JP2749932B2 - Ink jet recording device - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus that forms an image by discharging ink.

[Prior Art] A conventional ink jet recording head and a capping means for sealing a nozzle of the ink jet recording head are made of a flexible member such as rubber, and are formed so as to be in contact with a discharge port forming surface of the recording head. The thickness of the four wall surfaces of the capping means is constant. Normally, when the ink jet printer is not performing a recording operation, in order to prevent drying of the ink discharge port portion, the cap means is pressed against the discharge port forming surface side of the ink jet recording head to seal the discharge port from the atmosphere. I was At this time, the sealing was performed by the surface contact between the end portions of the four wall surfaces of the cap means and the peripheral area of the ejection port forming surface of the recording head.

On the other hand, at the time of capping, ejection of ink from the ejection port,
In order to prevent outflow, by pressing the discharge port pressing member composed of a separate component from the cap against the discharge port,
It was done.

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the above-described conventional example, the gap between the cap and the nozzle pressing member is opened because the discharge port pressing member and the cap are separate members, and the cap seals the nozzle portion. In some cases it was not done.

Furthermore, it is necessary to have a driving source for moving the cap and a driving source for moving the nozzle pressing member, and two driving sources, which increases the cost.

Means for Solving the Problems The present invention has been proposed to solve these problems, and in an ink jet recording apparatus which performs recording by discharging ink on a recording medium, a recording area of the recording medium A line-type recording head having ejection ports formed over the entire width; an ink path connected to substantially both ends of the recording head to form an ink flow; and ejection port formation of a recording head having ejection ports for ejecting the ink. A cap member that covers a surface of the recording head, and a pressing member that is disposed inside the cap member so as to press and seal the discharge port of the recording head, wherein the pressing member is formed by the cap member and the discharge port forming surface. And a capping means that can take a pressurized closed state and an open state of the discharge port of the recording head in a state in which the ink is covered, and circulates the ink through the ink supply path. The discharge port of the recording head and pressed hermetically by the pressing member when to, is characterized in that the open state of the discharge port and releases the press closed during standby.

According to the present invention, the nozzle pressing and sealing means is integrally formed with the cap in a space which is sealed from the atmosphere by the cap of the cap, so that the cap is stably sealed by the cap. . Further, the acting force required when the cap is closed to the atmosphere uses the reaction force due to the elastic deformation of the cap, and the sealing pressing force of the nozzle portion uses the elastic deformation force of another member such as a spring.
Simple and stable sealing of the nozzle part is achieved by using two driving sources.

EXAMPLES Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described based on examples.

FIG. 1A is a central sectional view of one embodiment of a facsimile apparatus which characterizes the present invention. FIG. 1 (B) is a plan view from above, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the open state. The facsimile apparatus of this embodiment is roughly divided into a document transport system A, an optical system B, a power supply unit C, an electric circuit board D, a recording paper transport system E, a decal system F, a supply system G, and a recovery system H. I have. Here, the original transport system A and the optical system B
Constitutes a document reading section for providing a document image. As a basic operation of the facsimile apparatus, when the document 2 is set at the time of transmission or copying, the document 2 is driven by driving means (not shown) to read the image of the document 2 when the document 2 is set. Roller row (Roller R1, R2, R3, R
Convey sequentially by 4). Then, the original line information of the original reading line (main scanning line) determined during the conveyance reaches the line CCD 100 by the condensing lens Le through the reflection optical path of the optical system B (Lampon L1, mirror M1, M2), and is converted into an electric signal. The document information is converted and read. At the time of reception or copying, the recording paper transport system E sequentially transports the recording paper 1 wound in a roll shape on a path shown by a driving means (not shown) by a row of driven rollers, and is determined in the middle. Ink is ejected from the ejection opening of the recording head 38 onto the recording paper recording line and recording is performed. The ejection of ink from the ejection openings of the recording head 38 is performed using thermal energy. This thermal energy is generated by the electrothermal converter provided in the recording head 38. In addition, the power supply section C normally receives a general AC input, converts it into all necessary voltage and current in the apparatus, and supplies it to each section. The electric circuit centering on the electric circuit board D controls the functional operation of each part of the device, mainly the micro computer system,
It also connects / disconnects with the transmission line and inputs / outputs image information signals. The supply system G supplies ink to the recording head, and the recovery system H performs cleaning and capping of the ejection opening surface necessary for the head.

As shown in FIG. 1 (B), the roll-shaped recording paper 1 is located substantially at the center of the apparatus, and a document conveying system A, an optical system B, and a power supply section C are vertically arranged on the left side thereof. ing. A recording head 38, a recording head recovery system H, and an ink supply system G including an ink tank 86 are arranged in this order from the top to the right. As described above, since the recording head 38, the recording head 8 recovery system H, and the ink supply system G having the ink tank 786 are arranged in this order from the top, in this embodiment, even if the apparatus is inclined, the recording head 38 can be used. The ratio of the pressure change from the ink tank 86 to the orifice surface is reduced (the pressure on each ejection port becomes uniform), and good printing can be performed. This is because the space between the orifice surface of the recording head and the ink tank can be increased even though the apparatus is downsized.

 The configuration and operation will be described below.

First, the operation of transporting the recording paper will be described step by step. The rolled recording paper 1 is loaded, and the recording paper 1 passes through a decurling system F for correcting curling, and is driven by a driving conveyance roller 7.
The sheet is conveyed while being sandwiched by a driven roller (platen roller) 8 which comes into contact with the conveying roller 7. The transport roller 7 is driven by a drive unit (not shown), and uses, for example, a stepping motor as a drive source.

Here, FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the relationship between components around the driven roller (platen roller) in the longitudinal direction. Recording frame
The first platen side plate 13a and the second platen side plate 13b fixed to or integrally formed with the
The driven roller 8 is given a play by supporting the shaft 3c through the shaft. E-rings 29 and 30 are attached to both ends of the shaft of the driven roller 8 as retaining members. Further, both shafts are provided with rotatable bearings 10a and 10b, which are coaxial with the inner diameter and the outer diameter, are accurately defined, and are fitted to the core of the driven roller 8. On the other hand, as shown, the first platen side plate 13a and the second platen side plate 13b are slidably disposed on inner surfaces thereof with platen pressing shafts 12a and 12b fitted respectively. The platen pressing shaft is actuated by the action of the springs 11a and 11b.
One end of 12a, 12b is configured to apply a contact pressing force to the bearings 10a, 10b of the driven roller 8.

Returning to FIG. 1, the recording head 38 is located at the recording position, and at this time, the driven roller 8 is pressed with the pressing roller 8 to the conveying roller 7 and the bearing 10a to the recording head 38. And 10b are abutted in two directions to determine the position. That is, the direction of the pressing force of the platen pressing shafts 12a and 12b against the driven roller 8 is as described above, and the driven roller 8 is the conveying roller 7 and the bearings 10a and 10b are the recording head.
It is set in the direction to contact 38. At the same time, the recording head 38 of the flexible thin plate recording guide 38 rotates about the head shaft 36 as a rotation center to come to the recording position.

In this way, the sheet path is aligned with the recording line position, and the recording head 38 discharges and records ink at the recording line position from the discharge opening during recording.

Next, the recording paper 1 is guided by the first curvature guide 15 and the paper discharge guide 20 in FIG. 1 to make contact with the first paper discharge roller 21 and the paper discharge roller 21, and the roller rows 17a to 17g and the roller row It is guided and transported between 18a to 18g.

The first discharge roller 21 obtains a driving force from a drive system of the same drive source as the transport roller 7 and receives the first discharge roller 21.
The peripheral speed of 21 is set to be slightly faster than the peripheral speed of the transport roller 7.

Here, FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the relation of parts in the longitudinal direction around the first paper discharge roller 21. Rollers 17a to 17g and Roller 18
a to 18g are alternately arranged with the first curvature guides 15a to 15f,
The shaft 31 is rotatably supported by the shaft 31 and both ends of the shaft are stopped by E-rings or the like. At both ends, the shaft 32 is restricted by the first paper discharge roller receiving side 9a and the second paper discharge roller receiving side 19b fixed or integrally formed with the recording frame 19, and is fitted with the shaft 32 and the diameter in the horizontal direction. It is regulated by passing through the vertical hole of the case, and furthermore, both sides are secured by an E-ring (not shown) or the like. It should be noted that the recording chassis 19 and the first curvature guides 15a to 15f generate a compressive force by the springs 16a to 16f indicated only by 16a in the figure (see FIG. 1). The rollers 17a to 17g and the rollers 18a to 18g It comes into contact with the paper discharge roller 21 with a pressing force. As a result, a conveyance force is generated when the recording paper 1 is sandwiched. Then, the recording paper 1 is the two swords 22a and 2 of the cutter 22 for cutting the recording paper for each received page.
2b, the upper discharge guide 23 and the rear discharge guide 24
To the second discharge roller 25 and the roller that comes into contact therewith.
Guided and conveyed by 27a-27g and rollers 28a-28g.
Further, the second discharge roller 25 receives a driving force from the drive system, and is set so that the peripheral speed is slightly faster than the peripheral speed of the first discharge roller 21. In this case, similarly to the vicinity of the first paper discharge roller 21, the rollers 27a to 27g and 28a to 28g
The guides are arranged alternately with the curvature guides 26a to 26f, and are rotatably supported by the shafts 33 and 34, respectively. Both ends of the shaft 34 are prevented from coming off by E-rings or the like, and the shaft 33 is fitted with the diameter of the shaft 33 in the horizontal direction of the paper discharge roller receiving sides 19c and 19d fixed to or integrally formed with the recording frame 19 at both ends. Through the vertical hole of
Both ends are secured with an E-ring or the like. The springs 35a to 35f generate a compressive force between the recording chassis 19 and the second curvature guides 26a to 26f (see FIG. 1), and the rollers 27a to 27g and the rollers 28a
28 g contact the second paper discharge roller 25 with a pressing force, and when the recording paper 1 is sandwiched, a conveyance force is generated. The recording paper on which recording has been completed in this manner is discharged, and further received by the discharge roller 39 in the form of a sheet cut by a cutter, and the leading end is smoothly received and held by the stacker 40. . As a result, the operator can take out the recording paper held on the stacker 40.

The recording paper transport system is configured and operates as described above. Here, the state shown in FIG. 1 indicates the time of recording, and when the recording paper is exchanged or recording paper is transported, the recording frame 19 can be opened and closed about the hinge 19e of the recording frame 19 as an axis. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, it is designed such that it can be opened just on the recording paper transport path, and each component belongs to the recording frame 19 on the upper side and to the main body frame 63 on the lower side. . FIG. 5 shows a state in which the recording frame 19 and the components belonging thereto are assembled.

Thus, in the present embodiment, the recording heads 38,
A recording head recovery system H and an ink supply system G are provided. The recording paper 1 on which recording has been performed by the recording head 38 is
After being guided in the horizontal direction above the recording head 38, the recording head 38 descends and is stored in the discharge stacker 40. A path for guiding the recording paper in the horizontal direction is at a boundary where the main body is opened. Thus, according to this embodiment, even if a paper jam occurs, it can be easily removed, and even if a paper jam occurs, the capping can be performed without damaging the head surface. Also, even if ink leaks during capping, the recording paper is not stained.

Next, the positioning of the driven roller 8 (plan ten roller 8) will be described.

First, in FIG. 6, FIG. 6 shows a state of components around the driven roller 8 when the apparatus main body is in a standby state. The recording guide 14 is arranged so as not to contact the driven roller 8 when no external force is applied. Therefore, in the standby state, the angle at which the recording paper 1 contacts the outer periphery of the driven roller 8 is smaller than in the printing state. At this time, the position of the driven roller 8 is such that the outer circumference of the driven roller 8 is pressed by the platen pressing shafts 12a and 12b and the core of the driven roller 8 is provided on the platen side plates 13a and 13b. It is determined by contacting the through hole 13c which is 0.1 mm to several mm larger than the outer circumference of the cored bar. The transport roller 7 and the driven roller 8 both have a rigid core such as iron and a flexible roller such as rubber arranged on the outer periphery.

Next, in FIG. 7, FIG. 7 shows a state in which the recording head 38 is rotated clockwise about the head shaft 36 because the apparatus enters the recording state from the standby state. Things. First, when the head 38 is rotated by the driving of the motor KM as described above, a plurality of protrusions 38c provided on the recording surface of the head 38 contact the leading end of the recording guide 14, and the recording guide 14
Begins to deform elastically. Here, the protrusion 38c provided on the recording surface of the head 38 becomes higher toward the corner.
Therefore, the recording guide 14 and the recording head 38 are elastically deformed at a distance of the height of the protrusion (δ in the drawing).

The reason why the protrusion 38c becomes higher as it goes toward the corner is to make it easier to remove the main body during the wiping operation of the head recording surface described later.

When the recording head 38 further rotates clockwise and the recording head 38 moves to the recording state shown in FIG.
Both ends of the recording surface 38 contact the bearings 10a and 10b. Thus, the distance between the recording surface of the recording head 38 and the platen roller (driven roller) 8 is determined. In the present embodiment, the outer circumferences of the bearings 10a and 10b are larger than the outer circumference of the driven roller 8, and the amount thereof is set to an amount smaller by a fraction of a millimeter than the height δ of the protrusion of the recording head 38. I have. As a result, the guide 14 reliably comes into contact with the outer periphery of the platen roller 8, and the recording paper can be conveyed. At the time of recording, the transport roller 7 rotates clockwise, and the external force causes the platen roller 8 to rotate counterclockwise and move toward the recording head 38. Therefore, with the above-described configuration, the platen roller 8 comes into contact with the guide 14 via the recording paper. Therefore, the spring 11a
11b is not always necessary, and can be brought into contact with only the own weight of the platen roller 8.

Next, the configuration of peripheral components of the recording head 38 will be described with reference to the perspective view of FIG. The recording head 38 includes a head body 38f including a heat generating part, an electric part, and a glass ink liquid chamber, and a filter front 38 disposed outside each of the head body.
d, roughly formed by a filter rear 38e and a head front plate 38c. Also, before the filter 38d and after the filter 38e, the head ink connecting part 38d ₁
And if there is Hetsudoinku connecting portion after 38e _1, by 71 and the ink supply Chiyubuneji included before the ink supply across the sealing member (not shown), respectively, are connected are tightly sealed. 38
a is an imaginary two-dot chain line in which the straight lines in which the nozzles are arranged are connected by connecting the center lines of the nozzles, and a plurality of nozzles 38 are arranged side by side so that an image can be formed over the entire width of the recording member in the main scanning direction. I have. Hereinafter, the nozzle is referred to as a nozzle 38a, but actually has a hole having a diameter of several tens of microns, and the hole is connected to the ink supply tubes 71 and 72. The opposite ends of the ink supply tubes 71 and 72 are connected to a supply pipe joint 84 and a supply pipe joint 85 described later. Now, the surface where the nozzle 38 is opened is represented by 38b in the figure, and will be referred to as an orifice surface. Here, the head front plate 38g is formed of metal or a mold member,
The space between the orifice surface 38b and the head front plate 38g is filled with silicone rubber or the like, and is completely sealed. The filters 38d and 38e are for preventing dust in the ink from entering the nozzle portion. 37a and 37b are formed of engine plastic, sintered metal, die-cast metal, etc., which are rigid before and after the head arm and are not easily thermally deformed at a high temperature. I have.

37a before head arm and 37b after head arm
As described above, the head shaft 36 and the BJ head 38 are fixedly mounted. The head shaft 36 is rotatably supported by a body frame 56 via a bearing (not shown). The head shaft 36 is connected to a drive system including gears, a belt KB, and the like, and further connected to a stepping motor KM. Is linked to

Next, the configuration of the peripheral components of the cap 41 will be described with reference to the perspective view of FIG. The shape of the cap 41 will be described later in detail, but the cap 41 is made of a flexible material such as silicon rubber which is resistant to mechanical creep and has high gas permeability such as water vapor.
42 is a cap keel made of a rigid material such as aluminum or stainless steel, and has a short axis as shown in the sectional view of FIG.
46a, 46b, 46c, 46d, 46e are fixed to the cap keel 42 by screws. The short shafts 46a to 46e are preferably made of a material such as stainless steel which is resistant to rust and has rigidity. In this embodiment, the short shafts 46a to 46e are screwed, but may be joined by press-fitting, bonding or the like. Also, the cap keel 42 and the short shafts 46a to 46e may be integrally formed by molding or the like.

Here, the cap 41 is formed first by coupling the cap keel 42 and the short shafts 46a to 46e as described above, and forming the cap keel 42 and the short shafts 46a to 46e in a mold. The silicone rubber, which is the raw material of the cap 41, is injected or sandwiched between the cap and the cap.
It is made by baking 41 into a cap keel 42 and integrally molding it. Here, the shape of the above-mentioned mold is a cap.
Naturally, it conformed to the external shape of 41. Now
Reference numeral 60 denotes a recovery frame made of a rigid material, such as stainless steel, which is hardly rusted, and is bent (to 60a to 60d) in order to increase the rigidity of the fourth recovery frame. Recovery frame 60
Have short shaft bearings 61a, 61b, 61c, 6 that receive short shafts 46a to 46e.
1d and 61e are fixed by screws (not shown) or the like. The method of connecting the bearings 61a to 61e to the frame 60 may be welding or bonding. As will be described later, the short axis
46a is fitted with a long hole, and short axes 46b, c and d are fitted with so-called fool holes,
The short shaft 46e is positioned and fitted. That is, each short axis 46a-46
The outer diameter of e is the same, the inner diameter 61e ₁ of the short shaft bearing 61e and the short shaft 46e
The outer diameters of the short shaft bearings 61a to 61e are made of a polyacetal resin having good slidability with respect to the short shaft 46e made of stainless steel.

To minor axis bearing 61e, minor axis bearing 61a is toward the longitudinal direction of the cap 41 as is shown in FIG. 10, the long hole portion 61a ₁ is formed. The dimension of the long hole 61a _{1 in} the short direction is the short axis.
It is made to fit with 46a. Short shaft bearing 61b,
The diameter of the holes 61b ₁ , 61c ₁ , 61d ₁ opened in 61c, 61d is
It is made larger in the range of 0.1 mm to 1 mm than the external shape of the short axes 46b to 46d. Next, compression springs 47a-4 are provided outside the short axes 46a-46e.
7e is screwed from the back side of the recovery frame 60 with the short shaft stoppers 56a to 56e interposed therebetween as shown in the figure.

As a result of being screwed, the compression springs 47a to 47e are compressed with the cap keel and the short shaft bearings 61a to 61e sandwiched therebetween. The movement of the cap 41 at this time will be described later in detail.

Next, reference numerals 50 and 52 denote front and second wipers, respectively, which are made of a flexible material such as rubber having good wear resistance. Straightness of certain straight lines 50a and 52a is strictly controlled, and is controlled so that there is no helicopter or dust. The first wiper 50 is connected to the first wiper stay 49 by the second wiper stay 49.
The wiper 52 is fixed to the second wiper stay 51 with a screw or the like (not shown). The first wiper stay 49 and the second wiper stay 52 are made of metal, such as stainless steel, which is hard to rust and has rigidity.

Further, the first wiper stay 49 and the 22nd wiper stay 51
Is screwed to the recovery frame 60 as shown in FIG. At this time, the projection 41a of the cap 41, which will be described later, and the wiper tips 50a and 52a are arranged so that the parallelism is accurate. Further, the protrusion 41a, the wiper tips 50a and 52a, and the wiper stays 49 and
The mounting surface of 51 and the two-dot chain line α in FIG. 9 which is an imaginary line connecting the center lines of the boss portions 59a ₁ and 59b ₁ of the cam gear front 59a and the cam gear rear 59b are also parallel as described later. The degree is arranged to be accurate. Also, as shown in FIG.
The height of the distal end 52a of the second wiper relative to the recovery frame 60 is higher than the height of the distal end 50a of the first wiper relative to the recovery frame 60. For this configuration, the height of the above-mentioned flexible portion such as rubber of the first wiper 50 and the second wiper rear 52 may be changed, or the rigidity of the first wiper stay 49 and the second wiper stay 51 may be reduced. The height of a certain part may be changed. Next, reference numeral 54 denotes a recovery frame bearing, which is a recovery frame shaft 55 shown in FIG. 1 (central sectional view).
Are fitted into the elongated hole 54a of the recovery frame bearing 54 in the short direction. Note that here the recovery frame shaft 55
Is fixed to the body frame 63, but the recovery frame shaft
55 may be rotatably supported by the main body frame 63. The material of the recovery frame bearing 54 is made of a polyacetal resin having good sliding performance.
Is fixed by screws. At this time, the fixing position of the recovery frame bearing 54 to the recovery frame 60 is in the direction of the arrow β in FIG.
The center in the depth direction is to come. Also here, is located at the center portion of the recovery frame 60 by an arrow β direction as the center of the hole portion 61C ₁ of the short axis bearing 61c is also shown in FIG.
Further, the center of the hole portion 61b ₁ of the short axis bearing 61b, the short axis bearing 61d
Center of the hole portion 61d ₁ of is located symmetrically in the arrow β direction around the 61c _1. Furthermore the center length of the hole 61a ₁ of arrow β direction of the short axis bearing 61a, the center of the hole portion 61e ₁ of the short axis bearing 61e is similarly positioned symmetrically arrow β direction around the hole 61c ₁ doing. Now, the center distance of the center of the bore portion 61b ₁ of the bore portion 61a _1, the distance between the centers of the hole portions 61c ₁ of the hole 61b _1, distance between the center and the center of the hole 61d ₁ of the hole 61c ₁ The center of the hole 61d ₁ and the hole 61e ₁
It is desirable that the above four distances of the center distances are equal. Next, 62 is a recovery frame axis, and the main body frame 63
Are arranged over both side plates. This recovery frame axis
62 is rotatably supported around a bearing (not shown) provided on the main body frame 63. Further, idler gears 57a and 57b are fixed to the recovery frame shaft 62 so as to be located outside the front and rear cap guides 48a and 48b, which will be described later, inside the two main body frames 63. The means for fixing the idler gears 57a and 57b to the recovery frame shaft 62 is as follows.
A parallel pin or a spring pin (both not shown) because of the incorporation of the recovery frame shaft 62 into the main body frame 63
And an E-shaped retaining ring. Further, as shown in the figure, an outer idler gear 58 is fixed to the recovery frame shaft 62 with the D cut portion formed at the end of the recovery frame shaft 62 interposed therebetween with the body frame 63 interposed therebetween.
Next, cam gears 59a and 59b are arranged on the idler gears 57a and 57b so as to mesh with each other. Cam gear 59a
The position of 59b is outside the cap guides 48a and 48b, inside the main body frame 63, and is supported rotatably around cam gear shafts 70a and 70b fixed to the main body frame 63. Here, the gears 57a / 57b / 59a / 59b are modules,
The number of teeth is equal. Gear 58 and gears 57a / 57b / 59a
・ 59b has the same number of teeth. Here, the gear 58 is connected to the stepping motor CM.

The configuration of the number of teeth is as described above.
When a.59b makes one rotation, the gear that makes exactly one rotation is connected, and the rotation angle and rotation position of the gear are detected by a micro switch slit type sensor (not shown) or the like (not shown). in order to detect the position of the boss portion 59b ₁ of the boss portion 59a ₁ and the cam gear 59b of the gear 59a. Therefore, if a gear, a timing pulley, and the like that make one rotation in synchronization with one rotation of the cam gears 59a and 59b are present in the drive system, if the positions of the gear, the timing pulley, and the like are detected, the present embodiment will be described. Thus, the number of teeth of the gears 57a, 57b, 59a, 59b does not have to be the same. Cap guides 48a and 48b are fixed to the recovery frame 60. The cap guides 48a and 48b are made of a polyacetal resin having good sliding performance. And the cap guide 48a
· Are formed groove portions 48a _1, 48b ₁ to be fitted to the boss portion 59a _1, 59b ₁ and a lateral direction of the cam gear 59a, 59b to 48b, 10
They are fitted as shown in the figure. Here boss 59a ₁ and the boss portion 59b ₁ is arranged just opposite positions to each other.

As described above, if the outer idler gear 58 rotates, the arrow A shown in FIG.
In the direction, the recovery frame 60 makes a swinging movement about the recovery frame axis 55.

The periphery of the recovery frame 60 has the above-described component configuration. Therefore, in FIG. 9, the recovery frame 60 is positioned by the two-dot chain line α and the plane formed by the recovery frame shaft 55. Here, the two-dot chain line α and the head axis 36 are arranged so that the parallelism is accurate. Although the recovery frame 60 is positioned by the plane formed by the two-dot chain line α and the recovery frame axis 55, it is not fixed by the above-mentioned components, and the arrow direction θ and the curved arrow γ direction in FIG. The recovery frame 60 has a configuration having a degree of freedom.

Next, the first cap guide 48a and the second cap guide 48b
The position of the arrangement on the recovery frame 60 in the θ direction indicated by the arrow in FIG.
This will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. First Kiyatsupugaido 48a, second Kiyatsupugaido 48b are both U-shaped hole shape portion 48a ₁ · 48b ₁ is formed, the distance between the U-shaped hole is accurately formed. Spacing of the U-shaped hole 48a ₁ · 48b ₁ are in the drawing, it is represented by the arrow. And wherein the center of the U Jiana portion 48a ₁ · 48b ₁ interval, (in the figure, arrows shown represented by) the lateral direction of the width of the protrusion 41a of the cap 41 should come central, first Kiyatsupugaido 48a And a second cap guide 48b are disposed on the recovery frame 60.

Next, the first Hetsudoamu 37a, the second Hetsudoamu 37b, circular projections, _one part 37a, there is ₁ part 37b, respectively Hetsudoamu front 37a, and is formed on Hetsudoamu after 37b. The arrangement position of the circular protrusions 37a ₁ · 37b _1, as ink spout of the nozzle portion 38a to the center position of the circular protrusion is disposed, is constructed. Further, the diameter of the circular projections 37a ₁ and 37b ₁ is formed so as to fit exactly into the space between the U-shaped holes of the cap guides 48a and 48b.

By the way, since the recovery frame 60 at the time of capping is raised by the rotation of the cam gears 59a and 59b, the U-shaped hole 48 of the cap guides 48a and 48b is formed as described above.
a ₁・ 48b ₁ has circular projections 37a ₁・₃ on the head arms 23a ・ 37b.
37b ₁ is respectively guided, the nozzle part 38a and the cap 41
Projecting portions 41a are just opposed to each other.

Here, in the present embodiment, by the above-described configuration,
The recovery frame 80 can be displaced in the directions indicated by arrows θ and γ (FIG. 9). Therefore, in this embodiment, even if there is a slight displacement when the U-shaped hole portions 48a ₁ and 48b ₁ and the protrusion portions 37a ₁ and 37b ₁ are fitted, the protrusion portions 37a ₁ and 37b ₁ if only contacts the inclined surface 48c of the U Jiana portion 48a ₁ · 48b _1, then both reliably while being displaced to the inclined surface 48c and the fine hole portion 48a ₁ · 48b recovery frame 80 while being guided by the ₁ horizontal Can be fitted.

Further, a cap 41 and a head front plate 38c described later.
Is necessarily performed. Further, even if the recovery frame 60 approaches the nozzle orifice surface 38b with an inclination, the projection 41a and the nozzle 38a approach each other while maintaining the facing positional relationship.

Next, cap 41, cap keel 42, valve 43, valve cover 44,
The shape and operation of the waste ink tube 45 will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 10 is a view showing a state immediately after the head 38 comes into contact with the cap 41, FIG. 11 is a view showing a state in which the head 38 and the cap 41 are separated from each other, and FIG. 12 is a view showing a state where the cap 41 is moved in the head 38 direction. FIG. 13 shows a state in which the projection 41a is
14 is a view showing a state in which the spring 47 is elastically deformed, FIG. 14 is a view showing a state in which the cap 41 moves away from the head 38, and FIG. 15 is a view showing a standby state. In each figure, (A) is a side view viewed from the side plate direction,
(B) is a lateral cross-sectional view, and (C) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view. 11A is a similar side view, and FIG. 11B is a longitudinal sectional view.

First, in FIG. 10, the 10 (A), 10 (B),
FIG. 10C is a diagram showing a state at the moment when the cap 41 comes into contact with the head front plate 38C. Cap 41 has not yet been deformed. 10B, the cross-sectional shape of the cap 41 will be described in detail. The side of the cap 41 is shown in Fig. 10 (B).
It is formed so as to be inclined such that the distance between the side parts increases as it goes upward in the middle. The side part with inclination is connected to the part a in the figure with the curved part, and the thickness of the part a is
As shown in the figure, it is thinner than other portions. In this embodiment, the portion a has a smoothly changing curved shape, but may have an abruptly changing エ shape. In the case of the edge shape, the thickness of the edge portion is reduced. Similarly, in FIG. 10 (C), the cross-sectional shape in the short direction of the cap 41 is formed so as to open outward as it goes upward in the drawing.

In the cross-sectional shape in the short direction of the cap 41, the thickness of the cap 41 in contact with the head front plate 38c is shown in FIG. 10 (B).
The cap 41 is formed to be thicker than the portion in contact with the head front plate 38c in the longitudinal section of the cap 41 shown in FIG.
This is because in the present embodiment described above, the positioning of the cap 41 with the head 38 in the short direction is accurately performed, but the positioning in the long direction is not accurately performed.
As long as the positioning of the cap 41 in the longitudinal direction is accurately performed with respect to the head 38, the cap 41 does not need to be configured as in the present embodiment. Now, returning to FIG. 10 (C), the shape of the side portion of the cap 41 is
Similar to FIG. 10 (B), it is connected to a curved portion b which changes smoothly, and the thickness of the portion b is thin. Further, in this embodiment, in either of the shapes of the cap 41 shown in FIGS. 10 (B) and 10 (C), the manner of change in the thickness is such that the thickness becomes gradually thinner downward in the figure. Is changing. Returning to FIG. 10 (B), a projection 41a integrally formed with the cap 41 is disposed in the closed space of the cap 41. The projection 41a is located at a position facing the nozzle 38a such that the vertex of the R-shaped portion 41c of the projection 41a comes to the top. The length of the protrusion 41a in the longitudinal direction is formed to be longer at both ends than the entire length of the array of the nozzles 38a. Next, a through hole 41b is opened in the cap 41, and the through hole 41b of the cap 41 is
It also communicates with a through hole 41b opened in the cap keel 42. A valve 43 is provided in the through hole 41b. Since the valve 43 is formed of a flexible member even when pressure is not applied to the valve 43, a closed state with the atmosphere can be created. Here, the valve 43 can function as a valve because the cap keel 42 is formed of a member having rigidity as described above, and the flatness of the contact surface of the cap keel 42 with the valve 43 is accurate. Because it is made.

Next, a valve cover 44 is provided around the valve 43 so as to surround the valve 43, and the cap keel 42 and the valve cover 44 are hermetically sealed and fixed. Further, the valve cover 44 is a waste ink tube 45.
It is sealed and connected to. The cap 41 starts to approach the recording head 38 from the state as shown in FIG. 10 when the cam gears 59a and 59b in FIG. With the movement of the cam gears 59a and 59b, the side surface of the cap 41 is shown in FIGS. 10 (B) and 10 (C).
It starts moving in the direction of arrow C while maintaining contact with the head front plate 38c. This is because the cap 41 is formed so as to open as the side face of the cap 41 goes upward. Now, the reason why the cap 41 moves in the direction of arrow c is not only because of the shape of the cap 41 as described above, but also because the pressure in the closed space of the cap 41 increases due to the decrease in the volume of the cap 41 in the closed space. Because it starts. Caps
As the pressure in the closed space of 41 increases, the valve 43 starts to open, and the air in the closed space and the waste ink (not shown) start flowing from the valve 43 toward the waste ink tube 45. Further cam gear
FIG. 12 shows a state in which 59a and 59b are rotated in the direction of arrow d.

In FIG. 12 (B), the side surface of the cap 41 is brought into contact with a rising portion at the edge of the head front plate 38c, and
The movement in the direction indicated by the arrow c in FIG. 0 stops. Twelfth
As described above, since the lateral side portion of the cap 41 shown in FIG. 4C is formed to be thicker than the longitudinal side portion as described above, the lateral side portion moves in the direction of arrow c with its own rigidity. Will stop. In the present embodiment, the twelfth
Although the thickness of the side portion of the cap 41 in FIG.
As mentioned above, the thickness of the lateral side of the cap 41 is
If formed as thin as the thickness of the side surface in the longitudinal direction, it will come into contact with the rising portion of the edge of the front plate 38c,
Functions similar to those of the present embodiment can be realized.

In FIG. 12 (B), after the side surface of the cap 41 abuts against the edge of the head front plate 38c, the portion indicated by a is subjected to bending stress and is deformed as shown in the figure. Thick portions including the surface in contact with the head front plate 38c of the side portion of the cap 41 receive a buckling load, and the portion a is bent and deformed, so that it does not buckle. The above-described contents will cause similar deformation of the side surface of the cap 41, including the deformation of the part b in FIG. 12 (C). Here, in FIG. 12 (C), the compression spring 47a has not yet begun to deform.

In FIG. 12 (B), the pressure in the closed space created by the cap 41 becomes higher than the pressure in the state shown in FIG. 10, the valve 43 is opened and the air in the closed space of the cap 41 is opened. The waste ink is sent to the waste ink tube 45.

Here, when the cam gears 59a and 59b further rotate in the direction of arrow d, the cap 41 further approaches the head 38, and the projection 41a of the cap 40 contacts the nozzle 38a. Here, the cap 40 is hardly deformed except for the projection 41a. When the cam gears 59a and 59b further rotate in the direction shown by the arrow d, the compression spring 47a starts to deform,
The reaction of the compression spring 47a acts as a pressing force of the projection 41a of the cap 41 against the nozzle 38a. The first here
From FIG. 0 to FIG. 15, only the compression spring 47a is shown in the drawing, but the other compression springs 47b, 47c, 47d, and 47e also perform the same movement as the compression spring 47a. Here, the time during which the protrusion 41a presses the nozzle 38a is about several seconds required to circulate the ink liquid in the head 38. At this time, the pump operates to circulate the ink liquid.

As described above, the compression spring 47a is deformed, and the cam gear 5
FIG. 13 shows a state in which the boss portions 59a ₁ and 59b _{1 of} 9a and 59b are located at the uppermost position. In FIG. 13, there is almost no change in the volume of the sealed space formed by the cap 41, the valve 43 is only in a state where the atmosphere is sealed, and the pressure in the sealed space and the pressure of the atmosphere are in an equilibrium state. The cam gear from the state shown in Fig. 13
The state of each part when 59a and 59b rotate in the direction of arrow e is shown below. Here, the rotation direction of the cam gears 59a and 59b requires an operation of moving the boss portions 59a ₁ and 59b ₁ from above to below or from below to above in the drawing. Even if the gears 59a and 59b rotate in the direction opposite to the direction indicated by the arrow e, the operation described below occurs similarly. In FIG. 14, the volume of the closed space of the cap 41 is again increasing, and the inside of the closed space is in a negative pressure state with respect to the atmosphere, and the valve 43 is closed as shown in the figure. Therefore, in order to compensate for the decrease in the volume of the closed space of the cap 41, ink is discharged from the nozzle 38a of the recording head 38, and the ink in the nozzle 38a is refreshed.

Finally, FIG. 15 shows the state of peripheral components including the cap 41 in a standby state in which the apparatus shown in the present embodiment is not performing operations such as recording and recovery. In this figure, the cam gear stops rotating. Fig. 15 (B)
In, the pressure in the closed space of the cap 41 and the pressure of the atmosphere are in an equilibrium state. At this time, neither an external force for opening the valve 43 nor an external force for closing the valve 43 is applied to the valve 43.However, depending on the shape of the valve 43, water vapor in the closed space of the cap 41 is released to the atmosphere. Is gone.

Next, an ink supply and recovery system will be described. This unit consists of an ink tank, an ink tube, a pump, etc., and has a function of holding ink and supplying ink normally to the recording head, and a nozzle that is clogged when bubbles are generated in a pipe or the like. If it occurs, it has a function to remove it.

FIG. 16 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 16, reference numeral 38 denotes a recording head, 76 denotes an ink pump, 86 denotes an ink cartridge having an ink tank and a waste ink absorber, and 87 denotes an air opening port called a breather.

The initial supply of ink to the recording head 38 is performed as follows. That is, in a state where the cap 41 is in close contact with the recording head (a state in which the protrusion 41a in the cap 41 is in close contact with the nozzle 38a of the recording head 38 as shown in FIG. 13).
Is operated to circulate the ink from the ink cartridge 86 in the direction shown by the arrow E to fill the inside of the pipeline including the inside of the recording head with the ink. At this time, a small amount of ink also flows out to the cap 41, but is returned to the ink cartridge 86 through the waste ink tube 45, and is collected by the built-in waste ink absorber 96.

When the initial supply of ink is completed, the recording head 38 is in a dischargeable state, but since the ink pump used in the present embodiment is a pump that does not block the flow path when stopped, the ink supply during discharge is This is performed from both the front and rear 38d and 38e of the head ink connecting portion.

When the amount of ink decreases due to ejection, the same amount of air must enter the tank. The breather 87 serves as an air opening for this purpose. This breather 87
Has a two-way check valve that opens inside the tank with a very small pressure difference, and opens even if a slight negative or positive pressure is generated in the tank, effectively acting as an air hole. Intrusion and evaporation are suppressed.

Reference numeral 92 denotes an out-of-ink detection unit which detects the absence of ink in the tank 94. The detection is performed as follows. That is, the float chamber 90 has a breather common to the ink tank 94.
Since the ink level is released to the atmosphere at 87, the liquid level inside the float and the float 89 floating are separated from the ink level in the ank tank 94.
Shows the same water level 91a as 91. Therefore, a sensor 88 for detecting the interruption of the light beam is arranged at an appropriate place below the float chamber 90, and the float 89 drops as the ink level 91 drops, that is, as the water level 91a of the detecting section drops. No ink is detected by blocking 88 rays.

Next, the recovery operation will be described. The recovery operation is an operation for removing bubbles and clogging that hinder normal ejection, and is performed in conjunction with a recovery system in accordance with a recovery sequence described later. However, the recovery operation is exactly the same as that at the time of initial ink supply. In other words, the ink pump 76 is operated in a state in which the cap 41 is in close contact with the recording head 38 (the situation at this time is shown in FIG. 13), and the ink is circulated along the path shown by the arrow A, and the bubbles are stored in the ink tank. Collect and escape from breather. In addition, clogging and the like in the nozzle can be removed by releasing the contact state between the protruding portion 41a in the cap 41 and the nozzle 38a and driving the pump. At this time, the pressurized ink also flows into the float chamber 90, but since the float 89 rises and closely contacts the upper surface of the float chamber 90 and blocks the flow path to the breather 87, the ink does not enter the breather 87. Absent.

FIG. 17 is a supply recovery system embodying the configuration of the present embodiment,
It is a perspective view of a component part. In FIG. 17, reference numeral 73 denotes a base of the present unit, which also serves as a base for holding an ink cartridge 86 described later, and reference numeral 74 denotes a joint plate formed by fixing various flow path connecting portions respectively. In the member called,
A cartridge guide 78 for positioning the ink cartridge 86 and an ink cartridge 86 are provided on the joint plate 74.
Cartridge joints 79a, 79b, 79 for connecting ink pipes to take out ink when 86 is installed or open to the atmosphere
c, waste waste ink generated when the recovery operation Inkuchiyubu 45
Through the ink cartridge 86, a waste ink joint 81 leading to a waste ink absorber 96 provided inside the ink cartridge 86, an air joint 80 for connecting a breather for opening to the atmosphere with an air tube 83, and send ink to the recording head. 1st, 2nd
First and second supply pipe joints 84 and 85 connecting the ink supply tubes 71 and 72 and an ink pump 76 driven by a pump motor 77 are connected. The ink joint 79 connected to the ink tank 94 housed in the ink cartridge 86 supplies the ink at the time of recording with the first ink supply unit 79a, the second ink supply unit 79b, and the air communication connection unit. 79
The first ink supply port 95 having a corresponding relationship with the ink tank 94 side is provided intensively with the three functions of c and c.
a, the second ink supply port 95b and the air communication port 95c are connected at one time.

Therefore, since the air communication portion to the ink tank is configured by a joint, the ink tank formed of a hard resin material capable of storing a large amount of ink without taking an ink tank type using an ink bag is formed. I was able to take.

Further, the first ink supply port 95a and the second ink supply port 95b
And the first ink supply unit 79c and the second ink supply unit 79b. The ink supply during recording is performed from both supply areas. During the initial filling and recovery operation of the ink, the ink is supplied from the ink tank to the pump. A path that passes through the path recording head and circulates again to the ink tank is formed.

That is, as described above, since the tank, the supply path, and the air communication portion are directly joined to each other, the ink tank is made of a hard resin, but a function such as a sub-tank conventionally required for stable supply is omitted. It became possible. In this example, these members are individually fixed to the joint plate 74, but they may be integrally formed with the joint plate.

Further, the joint plate 74 has a channel groove 75 serving as an ink channel.
The flow channel plate 75 provided with a is connected, and this portion constitutes most of the piping and connection of the ink flow channel.

That is, a joint plate connected to the ink tank 94
When the joint portion 79 attached to the 74 is fixedly disposed, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which the ink path 75a does not have to move in that portion.

Therefore, a part of the ink path from the ink tank 94 to the recording head can be formed only by joining the flow path plate having the flow path formed to the back surface of the joint plate 79.

On the other hand, as described later, the ink tank 94 disposed in the ink cartridge 86 is stored with a degree of freedom in the housings 93a and 93b constituting the cartridge 86.

By housing the ink tank side with a degree of freedom, when the cartridge is mounted on the fixed joint portion 79, the engagement state of the mounting portion can be easily and reliably ensured, and the mounting of the cartridge can be reliably performed. Nature can be secured.

By forming the flow path by joining the joint plate 74 and the flow path plate 75 in this manner, the ink path from the ink tank can be configured without complicated winding.

As shown in FIG. 18, the ink cartridge 86 is made of an ink tank 94 made of a resin having good wettability, and a water-absorbing material such as a felt or a porous body which is excellent in absorbing and retaining ink. The manufactured waste ink absorber 96 is housed in a common housing 93a, 93b made of a material having good impact resistance. The supply of the ink and the release to the atmosphere are performed by being connected to the cartridge 79 on the joint plate 74 side via the joint portion 95. As described above, the entire ink cartridge 86 is configured so as to be collectively detachable from the base 73 on the apparatus side.

FIGS. 19 (a) and 19 (b) show the structure of this part in more detail. FIG. 19 (a) is a side sectional view of an ink cartridge shown by cutting off a main part of an ink cartridge main body 86. FIG. 19 (b) is a part of a joint portion 95 when connected to a cartridge joint portion of a supply system. Is cut off. When the ink cartridge 86 is removed, a spring 98 is attached to the joint 95 to prevent ink from leaking.
Metal ball 9 pressed by joint portion opening 95a by
9 is built in, and when the ink cartridge is removed from the mounting, the metal ball 99 is in close contact with the seal rubber 101, and the opening 95a of the joint portion is sealed.

FIGS. 19 (a) and 19 (b) and FIG.
As shown in the figure, the bottom surface of the ink tank 94 is inclined. That is, the inclined surface 94a and the ink tank 9 that collect the ink flow from the rear in the joint portion 95.
An inclined surface 94b that collects the flow of ink from the side of the joint portion 95 is provided. The ink is sent to the supply system through the outlet pipe 100 bent to open to the deepest part. By forming the inclined surfaces 94a and 94b on the bottom of the ink tank in this manner, all the ink can be collected near the outlet pipe 100, and the ink can be used without waste. Further, even if the mounting is set with a slight inclination, the ink can be taken out without waste. With such a configuration, the above-described waste ink absorption resistance 96 is stored in a substantially U-shape in the region inside the formed casing.

Further, in the present embodiment, three flow paths in the joint part 95,
That is, two ink supply paths and one open air path
In order to obtain a reliable connection at this portion, as shown in FIG. 20, the ink tank 94 can be freely moved by an appropriate amount in the housings 93a and 93b. To
It is held with a clearance 97.

In particular, when connecting a plurality of joints, not only the degree of freedom in the vertical and horizontal directions but also the degree of freedom in the rotational direction is required. In this example, in order to obtain a degree of freedom in the rotational direction with respect to the center axis of the joint portion 95, the ink tank 94 is formed by clearances 97a provided at both ends of the ink tank 94 and a flexible felt-like waste ink absorber 96. By being supported, it is held rotatably by a small amount. As a result, it is possible to perform a reliable connection without displacement. In this case, in order to prevent the ink tank 94 from moving due to vibration and shock and generating abnormal noise and damage to the housing, and to make effective use of space, as shown in FIG. Remove the vicinity of the central part of 06, insert the deepest part of the ink tank 94 into this part, hold it with the remaining outer part, absorb the impact with the flexibility of the waste ink absorber 96, and increase the degree of freedom. It has a structure that can be maintained. In this way, the waste ink absorber is fitted into the deepest part of the ink tank 94,
Since it is configured to be held at the outer peripheral portion and is made of a soft material such as felt, the ink tank can be protected from an external impact, and the rattling of the ink tank can be prevented as described above.

Next, a recovery sequence will be described. In this operation, the recovery system and the supply system work together to remove air bubbles and clogging in the flow path and to maintain normal recording. FIG. 22 is a flowchart of this operation, and FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram of the operation. In FIG. 23, for ease of explanation, a unit composed of the recording head 38 and the head arm and the like is a head unit 65, and a unit composed of the cap 41, the wipers 50 and 52, the recovery frame 60 and the like is a cap unit 64.
And The head unit 65 is rotatable around the head shaft 36, and the cap unit 64 is rotatable around the recovery frame shaft 55. The recovery operation procedure will be described below.

In the normal standby state, as described above, the relationship between the recording head 38 and the cap 41 is maintained in a closed state as shown in FIG. 15 in which the periphery of the cap is slightly bent.
The recovery operation is performed as shown in FIG.
Rotates to press the projection 41a inside the cap 41 against the nozzle 38a at the tip of the recording head (the position of the cap unit at this time is called a pressing position) (S22-1).
Next, in this state, the ink pump 76 is operated to circulate the ink in the supply path (S22-2), thereby removing bubbles in the pipeline. The reason why the protrusion 41a is pressed against the nozzle 38a is to prevent a part of the ink from being circulated by the pressure of the ink pump and from flowing out of the nozzle and becoming waste ink.

Next, as shown by the arrow F in FIG. 23 (a), the cap unit 64 is lowered (this state is called a retreat position) (S22).
-3) Further, the head unit 65 is turned to the wiping start position by turning the middle unit G in FIG. 3B and the cap unit 64 to the middle unit H in FIG. 23B (S22-4).
Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 23 (c), the head unit 65 is rotated as shown by the arrow I in FIG. 23, and the wiper 50, 52 located at the cap unit 64 causes the discharge head forming surface 3 of the recording head.
Perform the operation of wiping the ink droplets and dust etc. of 8b (S22-
5). The arrow 1 in FIG. 23 (c) shows a state in which the ejection opening forming surface 38b of the recording head passes through the first wiper. In the present embodiment, since two wipers are provided, When the second wiper completes the removal, the cap unit 64 as shown by arrow J in FIG.
Is returned to the retreat position, the head unit 65 returns to the original position (S22-7), and finally the cap unit 64 rises and returns to the normal standby state as shown in FIG. 1 (S22).
-8) The recovery operation ends.

The cleaning in this embodiment will be additionally described. As described above, the recording head used in the present embodiment is a so-called full line type in which the ejection openings are formed over the entire recording width of the recording medium. However, when the discharge port forming surface is very long,
Regarding cleaning of the discharge port surface, sufficient cleaning cannot be performed by performing cleaning only once using one blade. This is due to the fact that it is difficult to make the pressing force against any discharge port surface of the breaker uniform over the entire width due to the lengthening.

Therefore, in this example, the reliability of the cleaning is secured by sequentially cleaning the discharge port surface using the blades 50 and 52 and the two blades.

In particular, at the time of cleaning, it is important that each of the two blades independently contacts the ejection port forming surface of the recording head to perform cleaning, and a so-called double-blow effect is obtained. By sequentially arranging the two blades in this manner, the cleaning time can be shorter than in the case where the cleaning operation is performed twice with one blade. Further, in this example, the size of the blade 50 that first contacts the recording head and the size of the blade 52 that subsequently contacts the recording head are made different. This is because the recording head is set to have a length such that the tip of the blade comes into contact with the discharge port surface in the movement path of the recording head in order to perform an operation of rotating the recording head around the head axis 36. It is. Therefore, by driving the cap unit together with the rotation of the recording head, the blade
Cleaning can be performed even if the lengths of 50 and 52 are the same, or if they have the same length relationship as this example.

The cleaning with the blade is performed as described above.
You do not have to use more than one blade, you can use more, or in this example both blades 50, 52
Although the same material is used, the cleaning effect may be enhanced by using the same material or different materials having different characteristics.

 Next, FIG. 24 shows a sequence at the start of printing.

The start of recording is performed as follows. First step S2
A recording start signal is input to a recording head in a standby state in which the cap covers the ejection port forming surface of the recording head as shown in FIG. 15 as shown in FIG. Then, as shown in step S24-2, the recording head and the cap shown in FIG. 11 are separated from each other, that is, the cap unit is moved to the retreat position.

Subsequently, while maintaining the state shown in FIG. 11, several to several hundreds of preliminary ejections are performed from all the nozzles of the recording head as shown in step S24-3.

Thus, the ejection state of the recording head can be made uniform for all the nozzles.

After the preliminary discharge is completed, the cap unit and the head unit are moved to form a wiping operation start state shown in FIG. 23 (a) as shown in step S24-4. Thereafter, as shown in step S24-5, a series of wiping operations are performed as shown in FIGS. 23 (b) to 23 (d), and the recording position is shifted to the recording position as shown in step S24-6 and shown in FIG. Further, the recording head unit is moved and the state is maintained. After that, the input of the recording signal is sequentially performed to achieve the desired recording.

Finally, about the recovery operation performed by circulating the ink,
This will be described in more detail. In the present embodiment, a bubble sensor 103 shown in FIG. 16 is provided to detect bubbles present in the supply tube. Therefore, two types of recovery operations are possible: automatic recovery performed at predetermined time intervals, and temporary recovery performed when the bubble sensor 103 detects an accidental bubble. The latter can be realized by having the bubble sensor 103, whereby it is possible to reduce the accidental non-discharge that has occurred so far and improve the reliability of the apparatus. In particular, regardless of bubble removal, regardless of the amount of bubbles and their locations, considerable extra circulation time or frequency is required so that bubbles are sufficiently removed in consideration of the safety of removal of all bubbles. Was set. In this embodiment, however, the recording head is used.
Bubble sensors both upstream and downstream of the ink flow direction during circulation
103a and 103b are provided. Therefore, when no air bubble is detected by both air bubble sensors, the recovery operation is immediately stopped. In particular, when a signal from the bubble sensor 103b provided on the downstream side in the ink flow direction at the time of circulation detects removal (absence) of bubbles, after a lapse of a short time (from the position where the bubbles exist to the time the bubbles are discharged to the tank). Time), the ink pump is stopped, so that it is not necessary to take extra circulation time as in the related art, and as a result, the recovery sequence can be completed in a short time. On the other hand, the recovery is stopped after the bubble removal is detected, so that the certainty of the bubble removal is increased. As a result, it is possible to reduce the amount of ink that has been consumed by the recovery up to now, and thus it is possible to avoid running out of ink at the time of receiving a fax and a non-reception state during the recovery operation.

In this embodiment, a recording head having supply pipes at both ends and performing a recovery operation by circulation is used.
It goes without saying that the present invention may be applied to a recording head of a type that recovers by suction from the front surface of the nozzle. Further, it is possible to reduce the cost by integrally forming the bubble sensor with the structure of the head.

The present invention brings about an excellent effect particularly in a recording head and a recording apparatus of a bubble jet system among ink jet recording systems.

Regarding the representative configuration and principle, it is preferable to use the basic principle disclosed in, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740,796. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and the continuous type. In particular, in the case of the on-demand type, it is arranged corresponding to the sheet or the liquid path holding the liquid (ink). By applying at least one drive signal corresponding to the recorded information and giving a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling to the electrothermal transducer, heat energy is generated in the electrothermal transducer, and the recording head is heated. This is effective because it is possible to form a bubble in the liquid (ink) by one-to-one correspondence with the drive signal as a result of film boiling on the heat-acting surface. The liquid (ink) is ejected through the ejection opening by the growth and contraction of the bubble to form at least one droplet. When this drive signal is formed into a pulse shape, the growth and shrinkage of the bubble are performed immediately and appropriately, so that the liquid (ink) can be discharged with excellent responsiveness, which is more preferable. This pulse-shaped drive signal is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,463,359.
No. 4,434,262 are suitable. Further, if the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 relating to the invention relating to the temperature rise rate of the heat acting surface are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As a configuration of the recording head, in addition to a combination configuration of a discharge port, a liquid path, and an electrothermal converter (a linear liquid flow path or a right-angled liquid flow path) as disclosed in each of the above-mentioned specifications, a heat acting section A configuration using U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,459,600, which disclose a configuration in which the is bent, is also included in the present invention. In addition, JP-A-59-123670 discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of an electrothermal converter for a plurality of electrothermal converters.
The present invention is also effective as a configuration based on JP-A-59-138461 which discloses a configuration in which an opening for absorbing a pressure wave of thermal energy corresponds to a discharge portion.

Further, as a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the width of the maximum recording medium that can be recorded by the recording apparatus, the length is determined by a combination of a plurality of recording heads as disclosed in the above specification. The present invention can exhibit the above-mentioned effects more effectively, though it may be either a structure that satisfies the condition or a structure as a single recording head formed integrally.

In addition, a replaceable chip-type recording head that can be electrically connected to the apparatus main body or supplied with ink from the apparatus main body by being attached to the apparatus main body, or is provided integrally with the recording head itself. The present invention is also effective when a cartridge type recording head is used.

Further, it is preferable to add recovery means for the recording head, preliminary auxiliary means, and the like provided as components of the recording apparatus of the present invention since the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. More specifically, a preheating means for the recording head by a capping means, a cleaning means, a pressure or suction means, an electrothermal transducer or another heating element or a combination thereof. Performing a preliminary ejection mode in which ejection is performed separately from printing is also effective for performing stable printing.

Further, the recording mode of the recording apparatus is not limited to the recording mode of only the mainstream color such as black, and the recording head may be integrally formed or a combination of a plurality of recording heads. The present invention is extremely effective for an apparatus having at least one of the full colors.

[Effects of the Invention] With the configuration as described above, it is possible to propose a capping unit that can stably seal the nozzle portion without applying an excessive pressing force to the orifice surface and secure the reliability of the recording head. Further, an ink jet recording apparatus capable of reducing costs by simply performing sealing of the nozzle portion with the atmosphere and direct sealing of the nozzle portion with a single driving source can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 (A) is a side sectional view of a facsimile apparatus to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied, FIG. 1 (B) is a plan view from above, FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing its open state, 3 is a perspective view around the platen roller, FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the paper discharge roller, FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the recording frame, FIGS. 6 and 7 are side views near the recording head, and FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the vicinity of the cap, FIG. 10 (A), (B), (C) are views showing a state immediately after the head and the cap are in contact, and FIG. 11 (A). (B) is a view showing a state where the head and the cap are separated from each other; FIGS. 12 (A), (B) and (C) are views showing a state where the cap is moving in the head direction; FIGS. 14A, 14B and 14C show a state in which the projection presses and seals the nozzle and the spring is elastically deformed, FIG. A), (B), and (C) show the state in which the cap moves away from the head, FIG. 15 (A), (B), and (C) show the standby state, and FIG. FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram schematically illustrating a configuration example of an ink supply path of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 17 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration example of an ink supply unit of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view showing an exploded configuration example of an ink cartridge mounted on the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention. FIGS. 19 (a) and (b) are side views of an example configuration of the ink cartridge. FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the ink cartridge is engaged with the ink supply means. FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of one configuration example of the ink cartridge. FIG. 22 is a schematic view showing a surface portion, FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing an example of a recovery sequence applicable to the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention, and FIGS. 23 (a), (b). (C) and (d) are schematic side views sequentially showing a recovery operation. FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing an example of a sequence from a standby state to a recording state. 1 Recording paper 2 Original 7 Conveyor roller 14 Recording guide 22 Cutter 38 Recording head 41 Cap 50, 52 Wiper 60 Recovery frame 86 Ink cartridge

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-2-6144 (JP, A) JP-A-62-25051 (JP, A) JP-A-53-35538 (JP, A) JP-A-54-54538 159226 (JP, A) JP 4-59145 (JP, B2) JP 1-18866 (JP, B2) JP 3-71264 (JP, B2)

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. An ink jet recording apparatus which performs recording by discharging ink on a recording medium, wherein: a line type recording head having discharge ports formed over substantially the entire width of a recording area of the recording medium; An ink path which is connected to the ink flow path; a cap member which covers an ejection port forming surface of the recording head having an ejection port for ejecting the ink; and an ejection port of the recording head which is pressed inside the cap member. A pressure member disposed so as to be capable of being closed, and the pressure member takes a press-sealed state and an open state of the discharge port of the recording head in a state where the cap member covers the discharge port forming surface. And a capping means for obtaining, when pressurizing and circulating the ink through the ink supply path, the discharge port of the recording head is pressed and sealed by the pressing member to be in a sealed state. An ink jet recording apparatus characterized by an open state of the discharge port and releases the press closed during standby. 2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the ejection port is pressed from the closed state to the open state by the pressing member of the capping means, the ink inside the ejection port is discharged.