JP3391366B2 - Ink jet recording device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention has an ink jet type recording head that moves in the width direction of a recording sheet, and forms an image by ejecting ink droplets onto the recording sheet in conformity with print data. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording device equipped with a recording head, and more particularly to a technique for filling the recording head with ink when replacing an ink cartridge.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An ink jet type recording apparatus is filled with a delivery liquid in order to maintain the same conditions as during use in a distribution process because ink is pressurized in a pressure generating chamber and ejected from a nozzle opening. Measures are taken to prevent the ingress of dryness and dust. For this reason, an operation of removing the product liquid filled in the recording head prior to the start of use, a so-called initial filling operation is required.

In order to simplify the ink replenishment operation, the ink is replenished by being accommodated in a cartridge and being attached to or detached from a recording head.
Therefore, as the cartridge is replaced, the recording head is apt to be infiltrated with the atmosphere, flow into the pressure generating chamber to weaken the applied pressure, and deteriorate the printing quality. In order to solve such a problem, an ink filling operation is required when replacing the ink cartridge.

In these initial filling operation and ink filling operation, the nozzle plate of the recording head is sealed with a cap member formed in a cup shape with an elastic member such as rubber,
This is performed by forcibly discharging the ink from the nozzle opening by applying a negative pressure from the suction pump.

[0005]

However, while the density of the nozzle openings of the recording head has increased and the number of nozzles has increased, the area to be sealed has become large, but a delicate contact with the recording head is secured. Therefore, the rigidity of the cap member cannot be increased indefinitely, the rigidity of the cap member is relatively decreased, and the cap is deformed without being able to withstand the differential pressure applied during the suction operation. There is a problem that a gap is generated between them, the suction pressure is lowered, and a filling error occurs.
The present invention was made in view of such circumstances, and an object, and when ink is filled into the first recording head after factory shipment, also such as when replacing the ink cartridge, the ink cartridge It is an object of the present invention to provide an ink jet recording apparatus capable of reliably filling the recording head with ink at the time of mounting.

[0006]

In order to solve such a problem, according to the present invention, an ink jet is supplied from an ink cartridge and ejects an ink droplet from a nozzle opening of a nozzle plate in accordance with print data. Type recording head, a cap member that elastically contacts the nozzle plate to prevent the nozzle opening from drying, a suction pump that supplies a negative pressure to the cap member to eject ink from the nozzle opening, and an ink cartridge is mounted In the ink jet recording apparatus including a suction control unit that operates the suction pump to discharge ink from the recording head when the ink cartridge is attached, the suction control unit The pressure of the member is returned to atmospheric pressure , and intermittently and repeatedly.
The suction operation is performed a plurality of times so that the suction pressure becomes stronger as the pressure increases .

[0007]

Since the pressure of the cap member is returned to the atmospheric pressure during the suction, the pressure of the ink cartridge is recovered and an excessive differential pressure acts on the cap member as in the case of continuous suction.
At the time when the ink cartridge is installed without
Make sure to fill the print head with ink .

[0008]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The details of the present invention will be described below with reference to illustrated embodiments. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention, in which reference numeral 1 is a carriage, which is connected to a motor 3 by a timing belt 2 and guided by a guide member 4 so as to be parallel to a platen 5. It is configured to move. Recording paper 6 on carriage 1
A recording head 7 that receives ink from the ink cartridge 8 and pressurizes the pressure generating chamber with a piezoelectric vibrator or a heating element to eject ink droplets from the nozzle openings is provided on the surface facing the.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a capping device, which is connected to the suction pump 11 via a tube, and has a recording head 7
Has a size capable of sealing the nozzle opening surface of a single space, seals the nozzle opening surface at the time of non-printing, and receives negative pressure from the suction pump 11 at the time of discharge capacity recovery operation to supply ink from the recording head 7. It is configured so that it can be forcibly discharged. A cleaning device provided with an elastic plate, such as rubber, near the capping device 10, which is interlocked with the movement of the carriage 1 and which rises so as to come into contact with the nozzle plate 8a of the recording head 7 when the recording head 7 moves to the cleaning position. 12 are provided.

FIG. 2 is a top view showing an embodiment of the capping device 10 described above, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a state in which the recording head 7 is sealed. Reference numeral 20 in the drawing is a slider. When the carriage 1 moves to the non-printing area, it follows the movement of the carriage 1 and moves on the upper surface of the base 22 in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction.

A cap member 35 for sealing the nozzle opening surface of the recording head 7 is provided in one half of the upper surface on the printing area side (left side in the drawing), and the other half is an outer area (right side in the drawing). Is provided with a valve unit 36, and a flag piece 24 that comes into contact with the carriage 1 is provided at the outermost end.

The slider 20 has a protrusion 2 at the lower end on the outermost end side.
1 and slides on the surface of the guide surface 23 of the base 22, and also has protrusions 24 and 25 on the side of the printing area side that are orthogonal to the moving direction of the carriage 1, and one end is a long groove. 27
An arm 27 is rotatably supported by the other end of an arm 27 which is rotatably and vertically movable by a pin 26 of the base 22 via a, and is inserted between the base 21 and the arm 27. It is biased upward by the biasing means to assume a substantially horizontal posture.

A through hole 32 communicating with an ink suction port 31 of a cap member 30, which will be described later, is formed in the projection 25 engaging with the arm 27, and also serves as a connection flow path with the suction pump 11. .

On the upper surface of the base 22, the cap member 30 is separated from the nozzle plate 8a, and
so that it can occupy two positions that elastically contact a,
The guide surface 23 is configured as a low place 23a, a high place 23b, and a slope 23c connecting these, and a stopper 34 is formed at the outermost end thereof.

The cap member 30 is composed of a cap 35 and a support frame 36 for holding the cap 35. The cap 35 is formed of a synthetic resin such as rubber having ink resistance into a cup shape having an air communication hole 37 and the above-described ink suction port 31, and accommodates an ink absorbing plate 38 made of a porous material inside. It is configured.

The atmosphere communication port 37 and the ink suction port 3
1 is a conduit 3 formed integrally with the cap 35.
The valve unit 36, which will be described later, and the suction pump 11 are connected by 5a and 35b.

On the other hand, the support frame 36 includes the cap 35.
The fold portion 35c is formed in a cup shape so as to be exposed, and the bottom surface is loosely fitted to the convex portion 20a of the slider 20 and is swingably supported with respect to the slider.

Reference numeral 36 denotes the above-mentioned valve unit, which communicates with the conduit 35a through the tube 39 and which moves the valve seat 40 having the opening 40a on the cap member 30 side and the carriage 1 to the stopper 34 side from the capping position. Thus, the valve body 42 is provided on the operating rod 41 that abuts by the stopper 34 and retracts toward the cap member 30 side, and the spring 43 that constantly biases the valve body toward the stopper side.

With this structure, since a gap is formed between the operating rod 41 and the stopper 34 at the capping position as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the valve body 42 is elastically contacted with the valve seat 40 by the spring 43. To close the opening 40a. On the other hand, when the carriage 1 moves to the stopper 34 side and the operating rod 41 is pushed toward the cap member 30 side, the valve body 42 moves the valve seat 42.
The opening 40a is opened to the atmosphere.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the ink filling control device, in which reference numeral 50 is a suction control means,
It operates by detecting that a specific operation, for example, a specific switch SW1 and a power switch SW2 provided on the panel surface are operated at the same time, and a pump drive means 52 is operated by a signal from a suction mode setting means 51 described later. The suction pump 11 is operated.

The suction mode setting means 51 determines whether the ink is initially filled for the first time after shipment from the factory or is normally filled when the ink cartridge is replaced. Basically, one ink filling operation is divided into a plurality of times. The more times you repeat
It is configured by incorporating a suction sequence for increasing suction pressure and continuing suction for a predetermined time.

The initial filling is set such that the suction time is set longer than the normal filling and the number of series of operations is increased. Incidentally, reference numeral 53 in the drawing
Indicates a suction timer that controls the operating time of the pump 11 and the interval.

Next, the operation of the apparatus configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG.
Description will be made based on the flowchart shown in FIG. The recording apparatus shipped from the factory is filled with a transport liquid composed of a component different from the ink for the purpose of preventing the recording head 7 from drying and dust from entering. When the ink cartridge 8 is loaded on the cartridge mounting member of the carriage 1 prior to the use of the recording apparatus, the connecting needle communicating with the recording head 7 is inserted into the cartridge 8,
The recording head 7 communicates with the ink cartridge 8.

In this state, when the power is turned on in a predetermined procedure, for example, in the state where a specific operation switch is pressed, the suction control means 50 determines that the initial filling is performed, and starts the initial filling processing sequence. recording head by moving the carriage 1 in the capping equipment 10 7 cap member 3
As well as sealed by 0 (step b), the air communication port 31 of the cap member 30 seals the valve unit 36 (step b).

Subsequently, the suction control means 50 controls the suction pump 1 so that the first suction pressure P1 is generated in the cap member 30.
Operate while controlling the rotation speed of 1 (step
C).

As a result, the negative pressure P1 acts on the recording head 7, ink flows from the ink cartridge 8 into the recording head 7 at a flow velocity corresponding to the suction pressure P1 from the nozzle opening, and the liquid to be delivered from the recording head 7 is cap member 30. Is discharged to. In the first filling step, the suction pressure P1 is set to be relatively weak , so that the ink flows at a low speed in the recording head, and the delivery liquid is pushed out without being mixed with the delivery liquid. Pour in. As a result, the ink spreads to every corner of the recording head 7 , and the product liquid is completely discharged to the cap member 30.

Further, since the flow-in ink has a slow flow velocity and does not excessively reduce the pressure, it is filled in the recording head 7 with a very small amount of foaming, and at the same time, the delivery liquid or ink in the cap member 30. Bubbling is prevented.

[0028] Since excessive pressure differential fold portion 35a of the cap 35 is in is found is prevented from acting, continued suction pressure to the recording head 7 cap member 30 is sealed securely seal the recording head 7 Can be activated.

When the first suction operation continues for the predetermined time T1 (step D), the suction timer 53 is timed up, so that the pump driving means 52 causes the suction pump 11 to operate.
Stop (step E).

After stopping the pump 11, the carriage 1 is slightly moved to open the valve unit 36 and open the atmosphere communication hole 31 of the cap member 30 to the atmosphere (step
F) The pump 11 is operated at a pressure P3 suitable for sucking out the ink remaining in the cap member 30 and the conduit (step).

As a result, the waste ink discharged from the recording head 7 and remaining in the capping device and also in the flow path is
The ink is sucked into the waste ink tank without exerting a negative pressure that causes the recording head 7 to eject ink. At the same time, the pressure of the cartridge 8, which has been increased in the suction process in the previous process, is restored to a negative pressure suitable for printing at the time of factory shipment via the atmosphere communication port provided in the cartridge, and the pressure becomes excessive. The negative pressure is prevented, and the bubbles generated in the recording head 7 are dissolved in the ink again and disappear.

When the suction operation continues for a predetermined time T3 (step H), the pump 11 is stopped (step S), the carriage 1 is moved to the original position again, and the atmosphere communication port 31 is closed (step N). ), This time, the pump 11 is operated so as to generate the second suction pressure P2 which is stronger than the first suction pressure P1 (step).

As a result, the negative pressure P2 acts on the recording head 7, and the ink in the ink cartridge 8 flows into the recording head 7 from the recording head 7 at a high flow velocity corresponding to the negative pressure P2, and the ink corresponding to this is recorded. It is discharged from the head 7 to the cap member 30. In this way, as the ink passes through the recording head 7 at a flow velocity faster than the previous time,
Bubbles that have entered the recording head 7 due to the mounting of the cartridge 8 are also swept into the fast ink flow and discharged to the cap member 30.

Of course, since the pressure of the cartridge 8 has risen to some extent due to the suspension of the previous suction, the cartridge 8 does not become an excessive negative pressure, and the cap member 30 does not attract suction even with a strong pressure. Maintains the sealed state without losing the differential pressure.

When the predetermined time T2 has passed (step E), the pump 11 is stopped (step W), and the carriage 1 is slightly moved to move the cap member 30 as described above.
To the atmosphere (step C), the pump 11 is operated at a pressure P3 to discharge the waste ink (step Y), the waste ink is discharged to the outside from the cap member 30 and the flow path, and after a predetermined time T4 elapses ( The pump 11 is stopped at the step (step).

In this way, a series of suction operations are divided into a plurality of times, and the operation of sucking the ink while increasing the negative pressure as the number of times is repeated is repeated at least a plurality of times. Atmosphere communication hole 31 of member 30
Is closed (stepwise) and the recording head 7 is kept in a sealed state and stands by.

When the time T5 necessary for the ink in the recording head 7 to adjust to the pressure generating chambers and nozzle openings and settle down, for example, several seconds to several tens of seconds (steps),
When moving the carriage 1 in the cleaning equipment 12,
The wiper of the cleaning device 12 projects into the locus of movement of the recording head 7 and elastically contacts the nozzle plate 8a to wipe the nozzle plate 8a (step).

Needless to say, since a certain amount of time has passed since the recording head 7 was filled with ink, the ink is familiar to the nozzle openings, and the wiper and nozzle plate 8
An ink layer is formed between a and a, and wiping is smoothly performed, and damage to the nozzle plate 8a is prevented.

In this way, when the ink filling is completed and the ink is used for printing and the ink in the ink cartridge 8 is consumed, the ink cartridge 8 is moved to the carriage 1.
And replace it with a new cartridge.

When the predetermined operation similar to that at the time of initial filling is performed at the stage where the replacement of the ink cartridge is completed, the suction control means 50 activates the normal filling sequence similar to the initial filling.

Normally, in filling, it is not necessary to discharge the liquid to be sent, and it suffices to discharge the ink to the extent that the air bubbles that have entered the recording head can be eliminated by attaching and detaching the cartridge. Is less.

Therefore, although the suction pressure is increased in the suction mode setting means 51 step by step, the suction times T1 and T2 in each step of one filling process are set to be short and the suction operation is divided into a plurality of times. If the sequence is incorporated and the suction operation is performed in the same way as the initial filling (steps I to), a predetermined time T5 is set after completion of the filling (step S), air bubbles in the recording head are naturally eliminated, and then cleaning is performed. (Step) The replacement of the cartridge is completed.

In the above embodiment, the recording apparatus of the type in which the ink cartridge is mounted on the carriage has been described as an example. However, the ink cartridge is installed in the box and the ink is supplied to the recording head by the ink tube. It is obvious that the same effect can be obtained even when applied to the recording device of the above type.

[0044]

As described above, according to the present invention, the pressure of the cap member is returned to the atmospheric pressure during the suction to recover the pressure of the ink cartridge and prevent the excessive pressure difference from acting on the cap member. In this way, the large amount of ink required for initial filling and cartridge replacement can be reliably sucked in without deforming the cap member, and foreign matter other than the ink in the recording head can be reliably discharged , while the ink is discharged to the recording head.
It can be surely filled .

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a top view showing an embodiment of a capping device used in the above device.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a capping device used in the above device in a state in which the recording head is sealed and the atmosphere communication port is closed.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an ink filling processing apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an ink filling operation in the operation of the above apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing the operation of the above apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 carriage 7 Inkjet recording head 8 ink cartridges 10 Capping device 11 Suction pump 12 Cleaning device

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Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. An ink jet recording head which receives ink from an ink cartridge and discharges ink droplets from nozzle openings of a nozzle plate in accordance with print data; and an ink jet recording head which makes elastic contact with the nozzle plate to dry the nozzle openings. A cap member that prevents the suction, a suction pump that supplies a negative pressure to the cap member to eject ink from the nozzle opening, and a suction pump that operates when the ink cartridge is mounted to discharge ink from the recording head. the ink jet recording apparatus provided with a suction control means for the suction control means, when the ink cartridge is mounted, intermittent pressure of said cap member while returning to atmospheric pressure, and more inning The suction pressure will be stronger
Uni the pump a plurality of times, an ink jet recording apparatus for suction operation. 2. A cleaning member elastically contacting the nozzle plate is provided, and after the series of suction operations is completed, sealing is performed by the cap member for a time period during which bubbles in the ink filled in the recording head dissolve in the ink. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ink jet recording head is retracted from the cap member and then cleaned by the cleaning member.