JP2008272996A - Ink jet recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To introduce ink surely into a recording head, and to continue stable ink application while preventing the orifice surface of the recording head from being smeared with ink. <P>SOLUTION: The ink jet recorder comprises a means in which a bottle for containing ink only of solvent and a bottle for containing cleaning liquid are arranged in addition to a bottle for containing ink into which particles are dispersed and liquid is fed while being pressurized from all liquid bottles into a recording head, and a means for setting an appropriate negative pressure in the recording head. The ink jet recorder is further provided with a means for flushing smudges on the orifice surface by transporting the cleaning liquid into a cap provided in contact with the recording head to cover an array of orifices, and a means for sucking the cleaning liquid from the orifice into the recording head and feeding the cleaning liquid to a collection bottle. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention comprises an ink jet head that discharges liquid (ink) mixed with a solvent and fine particles as droplets and its control means, and a stage that controls the relative position between the substrate to be coated and the ink jet recording head. The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus for the purpose of applying ink to the top.

  Conventionally, ink jet recording apparatuses have been used as output means of information processing systems. This ink jet apparatus records characters, figures, etc. by ejecting minute droplets from nozzles, and has a feature that a high-definition image can be recorded. By using multi-color ink, it is possible to print color images, and it is easy to reduce the size of the device and increase the resolution of the image. Have been around. Recently, the number of industrial inkjet recording apparatuses for printing metal wiring on various substrates and printing color filters for display is also increasing.

  In such an industrial ink jet recording apparatus, an ink bottle is connected above the ink jet recording head so that ink can be supplied to the minute ink chambers arranged in the recording head with an appropriate pressure. Appropriate pressure means that the pressure in the ink chamber is a negative pressure of several hundred Pa with respect to the atmospheric pressure, and an instantaneous large pressure is applied to the ink in the ink chamber in this state, whereby the ink chamber Ink is ejected toward the recording medium from minute holes (orifices) formed in the wall surface.

  As a method for applying an appropriate pressure to the ink chamber, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a negative pressure generating means is provided in the first ink bottle connected to the recording head so that the negative pressure amount can be adjusted. A method is disclosed.

  In a state where ink is supplied to the ink chamber with an appropriate pressure by the above method, the ink is always in contact with the atmosphere. For this reason, if the state where ink is not ejected becomes longer, the ink viscosity increases due to volatilization of the ink solvent in the vicinity of the orifice, resulting in a decrease in ejection speed and a change in ejection direction, resulting in a deterioration in print image quality. To do.

  In order to prevent deterioration in print image quality, the ink is periodically ejected to a position other than the recording medium to suppress the increase in viscosity, or the recording head is brought into contact with the cap to make the inside of the cap have a negative pressure. There is a method of sucking out the ink having increased from the orifice.

  Further, when the recording head moves on the recording medium while ejecting ink, the ink bounced off from the recording medium adheres around the orifice of the recording head. If ink adheres to the periphery of the orifice, the ink will fly so as to be attracted to the ink, so that the flying direction of the ink is bent and image quality deterioration occurs.

  As a method for preventing the above problem, as described in Patent Document 2, a method of removing ink by rubbing the vicinity of the orifice with an elastic material such as rubber, or as described in Patent Document 3, There is a method of wiping off ink in the vicinity of an orifice by using a member moistened with an ink solvent.

JP 2006-62329 A JP 2006-26969 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-21680

  Due to the high-definition printing performance of inkjet recording devices, not only personal recording devices, but recently various types such as industrial inkjet recording devices that print metal wiring on various substrates and color filters for displays Various types of inkjet recording devices are on the market. Most of the inks used in these ink jet recording apparatuses are one in which a dye not containing particles is dissolved in a liquid and one in which a pigment having a diameter of about 0.1 to 0.5 μm is dispersed. Yes.

  However, even with ink in which particles having a diameter of up to about 1/10 are distributed to an orifice with a diameter of 30 to 50 μm, it can be applied in a short period of time. In order to secure the liquid crystal layer, it is possible to apply spacer particles applied on the glass substrate. In order to enable long-term application, the particles in the ink tend to settle with time, so that the solvent has a higher viscosity than the dye ink or the ink in which the pigment having a diameter of about 0.1 to 0.5 μm is dispersed. It is necessary to devise the ink itself, for example, to be dispersed. Examples of the high-viscosity solvent for dispersing the particles include a diol solvent and water mixture. However, even when dispersed in a high-viscosity solvent, sedimentation of particles in the ink occurs in a time of several tens of minutes to several hours. In the ink jet recording apparatus using the ink in which the particles are dispersed, the following three problems occur.

  The first problem is that ink is not sufficiently discharged when ink is introduced into the fine flow path in the recording head due to the use of high-viscosity ink, resulting in insufficient ink ejection. Occurs. In addition, when gas dissolved in the ink is deposited, a phenomenon that ink discharge becomes insufficient tends to occur.

  The second problem is that the ink solvent is dried and the particles are aggregated in the ink chamber in the recording head to clog the orifice.

  A third problem is that, when the recording head is moving on the recording medium while ejecting ink, the ink that bounces from the recording medium adheres around the orifice of the recording head. When using a dye ink or an ink in which a pigment having a fine particle diameter is dispersed, the ink in the vicinity of the orifice can be wiped off as described in the examples of Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3. If the ink in which the ink is dispersed is repeatedly wiped off, the orifice is eventually damaged and there is a problem that the life of the recording head is shortened.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus that has means for solving the above three problems and enables stable liquid application in an ink jet recording apparatus that applies ink containing particles of several μm onto a recording medium. Is to provide. That is, when the ink is introduced into the recording head or when the gas dissolved in the ink is deposited, a means for reliably removing the gas and introducing the ink, and an ink chamber inside the recording head An inkjet recording apparatus capable of stable liquid application by having means for removing aggregated particles when aggregated and means for removing ink that bounces off the recording medium and adheres to the periphery of the orifice of the recording head Is to provide.

  In order to achieve the above object, the ink jet recording apparatus has the following configuration.

  In addition to the ink in which the particles are dispersed, an ink containing only the solvent of the ink not containing the particles and a liquid bottle containing a cleaning liquid having a viscosity lower than that of the ink are arranged, and all the liquid bottles are placed in the recording head. Pressurizing means for pressurizing and flowing liquid, switching means for switching the inflow of the ink and the cleaning liquid to the recording head, a cap that contacts the recording head and covers the orifice row, and the liquid introduced by the pressing means A suction means for sucking ink from the orifice to generate a negative pressure in the cap and sucking the liquid when it leaks from the orifice, or to eliminate clogging of the orifice when not applied, A liquid feeding means for sending the washing liquid into the cap and washing the liquid around the orifice with the washing liquid; and the washing sent by the liquid feeding means In a state where the reservoir cap draws washing liquid from an orifice in the recording head, provided with a liquid feed means for feeding a cleaning liquid to the recovery bottle separately provided. And a controller that controls the internal pressure of the bottle containing the ink in which the particles are dispersed to a constant negative pressure when the recording head is connected to the bottle in which the particles are dispersed by the switching unit.

  According to the present invention, before the high-viscosity ink in which particles are dispersed flows into the recording head, the cleaning liquid and the ink containing no particles are allowed to flow, so that no bubbles remain in the recording head and the particles are dispersed. There is an effect that it is possible to stably discharge the high viscosity ink.

  In addition, since the cap is brought into contact with the recording head to cover the orifice row and the inside of the cap is made negative pressure by suction means, bubbles remaining in the vicinity of the orifice can be removed, so that the recording head can be stably ejected. Can be restored.

  In addition, by sending the cleaning liquid into the cap and sucking the cleaning liquid from the recording head, the ink solvent can be dried and the particles aggregated in the recording head can be sucked out, so that the ink is stably ejected. There is an effect that the head can be recovered.

  Further, since the cleaning liquid can be sent into the cap and the liquid around the orifice can be washed away by the cleaning liquid, it is possible to remove ink adhering to the periphery of the recording head by splashing from the recording medium while protecting the orifice. There is.

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

  First, FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration example of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention.

  The ink jet recording apparatus includes an x table 102 having an x-direction moving mechanism on the stage 101, two legs fixed on the stage 101, and the x table 102 so as to straddle the x table 102 on the legs. A frame provided with a predetermined distance is provided, and a y table 104 provided with a y-direction moving mechanism is provided in the longitudinal direction (y direction) of the frame. Furthermore, it is comprised from the z table (not shown) provided with the z direction movement mechanism provided in the y table 104 for moving to az direction, and the recording head 1 provided in the z table. The x table 102 is provided with a substrate holding mechanism that holds the substrate 103 by suction. In this configuration, a desired dot pattern is printed on the substrate 103. The dot pattern is formed of ink containing particles having a diameter of 2 to 5 μm.

  The recording head 1 fixed to the z table is connected to the first ink bottle 4 fixed to the y table 104. As a result, in accordance with a signal from an ink application controller (not shown), the recording head 1 ejects ink from orifices arranged at equal intervals on the surface facing the substrate 103. When the substrate 103 adsorbed by the x table 102 is transported in the + x direction by operating the x direction moving mechanism in accordance with the ink ejection from the recording head 1, a band-shaped ink dot having a fixed width on the substrate 103. A pattern is formed. When one transport is completed by the x table 102, the recording head 1 moves the y table 104 by a predetermined distance in the y direction by the y direction moving mechanism. Thereafter, the substrate 103 adsorbed on the x table 102 is again conveyed in the −x direction, whereby the next ink dot pattern is formed on the substrate 103.

  Further, the displacement amount of the x table 102 and the y table 104 is detected by a detecting means such as an encoder provided in each drive mechanism (not shown), is taken in by a controller or the like, and moves in the x and y directions based on the detection result. The mechanism is controlled.

  In the ink jet recording apparatus of this embodiment, a plurality of bottles 2, 6, 7 are installed below the stage 101. Further, a cap 8 is provided on the stage 101 so as to cover the surface of the recording head 1 on the side where the orifice is provided. Further, an ink supply system that supplies ink to the recording head 1 from the bottle (not shown) and a recording head maintenance system that cleans the recording head 1 and the like exist so that the ink ejection by the recording head 1 is optimal. Yes. These mechanisms will be described below with reference to another drawing.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an ink supply system and a recording head maintenance system of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention. In the ink jet recording apparatus of this embodiment, six solution bottles are arranged. A cleaning liquid is collected in the cleaning liquid bottle 2, an ink solvent containing no particles in the solvent bottle 3, an ink containing particles in the first ink bottle 4, and an ink containing particles in the second ink bottle 5. The bottle 6 stores the cleaning liquid, the ink in which the solvent and the particles are dispersed, and the second recovery bottle 7 stores the cleaning liquid, the solvent, and the ink in which the particles are dispersed. Pipes extend from each solution bottle, and the liquid inside the bottle is moved by the air pumps 11 to 16, the water pumps 17 and 18, and the three-way valves 21 to 25, and ink supply and maintenance to the recording head 1 are performed. The recording head 1 is provided with a plurality of ink inlets or outlets. The first ink bottle 4 and the second ink bottle 5 contain stirrers 41 and 51, and the ink inside is constantly stirred. Hereinafter, an ink supply method and a recording head maintenance method will be sequentially described.

  First, an ink supply method will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 shows the piping of the portion related to the ink supply thickly rewritten in the piping diagram of FIG.

  Before performing ink application with the recording head 1, first, the cleaning liquid contained in the cleaning liquid bottle 2 is introduced into the recording head 1. Therefore, the recording head 1 is lowered by the z-direction drive mechanism to a position close to the cap 8 provided on the stage 101. The cleaning liquid has a low viscosity and surface tension and does not react with the solvent of the ink in which the particles are dispersed, and alcohol is suitable. The role of the cleaning liquid is to remove bubbles and the like existing inside the recording head 1. The three-way valves 21, 22 and 23 are operated so that the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid bottle 2 enters the recording head 1, and piping from the cleaning liquid bottle 2 to the recording head is connected. The air pump 11 connected to the cleaning liquid bottle 2 is operated to pressurize the cleaning liquid bottle 2 and push the cleaning liquid into the recording head 1. At this time, the three-way valve 24 is operated to connect the discharge pipe from the recording head 1 to the first recovery bottle 6 so that the cleaning liquid that has passed through the recording head 1 flows into the first recovery bottle 6. Thereby, bubbles can be removed from the recording head 1. Since the cleaning liquid is also ejected from the orifice of the recording head 1, the cleaning liquid is received by the cap 8 and sucked into the second recovery bottle 7 by the air pump 15.

  Next, the three-way valve 21 is operated to connect the piping from the solvent bottle 3 to the recording head 1. Since the other three-way valves 22 and 23 are operated when the cleaning liquid is introduced into the recording head, they are left as they are. Then, the air pump 12 connected to the solvent bottle 3 is operated to introduce the contained solvent into the recording head 1. The reason why only the solvent is introduced before introducing the ink in which the particles are dispersed is that if the cleaning liquid having a low viscosity and the ink are mixed suddenly, the particles are likely to settle, and aggregation of the particles occurs inside the recording head 1. This is to prevent the occurrence of this aggregation. Further, the cleaning liquid is removed from the recording head so that the ink solvent flows into the first recovery bottle 6 without changing the state of the three-way valve 24. Since the solvent is also ejected from the orifice of the recording head 1, the solvent is received by the cap 8 and sucked into the second recovery bottle 7 by the air pump 15.

Finally, the ink stored in the first ink bottle 4 is introduced into the recording head 1. That is, similarly to the introduction of the two kinds of liquids, the air pump 13 connected to the first ink bottle is operated by operating the three-way valve 23 to pressurize the inside of the first ink bottle 4 to thereby apply ink to the recording head 1. Push into. At this time, the ink solvent flows into the first recovery bottle 6 without changing the state of the three-way valve 24, and the recording head is filled with the ink in which the particles are dispersed. Since ink is also ejected from the orifice of the recording head 1, the ink is received by the cap 8 and sucked into the second recovery bottle 7 by the air pump 15. In addition, when the inside of the pipe between the recording head 1 and the three-way valve 24 is completely replaced with ink, the ink may be introduced into the second ink bottle 5 by operating the three-way valve 24. Note that when the ink is introduced from the second ink bottle 5 into the first ink bottle, a filter 9 is provided between the second ink bottle and the first ink bottle in order to remove foreign matter contained in the ink.

  In this state, since ink adheres to the orifice surface of the recording head 1, the cap 8 is brought into close contact with the recording head 1, and the ink is sucked into the second collection bottle 7 by the air pump 15.

  Through the above steps, ink can be introduced into the recording head 1. Thereafter, ink ejection from all orifices is confirmed. When the confirmation of ink ejection is completed, the recording head 1 is raised and the substrate 103 is moved to the application start position.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a method for confirming ink ejection from all orifices.

  The recording head 1 is moved onto a roll-shaped resin film 401 disposed near the cap 8, and ink is ejected from all orifices toward the resin film 401. The droplet row 403 applied on the film 401 is photographed while moving the camera 402 to check the discharge state. When ink is not ejected from all the orifices, the cap 8 is brought into close contact with the recording head 1 again, and ink is introduced under pressure and ink suction is executed. The camera 402 may be attached to the same y table as the recording head 1 or may be provided separately.

  The above ink introduction method is summarized as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, before the ink application is started, the cleaning liquid is introduced under pressure into the recording head (step 500). When the cleaning liquid reaches the recording head and the pipe, the supply of the cleaning liquid is stopped. Next, an ink solvent is introduced under pressure (step 501). When the ink solvent reaches the recording head and the pipe, the supply of the ink solvent is stopped. Next, ink is introduced under pressure (step 502). While introducing the ink under pressure, the cap 8 sucks the ink from the orifice of the recording head (503). The ink discharge state from the recording head is checked (step 504). If the ejection state is normal, ink application is started (step 505). When the ink ejection state is abnormal, the process returns to the ink pressurization introduction (step 502), and the ink pressurization is performed. By performing the steps as described above, ink application can be performed.

  Next, an ink supply method in a normal ink application state and a recording head maintenance system will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 6 shows the piping of the part related to ink supply in the piping diagram of FIG.

  When the ink application at the recording head 1 is started, the pressure inside the recording head 1 is set to a negative pressure such that the ink does not drip from the orifice of the recording head 1. For this purpose, the first ink bottle 4 and the recording head 1 are connected by operating the three-way valve 23, and the pressure inside the first ink bottle 4 is reduced by the air pump 13 so that the pressure in the recording head 1 becomes a predetermined pressure. To. Then, as described with reference to FIG. 2, according to the signal from the ink application controller, the recording head 1 ejects ink from orifices arranged at equal intervals on the surface facing the substrate 103. In accordance with the ink ejection from the recording head 1, the substrate 103 adsorbed by the x table 102 is transported by operating the x-direction moving mechanism, whereby a band-shaped ink dot pattern having a constant width is formed on the substrate 103. The While such an operation is repeated, sedimentation of particles in the ink starts in the recording head 1. When sedimentation of particles occurs, the number of particles contained in one drop changes greatly. In some cases, the orifice is clogged. For this reason, it is necessary to regularly flow the ink in the recording head 1 at a flow rate of a certain value or more.

  When the ink flow is formed in the recording head 1, the ink leaks from the orifice. Therefore, the ink flow is performed in a non-application state such as when the ink application to the entire substrate 103 is completed. The air pump 13 pressurizes the inside of the first ink bottle 4 to push the ink into the recording head 1. At this time, the three-way valve 24 is operated so that ink enters the second ink bottle 5, and the internal pressure is reduced to atmospheric pressure or reduced so that the ink enters the second ink bottle 5 by the air pump 16. Flow in the ink bottle 5. Since ink is ejected from the orifice of the recording head 1, the recording head 1 is brought close to the cap 8 when performing this process. That is, ink from the orifice is received by the cap 8 and sucked into the second recovery bottle 7 by the air pump 15. Further, the ink in the second ink bottle 5 may be periodically returned to the first ink bottle 4 by the water pump 17. At that time, the filter 9 for removing foreign matter contained in the ink is passed.

  By causing the ink in the recording head 1 to periodically flow at a flow rate of a certain value or more, it is possible to prevent particles from settling in the recording head 1, so that the ink application can always be stably performed.

  Next, another maintenance method for the recording head 1 will be described.

  When ink application to the entire surface of the substrate 103 is completed, there is a waiting time until the next substrate 103 is transported. In order to prevent particle sedimentation during that time, the cap 8 is pressed against the recording head 1 to suck ink from the orifice. The frequency of this step varies depending on the viscosity of the ink, the diameter of the particles, and the concentration of the particles, but is performed when the ink application to the entire substrate 103 is completed. At the same time, confirm the ink ejection from all orifices. The confirmation method is as described above with reference to FIG.

  As described above, since the maintenance of the recording head 1 is periodically performed, the ink application can always be stably performed.

  Next, another maintenance method for the recording head 1 will be described.

  When the recording head 1 moves on the recording medium while ejecting ink, ink bounces off the recording medium adheres to the periphery of the orifice of the recording head. If the ink is adhered, the ink ejection direction is bent, so the orifice surface of the recording head 1 needs to be cleaned.

  The cleaning frequency of the orifice surface is substantially determined by the number of substrates to be coated, although the cleaning frequency varies depending on the viscosity of the ink, the diameter of the particles, and the concentration of the contained particles. For example, it is performed after coating on several to several tens of substrates 103. That is, the cycle is longer than the maintenance by suction using the cap 8 described above.

  A method for cleaning the orifice surface will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 shows the piping of the portion of the piping diagram of FIG.

For cleaning the orifice surface of the recording head 1, the cleaning liquid contained in the cleaning liquid bottle 2 is used. The three-way valves 21 and 22 are operated so that the cleaning liquid enters the cap 8, and the cleaning liquid bottle 2 is pressurized by the air pump 11 to introduce the cleaning liquid into the cap 8. The orifice surface is cleaned by operating the z-direction moving mechanism to bring the recording head 1 close to the cap 8 and introducing a cleaning liquid into the cap 8 in this state. A cleaning method will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 3 shows the structure of the cap 8. The cap 8 includes an inner container 8a and an outer container 8b. The pipe 201 is a pipe for introducing the cleaning liquid into the inner container 8a. The pipe 202 is a pipe for discharging the cleaning liquid overflowed from the inner container 8a. A pipe 203 is a pipe for discharging the ink in the inner container. The pipes 202 and 203 can switch the connection with the second recovery bottle 7 by the three-way valve 25.

  FIG. 4 shows a method for cleaning the orifice surface of the recording head 1. FIG. 4A shows a state where the recording head 1 is approaching the cap 8. In order to clean the orifice surface, first, the recording head 1 is brought close to the inner container 8 a of the cap 8, and the cleaning liquid is poured into the inner container 8 a using the pipe 201. The cleaning liquid 300 having a volume equal to or larger than the volume of the inner container 8a overflows into the outer container 8b while cleaning the orifice surface of the recording head 1. Particles adhering to the orifice surface are removed by the flow of the cleaning liquid 300. The cleaning liquid in the ink outer container 8 b is sucked by the air pump 15 connected to the second recovery bottle 7 and moves to the second recovery bottle 7 through the pipe 202 and the three-way valve 25. After the cleaning of the orifice surface is completed, the cleaning liquid in the inner container 8a moves to the second recovery bottle 7 by connecting the three-way valve 25 to the pipe 203 side.

  By performing the cleaning as described above, the orifice surface can be cleaned without rubbing, so that the orifice surface is not damaged by particles in the ink. Therefore, it can be used without shortening the life of the recording head 1.

  4B is a view of the inner container 8a of the cap 8 as viewed from the side where the recording head 1 approaches. The pipe 201 is connected to a position away from the center of the inner container 8a so that the flow of the cleaning liquid is generated in the inner container 8a. Further, the entire cap 8 is vibrated so as to increase the flow of the cleaning liquid in the inner container 8a. Thus, the cleaning performance of the orifice surface can be improved by increasing the flow of the cleaning liquid in the inner container 8a.

  After the cleaning of the orifice surface, the above-described step of introducing the ink in which the particles are dispersed into the recording head 1 is performed.

  Next, another maintenance method for the recording head 1 will be described.

  Since the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention is an apparatus for applying ink in which particles are dispersed, the ink solvent may be dried and the particles may be aggregated in the ink chamber in the recording head. In this case, it is difficult to recover the recording head as compared with an ink jet recording apparatus that applies dye ink. When the particles dispersed in the ink aggregate, it is difficult to discharge the aggregate from the orifice of the recording head. In that case, ink cannot be ejected from all the orifices only by ink suction using the cap 8. When ink cannot be discharged from all the orifices by ink suction using the cap 8, it is necessary to suck the cleaning liquid from the orifice side into the recording head and discharge the aggregate from the discharge flow path of the recording head 1. A method for discharging the aggregate will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 8 shows the piping of the part related to the maintenance method of the recording head 1 in the piping diagram of FIG. In order to discharge the agglomerates inside the recording head 1, the cleaning liquid stored in the cleaning liquid bottle 2 is used.

  The step of discharging the aggregate from the discharge flow path of the recording head 1 starts by replacing the ink in the recording head 1 with a solvent. This is because when ink having a high viscosity and a cleaning liquid having a low viscosity are mixed, particles in the ink are aggregated. The three-way valves 21, 22, and 23 are operated so that the solvent enters the recording head 1, and the solvent bottle 3 is pressurized by the air pump 12 to push the solvent into the recording head 1. Since the solvent is also ejected from the orifice of the recording head 1, the solvent is received by the cap 8 and sucked into the second recovery bottle 7 by the air pump 15. Thereafter, the three-way valves 21 and 22 are operated, and the cleaning liquid bottle 2 is pressurized with the air pump 11 to introduce the cleaning liquid into the cap 8. The recording head 1 is pressed against the cap 8 to bring the cleaning liquid into contact with the orifice surface. While the supply of the cleaning liquid to the cap 8 is continued, the three-way valve 24 is operated so that the piping from the recording head 1 to the first recovery bottle 6 is connected, and the inside of the first recovery bottle 6 is made negative by the air pump 14. Then, the cleaning liquid in the cap 8 is sucked into the first recovery bottle 6. At this time, the three-way valve 23 is operated so that the recording head 1 and other bottles are not connected. The fixed matter in the recording head 1 is dissolved by the cleaning liquid and discharged to the outside.

  After the above steps, the step of introducing the liquid into the recording head 1 in the order of the cleaning liquid, the ink solvent not containing particles, and the ink is performed so that the ink can be applied.

  Next, the end operation of the ink jet recording apparatus will be described.

  When the ink jet recording apparatus is terminated, the liquid is introduced into the recording head 1 in the reverse order of the ink supply method in order to prevent sedimentation of particles in the ink. That is, the ink solvent containing no particles is introduced under pressure, and then the washing liquid is introduced under pressure, and the operation of the ink jet recording apparatus is terminated while the washing liquid is introduced into the recording head 1.

  By executing the ink introduction method and the recording head maintenance method described above, an ink jet recording apparatus capable of stable liquid application can be realized.

  In the description of the first embodiment, alcohol is used as the cleaning liquid. However, in order to enhance cleaning in the recording head 1, a bottle having a liquid in which a surfactant is dissolved in water may be provided separately.

  A liquid in which a surfactant is dissolved in water (hereinafter referred to as “surfactant water”) is mainly used for cleaning in the recording head 1, and therefore the recording liquid is sucked from the orifice side toward the recording head 1. Used when discharging agglomerates from wastewater.

  First, the recording head 1 is brought close to the inner container 8a of the cap 8, and the surfactant water is poured into the inner container 8a. The surfactant water of the inner container 8a or more volume overflows into the outer container 8b while washing the orifice surface of the recording head 1. Particles adhering to the orifice surface are removed by the flow of the surfactant water. The surfactant water in the ink outer container 8 b is sucked by the air pump 15 and moves to the second recovery bottle 7 through the pipe 202. After the cleaning is completed, the surfactant water in the inner container 8 a moves to the second recovery bottle 7 through the pipe 203.

  After this cleaning, as in the first embodiment, a step of introducing the ink contained in the first ink bottle 4 into the recording head 1 is performed so that the ink can be applied.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an ink supply unit and a recording head maintenance unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the inkjet recording device to which this invention is applied. It is a figure explaining the cap of the recording head which is one Example of this invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a method for cleaning an orifice surface of a recording head according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a method for introducing ink into a recording head according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the ink supply method to the recording head at the time of the ink application which is one Example of this invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a cleaning unit for an orifice surface of a recording head according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a recording head cleaning unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the method of confirming the discharge state of the ink which is one Example of this invention. 3 is a flowchart showing an ink introduction process to a recording head according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Recording head 2 Cleaning liquid bottle 3 Ink solvent bottle 4 First ink bottle 5 Second ink bottle 6 First collection bottle 7 Second collection bottles 11-16 Air pumps 17, 18 Water pumps 21-25 Three-way valve

Claims (7)

In an inkjet recording apparatus comprising: a transport device that transports a substrate; an ink bottle that contains ink in which particles are dispersed; a recording head that applies the ink onto the substrate; and a carriage that moves the recording head.
A solvent bottle containing a solvent for the ink; a cleaning liquid bottle containing a cleaning liquid; a pressurizing means for pressurizing the inside of each bottle to cause each liquid to flow into the recording head; and a recording head connected to the recording head. A discharge pipe that discharges the liquid; a first recovery bottle that stores the liquid discharged through the discharge pipe; a switching unit that switches supply of each liquid from each bottle to the print head; and a contact with the print head. A cap that covers the orifice row of the recording head, a suction unit that supplies negative pressure into the cap, and a second recovery bottle that stores the liquid in the cap sucked by the suction unit. Inkjet recording apparatus.   2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cap has a structure in which an inner container and an outer container are joined, the inner container is connected to a pipe through which cleaning liquid is sent from the cleaning liquid bottle, and the outer container is liquid. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a pipe connected to the second recovery bottle for recovering the ink.   2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a step of pressurizing and filling the recording head in the order of cleaning liquid, ink solvent, and ink, a step of bringing a cap into contact with the recording head and sucking the liquid inside the recording head, and the cap A cleaning liquid is sent into the cap, the cap and the recording head are brought close to each other, and the orifice surface of the recording head is cleaned. The cleaning liquid is sent into the cap and the cap and the recording head are brought into contact with each other so that the cleaning liquid in the cap is directed to the recording head. And a step of cleaning the inside of the recording head by means of suction.   4. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein after the step of feeding the cleaning liquid into the cap and bringing the cap and the recording head closer to clean the orifice surface of the recording head, the step of pressurizing and filling the recording head with ink is performed. An ink jet recording apparatus.   4. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the ink solvent containing no particles and the cleaning liquid are recorded in this order before the step of cleaning the inside of the recording head by means for bringing the cap into contact with the recording head and sucking the cleaning liquid from the recording head. An ink jet recording apparatus that performs a process of pressurizing and filling a head.   4. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the ink does not contain cleaning liquid and particles after the step of cleaning the inside of the recording head by means for bringing the cap and the recording head into contact and sucking the cleaning liquid in the cap from the recording head to the side. An ink jet recording apparatus that executes a process of pressurizing and filling a recording head in the order of a solvent and an ink.   4. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the cap is vibrated in the step of cleaning the orifice surface of the recording head.

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