JP2002001975A - Recovery processing apparatus and ink jet recording apparatus provided with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To avoid staining of a recording medium by a scattered ink in recovery process. SOLUTION: A shutter member 34 to shut selectively an opening 34a of a frame member 34 is disposed movably between the frame member 34 and a movable frame member.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recovery processing apparatus for performing a recovery process of a printing section which performs a printing operation by discharging ink onto a printing surface of a printing medium, and an ink jet printing apparatus having the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An ink jet recording apparatus which performs a recording operation by discharging ink onto a recording surface of a recording medium is, for example, shown in
As shown in FIG. 12A, a sheet P as a recording medium
A recording unit 2 that performs a recording operation on the recording surface of A;
And a recording medium transport path 8 in which the paper PA is transported along the direction indicated by the arrow C, and a recording medium transport path 8 between the recording unit 2 and the recording medium transport path 8. Recording heads 4Y, 4M,
A recovery processing unit 6 for performing recovery processing on each of 4C and 4B is configured.

The recording section 2 includes recording heads 4Y to 4B arranged at predetermined intervals along a recording medium transport path 8.
Is included. The head holder 16 is moved up and down by a lifting mechanism (not shown) so as to be moved together with the recording heads 4Y to 4B so as to be separated from the paper PA as shown in FIG. 12A and FIG. 14 together with the recording heads 4Y and 4B.
1A shows a recovery processing position, and FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3C, the print head is moved together with the print heads 4Y to 4B and maintained at a predetermined print operation position for a predetermined period.

Each of the recording heads 4Y to 4B has an ink ejection section in which a plurality of ink ejection ports are formed at a portion facing the recording surface of the paper PA.

[0005] As shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 12B, the recovery processing section 6 includes a frame member 10 that movably supports a movable frame member 12, which will be described later, and each recording medium held by the movable frame member 12. A blade member 20 for selectively wiping ink, dust, and the like attached to the ink ejection port surface IS of the heads 4Y to 4B;
It is configured to include a plurality of cap members 14 whose tips selectively cover the ink ejection port surfaces IS of B, and an ink absorber 18 arranged in each cap member 14.

[0006] Frame member 1 fixedly supported by the apparatus body
No. 0 has an accommodating portion for accommodating the movable frame member 12, and has an opening 10a at the bottom of the accommodating portion corresponding to each of the recording heads 4Y to 4B.

The openings 10a are formed so that the leading ends of the recording heads 4Y to 4B pass through the openings 10a during the recording operation, as will be described later.

[0008] The movable frame member 12 is a frame member 1
0 is connected to the output side of a drive motor (not shown). Thus, when the driving motor is activated, the movable frame member 12 is moved from the position where the cap member 14 faces each of the recording heads 4Y to 4B as shown in FIG. Figure 14
(B), the recording heads 4Y to 4B are moved so as to be at positions facing each other and at positions deviating from the recording heads 4Y. Further, the movable frame member 12 is returned from the position shown in FIGS. 13 and 14B to the position shown in FIG.

When the recording heads 4Y to 4B are at the standby position, the plurality of cap members 14 of the movable frame member 12 are respectively disposed at positions directly below the recording heads 4Y to 4B in FIG. ing. Each cap member 14 has a lip portion 14a that selectively covers the ink ejection port surface IS of each of the recording heads 4Y to 4B.

A thin blade member 20 is made of, for example, an elastic material and is provided adjacent to each cap member 14. Each blade member 20 extends at a position downstream of the recording medium transport path 8 with respect to the cap member 14 along the vertical direction of the recording heads 4Y to 4B.

Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 14A, the ink discharge port surfaces I of each of the recording heads 4Y to 4B.
When S is held in a predetermined position, each blade member 20
Is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow W, the ink ejection surface IS of each of the recording heads 4 </ b> Y to 4 </ b> B is wiped by the tip of each blade member 20.

In such a configuration, first, when the recording operation of the recording heads 4Y to 4B on the recording surface of the sheet PA is performed, the recording heads 4Y to 4B are changed from the state shown in FIG. The state is raised to the state shown in FIG. In addition, the movable frame member 12
As shown in FIG. 13B, each blade member 20 and the like is moved to a position corresponding to a position between the recording heads 4Y to 4B.

Next, as shown in FIG. 13C, the lower end of each of the recording heads 4Y to 4B has an opening 10a.
The recording heads 4Y to 4B are moved down to a position separated from the paper PA by a predetermined distance through the paper PA.
The recording operation is performed for.

On the other hand, when the recovery process is performed on each of the recording heads 4Y to 4B, as shown in FIG. 12A, the lip portion 14a of the cap member 14 is attached to the ink ejection port surface of each of the recording heads 4Y to 4B. In a state where the vacuum pump unit is in contact with the IS, the vacuum pump unit attached to the cap member 14 is operated for a predetermined period.

As a result, the ink is sucked out from the ink discharge ports of each ink discharge port surface IS together with the foreign matter, and the ink drops onto the ink absorber 18 to be collected.

Subsequently, each of the recording heads 4Y to 4B corresponds to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4A, the cap member 14 is separated from the lip portion 14a of the cap member 14 and stopped at a predetermined position. At that time, since the movable frame member 12 is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow W, the blade member 20 is moved to the position shown in FIG. 14B through the state shown in FIG. Thereby, each ink ejection surface IS
The ink or the like adhering to the blade member 20 is wiped by the tip of the blade member 20.

[0017]

As described above, when the ink or the like attached to the ink ejection port surface IS of each of the recording heads 4Y to 4B is wiped by the blade member 20, the ink attached to the blade member 20 may be scattered. There is. In such a case, in the state shown in FIG. 14B, the scattered ink may adhere to the surface of the paper PA below through the opening 10a of the frame member 10 and become soiled.

In view of the above problems, the present invention relates to a recovery processing apparatus for performing a recovery process of a printing unit that performs a printing operation by discharging ink to a printing surface of a printing medium, and an ink jet printing apparatus including the same. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a recovery processing device capable of avoiding contamination of a recording medium by scattered ink during a recovery process, and an inkjet recording device including the same.

[0019]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a recovery processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises a recording path for conveying a recording medium and a recording operation for recording on a recording surface of the recording medium. And a recovery processing unit that has an opening through which a part of the recording unit passes and performs a predetermined recovery process on the recording unit when the recording operation of the recording unit is performed. A shutter member that covers the opening of the frame member, and a shutter member that moves closer to or away from the opening when the recovery processing unit is in an activated state. Moving means for moving.

[0020]

FIG. 1 schematically shows a main part of an ink jet recording apparatus provided with an example of a recovery processing apparatus according to the present invention.

In FIG. 1, a recording unit 31 is disposed at an upper portion of a casing (not shown) and performs a recording operation on a recording surface of a sheet PA as a recording medium. A recording medium transport path 36 in which the paper PA is transported in the direction indicated by the arrow C, and a recording medium which is movably arranged along the recording medium transport path 36 between the recording unit 31 and the recording medium transport path 36. Recording heads 32Y, 3
It includes a recovery processing unit 44 that performs recovery processing for each of 2M, 32LM, 32C, 32LC, and 32B.

The recording section 31 has a recording head 32Y arranged at a predetermined interval along the recording medium transport path 36.
Ｂ32B. The head holder 30 is supported by a head holder lifting mechanism 38. The head holder elevating mechanism 38 is controlled by a control unit (not shown) based on a detection signal from a predetermined position sensor.
2Y, 32M, 32LM, 32C, 32LC, and
An uppermost position (standby position) where 32B is indicated by a dashed line, first and second intermediate positions (recovery processing positions) described later, and a lowermost position (recording operation position) as indicated by a dashed line. Is controlled to take

Each of the recording heads 32Y to 32B is, for example, of a bubble jet (registered trademark) type, and has a plurality of ink discharge ports formed over the entire recording surface in opposition to the recording surface of the paper PA. It has a discharge unit. The respective ink ejection ports are formed at predetermined intervals along a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction indicated by the arrow C. Each ink ejection port communicates with each ink flow path formed in the ink ejection section. The other end of each ink channel joins the common ink chamber. To the common ink chamber in each of the recording heads 32Y to 32B, inks of different colors or dark and light inks of different densities are supplied from respective ink tanks (not shown). In each ink flow path, a heater is formed via a protective layer as an electrothermal converter for heating the ink and discharging it as droplets through an ink discharge port by a film boiling phenomenon.

In FIG. 1, a recording medium transport path 36, a part of which is shown, is provided with a paper supply section for supplying paper PA on the upstream side, and on the downstream side, a printed paper is placed. Paper tray is provided. Although not shown, a paper feed roller unit that conveys the paper toward the downstream side (in a direction indicated by arrow C) and a paper discharge roller that discharges the printed paper are provided in the recording medium conveyance path 36. A unit is provided in each of the upstream portion and the downstream portion.

The recovery processing section 44 includes a frame member 34 that movably supports a movable frame member 42, which will be described later, and each recording head 32Y held by the movable frame member 42.
Blade members 46 for selectively wiping ink, dust, and the like adhered to the ink ejection port surfaces 32b of the nozzles 32B to 32B.
And the ink ejection surface 32 of each of the recording heads 32Y to 32B.
b, a plurality of cap members 48 each having a tip selectively abutting against each other, a pair of ink guides 52A and 52B arranged in each cap member 48, and between the bottom surface of the frame member 34 and the movable frame member 42. And a shutter member 40 provided.

The frame member 34 fixed in the housing
As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 5, while having a housing portion 34b for housing the movable frame member 42, six openings 34a are provided at the bottom at predetermined intervals corresponding to the respective recording heads 32Y to 32B. Have. Accommodation section 34
The guide rails 34ga and 34ga are provided on one side of the wall surface forming the b in the arrangement direction of the openings 34a.
gb are formed adjacent to each other in parallel. A pair of guide rollers 42ra of a movable frame member 42 to be described later are respectively provided on the guide rail portions 34ga and 34gb.
And 42rb are engaged.

The size of each opening 34a formed at the bottom is set to be larger than the size of the leading end of each of the recording heads 32Y to 32B so that the leading end of each recording head 32Y to 32B passes through it as described later. In FIG. 5, a projection 34E for regulating the position of a shutter member 40, which will be described later, is formed at a predetermined height on the peripheral edge of the opening 34a at the right end. Further, a plurality of ribs are formed at predetermined positions on the bottom portion to slidably receive the shutter member 40 to be placed.

As shown in FIG. 2, the movable frame member 42 has a guide roller 42ra on its outer periphery facing the guide rail portions 34ga and 34gb of the frame member 34.
And 42 rb. An end of the movable frame member 42 facing the guide rollers 42ra and 42rb is slidably guided and supported by a guide shaft 58 provided on the frame member 34. As a result, the movable frame member 42 moves the guide rail portions 34ga and 34
gb, and is supported by the guide shaft 58 so as to be able to reciprocate.

The recording heads 32Y to 32Y
B at a predetermined interval corresponding to each of the five opening portions 42a.
Is provided. The opening 42a is provided in each recording head 32.
The size is set to be larger than the lower ends of Y to 32B. A cap member 48 and a blade member 46, which form the outer peripheral portion of the collection portion, are provided at portions adjacent to the opening 42a on the downstream side thereof.

As shown in FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C, the lower end of the blade member 46 made of an elastic material in the form of a thin plate is supported by a blade holder 50. The width dimension of the blade member 46 extending in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface is set so as to be in sliding contact with the entire ink ejection port surface 32b. The blade holder 50 is
It is arranged in a concave portion 42h provided in the movable frame member 42. Further, between the lower end and the bottom of the blade holder 50 in the recess 42h, the blade holder 5 is provided.
A coil spring 51 that urges 0 upward is provided.

The cap member 48 is provided at a position upstream of the blade member 46. The cap member 48 integrally formed of an elastic material is used for the ink ejection port surface 3.
A lip portion 4 forming an open end at the tip end opposite to 2b
8a. The lip portion 48a is shown in FIGS.
As shown in (A), (B) and (C) of FIG.
It is formed so as to surround the ink ejection port array in 2b. A concave portion 42g is formed inside the cap member 48. The concave portion 42g is formed by an inner wall surface formed inside the cap member 48, and a bottom portion connected to the inner wall surface and having a slope having a predetermined slope. At the bottom,
A gap 42gd into which a pair of ink guide pieces 52A and 52B described later is inserted is formed. Gap 42gd
Communicates with the drain part 42dr via a filter 56 disposed inside the cap member 48.

A pair of ink guide pieces 52A and 52B
Are opposed to each other as shown in FIG.
Both ends are supported by R, respectively. In each of the ink guide pieces 52A and 52B, a comb-shaped portion 52K is formed on the entire upper end portion close to the ink discharge port surface 32b. Comb 52K and bracket 52B
As shown in FIG.
When the BR comes into contact with the ink ejection port face 32b, a predetermined gap (about 0.5 mm) is set to be formed between the comb-shaped portion 52K and the ink ejection port face 32b.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9C, each bracket 52BR has a coil spring 5BR.
4 urged upward.

At an end of the movable frame member 42 facing the guide rollers 42ra and 42rb, an absorber member 60 to which a roller member 62 connected to an output shaft of a driving motor 64 is engaged is movably arranged. I have. The roller member 62 is rotated on a circumference indicated by a chain line. The absorber member 60 is disposed between the opposing coil springs 66A and 66B, and is coupled to the ends of the coil springs 66A and 66B.
Thus, when the absorber member 60 is moved even after the movable frame member 42 comes into contact with the frame member 34 and is brought into a stopped state, the absorber members 60 are urged by the coil springs 66A and 66B in the direction opposite to the moving direction. Will be done.

The shutter member 40 has five openings 40a corresponding to the openings 42a of the movable frame member 42, as shown in FIG. The size of the opening 40a is larger than the size of the lower end of each recording head. A coil spring 68 whose one end is connected to the frame member 34 is provided on the right end side of the shutter member 40.
Are connected to each other. As a result, the shutter member 40 is urged in a direction in which the end thereof comes into contact with the projection 34E of the frame member 34. In addition, the shutter member 40 has a long hole 40K to be engaged with the engagement piece 42K of the movable frame member 42 shown in FIGS.

Accordingly, when the movable frame member 42 is moved along with the shutter member 40 and comes into contact with one of the inner peripheral surfaces of the frame member 34, as shown by a dashed line in FIG. As shown by an alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 5, the opening 40a and the opening 34a of the frame member 34 coincide with each other, that is, as shown in FIG. 4, the opening 34a of the frame member 34 and the movable frame member The position where the space between the opening 42 and the opening 42a is opened is selectively taken.

On the other hand, when the movable frame member 42 comes into contact with the other inner peripheral surface of the frame member 34 as shown by a solid line in FIG. 2, the shutter member 40 is moved to the frame member 34 as shown in FIG. On the bottom of the
As shown by a two-dot chain line, the opening 40a and the frame member 3 are urged by the urging force of the coil spring 68.
A state where the opening 34a does not coincide with the opening 34a, that is, a shielding position is selectively taken. At that time, the engagement piece 42K of the movable frame member 42 moves to the position shown by the dashed line in the long hole 40K after the shutter member 40 stops.

When the movable frame member 42 is at the position shown in FIG.
Takes a substantially middle position in the long hole 40K.

Therefore, the shutter member 40 is linked to the movable frame member 42 with a simple structure without requiring an actuator for moving the shutter member 40.

In such a configuration, first, when the recording operation of each of the recording heads 32Y to 32B on the recording surface of the sheet PA is performed, the recording heads 32Y to 32B together with the head holder 30 are moved by the head holder elevating mechanism 38. The state shown in FIG. 1 is raised to the state shown in FIG. In addition, the driving motor 64 is set to the operating state, and as shown in FIG. 10B, the movable frame member 42 causes the blade members 20 and the like to reach between the recording heads 32Y to 32B or to the left end. Is moved until it comes into contact with one inner peripheral surface of the frame member 34. At this time, an open state in which the opening 34a of the frame member 34 and the opening 42a of the movable frame member 42 communicate with each other is established.

Next, as shown in FIG. 10C, the lower ends of the recording heads 32Y to 32B together with the head holder 30 are opened by the head holder raising / lowering mechanism 38 to open the respective openings 34a, 42a, and 40a. Through paper PA
After being lowered to a position separated by a predetermined distance from the recording heads 32, the recording heads 32Y to 32B sequentially
The recording operation is performed on the recording surface of the paper PA.

On the other hand, in performing the recovery process for each of the recording heads 32Y to 32B, as shown in FIG. 1, the lip portion 48a of the cap member 48 comes into contact with the ink discharge port surface 32b of each of the recording heads 32Y to 32B. In the first recovery processing position in which the vacuum pump is connected to the drain 42dr of the movable frame member 42, the vacuum pump is activated for a predetermined period. As a result, ink and foreign matter are sucked out from the ink discharge ports of each ink discharge port surface 32b, fall to the ink guide pieces 52A and 52B due to their own weight and capillary action, and travel along the inclined surface of the concave portion 42g to be filtered. Through the drain part 42dr
Will be collected. At that time, the foreign matter in the ink is filtered by the filter unit 56.

Subsequently, each of the recording heads 32Y to 32B is
Once returned to the standby position by the head holder raising / lowering mechanism 38, a second recovery processing position as shown in FIG. 11A (a predetermined position separated from the lip 48a of the cap member 48). It is lowered and stopped.

At this time, the movable frame member 42 is
11B is moved from the state shown in FIG. 11B to the state shown in FIG. 11B via the state shown in FIG. 11A, so that the blade member 46 changes the state shown in FIG. After that, it is moved to the position shown in FIG. As a result, the ink or the like adhering to the respective ink ejection port surfaces 32b is wiped by the tip of the blade member 46.

At this time, the shutter member 40 follows the movable frame member 42 and is pulled back by the urging force of the coil spring 68 and abuts on the projection 34E to be stopped. Therefore, the opening area of the opening 34a is limited by the movement of the shutter member 40. Accordingly, the aperture 34a is gradually reduced, and the opening 34a is finally brought into the shielding state. Further, the opposing surface of the movable frame member 42 completely abuts against the inner peripheral surface of the frame member 34 and is positioned.

Therefore, when the ink or the like adhering to each ink ejection port surface 32b is wiped by the tip of the blade member 46, the scattered ink droplets are prevented from dropping through the opening 34a and adhering to the paper PA. It will be.

[0047]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the recovery processing apparatus and the ink jet recording apparatus having the same according to the present invention, the shutter member is movably disposed on the frame member and the recovery processing section is in the operating state. When
Since the opening of the frame member is shielded, the recording medium can be prevented from being stained by the scattered ink during the recovery process.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram schematically showing a main part of an inkjet recording apparatus provided with an example of a recovery processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the example shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the movable frame member shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the frame member shown in FIG. 1 in an enlarged manner together with a shutter member and a movable frame member.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a frame member in the example shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a shutter member in the example shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing an ink guide member in the example shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view showing an ink guide member in the example shown in FIG. 1 together with a recording head.

FIG. 9 (A), (B), and (C) are:
FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line IXA-IXA, line IXB-IXB, and line IXC-IXC in FIG. 8.

FIGS. 10 (A), (B), and (C) are diagrams each provided for explanation of the operation in the example shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 11 (A) and 11 (B) are diagrams each provided for explaining the operation in the example shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 12A is a configuration diagram schematically showing a main part of a conventional device. (B) is an enlarged sectional view showing a part of (A).

FIGS. 13A, 13B, and 13C are diagrams each provided for explaining the operation in the example shown in FIG. 12;

FIGS. 14A and 14B are diagrams each provided for describing the operation in the example shown in FIG. 12;

[Explanation of symbols]

32Y, 32m, 32C, 32B, 32LM, 32LC
Recording head 34 Frame member 34a Opening 40 Shutter member 42 Movable frame member PA paper

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A recording device, comprising: a conveyance path through which a recording medium is conveyed; and a recording unit that performs a recording operation on a recording surface of the recording medium. A frame member having an opening through which a part passes and directly or indirectly supporting a recovery processing unit for performing a predetermined recovery process on the recording unit; and the recovery processing unit movably disposed on the frame member. When the shutter member is put into an operating state, the shutter member is configured to include a shutter member that blocks an opening of the frame member, and a moving unit that moves the shutter member so as to approach or separate from the opening. Recovery processing unit. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the moving unit includes a movable frame member in the recovery processing unit to which the shutter member is connected, and a driving unit that drives the movable frame member. Recovery processing equipment. 3. The recovery process according to claim 2, wherein said shutter member opens and closes an opening of said frame member in response to movement of said movable frame member movably supported by said frame member. apparatus. 4. The movable frame member is moved in one direction during a recording operation of the recording unit, and is moved in another direction when the recovery processing unit is activated. The recovery processing device according to claim 3. 5. The recovery processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of openings of the frame member are formed along the arrangement direction of the recording heads of the recording section in accordance with the recording heads. 6. The movable frame member includes a plurality of cleaning members in accordance with the recording heads in a direction in which the recording heads of the recording unit are arranged, and a collection unit that collects ink ejected from the recording heads. 3. The recovery processing device according to claim 2, further comprising a unit. 7. The recovery processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the recovery unit includes an ink guide member having a comb-like portion and guiding ink ejected from the recording head. 8. The ink guide member according to claim 1, wherein the comb-shaped portion is arranged at a predetermined distance from an ink discharge port forming surface of the recording head when the recovery processing portion is activated. The recovery processing device according to claim 7, wherein: 9. An ink jet printer according to claim 8, wherein an outer peripheral edge forming an opening end of said collection section has a lip portion for selectively covering an ink discharge port forming surface of said recording head, and surrounds said ink guide member. The recovery processing device according to claim 7, wherein 10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the collection unit has a discharge path for discharging ink discharged from the recording head to the outside, and a filter for removing foreign matter in the ink is provided in the discharge path. Item 8. The recovery processing device according to Item 7. 11. The recovery processing device according to claim 1,
An ink jet recording head unit which is relatively close to or separated from the recording medium and performs a recording operation on the recording medium via the recovery processing device; and a recording medium transport for supplying the recording medium to the ink jet recording head unit. And an ink jet recording apparatus comprising: