JP2810483B2 - Ink jet recording device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus.
The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus provided with a recovery mechanism including a cap member for maintaining a stable ink discharge function with respect to an ink jet recording head.

(Prior art)

Conventionally, as described in West German Published Patent No. 2929742, a pore is provided in the cap as a simple suction system to communicate with the atmosphere, the telescopic cap configuration is reduced, and then the pore is closed with a finger to extend. The invention which at least recovers by suction is known.

On the other hand, in a configuration in which the cap is automatically brought into contact with the recording head to perform the recovery, there is a disadvantage that the ink in the recording head retreats due to the pressure due to the contact with the cap. An opening / closing valve mechanism is provided to open the cap when it is closed.

〔Technical problems〕

However, in the manual configuration using only the cap member as in the former case, even if the ink absorber is provided in the cap, the amount thereof is limited, so it is usually easy to dry, of course,
It also leads to manual inaccuracies.

In addition, providing the on-off valve mechanism and controlling it as in the latter case inevitably increases the distance between the cap and the pump, not only increases the size of the device, but also increases the path from the cap to the valve. Substantial drying of the head is required until the air present is saturated with water vapor.

The fundamental problem is that both cannot exhibit a long-term stabilizing effect with respect to preventing the recording head from drying during capping, and are not suitable for long-term storage.

Also, when capping the inkjet recording head,
When the cap is pressed against the ink jet recording head, the pressure in the cap increases, and this pressurization destroys the ink meniscus and returns the ink in the nozzle to the tank side, a phenomenon called so-called ink drop or meniscus drop. Therefore, there is a problem that good recording may not be performed.

Further, it is necessary to reduce the size of the ink jet recording apparatus itself while solving the above problems.

[Means for solving the problem]

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and in an ink jet recording apparatus having a cap member capable of sealing an ink discharge portion of an ink jet recording head, a discharged ink absorber having ink absorbency and air permeability, A paper feed roller for accommodating the discharged ink absorber in a state communicating with the outside atmosphere, and a paper feed roller communicating with the inside of the cap member for guiding the discharged ink discharged from the inside of the cap member to the discharged ink absorber. A discharge ink guide path, disposed at an end of the discharge ink guide path on the discharge ink absorber side, and discharging the discharge ink in the cap member from the inside of the cap member to the discharge ink absorber via the discharge ink guide path; A suction pump directly buried in the waste ink absorber on the waste ink discharge side, and the suction pump is provided by the cap member. Serial and having a piston mechanism in communication with the said cap member during the capping of the ink jet recording head and the waste ink absorber.

[Action]

According to the present invention, since the inside of the cap member at the time of capping is slightly communicated with the atmosphere via the waste ink absorber that has absorbed the waste ink and the waste ink guide path, it is possible to keep the humidity inside the cap member high. Thus, clogging due to the fixation of the ink discharge portion can be prevented, and the ink meniscus of the ink discharge portion due to the pressurization phenomenon in the cap when the cap member caps the ink jet recording head can be prevented. Further, since the discharged ink absorber is housed inside the paper feed roller and the discharged ink discharge side of the suction pump is directly embedded in the discharged ink absorber, the path of the discharged ink is shortened, and a small pump is sufficient. Also, there is no need to provide a dedicated arrangement space for the discharged ink absorber in the apparatus.

More preferable additional configurations for the present invention can be understood from the following description.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail and specifically with reference to the drawings.

 FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention.

1 is an overall perspective view showing the present invention, FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a pump section, FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the pump section,
FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view showing each part. Reference numeral 1 denotes a chassis, in which a left side plate 1a and a right side plate 1b also serving as a paper guide are erected rearward, and a right end is provided with: A front side plate 1c is provided upright, and a carrier guide plate 1d is provided upright on the front surface. Reference numeral 1e denotes an elongated hole for guiding the carrier, and a carrier guide roller described later fits and slides. The chassis 1 is provided with motor mounting holes 1f and 1g for instructing a later-described carrier motor to be rotatable, but is not shown.

1h is a lead arm for supporting a lead screw described later in the axial direction and the radial direction, and is provided with a bearing portion 1i (not shown).

Reference numeral 2 denotes a lead screw in which a lead groove 2a is formed at a predetermined pitch so as to face a recording range.

A lead pulley 3 is fixed to the carrier home position side, and a pulley capping position and a groove 3b for performing a recovery operation (hereinafter, referred to as a recovery groove) 3b are formed vertically in 3a. Similarly, the lead groove 2a and the recovery groove 3b are also continuous by an introduction groove 3c formed by a smooth groove.

Shafts 2f (not shown) and 2g are formed at both ends of the lead screw 2 and lead arms 1h of the chassis 1.
And, it is fitted into a bearing portion provided on the front side plate 1c and is rotatably supported. In addition, the shaft 2g of the lead screw 2
Are pushed in the thrust direction by a leaf spring (not shown).

Reference numeral 4 denotes a clutch gear which is slidably supported in the axial direction on the lead screw 2 and engages with a rotation stopper (not shown) in the rotational direction, so that the rotational power of the lead screw 2 is transmitted. .

Reference numeral 5 denotes a clutch spring, which is a compression spring for attaching the clutch gear 4 in the direction of the lead groove. A restricting member is formed between the clutch pulley 3 and the lead pulley 3 so that the clutch gear 4 moves only within a predetermined range.

A carrier 6 is slidably attached to the lead screw 2. Reference numeral 6a denotes a pressing portion for pressing the end face of the clutch gear 4, which is integrally formed on the left side. 6b is a detection piece for home position detection.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a lead pin which is engaged with a lead groove 2a of the lead screw 2 and is guided by a guide hole (not shown) of the carrier. A lead pin spring 8 has one end attached to the carrier 6 and the other end pressing the lead pin 7.

Reference numeral 9 denotes a recording head, which is a so-called disposable type in which a recording portion of an ink jet and an ink tank mounted on the carrier 6 are integrated.

 9a is a nozzle surface, and 9b is a tank portion.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a carrier roller, which is rotatably attached to the end face of the carrier 6, and which has the above-described slot 1e of the chassis 1.
To be rotatable.

Reference numeral 11 denotes a carrier motor composed of a pulse motor. A lower portion of a rotation pin 11a is located at the same position on a front surface and a rear surface (not shown), and the rotation pins 11a and 11a are attached to motor mounting holes 1f and 1g of the chassis 1. It is rotatably mounted. The carrier motor 11 is mounted so as to be rotatable around a rotation pin 11a.

Reference numeral 11b denotes a spring receiver, which is formed integrally with the carrier motor 11, and stands upright in parallel with the motor shaft to receive a motor spring, which will be described later. Zu).

Reference numeral 12 denotes a motor pulley, which is fixed to the motor shaft of the carrier motor 11.

A timing belt 13 is stretched between the motor pulley 12 and the lead pulley 3a.

14 is a motor spring, which is a compression spring,
The timing belt 13 is tensioned because it is attached between one end of 1h and the spring receiver 11b of the carrier motor 11 so as to rotate the carrier motor in the A direction.

 A set shaft 15 stands on the left side plate 1a.

Reference numeral 16 denotes a blade lever (see FIG. 5A), and a boss 16a is rotatably attached to the set shaft 15. 16b is an arm part, and 16c is a hook part. 17
Is a blade, which is formed of an elastic member such as silicon rubber or CR rubber.

Reference numeral 18 denotes a blade shaft, which clamps the blade 17 at the center in parallel with the rotation axis and is rotatably attached to the blade lever 16. Reference numeral 18a denotes a rotating piece which is formed integrally.

Reference numeral 19 denotes an ink carrier, which is formed of a hydrophilic porous material (such as a sintered plastic urethane foam).
It is fixed to the blade lever 16.

A set lever 20 is rotatably attached to the set shaft 15. Reference numerals 20a and 20b denote small arms for holding a cam portion of a timing gear to be described later. The set lever 20 rotates in conjunction with rotation of a timing gear to be described later, and a hook portion 20c at the tip of the set lever 20 is used as a blade shaft. 18 rotating pieces 1
8a, the dowel 20d of the set lever 20 enters the long hole 16d of the blade lever 16, so that the blade lever 16 is delayed by 16 hours with respect to the rotation of the set lever 20, and the rotating piece 18a of the blade shaft 18 rotates. Blade 17 is the recording head 9
Wipe face 9a. The boss 16a of the blade lever 16 fits into the rotation hole of the set lever 20, and the set shaft 15
Are fitted concentrically.

A timing gear 21 is rotatably mounted on the chassis 1 (see FIG. 5B).

The timing gear 21 has a blade cam 21a formed on one outer periphery thereof for engaging with the small arms 20a and 20b of the set lever 20 described above. In addition, the drive teeth 21 which are partially missing teeth
are formed, and a cap cam A21c, a cap cam B21d, c for swinging a cap lever described later.
Are formed at predetermined positions.

Further, a piston set cam 21f for pressing a piston of a pump described later is formed as a face cam,
A piston reset cam 21g is integrally formed at a predetermined interval corresponding to the piston set cam 21f.

Reference numeral 22 denotes an ink absorber spring, which is fixed to a predetermined position of the chassis 1 and has an absorber holder 22a as shown in FIG. 5C, and 23 denotes an ink absorber described above. Like the ink carrier 19, the ink carrier 19 is made of a hydrophilic porous material.

Further, a wiping portion 23a to which the above-described blade 17 contacts is formed, and an absorbing surface 23h to which the above-mentioned ink carrier 19 contacts to transfer ink is formed further below. The absorber holding portion 22a of the ink absorber spring 22 is attached to the upper side with a slight spring force, and is stopped at a predetermined position by a stopper (not shown). Therefore, when the above-mentioned ink carrier 19 comes into contact, the ink absorber 23 is bent down by the ink absorber spring 22 and always comes into contact.

 Next, the recovery unit will be described.

3 and 4, reference numeral 24 denotes a cylinder, which has a cylindrical cylinder portion 24a and a guide portion 24b for guiding a piston shaft to be described later, and the guide portion 24b is one part in the axial direction. Are notched to form an ink flow path 24c. Reference numeral 24d denotes a cap lever receiver, which is formed so that a lever seal described later fits therein. Reference numeral 24e denotes an ink flow path which is open at a predetermined position.

Reference numeral 24f denotes a rotating lever which is formed integrally and is provided with a rotating power by a cap spring 43 described later.

24g is formed integrally with a drain ink tube, and its tip is inserted into a drain ink absorber described later. 24h is an ink flow path.

A cylinder cap 25 is press-fitted into the end of the cylinder 24. Reference numeral 25a denotes a lever guide, which is located at a position facing the above-described cache lever receiver 24d of the cylinder 24.

Reference numeral 26 denotes a piston seal which is fitted into the cylinder 24 and has a slightly smaller inner diameter so as to obtain a predetermined pressure contact force with a piston shaft described later. Moreover, the sliding force of the piston shaft may be reduced by applying a lubricating coating to the surface.

Reference numeral 27 denotes a piston shaft, which is formed with an operating shaft 27a, a piston presser 27b, a piston receiver 27c, a connecting shaft 27d, and a guide shaft 27e, and a groove 27f serving as an ink flow path is continuous with the connecting shaft 27d and the guide shaft 27e. It is formed. Reference numeral 27g denotes a detent, which is formed as a groove on the operation shaft 27a. Motion axis 2
A bearing 27h is opened on the end face of 7a.

Reference numeral 28 denotes a piston made of a rubber material such as NBR. The outer diameter of the piston 28 is formed to be larger than the inner diameter of the cylinder 24 by a predetermined amount, and is appropriately compressed when inserted into the cylinder 24.

A piston pressing roller 29 is rotatably attached to the end of the piston shaft 27.

Reference numeral 30 denotes a piston return roller which is similarly rotatably attached to the end of the piston shaft 27.

 31 is a roller shaft.

Reference numeral 32 denotes a cap lever, a rotating shaft 32a, and an ink guide 32.
b and a lever guide 32c are formed. In addition, a sealing surface 32d having a convex spherical shape is formed at the tip end. Further, an engagement portion 32e for engaging a claw of a cap holder described later is provided on both upper and lower sides. Further, the ink flow path 32f passes through the inside of the lever from the seal surface 32d described above, bends at a right angle on the way, and opens to the end face through the center of the ink guide 32b. The ink guide
A cutout 32g is provided below 32b.

Reference numeral 33 denotes a lever seal, into which the ink guide 32b is press-fitted and which is press-fitted into the cap lever receiver 24d.

33a is a communication hole, the notch 32g of the ink guide 32b
And the ink flow path 24e.

Reference numeral 34 denotes a cap holder, which is provided at a position opposite to a hook 34a which engages with the engaging portion 32e of the cap lever 32. Reference numeral 34b is an opening for attaching a cap described later.

Reference numeral 35 denotes a cap for preventing normal ink from drying.

A suction port 35a is formed in the cap 35, and the ink flow path is bent in the cap, passes through the center, and opens in the direction of the cap holder 34.

Reference numeral 35b denotes a flange portion, which serves as a stopper when attached to the cap holder 34. Also, the flange 35b
A concave spherical cap seal portion 35c (not shown) having the same curvature as the sealing surface 32d of the cap lever 32 is formed, and when pressed against the cap lever 32, only the central opening communicates, Others are to be sealed.

2, a paper feed roller 36 is formed by applying an elastic paint (urethane resin) to the surface of an aluminum drawing tube.

Reference numeral 37 denotes a waste ink absorber, which is made of a plastic such as polyethylene or EVA, and is formed by filling a thinly formed tube with an absorbing material such as polyether cotton, and has a structure in which ink is well absorbed in the axial direction. The waste ink absorber 37 is fixed by inserting the waste ink tube 24g of the cylinder 24.

 Reference numeral 38 denotes a paper holding plate which is attached to the chassis 1.

A paper feed motor 39 is connected to the paper feed roller 36 via a speed reduction mechanism having a predetermined ratio.

 40 is a recording paper.

Reference numeral 41 denotes a home position detector, which is a transmission type photointerrupter. The carrier detection piece 6b detects the position of the carrier by blocking the optical path.

 Reference numeral 42 denotes a pump chamber (see FIG. 4).

 Next, the operation will be described.

First, in a normal recording operation, the carrier 6 is scanned in the recording folding direction by the lead pin 7 engaged with the lead groove 2a in which the lead screw 2 rotates, via the timing belt 13 by the rotation of the carrier motor 11. You.

Since the carrier motor 11 is biased by the motor spring 14, the timing belt 13 is always stretched.

When the carrier 6 moves, starts, stops,
Although the inertial force acts, the weight of the carrier motor 11 becomes penetrable, so that the load on the motor spring 14 is small and the motor load is small. If an air damper or a hydraulic damper is provided in the spring, noise due to the vibration of the rotor of the motor at the start and stop of the carrier can be reduced. By appropriately setting the weight of the motor, the weight of the carrier portion, and the coefficient of the motor spring damper, the overshoot of the rotor can be reduced and low noise can be achieved.

Now, the operation at the time of recovery will be described (see also the timing chart of FIG. 6). First, when the home position detector detects that the carrier 6 moves in the direction of the home position and the direction of the arrow B, here Is coincident with the start at the time of wrap-up at the time of recording. However, as shown in FIG. 2, the lead pin 7 is engaged with the lead groove 2a, and the nozzle 9c is located at a position facing the ink carrier 19. Here, the preliminary ejection is performed, and the slightly thickened ink is ejected with the ejection force of the head, and the recovery can be completed.

Usually, in order to prevent the viscosity of the ink of the nozzles not used at the time of recording from increasing, the preliminary ejection is also performed periodically at this position.

Further, when the lead screw 2 is rotated and the carrier 6 is moved in the direction B, the clutch gear 4 is pressed by the pressing portion 6a and moved in the direction B, and the timing gear 21 is moved.
Of the drive teeth 21b. The clutch gear 4 rotates in the rotating C direction in synchronization with the lead screw 2, and the timing gear 21 rotates in the D direction. On the other hand, since the lead pin 7 enters the recovery groove 3b from the introduction groove 3c,
Even if the lead screw 2 rotates, the carrier 6 does not move.

When the timing gear 21 rotates in the D direction, as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5 (a), they rotate in the E direction because they are meshed. At this time, the blade lever 16 is
However, since it is engaged with the claws of the chassis, only the set lever is rotated, and the blade lever 16 is stopped.

With the setting surface 20c of the set lever 20, the blade shaft 18
The rotating piece 18a is pushed down to rotate in the F direction, so that the blade 17 rotates in the G direction and is set.

Further, when the timing gear 21 rotates in the D direction,
The set lever 20 and the blade lever 16 are further rotated to clean the nozzle surface 9a of the head 9 as shown in FIG.

Further, when rotated, the blade 17 slides on the surface of the wiping portion 23a of the ink absorber 23, so that dust and the like adhere to the wiping portion 23a, and at the same time, the ink droplets attached to the nozzle surface 9a,
Absorb.

Further, although the timing gear 21 rotates in the direction D, the small arms 20a and 20b of the set lever 20 and the timing gear 21
Since the blade cam 21a is in contact with the outer periphery of the blade cam 21a, no turning force acts.

Next, when the timing gear 21 further rotates, at first, the cap cam A21c is rotated by the rotating claw of the cylinder cap 25.
The cap 35 is stopped at a distant position because it regulates 25b.

Next, when the timing gear 21 is further rotated in the direction D, it is disengaged from the cap cam A21c, and there is no regulating member.
Due to the urging force of the cap spring 43 stretched between f, the cylinder 24 rotates in the G direction, the cap 35 comes into pressure contact with the nozzle surface 9a, and the capping operation ends.

The above is the wiping of the nozzle surface and the capping operation. Usually, the operation is stopped here, the above operation is reversed by the next recording signal, and the recording operation is started.

Now, regarding the pump operation, when the recovery operation is started after the above-mentioned closed cap is completed, the suction operation is started.

First, the rotation of the timing gear 21 causes the piston set cam 21f to press the piston pressing roller 29 attached to the piston shaft 27, so that the piston shaft 27 moves in the H direction. The piston 28 is pushed by the piston presser 27b and moves in the H direction, so that the pump chamber 42 has a negative pressure.

In addition, the ink flow path 24e of the cylinder is open until 28d contacting the cylinder portion 24a of the piston 28 reaches, and the negative pressure of the pump chamber 42 increases simultaneously with the communication with the ink flow path 24h of the cylinder. The piston 28 can move only by itself. After the piston rib portion 28d that contacts the cylinder portion 24a of the piston passes through the ink flow path 24e, the ink flow path 24e is opened, so that the ink of the head 9 is absorbed through the suction port 35c of the cap 35. The sucked ink is used as
The ink flows into the pump chamber 42 through the ink flow path 32f formed inside, through the communication hole of the lever seal 33, and through the ink flow path 24e of the cylinder 24.

Further, when the timing gear 21 rotates, the rotating shaft 32a of the cap lever is moved by the cap cam B21d to the cap 3.
The nozzle 5 is slightly away from the nozzle surface 9a, and the residual negative pressure in the pump chamber sucks the ink in the nozzle surface 9a and the suction cap 35b to eliminate the residual ink.

Next, when the timing gear 21 is turned in the opposite direction (the direction of arrow I), the piston reset cam 21g
2 is pulled to move the piston shaft 27 in the direction of arrow J.
At this time, the piston 28 is
Because c moves after contact, the end face 28h of the piston 28,
A gap Δl occurs between the piston pressers 27b (see FIG. 4 (b)).

The discharged ink sucked into the pump chamber by the movement of the piston shaft 27 and the piston 28 passes through the above-described gap Δl, passes through the groove 27f of the piston shaft, passes through the ink flow path 24c of the cylinder 24, and further passes through the drainage pipe. After passing through 24 g, the ink is discharged near the center of the discharged ink absorber 37.

However, in such a recovery device of the ink jet recording apparatus, a so-called ink drop occurs in which the ink of the nozzle of the recording head returns to the tank side at the time of capping.
A phenomenon that recording became impossible occurred.

That is, as shown in FIG. 4 (b), when the piston 28 returns to the top dead center, the rib 28d of the piston 28 reaches the ink flow path 24e of the cylinder 24, and the ink flow path 24e is completely replaced by the rib 28d of the piston. In this state, the recording head 9 is closed.
When the cap 35 is pressed against the cap and the cap 35 is pressed, the cap 35 is made of an elastic material so that the recording head 9 and the cap 35 are in close contact with each other and do not leak, so that the cap 35 is deformed when pressed. In this case, since the ink flow path of the cap 35T0 cap lever 32 and the ink flow path 24e of the cylinder are integrated into a closed system with a small volume, the volume changes (decreases) by the amount of deformation of the cap 35, and this closed system Is pressurized. Accordingly, the meniscus holding force of the ink in the nozzle 9c of the recording head 9 is destroyed, and the ink flows backward to the tank 9b, so-called ink drop occurs. Therefore, the worst case of recording failure occurred.

In the embodiment of the present invention, attention is paid to the above-mentioned conventional problem, and in order to solve the problem, the ink flow paths of the piston 28 and the cylinder are
By devising the positional relationship with 24e and the drainage ink absorption system, a highly reliable ink jet recording apparatus can be provided without dropping the meniscus of the recording head 9 at the time of capping and without impairing the function at the time of capping.

In order to achieve such an object, in the present embodiment, ink is ejected from an ejection portion of the recording head while moving the carrier on which the recording head is mounted, and recording is performed. In an ink jet recording apparatus having a pump in a recovery system, the inside of the cap is connected to a quasi-atmosphere at the time of capping the recording head.

According to this embodiment, even during capping, the inside of the cap is not pressurized, the meniscus of the recording head is not dropped, and the nozzle of the recording head can be prevented from sticking, thereby realizing a highly reliable ink jet recording apparatus.

 Next, the main part of the present invention will be specifically described.

The ink jet recording apparatus is a recording apparatus which can be used in two directions when the chassis 1 is placed horizontally and the chassis 1 is placed almost vertically as shown in FIG.

FIG. 2 shows a state in which the piston 28 reaches the top dead center and is in a capping state in the embodiment of the present invention. The rib 28d of the piston 28 is completely open without closing the ink flow path 24e of the cylinder 24. The position of the piston rib 28d can be set by changing the cam lift diagram of the piston set cam 21f and the piston reset cam 21g of the timing gear 21. Here, when the ink discharge pipe 24g of the cylinder 24 is completely communicated with the atmosphere, even if the cap 35 is deformed, no pressure is applied to the inside of the cap. However, in this embodiment, the function of preventing non-discharge of ink due to the fixation of the ink of the nozzle 9c of the recording head 9 is not performed at all. Therefore, in this embodiment, the end of the discharge ink tube 24g of the cylinder 24 is inserted into the discharge ink absorber 37 having a certain degree of air permeability, so that the inside of the cap 35 at the time of the capping becomes quasi-atmospheric communication, and the cap is closed. Even if the recording head 9 is deformed, the recording head 9 is not pressurized, and the ink of the meniscus of the recording head 9 does not flow back to the tank portion 9b, and the meniscus is not destroyed and recording becomes impossible. Further, since the discharged ink is absorbed by the discharged ink absorber 37, the inside of the cap is appropriately moistened with the ink, so that the nozzle 9c of the recording head 9 does not stick.

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment in which the conventional timing gear 21 is used, and the object of the present invention can be achieved with the same software control. That is, a hole 28e is provided in the rib 28d of the piston 28 so as to communicate with the inside of the cylinder 24. Even in this configuration, the hole 28 of the piston 28 is
Through e, it becomes quasi-atmosphere communication.

As described above, according to the present invention, even when the cap is deformed at the time of capping the recording head in the recovery system in which the outlet of the discharged ink of the recovery system is buried in the air-permeable waste ink absorber, the cap is deformed. The inside is not pressurized, and the nozzle of the recording head is not stuck and ink is not ejected, so that a highly reliable ink jet recording apparatus can be realized.

The present invention provides an excellent effect particularly in a bubble jet type recording head and recording apparatus proposed by Canon Inc. among the ink jet recording methods.

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 recording information and providing a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling to the electrothermal transducer, heat energy is generated in the electrothermal transducer, and the recording head is driven. This is effective because the film can be boiled on the heat acting surface, so that bubbles in the liquid (ink) can be formed one by one corresponding to the drive signal. The liquid (ink) is ejected through the ejection opening by the growth and contraction of the bubble to form at least one droplet. When the drive signal is formed into a pulse shape, the growth and shrinkage of the bubble are performed immediately and appropriately, so that the ejection of liquid (ink) having particularly excellent responsiveness can be achieved, which is more preferable. As the pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 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 the combination configuration (a linear liquid flow path or a right-angled liquid flow path) of a discharge port, a liquid path, and an electrothermal converter 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 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 138461/1984, 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 can be reduced by a combination of a plurality of recording heads as disclosed in the above specification. Either a configuration that satisfies the above or a configuration as a single recording head that is integrally formed may be used, but the present invention can more effectively exert the above-described effects.

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

It is preferable to add recovery means for the printhead, preliminary auxiliary means, and the like, which are provided as components of the printing apparatus of the present invention, since the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. To be more specific, a capping unit, a cleaning unit, a pressure or suction unit, a preheating unit using an electrothermal converter, another heating element, or a combination thereof, for the recording head. Performing a preliminary ejection mode in which ejection is performed separately from printing is also effective for performing stable printing.

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

In the embodiments of the present invention described above, the ink is described as a liquid, but the ink is solidified at room temperature or below, and is softened or liquid at room temperature, or the ink itself is 30 ° C. to 70 ° C. in the above-described inkjet. In general, the temperature is controlled within the range of not more than ° C. and the temperature is controlled so that the viscosity of the ink is in the stable ejection range. Therefore, it is sufficient if the ink is in a liquid state when the use recording signal is applied.
In addition, positively prevent the temperature rise due to thermal energy by using the energy of the state change of the ink from the solid state to the liquid state, or use ink that solidifies in a standing state to prevent evaporation of the ink. In any case, heat energy is applied by heat energy, such as one in which ink is liquefied and ejected as an ink liquid by application of heat energy according to a recording signal, or one which already starts to solidify when reaching a recording medium. The use of an ink that liquefies for the first time is also applicable to the present invention. In such a case, the ink is disclosed in JP-A-54-56847 or JP-A-60-56847.
As described in -71260, in a state of being held as a liquid or solid in a porous sheet concave portion or through hole,
It is good also as a form which opposes an electrothermal transducer. In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

〔The invention's effect〕

As described above, according to the present invention, the cap member can be brought into a state in which the inside of the cap member is slightly communicated with the atmosphere via the discharged ink absorber and the discharged ink guide path which absorb the discharged ink during capping. By increasing the humidity in the inside, it is possible to prevent clogging due to the fixation of the ink discharge unit, and the ink meniscus of the ink discharge unit is destroyed by the pressurization phenomenon in the cap when the cap member caps the ink jet recording head. It is possible to provide a highly reliable ink jet recording apparatus which can prevent the occurrence of the problem.

Also, since the discharged ink absorber is housed inside the paper feed roller and the discharged ink discharge side of the suction pump is directly embedded in the discharged ink absorber, the discharge ink path can be shortened, and the pump itself can be reduced in size. In addition, it is not necessary to provide a dedicated space for arranging the discharged ink absorber in the apparatus, and the size of the ink jet recording apparatus can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of a main part of an embodiment of the present invention applied to FIG. 1, and FIG. Fig. 3 (b) is a perspective view of a piston, Fig. 4 (a) is a sectional view of a pump according to the background art of the present invention, and Fig. 4 (b) is a piston having a top dead center. FIG. 5 (a) is an assembled perspective view of the blade unit, FIG. 5 (b) is a perspective view of the timing gear of FIG. 5 (a), FIG. (C) is an explanatory view of assembling the ink absorber of FIG. 5 (a), FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of wiping the head blade of FIG. 5 (a), and FIG. 7 is another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 Chassis 1a Left plate 1b Right plate 1c Front plate 1d Carrier guide plate 1e Slot 1f, 1g Motor mounting hole 1h Lead arm 1i Bearing 2 … Lead screw 2a… Lead groove 2f, 2g… Shaft 3… Lead pulley 3a… Pulley 3b… Recovery groove 3c… Introducing groove 4… Clutch gear 5… Clutch spring 6… Carrier 6a… Press Portion 6b Detection piece 7 Hard pin 8 Lead pin spring 9 Recording head 9a Nozzle surface 9b Tank portion 9c Nozzle 10 Carrier roller 11 Carrier motor 11a Rotating pin 11b … Spring receiver 12… Motor pulley 13… Timing belt 14… Motor spring 15… Set shaft 16… Blade lever 16 a… Boss 16 b… Arm 16 c… Hook 16 d… Slot 17 Blade 18… Blade shaft 18a… Rotating piece 19… A Link carrier 20 Set lever 20a, 20b Small arm 20c Hook 20d Dowel 21 Timing gear 21a Blade cam 21b Driving tooth 21c Cap cam A 21d Cap cam B 21f Piston set cam 21g Piston reset cam 22 Ink absorber spring 22a Absorber holder 23 Ink absorber 23a Cleaning part 23b Absorbing surface 24 Cylinder 24a Cylinder part 24b … Guide part 24c …… Ink flow path 24d …… Catch pre-bar receiver 24e …… Ink flow path 24f …… Rotating lever 24g …… Ink discharge pipe 24h …… Ink flow path 25 …… Cylinder cap 25a …… Lever guide 26 Piston seal 27 Piston shaft 27a Operating shaft 27b Piston holder 27c Piston receiver 27d Connecting shaft 27e Guide shaft 27f Groove 27g Non-rotating 27h Bearing 28 …… Piston 28d… Piston rib 28e Hole 29 Piston pressing roller 30 Piston return roller 31 Roller shaft 32 Roller shaft 32a Rotating shaft 32b Ink guide 32c Lever guide 32d Seal surface 32e … Engagement part 32f… ink channel 32g …… notch 33 …… lever seal 33a …… communication hole 34 …… cap holder 34a …… hook 34b …… opening 35 …… cap 35a …… suction port 35b… … Flange 35c… Cap seal 36… Paper feed roller 37… Drain absorber 38… Paper holding plate 39… Paper feed motor 40… Recording paper 41… Photo interrupter 42… Pump chamber 43 …… cap spring

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. An ink jet recording apparatus having a cap member capable of sealing an ink ejection portion of an ink jet recording head, comprising: a discharged ink absorber having ink absorbency and air permeability; A paper feed roller housed therein in a communication state, a discharge ink guide path communicating with the inside of the cap member, and guiding the discharge ink discharged from the inside of the cap member to the discharge ink absorber; An ink discharge path disposed at an end of the ink guide path on the side of the discharged ink absorber, for discharging discharged ink in the cap member from within the cap member to the discharged ion absorber through the discharged ink guide path; And a suction pump directly buried in the waste ink absorber, wherein the suction pump performs the ink jet recording by the cap member. An ink jet recording apparatus characterized by having a piston mechanism in communication with the said cap member during the capping of the head and the waste ink absorber. 2. The cap mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the cap member is configured to open the drain ink passage provided in the cylinder when the cap member caps the ink jet recording head, so that the cap member and the drain ink absorbing member are opened. 2. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said ink jet recording apparatus communicates with a body via said ink discharge guide path. 3. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said ink jet recording head has an electrothermal converter for generating thermal energy for discharging ink.