WO2017022396A1

WO2017022396A1 - Ink jet recording apparatus and capping mechanism

Info

Publication number: WO2017022396A1
Application number: PCT/JP2016/070074
Authority: WO
Inventors: 勇一片庭
Original assignee: 武藤工業株式会社
Priority date: 2015-07-31
Filing date: 2016-07-07
Publication date: 2017-02-09
Also published as: JP6378441B2; JPWO2017022396A1

Abstract

The present invention makes it possible to keep the inside of a head cap damp without generating a difference in pressure between the inside and the outside of the head cap in a state in which a print head is covered by the head cap. An ink jet recording apparatus in which a head cap is arranged in a non-recording region and a nozzle arrangement surface of a print head is covered by the head cap in the non-recording region so that a space formed by the nozzle arrangement surface of the print head and a containing part of the head cap can be sealed is provided with an elongated conduit having one end side thereof communicating with the containing part of the head cap and the other end side thereof communicating with outside air. The conduit is provided with an opening/closing valve for shutting off the conduit and opening the conduit to the outside air. The containing part of the head cap is caused to communicate with the outside air via the elongated conduit for maintaining humidity, in a state in which the nozzle arrangement surface of the print head is covered by the head cap.

Description

Inkjet recording apparatus and capping mechanism

The present invention relates to a capping mechanism used for maintenance of an ink jet recording apparatus and a print head.

Conventionally, the nozzle arrangement surface of the print head that is waiting for printing is covered with a head cap, and the nozzle arrangement surface of the print head is placed in a sealed space to prevent ink drying and maintain a good ink discharge state. Yes. In this case, since it is designed to maintain a sealed state in order to prevent drying inside the capped interior, in the space sealed by the head cap, the capped interior and A pressure difference occurs outside. Due to this pressure fluctuation, the nozzle meniscus is broken, and there is a possibility that normal ejection of ink cannot be performed in the next printing.
Conventionally, a technique for protecting a nozzle meniscus by opening a capping inside to atmospheric pressure so as not to cause a pressure difference between the inside and outside of the cap is known (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 5).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-201209 JP-A-5-104730 JP 2008-74038 A JP 2011-56792 A JP 2011-218806 A

Patent Document 1 protects the meniscus by opening the inside of the head cap to the outside atmospheric pressure so as not to cause a pressure difference inside and outside the head cap. However, in Patent Document 1, there is no pressure difference because the inside of the cap remains open to the outside atmosphere, but there is a problem that the inside of the cap dries because it is opened by a relatively short small diameter hole or the like.
In Patent Document 2, after capping, the temperature of the recording head is measured, and the air communication port is opened and closed with a time difference of one to several times according to the temperature. However, since this control depends on the temperature of the head after capping, it is not a control over a long period of time including during the head standby period.
Patent Document 3 is provided with a check valve that opens only when the atmospheric pressure outside the enclosed space is larger than the atmospheric pressure inside the enclosed space by a second predetermined value or more. However, the use of a check valve has a one-way direction in the pressure difference, and cannot cope with the occurrence of a reverse pressure gradient.
In Patent Document 4, the cap is sealed with a completely sealed cap, but the bottom surface of the cap is a flexible film that does not allow moisture to pass therethrough so that the internal pressure does not change. However, in the embodiment, the cap for moisturizing storage does not function as a suction cap, and the pressure fluctuation that can be dealt with is only within a range that can be dealt with by a flexible membrane.
Patent Document 5 is provided with a damper that absorbs pressure fluctuations under the cap. However, if there is a change in environmental temperature, the pressure in the damper for absorbing pressure fluctuations in the cap also fluctuates, which has an adverse effect. There is a problem.
The present invention aims to solve the above problems.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a head cap is arranged in a non-recording area, the nozzle arrangement surface of the print head is covered with the head cap in the non-recording area, and the nozzle arrangement surface of the print head and the capacity of the head cap are covered. In the ink jet recording apparatus in which a nozzle protection space is formed with a portion, a pipe line having one end portion communicating with the container of the head cap and the other end portion communicating with the outside atmosphere is provided. The structure is suitable for maintaining the humidity of the nozzle protection space.
Further, the present invention is characterized in that an opening / closing valve for shutting off the pipe and opening it to the atmosphere is provided in the pipe.
According to the present invention, the head cap is linked to an elevating mechanism, and when the head cap is raised, the head cap is brought into pressure contact with a nozzle arrangement surface of a print head located in a non-recording area. The open / close valve can be opened and closed in a state of being pressed against the nozzle arrangement surface of the head.
In the invention, it is preferable that the pipe line has an elongated communication path that meanders along the bottom of the head cap.
Further, according to the present invention, the conduit passes through the bottom portion at a predetermined interval with respect to the first communication hole formed through the bottom portion of the head cap, and the first communication hole. A second communication hole formed, a third communication hole formed through the bottom portion at a predetermined interval with respect to the second communication hole, and the first communication hole in the bottom portion. A groove meanderingly formed between the hole and the second communication hole, a sealing material for forming a communication path meandering to the bottom portion by covering an open surface of the groove, and the second portion of the bottom portion A connecting groove formed between the communicating hole and the third communicating hole, and a communicating path that connects the second communicating hole and the third communicating hole by covering an open surface of the connecting groove. It is characterized by comprising the sealing material which forms.
According to the present invention, the head cap is attached to the cap holder so that the head cap can be moved up and down, a resilient means is disposed between the head cap and the cap holder, the cap holder is linked to a lifting mechanism, and the cap holder is lifted. The head cap is elastically contacted with a nozzle arrangement surface of a print head located in a non-recording area, a seal body is disposed on the cap holder, and when the cap holder is lifted, the seal body is an opening portion of the third communication hole. When the cap holder is lowered to a predetermined position, the seal body is separated from the opening of the third communication hole and opens the opening. .
According to the present invention, the head cap is attached to the cap holder so that the head cap can be moved up and down, a resilient means is disposed between the head cap and the cap holder, the cap holder is linked to a lifting mechanism, and the cap holder is lifted. The head cap is elastically contacted with a nozzle arrangement surface of a print head located in a non-recording area, a seal body is disposed on the cap holder, and when the cap holder is lifted, the seal body is an opening portion of the third communication hole. When the cap holder is lowered to a predetermined position, the seal body holds the opening of the third communication hole while maintaining the elastic contact state between the head cap and the print head. It is characterized in that the opening is opened away from.
Further, the invention is characterized in that a liquid absorbent material is disposed on the head cap.
Further, the invention is characterized in that a nozzle maintenance pump is connected to the head cap, and a waste liquid tank is connected to the pump.
Further, the present invention is a capping mechanism for covering a nozzle arrangement surface of a print head used for maintenance of a print head of an ink jet recording apparatus, and one end of the head cap communicates with the container. The other end is provided with a conduit having a structure suitable for maintaining the humidity in the container communicating with the atmosphere outside the container.
In the invention, it is preferable that the pipe line has an elongated communication path that meanders along the bottom of the head cap.
Further, according to the present invention, the conduit passes through the bottom portion at a predetermined interval with respect to the first communication hole formed through the bottom portion of the head cap, and the first communication hole. A second communication hole formed, a third communication hole formed at a predetermined interval with respect to the second communication hole and penetrating through the bottom, and the first communication of the bottom A groove meanderingly formed between the hole and the second communication hole, a sealing material for forming a communication path meandering to the bottom portion by covering an open surface of the groove, and the second portion of the bottom portion A connecting groove formed between the communicating hole and the third communicating hole, and a communicating path that connects the second communicating hole and the third communicating hole by covering an open surface of the connecting groove. It is characterized by being comprised from the sealing material which forms. .

The present invention can prevent the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the head cap from being generated without special operation and power, and can be used even when the power is not turned on. In addition, while being capped, the pressure is open to the atmosphere and the inside of the head cap can be kept wet. Further, since it is only necessary to add a simple structure simply by adding a groove to the existing capping mechanism, it is possible to cope with space saving. Further, since the inside of the head cap can be sealed, it can be used as a normal suction cap. As a result, the meniscus of the ink jet head can always be stably maintained, and high quality printing by the ink jet printer becomes possible.

1 is an overall external view of an ink jet recording apparatus. It is the schematic of an inkjet recording device. It is the schematic of an inkjet recording device. It is sectional drawing of the principal part of an inkjet recording device. It is sectional drawing of the principal part of an inkjet recording device. It is sectional drawing of the principal part of an inkjet recording device. It is an external view of the principal part of an inkjet recording device. It is an external view of the principal part of an inkjet recording device. It is an external view of the principal part of an inkjet recording device. It is an external view of a head cap. It is a bottom view of a head cap. It is a top view of the bottom part of a head cap. It is an external view of a head cap. It is a bottom view of a head cap. It is a top view of the bottom part of a head cap.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The recording apparatus according to the present invention is configured by the ink jet printer 2 or by combining the ink jet printer 2 and a computer 18 such as a personal computer. As shown in FIG. 1, the inkjet printer 2 has a machine body 4 supported by a leg body 6, and a conveyance path such as a platen that guides a print medium 8 such as paper in the machine body 4 in the front-rear direction (sub-scanning direction) of the machine body 4. A plate 10 and a Y-axis rail 14 for guiding the carriage 12 in the lateral direction (main scanning direction) are attached. A cover 16 for shielding the front of the Y-axis rail 14 is attached to the body 4 so as to be freely opened and closed.

Although the cover 16 is normally closed, in order to illustrate the inside of the cover 16, FIG. 1 shows a state in which the cover 16 is opened. The controller of the ink jet printer 2 is configured to be connectable to the computer 18 via an input / output interface. In the image printing mode, the print head 20 mounted on the carriage 12 is driven and ink is ejected from the nozzles to print the print medium 8. Print an image on The computer 18 is provided with RIP (Raster Image Processor), printer driving software, maintenance software, and the like.

A plurality of print heads 20 are mounted on the carriage 12, and the carriage 12 is linked to a Y-axis drive device provided in the machine body 4 via an endless steel belt connected to a Y-axis drive motor. Yes. The print medium 8 arranged on the conveyance path plate 10 is sandwiched between a drive roller (not shown) linked to the X-axis drive device and a pinch roller (not shown) arranged on the Y-axis rail 14, and the drive roller Is configured to be driven in the front-rear direction (sub-scanning direction) of the machine body 4 on the transport path plate 10.

As shown in FIG. 2, the carriage 12 is provided with an ink cartridge slot 22 in which an ink cartridge is detachably loaded, and ink in the ink cartridge is supplied to the print head 20 via the damper portion 24. It is configured. A maintenance box 26 is provided on one side of the machine body 4 so as to be covered with a cover and open on the side facing the recording area on the conveyance path plate 10, and connected to a controller on the upper surface of the front surface of the box 26. A control panel 28 is provided. An operator can give instructions to the apparatus from the control panel 28.

The box 26 includes an opening / closing cover 26a that opens the box forward. In the box 26, a flushing box 32 for performing maintenance of the print head 20 moved here, and a maintenance unit 36 having a cleaning wiper 34 and a head cap 44 are disposed.
The other side of the machine body 4 is provided with another maintenance box 30 that is used for maintenance, management, and maintenance of the print head 20 that is covered with a cover and that is open on the side facing the recording area. An opening / closing cover 30a for opening the inside of the box 30 forward is provided. In the figure, reference numeral 39 is a colorimeter mounting portion, and 40 is a colorimeter.

Next, the maintenance unit 36 will be described with reference to FIGS.
The maintenance unit 36 includes a frame 38 fixed in the maintenance box 26, a lift plate 41 held between the

side plate portions

38 a and 38 b of the frame 38 through a lift guide mechanism, and a fixed to the lift plate 41. The cap holder 42 includes a head cap 44 that is held by the cap holder 42 so as to be movable up and down. Each head cap 44 corresponds to each print head 20 on the carriage 12 side. The

side plate portions

38a and 38b of the frame 38 are provided with a lifting guide hole 46, and a pin 50 projecting from a base 48 fixed to the lifting plate 41 is slidably fitted into the guide hole 46. Yes.

Each guide hole 46 is formed with a low position holding part a, an inclined guide part b, a cleaning position holding part c, and a home position holding part d in this order in the main scanning direction. The elevating plate 41 is arranged in the recording area along the main scanning direction by an urging means (not shown) such as a tension spring so that the pin 50 is locked to the end of the lower holding portion a of the guide hole 46. It is biased in the direction and is held at a predetermined fixed position. As shown in FIG. 7, the head cap 44 has convex portions 52 formed at both ends in the longitudinal direction thereof slidably fitted in the elevation guide guide grooves 56 of the cap holder 42, so that the cap spring 54 is elastic. The convex portion 52 is in elastic contact with the upper end of the guide groove 56 by the force.

The elongated opening edge 44 a of each head cap 44 is formed in a shape that can be in close contact with the nozzle arrangement surface 20 a of the nozzle plate of the corresponding print head 20. The container part of the head cap 44 is composed of a bottom part 60 and a surrounding part 62, and an absorbent material 64 made of a flexible porous material that absorbs and holds the liquid ejected from the nozzle is disposed in the container part. Has been. The bottom portion 60 of the head cap 44 has a first communication hole 66 that penetrates the bottom portion 60 in the thickness direction, a second communication hole 68 that is spaced apart from the first communication hole 66, and a third communication hole 70 in the vicinity thereof. In addition, a groove 72 that opens on the upper surface of the bottom portion that connects the second communication hole 68 and the third communication hole 70 is formed. The liquid absorbent material 64 is provided with a through hole so as not to block the first communication hole 66. Since the liquid absorbent material 64 is a porous material, there is no problem as long as air can pass even though there is no through hole in the drawing.

As shown in FIG. 10, a meandering long groove 74 connecting the first and second communication holes 66 and 68 is formed in the lower surface of the bottom portion 60 of the head cap 44. As shown in FIG. 13, a film-like sealing material 76 is welded from above the groove 74 to the lower surface of the head cap bottom 60, and a seal is formed between the first communication path 66 and the second communication path 68. A communication path 98 meanderingly formed by the material 76 and the groove 74 is formed. Further, as shown in FIG. 15, a film-like sealing material 78 is welded to the upper surface of the bottom portion of the head cap 44 from above the groove 72. A communication path connecting to the communication path 70 is formed.

As shown in FIG. 4, a tubular portion 81 is formed in the bottom portion 60 of the head cap 44, and a waste liquid path 80 that penetrates the bottom portion 60 opens at the lower end of the tubular portion 81. Each of the head caps 44 is ejected from the cap holder 42 by the resilient force of the spring 54 and is locked at a predetermined raised position. An annular convex portion is formed on the lower surface of the head cap 44, and the lower end of the communication hole 70 is opened on the lower surface of the convex portion. An air release valve 84 is provided on the cap holder 42 so as to face the opening of the hole 70 on the lower surface of the head cap 44.

The air release valve 84 includes a cylindrical portion 86, a bottom plate portion 88, a coil-shaped seal spring 90 disposed in the cylindrical portion 86, and a seal body 92 disposed so as to be movable up and down on the cylindrical portion 86. Is elastically in contact with the upper locking portion of the cylindrical portion 86 by the elastic force of the seal spring 90. The tubular portion 81 protruding from the lower surface of the head cap 44 is connected to the maintenance pump 94 via a connection tube. The maintenance pump 94 is connected to a waste liquid tank 96 as shown in FIG. On the carriage 12 side, there is provided an engaging portion (not shown) that comes into contact with the engaging portion provided on the lifting plate 41 side when the carriage 12 moves to the head maintenance area (non-recording area).

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
In order to perform printing, first, the print medium 8 is set on the conveyance path plate 10. When the printing operation starts, the carriage 12 is reciprocated in the main scanning direction in the recording area along the Y-axis rail 14 under the control of the printer controller, while the printing medium 8 is sub-scanned on the transport path plate 10. Printing is performed on the print medium 8 by the ink driven in the direction and ejected from the print head 20. Since the printer is provided with a sequence for cleaning at a necessary timing, the printer automatically moves to a predetermined maintenance position (cleaning position) when necessary. In addition, since the user can give instructions such as cleaning from the panel or the like as necessary, it can be used when necessary.
In the sequence for performing the cleaning operation, the carriage 12 moves to a predetermined maintenance position (cleaning position) in the maintenance box 26.

When the carriage 12 moves to the cleaning position, the engaging portion of the carriage 12 collides with the engaging portion of the elevating plate 41 before the cleaning position, and the engaging portion is always in contact with the elevating plate 41 in the maintenance area. When the carriage 12 moves to the cleaning position, the elevating plate 41 moves up and down along the guide hole 46 while being in contact with the carriage 12. The elevating plate 41 urged by a spring in the descending direction and the return direction with respect to the frame 38 moves toward the cleaning position in conjunction with this while maintaining contact with the carriage 12. By this movement, the pin 50 is guided from the lower position holding part a of the guide hole 46 to the inclined part b and moved to the cleaning position holding part c, so that the elevating plate 41 is raised, and the head cap 44 is arranged on the nozzle arrangement surface 20 a of the print head 20. As the elevating plate 41 rises while being in contact with the air, the sealing member 92 of the air release valve 84 is in pressure contact with the third communication hole 70 opened in the lower surface of the tubular convex portion provided in the cap 44, and the communication hole By closing 70, the inside of the cap is shut off from the outside and sealed. When the pin 50 is held at the cleaning position c, the cap 44 is completely sealed. Thereafter, the maintenance pump 94 is driven, and the print head 20 is cleaned.

The pump 94 is driven to create a negative pressure in the head cap 44, and foreign matter and air are sucked out from the nozzles of the print head 20 together with ink to clean the nozzles. The ink waste liquid sucked into the head cap 44 is discharged to the waste liquid tank 96 through the pump 94. As the elevating plate 41 descends, the seal surface 92 of the air release valve 84 moves away from the lower surface of the cap tubular convex portion while the head cap 44 is in contact with the nozzle arrangement surface 20 a of the print head 20. Communicates with the atmosphere and opens the cap to the atmosphere.

When the maintenance of the print head 20 is completed, when the operation is resumed, the printing operation starts. When the carriage 12 moves from the home position toward the recording area, the lifting plate 41 is released from the pressing force from the carriage 12, In conjunction with the carriage 12, it moves to the original position by the elastic force of the elastic means, and when the pin 50 is locked to the lower holding portion a of the guide hole 46, the lowering of the elevating plate 41 with respect to the frame 38 stops. .

In a state where the elevating plate 41 is locked to the lower holding portion a of the guide hole 46, the cap holder 42 moves downward by a predetermined interval from the height of the nozzle arrangement surface 20a of the print head 20 as shown in FIG. 92 is separated from the lower end of the third communication hole 70 by a predetermined distance. If there is no next print data, the carriage 12 further moves to the home position and waits here. When the carriage 12 moves to the home position, the pin 50 moves to the home position holding portion d of the guide hole 46 that is slightly lower than the cleaning position c, and the elevating plate 41 moves with respect to the nozzle arrangement surface 20a of the print head 20 of the head cap 44. It descends slightly while maintaining the pressure contact state.

By this lowering, the seal body 92 is slightly separated from the opening of the communication hole 70 as shown in FIG. 5 and opened, and the inside of the head cap 44 is formed from the first communication hole 66 and the long meandering groove 74. Through the meandering pipe line 98, the second communication hole 68, and the third communication hole 70, the air communicates with the atmosphere outside the container of the head cap 44. Even if the inside of the head cap 44 is opened to the atmosphere, due to the water vapor saturation phenomenon in the long meandering pipe 98, the meandering pipe 98 becomes resistance to evaporation of moisture in the container of the headcap 44, and the inside of the headcap 44 Evaporation of water is prevented.

When there is no next print data, or when the power is turned off at the end of the work, the home position is in a sealed state with the head capped, but the atmosphere is subject to water vapor saturation in the serpentine. Because of the communication, the cap should have a pressure difference between the inside of the sealed small space and the outside due to fluctuations in the environmental temperature, but this structure keeps the inside and outside the same. Become so.
In this structure, since it is connected by the mechanism, for example, when transporting from a lowland location to a highland location, etc., it functions even when the power is not turned on, so it is particularly effective when left unattended for a long time. It is. In addition, since the porous member containing the ink is held inside the capping mechanism, the humidity of the pipeline is maintained for a long time.
In implementing the present invention, various modifications are possible, and the mechanism for raising and lowering the head cap 44, the meandering elongated pipe 98, the atmosphere release valve 84, etc. is particularly limited to the illustrated embodiment. is not. The pipe line 98 is not limited to the configuration of the

grooves

72 and 74 and the sealing

materials

76 and 78, and a tube that can shield moisture, a long thin pipe, or the like can be used.

The length of the pipe line 98 needs to be long enough to cause water vapor saturation in the pipe line 98 as described above, and is set to an optimum value. Strictly speaking, the water vapor saturation occurs with respect to the space in the pipe 98, that is, the volume of the space represented by the length of the groove x the cross-sectional area. You can also At this time, it is desirable that the cross-sectional area is small enough to cause water vapor saturation, and the whole is preferably a capillary groove. Since the amount of water and the mixed solvent differ depending on the type of ink, and the water vapor saturation phenomenon with time also differs, it is desirable to set an optimum value according to the evaporation characteristics of the ink used. In order to obtain a length with a small area, it is preferable to have a bent structure such as a serpentine as in this case, but there is no problem with a spiral structure.

The air release valve is not limited to a configuration that is opened and closed by raising and lowering the head cap 44. An air release valve having an opening communicating with the communication hole 70 is disposed on the frame 38 side, and the opening of the valve is opened. The seal body is provided on the lift plate 41 side so as to face the opening, and the seal body is pressed against and separated from the opening of the air release valve by the movement of the lift plate 41 in the main scanning direction to open and close the opening. good.
Further, as described above, in addition to the type that opens and closes according to the raising and lowering of the head cap 44 and the position of the cap holder 42, an actuator such as a solenoid valve that can be directly driven by a controller is used as an air release valve. The hole 70 may be opened and closed.

2 Printer 4 Machine body 6 Leg body 8 Print medium 10 Carriage path plate 12 Carriage 14 Y-axis rail 16 Cover 18 Computer 20 Print head 22 Ink cartridge slot 24 Damper portion 26 Maintenance box 28 Control panel 30 Maintenance box 32 Flushing box 34 Cleaning wiper 36 Maintenance unit 38 Frame 39 Colorimeter mounting portion 40 Colorimeter 41 Elevating plate 42 Cap holder 44 Head cap 44a Open edge 46 Guide hole 48 Stand 50 Pin 52 Protruding portion 54 Cap spring 56 Guide groove 60 Bottom portion 62 Surrounding portion 64 Liquid absorption Material 66 First communication hole 68 Second communication hole 70 Third communication hole 72 Groove 74 Groove 76 Seal material 78 Seal material 80 Waste liquid path 81 Tubular portion 82 Communication hole 84 Open to atmosphere Valve 86 Cylindrical portion 88 Bottom plate portion 90 Seal spring 92 Seal body 94 Maintenance pump 96 Waste liquid tank 98 Meandering conduit

Claims

A head cap is arranged in the non-recording area, the nozzle arrangement surface of the print head is covered with the head cap in the non-recording area, and a nozzle protection space is formed by the nozzle arrangement surface of the print head and the head cap portion. In the ink jet recording apparatus, one end side communicates with the container of the head cap, and the other end side communicates with the outside atmosphere, and is suitable for maintaining the humidity of the nozzle protection space. An ink jet recording apparatus characterized by having a structure.
2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an opening / closing valve is provided in the conduit to block the conduit and open it to the atmosphere.
The head cap is linked to an elevating mechanism, and when the head cap is raised, the head cap is brought into pressure contact with the nozzle arrangement surface of the print head located in the non-recording area. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the open / close valve can be opened and closed in a state of being pressed against the ink.
2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conduit has an elongated communication path that meanders along the bottom of the head cap.
A first communication hole formed through the bottom of the head cap and a second formed through the bottom with a predetermined distance from the first communication hole. A communication hole, a third communication hole formed at a predetermined interval with respect to the second communication hole and penetrating through the bottom, and the first communication hole and the second communication hole in the bottom. A groove meanderingly formed between the communicating hole, a sealing material that forms a communicating path meandering to the bottom portion with the open surface of the groove covered, and the second communicating hole and the third portion of the bottom portion. A connecting groove formed between the second communicating hole and the third communicating hole by covering the open surface of the connecting groove, and a sealing material that forms a communicating path that connects the second communicating hole and the third communicating hole. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
The head cap is attached to the cap holder so that the head cap can be moved up and down, a resilient means is disposed between the head cap and the cap holder, the cap holder is linked to a lifting mechanism, and the head cap is not lifted by raising the cap holder. A seal body is arranged on the cap holder so as to be in elastic contact with the nozzle arrangement surface of the print head located in the recording area, and when the cap holder is raised, the seal body is pressed against the opening of the third communication hole and 6. The opening according to claim 5, wherein when the cap is closed and the cap holder is lowered to a predetermined position, the seal body opens away from the opening of the third communication hole. Inkjet recording apparatus.
The head cap is attached to the cap holder so that the head cap can be moved up and down, a resilient means is disposed between the head cap and the cap holder, the cap holder is linked to a lifting mechanism, and the head cap is not lifted by raising the cap holder. A seal body is arranged on the cap holder so as to be in elastic contact with the nozzle arrangement surface of the print head located in the recording area, and when the cap holder is raised, the seal body is pressed against the opening of the third communication hole and When the opening is closed and the cap holder is lowered to a predetermined position, the seal body is separated from the opening of the third communication hole while maintaining the elastic contact state between the head cap and the print head. 6. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the part is opened. *
2. An ink jet printer according to claim 1, wherein a liquid absorbing material is disposed on the head cap.
2. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a nozzle maintenance pump is connected to the head cap, and a waste liquid tank is connected to the pump.
A capping mechanism for covering a nozzle arrangement surface of a print head used for maintenance of a print head of an ink jet recording apparatus, wherein one end of the head cap communicates with the container, and the other end is a container. A capping mechanism comprising a conduit having a structure suitable for maintaining the humidity in the container communicating with the atmosphere outside.
11. The capping mechanism according to claim 10, wherein the conduit has an elongated communication path that meanders along the bottom of the head cap.
A first communication hole formed through the bottom of the head cap and a second formed through the bottom with a predetermined distance from the first communication hole. A communication hole, a third communication hole formed at a predetermined interval with respect to the second communication hole and penetrating through the bottom, and the first communication hole and the second communication hole at the bottom. A groove meanderingly formed between the communicating hole, a sealing material that forms a communicating path meandering to the bottom portion with the open surface of the groove covered, and the second communicating hole and the third portion of the bottom portion. A connecting groove formed between the second communicating hole and the third communicating hole by covering the open surface of the connecting groove, and a sealing material that forms a communicating path that connects the second communicating hole and the third communicating hole. The capping mechanism according to claim 10, comprising: