a carrier medium. The carrier medium is liquid or solid at room temperature. The carrier medium which is usually used is water or a mixture of water and an organic cosolvent. It is common to have water as a main component and to contain a humectant, such as glycerin, for the purpose of a coloring agent, and clogging prevention. When water is used as the carrier medium, such ink also generally has a problem of low water resistance.

A pigment is a coloring agent which is insoluble in a carrier medium but is dispersed or suspended in the form of small particles and stabilized by use of a dispersant so as not to aggregate and precipitate frequently. Such compounds are well known. For example, pigment inks such as organic pigments and carbon blacks are used as colorants by dispersing fine pigments in a medium such as water using a surfactant or a dispersant.

The maintenance mechanism of the present invention can be applied regardless of dyes or pigments. The viscosity of the ink is a mainstream having a low viscosity of about several tens cps, but it can be applied to a medium viscosity of about several hundreds of cps as long as the ink can be discharged by flying.

The present invention is also applicable to functional inks used for printing wiring patterns on printed circuit boards, applying lubricants to minute components, printing outdoor light-resistant display materials, and printing UV curable inks.

Moreover, the maintenance mechanism of this invention is comprised from the electroregulator 51 which can be adjusted with the flow volume like an external signal waveform pattern, and the ejector 52 which can adjust negative pressure according to the value of the flow volume. The negative pressure adjusting means 5 is provided. In the conventional maintenance mechanism, since the negative pressure in the cap 2 is suddenly returned to atmospheric pressure, the flow chart of the ink 31 discharged from the nozzle 6 is suddenly stopped, and the menis at the tip of the nozzle 6 is stopped. Although the curse (liquid crosslinking) vibrates violently and bubbles are generated (remixed) in the flow path at this time, in the present invention, since the negative pressure in the cap 2 can be returned to the atmospheric pressure with a desired waveform signal, the nozzle 6 The re-incorporation of bubbles can be prevented without giving vibration to the meniscus at the tip.

By the way, when the ink 31 is filled with negative pressure, the adhesion between the head surface of the inkjet head 1 and the cap 2 is important. Although the adhesiveness can be improved by making the contact member 21 of the cap 2 consist of a high hardness elastic body, when it consists of a high hardness elastic body, when the inclination of the head surface and the cap 2 is large, a gap will arise. There is. On the other hand, when the hardness of the contact member 21 of the cap 2 is made soft, deformation occurs in the contact member 21 due to the negative pressure, and a gap is generated.

Therefore, in the present invention, by making it possible to follow the inclination of the head surface, it becomes possible to ensure the adhesiveness and sealing property of the cap 2 to be sure. That is, the contact member 21 which abuts on the head surface is formed of a hardened elastic body, thereby increasing the adhesion to the softened elastic body to the support member 23 supporting the contact member 21 (and the frame 22). By supporting, it became possible to maintain the sealing property by having freedom degree which can follow the inclination of a head surface.

Hereinafter, although an Example demonstrates the detail of this invention, this invention is not limited by these Examples.

Example 1

1 is a configuration diagram of a maintenance mechanism of the inkjet coating apparatus of this embodiment.

The inkjet head 1 has a plurality of nozzles 6, discharges ink 31 stored in the first tank 11 communicated by the communicating member 9, and prints the same. The maintenance of the inkjet head 1 covers the nozzle 6 with the cap 2, generates negative pressure in the cap 2, and communicates the sucked ink by the cap 2 and the communication member 9. This is done by discharging the waste liquid tank 14 to be used. The contact between the cap 2 and the inkjet head 1 is automatically performed by the cap opening and closing means 3. The cap opening / closing means 3 may move the inkjet head 1 relatively, or may move the cap 2 relative. And depending on the industrial field, you may comprise so that the cap 2 may be opened and closed manually.

The maintenance mechanism of this embodiment includes the second tank 12, the inkjet head 1, and the first tank 11 communicated with each other by the inkjet head 1 and the communication member 9 in the above known configuration. The liquid switching means 4 which alternately communicates with the 2nd tank 12 is added. In the second tank 12, the low-viscosity liquid 32 which flows in first at the start of maintenance is stored. In this embodiment, a solvent (washing liquid) in which the ink 31 is dissolved is used for the low viscosity liquid 32. Thereby, even if the ink 31 is hardened in a flow path, it can melt | dissolve.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the cap 2 of the present embodiment is configured to be able to have a degree of freedom capable of following the inclination of the head surface. The contact member 21 which is in contact with the head surface is made of rubber of Shore A hardness 40 to 80 degrees (preferably 50 to 70 degrees) (JIS K6253 standard), which is a hardened elastic body, and is bonded to the upper surface of the frame 22 or It is mounted by screw fixing.

The frame 22 is supported by a supporting member 23 made of a soft elastic member (for example, rubber or a spring) fixed by bonding or screwing or the like. The supporting member 23 has a penetration of 40 to 80 (preferably 50 to 70 degrees) in order to be able to follow the mounting error (three-dimensional inclination) of the nozzle face of the inkjet head 1. . The supporting member 23 is fixed to the plate-shaped mounting member 24. In the bottom part of the frame 22, the joint 26 which can connect the at least one through-hole 25 for suction and the communication member 9 is provided.

According to the cap 2 of this embodiment comprised as mentioned above, complete adhesiveness and sealing property can be ensured without being influenced by the inclination of a nozzle surface.

The negative pressure generating means 5 of this embodiment is comprised of the signal generating means 15, the pressure supply pump 16, the regulator 51, and the ejector 52, and through the waste liquid tank 14 the cap ( In communication with 2). And the silencer 53 which absorbs air sound may be added to the negative pressure generating means 5.

The signal generating means 15 can set and register a signal waveform of time and voltage of a plurality of patterns, and select and output only one pattern from a plurality of registered patterns. The regulator 51 can supply pressure in accordance with the voltage of the signal waveform of the signal generating means 15. The signal generating means 15 may be configured by, for example, a pulse generator or a PC.

The ejector 52 may generate a negative pressure according to the pressure supplied from the regulator 51. The regulator 51 and the ejector 52 can be comprised with a commercially available pneumatic device.

Even if the regulator 51 does not control the negative pressure generated by the ejector 52, the diaphragm of the aperture valve provided on the disposal side of the ejector 52 is maintained while maintaining a constant pressure from the regulator 51. The negative pressure may be controlled by adjusting the amount.

The negative pressure generating means 5 of this embodiment is characterized by slowly returning the negative pressure generated in the cap 2 to atmospheric pressure.

That is, in the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent the remixing of bubbles by causing the change in the negative pressure in the cap 2 to be smoothed by the signal generating means 15 which emits a predetermined signal waveform.

As long as the negative pressure in the cap 2 changes slowly, the signal waveform to be set may be linear or curvilinear or may be a signal waveform which changes in steps precisely. As a curved waveform, the Sin waveform as shown in FIG. 3 is mentioned, for example. As shown in Fig. 3A, when the signal waveform output from the signal generating means 15 is a Sin waveform, the pressure supplied from the regulator 51 is changed as shown in Fig. 3B, The negative pressure of the ejector 52 becomes as shown in FIG. 3C, which can prevent the vibration of the meniscus at the tip of the nozzle 6 of the inkjet head 1.

The detail of the procedure of maintenance in a present Example is demonstrated with reference to FIG. Hereinafter, the filling flow at the time of ink cartridge mounting and replacement (initial stage or ink replenishment) will be described.

`` First step ''

First, the ink 31 is filled into the communicating member 9. The first valve 41 of the liquid switching means 4 is opened, the second valve 42 is closed (STEP1), and the negative pressure generating means 5 is started on the basis of the preset time, so that the cap 2 is opened. The ink 31 is guided to the connecting member 9 by using the inside under negative pressure (STEP 2). By performing the generation of the negative pressure for a predetermined time, the ink 31 is filled up to the portion of the first valve 41 of the communication member 9 (STEP 3). Here, predetermined time is taken as the time until the ink 31 reaches the 1st valve 42 of the communication member 9 from the 1st tank 11. After the elapse of the preset time, the generation of the negative pressure is stopped, so that the inside of the cap 2 returns to atmospheric pressure, and suction is stopped (STEP 4). In addition, the stop of the negative pressure generation in the first step need not be to smooth the change in the negative pressure.

<< second stage >>

Next, the low viscosity liquid 32 is filled in the nozzle 6. The first valve 41 of the liquid switching means 4 is closed, the second valve 42 is opened (STEP5), and the negative pressure generating means 5 is started based on the preset time, so that the cap 2 The low viscosity liquid 32 is filled with the inside at a negative pressure (STEP 6). By performing the generation of the negative pressure for a predetermined time, the low-viscosity liquid 32 is filled in the communication member 9 and then filled in the inkjet head 1 (STEP 7).

Here, the preset time is a time at which the low-viscosity liquid 32 is reliably discharged from the tip of the nozzle 6. After the elapse of the preset time, the generation of the negative pressure is stopped, so that the inside of the cap 2 returns to atmospheric pressure, and suction is stopped (STEP 8). In addition, the stop of the negative pressure generation in the second step does not need to smooth the change in the negative pressure.

<< third stage >>

Finally, the ink 31 is filled into the nozzle 6. The first valve 41 of the liquid switching means 4 is opened, the second valve 42 is closed (STEP9), the negative pressure generating means 5 is started in accordance with a preset time and signal waveform, and the cap ( 2) The ink 31 filled up to the first valve 41 is guided to the inkjet head 1 with negative pressure inside (STEP 10). The ink 31 is filled in the inkjet head 1 by performing the generation of the negative pressure in a predetermined time (STEP 11). Here, the preset time is a time at which the ink 31 is reliably discharged from the tip of the nozzle 6. After elapse of the predetermined time, by slowly stopping the generation of the negative pressure based on the preset signal waveform, the inside of the cap 2 is slowly returned to the atmospheric pressure, and suction is stopped (STEP 12). Here, although the above-mentioned Sin waveform is disclosed as a predetermined signal waveform, it is not limited to this.

By passing the above procedure, the bubble between the 1st tank 11 and the 1st valve 41 is driven in a 1st step, and the 2nd tank and the nozzle 6 are carried out by the low viscosity liquid 32 in a 2nd step. By discharging the bubbles in between, filling the ink in the third step, and releasing the negative pressure based on the preset signal waveform, the ink 31 can be filled in the inkjet head 1 without remaining bubbles.

Since the first step is unnecessary for maintenance in the case other than when the ink cartridge is attached and replaced, only the second and third steps need to be performed. At the time of ink cartridge mounting and replacement, if ink does not reach the liquid switching means 4, bubbles are filled in the inkjet head 1, so a first step is necessary.

[Example 2]

Fig. 5 is a configuration diagram of the maintenance mechanism of the present embodiment, and Fig. 6 is a schematic perspective view of the table-type inkjet coating apparatus incorporating the maintenance mechanism of this embodiment.

In the apparatus of this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 6, three inkjet heads 1 aligned in the Y direction are provided in the Z direction moving means 64. The work table 61 is movable in the Y direction, and the Z direction moving means 64 is movable in the X direction by the X direction moving means 63 provided in the beam 62. Three caps 2 are provided at intervals facing the inkjet head 1. In FIG. 6, reference numeral 11 denotes a first tank in which the ink 31 is stored, reference numeral 12 denotes a second tank in which the low-viscosity liquid 32 is stored, and reference numeral 13 denotes a third tank in which the dissolved liquid 33 is stored. to be. In addition, in FIG. 6, the waste liquid tank 14, the tank 18 for resupply, the wiring of an electric system, and the piping of a liquid transfer system are abbreviate | omitted.

The main differences between the maintenance mechanism of the present embodiment and the first embodiment are the point of having the third tank 13 and the point of having the resupply tank 18.

The dissolution liquid 33 is stored in the third tank 13 of the maintenance mechanism of this embodiment. The dissolving liquid 33 is a material which is easy to melt air and is inexpensive. In this embodiment, ammonia water is used.

The resupply tank 18 is for resupplying the low viscosity liquid 32 to the cap 2. The purpose of resupplying the low viscosity liquid 32 to the cap 2 is to prevent evaporation of the ink 31 exposed at the tip of the nozzle 6. After the end of the maintenance process, the ink 31 evaporates even until the application process starts. When the ink 31 evaporates, the viscosity of the ink 31 is increased (thickened), and the accuracy of the discharge amount and the impact position is lowered. You will not. Therefore, in order to prevent evaporation of the ink 31, it is preferable to keep the cap 2 in contact with the inkjet head 1, but this alone may not sufficiently prevent evaporation of the ink 31. Therefore, the low-viscosity liquid 32 accumulates in the concave portion of the cap 2 facing the nozzle 6, thereby making it possible to more effectively prevent evaporation of the ink 31. The low viscosity liquid 32 is supplied by applying a positive pressure to the resupply tank 18 by the pressure supply pump 17.

In the present embodiment, the low-viscosity liquid 32 is supplied to prevent evaporation. However, the same effect can be obtained if the liquid contains water as a main component and does not remain in the cap 2.

The maintenance procedure in this embodiment is performed by first filling the inkjet head 1 with the dissolving liquid 33, then filling the low viscosity liquid 32, and finally filling the ink 31. Is done.

The liquid sucked by the negative pressure is supplied separately to the waste liquid tank 14 and the resupply tank 18. That is, the ink 31 and the dissolution liquid 33 are discharged to the waste liquid tank 14, and the low viscosity liquid 32 is discharged to the resupply tank 18.

The desk-type inkjet coating apparatus provided with the maintenance mechanism of this embodiment comprised as mentioned above is the ink 31 between after completion | finish of a maintenance process and the start of an application | coating process in addition to the effect in Example 1. The effect of reliably preventing evaporation of) can be obtained.

[Industrial applicability]

The present invention is not limited to an ink jet printer, but can be applied to various ink jet recordings such as a precision spray and injection device (including a coating device) and a precision coating device. Application to inkjet patterning, for example, an application apparatus, a drawing apparatus, a printing apparatus for use in printing organic EL display panels or large color panels, industrial marking, or the like is also possible.

The inkjet recording method can also be applied irrespective of a bubble generation method such as a mechanical conversion method such as a piezo type or a resistive heating jet type.

Moreover, the use in the coloring process of the lens in the lens manufacturing industry, and the use in the poster and the building material decoration in the large-format printing industry are also possible.

1: inkjet head, 2: cap, 3: cap opening and closing means, 4: liquid switching means, 5: negative pressure generating means, 6: nozzle, 9: communicating member, 11: first tank, 12: second tank, 14: Waste tank, 15: signal generating means, 16: pressure supply pump (for negative pressure), 17: pressure supply pump (for static pressure), 18: resupply tank, 21: contact member, 22: frame, 23: support post, 24 : Mounting member, 25: through hole, 26: joint, 31: ink, 32: low viscosity liquid, 33: dissolution liquid, 34: waste liquid, 41: first valve, 42: second valve, 43: third valve, 44: fourth valve, 45: fifth valve, 51: regulator, 52: ejector, 53: silencer, 61: work table, 62: beam, 63X: direction moving means, 64Z: direction moving means, 67: power switch, 68: connector for communication

Claims (8)

A maintenance method for covering a nozzle of an ink jet head with a cap and generating a negative pressure in the cap by a negative pressure generating device to suck the liquid,
A cap having a contact member 21 made of an elastic body in contact with the inkjet head, a frame 22 to which the contact member is fixed, and a support member 23 made of an elastic body for movably supporting the frame 22. Install it,
And a liquid is sucked in a state in which the contact surface between the cap and the ink jet head is brought into close contact. The method of claim 1,
The contact member (21) is composed of a rubber-like elastic body having a Shore A hardness of 40 to 80 degrees. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
The support member (23) is a maintenance method of an inkjet head, composed of an elastic body having a penetration degree of 40 to 80. As a maintenance mechanism which covers the nozzle which an inkjet head has with a cap, a negative pressure is generated in a cap by a negative pressure generating device, and a liquid is drawn in,
A cap opening / closing mechanism for bringing the cap into contact with the ink jet head, and a cap opening / closing mechanism for contacting the cap with the ink jet head; An ink reservoir communicating with the inkjet head, and a controller for controlling the operation of the ink reservoir,
The cap includes a contact member 21 made of an elastic body in contact with the inkjet head, a frame 22 to which the contact member is fixed, and a support member 23 made of an elastic body for movably supporting the frame 22. The maintenance mechanism of the inkjet head, including. 5. The method of claim 4,
The maintenance member of the inkjet head, wherein the contact member is made of a rubber-like elastic body having a Shore A hardness of 40 to 80 degrees. The method according to claim 4 or 5,
The maintenance member of the inkjet head, wherein the support member (23) is composed of an elastic body having a penetration degree of 40 to 80. An inkjet coating apparatus comprising the maintenance mechanism of the inkjet head according to claim 4. An inkjet coating apparatus comprising the maintenance mechanism of the inkjet head according to claim 6.

Images