JP4016613B2 - Inkjet recording device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus having a cleaner for scraping such as ink and dust adhering to the nozzle formation face of the recording head, about the particular ink jet recording apparatus having the retaining structure of the capping unit mounting frame.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Inkjet recording apparatuses are used for many printing including color printing in recent years because noise during printing is relatively small and small dots can be formed with high density.
Such an ink jet recording apparatus includes an ink jet recording head that receives ink supplied from an ink cartridge, and a paper feeding unit that moves the recording paper relative to the recording head.
Recording is performed by forming dots by ejecting ink droplets onto the recording paper while moving the recording head in accordance with the print signal. In this case, a recording head capable of ejecting, for example, black, yellow, cyan and magenta inks is mounted on the carriage, and full color printing is enabled by changing the ejection ratio of each ink.
[0003]
As described above, the ink jet recording apparatus has the following problems in relation to printing by ejecting ink onto the recording paper as ink droplets from the nozzle openings. That is, the increase in ink viscosity due to the evaporation of the ink solvent from the nozzle opening, the solidification of the ink on the nozzle forming surface, and the adhesion of dust cause clogging in the nozzle opening, and further bubbles are mixed in the recording head, This is a problem that causes printing defects.
[0004]
For this reason, in addition to the recording head and the paper feeding means described above, the ink jet recording apparatus includes a capping means for sealing the nozzle forming surface of the recording head when not printing, and a suction pump for sucking and discharging ink into the capping means And a wiping means (cleaner) for cleaning the nozzle forming surface of the recording head after the ink is sucked and discharged by the suction pump.
In order to prevent the nozzle opening from being clogged and air bubbles from being mixed into the recording head, the ink is forcibly sucked and discharged from the recording head into the capping means by the suction pump, and is then transferred to the print area of the carriage. In accordance with this operation, the nozzle forming surface of the recording head is wiped (wiped) by the cleaner.
[0005]
Such a forced ink discharge process for eliminating clogging of the recording head or when bubbles remain in the recording head is called a cleaning operation. Then, it is executed when printing is resumed after a long pause in the recording apparatus, or when the user recognizes a print quality defect such as print fading and operates the cleaning switch.
[0006]
By the way, this type of ink jet recording apparatus is assembled by previously assembling a plurality of component parts into a plurality of types of unit parts and then fixing these unit parts in the apparatus housing.
Some unit parts constituting such a recording apparatus include, for example, a frame for attaching capping means assembled to a cleaner guide base.
In this case, the frame is restricted from moving in the base surface direction by inserting a pin provided on the frame through the base.
Further, by locking the elastically deformable locking piece provided on the frame to the base, the frame can be prevented from coming off from the base.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in such a frame retaining structure, the frame locking piece is elastically deformed and locked to the base. Therefore, when the frame and the cleaner are assembled to the base to form a unit, the locking piece. Could break. As a result, it is necessary to pay close attention to the assembly of the frame, and there is a problem of making the assembly operation difficult.
[0008]
The present invention has been made to solve such a technical problem, and provides an ink jet recording apparatus capable of simplifying the frame assembling work without paying close attention to the assembling of the frame. The purpose is to do.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention made to achieve the above object includes a set position for wiping the nozzle forming surface of the recording head in the moving path of the recording head, and a retreat from the moving path of the recording head. The cleaning head cleaning cleaner capable of moving back and forth in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the recording head, a capping means mounting frame for sealing the recording head, the cleaner, An ink jet recording apparatus comprising a base member for mounting a mounting frame, wherein the cleaner is provided with a stopper for restricting movement of the mounting frame, and the mounting frame is a recording head with respect to the base. The mounting frame is brought into contact with the stopper so as to be in contact with the stopper. A movement restricting piece for restricting movement from the state assembled to the member is provided, and the dimension of the movement restricting piece in the cleaner advancing / retreating direction is smaller than the movement stroke of the cleaner, and the stopper at the reset position of the cleaner The movement restricting piece abuts to restrict the movement of the mounting frame, and the movement restricting piece is not interposed between the stopper and the base at the cleaner setting position.
Due to such a configuration, the attachment frame is prevented from coming off from the base by restricting the movement of the attachment frame to the non-printing area side by the stopper.
Therefore, it is not necessary to pay close attention to the mounting frame as in the conventional case, and the assembling work can be simplified.
[0010]
Here, it is preferable that the stopper includes a protrusion that guides the ink wiped from the nozzle forming surface of the recording head by the cleaner in the direction of gravity.
Since it is comprised in this way, a part of cleaner can be used effectively as a stopper.
[0011]
Furthermore, it is desirable that the cleaner is a cleaner that advances and retreats in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the recording head.
Because of this configuration, the stopper can be advanced and retracted in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the recording head when the frame is assembled.
Preferably, the frame is provided with a frame movement restricting portion that contacts the stopper in a frame movement restricting state.
Due to such a configuration, the stopper comes into contact with the frame movement restricting portion, and the movement of the frame toward the non-printing area is restricted.
[0012]
Further, it is desirable that the frame movement restricting portion is interposed between the stopper and the base in a reset state of the cleaner.
With this configuration, the frame is prevented from being detached while the cleaner is reset.
Furthermore, it is desirable that the dimension of the frame movement restricting portion in the cleaner advancing / retreating direction is set to be smaller than the movement stroke of the cleaner.
Since it is comprised in this way, the pin of a flame | frame can be penetrated to a base in the set state of a cleaner.
[0013]
And it is desirable to provide the frame movement restriction part with an auxiliary restriction part for restricting the movement of the frame in the cleaner traveling direction.
With this configuration, when the frame moves in the cleaner advancing direction, the auxiliary restricting portion comes into contact with the stopper. Therefore, the frame moving restricting portion is arranged on the printing area side of the stopper so that the frame does not move. Movement to the print area side is restricted.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be described based on an embodiment shown in the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the overall configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.
In FIG. 1, the carriage denoted by reference numeral 1 is configured to be able to reciprocate in the axial direction of the platen 5 by being guided by a guide member 4 via a timing belt 3 driven by a carriage motor 2.
[0015]
An ink jet recording head 12 is mounted on the lower surface portion (the side facing the recording paper 6) of the carriage 1, and the black ink cartridge 7 and the color ink cartridge 8 for supplying ink to the recording head 12 on the upper surface portion. Is detachably held.
[0016]
A capping unit 9 is disposed in the non-printing area (home position) of the carriage 1. The capping means 9 (cap member) is configured to be raised when the recording head 12 is moved immediately above, and to seal the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 12. A suction pump (tube pump) 10 as a pump unit for applying a negative pressure to the internal space of the cap member is disposed below the capping means 9.
[0017]
The capping means 9 has a function as a lid for preventing the nozzle openings of the recording head 12 from being dried during a rest period of the ink jet recording apparatus. Further, a function as an ink receiver during a flushing operation in which a drive signal unrelated to printing is applied to the recording head 12 to idlely discharge ink droplets, and a negative pressure from the suction pump 10 is applied to the recording head 12. It also has a function as a cleaning means for sucking ink by acting.
[0018]
A wiping / rubbing means (cleaner) 11 is disposed in the vicinity of the print area side of the capping means 9 so as to be able to advance and retreat in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the moving path of the recording head 12.
The moving force of the cleaner 11 and the suction operation of the suction pump 10 use the driving force of a paper feed motor that transports the recording paper 6.
[0019]
Next, the capping means of the ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 are side views for explaining the non-capping state and the capping state of the ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a capping means mounting frame of an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is also applied. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a capping means mounting frame and a capping means moving slider of an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.
2 and 3, the carriage denoted by reference numeral 1 is guided by the guide member 4 as described above, and is configured to reciprocate in parallel to face a paper guide plate (not shown).
The capping unit 9 includes a cap member 9a that can seal the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 12, and a cap holder 9b that holds the cap member 9a.
[0020]
The cap member 9a is integrally provided on the cap holder 9b by, for example, a two-color molding method, and the whole is formed by a plane substantially rectangular box made of an elastic material such as an elastomer. The cap member 9a is connected to the suction pump 10 (shown in FIG. 1) via an ink discharge pipe (not shown). As a result, when a cleaning command is received, negative pressure by the suction pump 10 is applied to the internal space of the cap member 9a in a state where the nozzle formation surface of the recording head 12 is sealed, and ink is forced from the recording head 12. Can be discharged.
[0021]
On the other hand, the cap holder 9b is formed of a substantially rectangular box like the cap member 9a, and the whole is formed of a material harder than the material (elastomer) of the cap member 9a. The cap holder 9b is mounted on a slider 15 constituting a slider lifting / lowering mechanism (sliding mechanism), and is constantly urged toward the recording head by a compression spring (not shown). The slider 15 is moved to the capping position and the non-capping position by the horizontal / lifting movement of the slider 15 accompanying the reciprocating movement of the carriage 1.
[0022]
The slider 15 is connected to a fixed frame 31 as an attachment frame in the recording apparatus via a tension spring (not shown). As a result, the slider 15 is biased downward in the direction approaching the print region and away from the recording head 12, that is, from the state shown in FIG. 3 to the state shown in FIG.
[0023]
As shown in FIG. 2, when the carriage 1 moves directly above the capping means 9, the engaging body 1 a provided on the carriage 1 contacts the engaging portion 15 </ b> A provided so as to stand upright on the slider 15. By contact, the slider 15 moves to the non-printing area side against the elastic force of the tension spring as shown in FIG. Thereby, the nozzle formation surface of the recording head 12 can be sealed with the cap member 9a (seal part).
[0024]
When the carriage 1 moves to the print area side, the contact of the engagement body 1a with the engagement portion 15A is released, and the slider 15 is brought into the state shown in FIG. 2 by the elastic force of the tension spring. Thereby, sealing of the nozzle formation surface in the recording head 12 by the cap member 9a can be released.
[0025]
As shown in FIG. 5, two protrusions 15a and 15c are arranged on the right side of the slider 15 in parallel in the horizontal / vertical (front / rear / up / down) direction at a predetermined interval. On the left side, two protrusions 15b and 15d are provided in parallel with a predetermined interval in the horizontal and vertical directions. That is, the protrusions 15a and 15b are arranged at symmetrical positions on the printing area side (both front portions) of the slider 15, and the protrusions 15c and 15d are disposed on the non-printing area side (both rear portions). It is arranged in a symmetrical position.
[0026]
The fixed frame 31 is disposed between two bases 46 and 47 that are disposed in the vicinity of the cleaning (set) position of the cleaner 11 and that are opposed to each other in the reciprocating direction of the carriage 1 with a predetermined interval. The fixed frame 31 is provided with cam holes 22 to 25 for guiding the protrusions 15a to 15d. The projections 15a to 15d are inserted into the cam holes 22 to 25 and are held movably. In addition, the fixed frame 31 is provided with two pins 31 a and 31 b that are parallel to the forward and backward direction of the cleaner 11 and that pass through the base 46.
[0027]
A frame movement restricting piece 31c that is interposed in the retracted (reset) state of the cleaner 11 is integrally provided between the base 46 and a stopper (described later) substantially at the center in the axial direction of the pins 31a and 31b. Yes. The frame movement restricting piece 31c is integrally provided with an auxiliary restricting portion 31B connected to the front surface portion of the fixed frame 31. When the fixed frame 31 moves in the moving direction of the cleaner 11 (for example, when the diameter of the pin hole through which the pins 31a and 31b are inserted is large), the auxiliary restricting portion 31B is a frame movement restricting stopper (described later). ) And the movement of the fixed frame 31 in the cleaner traveling direction can be restricted. Thereby, the frame movement restricting piece 31c can be always arranged on the printing area side of the stopper to restrict the movement of the fixed frame 31 to the non-printing area side.
[0028]
The dimension of the frame movement restricting piece 31 c in the cleaner advancing / retreating direction is set to be smaller than the movement stroke of the cleaner 11. Thus, when the cleaner 11 is set, the frame movement restricting piece 31c is not interposed between the frame movement restricting stopper and the base 46, and both the pins 31a and 31b are attached to the base 46 when the fixed frame 31 is assembled to the base 46. Can be inserted. Further, the dimension between the frame movement restricting piece 31c and the fixed frame 31 (front face part) is set to be smaller than the axial dimension of the insertion end part of the base 46 of the pins 31a and 31b. Thereby, the fixed frame 31 is moved in the axial direction of the pins 31a and 31b in the assembled state of the fixed frame 31 and the cleaner 11 with respect to the base 46 (a state where the pins 31a and 31b are inserted into the base 46). be able to.
[0029]
At each end position of each of the cam holes 22 to 25, a low portion 22a to 25a and a high portion 22b to 25b are arranged, and between these both portions 22a to 25a and 22b to 25b, inclined portions 22c to 22c. 25c is arranged. Among these, the low portions 22a and 23a and the high portions 22b and 23b and the inclined portions 22c and 23c on the printing area side are disposed in the upper part of the inner surfaces of the cam holes 22 and 23, respectively. On the other hand, the low portions 24a and 25a and the high portions 24b and 25b and the inclined portions 24c and 25c on the non-printing area side are disposed at the lower portions of the inner surfaces of the cam holes 24 and 25.
[0030]
Of the cam holes 22 to 25, the first notches 24 </ b> A and 25 </ b> A that open to the non-printing area side (rear side) are provided in the cam holes 24 and 25 on the non-printing area side. Wherein the non-printing area side of the cam holes 24 and 25, the first notch 24A, communicates with 25A, and the upper entry opening (recording head side) port 24A _1, 25A ₁ is provided. On the other hand, of the cam holes 22 and 23 on the print area side, the left cam hole 22 is provided with a second notch 22A that opens to the print area side (front).
In addition, the inner surface front part of the cam hole 23 on the printing area side and the inner surface front part of both the cam holes 24 and 25 on the non-printing area side can function as a stopper for restricting the movement of the slider 15 to the printing area side. It becomes possible.
[0031]
Next, the retaining structure of the capping means mounting frame in the ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 are a plan view and a front view showing a retaining structure for the capping means mounting frame in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention. FIGS. 8 and 9 are a bottom view and a right side view, respectively, showing a retaining structure for the capping means mounting frame in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention.
As shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, the cleaner 11 comprises wiping / rubbing means that advances and retreats in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the recording head 12 as described above, and is disposed on the base 46. .
[0032]
The cleaner 11 includes a rubbing member 62 such as felt and a wiping member 63 such as rubber, and a holder 64 that holds both the members 62 and 63. The drive mechanism 71 is configured to advance to a wiping / rubbing (cleaning) position in the moving path of the recording head 12 and to retreat from the moving position to the outside of the moving path. Therefore, dust or paper dust attached to the nozzle formation surface is removed by the rubbing member 62 before ink suction during the cleaning operation, and ink attached to the nozzle formation surface is wiped by the wiping member 63 after ink suction.
The drive mechanism 71 is a cam mechanism having a pump drive shaft 43 that drives the suction pump 10 and a cleaner drive lever 73 that is driven by the rotation of the pump drive shaft 43, and is attached to the base 46.
[0033]
On the non-printing area side of the holder 64, an ink guide groove 64a for guiding the ink wiped from the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 12 by the wiping member 63 from the cleaner retracting side to the cleaner progressing side is provided. The holder 64 is provided with a protrusion 64b as a frame movement restricting stopper that guides ink from the ink guide groove 64a in the direction of gravity. Thereby, in a state where both the pins 31a and 31b are inserted into the base 46, the movement of the fixed frame 31 to the non-printing region side is restricted by the frame movement restricting piece 31c coming into contact with the protruding portion 64b. , So that the retaining can be executed.
[0034]
With the above configuration, the fixed frame 31 is assembled to the base 46 by placing the cleaner 11 in the set state on the base 46, and then inserting both pins 31a and 31b through the base 46, and then resetting the cleaner 11 from the set position. The frame movement restricting piece 31c is disposed between the base 46 and the protruding portion 64b by retracting to a position. In this case, if the frame movement restricting piece 31c is disposed between the protruding portion 64b and the base 46 in a state where both the pins 31a and 31b are inserted into the base 46, the frame movement restricting piece 31c contacts the protruding portion 64b, and the base 46 It is possible to prevent the fixed frame 31 from coming off.
Therefore, in this embodiment, it is not necessary to pay close attention to the assembling of the fixed frame 31 as in the prior art, and the assembling work can be simplified.
[0035]
In the present embodiment, the case where the fixed frame 31 is prevented from being detached by interposing the frame movement restricting piece 31c between the protruding portion 64b and the base 46 in the reset state of the cleaner 11 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the cleaning can be performed even when a frame movement restricting piece is interposed between the stopper and the base in the set state of the cleaner 11.
In the present embodiment, the case where the movement restriction and the rotation restriction of the fixed frame 31 in the base surface direction are performed by the two pins 31a and 31b has been described. For example, a part of the peripheral surface of the pin is a flat surface. This can be done with a single pin.
[0036]
【The invention's effect】
As is apparent from the above description, the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention can simplify the frame assembling work without paying close attention to the assembling of the frame.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an outline of the overall configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a side view for explaining an uncapped state of the ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 3 is a side view for explaining a capping state of the ink jet recording apparatus to which the invention is applied.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a capping means mounting frame of an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a capping means mounting frame and a capping means moving slider of an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a retaining structure of a capping means mounting frame in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a front view showing a retaining structure for a capping means mounting frame in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a bottom view showing a retaining structure for a capping means mounting frame in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a right side view showing a structure for preventing a frame for attaching a capping means in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Carriage 2 Carriage motor 3 Timing belt 4 Guide member 5 Platen 6 Recording paper 7 Black ink cartridge 8 Color ink cartridge 9 Capping means 9a Cap member 9b Cap holder 10 Suction pump 11 Wiping / rubbing means (cleaner)
12 Recording head 15 Slider 31 Fixed frame 31a, 31b Pin 31c Frame movement restricting piece 31B Auxiliary restricting portion 43 Drive shaft (pump drive shaft)
46, 47 Base 62 Rubbing member 63 Wiping member 64 Holder 64a Ink guide groove 64b Protruding portion 71 Drive mechanism

Claims (2)

Advancing and retreating in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the recording head between a set position for wiping the nozzle forming surface of the recording head in the moving path of the recording head and a reset position for retracting from the moving path of the recording head. A possible cleaner for cleaning the recording head;
A mounting frame for capping means for sealing the recording head;
An ink jet recording apparatus comprising the cleaner and a base member to which the attachment frame is attached,
The cleaner is provided with a stopper for restricting movement of the mounting frame,
The mounting frame is assembled to the base from the direction of movement of the recording head, and the mounting frame is a movement restriction that regulates movement from the state assembled to the base member by contacting the stopper. A piece is provided,
The size of the movement restricting piece in the cleaner advancing / retreating direction is smaller than the movement stroke of the cleaner,
In the reset position of the cleaner, the stopper and the movement restricting piece abut to restrict the movement of the mounting frame,
An ink jet recording apparatus, wherein the movement restricting piece is not interposed between the stopper and the base at a set position of the cleaner.   2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stopper includes a protruding portion that guides ink wiped from the nozzle forming surface of the recording head by the cleaner in a gravity direction.

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